Burlington School Board will discuss policy, allowable growth, refinancing

Nov. 27--The first reading of a revised board policy regarding extended disability, family and medical leave for district employees is on the Burlington School Board's agenda for a second time, and the board likely will take action on it tonight.

The first reading of board policy 404.6 was on the board's previous meeting agenda, but it was tabled after Liz Sanning, a Burlington High School science teacher who spoke during the public comments section of the meeting, pointed out it was unclear whether the amendment pertained to the Family Medical Leave Act or sick leave. Human Resources Director Jeremy Tabor was not present at that meeting to provide clarification, so the board voted to table it.

In tonight's agenda, Tabor clarified the revisions are specific to the FMLA, not sick leave or the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The policy's current language states the district "may require" employees to provide written certification from a health care provider when requesting family and medical leave for their health condition or that of a family member. Under the policy revision, all employees would be required to do so.

The revision also would require employees to have a medical certificate provided by a licensed physician before returning to work. This, too, relates only to the FMLA.

The board also will decide whether to approve allowable growth applications in the amount of:

* $802,783 for open enrolled out students;

* $4,398 for limited English proficiency students;

* and $937,551 for dropout prevention and at-risk students. The property tax impact to fund that amount will be about 2 cents less per $1,000.

The applications will be submitted to the School Budget Review Committee for approval, which, if granted, will give the district the authority to spend the listed amounts for their intended purposes as well as to levy property taxes to fund them, but not the money itself.

Tim Oswald, managing director of public finance investment banking at Piper Jaffrey, and Business Director Greg Reynolds will update the board on refinancing the district's sales tax bonds. The board voted in July to refinance those bonds, having been informed it could save the district up to $1.7 million.

Legislators have yet to repeal the penny sales tax sunset date of Dec. 31, 2029. Districts are able to bond against that money, also known as the Secure and Advanced Vision for Education, to spend on school infrastructure.

If the sunset date is repealed, however, it may be better for the district to hold off on refinancing.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at the Administration Building, 1429 West Ave.

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