February
5, 2008
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/regular business
meeting.
Board Members Present
B. Wendell Jones, Chair
Phyllis T. Albritton Penny J.
Jamie M. Bond W. Wat
David G. Dunkenberger, II Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Daniel A. Berenato Carol Reynolds
Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L.
Lois T. Graham Nelson Simpkins
Anita P. Johnston Laura Williams
Mark J. Pasier Brad King, Attorney
Call
to Order
Mr.
Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at
6:01 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a revised agenda adding real estate matters to the agenda during closed session.
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 6:02 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
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:03 p.m.
Mr. Jones announced
that the Board plans to return to closed session after the public hearing and
will certify at the end of the closed session.
Public Hearing
Brownie
Cauley of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) thanked the Board
for its support of the budget proposal.
Mr. Cauley said he appreciates the effort the Board is making with
regard to compensation.
Susan
Miller, a former Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) employee now employed
with
Closed Session
The Board returned to closed
session at 7:15 p.m. on motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Ms. Franklin,
and passed unanimously.
Return to Open Session and Certification
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 8:18 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, 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.
David G. Dunkenberger, II B. Wendell Jones, Chair
Penny J. Franklin
_______________________________ February
5, 2008
Clerk
of the
Action
Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to grant a religious exemption from MCPS for student A.
Mr. Ivers moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted five to two to long-term suspend student B from MCPS until the end of March 2008. Voting in favor were Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Bond, Dr. Hopkins, Mr. Ivers, and Mr. Jones. Voting against were Mr. Dunkenberger and Ms. Franklin.
Public Address
No one spoke during public address.
Item 02/08-16 Personnel
Report: On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the
Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel report with an addendum.
The report is attached and made a part of
these minutes as pages A1-A7.
Item 02/08-17 Payment
of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms. Franklin, the Board
unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Utilities, 01/29/08, Ck. Nos. 448022-448037,
$130,432.62
Bills, 02/05/08, Ck. Nos. 448038-448237, $263,660.87
Payroll, 01/31/08, Ck. Nos. 45323-45330, $4,682,133.75
Fixed Charges, 01/31/08, Ck. Nos. 45331-45398, $1,788,424.02
Cafeteria:
Payroll, 01/31/08, Ck. No. 5133, $138,732.59
Fixed Charges, 01/31/08, Ck. Nos. 5134-5155, $34,644.74
Item 02/08-18 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general
consent:
1.
Minutes: Minutes from the regular
session/reorganization meeting on January 8, 2008.
2.
Field Trips:
a.
The band and color guard at Blacksburg High School
(BHS) to travel to
Item 02/08-16, Item 02/08-17, and Item 02/08-18
b.
Seventh grade students at Blacksburg Middle School
(BMS) to travel to
c.
Eighth grade students at BMS to travel to
d.
The BHS outdoor track team to travel to
e.
The choir at BMS to travel to
f.
The band at Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) to
travel to
3.
Grants:
a.
Project ESTEEM (Exploring Strategies That Engage and
Empower Minority Students: A grant to offer an after-school program providing
primary grade students with learning experiences integrating culture and
ethnicity.
b.
Price’s Fork Elementary School (PFES) Homework Club
for Fourth and Fifth Graders: A grant requesting continuation funding for the
Homework Club, a PFES after-school program that helps fourth and fifth graders
complete their homework with the assistance of Virginia Tech students.
c.
We are GLE! A grant to enhance safety for
Item 02/08-18 (Continued)
d.
Out of the Stone Age – Soaring in the Future: A grant to enhance
instruction at Belview Elementary School (BES) through the purchase of Smart
board interactive whiteboards for classroom use.
e.
Goody’s Reading Instruction Team (GRIT): A grant to
enhance reading instruction at BES through the development of school-wide
literacy programs.
f.
Character Education at
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations,
Announcements:
Item 02/08-19 2008-2009 School Operating Budget (Action): Dr.
Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, to approve the 2008-2009 School
Operating Budget ($100,054,740) and the 2008-2009 School Nutrition Budget as
presented ($3,772,715).
Mrs. Albritton told Board members that she would like to add funding
to the budget to cover an additional personal level day for all employees.
Walt Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, said adding the
personal leave day would increase the budget by approximately $47,000.
Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Dr.
Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to amend the budget by adding funding
for a personal leave day for all employees.
