January
10, 2006
The
Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative
building at 6:15 p.m. for the purpose of a reorganization meeting and a regular
business meeting.
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
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Judith K. Barylske Rhonda Poindexter
Daniel A. Berenato Carol Reynolds
Sandra Z. Colman Marilyn M. Session
Christina T. Gilley Walter L. Shannon
Harvey C. Goodwin Jeanette R. Warwick
Carol Jennings Laura Williams
Anita P. Johnston Brad King, Attorney
Call
to Order
Superintendent
Tiffany Anderson called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to
the flag at 6:15 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a revised agenda adding a personnel matter during closed session.
Item
01/06-01 Reorganization
of School Board:
1.
Election
of Chair: Dr. Hopkins
nominated Ms. Franklin as Chair of the School Board. There were no other nominations.
Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted
unanimously that nominations be closed.
The Board unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Franklin as Chair of the
School Board.
Closed Session
Dr. Hopkins 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 6:17 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 Matter: 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
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:45 p.m.
Mrs. Morikawa
moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, 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: Jamie M. Bond B. Wendell Jones
David G. Dunkenberger, II Amy U. Lythgoe
W. Wat Hopkins Susan K. Morikawa
Penny J. Franklin, Chair
_______________________________ January
10, 2006
Clerk
of the Montgomery Date
County
School Board
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to readmit student A to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) at the beginning of the second semester.
Dr.
Hopkins moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to
readmit student B to MCPS.
Item 01/06-01 Reorganization
of School Board (Continued):
2.
Election
of Vice Chair: Mrs.
Morikawa nominated Mr. Jones as Vice Chair of the School Board. There were no other nominations. Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously that nominations be closed. The Board voted unanimously to appoint Mr.
Jones as Vice Chair of the School Board.
3. Appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerks:
Clerk:
0n motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted
unanimously to appoint Anita P. Johnston as Clerk of the Board.
Deputy Clerks: On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board
voted unanimously to appoint Tiffany Anderson and Lisa R. McAlexander as Deputy
Clerks of the Board.
4. Adoption of Resolution Affirming Officers of the County School Board of Montgomery County: Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:
Item 01/06-01 (Continued)
WHEREAS, at the Reorganization meeting of the County
School Board of Montgomery County held on January 10, 2006, the following
officers were duly elected:
Penny J. Franklin, Chair
B. Wendell Jones, Vice Chair
Anita P. Johnston, Clerk
Tiffany
Anderson, Deputy Clerk
Lisa R. McAlexander, Deputy Clerk
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant
to Article 6, Section 22.1-122, of Virginia School Law, the above officers are
authorized to sign all warrants drawn on the Treasurer or other officer charged
by law with the responsibility for the receipt, custody and disbursement of the
funds of the School Board. Such
warrants shall be signed by the Chair or the Vice-Chair of the School Board,
countersigned by the Clerk or Deputy Clerks.
5.
Board
Committee Appointments: Board members were asked to think about
which of the following committees they would like to serve on:
Liaison to the Board of Supervisors
Insurance Committee
Planning Commission
Voting Delegate to Virginia School Boards
Association (VSBA)
Alternate to VSBA
National School Boards Association Delegate
Christiansburg Institute Board
Diversity Forum
6. Adoption of Resolution Appointing an Agent
and Deputy Agent for Signing Claims: Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, and the Board unanimously adopted a resolution appointing the Superintendent
and, in her absence, the Assistant Superintendent as agent and deputy agent
respectively for signing claims.
This resolution is attached and made a part of these minutes as page A1.
Item 01/06-01 (Continued)
7. Appointment
of Superintendent Designee:
On motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted
unanimously to appoint the Assistant Superintendent as primary superintendent
designee and, in her absence, the Director of Management Services as secondary
superintendent designee.
8.
Schedule
of Meeting Dates, Times, Locations: On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by
Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted unanimously to hold School Board meetings at the
School Board Office on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m.
9.
Adoption
of Hiring Practices Resolution:
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to
approve the adoption of the Hiring Practices Resolution.
This resolution is attached and made a part of these
minutes as pages B1-B3.
10. Adoption of Policy 1-1.6 (School Board
Procedures/Standards of Conduct) and Policy 1-1.7 (Code of Ethics): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to reaffirm Policy 1-1.6 (School
Board Procedures/Standards of Conduct).
