October
2, 2007
The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the administrative building at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of a regular session.
Board Members Present
Penny J. Franklin, Chair David
G. Dunkenberger
Phyllis
T. Albritton B. Wendell Jones
Jamie M. Bond Susan K.
Morikawa
Staff Members Present
Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent
Nancy L. Ballinger Carol
Daniel A. Berenato Anita P.
Johnston
Kathy A. Duncan Walter L.
Patricia A. Gaudreau Roberta A. Snelling
Harvey C. Goodwin Brad King, Attorney
Lois T. Graham
Call to Order
Ms.
Franklin called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag
at 7:00 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
Mr. Jones 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 7:01 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.
Student
Matters: Discussion or consideration of
student disciplinary matters, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A) (2) 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 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, and the Board adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the County School Board of
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
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
hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge (i) only
public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by
Ayes: Phyllis T. Albritton B. Wendell Jones Jamie M. Bond Susan
K. Morikawa
David
G. Dunkenberger, II Penny J.
_________________________ October
2, 2007
Clerk
of the
Action
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and
the Board voted unanimously to grant a religious exemption from Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS) for students A, B, and C.
Honors, Awards, and Recognitions
The School Board recognized Auburn Elementary School, Auburn High School,
Auburn Middle School, Belview Elementary 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 for being fully accredited this year.
Public Address
Caitlin McHale, the Director of Project Esperanza, encouraged the School Board to allow the schools to become more involved in the project.
Amy Shea, an Elliston Lafayette Elementary School (ELES) parent, thanked the Board for its support in building a new school for students. However, she noted that there is strong opposition in the Elliston community to combining the two elementary schools in the area. She presented several arguments against the consolidation.
Carl East, an ELES parent, urged the School Board to maintain the village concept in Elliston by building a school to house only ELES students. Mr. East stated that the ELES staff, students and parents have worked hard to earn high test scores and be a presence in the community. He urged Board members to maintain the school’s identity in Elliston and listen to the people who are expressing these concerns.
Daniel Breslau, a member of the citizens group in Blacksburg concerned about the development on South Main Street, expressed his concern about the traffic study completed in Blacksburg.
Lori Blanc, a resident of
Item 10/07-168 Personnel
Report: On motion by Mr. Dunkenberger, seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, 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-A6.
Item 10/07-168
Item 10-07-169 Payment
of Bills: On motion by Mr. Jones,
seconded by Mrs. Morikawa, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bills as
presented.
Operating Fund:
Utilities, 09/25/07, Ck. Nos. 445852-445871,
$71,055.84
Bills, 10/02/07, Ck. Nos. 445872-446107,
$530,166.59
Payroll, 08/17/07, 44672, VOID
Payroll, 08/08/07, supp. Ck. Nos. 44709-44732, $20,337.99
Fixed Charges, 08/08/07, Ck. Nos. 44733-44736, $2,422.20
Payroll, 08/30/07, supp. Ck. Nos. 44737-44747, $38,160.30
Fixed Charges, No check number $2,919.18
Payroll, 08/31/07, Ck. Nos. 44748-44753,
$1,560,840.29
Fixed Charges, 08/31/07, Ck. Nos. 44754-44792, $331,743.71
Payroll, 09/07/07, Ck. Nos. 44793-44804,
$15,908.58
Fixed Charges, 09/07/07, Ck. Nos. 44805-44810, $2,210.07
Payroll, 09/28/07, Ck. Nos. 44811-44844,
$4,509,928.60
Fixed Charges, 08/28/07, Ck. Nos. 44845-44917, $1,754,730.17
Cafeteria:
Bills, 09/25/07, Ck. Nos. 2360-2370,
$107,109.02
Payroll, 08/31/07, Ck. No. 5020, $18,808.47
Fixed Charges, 08/31/07, Ck. Nos. 5021-5029, $3,368.71
Payroll, 09/28/07, Ck. Nos. 5030-5033,
$141,303.98
Fixed Charges, 09/28/07, Ck. Nos. 5034-5059, $35,579.72
Item 10/07-169
Item 10/07-170 Consent Items: The following items were approved by general
consent:
1.
Minutes: Minutes from the August 3-4, 2007 retreat,
the August 7, 2007 regular session, and the August 21, 2007 work session.
2.
Donations:
a.
Mr.
Robert H. Giles, Jr. to donate several The Virginia SOL Coach books to
Christiansburg Middle School (CMS).
b. First
National Bank to donate $250 to assist with the First Lego League of Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS).
3.
Field Trips:
a.
Choral/theatre students at Blacksburg High School
(BHS) to travel to
b.
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club
at CMS to travel to
c.
The wrestling team at Christiansburg High School
(CHS) to travel to
d.
The wrestling team at CHS to travel to
e.
The wrestling team at CHS to travel to
Item 10/07-170
f.
Eighth grade students at Auburn Middle School (AMS)
to travel to
g.
The art guild and advanced art students at BHS to
travel to the National Gallery of Art in
h.
Eleventh and twelfth grade band students at Auburn
High School (AHS) to travel to
4.
Grants:
a.
Community Foundation of the
i.
Classroom Library at BHS: A grant to
purchase books for the BHS freshman seminar program.
ii.
