Does the North Carolina State Board of Education Have a Clue? (Welcome: transporting, layoffs)

[TuborgP]

I will admit that I might well be missing something and hopefully someone can explain and help me feel that they do have a clue. However on first reader and without additional explanation from them I wonder. This is in relationship to a request from Wake County.
School 'furlough day' not likely - Local & State - News & Observer (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1516966.html - broken link)
But Harrison said he is telling local districts that employees can take furlough time here and there during the school day if they're not teaching or supervising students. For example, a teacher who has a planning period in his schedule that she doesn't need can count that time toward the 10 hours.

"I believe that was the intent," Harrison said.

Let me get this right. A furlough is defined as a layoff and a teacher if they don't have enough work to do during a planning period can elect to drink a cup of coffee for 50 minutes, be laid off for that time and not get paid? Does he realize that teachers are entitled to recover during their planning time and can do that anyway? Now their wisdom gets even better. How to furlough bus drivers who only work and get paid when they are transporting students. Hmmmm what brilliant suggestions are the folks at the state board coming up for them? Let's see-

Though the policy does not address school employees paid with county funds, Harrison said he recommends districts treat them as if they are state employees.



Sometimes it is best to remain silent when speaking government policy and you haven't figured it out yet. Hopefully I am just missing something and the complete and total logic of it all will be explained and I will feel that it is best to leave policy making to the experts.

[2BZee2Pee]

Welcome to the Big Tent of the Republican Party!

P.S. I won't tell Bev

[VaNC]

Would you prefer layoffs?

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by VaNC

Would you prefer layoffs?

No you are missing the point. Furloughs I understand are needed but they seem like they are unwilling to allow education staff to actually not go to work. Don't call it a furlough which by definition is a temporary layoff. Call it salary reduction and be honest and tell them they are still working but having their salary reduced.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by 2BZee2Pee

Welcome to the Big Tent of the Republican Party!

P.S. I won't tell Bev

This isn't a Democrat or Republican issue as the same people would be in the Board of Education anyway. Call it them not thinking the implementation through. Perdue developed the policy this is implementation having trouble getting going.

[VaNC]

No you are missing the point. Furloughs I understand are needed but they seem like they are unwilling to allow education staff to actually not go to work. Don't call it a furlough which by definition is a temporary layoff. Call it salary reduction and be honest and tell them they are still working but having their salary reduced.

So, do you have a better idea? When could they "take off" that would not affect education and not cause subs to be hired?

[VaNC]

Keep in mind that, having worked for the state in the past, I recall that there are issues with salary reductions on positions. Could result in the position staying at the lower salary or similar. While a "furlough" could be considered temporary and allow them to go back to salary/seniority, etc. once this blows over.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by VaNC

So, do you have a better idea? When could they "take off" that would not affect education and not cause subs to be hired?

Teacher work days and staff development days. Don't tell people to take off but also expect them to come to work that day. Other state employees won't have to come to work. Or can take blocks of time of five hours and not 50 minutes while still at work. Do you realize they will still be at work?

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by VaNC

Keep in mind that, having worked for the state in the past, I recall that there are issues with salary reductions on positions. Could result in the position staying at the lower salary or similar. While a "furlough" could be considered temporary and allow them to go back to salary/seniority, etc. once this blows over.

Yes your point is right. However a furlough by definition is a temporary layoff. Staying in the teachers lounge and not doing school work is not the normal definition of a temporary layoff. If you still want people to report to work don't call it a furlough.
In fact here is a homework assignment for ya. Look at the attached school calendar and pick a day that teachers are in attendance and students aren't.
http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars/2009-10/09-10-trad.pdf

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by VaNC

So, do you have a better idea? When could they "take off" that would not affect education and not cause subs to be hired?

Sorry my smart A response should go with this response. Pick a day where teachers are in attendance and students aren't and you have your answer.
http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars/2009-10/09-10-trad.pdf

Oh yeah normally when employees are furloughed the normal flow of their job duties are interrupted. That is because they are not at work.

Do you like their plan for bus drivers?