MINUTES OF MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 1980
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
NUMBER 89 OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY,
OKLAHOMA, MET IN A SPECIAL MEETING IN THE BOARD ROOM, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1980, AT 8:00 A.M.
PRESENT:
Paul English, President Mrs. Pat Potts, Vice President Floyd Donwerth, Member Delbert Hamm, Member Mrs. Betty Hi IT, Member Armond H. Start, Member Mrs. Freddye Williams, Member
Others present: Thomas W. Payzant, Superintendent; Vivian Stevenson, Clerk; William Bleakley, Attorney; Central Office staff members; representatives from professional groups; and other interested persons. The meeting was called to order by Mr. English and Dr. Hamm gave the invocation.
Call to Order
Roll call established that all of the Board members were present.
Roll Call
SPECIAL BUSINESS The following persons participated in the Level III grievance hearing for Ms. Gay Littlepage:
1.
Gay Littlepage - Teacher and Grievant
2.
Jim Huff - Grievant1s Representative
3.
Mike Barlow - Grievant's Representative
4.
Deaune McElhaney - Principal, Buchanan School, and Witness
5.
Jim Savage - Personnel Administrator for Employee Relations, and Respondent
6.
Charles Dostal - Witness
7.
Mary Bloomer - Special Education Coordinator, and Witness
8.
Jim Johnson - Director of Pupil Services, and Witness
9.
Betty Williams - Director of Elementary Schools, and Witness
Level III Grievance Hearing - Gay Littlepage
10. Jesse Lindley - Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and Witness 11. George Russell - Director of Personnel Services, and Witness Statement of Grievance: (1) Grievant has been reprimanded without just cause. (2) Principal reprimanded the grievant in the presence of others without just cause. (3) Grievant has been assigned outside the scope of her certification. (4) Principal did not follow proper procedure in his admonishment. Provisions of Agreement Violated: Section 0 and 0.1.
Article VI, Section 1 and 3; (b) (Article VII, '
Relief Sought: (-1) Withdrawal of reprimand. (2) Public apology in the presence of the "others". (3) Grievant shall be reassigned without any students below the kindergarten grade. (4) Removal of all written documents concerning these matters from the grievant1s records.
Mr. English established through inquiry that Mike Barlow and Jim Huff would be recognized as individuals representing Ms. Littlepage in the hearing. After Mr. English referred to the timelines and procedures that would be used, Mr. Barlow indicated that they had not received copies, at which time they were provided with a copy of each.
Before proceeding with the opening statement, Mr. Barlow expressed disagreement with the hearing guidelines and time limits as specified. Mr. English responded that the timelines had been adopted by the Board and the hearing would be conducted along those lines.
Mr. Barlow continued: This grievance, first of all, is at Level III because the Opening Statement Superintendent chose not to hear the grievance, at Level .1, As the contract provides,it was - Mr. Barlow advanced to Level III, and that is why it is before you. This grievance stems from the fact that the administration directed the teacher to accept three-year-old students into her class. In effect, they gave her an assignment. The teacher never refused to accept the assignment. She questioned the assignment. She informed the administration (that being the Director of Elementary Education, the Personnel Director, and the Principal) that she did not feel competent; she did not feel