SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

MINUTES OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 18, 2000

 

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held its regular third Tuesday meeting, Tuesday, January 18, 2000 at the School Administration Building.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Daniel D. "Dan" Edwards, Chairman; Mr. Arthur T. Tate, Vice Chairman; Mr. Donald F. Bennis; Ms. Jane S. Brooks; Ms. Nancy D. Guy; Mr. Dan R. Lowe; Mr. H. Les Powell, Jr.; Mr. Neil L. Rose; Mr. Robert C. Spadaccini; Ms. J. M. "Jerri" Tata and Ms. Rosemary A. Wilson

Dr. Timothy R. Jenney, Superintendent

Members ABSENT: None

 

  1. Joint Meeting with City Council (Building 19, City’s Human Resources Training Room) (2:00 p.m.): A joint meeting of City Council and the School Board was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Mayor Oberndorf in the City’s Human Resources Training Room in Building 19 at the Municipal Center. The joint meeting was held for presentation of the Five-Year Forecast FY 2001-2005. All School Board members were present with the exception of Mr. Powell and Mr. Spadaccini who were absent from the joint meeting. Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, presented information on projected revenues and expenditures, and student enrollment; and Superintendent Jenney reported on school division priorities. Following discussion, it was concluded that Mayor Oberndorf and Chairman Edwards would appoint members from their respective bodies to serve on a committee to study the revenue sharing formula to determine if it will meet the needs of the school division.

    2. The workshop concluded at 3:50 p.m.

    NOTE: The presentation was videotaped for archival purposes and is available for review in the Clerk’s records.

  2. Facilities Disposition Workshop
    3. : Chairman Edwards called the Facilities Disposition Workshop to order at 4:10 p.m. All Board members were present. Mr. C. Michael Ross of HBA Architecture, presented the background and rationale for the Facility Disposition Committee’s recommendations for the disposition of Old Seatack and Old Linkhorn Park Elementary Schools and the Kemps Landing School. It was noted that during the course of deliberations regarding the Middle School Academic Magnet, the committee added the disposition of the Bayside Middle 6th Grade Campus to the list of facilities. Additionally, the committee requested a demographic analysis of the school-within-a-school concept and the impact on the entire middle school program. Mr. Lowe stated approval of the recommendations would close alternatives for resolving overcrowding situations at Bayside Middle School. Ms. Guy requested administration examine the possibility of switching students at Old Donation Center and Pembroke Elementary School so that elementary and middle school gifted children would be in closer proximity.

    The workshop concluded at 5:24 p.m.

    NOTE: The workshop was videotaped for archival purposes and is available for review in the Clerk’s records.

  3. Closed Session
    4. :

A. Motion for Closed Meeting in Accordance with VA Code § 2.1-344, Subsection A: Vice Chairman Tate made a motion, seconded by Mr. Spadaccini, that the Board adopt a motion to recess into a closed session pursuant to the exemptions from open meetings allowed by Section 2.1-344, Part A, Paragraphs 1 and 7 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the following purposes:

Personnel Matters: Discussion or consideration of employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Part A, Paragraph 1, namely to discuss
  1. Consider Fact-Finding Panel recommendation regarding grievance of Employee Case No. 314-06-24-99.

Consultation with Legal Counsel: Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefing in an open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the Board or consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by the Board regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel pursuant to Section 2.1-344, Part A, Paragraph 7; namely to discuss
  1. Legal requirements for consideration of recommendation of Fact-Finding Panel on grievance of Employee Case No. 314-06-24-99
    2. .

The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Wilson absent for the vote) and the Board entered a closed meeting at 5:29 p.m.

Individuals present for discussion:

Consultation with Legal Counsel:

1. Legal requirements for consideration of recommendation of Fact-Finding Panel on grievance of Employee Case No. 314-06-24-99: Board members except for Ms. Wilson; Mr. Randall M. Blow, Deputy City Attorney; and Ms. Dianne M. Page, Clerk of the Board.

 

 

Personnel Matters:
  1. Consider Fact-Finding Panel recommendation regarding grievance of Employee Case No. 314-06-24-99
    2. : Board members except for Vice Chairman Tate who arrived

during discussion; and Ms. Dianne M. Page, Clerk of the Board.

