SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 18, 2007

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held a regular meeting Tuesday, December 18, 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 4:38 p.m. All Board members were present.

2. Workshop #1:

A. 2006-2007 Advanced Placement (AP) Results: Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, and Dr. Hope E. White, Assessment Specialist, presented an overview of the analysis of Advanced Placement (AP) data provided by the College Board related to student participation in AP courses, participation in AP testing, and AP test results including demographic characteristics, five-year trends, the number of AP tests taken, and exam performance in Virginia Beach as compared to the state and the nation for 2006-07. In summary, it was reported the AP program continues to have divisionwide increases in course and student enrollment but with lower representation by African-American, Hispanic, and male students as compared to membership. The number of exams administered increased 35 percent since 2002-03 and 4 percent from 2005-06 school years. There is a higher percentage of African-American and Caucasian exam takers compared to their peers at the state and national levels with lower percentage of Hispanic test takers compared to peers at the state and national levels. Sixty-five percent of exam takers scored a 3 or higher, which exceeded state and national levels; with Caucasian and Asian/Pacific Islander students having the best performance. Compared to the state and nation, it was reported the gap between African-American and Caucasian students is smaller. Discussion concluded at 4:56 p.m.

B. WHRO Presentation: As the Board’s representative on the WHRO Board, Mr. Stewart introduced Mr. Bert Schmidt, WHRO’s newly selected President and Chief Executive Officer, who provided an overview of WHRO, its accomplishments and offerings.

The workshop concluded at 5:10 p.m.

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

Andrew Jackson regarding the achievement of African-American students.

4. 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.

5. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition:

A. National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisory (NATOA) Award: The School Board recognized the staff from VBTV for being awarded the 2007 Government Programming Award from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. In particular, the Board congratulated producers Jeff Barba and Stan Wadowski for the original production How in the World which won second place in the Child/Young Adult category in a national contest of government programming.

B. Outstanding Attendance – November 2007: The School Board recognized the following schools for having the highest percent of student attendance for the month of November 2007: Trantwood Elementary School with 96.77 percent, Kemps Landing Magnet School with 97.98 percent, and Tallwood High School with 95.57 percent.

C. Most Improved Attendance – November 2007: There were no schools having improved attendance for November 2007.

6. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Reverend Steven Gupton of First Baptist Church of Virginia Beach gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

7. Superintendent’s Report: In addition to recognizing the many awards and accomplishments of students and staff, Superintendent Merrill reported on activities throughout the school division.

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

9. Approval of Minutes:

A. December 4, 2007 Regular Meeting: Mr. Stewart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davidson, that the Board approve the minutes of their December 4, 2007 regular meeting as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.

10. Adoption of the Agenda: There being no proposed changes to the published agenda, Ms. Smith-Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr. Remias, that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.

11. Consent Agenda: Mr. Lowe 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. Course Proposal

1. Tallwood High School Global Studies and World Languages Academy for implementation in the 2008-2009 school year:

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

a. Drawing I: 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. Recommendation for General Contractor

1. The School Board authorized the Superintendent to execute a contract with McKenzie Construction Corporation in the amount of $37,613,000 for the replacement of Virginia Beach Middle School

2. The School Board authorized the Superintendent to execute a contract with Power Mechanical in the amount of $703,667 for cooling tower replacements at Tallwood High School, Cox High School and Glenwood Elementary School

C. Monthly Attendance Report – November 2007

D. Appointments, Resignations and Retirements as presented on the December 18, 2007 personnel report.

12. Action:

A. Budget Transfer and Related Resolution: Mr. Farrell E. Hanzaker, Chief Financial Officer, presented a budget transfer request and related resolution requesting City Council approve a categorical transfer in the amount of $797,500 from Transportation to Operations and Maintenance to correct an error in categories listed on the Resolution Regarding FY 2006-07 Reversion Revenue Actual Over Budget, and Debt Service Budget Over Actual Funds adopted by the Board September 18, 2007. He explained funds would be used to purchase service trucks in general maintenance not in the area of transportation. Mr. Davidson then made a motion, seconded by Ms. Edmonson, that the Board approve the budget transfer request and related resolution as presented. The motion was unanimously approved and the Transfer of Appropriations dated December 4, 2007 in the amount of $797,500 approved and related resolution adopted as follows:

RESOLUTION REGARDING FY 2007-08 BUDGET AND REQUEST FOR CATEGORICAL TRANSFER

WHEREAS, on September 18, 2007, the School Board approved the Resolution Regarding FY 2006-07 Reversion, Revenue Actual Over Budget, and Debt Service Budget Over Actual Funds in the amount of $14,690,129; and

WHEREAS, an amount of $797,500 was incorrectly categorized into the Transportation Category instead of the correct category of Operations and Maintenance; and

WHEREAS, the administration recommends that the $797,500 be transferred from the Transportation Category to the Operations and Maintenance Category; and

WHEREAS, the Board approves and affirms the recommended transfer of these funds as presented by the Administration; and

WHEREAS, categorical transfers are necessary; and

WHEREAS, any transfer of funds between categories must be approved by City Council prior to transfer and expenditure of funds by the School Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED: That the Board requests the City Council to approve categorical transfers as follows:

· $797,500 from Transportation

· $797,500 to Operations and Maintenance

and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board, and the Clerk of the Board is directed to deliver a copy of this resolution to the Mayor, each member of City Council, the City Manager, and the City Clerk.

13. Information:

A. 2006-2007 Advanced Placement (AP) Results: Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, and Dr. Hope E. White, Assessment Specialist, provided an overview of the analysis of Advanced Placement (AP) data provided by the College Board related to student participation in AP courses, participation in AP testing, and AP test results including demographic characteristics, five-year trends, the number of AP tests taken, and exam performance in Virginia Beach as compared to the state and the nation for 2006-07 presented to the Board in the afternoon workshop.

B. Interim Financial Statements – November 2007: The Board received for information the November 2007 interim financial statements and Mr. A. Samuel Cohen, Director of Business Services, responded to Board members’ questions.

14. Committee Reports: None

The Board recessed at 7:08 p.m. and reconvened in workshop format in Room 113 at 7:15 p.m. All Board members were present

15. Workshop #2:

A. Program of Work: Board Committee Reports: Board committee chairs provided an informal update on activities of the following Program of Work Board committees: Board Training, Orientation/Curriculum and Self-Evaluation; Committee Structure; Strategic Planning Committee; Retreat Planning for 2008; Revenue Sharing; CIP/Modernization; and Advocacy.

16. 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 evaluation of a specific administrator.

The motion was unanimously approved and the Board entered into a closed meeting at 7:39 p.m.

Individuals present for discussion:

A. Personnel Matters:

1. Performance evaluation of a specific administrator: Board members; 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 8:30 p.m.

Certification of Closed Meeting: Vice Chairman Bellitto made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davidson, 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 unanimously approved.

17. Vote on Remaining Action Items: None

18. Adjournment: There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Approved: Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board