April
15, 2008
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of a work session.
Board Members Present
B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin
Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Kathy A. Duncan Mark J. Pasier
Christina T. Gilley Carol Reynolds
Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L.
Lois T. Graham Nelson Simpkins
Anita P. Johnston Brad King, Attorney
Katie Miano
Call
to Order
Mr.
Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:30
p.m.
At
Mr. Ivers’ suggestion, the School Board observed a moment of silence in support
of the families of the victims of the April 16 tragedy at Virginia Tech.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms. Franklin, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Ms. Franklin
moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a
closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia
at 6:31 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:
Student
Matter: Discussion or
consideration of a student disciplinary matter, as authorized by Section
2.2-3711 (A)(2) of the Code of Virginia.
Personnel
Matters: The
discussion or consideration of prospective candidates for employment;
assignment; appointment; promotion; performance; demotion; salaries; disciplining
or resignation of specific public school officers, employees or appointees, as
authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1) of the Code of Virginia.
Real Estate Matters: The discussion or consideration of the
acquisition of real estate for the construction of a new school, where
discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or
negotiating strategy of the public body, as authorized by Section
2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia.
Return to Open Session and Certification
Ms. Franklin
moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:34 p.m.
Mrs. Albritton
moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the Board unanimously adopted the following
resolution:
WHEREAS, the County School Board of
convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative
recorded vote and in accordance with provisions of the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act; and
WHEREAS, Section
2.2-3711(d) of the Code of
requires a certification by this School Board that such closed meeting
was conducted in conformity with Virginia Law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the County School Board of
hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge (i) only
public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by
Ayes: Phyllis T. Albritton W.
Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.
Penny J. Franklin Wendell Jones, Chair
_______________________________ April
15, 2008
Clerk
of the
Action
Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted four to two to expel a student from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Voting in favor were Mrs. Bond, Ms. Franklin, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Jones. Voting against were Mrs. Albritton and Mr. Ivers.
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
Continuing
the commitment of recognizing student achievement and accomplishments, four new
“Senior of the Month” selections have been made by high school principals in
Eastern
Nicole
Layton, April Senior of the Month from AHS; Ginger Smith, April Senior of the
Month from BHS; and Ashley Wells, April Senior of the Month from EMHS; were not
present and will be recognized at a future meeting.
The School Board
recessed at 7:38 p.m. and reconvened at 7:45 p.m.
Public Address
Matthew Repass expressed his concern that MCPS is charging what he believes is an exorbitant amount of money for non-resident tuition compared to surrounding counties. Mr. Repass told Board members that a recent article in the Roanoke Times did not accurately reflect the views of him and his wife.
Angie Cornett, President of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), informed Board members that the MCEA is not against a non-resident tuition waiver. Ms. Cornett said the group has no position at this time on the issue. Erin Bolling, also a member of the MCEA, said she was very dissatisfied with the article in the Roanoke Times.
Alan Mandzak, a former MCPS employee, provided the Board with a list of what he sees as “crimes against the taxpayers.” Mr. Mandzak told the Board that members of the administration just looked the other way when he provided them with the same list.
Item 04/08-66 Personnel
Report: On motion by Ms. Franklin,
seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board unanimously voted to approve the
personnel report with an addendum.
The
personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A8.
Item 04/08-67 Payment
of Bills: Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted
unanimously to approve the bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Bills, 04/15/08, Ck. Nos. 449346-449632, $285,848.09
Utilities, 04/14/08, Ck. Nos. 449633-449656,
$241,896.91
Cafeteria:
Bills, 04/09/08, Ck. Nos. 2545-2557, $72,127.92
Work Session
Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 7:55 p.m.
Item 04/08-68 Policy
Revisions – Policy 6-4.3, Policy 6-6.2, Policy 6-6.3, and Policy 7-2.3 (First
Item
04/08-69 Presentation
on Internet Safety: Harvey
Goodwin, Director of Technology, and the technology staff provided the Board
with a presentation on the internet safety program within MCPS as well as the
acceptable use policy.
Items
04/08-66-69
Item 04/08-70 Reports
from Board Members on the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Conference:
Mr. Ivers, Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Bond, and Mr. Jones presented information on
the seminars and events they each attended at the NSBA Conference.
Return to Regular Session
Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mrs.
Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 9:15
p.m.
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and
Announcements
Item 04/08-71 Alternative School Placement (Information/Action): Dr. Anderson asked the
School Board for direction on whether or not to place students who have been
expelled at Rivendell if space is available.
Dr. Hopkins expressed his concern about placing
students who have been expelled in MCPS buildings.
Mr. King said the law does permit the school division
to place students in alternative programs if they are expelled or long-term
suspended.
Board members agreed by consensus that they would not make
it a practice to place students who have been expelled in alternative
placements. However, Board members
agreed that they would like to reserve the right to place students in
alterative placements if there are extenuating circumstances and the Board
votes to do so.
Mr. Ivers said he would like to see information on what
has happened to students who have been expelled and then re-admitted to
MCPS. Dr. Anderson said she would
provide this information to Board members prior to the next meeting.
Item 04/08-72 2008-2009 School Operating Budget Update (Discussion/Action): Walter Shannon,
Assistant Superintendent, told Board members that the Board of Supervisors set
the tax rate at an eight cent increase rather than a twelve cent increase as
proposed. Mr. Shannon noted that
adjustments would have to be made to the school operating budget as a result
and asked for direction on priorities.
Item 04/08-70, Item 04/08-71, and Item 04/08-72
Ms. Franklin said the priorities for her are nurses,
the assistant principal at CHS, and salaries.
Mr. Jones agreed but said he also does not want to cut athletic
trainers.
Mrs. Albritton noted that she would like to maintain
the additional personal leave day for employees.
Mr. Ivers expressed his concern about deleting anything
related to the teaching of students such as teaching positions and the math
specialist.
Item 04/08-73 Worker’s Compensation (Action): Mr. Shannon told the Board that School Board members are allowed to be covered under the school division’s worker’s compensation plan at no additional cost to the school division. Board members agreed to discuss this issue at the next School Board meeting and make a decision at that time.
Unfinished Business by School Board Members
Dr. Hopkins asked
when the non-resident tuition rate would be recommended for next year. Mr. Shannon noted that the tuition rate is
normally set in August.
Dr. Anderson said
the MCEA survey on employee benefits would be distributed by the end of April.
New Business by School Board Members
Mr. Jones said he
would like to invite someone from
Announcements/Information
Mrs. Albritton
thanked the BHS art teachers for the art display at the
Mr. Jones thanked
the MCEA for its hard work on the budget.
Agenda Preparation
May
6, 2008 Energy Performance
Contracting
Auburn Project
May 20, 2008 Recognition of CHS Wrestling Team – Group
AA State Champions
Item 04/08-72
(Continued) and Item 04/08-73
July 11-12, 2008 School Board Retreat – Hotel Roanoke
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms.
Franklin, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board