After reaching consensus, the Board opened its doors to announce in public its decision to uphold and sustain the recommendation of the Fact-Finding Panel. The Board then asked Mr. Randall M. Blow, Deputy City Attorney, in the absence of Mr. John F. Newhard, Jr., Senior City Attorney, to enter the Closed Session to assist the Board in writing its decision.

B. Reconvene Open Session: The Board reconvened in an open meeting at 5:43 p.m.
  1. Certification of Closed Meeting
    2. : Vice Chairman Tate made a motion, seconded by Mr. Powell, 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 11, nays 0).
  2. Board Action
    3. : Mr. Bennis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Powell, that the Board adopt a resolution approving the recommendations of the Fact-Finding Panel in the grievance of Employee 314-06-24-99. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, 1 abstention – Lowe) and the resolution adopted as follows. Mr. Lowe later stated his abstention was due to concerns stated in closed session.

RESOLUTION APPROVING RECOMMENDATIONS OF FACT-FINDING PANEL IN GRIEVANCE OF EMPLOYEE 314-06-24-99

RESOLVED: Based upon consideration of the transcript, including exhibits, the Findings of Fact and Recommendations of the Advisory Fact-Finding Panel, the Board finds:

    1. The reassignment of the employee by the principal does not violate School Board Policy and Regulation;
    2. The current assignment reasonably accommodates any disability raised by the Grievant; and
    3. The reassignment is appropriate.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be placed in this employee’s file and be mailed to the employee, her attorney, and the building principal by the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, accordingly, the reassignment of this teacher by the principal is affirmed.

  1. Formal Meeting Call to Order (6:00 p.m.)
    2. : Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
  2. Student Awards and Recognition
    3. :
    1. Virginia High School League (VHSL) 1999 State AAA Girls Volleyball Champions
      2. : The School Board recognized the Cox High School girl’s volleyball team as the 1999 Virginia State AAA Champions. The team consisted of the following students: Annie Beverly, Jacquelyn Bush, Anna Cox, Divona Cox, Erin Egan, Jennifer Fritz, Katie Gilman, Jennifer Gilman, Claire Hudson, Maura Kennedy, Jennifer Lux, Lisa Maholchic, Krysten Perkins, Meghan Petruska, Jessica Rhea, Bryce Rountree, Heather Weil, and Elizabeth Worrell. Head Coach Claire LeBlanc and Assistant Coach Tina Attinger were also recognized.
    2. EPA Youth Awards Region III Winners
      3. : The School Board recognized the Kemps Landing Magnet School Student Power team, under the leadership of Jenny Sue Flannagan, eighth grade science teacher at the time of the competition application and currently the middle school science coordinator, as the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3 winner in the President’s Environmental Youth Award national competition.
    3. Attendance Flag Winners – December
      4. : The School Board recognized the following schools for having the highest percent of attendance for the month of December in their respective grade level categories: Thoroughgood Elementary School for having a student attendance of 96.75 percent; Kemps Landing Magnet School for having a student attendance of 97.82 percent; and Princess Anne High School for having a student attendance of 94.91 percent.
    4. Most Improved Attendance Winner(s) – December
      5. : The School Board recognized the following schools for having the highest percent of most improved attendance for the month of December: Creeds Elementary School with an improved attendance of 1.15 percent; Virginia Beach Middle School with an improved attendance of .5 percent; and Virginia Beach Central Academy with an improved attendance of 3.08 percent.
  1. Roll Call, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: All Board members were present. Reverend Thomas H. Britton, Retiree from United Church of Christ gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

    2. Mr. Spadaccini left the meeting at 6:25 p.m.

  2. Superintendent’s Report
    3. : Superintendent Jenney reported on school activities and thanked all volunteers and guests who read to students in celebration of January as reading month in Virginia Beach. He further reported on the many awards and accolades schools, employees and students of the division continue to receive. A copy of the Superintendent’s Report is on file with the Clerk’s records.
  3. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations
    4. : The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations:

    Pat Konopnicki, regarding Groundhog Job Shadow Day;

    David Bach regarding the document on gifted education he presented at the December 7, 1999 School Board meeting and in opposition to the appointment of School Board members to an ad hoc committee for the performance of gifted personnel;

    Nicole Bach regarding the document on gifted education presented by David Bach at the December 7, 1999 School Board meeting;

    Betty Kole, president of the Virginia Beach School Nurses Association, in recognition of the employee input process and its facilitators, Ms. Patricia A. Holt, Coordinator of Governmental Services, and Dr. Alice Gay Kampfmueller, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent; and

    Melody Copper, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, regarding the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) stipends and the teacher salary survey.

