sb minutes october 19 2010 (2)

8/7/2019 SB Minutes October 19 2010 (2)

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October 19, 2010

Work Session

October 19, 2010

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in theMontgomery County Government Center at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of a

work session.

Board Members Present

B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin

Phyllis Albritton W. Wat Hopkins

Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.

Drema B. Foster

Staff Members Present

Brenda B. Blackburn, Superintendent

Dan Berenato Mark J. PasierBrenda Drake Amy Poff

Harvey C. Goodwin Walter L. Shannon

Lois T. Graham Nelson Simpkins

Katherine Miano Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order

Wendell Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance

to the flag at 6:30 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

On motion by Phyllis Albritton, seconded by Penny Franklin, the Board

voted unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Closed Session

Phyllis Albritton moved, seconded by Penny Franklin, and the Board

voted unanimously to enter into a closed meeting pursuant to Section

2.2-3711(A) of the Code of Virginia at 6:31 p.m. for the purpose of

discussion of the following specific matters:

Student Matters: (a) Discussion or consideration of student

disciplinary matters, as authorized by

Section 2.2-3711 (A)(2) of the Code ofVirginia.

(b) The discussion or consideration of the legal

release of a student(s), as authorized by

Section 2.2-3711(A)(2) and (A)(4) of the Code

of Virginia.



October 19, 2010

Work Session

Legal Matters: Consultation with legal counsel regarding specific

legal matters requiring the provision of legal

advice by counsel as authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia.

Return to Open Session and Certification

Penny Franklin moved, seconded by Phyllis Albritton, and the Board

voted unanimously to return to open session at 7:45 p.m.

Wat Hopkins moved, seconded by Phyllis Albritton, and the Board

unanimously adopted the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the County School Board of Montgomery County has

convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to anaffirmative recorded vote and in accordance with

provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act;

and

WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3711(d) of the Code of Virginia

requires a certification by this School Board that such

closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia

Law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

that the County School Board of Montgomery County

hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’sknowledge (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 meeting were heard, discussed, or

considered.

Ayes:

Phyllis Albritton W. Wat Hopkins

Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.

Drema B. Foster B. Wendell Jones, Chair

Penny J. Franklin

_______________________________ October 19, 2010

Clerk of the Montgomery Date

County School Board



October 19, 2010

Work Session

Honors, Awards and RecognitionsContinuing the commitment of recognizing student achievement and

accomplishments, four new Senior of the Month selections have been made

by high school principals in Montgomery County. Their activities

reflect the full range of opportunities in the school division, ranging

from fine arts to vocational experiences to athletic accomplishments.

The four students recognized for October are Kristin Marie Campbell,

Auburn High School; Ray Alan Lee, Blacksburg High School; Kelsey

Elizabeth Boone, Christiansburg High School; and Kristi Jordan Shelton,

Eastern Montgomery High School.

Fifteen students from Montgomery County Public Schools participated in

the 2010 Summer Residential Governor’s School Program. The programoffered exceptional opportunities for rising juniors and seniors to

immerse themselves in an intense study of the subject of their choice.

Allyssa Huntington, Auburn High School; Danielle McNiel, Christiansburg

High School; and Charlotte von Claparede, Blacksburg High School;

presented an update to the board on their experiences at the Summer

Residential Governor’s School Program.

Blacksburg High School had two cosmetology students elected as national

officers at the SkillsUSA National Championship in Kansas City,

Missouri. Krista Williford was elected officer at large and Victoria

Crespo was elected Region 2 Vice President.

Lisa Taylor, second grade teacher at Belview Elementary School, was

recognized as the Montgomery County Teacher of the Year for 2010-2011

and the Region VI Teacher of the Year for 2011. Brian Bishop, Horace

Mann, presented Taylor with a crystal apple as part of the company’s

community outreach program.

The Virginia School Board Association recognizes the interests of

school board members who attend academy programs. The following

Montgomery County board members earned academy awards for the period of

July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010: Phyllis Albritton, Certificate of

Recognition; Penny Franklin, Certificate of Recognition; and Joe Ivers,Award of Excellence.

Adam Schulze has been employed with Montgomery County Public Schools as

an HVAC Building Systems Operator since 2007. Schulze was recognized

for completing four tours of active duty in the Virginia National Guard

within the last 10 years.