Magazine Project at BHS: A grant to
purchase magazine subscriptions for use by BHS students who are parents of
young children.
iii.
Children’s Book Project at BHS: A grant to
purchase children’s books for use by BHS students who are parents of young
children.
iv.
What’s on Stage? At
b. Books for Belview: A grant to update
the encyclopedias and non-fiction science books in the
Item 10/07-170 (Continued)
Superintendent’s
Reports, Recommendations and Announcements
Item 10/07-171 Accreditation
and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Results (Information): Carol Jennings,
Assessment Coordinator, told Board members that 18 of 20 schools are accredited
this year with all elementary schools fully accredited for the first time. Mrs.
Jennings noted that while
Mrs. Jennings stated that 11 schools
made AYP; however, the division continues to demonstrate increased achievement
scores across subgroups of students.
Ms. Franklin expressed
her concern that some subgroups are still not making significant gains, and
gaps remain between the subgroups.
Dr. Anderson noted
that there are no gaps among subgroups at several of the schools. She added that there is an upward trend in
test scores in schools with high numbers of minorities such as
Ms. Franklin said she
sees test scores increasing for white students, but minority students have not
had significant gains and were behind to begin with.
Mr. Jones expressed
concern about graduation rates. Dr.
Anderson noted that the graduation rates reported by the state do not include
certain types of diplomas such as the modified standard diploma. She told Board members that she would include
this information in Friday’s Board Update.
Item 10/07-172 Progress on Efficiency Review (Information): Walt
Shannon, Assistant Superintendent, informed the Board that the final report for
the efficiency review was completed on March 28, 2007. Mr. Shannon said the evaluation of
recommendations and implementation of the recommendations will be ongoing over
the next eighteen months. He added that
some recommendations have been implemented; however, most recommendations that
have a financial impact would require at least one year to compute the savings
or the additional cost.
Item
10/07-171 and Item 10/07-172
Mr. Shannon said a six-month status report is
included in the Board packet and noted that another report would be made to the
Board in March 2008. He stated that the
final report is due in the fall of 2008, and the school division must implement
at least 50 percent of the recommendations or pay for the entire study.
Item 10/07-173 Technology Update (Information): Harvey Goodwin, Director of Technology, and
the technology staff provided the Board with a presentation on technology
programs and initiatives in the district.
Item 10/07-174 Additional Staffing (Action): Dr. Anderson told Board members that the
administration is recommending that the School Board approve the addition of
four gifted instruction specialist positions and the creation of a comptroller
position. She said funds are available
in the personnel account from savings due to retirements that were effective
June 30, 2007.
Mrs. Morikawa moved, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, and the Board voted
unanimously to approve the addition of four gifted instruction specialist
positions and a comptroller position.
Item 10/07-175 Proposed Legislative Meeting Dates in
November (Discussion): Board
members proposed November 13 or November 20 for a meeting with legislators.
Item 10/07-176 Proposed Joint Board Meeting Dates
(Discussion/Possible Action):
Board members proposed October 30 or November 1 for a joint meeting with the
Board of Supervisors. Board members
expressed the desire to highlight technology during this joint meeting.
Item 10/07-177 Discussion of ELES Project (Information): Lois Graham, Director of Elementary
Education, and Dan Berenato, Director of Facilities, provided the School Board
with information on the pros and cons of combining
Item 10/07-172
(Continued) and Items 10/07-173-177
Mr. Dunkenberger noted he has heard opinions from
parents on both sides of the issue. He
suggested that the School Board hold a public meeting to hear comments on
consolidating the two schools.
The Board agreed to schedule this meeting on either
October 30 or November 1 (the date not chosen for the joint meeting with the
Board of Supervisors).
Item 10/07-178 Discussion of
Mrs. Albritton said she thinks the School Board should
recommend to the Town of
Ms. Franklin suggested that the School Board
communicate to the Town of
Item 10/07-179 Announcements/Calendar for October
(Information): Dr. Anderson made no announcements.
Unfinished Business by School Board Members
Mr.
Jones said he would like to hear a presentation on the Governor’s School at a
future meeting.
Mr.
Dunkenberger noted that he would like the Board to discuss how the School Board
could recognize students and staff in different ways.
The
Board discussed the self-evaluation process.
It was noted that some Board members have not completed the self-evaluation
form.
Item 10/07-177 (Continued), Item 10/07-178,
and Item 10/07-179
New Business by School Board Members
Mrs.
Albritton made the following statement:
“I
am a financial advisor and for many years I have offered 403(B) plans to
employees of Montgomery County Public Schools through companies including two
current ones, Calvert Funds and Lord Abbott.
I believe the state Conflict of Interest Act applies to my situation and
requires me to disclose it. Further, I
shall abstain from any actions or votes taken by the Board regarding the 403(B)
programs offered to our employees.”
Agenda Preparation
October 16, 2007 Recognition of Region VI Teacher of the Year
Plan for One-Time Employee Bonus
Capital Improvement Project List
Six-Year Plan Review
Legislative Meeting Agenda Discussion
November 20, 2007 Report on Action-Based Learning Lab Pilot
Program
January 2008 Report on Drugs, Alcohol, and Gang
Activity
Adjournment
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:53 p.m. on motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mrs. Albritton,
and passed unanimously.
School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board