June
19, 2007
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:00 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
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Judith K. Barylske Betti C. Kreye
Daniel A. Berenato Walter L. Shannon
Patricia A. Gaudreau Jeanette D. Warwick
Christina T. Gilley Richard D. Weaver
Harvey C. Goodwin Brad King, Attorney
Anita P. Johnston
Call
to Order
Ms.
Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag
at 6:00 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Mrs. Morikawa
moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to enter
into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of
Virginia at 6:01 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.
Return to Open
Session and Certification
Mrs.
Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to
return to open session at 7:37 p.m.
Mr. Dunkenberger
moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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 Amy U. Lythgoe
David
G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa
B.
Wendell Jones Penny J.
Franklin, Chair
_________________________ June
19, 2007
Clerk
of the Montgomery Date
County
School Board
Action
Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the
Board voted unanimously to readmit student A to Montgomery County Public
Schools (MCPS).
Mrs. Morikawa
moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to expel
student B from MCPS.
Mr. Dunkenberger
moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to expel
student C from MCPS.
Mr. Jones moved,
seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student D
from MCPS.
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
Dale E. Margheim, recently retired principal of Falling Branch Elementary School, and Betti C. Kreye, Supervisor of Math/Robotics, were recognized for their years of dedicated service to the students and staff of MCPS.
Dr. Anderson left the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
The School Board recessed at 7:45 p.m. and reconvened at 7:55 p.m.
Public Address
Alan Mandzak, a former MCPS employee, addressed the Board about what he sees as unfair business practices with regard to contracting jobs.
Claire Collver, a student at Price’s Fork Elementary School (PFES), urged the Board to keep PFES next on the capital improvement program list. Ms. Collver told Board members about the issues of mold, mice, ants, etc. in the mobile units at the school. She also addressed issues such as walking to class in the weather and the lack of air conditioning.
Bernadette Mondy, a resident of Price’s Fork, asked the Board to build a school in the village of Price’s Fork. Ms. Mondy said the school is in the heart of the community and a civic focal point. She told Board members that mobile units and other school facilities are grossly inadequate. Ms. Mondy stated that she hopes the community of Price’s Fork is not put on hold because of the actions of the School Board.
Carol Bland, a first grade teacher in one of the mobile units at PFES, voiced her concern about structural issues, safety concerns, and space issues at the school. Ms. Bland told Board members that the students and the community have been waiting patiently for a new school. She urged the School Board to continue with plans to build a new school in Price’s Fork.
Mindy Walker, a fourth grade teacher at PFES, informed Board members that the children at PFES need to remain at the top of the list for a new school. Ms. Walker noted that the School Board has known about the issues at the school for the last 17 years.
Leslie Roberson, physical education teacher at PFES, told Board members that the space she uses for physical education in the cafeteria is not safe for movement. Ms. Roberson said staff members teach children to be patient and to wait their turn, which they have been doing. However, the School Board needs to show these students that they are as important as other students in the county.
Eva Hedlicka, a member of the Concerned Parents for Responsible Growth group, said she is against the Phase I development of South Main Street in Blacksburg and the big box store proposed in Phase II. Ms. Hedlicka urged the School Board to take an active stand against the big box store.
Sharon Hartline, a professor at Radford University whose son attends Margaret Beeks Elementary School, asked Board members why the school administration wrote a letter to the Christiansburg Town Council opposing a paintball field near the elementary and primary schools in Christiansburg but has yet to send a similar letter opposing a big box store near Margaret Beeks Elementary School.
Kathy Albert, a Riner resident, urged Board members to proceed with planning money for the Auburn projects. Ms. Albert told Board members that she wants Ellison Lafayette and Price’s Fork to have new schools but planning money could be allocated for Riner while land deals are being finalized.
Item 06/07-118 Personnel
Report: On motion by Mrs.
Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Bond, 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-A10.
Item
06-07-119 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as
presented.
Operating Fund:
Bills, 06/19/07, Ck. Nos. 444446-444762,
$832,926.69
Cafeteria:
Bills,
06/19/07, Ck. Nos. 2283-2299, $24,367.82
Item 06/07-118 and 06/07-119
Work Session
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa,
and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 8:30 p.m.
Item
06/07-120 Update on the MCPS Wellness Plan:
Patricia Gaudreau, Supervisor of Science, Health, and Physical Education, and
Denise Boyle, Principal at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School and Chair of
the School Health Advisory Board (SHAB), provided the Board with an update on
the school division’s efforts this year regarding health and wellness.
Ms. Gaudreau told Board members that school
wellness teams were formed at each school this year with the goal of focusing
on nutrition, health education, physical activity, etc. She provided the Board with an overview of
the wellness programs implemented in various schools as well as the central
office. Ms. Boyle noted that the SHAB
is recommending an increase in the amount of outreach to families with regard
to wellness and additional support to wellness team chairs. Ms. Gaudreau said a central wellness team
was established and plans are to promote additional physical activities and to
design a wellness website.
Mrs. Bond expressed her desire to see more
“kid friendly” lunch choices at the elementary schools.
Mrs. Lythgoe said she would like to see
community gardens and field trips to local gardens to highlight healthy food
choices.
Mr. Dunkenberger noted that he would like to
see nutrition challenges and extra “play time” used as rewards. He said he would also like to see more
physical education classes offered after tenth grade.
Item
06/07-121 Discussion of Career and Technical Education
(CTE) Programs: Rick Weaver, Supervisor of CTE, provided the Board with a
brief synopsis of a report he made to the Board previously.
