Policy 4640-9

4000 - Human Resources

Paid Parental Leave

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board:  2026-05-26
Last Revision: 2026-05-26
Original publish date: 2026-05-26
Related policies & regulations:  4640
Legal references:  

 Lincoln Public Schools recognizes the benefit of supporting new parents following the birth, adoption, foster care placement, or bonding with a child.

Paid parental leave is a paid leave that is available following the birth, adoption, foster care placement, or for bonding with a child. To use paid parental leave, an employee must be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Paid parental leave runs concurrently with FMLA leave and is not in addition to the employee’s total FMLA entitlement. Temporary, hourly, and substitute employees are not eligible for this benefit.

Eligible employees are entitled to up to ten (10) workdays of paid parental leave per qualifying event for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.  Approved paid parental leave may be taken at any time during the 12-month period immediately following the birth, adoption, or foster placement process of a child with the employee.
  1. Multiple births or placements do not alter the amount of paid parental leave available for each qualifying event.
  2. Paid parental leave is compensated at the employee’s regular rate of pay.
  3. Upon separation from the District, employees will not be paid for any unused paid parental leave for which they were eligible.
  4. Paid parental leave will be applied first during any approved leave taken for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child before the use of sick leave, vacation leave, special leave, accumulated leave, or annual leave.
  5. Benefits will continue during paid parental leave on the same terms and conditions as if the employee were actively working, consistent with FMLA requirements.
  6. Paid parental leave must be taken as a continuous block of time unless otherwise approved by the District.

To make a request for paid parental leave:
  1. Employees will provide notice to their supervisor and the Human Resources Department with a request for leave at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed date of the leave, or as soon as possible if the requested leave period was not foreseeable.
  2. Employees must complete FMLA paperwork and provide all necessary documentation to the Human Resources Department to substantiate the request.