March
3, 2009
The
Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative
building at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a public hearing and regular business
meeting.
Board Members Present
B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin
Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T.
Ivers, Jr.
David G. Dunkenberger, II
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Judith K. Barylske Katie Miano
Kathy A. Duncan Mark J. Pasier
Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L.
Lois T. Graham Nelson W.
Simpkins
Anita P. Johnston
Call
to Order
Mr.
Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at
6:45 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Ms. Franklin
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 6:46 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.
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
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Mr. Ivers, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open
session at 7:37 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board unanimously adopted the following
resolution:
WHEREAS, the County School Board of
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
hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge (i) only
public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by
Ayes: Phyllis T. Albritton W.
Wat
Jamie M. Bond Joseph
T. Ivers, Jr.
David G. Dunkenberger, II B. Wendell Jones, Chair
Penny J. Franklin
_______________________________ March
3, 2009
Clerk
of the
Action
Mr. Ivers moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted five to two to expel student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Voting in favor were Mrs. Albritton, Mr. Dunkenberger, Ms. Franklin, Mr. Ivers, and Mr. Jones. Voting against were Mrs. Bond and Dr. Hopkins.
Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted five to two to expel student B from MCPS. Voting in favor were Mrs. Albritton, Mr. Dunkenberger, Ms. Franklin, Mr. Ivers, and Mr. Jones. Voting against were Mrs. Bond and Dr. Hopkins.
Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student C from MCPS.
Kathy
Duncan, Supervisor of Fine Arts, presented the School Board with artwork from
students for Youth Art Month, Music in Our Schools Month, and School Board
Appreciation. Ms. Duncan told Board
members that a musical performance by students will take place at the next
Board meeting.
The
Board recessed at 7:47 p.m. and reconvened at 8:04 p.m.
Public Address
Brownie Cauley, a
long-time member of the calendar committee, urged the Board to approve the
calendar for next year with a long spring break. Mr. Cauley said the students and staff in the
school division have not had an opportunity yet to see how the long spring
break will work.
Karen Trear, a
long-time member of the calendar committee, told Board members that there is no
data available to suggest that a longer spring break will negatively impact
Standards of Learning (SOL) scores. Mrs.
Trear told Board members that the schools on the block schedule have actually
seen an increase in SOL scores after an extended break.
Angie Cornett,
President of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), expressed the
MCEA’s support for a longer spring break in next year’s school calendar. Mrs. Cornett said she would also like to
advocate for the up-front sick leave benefit for part-time staff members.
Item 03/09-29 Personnel
Report: On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the
Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel report as presented.
The report is attached and made a part of
these minutes as pages A1-A4.
Item 03/09-29
Item 03/09-30 Payment
of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Mrs. Bond, the Board
unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Utilities, 02/18/09, Ck. No. 454664, VOID
Utilities, 02/18/09, Ck. Nos. 454665-454686,
$190,497.68
Bills, 03/03/09, Ck. Nos. 454687-454916, $229,069.05
Payroll, 02/27/09, Ck. Nos. 46456-46464, $5,153,277.36
Fixed Charges, 02/27/09, Ck. Nos. 46465-46510, $1,909,000.65
Payroll, 02/27/09, supp. Ck. Nos. 46511-46513, $2,100.40
Fixed Charges, 02/27/09, Ck. Nos. 46514-46515, $168.24
Cafeteria:
Bills, 02/25/09, Ck. Nos. 2837-2847, $83,542.97
Payroll, 02/27/09, Ck. No. 5400, $147,588.34
Fixed Charges, 02/27/09, Ck. Nos. 5401-5417, $37,819.77
Item 03/09-31 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general
consent:
1.
Minutes: Minutes from the budget work session on January
13, 2009 and the regular session on February 3, 2009.
2.
Donation: Dr. Becky Cook Mann to donate services and
treatment to students at Christiansburg High School (CHS).
3.
Field Trips:
a.
The CHS indoor track team to travel to
Item 03/09-30 and Item 03/09-31
b.
Radford University On-Campus Transition Program students
to travel to the North Carolina Zoo in
c.
The mimosa team at Christiansburg Middle School
(CMS) to travel to the North Carolina Zoo in
d.
