Auxiliary Adviser

"Providing Services That Power Education"
Volume 1, Issue 5
April 2001

A Pocketbook Issue
By Ray Massey

It's no secret that our school system budget can be confusing, even to veteran school system employees. Imagine how your neighbors and other Wake County citizens feel trying to understand all of the recent publicity concerning potential tax increases and possible budget cuts. You can help by understanding what's going on and by sharing accurate information with others.

For most citizens and employees, the budget situation boils down to a pocketbook issue. How much will it cost me for the commissioners to adequately fund the school system? The answer is a 5 cents tax rate increase, or between $75-$80 per year (about 22 cents per day) for the average taxpayer. For employees, this additional cost would be reimbursed quickly in wage and dental benefits that might otherwise have to be reduced or cut if no additional funding is provided. Without additional funds, our board will not be able to improve salaries and maintain the same level of benefits that are necessary to retain good employees. What will the funds be used for? The answer is to increase teacher and support personnel pay, to improve building maintenance, and to meet our academic goals to improve student performance.

For the nearly 70 percent of the Wake County population that has no children in our schools, the benefits of an excellent school system are a high quality of life in our community and a well-educated workforce for the future. All of us, as we grow older, want the doctors, nurses, and care- givers to be the best they can be. Those professionals of the future are our students of today. I hope you will continue to support additional funding for our school system. Think of it as an investment in a better tomorrow.

Superintendent's Budget Request

After lengthy discussion Monday, April 23, the board of education unanimously approved the Superintendent's Budget Request in its entirety. The board is asking the Wake County Commission for an additional $30 million per year for the next three years. This additional revenue equates to a 5-cent property tax increase. The additional funds would be used to continue and strengthen our academic programs for students who are at-risk of failing and students who are in danger of remaining below grade level in math and reading.In addition, the increase would allow substantial increases in funding for building maintenance for 2002-2003 and beyond.

In order to reach agreement, the board decided to move the service reduction list back into the base budget; keeping the expansion budget (new and expanded programs) separate. In a letter to the commissioners the board will request the extra $30 million necessary to fund our service reduction and expansion items. But, if the commissioners do not approve an increase, the school board will have to find $10.6 million worth of cuts.

The areas discussed for possible cuts were expanded to include arts, interscholastic athletics, and utilities in addition to the original service reduction list. No dollar amounts will be listed with the possible cuts.

One way or the other, the commissioners will respond with a budget amount by June 18, 2001.

The school board members stressed the Wake County Public School System should be moving forward, not backward; which is what would happen if the commissioners do not approve an increase. At this point, however, the outlook is grim. Chairman Bill Fletcher described the situation by saying, "we're on a battlefield and the commissioners are on the sidelines cheering for the other side."

In addition, Fletcher said the legislature asked the Department of Public Instruction to find $125 million worth of education cuts statewide. This cut means WCPSS will receive approximately $9 million less from the state.

If you would like contact information for the county commissioners, please call Kristin Wood at 856-8036, or e-mail kwood@wcpss.net.

Lighthall Named Planner of the Year

Christina Lighthall, senior director of facilities planning and construction, was named Planner of the Year for the southeast region, April 18, 2001. Lighthall is one of only two women to ever receive the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) award, since the award's inception in 1967.

She received the unanimous endorsement of the board of directors and other representatives from states in the southeast region; which includes: Ala., Fla., Ga., Jamaica, Ky., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va., and W. Va. Nominees were considered based on professional facility planning activities, contributions to the field, and impact on educational facilities.

She thinks of the award in terms of what it means for the Wake County Public School System, not what it means for her. "Being named Planner of the Year gives us credibility and recognition in the community. It's a recognition of our expertise in the building program scope and what we're doing for kids."

Currently, Lighthall is one of the three regional directors for the North Carolina chapter of CEFPI. She is also on NCEFP's board, where she develops programs for the annual conference, organizes roundtable sessions and speakers, and reviews scholarship applications.

In Lighthall's 12 years with WCPSS, she developed and managed the implementation of the Phase III B+ long-range building program and state bond building program; totaling approximately $615 million. In addition, Lighthall developed the current $550 million PLAN 2000 school building program, which will include 14 new schools and 96 improvement projects. Overall, Lighthall has twenty-seven years experience in long-range and facility planning.

Complimentary Breakfast for End-of-Grade Test Day

The Child Nutrition Program is a service with the sole purpose of getting every student ready to learn. We would like to help to ensure that more students come to class ready to perform well on end-of-grade tests.

