BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MARILYNN L. STRONG ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT HUMAN RESOURCES BECKI BRITO DIRECTOR OFFICE OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFFING VICTORIA K. KAUFMAN, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF NON-INSTRUCTIONAL STAFFING Veterans’ Preference Training 1

Purpose:  To ensure all personnel in the district responsible for hiring staff are aware of the rules and follow protocol relating to Veterans’ Preference in the hiring process. 2

Veterans’ Preference Training Veterans’ Preference Statutes  Florida Statutes, Chapter 295 sets forth requirements for public employers to accord preferences in appointment, retention, and promotion to certain veterans and spouses of Veterans who are residents of the State of Florida.  School Districts are subject to the requirements of Chapter

Veterans’ Preference Training Who is eligible?  Veterans with a service-connected disability who are eligible for or receiving compensation, disability retirement, or pension under public laws administered by the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs/Department of Defense.  Veterans of any war who have served on active duty for one day or more during a wartime period, excluding duty for training, and who were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces. World War II ( ) Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955) Vietnam Era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975) Persian Gulf (August 2, 1990 – January 2, 1992) 4

Veterans’ Preference Training Who is eligible?  Veterans who served honorably but have not met the criteria for the award of a campaign or expeditionary medal for service in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Enduring Freedom - October 7, 2001 – TBD Operation Iraqi Freedom – March 19, TBD 5

Veterans’ Preference Training Who is eligible? The spouse of a Veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of a total and permanent service-connected disability. The spouse of a Veteran missing in action, captured, or forcibly detained by a foreign power. 6

Veterans’ Preference Training Employer’s Responsibilities:  Must give notice in all announcements and advertisements of vacancies that special consideration (preference) at each step of the employment selection process will be given.  Application forms must inquire whether applicant is claiming Veterans’ Preference.  Must inform applicants of the requirements for documentation. Applicant’s Responsibilities:  Must provide required documentation at the time of making application/submitting resume. 7

Veterans’ Preference Training Required Documentation  Completed Veterans’ Preference Claim Form (on BCPS Instructional Staffing & Non-Instructional Staffing web sites).  Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  Proof of Florida Residency (one of the following):  Copy of valid Florida driver’s license.  Copy of Florida Voter’s Registration card.  Copy of mortgage/lease agreement reflecting a Florida address. 8

Veterans’ Preference Training Required Documentation  Disabled Veterans must provide documentation from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) certifying the Veteran has a compensable service- connected disability.  Spouses of disabled Veterans must provide:  Certification from either the DVA or Department of Defense (DoD) that the Veteran is totally and permanently disabled for employment purposes due to a service-connected disability.  Evidence of marriage to the Veteran. 9

Veterans’ Preference Training Spouses of those on active duty must provide:  Documentation from the DVA or DoD that the active duty member is missing in action, captured, or forcibly detained.  Evidence of marriage to the Veteran. Un-remarried widow, or widower of a deceased Veteran must provide:  Documentation from either the DVA for service-connected death of the Veteran, or DoD line of duty death determination.  Evidence of marriage.  Statement that the widow/widower has not remarried. 10

Veterans’ Preference Training Veterans’ Preference Forms Can Be Found online at:  nstructional.htm nstructional.htm  (for Instructional Staffing)   (for Non-Instructional Staffing) 11

Veterans’ Preference Training Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications necessary to the discharge of the duties involved.  The rule defines minimum qualifications to mean a specification of the kinds of experience, training, education, and/or licensure or certification that provides appropriate job- related evidence that an applicant possesses the minimum required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to the discharge of the duties of the job. 12

Veterans’ Preference Training Preference Required at Each Step  An eligible Veteran is entitled to preference at each step of the hiring process. 13

Veterans’ Preference Training Preference Required at Each Step  Where numerically based examinations are used for selections, add 10 points (or 10%) to the score of 1 st category of applicants (disabled Veterans and spouses of disabled or missing Veterans) and add 5 points (or 5% to all other eligible applicants.  Status is noted on the Veterans’ Preference Claim Form submitted by applicant. 14

Veterans’ Preference Training 15 Awarding Points for Interview Process  If the highest total number of points possible to be given during an interview is 100 or less, then  Add 10% of the individual’s score to the total individual score for Category 1 Veterans (disabled Veterans and spouses of disabled or missing in action Veterans)  Add 5 % of the individual’s score to the total individual score for all other Veterans  If the highest total number of points possible to be given during an interview is more than 100, then  Add 10 points to the individuals score to the total score for Category 1 Veterans (disabled Veterans and spouses of disabled or missing in action Veterans)  Add 5 points to the individual’s total score to the total score for all other Veterans interviewed

Veterans’ Preference Training Preference does not expire  As of July 1, 2007, Florida law restores Veterans’ preference in employment for all categories of protected individuals previously employed by a state agency or a political subdivision of the state. Preference in Layoffs  Where a layoff is necessitated in a covered position, similar preferences must be given to the covered employee in the retention process. 16

Veterans’ Preference Training Preference in reinstatement/reemployment  When employee leaves employment to serve in the armed forces, he/she is entitled to reinstatement or reemployment to the same or equivalent position upon release or discharge from active military service provided the veteran returns to the position within one (1) year of his/her date of discharge/separation. Preference in promotion  Promotion preference applies only to a Veteran’s first promotion after returning from active duty with an honorable discharge without exception. 17

Veterans’ Preference Training 18 What Do I Need to Do?  Train all assistant principals and office managers who are responsible for screening applications or resumes and scheduling interviews on Veterans’ Preference guidelines/rules.  Ensure that staff is familiar with required forms:  Veterans’ Preference Claim Form  DD Form 214  Schedule interviews for all qualified Veterans.  If a rating scale is used during the interview process, assign preference points according to the regulations.  Do not offer employment to any applicant prior to the expiration date of the advertised vacancy.  Keep all documents (i.e., resumes, scoring sheets, interview questions, etc. for audit purposes).

Veterans’ Preference Training 19 What Happens if I Don’t Follow the Rules?  Veteran may file a discrimination claim with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs  District could face lawsuits. Protect yourself and the District...

Veterans’ Preference Training...Call for Assistance  Vicky Kaufman, Director, Non-Instructional Staffing (754)  Becki Brito, Director, Instructional Staffing (754)

Veterans’ Preference Training … Call for Assistance Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Division of Benefits and Assistance PO Box St. Petersburg, FL Phone: (727) Fax: (727)

The School Board of Broward County, Florida Maureen Dinnen, Chair Jennifer Leonard Gottlieb, Vice Chair Robin Bartleman Phyllis C. Hope Stephanie Arma Kraft, Esq. Ann Murray Robert D. Parks, Ed.D. Benjamin Williams James F. Notter, Superintendent of Schools 22

The School Board of Broward County, Florida The School Board of Broward County, Florida, prohibits any policy or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Individuals who wish to file a discrimination complaint may call the Director of Equal Educational Opportunities (EEO) at or Teletype Machine (TTY) at Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Director of Equal Educational Opportunities (EEO) at or Teletype Machine (TTY) at