SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 4, 2007

 

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held a regular meeting Tuesday, December 4, 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. James G. Merrill, Superintendent

Members ABSENT:         None

 

1.                  Convene School Board Informal Meeting:

Chairman Edwards convened the Board in the einstein.lab at 4:33 p.m.  All Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Edmonson, Ms. Smith-Jones and Ms. Weems.  Ms. Edmonson arrived during the workshop at 4:37 p.m.; Ms. Smith-Jones arrived during the closed meeting at 5:26 p.m.; and Ms. Weems arrived at 6:00 p.m. prior to the hearing on non-agenda items.

2.                  Workshop:

A.        Sustainable Schools:  Mr. John S. Kalocay, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Support Services, introduced Mr. Tim Cole, Project Manager in the Department of Facilities Planning and Construction, who presented a brief overview of what the school division is doing to address environmental sustainability (meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs).  He highlighted initiatives including building green buildings, integrating environmentally sustainable practices throughout the school division, and educating students on the importance of environmental sustainability.  Discussion concluded at 4:16 p.m.

B.         Board Administrative Matters:  Chairman Edwards briefly commented on the Board’s travel budget and the December 3 joint City Council / School Board Legislative Reception at which the School Board’s Legislative Agenda was presented to the Virginia Beach General Assembly delegation.  Following brief discussion, majority of the Board indicated a desire to forward to the delegation a position paper opposing tuition assistance tax credits.

C.        Program of Work:  Board Committee Reports:  Board committee chairs provided an informal update on committee activities and announced tentative meeting dates. 

The workshop concluded at 5:08 p.m.

3.                  Closed Meeting:

Motion for Closed Meeting in Accordance with VA Code § 2.2-3711, Part A:  Vice Chairman Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, 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:  performance of specific administrators.

The motion was approved (ayes 9, nays 0, Smith-Jones and Weems had not yet arrived) and the Board entered into a closed meeting at 5:10 p.m.

Individuals present for discussion: 

A.        Personnel Matters:

1.         Performance of specific administrators:  Board members with the exception of Ms. Smith-Jones who arrived during the closed meeting at 5:26 p.m., and Ms. Weems who arrived after the closed meeting; Superintendent Merrill; Dr. Sheila S. Magula, Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Evaluation and Assessment; Ms. Kamala H. Lannetti, Deputy City Attorney; and Ms. Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board.

The Board reconvened in an open meeting at 5:45 p.m.

Certification of Closed Meeting:  Vice Chairman 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 9, nays 0, Smith-Jones abstained and Weems absent).  Ms. Smith-Jones noted her abstention was due to her late arrival during the closed meeting.

4.                  Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items:  The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations on non-agenda items:

Fred Slatter, Corporate Landing Middle School parent and president of the United Veterans Alliance Foundation, in opposition to school being held on the observed Veteran’s Day in 2007;

Georgia Allen, president of Virginia Beach branch of the NAACP, regarding the education of African-American students; and

Jeff Bates in support of the newly created Cultural Diversity position.

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: 

A.                 2007 Southern Business Education Association (SBEA) Supervision Distinguished Service Award:  The School Board recognized Ms. Rhonda S. J. Doak, Coordinator of Business and Information Technology in the Office of Technical Education, for receiving the 2007 Southern Business Education Association Supervision Distinguished Service Award.

B.                 2007 Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education (VACTE) Outstanding Educator:  The School Board recognized Ms. Rhonda S. J. Doak, Coordinator of Business and Information Technology in the Office of Technical Education, for being named Outstanding Educator for 2007 from the Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education (VACTE).

C.                 Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Region II Outstanding Career and Technical Educator for 2007:  The School Board recognized Ms. Rhonda S. J. Doak, Coordinator of Business and Information Technology in the Office of Technical Education, for being named Outstanding Educator for 2007 from the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Region II.

D.                 Virginia Technology Education Association Supervisory Achievement Award:  The School Board recognized Mr. John Ledgerwood, Coordinator of Engineering and Technology Education in the Office of Technical Education, for receiving the Supervisory Achievement Award from the Virginia Technology Education Association.

