November 20, 2006

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date at Beamer’s in Christiansburg at 12:00 p.m. for the purpose of a special session with state legislators.

Board Members Present

B. Wendell Jones, Vice Chair

Jamie M. Bond W. Wat Hopkins

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Anita P. Johnston

Jeanette D. Warwick Rick Weaver

Others Present

Senator John Edwards Delegate Jim Shuler

Delegate Dave Nutter

Call to Order

Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

The School Board presented the legislators with the following legislative priorities for 2007:

1. Full Funding of Standards of Quality (SOQ) Positions & JLARC Efforts - At this time, Montgomery County is fully funding approximately 102 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).

Senator Edwards and Delegate Nutter suggested that the School Board look at specific requests regarding this issue such as asking the state to decrease class sizes at the state level or look at what’s covered across the K-12 spectrum.

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for School Construction - There continues to be a significant need for new facilities and renovation of old and/or outdated facilities across the state.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.

Delegate Shuler said many bills are submitted to increase bonding authority for school divisions but they don’t pass because of the impact to the state’s bond rating.

Senator Edwards noted that 50 percent of the lottery funds are supposed to go to school divisions for non-recurring capital projects. He asked questions about the school division’s lottery funding allocation and the construction needs in the school district.

3. Continued Support and Expansion of the Four-Year-Old Virginia Preschool Initiative - The biennial 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 MCPS at-risk four-year-olds that are not served by the program.

Dr. Anderson asked about Senator Edwards’s Pre-K bill. Senator Edwards said the Governor is looking into the issue of a mandatory pre-school program, but it would require additional funding.

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.

Dr. Anderson voiced concern about the 65% bill, which would require school divisions to spend 65% of their operating budget on instruction. She told legislators that this limits the flexibility of school divisions.

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.

Senator Edwards asked for more information on the school division’s ranking compared to other districts in the state with regard to salaries.

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.

Dr. Anderson told legislators that bills that provide vouchers for certain groups of students, such as Senate Bill 545, negatively impact localities.

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.

Dr. Anderson asked Delegate Nutter about the bill he is sponsoring (House Bill 1442), which would require all students graduating with a standard diploma to take two sequential Career and Technical Education (CTE) electives that would culminate in industrial certification.

Delegate Nutter noted that options for students not pursuing a college degree are becoming increasingly important from an industrial standpoint. He asked what impact this would have on Montgomery County Public Schools.

Rick Weaver, Supervisor of CTE, reported that most students pursuing a standard diploma in the county already take at least two CTE courses; therefore, this would only require re-directing them to sequential courses. However, he added that additional funding would need to be made available for certification tests.

Delegate Nutter agreed that the state must also provide additional funding for this initiative and therefore limit the hiring pool.

Senator Edwards expressed concern about dropout rates across the state. Delegate Nutter expressed concern about the number of drug and alcohol issues in today’s society. He said positive drug tests prevent people from obtaining jobs.

Dr. Hopkins updated the legislators on efforts in the school division to provide alternative programs for students who are long-term suspended.

Delegate Nutter said the General Assembly is also looking at ways to improve math/science education.

Mr. Jones noted that there is a need for more workforce training skills for students.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. on motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board