School Board Declines to Pay Sick Leave Benefits

The Glasgow School Board met in regular session on Jan. 9. All trustees and school administrators were present, along with GEA representatives and one dozen other school staff and community members.

Glasgow resident Doug Nistler utilized the public comment period to voice a concern that the cement islands in the high school parking lot are not being cleared of snow.

Kim Girard updated the trustees about the math department’s efforts to assist students during study hall throughout the day. Girard reported that in 83 days, 642 students have taken advantage of the assistance offered.

Fiina Fauth updated the trustees on progress being made to adapt the current playground at Irle School so it is accessible to all students. She provided information to the board, including estimates from three local contractors for review, and asked that the project be discussed at the next board meeting. Trustee Ryan Fast expressed concern about the three estimates presented because they were not based on the same parameters (depth of concrete, area to be poured, etc.) and recommended that each contractor submit new proposals, all using the same specifications.

Fauth also announced that over the holiday break, a generous donation of $16,500 was received to fund the project.

It was noted that Speech and Drama will have their Senior Night Showcase on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. at GHS.

The board approved hiring Mary Lynn Brunelle as a para-educator at Irle School, Marjorie Capdeville as a district-wide substitute teacher and three co-drama techs: Rachel Sigmundstad, Rachel Pewitt and Tayte Prewett. A resignation was accepted from Pam Southern and Kim Girard’s retirement was approved. Her retirement will be effective June 30.

The next agenda item concerned longtime educator Carol Keys and her retirement from the school district in 2018. Trustee John Daggett indicated that the item was added to the agenda at his request and asked GEA representatives Laurie Enebo and Carla Swenson to summarize the issue to the board.

Due to wording in the teacher contracts, Keys was denied retirement and sick leave benefits as a result of submitting her written notice of resignation after the deadline. The contract specifies that written notice of resignation must be received by March 1 in the year a teacher retires to be eligible for their retirement benefits. The contract also specifies the following parameters for payout of unused sick leave upon a teacher’s termination or retirement: 20 percent upon resignation for 20-24 years of service; 15 percent upon resignation for 15-19 years of service; 10 percent upon resignation for 10-14 years of service. Wording in the contract does not designate any benefits for educators that retire after 24 years of service.

Enebo argued that the intent of the contract item was not meant to omit those that had more than 24 years of service to the district and she explained that the negotiation notes should reflect that intent.

Kim Shipp, second-grade teacher at Irle School, indicated that she was involved in the contract negotiations as well and confirmed Enebo’s statements.

While Trustees Mona Amundson and Suzanne Billingsley voiced that they believe the contract should be followed as written, Enebo continued to advocate for Keys and requested that the board consent to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA). It was explained that a MOA will allow the board to pay out the benefits to Keys and allow the contract to be revised to reflect the original intent when negotiations start again.

Amundson reiterated her concern about following the contract and added that she felt the board should be consistent in their decisions regarding contract issues. Superintendent Bob Connors also recommended that the contract be followed as written.

Discussion continued and culminated with Daggett making a motion to approve a MOA to pay Keys her unused sick leave at the rate of 20 percent of her daily rate of pay. Due to the lack of a second from any other trustee, the motion failed.

The next agenda item was a request for early graduation approval from GHS student Angel Kelley. The request was unanimously approved by the board.

Each of the school principals, Rachel Erickson, Brett Huntsman and Mike Zoanni, along with Activities Director Brenner Flaten gave their reports, followed by the superintendent report by Connors. Of note, Connors mentioned that there are efforts under way to re-establish the pick-up and drop-off point in Fort Peck for students outside of the Nashua School District. Connors indicated that the Nashua School Board plans to address the item at their scheduled meeting in March.

Following the approval of consent items, the board adjourned the regular meeting and went into closed session to conduct the yearly evaluation of the superintendent.

The next regular school board meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the district board room.