CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

June 16, 2003

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

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Duane Tennant, Interim Superintendent; Mary Browning, Physical Support Services; Wayne Smiley, Financial Services.

VISITORS PRESENT: Becky Jones and Barbara Durham, Transportation.

OLD BUSINESS

Concerns regarding the implementation of electronic pay stubs, pay dates and accessibility to computer workstations were addressed to the Council. Dr. Tennant elected to have Wayne Smiley, from Financial Services, attend this meeting to explain the implementation process, employee requirements and to answer questions.

Wayne stated that the Thursday pay date was selected due to this being a leap year. To continue to process employee checks on a 26-pay date per year, it was necessary to select Thursday as the payday to avoid any interruptions in the pay periods.

Wayne explained that electronic check stubs would be phased in gradually beginning July 1, 2003 to employees that have access to a computer in their workstation. If the employee does not have a computer in their workstation they will continue to receive a hard copy of the check stub. If the employee has access to a computer and not a printer in their workstation, Wayne stated that Terry Wicker in Technology would need to be notified.

Concerns regarding when the Bus Drivers could have a meeting with a representative from Bank One and Wayne Smiley to address the department's banking procedures, saving and checking accounts, pay cards and general information was addressed. Wayne said that Bank One and he will accommodate the Bus Driver's scheduling.

Wayne reminded everyone that beginning July 1, 2003, if an employee is not signed up for direct deposit they will have to come to Central Office to work out an arrangement to procure their payroll payment. This will be though a centralized account of all employees that do not have direct deposit and the pay will be accessed through a pay card that the employee must take to Bank one to withdraw the designated amount. There will not be a charge for this service to the employee.

NEW BUSINESS

Bonnie asked why there were no staff cuts in Financial Services when other departments had to reduce their staff. Wayne said that Financial Services reduced their staff by one position. The reduction was accomplished by not filling the Capital Inventory vacancy located in the Tax Office. This decision allowed the Payroll Office to maintain full capacity during the implementation of the new payroll system.

Patty asked why there is a difference in earned vacation leave for certified and classified employees. Wayne said that vacation leave was governed by board policy. Dr. Tennant said that leave time is a part of the local board statue, which sets the guidelines; any changes or recommendations would need to be addressed to the board. Bonnie said the Hay Study had addressed this issue several years ago.

Bonnie asked why substitutes returning to work in a position that they had formerly been employed in could not be paid their former pay scale. The former employee is reluctant to return to their previous positions to train their replacements because of the substitute pay scale. The benefits to the district would outweigh the temporary cost of the sub. Wayne said that he felt that this issue should be addressed in SAC and that it was a valid point.

Patty asked why the daily scheduled work hours for a position is not consistent throughout the district for a specific job rank and classification. Dr. Tennant said the determination of the number of hours necessary for the performance of a position is determined by the job description. Wayne said that the daily scheduled hours is determined by the department's budget manager and approved by the superintendent. For scheduled hours of a position to be revised, the department's budget manager must make a written recommendation to that effect and forward it to the Superintendent for approval.

Patty asked why certified positions could bring in 20 years of experience when being filled when classified positions are only allowed to bring in 4 years of experience when being filled. Wayne said that he is taking this issue to SAC for discussion in small group. He hopes there will be a solution by August.

Dr. Tennant expressed thanks to everyone for their dedication and hard work throughout this year. He said that he has enjoyed working with everyone.

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