May 1, 2007

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a regular session.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair B. Wendell Jones (7:35 p.m.)

Jamie M. Bond Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

W. Wat Hopkins

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Nancy L. Ballinger Mark J. Pasier

Daniel A. Berenato Walter L. Shannon

Patricia A. Gaudreau Patricia Talbot

Christina T. Gilley Jeanette D. Warwick

Harvey C. Goodwin Laura Williams

Anita P. Johnston Sharon J. Zuckerwar

Betti C. Kreye

Call to Order

Ms. Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 7:00 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a revised agenda adding real estate matters during closed session.

Closed Session

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 7:01 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.

Real Estate Matters: The discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real estate for the construction of a new school, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) 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 7:33 p.m.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, 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

W. Wat Hopkins Penny J. Franklin, Chair

Mr. Jones was not present during closed session.

_________________________ May 1, 2007

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Public Address

No one spoke during public address.

Item 05/07-80 Personnel Report: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, 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-A6.

Item 05-07-81 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Bills, 05/01/07, Ck. Nos. 443529-443748, $300,467.23

Utilities, 05/01/07, Ck. Nos. 443749-443758, $118,300.93

Payroll, 04/10/07,supp. Ck. Nos. 44224-44227, $3,929.86

Fixed Charges, 04/10/07, Ck. No. 44228, $308.48

Payroll, 04/30/07, Ck. Nos. 44229-44253, $4,712,785.52

Fixed Charges, 04/30/07, Ck. Nos. 44254-44336, $1,598,397.14

Cafeteria:

Payroll, 04/30/07, Ck. Nos. 4918-4921, $141,268.44

Fixed Charges, 04/30/07, Ck. Nos. 4922-4947, $33,984.03

Item 05/07-82 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general consent:

1. Minutes: Minutes from the March 20 work session.

Item 05/07-80, Item 05/07-81, and Item 05/07-82

2. Field Trip:

Blacksburg High School fashion-marketing students are to travel to New York, New York, on December 12-16, 2007. Students will travel via airplane. Accommodations are to be provided by the Crown Plaza. The cost per student is $750.

3. Grant:

Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Debate Program: A grant to increase the library appropriate preparation materials available to members of the newly formed EMHS debate team.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 05/07-83 Supporting Teacher Leaders Program (STLP) Alignment of Traditional Leadership Programs with Standards Grant Proposal (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Supporting Teacher Leaders Program (STLP) Alignment of Traditional Leadership Programs with Standards Grant Proposal.

Item 05/07-84 Youth Behavior Surveys (Information): Laura Williams, Grant Writer, told Board members that the deadline to apply for a grant to fund administering and analyzing results for the Communities that Care and Pride youth behavior surveys is June 1.

Sharon Zuckerwar, Supervisor of Social Sciences and Character Education, said the surveys ask questions regarding bullying, gangs, depression, etc. but focus on substance abuse.

Mr. Jones stated that he is concerned that there are not more questions on the surveys about bullying. Mrs. Zuckerwar noted that the school division utilizes the Olweus Bullying Prevention survey for data on bullying.

Mrs. Bond said she believes certain surveys would be more appealing in appearance to students.

Dr. Hopkins noted that he tends to be in favor of the Youth Risk Behavior and the Search Attitudes and Behavior surveys.

Item 05/07-82 (Continued), Item 05/07-83, and Item 05/07-84

Ms. Franklin said it’s very discouraging to see that none of the surveys contain everything that needs to be asked of students.

This item will be placed on the next School Board agenda for approval.

Item 05/07-85 School Improvement Plan for Christiansburg Middle School (Action): Annette Perkins, Principal at Christiansburg Middle School (CMS), and Anna Wade and Amanda Posciak, teachers at CMS, presented the Board with information on the CMS Improvement Plan. Ms. Wade provided the Board with information on Standards of Learning (SOL) scores by subgroup. Ms. Posciak said the plan includes the following objectives:

· Improve Standards of Learning (SOL) scores in math and social studies to meet or exceed state and federal benchmarks;

· Continue to meet or exceed state and federal benchmarks in reading, writing, and science; and

· Increase attendance to meet or exceed state and federal benchmarks.

Ms. Franklin asked how time would be found to extend core class periods. Ms. Posciak stated that this has not been decided but the time would not be taken from elective classes.

Mr. Jones asked the definition of “chronically absent” students. Mrs. Perkins stated that chronically absent students are students who are out of school sometimes one or two times a week (whether it be a desire to miss school or failure to attend due to illness). Mr. Jones said he has a problem with spending resources on students who don’t want to attend school when funding could be spent on those who do.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the CMS Improvement Plan.

Item 05/07-84 (Continued) and Item 05/07-85

Item 05/07-86 Fiscal Year 2006-2007 School Calendar (Action): Dr. Anderson told Board members that the school division will have exceeded the number of hours mandated by the state as of June 5 (990 hours required – 1,012 attended); therefore, the administration is recommending that the last day of school be June 5.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to set the last day of school on June 5.

Item 05/07-87 Technology Plan (Action): Mrs. Morikawa asked if the limited budget available this year would affect the technology plan. Harvey Goodwin, Director of Technology, said the technology department’s major funding source is the state technology initiative and the department also receives some grants, which are already locked in.