E.                  National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award:  The School Board recognized the Office of Purchasing for receiving the Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

F.                  Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award – Fiscal Year 2007:  The School Board recognized the Department of Budget and Finance for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007. 

7.                  Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance:  Reverend Brad Phillips of Community United Methodist Church gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

8.                  Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items:  None

9.                  Approval of Minutes:

A.                 November 20, 2007 Regular Meeting:  Mr. Davidson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, that the Board approve the minutes of their November 20, 2007 regular meeting as presented.  The motion was unanimously approved.

B.         November 27, 2007 Special Meeting:  Ms. Davis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lowe, that the Board approve the minutes of their November 27, 2007 special meeting as presented.  The motion was approved (ayes 9, nays 0, 2 abstentions – Davidson and Weems).  It was noted abstentions were due to the Board members’ absence at the November 27 meeting. 

10.              Adoption of the Agenda:  Prior to a motion, Chairman Edwards clarified item 15 – Closed Meeting would not be needed as it was held after the afternoon workshop.  Ms. Smith-Jones then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davidson, that the Board adopt the agenda.  The motion was unanimously approved.

11.              Consent Agenda:  Mr. Fissinger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda.  The motion was unanimously approved and the following items adopted as part of the Consent Agenda: 

A.                 Resolution recognizing 2008 International Year of Languages as follows:

RECOGNIZING 2008 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF LANGUAGES

RESOLUTION

December 4, 2007

WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the United Nations recognizes that genuine multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international understanding, has proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Languages; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations pursues multilingualism as a means of promoting, protecting and preserving diversity of languages and cultures globally; and

WHEREAS, language education in the 21st century includes a commitment to the study of world languages beginning in the early grades to enable students to develop the levels of proficiency needed to effectively communicate with people from other cultures, whether at home or abroad; and

WHEREAS, students in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools are able to study the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) as well as American Sign Language, German, Japanese and Latin; and

WHEREAS, culture is an integral part of all communicative efforts when communicating in a language other than English; and

WHEREAS, students who study languages other than English understand the wisdom and strength of preserving cultural diversity and of promoting the uniqueness and contributions of all global cultures; and

WHEREAS, students who become proficient in languages other than English will be able to strengthen the United States’ position and security around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED:         That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach designate 2008 as the International Year of Languages in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED:     That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach commend our students and teachers for their dedicated efforts to meet this vital need; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED:     That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.

B.                 Course Proposal and Course Objectives:  Success with the SAT – a semester-long pass/fail class that will be offered at the high school level beginning in January 2008 with online components as well as printed resource materials provided by the College Board.

C.                 The School Board approved the administration’s recommendations that were proposed in response to the Year-Two Evaluation of the Galaxy After-School Program at Bettie F. Williams Elementary School and Newtown Road Elementary School as follows:

·         Administration concurs with and supports the following program evaluation recommendations:

1.        Develop and implement a system to focus Galaxy and regular school-day teacher collaboration efforts on identifying each individual Galaxy student’s academic needs to allow Galaxy teachers to address those specific needs in the after-school program. (Schools)

2.        Strengthen the Galaxy After-School Program attendance and dismissal policies so that parents understand that their children should remain in the program for the entire session each day to receive the full benefits of the program (Department of School Administration, Schools)

3.        Develop and implement a Parent Contract or an agreement with parents who enroll their children in the Galaxy After-School Program which outlines program expectations for parents and students based on the program’s purpose, goal, and objectives.  This should include expectations and policies regarding student attendance and early dismissal from the program. (Department of School Administration, Schools)

4.        Implement additional instructional strategies or program schedule changes aimed at supporting students’ academic needs to enable the program to more fully meet the objective of increasing students’ academic achievement.  (Department of School Administration, Schools)

5.        Reexamine the program’s purpose, the program schedule, the student dismissal patterns, and the program evaluations to determine if any modifications should be made to the program.  (Department of School Administration, Schools, Galaxy After-School Program Committee)

·         In addition, the administration recommends that the schools in the Bayside Tri-Campus implement immediate program adjustments to the Galaxy After-School Program no later than January 2008.  The departments of Curriculum and Instruction and School Administration will work closely with the school principals and program staff to identify and implement necessary changes.  These changes may include adjustments to the program’s instructional focus, schedule, use of transportation, criteria for student participation, and expectations for student attendance.  The impact of these changes will be assessed in the full evaluation report that will be presented to the School Board in early fall 2008.  This evaluation will include recommendations regarding the continuation of the Galaxy-After School Program.

