February 21, 2006

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of a work session.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair B. Wendell Jones

Jamie M. Bond Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins (5:45 p.m.)

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Daniel A. Berenato Susan Lester

Carol Burdette Marilyn M. Session

Amy French Walter L. Shannon

Harvey C. Goodwin Jeanette Warwick

Anita P. Johnston Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Ms. Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 5:30 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

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

Closed Session

Mrs. Lythgoe 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 5:31 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.

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

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:32 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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 Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins Penny J. Franklin, Chair

B. Wendell Jones

_________________________ February 21, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to re-admit student A to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student B from MCPS.

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 Montgomery County. Their activities reflect the full range of opportunities in the school division, ranging from fine arts to vocational experiences to athletic accomplishments. The four students for February are:

Auburn High School (AHS) Whitney Dare Webb

Blacksburg High School (BHS) Ruth Ann Howe

Christiansburg High School (CHS) Christopher John Hickling

Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Aaron Allen White

Ruth Ann Howe, February Senior of the Month for BHS, was not present and will be recognized at a future meeting. Andrew Walker, BHS Senior of the Month for January, was recognized at the meeting.

Christopher John Hickling, February Senior of the Month for CHS, was not present and will be recognized at a future meeting.

Blair Evans, December Senior of the Month for EMHS and Bridget Creed, January Senior of the Month for EMHS, were recognized at the meeting.

School Board members were recognized with certificates, other gifts from schools, and a reception as part of School Board Appreciation month. The clerk was also recognized for School Board Clerk’s Appreciation month.

Penny Franklin was recognized with a Certificate of Recognition from the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Academy for her participation in professional development training throughout the year.

The School Board recessed at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8:23 p.m.

Public Address

Dr. Jill Sible, an assistant professor at Virginia Tech, asked the Board to reconsider how the Supervisor of Science, Physical Education and Athletics position is structured. Dr. Sible said a full-time science supervisor is needed.

Kristen Snyder, an Auburn Middle School (AMS) student, thanked the School Board for the additional gifted resource teacher last year. Ms. Snyder told Board members that a new middle school with a gym is needed at AMS.

Kathleen Meehan, a Blacksburg parent, urged the Board to re-instate general level classes at BHS. Ms. Meehan said the decision to remove general level classes was made without input from the community. She also said there was a serious lack of communication on such a major curriculum change.

Bob Canevari, an AMS parent, said the AMS building is unsuitable for his special needs child.

Wanda East, an Elliston Lafayette Elementary School (ELES) parent, referenced the school’s 11 mobile units and outside bathroom facilities. Mrs. East told Board members that residents in the Elliston area want to make sure they are heard with regard to the need for a new facility. She commended the principal and the teachers at the school but said facilities are beyond inadequate.

Carl East, an ELES parent, praised the principal and teachers at the school; however, he said residents of the community feel forgotten when it comes to facilities. Mr. East urged Board members to remember the students at ELES when making facility decisions.

Renee Underwood, an AMS parent, asked the Board to return to a rotation system with regard to facilities in the school division.

Thelma Hogge, a Montgomery County resident, urged the Board to review its registration procedures for new students. Ms. Hogge told Board members that it’s virtually impossible for people new to the district to provide two forms of residency identification.

Nicole Ziegler, an ELES parent, commented that it’s imperative that ELES receive a new school but maintain its individual identity. Mrs. Ziegler informed the Board that the Elliston community has been promised a new school for years and said it’s time to fulfill that promise. She cited the dangers that exist at the school due to the large number of mobile units and distributed photos of the school site.

Laura Jarrell, an ELES parent, commended the principal and teachers at ELES but said facilities at the school are inadequate. Ms. Jarrell noted that second, fourth, and fifth grade classes are outside in mobile units while the two kindergarten and first grade classes each share one room. She said her main concern at the school is safety and urged the Board to fund a new ELES school.

Item 02/06-27 Personnel Report: On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel report as presented.

The personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A3.

Item 02-06-28 Payment of Bills: On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Utilities, 02/15/06, Ck. Nos. 436057-436079, $247,228.17

Bills, 02/21/06, Ck. Nos. 436080-436344, $194,167.45

Cafeteria:

Bills, 02/08/06, Ck. Nos. 1887-1899, $127,544.82

Work Session

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 8:57 p.m.

Item 02/06-29 Recruitment Presentation: The Board heard a presentation regarding the online application system, job fairs, and web capabilities for human resources from Jeanette Warwick, Assistant Superintendent; Carol Burdette, Supervisor of Personnel; and Harvey Goodwin, Director of Technology.

Return to Regular Session

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 9:15 p.m.

Item 02/06-27, Item 02/06-28, and Item 02/06-29

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 02/06-30 Discussion of Professional Development (Discussion): Mrs. Warwick provided the Board with a draft 2006-2007 school calendar as well as a comparison on staff/professional development days in other school divisions. The Board discussed professional development days and elementary early release days. Mrs. Warwick suggested designating four of the elementary early release days as professional development for K-12 teachers.

Dr. Hopkins said he is opposed to eliminating planning time for teachers, which is the focus of the elementary early release days. Several Board members noted that they have received complaints from parents regarding elementary early release days. Mrs. Lythgoe said she is not opposed to designating some of the early release days as K-12 professional development days. The Board discussed the problems associated with eliminating early release time but adding full-day professional development days. Dr. Hopkins stated that he would like the Montgomery County Education Association’s (MCEA) reaction to decreasing elementary early release days.

Item 02/06-31 Capital Improvements Project (CIP) Listing Report (Information/Discussion): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, presented the Board with information regarding the Montgomery County Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and how it was established.

Dr. Anderson said the furniture, fixtures and equipment for Building C could be changed from a critical priority to an important priority, as this move will not be made in the near future.

Mrs. Lythgoe voiced her concerns about air conditioning needs at the schools with no air conditioning. She said this item should be elevated in importance.

Mr. Jones expressed his desire for planning money for renovations at Auburn Middle School and Auburn High School to be added to the list near the item for re-capitalization of Auburn High School.

Item 02/06-30 and Item 02/06-31

Ms. Franklin said all of the needs on the list are critical. Mrs. Morikawa voiced her concern about the fact that there are a number of non-profit and community groups that think the School Board should maintain old Blacksburg Middle School as a community center when current facility priorities cannot be funded.

The Board agreed to consider a revised listing of projects at the next meeting.

New Business By School Board Members

Mr. Jones mentioned that the third grade classes at Price’s Fork Elementary School sent letters to him asking that the School Board reserve the left front bus seat of each Montgomery County school bus for one day with the placement of a white ribbon and a small poster containing information about Rosa Parks. Dr. Hopkins said he believes the Board should gain input from students in Montgomery County before mandating action on this issue. Dr. Anderson said she would look at creating a resolution to be brought back to the Board at the next meeting.

Mr. Jones told Dr. Anderson that he would like to include bus drivers when the Board discusses bullying programs.

Mrs. Lythgoe said she would like information on Student Assistance Programs (SAP) in other school divisions.

Mr. Dunkenberger told Board members that he is inspired about what students and staff at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School have been able to achieve despite the facilities that exist at that site.

Closed Session

Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 10:40 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:

Item 02/06-31 (Continued)

Return to Open Session and Certification

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 12:00 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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

Ayes: Jamie M. Bond Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins Penny J. Franklin, Chair

B. Wendell Jones

_________________________ February 21, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to accept the superintendent’s recommendation regarding the personnel matter discussed in closed session.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:01 p.m. on motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board