Merit system election and school meal prices at SPUSD board meeting
August 02, 2013
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
The Santa Paula Unified School District board heard an update on the Merit System election at their Thursday night meeting.
The former elementary district operated under a Merit System for classified employees, but the high school district did not. The State Education Code allows for employees to submit a petition, signed by at least 15 percent of the classified employees, which would then require an election as to whether or not the unified district should have a Merit System.
A petition was presented in May containing 52 signatures requesting an election. Assistant Superintendent Robin Freeman has since verified that all 52 signatures were valid.
State code requires that the election process must be completed within 120 days of the petition being presented, which will be September 13. Informational meetings will be held August 12 and August 19 for classified employees. The election has tentatively been scheduled for August 26.
The Merit System encompasses these basic principles and concepts: hiring and promoting employees on the basis of ability, with open competition in initial appointment; providing fair compensation; retaining employees on the basis of performance; correcting inadequate performance and separating those whose inadequate performance cannot be corrected; training employees as needed for high quality performance; assuring fair treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, sex or religious creed and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens; and protecting employees against political coercion and prohibiting use of official position to affect an election or nomination for office.
In another matter at the August 15 meeting, trustees were told that a 2010 federal law requires that schools participating in the National School Lunch Program ensure sufficient funds are provided to the nonprofit school food service account for free lunches to students not certified eligible for free or reduced price meals.
The board was told the California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division is mandating that the new unified district raise their paid meal prices. For 2013-14, lunch meal prices will be $2.50 for elementary and middle school students and $2.75 for high school students. Breakfast prices will be $1.50 for elementary/middle school and $1.75 for the high school. Parents of students eligible for free or reduced meals will have to submit new applications.
In another matter the board again rejected the latest version of the SPUSD logo design. Although two board members felt it was getting closer, all felt it needed more work.
