November
15, 2005
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of a work session.
Board Members Present
Tacy L. Newell, Chair B. Wendell Jones
Penny J. Franklin Susan Morikawa
W. Wat Hopkins Mary Hayne North
Richard J. Johnson (5:34
p.m.)
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Nancy L. Ballinger Anita P. Johnston
Daniel A. Berenato Marilyn M. Session
Sandra Z. Colman Walter L. Shannon
Christina T. Gilley Jeanette R. Warwick
Harvey C. Goodwin Brad King, Attorney
Call
to Order
Ms.
Newell called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at
5:32 p.m.
Adoption
of Agenda
On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mr. Jones, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.
Closed Session
Mrs. North 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 5:33 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 Matter: 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.
Legal Matter: Consultation
with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to
actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open
meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the
school division, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A)(7) of the Code of
Virginia.
Return to Open Session and Certification
Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. North, and the Board voted unanimously to return
to open session at 7:05 p.m.
Dr. Hopkins moved,
seconded by Mrs. North, 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: Penny J. Franklin Susan Morikawa
W.
Wat Hopkins Mary Hayne North
Richard
J. Johnson Tacy L. Newell, Chair
B.
Wendell Jones
_________________________ November
15, 2005
Clerk
of the Montgomery Date
County
School Board
Action
Mr. Johnson 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 Ms. Franklin, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Morikawa, Mrs. North, and Ms. Newell. Voting against were Dr. Hopkins and Mr. Jones.
Mrs. North moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to long-term suspend student B until the end of the 2005-2006 school year.
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to expel student C from MCPS.
Public Hearing on the 2006-2007 School Operating Budget
Kelly Roark, president of the Montgomery County Education Association
(MCEA), thanked the Board for its support in the past. Ms. Roark urged the Board to support the
original compensation plan proposed by the MCEA.
Susan
Miller, a former employee of MCPS, asked the Board to fund a supervisor of
health and physical education position, family life program nurses, and needs
in the Auburn strand.
Regina Smith addressed the Board on behalf of the MCEA Compensation Committee. Ms. Smith asked the Board for a funding level that puts the school division back on target for the three-year compensation plan. She also urged the Board to recognize experienced teachers by revising the number of personal leave days allotted to them. Ms. Smith requested that the School Board amend the current sick leave reimbursement program to better address the needs of long-term employees and ensure the most efficient use of sick leave days by employees.
Alicia Spitzer, a member of the MCEA, told Board members that competitive teacher salaries are more important than ever. She urged the Board to allocate funding to complete the three-year compensation plan.
Honors, Awards and Recognitions
Continuing
the commitment of recognizing student achievement and accomplishments, four 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 four students for November are:
Auburn High School (AHS) Katherine Petry Bisset
Blacksburg High School (BHS) Sarah Elizabeth Will
Christiansburg High School (CHS) Christopher T. Christensen
Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Jessica Erin Akers
Caitlin
Wolf, AHS Senior of the Month for October, was also recognized.
The School Board
recessed at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
Public Address
Susan Miller, a former MCPS employee, told Board members that she hopes her earlier comments were taken well. She said she is still a great supporter of MCPS.
Item 11/05-201 Personnel
Report: On motion by Mrs. North,
seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the personnel
report as presented.
The
personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A2.
Item 11-05-202 Payment
of Bills: On motion by Ms.
Franklin, seconded by Mrs. North, the Board unanimously voted to approve the
bills as presented.
Operating Fund:
Utilities,
11/07/05, Ck. Nos. 434348-434363, $153,092.24
Bills, 11/15/05, Ck. Nos. 434364-434655, $341,560.29
Item 11/05-201 and Item 11/05-202
Work Session
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. North, and the Board voted unanimously to enter a work session at 8:04 p.m.
Item 11/05-203 Discussion
of Drug and Alcohol Issues: The Board reviewed data from the annual crime
and violence report regarding drug and alcohol offenses. Jeanette Warwick, Director of Instruction,
updated the Board on programs that exist in the school division to assist with
drug and alcohol issues. Ms. Warwick
said the middle and high schools utilize the New River Valley Community
Services Board (NRVCSB), funded through the safe and drug free schools grant,
to provide counseling services to students.
