BC 1986 06 10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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471 Dr. Joseph Fries, Superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools, presented information regarding a problem involving teacher aides who also serve as bus drivers. According to Dr. Fries, the schools had received a mandate from the State Board of Education that effective July 1, 1986, teacher aides would be required to work a 40-hour week or have their salaries cut on a prorated basis. He stated that many of the aides would give up their bus routes as they would lose approximately $2,000.00 per year under this ruling. Dr. Fries stated that the the low pay and unusual hours for bus drivers made it difficult to find good bus drivers and the use of the teacher aides had solved this problem for the schools. He indicated there are presently 56 teacher aides/bus drivers working for the school system. Dr. Fries advised the Board that the proposed pay raise by the State to $6.00 per hour for bus drivers would not be enough to offset the loss of salary caused by the 40-hour work week ruling. He suggested the possibility of the school system paying the teacher aides/bus drivers up to $8.00 per hour for driving a bus and stated that additional County funds would be needed to provide this money. In conclusion, Dr. Fries expressed appreciation to the Board for their support of the schools. Ms. Tina Loving, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, stated the local school board was sending a letter of protest to the State Board of Education regarding the 40-hour work week ruling. She stated the school system was dependent upon the teacher aides/bus drivers and had found that students were better behaved on those buses. She stated that an additional $87,528.00 in current expense funds would be needed from the County to handle the problem if the State approves the pay raise for bus drivers. However, she stated that an additional $126,056.00 in County funds would be needed if the pay raise is not approved by the State. Commissioners Barnhardt and Hamby arrived at 8:05 P.M. from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Briefing and were present for the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner Payne left the meeting at this time. The Board received the presentations by Dr. Fries and Ms. Loving as information only and suggested that the Board of Education continue to work with the State to resolve this problem. Members of the Board did indicate that they would consider an additional appropriation to the schools if the County receives additional revenue sharing monies beyond the first quarter of the 1986-87 fiscal year. Ms. Betsy Carpenter, President of the Cabarrus Animal Protection Association, addressed the Board regarding the Animal Control Shelter. She stated she had presented a list of requests to the Health Board and Mr. Alfred Brown, Health Board Chairman, had asked that she present the list to the Board of Commissioners. She stated her major areas of concern involved the hours of operation for the Animal Shelter and the lack of a citation plan. Ms. Carpenter stated in her opinion the Animal Shelter should be open seven days a week to allow residents to bring the unwanted animals to the shelter during the weekends as well as permit more adoptions of animals on the weekends. She complained that the wardens are no longer giving citations and the witness plan regarding citations had been stopped several years ago. In conclusion, she suggested the possibility of volunteers working at the Shelter. Mr. Charles D. McGinnis, County Manager, indicated there would be a problem keeping the Shelter open seven days a week under the regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Mr. Blair Bennett, Finance Director, advised the Board that volunteers working at the Animal Shelter could present an insurance liability to the County. Mr. Robert Farris, Environmental Health Supervisor, stated that the wardens are issuing citations and there is a warden who works from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. during the week. He also stated that the wardens are on call during the weekend. The Board accepted the presentation by Ms. Carpenter as information only and no action was taken. Commissioner Hamby stated that the Supervisor of Elections had informed him that part-time help was needed in that office during the elections cycle and in the event of health problems of the fulltime employees. No action was taken regarding this matter.