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, September 18, 2008, 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 7:04 p.m. Ms. Kathy L. Chambliss, the Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Joseph D. Reardon, a sixth-grader at Simonsdale Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Board and the audience paused for a moment of silent prayer. Allison R. Pittman, also a sixth-grader, offered a statement and Chairman Bridgeford recited the Board s mission statement. Attendance The following Board members were present: Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, Mr. James M. Hewitt, Mr. Edward P. McCabe, Mr. B. Keith Nance, Sr., Mrs. Linda D. Ridenour, Mrs. Jean H. Shackelford, Mrs. Costella B. Williams, Dr. Mark M. Whitaker and Mr. James E. Bridgeford. 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. Approval of the Agenda Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the agenda for Thursday, September 18, The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Public Hearing A public hearing was held on the sale of real property to PRHA by Portsmouth City School Board. Mr. Pendarvis reviewed the specifics of the sale. There were no speakers for the hearing. Presentation Dr. Stuckwisch recognized LaShawn Merritt, two-time Olympic gold medal winner, and presented Mrs. Brenda Stukes, LaShawn s mother, with framed newspaper articles that appeared in the Virginian-Pilot while LaShawn was in Beijing. LaShawn, who was attending a charity fundraiser, was unable to be present.

2 Board Minutes September 18, 2008 Page 2 of 5 Recognition Wellness Day Award Winners Mrs. Maureen Mizelle, Executive Director of the Portsmouth Schools Foundation, and Mrs. Sharon Moore, Wellness Program Specialist, acknowledged the winners of the 6 th Annual Wellness Day Walk. Mrs. Mizelle reported that all top walkers in each school and department would receive a t- shirt. She also noted that Mr. McCabe, Board member, also a top walker, walked over 5 miles. Mrs. Moore presented Mr. Timothy Johnson (Principal), and Woodrow Wilson High School, the 2008 Wellness Walk Champions with a trophy. Mr. Johnson also accepted an award on behalf of Mr. Kenneth Pfeiffer who walked 136 laps. Mr. Pfeiffer was unable to be present. Minutes Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting/Public Work Session held on Thursday, June 5, 2008, the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, June 26, 2008, the Annual Reorganization Meeting held on Thursday, July 3, 2008, the Annual Summer Retreat held on Friday, August 15, 2008 and Saturday, August 16, 2008, and the Special Meeting held on Thursday, August 28, The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items There were no speakers for this item. Monthly Report Curriculum and Instruction: Dr. Fisher offered a report on the following: 1) curriculum, 2) professional development, and 3) staff recognitions. A competitive grant awards chart was also included and a governance committee report was provided. English Current Initiatives and Highlights Dr. Helen W. Taylor, Director of English and Reading Education, offered a report on English current initiatives and highlights. The following areas were reviewed: 1) preschool, 2) the reading program, 3) writing, 4) technology, 5) supplementary support, 6) assessments, and 7) professional development. School Health Advisory Board Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the School Health Advisory Board for the school year. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Monthly Report Human Resources Dr. Buxton, Director of Human Resources, offered a report on the following: 1) new hire teacher contracts, 2) vacancies, 3) data on new hires, 4) new teacher institute, 5) exit survey, and 6) MUNIS phase II and III.

