To: Michael Green
From: Vicky Barnes
Date: March 16, 2023
Subject: Human Resources and Safety Report
Human Resources Summary
In February, I attended a training on Title IX, which is legally required but also helpful in defining the processes we need to follow when there is a complaint. I attended an HR conference and attended classes on Staff Shortages in Special Education, Conflict Mediation and Strategies, Grievances, Disability Accommodations, Retirement Plans, and Reductions in Force. These conferences are very helpful in making sure the district is using best practices and is knowledgeable about the many hats HR wears.
Asha Riley and I attended a career fair at Lower Columbia College, who we partner with in our apprenticeship program. We made some great contacts with potential applicants from their teaching program. In the coming weeks I will attend two big career fairs, one in Tacoma, and one in Portland. This week I was a guest speaker at Washington State University for their students enrolled in the teaching program and I spoke on how to be successful at career fairs and interviews.
February’s HR Hot Topics focused on employee leaves and the rules around the different use based on the employee’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA). It also communicated that there are also leave options available to employees as well and encouraged them to reach out. The second page linked employees to our Employee Assistance Plan, which helps support our employees in need of counseling, legal assistance, or financial consultation.
Safety Summary
The focus has been on updating Emergency Operation Plans (EOP) at the building level. Shelby Mathisen, safety secretary, brought a wealth of information and experience because of her role at North Fork as the safety coordinator. This has allowed me to fully understand not just the legal requirements of safety but the practical application of these plans. Each building has a safety person that is updating the EOP as well as the safety packets that are posted in each office and classroom. The district uses The Standard Response Protocol as well as the Incident Command System through FEMA. I am currently updating with building administrators on the command structure and descriptions we will use in the case of an emergency incident.
Safety is not a destination but a journey. It requires ongoing conversations with administrators concerning drills, evacuation procedures, reunification, and how to best support staff and all students, including special education students in these situations. I am working on how we, as a district, can do ongoing training to ensure we are keeping current in our plans. The quarterly safety meeting with staff that represent all of the schools and employee types is in April and will allow input from others in this process. Here is Safety Corner from March. This newsletter focuses on giving information on various safety concerns as well as educating staff. The second page highlights the information shared at the February 9th board meeting.