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, and the Board unanimously reaffirmed Policy 1-1.7 (Code of
Ethics).
The School Board Procedures/Standards of
Conduct and Code of Ethics are attached and made a part of these minutes as
pages C1-C3.
11. Appointment of a Blue Ridge Educational
Television Representative (ETV):
Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously
to appoint the Supervisor of Library Services as the School Board
representative to the Blue Ridge ETV for 2006.
Item 01/06-01 (Continued)
12.
Reaffirmation
of Policy 1-1.5 (Mission, Vision, and Priority Objectives): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs.
Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to reaffirm Policy 1-1.5 (Mission,
Vision, and Priority Objectives).
The mission, vision and priority goals are attached and made a part of these minutes as pages D1-D2.
13. Reaffirmation of School Board Protocols: On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, the Board unanimously reaffirmed the School Board Protocols.
The School Board Protocols are attached and
made a part of these minutes as page E1.
14. Adoption
of Resolution Authorizing the Superintendent to Settle Claims Against the
School Board: Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board unanimously adopted the
resolution authorizing the Superintendent to settle claims against the School
Board.
The resolution is attached and made a part of
these minutes as page F1.
15. Policy
Manual: Ms. Franklin announced that the MCPS Policy Manual is
available at the Blacksburg and Christiansburg branches of the Montgomery/Floyd
Regional Library (and the Shawsville branch once open), at the School Board
Office and at all schools in the district.
He added that the policy manual is also available on the MCPS website.
Public Address
Sherri Vaughn, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president at Auburn High School (AHS), expressed concerns about the sharing of space between AHS and Auburn Middle School (AMS). Ms. Vaughn stated that students at the two schools are not only facing athletic challenges but academic ones as well.
Item 01/06-01 (Continued)
America McGinnis, a parent of a student at
AMS, addressed the Board about discipline issues at AMS.
Julie Dindinger, AMS Parent Teacher
Organization (PTO) president, thanked the School Board and the superintendent
for remediation efforts at the school as well as efforts to hire a guidance
counselor and science teacher. Ms.
Dindinger expressed concern that a remediation program was not put in place by
the school administration in the fall.
Linda Naughton, a parent of an AMS student, agreed with all concerns expressed previously by other parents. Mr. Naughton noted that facility issues are a great problem at AMS and AHS. She urged Board members to place AMS/AHS on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list as a critical need.
Renee Underwood, a parent of a student at AMS, told Board members that the superintendent took it upon herself to hire a guidance counselor at the school because the principal did not hire one. She said the failure of AMS to achieve accreditation is a large concern for parents at the school.
Julie Snider, a parent of a student at AMS, stated that parents are very appreciative of the central office administration’s recent efforts at AMS. Ms. Snider told Board members that major facility improvements are needed at the school. She said appropriate leadership at AMS is lacking. Ms. Snider urged the Board to continue to investigate AMS leadership and make the changes that are necessary.
Hugo Veit, a parent of a student at AHS, spoke on behalf of a teacher who he said has been removed from teaching.
Martha Howard, a teaching assistant at AMS, told Board members that she doesn’t believe things are as bad at AMS as some people say they are. Ms. Howard noted that the school does need help but staff members are working hard to provide that assistance. She said negative comments about the school and school administration set a bad example for students.
Rose Dobson, a language arts teacher at AMS, expressed that she has total confidence in AMS and the principal at AMS. Ms. Dobson stated that her family moved to Auburn from West Virginia because of the principal at AMS. She noted that staff members, parents, and the administration must work as a team to help students pass the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.
Item
01/06-02 Personnel Report: On motion by
Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, the Board unanimously voted to
approve the personnel report as presented.
The report is attached and made a part of
these minutes as pages G1-G5.
