February 3, 2009

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a public hearing and regular business meeting.

Board Members Present

B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin

Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat Hopkins

Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.

David G. Dunkenberger, II

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Daniel A. Berenato Mark J. Pasier

Patricia A. Gaudreau Jonathan E. Schulz

Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L. Shannon

Lois T. Graham Nelson W. Simpkins

Anita P. Johnston Richard D. Weaver

Katie Miano Brad King, Attorney

Diane R. Naff

Call to Order

Mr. Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:00 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Closed Session

Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:01 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.

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

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:35 p.m.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board unanimously 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: Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat Hopkins

Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.

David G. Dunkenberger, II B. Wendell Jones, Chair

Penny J. Franklin

_______________________________ February 3, 2009

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Mr. Ivers moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student B from MCPS.

Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student C from MCPS.

Public Hearing on the 2009-2010 School Operating Budget

Richard Workman told Board members that he would like to compliment them on the budget presented for consideration. Mr. Workman said the School Board protected instructional areas as much as possible in the budget. He stated that he doesn’t want the Board to cut programs but the taxpayers cannot afford higher taxes either. Mr. Workman told the Board that the school division should not be building new schools but should be disposing of surplus property.

Kate DeGastyne, urged the Board to restore cuts made to gifted education in the budget. Ms. DeGastyne said the school division has come too far with regard to gifted education to lose ground now.

Erin Bull, Vice President of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), informed the Board that every public school employee is making a sacrifice for the school division in terms of the budget. She asked Board members to make cuts to supplies rather than employees.

Kimberly Hodges urged the Board to reconsider budget cuts to gifted staff and the Governor’s school program. Ms. Hodges said the school division needs to work to educate all students in the district.

Angie Cornett, President of the MCEA, thanked School Board members for their hard work during budget deliberations. Ms. Cornett said the MCEA’s overall goal is to maintain staff positions at their current level. She noted that supplies and equipment should be reduced before cuts are made to staffing positions. Ms. Cornett said the MCEA is still requesting sick leave accrual for part-time employees. She voiced her concern about rumors that the School Board may reduce all employee salaries by one percent.

Brownie Cauley, an employee at Blacksburg Middle School, said by nature schools are “people places” and the Board should make cuts to equipment and supplies before making cuts to people. Mr. Cauley also expressed his concern about cuts to department chair supplements.

Claude Miles, instructional technology coordinator, told Board members that he is concerned about cuts to Technology Resource Teacher (TRT) positions. Mr. Miles said proposed cuts to TRTs would be taking a step backward for the school division and would create a hardship for these families.

Public Address

Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources, told Board members that he recently attended a job fair where a great number of people expressed an interest in teaching in Montgomery County. Mr. Pasier stated that he has also heard that employees are thankful for their jobs in Montgomery County because of the support from the School Board and the Superintendent. He said staff members are confident that the School Board will make the best decisions with regard to keeping “students first” during budget deliberations.

David Crist, the math department chair and football coach at Blacksburg High school, voiced his support for maintaining athletic trainer supplements in the budget.

Item 02/09-16 Personnel Report: On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel report as presented.

The report is attached and made a part of these minutes as pages A1-A4.

Item 02/09-17 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Mr. Ivers, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Utilities, 01/21/09, Ck. Nos. 454152-454181, $241,879.27

Bills, 02/03/09, Ck. Nos. 454182-454404, $415,710.37

Payroll, 12/23/08, supp. Ck. Nos. 46387-46391, $2,372.07

Fixed Charges, 12/23/08, Ck. No. 46392, $182.29

Payroll, 01/30/09, Ck. Nos. 46393-46401, $5,141,662.15

Fixed Charges, 01/30/09, Ck. Nos. 46402-46455, $1,910,073.58

Item 02/09-16 and 02/09-17

Cafeteria:

Bills, 01/28/09, Ck. Nos. 2810-2822, $100,855.97

Payroll, 01/30/09, Ck. No. 5378, $149,681.91

Fixed Charges, 01/30/09, Ck. Nos. 5379-5399, $38,008.04

Item 02/09-18 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:

1. Minutes: Minutes from the regular session on December 2, 2008, the regular session/reorganization meeting on January 6, 2009, and the work session on January 20, 2009.

2. Donation: Coldwater Creek to donate boxes, curtain panels and a metal stand to Falling Branch Elementary School (FBES).

3. Field Trips:

a. The MCPS robotics class to travel to Washington, D.C., on February 25-29, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by the Comfort Inn. The cost per student is $100.

b. Art guild students at Blacksburg High School (BHS) to travel to Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. No accommodations are needed. The cost per student is $48.

c. Eighth grade students at Shawsville Middle School (SMS) to travel to Washington, D.C., on June 3-5, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by the Country Inn and Suites in Manassas, Virginia. The cost per student is $300.

d. Eighth grade students at Blacksburg Middle School (BMS) to travel to Washington, D.C., on May 28-29, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by the Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. The total cost per student is $175.

e. Eighth grade students at Christiansburg Middle School (CMS) to travel to Washington, D.C., on March 27, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. No accommodations are needed. The cost per student is $70.

