Ascension School Board To End Maternity Sick Leave

DONALDSONVILLE, La. (AP) — Ascension Parish school employees considering a pregnancy have less than three months remaining to file for extended sick leave.

The Ascension Parish School Board approved a new policy Tuesday that would eliminate the use of extended sick leave for maternity leave beginning Nov. 1.

The Advocate reports the policy was in response to the Louisiana Legislature's passage of Act 788 in June, which redefines how school employees can qualify for extended sick leave.

Superintendent Patrice Pujol said the previous definition of extended sick leave "was so broad" that not only did maternity leave qualify, but so did missing a single day of work for a cold. The Legislature enacted stiffer qualifications, but did include an additional 30-day period each six years for teachers to use for maternity leave.