July 23, 2008
A Special Meeting of the Elementary and High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees was held on July 23, 2008 in the Choteau High School Library. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kirk Moore.
Members Present: Kirk Moore, Robert Stokes, Sharon Rice, Brenda Cunniff, Katie Rasmussen, Mark Henderson, and Perri Lindgren.
Members Absent: None.
Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis were present throughout the meeting.
Visitors: Choteau Acantha Editor Melody Martinsen; District Patrons Katie Vandolah and Josh Sonju; and Teachers Kathy Ketcham, Rachel Christensen, and Megan Grossman.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried to approve the elementary claims clearing warrants #13603-#13684 and payroll clearing warrants #17775-#17825 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A motion was made by Robert Stokes, seconded by Katie Rasmussen and unanimously carried to approve the high school claims clearing warrants #13603-#13684 and payroll clearing warrants #17775-#17825 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH TEACHERS Trustee Sharon Rice questioned who called this special meeting and why it was called, stating she would prefer tabling the entire agenda as she does not feel she was provided adequate information or time to prepare. Trustee Rice went on to say she was present out of respect for the staff and the Board negotiating committee and would have to act on her trust of the committee, but did not feel this was right. It was noted that ratification of negotiations have always been done after a verbal report from the Board negotiating committee and Chairman Kirk Moore asked Trustee Rice to yield the floor so Board Negotiating Spokesman Robert Stokes could report and the meeting could proceed.
Board Negotiating Spokesman Stokes outlined the negotiating process from beginning to end, noting that it began in the typical fashion of the teachers asking for the moon and the Board giving nothing. Negotiations then proceeded with the Board presenting a new salary matrix for the CEA to consider, which was outlined at the regular June Board meeting. Both sides met again last Thursday, with the teachers bringing a counter proposal to the new salary matrix that raised the base substantially and provided all teachers an equitable raise instead of just those still moving on the matrix. The CEA counter proposal set the base at the BA/1 level or $23,504, the same as the Board proposal, but rather than eliminating the bottom step in each lane, that step was retained and all teachers were frozen at their 07-08 step since they had essentially already received a step by setting the base at the BA/1 level. This new certified salary schedule will give all teachers an equitable 4% raise ranging from $904 for a starting teacher to $1,833 for a top end teacher; and will raise the base to a level that is not at the bottom of the scale at a cost that is affordable to the district. In addition to the new salary matrix the following language changes were made:
Article 10.2: 1. Teachers shall begin their work day thirty minutes before the students’ school day begins and shall continue until twenty-eight minutes after the students’ normal day ends. (Delete last two sentences.)
2. On days preceding holidays or recesses, the teachers’ day shall end at the close of the students’ day.
Article 13.7: Three days personal leave per year shall be granted to certificated teachers. Administrative approval must be secured for any personal leave requested the last two weeks of the semester or trimester. Personal business leave is not subject o accrual. If possible, notice shall be given at least twenty-four hours in advance.
At the end of each school year teachers will be compensated for any unused personal leave days at the rate of $75.00 per day, maximum payment being $225.00 (3 unused personal days X $75.00).
Spokesman Stokes had Clerk Davis make copies of the negotiating sign off sheet for the Board to review. Trustee Brenda Cunniff noted that having this information in the packet would have been helpful so that Board members would have had time to study and review the proposal, rather than relying on a verbal report as in the past.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried to ratify negotiations with the Choteau Education Association for the 2008-09 school year as outlined above.
Trustee Mark Henderson thanked both sides for working together and thinking “outside the box” to arrive at an affordable salary increase. Trustee Brenda Cunniff questioned how the District was going to fund these salary increases. Clerk Davis noted that the general fund budgets will be tighter with less unanticipated cushion, but feels that these increases are very doable because of the retirement savings and using the OTO Full Time Kindergarten and OTO Deferred Capitalization and Maintenance funds to cover the unanticipated cushion for the next two years. Clerk Davis further noted that she is counting on a change in the funding formula from the next legislative session to see the district through the upcoming years of continued declining enrollment.
CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATION Spokesman Robert Stokes informed the Board that the only administrative negotiations that have been finalized are those with 7-12 High School Principal Nate Achenbach, as the committee is waiting to negotiate with Supt. St. John after his evaluation in August and K-6 Elementary Chuck Gameon has not been available to meet with the committee.
Spokesman Stokes informed the Board that the negotiating committee had arrived at a wage increase of $1,400 or 2.6% to an annual salary of $55,400 and covering the 9.6% increase for the full family comprehensive insurance premium at an additional cost of $756, with the total package representing a 4% increase, for High School Principal Achenbach.
A motion was made by Brenda Cunniff and seconded by Perri Lindgren to ratify negotiations with 7-12 High School Principal Nate Achenbach as outlined above. Discussion of the motion on the floor was called for.
Trustee Katie Rasmussen stated that the average teacher and administrative salaries are always referred to, but feels the Board needs to take into consideration that the average income of a Choteau resident is only $16,000 which is 15% below average. Trustee Sharon Rice questioned the basis and justification for administrative raises, stating she feels the District’s administrative costs are top heavy. Trustee Perri Lindgren noted that the district would not be able to replace the administrative staff at the current wage level, but more than likely would have to offer more. Trustee Brenda Cunniff stated she feels it is hard not to offer a raise as an incentive and morale booster if an evaluation does not indicate a reason not to. Trustee Rasmussen noted that she is not against granting raises but just wanted the Board to keep in mind the standard of living for the majority of the community.