Item 02/09-17 (Continued) and Item 02/09-18

f. Floriculture students at Auburn Middle School (AMS) to travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 5-7, 2009. Students will travel via charter bus. Accommodations are to be provided by a nearby hotel. The cost per student is $575.

g. The forensics/debate team at BHS to travel to Washington, D.C., on February 27 through March 1, 2009. Students will travel via county car. Accommodations are to be provided by the Holiday Inn in Georgetown. The cost per student is $200-$250.

4. Grants:

a. Price’s Fork Elementary School (PFE) Do Amazing Things Wellness Project: A grant to foster improved eating habits in PFE students, including consumption of dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

b. Orff Instruments for Belview Elementary School (BES): A grant requesting funding to acquire additional instruments for the Orff music program at BES. The Orff approach to music education emphasizes students’ innate abilities to make music using basic rhythms and melodies. The approach encourages improvisation, fostering student self-discovery.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations, Announcements:

Item 02/09-19 Gilbert Linkous Elementary School (GLE) Safe Routes to School 2008 Infrastructure Grant Proposal (Action): Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Gilbert Linkous Elementary School (GLE) Safe Routes to School 2008 Infrastructure Grant Proposal.

Item 02/09-20 GLE/Blacksburg New School Safe Routes to School 2008 Non-Infrastructure Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the GLE/Blacksburg New School Safe Routes to School 2008 Non-Infrastructure Grant Proposal.

Item 02/09-18 (Continued), Item 02/09-19, and Item 02/09-20

Item 02/09-21 2009-2010 School Operating Budget and School Nutrition Budgets (Action): Dr. Anderson told Board members that since the health insurance rate increase was less than expected, 2.5 percent versus 10 percent, the administration is recommending that all part-time positions as well as field trips, athletic trainers, and supplies are restored in the budget.

Walt Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, said the School Nutrition Program budget is self-sustaining, but the administration is recommending a five cent increase to lunch prices.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, to approve the 2009-2010 School Operating Budget.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, to amend the budget by restoring funding for athletic trainer supplements.

Board members debated the issue of restoring funding for trainer supplements and decided to poll all Board members on their priorities for the budget before making additional motions.

Dr. Hopkins and Ms. Franklin withdrew their motions to amend the budget.

Board members expressed their priorities for changes in the proposed budget.

Dr. Hopkins said he doesn’t think the School Board should cut anything in the budget at this point. He said the Board could always come back later and make changes once all information is available on the funding that the school division will receive. Mr. Ivers agreed.

Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the Board voted unanimously to amend the budget by adding back the following:

Item 02/09-21

Athletic trainer supplements $26,748

Four TRTs (10 month to 10.5 month contracts) $11,598

Part-time gifted positions $33,350

Coordinator for Gifted Program $10,683

Library aides (elementary positions) $29,485

Library aides (secondary positions $87,296

Total $199,160

Mr. Shannon noted that the total additional funding request to the Board of Supervisors would be $376,988 ($199,160 for the added items and $178,828 for the health insurance rate increase).

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, to restore 12 month contracts, which were reduced to 11-month contracts, for the middle and high school assistant principals in the amount of $73,422.

Board members discussed the motion but it ultimately failed by a vote of three to four. Voting in favor of the motion were Dr. Hopkins, Mr. Jones, and Mrs. Albritton. Voting against the motion were Ms. Franklin, Ms. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, and Mr. Ivers.

The School Board voted unanimously to approve the 2009-2010 School Operating Budget in the amount of $93,807,307 as amended.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2009-2010 School Nutrition Program Budget in the amount of $3,772,715.

Mr. Shannon provided the Board with a draft of an early-out retirement incentive program being considered by the General Assembly.

Item 02/09-21 (Continued)

Item 02/09-22 2009 A Interest Rate Subsidy Bond Program – New Elliston/Shawsville Elementary School (Action): Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2009 A Interest Rate Subsidy Bond Program Resolution for the New Elliston/Shawsville Elementary School.

The resolution is attached and made a part of these minutes as pages B1-B2.

Item 02/09-23 Announcements/Calendar for February (Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.

Unfinished Business by School Board Members

The Board scheduled a dinner meeting with the League of Women Voters for February 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Bogen’s in Blacksburg.

None of the Board members were able to serve on the Christiansburg Institute Board; therefore, the Board left this position vacant.

Mrs. Albritton said she would like a report on all of the surplus property in the school division.

Mr. Shannon noted that the only available surplus property at this time is the old Blacksburg Middle School property.

New Business by School Board Members

Ms. Franklin asked that the Board discuss a School Board Retreat at a future meeting. Dr. Anderson said she would place this item on the March 3 agenda.

Announcements/Information

Mrs. Albritton thanked the Student Congress students for their service projects and commended the school division for having 100 percent of its teachers certified as “highly qualified.”

Mr. Ivers announced that the Christiansburg High School wrestling team is now ranked eighth in the nation.

Agenda Preparation

February 17, 2009 Recognition of BHS Boy’s Cross Country Team – Group AA State Runner-ups

Recognition of National Board Certified Teachers

2009-2010 School Calendars

Item 02/09-22 and Item 02/09-23

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board