MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley and Sharon Benbow, Secretarial/Clerical; Duane Pickett, Warehouse; Mike Baker, Operations; Walter Kirk, Custodial; Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Jim Regan, Transportation; Murlyn Toombs, Law Enforcement and Judi Hale, Food Service.

ALTERNATES PRESENT: Roger Mullins, Maintenance and Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistant.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Robin Fankhauser, Superintendent; Wayne Young, Physical Support Services and Doug Marshall, Planning and Budget.

ADMINISTRATORS/SUPERVISORS PRESENT: Diana Marshall-Shoop, Human Resources and Lisa True, Payroll

VISITORS PRESENT: Wayne Smiley, Financial Services and Vernice Haley, Payroll.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bonnie Kelley asked for an update on the much requested 8 hour confirmed work day for secretarial/clerical personnel. Dr. Fankhauser stated that a new committee is being formed to make recommendations on the 8 hour day. Employees will be identified who are consistently working more than their scheduled hours with substantial reason. These situations will be studied by the committee which is to report back to the Superintendent. The committee's recommendations will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Dr. Fankhauser will present an update at the September meeting.

Bonnie asked about another HR issue - that is, the transferring of sick leave from county to county, and part-time classified employees earning sick, personal, and emergency time at the same rate as certified. Wayne Young said this is being discussed in small group administrators meetings. It has been decided that part time employees will receive sick leave, personal leave and emergency leave beginning their second year of employment - this used to be the third year.

Concerning recommendations for changes to the existing bylaws for the Classified Council, representatives indicated that they have received no feedback on changes (notwithstanding concerns the current members have). It was decided by the group to try to make a final presentation of any changes at the next Council meeting.

Referencing the handout by Vernice Haley at the May meeting concerning 26 pay check, out of approximately 2500 employees, 400 of these could be effected by the 26 check choice or lack of it. Wayne Smiley and Lisa True explained that if the employee would choose to deposit whatever amount they wanted withheld (approximately 19% would make it come up to what was decided in the 1998-99 school year) then they could have an account set up with the credit union and deductions automatically deposited in their account. This is even more of a plus for the employee as the money would earn interest. Lisa is working with Ron Brown to compile all necessary information from the credit union and will keep us posted.

Wayne Young said he has not been able to contact the board attorney concerning Walter Kirk's question from the previous meeting. The question concerned an employee being subpoenaed to court against the Board. Wayne said he would try to have this information ready by the next meeting.

Referencing a previously expressed concern about employee assistance, Wayne Smiley stated that central office staff has identified a potential source of funding for employee assistance. If things work out, the district will be able to make small loans to classified employees to assist them in furthering their education.

NEW BUSINESS:

Roger Mullins asked if the number of vacation days which can be carried over can be increased to ten. He stated that sometimes employees loose vacation time because they can not get their days taken due to the work load. Doug Marshall replied that an employee receives 12 days per year - of which six may be carried forward to a new year - thus an individual could have up to 18 days on June 30th. Wayne Young advised Roger to tell his people that if the reason they could not take their vacation was due to an "operational requirement" resulting in loss of vacation time, then they should get with their supervisor. In some cases, exceptions can be made.

Jim Regan asked that since the Board has changed the requirement for full time employment to 6 hours from 8 hours, has the rule changed for first time employees to accrue one sick day a month the first year and emergency leave from the first day of work? This could result in an employee receiving sick leave pay for which he/she is not entitled. Lisa True stated they are in the process of auditing leave time and it will be caught at that time and the employee would have to repay any unearned leave time.

Sharon Benbow asked if anything has been done to "give back the years of experience to individuals they lost when the Single Salary Schedule was implemented." Wayne explained that years were adjusted but salary was not lost; however, if an employee is not satisfied with the procedure, they should file a grievance.

Murlyn Toombs asked if there is a trainer or instructor type position available in a department, is it supposed to be advertised or made available to all eligible people in the department or can a department director choose who they want in that position. Dr. Fankhauser referred this to Wayne Smiley to research and report back to the Council.

Bonnie asked if the levels on the Single Salary Schedule reflect the years of experience the employee has. Dr. Fankhauser replied "not necessarily". Bonnie then asked if a new hire enters the system and their years of experience places them above a current employee on the SSS, can the level of the current employee be changed. Dr. Fankhauser replied, "Yes, if only based on years of experience. If grieved and within the same job class and department." Bonnie asked if a grade/level can be readjusted without the convening of the Committee, to which Dr. Fankhauser replied, "Yes, if related to a new employee receiving experience above employees in place when the SSS started."

Bonnie presented the proposed meeting dates for the Classified Council for the 2000-2001 school year. In the past, the Council has met on the third Wednesday of each month with the exception of July, August, and December. Dr. Fankhauser stated that she has had to miss several Wednesday meetings due to the fact that is the same day as expulsion hearings. She asked if we wanted to change the day from Wednesday to Monday. The Council agreed to move the day to Monday (the third Monday of each month) Doug Botkin said that since we have so much to discuss and some schools are in session all year, that we consider meeting in August. The Council agreed to this also.

The meeting dates for 2000-2001 have been posted on the FCPS website.

The next meeting will be Monday, August 21, 2000.

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Last update: 2/20/2004 4:00:47 PM