Special Meeting-July 7, 2010

The Board of Directors of the Jefferson-Scranton Community School District met in special session on July 7, 2010 at the Elementary School. President Sam Harding called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Also present were Directors Teresa Hagen, Mike Holden, and Celli Whipple; Superintendent Tim Christensen and Secretary Brenda Muir. Director Kevin Neal attended via conference call.

The president read the mission statement and goals of the Jefferson-Scranton School District.

Hagen made and Holden seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Christensen presented the arbitrator’s ruling in favor of the teachers’ association final position. Holden made and Hagen seconded a motion to ratify the negotiated agreement with the Jefferson-Scranton Education Association which is a 2.32% increase in total district cost. This is a $200 increase to the base. The 2010-2011 base salary will be $27,390 plus Teacher Salary Supplement of approximately $5,591; a combined salary base of $32,981. The 2.32% figure also includes the 11.5% increase in insurance costs and the increase in the IPERS contribution rate. Motion carried 4-0 with Neal abstaining.

The remaining budget cuts of elementary associates and extended contract days were discussed. Superintendent Christensen recommended cutting a regular education associate but sees the need to add a special education associate; therefore only a transfer would be necessary. He also felt it was too late in the process to cut extended contract days and would like to make that a priority for next year’s cuts. Since the board did not make all the cuts recommended previously, more will need to be made for the following fiscal year.

Holden made a motion to cut a regular education associate and transfer that associate to a special education position. That motion died for lack of a second.

Hagen made and Whipple seconded a motion to keep all associates presently on staff in their positions. Motion carried 5-0.

Neal made and Hagen seconded a motion to not cut the extended contract days for 2010-11 but to let those teachers decide collectively where the significant cuts in the extended contract days should be for 2011-12. Motion carried 4-1.
Ayes: Hagen, Neal, Whipple, Harding
Nay: Holden

The Administrative/Classified Staff Salaries Committee of Neal and Holden explained their process of coming up with their recommendation for 2010-11. They gathered comparative data and took into account that the administrative staff took a zero percentage salary increase in 2009-10. Neal made and Holden seconded a motion to increase the administrative total benefit package by 2.9%. This is not an across the board increase but will be individualized and will include the insurance and IPERS increases as well. The standard two year contracts will be offered to the superintendent and principals. Motion carried 4-1.
Ayes: Hagen, Holden, Whipple, Harding
Nay: Neal

The committee also explained meeting with classified staff and collecting comparative data. Neal made and Holden seconded a motion to increase the classified staff total benefit package by 2.9% for 2010-11. Superintendent Christensen will finalize the individual salary increases. The package increase also includes the insurance and IPERS increases. Motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Christensen recommended hiring Kendra Sogard as a middle school math teacher for the 2010-11 school year. Holden made and Whipple seconded the motion to hire Sogard as recommended. Motion carried 5-0.

The president declared the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.