SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING

SEPTEMBER 5, 2007

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held a regular meeting Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at the School Administration Building.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mr. Daniel D. “Dan” Edwards, Chairman
Ms. Rita Sweet Bellitto, Vice Chairman	Mr. Dan R. Lowe
Mr. Todd C. Davidson	Mr. Lyndon S. Remias
Ms. Emma L. “Em” Davis	Ms. Sandra Smith-Jones
Ms. Patricia G. Edmonson	Mr. Michael W. Stewart
Mr. Edward F. Fissinger, Sr.	Ms. Carolyn D. Weems

Dr. Sheila S. Magula, Deputy Superintendent for Superintendent Merrill

Members ABSENT: Dr. James G. Merrill, Superintendent

1. Convene School Board Informal Meeting:

Chairman Edwards convened the Board in the einstein lab at 3:06 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Davis, Mr. Remias and Ms. Smith-Jones who arrived at 3:09 p.m., 3:31 p.m., and 5:23 p.m., respectively.

2. Workshop:

A. Health Plan 2008: Mr. Farrell E. Hanzaker, Chief Financial Officer, and Ms. Linda Matkins, Benefits Coordinator, reviewed the 2008 Health Plan noting recommendations mirrored what was previously approved by City Council for City employees. Also reviewed were items to remain intact previously proposed to change. An update on the number of e-mail and voicemail responses totaling 107 was provided, and Mr. Hanzaker and Ms. Matkins responded to Board questions including affirmation that School employees who retire under the Virginia Retirement System with a work-related disability and less than 25 years of service are not eligible for the employer’s annual contribution. The Board then discussed Ms. Weems’s recommendation to adjust the age eligibility of dependents. She explained although a proponent of the age 25 eligibility, as supporters of education and the fact many college degrees average 5 years, she would like the Board to consider a compromise to set the dependent age at 24 rather than the 23 as proposed. Discussion ensued and concluded at 3:52 p.m.

B. Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Master Plan – Discussion of Recommendations: Dr. William DeJong, REFP, CEO, of DeJong, reviewed and explained each recommendation of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Long Range Facility Master Plan Steering Committee, and responded to Board questions. Following discussion, there was consensus for the plan to be presented in public on the September 18 information agenda with potential action to accept the plan taken at that meeting. It was further suggested the report be presented to the joint City Council/School Board Modernization Committee within the next 4-6 weeks, and that the Building Utilization Committee (BUC) discuss recommendations related to the potential reduction in elementary schools. Discussion concluded at 5:08 p.m.

16. Workshop #2: Boardsmanship Discussion: The Board discussed items relative to fulfilling the Boardsmanship goal established at the Board’s August retreat to include:

· scheduling quarterly meetings on off regular meeting nights to discuss items the Board should expect in the upcoming quarter, with the first quarterly meeting set for Tuesday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. Board members were asked to forward topics for discussion and Administration was asked to provide a layout in advance of the meeting of what is to come in the next quarter

· creating ad hoc committees to

Ø review and propose 1) training opportunities with budget allocation suggestions; 2) orientation schedule and curriculum; and 3) schedule and format for Board self-evaluation

Ø establish format/protocol for Board committee reports and reports from out of area conferences

Ø review committee structure to allow for officer and committee leadership succession planning

Ø obtain feedback from Board members on the August 2007 retreat, and make suggestions for the next retreat including a propose time, format and facilitator

· Board member volunteer on a rotating basis to arrange Board socials

· Chair and vice-chair job descriptions drafted by incumbents to be presented to the Board

· Board member volunteer designated at each workshop to provide a summary of the workshop during the formal meeting

Discussion concluded at 5:39 p.m.

3. Closed Meeting: None

4. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items:

The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations:

Cheryl Poe in protest of denied request to meet with the Superintendent.

5. Formal Meeting Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call:

Chairman Edwards called the formal meeting to order in the School Board Room at 6:15 p.m. All Board members were present.

6. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition: None

7. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Chaplain Kenneth Veazey, Manager of Chaplaincy Services for Sentara Southside Hospitals, gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deputy Superintendent Magula presented a report on activities throughout the school division to celebrate the opening day of school.

8. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items: The School Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations:

Iva Nash, President of the Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA), in support of the proposed revised healthcare plan for employees effective January 2008; and

Margaret Beasley regarding retirees under the Virginia Retirement System with a work-related disability and less than 25 years of service not being eligible for the employer’s annual contribution.

9. Approval of Minutes:

A. August 21, 2007 Regular Meeting: Mr. Stewart made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith-Jones, that the Board approve the minutes of their August 21, 2007 regular meeting as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.

10. Adoption of the Agenda: Prior to a motion, Chairman Edwards announced Item 16 – Workshop #2: Boardsmanship Discussion – had been conducted during the afternoon workshop. Mr. Davidson then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Fissinger, that the Board adopt the agenda as amended. The motion was unanimously approved.

