CLASSIFIED COUNCIL MINUTES

October 20, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth O'Doherty and Linda Stewart, Food Service; Doug Townsend and Don Harris, Warehouse; Phyllis Abernathy, Instructional Assistants; Doug Botkin, Maintenance; Charles Hatton, Operations; Phyllis Abernathy, Instructional Assistants; Jo Ann Bright, Custodian; Bob Glass, Marcus Dobbs and Carolyn Sparks, Transportation; Sharesa Sexton and Patty Reed, Secretarial/Clerical.

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT: Dr. Ken James, Superintendent; Diana Shoop, Human Resources; Wayne Smiley, Financial Services.

VISITORS PRESENT: Becky Jones and Barbara Durham, Transportation.

OLD BUSINESS

Dr. James' report on the issues of the September 15th meeting is as follows:

Criteria Utilized for Custodial Sub Assignments - The assignment of a Custodial Sub is based on the length of absence of the Regular Staff, the number of Custodial Staff assigned to that site (fewer staff would create a greater need for replacement) and the Sub's knowledge of that site and it's needs.

Bus Driver/Monitor Abuse by Students - The Transportation Department's Cameras are doing well and the tapes are being pulled weekly for review. The specific incident reported on, at the September 15th Council Meeting, was reviewed. The behavior/action of the student was determined to be relative to the student's disability.

[The above paragraph was amended by the council on January 20, 2004.]

District Nepotism Policy - There is no Board Policy related to Classified Employees.

Over schedule/Overtime During District's Freeze - The issue will be addressed at the November 25th meeting.

Wayne Smiley's report on the issues of the September 15th meeting is as follows:

Cost Analysis of 24 Verses 26 Pay dates - There is no significant savings changing to 24 pay dates as opposed to 26 pay dates. The advantage would be in proper calculations to ensure accurate pay. There is a Group discussing the pros and cons of this change. Doug Botkin wanted to know whom the group was composed of and why cause people grief if there is no significant savings to the district. Wayne said the Group was composed of representatives from Technology, Budget and Financial Services and he said that he would welcome representatives from Classified Council to be a part of their discussions. Diana Shoop suggested that representatives be selected from a variety of Work Calendars. Elizabeth O'Doherty from Food Service, Marcus Dobbs from Transportation and Doug Botkin from Maintenance was selected to represent the Classified Employee in this Group.

20 Years Experience for Certified verses 4 Years Experience for Classified - This issue is being discussed in Small Group. Wayne feels strongly that this issue needs to be addressed and that the district needs to consider a Change in Policy in regards to how many years a Classified Employee can bring into the district as years of experience. The benefit to the district in being able to acquire employees with skills and knowledge to train new employees and substitute in positions would be a viable asset. Wayne said that he has spoken to George Rogers in Human Resources about this concern and asked that Human Resources review this issue. Wayne suggested that a Sub pool where the substitute could float from task to task might provide a working solution to this issue. The idea would be that substitutes would have to apply to be a participant in the Sub Pool and the Sub Pool would fall under a different criteria for salary . Carolyn Sparks said that before the Single Salary was adopted that each department had their own criteria. Since the district's adoption of the Single Salary a retiree coming back to Sub in the Transportation Department would make less than a new hire with no experience. This makes it difficult to encourage people with experience to work as a Sub.

Diana Shoop said that it needs to be noted that there will be a financial aspect to a change in this policy and the Budget Office will need to be involved in cost analysis.

Dr. James said that he would follow up on this issue with George Rogers.

NEW BUSINESS

Food Service

Elizabeth O'Doherty asked how upper management positions are filled in the Food Service Central Office.

The position is currently filled by two interns.

Dr James encouraged that the Director be approached for clarification. If approaching the Director does not answer the question then Mary Browning should be asked. He highly encourages everyone to give the “process” a chance to work. When the process does not work then bring these issues to the Council for resolution.

Wayne mentioned that if the position is vacant due to a leave like Workman's Comp then the position cannot be advertised and staff is utilized to fill the opening.

Warehouse

Don Harris asked what guidelines were used to determine “light duty” placement. Is there a Board Policy?

Don also asked why “light duty personnel” are allowed to “bump out” able-bodied personnel from their roles which compounds the problem and overall loss of production? Abuse of “light duty” is affecting the job performance of the department.

Diana Shoop said that she and Myron Thompson work with supervisors in placing “light duty” personnel. She pointed out that “light duty” placement is a powerful tool in getting employees back to work and in employee determinations of whether they wish to remain an employee. She said that two “light duty” assignments per department were workable but more than two sometimes presented a problem. She would check into the situation.

Dr. James said he would also check on “light duty” placement with George Rogers.

Maintenance

Doug Botkin asked if there would be a Retro Check.

Sharesa Sexton reported that there would be a Retro Check for four days but she did not know when these would be issued.

Wayne Smiley said that he would find out the date of issue.

Operations

Charlie Hatton asked when the new grade changes would go into effect.

Dr. James said that he had several grade change requests on his desk and he had not approved any. He said that he was waiting until the Budget was passed so that he could review the district's financial standing before making any decisions.

Charlie asked if the hiring of additional personnel to accommodate the building of three to four additional school buildings would be approved in the budget.

Dr. James said that he had not seen anything on this subject.

Custodial

Jo Ann Bright asked why Contractors were allowed to smoke on school grounds when the school district had a no smoking policy?

Dr. James said that they were not allowed to smoke on school grounds and that they had been talked to. He said that it was even being addressed in the language of contracts.

Transportation

Marcus Dobbs asked if the soda machines at the Transportation Department could be changed back to 75 cents and the selections primarily be sodas.

Wayne Smiley said that the Vending Contract RFP was a collaboration of community members and district personnel and he believed that it was a blanket contract that all sites to be the same. Dr. James said that the contract would be reviewed to determine the stipulations.

Marcus asked if it was possible for students leaving M.L.K. to be escorted off school property. He felt that this might stop Transportation employee cars from being vandalized by the students.

Dr. James will check to see if there are available personnel to accommodate this request.

Instructional Aides

Phyllis Abernathy spoke about the safety issue of students during arrival and dismissal at Glendover School. She said that visibility is a serious problem in the school's parking lot. There is not sufficient lighting for the building or street. She would sincerely appreciate any help or suggestions provided.

Diana Shoop suggested reflective clothing.

Dr. James will check into this issue.

The next scheduled meeting is November 25, 2003.

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