Statistics show that students who have a nutritious breakfast daily have higher academic performance. We would like to provide a complimentary and well-balanced breakfast for all students on the morning they take the end-of-grade test during the week of May 14-18. Good nutrition contributes to a child's ability to learn, and a growing body of empirical evidence backs up this fact. Children who have an empty stomach will have lower attention spans and increased errors on tests. What students eat for breakfast is just as important as eating the meal. A recent study demonstrated that children who ate inadequate breakfasts performed as if they had eaten no breakfast.

We will provide your child with a ham biscuit, juice and milk at no charge. While we are glad to provide the breakfast at no cost on the end-of-grade test day, we offer a reasonable price breakfast everyday. Let us help ease your morning rush everyday by providing your child with a nutritious breakfast to start their day to higher learning.

We hope you will take advantage of our offer for a convenient and healthy test day alternative to the sleepy brain! We want school meals to truly serve education every day.

News from Child Nutrition Services
By Elaine Hunt

One of the things that CNS does best is adapt to change! We have more staff changes that we are excited about. In the last Adviser I reported that Melissa Carson would be retiring in June with 22 years with CNS. I am pleased to announce that Melissa has withdrawn her retirement application. Anyone needing assistance or training on how to figure your retirement, see Melissa--she is an expert now! Welcome back Melissa!

Monday, April 23, Pam Wilkie started with CNS as the free/reduced meal eligibility specialist. Pam has worked with Wake County Schools as a school secretary as well as an administrative assistant with Related Services. Pam also worked with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools and worked with the free/reduced meal program there. We are most fortunate to have her. Welcome Pam!

Carolina Electric Vehicle Challenge

WCPSS entered two of the 33 high school teams that will compete in the regional Carolina Electric Vehicle Challenge, April 27-28. Wake Forest-Rolesville and Enloe high school students will race cars they retrofitted with electric technology. Local businesses donated the cars. Students will be judged on an oral presentation, design, speed, long distance, and a troubleshooting exercise.

In addition, the CEVC is holding the Junior Solar Sprint for the first time in the United States, April 28. Started by the National Renewable Laboratory and the US Department of Energy, the program is designed to educate middle school students about solar energy through the use of solar racecars. EnergySavers is sponsoring East Garner and Martin middle schools, which will be two of the pilot schools participating in the event this weekend.

Watt's New With EnergySavers

Wednesday, April 25, 2001, the EnergySavers Program launched a new website on the WCPSS Intranet to help individual schools become more informed about energy conservation. You can now view school utility data online at http://energysavers.wcpss.net. The website has fascinating articles about the elementary, middle and high schools. The site also includes up-to-date energy conservation information and tips to help schools make informed choices. When children understand energy - they save energy. When schools save energy - they save money.

In addition, EnergySavers now has its own Tao e-mail address: EnergySavers@wcpss.net.

MAXIMO Implementation Update

We are getting closer to the final implementation of MAXIMO, the new computerized maintenance management system for WCPSS. MAXIMO and Oracle will work together to attach costs to each work order automatically.

In order to ease the transition from ACT (the old system) to MAXIMO, ACT will not accept work requests after June 10, 2001. Schools not trained by that date will temporarily submit paper work requests to the maintenance and operations (M&O) department. All facilities will be trained by Monday, July 2. They will then access MAXIMO via the Intranet to submit work requests.

MAXIMO Training Schedule

Selected M&O staff will attend one of the following training sessions:
Monday, May 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

CNS Supervisors will attend one of the following training sessions:
Tuesday, June 5, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tuesday, June 5, 1 - 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 6, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday, June 6, 1 - 3 p.m.
Tuesday, June12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tuesday, June12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Custodial and Facility Supervisors will attend the following training session:
Tuesday, May 29, 1 - 3 p.m.

Everyone who currently submits work orders will receive notification in the next two weeks as to which training session you will attend. Custodians who submit work orders will be trained with school staff, as determined later by each principal.

Auxiliary Services Division Training Dates

Confined Spaces/ Lockout Tag-out
May 3
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Commons Bldg.

OSHA 10 Hour (1910)
May 22, 8 a.m. - 12 Noon
May 24, 12:30 - 5 p.m.
Commons Bldg.

To register, please contact Malinda Ferrell at 856-8078, or e-mail mwferrell@wcpss.net.

