Minutes - January 15, 2020
Certified Staff Advisory
January 15, 2020
The following members were in attendance: Melissa Shields, Mt. Gilead Elementary; Lisa Wood, Candor Elementary; Erin Leach, Green Ridge Elementary; Kim Simmons, East Middle School; Lee Waln, West Middle School; Jaimie Russell, Star Elementary; Kirk Watts, Early College; Du Lo, Montgomery Learning Academy; Sonya Chavez, East Montgomery; and Adriana Persin, West Montgomery. Absent: Nancy McLendon, Page Street Elementary.
Welcome/Celebrations
Dr. Ellis welcomed everyone in attendance.
Budget Update
Dr. Ellis provided an update on the budget and the issue that no budget has been passed. We are currently operating on a continuum budget. The General Assembly met yesterday (January 14), and they met for one day. They will not be back in session until April. There are a lot of people who have played politics in Raleigh and educators have been the pawn. All other state employees have gotten a 5% raise over 2 years. The projection was a 3.8% for teachers and 2% for others. The governor vetoed this proposal because he said the raises were not enough for educators. The legislative group that is in control has absolute control. They could have come back and negotiated at any time, but their main goal was to override the governor’s veto. Dr. Ellis’ hope is that since 2020 will be a big election year there will be a great turnout of voters. Typically, during election years, they are fairly generous to educators and fair raises will hopefully be given to everyone. It is Dr. Ellis’ hope that what was lost this year will be made up to us in the coming year.
Dr. Ellis recently completed a survey for the school board association and administrators. His response to the survey documented how absurd the budget situation is and his response was sent to all in the General Assembly. He did not intend for his comments to contribute to punishing educators. He’s really concerned that there has been some really good teacher raises over the last 5 years. However, for others in the system, they have not received adequate raises. He believes, educators are absolutely being punished.
Our state says they do not have the money to give us raises. However, others are getting monthly supplements that are equivalent to teachers’ salaries. Why are we overlooked?
The state had a $900 million surplus last year. They were talking about giving a refund back to taxpayers rather than give it to educators. This money is being kept in a rainy-day fund. Yes, it is important but to that extent is it necessary?
Consolidation/Construction Update
Our plan was to have this meeting at the CTE building. Unfortunately, things are wild now. We are so close we can taste it! If all goes well, we will have kids in the building by January 23rd. Things are so fast-paced that it’s not a good idea to be in the building at this time. We will have an open house on February 25th at 5:30. Everyone is invited to attend. Please spread the word!
We will plan to have the next meeting at the CTE building and hope to have the high school finished at that time.
It’s going to be a great facility. We are putting the finishing touches on the CTE Building. All the major systems are in working order. We are looking forward to having the Certificate of Occupancy.
One of the responses from the Central Office survey stated that all Dr. Ellis cared about was the new high school. He apologized to everyone that he has not been in their buildings more, but this has been a time-sensitive and time-consuming project. He expressed his pride and admiration for all schools and students.
CALENDAR CHANGE
Will there be a calendar change for next year? We are presenting to the board of education in February. We are still debating it and are unsure what our recommendation will be. Please understand the reason we are talking about this is from a high school standpoint it’s difficult to get a kid back from Christmas break ready to take an exam. We are still investigating what will happen to school systems that have already changed their calendar. Please note the calendar option 2 was presented and approved at the February Board of Education meeting.
Is it truly under consideration to revert to the 1st semester Final Exams being done BEFORE we leave for Christmas break? If so, outstanding!
If going back early in August is on the table, when will we know this? Also, what is the plan for transitioning to the new high school for staff? You will know as soon as we make the recommendation in February. The first transition is the principal. Dr. Ellis is meeting later this week with West Montgomery staff. Mr. Gurley needs to be transiting soon to the new school. Anne McClean will be taking over for the remainder of the year.
We’ve had a lot of questions. We sent out a questionnaire asking individuals for the preference for teaching. This is all at the discretion of the principal, Mr. Gurley. The bottom line is that no one is going to lose a job with this merger. There will be cuts through the consolidation. There will be savings, but none will be from the result of losing staff. Again, the bottom line is that everyone will have a job. All information about that will be coming out in the next 2 months.
QUESTIONS
GATE DUTIES
Will all teachers over at the new high school, CTE building, and the Early College be required to work gate duty during the various athletic events once they are on the new campus since we will all have student-athletes on the MC teams? It’s unfair to teachers at the main high school to have to do them all.
We will have that conversation. It will be a tough conversation. If we ask MCEC teachers to do duties at Montgomery Central, then MC teachers will have to do duties at MCEC events.
MONTGOMERY CENTRAL
How should we plan for next year? What should we plan to take? Should we plan to order basic supplies such as paper, dry erase markers, etc, or should we plan to take basic necessities with us? How much will be allowed to take with us to the new school
For that matter, when will staffing decisions be made for the new school?
When will students be enrolled in the “new high school” courses, and when are decisions about scheduling of courses and times being made? There are circumstances that need to be considered for elective enrollments before students are placed in classes. When can we meet to discuss these issues?
If you have something you want to take, take it. Both high schools have placed for your use very large dumpsters. So, if you don’t want it dispose of it. We are coming up with the protocol now as to how much to take. Once you see the rooms you will have a better idea of what to take. Every room will have 4 hands. Some teachers already want to move their stuff which is fine. Mr. Girley is getting ready to start making staffing decisions in early February. All high school students and 8th graders are going to take a tour of the CTE building. Registration will take place on February, 10th.
What is the realistic finish date of the school? Also, when can we have our Juniors over to visit the school? I suggest we have an optional Open House after school one day. The date we have been given is March 23rd. Juniors will be visiting the CTE Building the first week of February. There will be a general open house on February 25th.
When will we be able to start moving things to the new school and finding out scheduling details for next year? The scheduling details will be coming after February 10th. You may begin packing up. After you finish units I would suggest going ahead and packing up things you don’t need.
What is the best method of disposal? If it’s owned by the school, we need to talk with the principal before disposing of it. Dr. Ellis will follow up with the principals and curriculum team about the best method for disposal. Principals will arrange for spots for certain things to be housed that belong to the school to later be disposed of.
We can put things into the CTE building now. Once we get a certificate of occupancy for the new high school, we might be able to allow individuals to begin moving things.
A lot of things are time-dependent and difficult to answer. We will go through the standard scheduling process. You will know within the next 2 to 3 months all the answers.
On cabinet minutes it stated bonuses had been miscalculated. We know it hasn’t been announced but we know other counties have. Any idea when emails will be sent out to notify teachers?
Mitch got an email to hold off. He interpreted that it meant to hold off there might be changes. He understands that if you qualify you would still get the bonus. It just appears that there was some type of error at DPI in how they were calculated. Just a delay from DPI as to when we can do it. Information this year from DPI has been coming a lot slower. Do you know when those who do qualify will get them? Mitch isn’t sure, but he will try to notify principals up to date on what is going on.
For teachers that plan ahead, will the county work with individuals who have planned vacations? Yes, we will work with you. We are trying our best to make sure individuals are aware of the calendar changes by the February board meeting so that vacation plans can be made accordingly.
After the first year, we should see savings from the cost efficiency of the building. Our goal is to raise your supplements again with those savings as well as increase the Classified supplement.
When everything stabilizes from the consolidation are plan is to take the savings and invest back into you. Please know you are appreciated!