Ms. Franklin stated that she has been asked to have the Board consider having further discussions before deciding on a name for the technology building.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Technology Plan.

Item 05/07-88 Special Education Annual Plan (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Special Education Annual Plan.

Item 05/07-89 Social Studies Textbook Adoptions (Action): Mr. Jones asked if the funding for the social studies adoptions is in this year’s budget or next year’s budget. Jeanette Warwick, Assistant Superintendent, said the funding for this textbook adoption is in both budgets.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the social studies textbook adoptions as presented.

Items 05/07-86-89

Item 05/07-90 Middle School Mathematics Textbook Adoptions (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the middle school math textbook adoptions as presented.

Item 05/07-91 New Course Proposals (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the new course proposals as presented.

Item 05/07-92 Verizon Easement at Christiansburg Middle School (Action): Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Verizon Easement at Christiansburg Middle School.

Item 05/07-93 2007-2008 School Operating Budget (Information/Action): Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, presented the Board with information on the health insurance proposals received by the school division from Anthem and Southern Health. Mr. Shannon said the insurance committee is recommending that the School Board approve the Anthem PPO 15 while the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) is advocating for the Anthem PPO 10.

Mr. Shannon provided several options for the budget containing various configurations for health insurance. He said this is not a bad year, but unfortunately there have been a lot of increases in health insurance rates, Virginia Retirement System (VRS) rates, etc. Mr. Shannon added that these rates should stabilize in the next few years.

Mr. Jones asked if the Board of Supervisors was informed about the deficit to the school division’s budget before the tax rate was set and split between the two localities. Mr. Shannon replied that the Board was informed.

Ms. Franklin reminded School Board members that failing to add teaching positions to the budget could impact pupil/teacher ratios further. She added that it’s also unacceptable not to provide a compensation increase in the budget.

Items 05/07-90-93

Mr. Shannon told the Board that the school division offers one of the best health insurance plans in the state and co-pays have remained stable for several years.

Dr. Anderson noted that the school division is receiving more funding from the Board of Supervisors this year than in the past. However, she said she could not come up with any more budget reductions this year as she has done in the past couple of years.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and the Board voted unanimously to continue to utilize Anthem as the provider for health insurance.

Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Anthem PPO 15 health insurance plan as recommended by the insurance committee and the administration.

Dr. Hopkins asked the administration to bring back budget options for a total compensation increase of at least 2 percent. Mr. Jones agreed.

Mrs. Lythgoe said she feels strongly that funds need to be provided to boost the custodial scale.

Dr. Anderson noted that she would continue to look for reductions in the budget.

Mr. Jones stated that the priority for him in the budget is compensation.

Ms. Franklin thanked the MCEA for its work with the survey. She said the county is trying to support the school division but they are not doing enough. Ms. Franklin stated that county employees are getting a 6 percent salary increase because of the split with the school division getting a 2 percent increase. She said the state also needs to step up to fund education. Ms. Franklin added that the state couldn’t have a surplus when education is not funded.

Item 05/07-93 (Continued)

Item 05/07-94 Auburn Facilities Feasibility Study Results (Information/Action): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, provided the Board with information on the feasibility study done in the Auburn area. Mr. Berenato said it’s feasible to renovate/construct buildings to maintain an Auburn Elementary School, Auburn Middle School, and Auburn High School campus on the 70-acre site if a rezoning request is made.

Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve making a rezoning request to the Board of Supervisors.

Item 05/07-95 Reports from Board Members on the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Conference (Action): School Board members reported on sessions they attended at the NSBA Conference. Several Board members presented ideas that they would like discussed at future Board meetings.

Item 05/07-96 Announcements/Calendar for May (Information): Dr. Anderson announced that Margaret Beeks Elementary School and Price’s Fork Elementary School were named Title I Distinguished Schools by the Virginia Department of Education.

Unfinished Business By School Board Members

Dr. Hopkins said he has come up with three possible facilitators for the retreat.

Ms. Franklin stated that she would like to clarify topics for the retreat at the first meeting in June.

New Business By School Board Members

Mrs. Morikawa said she would like an update on how the school division promotes employee wellness. Dr. Anderson told Board members that an update on the wellness plan would be given in June. She said this plan covers students and employees.

Mr. Jones brought up the possibility of implementing completely smoke free facilities and properties throughout the district.

Mr. Dunkenberger said an Elliston Lafayette Elementary School parent expressed concern about students being moved into the building from mobile units during a full lockdown.

Item 05/07-94, Item 05/07-95, and Item 05/07-96

Dr. Hopkins announced that seven of ten Blacksburg High School forensics team members qualified for nationals although only four are going to the national tournament. He said he would like to recognize all of these students once the competitions are over.

Agenda Preparation

May 3, 2007 Budget Work Session – 7:00 p.m.

May 15, 2007 Efficiency Study Results

Youth Behavior Surveys

June 2007 Update on Wellness Plan

Approval of Title Plans

Discussion of CTE Programs

Homework Policy

Support for Alternative Programs

Update on the Progress of Air Conditioning at Schools

August 3-4, 2007 School Board Retreat – Wyndham Hotel in Roanoke

August 6, 2007 GIS Study Report

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. on motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board