Nelson County school board approves state-mandated pay raises for 2014-15

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Nelson County Schools Superintendent Anthony Orr listens to a presentation by Tim Hockensmith, the district’s chief operating officer.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014 — The Nelson County Schools Board of Education approved its 2014-15 salary schedule that includes a state-mandated 1 percent across the board increase for district employees.

Tim Hockensmith, the district’s chief operating officer, explained that the district has adequate funding for the salary increases in the 2014-15 fiscal year thanks to state’s Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding. SEEK funds are state funds used by school districts to help pay for everything from instruction in classroom to school bus maintenance.

The real funding problem the district faces is finding money to pay for the state-mandated 2 percent salary increases in the 2015 fiscal year, Hockensmith explained. Using figures provided by the state, Hockensmith said the district faces a possible deficit of nearly $400,000 in 2015.

Board member Diane Berry expressed concern that some instructional fees may be a barrier for some students wishing to take certain classes or participate in activities.

INSTRUCTIONAL FEES. The board discussed the proposed schedule of the individual school’s instructional fees for the 2014-15 school year. The fees include the $30 students are charged for agendas and supplies at the county’s elementary and middle schools and a variety of fees at the high schools, including $100 for Advanced Placement biology and chemistry classes, $100 for concert band and $400 for students participating in the NCHS marching band.

Board member Diane Berry expressed concern that the fees may be prohibitive to students who may want to take advanced placement classes. Orr said the fees are not a barrier because students can apply for a waiver that allows them to participate without paying the fee.

CERTIFIED EVALUATIONS. The board also approved making the necessary changes to its new certified personnel evaluation plan that the state will require all districts to use next year. Superintendent Anthony Orr explained that districts aren’t required to fully implement the plan for its employees until 2015, and many districts are testing the evaluation plan in pilot projects. Rather than use two personnel evaluation plans, the district went ahead and implemented it across the board.

In other action, the board:

— approved updates to code of acceptable behavior for 2014-15 and to the district policies;
— approved contracts for workers comp, property liability and student accident insurance providers;
— approved the contract for mental health services with Communicare;
— approved the budget for the district’s four Family Resources and Youth Services Centers;
— and entered executive session for the superintendent’s evaluation.

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