November 21, 2006

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of a public hearing/work session.

Board Members Present

Penny J. Franklin, Chair B. Wendell Jones

Jamie M. Bond Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Judith K. Barylske Walter L. Shannon

Daniel A. Berenato Roberta A. Snelling

Kathy A. Duncan Carol Reynolds

Harvey C. Goodwin Patti Talbot

Carol Jennings Joni Underwood

Anita P. Johnston Jeanette D. Warwick

Mark J. Pasier Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Ms. Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 5:30 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

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

Closed Session

Mr. Dunkenberger 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 5:31 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. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:05 p.m.

Mr. Jones 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 Amy U. Lythgoe

David G. Dunkenberger, II Susan K. Morikawa

B. Wendell Jones Penny J. Franklin, Chair

_________________________ November 21, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

On motion by Mrs. Bond, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the School Board voted unanimously to long-term suspend student A from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) until November 22, 2006.

On motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board voted five to one to expel student B from MCPS. Voting in favor were Mrs. Bond, Mr. Dunkenberger, Mrs. Lythgoe, Mrs. Morikawa, and Ms. Franklin. Voting against was Mr. Jones.

Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted five to one to expel student C from MCPS. Voting in favor were Mr. Dunkenberger, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Lythgoe, Mrs. Morikawa, and Ms. Franklin. Voting against was Mrs. Bond.

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

Public Hearing

Robbie Jones, on behalf of the custodians, thanked the Board for its support in the past. Ms. Jones asked the Board for increased salaries for custodians, as there is a large turnover rate for this position. She also requested additional funding for equipment and supplies for the custodians.

Michelle Wilkins, a mother of gifted students, requested that the Board provide more funding for gifted consulting teachers in the elementary schools.

Joni Underwood, School Health Coordinator for MCPS, thanked the School Board for its support in the past. Mrs. Underwood requested funding for full-day nurses in the middle and high schools. She also asked the Board to consider adding health insurance benefits for nurses.

The Board recessed at 7:15 p.m. and reconvened at 7:30 p.m.

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) Chelsey Nicole Sutton

Blacksburg High School (BHS) Erin Sexton

Christiansburg High School (CHS) Ashley Rene Wilkerson

Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Joseph Daniel Leech

Chelsey Nicole Sutton, Senior of the Month for AHS, and Joseph Daniel Leech, Senior of the Month for EMHS, were not present and will be recognized at a later date.

The School Board recognized members of the BHS Girl’s Cross Country Team and their coaches for being named Virginia High School League (VHSL) Group AA State Champions. Members of the team that traveled to the state championship were:

Laurel MacMillan, Allison Homer, Cate Berenato, Kathleen Stevens, Joanna Stevens, Avery Mattingly, Trinity Foreman, Hanna Barrow, Ling Beisecker, Ashley Wilson, and Erin Wilson.

Other team members include Gabby Elmore, Sarah Ryan, Sarah Dorrell, Kelly Altice, Megan Walz, Emily Cranwell, Caroline Byers, Sydney Darden, Emma Betz, Deanna Dickerman, Erin Sexton, Abby Thompson, and Casey Carroll.

James DeMarco, Ingrid Burbey, and Marcia Barrow coach the team.

Dianna Hale, the Auburn Middle School art teacher, was recognized for being named the Virginia Middle School Art Teacher of the Year.

Sallie Matney, a parent volunteer and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) member at Christiansburg Primary School and Christiansburg Elementary School, was recognized for being named the Virginia PTA Elementary Volunteer of the Year.

The School Board recessed at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened at 8:10 p.m.

Public Address

Sherry Vaughn spoke on behalf of the teachers at the Montgomery County Detention Home. Ms. Vaughn commended Dr. Anderson and Jeanette Warwick, Assistant Superintendent, for their actions during the conflict at the detention home. She also applauded Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources, and his staff for their support.