  4. Approval of Minutes
    1. January 4, 2000 Regular Meeting
      2. : Vice Chairman Tate made a motion, seconded by Ms. Brooks, that the Board approve the minutes of the January 4, 2000 regular School Board meeting as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote).
  1. Adoption of the Agenda
    2. : Vice Chairman Tate made a motion, seconded by Mr. Powell, that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote).
  2. Consent Agenda
    3. : Ms. Wilson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rose, that the Board adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote) and the following items approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
    1. Monthly Attendance Report – December 1999
    2. Agreements granting underground and overhead easements of right-of-way to Virginia Power at Shelton Park Elementary School
    3. Revised Policy 4-57 – Licensed Personnel: Contracts revised to reflect changes in Virginia Code
    4. Revised Policy 7-70 – Relations with Non-Governmental Organizations: Corporate and Other Private Sponsorship of Interscholastic Activities revised to clarify the School Board’s intent that gifts of apparel to interscholastic teams are governed by the Corporate Sponsorship policy
  1. Action:
    1. Strategic Plan
      2. : Ms. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rose, that the Board approve revisions to the strategic plan as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote) and the objectives, processes and targets of the following strategic plan goals adopted:

13. Information:

    1. Interim Financial Statements – December 1999
      2. : Mr. A. Samuel Cohen, Director of Business Services, presented to the Board for information the December 1999 Interim Financial Statements and responded to Board members questions.
    2. FY99/00 Mid-Year Review
      3. : Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, presented a mid-year review of the projection of revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 1999-2000, reporting current appropriations not expected to be utilized is estimated to be $14,272,768. Ms. Lewis emphasized the importance that the mid-year review is an estimate made at a particular point in time and that it is possible additional funds beyond the amount may materialize between the projection and the end of the year. It was further noted that expenditures will continue to be monitored and revenues for state funds will be firm subsequent to the calculation of the March 31, 2000 Average Daily Membership (ADM) which is due to the State Department of Education in April 2000.

      1. Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP): Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, provided an update on status of the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) stipends and reported, under the worst case cost scenario, approximately $634,200 in additional funds would be required. In addition, recommendations were proposed for the remainder of the 1999-2000 fiscal year and fiscal year 2000-2001. The Board agreed to take action on recommendations for the 1999-2000 fiscal year during the Vote on Remaining Action Items portion of the meeting. Ms. Guy stated support for the 1999-2000 fiscal year recommendations, and expressed concern with limiting the number of stipends in the fiscal year 2000-2001 operating budget stating she felt the cost savings on training would be sufficient to support the program. She recommended administration examine the impact on the increased Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) passage rates on the actual training costs rather than rolling over costs in accordance with original projections.

    3. Update on Student Data Base Implementation
      4. : Ms. Roberta Gourley, Student Database Administrator with the Office of Technology, provided an update on the progress of the student database implementation contract between the school division and National Computer Systems accepted October 29, 1999, for the purchase of software and consulting and training services.

      The Board recessed at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:42 p.m.

