SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF
MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2007
The School Board of the City of
MEMBERS PRESENT:
|
Mr. Daniel D. “Dan” Edwards, Chairman |
|
|
Ms. |
|
|
Ms. Emma L. “Em” Davis |
Mr. Lyndon S. Remias |
|
Ms. |
Ms. |
|
Mr. Edward F. Fissinger, Sr. |
Mr. Michael W. Stewart |
|
Mr. Dan R. Lowe |
Ms. Carolyn D. Weems |
|
|
|
|
Dr. |
|
Members ABSENT: Mr. Todd C. Davidson
Chairman Edwards convened the Board in the einstein.lab at 4:03 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Mr. Remias who arrived at 4:17 p.m.; and Mr. Davidson who was absent from the meeting.
Discussion concluded at 4:22 p.m.
B. 2008 General Assembly Legislative Agenda: On behalf of the School Board’s Legislative Committee, Mr. Freddie P. Alarcon, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, presented an overview of the committee’s proposed 2008 General Assembly Legislative Agenda outlining issues supported, issues opposed and issues of concern as follows:
- Issues Supported:
· Full funding of the biennial re-benchmarking of the Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formulas
· Teacher Quality Initiatives including
§ increased funding to assist teachers in covering the cost of the initial $2,500 assessment fee paid by applicants seeking National Board Certification
§ increased funding for the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program (VTSLP) as well as an increase to the amount awarded per student
§ Tax relief for teachers, either through tax credits or deductions from taxable income on state income taxes, or by granting authority to local governments to provide teachers with local property tax relief
- Issues Opposed:
· Any legislation that would modify the Composite Index (a formula used by the state to determine the amount of state education funding a school district will receive through the local ability to pay) which could cost the school division tens of millions of state education dollars each year
· Any legislation that would require local school boards to obtain express written permission from a parent or legal guardian before any student becomes a member of or attends the meeting of a non-curriculum-related student organization.
- Issues of Concern to be monitored during the course of the session:
· Required local match to fund the Early Childhood Education imposed by Governor Kaine’s “Starting Strong” proposal designed to provide increased access to preschool for at-risk four year-olds
· Legislation designed to provide tuition assistance grants for disabled students, specifically opposed to any legislation that would provide tuition tax credits, scholarships, or vouchers
· Recent procedural and financial changes in funding for National Board Certified Teachers
·
Support for increased appropriations that would
allow divisions to implement and enhance personal health and academic
achievement not only for
Following discussion in which majority of the Board indicated a desire to include in the packet support for a study on fiscal autonomy by the General Assembly, the School Board’s legislative liaison, Ms. Kay Kemper of Kemper Consulting, agreed to provide the Board background information and evaluate the current climate within the legislature relative to taxing authority before making a recommendation as to whether the issue should be added to the packet. Discussion concluded at 4:52 p.m.
C. School Board Compensation: Mr. Lowe provided information on salaries of Board members in neighboring districts and presented a recommendation and rationale for the Board to consider increasing their compensation effective July 1, 2008 from $6,000 annually to $12,000 annually with an additional $2,000 for the Chairman. Board members spoke to the proposal and explained their position. Discussion concluded at 5:12 p.m.
D. School Board Committee Updates: Board committee chairs provided an informal update on committee activities.
The workshop concluded at 5:24 p.m.
Motion for Closed Meeting in Accordance with VA Code § 2.2-3711, Part A: Vice Chairman Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith-Jones, that the Board adopt a motion to recess into a closed meeting pursuant to exemptions from open meetings allowed by Section 2.2-3711, Part A, Paragraph 1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the following purposes:
A. 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:
1.
consider a motion to continue the hearing for
Grievance #436-07-13-07 from November 13, 2007 to a date in December.
The motion was
approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the Board entered into a closed meeting at 5:27
p.m.
Individuals present for discussion:
A. Personnel Matters:
1. Consider a motion to continue the hearing for
Grievance #436-07-13-07 from November 13, 2007 to a date in December: Board members with the exception of Mr.
