January 9, 2007

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:30 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 (6:35 p.m.) Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Daniel A. Berenato Carol Reynolds

Christina T. Gilley Walter L. Shannon

Harvey C. Goodwin Patricia Talbot

Anita P. Johnston Jeanette R. Warwick

Mark J. Pasier Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Superintendent Tiffany Anderson called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:30 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Item 01/07-01 Reorganization of School Board:

1. Election of Chair: Mrs. Morikawa nominated Ms. Franklin as Chair of the School Board. Mrs. Lythgoe seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously that nominations be closed. Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Franklin as Chair by acclimation of the School Board.

Item 01/07-01

Closed Session

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:33 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matter:

Student Matter: Discussion or consideration of a student disciplinary matter, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(2) 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 7:07 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe 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 9, 2007

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to long-term suspend a student from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) through the end of the third six weeks.

Item 01/07-01 Reorganization of School Board (Continued):

2. Election of Vice Chair: Mrs. Lythgoe nominated Mr. Dunkenberger as Vice Chair of the School Board. Dr. Hopkins nominated Mr. Jones as Vice Chair of the School Board. There were no other nominations. Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously that nominations be closed. The Board voted four to two (with Ms. Franklin abstaining) to appoint Mr. Dunkenberger as Vice Chair of the School Board. Voting in favor of Mr. Dunkenberger were Mrs. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, Mrs. Lythgoe, and Mrs. Morikawa. Voting in favor of Mr. Jones were Dr. Hopkins and Mr. Jones.

3. Appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerks:

Clerk: On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Bond, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Anita P. Johnston as Clerk of the Board.

Deputy Clerks: On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Bond, 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 Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following resolution:

Item 01/07-01 (Continued)

WHEREAS, at the reorganization meeting of the County School Board of Montgomery County held on January 9, 2007, the following officers were duly elected:

Penny J. Franklin, Chair

David G. Dunkenberger, II, 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 appointed to the following committees/positions:

Liaison to the Board of Supervisors – Ms. Franklin

Insurance Committee – Dr. Hopkins and Mrs. Lythgoe

Planning Commission – Mrs. Bond and Mr. Dunkenberger

Voting Delegate to Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) – Mr. Jones

Alternate to VSBA – Mrs. Lythgoe

National School Boards Association Delegate – Mrs. Morikawa

Christiansburg Institute Board – Mrs. Morikawa

Social Justice and Non Violence Coalition – Ms. Franklin, Mrs. Lythgoe, and Mrs. Morikawa

Southwest Virginia Governor’s School – Mr. Jones

6. Adoption of Resolution Appointing an Agent and Deputy Agent for Signing Claims: Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, 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.

Item 01/07-01 (Continued)

This resolution is attached and made a part of the minutes as page A1.

7. Appointment of Superintendent Designee: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, 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. Lythgoe, 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. Dunkenberger, 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. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to reaffirm Policy 1-1.6 (School Board Procedures/Standards of Conduct).

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, 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.

Item 01/07-01 (Continued)

11. Appointment of a Blue Ridge Educational Television Representative (ETV): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to appoint the Supervisor of Social Sciences and Character Education as the School Board representative to the Blue Ridge ETV for 2007.

12. Reaffirmation of Policy 1-1.5 (Mission, Vision, and Priority Objectives): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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 Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mr. Jones, 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: Mrs. Lythgoe 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: Dr. Anderson announced that the MCPS Policy Manual is available at the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Shawsville branches of the Montgomery/Floyd Regional Library, at the School Board Office and at all schools in the district. She added that the policy manual is also available on the MCPS website.

Item 01/07-01 (Continued)

Public Address

Ashley Sowers, an Auburn student, urged the Board to allocate funding for the Auburn High School/Auburn Middle School project.

Item 01/07-02 Personnel Report: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, 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 G1-G7.

Item 01/07-03 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Bond, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Bills, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 441162-441503, $605,025.67

Utilities, 01/04/07, Ck. Nos. 441504-441522, $182,091.99

Payroll, 12/06/06, Ck. No. 43782, replacement check $473.50

Payroll, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 43783-43798, $4,641,517.94

Fixed Charges, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 43799-43875, $1,597,125.25

Payroll, 12/21/06, supp. Ck. Nos. 43876-43879, $5,045.18

Fixed Charges, 12/21/06, Ck. No. 43880, $392.61

Payroll, 12/28/06, Ck. Nos. 43881-43895, VOID

(3^rd Party Sick Pay)

Fixed Charges, 12/28/06, Ck. No. 43896, $102.14

Cafeteria:

Bills, 12/07/06, Ck. Nos. 2118-2133, $166,676.84

Bills, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 2134-2144, $83,985.93

Payroll, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 4811-4812, $142,062.92

Fixed Charges, 12/19/06, Ck. Nos. 4813-4837, $31,644.83

Item 01/07-02 and Item 01/07-03

Item 01/07-04 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:

1. Minutes: Minutes from the November 21, 2006 work session/public hearing.

2. Field Trips:

a. Art guild/art class students at Christiansburg High School (CHS) to travel to Washington, D.C., on April 20-21, 2007. Students will travel via chartered bus. Accommodations are to be provided by a hotel in the area. The cost per student is $150.

b. Marching band students at Auburn High School (AHS) to travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on April 27-28, 2007. Students will travel via school bus. Accommodations are to be provided by cabins in Gatlinburg. The cost per student is $125.

