Page 2847 The Washington County School Board convened for a School Board Meeting on Monday,, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the School Board Office, 812 Thompson Drive, Abingdon, Virginia. Present were: Dr. Brian C. Ratliff, Superintendent Ms. Melissa Caudill, Director of Finance, H.R. & Clerk of the Board Mr. Tom Musick, Chair Dr. Douglas E. Arnold, Vice Chair Mr. Billy Brooks Ms. Elizabeth Lowe Mr. Dayton Owens Mr. Danny Ruble 1. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Tom Musick, School Board Chair. 2. Determination of quorum six of seven board members were present. Mr. Herschel Stevens was absent from the meeting. 3. Evan Childress, Boy Scouts Troop 222, led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 vote, the agenda was approved as amended. 5. Career & Technical Education students did a presentation about two community service projects in which they are involved: Habitat for Humanity House: Students constructed a house from the ground up, which was donated to a needy family. Christmas with Grace: Students adopted residents of Grace Health Care at Christmas and transported those able to travel to the Neff Center. Residents were given gifts, provided the opportunity to get haircuts, they were entertained, and the Culinary Arts students prepared a meal for them. Residents not able to come were also provided with gifts. The money for the project was raised solely through fundraising efforts of the students. Sponsors for the projects were Ms. Katrina Wise, Culinary Arts Instructor, and Mr. Johnny Blevins, Masonry Instructor. 6. Mr. Musick called for public comment, and no one was signed up or came forward to speak. 7. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Dr. Arnold, by 6-0 vote, the following items were approved on the consent agenda as presented: Bills Dated 03-17-14 to 03-19-14 General: 563783-564010 - $356,504.25 Federal: 564011-564017 - $6,206.83 Cafeteria: 564018-564049 - $115,493.60 Funds Statements Dated February 2014 File GBG, Political Activities, was approved on second reading. 8. Upon motion by Mr. Ruble, seconded by Ms. Lowe, by 6-0 vote, the minutes of the March 3, 2014, School Board Meeting were approved as amended. 9. Motion was made by Ms. Lowe to approve revisions to School Board Policy, File IGDJ, Interscholastic Athletics, on second reading. Motion was seconded by Mr. Ruble. Ms. Lowe withdrew her motion, and Mr. Ruble withdrew his second. This policy will return for second reading at the April 7 Board Meeting. 10. Superintendent s Report Strategic Planning Dr. Ratliff reported that the General Assembly recessed on March 8 with no final decision on the Governor s Budget. He, Mr. Ruble and Ms. Caudill attended the Board of Supervisors work session on March 13. They will have a regular meeting on March 25 at 6:30 p.m., and the school budget will be discussed on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Both sessions will provide public comment time.
Page 2848 Dr. Ratliff said that the increase in the Local Composite Index will negatively affect the school budget. The Board of Supervisors has adopted a draft resolution asking the state for relief from the current Local Composite Index. Dr. Ratliff asked the Board if they would like for him to draft a similar resolution for their consideration, and it was the general consensus of the Board that they would like for the Superintendent and staff to focus their attention on student learning and look at ways to mitigate the anticipated budget shortfall. Over the coming days, energy and focus will be on finding ways to reduce the negative impact to students and staff due to budget reductions, and these recommendations will be brought to the Board for their consideration. Dr. Noe is working on Comprehensive Planning, and he would like to have one or two Board members to serve on a review committee. Motion was made by Ms. Lowe to appoint Mr. Ruble and Dr. Arnold to serve on the Six-Year/Comprehensive Plan Committee. Motion was seconded by Mr. Owens, and by 6-0 vote, it was approved. Dr. Ratliff said he would be providing them updates on goals that have been established. 11. Motion was made by Mr. Brooks to change Holston High School s graduation from Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Southwest Higher Ed. Center to Friday, May 30, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at Holston High School. Motion was seconded by Ms. Lowe, and by 6-0 vote, it was approved. 12. Proposed revisions to School Board Policy, file IKFA, Locally Awarded Verified Credits, were reviewed on draft reading and will return for first reading on April 7. 13. Proposed revisions to School Board Policy, File GCPA, Reduction in Professional Staff Work Force, were reviewed on draft reading and will return for draft reading on April 7. 14. Motion was made by Mr. Brooks to approve the 2014-2015 School Calendar on first reading as presented. Motion was seconded by Mr. Owens. Mr. Ruble amended the motion to include using December 22 or 23 as a Teacher Workday if not needed as a makeup day, and January 5 would become a regular school day. Ms. Lowe seconded the motion, and by 1-5 vote (Mr. Owens, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Musick, Dr. Arnold and Ms. Lowe opposed), motion failed to carry. Original motion by Mr. Brooks and seconded by Mr. Owens, to approve the 2014-2015 School Calendar on first reading as presented and recommended by the Superintendent, was approved by 6-0 vote. 15. Upon motion by Dr. Arnold, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 6-0 vote, the agenda for the April 7, 2014, School Board Meeting was approved as amended. 16. Supt. Update: Dr. Ratliff reminded the Board that the second meeting in April would be Tuesday, April 22, as Monday, April 21, is a Spring Break day. 17. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 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 (7) Briefing by Staff Members Pertaining to Probable Litigation
