CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

April 22, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley and Patty Reed, Secretarial/Clerical; Sam Conder, Technology; LaVerne Sallee and Judy Hale, Food Service; Bob Glass and Carolyn Sparks, Transportation; Doug Botkin and Russ Southworth, Maintenance; Charles Hatton, Plant Operation and Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistants.

ALTERNATES PRESENT: Emma Gay Lewis, Food Service

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Duane Tennant, Interim Superintendent; Mary Browning, Physical Support Services and Doug Marshall, Budget.

VISITORS PRESENT: Barbara Durham, Transportation

Old Business

Concerning the employee in Central Office who is allowed to work over 40 hours, Dr. Tennant reported that there is an employee in this office who is to be off for surgery and will be out several weeks. Rather than bring in a sub this employee will be allowed to do the overtime until the one having surgery is back, at which time the scheduled overtime will cease.

Concerning security for buses at M.L. King Academy, Mary Browning said she discussed this with John Kiser and it is a cost issue but also definitely a concern. Mary indicated she would get with Mark Sellers and follow up on this concern.

A similar concern had been expressed at Paul L. Dunbar with students running in and out between cars. Mary visited PLD and said students were doing pretty well in obeying the stop signs, but that there is a potential problem. Mary said that Myron Thompson would look in to this and report back to Mary.

NEW BUSINESS

Jo Ann Bright said there was some confusion over the custodial staff doing building checks during spring break when they were originally told they did not have to. The day before spring break, they were informed they had to do building checks. Some custodians feel that this wasn't fair since they had made plans. They now feel that they cannot make any plans during spring break if they are going to have to do building checks. Dr. Tennant said he would take full responsibility for this being enforced. Our buildings should not sit for a week without being checked and that this is a team effort. All buildings should be checked during a time that the building is unoccupied. It does not have to be the same person but still it must be checked. He said he will see that they do a better job getting information to the schools (and custodial staff). Perhaps working with Mary Browning will help in making this a better working procedure. He further stated that he does not accept anyone saying "I can't..." and all involved need to be part of the solution. He said that he and Mary need to establish a procedure.

Judi Hale asked if an evaluation and contract recommendation have been signed by the employee and the supervisor, can the supervisor tear up the original and do another. Dr. Tennant said he would not recommend tearing up the original but to add to it if necessary. He recommended that the employee take this to the next level for discussion and action.

Doug Botkin had a concern with the current classified evaluation form. He stated there is no room to give evaluators room to show improvement. He said that some employees feel there should be at least two additional options, such as "consistently exceeds expectations and "exceeds expectations." This would give a venue to show improvement. He also had concern that since the Classified Council was represented in the setting up of the original evaluation form, why were they not informed of any changes. Mary explained that she did not know about how the original form was established but that the question over more columns to show improvement had come up. Both she and Dr. Tennant stated that the "comment" portion of the evaluation form is where the evaluator needs to explain in detail any concerns and solutions. Dr. Tennant said that since there was no one present from Human Resources, he could not comment on why the form was changed and the Classified Council representative not notified to be in on the discussion. He will get with Liz Simpson and Diana Marshall-Shoop for input and report back to Classified Council at next meeting.

Russ Southworth asked why vending machine vendors have been allowed to raise prices for merchandise. He said with the price increase there has been a noticeable decrease in the sale of the products. Dr. Tennant said we are in the process of bidding the snack machines. Mary said we are have trouble getting anyone to offer service and that most of these people are the "Mom & Pop" operated companies and very small companies at that. Mary Said this probably will get better in the next few months.

Leigh Ann Hogue stated that until June 30, 2003, school districts may use the current Kentucky Para educator Assessment (KPA) to assess both new and existing Para educators or districts may use a locally developed or selected assessment. Effective July 1, 2003, districts must use the expanded KPA unless the district has applied for and received approval from the Kentucky Department of Education to use a locally developed test. She asked if Fayette County had applied to use the test they made. Dr. Tennant said he does not know the answer and will need input from Liz Simpson or Diana Marshall-Shoop in Human Resources. He will try to get with them and report back to the Council next month.

Emma Lewis had concerns over the soap dispensers for the dishwashers. They have been experiencing problems and the company does not follow up by taking care of them. Mary said that this is a "bid item" and when anyone has such a problem, they need to forward the complaint to her so it she can follow up on it.

Doug Botkin stated that employees were previously allowed to work during spring break and take the time off later but this practice has since been stopped. He asked if there was anyway to revive it. Mary and Dr. Tennant said this would be revisited, that with "flex time" being available this may be possible.

Russ Southworth turned in a list of 43 names opposing the move to 24 pay dates. This information was given to Doug Marshall and will be forwarded to Wayne Smiley in Department of Financial Services.

The next scheduled Classified Council Meeting is Monday, May 19, 2003 at 5:30 p.m.

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