May 16, 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 work session.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair W. Wat Hopkins

Jamie M. Bond B. Wendell Jones (7:30 p.m.)

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Nancy L. Ballinger Mark Pasier

Daniel A. Berenato Marilyn M. Session

Kathy A. Duncan Walter L. Shannon

Christina T. Gilley Jeanette R. Warwick

Harvey C. Goodwin Richard D. Weaver

Carol Jennings Brad King, Attorney

Anita P. Johnston

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. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Closed Session

Mr. Dunkenberger moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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:

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.

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 7:45 p.m.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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 Susan K. Morikawa

David G. Dunkenberger, II Penny J. Franklin, Chair

W. Wat Hopkins

Mr. Jones abstained from the vote, as he was not present during closed session.

_________________________ May 16, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mrs. Bond, the School Board voted unanimously to expel student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Mr. Jones abstained from voting, as he was not present during closed session.

On motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Mrs. Bond, the Board voted four to one to expel student B from MCPS. Voting in favor were Mrs. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, Mrs. Morikawa, and Ms. Franklin. Voting against was Dr. Hopkins. Mr. Jones abstained from voting, as he was not present during closed session.

Honors, Awards and Recognitions

The Board recognized Jacob East, an Elliston Lafayette Elementary School student, for being chosen as an Outstanding AAA Safety Patrol for 2006.

Amara Tiebout and Camron Withrow, AHS students, were recognized for placing first and second respectively in the State Group A Debate Tournament. The Board also recognized Coach Steve Bull.

Ryan Bowyer, an AHS student, was recognized for placing second in State Group A Forensics. Wendy Higgins, coach, was not present to be recognized.

The following students were recognized as Virginia National History Day State winners or runner-ups:

Junior Group Documentary

Blacksburg Middle School

First Place – Lucy Britt, Wilson Hammett, and Benjamin Weinstein-Raun

Junior Individual Exhibit

Auburn Middle School

First Place – Sara Goforth

Junior Historical Paper

Shawsville Middle School

First Place – Sarah Hinshelwood

Senior Individual Documentary

Blacksburg High School

Second Place – Rebecca Wallis

The School Board also recognized coaches Donna Logan and Don Simpkins.

Continuing the commitment of recognizing student achievement and accomplishments, eight new “Senior of the Month” selections have been made by high school principals in Montgomery County. Their activities reflect the full range of opportunities in the school division, ranging from fine arts to vocational experiences to athletic accomplishments. The eight students for May and June are:

May

Auburn High School (AHS) Jeff Floyd

Blacksburg High School (BHS) Bryant Almoney

Christiansburg High School (CHS) Jacob Lambert

Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Amber Harvey

June

Auburn High School Ryan Barnes

Blacksburg High School Camille Waldron

Christiansburg High School Elizabeth Witt

Eastern Montgomery High School Stephanie King

Jacob Lambert, May Senior of the Month from CHS, was not present to be recognized.

The Board recessed at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.

Public Address

No one spoke during public address.

Item 05/06-75 Personnel Report: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by

Dr. Hopkins, 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-A7.

Item 05-06-76 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by

Mr. Jones, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Utilities, 05/11/06, Ck. Nos. 437806-437832, $190,440.69

Bills, 05/16/06, Ck. Nos. 437833-438075, $150,135.67

Item 05/06-75 and Item 05/06-76

Payroll, 05/01/06, Ck. Nos. 42921-42923, $2,876.97

Fixed Charges, 05/01/06, Ck. Nos. 42924-42927, $229.87

Cafeteria Fund:

Bills, 5/12/06 Ck. Nos. 1949-1966, $81,079.72

Work Session

On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board voted unanimously to enter into work session at 8:33 p.m.

Item 05/06-77 Policy 7-5.4 – Wellness Policy: Denise Boyle, Chair of the School Health Advisory Board, briefed the Board on the proposed wellness policy. The policy will be placed on the June 6 agenda for a second reading.

Return to Regular Session

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 8:45 p.m.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 05/06-78 Field Trip – National History Day (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to approve a field trip to allow National History Day state winners to travel to College Park, Maryland, on June 11-14, to compete in the national competition.

Item 05/06-79 Proposal for Testing (Action): Carol Jennings, coordinator of testing, told Board members that the administration is proposing that the School Board discontinue Stanford 10 testing and fund the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in second grade and the PSAT in tenth grade.

Item 05/06-76 (Continued) and Items 05/06-77-79

Mrs. Jennings said the CogAT is a nationally normed test that would give school administrators and teachers beneficial instructional information early in a child’s educational career, as well as be used as a resource to identify students for the gifted program. She added that offering the PSAT to all tenth grade students would make testing more equitable and accessible for all students regardless of socioeconomic status. Ms. Jennings said Stanford 10 test results are not used significantly in the schools for instructional purposes and are given in Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment years.

Mrs. Jennings told Board members that the change in testing would actually save the school division $7,667.54.

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to discontinue the Stanford 10 test and fund the CogAT in second grade and the PSAT in tenth grade.

Item 05/06-80 Elementary Music Textbook Adoption (Information): The Board reviewed information for the elementary music textbook adoption. The item will be placed on the June 6 agenda for approval.

Item 05/06-81 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Textbook Adoptions – Business, Auto Mechanics, and Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation (Information): The Board reviewed information for the CTE textbook adoptions. The item will be placed on the June 6 agenda for approval.

Item 05/06-82 Language Arts Textbook Adoption – Literature and Composition (Information): The Board reviewed information for the language arts textbook adoption. The item will be placed on the June 6 agenda for approval.

New Business by School Board Members

The Board discussed possible meeting dates for a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and the Blacksburg Town Council. June 19 was established as a possible date for this meeting.

Dr. Anderson told Board members that the General Assembly has not yet approved a budget. She said the human resources department needs to begin work on contracts based on the current salary scales so that teachers receive them before school is out.

Item 05/06-79 (Continued) and Items 05/06-80-82

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to allow the human resources department to move forward with contracts based on the current salary scales.

Dr. Hopkins expressed the need for a capital fund related to expensive items such as musical equipment, kilns, etc.

The Board discussed recent vandalism at CHS. Ms. Franklin said the Board needs to send a message to everyone that incidents like this will not be tolerated. Board members talked about future steps for dealing with this issue.

Dr. Anderson asked the Board’s permission to miss the June 6 meeting and allow the assistant superintendent to handle the meeting. Board members agreed.

Agenda Preparation

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

June 6, 2006 Recognition of CHS Student – VHSL State Group AA Female Athlete of the Year

Policy 7-5.4 - Wellness Policy (Second Reading)

Title V Application

Title I Application

Fine Arts Textbook Adoption (Action)

CTE Textbook Adoptions - Business, Auto Mechanics, and HVAC (Action)

Language Arts Textbook Adoption – Literature and Composition (Action)

June 20, 2006 Recognition of Outgoing Administrators

Gifted Advisory Committee Report

Annual Report on Gifted Numbers

Governor’s School Agreement

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board