Page 1648 The Washington County School Board met in Regular Session on Monday,, at 7:00 p.m. at the School Board Office. The following were present: Dr. Alan Lee, Superintendent Ms. Elizabeth Lowe, Chair Ms. Kathi Roark, Vice Chair Mr. Billy Brooks Mr. Buckey Boone Dr. Ron Ely Mr. Tom Musick Mr. Dayton Owens Mr. Joseph Funk, Clerk 1. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Elizabeth Lowe, Board Chair. 2. Determination of Quorum. Seven of seven members were present. 3. Ms. Lisa McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Upon motion by Dr. Ely, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, the agenda for the, School Board Meeting was approved as amended to include: Move Public Comment to Follow Superintendent s Comment Remove Approval of Employment of Human Resource Manager from Closed Session Add Middle School Programs to the Open Session Add Vending Machines in Schools to Open Session Remove File GCPC-R, Washington County s Retirement Program from Open Session (Move to January 3, 2005) 5. Superintendent s Comment: Dr. Alan Lee said that rumors alleging that the Washington County Schools were considering instruction of the homosexual lifestyle and gay marriage were untrue and have never been a topic of consideration. School Board Policy KFA is being considered for adoption to enable the school system to do a better job of monitoring materials presented to students from outside agencies. 6. Public Comment: Ms. Lowe called on those who had signed up to speak reminding them to limit their comments to three minutes and that the board does not normally respond during the public comment session. Kristl Widner spoke about the problem of bullying in schools. Currently, there is no state law against bullying. Harassment policies and zero tolerance are not enough. Protection for our kids should be first priority. She is in favor of an antibullying law to be enacted and policies and programs to be revamped. Those not signed up to speak were also provided an opportunity. No other persons desired to speak. 7. Motion was made by Mr. Brooks to approve proposed School Board Policy, File No. KFA, Special Interest/Materials, as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Roark. Mr. Owens amended the motion to include the word traditional, and Mr. Musick seconded the amended motion. Mr. Owens amended his original amended motion to include the word accurate after detailed and reinsert the word traditional. The motion was seconded by Mr. Musick, and by 4-3 vote (Ms. Roark, Ms. Lowe and Mr. Boone opposed), the policy was approved.
Page 1649 8. Upon motion by Dr. Ely, seconded by Mr. Musick, by 7-0 vote, the minutes of the November 15, 2004, School Board Meeting were approved as presented. 9. Upon motion by Ms. Roark, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, the bills were approved to be paid from the funds, by the checks and in the amounts indicated: General: Check Nos. 489354-489708 $ 446,766.12 Check Nos. 489709-489745 16,376.15 Check Nos. 673929-674337 199,613.62 Check Nos. 674380-674499, 489327-489353 3,360,541.99 Textbook: Check Nos. 489746-489748 18,998.04 Cafeteria Check Nos. 674338-674379, 489318-489326 114,672.32 The Board was provided a Revenue & Expenditure Summary dated 7-01- 04 to 11-30-04. 10. Upon motion by Dr. Ely, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, the Superintendent was authorized to approve bills to be paid through the end of December, 2004. Bills will be submitted for Board approval on January 3, 2005. 11. The Board was informed of the following Old Business, which will be brought back for action by the board at a future school board meeting: Gym Floor Issue (Pending Facilities Plan Approval) Strategic Plan (1/05) Facilities Plan (BOS Meeting Scheduled 1/27/05) Draft Reading, Purchasing Policies Board Committees Policies Related to AP Classes & Dual Enrollment (1/05) Facilities Update on School Projects & Update on Warehouse (1/05) File No. GCPC-R, Washington County s Retirement Program Discussion (1/05) File No. GCE-R, Substitute Teacher s Pay Scale 12. Upon motion by Mr. Boone, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 7-0 vote, revision of School Board Policy, File No. JFCI, Substance Abuse by Students, was approved on second reading as presented. 13. Motion was made by Mr. Musick to adopt School Board Policy, File No. GBEC, Employee Tobacco Use, on second reading as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Owens. Mr. Boone amended the motion to delete the first paragraph and replace it with the following: The Washington County School Board has designated the Washington County Schools as drug free zones; therefore, tobacco use is prohibited on any school division property, in any school division facility, and in any school division vehicle. The use of tobacco products by employees is not permitted when students may be or are present. There was no second. Mr. Musick withdrew his original motion, and this proposed policy will return for further consideration at a future school board meeting.
