iconCuyahoga Valley Christian Academy
Local Professional Development Committee
By-Laws

Philosophy of Professional Development
Since the scripture indicates that the fully mature student will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40), it is the teacher's responsibility to strive to become the best Christian model and teacher he/she can become. The importance of "doing all for the glory of God" also guides the professional development philosophy of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA). Teachers should be striving for excellence in the delivery and development of the curriculum at CVCA; and further, since they are the living curriculum, they should be "pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

Mission Statement
The CVCA Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) serves to ensure that high quality professional development continues for all educators and that appropriate licensure is procured.

Purpose of the LPDC
The LPDC reviews Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDP) to ensure that all educational activities and coursework relate to the spiritual and professional growth needs of the educator, the needs of the students, and the school-based improvement plan of CVCA.

Structure
CVCA shall establish and maintain a Local Professional Development Committee which satisfies requirements of Ohio law (State Senate Bill 230, 1996). The committee shall be comprised of at least seven members:

  • Two Administrators (President, Headmaster(s), Academic Dean, Curriculum Director)
  • At least five Teachers/Faculty, a majority who hold an Ohio Department of Education standard certificate or license.

Members

  1. Criteria: Faculty members of the LPDC must possess a current Ohio certificate or license and should have a minimum of two years teaching experience and a minimum of two years at CVCA (exception made in the case of new school administrator). Members should be under a CVCA contract or be an employee of CVCA's auxiliary services.
  2. Terms: Faculty members shall serve two-year terms with no limit placed on the number of consecutive terms. A year is defined as a contract year.
  3. Chairperson: The LPDC will appoint one of the faculty members as chairperson at its annual organizational meeting. The chairperson is responsible for ensuring that the committee follows all guidelines and fulfills all responsibilities.
  4. Selection: Candidates may be self-nominated, or nominated by the faculty, and reviewed by the LPDC, who will provide recommendations to the Administration for approval. The final selection of new members will be made by the LPDC.
  5. Vacancies: The law requires a minimum of five members, the majority of which must be faculty. Vacancies will be filled in accordance with the selection process.
  6. Removal: Members may be removed for irresponsible behavior or for poor attendance. The decision is made by a majority vote of the LPDC.
  7. Behavior: Members are to act in a professional and responsible fashion. IPDP's submitted and the decisions of the LPDC are to be kept confidential.

Procedures

  1. Notification: The LPDC will maintain a master list of all educators and their certification/license expiration dates. The LPDC must notify all teachers whose certificate or license is up for renewal during the next two years. The LPDC is to provide the teacher with a description of the requirements the teacher needs to meet for renewal. A form will be provided upon which the teacher may write his/her Individual Professional Development Plan. IPDP's should be based on the spiritual and professional growth needs of the educator, the needs of the students, and the goals and school-based improvement plan of CVCA.
  2. Evaluative Criteria: The LPDC will review IPDP's annually to ensure that the educator satisfies the minimum requirements. The activities and coursework must also meet renewal requirements of the state.
  3. Meetings: Meetings will be held the second Monday of the month with additional meetings as needed. A quorum is five or more members.
  4. Approvals: The LPDC will review all proposed IPDP's for approval or denial. A majority of the committee present must approve the proposed plan as written.
  5. Non approved IPDPs: When the LPDC believes the proposed IPDP does not meet renewal requirements or the needs of the teacher, students, or school, and the LPDC does not approve the proposed IPDP, the LPDC will give notification of the decision to the teacher and include suggestions for improvement of the plan. A revised IPDP should then be submitted for evaluation. In the event that there is a disagreement between the educator and the LPDC, an appeal process may take place. (See Appeals)
  6. Records: The LPDC is responsible for establishing and maintaining a Professional Development file for each educator. Such records will include the IPDP goals and a list of completed activities. The LPDC will retain documents for two years from the date of a license renewal through the State of Ohio. If an educator leaves during a license cycle, the LPDC will retain documents for six years after the educator leaves CVCA. For educators holding an Ohio non-tax license, the LPDC will retain documents for six years from the approved date on the Individual Professional Development Plan.
  7. LPDC Guideline Revisions: Revisions to these guidelines must have the approval of the majority of the LPDC members.

Appeals

  1. When: If an educator's proposed IPDP is not approved two or more times, he/she may appeal the decision of the LPDC.
  2. Panel: An appeals panel consists of:
    • Headmaster
    • An educator selected by the appealing educator
    • A third person chosen by the other two panel members
  3. Procedure: The appealing educator introduces the proposed IPDP to the appeals panel. The panel then evaluates the IPDP using the same guidelines as the LPDC to determine if the IPDP meets the requirements for renewal and the needs of the educator, students, and school.
  4. Decision: The panel will discuss and vote on the IPDP in private. Two of the three members need to approve the IPDP in order for the plan to pass. The written decision of the panel is to be submitted to the LPDC and the appealing educator within ten days. This decision is final.