January 15, 2008

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a work session.

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

Judith K. Barylske Rebecca N. Mummau

Daniel A. Berenato Mark J. Pasier

Harvey C. Goodwin Jonathan E. Schulz

Lois T. Graham Walter L. Shannon

Anita P. Johnston Nelson Simpkins

Call to Order

Mr. Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 7:00 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

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

Work Session

Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 7:01 p.m.

Item 01/08-07 Presentations by Employee Groups: The Board heard budget requests from representatives of the following employee groups:

Administrative Assistants – Juliet Ryan, administrative assistant at Harding Avenue Elementary School, told Board members that the group’s main priority is compensation. Ms. Ryan said the proposed salary scale, which strives to shorten the steps to the top of the scale and establish a standard amount between each step (rather than a percentage), was developed with the assistance of Marshall Leitch of the Virginia Education Association.

Item 01/08-07

Ms. Ryan noted that the administrative assistants also support full-time nurses at the secondary schools.

Custodians – Robbie Jones urged the Board to hire more full-time employees to cover the old Christiansburg Middle School building, increase funds for salaries, and increase funds for equipment and supplies.

Bus Drivers – Josh Simpkins thanked the Board for its support of bus drivers in the past. Mr. Simpkins also urged the Board to continue the part-time employee benefit plan. He said bus drivers would like the same percentage salary increase as other employee groups. Mr. Simpkins urged the Board to increase the sick leave of bus drivers and attendants from a half-day per month to one day per month to be consistent with the majority of Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) employee groups. He asked that a few modifications be made to the part-time employee benefit program and that the school bus replacement plan be maintained.

Maintenance Staff – John Sutton urged the Board to provide salary increases and adjustments to the support staff salary scale.

Technology Technicians – Mickey Williams expressed the group’s goal to improve the salary scale. Mr. Williams said the top of the scale doesn’t reflect the current market with regard to salaries.

Nurses – Joni Underwood, School Health Coordinator, thanked the Board for the recent bonus and support for nursing services. Mrs. Underwood asked the Board to provide full-time nurses at the secondary level. She said the nurses have agreed to delay asking for additional benefits, such as health insurance, in order to advocate for the nursing hours at the secondary level.

Supervisors – Jonathan Schulz, supervisor of math/robotics, told Board members that the supervisors are asking for one full-time K-8 math specialist position and an additional .7 full-time English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

Item 01/08-07 (Continued)

Mr. Schulz added that the group is also asking that funding for preschool aides and four elementary reading teachers (Kipps Elementary School and Margaret Beeks Elementary School) be covered in the budget since federal funding for these positions has been cut. He also noted the need for benchmark testing software and services; Career and Technical Education equipment replacement and improvements; funds for professional development; supplies and services for instructional supervisors; library reference and non-fictional materials; and support for the employee wellness plan.

Montgomery County Principal’s Association (MCPA) – Danny Knott, President of the MCPA, asked Board members to consider increasing the contract for 11-month assistant principals to 12-months; decreasing the number of steps in the salary scale; and for a salary increase equal to the other employee groups.

Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) – Angie Cornett, President of the MCEA, urged the Board to support an 8.7 percent salary increase to fully implement the target salary scale that was originally intended in the three-year salary plan. In addition, Ms. Cornett presented the Board with a sick leave reimbursement proposal and a proposal for an additional personal leave day for all full-time employees.

Item 01/08-08 Compensation Plan Update: Walt Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, introduced Katie Miano, the new controller for MCPS. Mr. Shannon told Board members that the administration is recommending an 8.9 percent salary increase to provide full funding for the compensation plan established several years ago.

Item 01/08-09 Superintendent’s Draft Budget Request: Mr. Shannon presented the Board with the superintendent’s draft budget request for the 2008-2009 school-operating budget. Mr. Shannon said the draft budget totaling $100,304,145 (an 11.77 percent increase over the current budget) implements the proposed salary improvement plan. He added that state and federal revenue is expected to increase by $6,221,535. Therefore, an additional $4,340,914 (12.91%) in local funding would be required to fund the budget.

Item 01/08-07 (Continued), Item 01/08-08, and Item 01/08-09

Dr. Anderson voiced her desire to maintain the secondary lead principal position as either a secondary lead principal or a director of secondary education.

Mrs. Albritton said she would like to see what it would cost to fund an additional personal leave day for all employees.

Ms. Franklin noted that the lead teacher position established in the budget last year at Christiansburg High School needs to be upgraded to an assistant principal position. Dr. Anderson noted that she would make this change.

Return to Regular Session

Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 8:45 p.m.

Agenda Preparation

January 22, 2008 Senior Recognition

Recognition of Student for Scholarship America

Recognition of National Board Certified Teachers

Recognition of Supervisor of Gifted Programs

Presentation by Architects for New Elementary School in Elliston

Budget Work

January 24, 2008 Budget Work Session, 7:00 p.m. at the School Board Office

February 5, 2008 Public Hearing on the 2008-2009 School Operating Budget, 7:00 p.m., SBO

Approval of Initial Budget Request

2008-2009 School Calendar

February 19, 2008 School Board Appreciation

Recognition of State Champions

Presentation on Social Work Services in MCPS

Energy Performance

Pride Survey Results

Presentation on Drug, Alcohol and Gang Activity

Item 01/08-09 (Continued)

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. on motion by Mr. Ivers, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board