REGULAR MEETING, MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2004	Jump to Page   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11>
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APPROVAL OF POSITION AND JOB DESCRIPTION - PLANNING PRINCIPAL

Our school district is utilizing a principal who was already under contract to serve as the planning principal for all new schools. The intent is that this person serves as the planning principal for all new schools during their construction period, and generally for several new schools at the same time. Utilization of this approach will shorten the time that the principal of a new school will need to be employed in advance of its actual opening and will ensure consistency in the planning processes for the new schools.

The Board must approve the allocation and job description for the position. The recommended salary for this position is the same as for a middle school principal, adjusted to 12 months, though the duties vary to include specific responsibilities related to planning.

The cost of this position, excluding benefits, is approximately $79,284.00. The funding source will be Capital, which will reduce the impact on the operating budget.

The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the allocation and job description for the position of Planning Principal.

Mr. Miller moved, with a second by Mrs. Harvey, to approve the allocation and job description for the position of Planning Principal. Motion carried 5-0.

RATIFICATION OF CONTRACT WITH LOCAL 1584, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME)

Representatives of the Superintendent and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) began negotiations over a new contract on December 2, 2003, during which agreement was reached on fifteen (15) Articles. Impasse was declared by AFSCME on December 10, 2003, over three Articles over which agreement could not be reached. On January 14, 2004, the School Board held an impasse hearing to settle the dispute.

The contract, signed by the Superintendent's chief negotiation, and the bargaining agent representative, includes the fifteen (15) Articles upon which agreement was reached and the three (3) Articles settled by the School Board during the impasse hearing on January 14, 2004. State law requires that following the resolution of the impasse, the issues agreed to and those that were in dispute be submitted to the School Board and bargaining unit for ratification.

The fiscal impact representing the additional benefits contained within this agreement is $343,162.00.

The Superintendent recommends that the School Board ratify the Contract with Local 1584, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Mr. Kinnan moved, with a second by Mrs. Harvey, to ratify the Contract with Local 1584, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Motion carried 5-0. (Copy of Contract can be found in the Supplemental Minute Book.)

APPROVAL OF PETITION FOR SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY OF RODNEY THOMAS

This Employee has been suspended with pay since January 5, 2004. The Employee was employed as Assistant Director at Manatee Technical Institute. The petition alleges that Thomas used his administrative position in order to obtain for his own benefit a trailer built by MTI welding class students without proper compensation to the District. The Petition further alleges that Thomas's actions constitute a violation of Florida Administrative Code, Florida Statutes, Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida, and the Policies and Procedures of the School Board of Manatee County, on the following grounds, which individually and collectively constitute just cause for his termination.

The Board considered the Superintendent's Petition for Suspension Without Pay and Termination. The Employee was not present, however, his legal counsel had previously communicated to the Superintendent's Office a request for an Evidentiary Hearing.

The Employee has been suspended with pay by the School Board pending a final determination on the Petition For Suspension Without Pay. However, if the Employee is reinstated, the Employee will receive back pay for the time of the suspension.

Rob Shapiro, Staff Attorney presented information regarding the method of this process. He requested the Board to deliberate and determine, by vote, whether the Petition for Suspension Without Pay should be granted or denied.

The Superintendent recommends approval of the Petition for Suspension Without Pay of Rodney Thomas.

Mr. Brunner moved, with a second by Mr. Kinnan, to approve of the Petition for Suspension Without Pay of Rodney Thomas. Motion carried 5-0. (Copy of Notice, Petition for Suspension Without Pay and Termination and order of Suspension Without Pay can be found in the Supplemental Minute Book.)