January
16, 2007
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:45 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
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Judith K. Barylske Carol Reynolds
Daniel A. Berenato Walter L. Shannon
Harvey C. Goodwin Patricia Talbot
Anita P. Johnston Jeanette R. Warwick
Betti C. Kreye Richard D. Weaver
Mark J. Pasier
Call
to Order
Ms.
Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag
at 6:45 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a revised agenda adding a stadium update during superintendent’s reports, recommendations, and announcements.
Closed Session
Mr. Jones 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 6:46 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:
Student
Matter: Discussion or consideration of a
student disciplinary matter, 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 Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to
return to open session at 7:42 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, 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 B.
Wendell Jones
David G. Dunkenberger, II Amy U. Lythgoe
W. Wat Hopkins Susan K. Morikawa
Penny J. Franklin, Chair
_________________________ January
16, 2007
Clerk
of the Montgomery Date
County
School Board
Action
Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to readmit a student to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
Continuing
the commitment of recognizing student achievement and accomplishments, eight
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 December are:
Auburn High School John Paul Fletcher
Blacksburg High School Ross Camden McPherson
Christiansburg High School Tyler Pierce Spahr
Eastern Montgomery High School Jeremy Pickett
The
four students for January are:
Auburn High School Amara Tiebout
Blacksburg High School Georgia Pfeiffer
Christiansburg High School Adam Drake Sparks
Eastern Montgomery High School Rikki Lashay Brown
Jeremy
Pickett, the December Senior of the Month from EMHS, was not present and will
be recognized at a future meeting.
The
Board recognized the BHS golf team for winning the Group AA State
Championship. Members of the team
include Courtney Ellenbogen, Doug Mullendore, Brian Langley, Michael Bekken,
Stephen Dueutsch, Alec Good, George Perkovich, Zach Wall, and Kevin Yoon. Doug Day and Rick Mattox coach the team.
The School Board
recessed at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:33 p.m.
Public Address
No one spoke during public address.
Item 01/07-10 Personnel
Report: On motion by Mrs.
Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the
personnel report with an addendum.
The
personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A7.
Item 01-07-11 Payment
of Bills: Walt Shannon, Director of
Management Services, told Board members that there were no bills for approval
since the Board met last week.
Work Session
Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 8:35 p.m.
Item 01-07-12 Presentations
By Employee Groups: The Board heard budget requests from representatives of
the following employee groups:
Montgomery County Principal’s Association – Danny Knott, Principal at Blacksburg Middle
School, thanked the Board for its support in past budgets. Mr. Knott asked that the administrative
salary scale continue to be directly linked to the teachers’ scale in order to
maintain equity and integrity with the system; that the administrative staff
continue to be paid commensurate to their experience; that the supplemental
retirement plan continue to have the School Board’s support; and that the
School Board support adequate compensation for all MCPS employees.
Administrative Assistants – Sarah Wall told Board members that the
administrative assistants are requesting a new salary scale with a reduced
number of steps (from 18 to 15) to allow administrative assistants to reach the
top more quickly and increase lifetime earning potential. Mrs. Wall said the group is also requesting
an expansion of the nursing program to provide full-day nurses in secondary
schools; that the guidance aide position at BHS be changed to a ten-month
administrative assistant position; and that clerical aides’ hours be increased
to 6.5 hours per day in schools with 400 or more students.
Item 01/07-10, Item 01/07-11, and Item 01/07-12
Custodians – Robbie Jones told Board members that the custodians are
requesting a substantial salary increase so that the school division can
compete with other employers in the area.
Ms. Jones referenced a recent notice in the newspaper advertising for a
custodian for the Town of Christiansburg when telling Board members that
custodians are grossly underpaid. She
said custodians work long, difficult hours for low wages, which results in a
high turnover rate for the group. Ms.
Jones also urged the Board to provide more funding for custodial supplies and
equipment.
Maintenance Trades – Bill Linkous thanked the Board for its
past support with regard to salaries and funding for service vehicles. Mr. Linkous asked the Board to analyze
support staff supplements so they are equitable across departments and reflect
current market conditions. He said the salary scales should also be updated to
reflect current market conditions. Mr.