Page 1650 14. Upon motion by Mr. Boone, seconded by Ms. Roark, by 7-0 vote, adoption of School Board Policy, File No. IKFB, Graduation Ceremony, was approved on second reading as amended. 15. Upon motion by Ms. Roark, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 7-0 vote, revision of School Board Policy, File No. IKF, Graduation Requirements, was approved on second reading as presented. 16. Upon motion by Ms. Roark, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 7-0 vote, adoption of School Board Policy, File No. IGBI, Advanced Placement Classes & Special Programs, was approved on second reading as presented. 17. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, revision of School Board Policy, File No. JFC, Student Conduct, was approved on second reading as presented. 18. Mr. Curtis Burkett presented information to the Board on SOLAR (Standards of Learning Assessment Resource), which is an assessment tool developed to track student progress and identify strengths and weaknesses. Data indicates schools that have used this program have improved student pass rates from 70% to 100%. It is proposed the school system continue to use SOLAR, do an assessment at the end of the year, and make a decision at that time as to whether to keep the program. 19. Mr. Curtis Burkett presented a list of programs and methods used in the Washington County middle schools to curtail bullying. The goal is to create an environment that is conducive to learning and safety. 20. Dr. Alan Lee presented information on vending machines in the schools, which included the accessibility of the machines, the types of food or drink available, and the annual income generated by the machines. At most schools, students have limited access to vending machines, and schools are working towards offering mainly water, juice and healthy snacks. Annual revenue from the machines is approximately $52,900. 21. Upon motion by Ms. Roark, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 7-0 vote, the meeting time for the January 3, 2005, School Board Meeting was set for 5:00 p.m. The agenda was approved as presented. 22. Superintendent Update: Dr. Lee informed the Board that the meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the Facilities Plan is scheduled for Thursday, January 27. The Board of Supervisors asked that the School Board set a time to meet, and School Board members agreed the meeting would begin at 7:00 p.m. 23. Board Update: Dr. Ely congratulated Lynn Wampler at Patrick Henry High School for becoming a National Board Certified teacher. He read an article in the Abingdon High School Talon saying 10 th graders needed a more demanding curriculum. He feels we should be more demanding of some of our students. Mr. Boone asked Dr. Lee to provide the Board with a report in the spring as to how the new school board policies, KF & KFA, were working. He would also like a report on the progress the school system is making to get out of the tobacco business. Mr. Musick thanked Mr. Burkett for his hard work and dedication to the school system and wished him well in his retirement. Ms. Roark was notified by some Wallace Middle School students that they are now broadcasting from WMST Radio Station, 93.1 FM. Mr. Owens said he enjoyed attending It Takes a Village to Raise a Child Program at E. B. Stanley Middle School.