Students at BHS and CHS presented information to Board members about
programs and clubs available within their schools.
Ms. Newell asked how the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (DARE) program is funded.
Walt Shannon, Director of Management Services, explained that the DARE
program is funded through the police departments.
Mrs. Morikawa noted that the statistics for MCPS seem
high in comparison to other school divisions and asked if this is because other
school divisions are not reporting the incidents. Harvey Goodwin, Director of Technology, said MCPS has a good
record of reporting drug and alcohol offenses.
He stated that he is not sure that other school divisions report to this
degree.
Mr. Johnson noted that he has read information that
suggests that the DARE program is not successful and wants to be sure that the
school division is not using the DARE program as the only drug and alcohol
prevention program. Mr. Jones said he
was very impressed with the DARE program in his experience with his own
children.
Dr. Anderson told Board members that Auburn Middle
School has not been using the NRVCSB and will be doing so in the future. She said the organization has a lot of
resources available to the school division.
Item 11/05-203
Mrs. Warwick said the NRVCSB would like to
pilot an elementary program possibly at Auburn Elementary School.
Ms. Franklin asked if the school division has a tool to
get feedback from students about problems with drugs and alcohol. Dr. Anderson said she the hopes Student
Congress will address this issue.
Ms. Newell noted that she has heard feedback from
parents that the things learned by students in the DARE program in fifth grade
are not reinforced in middle and high school.
Mr. Johnson said he continues to hear that there are problems with drugs
and alcohol especially at the high school level.
Return to Regular Session
Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin,
and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 8:30 p.m.
Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and
Announcements
Item
11/05-204 MCPS Comprehensive Plan – Biennial Report
and Adoption (Action): Ms. Warwick
told Board members that she coordinated with school division supervisors to establish the progress toward meeting goals
in the comprehensive plan. She said
MCPS has moved away from the essential learnings toward issues related directly
to the Standards of Learning with the curriculum guides.
Mrs. North moved, seconded by
Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the biennial report
of the MCPS Comprehensive Plan.
Item
11/05-205 Legislative Priorities (Action): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the following legislative
priorities for 2006:
Item
11/05-203 (Continued), Item 11/05-204, and Item 11/05-205
1.
Full Funding of Standards of Quality (SOQ)
Positions & JLARC Efforts - At this time, Montgomery County is fully funding
approximately 106 teaching positions above the Standards of Quality (SOQ). The school division supports efforts to
expand positions and funding under the SOQ to reflect actual education
practices in school divisions. The
Montgomery County School Board also supports efforts to change the funding
formula for elementary and secondary education in Virginia to reflect true
costs incurred by school divisions in meeting the requirements of the SOQ, the
Standards of Accreditation (SOA), and the Standards of Learning (SOL).
2.
Funding for School Construction - There continues to be a significant need
for new facilities and renovation of old and/or outdated facilities across the
state. School division needs in this
area are critical.
3.
Continued Support and Expansion of the
Four-Year-Old Virginia Preschool Initiative - The biennium budget approved by the
General Assembly increased the funding for this program. The funding formula used provides 100
percent support for the estimated number of at-risk four-year-olds not served
in Montgomery County (162 students).
The School Board supports expansion of the program and encourages
further expansion since even with this increase there are still MCPS at-risk
four-year-olds that are not served by the program.
4.
Flexible Spending for Funding Received from
the General Assembly - School boards and the school district leadership
have the key knowledge to make the best decisions about allocation of funds.
Every effort should be made to allow localities to make the best decisions for
their students. The School Board
opposes legislation that strives to restrict or regulate the School Board’s
ability to utilize resources (including facilities) efficiently.
Item 11/05-205 (Continued)
5.
Increase in Funding for Salaries - Salaries in
Virginia continue to lag behind the U.S. Southeast and the nation. Supporting professionals with a professional
wage is critical if the school division is to remain competitive in attracting
young competent people into the field as well as retaining and recognizing the
crucial efforts of veteran teachers. In addition, the General Assembly and
State Board of Education have made a commitment to recognize teachers who
achieve National Board Certification.
