CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

May 19, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley and Patty Reed, Secretarial/Clerical; LaVerne Sallee, Food Service; Doug Botkin and Russell Southworth, Maintenance; Charles Hatton, Operations; Phyllis Abernathy and Leigh Ann Hogue, Instructional Assistants, Jo Ann Bright, Custodian and Carolyn Sparks, Transportation.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Duane Tennant, Interim Superintendent; Mary Browning, Physical Support Services,; Doug Marshall, Budget; Diana Marshall-Shoop and Elizabeth Simpson, Human Resources.

VISITORS PRESENT: Barbara Reynolds, Transportation

OLD BUSINESS

Concern was expressed over the classified evaluation form being revised and the reasons for it. Dr. Tennant spoke with George Rogers in Human Resources. He said the form was changed to be consistent with the certified evaluation form. It was to encourage the evaluator to reply in the comment portion of the form rather than just putting a check mark in various boxes.

The test used for the teachers assistants/instructor will be the KDE test. Any questions should be directed to Liz Simpson in Human Resources.

NEW BUSINESS

Bonnie presented a concern over the monitoring of employees working flex time for the summer months. The opinion has been expressed that some employees already abuse work time with personal business. Dr. Tennant said it will be the supervisor's responsibility to monitor this time. The work time must be used productively and changes will be made if employees do not adhere.

Patty asked if 10½-month permanent employees could have a 26 paycheck option. Doug replied that this question is one that has been addressed before, and the solution is to open an account at the credit union and set up a payroll deduction (which will earn the employee interest). The money may be drawn out during the summer months. Doug noted that employees must learn to control their spending so they will not dip into this account before the summer months.

Jo Ann asked if when a custodian gives notice of leaving a position, if the position could be advertised during that two-week period. Liz said that the positions are advertised as soon as she receives information of the vacancy. Sometimes Human Resources does not receive it a soon as the employee notifies the principal. Diana explained that it most likely would still take at least four weeks to fill the vacancy since you have the two week period of interviewing and if the person chosen for the position is working, they most likely are required to give a two week notice. The more notice an employee can give, the better. Liz said there is a "custodial pool" available but does not encourage the applicants be chosen from there before internal staff has a chance to turn in an application.

LaVern presented a signed "protest of mandated direct deposit" to be turned in to Wayne Smiley.

Carolyn inquired as to how the proposed new pay dates and number of checks are actually going to work. Dr. Tennant said he will ask Wayne to come to the next meeting and explain. Carolyn expressed concern that some drivers do not get off until after 6 p.m. which makes it impossible to attend meetings with bank representatives or anyone else that holds meetings to explain the process. She was advised to get in touch with Wayne Smiley and see if they can get something set up for these people.

Doug Botkin said he had previously requested a cost saving analysis of how going to this new procedure will save the district money.

Doug also asked if any decision about employees being allowed to work during Spring break and use flex time late had been made. Mary said we had a year to make decisions.

Phyllis asked why a leap year makes a difference in changing pay days from Wednesday to Thursday? (Awaiting reply from Doug)

She also stated that instructional assistants are continually called upon to take over a class for a teacher. Some assistants have their teaching certificates but do not receive the pay. Diana said this is in violation of the law and that assistants are hired as assistants and cannot be paid differently nor should they ever be given the responsibility of a classroom without a teacher present. Dr. Tennant concurred. It was stated that this is an ongoing problem, but that principals should not allow this practice to continue.

Leigh Ann inquired about an employee who took a day without pay to attend a function for her child. She was honest enough not to use a sick day and evidently did not have a personal day. The problem is that instructional assistants are on a 180 day calendar. She wanted to know if this will this have an effect on her benefits, such as retirement. Doug said that it will cost her the day and she will not get credit for the full year unless she chooses to buy the time back, which would be very expensive.

Bonnie presented a concern over another Central Office employee being allowed to work five overscheduled work hours and five overtime hours per week. It was noted that other employees in the same department were not allowed to work any overtime regardless of if it was overscheduled time or overtime. Dr. Tennant said he did not know of this situation. He inquired as to the location and said he will follow up and report back in June.

LaVern stated that several schools are having a real parking problem. Parents, delivery trucks, and employees are parking where they are not supposed to park. Dr. Tennant said this is a problem that the building principal is responsible for taking care of. They need to address and correct it. If that does not work, they need to call Jim Searle in Law Enforcement for further advice.

Carolyn said drivers wanted to know about the proposed pay cards and how will they work. Dr. Tennant said that this is something he needs to ask Wayne Smiley. He will ask Wayne to attend the next meeting.

Bonnie brought another concern over the direct deposit being mandatory, stating that some employees feel this is a breach of the Privacy Act. In checking with Wayne Smiley, he says that there are several states in which mandatory deposit is legal and Kentucky is one of them.

LaVern asked when the people serving in an interim capacity will be notified if they will be hired as permanent. Dr. Tennant and Mary said they do not know at this point. If one position is filled it is like a domino effect. They don't know if some of the positions are permanent. They are trying a new model for managing schools to see if it will work. No decision has been made yet as to if it will continue.

Carolyn asked how a Superintendent can approve for an employee to be absent from their duties to work somewhere else and asked whether this violates Board policy. Getting a substitute bus driver is very difficult. Dr. Tennant said if the employee had vacation time or personal leave time, we cannot control what they do with their time. He also said he personally would not approve time off when it creates an impossible situation. He advised that they get with Mary.

Phyllis asked who decides who is to help with testing in the schools. Dr. Tennant said the employees assisting should be qualified to handle the situation.

The next meeting is Monday, June 16, 2003

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