Board member Banks, who represents northeast Cobb, presented a resolution to the board requesting district staff receive a raise effective Jan. 1, 2012, and a negotiable salary for substitute teachers. Without support from the superintendent or fellow board members, the board decided not to move forward with the resolution.
The board also chose to delay any decisions regarding a rule change addressing the discipline, suspension and dismissal of district staff until the Aug. 25 board meeting.
As for Bank’s request, Dr. Michael Hinojosa said, “Although we appreciate Mr. Banks’ support improving our work with the employees, the administration does not feel like we have the resources to implement either of these recommendations … the administration does not believe it’s fiscally responsible, and so the administration would not be recommending approval of these two items.”
Banks said he requested the raise to make up for a 2 percent pay cut enacted in 2009 when the district moved to a balanced calendar that wasn’t negated when the board reverted to a traditional one in July.
“I’m discouraged that the board didn’t see the need to support their employees,” Banks said. “A budget as large as ours, you can find it. We need to do something for our employees.”
Banks also requested the board consider approving a minimum pay of $75 to $95 per day for substitute teachers.
“I think it makes sense to not only give the principal leeway to get the most qualified teacher but adequately compensate the individual who is substituting,” Banks said.
Banks said he determined that there needed to be more flexibility with pay after talking with educators in his district.
Substitute teachers on average earn $65 per day.
Board Chair Alison Bartlett recommended they consider revisiting the salary issues when they discuss next year’s budget beginning in October.
The board also moved forward, 5-1, with Banks dissenting, with the reapportionment map that Barlett had presented at the July 28 meeting.
Banks brought a second map to the work session but got no support. In this map, Walton High School, which Banks had previously moved into his district, remained in board member Scott Sweeney’s Post 6.
Banks also asked the board to not rush the voting to deliver Bartlett’s maps to the Cobb County delegation. He said he didn’t believe that legislators would have an opportunity to discuss the school district’s map in their special session that starts Monday.
“I think there is still a need to be talking to delegates,” Banks said. “ A lot of things are coming into play. There is no rush to do it because we have until January.”
In other business, CCSD Human Resources Chief Dr. Donald Dunnigan requested the board modify changes to an administrative rule that allows teachers to have representation with them during disciplinary hearings with administrators.
Bartlett tabled the matter until the board’s Aug. 25 meeting.
“I see some board members who are not real sure about where they stand here … we need to get better educated on these fact,” she said.
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Many subs have said that once they are on the campus of the schools, they are treated very poorly by other faculty and staff. All of this for less that $9.00 an hour!
CCSD has published these and I have no problem with allowing a lawyer to be present during disciplinary matters to ensure due process.
Besides, I know one retired CCSD principle who had students regularly bring lawyers for student disciplinary meetings. I would expect that employees be given the same respect.
Pols like to talk a good game about supporting teachers and education when they need votes, not so much when the time comes to match action with words.
at their desks to do the job!!!
WOW - HR just snuck that one in - so much for the "upbeat, cutsie video clip" to raise morale!!!
Looks like Cobb just keeps moving further south on I-75.....
As for the HR change on how disciplanary hearings are handled teachers need to come back to the real world. Georgia is a right to work state. Your employment can be terminated at any time for any reason just like any other Georgia citizen. You think you would have a right to representation during a disciplinary hearing out in the business world? I think not. Besides Bartlett didn't come out and support the idea but tabled it to learn more about which any prudent leader should do before making a final decision.
Maybe this is just a ploy for getting re-elected but really, what are you thinking???
If Banks were truly motivated to increase teacher/substitute pay, he would have pursued it during the budget process. He didn't then because he knew there was no money for it. He is grandstanding now propped up by John Crooks' influence in the back ground egging him on to promote himself politically and to try and discredit his collegeaues. This is the only transparent thing about David Banks. Even his maps are politically motivated, he could care less about students or their parents.
David Banks is an embarrassment to the county, what would it take to make him go away? This is the same man who wanted to spend millions to build new administrative facilities for his Central Office buddies and Sanderson. If you will look at his voting record, he is not a conservative or Republican in any sense of the word. It's about power, kissing up and name recognition only.
People of Post 5, wake up! Do not reelect this guy, he will spend all of his own money to erect signs and believes he will win just by name recongition alone. Don't be fooled. Please pay attention and do the right thing for students - VOTE THIS IMBECILE OUT!!!!!