GULF SHORES CITY SCHOOLS
FLEX DAY GUIDELINES
9-Month (187-Day) Certified Teachers Only
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Flex days are available only to:
• 9-Month (187-Day) Certified Teachers
The following employees are NOT eligible for flex days:
•TEAMS Teachers
• Employees outside the 187-day certified teacher contract
WHAT ARE FLEX DAYS?
Gulf Shores City Schools allows eligible teachers to earn up to two (2) paid flex days each school year through approved professional learning completed outside the contract year or through a designated flex workday.
Flex days must be completed between June 1 and May 31.
Flex days are considered paid contract days.
OPTION 1: FLEX WORKDAY
Requirements:
• Sign in at the school’s main office •
Work one full day (7 hours)
If a teacher is unable to complete the flex workday, they may instead complete professional learning requirements for flex days.
OPTION 2: FLEX PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY
Teachers may earn flex days by completing approved professional learning activities outside the regular contract period.
Professional Learning Hours Flex Days Earned
6 Hours 1 Flex Day 1
2 Hours 2 Flex Days
FLEX PROFESSIONAL LEARNING REQUIREMENTS
Prior Approval Required: Professional learning activities must be approved by the principal BEFORE participation.
Outside Contract Time: Activities must occur outside the 187-day contract period. Professional learning completed during the regular school day does not qualify.
No Banking of Hours: Flex hours cannot roll over into future school years.
No Participation Stipends: Employees may not receive a stipend for participating in activities used toward flex days.
Presenters/Facilitators: Employees presenting or facilitating professional learning may receive a planning stipend and use the presentation day toward flex-day credit.
College Courses Do Not Qualify: Graduate classes and college coursework are not eligible for flex-day credit.
APPROVED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING MUST:
Be related to the employee’s academic or institutional assignment
Address a need identified in the employee’s Professional Learning Plan (PLP)
Support the school’s Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP)
Improve instructional delivery or teaching effectiveness
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING REGISTRATION
Courses must be registered through PowerSchool Professional Learning to receive professional development credit toward certificate renewal.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
After completing professional learning activities, employees must submit certificates of completion or documentation of attendance/participation to the principal by the designated deadline. Administrators will review and approve/disapprove submissions.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Do NOT request professional development days in TimeClock Plus for flex days.
Failure to follow flex-day guidelines or submit documentation by the deadline may result in the use of personal leave days or loss of pay.
Any exception to these guidelines must be approved by the Superintendent.
