August 4, 2009
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MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
MEMBERS
ABSENT: |
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Mr.
Daniel D. “Dan” Edwards, Chairman Ms.
Rita S. Bellitto, Vice Chairman Mr.
William J. Brunke, IV Mr.
Todd C. Davidson Ms.
Emma L. “Em” Davis |
Mr.
Dan R. Lowe Mr.
Brent N. Mckenzie Mr.
Patrick S. Salyer Ms.
Sandra Smith-Jones Ms.
Carolyn D. Weems |
Ms.
Patricia G. Edmonson |
|
Dr.
Sheila S. Magula, Deputy Superintendent for Superintendent Merrill |
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1.
Convene
School Board Informal Meeting: The Board convened in the School Board Room at 6:00
p.m.
2.
Hearing of
Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items:
None
3.
Formal
Meeting Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call:
Chairman Edwards called
the formal meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
All Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Edmonson who
Chairman Edwards announced was absent due to a death in her immediate family.
4.
Student,
Employee and Public Awards and Recognition:
None
5.
Invocation
by Pastor Fred Devan, Jr. of Grace Community Church followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance
6.
Hearing of
Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items:
None
7.
Approval
of Minutes: July 21, 2009 Regular
Meeting: Ms. Smith-Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr.
Lowe, that the Board approve the minutes of their July 21, 2009 regular meeting
as presented. The motion was approved
(ayes 10, nays 0).
8.
Adoption
of the Agenda: Prior to a motion, Chairman Edwards advised
several Board members had not had an opportunity to review Consent Item 9B -
Family Life Education (FLE) Video Resource Materials and therefore deleted the
item from the published agenda to allow additional time before the Board takes
action at their next regular meeting.
Mr. Davidson then made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith-Jones, that the
Board adopt the agenda as amended. The
motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0).
9.
Consent
Agenda: Mr. Salyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lowe,
that the Board approve the two remaining items on the Consent agenda. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and
the following items approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
A.
Religious
Exemption Case #RE-08-12
C. Appointments,
Resignations and Retirements as presented on the Personnel Report dated August
4, 2009. In addition, Deputy
Superintendent Magula presented, and the Board affirmed, Administration’s
recommendations to promote Sharon R. Gardner from Teaching Specialist in the
Office of Programs for Exceptional Children to Coordinator of Special Education
effective August 28, 2009; and to appoint Dr. Lois M. Peterson as the new
Assistant Superintendent for Organizational Leadership effective August 17,
2009.
10.
Action: None
11.
Information
A.
Revision to
Student Placement Policy 5-25: Mr. Freddie P. Alarcon, Executive Assistant
to the Superintendent, presented to the Board for information the proposed
changes to Board Policy 5-25 – Student Placement revised to reflect changes
made during the 2009 General Assembly Session through House Bill 2070 to the
law governing student placement. He
explained under the law, local school boards are required to develop and
implement policies that would allow a parent or legal guardian of twins or
higher order multiples to request that the children be placed in the same classroom,
or separate classrooms, if they are in the same grade level at the same
elementary school. Additionally, he
reported the language incorporated into the policy was extracted directly from
the House Bill and was designed to provide greater flexibility for parental
input into the placement of multiples.
Chairman Edwards noted, and Mr. Alarcon confirmed, this has been largely
handled on a site basis and although the division was likely in most cases
doing this, the proposal does not necessarily reflect any change in what is
currently being done, but rather establishes the code division-wide. In response to an inquiry, Mr. Alarcon noted
the legislation does not incorporate anything into the Military Compact
regarding student placement of twins.
B.
Teaching
American History Grant (Elementary): Dr. Marie Balen, Director of Elementary
Instructional Services, announced in July, a Teaching American History Grant of
nearly one million dollars was awarded by the United States Department of
Education to the division’s Office of Elementary Instructional Services, and
will take place over a three –year period.
She noted pending available funding and the demonstration of progress
toward grant goals, an additional $664,000 would be given to the division to
continue grant efforts. Of the 123
grants awarded nationally, she reported Virginia Beach was one of just six
school divisions in Virginia to receive the funding made available to school
divisions to raise student achievement by enhancing teachers’ content knowledge
and conceptual understanding of American history. She stated critical components of the grant
support the division’s strategic plan and will be utilized to provide a
multitude of instructional opportunities and field experiences for 100 fourth
and fifth grade teachers of Virginia studies with a particular focus on
higher-level thinking, critical analysis, content area literacy, communication
skills, 21st century research and presentation skills, and community
partnerships. She further noted
Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) will be used as a vehicle to engage
in lesson study focusing on the implementation of best practices using
collaborative planning and reflection, and for the development of performance
tasks to monitor and assess student understanding. Other grant activities reported were history
days, a summer academy, and opportunities for independent study as well as
numerous opportunities for a variety of technological tools and applications to
be utilized that enhance teacher practice and, most importantly, serve as
integral components of instructional learning plans, units, and assessments
that will be developed and implemented.
