Minutes - October 26th, 2023
Budget Updates
Dr. Ellis opened the meeting by talking about the state budget. The budget included an increase that was in everyone's paycheck. A 4% raise this year and a 3% raise next year. If you have any questions, please get in touch with fiance. Overall, Dr. Ellis credits our General Assembly with a 7% increase over the next two years. North Carolina's economy is growing due to the influx of people moving here.
Complaints
Dr. Ellis moved on to talking about the complaints received from schools. He said that retaliation because of a complaint will not happen. Administration takes all complaints seriously. If an employee has a complaint about a situation, tell your principal. If an employee has a complaint about a principal, tell Dr. Ellis. If you have a complaint about another employee, providing a name will ensure the process will begin. If anyone in Montgomery County Schools has a problem, please bring it forward. The situation will be addressed and handled.
Questions
- In the April meeting, Dr. Ellis discussed requesting an increase from county commissioners, and he hasn't heard from them. Does he have an update?
The county commissioners have approved a bonus package that will include classified staff. That will be paid in May and will be $1,000 for every single employee in Montgomery County Schools.
- Are all classified staff getting the raise and a bonus this year according to the budget? We are reading about the teacher getting their raise and the classified feel left out on the money. We work just as hard as the teachers. Fox8 News showed the school district in Greensboro is getting their raises on Oct.31.2023, plus their bonus on Nov 4,2023. As a classified staff, are we getting any money? When will we get it? It's been a long time since the fiscal year has passed. Are we excluded or included in the raises and bonuses?
Yes, all classified staff received a raise in your October check, retroactive to July. The retention bonus will be in May.
- We are inquiring about the 1000.00 bonus or incentive for non-certified. Certified staff received $3,500.00 in May, and non-certified staff received nothing. Why is this?
The state put in a special allocation in the budget for teachers to receive a bonus from the state for smaller districts.
- If we (classified staff) are not in a classroom, then we are required to take a lunch. It’s different at the school level than at the central office, so we want to voice the difference in hopes that it will be reviewed. When a classified staff member takes a lunch, we still get pulled to assist with students, medicine, enrollments, payments, etc., because we are still in school supporting students and staff. We also cover lunches for other staff members who have to take lunch, and we have lunch duty as well. Which, with the lunch we are required to take, will keep us from our work assignment/desk for up to an hour and a half. If we didn’t take lunch, that would be only 30 minutes to 1 hour from our work assignment. With that being said, we have even clocked out, worked, and clocked back in just so that we don’t have to be fussed at. Can this be reviewed? We understand that if this were to be changed, that should we take a lunch, we would clock in and out. Can you please consider this policy and review it? We believe NC does not require mandatory meal breaks for employees over the age of 16.
Dr. Ellis is going to add to Principal’s Agenda because every school handles it differently. He wants to see what the schools are doing and see how to handle it. He wants to know why employees have different durations of lunch and that is not how it should be, it should be equitable across the district.
- Are any classified employees included in the school incentive program grant? If so, are all classified employees included?
Due to guidelines by the federal government, the grant only allows bonuses for certified staff. The grant can only be used as incentives for teachers. It is 21M dollars, but we wrote it to incentivize growth. We have multiple pathways available for employees for become certified teachers. We have the homegrown programs, etc…
- For employees that receive longevity, is it based on their previous working year or the current school year?
Longevity checks come after the year you work.