Mr. Nance moved to approve the resolution supporting the NCLB Improvement Act. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.

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, May 24, 2007, in the Auditorium at I. C. Norcom High School, located at 1801 London Boulevard, Portsmouth, Virginia. Call to Order Chairman Bridgeford called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Ms. Kathy L. Chambliss, the Clerk, and Mrs. Laura C. Chandler, the Deputy Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Alexis D. McCrae, an eighth-grader at William E. Waters Middle School led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Adam K. Stone, also an eighth-grader, offered a statement. Mrs. Ridenour presented each student with a pin 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, Mr. B. Keith Nance, Sr., Mrs. Linda D. Ridenour, Mrs. Jean H. Shackelford, and Dr. Mark M. Whitaker. The following members of the professional staff were also in attendance: Dr. David C. Stuckwisch, Superintendent, Mr. Dan Pendarvis, Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Planning, Dr. Patricia H. Fisher, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Margaret R. Buxton, Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Nita R. Mensia-Joseph, Director of Operations, and Mr. George M. Willson, School Board Attorney/Deputy City Attorney. (Mr. Joseph L. Wiggins, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent was absent). Approval of the Agenda Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the agenda for Thursday, May 24, 2007, as amended: (add a Resolution supporting the No Child Left Behind Improvement Act). The motion carried by common consent. Dr. Stuckwisch recognized Hodges Manor Elementary School for achieving the Commonwealth of Virginia designation, as a 2007 Distinguished Title I School, having exceeded

2 Board Minutes May 24, 2007 Page 2 of 5 the annual objective for learning and achievement, and earning goal accreditation for two consecutive years. Dr. Stuckwisch presented Dr. Faye S. Felton, principal, with a plaque. Dr. Stuckwisch recognized the DAC Center (Diagnostic, Adjustive and Corrective Center for Learning) for their record contribution in support of the March of Dimes 2007 Campaign, and presented the school with a plaque. Mr. Charles Whitehurst, former Councilman, reported that the DAC Center is the top producing team in Portsmouth. Mr. Whitehurst also presented the school with a plaque. Dr. Stuckwisch recognized Portsmouth Schools Foundation for their years of support to the district, and presented Mrs. Anne Kirk-Mendes, President of the foundation, with a plaque. Mr. Ned McCabe, Director of Portsmouth Reads, invited Board members and the audience to participate in the Third Annual Flag Day, June 14, 2007, High Street Landing, at 12:00 noon. Minutes Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the minutes for the Special Meeting/Public Work Session held on Thursday, April 19, 2007, and the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, April 26, The motion carried by common consent. NCLB Resolution Mr. Nance moved to approve the resolution supporting the NCLB Improvement Act. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Monthly Report (Curriculum and Instruction) Dr. Patricia H. Fisher offered a report on the following: 1) school and community relations, 2) school and student recognitions, and 3) grant awards. First College Mrs. Rosa M. Wells-Garris, Dean of First College, offered an update on the second year of the First College Program. Dean Garris reported that seventy-two students have completed the program this year. Bianca Baker, a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, and Quniton Blow, a senior at I. C. Norcom student, shared their views on First College.

3 Board Minutes May 24, 2007 Page 3 of 5 Code of Student Conduct Handbook Mr. Hewitt moved to adopt the Code of Student Conduct Handbook for the school year. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Monthly Report (Human Resources) Dr. Buxton offered a report on the following: 1) the Retirement Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 2) the Portsmouth Economic and Development Job Fair, 3) reported that Mrs. Talitha Parker and Mrs. Paula Smith, Human Resources Supervisors, were invited as guest speakers at Norfolk State University in an effort to recruit regular and special education teachers, and also attended a special career switcher job fair at Old Dominion University, 4) reported that Mrs. Paula Smith has been appointed as President of the Tidewater Association of School Personnel Administrators, 5) current administrative vacancies, 6) teacher and teacher type vacancies, 7) Human Resources participation in MUNIS training for the implementation of the HR/Payroll system, 8) preparation of contracts and salary agreements for all employees, 9) the pay and compensation draft, and 10) the Preliminary Instructional Personnel Report for Portsmouth Public Schools. Pay and Classification Plan Mr. Hewitt moved to pull this item from the agenda to have the items in question reworded as necessary to make it clear, to allow the Board an opportunity to review the plan again, and present it for approval at the next meeting. Chairman Bridgeford so noted that the item would be removed from the agenda. Mr. Hewitt withdrew his motion. Board members were asked to send specific questions in writing to Dr. Buxton. Human Resources Report Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Human Resources Report for May The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Monthly Report (Budget and Planning) Resolution Mr. Pendarvis offered a report on MUNIS and post-employment benefits. Mr. Nance moved to approve a resolution to reimburse expenditures made by the school district in support of the SOL web-based technology initiative from funds provided by the Virginia Public School Authority Educational Technology notes. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote.

4 Board Minutes May 24, 2007 Page 4 of 5 Contract Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve a contract to move the Horticulture Program greenhouse from Cradock Career and Technical Center to Churchland High School. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Contract Mr. Nance moved to approve a contract to build a preschool laboratory and classrooms at Woodrow Wilson High School. The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Finance Report Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Financial Report for April The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Superintendent s Report Dr. Stuckwisch s report included the following: 1) the Third Annual Senior Forum, 2) announced that Ms. Sharon Harris, Public Information Officer, has been selected as the 2007 Chairman of the United Way and Combined Charities Campaign Regional Advisory committee, 3) congratulated Mr. William Blake, Churchland High School English teacher, on his selection as a 2007 American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) Reynolds High School Journalism Institute Fellow at the University of Missouri this summer, 4) shared a copy of two divisionwide programs that were highlighted in the 2007 Showcases of Success: A/C 13 and STEM Pathways, 5) announced that the division will be closed May 25, and May 28, 2007 in observance of Memorial Day, 6) the summative evaluation process with principals, 7) invited Board members to a performance and recognition celebration honoring Porte Towne Magic students on Monday, June 4, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in the Little Theatre at Woodrow Wilson High School, 8) the Annual Retirement Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 6:00 p.m., The Edmonds Center, and 9) provided information on graduation ceremonies as follows: Monday, June 11, 2007, Woodrow Wilson High, 7:00 p.m., N Telos Pavilion; Tuesday, June 12, 2007, EXCEL Campus, 5:00 p.m., I. C. Norcom Auditorium; Tuesday, June 12, 2007, Churchland High School, 7:00 p.m., N Telos Pavilion; Wednesday, June 12, 2007, I. C. Norcom High School, 7:00 p.m., N Telos Pavilion. Final School Board Operating Budget Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the final School Board Operating Budget for the school year. The motion carried by a roll-call vote of seven yes votes (Ms. Bailey, Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Bridgeford) to two no votes (Mr. Nance, Dr. Whitaker).

5 Board Minutes May 24, 2007 Page 5 of 5 School Board Policies Dr. Whitaker moved to approve certain School Board policies (BBD, BDDC, CBCA, CH, CLA, EFD, GCDA, JFCJ, and KNB). The motion carried by a unanimous roll-call vote. Public comment None Adjournment Chairman Bridgeford adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m. James E. Bridgeford, Chairman Kathy L. Chambliss, Clerk June 28, 2007 Date of Adoption by the Board