EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

BY DONALD PIERCE

MISSION STATEMENT
THE MISSION OF SONORAN SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE A RIGOROUS COLLEGE
PREP, STEM-FOCUSED EDUCATION THROUGH A CHALLENGING
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM, CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT, AND DEDICATED
TEACHERS, INSPIRING STUDENTS TO BECOME THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

WORK HOURS
SONORAN SCHOOLS STANDARD WORK WEEK FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IS FIVE DAYS.
EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND WEEKEND SCHOOL AND SCHEDULED
ACTIVITIES/EVENTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO OPEN HOUSES, FACULTY
TRAININGS, IEP MEETINGS, MET MEETINGS, SECTION 504 MEETINGS, AND FIELD TRIPS.
EMPLOYEES MAY NOT DEVIATE FROM THE SCHOOLS HOURS OF WORK, UNLESS THE
PRINCIPAL SPECIFICALLY APPROVES A REQUEST.
ALL EMPLOYEES MUST BE ON CAMPUS FROM 7:45 A.M. TO 4:15 P.M. MONDAYS THROUGH
FRIDAYS. LATE ARRIVAL OR EARLY DEPARTURE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PRINCIPAL OR
DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATOR. TEACHERS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS
AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE 1ST CLASS PERIOD STARTS.

VISITORS
ONLY PARENTS AND AUTHORIZED VISITORS ARE PERMITTED AT SCHOOL.
VISITS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM AND SHOULD NOT
EXCEED 15 MINUTES.
EMPLOYEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEIR GUESTS.
ALL VISITORS MUST ENTER THROUGH THE RECEPTION AREA AND RECEIVE A NAME BADGE.
ANY
EMPLOYEE THAT NOTICES AN UNAUTHORIZED VISITOR SHOULD DIRECT THAT PERSON TO THE
RECEPTION AREA FOR A NAME BADGE AND NOTIFY AN ADMINISTRATOR OR STAFF PERSON
IMMEDIATELY.

CONDUCT
SONORAN SCHOOLS RESPECTS THE PRIVACY INTERESTS OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND RECOGNIZES THEIR
RIGHT TO CONDUCT THEIR PERSONAL LIVES FREE FROM INTERFERENCE FROM THE SCHOOL
NONETHELESS, EMPLOYEES SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT, EVEN WHILE OFF-DUTY, THEY REPRESENT
SONORAN SCHOOLS TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD STRIVE TO PRESERVE SONORAN SCHOOLS
REPUTATION. IN ADDITION, CERTAIN TYPES OF OFF-DUTY CONDUCT MAY REFLECT POORLY UPON AN
EMPLOYEES CHARACTER AND JUDGMENT AND THEREBY INFLUENCE HIS OR HER STANDING AS A
SONORAN SCHOOLS EMPLOYEE. THEREFORE, EMPLOYEES WHO ENGAGE IN UNPROFESSIONAL OR
CRIMINAL CONDUCT OR OTHER SERIOUS MISCONDUCT OFF-DUTY MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY
ACTION BY THE SCHOOL, UP TO AND INCLUDING TERMINATION OF 25 EMPLOYMENT, IF SUCH
CONDUCT IS DETERMINED BY MANAGEMENT TO BE HARMFUL TO OUR IMAGE, TO BE INCONSISTENT
WITH EXPECTATIONS OF OUR EMPLOYEES, OR TO OTHERWISE ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR LEGITIMATE
BUSINESS INTERESTS.

2ND JOB
EMPLOYEES MAY WORK FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYER OR THEMSELVES, AS LONG AS:
THE WORK DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH MEETING THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OR
TIME
REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR JOBS SONORAN SCHOOLS.
THE WORK DOES NOT AND WILL NOT BE IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH SONORAN
SCHOOLS.
THE WORK WILL NOT CREATE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST AFFECTING SONORAN
SCHOOLS.
THE EMPLOYEES ACTIVITY WILL NOT SUBJECT SONORAN SCHOOLS TO PUBLIC
CRITICISM OR EMBARRASSMENT. THIS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF SONORAN SCHOOLS.

HARRASSMENT
HARASSMENT IS DEFINED AS VERBAL OR PHYSICAL CONDUCT THAT
DENIGRATES OR SHOWS HOSTILITY OR AVERSION TOWARDS AN INDIVIDUAL
BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE,
DISABILITY, OR PREGNANCY. HARASSMENT MAY INCLUDE VARIOUS CONDUCT
RELATING TO AN INDIVIDUALS PROTECTED CLASS SUCH AS: EPITHETS,
SLURS, NEGATIVE STEREOTYPING, THREATS, INTIMIDATION, HOSTILE ACTS,
UNWELCOME JOKES, OR HOSTILE WRITTEN OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL IN THE
WORKPLACE.