3 Board Minutes September 18, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Recognition Chairman Bridgeford, Dr. Stuckwisch, and Dr. Buxton recognized the 2008 Teachers of the Year. They were presented with a check and a plaque. Human Resources Report Elementary: LaKicia P. Sallee, Brighton Elementary School Middle: Marie L. Parrish, Cradock Middle School High: John C. Brown, Woodrow Wilson High School Citywide: Miquela A. K. Weiseman, Mt. Hermon Preschool Center Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the Human Resources Report for September 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. ASBO International Certificate of Excellence Chairman Bridgeford, Dr. Stuckwisch and Mr. Pendarvis presented Mrs. Meera Phaltanker, Director of Finance with the ASBO International Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for Fiscal Year 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the second consecutive year the Finance Department has received this award. Construction Update Mr. Tom Hubert, Construction Manager, offered an update on work completed during the summer. Mr. Hubert highlighted completed projects at Woodrow Wilson High, Victory Elementary, and Park View Elementary schools. He also provided an update from the maintenance department on major summer projects at various schools. School Safety Review and Facilities Condition Index Mrs. Nita R. Mensia-Joseph, Director of Operations, provided a report on the 2008 facilities condition index and safety audit. Mrs. Mensia-Joseph explained the basic formula and reviewed the facilities condition index categories, cost ratio by category, and costs by category and school. She provided a comparison of the top 5 schools, noting that Lakeview Elementary and Cradock Middle school remain in the top two slots. Mrs. Mensia-Joseph also highlighted issues for the top schools. Mrs. Mensia-Joseph further reported on the safety audit. She reviewed the background, safety categories and elements, the average number of issues per school, problems identified, and a classification system. She also provided a report on the average number of issues by level and school class, a top ten district-wide comparison, safety performance by school, and the top 5 school comparison by issues.

4 Board Minutes September 18, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the resolution affirming authorization to pick up the employee s contribution to VRS for Portsmouth School Board - professional code under 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Mr. Nance moved to approve the resolution affirming authorization to pick up the employee s contribution to VRS for Portsmouth School Board for past service credit - professional code under 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Mr. McCabe moved to approve the resolution affirming authorization to pick up the employee s contribution to VRS for Portsmouth School Board - non-professional code under 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Mr. Nance moved to approve the resolution affirming authorization to pick up the employee s contribution to VRS for Portsmouth School Board for past service credit - non-professional code under 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. School Board Procedures for Evaluation of Proposals Dr. Whitaker moved to amend the Portsmouth School Board Procedures for Evaluation of Proposals submitted under Virginia s Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act to include the language submitted by Dr. Whitaker, reviewed and approved by Dr. Stuckwisch and Mr. Pendarvis. The motion carried by an electronic vote of seven yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Bridgeford), one no vote (Mrs. Shackelford), and one abstention (Mr. Nance). Dr. Daniels moved to approve the Portsmouth School Board Procedures for Evaluation of Proposals submitted under Virginia s Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act as amended. The motion carried by an electronic vote of eight yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mr. McCabe, Mr. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Bridgeford) to one abstention (Mr. Nance). Mr. Nance moved to approve the resolution for the appropriation of 75% of the fiscal year operating fund surplus to be designated for the purpose of providing funds to supplement the cost of athletic facilities at Woodrow Wilson High School. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote

5 Board Minutes September 18, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Financial Report Mr. Nance moved to approve the Financial Report for June The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Board Members Comments and Concerns Dr. Whitaker 1) waiving the out of city tuition for students whose parents are business owners in Portsmouth, 2) the use of public funds for a public matter Mr. McCabe the first middle schools football scrimmage Mrs. Shackelford a compliance report from the Chairman and the Superintendent on the Board s compliance and non- compliance issues Mr. Hewitt duty free lunch for teachers Mrs. Williams 1) a dedicated crime line, 2) planned visits to schools Superintendent s Report Dr. Stuckwisch offered a report on the following: 1) briefed the Board on the annual goals process with building principals, 2) the dedication ceremony for the new Park View, scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 3) Convocation, scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2008; speaker Mrs. Hope Mihalap, 4) announced that Mrs. A. Ruth Okoye, a technology teacher, was selected to attend a week-long Discovery Educators National (DEN) Institute in Washington, D.C. this past summer, and 5) announced that he conducted the coin toss at the first middle-school football game. Adjournment Chairman Bridgeford adjourned the meeting at 10:33 p.m. James E. Bridgeford, Chairman Kathy L. Chambliss, Clerk October 23, 2008 Date of Adoption by the Board