SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK
Minutes of the School Board Special Meeting
November 15 , 2006
EXECUTIVE SESSION—CLOSED
The School Board convened the executive (closed) session at 3:35 p.m. in the School
Administration Building, located at 800 E. City Hall Avenue, in Norfolk, Virginia. Present were: Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, and Dr. Tonelson. Dr. McCluney and Dr. Wright were absent. Dr. Wright was attending the Virginia School Boards Association Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. Superintendent Jones, Chief of Staff Young, Chief Academic Officer Boone, Chief Operations Officer Spencer, and Clerk Rhodes were present. Mr. Pishko and Mr. Mungo were present from the City Attorney's office.
It was duly MOVED and seconded that the members of the School Board go into closed session for the purposes set out in clause 1 of subsection (A) of section 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, as amended: |
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| (2) |
Discussion or consideration of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, discipline, or resignation of specific officers, appointees, or employees of the Norfolk Public Schools including consideration of the personnel docket of this date. |
| (3) |
Discussion or consideration of disciplinary matters concerning students in Norfolk Public Schools, specifically the pupil personnel docket of this date. |
(7) |
Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members, consultants, or attorneys, pertaining to actual or probable litigation, or other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by counsel. |
A roll call vote was taken on the motion and it was approved unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
The Board came out of closed session at 4:50 p.m. and the School Board recessed for a dinner break.
Mr. Bishop called the formal session of the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in Room 1202 of the School Administration Building. Present were Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, and Dr. Tonelson.
Also present were Superintendent Jones; Chief Officers Young, Boone, Spencer, and Sullivan; Executive Directors Jones, Lassiter, O'Konek, and Thomas; and Clerk Rhodes. Chief Officer Fred Schmitt was absent.
It was MOVED and seconded that whereas, the School Board of the City of Norfolk |
That the School Board of the City of Norfolk 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 resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board. |
A roll call vote was taken on the motion and it was approved unanimously.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Bishop led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Jones announced that the Norfolk Education Foundation will host its first event - a
Friend Raiser - with the theme "Planting the Seeds of Success," on Thursday, Dec. 14
from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Chrysler Museum.
The Superintendent will attend a Prayer Breakfast at First Baptist Bute Street Church in
honor of American Education Week, Nov. 12-18,2006. The Prayer Breakfast will be for
all educators.
The Teachers of the Year and the superintendent will participate in the Grand
Illumination Parade on Saturday, Nov. 18.
C. SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THERESA WHIBLEY
Dr. Jones concluded his report by bringing former School Board Chair, Theresa Whibley,
to the podium. He emphasized the tremendous service Dr. Whibley provided to Norfolk
Public Schools during her tenure on the School Board and the privilege he felt working
alongside her in her role as Chair. He attested to the fact that "putting children first" was
always at the top of her agenda.
D.OCTOBER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND STATEMENT
Mrs. Jane Pellegrino, Sr. Director for Budgets, presented the financial highlights and
statement for October. It was moved and seconded to receive and file the financial
highlights and statement for October. The motion was approved.
E. CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
1. Charles Jefferson addressed the board on uniforms for students.
2. Stanley Riddick addressed the board on behalf of the Skills Trade Committee regarding adequate pay for maintenance professionals. A study of comparable pay scales with surrounding cities was distributed for board information.
3. Sam Bray addressed the board regarding pay for professional trades.
F. DISCUSSION ANDAPPROVALOF THE CONSENTAGENDA
It was moved by Mr. Driggers and seconded by Mr. Cook to amend the Personnel
Docket by adding the Supplement and to include as the last item on the Consent
Agenda, the third amendment to the Superintendent's contract with the requested
revisions before voting on approval of the consent agenda. The motion was approved.
The motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda as amended. The
motion was approved.
1. The minutes for the School Board work session of the October 12, 2006, and the School Board meeting of October 18.
2. October Bills and Payroll Report
3. Personnel Report with Third Amendment to the Superintendent's Contract
4.Pupil Personnel Report
(a) Suggested long-Term Suspension with Special Conditions
(b) long-term Suspension Report for the month of October 2006
(c) Out-of-district Transfer Report October 1-31, 2006
5.October Use of School Facilities Report
6. Approval of Policies:
(a) GBE Staff Health
(b) GBl Personnel Records
(c) GBlA Third-Party Complaints Against Employees
7. Third Amendment to the Superintendent's Contract
G. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ADMINISTRATORS
Michael Spencer, Chief Operations Officer, introduced Ray Reyes who elected to staff
accountant in the accounting department.
10-MINUTE RECESS
H. REPORT ON ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Michael Spencer and Dr. Elsie Harold-Lans, Senior Director of Pupil Personnel Services, presented the report on alternative education.
I. REVISED STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Elsie Harold-Lans and Michael Spencer presented the Student Code of Conduct that defines levels for student discipline infractions and the companion rubric for consequences for each major area of rule and law violation. It was noted that while there is a target level for each violation area the consequences allow for a range for the disposition thus allowing some flexibility on the part of the school administration.
J. SCHOOL BOARD MATTERS
Other items discussed by the board during the informal session were:
1. Legislative Packet
2. Feedback from October 10thpublic hearing on the operating budget
3. Update on the School Board Accountability Plan
4. Report on the Council of the Great City Schools Conference, October 25-29
5. Audit Committee Report
6. Construction Committee Report
7. Implementation of Facilities Plan-the School Board agreed to implement
Phases II and III through MGT of America, Inc.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes approved by the School Board: December 20, 2006