Item
06/07-120 and Item 06/07-121
Mr. Dunkenberger stated that he
could see the advantages of offering a block schedule division-wide. Mrs. Morikawa asked what the high schools
that currently do not offer a block schedule would have to give up to offer a
block schedule. Mr. Weaver said high school principals were surveyed and were
open minded about the school schedule.
He said some principals were attracted to the modified block schedule.
Mrs. Morikawa said it seemed to
her that schools would have to be on a consistent schedule in order to provide
academies. She noted that academies
seem to be the way to go until the school division can offer a CTE center.
Board members agreed to have Mr.
Weaver provide specific recommendations for the Board to act on at a future
meeting.
Item
06/07-122 Update on Bids for Air Conditioning: Dan
Berenato, Director of Facilities, told Board members that the bids for air
conditioning were overly inflated and the project would have to be re-bid with
the completion date changed to April 2008.
Item
06/07-123 School Resource Officers: Dr. Anderson
told Board members that the School Resource Officers (SROs) at the schools in
the Town of Blacksburg and the Town of Christiansburg are fully funded by the
police departments in those areas. She
said the school division and Montgomery County currently fund resource officers
at the schools within Montgomery County with the assistance of a grant obtained
through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. However, this grant will not be available in 2009 and the school
division will have to fully fund the resource officers in the county schools at
that time.
Item
06/07-124 Revisions to the MCPS Policy Manual:
School Board Attorney Brad King updated the Board on policy changes recommended
as a result of action by the General Assembly.
The policies will be placed on the August 7 agenda for a second reading.
Item 06/07-121 (Continued), Items
06/07-122-124
Return to Regular Session
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at
9:45 p.m.
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and
Announcements
Item
06/07-125 Grades 11 and 12 Advanced Placement (AP)
Textbook Adoptions (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs.
Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the grades 11 and 12
Advanced Placement (AP) textbook adoptions.
Item
06/07-126 Teaching Position for Rivendell (Action):
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously
to approve a teaching position at Rivendell.
Item
06/07-127 Title
IID Plan (Action): Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to
approve the Title IID Plan.
Item
06/07-128 Elliston
Lafayette Elementary School (ELES) Project Planning (Discussion/Action): Mr. Berenato told Board members that
decisions about the design capacity for ELES and the Pupil/Teacher Ratio (PTR)
for capacity would have to be made in the near future. He said the administration is recommending
that the School Board consider a design capacity at the school of 600 students
with a modular design that would give the administration the ability to build a
school that could range between 350 and 600 students.
Jeanette Warwick, Assistant
Superintendent, told the Board that the administration is recommending that the
pupil/teacher ratio standard remain at 20:1 in grades kindergarten through
fifth grade rather than the ratios specified in the background sheet (18:1 in
grades K-2 and 20:1 in grades 3-5).
Ms. Franklin expressed her desire
to build the school based on the recommendations of the Six-Year Plan (15:1 in
grades K-3 and 20:1 in grade 4-5).
Board members discussed various design capacities and pupil/teacher
ratios.
Items
06/07-125-128
Mr. Dunkenberger said he is in
favor of building a 600-student school in case space is needed in the future
but is in favor of an 18:1 PTR.
Mr. Dunkenberger moved,
seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted five to one to approve as
recommended a design capacity for ELES of 600 students (modular design) based
on a PTR of 18:1. Voting in favor were
Mrs. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Lythgoe, and Mrs. Morikawa. Voting against was Ms. Franklin.
Item 06/07-129 Auburn Rezoning Proffers (Action): Mrs. Morikawa said she would like to add a
museum to the list of uses listed in the Auburn-rezoning proffer. Mr. Berenato said he would check into adding
a museum to the list.
Mr. Dunkenberger moved,
seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Auburn-rezoning proffer and authorize the School Board Chair and the Director
of Facilities to sign the proffer and submit it to the Montgomery County
Planning Commission and the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Item
06/07-130 American Electric Power (AEP) Right-of-Way
Easement at Christiansburg Primary School (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved,
seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the AEP
Right-of Way Easement at Christiansburg Primary School.
Item 06/07-131 Cancellation
of July Meetings (Action): Mr.
Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously
to cancel the July School Board meetings.
Item 06/07-132 Payment
of Final Bills, Regular Operating (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted
unanimously to approve the payment of final bills for the regular operating
budget.
Item 06/07-133 Payment
of Final Bills, School Nutrition Program (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones,
and the Board voted unanimously to approve the payment of final bills for the
school nutrition program.
Item 06/07-128
(Continued) and Items 06/07-129-133
Item 06/07-134 Schedule
of Meeting with Board of Supervisors (Discussion/Possible Action): Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to schedule the joint meeting
with the Board of Supervisors for June 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Unfinished Business By School Board Members
Mr. Jones said he
would like an update on the Blacksburg stadium. Mr. Berenato updated the Board on the current issues with regard
to the stadium.
Mr. Dunkenberger
asked if there is any information available on the contract for the ELES
project. Mr. Berenato said the draft has
been confirmed by telephone but a hard copy has not yet been signed.
The Board agreed
to obtain Paula Wilder as a facilitator for the retreat to develop a School
Board self-evaluation instrument.
New Business By School Board Members
Mrs. Bond expressed
her support for providing planning money for Auburn strand
construction/renovations.
Agenda Preparation
August
3-4, 2007 School Board Retreat – Hotel
Roanoke
August
6, 2007 GIS Study Report
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr.
Dunkenberger, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board