3. Supplemental Appropriation: To request from the Board of Supervisors a supplemental appropriation to the 2006-2007 School Operating Budget, Code 610000, Instruction, in the amount of $85,299; Code 630000, Transportation, in the amount of $18,003; and Code 640000, Operations and Maintenance, in the amount of $233,567.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations, Announcements:

Item 01/07-05 Rollover Budget (Discussion): Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, presented the following rollover budget expenditure summary:

Fiscal Year 2006-2007 School Operating Budget $86,418,348

Personnel:

Salary Distribution Adjustments $ (132,690)

Benefit Distribution Adjustments $ (103,024)

Increase in VRS Contribution Rate (1.31%) $ 574,765

Decrease in GLI Contribution Rate (.13%) $ (56,271)

Health Insurance Increase (12%) $ 682,861

Increase for Telecommunications to Offset

E-Rate Discount $ 37,500

Increase for Software Licenses/Serv. Contracts $ 14,000

Increase for Cost of Diesel/Gasoline Fuels $ 50,000

Increase for Utility Rate Changes $ 100,000

Inflationary Increase for Supp. & Mat. (2.1%) $ 43,160

Item 01/07-04 and Item 01/07-05

Inflationary Increase for Equip. Repl. (2.1%) $ 27,451

Increase for Liability and Worker’s Comp Ins. $ 53,218

Step Increase Cost Based on Fiscal Year

2006-2007 Salary Scales $ 1,040,452

Total Changes $ 2,331,422

Percent Change 2.70%

Total Rollover Budget for 2007-2008 $88,749,770

Mr. Shannon told Board members that the school division would receive an increase of approximately $1.4 million from the state if the Governor’s budget were approved.

Item 01/07-06 Budget Work Sessions for January 2007 (Action): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to establish budget meeting dates on January 18, January 23, and January 25 at 7:00 p.m.

The Board will also discuss budget items during the January 16 work session.

Item 01/07-07 Human Resources Policy (Information): Board members discussed wording related to nepotism in Policy 5-2.5. Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources, explained how his department applies the policy and how neighboring school divisions handle nepotism.

Brad King, School Board Attorney, briefed the Board on policies he is familiar with from other school districts. Mr. King said he would recommend maintaining the School Board’s current policy.

Board members debated wording for the policy and asked Mr. King to draft a revised policy for the Board’s review.

Item 01/07-08 Feasibility Study Update (Information): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, told Board members that a draft of the feasibility study would be completed in January with the final study being completed by the end of February. Mr. Berenato noted that architects were hired and work began on the study before the holidays.

Item 01/07-05 (Continued) and Items 01/07-06-08

Ms. Franklin asked about the status of the GIS study. Mr. Berenato said the Request for Proposals (RFP) is due the end of next week and he hopes to make a selection this month.

Mr. Berenato told Board members that the Board of Supervisors has approved approximately $99 million for school construction projects over the next five years. The Board discussed selecting architects for the Auburn and Christiansburg projects but decided to wait until final numbers are in for available funds.

Item 01/07-09 Announcements/Calendar for January (Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.

Unfinished Business By School Board Members

Mrs. Morikawa expressed her desire for the School Board to work on aligning its mission, vision and goals with the budget at the retreat. The Board agreed to discuss retreat plans at the next meeting.

Mrs. Morikawa said she would like to set the next community strand meeting. Ms. Franklin told Board members that the next community strand meeting is being coordinated with the Board of Supervisors and will be held in Blacksburg.

Announcements/Information

Ms. Franklin announced that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) would be holding a Martin Luther King event on January 14, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church on High Street.

Closed Session

Mrs. Lythgoe 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 9:05 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:

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

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.

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.

Return to Open Session and Certification

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 10:55 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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 9, 2007

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted six to zero with Dr. Hopkins abstaining to accept the fact-finding panel’s recommendation with regard to a personnel matter discussed in closed session.

Agenda Preparation

January 16, 2007 Recognition of BHS Golf Team – Group AA State Champions

February 6, 2007 Public Hearing on the 2007-2008 School Operating Budget – 7:00 p.m.

Approval of Initial Budget Request

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board