11. Consent Agenda: Ms. Smith-Jones made a motion, seconded by Ms. Davis, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was unanimously approved and the following items adopted as part of the Consent Agenda:

A. National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution as follows:

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, 2007 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 participating, 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 recognize the month between September 15 and October 15, 2007, as National Hispanic Heritage Month; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach encourage 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. Policy Revisions:

1. Policy 3-65 Security of Buildings and Grounds: Telecommunications Devices: Updated in response to changes in Regulation 5-36.8 – Possession/Use of Cellular Telephone, Beeper and Other Portable Telecommunications Devices permitting high school students to activate, display, or use portable communication devices on a school division owned/leased school bus or vehicle while being transported to and/or from school.

2. Policy 4-1 Definitions: Revised to increase the number of eligible hours Bus Drivers/Bus Assistants and Food Services employees must work to receive full time benefits. Food Services employees would move from 15 hours per week to 25 hours per week, and Bus Drivers/Bus Assistants would move from 20 hours per week to 25 hours per week effective for those employees hired after September 5, 2007; with current employees grandfathered in at their original dates of hire.

3. Policy 4-87 Classified Personnel: Overtime: Revised as a cost savings and in an effort to align the division’s definition of “overtime” with a majority of employers who only pay overtime for those hours actually worked in excess of 40 hours in a workweek, not to include sick leave, annual leave, jury/witness leave, compensatory time off and holiday leave.

4. Policy 6-24 Addition and Deletion of Courses and Programs: Revised consistent with the new Policy 6-45 –Theme Based Academies, to incorporate a sunset provision for all new program proposals beginning September 1, 2007 providing for a date by which the program will sunset unless reauthorized by the School Board and shall be no more than 5 years after the program’s implementation date.

5. Policy 6-26 Evaluation of New and Existing Programs: New policy developed as a means to systematically enhance and expand the existing processes for programmatic evaluation, and outlines the process for program evaluation for all new and existing education programs in the division.

C. Marine Engineering and Design course proposal and corresponding objectives to be implemented in the 2008-09 school year.

D. Appointments, Resignations and Retirements - Personnel Report dated September 5, 2007. In addition, Deputy Superintendent Magula announced, and the Board affirmed, the recommended administrative appointment of Roberta L. Gourley as IS Project Manager in the Department of Technology

12. Action:

A. Healthcare Plan Recommendations for 2008: Mr. Lowe made a motion, seconded by Mr. Fissinger, that the Board approve the Health Care Plan recommendations for 2008 as proposed. Ms. Davis provided a synopsis of what was discussed during the afternoon workshop. Ms. Weems proposed an amendment to the motion to revise the dependent eligibility age to 24 rather than age 23 as recommended. She explained her rationale was that as proponents of education, and the fact many college degrees average 5 years, she believed age 24 was a reasonable compromise to what was originally proposed and the current age of 25. Mr. Fissinger provided a second. Mr. Farrell E. Hanzaker, Chief Financial Officer, provided information on the dependent age eligibility in neighboring school districts. After discussion, the proposed amendment was approved (ayes 7, nays 4 – Bellitto, Edwards, Fissinger and Lowe). The Board then unanimously adopted the original motion, as amended, and healthcare plan recommendations for implementation in 2008 were approved as follows:

· Eliminate the co-pay for preventive care/wellness exams

· Increase the employer contribution for health care from the current $5,225 to $5,400 (rather than the $5,750 that was included in the adopted budgets for the City and the Schools)

· Reduce coverage eligibility of dependents to age 24 from age 23 (coverage ends at end of the year the dependent turns 24)

· Eliminate the implicit subsidy (difference in the established premium versus the actual cost of coverage) for retirees with less than 25 years of service

Proposed to Remain Intact

· Continue to pay 100 percent of the employee single subscriber premium

· Retain the current out-of-pocket maximum ($1,500 per member/$3,000 per family)

· Retain the current co-payments and co-insurance

· Retain the same level of employer contribution for retirees with more than 25 years of service

· Ensure that the pharmacy plan operates with restrictions to enable a mandatory generic drug plan

Additionally, it was noted, Schools and City staff will continue to research, study, and provide to the School Board and City Council additional options that may have an impact on the health care plan and the GASB-45 liability.

13. Information: None

14. Committee Reports: On behalf of the Legislative Committee, Mr. Lowe announced a full report from the September 4 committee meeting, at which the development of the School Board’s Legislative agenda was initiated, will be e-mailed to the Board for review and subsequent action prior to the scheduled joint City Council / School Board reception with the General Assembly delegation.

15. Vote on Remaining Action Items: None

16. Workshop #2: Boardsmanship Discussion: Held during the afternoon workshop.

17. Adjournment:

There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board Approved: