Minutes - April 18, 2012

Certified Staff Advisory

 

 

Dr. Ellis started the meeting by giving a budget update.  He reviewed the budget memo that was sent to all employees on March 9, 2012.  At the present time, it looks like there will be a $140 million surplus in the state budget.  It is important to keep the lines of communication open with legislators.  Two of the biggest priorities include removing the discretionary reduction and providing a salary increase.  One change since the budget memo was sent is that supplements have been taken off the table – the administration is no longer considering taking away administrator, teacher and staff member supplements.  Instead, fund balance will be used since we didn’t have to use the anticipated amount for the 2011-2012 school year.  At this point, the administration is confident we won’t have to cut people, only positions.  It may mean folks will have to be transferred and possibly move to a different job/location, but they will have a job – if they want to be here and comply with board policy.  All of this is contingent upon the final budget that is approved.  We will work through this process throughout the summer.  We will continue to keep everyone updated.

 

Next, Dr. Ellis discussed the PDSA – Plan, Do, Study, Act – process that was implemented at Page Street this year and will be implemented at the rest of the schools during the 2012-2013 school year.  PDSA is really about continuous improvement and utilizes the scientific method to help improvement efforts.  There will be a training in August.

 

Next, Dr. gave an update on the 12 month installment pay for 10-month employees.  MCS will offer 12-month installment pay to 10-month employees, if possible. However, due to current pending legislation, it wouldn’t be prudent to talk about this in too much detail until we get clarification from the legislature – which should happen by the end of May.  The Legislative Appropriations Oversight Committee has recommended that the portion of the Paperwork Reduction Act that disallowed teacher pre-payment be repealed.  If all goes as planned, it looks like the way 10-month employees have been paid over the last few years will not change, meaning they would still get a full check at the end of August and get their last check in May.  However, all of this is still up in the air, including the date of the month (15^th, 20^th, 30^th) 10 month employees will be paid.  All of this hinges on the final outcome of legislation.  Updates will be sent to all employees as they are received.

 

Next, Dr. Ellis surveyed the advisory group about the upcoming Back to School Rally.  A committee is working to plan the event for August.

 

Dr. Ellis then opened the floor for questions/comments:

 

-Questions/Comment: You could certainly pass on that I bitterly resent the clocking in and out nonsense. I understand that clocking in may help with keeping check on attendance and thus salaries etc., but I understand also that next year it will be done so that CO can keep track that we are doing the necessary hours, and go for or against annual leave/optional days etc. It seems a shame that we cannot be trusted as professional salaried personnel to complete what we are supposed to do, especially as most people do over and above minimum hours. If there is a problem with a few people not doing their time/jobs correctly then they should be addressed personally. Since we cannot clock in/out to show time spent at home doing school work it is not an accurate account of our worked hours anyway!!  Answer: DPI doesn’t like alternative calendars, but MCS was approved to have one.  There are five free days off; however, there has to be documentation that the appropriate time is worked.  Basically, teacher are getting five free days off by staying an extra 15 minutes each day.

 

- Questions/Comment: Why does it take such a long time to assign students to MLA? (students with behavior problems) Answer: It is a very elaborate process, which involves the principal from the referring school meeting with the principal of MLA.  It takes time; however, should one feel that it is taking too long, they can let Dr. Ellis know and he will see what is going on.

 

- Questions/Comment: Why are MLA students allowed to ride the bus with students who are not assigned to MLA (behavior issues only)? Why are MLA students allowed on campus (other than MLA) out of uniform, of course, with pants down, girls dressed inappropriately, etc? Answer: This will be discussed with the secondary principals at the next principals’ meeting.

 

- Questions/Comment: Why do we pay adult prices in the cafeteria and receive child's serving? Answer: The child nutrition department receives federal dollars for student meals served. That money makes up the difference in the amount we charge adults for the food they receive. We do not receive federal dollars for adult meals.

 

Following the question and answer session, Dr. Ellis thanked advisory members for serving and adjourned the meeting.