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Intermediate School District 917

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Leaves of Absence FMLA and Paid Leave

Leaves of Absence FMLA and Paid Leave

What is a Leave of Absence (LOA)?

  • A leave of absence occurs when you need to be out or away from work for reasons other than common, short-term illness (five (5) days or less) or personal vacation. Absences may be on a continuous (six (6) consecutive days and greater) or an intermittent basis (doctor appointments, care for a family member, reduced work schedule, etc.).
  • ISD 917 has several leave options available:
    • Family and Medical Leave
    • Parental Leave
    • Military and Military Exigency Leave
    • State and Federal Leave Options
  • Most leave of absence options are unpaid leaves through the school district.  For those types of leave to also provide pay, an employee will need to use available paid leave (PTO, Sick, Vacation, Personal, etc.) while on an unpaid, approved leave of absence.

Contacts

  • HR Fax:  651-423-8781
  • Benefits - Benefits@isd917.org
  • Payroll - Payroll@isd917.org
  • HR - HR@isd917.org

What type of unpaid leave is available through the district?

  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Parental Leave
  • Military Leave
  • General Leave – Please see the general leave policy on the district website for more information on who this may be available for.

What type of paid leave is available through the district?

  • Intermediate School District 917 (ISD 917) provides yearly (July - June) front-loaded paid leave to employees that exceeds the hours required by the state of MN in the form of:
    • Paid Time Off (PTO): For teachers, licensed staff, BCBAs, MPH Coordinators, and Intake Coordinators
    • Sick Leave: All other employees (Paraprofessionals, Interpreters, Clerical, Health Associates, Custodial, Classified School Year, Business Office Staff, Administrators, and Liaisons)
    • Personal Leave may also be available, depending on your contract.
    • Vacation Leave may also be available, depending on your contract.
  • As a reminder, staff can learn more about available paid leave by reading their contract and staff can see their available leave balances in two places:
    • On the bottom of their paycheck
    • On the Frontline attendance tracking system
  • SICK & SAFE TIME: Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law (effective January 1, 2024), requires employers to provide paid leave to employees who work in the state. Sick and safe time is paid leave, at the employee’s hourly rate, that employers must provide to employees in Minnesota, which employees can use for certain reasons, including when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member, or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse. ISD 917's paid leave exceeds the hours required by the state.
  • Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (MN PFML):  Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (MN PFML) is a new statewide program — starting January 1, 2026 — that gives most Minnesota workers paid leave benefits, time off and job protection when they need to care for their own serious health condition, bond with a new child, or care for a family member.

How do I apply for a leave of absence?

  • To apply for a leave of absence, please complete the Leave of Absence Request Form.
    • Once the form is submitted, you will receive a copy of your submission and an email from Benfits@isd917.org with additional information and requirements to complete your leave request.
  • Additional documentation form links are as follows:
  • Employee Medical Certification Form (WH-380-E)
  • Family Medical Certification Form (WH-380-F)
  • WH-384 or WH-385 or WH-385-V depending on situation.  Review Department of Labor Website for additional information

Links