Kipps Elementary School art teacher, Roselynn Hopkins, and music



October 19, 2010

Work Session

teacher, Glen Chilcote had students experience the color of sound and

explore how patterns in art would sound if played on an instrument.

Students from Kipps Elementary School performed a selection as anexample of the collaboration.

The board took a ten minute break to meet the honorees. The meeting

reconvened at 8:37 p.m.

Public Address

Scott Patrick, Auburn resident, stated his support for Carl Pauli,

principal at Auburn High School, in response to negative comments made

at the last school board meeting. Patrick asked the board to examine

the motives of those making the negative comments. He said that Pauli

is a positive influence and is dedicated to providing quality education

to students.

John Tibbs, Falling Branch Elementary School parent, requested that the

school board make a safer bus stop for middle school students in his

neighborhood and that the pick-up for elementary students not be moved.

Tibbs stated that he and his neighbors would like for students to be

picked up at the top of the hill in the neighborhood. He said that he

has asked for this move for five years and that this was the first year

elementary students were picked up at the hill, but the middle school

bus stop has remained the same.

John Gill, Auburn resident, addressed the school board’s recent

resolution to the board of supervisors requesting two new high schools.

Gill stated that if the board raised the student teacher ratio,

additional funds could be allocated to capital projects. He said that

teacher bonuses this year could also be redirected to capital projects.

He continued that meals tax and football game proceeds from Virginia

Tech could contribute to a new Auburn High School.

John Phillips, Blacksburg parent, encouraged the school board to

continue to move forward with the resolution submitted to the board of

supervisors requesting two new high schools. He stated that the true

cost to repair Blacksburg High School will not be known until

additional work is done. He shared his belief that even more funds willbe needed to bring the school up to modern teaching standards. Phillips

said he was disappointed by the OWPR presentation to the board of

supervisors because it was not the same information presented to the

school board.

Steve Treser, Blacksburg parent, said that the building foundation and

the geotechnical study that has been done at Blacksburg High School is

only a partial study. He stated that there are voids under the school



October 19, 2010

Work Session

and cracks throughout the building and that these are indicators of

deeper problems.

Michelle Wilkins, Blacksburg parent, said that the school board has

three options in regards to Blacksburg High School. The board can leave

things as they are with northern Montgomery County having no high

school in their home town, the board can repair Blacksburg High School,

or the board can build a new high school. Wilkins encouraged the board

to send an educational message to the board of supervisors, that the

county needs a new school. She said that if there is not a new school

at some point, then the school board has failed the students in the

county.

Jennifer Mengel, Auburn resident, presented an Auburn school facilities

study to the board, compiled in 1997. She said that Auburn MiddleSchool has a space issue and that Auburn High School is overcrowded and

old. Mengel presented segments of the report to the school board

members and asked the board to review them before the joint meeting

with the board of supervisors on November 9. She stated that neither

school meets Americans with Disabilities codes or fire codes.

Angie Collette is the wife of the head football coach at Auburn High

School. She said that the coaching staff at Auburn High is supported by

the administration and that the administration is wonderful. She stated

that her son will play football at the school next year. She said that

the coaching staff implemented a food drive to benefit those in the

community. She continued that members of the coaching staff continually

support students by providing rides to and from practice and by funding

summer camps for players. She said that it is a sad state when a

handful of disgruntled community members undermine the good things that

are happening at Auburn High School.

Devin Crawford, Auburn resident, stated his support for Carl Pauli. He

said that he trusts Pauli with his children and that they think he is

an excellent person.

Kathy Albert, Riner resident, asked the school board to move forward

with the existing plans for Auburn Middle School and Auburn HighSchool. She stated that the children at Auburn Middle School do not

have a gymnasium, and they have to walk across the road to attend gym

classes or to participate in athletics. She said that there is no band

room or chorus room and that students have to cross the road to attend

either of these classes. Albert asked the board to investigate funds

available through low interest rate loans to assist in building a new

school.



October 19, 2010

Work Session

Elizabeth Briggs, Blacksburg parent, stated her concern about the

divisiveness portrayed in a Roanoke Times article over the weekend. She

said that a new high school in Blacksburg is a county issue and not atown issue. She urged the school board to pursue the proposed joint

meeting with the board of supervisors on November 9, and to invite

OWPR, related engineers and the Blacksburg building inspector. She

stated that the lines of communication have not been clear.

