CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

January 22, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley, Secretarial/Clerical; LaVerne Sallee, Food Service; Russ Southworth and Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Charles Hatton, Operations; Phyllis Abernathy and Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistants; Bob Glass, Transportation; and Jo Ann Bright, Custodial.

ALTERNATES PRESENT: Pete Koutoulas, Technology; Doug Townsend, Warehouse; Thomas Oaks, Operations and Emma Lewis, Food Service.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Duane Tennant, Superintendent, Mary Browning, Physical Support Services; and Elizabeth Simpson, Human Resources.

VISITORS PRESETN: Barbara Durham, Transportation (Retired)

OLD BUSINESS:

It was pointed out that all secretarial positions are now filled in the office where a secretary had been granted 5 hours per week over the regular work schedule of 40 hours. The question was raised as to whether the overtime will continue. Dr. Tennant said that he was not sure, but would check on it and report back at the February meeting.

A question was asked about procedures relating to random drug testing and whether it applies to all employees driving Board-owned vehicles, or just those who hold a CDL license. Mary Browning replied that there is no random testing at this time. Drug testing may occur when anyone is suspected of drug use, and may occur at any time. This policy applies to all employees, whether or not they drive a Board-owned vehicle.

Concerning budget questions and concerns over the next year budget, Dr. Tennant said that the Finance Committee will meet tomorrow and they have received a projection.  It indicates a $1.6 million reduction for next year and $3.3 million for the following year.  If the 2.7% raise stays in effect the district will be looking at a  $9 to $10 million budget deficit. Dr. Tennant says this will be looked at very carefully. It is a problem since it does not appear that a tax increase is going happen. We must remember that 80% of our budget goes for salaries and that does not leave much "wiggle room."

The Council decided to attempt to look at the current guidelines at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Bob Glass thanked the Superintendent for attending the funeral of Glen Rue.  He stated that students and employees were in attendance, which made the Transportation folks very proud.

Bob also wanted to know why some employees who smoke and/or chew tobacco do so on school property, all of which is supposed to be smoke-free. Mary replied that she believes there are designated areas for smoking and all employees should use those areas.   Mary said she will remind directors to follow up on instructions as to where employees (or anyone) are allowed to use tobacco products.

Dr. Tennant and Mary Browning thanked all mechanics for their early arrival to ensure vehicles are ready to go in the bad weather.

LaVerne said that food service workers would like to know why it has been for the past few years that bus garage employees have been getting most of the summer jobs. Mary said she would talk with John Kiser and be sure that there is opportunity for all to apply.  Liz said you may apply on the web and that those who do not have access to a computer may call her at 381-4119. There is a deadline for this process so employees need to look into this immediately.

Pete Koutoulas asked why vacation leave still is not printed on payroll stubs.  Dr. Tennant said he does not know the answer but will try to find out.

Jo Ann Bright brought up a problem of maintenance workers coming into school buildings to do a job, taking the work ticket to the office to get signed and the custodian not knowing the work was done. Maintenance indicated that custodians are not always available and they need to get the job done and on their way.  Also,  they have been previously instructed to go to the office to have the ticket signed.  Mary and Dr. Tennant understand this is a problem and will look in to it to see what can be done to help all concerned.

Russ Southworth stated that maintenance, operations, and warehouse employees do not all have access to the Internet to review job vacancies. Most of these employees are in the field all day. He asked if it would be possible to have a hard copy put on bulletin board or circulated in each department.  Mary said she would have the secretary print off the vacancy information and post on the bulletin board.  She will send email to help with this problem.

Doug Botkin asked why school is not being dismissed on February 12, 2003 for the KEA demonstration in Frankfort, as a great number of employees plan to attend.  Dr. Tennant said the that the school board believes that the community does not want school to be dismissed for this. He also said communication is occurring with our legislators to let them know what our positions are.

Charles Hatton asked if anything is being done about extra work and cost for maintenance of new school buildings. Mary stated that the administration understands and is budgeting for ongoing costs - not just when the building is being built but to maintain it in the future. She is pulling numbers together for cost of operation, which will help this situation.

Leigh Ann Hogue asked if we know at this time how and when the snow days will be made up. Dr. Tennant said they had looked at March 6 and 7 but so many people already had plans that it looked like it will probably be added to the end of the school schedule.

Pete asked why is it that in light of current budget difficulties, when schools are being asked to cut back on expenses, that some offices at Central Office are being refurnished with new furniture. Dr. Tennant replied that the furniture may have been ordered months ago and before the budget was such an issue. Also, in some cases it could be a safety issue, such as broken down chairs. Dr. Tennant did state that people have now been asked not to order furniture.

Jo Ann asked why two positions were opened at Tates Creek High School and only one advertised?  Liz Simpson said when they have two identical positions they run it once and ask the principal to choose two applicants.  Jo Ann said employees have no way of knowing that there were two positions and this causes concern.  Dr. Tennant asked Liz to look at this and see if anything can be done.

Russ asked if the employee handbook could be updated to help employees better understand how vacation, sick leave, emergency leave, and personal leave effects pay.  Liz will check in to this. Dr. Tennant said he would try to get the handbook updated.  Pete stated that this could be maintained on the Web and updated continuously.

Pete asked if it would be possible to get the Walton Avenue parking lot re-striped, arrows re-painted and a "Do Not Enter" sign prominently posted at the exit. Mary said after the roof work is done she will look in to this. She also asked Pete to forward this information to Ken Tate for review.

(Ken Tate later responded to an email asking for the sign. He indicated that this would be done.)

Jo Ann showed concern over being allowed overtime pay to come in early to remove snow from the sidewalks. Mary stated it is the school's responsibility to remove the snow from the sidewalk and her people to take care of the parking lots.  If a custodian comes in early to remove snow they must be paid for the time or given time off to compensate. If the principal chooses not to pay the custodian than it is the principal's responsibility to have someone clean the sidewalks. Dr. Tennant said they would check on this because the snow should be removed and no one is to work without being paid.

The next Classified Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2003.

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