Additionally, she noted collaborative teacher teams will work with staff
from the Office of Elementary Instructional Services and the Department of
Technology to explore the resources available and to infuse technology into
curriculum and instruction at the fourth and fifth grade levels which may include
online digital history, video conferencing, virtual field trips, and online
collaboration using discussion boards, wikis, and blogs. She then introduced elementary curriculum
coordinators from the Office Elementary Instructional Services, Sue Crosland
and Mary Ann Matiki, who were instrumental in the development of the grant
concept and proposal and who will lead the grant implementation process. In response to an inquiry regarding the
possibility of purchasing new technology using grant funds, Dr. Balen confirmed
both existing tools and the exploration of new technology that can be purchased
with grant funds would be made available to teachers system-wide. She also clarified implementation will be
citywide and is open to fourth and fifth grade teachers because Virginia
studies is a part of the curriculum, and the grant which focuses on teaching
American history is embedded in that curriculum.
C.
Report on
School Board’s Annual Retreat: Chairman Edwards reported the Board
individually and collectively met with Dr. John Connolly, the retreat
facilitator, and agreed the development and implementation of Compass to 2015 should be the goal and
desired outcome of the Board’s annual retreat.
He provided a brief synopsis of the weekend retreat stating the Board
formulated a Professional Learning Community (PLC) which is being used
throughout the school division to develop components of the Compass to 2015. Activities reported included various
team-building exercises Friday evening providing each Board member an
opportunity to brief their colleagues on any major personal concerns and issues
followed by discussion of how they might feed into the strategic plan.
On Saturday and
Sunday, he stated the Board reviewed Compass
to 2015 by systematically walking through each of the five objectives with
Administration providing a detailed update on each. Chairman Edwards then asked Dr. Magula to
share a very brief summation of each of the presentations on the five
objectives.
Dr. Magula
advised the Strategic Plan Steering Committee is now poised to begin working
with action teams to move forward with implementation plans, and to provide
information and actions identified in the Board retreat that are needed for
implementation of the strategic objectives.
She then reviewed the five objectives including a synopsis of each and results
of the Board’s group and collaborative discussions as outlined below:
Objective 1
focuses on 21st century curriculum and instruction. Dr. Christine W. Caskey, Assistant Superintendent
for Curriculum and Instruction; Mr. Donald E. Robertson, Principal of Salem
High School; and Mr. R. Joe Burnsworth, Director of Secondary Education,
identified the 21st century skills for the division, and explained
the realignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with Compass to 2015. As a result of retreat discussion, the Board
will be provided with a comparison of a current lesson and unit plan with a 21st
century learning plan. Additionally, a
modeler plan will be developed for incorporating service learning into the
instructional program, and provide for a more holistic assessment of an
approach to fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles in the health and
physical education program.
Objective 2
focuses on a balanced assessment system.
Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Evaluation
and Assessment, Dr. Kelly A. Hedrick, Director of Gifted and Academy Programs,
and Dr. Doug G. Wren, Assessment Specialist in the Department of Research,
Evaluation and Assessment, reviewed the balanced assessment system with a
concentration on the division-wide rubrics used to measure outcomes for student
success identified in the strategic plan as academically proficient, effective
communicators and collaborators, globally aware, independent, responsible
learners and citizens, critical and creative thinkers, innovators and
problem-solvers. Additionally, Dr.
Cotton discussed quality control to ensure student performance tasks are meaningful
opportunities. As a result of retreat
discussion, Dr. Cotton and the action team will share with the Board any
changes in the local assessment program including decreases in the number of
required assessments. Additionally, the
team will investigate methods to report student progress and explore measures
to compare progress with those in other school divisions and districts
throughout the state and nation, and update the Board on progress made in
communicating new assessment practices to teachers, students and parents.
Objective 3
focuses on trying to improve student achievement for all students while closing
gaps for identified student groups with a particular focus on African-American
males. Ms. Jobynia G. Caldwell,
Assistant Superintendent for High School Education; Dr. Esther Monclova-Johnson,
Director of Equity Affairs; and Dr. Marie Balen, Director of Elementary
Instructional Services, presented activities in the area of responsiveness to
students and advised of opportunities that will be provided for all students to
learn more effectively ensuring that resources are available to support that
effort. Dr. Monclova-Johnson
specifically reviewed group activities from the past eighteen months including
candid conversations about race, and débuted a video of student conversations
in the words of the students. As a
result of retreat discussion, the action team will provide additional
information regarding the alignment of the division’s plan for continuous
improvement with Compass to 2015, and
will develop a model of and proposal for Response to Intervention Plan (RTI)
and plan for RTI training.
Objective 4
centers on community outreach and service learning. Ms Kathy O’Hara, Assistant Superintendent for
Media and Communications Development, Mr. Larry E. Ames, former Principal of
Seatack Elementary School and current Director of Custodial Services, and Ms.