The Crockett/McGuigan team at Blacksburg Middle
School (BMS) to travel to the North Carolina Zoo in
e.
The art guild club at
f.
The outdoor track team at
4.
Gifted
Advisory Committee Nominees:
The
nominees for the Gifted Advisory Committee for 2008-2011 as presented.
5.
American
Electric Power (AEP) Temporary Power Line Easement at the New
Elliston/Shawsville Elementary School: An AEP Easement at the New Elliston/Shawsville Elementary School.
Mr. Dunkenberger noted that his wife is one of the
nominees for the Gifted Advisory Committee.
However, he does not feel it is a conflict of interest to vote for her.
Mrs. Albritton asked what services Dr. Mann would be
donating. Dr. Anderson said Dr. Mann
would be donating eye exam services.
Item 03/09-31 (Continued)
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations,
Announcements:
Item 03/09-32 2009-2010 School Calendars (Information): Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources,
presented the Board with information gained from schools, online survey
results, and the calendar committee regarding the 2009-2010 School Calendars.
Mr. Pasier noted that overall there were few responses to
the online survey and the responses received were fairly equal for a shorter
spring break versus a longer spring break.
He said secondary schools were typically in favor of a longer spring break
with elementary schools overall in favor of a shorter spring break.
Mr. Pasier stated that some of the comments from the
calendar committee included:
Comments
Supporting a Longer Spring Break:
·
“No
data, experience the longer break first, collect data, and then make an
informed decision;”
·
“The
longer break is only two more days;”
·
“Winter
break has the same effect on the SOL testing schedule;” and
·
“Rest,
Renew, Relax, Return.”
Comments
Supporting a Shorter Spring Break:
·
“Disruption
in routine, length of school year;”
·
“Instruction
compromised before and after testing window, loss of teaching time;”
·
“A
portion of students may be hurt – those already struggling;” and
·
“Teachers
need time to adjust to student needs.”
Mr. Dunkenberger said he has a problem with not
accepting the calendar committee’s recommendation after all its hard work.
Item 03/09-32
Mrs. Bond and Mr. Ivers stated that they have
heard numerous comments from parents, teachers, and community members
advocating for a shorter spring break.
Mr. Ivers added that he wishes there had been more parents on the
calendar committee.
Ms. Franklin said she has heard more
disapproval regarding early release days than anything. She advocated for giving the longer spring
break a try.
Mr. Jones stated that he deeply appreciates
the work of the calendar committee.
Item 03/09-33 School Board Retreat (Discussion/Possible
Action): Ms. Franklin
suggested that the School Board discuss Board self-awareness and how Board
members interact with one another during the upcoming retreat. She volunteered to try and obtain consultants
experienced in this area for the retreat. Board members agreed.
The
Board asked the clerk to check availability and costs for the retreat for the
next meeting.
Item 03/09-34 Announcements/Calendar for March (Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.
Unfinished Business by School Board Members
Ms. Franklin asked if there has been any progress on the strand informational sessions on internet predators. Dr. Anderson said she would inquire about this and report to the Board at the next meeting.
Mrs. Bond mentioned that she would still like to discuss things happening in the schools such as gang activity, violence, drugs, etc. at a future Board meeting.
New Business by
School Board Members
Dr. Hopkins asked Board members if they would be interested in establishing small committees to hear student cases. None of the Board members were interested in doing this. Board members agreed that the entire Board should hear all student cases.
Item 03/09-32
(Continued), Item 03/09-33, and Item 03/09-34
Mr. Jones expressed an interest in volunteering with the
Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Blue Ridge Regional Group. He stated that he would need the approval of
the Board to volunteer with the group.
The Board agreed to discuss this as an agenda item at the next meeting.
Announcements/Information
Mrs. Albritton announced that CHS art
students would be having an art exhibit at the
Mr. Dunkenberger announced that the
Ms. Franklin announced that the CHS wrestling
team has won its eighth consecutive Group AA State Championship.
Mr. Jones announced that the
Agenda Preparation
March 17, 2009 Senior Recognition
Recognition
of Siemens Award for Advanced Placement
Report
on Student Cases Coming Before the Board
Presentation
on SACS/CASI and Six-Year Plan Update
2009-2010
School Calendars
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Mrs.
Bond, and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board