Davidson who was absent from the meeting; Superintendent Merrill; Dr.
The Board reconvened in an open meeting at 5:39 p.m.
Certification of Closed Meeting: Vice Chairman Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, 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).
Ms. Davis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, that the Board adopt a resolution regarding Grievance Case Number 436-07-13-07 denying the request for a continuance and reaffirming the date set for the hearing as November 13, 2007. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION REGARDING GRIEVANCE CASE NO. 436-07-13-07
RESOLVED: That a fact finding panel
hearing was concluded on 9/25/07 regarding a recommendation for disciplinary
action against the Grievant and on 10/2/07 the Grievant notified the School
Board that she intended to request a further hearing before the School Board;
and
RESOLVED: That a hearing has been set for 11/13/07 from 6:00 –
8:00 p.m. for the School Board to consider the Findings of Fact and
Recommendation of the Fact Finding Panel, the transcripts of the fact finding
panel hearings, the exhibits and additional evidence and argument to be made by
the Grievant and the School Administration; and
RESOLVED: That notice of such hearing
was provided to the public, the Grievant’s attorney and the School
Administration on 10/29/07;
RESOLVED: That on 10/30/07 the Grievant made a
written request that the hearing before the School Board be continued until a
date in December in order for the Grievant to retain other legal counsel to
represent her; and
RESOLVED: That
the School Board received the Findings of Fact and Recommendation of the Fact
Finding Panel, the transcripts of the fact finding panel hearings and the
exhibits on 11/1/07; and
RESOLVED: That on
11/7/07 the School Board considered the Grievant’s request for a continuance
and determined that:
A. the Grievant has had sufficient time to obtain legal
counsel to represent her on her request for a hearing before the School Board
and that the School Board does not have available dates in December 2007 to
provide adequate time for the hearing requested by the Grievant; and
B. the School Board will not grant a continuance and the
hearing will be held on November 13, 2007 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Clerk is directed to
send a copy of this Resolution to the Grievant, the Principal of Lynnhaven
Middle School, the City Attorney, the Compliance Specialist and the Assistant
Superintendent of Human Resources, who is directed to place a copy of this
resolution, the Fact Finding Panel’s Findings of Fact and Recommendation,
transcripts and exhibits in the Grievant’s personnel file.
The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations:
Cheryl Poe presented a petition requesting the School Board adopt a policy that prohibits the tape recording of parents’ phone calls without their knowledge or consent.
The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations regarding the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Operating Budget and 2008-09 through 2013-14 Capital Improvement Program (CIP):
Susan Edelson, Special Education
Teacher Assistant at
Carolyn Ward, Special Education Teacher
Assistant at
Dominic Melito, vice president of the Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA), requesting funding to provide for an additional high school activity bus run one hour after dismissal; and
Iva Nash, president of the VBEA, requesting 1) increases in instructional salaries to reflect the cost of living and anticipated increased costs of health care; 2) compensation increases to provide for a living wage for teacher assistants and others; and 3) revisions to the unified salary scale to enable all employees to be able to accurately calculate their salaries.
Chairman Edwards called the formal meeting to order in the School Board Room at 6:20 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Mr. Davidson who Chairman Edwards announced was absent due to an immediate family member currently undergoing surgery.
A. Outstanding Economics Lesson Plan Award Recipient: The School Board recognized Matthew Wallace, First Colonial High School Government and History teacher, for being awarded first place in the Outstanding Economics Lesson Plan Award given by the Virginia Council for Economic Education for his lesson plan titled “Monetary Policy: Increasing/Decreasing the Money Supply.”
B. Bronze and Silver Congressional Award Recipient: The School Board recognized Amanda O’Malley, Cox High School senior, for being awarded the Bronze and Silver Congressional Award Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon America’s youth, by the Second Congressional District, for the good work she has done for the betterment of her community and for the goals she has set for her own personal development.
