Culpeper County School Board

Culpeper County School Board 3/18/2011 ~ 12:29:42 PM

Minutes

March 14, 2011

Page 5 of 8

CULPEPER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Minutes

March 14, 2011

A meeting of the School Board of Culpeper was held March 14, 2011 at the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room at 302 N. Main Street, Culpeper, VA. Present were: George Dasher (Stevensburg District); Elizabeth Hutchins (Cedar Mountain District); Robert Beard (East Fairfax District); Robert A. Houck (West Fairfax District); Russell E. Jenkins (Catalpa District); Anne C. Luckinbill (Salem District); Leanne Malulani (Jefferson District); Director of Finance/Clerk Jeff Shomo; Superintendent Dr. Bobbi Johnson; Director of Administrative Services Dr. Russell Houck; Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Rob Hauman; Director of Human Resources Dr. Stacey Timmons; Director of Facilities, Planning and Construction Hunter Spencer, and Deputy Clerk Pearl Jamison

At 7 p.m. Mr. Dasher called the meeting to order and Ms. Jamison called the roll.

A closed session was not deemed necessary prior to the meeting.

Those present observed a moment of silence. Mr. Dasher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

On motion of Ms. Hutchins seconded by Mr. Beard, the School Board approved the agenda. Motion carried 7-0 by voice vote.

Presentation/Recognitions

Dr. Johnson and Mr. Dasher presented ZAPP (Zealous Appreciation for Positive Performance) Awards to the following:

Ø For placing Third in the Junior High Division at The American Cheer and Dance Academy’s Annual “Reach the Beach” Cheer Competition held in Ocean City, MD on February 26, 2011 and for qualifying for The U.S. Finals – “Final Destination” Competition in Virginia Beach, VA in April – CMS Cougar Cheerleaders

Ø For placing Eighth in the 119 lb Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on February 18-19, 2011 – Jared Engh

Ø For placing Sixth in the 160 lb Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic on February 18-19, 2011 – Eric Anderson

Ø For placing Fifth in the 152 lb Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on February 18-19, 2011 – DJ Dwyer

Ø For placing Fourth in the Heavyweight Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on February 18-19, 2011 – Tyler Deane

Ø For placing in the Top 12 in the 145 lb Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on February 18-19, 2011 – Logan Shurina

Ø For placing Fifth in the 140 lb Division at the VHSL State Wrestling Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on February 18-19, 2011 – Austin Jenkins

Ø For being selected to perform with the 2011 Virginia All-State Choir on April 28-30, 2011 in Virginia Beach, VA – Stacy Harley

Ø For being selected to perform with the 2011 Virginia All-State Choir on April 28-30, 2011 in Virginia Beach, VA – Lila Burris

Ø For being selected as an Alternate for the 2011 Virginia All-State Choir on April 28-30, 2011 in Virginia Beach, VA – Rebecca Cummings

Delegations

Mr. Dasher said persons may present ideas or concerns regarding Culpeper County Public Schools. He said there would be no action taken by the Board at this meeting and that such items would be referred to the appropriate administrators for future information and research. He said the personalities and behavior of employees are not to be presented during this period but are to be reported to the employee’s immediate supervisor. Mr. Dasher noted there would be a three minute limit for speakers.

There were no delegations.

Consent Agenda

Mr. Dasher reviewed the items on the agenda for approval.

Mr. Houck said the Finance Committee met and reviewed the bills and recommended they be approved.

On motion of Mr. Houck seconded by Ms. Luckinbill, the School Board approved the consent agenda.

Ms. Hutchins noted that the new course offerings do not have any budget implications.

(a) Approval of Minutes – February 14, 2011

(b) Payroll and Payment of Bills

(d) Second Reading of Policies/Regulations

· BCF (Advisory Committees to the School Board

· IIBEA R-4 (Internet Filtering and Password Privileges)

· IIBEA R-5 (School Web Server)

· IIBEA R-6 (Technology Staff Responsibilities) REMOVED

· LBD (Home Instruction)

(e) Permission to Apply for Federal Grants (Title I, II, III)

(f) Approval of New Course Offerings 2011/2012

Motion carried 7-0 by voice vote.

The board considered the following action items:

(a) Approval of FY12 Operating Budget

Mr. Jenkins noted that he has a personal interest in the budget discussion because his spouse is employed in the school system. He stated he was able to participate in this transaction fairly, objectively, and in the best interest of the public. He filed a disclosure statement with Deputy Clerk Pearl Jamison on January 24, 2011 and will disclose his interest at each meeting where there is discussion pertaining to the budget.

Dr. Johnson described the process used to prepare her budget presentation. She noted that all principals and directors had input into the budget being presented this evening. She shared with the board the FY2012 Budget Presentation that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 15, 2011.

On motion of Mr. Beard seconded by Ms. Luckinbill, the School Board approved the Superintendent’s proposed FY12 budget to be presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 15th.

Ms. Hutchins noted that we have reduced our staff by attrition not by letting people go. She said over the years we have tightened our belt with utilities; however, the costs continue to increase. She said our textbooks are outdated and we are delaying repairs. She stated the school system does not have an option of raising funds because we can only levy so many fees and the federal and state set many requirements but don’t fund them. She noted that the economy is affecting all service personnel in the community. She said investing in education is investing in our future and the board needs the community and business leaders to speak up and say education is critical to the economy and future. She said the community needs to say they value education and until that happens; our children and economic future are at risk.

Mr. Dasher said a lot of money is being spent on bus repairs due to the aging busses.

Mr. Dasher noted that the budget will be briefed to the Board of Supervisors on March 15th at 5 p.m. and they will vote on the budget in April.

Motion carried 7-0 by voice vote.

