Published: May 06, 2008 04:22 pm            

BOE approves revision to confidentiality policy

FAYETTEVILLE — Fayette County Board of Education members voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the first reading of a revision — with one caveat added to the revision itself — to the county’s Personnel File Confidentiality policy.

With James “Jock” Workman absent, the board decided 4-0 to allow the affected employee, the superintendent, the associate superintendent, and “principals, supervisors, directors and coordinators who need information in order to carry out their work and responsibility in relation to an employee” to view an employee’s personnel file.

At board member Dave Arritt’s behest, the proviso of “board of education” was also added to those criteria. Prior to that language change, Arritt cited concerns over the board tying its own hands or handcuffing itself when it comes to making employment or disciplinary decisions.

When the idea was mentioned of first seeking legal counsel before appending “board of education” to the revision, Arritt referred to the $250,000 that he claimed the board spent on legal advice last year.

The policy itself dates back to Dec. 14, 1982.

In their last meeting before next week’s West Virginia primary, Dale Arrington presented board members with what he said were copies of three letters to the editor of The Fayette Tribune in support of a five-year renewal of Fayette County’s excess levy.

Voters will determine that outcome next Tuesday. The current levy expires June 30, 2009. If endorsed by Fayette County voters May 13, the $37.6 million excess levy renewal would commence July 1, 2009, and extend until June 30, 2014. The excess levy amount was approved by board members at a meeting Feb. 12.

— E-mail:

mhill@register-herald.com

        

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