Melissa T. McQuarrie, Director of Community Relations, provided information on
opportunities for parents, communities, and business leaders to become more
actively engaged partners in supporting student achievement. More information was given on
service-centered partnerships to provide students with meaningful ways of
serving the community as well as observing workplace environments. As a result of retreat discussion, the action
team will develop a plan to enhance and expand the division’s mentorship
program; and will collaborate with city and community agencies to improve
support to families, particularly the underserved parent population. Additionally, the action team will develop
materials for Board members to use as they encourage involvement of the
community in the schools, and investigate the feasibility of expanding the use
of computer labs after hours in Title I schools. They will also develop a plan to host
breakfast dialogue meetings in the community with Cabinet members serving as
guest speakers.
Objective 5 was
referred to as the “glue” that supports Objectives 1 through 4 and reported Mr.
James M. Pohl, Principal of Princess Anne Middle School, and Mr. Daniel F.
Keever, Principal of Larkspur Middle School, joined her in presenting at the
retreat. She stated it is this objective
that focuses on professional development, building the expertise of the school
division’s leaders, teachers, and staff, and increasing the effectiveness of
all resources in order to achieve the division’s strategic goal and outcomes
for students. Additionally, she reported
it supports all the others in the training that would be needed for aligning a
school’s plan for continuous improvement with this division’s strategic plan,
and also cultivates building-level work and service of the learning outcomes – shifting
the thinking of staff from doing more on top of everything, to one of
rethinking what the work requires – letting go of old ways. As a result of retreat discussion, PLC’s will
be the focus of some of the work that is done in the schools this year and
additional information will be forthcoming providing examples of what they are
and how they function in a school. Also
to be provided is information on the video library of best practices with a
document index, and information on professional development, specifically with
regards to expectations for participation and leadership. Lastly, assurances professional development
plans include improvements versus adding onto the work that is already in
place.
She commented
action teams are excited about the work ahead and have taken initial steps to
prepare information requested.
Chairman Edwards
further reported the Board engaged in considerable discussion over the weekend
regarding its desire to continue to expand both pre-kindergarten and
kindergarten offerings throughout the city, and specifically how to target the
limited program expansions into those areas where they are most needed. Additionally, he stated they discussed the
need to transition the physical education program to provide more emphasis on
fitness and healthy lifestyles including nutrition and more aerobic based types
of activities.
Ms. Smith-Jones noted
the Board had received information from the Department of Media and
Communications Development regarding the Parent
Connection – Making the Most of Middle Schools workshop event to be held on
August 26. She also restated a request
for afternoon and evening events to be scheduled in addition to breakfast
meetings to provide additional opportunities for parents.
12.
Committee
Reports: Ms. Weems reported she attended the Virginia School
Boards Association (VSBA) Legislative Policy and Regulations (LPR) committee
meeting, and advised the two changes Virginia Beach submitted relative to the
unified grading scale and school calendar were approved for inclusion in the
packet to be presented in November to the VSBA Delegate Assembly for a vote to
include in their legislative packet. She
noted the school calendar issue was a carry-over from the prior year but was
amended to add a compromise that would provide school divisions the flexibility
to start earlier when a school start was subject to the second week of
September due to the Labor Day holiday.
In addition, she advised of two other legislative submissions having to
do with budget items centering on re-benchmarking that were approved resulting
in four items to be brought forward to the Delegate Assembly in November for a
vote.
As chair of the
Board’s Legislative Committee, she reported visits with local senators and
delegates by committee members were going well with a lot of positive feedback
being garnered as well as questions asked about 21st century
skills. She announced a breakfast with
the delegation is tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 6, and will
include a video and PowerPoint presentation explaining 21st century
skills. She reported pursuant to a Board
member’s suggestion, she met with a member of City Council’s Legislative
Committee, Ms. Rosemary Wilson, to discuss the Board’s legislative packet and
it was decided a formal meeting of the two Legislative Committees would not be
needed as she [Ms. Wilson] was comfortable with the items being brought
forward. She said Ms. Wilson had some
questions regarding the school calendar, but stated she was impressed with the
compromise language. Ms. Weems noted
recommendations had been made for other points of contact on specific issues and
complimented the process stating it seems to be opening the lines of
communication creating a situation of helping each other through a difficult
upcoming budget season being predicted by legislators.
13.
Workshop
(as needed): None
14.
Closed
Meeting (as needed): None
15.
Vote on
Remaining Action Items: None
16.
Adjournment: Prior
to adjournment, Chairman Edwards asked that a detailed account of what had been
presented as feedback from the retreat be posted on the division’s website or
made available as soon as possible given the power outage prohibited the
meeting from being broadcast or recorded for re-broadcast. There being no further business before the
Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by:
S E
A L
Dianne P.
Alexander, Clerk of the Board
Approved:
Daniel
D. Edwards, Chairman