    4. Salary Survey for Teachers
      5. : Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, introduced Mr. Charles F. Hendricks, President of Hendricks and Associates, Inc., who presented findings and recommendations from the teacher compensation salary study completed for Virginia Beach City Public Schools and responded to Board members’ questions.
    5. Early Recruitment Update
      6. : Ms. Gretna Y. Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, and Mr. Michael A. Maloney, Director of Employment Services, provided an overview on early recruitment efforts and status of commitment incentive packages provided by the Board at the October 5, 1999 School Board meeting.
    6. Elementary School Recess
      7. : In response to comments made during the Hearing of Citizens and Delegations at past meetings, Ms. Tata requested information on elementary school recess. Ms. Pamela A. McKinney and Mrs. Elizabeth E. Taylor, Assistant Superintendents for Elementary Education, advised elementary school recess is a site-based decision suitable for that particular site. It was reported that approximately 47 elementary schools do not have any type of organized recess, but utilized other forms of activities such as allowing children to go outside for approximately five – ten minutes after lunch or tasking individual teachers with taking children out during various times of the day where it fits into the schedule. It was further noted that daily physical education periods provided an opportunity for children to engage in activities.
    7. Paperwork Requirements for Instructional Personnel
      8. : Ms. Wilson expressed concern and requested an examination be conducted to identify ways to streamline the amount of paperwork requirements for instructional personnel. Superintendent Jenney agreed the job encompasses more and is broader than it ever has been and felt the student data management system will assist in streamlining the process. In addition, Superintendent Jenney asked Ms. Linda Koutoufus, Standards of Learning (SOL) Teacher Specialist, who assisted in writing the Standards of Learning (SOL) and some of the procedures to comment on the requirements. Ms. Koutoufus expressed concerns with the paperwork as well, and addressed concerns raised by Ms. Wilson regarding quarterly tests and testing stating it is absolutely crucial that the paperwork requirements be completed by teachers. She explained teachers found quarterly tests to be successful, noting although language arts theme tests take a long time to grade because of open ended questions and essays by students, they were found to be beneficial in determining students’ needs and the direction of instruction.

14. Committee Reports: Ms. Guy reported the Ad Hoc Committee for the Performance of Gifted Personnel met on January 6 and January 13 and is scheduled to meet again on January 20. She noted Ms. Carol Summers from the City Attorney’s Office and Ms. Shelley Fulmer, Internal Auditor, have been assisting the committee and it is anticipated that the committee will be on time with its report to the Board at the February 15 regular School Board meeting.

Ms. Guy then commented on the citywide Student Council Association (SCA) meeting she attended on behalf of the Board stating a presentation was made on the impending 2002 hosting of the national SCA conference to be held at Ocean Lakes High School. She commended students and urged colleagues who have not done so, to avail themselves for the "uplifting" opportunity. Ms. Guy further advised although there was no Board representation at the previous two meetings, Board representatives meant a lot to the students.

Mr. Lowe reported he and Ms. Guy met with the elementary school redistricting committee chaired by Mr. Donald Greer, Demographer, on January 13, to review the current student population plus six years of projected data, and to discuss the criteria for redistricting to ensure a common understanding among committee members. The committee is expected to review and comment on the developed redistricting scenarios at the February 3 committee meeting and is working towards public hearings in March and School Board presentations in April.

Ms. Tata reported on the January 11 meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Potential Utilization of Retired Personnel at which the committee heard from Mr. Gene Glasco and Ms. Harriett Durham, retired personnel. She announced the next meeting will be held on January 24 at which Mr. Roland Thornton, Director of Supply Services and representative of classified services for the committee, will bring in a speaker to address utilization of Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ retired classified personnel.
  1. Vote on Remaining Action Items
    2. : Ms. Wilson made a motion, seconded by Vice Chairman Tate, to authorize the superintendent to pay the $300 stipend to all eligible employees who have passed the Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel (TSIP) requirements. Ms. Victoria L. Lewis, Chief Financial Officer, noted payments would be made on the February 15, 2000 paycheck. Mr. Rose proposed an amendment to the motion, and it was accepted by Ms. Wilson and Vice Chairman Tate, to place a cap on the projected additional amount of $634,200 and request staff locate the funds in the appropriate unit code where funds exist and prepare budget transfers as needed for approval at the February 1, 2000 School Board meeting, to ensure funds are withdrawn from the appropriate budget codes so that funds can be tracked for the coming years. The amended motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote).
  2. Appointments, Resignations and Retirements
    3. : Vice Chairman Tate made a motion, seconded by Ms. Wilson, , that the Board approve the appointments and accept the resignations and retirements of personnel as submitted on the January 18, 2000 Personnel Report. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, Spadaccini absent for the vote).
  3. Adjournment
    4. : The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Approved: Dianne M. Page, Clerk of the Board

Daniel D. Edwards, Chairman