October 17, 2006

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 6:45 p.m. for the purpose of a 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

W. Wat Hopkins

Staff Members Present

Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent

Daniel A. Berenato Rochelle

Chris Burton Walter L. Shannon

Harvey C. Goodwin Patti Talbot

Carol Jennings Jeanette Warwick

Anita P. Johnston Rick Weaver

Mark Pasier Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Ms. Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag at 6:45 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

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

Closed Session

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:46 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.

Legal Matters: 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

Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, and the Board voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:35 p.m.

Mrs. Lythgoe 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

W. Wat Hopkins Penny J. Franklin, Chair

B. Wendell Jones

_________________________ October 17, 2006

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board

Action

On motion by Mrs. Lythgoe, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the School Board voted unanimously to place employee A on one-year’s probation, give a 10-day suspension without pay, and rescind the supplemental contract.

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 October are:

Auburn High School (AHS) Daniel Cory Reed

Blacksburg High School (BHS) Kelley Altice

Christiansburg High School (CHS) Kaylee Natasha Graves

Eastern Montgomery High School (EMHS) Kate Wahlberg

Mr. Jones, Mrs. Lythgoe, and Mrs. Morikawa were awarded Certificates of Recognition from the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) for participation in the VSBA Academy.

Auburn Elementary School, Auburn High School, Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg Middle School, Christiansburg Elementary School, Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg Primary School, Eastern Montgomery High School, Elliston Lafayette Elementary School, Falling Branch Elementary School, Gilbert Linkous Elementary School, Harding Avenue Elementary School, Kipps Elementary School, Margaret Beeks Elementary School, Price’s Fork Elementary School, and Shawsville Elementary School were awarded certificates for achieving full accreditation for the 2006-2007 school year.

The School Board recessed at 7:50 p.m. and reconvened at 8:05 p.m.

Public Address

Ashley Sowers, a student at Auburn Middle School (AMS), asked that the School Board address construction issues at AMS and AHS.

Marie Morgan expressed concern about what’s happening to African Americans in the school division. Ms. Morgan stated that all strides made by African Americans in the last few years have been lost under the new administration. She added that if the School Board cannot fix the problem with regard to the superintendent, then it would be fixed during the next election.

Yolanda Burton told Board members that she is astounded by the lack of racial diversity in the central office and in the school division. She noted that achievement scores have dropped during the current superintendent’s tenure.

Curtis Brown expressed that he has lost faith in the School Board and the Superintendent as a result of all of the negative press the superintendent has been getting.

Harold Session told Board members that he’s concerned about the treatment his son has received in the school division.

Kathy Albert, an Auburn Elementary School parent, urged the School Board to request planning money from the Board of Supervisors for the Auburn school projects.

Rob Nichols, an AMS parent, thanked Board members for the changes made at AMS in the last year. Mr. Nichols noted that while many issues have been addressed, facility needs are still critical.

Mike Keen, an AMS parent, voiced concern about facilities in the Auburn strand. Mr. Keen asked that the School Board move forward immediately with regard to capital improvements.

Item 10/06-153 Personnel Report: Mrs. Lythgoe moved, seconded by Dr. Hopkins, to approve the personnel report with an addendum.

The personnel report is attached and made a part of the minutes as pages A1-A5.

Item 10/06-154 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Bills, 10/17/06, Ck. Nos. 439947-440229, $420,621.03

Cafeteria Fund:

Bills, 10/10/06, Ck. Nos. 2067-2082, $516,005.18

Work Session

On motion by Dr. Hopkins, seconded by Mrs. Lythgoe, the Board voted unanimously to enter into work session at 8:35 p.m.

Item 10/06-153 and Item 10/06-154

Item 10/06-155 Accreditation Results: Carol Jennings, Coordinator of Testing, presented the Board with accreditation results. Mrs. Jennings told Board members that the last school year was the first year in which grades four, six, and seven were tested in English and math. She added that reading scores at these levels were high across the county but math scores were a problem for some schools. Mrs. Jennings noted that Belview Elementary School was warned in math and English and Auburn Middle School, Christiansburg Middle School, and Shawsville Middle School were warned in math.

Mr. Jones expressed concern about graduation rates in the county.

Return to Regular Session

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to return to regular session at 8:55 p.m.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations and Announcements

Item 10/06-156 District Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Accreditation (Action): Rochelle, Supervisor of Title I and Reading, told Board members that the district would like to pursue district SACS accreditation. Rochelle noted that some schools within the county already use this process for school improvement. She added that Roanoke County and Hanover County are the only two counties in Virginia so far that have achieved district SACS accreditation.

Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to approve the administration’s plan to pursue district SACS accreditation.

Item 10/06-157 Supplemental Appropriation (Action): Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board voted unanimously to request from the Board of Supervisors supplemental appropriations to the 2006-2007 School Operating Budget, Code 610000, Instruction, in the amount of $63,394 and Code 620000, Administration, Attendance, and Health, in the amount of $9,300.

Item 10/06-155, Item 10/06-156, and Item 10/06-157

Item 10/06-158 Capital Projects (Discussion/Possible Action): Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, told Board members that the Board of Supervisors has not yet notified the school division about how much money will be made available for school capital projects. The Board discussed whether or not to request planning money for the Auburn and Christiansburg capital projects as was done for Elliston Lafayette Elementary School and Price’s Fork Elementary School. The Board agreed to have Mr. Berenato bring back figures on the cost of a feasibility study for the projects and to begin looking at architects.

Unfinished Business By School Board Members

Mr. Jones inquired about the turnover rate for school nurses. Mark Pasier, Director of Human Resources, presented the Board with a retention report for school nurses.

Dr. Hopkins asked for an update on the BHS stadium. Mr. Berenato discussed plans for the stadium and said he hopes to begin construction in the spring or summer of 2007.

Mrs. Lythgoe asked if a tour of Rivendell is still scheduled for October 24. Board members discussed the date and agreed to have the tour rescheduled.

Mrs. Lythgoe asked if there is a policy about escorting staff members from schools. Dr. Anderson stated that there has never been such a policy.

New Business By School Board Members

The Board proposed November 9, November 28, and November 30 as dates for an event highlighting “Take Your Legislator to School” month.

The Board proposed December 7 and December 12 for a joint meeting with the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

Mrs. Morikawa asked if a track would be built at the new BHS stadium. Mr. Berenato noted that the plan is not to build a track at the new field because there is already a track at the high school.

Item 10/06-158

Mr. Jones asked about the possibility of having a liaison with the Blacksburg Town Council. He said he would be willing to accept this role. Ms. Franklin stated that establishing a liaison with this group would mean that the Board would need to establish liaisons for other groups such as the Christiansburg Town Council, etc. She added that Board members are more than welcome to attend any meeting of other local governing bodies to stay informed about issues.

Mr. Jones asked for an update on the transition for Independence Secondary School. Jeanette Warwick, Assistant Superintendent, said she has heard nothing but positive feedback about the move.

Agenda Preparation

October 24, 2006 Strand Meeting – EMHS at 6:30 p .m.

November 7, 2006 Legislative Priorities

November 21, 2006 Human Resources Presentation – Recruitment, Retention and Licensure

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Morikawa, seconded by Mr. Jones and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board