District seeks public feedback on staff handbooks

Glendale - With a collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of the current school year, Glendale-River Hills officials are in the process of assembling an employee handbook for teachers and two other employee groups - custodians and support staff - that previously had been under contract.

School districts across the state are required to create handbooks in lieu of collective bargaining agreements in the aftermath of Gov. Scott Walker's Act 10 legislation. The documents will touch on a number of employment-related matters, including one component already approved by the board - a grievance policy outlining the steps a district employee follows when an issue arises.

Other aspects of the handbooks include a code of conduct that addresses expectations for professional appearance and attire, as well as overall work expectations. The handbooks also will address such issues as outside employment, political activity and permissible uses of social media.

Additionally, the handbooks will extensively address benefits, including the level of health and dental insurance, retirement contributions and vacation days.

"Basically, the handbook states that if you act like a professional, you will be treated like a professional," District Administrator Larry Smalley said.

In recent weeks, Smalley said he has been meeting with teachers and other employees to discuss the various components of the handbook. He described the process, to date, as "collaborative."

"It's been a very positive process, so far," he said.

The handbooks will eventually go before the School Board for approval. But before any action is taken, Smalley and elected officials will be opening up the process to the public. The board is holding a special meeting Monday in an effort to get a pulse of what the community would like to have included in the handbooks.

Draft versions of two of the three employee handbooks - ones for teachers and support staff - are on the district's website, glendale.k12.wi.us.

- Dave Fidlin

NEXT STEP

WHAT:The Glendale-River Hills School Board is holding a special meeting to solicit community input on draft employee handbooks.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20

WHERE: Glen Hills Middle School library, 2600 W. Mill Road