MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley, Secretarial/Clerical; Duane Pickett and Michael Baker, Operations; Janice Green and Walter Kirk, Custodial; Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Carolyn Robinson, Instructional Assistant; and Murlyn Toombs, Law Enforcement.

ALTERNATES PRESENT: Roger Mullins Maintenance, Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistant; Barbara Durham and Lewis Edwards, Transportation.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Doug Marshall, Budget and Planning

ADMINISTRATORS/SUPERVISORS: Elizabeth Simpson, Human Resources

Liz Simpson passed out the revision of Board Policy dealing with the minimum requirements for full time classification of employees. Refer to Board Policy 03.2332

Bonnie Kelley wanted it noted that some secretarial/clerical employees are still concerned over the fact that we were of the understanding that during the 1999-2000 school year, secretarial/clerical would have their number of hours in their workday moved from 7 to 8 hours. She stated that we are the only "support" group who do not deal directly with the students who have not been allowed the 8 hour work day. Technology works 8 hours, Warehouse works 8 hours, Law Enforcement works 8 hours, Maintenance works 8 hours, Plant Operations works 8 hours, and Automotive Maintenance works 8 hours. All of these groups are support groups as are the secretarial/clerical. Doug stated that this is still being discussed, that it is a budget issue, but is certainly being taken under consideration.

Doug Botkin asked about updating the by-laws of the Classified Council. It was decided that the current by-laws be distributed among the council members and each individual critique their specific area. Doug Botkin will supply the current by-laws to Doug Marshall. After each member completes their area, the Council will look at prospective changes.

Mike Baker asked how long Fayette County Schools administration can legally hold employees back pay checks, collecting interest, without paying any interest to the employee. Doug Marshall stated that interest has never been paid to an employee, that payroll is continuously working on these paychecks, but other issues have precedence, i.e. W2's, regular payroll, and so forth. Bonnie stated that Lisa True had asked her to inform the council that the retro checks will be out as soon as possible.

Janice Green inquired whether uniforms are mandatory, or are neat clothes sufficient on the job site. Doug said he was not aware of a dress code and would take this issue up with the Superintendent and report back at the next Council meeting.

Walter Kirk said that employees, including some principals, are requesting some sort of procedure that would allow the use of bleach in the schools. Doug says he does not know if this if feasible but would talk to Wayne Young to see if he could assist in making the use of bleach possible.

Roger Mullins requested that employees be furnished a copy of the life insurance policy that the Board carries. Doug suggested that he contact Diana Marshall Shoop, Human Resources. Diana files the claims and could possibly supply any information needed by the employee.

Doug Botkin inquired about working on a scheduled X day. He asked if retirement is taken out twice and how does that count toward service time for retirement. Doug stated County Employees Retirement systems allocates retirement service credit by dividing total days paid by 20. Therefore each day is counted as one day whether the individual was paid for 4 hours or 9 hours.

Carolyn Robinson asked if Instructional Assistants have a liaison person at Central Office. She gave the example that food service personnel have Mary Browning as a contact person if the immediate supervisor could not resolve a situation. Liz Simpson advised the appropriate chain of command would be the principal then school director. Karolyn Kell is our ombudsman and may also be another contact person.

Barbara Durham stated that it has been 3 years that we have been asking when sick leave, emergency leave, and personal leave information will be stated on our check stubs. Doug explained that Transportation hours are very hard to track, not to mention the fact that this is a time consuming charge for the payroll office. Lisa True did tell the Council several meetings ago, that anyone wanting this information may email her and she will forward it to the proper payroll clerk for a reply.

Lewis Edwards asked why it takes so long to notify employees about school closings. Some employees who live out of town are already on the road to work when the announcement is made. Doug Marshall said that this is coordinated with Wayne Young and the Superintendent.

Janice Green wanted it noted that the custodial staff was "upset" that news coverage was made available, referencing parents being concerned over having school on Tuesday, January 18. Apparently, the Superintendent or someone of high authority, stated that there were basically no problems, except that the "custodians did not get the walkways cleared." Janice noted that custodians have a large number of duties when they first arrive at work. Some schools have only one custodian, who must get everything up and running for the opening of school. Even though some custodians have the use of snow blowers, that is not always time effective to get the snow removed before the students arrive. Janice stated that custodians would like it noted that they did everything possible to have their schools ready by the time school was to start, and that the custodians do not feel that they should have been singled out as the only problem.

Bonnie asked if a custodian who is scheduled to be off during the winter break but is supposed to do a building check, if this puts the individual in to the time and a half pay status. Doug said that the building check is to be done during the same scheduled work hours, coordinated with the building principal, and that the time is to be logged and straight time is to be paid. The only time it should be considered to be time and half pay would be if there was some sort of an emergency and the custodian was called in at an "unusual hour."

Doug Botkin asked if the Maintenance Building was to be named after anyone? Doug Marshall suggested he bring this to the attention of a Director, have them make it an agenda item and present it to DLT who in turn will present it to the Board.

Barbara Durham and Carolyn Robinson expressed dissatisfaction over the current way the 26 paycheck option is being handled. This created a real hardship during the winter break. Employees who originally signed up for the 26 pay understood it would stay the way it was at that time, (divided into equal check amounts). This has created hardship and concern for so many, why can't it go back to what they signed up for. Doug said that this was referred to Virginia Gregg as to the legality of holding an hourly employee's check with the employee's approval, until later time other than time when actually work was done. When Ms. Gregg gives us an answer we will report back to the Council. If it is legal as it is currently being done, then that will be the way it will stay, at least for this year.

Leigh Ann Hogue said that the classroom assistants open positions are not posted in the newsletter, and asked why this is so. Liz Simpson replied that School Based Council can elect to convert positions and can use the money anyway they choose, either fill the vacancy or use the money.

Lee Ann also said they would like more information about House Bill 258. Doug stated that the employee pays 5% and the District pays 7.25%….

Bonnie asked why the cost of the $42 for flex spending could not be deducted from the amount being returned by 3rd party administrator to the Board. Doug said IRS interprets the $42 as service fee and does not qualify as an eligible expenditure for flex spending reimbursement.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, February 16, 2000 AT 5 P.M.

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Last update: 2/20/2004 4:00:46 PM