SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH MINUTES OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2003 The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held a regular meeting, Tuesday, February 4, 2003, at the School Administration Building. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Daniel D. Dan Edwards, Chairman Mr. Neil L. Rose, Vice Chairman Ms. Jane S. Brooks Ms. Emma L. Em Davis Mr. Dan R. Lowe Ms. Sandra Smith-Jones Dr. Timothy R. Jenney, Superintendent Mr. Michael W. Stewart Mr. Arthur T. Tate Ms. Carolyn D. Weems Dr. Lois S. Williams MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. A. James Jim DeBellis Optional Session Regarding Transportation Issues: Chairman Edwards, Vice Chairman Rose, Ms. Brooks, Ms. Davis, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Tate, Ms. Weems and Dr. Williams gathered in the einstein.lab at 3:00 p.m., and Ms. Smith-Jones arrived at 3:22 p.m., for an optional session regarding transportation issues. Mr. David L. Pace, Director of Transportation Services, responded to questions submitted by Board members regarding concerns raised by bus drivers. Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, responded to concerns regarding the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and leave increments; and Ms. Karen D. Curll, Risk Management Associate, responded to concerns raised regarding Worker s Compensation procedures. The optional session concluded at 3:40 p.m. 1. Convene Meeting: Chairman Edwards convened the Board in the einstein.lab for a workshop at 3:41 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Mr. DeBellis who was absent from the meeting, and Mr. Stewart who arrived during the workshop at 3:55 p.m. 2. Workshop A. Information on Virginia Beach Education Foundation: Ms. Debi Gray, President, and Mr. Ned Williams, President Elect, both of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, presented an overview of the accomplishments and activities of the Foundation, and invited Board members to forward comments to Chairman Edwards, to be relayed to the Foundation. The Virginia Beach Education Foundation workshop concluded at 3:48 p.m. B. Personnel Hiring History and Projections: Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Mr. Michael Maloney, Director of Employment Services; and Mr. Bernard Platt, Recruitment Specialist, presented information regarding the hiring and recruitment strategies of the division. The Personnel Hiring workshop concluded at 4:19 p.m. C. Legislative Update: Ms. Jeanne S. Evans, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, gave an
update on education-related legislation under consideration during the 2003 General Assembly. The Legislative workshop concluded at 5:02 p.m. 3. Closed Meeting: A. Motion for First Closed Meeting in Accordance with VA Code 2.2-3711, Part A: Vice Chairman Rose made a motion, seconded by Ms. Brooks, 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: 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 1. Petition to revoke teaching license for conduct with 5 th grade student. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the Board recessed into a closed meeting at 5:03 p.m. Individuals present for discussion: Personnel Matters: Petition to revoke teaching license for conduct with 5 th grade student: Board members; Superintendent Jenney; Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Ms. Kamala Hallgren Lannetti, Associate City Attorney; and Ms. Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board. B. Reconvene Open Meeting: The Board reconvened in an open meeting at 5:28 p.m. 1. Certification of Closed Meeting: Vice Chairman Rose made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, 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 approved (ayes 10, nays 0). 4. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items: None 5. Formal Meeting Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call: Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order in the School Board Room at 6:13 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Mr. DeBellis who Chairman Edwards announced was absent due to health reasons. 6. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition: A. Recognition of Virginia Reading Teacher of the Year (Virginia State Reading Association): The School Board recognized Debbie Field, teacher at New Castle Elementary School, as the recipient of the 2002-2003 Virginia State Reading Association s Teacher of the Year Award. 7. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Reverend Carolyn Schwarz of Diamond Springs Christian Center gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 8. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items: The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations:
Jeff Cobb, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA), regarding employee salary requests to be considered in the FY04 budget proposal; and Sylvester Edison, head custodian at Cooke Elementary School, representing school custodians, regarding issues raised during the Employee Input Process and budget requests. 9. Approval of Minutes A. January 21, 2003 Regular Meeting: Dr. Williams made a motion, seconded by Ms. Smith- Jones, that the Board approve the January 21, 2003 regular meeting minutes as corrected and provided to the Board prior to the meeting. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0). 10. Adoption of the Agenda: Vice Chairman Rose made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0). 11. Consent Agenda: Mr. Stewart made a motion, seconded by Ms. Davis, that the Board adopt the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0) and the following items approved as part of the Consent Agenda: A. Appointments, Resignations and Retirements as presented on the February 4, 2003 Personnel Report. B. Open Campus High School Accredited with Warning Three-Year Improvement Plan C. Textbook Adoptions: 1. Advanced Composition (English), Grades 11, 12 for implementation in the fall of 2003: Title: The Compact Reader, Short Essays by Method and Theme, 7 th ed. Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin s Copyright: 2003 2. Work and Family Studies Resource Management for Independent Living for implementation in the fall of 2003: Title: Strengthening Family & Self Author: Leona Johnson Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox Copyright: 2002 3. Auto Service Technology for implementation during the 2003-2004 school year: Title: Automotive Technology, A System s Approach, 3 rd Edition Author: Jack Erjavek Publisher: Delmar/Thompson, Inc. 4. Carpentry for implementation during the 2002-2003 school year: Title: Modern Carpentry, 9 th Edition Author: Willis H. Wagner and Howard Smith Publisher: Goodheart-Wilcox 5. Landscape Design and Management for implementation during the 2003-2004 school
