June 9, 2009

 

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of a special 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

Harvey C. Goodwin            Carol A. Reynolds

Lois. T. Graham              Walter L. Shannon

Anita P. Johnston            Nelson W. Simpkins

              

                           Call to Order

Mr. Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:30 p.m.

 

                        Adoption of Agenda

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

 

Closed Session

Mrs. Albritton moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:31 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

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:23 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 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:     Phyllis T. Albritton         W. Wat Hopkins

              Jamie M. Bond                Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.

              David G. Dunkenberger, II    B. Wendell Jones, Chair

              Penny J. Franklin

 

 

     _______________________________       June 9, 2009

     Clerk of the Montgomery                     Date

     County School Board

 

Action

Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

 

 

 

 

Item 06/09-80 Discussion of the Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Superintendent Search Firms (Discussion/Possible Action): Walter Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, told Board members that there are four proposals from superintendent search firms with a base price of $19,500 to $29,216. 

 

Board members proceeded to rank the proposals for the search firms and identified BWP and Ray and Associates as the top two contenders.

 

Several Board members expressed support for conducting the search through the school division or through a Virginia Tech/Radford University consultant rather than utilizing an outside search firm.

 

Dr. Hopkins agreed to try and find a consultant from Virginia Tech/Radford University who is qualified to perform the search.

 

The Board agreed upon June 23, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. as a possible date for a conference call with BWP and Ray and Associates.

 

Item 06/09-81 Discussion of Desired Skills/Qualities for a new Superintendent (Discussion/Possible Action): The Board agreed upon the following skills/qualities needed in a new superintendent:

 

·                     Values all programs including the arts, career and technical education, clubs, field trips, scholarships, and sports;

·                     Will Continue relationships with student leaders, parent leaders, and all teachers and staff;

·                     Will honor the school division’s diversity and is committed to working with all students (honoring the four strands) and understands the district’s special qualities of rural and urban populations;

·                     Has a knowledge of and has worked with educational foundations;

·                     Will partner with the full community;

·                     Values all employees;

 

Item 06/09-80 and Item 06/09-81

·                     Works in collaboration with teachers and staff;

·                     Has good communication skills;

·                     Has experience as an educator who knows and understands elementary, middle, and senior high classrooms;

·                     Will involve both teachers and the community in decision-making;

·                     Has a knowledge of school finance;

·                     Is a good listener and is respectful of all people and points of view;

·                     Will continue the good relationship with the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA);

·                     Will continue to recruit the best teachers and support staff;

·                     Will continue the commitment to full inclusion;

·                     Will be committed to the district’s mission and ensure students graduate with 21st century skills;

·                     Has the knowledge and commitment to integrate technology into the classroom;

·                     Will continue programs committed to keeping students in school;

·                     Communicates well with School Board members;

·                     Will continue special outreach efforts to low income families;

·                     Is knowledgeable about curriculum and programs (has been a teacher and building administrator and has central office experience);

·                     Is a reader.

 

Ms. Franklin said she does not want to limit candidates from certain regions of the country.

 

Mr. Jones said the new superintendent must understand the school division’s diverse environment, but should not necessarily have to be a current superintendent.

 

Mrs. Bond noted that the new superintendent should be able to stand up and voice his/her ideas about improvements.

 

 

 

 

Item 06/09-81 (Continued)

Old Business by School Board Members

Mrs. Albritton asked when the Board will hear more information on the staffing issues for teaching extra class periods.  Mr. Shannon said the item will be placed on a future agenda.

 

New Business by School Board Members

Mrs. Albritton thanked everyone for their involvement in the high school graduations.

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. on motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mr. Ivers, and passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

                                                                 

     School Board Chair                Clerk of the School Board