June
2, 2009
The
Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the auditorium at
Board Members Present
B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin
Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers,
Jr.
Staff Members Present
Daniel A. Berenato Anita P. Johnston
Harvey C. Goodwin Mark J. Pasier
Lois T. Graham Nelson Simpkins
Call
to Order
Mr.
Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:15
p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Mr. Ivers moved,
seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a
closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia
at 6:16 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.
Return to Open Session and Certification
Mrs. Albritton moved,
seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Mrs. Albritton, 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
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: Phyllis T. Albritton W.
Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph
T. Ivers, Jr.
Penny J. Franklin B.
Wendell Jones, Chair
_______________________________ June
2, 2009
Clerk
of the
Action
Mr. Ivers moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to readmit student A to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) immediately.
Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted unanimously to readmit student B to MCPS at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
Public Hearing
Erin Bull, president-elect
of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), urged the Board to look
for a superintendent who will continue Dr. Anderson’s work by making strides in
compensation and educational programs.
Ms. Bull told Board members that the new superintendent should value the
total school program rather than only focusing on the results of
achievement-based tests; recognize the diversity in the four different strands
of the county; recognize the value of inclusion; value all employee groups;
commit to becoming a part of the community; value input from employees (be a
collaborative leader who involves stakeholders); have excellent communication
skills; and have experience as an educator.
She also urged the Board to continue to engage the community in the
process for selecting a superintendent.
Angie Cornett,
president of the MCEA, stated that she knows the Board is looking for an
instructional leader who understands the intricacies of the school system in
order to get the maximum benefit for all children with the current tax dollars
available. Ms. Cornett said the
executive committee of the MCEA has developed the following list of desired
qualities for a new superintendent:
·
Understands and appreciates the unique qualities of
·
Is well-spoken (an ambassador for
·
Is a manager and facilitator rather than a dictator;
·
Understands and endorses the productive
relationships among the MCEA, superintendent, and school board office staff;
·
Is interested in recruiting the best and most
qualified applicants;
·
Committed to increasing salaries and providing equal
benefits for support staff;
·
Will support school division anti-bullying
initiatives; and
·
Will support full inclusion.
Don Simpkins, a
technology coordinator with MCPS, told Board members that it’s important that a
new superintendent nurture the understanding that people see things differently
in diverse environments; make sure that graduates are equipped with 21st
century skills to be successful in a global marketplace; strive to maximize the
potential of the school district; and facilitate a style of leadership that is
transparent by involving all stakeholders.
Sonya Crockett, a
MCPS citizen, informed the Board that the new superintendent should be
compassionate, caring, dedicated, disciplined, fair, faithful, secure,
hardworking, patient, and respectful.
Ms. Crockett said the new superintendent should be someone who is a
communicator, a leader, a team player, and a listener. She noted that the person should also be
someone who follows through, who is involved at the middle and high school
level, who upholds policies, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the moment of
silence, who implements programs to keep kids in school, who speaks up when
something is wrong, and makes good decisions for all involved.
Closed Session
Ms. Franklin
moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a
closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia
at 7:20 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matters:
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.
Legal
Matters: Consultation with legal counsel
regarding specific legal matters requiring legal advice by counsel, as
authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia.
Return to Open Session and Certification
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:45 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, 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
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: Phyllis T. Albritton W.
Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.
Penny J. Franklin B. Wendell Jones, Chair
_______________________________ June
2, 2009
Clerk
of the
Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the
Board voted unanimously to hold a special meeting on June 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
to discuss the desired skills/qualities for a new superintendent and to discuss
superintendent search firm candidates.
Dr. Hopkins announced that he
would be attending the School Law Conference on Friday.
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms.
Franklin, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board