Jamaica in November??

We have had several calls or inquiries in the office about VLAP days.  Those Voluntary Leave of Absence days were really quite popular.  Unfortunately, they aren't continuing to be available to members at this time.  So what do you do if your best friend has gone and planned a destination wedding in sunny Jamaica for the middle of gloomy November??  Well you can apply for a leave without pay but this is a 'once in a lifetime' thing.  That means you can't have another best friend who does the same thing next year too and hope to get a leave approved then.  The forms are available on the staff website but please don't book anything non-refundable until you have approval!!  Good news though, if you do get a 5 day or less leave approved by the board, you won't need to pay back your pension.  Of course if your leave is longer than that it would be wise to buy it back.  It's nice to know though that there is one little break that you will get.  Click on the little yellow apple on the top for more information about this.  Oh and please don't go and plan your own wedding in Jamaica in November.  You may end up having your reception in snowy Everett after your request for leave is denied while the rest of your non-teaching wedding party catches some rays on the beach.

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