Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PPC disappointed again; Board denies policy changes

Members of the Prescott School District's Personnel Policy Committee were again disappointed with a decision made by the Prescott School Board.

At its regular monthly meeting, held Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Board rejected both a proposed sick day policy and increase in benefits for teachers.

This is not the first time the PPC has gone away from a Board meeting unsatisfied. The panel approached the Board with proposed policy changed early in the summer, and was put off.

The PPC proposed the district allowing certified personnel to have up to 12 sick days off per year, though this number had been reduced to 10. For years certified personnel with the district had been given 12 sick days per year.

The PPC presented a bar chart to the board showing for 32 certified staff members at Prescott Elementary School, a total of 1674.5 days was available at the start of the 2003-2004 year. Of this, though, 542 days, or 33 percent, were used, leaving 1,132.5 days untouched.

The breakdown further shows 41 personal days were taken, 283 sick days, 107 days were lost to maternity leave, 90 days went to school business, 11 days were missed for a death in the family, eight went to leave of absence with one day being missed for jury duty.

The district made the change based on the contracts signed. Those who sign a 190-day contract receive 10 days, or one sick day per month.

The Board's reasoning behind rejecting the benefit increase was the portion the District is required to contribute to the retirement fund was increased by the state from 12 percent to 14 percent, with the T-Drop portion being increased from 0-14 percent.

Jerry Hollensworth, with the architectural firm of Trull and Hollensworth, updated the Board on the progress of the new multi-purpose complex.

He said work got off to a slow start because of the early summer rains, which were unexpected. However, the foundation is in and the block layering will be done once the steel beams for the roof are in place.

Work on the access road has started, he said, with it being graveled at this time. In the Spring, though, the access road will be "grassed" over and kept that way.

Hollensworth said a canopy had to be changed and raised so large equipment could pass beneath it. This is the only canopy affected by the construction.

Basically, he said, the project is coming along well.

The board accepted a tuition agreement with Garland School in Hope to provide an Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) for students in grades 8-12.

The board adopted a disclosure resolution concerning services provided to the district. At the August meeting, Jeff Haynes and Dr. Charles Weiner were approved to provide services.

Haynes recused himself from the discussion at the August meeting, as he is on the Board. However, the panel agreed to contract with Haynes Sports Therapy for physical and therapy.

Psychological services will be provided by Dr. Weiner.

The Board discussed the need to purchase new buses, as none have been purchased in the last two years.

Superintendent Hyacinth Deon said the transportation director has been looking at two used buses. These are 2002 model, 24-passenger buses with less than 20,000 miles on them.

Both, she said, are in good shape and can be purchased for $29,900 each. New buses cost more than $45,000.

The Board decided to have Deon do more investigation on the used buses and report back in October.

The final order of business was accepting two resignations. Donna Horton resigned from the food service department, while Karen Taylor resigned as special ed instructor at McRae Middle School. Taylor's resignation is effective Oct. 30.