By ALICIA LEONARD
The Walton County School Board (WCSB) met for their regular monthly meeting Dec. 4, 2012. Among items on the agenda before them were past meeting minutes, contracts, trip requests and personnel recommendations.
WCSB Chairman Mark Davis opened the meeting. The board approved unanimously the agenda before them and meeting minutes from Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. The board then moved to approve the consent agenda before them.
Collective bargaining agreements for the 2011-2013 school year were passed unanimously by the board. Instructional and support personnel both received a step-pay increase. Before coming before the board, the agreements were approved by a majority of personnel in the union representing teachers. To see the amounts and specifics of each contract, readers may go to the WCSB homepage online and click on board packets, and scroll to collective bargaining agreements under the Dec. 4 agenda. Board member Sharon Roberts added that although she was for the step-pay increase, it came to her attention that those at the top tier were not able to move up in pay under this formula and that was not her intention. “When everyone gets a raise, everyone should get a raise,” added Roberts.
Next the board unanimously approved transportation requests for students and instructors for school related activities.
Under personnel requests, the board approved unanimously the requests before them with one exception. Roberts abstained from the vote for one personnel request due to being related to the applicant.
The board then moved to approve an expulsion request unanimously before moving to adjourn.
On another note, WZEP AM 1460 reported on Dec. 6 that the district was searching for a replacement for curriculum coordinator Mark Ewing and one of the applicants for that position was former Okaloosa School Superintendent Alexis Tibbets, among others. The top three candidates for the position should come before the board at their Dec. 18 special meeting.
To see more on the agendas, read past minutes and see future items, go to www.walton.k12.fl.us and then to school board and under board member packets to see the full information presented to board members. The next meeting of the WCSB will be Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.