(a) An employee who has been employed by the same employer for twelve (12) consecutive months shall be entitled to a total of ten (10) hours of leave during any twelve (12) month period to attend school conferences or other school-related activities for a child of whom the employee is the parent, foster parent or guardian. (b) The employee must provide twenty-four (24) hours prior notice of the leave and make a reasonable effort to schedule the leave so as not to unduly disrupt the operations of the employer. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the leave be paid; except that under this section, an employee may substitute any accrued paid vacation leave or other appropriate paid leave for any part of the leave.