Tonight: Bell appeals denial of unpaid leave

House District 20 Del.-elect Dickie Bell plans to appear tonight before the Augusta County School Board to appeal the denial of his request for a leave of absence from his teaching job during the upcoming General Assembly session.

A special education teacher at Riverheads High School, Bell captured more than 70 percent of the vote Tuesday, easily topping Democrat Erik Curren.

Superintendent Gary McQuain last month denied Bell’s leave request.

McQuain said a 1995 district policy prohibits employees from taking another job during contract hours.

Bell’s request included 43 unpaid days and five paid. Those are the contract days he would miss during the 2010 legislative session.

Under district policy, employees may work a job after school but not during school hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., McQuain said.

Bell said the district personnel policy manual says an employee can be granted a leave of absence for political activity.

McQuain said his interpretation of political activity would refer to “lobbying or something of that nature. Forty-eight or 49 days is not political activity. It’s a job.”

Bell still hopes an agreement can be reached so he can remain a teacher.

“I have been asked, ‘Will you be able to keep your job?’ That was the most often-asked question I received during the campaign,’’ Bell said.

The newly elected delegate told McQuain during earlier talks that if he won the House seat, “it would be a win-win situation for the schools. I would be in Richmond as an educator and hopefully would have some influence on decisions affecting education.”

McQuain said he expects Bell to quit if the appeal is denied.

Bell said he has not considered other options.

A resignation would mean finding another special education teacher in the middle of the school year.

“That can be tough,’’ McQuain said. “There are people who graduate in December. I would have to go through the area colleges.”