Julie Snyder, Auburn parent, encouraged the school board to act on

Auburn. She stated that she had presented to the board in 2007 and that

there was previously a delay in land purchase. She asked the board to

move forward with facilities in the Auburn district.

Wat Hopkins moved, seconded by Penny Franklin, and the school board

voted unanimously to extend public address to accommodate the speaker

that was standing.

Rhonda Wright, Riner resident, encouraged the school board to move

forward with a new school in Auburn.

Item 10/10-183 Personnel Report: On motion by Penny Franklin, seconded

by Phyllis Albritton, the Board unanimously voted to

approve the personnel report and addendum as presented.

A copy of this report is attached to the minutes.

Item 10/10-184 Payment of Bills: On motion by Phyllis Albritton,

seconded by Wat Hopkins, the Board unanimously voted to

approve the bills as presented.

Operating Fund:

Utilities, 10/19/10, Ck. Nos. 463216-463248, $222,841.19

Bills, 10/19/10, Ck. Nos. 463249-463539, $708,680.87

Cafeteria

Bills, 10/5/10, Ck. Nos. 3315-3333, $131,190.34

Item 10/10-185 Consent Items: The School Board agreed to approve the

following items by general consent:1. Minutes: Minutes from the September 7, 2010, regular session, the

September 21, 2010, work session and the September 23, 2010,

special session.

2. Field Trip: The Future Farmers Association at Blacksburg HighSchool requested permission to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana,



October 19, 2010

Work Session

for a national competition from October 19-23, 2010.

On motion by Wat Hopkins, seconded by Penny Franklin, the School Boardvoted unanimously to enter into work session at 9:15 p.m.

Work Session

Item 10/10-186 Blacksburg High School Update: Brenda Blackburn,

division superintendent, stated that the administration

was providing a preliminary report on code requirements

at Blacksburg High School. (A copy of this report is

attached to the minutes.)

The board discussed availability of documents provided

to the Virginia Department of Education in 1971.

Brenda Blackburn, division superintendent, mentioned

that the school board was provided information in the

board update regarding the potential need to expedite

repair of the Blacksburg High School auditorium

structure. She stated that additional information about

this need will be brought to the board at the November

2 meeting, in addition to cost estimates regarding

other items.

Blackburn said that the administration is working

diligently to resolve traffic issues at Blacksburg HighSchool at Price’s Fork Road. She stated that currently

an officer is available from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. to

direct bus traffic at the location. She noted that

there are continued problems with the parent/student

entrance at the school. Blackburn stated that there is

a meeting with officials from the Town of Blacksburg on

October 25 to further discuss this issue.

Joe Ivers asked if Blacksburg High School had been

evaluated for American with Disabilities Act

requirements. Walt Shannon, assistant superintendent,

stated that the elevator needs to be addressed and thataccessibility issues would be looked at in a repair

scenario. Shannon stated that he would bring back

information on whether repairing the elevator will

bring it up to current codes for handicap

accessibility.

Wendell Jones asked if there are concerns beyond the

auditorium roof that the board needs to address before



October 19, 2010

Work Session

the winter months. Shannon stated that the steel truss

roof in the auditorium is the main immediate concern.

Wat Hopkins asked what will happen if there is

controversy regarding which code would apply to the

repair. Shannon stated that, where possible, the most

stringent code would be applied. Shannon continued that

the code review will resolve any controversy between

the engineering firm and the building inspector

regarding which code will apply to the repair.

Wendell Jones asked if the remainder of the building

inspector’s items will be prepared by the November 2

school board meeting. Shannon responded that current

plans are to bring the remaining items to the November2 meeting.

Phyllis Albritton asked when the building inspector

would provide a complete list of concerns. Shannon

responded that he did not know when a complete list

would be provided to the school system.

Joe Ivers stated his concern that the investigative

process is taking longer than anticipated. Hopkins

responded that the school board is responding to the

board of supervisors’ request to repair Blacksburg High

School as quickly as possible. Ivers stated that the

school board needs to provide several scenarios for the

board of supervisors’ consideration, including a plan

for Auburn.

The school board discussed the current resolution in

front of the board of supervisors requesting a new high

school in Blacksburg, a new high school in Auburn, and

a renovation of Auburn Middle School.

