Short Term Education Leave (STEL) Guidelines: 2024-2025

Who can apply for STEL funding?

• OSSTF District 24 (D24) tenured or probationary teachers are eligible.
• Long Term Occasional teachers (LTO) are eligible if the activity takes place during their LTO placement or during the summer following their teaching assignment.
• Teachers who retire by June 30th of a school year are not eligible for STEL funding in July and August.

OSSTF D24 TBU STEL | Amended: September 1, 2024

What’s new this year for STEL funding? (Additions will not set a precedent for future years)

• Requests are to reflect your OCT qualifications and do not need to reflect your current timetable.
• Additional qualification, university, and college course tuition costs will be eligible for reimbursement at 50% of tuition costs up to $600. (Example: AQ cost of $650 will be reimbursed at $325)
• AQs which are partially or fully funded by the WRDSB or MoE will not be funded through STEL.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed within Canada, flights and mileage outside of Canada no longer qualify.
• Applications will be completed using a Google Form found on the TBU website at www.d24tbu.ca
• Uploaded PDFs of supporting documentation (i.e. brochure or invoice outlining costs, dates, and schedule of the event) are required to complete the Google Form.
• Indicate whether the cost of a membership of the sponsoring organization is included or in addition to the registration fee.

Examples of approved events

How much STEL funding are members able to access?

Members may apply for multiple professional development opportunities each year, however the maximum funds and OT coverage days per member is $600 plus 2 OT coverage days annually. The STEL year follows the school year calendar, beginning September 1st, 2024 and ending on August 31st, 2025.

Expense Details:

■ If a member is absent from classes for a STEL-sponsored event, OT coverage for those classes must be requested; approved STEL absences cannot be covered by on-calls.

■ Mileage will be reimbursed at the same rate as currently provided by the WRDSB, or the cost of commercial transportation, whichever is less. Current rate is $0.70/km

■ Meal expenses up to $50/day (excluding alcohol)

■ Outside of Canada meal and hotel costs up to $200 CAN total (excluding movies, mini-bars, laundry etc.)

■ Parking expenses can be claimed; receipts must be provided.

■ Claims for amounts less than $20.00 will not be processed.

How do I apply for STEL funding?

1. Obtain Administrator’s approval to attend proposed event/activity.
2. Complete and submit the Google Form found on the TBU website at www.d24tbu.ca
3. Upload PDFs of supporting documentation (i.e. brochure or invoice outlining costs, dates, and schedule) Indicate whether the cost of a membership of the sponsoring organization is included or in addition to the registration fee.
4. Submit applications a minimum of 3 weeks before the event or by the last working day of May for an event in July or August to ensure approval prior to the activity. Early requests are appreciated.

• An expense voucher with an Educational Leave Number (EL#) will be forwarded by Office Administrator, Jennifer Roth, with a set of instructions. Record the EL# on your absence sheet for your Administrator.
• Ensure that the OT section of the expense voucher is completed and signed by an Administrator.
• Include the name(s) of the OT (s) on the form before signing.
• If only OT coverage is used, and no funding, you must still complete and submit the expense voucher.
• Within 30 days of the completion of the event, submit the following:
• completed and signed expense voucher
• all dated receipts and proof of completion, in person, or via the Board courier. Scanned, signed forms are also acceptable and can be sent by email to Jennifer Roth osstfd24office@gmail.com

How do I get reimbursed for STEL expenses after I’ve been approved?

OSSTF D24 TBU STEL | Amended: September 1, 2024

IMPORTANT REMINDERS regarding STEL funding:

• If the event is cancelled, or you are unable to attend, please inform the D24 Office via email at osstfd24office@gmail.com as soon as possible; so funds can be made available to other eligible members.
• Request proof of attendance/completion from your professional development provider.
• If travelling as a group, request separate receipts when eating at restaurants. (excludes alcohol)
• If travelling as a group and sharing accommodation costs, each member should send in the same receipt to claim their portion of the accommodations, and include Education Leave (EL#) of the others in the group.
• If attending an event in the United States, the exchange rate calculations will be made by the D24 Office.
• Flights terminating outside of Canada do not qualify as eligible travel expenses.
• Professional development opportunities are to reflect your OCT qualifications.
• All applications are subject to approval by the TBU President. The PD Committee sets the rules and acts as the appeal body.
• When 100% of the STEL budget has been pre-approved, the STEL fund will be frozen without prior communication to the membership. At that point, the TBU President will communicate to members that no further STEL applications will be accepted.

OSSTF / FEESO District 24

225 Centennial Court�Kitchener, Ontario, N2B 3X2

(519) -571-0331

OSSTF D24 TBU STEL | Amended: September 1, 2024