year: Title: Introduction to Landscaping: Design, Construction & Maintenance, 3 rd Edition Author: Ronald J. Biondo and Charles B. Schroeder Publisher: Interstate Publishers, Inc. Copyright: 2003 6. Greenhouse Production and Landscape Design and Management for implementation during the 2003-2004 school year: Title: Introduction to Horticulture, 3 rd Edition Author Charles B. Schroeder; Eddie D. Seagle; Lori M. Felton; John M. Ruter; William T. Kelley; and Gerard Krewer Publisher: Interstate Publishers, Inc. 7. Television Communications and Production I for implementation during the 2003-2004 school year: Title: Television Production Handbook, 8 th Edition Author: Herbert Zettle Publisher: Wadsworth/Thompson 8. Television Communications and Production II for implementation during the 2003-2004 school year: Title: Portable Video: ENG and ERP, 4 th Edition Author: Norman Medoff and Tom Tanquary Publisher: Focal Press Copyright: 2002 9. Welding I and II for implementation during the 2002-2003 school year: Title: Welding Principles and Applications, 4 th Edition Author: Larry Jeffus Publisher: Delmar/Thompson Learning, Inc. Copyright: 2004 D. Revised Policy 4-3, Grievances and Grievance Procedures: Teachers incorporating as Section I to the existing policy the School Board s practice for grievability procedures as set forth in the Boards standing resolution adopted October 5, 1999. E. The Board authorized the Superintendent to execute a contract with the Phoenix Corporation in the amount of $295,500 for Thoroughgood Elementary School Window Replacement F. The Board authorized the Superintendent to execute a contract with Waller Todd & Sadler Architects in the amount of $230,400 for design services for a twenty classroom addition at Bayside Middle School G. The Board affirmed the appointment of Ms. Smith-Jones as the Board s representative to the Behavior Campaign Committee of the Virginia Beach Department of Convention and Visitor Development; and Messrs. Lowe and Tate as the Board s representatives to the Joint City Council / School Board School Modernization Committee 12. Action: None
13. Information: A. Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association Joint Powers Agreement: Mr. Francis J. Foster, Jr., Director of School Plant Services; and Mr. James H. Morris, III, Assistant Director, presented to the Board for information the proposed resolution authorizing Virginia Beach City Public Schools to enter into the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA) Joint Powers Agreement for the purchase of electricity. B. Year Two Academy Courses: 1. Legal Studies Academy: a. Introduction to Law: Dr. Reinholdine Pierson, Coordinator of the Legal Studies Academy, presented to the Board for information the course objectives for a new course, Introduction to Law, proposed for implementation beginning with the 2003-2004 school year at the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School. b. Introduction to Criminal Justice: Dr. Reinholdine Pierson, Coordinator of the Legal Studies Academy, presented to the Board for information the course objectives for a new course, Introduction to Criminal Justice, proposed for implementation beginning with the 2003-2004 school year at the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School as the second course in the series. 2. Health Science Academy: a. Medical Health Science Technology I / Anatomy Course: Ms. Bonnie Alder, Coordinator of the Health Sciences Academy, presented to the Board for information the course objectives of a new course, Medical Health Sciences Technology I / Anatomy, proposed for implementation in the 2003-2004 school year at the Health Sciences Academy at Bayside High School as the second course in a four-course series. C. International Baccalaureate High Level Computer Science Course Objectives: Ms. Randi Reigel-Riesbeck, Program Coordinator for the Princess Anne High School International Baccalaureate Magnet Center, presented to the Board for information the course objectives for the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Computer Science course proposed for implementation in the 2003-2004 school year for the International Baccalaureate Program at Princess Anne High School. D. 2002-2003 Employee Input Process: Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented to the Board for information the historical background of the employee input process, and reported on the issues identified and recommendations supported by the Senior Administration for 2002-2003 for the employee groups consisting of Administrators, Administrative Support Services, Bus Drivers and Assistants, Clerical, Custodians, Instructional, Specialists and Teacher Assistants. E. Superintendent s Proposed 2003-2004 Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Mr. Anthony L. Arnold, P.E., Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, reviewed revisions to the Superintendent s Proposed 2003-2004 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to include an accelerated modernization / replacement cycle as requested when presented to the Board January 7, 2003. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding possible alternatives to address
overcrowding in high schools, and Chairman Edwards suggested the Board discuss further at the February 11, 2003 Budget Workshop in order to provide direction to Administration for preparing a final program for submission to City Council. F. Superintendent s Estimate of Needs for FY04: Superintendent Jenney presented an executive summary of the proposed fiscal year 2003-2004 Estimate of Needs totaling $529,499,518, a 4.3 percent increase over the last fiscal year; and Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, presented an overview of enrollment; federal, state and local funding; expenditures; overhang required costs; compensation increases; and operating costs. Chairman Edwards asked Board members to review the proposal and submit questions to Ms. Lewis, copying the Superintendent, in advance of the February 11, 2003 Budget Workshop. 14. Committee Reports: Mr. Lowe noted the Hampton Roads Public Education Service Agency (HRPESA) is in the process of putting together an agenda for their February 27, 2003 meeting, and advised Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, may receive a call as previous Agency participants attempt to reconsider health care options. Dr. Williams reported on issues identified by the National School Boards Association s (NSBA) Federal Relations Network (FRN) to be delivered to Congress as follows: Increase the federal investment in public education; Reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) addressing the operational challenges associated with program implementation; Defeat all voucher and tuition tax subsidy proposals that result in public funds supporting private K-12 institutions; and Address the unintended consequences resulting from passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, particularly those provisions related to adequate yearly progress (AYP) and the operation / costs of several specific mandates. Ms. Davis noted minutes from the January 28, 2003 Audit Committee Meeting had been distributed to Board members for review. Chairman Edwards advised the joint City Council / School Board Revenue Sharing Formula (RSF) Review Committee is tentatively scheduled to meet again on February 25, 2003, and anticipates discussion, among other items, revenue enhancements proposed in the 2003-2004 Superintendent s Estimate of Needs. 15. Vote on Remaining Action Items: None 16. Adjournment: There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Approved: Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board
Daniel D. Edwards, Chairman