IT Help Desk has new phone system

The best way to reach out to IT is still to call the Help Desk at extension 7117, but you may notice a new phone tree when you dial. On Monday, Oct. 21, the IT department installed a new queue system that will automatically place you on hold if the help desk is already busy with other callers.

You have the option of waiting until the next IT specialist becomes available, leaving a message, or hanging up and calling back later. Wait times are typically short and, if you wait for someone to pick up, they can usually assist you faster than if you choose another option.

IBN payout dates set

Qualified GESD employees will receive two equity payments on Dec. 13 and May 16.

The payments are the result of last year’s Interest Based Negotiations (IBN) agreement. Under the agreement:

Employees hired in:

• 2008-09 or before receive 3% of base as a bonus
• 2009-10 receive 2% of base as bonus
• 2010-11 receive 1% of base as bonus

To qualify, employees must be continuously employed by GESD, and does NOT including Board approved annual leave of absence. No additional work is required.

Additions, revisions made to employee handbook

The GESD  Employee Handbook was revised over the summer, and those revisions were approved by the Governing Board earlier this year. Click here to read a summary of those revisions. To view the handbook in its entirety, click here.

We want to thank you . . . 3,600 times

A new GESD record was set when $3,600 was collected on Lee National Denim Day. All dollars raised will go to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. Thanks to all of you who participated, and especially to the staff at American, who raised more than $600 for the cause.

SAC, PAC have different looks

In an effort to improve communication, flatten the decision-making and problem-solving processes to the most local level, two advisory councils to Superintendent Joe Quintana will operate differently this school year. In addition, a Student Advisory Council (STAC) will be added.

The changes were made to the Superintendent’s Advisory Council (SAC), after the District received feedback on ways to improve the process from teachers, principals and administrators. Based primarily on those discussion, here’s how SAC, which is designed to addresses issues related to working conditions, will operate:

• Each site administrator will meet with four of their school’s teachers in established monthly meetings to address and resolve their respective site-based issues at that level (the lowest level).
• The four teachers can be either selected by the principal or teachers can volunteer to serve on the
• committee.
• It is recommended that a Glendale Education Association member be represented in the four teachers selected for each site.
• An agenda will be set in advance of each monthly meeting, and minutes of the meeting proceedings taken.
• The principal will oversee the development of meeting agendas based upon items submitted by the four teachers. Minutes may be taken by an Administrative Secretary or other individual designated by the principal.
• Both the agenda and minute records will be maintained and available for review at each respective site.
• Agenda items may be submitted for the site-based meetings using the format SAC previously employed. Schools are also welcome to develop their own forms.
• The first site-based meeting for this school year will take place no later than Oct. 18.
• Beginning in November, the District SAC will meet monthly to report information on District-level matters to teachers and gather their feedback and input.
• District SAC meetings will be attended by one of the four teachers who meet with the principal at each site.
• Each site will designate the teacher. It does not have to be the same teacher each quarter.
• District SAC meetings will be the first Tuesday of each month from 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Meeting dates are Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb 6, March 6, April 3 and May 1.

PAC, which seeks input from District parents, will work in this way:

• The District will be broken into four regions. Once each quarter, a meeting will be held in a different region school and parents from region schools invited to attend.
• School Messenger calls will be placed to promote the meeting.
• An agenda of two to three discussion topics will be set prior to the meeting. Agenda items will be communicated through the School Messenger calls.
• The first meeting will be held Nov. 7 at Jack. Meetings will follow on Feb. 6 and April 3 at sites to be determined. Meeting will run from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

STAC:

• will meet on Dec. 4 and March 5two established dates during the school day at the District Office (1 p.m.-2 p.m.).
• Each school will choose two student representatives, one student from either third, fourth and or fifth grades, and another from the sixth, seventh or eighth grade, where applicable.
• Parental permission will be obtained for students to be transported to the District Office for a one-hour meeting.
• An agenda will be set of topics for student perspectives and suggestions to be gathered on areas such as cafeteria food, bullies, playground equipment, grading, etc.