CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

September 15, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Kelley and Patty Reed, Secretarial/Clerical; Don Harris, Warehouse; Russ Southworth and Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Charles Hatton, Operations; Phyllis Abernathy, Instructional (Teacher) Assistant; Carolyn Sparks and Bob Glass, Transportation; and Jo Ann Bright, Custodial.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Ken James, Superintendent; Mary Browning, Physical Support Services; Doug Marshall, Budget; and Elizabeth Simpson, Human Resources.

VISITORS PRESENT: Barbara Durham, Transportation; and Becky Jones, Instructional Assistant.

OLD BUSINESS

Bonnie reported back to the Council information on a department at Central Office where one or more employees were being permitted to work overscheduled hours (scheduled for 35 hours but being permitted to work 40) and one or more being permitted to work and receiving overtime pay. Dr. Tennant spoke with the administrator of this department and was told that Dr. Fankhauser had approved this procedure through June 2003. He was told that after July 1, 2003, this would not happen.

Several items were discussed with Wayne Smiley at the June meeting. Wayne indicated that all were being discussed in Cabinet (administrators meeting) and that he would try to report back to the council at the August meeting. Because of several conflicting schedules, we did not have an August meeting. Wayne was not able to attend this meeting in September. Dr. James said he will check with him to see if solutions had been reached.

NEW BUSINESS

Jo Ann asked how it is determined what school is afforded a substitute when custodial employees are off for any reason. Mary Browning stated that it depends on the number of people who are off form work and that they try to cover the shortest situation first. She indicated that she will look in to how this is being handled. It seems that there is only one sub to be assigned. Dr. James said he will report back to the council on the process of assigning subs.

Patty reported that the concern of the department which was permitted to let one or more employees work overscheduled and overtime hours did not cease in June as we were told. The concern is that other employees need to work overtime (or overscheduled) hours and they are not being permitted to do so. She asked why is this still being done. Dr. James explained we must report the origin of such problems, i.e. the department, but we do not have to give the name of the employee stating the concern. He also said he will look into this immediately. He was supplied with the necessary information.

Bob said that bus drivers are being abused by students. When reported to the principal, nothing is being done. Dr. James said he does not condone these actions. He also indicated the need of more specific information regarding the incidents. This will be supplied to him.

Don Harris stated he needed to meet with Mary Browning after the meeting to discuss Springhill Drive issues. Mary agreed to meet with him.

Russ asked if anyone had the authority to advise employees that they should not go to other work sites to visit with other employees. Mary said that employees may take breaks, lunch hours, and so forth to visit friends, but common sense should be used to be sure they do not do this at a time the employee being visited is working. Dr. James concurred.

Doug Botkin asked if there is anything that can be done about media cameras. He indicated that they are in the way of Board employees, trying to their jobs, not to mention the fact that sometimes the camera people put themselves in jeopardy. Mary said we need to protect the area where work is being done and can relay that message to the camera operators. However, she said that we cannot keep them off the job sites because that is their job and we are to oblige.

Doug Marshall asked a question for the technology representative who was unable to attend the meeting. The concern was that central office employees have been allowed to use the gym for walking, playing basketball and other exercising during their breaks or lunch hours. It seems that some students and teachers from Project Rebound are allowing desks to be set up in the gym area. Central Office employees do not want to stand in the way of students or teachers but are asking it they could use the space provide them for the students as this is the only area employees have to walk or exercise. Dr. James said he will have to check on this because he is not familiar with the situation.

Jo Ann asked why some building principals are allowing flex time for employees. Dr. James emphatically stated that there is no such thing as flex time in the district. An employee cannot work longer hours and be granted flex time. What time an hourly employee works, he or she must be paid. Employees cannot work and give their time. Mary said that if a school (for example) knew of a scheduled PTA meeting where the custodian needed to be on duty, that custodian could be permitted to leave early (within the same work week) and return for the PTA meeting. She realizes that there will be times that employees cannot leave early and this could create a problem. The employee needs to get with their supervisor to work out these arrangements. She asked that if any problems are encountered, she should be contacted.

Bob repeated the concern over the abuse that Special Education drivers endure. He asked if there is anyway that this group of drivers could be considered for hazardous pay. Liz told him to put this in writing and bring it to Mr. Kiser's attention. If he agreed, he should contact Liz Simpson of the Re-grading Committee for consideration. Dr. James said that he is not aware of any situation where hazardous pay is available for bus drivers. He also showed concern as to having disciplinary action taken with these students.

Doug Botkin said a situation had been reported where a 3 hour employee was being forced to take a lunch break. Liz replied that 3 hour employees do not get lunch breaks. She said that some employees work split shift and this could make a difference. She also wanted to know the location and Doug will supply this information.

Jo Ann asked if there is a Board Policy in place regarding nepotism, and if so, what is the extent of the employee relationship. For example, can a husband and wife work in the same department, and can one relative supervise the other. Liz said she did not believe there is such a policy. Dr. James will also check in to this and report back to the Council.

The next Classified Council Meting will be October 20, 2003.

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