The Board voted six to one to
approve the 2008-2009 School Operating Budget and 2008-2009 School Nutrition
Budget as amended. Voting in favor were
Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, Dr. Hopkins, Mr. Ivers, and Mr.
Jones. Voting against was Ms. Franklin.
Ms. Franklin said she is voting against the budget because she
doesn’t believe the budget reflects the needs of the school division. She added that much more funding than what is
represented in the budget is needed to support education in the county.
Item 02/08-18
(Continued) and Item 02/08-19
Item 02/08-20 Efficiency Study Update (Information): Mr. Shannon provided the Board with an
update on progress with regard to the efficiency review. He noted Katie Miano has been hired to fill
the controller position recommended in the review.
Item 02/08-21 2008-2009 School Calendar (Action): Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources,
presented the Board with information on the 2008-2009 School Calendar and
12-Month Employee Calendar. Mr. Pasier
told Board members that one more elementary early release day would be added to
the calendar to coincide with the Thursday night Virginia Tech football game
once it is scheduled.
Ms. Franklin
moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to approve
the 2008-2009 School Calendar and 12-Month Employee Calendar as presented.
Dr. Hopkins said he was impressed with calendar committee’s
work.
Item 02/08-22 Winning Choices Resolution (Action): Ms.
Franklin moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to
approve the Winning Choices Resolution as presented.
The resolution is attached and made a part of these minutes as
page B1.
Item 02/08-23 Geothermal Heating and Cooling System and
LEED Certification (Action):
The School Board heard a presentation from Spectrum Design regarding a
geothermal heating and cooling system and LEED Certification. According to Spectrum Design, the geothermal system
would cost approximately $450,000 at the Elliston site. However, the life-cycle
payback would be at least 20 years.
Mrs. Albritton asked Dan Berenato, Director of
Facilities, if he would recommend that the Board approve the system. Mr. Berenato stated that he would not
recommend the system because of the long-term payback cycle. He added that he would recommend using a
water source heat pump system.
Items
02/08-20-23
Mr. Berenato added that the administration,
architects and engineers plan to incorporate everything possible in the project
to be energy conscious and efficient.
Ms. Franklin
moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously not to
pursue the geothermal system/LEED Certification but to incorporate as many
energy measures as are feasible for the project.
Item 02/08-24 Announcements/Calendar
for February (Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.
Unfinished Business by School Board Members
School Board Retreat – Social Justice Training – The Board agreed to have Dr. Anderson acquire more information on social justice training and a timeline for this training for the next meeting.
New Business by
School Board Members
School Resource Officer Recognition – Mr. Jones expressed his desire to have the School Board recognize the School Resource Officers and DARE Officers at a School Board meeting. Board members agreed.
Legal Review – Mr. Jones said he would like for the School Board Attorney to provide an orientation on legal issues prior to a Board meeting in the near future. Board members agreed.
Joint Board Meeting – Mr. Jones noted that it’s once again time to think about scheduling a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors. Board members proposed March 11 for this meeting.
Mrs. Bond asked if it would be possible to have scholarship and financial aide information and deadlines made more accessible to parents. Dr. Anderson said she would have these posted on the web page.
Mr. Ivers asked for an update on what the School Board is
spending on upkeep for old
Ms. Franklin suggested that the new School Board members complete the Myers Briggs survey from Paula Wilder. Board members agreed.
Item 02/08-23
(Continued) and Item 02/08-24
Ms. Franklin noted that the physical education, health, and wellness concerns voiced by Susan Miller are of great concern to her. She said she would like to see more focus on these items. Mrs. Bond and Mr. Ivers agreed. Dr. Anderson stated that she would have Patricia Gaudreau, Supervisor of Science, Health and Physical Education, do a presentation at the next School Board meeting.
Announcements/Information
Mr. Jones
mentioned that he received many thank you notes from principals and assistant
principals in appreciation for the gift cards.
Agenda Preparation
February 19, 2008 School Board Appreciation
Recognition
of State Champions – BHS
Presentation
on Social Work Services in MCPS
Pride
Survey Results
Presentation
on Drugs, Alcohol, and Gang Activity
Governor’s
School Presentation
March 4, 2008 Youth Art/Music Month Presentation
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. on motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs.
Albritton, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board