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Minutes - April 26, 2017

Classified Staff Advisory Meeting

April 26, 2017

Individuals present included: Robin Heath, WMHS; Linda Hogan, PSES; Barbara Smith, GRES; Iris Canul, EMHS; Darthelia Ingram, MGES; Beth Hall, SES; Jackie Jackson, EMS; Cindy Williams, WMS; Tina Woody, TES; Carol Miller, MLA; and Penny Brown, CES. Absent: Crystal Douglas. 

Dr. Ellis welcomed everyone and thanked them for their flexibility with the date change of the meeting. 

House Bill 13/Budget Update

Dr. Ellis gave an update on the budget and the affect House Bill 13 will have on the district. The House passed House Bill 13 around 2 months ago. Last year, when the budget was passed, the senate lowered the class size, which would require more teachers, but did not appropriate additional funds to do so. In the past, districts have had a lot of flexibility in the size of classes. The lowered class size was going to cost our district around $600,000. The Senate has now passed the bill, which mandates for next school year class size can be at 23 with an average of 20. The bill also states that the following year class size will be 21 with an average of 17, which will cost our district about $400,000. The General Assembly has proposed they will give us enhancement money to hire music, art, and PE teachers based on this new bill. We will have to begin taking steps this year to prepare for the reduction in class sizes. For instance, after this year’s cut every elementary school got a TA for 29 hours. Next year, we will not be able to do so. 

So, the same rules will apply if an individual is performing well and wants to be employed we will make sure they have a position. 

We will have to spend around $200,000 out of fund balance this year. 

Project Update

We are moving forward with the East Middle School wing. Plan to start construction in the summer. Weather permitting we hope the project will be complete by next year. Still on target to open the new high school in August of 2019. Bulldozers will begin moving dirt in June or July. We have completed the schematic design phase, and are beginning the design development phase. We should have actual drawings soon of the building. Things seem to be progressing well. 

Main take away – while the state appears to be taking away the TA position, this district supports the TA model, and values the impact they have in the classroom.

Questions

Are the TA's safe for the most part during school year 2017-2018 or will they be phased out over a period of time? We will not replace individuals who retire but at this time we will not be cutting any people. Dr. Ellis believes that the general assembly’s long term goal is to phase out TA’s. Those who are employed will be safe as long as we have a fund balance. But things will continue to be tight.  

Will fall of 2018 see cuts of TA's due to decrease class size and increase of teachers? There will be a decrease in number, but it will be through attrition until all funds run out. 

Is there a possibility TA's can cover classes that may be cut? Example: Art, music, PE, Library Yes, we will continue to make sure they have a position. 

Who will drive buses when TA's are gone? Good question! It is something that administrators continue to question.  

We have heard rumors of after school tutoring for next year. Will TA's stay for this time? If not what will be done for bus transportation? We have applied for more grants for after school funding. However, we do not know if we will get those funds. Funding for the current ones will be running out.  

Do you know when a raise for bus drivers will be included in the budget? There hasn't been a raise in several years. We tried to implement the incentive plan to offer incentives across the board which included bus drivers. We will continue to look at it, but at this time we are trying to sustain positions.  

With the new high school, will individuals have to reapply for their positions? No, that has not even been discussed. However, there will be certain programs area that will have to be evaluated and downsized.  

No days – How do we keep using No days? No days are available for any district to use. The law now is an and/or situation and gives districts more flexibility. We have added 15 mins to the day to account for the No days. It is something that is built into the calendar. The Calendar Committee develops it and the board approves it. Are there any classified people on the calendar committee? Would have to check into it. The problem with having classified work the extra 15 minutes is that it would affect individuals in different ways and would create an overtime situation.  

Please share with your peers! Next year, we will be adding a referral program for teachers. Individuals will be getting a bonus based on referring teachers to the district and if they stay with the district.