Minutes
Members Present:
Hon. M. Richard Geiger, Chair
Jerrold Arneson
Hon. Gail Hagerty
Hon.
John T. Paulson
Hon. Carol Ronning Kapsner
Rodney Olson
Gladys
Schmitt
Ted Smith
Others Present:
Sally Holewa, ex officio
Mike Sandal
Renee Barnaby, Scribe
Chair Geiger called the special meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The special meeting was to consider
the job classifications of Program Administrator and Education and Special Projects Coordinator.
Program Administrator
Mike Sandal said the Program Administrator position is a new classification. The classification will
replace the Administrative Legal Assistant classification. The new classification incorporates
additional duties and responsibilities that were not associated with the Administrative Legal
Assistant classification. After assessing the changes, the Classification Committee elevated the
position from a pay grade 13 to a pay grade 16.
In response to a question from Chair Geiger asking who prepared the job data questionnaire, Mr.
Sandal responded that supervisors generally complete these forms and his assumption was that Sally
Holewa and LeeAnn Barnhardt had prepared the information.
It was moved by Judge Hagerty, seconded by Justice Kapsner, to approve the job classification
of Program Administrator and forward it to the Supreme Court for consideration.
An editorial change was noted on page 3, under minimum qualifications, requiring a bachelor's
degree in administration, rather than administrator.
Chair Geiger said the Education and Special Projects Coordinator position lists a degree in
education, public or judicial administration, or a closely related area. The Program Administrator
position only lists a degree in administration. He questioned why the Program Administrator
position does not specify specific types of administration.
Mr. Sandal said he spoke with LeeAnn Barnhardt in regards to the education requirements for the
Education and Special Projects Coordinator position, and she felt quite strongly the position required
someone with very specific skills because the individual will be teaching and working closely with
various court related groups. She felt a more generic minimum qualification would not fit her need.
Under the Program Administrator classification, the individual has a variety of functions, therefore,
due to the diversity of duties, the more generic degree could accommodate the position.
Rod Olson questioned why the Education and Special Projects Coordinator position, which requires
a four year degree, is rated lower than the Program Administrator position, which accepts a two-year
degree with experience.
Mike Sandal responded the point factor analysis system considers a variety of other factors not just
the education requirements.
It was moved by Judge Paulson, seconded by Justice Kapsner, to change the words "program
administrator" to "program manager" in the title and throughout the document for
consistency. The motion carried.
Ted Smith referred the Board to the minimum qualifications of the Program Administrator. He said
if the five years of experience applies to both the bachelor's degree and associate degree, the
minimum qualification should just list the associate degree.
Mr. Sandal referred the question to Sally Holewa, who recently joined the conference. Ms. Holewa
said she had reviewed the description, and assumed the five years experience went with the associate
degree, and not the bachelor's degree.
Mike Sandal apologized to the Board regarding his earlier assumption that Ms. Holewa and Ms.
Barnhardt had completed the forms.
It was moved by Justice Kapsner, seconded by Judge Paulson, to move a comma and amend
the minimum qualifications to read as follows: "Requires a bachelor's degree in
administration, or an associates degree in administration and five years professional
experience in program management. The motion carried.
Chair Geiger called for a roll call vote on the main motion to approve the job classification and
forward it to the Supreme Court for consideration. A 'yes' vote indicates the member is in
favor of the motion.
Jerrold Arneson - yes
Judge Hagerty - yes
Justice Kapsner - yes
Judge Paulson - yes
Gladys Schmitt - no
Rod Olson - yes
Ted Smith - yes
Chair Geiger - yes
The motion carried.
Education and Special Projects Coordinator
Mike Sandal said the second agenda item is the Education and Special Projects Coordinator position
job classification. This position will be reporting to the Director of Education and Communication.
Mr. Sandal said the major focus of the change is with the supervision component of the job. With
a director now in place, the supervisory authority does not exist and the classification takes on a
more functional role that will be responsible for program administration. The Classification
Committee reviewed the change and reduced the pay grade from at 16 to a 15.
In response to a question from Chair Geiger asking who prepared the job data questionnaire, Mr.
Sandal responded Sally Holewa and LeeAnn Barnhardt.
It was moved by Rod Olson, seconded by Ted Smith, to approve the job classification of
Education and Special Projects Coordinator and forward it to the Supreme Court for
consideration. The motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 19.