NATIONAL AMERICAN
INDIAN 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, American Indians and Alaska Natives have
always been an integral part of our country’s great mosaic of races,
ethnicities, and religious groups; and
WHEREAS, the history, culture, and traditions of
WHEREAS, it is imperative for the good of our nation
that schools continue to build awareness and understanding of the contributions
made by American Indian peoples; and Alaska Natives
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, and the need to know and understand our national heritage in
order to become informed participants in shaping our nation’s future; and
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of
Virginia Beach officially recognize the month November 2007, as National
American Indian Heritage Month; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of
RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.
B. The School Board approved
the administration’s recommendations that were proposed in response to the
|
PROGRAM
EVALUATION RECOMMENDATIONS |
ADMINISTRATION’S
RECOMMENDATIONS |
|
1.
Increase
enrollment of qualified students through varied marketing methods in an
effort to reach full capacity. Ensure
marketing activities include clear program expectations for potential
students and their parents. (Office of
Academy Programs, 2.
Secure dual
enrollment agreements with colleges and university partners before course
enrollment for 2008-2009 in order to provide rising seniors with an
opportunity to earn postsecondary credit.
(Office of Academy Programs, 3.
Create opportunities
for greater collaboration among academy teachers within and among disciplines
in an effort to further integrate the academy themes throughout curriculum
and instruction. (Office of Academy
Programs, 4.
Continue the
academy program through June 2010 and conduct a full implementation
evaluation to be presented to the School Board in the fall of 2009. The evaluation will include information
related to student enrollment, achievement of the academy goal and
objectives, and recommendations regarding the continuation of the academy
beyond June 2010. (Department of Accountability, School Administration) |
· The administration concurs with and supports all of
the program evaluation recommendations as proposed. · In addition, the administration recommends the
development and implementation of strategic initiatives that will increase
student interest and subsequent enrollment in the academy. These initiatives should be implemented
prior to the end of the 2007-2008 school year. (Office of Academy Programs, |
C. Textbook adoptions as recommended by the applicable Textbook Adoption Committee for implementation in the fall of 2008 as follows:
|
1. |
Virtual
|
|
||
|
Title: |
Entrepreneurship & Small Business
Ownership |
||
|
Authors: |
Kathleen
Allen and Earl Meyer |
||
|
Publisher: |
Glencoe/McGraw
Hill |
||
|
Copyright: |
2006 |
||
|
2. |
Air
Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Technology, 5th Edition |
||||
|
Authors: |
Whiteman,
Johnson, Tomczyk and Silberstein |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Cengage
Learning/Delmar Learning |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2005 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
3. |
Auto
Body and Paint Technology |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Collision Repair Fundamentals |
||||
|
Authors: |
James
E. Duffy |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Cengage
Learning/Delmar Learning |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2008 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
4. |
Automotive
Service Technology |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, 4th Edition |
||||
|
Authors: |
Jack
Eujavec |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Thompson
Delmar Learning |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2005 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
5. |
Masonry |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Modern Masonry |
||||
|
Authors: |
Clois
E. Kicklighter |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Goodheart-Willcox |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2003 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
6. |
Plumbing
and Heating |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Residential |
||||
|
Authors: |
Michael
Joyce |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Cengage
Learning/Delmar Learning |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2005 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
7. |
Photography
and Printing |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Learning Photoshop CS2 |
||||
|
Authors: |
Peter
Watkins |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Goodheart-Willcox
Publishing |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2007 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
8. |
Graphic
Communications |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Video Digital Communication, 2nd Edition |
||||
|
Authors: |
Jim
Stinson |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Goodheart-Willcox
Publishing |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2008 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
9. |
Computers
and Communications Technology |
|
||||
|
Title: |
Communications and Multimedia
Technology |
||||
|
Authors: |
Dale
Andrews |
||||
|
Publisher: |
Digital
Overdrive |
||||
|
Copyright: |
2008 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
10. |
Marketing
Program |
|
||||
|
Marketing
I |
|||||