The Portsmouth City School Board Portsmouth, Virginia

Transcription

1 The Portsmouth City School Board Portsmouth, Virginia Minutes The members of the Portsmouth City School Board held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, December 13, 2007, in the City Council Chamber, which is located in the City Hall Building, 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. Call to Order Chairman Bridgeford called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Ms. Kathy L. Chambliss, the Clerk, and Mrs. Laura C. Chandler, the Deputy Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Lauryn H. Durrance, a first-grader at Park View Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance, Deria L. Watkins, a second-grader, offered a statement, and choral students from the school offered musical selections. The students were presented with a gift as a token of the Board s appreciation for their participation in the meeting. The board and the audience paused for a moment of silent prayer. Roll Call The following Board members were present: Ms. Sheri H. Bailey, Mr. James E. Bridgeford, Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, Mr. James M. Hewitt, Mrs. Elizabeth N. Hudgins, Mrs. Linda D. Ridenour, Mrs. Jean H. Shackelford, and Dr. Mark M. Whitaker. (Mr. B. Keith Nance, Sr. was absent due to lens implant surgery). The following members of the professional staff were also in attendance: Dr. David C. Stuckwisch, Superintendent, Dr. Patricia H. Fisher, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Dan Pendarvis, Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Planning, Dr. Margaret R. Buxton, Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Nita R. Mensia-Joseph, Director of Operations, Mr. Joseph L. Wiggins, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, and Mr. George M. Willson, School Board Attorney/Deputy City Attorney. Mrs. Shackelford moved to add the following item to the agenda for Thursday, December 13, 2007: (Item 19, 3 Items of Concern: 1) Our Annual Compliance, 2) A reply to the letter to the Board Chair dated October 16, 2007, and 3) What is our plan to our legislators?). The motion failed by an electronic vote of four yes votes (Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Hewitt, Ms. Bailey) to four no votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford).

2 Board Minutes December 13, 2007 Page 2 of 5 Approval of the Agenda Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the agenda for Thursday, December 13, 2007, as amended: (add Item 13A; Consideration to enter into an Agreement for Insulation Abatement at Churchland Academy Elementary School). The motion carried by an electronic vote of six yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Dr. Whitaker, Mrs. Ridenour, Ms. Bailey, Mr. Bridgeford) to two no votes (Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford). Lefcoe Alumni Education Committee Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Church and Community in Action Committee Mr. Ned McCabe, Representative for the Vann H. Lefcoe Alumni Association, provided a report on the progress of annually tracking the school system. Mr. McCabe reported on the three measures of focus: school accreditation, teacher retention, and teacher salaries. He further stated that meaningful progress has been made. Mr. McCabe also introduced Ms. Kelly McCain, Chairperson for the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Auditors Letters for the Year Ending June 30, The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Recognition Dr. Stuckwisch recognized the following schools for receiving the highest percentage of student attendance for November Minutes Elementary Douglass Park Elementary (99.8 percent) Middle Churchland Middle School (93.57 percent) High Churchland High School (91.66 percent) Center Mt. Hermon Preschool Center (95.75 percent) Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the minutes for the Special Meeting held on Tuesday, November 1, 2007, and the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, November 8, The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Monthly Report (Curriculum and Instruction) Dr. Patricia H. Fisher offered a report on the following: 1) professional development, 2) student activities, 3) staff recognition, and 4) grant awards.

3 Board Minutes December 13, 2007 Page 3 of 5 Monthly Report (Human Resources) Dr. Buxton offered a report on the following: 1) a staff development program with paraprofessionals held on November 6, 2007, 2) an Interview Fair, March 1, 2008, and 3) the MUNIS Human Resources and Payroll Implementation Plan scheduled for July 1, Human Resources Report November 2007 Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Human Resources Report for November The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Human Resources Report December 2007 Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Human Resources Report for December The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Monthly Report (Budget and Planning) Mr. Pendarvis offered a report on items in the areas of Operations, Finance and Information Technology. Dr. Daniels moved to approve a for the Acquisition, Installation and Support of a Time and Attendance System for Portsmouth Public Schools. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Mrs. Ridenour moved to approve a for the Repair/Replacement of Interior and Exterior Doors at Portsmouth Public Schools on an as-needed basis. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Elementary School Zoning Plan Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the proposed changes to the Elementary School Zoning Plan, effective September 2, The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve an Agreement for Insulation Abatement at Churchland Academy Elementary School. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

4 Board Minutes December 13, 2007 Page 4 of 5 Finance Report Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Financial Report for October The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Superintendent s Report Dr. Stuckwisch s report included the following: 1) the First-College informational meeting held on December 10, 2007, 2) the Superintendent s Fourth Annual Senior Forum held on December 12, 2007, 3) noted that the Superintendent and Mr. Pendarvis will attend a briefing on the Governor s budget, December 19, 2007, and 4) stated that the School division will be closed December 21, 2007 through January 1, 2008 in observance of the winter break Motion To Separate An Item In The , Comprehensive Plan Mrs. Shackelford moved that the mission statement be pulled from the , Comprehensive Plan and voted on separately. The motion failed by an electronic vote of two yes votes (Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford) to six no votes (Ms. Bailey, Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford). Comprehensive Plan Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the , Comprehensive Plan. The motion carried by an electronic vote of six yes votes (Ms. Bailey, Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to two no votes Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford). Amend Calendar Mrs. Hudgins moved to amend the Calendar of School Board meetings during the school year, (change the February 7, 2008 meeting to February 21, 2007) to accommodate the VSBA Legislative Meeting. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Board Members Reports Mrs. Ridenour VSBA Annual Conference, Williamsburg, Virginia, November 12-16, 2007 Dr. Whitaker 1) Wilson Athletic Improvement Committee Meeting held on December 6, 2007, 2) Cost involved in implementing full contact football at the middle school level Mrs. Hudgins 1) Poinsettias for Board Members, 2) Certain Members of the Board attempting to stifle or shut down other Members Mrs. Shackelford commended Mrs. Mensia-Joseph on the Comprehensive Report given on Safety and Security at the VSBA Annual Conference in Williamsburg

5 Board Minutes December 13, 2007 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Bailey Cost involved in implementing Lacrosse in the middle schools Mr. Bridgeford 1) Budget meetings held, 2) thanked Dr. Felton and staff at Hodges Manor Elementary, and the Food Services staff for the outstanding gala event held for a meeting scheduled with legislators on December 6, 2007, 3) the Portsmouth Schools Foundation Distinguished Alumnus Award Public comment Mr. Sean Bowers, Vlzual1ze.org, P.O. Box 1424, Virginia Beach, VA (Youth Development) Adjournment Chairman Bridgeford adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m. James E. Bridgeford, Chairman Kathy L. Chambliss, Clerk January 24, 2008 Date of Adoption by the Board