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Committee seeks clearer notice for temporary leadership changes, schedules strategic facilities discussion
Summary
Trustees questioned how the board is notified about interim leadership assignments after a Webster newsletter announced a coverage change; staff said leaves of two or more continuous weeks typically trigger FMLA paperwork and broader board notification. The committee approved a motion to schedule a strategic discussion about future building makeups at the January board meeting and entered closed session earlier in the meeting.
The Watertown Unified School District HR Committee debated how trustees should be notified when school leadership changes occur after the committee learned that a Webster newsletter announced a dean covering another building.
The Chair said the announcement in the school newsletter prompted questions about whether the board should receive direct notice. A committee member asked what the district means by a "leave of absence" and whether there is standard language or a notification threshold.
A Staff member explained that the Webster assignment covers a 12-week leave and said the district's practice is to request Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork for absences of two or more continuous weeks. "If you know you're going to be gone for 2 or more continuous weeks, we would like you to complete FMLA forms," the Staff member said, adding that leaves meeting FMLA thresholds typically prompt bringing the matter to the HR committee or consent agenda so trustees are aware of leadership coverage.
The committee did not adopt a written notification policy during the meeting but directed operations staff to include leadership-coverage information in meeting summaries so trustees have the same information.
Separately, the Chair moved that a strategic discussion about future district building makeups be placed on the January board meeting agenda. The motion was seconded and recorded as passing with affirmative responses from four named trustees: Carl, Dan, Tammy and Julian. Earlier in the meeting the committee also moved to enter closed session; a motion and second were recorded and the committee entered closed session at about 5:08 p.m.
The committee adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
