December
4, 2007
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of a regular session.
Board Members Present
Penny J. Franklin, Chair David
G. Dunkenberger
Phyllis
T. Albritton W. Wat
Jamie M. Bond Susan K.
Morikawa
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Daniel A. Berenato Mark J. Pasier
Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L.
Lois T. Graham Laura
Williams
Anita P. Johnston
Call to Order
Ms.
Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag
at 7:15 p.m.
Adoption of Agenda
On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Mr. Dunkenberger
moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into
a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia
at 7:16 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matter:
Student
Matter: The
discussion or consideration of the legal release of a student, as
authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(2) of the Code of Virginia.
Return to Open
Session and Certification
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board 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
David
G. Dunkenberger, II Penny J.
_________________________ December
4, 2007
Clerk
of the
Action
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded
by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to grant a religious
exemption from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for student A.
Honors, Awards, and Recognitions
The Board recognized outgoing School Board member Susan Morikawa with a
plaque for her years of service and dedication to the students and staff of
MCPS. Board members expressed personal
thoughts about Mrs. Morikawa and thanked her for her commitment to the school
system.
Public Address
No one spoke during public address.
Item 12/07-211 Personnel
Report: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, 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-A4.
Item 12/07-212 Payment
of Bills: On motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the
Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Utilities, 11/28/07, Ck. Nos. 447029-447049,
$284,756.79
Bills, 12/04/07, Ck. Nos. 447050-447273,
$233,251.21
Payroll, 11/08/07, supp. Ck. Nos. 45070-45079, $2,147.07
Fixed Charges, 11/08/07, Ck. No. 45080,
$166.89
Payroll, 11/30/07, Ck. Nos. 45081-45095, $799,950.00
Fixed Charges, 11/30/07, Ck. Nos. 45096-45098, $61,357.00
Payroll, 11/30/07, Ck. Nos. 45099-45140,
$4,903,825.36
Fixed Charges, 11/30/07, Ck. Nos. 45141-45214, $1,785,898.45
Cafeteria:
Bills, 11/28/07, Ck. Nos. 2418-2433,
$142,672.06
Payroll, 11/30/07, Ck. No. 5088, $143,095.49
Fixed Charges, 11/30/07, Ck. Nos. 5089-5111, $34,835.12
Item 12/07-213 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general
consent:
1.
Field Trips:
a.
Cosmetology students at Blacksburg High School (BHS)
to travel to
Item 12/07-211, Item 12/07-212, and Item 12/07-213
b.
Chorus students at Christiansburg High School (CHS)
to travel to Washington, D. C., on December 8-10, 2007. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by a hotel yet
to be decided. The cost per student is $170.
2.
Grants:
a.
Instructional Materials for Language Arts: A grant to
enhance instruction and increase student achievement in language arts at
b. Williamsburg Field Trip for Harding Avenue
Elementary School Fourth Graders: A grant to provide partial funding for
the planned HAES fourth grade field trip to Williamsburg, Jamestown, and
Yorktown.
Superintendent’s
Reports, Recommendations and Announcements
Item 12/07-214 Strategies
for Collaborative Teaching of Mathematics in Grades 6 & 7 Grant Proposal
(Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved,
seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the School Board voted unanimously to approve the Strategies
for Collaborative Teaching of Mathematics in Grades 6 & 7 Grant Proposal.
Item 12/07-216
Item 12/07-217 Calendar Committee Discussion Guidelines
(Discussion/Action): Mark
Pasier, Director of Human Resources, asked for the Board’s guidance with regard
to parameters for the calendar committee.
Mr. Pasier reminded Board members about previous parameters discussed by
the Board.
Item
12/07-213 (Continued) and Items 12/07-214-217
Dr. Anderson mentioned that the
parent presidents have expressed that they would like to see a week of spring
break in the calendar.
Dr. Hopkins stated that he
continues to hear that people want to maintain a two-week winter break. He added that as long as the early release
days are maintained, he’s fine with the calendar. Dr. Hopkins noted that the School Board gives
the calendar committee a virtually impossible task because there are so many
varied interests with regard to the calendar.
Item 12/07-218 Fiscal Year 2008-2009 School Operating Budget
Parameters (Discussion): Walt
Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, provided the Board with a list of budget
parameters submitted by Board members in the past and asked for input on this
year’s budget. Board members agreed with
most of the previous parameters established but noted a few others.
Dr. Hopkins asked the administration to keep in mind
the need for specialty teachers when hiring classroom teachers to maintain
pupil/teacher ratios.
Mrs. Bond said she would like to see nursing services
expanded.
Mr. Dunkenberger requested that the number of gifted
resource teachers be maintained in the next budget.
Mrs. Morikawa was interested in salary increases and
more funding for special education teachers and aides.
Mrs. Albritton asked that funding be increased for salaries.
Ms. Franklin agreed that salaries should be a priority
as well as funds for career and technical education programs.
Item 12/07-219 Reports from Board Members on the VSBA
Conference (Information): Board
members gave reports on their experiences at the VSBA Conference and provided
information on workshops they attended.
Item 12/07-217
(Continued), Item 12/07-218, and Item 12/07-219
Item 12/07-220 Announcements/Calendar for December
(Information): Dr. Anderson told Board members that the school
division was commended for having the highest number of students from the
Unfinished Business by School Board Members
Dr.
Hopkins noted that School Board taxing authority looks good to school boards at
first glance but cautioned that there are concerns about it was well. He said the issue needs to be studied very
carefully.
New Business by School Board Members
Dr.
Hopkins provided the Board with information about a recent forensics tournament
attended by BHS students. He said the students did very well at the
tournament.
Ms.
Franklin expressed her desire to highlight extracurricular activities such as
forensics, etc. at the next joint meeting hosted by the School Board.
Agenda Preparation
January 2008 Recognition of National Board Certified
Teachers
February 2008 Report on Drugs, Alcohol, and Gang
Activity
Governor’s School Presentation
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. on motion by Mr. Dunkenberger moved,
seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board
Item 12/07-220