D.                 The School Board adopted the following resolution authorizing the Chairman to accept the conveyance of title from the City of Virginia Beach for the streets/ alleys that were closed along with two lots titled in the name of the City, and authorizes the Chairman to sign any documents required to resubdivide the Virginia Beach Middle School Site into one parcel:

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING TITLE FROM THE CITY TO PORTIONS OF

THE VIRGINIA BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE

WHEREAS, in connection with the Virginia Beach Middle School replacement site (the “VBMS Site”), the City Council of Virginia Beach approved Ordinances vacating the public interest in a portion of Parks Avenue, a portion of 25th Street and the alleys in Block 135, Plat of Ridgecrest (the “Street Closures”);

WHEREAS, the Street Closures do not become effective until the School Board resubdivides the VBMS Site into one lot by recording a resubdivision plat;

WHEREAS, the School Board must have title to the entire VBMS Site before the resubdivision plat can be recorded;

WHEREAS, based upon the title examination performed on the VBMS Site and reviewed by the City Attorney, it was determined that the fee interest underlying the vacated portion of Parks Avenue, the vacated portion of 25th Street and the vacated alleys in Block 135, Plat of Ridgecrest (collectively the “vacated streets”) is owned by the City of Virginia Beach;

WHEREAS, based upon the title examination performed on the VBMS Site and reviewed by the City Attorney, it was determined that although the majority of the VBMS Site is owned by the School Board, two lots, known as Lots 17 and 18, Block 135, Plat of Ridgecrest (the “two lots”), are titled in the name of the City of Virginia Beach;

WHEREAS, Virginia Code §22.1-125 requires that title to all school property be vested in the School Board, absent an agreement with the City to the contrary; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that title to the vacated streets and the two lots owned by the City be transferred to the School Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

Section 1.  That the School Board directs the Chairman to accept the conveyance of title from the City of the vacated portion of Parks Avenue, the vacated portion of 25th Street and the vacated alleys in Block 135, Plat of Ridgecrest owned by the City and authorizes and directs the City Attorney to record the Deed of Vacation and Quitclaim conveying title to this vacated portion of Parks Avenue, the vacated portion of 25th Street and the vacated alleys in Block 135, Plat of Ridgecrest to the School Board; and

Section 2.  That the School Board directs the Chairman to accept the conveyance of title from the City as to the two lots of the VBMS Site owned by the City and authorizes and directs the City Attorney to record the Special Warranty Deed conveying title to this portion of the VBMS Site to the School Board. 

Section 3.  That the School Board authorizes the Chairman to sign any documents or instruments necessary to effect the resubdivision of the VBMS Site into one parcel in order to complete the Street Closures.

E.                  Appointments, Resignations and Retirements as presented on the December 4, 2007 Personnel Report

12.              Action:  None

13.              Information: 

A.                 Course Proposals:

1.                  Tallwood High School Global Studies and World Languages Academy:  Ms. Rebecca Gurley, Coordinator of the Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School, presented to the Board for information the following course and course objectives proposed for implementation in the 2008-2009 school year at the Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School Academy:

a.                   Global Connections Seminar:  A required semester-long, one-half credit course (the fourth in a sequence) for students in their fourth year of the Academy to provide students with the content and skills needed to conduct an in-depth study of global issues, cultures and systems.

b.                  Leadership in a Global Society:  A semester-long, one-half credit elective course for students enrolled in the Academy with its primary objective to provide students with the theoretical aspects and practical applications of collaborative leadership targeted to an era of globalization.

c.                   Global Media Analysis:  A semester-long, one-half credit elective course for students enrolled in the Academy with the primary objective to introduce students to all types of media and conduct a comparative study of how media is viewed and utilized around the world.