Item
01/06-03 Payment of Bills: On motion by
Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve
the bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Bills, 12/19/05 Ck. Nos. 435032-435332, $528,195.92
Utilities, 01/03/06, Ck. Nos. 435333-435355,
$125,655.95
Bills, 01/10/06, Ck. Nos. 435356-435607,
$236,397.51
Payroll, 12/02/05 Ck. Nos. 42451-42465, $8,377.95
Fixed Charges, 12/02/05 Ck. Nos. 42466-42471, $766.82
Payroll, 12/20/05, Ck. Nos. 42472-42477,
$4,464,582.73
Fixed Charges, 12/20/05 Ck. Nos. 42478-42547, $1,342,052.50
Cafeteria:
Bills,
12/09/05 Ck. Nos. 1856-1868, $171,818.72
Payroll, 12/20/05 Ck. Nos. 4509-4510,
$135,271.81
Fixed Charges, 12/20/05 Ck. Nos. 4511-4531, $27,994.26
Item 01/06-04 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:
1.
Minutes: Minutes from the November 15, 2005 work
session/public hearing and the December 6, 2005 regular session.
Item 01/06-02, Item 01/06-03, and Item 01/06-04
2.
Donations:
a.
Gloria Hoover
to donate $500 to the Auburn Middle School (AMS) library as a result of sale
proceeds from her recently published children’s book.
b.
Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Nebel to donate a Don-Max right shoulder stabilizing brace to the
Christiansburg High School (CHS) sports medicine department.
c.
Michael
McGuigan to donate a computer to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
d.
William and
Susan Duggins to donate $500 to the Blacksburg High School (BHS) library.
3.
Field Trips:
a.
Seventh graders at Blacksburg Middle School (BMS) to travel to Annapolis
and Baltimore, Maryland, on May 31, 2006 through June 1, 2006. Students will travel via chartered bus. Accommodations are to be provided by the
Days Inn in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. The cost per student is $200.
b.
Eighth grade students at Christiansburg Middle School (CMS) to travel to
Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2006. Students will travel via chartered
bus. No accommodations are needed. The
cost per student is $60.
c.
The wrestling team at CHS to travel to Cleveland, Ohio, on February 3-4,
2006. Students will travel via
chartered bus. Accommodations are to be
provided by the Holiday Inn West Lake.
There is no cost to students.
4.
Grants:
a.
AEP First and First Lego League Partnership Grants:
(1)
Christiansburg Elementary School (CES) First Lego League Program: A grant to use
Lego robotics technology as a vehicle to provide extracurricular science enrichment. CES hopes to sponsor team participation in
the Southwest Virginia Regional Lego League tournament.
Item 01/06-04 (Continued)
(2)
CMS First Lego League Program: A grant to use Lego robotics technology as a
vehicle to provide extracurricular science enrichment. CES hopes to sponsor team participation in
the Southwest Virginia Regional Lego League tournament.
(3)
Elliston Lafayette Elementary School (ELES) First Lego League Program: A grant to
generate student and parent interest in Lego League by introducing Robolab
activities into the school’s existing after-school program with the goal of
establishing a formal team for the 2007-2008 school year.
(4)
Falling Branch Elementary School (FBES) First Lego League Program: A grant to use
Lego robotics technology as a vehicle to provide extracurricular science
enrichment. CES hopes to sponsor team
participation in the Southwest Virginia Regional Lego League tournament.
b.
Understanding Resources: A grant to use digital photography to teach third
grade students at Shawsville Elementary School (SES) about the three types of
resources (natural, human, and capital) as specified in the third grade social
studies Standards of Learning (SOL). Students will take pictures of different
types of resources, use the pictures to graph and chart each type, and create
books to share with the school and community.
c.
Alternative Fuel Cell Technology: A grant to allow Eastern Montgomery High School
(EMHS) students to learn how energy can be stored and generated from a
renewable energy source (reinforcing the concept that matter can be neither
grained nor lost from a system) as they work in small groups to build hydrogen
fuel cell cars.
Item 01/06-04 (Continued)
5.
Cancellation of Checks: Cancelled the
following checks:
Check # Date Amount Payable To Issued
From
41862 06/03/05 $352.05 Carilion
Med. Center Reg. Operating
42009 07/29/05 $378.48 Carilion
Med. Center Reg. Operating
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations,
Announcements:
Item
01/06-05 Update on State Reviewer Visits
(Information): Dr.
Anderson told Board members that the state reviewers visited Belview Elementary
School (BES) and AMS in December. She
said the administration has learned that sanctions would actually be placed on
the schools during the next school year if they weren’t accredited after the
spring SOL tests.