Section 380.1235 - Sabbatical leave(1) After a teacher has been employed at least 7 consecutive years by the board of a school district, and at the end of each additional period of 7 or more consecutive years of employment, the board may grant the teacher a sabbatical leave for professional improvement for not to exceed 2 semesters at 1 time, if the teacher holds a permanent, life, or continuing certificate or is engaged in teaching in a college maintained by the board. During the sabbatical leave, the teacher shall be considered to be in the employ of the board, shall have a contract, and may be paid compensation as provided in the regulations of the board. The board shall not be liable for death or injuries sustained by the teacher while on sabbatical leave.(2) A teacher shall be allowed credit toward retirement for time spent on sabbatical leave under regulations established by the Michigan public school employee's retirement board.(3) Upon return from a sabbatical leave a teacher shall be restored to the teacher's position held prior to sabbatical leave or to a position of like nature, seniority, status, and pay. The teacher shall be entitled to other benefits provided under regulations of the board.1976, Act 451, Imd. Eff. 1/13/1977.