Code No. 403.1

COMPENSATION AND SALARY BASIS

The Board of Directors shall establish salary schedules and rates of pay for the several positions in the District.  Salaries for employees with an exclusive bargaining representative shall be negotiated with the certified bargaining representative in accordance with law.

The Superintendent may deny a wage or salary increase or increment advance to any employee for good cause.

Non-exempt employees shall be compensated on an hourly basis, which is at least the minimum wage set by federal or Iowa law, whichever is higher.  Non-exempt employees shall be compensated at one and one-half (1½) times their regular hourly wage rate for work over 40 hours in a work week, or may be granted compensatory time off at the rate of one and one-half hours for each hour worked over 40 hours in a work week.  A work week shall run from Sunday at 12:01 a.m. to Sunday at 12:01 a.m.  Holidays, paid vacations, and paid leaves of absence shall count towards the 40 hours.  Employees working on holidays shall be paid double-time in lieu of holiday or over-time pay.

Overtime work must have the prior approval of the employee's supervisor.  Failure to obtain approval shall result in disciplinary action.  If compensatory time is granted and not utilized by the end of the contract year, the employee shall be paid for the time; however, the employee's supervisor may require compensatory time to be utilized by the end of the contract year rather than overtime pay being paid.

Non-exempt employees shall complete daily time records showing actual time worked and all time actually worked shall be paid.  The time records shall be signed.  Failure of the employee to maintain such records or falsification of such records will be grounds for disciplinary action, including immediate discharge.

Circumstances in Which the Employer May Make Deductions from Pay

Deductions from pay are permissible when an exempt employee is absent from work for one or more full days for personal reasons other than sickness or disability; for absences of one or more full days due to sickness or disability if the deduction is made in accordance with a bona fide plan, policy or practice of providing compensation for salary lost due to illness; to offset amounts employees receive as jury or witness fees, or for military pay; or for unpaid disciplinary suspensions of one or more full days imposed in good faith for workplace conduct rule infractions.  Also, an employer is not required to pay the full salary in the initial or terminal week of employment; for penalties imposed in good faith for infractions of safety rules of major significance, or for weeks in which an exempt employee takes unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  In these circumstances, either partial day or full day deductions may be made.

Policy.  It is District policy to comply with all applicable laws with respect to payments of wages, salaries, and benefits to employees, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (including specifically the salary basis requirements of the FLSA) and the Iowa Wage Payment Collection Act.  Therefore, all administrators and supervisors are prohibited from making any improper deductions from the salaries of employees.  Employees are to be made aware of this policy and that the District does not allow deductions that violate federal or Iowa law.

If an employee believes that an improper deduction has been made to the employee’s salary, or that proper payment has not been made, the employee should immediately report this information in writing to the Director of Business Services.  Reports of improper deductions or payments will be promptly investigated.  If it is determined that an improper deduction has occurred, the employee will be promptly reimbursed for any improper deduction made.  This procedure is in addition to any other complaint process that may also be available to employees.

00972149

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Code No. 403.2

GROUP INSURANCE BENEFITS

Health Insurance.  Consistent with federal guidelines and regulations, employees, their spouses and/or dependents may be allowed to purchase coverage of the District’s group health insurance program by meeting the requirements of the insurer. This policy statement does not guarantee a certain level of benefits.

The District will contribute an amount of money set each year by the Board of Directors to each full-time administrator, the Director of Business Services, the Board Secretary, and to the Administrative Assistant.  Each of these employees shall elect one of the District's group single insurance plans.  The balance of the money may be taken as salary or applied towards dependent insurance coverage.

The District will contribute each year to each other full-time employee, except temporary employees unless otherwise required by law, an amount towards health insurance or set by the Board annually.  Each employee shall then elect one of the District's group single insurance plans.  The balance of the money may then be taken as salary or applied towards dependent insurance coverage.

The District may contribute towards health insurance for employees working at least twenty but less than thirty hours per week, as determined by the Board and to the extent allowed by law.

If the health insurance benefits selected by the employee cost more than the District's contribution, the additional premiums shall be deducted from the employee's salary or wages.  The employee may elect to have this salary reduction on a pre-tax basis.

Life Insurance.  The District will provide group life insurance benefits to employees who work at least thirty (30) hours per week, except temporary employees, as follows:

• Administrators, Director of Business Services, Board Secretary, Administrative Assistant – two times the employee's regular annual salary
• Other full-time employees - $35,000

Long-Term Disability.  The District will provide group long-term disability coverage for employees who work at least thirty (30) hours per week, except temporary employees.

Plans.  The carriers, types of plans, contributions and level of benefits shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Code No. 403.3

ANNUITIES

Premiums for payment of annuities and deferred compensation programs from any authorized companies or through an Iowa-licensed salesperson, selected by the employees, may be deducted from the salaries of employees provided that written application for such deductions shall be on file with the business office.

543145

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Code No. 403.4

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT; USE OF SCHOOL VEHICLE

The District's mileage reimbursement rate shall be set by the Board annually.  Employees will be reimbursed at this rate for travel which has been approved by the Superintendent.  Employees who must use their personal vehicles to regularly travel between school buildings in the District or between districts under a sharing arrangement in order to fulfill their assigned duties shall be reimbursed at the mileage reimbursement rate for such travel between the buildings or districts.  Each employee requesting to use his/her personal vehicle on school business shall have a valid driver’s license and personal liability insurance.  Employees reimbursed for mileage may not also receive reimbursement for expenses for the same transaction.

Employees may be authorized to use a school vehicle to conduct business for the District or to attend District-related conferences or activities.  The vehicle shall not be used for personal use.  Only the person(s) authorized shall be allowed to drive the vehicle.  The employee shall record the mileage and other pertinent information as requested by the Director of Transportation.  All authorized drivers must have a valid Iowa driver's license with appropriate endorsements, if required by Iowa law, and must be insurable under the District's liability insurance.  No tobacco products shall be used in the vehicles, and no alcoholic beverages or illegal substances shall be placed in the vehicle or consumed in the vehicle.

00972158

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Code No. 403.5

ACTIVITY PASSES

A complimentary activity pass will be issued to all full-time and part-time employees of the District who agree to work at two (2) athletic or extra-curricular events or find a suitable replacement.  Suitable replacements must be approved by an administrator beforehand. Event workers will be paid a nominal stipend consistent with the length of the event. Activity passes are valid for the District employee and one guest.

Contracted custodians, contracted bus drivers, and contracted administrators will receive a complimentary activity pass, regardless of whether they work at athletic or extra-curricular events.

543147

DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS