April 3, 2007

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:15 p.m. for the purpose of a regular session.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair Amy U. Lythgoe

Jamie M. Bond Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Judith K. Barylske Walter L. Shannon

Daniel A. Berenato Patricia Talbot

Harvey C. Goodwin Jeanette R. Warwick

Anita P. Johnston Laura Williams

Mark J. Pasier Sharon J. Zuckerwar

Carol Reynolds Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Ms. Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:15 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Bond, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Closed Session

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:16 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:

Student Matters: Discussion or consideration of student disciplinary matters, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(2) of the Code of Virginia.

Legal Matter: Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the school division, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(7) 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.

Return to Open Session and Certification

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:30 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the County School Board of Montgomery County has

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 Virginia

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 Montgomery County

hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the meeting were heard, discussed, or considered.

Ayes: Jamie M. Bond Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins Penny J. Franklin, Chair

Amy U. Lythgoe

_________________________ April 3, 2007

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to long-term suspend student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) with alternative placement as determined by the administration.

Public Address

Alan Mandzak voiced concern about nepotism issues within the facilities department. Mr. Mandzak urged the Board to “do a thorough house cleaning in this department.”

Item 04/07-61 Personnel Report: On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel report with an addendum.

Dr. Hopkins noted that his wife is listed on the personnel report and he does not believe there is a conflict of interest in his voting to approve the personnel report.

Mrs. Bond said she is very sad to see the administrative assistant at Falling Branch Elementary School leaving the school division.

The personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A19.

Item 04-07-62 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Bills, 04/03/07, Ck. Nos. 442949-443236, $223,770.16

Payroll, 03/07/07, supp. Ck. Nos. 44107-44114, $7,930.92

Fixed Charges, 03/07/07, Ck. Nos. 44115-44116, $272.94

Payroll, 03/30/07, Ck. Nos. 44117-44142, $4,638,519.95

Fixed Charges, 03/30/07, Ck. Nos. 44143-44223, $1,605,110.82

Item 04/07-61 and Item 04/07-62

Cafeteria:

Bills, 03/28/07, Ck. Nos. 2212-2223, $107,594.42

Payroll, 03/30/07, Ck. Nos. 4889-4891, $136,742.70

Fixed Charges, 03/30/07, Ck. Nos. 4892-4917, $33,639.62

Item 04/07-63 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:

1. Minutes: Minutes from the February 20 work session and the March 6, 2007 regular session.

2. Field Trips:

a. The Blacksburg High School forensics and debate team to travel to Houston, Texas, on May 24-28, 2007. Students will travel via airplane. Accommodations are to be provided by the Wessin Suites. The cost per student is $650.

b. The Christiansburg High School DECA club to travel to Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 4, 2007. Students will travel via charter bus. No accommodations are needed. The cost per student is $65.

c. The Auburn High School swing choir and concert choir to travel to New York, New York, on April 4-6, 2007. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by the Holiday Inn in New Jersey. The cost per student is $422.

3. Grants:

Community Foundation of the New River Valley, Spring 2007 Grant Cycle:

a. Belview Elementary School’s (BES) Morning Clubs: A grant to fund the purchase of reading and math games correlated to the Standards of Learning (SOL), for use during BES’ first and second grade before-school morning clubs.

Item 04/07-62 (Continued) and Item 04/07-63

b. What’s on Stage? at Harding Avenue Elementary School (HAES): A grant to continue funding for What’s on Stage?, a HAES after-school program that exposes at-risk third through fifth grade students to cultural events while expanding their language arts and technology skills.

4. Supplemental Appropriation: To request from the Board of Supervisors a supplemental appropriation to the 2006-2007 School Operating Budget, Code 610000, Instruction, in the amount of $239,248; Code 620000, Administration, Attendance, and Health, in the amount of $5,588; Code 640000, Operations and Maintenance, in the amount of $53,848; and Code 650000, Non-Instructional Programs, in the amount of $33,328.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 04/07-64 Connecting the Promises of Democracy: Citizenship, Conflict, and Opportunity Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Connecting the Promises of Democracy: Citizenship, Conflict, and Opportunity Grant Proposal.

Item 04/07-65 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Grant Proposal.

Item 04/07-66 Montgomery County Bullying Prevention Initiative Continuation Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Montgomery County Bullying Prevention Initiative Continuation Grant Proposal.

Item 04/07-67 School Improvement Plan for Shawsville Middle School (Action): Rebecca Kahila, principal at Shawsville Middle School (SMS), and her staff presented the Board with information on the school’s improvement plan to include assessments to be used, strategies, and action steps. Ms. Kahila said the goal of the plan is for students to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) benchmarks and Virginia accreditation standards for school year 2007-2008.

Item 04/07-63 (Continued) and Items 04/07-64-67

Dr. Hopkins asked where the additional time during the school day is coming from in action step 1.3, which says, “Provide additional instructional time before, during, and after school.” Ms. Kahila said there is some time available between classes as well as time currently set aside for sustained silent reading.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve Shawsville Middle School’s Improvement Plan.

Item 04/07-68 Capital Maintenance Projects (Action): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, told Board members that there is approximately $483,000 remaining from last year’s operating budget that has been reallocated this year by the Board of Supervisors for the school division’s use for capital maintenance projects. Mr. Berenato presented the Board with proposed capital maintenance projects as well as an update on capital maintenance projects from last year that have been completed. Several Board members expressed concern about including a roof for old Blacksburg Middle School on the list. Ms. Franklin said anything concerning safety and security should be higher on the list. She added that the county should assist the school division with funds to replace fuel tanks. Board members debated and made revisions to the order of projects.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, to approve the capital maintenance project list presented with a revision to move items 13, 14, and 15 to items 11, 12, and 13.

Ms. Franklin said she would like item 20 moved to item 14. Dr. Hopkins withdrew his motion and Mrs. Lythgoe withdrew her second to the motion.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the capital maintenance project list presented with a revision to move items 13, 14, and 15 to items 11, 12, and 13 and to move item 14 to item 20.

Item 04/07-67 (Continued) and Item 04/07-68

The revised capital maintenance project list is attached and made a part of these minutes as page B1-B2.

Item 04/07-69 Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Year-End Close Purchases (Action): Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, informed the Board that as the end of the fiscal year approaches, it is projected that there will be some balances remaining in the various line item budgets. Mr. Shannon added that Average Daily Membership (ADM) will also be greater than the original budget projection and additional state revenue and grant project reimbursements should be received. He presented the Board with a proposed list of one-time-only purchases to be made with this funding. Mr. Shannon told Board members that this list targets instruction and safety and security and includes security cameras for the high and middle schools.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2006-2007 Year End Close Purchase List.

Item 04/07-70 Announcements/Calendar for April (Information): Dr. Anderson had no announcements.

Unfinished Business By School Board Members

Mrs. Lythgoe asked for an updated timeline on air conditioning projects for the schools. Mr. Berenato said he hopes to finish the design phase by the end of May. Dr. Anderson said the administration is working to have air conditioning in place by the next school year but it’s not guaranteed at this point.

Dr. Hopkins told Board members that the superintendent is going to reiterate to principals that planning time is to be used for planning purposes rather than tutoring. He also noted that books are not going to be removed from libraries.

New Business By School Board Members

Mrs. Lythgoe asked the administration for information on the traffic circle planned near Margaret Beeks Elementary School. Dr. Anderson said the administration would look into it.

Item 04/07-68 (Continued), Item 04/07-69, and Item 04/07-70

The Board proposed May 22, May 29, or June 12 at 6:00 p.m. for an additional meeting to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation. Mr. Dunkenberger and Mr. Jones will be asked to consider these dates, as they were not present at the meeting.

Dr. Hopkins asked that the Board discuss providing financial support for students or teams traveling to national competitions, as this was something that was done in the past. He said members of the forensics team at Blacksburg High School might be going to national competition this year. Dr. Anderson expressed her desire to provide support for students traveling to national competition and the academic extracurricular programs in general. Mrs. Morikawa said she would support this as well. Ms. Franklin noted that she would like to know the history of which academic and non-academic students or teams have proceeded to national competition to ensure that no one is left out.

Mrs. Morikawa stated that she would like more information on the MCPS Foundation.

Agenda Preparation

April 17, 2007 Technology Plan (Information)

Salary Scales

Special Education Annual Plan (Information)

Textbook Adoptions

Recognition of BHS Group AA State Champions and Runner-ups in Indoor Track and Swimming

May 1, 2007 Feasibility Study Results

School Improvement Plan for CMS

Youth Behavior Surveys

Special Education Annual Plan (Action)

Technology Plan (Action)

May 15, 2007 Efficiency Study Results

June 2007 Update on Wellness Plan

Approval of Title Plans

August 3-4, 2007 School Board Retreat – Wyndham Hotel in Roanoke

August 6, 2007 GIS Study Report

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board