(b) First Reading of Policies/Regulations

· IKE R-3 (Request for Exemption from Full Day Schedule)

· JECB (Admission of Non Public Students for Part-time Enrollment)

· JECB R-1 (Admission of Non Public Students for Part-time Enrollment)

· JECB E-1 (Application for Part-time Enrollment)

On motion of Ms. Hutchins seconded by Mr. Beard, the policies were approved on first reading.

Ms. Malulani asked if the changes were based strictly on changes in the code. Mr. Jenkins said no.

Mr. Houck said previously under “IKE R-3” we allowed juniors to be less than full day scheduled and now the regulation only allows seniors. He said part-time students are not eligible to participate in any activity governed by VHSL; however, they are permitted to participate in certain afterschool activities not governed by VHSL.

Mr. Dasher said the home-instruction policy requires a lot of administrative time in administering the program and we get no funding for those students.

Motion carried 7-0 by voice vote.

The board heard the following reports:

(a) Construction Update

Eastern View High School Pond – Mr. Spencer said the general contractor has dismissed the previous subcontractor who was going to do the repairs and is working with Samuel James Construction.

Yowell Elementary School Pond – Mr. Spencer said they will start moving soil at Yowell very shortly.

Mr. Dasher asked if there will be any additional charges for the hauling. Mr. Spencer said possibly.

Culpeper High School Central Plant Replacement– Mr. Spencer said the plant replacement is going well. He said they plan to start the chiller tomorrow. He noted they are well ahead of schedule.

Culpeper High School Auditorium Seats – Mr. Spencer said the sample seat should be delivered this week.

Roof Replacements – Mr. Spencer said he is in the process of developing roof specifications for Pearl Sample and Culpeper High School.

Culpeper High School Entrance Sign – Mr. Spencer said he is in the process of having the sign reinstalled.

Mr. Dasher asked if the Capital Improvement Plan has an estimate for the Pearl Sample Roof Replacement. Mr. Spencer said the replacement area is about the same size as Culpeper High. He estimated $275,000 for the replacement.

(b) Instruction Report

Ms. Angie Neely, Director of Special Education, shared a PowerPoint Presentation with the School Board about “Assistive Technology.”

Ms. Susan Hauman, Special Education Support Specialist, shared with the School Board some examples of “Low Tech Assistive Technology.” She noted that many of the items are teacher made.

Ms. Hutchins asked Ms. Neely to explain what “PREP” is. Ms. Neely said “PREP” Piedmont Regional Education Program is a public entity comprised of several different school divisions that provide many special education services that smaller divisions have difficulty providing.

Ms. Hauman shared with the School Board some examples of “High Tech Assistive Technology”.

Ms. Candice Rinker, Speech Pathologist at AGRES, shared some instructional programs she uses with her students using an IPAD.

Mr. Beard said as we talk about budget it makes it hard to determine what is instructional vs. technology spending. He said this presentation showed what instructional spending really looks like.

Ms. Hutchins said we appreciate all our staff does to help our students learn.

Mr. Houck said recently he talked with a family who has a student in special education and they said their child has made great strides. He complemented the staff for what they do every day.

Ms. Barbara Brown, Alternative Education Coordinator for the TRIER (Respect, Responsibility, & Refocus) Program, recognized two of her staff members – Ms. Annette Jones, Social Studies Teacher and Ms. Jessica Hoffman, English Teacher. She said her staff is asked to teach 6th Grade through GED.

Ms. Brown shared a PPT presentation about the program that was generated by student and community input.

Ms. Brown said it is pleasure to work with the students at TRIER.

Ms. Luckinbill asked how many students are at TRIER. Ms. Brown said around 90.

Ms. Brown said the staff teaches and fills in the deficits the students need. She said the students get comfortable and happy and don’t want to leave.

Mr. Beard said he has worked with the juvenile courts for years and when he first started working there the Alternative Education program went through some hard times. He said it wasn’t working and students were failing. He said kids coming into the court room recently have achieved triumphs because of the program.

Ms. Malulani asked where Ms. Brown sees the program going. Ms. Brown said we still need to educate the students that mess up. She said she sees a mix of children with varying types of schedules that suit their needs. She said we need more things in place to allow more alternative instruction.

Ms. Malulani asked how they transition the students back into regular education. Ms. Brown said Dr. Houck has initiated a contract between the school system and child to transition the child back into the regular setting.

Ms. Brown noted that students in TRIER turn in their cell phones when they arrive and they are given back at the end of the instructional day. She noted that each student is assigned a mentor in their school to help with the transition.

Ms. Hutchins said the alternative need is great. She said all students need an individualized instructional program. She said the program really needs to go below sixth grade.

Mr. Beard said a lot of the students in this program indicated they needed more time to master skills and this program allows them more time.

Ms. Brown said her teachers really wrap themselves around the students and help them whenever they can. She noted that a lot of times her teachers work with students rather than taking a break.

Mr. Dasher said he is very pleased with the resurrection of the program and how well it is going.

Board Member Reports

Ms. Hutchins encouraged the community to become more involved with the budget process. She said the Board of Supervisors need to hear the community speak up about the value of education in our community.

Mr. Beard said, in the past, the board requested more funds from the Board of Supervisors then we were given indications we would receive. He said this is the time for us to make that request. He said unless the community supports that request we may visit the budget again.

Ms. Malulani said all of our viewpoints have changed since the economy has. She said we have done everything we can do to trim out what we can live without. She said over the past 10 years we have done a lot of things for our students that are wonderful – TRIER, Strides, etc. She said the education a student receives in the schools really impacts their lives forever. She said she hopes the community will make it known that our schools are supported.