2.                  Salem High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy Dual Enrollment:  Ms. Eva Melatti, Coordinator of the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School, presented to the Board for information the following course and course objectives proposed for the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School:

a.                   Drawing 1:  A three-credit college-level dual enrollment course recommended for implementation in the 2008-2009 school year for students in the visual arts strand of the Academy and is designed to provide students an opportunity to experience drawing fundamentals at the college level while building their individual portfolio. 

b.                  Drawing II:  A three-credit college-level dual enrollment course recommended for implementation in the 2009-2010 school year for students in the visual arts strand of the Academy and is designed to provide students an opportunity to experience advanced drawing fundamentals at the college level while building their individual portfolio.

B.                 2006-2007 Report on Standards of Learning (SOL) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Results:  Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent for Accountability; and Mr. Barry V. Kavy, Director of Testing, presented to the Board for information an overview of the Standards of Learning (SOL) Spring 2007 test results demonstrating all Virginia Beach schools (100 percent) earning full accreditation status.  It was also reported all but one elementary school and seven middle schools (90 percent) made AYP as required under NCLB, with 99.4 percent (2,336 out of 2,349) benchmarks being met - 98.2 percent in English performance (557 out of 567) and 99.5 percent in Mathematics performance (564 out of 567).   Additionally, included in the presentation, was an analysis of subgroup by ethnicity, disabilities, and economically disadvantaged.

C.                 Operating Measures:  Superintendent Merrill presented the Key Operating Measures for Virginia Beach City Public Schools organized around the seven goals identified by the division’s Strategic Plan 2003-2009, and to be used as a resource when employing individual advocacy efforts.  It provides citizens with a comprehensive understanding of the school division’s progress in meeting essential objectives and clearly delineates the organization’s performance over time (in most cases four years) and, hence, provides stakeholders with a clear picture of the return on their investment.  In addition, it identifies challenges and thus fosters an understanding of the division’s priorities associated with the School Board’s Program of Work. 

D.                 Savings and Efficiencies:  Superintendent Merrill presented a report on measures taken and savings realized subsequent to the tax rate reduction resulting in $10.4 million being cut from the school’s already approved budget.  He reported the purchase of 22 replacement school buses was eliminated, the transfer of monies from the operating budget to the capital budget reduced, and all non-personnel line items reduced by two percent, to name a few tactics employed.  He noted the already approved biennial budget had included a net reduction of 64.10 positions before the $10.4 million reduction became a reality.  Furthermore, he reported central office reorganization efforts resulted in initiating a five-month freeze on vacant central administration positions; eliminating full-time positions and deploying some positions out to schools; and eliminating a number of temporary employee contracts with duties absorbed by existing personnel when possible.  Other strategies included a change to the overtime policy wherein an employee can only earn overtime if they work beyond a 40-hour week; a summer energy reduction program was put into place; changes were made to the number of hours certain part-time employees have to work before becoming eligible for health benefits; changing the bus replacement cycle from 12 to 15 years; and departments were asked to re-evaluate their budgets in an effort to proactively initiate savings.  Projected savings from these strategies over five years was estimated at more than $16.5 million.  He reported current year savings will help fund a diversity position created to address the Program of Work Goal 5 to improve the academic achievement of African-American males; help address unforeseen costs such as covering the state shortfall to pay National Board Certified Teachers; additional hike in fuel costs; and to address budget reconciliation in key line items with a mid-year evaluation determining the need for transfers to address unmet needs.  In the long-term, he advised the priority will be to maximize savings to help address future employee salary/benefit increases.  The long-term approach would be to maintain a quality workforce with competitive salaries and benefits and maintain flexibility to address rising costs in fuel, utilities, state and federal mandates, and GASB-45.

14.              Committee Reports:  Mr. Lowe reported upon recommendation of the joint City Council / School Board Modernization Committee after meeting on November 20, results from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Modernization Study will be presented to the joint City Council / School Board combined Modernization Committee and Revenue Sharing Formula Committee on Tuesday, December 18, from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m., for discussion of the school’s CIP/ Modernization plan and funding possibilities. 

On behalf of the Legislative Committee, Mr. Lowe reported the school division’s 2008 Legislative Agenda was presented to the Virginia Beach General Assembly delegation at the December 3, 2007 annual legislative reception.