The School Board asks that this support be increased so that Virginia
will be able to compete with neighboring states.
6.
Oppose Vouchers or Tuition Tax Credits - Resources are
already very limited. Some view this as
having no impact on schools. However,
if some students leave public schools, it will not reduce the number of teachers
needed. In most cases, this will create
a greater financial burden.
7.
Opposition to any Change to Charter Schools
Legislation – The School
Board has conducted a public hearing and indicated a willingness to accept
charter applications. This process
should be allowed to work and then be evaluated before any changes are made to
the law.
8.
Increase in Funding for Fuel and Utilities – The recent increase in the cost of gasoline
and diesel fuels and the increase in natural gas rates and rates for
electricity have been far greater than the original budget projections and are
having a negative impact on the educational programs for Montgomery County
Public Schools. The shortfall is
projected at $800,000 to $1,000,000 based on current rates and the same level
of mileage and utility use as last year.
Support for additional funding is requested in order to maintain the
required level of educational and operational support.
Item
11/05-205 (Continued)
Item
11/05-206 Organization Chart (Action): Dr.
Anderson presented a new organization chart for MCPS. She said implementation of the organization chart would require
no additional resources this year but would require an additional director
position in next year’s budget.
Dr. Hopkins and Ms. Franklin noted
that, although they may approve the organization chart, they would not commit
at this point to funding an additional position in next year’s budget. Board members concurred.
Mrs. North moved, seconded by
Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the organization chart
as presented.
Mr. Johnson left
at 9:10 p.m.
Item 11/05-207 Update
on the Christiansburg Middle School (CMS) and Christiansburg High School (CHS)
Principal Selection Process (Information): Sandra Colman, Director of Human
Resources, told Board members that the advertisement for principals at CMS and
CHS closes on November 30. Ms. Colman
said the administration has met with staff and parents on what they expect from
a principal. She stated that a
screening committee and interview committee would be established. Ms. Colman presented the Board with a
standard interview packet for review.
Item 11/05-208 Cancellation
of the December Work Session (Action): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted
unanimously to cancel the December 20 work session.
Item 11/05-209 Set
First Meeting Date in January (Action): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the Board voted
unanimously to establish January 10, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the administrative
building as the first meeting for 2006.
Items
11/05-206-209
Item 11/05-210 Update
on Planning for the Blacksburg High School (BHS) Stadium (Information): Dan
Berenato, Director of Facilities, described planning and the process community
groups used to determine the placement of the BHS stadium. He said the groups selected option C1 as the
BHS stadium location for the Special Use Permit to the Town of Blacksburg.
Mrs. North moved, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve C1 as the BHS stadium
location to submit with the Special Use Permit application to the Town of
Blacksburg.
New Business by School Board Members
Dr. Hopkins
requested that an item be added to the December 6 agenda regarding School Board
member priorities for the upcoming budget year. Dr. Anderson said that the item
would be added.
Mrs. Morikawa
said she believes a School Board self-evaluation would be helpful for the
Board. Ms. Newell said she and the
superintendent would work to prepare an instrument for the self-evaluation.
Closed Session
Mrs. North 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 9:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the following specific matter:
Personnel Matter: 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
Ms.
Franklin moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to
return to open session at 11:20 p.m.
Mrs. Morikawa moved,
seconded by Mrs. North, and the Board adopted the following resolution:
Item 11/05-210
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: Penny J. Franklin Susan Morikawa
W.
Wat Hopkins Mary Hayne North
B.
Wendell Jones Tacy L. Newell, Chair
_________________________ November
15, 2005
Clerk
of the Montgomery Date
County
School Board
Agenda Preparation
December
6, 2005 Discipline Information
Energy Performance Contract
Plans
School Board Member Priorities for the
Upcoming Budget
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 11:21 p.m. on motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs.
Morikawa, and passed unanimously.