Item 11/06-174 Personnel Report: Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the personnel report with an addendum.

The personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A4.

Item 11/06-175 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Item 11/06-174 and Item 11/06-175

Operating Fund:

Bills, 11/21/06, Ck. Nos. 440634-440892, $366,676.38

Utilities, 11/15/06, Ck. Nos. 440893-440915, $147,920.33

Cafeteria Fund:

Bills, 11/14/06, Ck. Nos. 2103-2117, $93,499.57

Work Session

On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, the Board voted unanimously to enter into work session at 8:15 p.m.

Item 11/06-176 Human Resources Presentation on Recruitment, Retention, and Licensure: Mr. Pasier and Roberta Snelling, Supervisor of Personnel, presented the Board with information on the numbers and categories of district employees; teacher and administrator placements on the salary scale; turnover rates; salary comparisons; licensure standings; absences; and substitute teachers. Information was also presented regarding the Online Job Application Manager (JAM), the recruitment plan, and the employee service center.

Board members discussed issues of concern such as turnover rates, salaries, etc. and asked questions about licensure requirements. The length of time it takes to complete an online application was also discussed.

Return to Regular Session

Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 9:05 p.m.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 11/06-177 Community Education Enrichment Activities (Action): Dr. Anderson told Board members that the administration would like to provide self-supporting enrichment activities for adults in a pilot program at one of the schools. She said the goal is to provide classes on Spanish, computer literacy and CPR after school hours. Dr. Anderson noted that if the program is successful it could be implemented at more schools.

Mr. Jones asked about the school site for the pilot. Dr. Anderson said the site has not been determined.

Item 11/06-175 (Continued), Item 11/06-176, and Item 11/06-177

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the pilot program for after-school adult enrichment activities and authorized the administration to advertise the three courses.

Item 11/06-178 Update on Stadium Project (Action): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, reported to the Board that the proposed BHS stadium would cost $3.6 million rather than the estimated $2.1 million. He said the administration recommends proceeding with final design and construction of the stadium with funding to be negotiated with the Board of Supervisors during discussions on funding for all Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects.

Mrs. Morikawa expressed concern that the additional funding needed for the stadium will take away from funding for the schools that is needed.

Ms. Franklin noted that the Board of Supervisors is expected to make a decision on the amount of funding to make available to the school division for capital projects at its December 18 meeting. Board members agreed to delay making a decision on additional funding for the stadium until after December 18.

Ms. Franklin told Mr. Berenato that the school division could move forward with design of the stadium since this funding is available.

Mr. Dunkenberger asked for information on the costs to complete the other three stadium projects. Mr. Jones asked for information on extra costs associated with building the BHS stadium due to the Town of Blacksburg requirements.

Item 11/06-179 Cancellation of December 19 School Board Meeting (Action): Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to cancel the December 19 meeting unless it’s later determined that the meeting is needed.

Item 11/06-180 Establish First School Board Meeting in January 2007 (Action): Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Mr. Dunkenberger, and the Board voted unanimously to establish January 9, 2007 as the first meeting date in January.

Item 11/06-177 (Continued) and Items 11/06-178-180

Ms. Franklin recognized Bob Miller as the official liaison to the School Board from the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

Unfinished Business By School Board Members

Mr. Jones expressed concern about the wording of the Board’s legislative priorities. The Board agreed to work on the legislative priorities at the upcoming retreat.

New Business By School Board Members

Mrs. Lythgoe asked that discussion of the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Conference be added as an agenda item at the next meeting. Board members agreed.

Mr. Jones asked that future personnel reports include a snapshot of vacancies in the division.

Agenda Preparation

December 5, 2006 Board Discussion on Handling Discipline Cases

Payment of Bills Due to Cancellation of the Second Board Meeting in December

December 7, 2006 Joint Meeting with the Montgomery County Planning Commission – 7:00 p .m. at the County Government Center

Adjournment

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

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board