Linkous told Board members that additional staff is needed in maintenance
trades.
Nurses – Joni Underwood, School Health Coordinator, thanked the Board
for its past support. Mrs. Underwood
asked the Board to provide health insurance benefits for nurses. She said the high turnover rate for nurses
and the lack of a qualified nursing candidate pool to fill positions is due in
part to not having health insurance benefits.
Bus Drivers – Josh Simpkins thanked the Board for its
support in the past and salary increases last year. Mr. Simpkins said bus drivers would like the same percentage
salary increase as other employee groups.
He urged the Board to continue the part-time employee benefit program
and increase the amount of funding in this area as more employees are entering
the plan.
Instructional Assistants – Jane Vance provided the Board with vivid
examples of the problems instructional assistants face due to low wages and a
lack of benefits such as health insurance.
Ms. Vance told Board members that instructional assistants live in
poverty on a daily basis. She urged the Board to increase salaries and provide
benefits for this employee group.
Item 01/07-12 (Continued)
Montgomery County Education Association
(MCEA) – Paula Bolling,
chair of the compensation committee, and Brownie Cauley told Board members that
the MCEA is recommending the Board fully implement the target salary scale that
was originally intended for adoption in 2006-2007 (year three of the three-year
plan). Ms. Bolling also asked the Board
to apply a three percent cost of living adjustment to the new scale so that the
value of the target scale is protected.
In addition, Mr. Cauley presented the Board with a sick leave bank
proposal and a proposal for additional personal leave days based on length of
service.
Item 01/07-13 Superintendent’s Draft Budget Request: Mr. Shannon presented the Board with the
superintendent’s draft budget request for the 2007-2008 school-operating
budget. Mr. Shannon said the draft
budget totaling $99,414,956 (a 15.04 percent increase over the current budget)
implements the proposed salary improvement plan.
Mr. Jones asked for information on the age and mileage
of vehicles within the school division.
Return to Regular Session
Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe,
and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 9:47 p.m.
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and
Announcements
Item
01/07-14 Stadium Update (Information): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, told
Board members that design of the Blacksburg stadium is proceeding and the plans
will be sent to the Town of Blacksburg in early February. Mr. Berenato said he hopes the contractors
will be able to start in June 2007 and that the stadium can be completed by
June 2008 for use in fall 2008. He
added that the Blacksburg High School Booster Club is planning to raise funds
for an athletic building at the site.
Mr. Berenato said the administration would be requesting approval of
this building in concept in the future.
Item
01/07-15 Set Date for Retreat (Action): The Board set the School Board retreat for
March 16-17, 2007. Topics and places
for the retreat were also discussed.
Item
01/07-12 (Continued) and Items 01/07-13-15
Item
01/07-16 Discussion of Establishing a Committee to
Work on the Board Mission, Vision, and Goals (Discussion/Action): Board
members agreed not to pursue establishing a committee to do this work. Mrs. Morikawa said she attended an
interesting presentation from Albemarle County on this issue at the Virginia
School Boards Association Conference.
The Board asked for information on Albemarle County’s process for
updating its mission, vision and goals.
Dr. Anderson said she would gather information and place this item on an
upcoming agenda.
Item
01/07-17 Establish a Place for the February 6 Public
Hearing (Discussion/Action): The Board agreed to hold the February 6 public
hearing at Christiansburg Middle School.
Dr. Anderson told Board members that she would like the Board to view a
presentation by the Lego League prior to this meeting.
New Business By School Board Members
Mrs. Lythgoe
asked if a countywide date has been set for kindergarten registration. Jeanette Warwick, Assistant Superintendent,
said this date would be February 26.
Mrs. Lythgoe suggested promoting kindergarten registration by asking
local businesses to display the information on their marquees. She said the date could also be promoted
through downtown banners, website announcements, and materials placed at the
libraries.
Announcements/Information
Ms. Franklin
announced that a community meeting with the Board of Supervisors is being held
on February 22 regarding Price’s Fork Elementary School land issues.
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Bond, seconded by Mr.
Jones, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board