Annette Perkins stated that the board of supervisors

hopes to address the resolution submitted to the boardof supervisors by the school board in addition to

funding scenarios at the joint work session on November

9.

The board discussed price figures for building a new

school and the fact that until a design is in place,

only ballpark estimates can be provided.



October 19, 2010

Work Session

On motion by Penny Franklin, seconded by Phyllis Albritton, the Board

returned to regular session at 9:50 p.m.

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations, and Announcements

Item 10/10-187 MCPS 2010-2012 Gifted Plan:

On motion by Penny Franklin, seconded by Jamie Bond,

the School Board voted unanimously to approve the 2010-

2012 MCPS Gifted Plan as presented.

Item 10/10-188 Federal Education Jobs Fund Plan:

On motion by Phyllis Albritton, seconded by Joe Ivers,

the School Board voted unanimously to approve the

appropriation of funding received through the Federal

Education Jobs Fund Plan as presented.

A copy of the plan is attached to the minutes.

Item 10/10-189 Resolution for Bond Refinancing:

On motion by Phyllis Albritton, seconded by Drema

Foster, the School Board voted unanimously to approve

the Resolution for Bond Refinancing as presented.

A copy of the resolution is attached to the minutes.

Item 10/10-190 Next Steps from Superintendent’s Retreat with the

Board: Brenda Blackburn, division superintendent,

addressed four major categories of discussion, as

designated during the board’s retreat on June 19.

Blackburn highlighted student achievement initiatives

currently in place in the school system, including a

student achievement team and professional development

opportunities. Blackburn said that over 600 students

are meeting with their principals and parents to

discuss how to better the student’s success in school.

Blackburn stated her enthusiasm for the Commit to

Graduate campaign, presented by Lisa Spain.

Blackburn asked the board to consider adopting the

guiding principles and operational procedures as

presented. Blackburn also asked the board to consider a

school board retreat to readdress these issues in

February 2011.



October 19, 2010

Work Session

The board discussed the presented guiding principles

and operational procedures. Board members will submit

suggestions to the superintendent.

Item 10/10-191 Next Steps from School Board’s Retreat on Diversity and

Social Justice: Brenda Blackburn, division

superintendent, presented an executive summary of the

school board’s retreat on diversity and social justice.

She stated that the first meeting of the social justice

committee took place on October 6. She shared

recommendations made by the committee, as included in

the October 15 board update.

Blackburn proposed that the board solicit a proposal to

lay groundwork for common experience and language for

two days of training for leadership and teachers. She

said that she is in discussions with Bob Covert and

Charlene Green to determine if they can provide

administrative leaders with an experience similar to

the July school board retreat.

Unfinished Business by School Board Members

November 9 Joint Work Session with Board of Supervisors: The school

board will meet with the board of supervisors on November 9 at 7 p.m.,

with dinner at 6 p.m., at the County Government Center.

New Business by School Board Members

Wendell Jones asked for additional information regarding the bus pickup

situation addressed in public comment.

Announcements/Information

Phyllis Albritton stated that she appreciated the information they

received from the Montgomery County Education Association regarding the

MCEA’s position on the repair of Blacksburg High School.

Wat Hopkins stated that he spoke to a journalism class at Eastern

Montgomery High School recently and enjoyed the experience.

Phyllis Albritton shared that she is grateful that the principals and

guidance counselors are meeting with parents and students about student

achievement.

Agenda Preparation

November 2, 2010 2011 Legislative Priorities (Discussion)



October 19, 2010

Work Session

November 16, 2010 Public Hearing on the 2010-2011 School Operating

Budget – 7 p.m.

Seniors of the Month (Recognition)Winning Choices Campaign (Recognition)

Consideration of Cancellation of Second December

Meeting (Action)

Establish First Meeting Date in January 2011

(Action)

MCPS Technology Plan (Information)

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 p.m. on motion by Wat Hopkins,

seconded by Phyllis Albritton, and passed unanimously.

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board

Attachments:

1. Bound Agenda for October 19, 2010 Work Session2. Personnel Report3. Memo on Preliminary Code Requirements at Blacksburg High School4. Federal Education Jobs Fund Plan5. Resolution for Bond Refinancing

sb minutes october 19 2010 (2)

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