Page 2849 Section 2-2-3711 A (2) Request for Release from Compulsory School Attendance Due to Religious Exemption Section 2.2-3711 A (1) Consider Employment of Specific Individual(s): Superintendent s Document A, Administrative Personnel Eligible for Continuing Contract Superintendent s Document B, Teaching Personnel Eligible for Continuing Contract Superintendent s Document C, Probationary Administrative Personnel (Information Only) Superintendent s Document D, Probationary Teaching Personnel (Information Only) Assistant Baseball Coach, Patrick Henry High School Consider Specific Individual(s) for Substitute Teaching Consider Retirement of Specific Individual(s): Secretary, Central Office/Annex Special Ed Teacher, High School Secretary/Receptionist, Middle School Consider Resignation of Specific Individual(s): Assistant Softball Coach, High School Consider Long-Term Leave of Absence for Specific Individual(s): Media Specialist, High School Consider Specific Individual(s) with Non-Teaching Assignments: To Receive Coaching Supplement Only and Subject to (1) VHSL Approval and (2) Within Number of Positions Approved for Coaching: Assistant Softball Coach, Patrick Henry High School 18. Upon motion by Ms. Lowe, seconded by Mr. Ruble, by 6-0 vote, closed session ended, and the meeting returned to regular session. 19. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 6-0 vote, closed session was certified pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia. 20. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 5-0-1 vote (Mr. Ruble abstained), student in Case 1 was released from compulsory school attendance due to religious exemption. 21. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 6-0 vote, individuals in Superintendent s Document A were approved for the 2014-2015 School Year as follows: SUPERINTENDENT S DOCUMENT A ADMINISTRATIVE/SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING CONTRACT Jeff Noe, Assistant Superintendent Judy Honaker, Coordinator of Mathematics & Testing Kelly Holmes, Principal, Glade Spring Middle School Tammy Williams, Principal, Valley Institute Elementary School 22. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 5-0-1 vote (Ms. Lowe abstained), individuals in Superintendent s Document B were approved for the 2014-2015 School Year as follows: SUPERINTENDENT S DOCUMENT B TEACHING PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING CONTRACT David Berry, Abingdon High Lora Kiser, E. B. Stanley Middle Tanna Hagy, Abingdon High Margaret Lester, E. B. Stanley Middle Rachel Harding, Abingdon High Ashley McLaughlin, E. B. Stanley Middle Teena Main, Abingdon High Kristy NeSmith, E. B. Stanley Middle & MES Chase Nunley, Abingdon High Jessica France, Wallace Middle
Page 2850 SUPERINTENDENT S DOCUMENT B TEACHING PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING CONTRACT Joshua Sheets, Abingdon High & PHHS Kim Ratliff, Abingdon Elementary Lauren Singleton, Abingdon High Misty Jeffers, Greendale Elementary Jeremy Humphrey, John S. Battle High Laura Nunley, Greendale Elementary Luke Parks, Holston High Leslie Cregger, High Point Elementary Jennifer Smith, Holston High & DMS Laura Jones, High Point Elementary Victoria Sullins, Holston High Robin Holmes, Meadowview Elementary Joanne Thiessen, Patrick Henry High Brittany Lowe, Meadowview Elementary Shelley Walker, CTE Rebecca McKinney, Meadowview Elem. Catherine Baker, Damascus Middle Amanda Cupp, Watauga Elementary Meghan Tolliver, Glade Spring Middle Jordan King Graham, Watauga Elementary Tara Williams, Glade Spring Middle Laura McCall, Watauga Elementary 23. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 vote, Thomas Larimer was employed as Assistant Baseball Coach, Patrick Henry High School, effective March 12, 2014. 24. Upon motion by Ms. Lowe, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 vote, the following individuals were approved for substitute teaching: Rebecca Beaty Kelsey Thomas Sharon Wimmer 25. Upon motion by Ms. Lowe, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 vote, the following individuals were approved for retirement: Carolyn Puckett, Technology Secretary/Textbooks, Washington County Public Schools, effective June 30, 2014 Sharlene Warren, Special Education (GC) Teacher, Abingdon High School, effective at the end of the 2013-2014 School Year Becky Holliday, Secretary/Receptionist, Damascus Middle School, effective June 6, 2014 26. Upon motion by Mr. Owens, seconded by Mr. Brooks, by 6-0 vote, the resignation of Shauna Haga, Assistant Softball Coach, Patrick Henry High School, was approved effective March 4, 2014. 27. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Owens, by 6-0 vote, the long-term leave of absence for Ann Cox, Media Specialist, John S. Battle High School, was approved from March 10, 2014, through June 13, 2014. 28. Upon motion by Mr. Ruble, seconded by Ms. Lowe, by 6-0 vote, the following individual was employed with non-teaching assignments to receive coaching supplements only and subject to (1) VHSL approval and (2) within number of positions approved for coaching: Chris Duble, Assistant Softball Coach, Patrick Henry High School, effective March 10, 2014 29. Upon motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Ruble, by 6-0 vote, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m., Chair, Clerk, Recorder
Page 2851 MOTION: Mr. Dayton Owens SECOND: Mr. Bill Brooks 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: 6 NAYS: 0 ABSTAINED: 0, Clerk Washington County School Board Mr. Stevens was absent from the meeting. Meeting Date: