December 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM - Personnel Committee Meeting

Discussion:  Also in attendance were Don Hague, Tim Meisner, David Pauli and Eldon Hubbard.

Discussion:  Hubbard explained a recent situation involving a teacher/coach. Hubbard and Pauli met with the teacher and shared with her their displeasure of her actions. The committee reviewed previous discipline scenarios and expressed their desire to ensure district staff is held accountable in a consistent manner. Character and proper behavior are traits that needs to be upheld in staff values. The Standards of Professional Conduct have been provided to the teacher for review. A verbal repremand was given by the building administrator. The committee feels that faculty needs to be held just as accountable as students and would like disciplinary action taken. Hague reminded the committee that it is up to the administration to handle specifics in personnel issues.

Discussion:  Pauli addressed a citizen letter that was submitted to the editor of the Gering Citizen pertaining to a student who had been cut from a sports team. The student was cut due to a lack of playing time and was offered the student manager position on the team but the student transferred to a different host family, as she was a foreign exchange student, and did not accept that position. Pauli supports his head coach's decision. The letter did not reference the team manager postion being offered. The committee questioned why only one student was cut from the team and wondered if the situation could have been analized differently.

Discussion:  A letter from the public requested that the district re-visit this issue. The Facilities Committee was in full favor of implementing such a policy. Principals can currently test a student if they have reasonable cause. Hubbard stated that there was no community support in the past so it had not been implemented. Hubbard addressed extra co-curriculur students being tested as well. Hubbard would like all students to volunteer themselves to be included in the pool and offer weekly incentives for their participation. Parents also have the ability to option their child into the pool. The committee is aware that the public may challenge this proposal. Gering students who particpate in Sea Cats are already being tested. Costs are estimated to be $11,700. Another concern for Pauli is the follow up time and protocol if a student does test positive. Seiler also has time concerns. Pauli referred to two studies that had been previously emailed to the full board. Current districts who drug test are Mitchell, Scottsbluff, Chadron and Gordon/Rushville. Hague suggested putting it on the December agenda for full board discussion and requested that Hubbard and Pauli be present to address questions and/or concerns. Pauli would like to see coaches tested as well. The committee would like a list of the extra curricular clubs that will be in the pool.

Discussion:  Due to resignations, one custodian was hired at Geil Elementary and a part time Administrative Assistant was hired for the Director of Curriculum and Assessment.

Discussion:  Committee goals were reviewed. The Superintendent's job description, review and formal evaluation schedule was reviewed. The committee discussed basing pay increases on merit rather than strictly on cost of living. Hague would like to consider cost of liviing, comparability in the district's array and individual performance. Hague stated that he will develop a spreadsheet that includes such info for each staff member that he supervises. A summary would then be provided to the Personnel Committee with justifications. The committee would like all evaluations to be provided by May so Hague's proposal can be approved at the annual June Board Meeting. This system would also eliminate the need for retro pay.

Discussion:  Hague encouraged the committee to meet with the Principals Group to discuss the District's Attorney's response to their request. Miles asked Hague to coordinate this with the group's two leaders.

Discussion:  Sample contracts were discussed, including annual versus addendums. Miles requested that the Personnel Committee review the Superintendent's Administrative Salary recommendation every June. The job description review, performance summary and completed evaluations need to be submitted by May each year. The committee will also be notified at that time if all classified evaluations have been completed and turned in.

Discussion:  The evaluation schedule was reviewed and various options for pay increases were discussed. Pay increases will be merit based, as well as cost of living and schedule.

Discussion:  A comparability studey on teacher's salaries was handed out. An updated copy will be provided soon from one of the district's attorneys. The committee noted that Lexington was not included on the list.

Discussion:  The committe will share a comparability study with the negotiating team in their next meeting. A new evaluation rating system was discussed.

Discussion:  A discussion was held detailing the differences in the NASB Superintendent Evaluation Tool and the Lincoln Public School District's evaluation model. They were determined to be very similar. Hague's current evaluation tool will be emailed to the full board on Friday of this week with the Superintendent's Friday Note. Hague stated that he appreciates the six-month evaluation process as it helps to determine focus and targets for the next 6 months. An Executive Session has been scheduled for December 19th to discuss the Superintendent's evalatuion. Peters will determine if the full board would like to be present while this evaluation is discussed or if they prefer for the board's President and Vice President to handle it. A formal report including goals, timelines and a summary of what was discussed would then be provided to the full board for their review.