Classified Council Minutes

November 5, 2001

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley and Monica Johnson, Secretarial; Jo Ann Bright and Walter Kirk, Custodial; Judi Hale and LaVern Sallee, Food Service; Duane Pickett , Warehouse; Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Bob Glass and Carolyn Sparks, Transportation; Gail Grimes and Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistants; and JD Jones, Law Enforcement.

ALTERNATES PRESENT: Marvin Jacobs, Operations and Keith Carnes, Transportation.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Robin Fankhauser, Superintendent; Wayne Young, Physical Support Services; Diana Marshall-Shoop and Elizabeth Simpson, Human Resources.

VISITORS PRESENT: James Potter, KESPA

OLD BUSINESS

Doug Marshall did not have anything to report concerning the maximum number of hours an employee can work during a 24-hour period.

Referencing a custodial off on workman’s comp and being allowed to perform light duty in a category other than his assigned job site, Wayne Young had Myron Thompson furnish the council with a reply which was passed out at the November meeting. Myron's reply follows:

Any time a person is injured on the job we try to return them to their regular job and work within the restrictions. Often the restrictions are such that the person cannot perform many of their normal tasks. If so, we work with the supervisor to see if tasks can be added or taken away to allow the person to come back to work. This should be treated as a short-term solution and not require a change in confirmation or corresponding salary. The duration is decided on a case-by-case basis where the staff feels they can balance the workload. If the person is off of work, they draw 66 2/3 of their salary for staying at home. We believe it is better for the injured employee and us if they can perform meaningful work for the district and hence keep their normal salary and benefits in tact. Lowering the salary does not give the injured employee any incentive to return to work. Although the workers’ compensation wages do not come from the employee’s normal salary code, the cost is still incurred by the district in the form of workers’ compensation premium. The more workers’ comp pays now, the more we will pay in the future. In the end it is all district funds. Again, each case is different in terms of the supervisor’s willingness, injured workers restrictions, abilities and duration of disability and workload.

Information on the Employee of the Month Award was passed out by Karen Marcum from the Office of Communications / Community Relations. Karen said, "Employees of the month will be recognized at the Board recognition nights held 4 times a year. To obtain forms to nominate an employee or any further information, contact Shirley Garner or Karen Marcum in Karolyn’s office at 381-4108."

The meeting time of the Classified Council has created problems for bus drivers to be able to attend. The Classified Council voted to change the meeting time to begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. beginning with the January meeting.

Mr. Young reported that Transportation employees' concern about benches in their waiting area has been taken care of.

NEW BUSINESS

Gail Grimes asked what Instructional Assistants need to do to have a 180-calendar contract so they may receive 12 months service credit. Dr. Robin requested a cost analysis from Doug Marshall and to report back to the Council at the next meeting. It was also suggested that concerned employees write letters to the Board requesting a Professional Development day.

Jo Ann Bright inquired as to why during scheduled breaks such as Winter Break, Spring Break, and weekends that some custodians have to be available for building checks and only receive straight time. Doug Marshall explained that employees are paid for actual time worked. If an employee is required to come in during a scheduled break, he or she will receive only straight time due to the scheduled break.

Jo Ann also suggested that time clocks be installed in all schools. This would verify the fact that custodians are working extra time while other employees are off and extra activities are going on in the school. Dr. Fankhauser reiterated that all time worked must be recorded and must be paid for. There is no comp time.

Another concern of Jo Ann’s was why full time employees who have 10 years of service cannot receive more vacation time than an employee who has been employed for only a year. She feels long term employees should receive more time. Dr. Robin replied that this a cost issue, and that a cost analysis would need to be done. 

Duane Pickett questioned why employees who are on a 40 hour work week and required to work on X-Days are not paid at time and half. For example, being required to move a school during winter break. Again, Doug explained that if it is a scheduled break the employee will only receive regular time.

Marvin Jacobs inquired as to why all schools are not flying the American flag. Dr. Fankhauser and Mr. Young will check in to this and try to be sure that all schools will fly the flag and are aware of correct procedures to do so.

The next Classified Council Meeting will be Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 5:30 PM (due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday). The meeting room has been changed to Conference Room D (on the second floor, next to the Tax Office).

Classified Council Home

Last update: 2/20/2004 4:00:50 PM