A vote on the motion on the floor was called for. Trustees voting for the motion to ratify negotiations with 7-12 High School Principal Nate Achenbach were: Brenda Cunniff, Perri Lindgren, Robert Stokes, Perri Lindgren, Katie Rasmussen, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against this motion were: Sharon Rice. The motion carried with a 6 to 1 vote.
CONSIDER RATIFICATION OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH BUSINESS MANAGER AND TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR Spokesman Stokes informed the Board that the negotiating committee had arrived at a wage increase of $1,500 or 3.8% to an annual salary of $40,700 and covering the 9.6% increase for the family catastrophic or basic insurance premium at an additional cost of $576, with the total package representing a 5.2% increase, for Clerk/Business Manager Davis. The Board questioned the higher percentage increase but felt it could be justified since Mrs. Davis is starting her 27th year with the district.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Katie Rasmussen and unanimously carried to ratify negotiations with Clerk/Business Manager Gloria Davis as outlined above.
Spokesman Stokes informed the Board that the negotiating committee had arrived at a wage increase of $1,000 or 2.8% to an annual salary of $36,230 and covering the 9.6% increase for the family catastrophic or basic insurance premium at an additional cost of $576, with the total package representing a 4.5% increase, for Technology Coordinator Robb Wearley. The teachers present at the meeting informed the Board that they could not do their jobs without the services of “Dr. Robb” and the district is very fortunate to have him perform the job he does at this wage rate.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Robert Stokes and unanimously carried to ratify negotiations with Technology Coordinator Robb Wearley as outlined above.
CONSIDER INSURANCE LANGUAGE REVISION FOR NON-CERTIFIED SALARY SCHEDULE Supt. St. John and Negotiating Spokesman Robert Stokes informed the Board that since the teachers did not negotiate an increase in the district contribution to cover the 9.6% increase in insurance premium costs, the negotiating committee felt the language on the non-certified salary schedule should be changed to cover the 9.6% increase for the catastrophic or basic insurance premium, as was granted Clerk Davis and Technology Coordinator Wearley. The negotiating committee noted that many of the non-certified staff accept employment with the district for the insurance benefit and their annual $ .35 per hour raise does not cover this insurance premium increase for most.
The proposed language change would change the statement that non-certified personnel entitled to insurance benefits will receive the same increase in insurance benefits as certified staff to language that states that the Board agrees to pay the 2008-09 insurance premiums for non-certified staff entitled to insurance benefits not to exceed the following monthly amounts: Family Plan - $562, Two Party Plan - $450, Parent/Child Plan - $428, Single Plan - $227. The Board and administration discussed this revision to the non-certified salary schedule further, noting that this was another area of negotiations that was outside of the box.
A motion was made by Robert Stokes, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried to revise the non-certified salary schedule and change the insurance benefit language to read as outlined above. A copy of the revised non-certified salary schedule is attached to the minutes of this meeting and it was noted that this revision is retroactive to cover the increase effective with the July premium.
RATIFICATION OF CUSTODIAL UNION AGREEMENT The Board reviewed the final draft of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Choteau School District No. 1 and the Rocky Mountain District Council of Laborers, Local No. 1686. A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen and seconded by Mark Henderson to ratify the custodial union collective bargaining agreement as presented. Discussion of the motion was called for.
Supt. St. John addressed the concerns that some Board members had brought to him. There had been a concern that the union representative could come on site anytime and interrupt the work schedule; but there is a provision in the law that the union representative must make an appointment, so the administration can manage this concern. There was another concern under the recognition section of the contract that the union is the exclusive negotiating unit for all full and part time custodians of the district, with the exception of managerial and supervisory custodians, rather than just the PM Building Custodians that voted for the union. Supt. St. John noted that this language must be used as it was the exact language on the union election ballot and it essentially does not extend the scope of the union. Another concern was Election Day being a paid holiday if the school is used as a polling site. This provision is currently in Public Employee law and is only applicable if school is not held because of the election. The Board and administration concluded their discussion of any concerns or questions with the new custodial union collective bargaining agreement and a vote of the motion on the floor was called for.
Trustees voting for the motion to ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Choteau School District No. 1 and the Rocky Mountain District Council of Laborers, Local No. 1686 were: Katie Rasmussen, Mark Henderson, Brenda Cunniff, Perri Lindgren, Sharon Rice, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against this motion were: Robert Stokes. The motion carried with a 6 to 1 vote.
ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Katie Rasmussen stated that since this special meeting was called hurriedly so that negotiations could be ratified in order that the Business Manager could run a correct July payroll without adjustments at a later date, she would like to table all the remaining information items on the agenda until the regular August meeting.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen and seconded by Brenda Cunniff to table the following Information Agenda Items until the August Board Meeting: Athletic Philosophy Committee Report, 2008-09 Board Goals, The Board Pamphlets, Business Manager’s Report, and Superintendent’s Report.
Chairman Kirk Moore asked the visitors present if they were here to speak to any of the items being tabled. The teachers were present for ratification of negotiations and Katie Vandolah stated she was just keeping abreast of the progress of the athletic philosophy committee. Trustee Robert Stokes stated he had wanted to speak to the Board training opportunity with Elizabeth Kaleva in September under the Superintendent’s Report and it was agreed this matter would be placed on the agenda for the August meeting.
A vote of the motion on the floor to table the remaining information items on the agenda until the regular August meeting was called. Trustees voting for this motion were: Katie Rasmussen, Brenda Cunniff, Sharon Rice, Robert Stokes, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against this motion were: Perri Lindgren and Mark Henderson. The motion carried with a 5 to 2 vote.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
ATTEST: _____________________ CLERK _________________________ CHAIRMAN