March 7, 2006

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a regular business meeting.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

B. Wendell Jones

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Kathy A. Duncan Marilyn M. Session

Christina T. Gilley Walter L. Shannon

Anita P. Johnston Jeanette R. Warwick

Rhonda Poindexter Laura Williams

Carol Reynolds Brad King, Attorney

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

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 6:01 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. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:42 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: David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

B. Wendell Jones Penny J. Franklin, Chair

Amy U. Lythgoe

_______________________________ March 7, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student B from MCPS.

Public Address

Gail Donneli, parent of a Gilbert Linkous Elementary School student and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president, told Board members that the school lacks an environment conducive to learning because it does not have air conditioning.

Kelly Roark, Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) president, said the administration’s proposal to reduce elementary early release days is unacceptable. Ms. Roark stated that early release planning time is crucial to teachers.

Cheryl Quesenberry, a teacher at Auburn Elementary School (AES), thanked the School Board for its past support. Ms. Quesenberry told Board members that reducing elementary early release days would negatively impact children. She noted that organization is a priority for well-managed classrooms.

Ashley Sowers, an Auburn Middle School (AMS) student, urged the Board to consider AMS a priority when discussing facility needs. Miss Sowers stated that AMS does not provide a positive learning environment for students.

Brynn Hollbrook, a student at Margaret Beeks Elementary School, urged the Board to consider installing air conditioning at the school. Miss Hollbrook noted that in hot months the heat makes students drowsy and it’s hard to pay attention in class.

John Otey, a substitute teacher at Auburn High School (AHS), told Board members that facilities at AHS and AMS are unacceptable. Mr. Otey urged the Board to place the AHS/AMS project in the top three of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list.

Bradley Jones, a student at AMS, informed Board members that he is not able to get the classes he wants because of facility issues at AHS/AMS. Mr. Jones said walking in the weather, crowded hallways, and noise levels are problems for AMS students.

Carolyn Jones, an Auburn parent, urged the Board to place needs at AHS and AMS in the top three of the CIP list.

Julie Griffin, a teacher at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School (ELES), relayed her concerns with regard to safety at the school due to the large number of mobile units. Ms. Griffin informed the Board that there is a serious lack of bathroom facilities for the mobile units and sometimes no supervision for students at the bathroom facilities. She said teachers live with these concerns daily and expressed rising concern due to the proposal for a regional jail just a few miles from the school. Ms. Griffin urged the Board to make the right decision in providing a new school for students at ELES.

Tim Tomlin, a parent of an AES student, said he is surprised about the academic performance of students at AMS. Mr. Tomlin told Board members that the students who are performing poorly at AMS are the same group of students who performed well academically at AES. He expressed his concern that the academic progress is related to the facilities at AMS. Mr. Tomlin said AMS is second only to Elliston Lafayette Elementary School with eight mobile units. He urged the Board to place AMS in the top three on the CIP list.

Julie Dindinger, the AMS PTO president, thanked the Board for actions taken to improve leadership, discipline issues, and safety at the school. Ms. Dindinger told Board members that AMS students should be afforded the same middle school model situation as other students in the county.

At 8:15 p.m., Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to extend public address to allow time for two additional speakers.

Michelle Caldwell, parent of an AMS student, told Board members that students in the Auburn area are not given the same consideration as students in other areas of the county. She urged the Board to place facilities at AMS in the top three of the CIP list.

Amy Mauldon, the PTO vice president at Margaret Beeks Elementary School, told Board members that air conditioning is seriously needed at the school. Ms. Mauldon said the PTO has provided many renovations to the playgrounds and smaller maintenance projects, but more assistance is needed to maintain and renovate the school.

Item 03/06-32 Personnel Report: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, 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-A5.

Item 03/06-32

Item 03/06-33 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Utilities, 03/01/06, Ck. Nos. 436345-436365, $144,667.33

Bills, 03/07/06, Ck. Nos. 436366-436645, $243,416.38

Payroll, 02/28/06, Ck. Nos. 42645-42653, $4,456,442.78

Fixed Charges, 02/28/06, Ck. Nos. 42654-42725, $1,349,042.11

Cafeteria:

Payroll, 02/28/06, Ck. Nos. 4558-4559, $133,855.37

Fixed Charges, 02/28/06, Ck. Nos. 4560-4585, $28,165.78

Item 03/06-34 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:

1. Minutes: Minutes from the January 24, 2006 work session and the February 7, 2006 regular session.

2. Donations:

a. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Nebel to donate a Don Joy-Max right shoulder stabilizing brace to the Christiansburg High School (CHS) sports medicine department.

b. Gene Dalton of the Shawsville Rescue Squad to donate an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) to Shawsville Middle School (SMS).

3. Field Trips:

a. Equine management and production/Future Farmers of America (FFA) students at Auburn High School to travel to Lexington, Kentucky, on April 27-30, 2006. Students will travel via county car. Accommodations are to be provided by the Super 8 in Lexington. The cost per student is $250.

