September 1, 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 |
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Dr. James G. Merrill, Superintendent |
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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: The Board heard comments from Kasie Snyder, Larkspur Middle School parent, regarding concerns with her daughter’s education.
3. Formal Meeting Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call: Chairman Edwards called the formal meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Edmonson who Chairman Edwards announced regretted she was unable to attend.
4. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition: None
5. Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
6. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items: None
7. Approval of Minutes:
A. August 18, 2009 Regular Meeting: Mr. Davidson made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith-Jones, that the Board approve the minutes of their August 18, 2009 regular meeting as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0).
8. Adoption of the Agenda: Prior to a motion, Chairman Edwards announced changes to the published agenda to include affirming the need for a Closed Meeting as listed on Item 14; adding Board Administrative Matters as a fourth Workshop Item 13D to discuss scheduling items related to agenda planning taking place after the meeting and to confirm Board members’ attendance to a commitment the following week with the Council of Civic Organizations; and finally, to move Consent Item 9D – Revised Secondary Mathematics Course Sequence to Action as Item 10B. Ms. Davis then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Brunke, that the Board adopt the agenda as amended. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0).
9. Consent Agenda: Ms. Davis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith-Jones, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the following items adopted as part of the Consent Agenda:
A. Resolution: National Hispanic Heritage Month as follows:
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, 2009 RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, one of our nation’s greatest strengths is its vast diversity which enables Americans to see the world from many viewpoints; and
WHEREAS, Latino Americans have always been an integral part of our country’s great mosaic of races, ethnicity’s, and religious groups; and
WHEREAS, the history, culture, and traditions of the United States are greatly influenced by the contributions and achievements of those individuals who have their origins in Spain and Latin America; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative for the good of our nation that schools continue to build awareness and understanding of the contributions made by Latino peoples; and
WHEREAS, through the study of these contributions, all students may find role models whose participation, commitment, and achievement embody the American spirit and ideals; and
WHEREAS, the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach recognizes the importance of multicultural diversity education within our school division.
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach officially recognizes the month between September 15 and October 15, 2009, as National Hispanic Heritage Month; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach encourages all citizens to support and participate in the various school activities during National Hispanic Heritage Month; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.
B. The Board authorized the Superintendent to execute an energy performance contract in the amount of $480,000 with NORESCO which includes Fairfield Elementary School, Point O’View Elementary School, and First Colonial High School
C. Schedule of Program Evaluations that will be completed by the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (REA) during the 2009-10 school year as follows with a note that once evaluation results of program evaluations conducted in 2008-09* have been presented to the School Board, recommendations may include additional evaluations to be completed by the department during the 2009-10 school year.
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2008-09 Program Evaluation Schedule |
2009-10 Program Evaluation Schedule |
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Program |
Reporting Schedule |
Program |
Proposed Reporting Schedule |
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Local Assessment Program |
Fall 2009 |
Distance Learning Program |
Fall 2010 |
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Project X-CD |
Fall 2009 |
Local Assessment Program |
Fall 2010 |
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Global Studies & World Languages Academy |
Fall 2009 |
Middle School Academic Support |
Fall 2010 |
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Gifted Education Program |
Fall 2009 |
Inclusion for Special Education Students |
Fall 2010 |
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Early Discoveries Longitudinal Study |
Fall 2009 |
Gifted Education Program |
Fall 2010 |
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Summer School |
Winter 2009 |
Academy & Advanced Academic Programs Longitudinal Study |
Spring 2011 |
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Academy & Advanced Academic Programs Longitudinal Study |
Spring 2010 |
Professional Development Program (PDP) |
To Be Determined |
E. Appointments, Resignations and Retirements as presented on the September 1, 2009 personnel report
10. Action
A. Proposed 2010-11 School Calendar: Ms. Smith-Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr. Salyer, that the Board approve the proposed school calendar for the 2010-11 school year as presented. Board members recognized the challenges in developing a school calendar and noted compromised legislation is being proposed to the General Assembly requesting flexibility in starting school prior to Labor Day in those years when the holiday falls within the second week of September. Following brief discussion, the motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the 2010-11 school calendar approved as follows:
First Semester 2010-11 School Calendar
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August 30-September 3 (Mon.-Fri.) |
Staff Days |
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September 6 (Mon.) |
Labor Day (Schools Closed) |
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September 7 (Tues.) |
First day of school for students |
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October 6 (Wed.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (Elementary and Middle Schools) |
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October 12 (Tues.) |
Progress Reports Issued |
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November 2 (Tues.) |
Staff Day (Conferences/Records/Staff Development – schools closed for students) |
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November 10 (Wed.) |
End of First Grading Period (46 days) |
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November 11 (Thurs.) |
Veterans Day (Schools Closed) |
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November 12 (Fri.) |
Staff Day (Conferences/Records/Staff Development – schools closed for students) |
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November 15 (Mon.) |
Begin Second Grading Period |
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November 19 (Fri.) |
Report Cards Issued |
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November 24 (Wed.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (All Schools) |
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November 25 & 26 (Thurs. & Fri.) |
Thanksgiving (Schools Closed) |
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December 15 (Wed.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (Elementary and Middle Schools) |
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December 21 (Tues.) |
Progress Reports Issued |
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December 23-31 (Thurs.-Fri.) |
Winter Holidays (Schools Closed) |