HARASSMENT
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: UNWELCOME SEXUAL ADVANCES,
REQUESTS FOR SEXUAL FAVORS AND OTHER VERBAL OR PHYSICAL CONDUCT OF A
SEXUAL NATURE, SUCH AS UNINVITED TOUCHING OR SEXUALLY-RELATED
COMMENTS, WHEN (1) SUBMISSION TO THE CONDUCT IS MADE EITHER EXPLICITLY
OR IMPLICITLY A TERM OR CONDITION OF AN INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYMENT; (2)
SUBMISSION TO OR REJECTION OF SUCH CONDUCT IS USED AS THE BASIS FOR
EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS AFFECTING THE PERSON INVOLVED; OR (3) SUCH
CONDUCT HAS THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF SUBSTANTIALLY INTERFERING WITH AN
INDIVIDUALS WORK PERFORMANCE OR CREATING AN INTIMIDATING, HOSTILE, OR
OFFENSIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

HARASSMENT
SEXUAL PRANKS, OR REPEATED SEXUAL TEASING, JOKES, OR INNUENDO, IN PERSON
OR VIA E-MAIL;
SEXUAL EPITHETS, JOKES, WRITTEN OR ORAL REFERENCES TO SEXUAL CONDUCT,
GOSSIP REGARDING ONES SEX LIFE; COMMENT ON AN INDIVIDUALS BODY, COMMENT
ABOUT AN INDIVIDUALS SEXUAL ACTIVITY, DEFICIENCIES, OR PROWESS;
DISPLAYING SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE OBJECTS, PICTURES, CARTOONS;
TOUCHING OR GRABBING OF A SEXUAL NATURE;
UNWELCOME LEERING, WHISTLING, BRUSHING AGAINST THE BODY, SEXUAL
GESTURES, SUGGESTIVE OR INSULTING COMMENTS; AND,
INQUIRIES INTO ONES SEXUAL EXPERIENCES.

GIFTS
SONORAN SCHOOLS REQUIRES THAT EMPLOYEES NOT COMPROMISE THE
SCHOOL, ITS CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS, OR SUPPLIERS FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
EXAMPLES OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
ACCEPTING GIFTS WORTH MORE THAN $25, REQUESTING OR GRANTING
FAVORS, OR CONDUCTING BUSINESS FOR PERSONAL GAIN. ANY AMOUNT
OVER $25 IS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SCHOOL APPROVAL. EMPLOYEES ARE
REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ALL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST TO THE PRINCIPAL.
FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION, UP TO AND
INCLUDING TERMINATION.

DRESS CODE
SONORAN SCHOOLS FACULTY AND STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO THE
DRESS CODE. EMPLOYEES ARE EXPECTED TO USE GOOD JUDGMENT AND
TASTE AND TO SHOW COURTESY TO THEIR CO-WORKERS AND ASSOCIATES BY
DRESSING IN A FASHION THAT IS PRESENTABLE AND APPROPRIATE. TEACHERS
DRESS MAY AFFECT THE RESPECT GIVEN TO TEACHERS AND STAFF BY
STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS. FOR THIS REASON, ALL STAFF MEMBERS
SHOULD APPEAR NEAT, CLEAN, AND APPROPRIATELY DRESSED AT ALL TIMES IN
THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. THE PRINCIPAL OR SUPERVISOR MAY APPROVE
VARIATIONS FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS OR SPIRIT DAYS.

DRESS CODE
NO:
1) SKIRT, SKORTS, OR DRESS HEMLINES MORE THAN THREE INCHES ABOVE THE TOP OF THE
KNEE.
2) SHORTS OR SKORTS WITH HEMLINES ABOVE THE FINGERTIPS WHEN ARMS ARE PLACED AT
ONES SIDES. (PE EXEMPT)
3) BLUE JEANS, EXCEPT FOR FREE DRESS DAYS OR FIELD TRIPS (PE, SECURITY GUARD EXEMPT).
4) TORN OR RIPPED CLOTHING.
5) SWEAT SUITS OR WIND SUITS, EXCEPT BY PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE PRINCIPAL (PE EXEMPT).
6) TANK TOPS, STRAPLESS, SPAGHETTI STRAPPED, OR LOW-CUT TOPS.

CONFIDENTIAL
STUDENT RECORDS OR INFORMATION
FAMILY INFORMATION
PERSONNEL RECORDS OR INFORMATION
COMPUTER PROCESSES
COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND CODES
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MARKETING STRATEGIES
EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES
PENDING PROJECTS

FERPA
THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) WAS ENACTED
TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY INTERESTS OF STUDENT RECORDS. ALL
EMPLOYEES MUST FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN FERPA.

FERPA
YOU CANNOT SHARE:
THE RIGHT FOR PARENTS TO ACCESS AND REVIEW THE EDUCATION RECORDS
OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND THE RIGHT FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO INSPECT AND
REVIEW THEIR OWN RECORDS.
THE RIGHT FOR PARENTS AND ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO CHALLENGE ANY
RECORDS THAT THEY FEEL ARE INACCURATE, MISLEADING, OR IN VIOLATION OF
THEIR PRIVACY RIGHTS.
THE RIGHTS FOR PARENTS AND ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO GIVE PRIOR CONSENT
BEFORE A THIRD PARTY CAN HAVE ACCESS TO ANY EDUCATION RECORDS.
THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF THE RIGHTS GRANTED BY FERPA AND THE
PROCEDURES FOR EXERCISING THOSE RIGHTS.

FERPA
FERPA ALLOWS FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT RECORDS WITHOUT
PARENTAL CONSENT IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:
DIRECTORY INFORMATION,
TEACHERS OR OTHER SCHOOL OFFICIALS,
OFFICIALS OF ANOTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM WHERE THE STUDENT SEEKS TO
ENROLL,
STATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS OR THEIR OFFICIALS,
STATE AND FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITIES,

FERPA

IN COMPLIANCE WITH A JUDICIAL ORDER OR A LAWFULLY ISSUED SUBPOENA,

IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECEIPT OR APPLICATION OF FINANCIAL AID,
ORGANIZATIONS CONDUCTING EDUCATIONAL STUDIES,
ACCREDITING ORGANIZATIONS, OR
HEALTH AND SAFETY EMERGENCY.