Page 1651 Mr. Brooks commended Chelsey W. from John S. Battle High School. She was selected Hitter of the Year for the volleyball team. He attended the John S. Battle concert, and it was great. He reported on the recent passing of David Owens, a former John Battle graduate and avid school supporter. Ms. Lowe recognized Ms. Annie Tipton, newly employed reporter for the Washington County News saying we look forward to working with her. She read a paragraph from a complimentary letter written to the Washington County School Board by Ms. Carol Fields, former reporter. Recently, she has heard comments from some teachers who said they had to cancel some classes due to lack of a substitute teacher, and Ms. Lowe would like to move forward with the substitute teacher calling plan. Those board members who have not signed their Conflict of Interest Certification form should do that as soon as possible and return those to Ms. Morgan. She informed board members that as of the January 3 meeting, paper copies of the board agenda and supporting documents will be discontinued, and the new computerized Board Docs system will be use. She thanked Mr. Sparks and staff for the Neff Center brochure. Several board members, Dr. Lee and Mr. Funk recently attended the VSBA Annual Convention where they participated in some informative workshops covering topics such as obesity, energy savings, etc. Handouts will be shared. She asked board members to communicate with her on their comments about the superintendent s evaluation instrument. A special meeting may need to be held in the near future for this discussion, and she asked direction from board members. 24. Upon motion by Mr. Musick, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, closed session was declared, after a ten-minute break, pursuant to 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia to discuss the following: Section 2.2-3711 A (2) Discuss Middle School Issue Section 22.1-254 B (1) Request for Release from Compulsory School Attendance due to Religious Exemption, Student, Case #1 Section 2.2-3711 A (1) Consider Employment of Specific Individuals: Custodians (2) Consider Six (6) Specific Individuals for Substitute Teaching Consider Resignation of Specific Individual: Head Football Coach, High School Consider Retirement of Specific Individual: Custodian, Elementary School 25. Upon motion by Mr. Boone, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 7-0 vote, closed session ended (no discussion held), and the meeting returned to regular session. 26. Upon motion by Mr. Musick, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, closed session was declared pursuant to 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia, and the following was added to the above to be discussed during closed session: Section 2.2-3711 A (1) Consider Individuals with Non-Teaching Assignments: to Receive Coaching Supplement Only and Subject to (1) VHSL Approval and (2) Within Number of Positions Approved for Coaching: Wrestling, High School Girls Basketball, High School Consider Individual with Non-Teaching Assignments for Instrumental Music Assistant: Color Guard, High School
Page 1652 27. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Dr. Ely, by 7-0 vote, closed session ended, and the meeting returned to regular session. 28. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 7-0 vote, closed session was certified pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia. 29. Upon motion by Ms. Roark, seconded by Mr. Boone, by 6-1 vote (Dr. Ely opposed), student in Case #1 was released from compulsory school attendance due to religious exemption. 30. Upon motion by Mr. Boone, seconded by Mr. Musick, by 7-0 vote, the employment of the following individuals was approved: Sara Harless, Custodian Michael Taylor, Custodian 31. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 7-0 vote, the following individuals were approved for substitute teaching: Amy Baldwin Mary Barnard Amanda Burke Amy Martin Dana Mullins Kathleen Varsho-Merritt 32. Upon motion by Dr. Ely, seconded by Mr. Musick, by 7-0 vote, the resignation of Scott Allen, Head Football Coach, Abingdon High School, effective November 8, 2004, was approved. 33. Upon motion by Mr. Boone, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 7-0 vote, the retirement of Sam Sandefur, Custodian, Meadowview Elementary School, effective November 1, 2004, was approved. 34. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Ms. Roark, by 7-0 vote, the following individuals were approved for employment with non-teaching assignments to receive coaching supplement only and subject to (1) VHSL approval and (2) within number of positions approved for coaching: Michael Olsen, Wrestling, John S. Battle High School Ashley Duncan, Girls Basketball, John S. Battle High School 35. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Musick by 7-0 vote, the employment of Kayla Fulwider was approved with non-teaching assignments for instrumental music assistant, Color Guard, at Abingdon High School. 36. Upon motion by Mr. Musick, seconded by Dr. Ely, by 7-0 vote, the meeting adjourned., Chair, Clerk, Recorder
Page 1653 MOTION: Mr. Bill Brooks SECOND: Mr. Buckey Boone CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING WHEREAS, The Washington County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, 2.2-3712 (D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this School Board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia Law; WHEREAS, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Washington County School Board hereby certifies that, to the best of each member s knowledge, (I) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia Law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applies, and (II) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0, Clerk Washington County School Board Meeting Date: