October 29, 2012 - School District of Greenfield

School District of Greenfield
Committee of the Whole Minutes
Monday, October 29, 2012
October 29, 2012 COW Minutes
Page 1 of 3
1. Call to Order
Committee Chair Rick Moze called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM. Committee Members
present were: Bruce Bailey, Don Carlson, Len Cich, Rick Moze, Pam Sierzchulski, Russ Spahn
and Cathy Walsh. Absent/Excused: None. Others in attendance were Superintendent Conrad
Farner.
2. Citizen’s Oral Remarks
Bob Heule, 3643 West Barnard Avenue, distributed a handout to the Board with his suggested
changes to Policies 3112 and 4112. He requested to delete the discipline clause in the opening
paragraph of Policies 3112 and 4112 and insert language that states that any citizen including staff
may communicate with any Board Member about any matters pertaining to the District including a
provision that strongly encourages the Board Member to report communication to the
Superintendent. He also requested that the liquidated damage provision be repealed or the
“penalty” be reduced.
At this time, Chair Moze proceeded with Item #4
3. Discussion and possible recommendation to approve Employee Handbooks for 2012-13
The following are recommendations to take to the Board for approval at the November 19, 2012
School Board meeting:
All three Handbooks will contain an electronic link to the Insurance/Benefit Programs.
Management Team Handbook
Cover Page
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Spahn, to remove the Superintendent position from the
Management Team Handbook and negotiate his contract and benefits separately with the Board.
Motion carried 7-0.
Conflicts of Interest – Page 5
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Sierzchulski, to replace “Cabinet level administrators may use
their personal days for consulting work.” with “Provided there is no conflict of interest,
Management Team members may use their leave days for consulting work subject to approval by
the Superintendent.” Motion carried 7-0.
Purpose of Establishing Working Parameters in This Handbook – Management Team
There was no motion made for provisions set forth in this Handbook. Superintendent Farner will
review and look at the Management Team Handbook and bring his recommendations to the Board
at the November 19, 2012 School Board meeting.
Course Reimbursement – Page 11
There was no motion made, but the Board requested the following information be provided:
� Establish parameters and set limits
� Data on how much we have spent on tuition reimbursement for Management Team
members and where these are budgeted

Classified Staff Employee Handbook
October 29, 2012 COW Minutes
Page 2 of 3
Purpose of Establishing Working Parameters in This Handbook – Page 4
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Cich, to add the following sentence after the first sentence
in Paragraph 3 ending with the words “with or without notice”: “Every effort will be made to
notify employees of any significant changes to this Handbook.” Motion carried 5-2 with Spahn
and Walsh abstaining due to conflict of interest.
Leave Days Adjacent to Breaks & Holidays or After April 30 – Page 12 (8)
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Bailey, to delete: “Travel delays due to poor weather or
mechanical failures are not considered sufficient substantiation to qualify for paid leave.” Motion
carried 5-2 with Spahn and Walsh abstaining due to conflict of interest.
Return from Leave – Page 13 D
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Bailey, to leave the date as February 15 with the possibility
for extending that date due to extenuating circumstances. Motion carried 5-2 with Spahn and
Walsh abstaining due to conflict of interest.
General Requirements - Page 17 3 A
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Bailey, to add a complaint procedure for situations that are
not covered under our grievance policy and to keep legal fees to a minimum directed Mr. Farner to
draft language from Mr. Korom’s review. Mr. Korom also suggested adding a provision to assist
the Board in dealing with employees who come directly to Board Members with their internal
employment concerns such as: “No employee shall be retaliated against for accessing and using
the provisions of this complaint mechanism.” By building a non-retaliation piece directly in the
policy, this will assist Board Members when receiving complaints from individual employees that
there is a process in place which includes a non-retaliation clause. Motion carried 5-2 with Spahn
and Walsh abstaining due to conflict of interest.
Professional Educator Handbook
Purpose of Establishing Working Parameters in This Handbook – Page 4
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Bailey, to add the following sentence after the first sentence in
Paragraph 3 ending with the words “with or without notice”: “Every effort will be made to notify
employees of any significant changes to this Handbook.” Motion carried 7-0.
Attendance Expectations - Page 10
The Board decided to not allow employees to put sick days in abeyance for an employee of the
school district who is terminally ill or needs major surgery, but was supportive of offering Short-
Term Disability insurance to employees on a voluntary basis at the employee’s expense.
Superintendent Farner will look into that option.
Leave Days Adjacent to Breaks & Holidays or After April 30 – Page 11 (8)
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Carlson, to delete: “Travel delays due to poor weather or
mechanical failures are not considered sufficient substantiation to qualify for paid leave.” Motion
carried 7-0.
Return from Leave – Page 12 (14 D)
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Bailey, to leave the date as February 15 with the possibility
for extending that date due to extenuating circumstances. Motion carried 7-0.
Assignment, Transfers & Job Sharing - Page 14 (2) - Transfers (Voluntary or Involuntary)
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Carlson, to replace: “Employees shall be notified of assignment
changes or transfers for the following school year.” with “Every effort will be made to notify
employees of assignment changes or transfers for the following school year no later than June 1 of
the preceding year. “Extenuating circumstances may require later notification, but as much notice
as is practicable will be provided.” Motion carried 7-0.

Professional Educator Handbook (continued)
October 29, 2012 COW Minutes
Page 3 of 3
Resignations – Page 18 (1)
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Moze, to direct Superintendent Farner to modify the Resignations
language to eliminate liquidated damages on a trial basis for the 2012-13 school year and to
encourage employees to submit their resignations as early as possible so the administration can
prepare accordingly. The earlier the resignation is submitted, the more likely the employee will be
released in a timely manner. Also include the applicable state statutes related to teacher contract
renewal. Motion carried 7-0.
General Requirements - Page 19 3 A
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Sierzchulski, to add a complaint procedure for situations that are
not covered under our grievance policy and to keep legal fees to a minimum directed Mr. Farner to
draft language from Mr. Korom’s review. Mr. Korom also suggested adding a provision to assist
the Board in dealing with employees who come directly to Board Members with their internal
employment concerns such as: “No employee shall be retaliated against for accessing and using
the provisions of this complaint mechanism.” By building a non-retaliation piece directly in the
policy, this will assist Board Members when receiving complaints from individual employees that
there is a process in place which includes a non-retaliation clause. Motion carried 7-0.
4. Discussion and possible recommendation to modify Policies 3112/4112 Board-Staff
Communications
The following are recommendations to take to the Board for approval at the November 19, 2012
School Board meeting:
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Carlson, to modify Policy 3112 to remove the last sentence
in the first paragraph: “Failure to do so may result in employee discipline.” Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Walsh, seconded by Carlson, to modify Policy 3112 to move Item C. Social
Interaction to Item D. and add Item
C. Board Communications to the Superintendent
Board Members are strongly encouraged to report staff communications to the Board President
and the Superintendent. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Sierzchulski, seconded by Carlson, to modify Policy 4112 to remove the last sentence
in the first paragraph: “Failure to do so may result in employee discipline.” Motion carried 5-2
with Spahn and Walsh abstaining due to conflict of interest.
Motion by Carlson, seconded by Cich, to modify Policy 4112 to move Item C. Social Interaction
to Item D. and add Item
C. Board Communications to the Superintendent
Board Members are strongly encouraged to report staff communications to the Board President
and the Superintendent. Motion carried 5-2 with Spahn and Walsh abstaining due to conflict of
interest.
At this time, Chair Moze proceeded with Item #3
5. Adjourn
Motion by Carlson, seconded by Bailey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Rick Moze, Chair