Military Duty Leave
The Federal law USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act) governs military leave policies. For short-term or intermittent military duty, Federal law allows 15 days of leave during the federal fiscal year (October-September). Although not required by law, the district pays you for these first 15 days of military service with no loss of your Accrued Leave Days.
For long-term military duty, federal law allows up to 5 years of leave, during which time reemployment in the same or similar position is required upon discharge from military duty. For the 16th day onward for military duty, you may choose to use any of your Accrued local sick days, state sick days accrued prior to 5/30/1995, state personal days, or vacation days. If you prefer not to use your Accrued Leave Days, they will remain available for use when you return to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request leave for military duty? When you know you will need leave for military duty, you must contact Nancy Alexander in the Benefits and Risk Management Department – (469)752-4754 or nancy.alexander@pisd.edu. Nancy will help you with the leave process.
What papers do I need to turn in? You will need to provide a copy of your orders showing the date you must report for duty. Your family should also notify us if their address changes during your leave, so we can update them on any district issues.
What do I do when I’m ready to return to work? When your military service is completed, you must promptly notify our office and provide a copy of your discharge orders, showing the date your duty ends. Our office will assist with your return to work.
How do I record my absences? Your absences must be recorded as “Military Leave” for the duration of your military duty.
May I do any work while on leave for military duty? No, you may not perform any job duties on or off campus while on leave, nor can your supervisor require you to. This might include grading papers, preparing lesson plans, supervising classes or athletic events, attending PDH training or parent/teacher conferences, and other job duties.
What will happen to my health plan benefits? You may continue your health plan benefits at the employee premium rate for 6 months. If you do not receive a paycheck or if your paycheck is insufficient to make the premium deductions, you will receive an invoice for any premiums which are due. You will have 30 days in which to make payment. If payment is not received by the due date stated on the invoice, your health plan benefits will be cancelled, or if possible you will be moved to a plan for employee only coverage that is completely covered by the district’s contribution. After the first 6 months of leave, you may choose to extend your health plan benefits for an additional 18 months by paying 102% of the premium. This includes the portion of the premium formerly paid by the district and a 2% administrative fee. If you choose to continue your benefits through the district and also with TRICARE (the Military’s health care system), the district’s coverage will be primary.
Note: Once your leave becomes unpaid, you are not required to keep your health plan benefits through the district. You may drop your coverage at that time, and reinstate coverage with no waiting period upon your return to work.
Helpful Links
U.S. Department of Defense 
TRICARE Military Health System
TRICARE Dental Program
(TRICARE pays secondary to any other coverage.)
Plano ISD Employee Assistance Program
This free program provides confidential counseling, support, and referral services for all full-time employees and their family members. This program would still be available to your family while you are on military leave.
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