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January 17 (Mon.) |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Schools Closed) |
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January 25-27 (Tues.-Thurs.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (High School only) |
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January 28 (Fri.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (All Schools) |
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January 28 (Fri.) |
End of Second Grading Period (45 days) |
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January 31 (Mon.) |
Staff Day (Conferences/Records/Staff Development – schools closed for students) |
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Total: First Semester |
Teaching Days: 91 Non-Teaching Days: 8 |
Second Semester
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February 1 (Tues.) |
Begin Third Grading Period |
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February 4 (Fri.) |
Report Cards Issued |
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February 23 (Wed.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (Elementary and Middle Schools) |
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March 4 (Fri.) |
Progress Reports Issued |
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April 7 (Thurs.) |
End of Third Grading Period (48 days) |
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April 8 (Fri.) |
Staff Day (Conferences/Records/Staff Development – School closed for students) |
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April 11 (Mon.) |
Begin Fourth Grading Period |
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April 15 (Fri.) |
Report Cards Issued |
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April 18-22 (Mon.-Fri.) |
Spring Holiday (Schools Closed) |
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May 17 (Tues.) |
Progress Reports Issued |
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May 30 (Mon.) |
Memorial Day (Schools Closed) |
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June 14-16 (Tues.-Thurs.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (High School Only) |
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June 17 (Fri.) |
Adjusted Dismissal (All Schools) |
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June 17 (Fri.) |
Last Day for Students, End of Fourth Grading Period (44 Days) |
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June 20 (Mon.) |
Staff Day (Flexible) |
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June 24 (Fri.) |
Report Cards Issued (mailed) |
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Total: Second Semester |
Teaching Days: 92 Non-Teaching Days: 2 |
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TOTAL TEACHING DAYS: 183 |
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TOTAL NON-TEACHING DAYS: 10 |
B. (formerly 9D) Revised Secondary Mathematics Course Sequence: Mr. Brunke made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davidson, that the Board approve the revised secondary mathematics course sequence for a phased-in implementation beginning in the fall of 2010. Mr. Rodney J. “Joe” Burnsworth, Director of Secondary Instructional Services, responded to questions and explained the primary drivers that led to the revision in the secondary mathematics course sequence to include direction from the Virginia Department of Education. Ms. Weems expressed reservations about the proposal due to concerns that students may not be prepared for Algebra I in the eighth grade. Superintendent Merrill advised an evaluation would be built into the schedule to review the data two years out. Following discussion, the motion was approved (ayes 9, nays 1 – Weems).
11. Information
A. Renaming of Visual Language to Media Studies: Ms. Robin L. Hoffman, Coordinator of Secondary Instructional Services, presented to the Board for information, the recommendation to change the course title of Visual Language to Media Studies as recommended by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for implementation in the fall of 2010. She explained the recommendation to rename the course, originally developed in 1976, was to align with the state department course code and title as well as to reflect current technological advances.
12. Committee Reports: None
The Board recessed at 7:00 p.m. and reconvened in workshop format in the einstein.lab at 7:21 p.m.
13. Workshop (einstein.lab)
A. Board Member Sign Up for Specific Advisory Committee Meetings: Chairman Edwards routed a sheet for Board members to sign-up to attend advisory committee meetings for gifted education and special education noting Board representation was optional. Discussion concluded at 7:24 p.m.
B. Paperless Agenda Options: Board members expressed interest in exploring paperless agenda options with minimal budgetary impact. It was noted systems were already in place that could be expanded upon to facilitate the process without the need to purchase additional programs. Superintendent Merrill advised a process would be developed in consultation with the Chief Information Officer to provide a paperless option for Board members to test. Discussion concluded at 7:40 p.m.
C. Process for Renovation/Rebuild Options: Chairman Edwards called for Board discussion of options related to the elementary and middle school gifted education facilities – Old Donation Center and Kemps Landing Magnet School – just within or coming within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) six year plan. Mr. John S. Kalocay, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Support Services, and Mr. Anthony L. Arnold, P.E., Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, presented information on modernization, replacement and consolidation options. The Board expressed a desire to discuss and publically vote on what they determine to be the best delivery of gifted services, whether it is in separate facilities, a consolidated facility, or services provided by gifted resource teachers within home schools. Superintendent Merrill stated a syllabus would be built and research provided for a workshop in October to serve as a catalyst for the Board to determine their philosophy on the delivery of services and determine next steps relative to facilities within the CIP. Discussion concluded at 8:21 p.m.
D. Board Administrative Matters: Chairman Edwards announced upcoming events to include the Norfolk Scottish Rite Bodies’ Teacher of the Year reception, a meeting of the Council of Civic Organizations (CCO), and the VSBA Annual Convention in November. He asked Board members to RSVP to the Clerk of the Board. Discussion concluded at 8:24 p.m.
14. Closed Meeting: Acquisition of Real Property: Vice Chairman Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lowe, that the Board adopt a motion to recess into a closed meeting pursuant to the exceptions from open meetings allowed by Section 2.2-3711, Part A, Paragraph 1, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the following purpose:
Personnel Matters: – Discussion of or consideration of interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711, (A) (1); namely to discuss: retirement of a specific administrator.
The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the Board entered into a closed meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Individuals present for discussion: Board members with the exception of Ms. Edmonson who was absent from the meeting; Superintendent Merrill; Dr. Sheila S. Magula, Deputy Superintendent; Ms. Kamala H. Lannetti, Deputy City Attorney; and Ms. Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board.
The Board reconvened in an open meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Certification of Closed Meeting: Vice Chair Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lowe, that the Board certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed; and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0).
15. Vote on Remaining Action Items: None
16. Adjournment: There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
S E A L
Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board
Approved:
Daniel D. Edwards, Chairman