Item 03/06-33 and Item 03/06-34

b. American Sign Language students at CHS to travel to Gallaudet University in Washington, D. C., on April 20-22, 2006. Students will travel via other vehicle. Accommodations are to be provided by the Kellogg Conference Center on the Gallaudet University campus. The cost per student is $152.

c. American Sign Language students at Blacksburg High School (BHS) to travel to Gallaudet University in Washington, D. C., on April 20-22, 2006. Students will travel via other vehicle. Accommodations are to be provided by the Kellogg Conference Center on the Gallaudet University campus. The cost per student is $200.

d. Seventh grade band students at Christiansburg Middle School (CMS) to travel to Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 27, 2006. Students will travel via charter bus. No accommodations are needed. The cost per student is $60-70.

e. The indoor track team at CHS to travel to Manhattan, New York, on March 8-11, 2006. Students will travel via rental vehicle. Accommodations are to be provided by the LaGuardia Airport Marriott Hotel. There is no cost to students.

f. Transition program students to travel to Nashville, Tennessee, on May 12-14, 2006. Students will travel via county car. Accommodations are to be provided by the Grand Old Opryland Hotel and Resort. The cost per student is $250.

3. Grants:

a. Christiansburg Elementary School (CES) Wildlife Club Gardens: A grant to enhance the current gardens at CES, beautifying school grounds while at the same time providing students with science-related hands-on gardening experiences.

b. Blacksburg Middle School (BMS) History Alive Enhancement: A grant to enhance the seventh grade social studies instruction at BMS through the addition of four History Alive thematic units.

Item 03/06-34 (Continued)

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations, Announcements:

Item 03/06-35 Update on Health Advisory Board (Information): Denise Boyle, Chair of the MCPS Health Advisory Board and Principal at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School, presented the Board with information on a wellness policy being developed. Ms. Boyle told Board members that Virginia has passed legislation requiring all school divisions to have a wellness policy in place by July 1, 2006. She said the policy would focus on nutrition (school breakfasts and lunches, etc.), nutrition education and wellness, and physical activity. Ms. Boyle noted that, once completed, the policy would be brought before the School Board for review.

Item 03/06-36 DeJong Enrollment Report (Information): The Board reviewed the sixth annual enrollment projection report prepared by DeJong and Associates. Dr. Anderson informed the Board that DeJong predicts the student population in MCPS will grow from 9,485 students currently to 10,635 students by 2015-2016 (an increase of 1,150 students). She said the projections show a steady growth in Auburn, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg and a slight decline in the Shawsville strand.

Item 03/06-37 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) List (Action): The Board reviewed changes to the current CIP list. Ms. Franklin suggested, and the Board agreed, that the Christiansburg Primary School project currently listed as important should be added to the project for recapitalization of old Christiansburg Middle School (conversion to an elementary school) ranked critical.

Mr. Jones said he would like the item for Auburn High School and Auburn Middle School to be listed as additions or replacements rather than school recapitalization. Board members agreed.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the revised CIP list.

Item 03/06-35, Item 03/06-36, and Item 03/06-37

Item 03/06-38 I3: Imagine. Involve. Invent. Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the I3: Imagine. Involve. Invent. Grant Proposal.

Item 03/06-39 Music in Our Schools/Youth Art Month Presentation (Information/Recognition): Kathy Duncan, Supervisor of Fine Arts, presented the Board with gifts made by MPCS students and other items in recognition of Music in Our Schools/Youth Art Month.

Item 03/06-40 Resolution Regarding Designation of Bus Seats in Honor of Rosa Parks (Information/Action): The Board made minor changes to the resolution regarding designation of bus seats in honor of Rosa Parks.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution regarding designation of bus seats in honor of Rosa Parks.

The resolution is attached and made a part of the minutes as page B1.

Item 03/06-41 Winning Choices Proclamation (Action): Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Winning Choices Proclamation.

The proclamation is attached and made a part of the minutes as page C1.

Item 03/06-42 Announcements/Calendar for March (Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.

New Business By School Board Members

Mr. Jones reported on the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School meeting he attended.

Mrs. Lythgoe asked about the process for having a bond referendum in the county. Dr. Anderson said the administration is working on a date for a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors to continue discussion of this topic. She noted that a number of legal requirements must be fulfilled prior to having a bond referendum.

Items 03/06-38-42

Mr. Jones requested that the administration evaluate what can be done at Elliston Lafayette Elementary School to resolve the bathroom issues in the mobile unit area of the school.

Mr. Jones voiced his support for having bus drivers attend the Bullying Prevention workshop in Abingdon.

Ms. Franklin alerted Board members to a conference promoting the achievement of culturally diverse young males.

Ms. Franklin asked Board members for input on the possibility of installing a lighting system for public address. Mr. Jones said he believes the public will see this as a way to constrain public input. Ms. Franklin noted that it would make public address time more equitable. Mr. Jones stated that he would like to have input from Mrs. Bond and Dr. Hopkins.

Ms. Franklin voiced her opinion that the School Board needs to connect more with the community. The Board agreed to discuss this issue at the retreat.

Information/Announcements

Ms. Franklin announced that the CHS wrestling team won their fifth consecutive state championship and is nationally ranked.

Dr. Anderson announced that the Blacksburg High School girl’s indoor track team also won the state championship.

Agenda Preparation

March 21, 2006 Safe/Drug-Free Schools and Bully Prevention Programs Presentation

2006-2007 School Calendar (Action)

May 19-20, 2006 School Board Retreat – Hotel Roanoke

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. on motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board