Hepatitis A (for all AFM's and MTE's)
May 9
8 - 9:30 a.m.
Triple-wide trailer (vinyl villa)

Hepatitis A (for storm drain grounds workers, plumbers, and wastewater technicians)
May 16
8 - 9:30 a.m.
Triple-wide trailer (vinyl villa)

To register, please contact Judy Cox at 664-5728, or e-mail jscox@wcpss.net.

Energy & Physical Plant Update
By Marty Mitchell

David Brewer was named physical plant supervisor for the Energy and Physical Plant Department. David formerly held the facility supervisor position managing central office, Noble Road and Devereux Street campuses. His official start date is May 1.

David brings an extensive skill set to the table and will be a valuable asset to E&PP. Please join me in welcoming David back to WCPSS.

Permit Required Confined Spaces - Part 2
By Robin Pace

Last month we discussed the basics of confined spaces (i.e. - examples of confined spaces, identification of hazards, etc). This month let's look at the permit procedure and hopefully clear up some of the confusion.

Q: What's the big deal about working in permit required confined spaces (PRCS)?
A: A PRCS means that an additional hazard is present in a confined space situation. These hazards, which may include hazardous atmospheres or other ambient dangers, make a rescue situation much more difficult.

Q: What are some specific examples of a PRCS?
A: Examples include work involving sanding, scraping and loosening residue, which can stir up hazardous materials (lead, asbestos, etc.). Workers sometimes bring hazardous materials, such as solvents, into the permit space. Also, work outside a permit space can produce harmful vapors inside the space. Work with torches or other ignition sources, referred to as "hotwork", uses up oxygen and can release hazardous materials. Any "hot work" in a PRCS requires special authorization and a Hotwork Permit.

Q: Who issues a permit for the work?
A: Once a confined space has been evaluated and determined to be a PRCS (see last month's Auxiliary Adviser) the employer must establish a permit. The permit must be issued before a worker may enter the space to perform ANY task. In our case, WCPSS will issue the permit through the department performing the work.

To better understand this procedure, let's look at a hypothetical situation: Any Given Elementary. Work was being performed in the crawlspace of A.G. Elementary, (a confined space). However, steam pipes created ambient temperatures of 120-130 degrees, and the area became a permit required situation (heat stress hazard).

The first step was to design a permit form for this specific location. Although every permit will vary in size, length and number of conditions covered, complete information is very important and should include the following:
· Specific permit space identification
· Purpose and date of entry
· Duration of authorization
· Authorized entrants by name
· Names of authorized attendant and entry supervisor (more on this later)
· Actual hazards of the identified space
· Control and isolation methods to be used
· Acceptable entry conditions
· Results of initial and periodic atmospheric testing
· Rescue and emergency services to be summoned
· Equipment to be provided
· Other information as necessary
· Other permits, such as hotwork

Remember, each permit will be different depending on the nature of the hazards encountered. The confined space entry permit tells what hazards are present AND how to control them. In addition, it usually includes a checklist of necessary safety measures.

Before anyone enters the permit space, the entry supervisor (job foreman, project manager, etc) goes through the permit to make sure all necessary hazard controls are in place and signs the permit. The entry supervisor is required to re-evaluate conditions at intervals and when a replacement entry supervisor takes over.

Next month we will discuss entering PRCS to perform actual work. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Robin Pace at 856-8141 or the safety hotline at 713-0588.

Lipstick on the Mirrors

According to a radio report, a middle school in Oregon was faced with a unique problem. A number of girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, except that after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Finally, the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the custodian. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem and were forcing the custodian to have to clean them every night.

To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the custodian to show them what he had to do to get them clean. He immediately took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and proceeded to clean the mirror with it.

Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirror! There are teachers, and then there are educators!

Stay Informed

Subscribe to the Auxiliary Adviser and stay informed of important issues and events in the Auxiliary Services Division. To subscribe, e-mail kwood@wcpss.net, with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. The newsletter will be e-mailed to you on a monthly basis.

If you do not wish to subscribe, you can also find the Adviser on the Tao bulletin board for auxiliary services. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristin Wood at 856-8036.

Auxiliary Services Division
Vision
Providing Services That Power Education

Mission Statement
Provide quality facilities and support services to ensure safe, healthy, inviting and optimal learning environments.

Goals
1) Recruit and retain qualified employees
2) Secure funding to provide quality facilities and support services
3) Provide a safe and comfortable working environment