SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK
Minutes of the School Board Special Meeting
September 20, 2006
EXECUTIVE SESSION—CLOSED
The School Board convened the executive (closed) session at 3:20 p.m. at the School Administration Building, located at 800 E. City Hall Avenue, in Norfolk, Virginia. Present were: Mr. Bishop, Chair, Mrs. Rhodes, Vice Chair, Mr. Driggers, Dr. McCluney, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright. Superintendent Jones, Chief of Staff Young, Chief Academic Officer Boone, Chief Operations Officer Spencer, and Clerk Rhodes were present. Mr. Pishko, Mr. Cloud, and Mr. Mungo were present from the City Attorney’s office. Mr. Cook was absent due to military duty outside the country.
| 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: |
(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 and a grievance. |
(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. Determined they would receive written arguments on an employee grievance. |
A roll call vote was taken on the motion and it was approved unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
The Board came out of closed session at 5:00 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. Driggers, Dr. McCluney, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright. Mr. Cook was absent.
Also present were Superintendent Jones; Chief Officers Young, Boone, Spencer, Schmitt, and Sullivan; Executive Directors Jones, Lassiter, O’Konek, and Thomas; and Clerk Rhodes.
| It was MOVED |
and seconded that whereas, the School Board of the City of Norfolk
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, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the School Board of the City of Norfolk that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law; now, therefore, be it resolved by 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 reported a smooth opening of school with the hiring of 375 teachers and the processing of 8,910 purchase orders and/or credit card transactions over the summer to prepare. 34,034 students were in attendance on the first day of school. He congratulated our staff members on a smooth start to the school year.
Dr. Jones declared he had the honor of presenting along with other staff members, at the Broad Foundation Award Symposium. He congratulated Boston Public Schools, this year’s winner. He advised the members of the School Board that once you win the prize, you are removed from eligibility for three years meaning we could not be considered again until 2008. However, he was advised that had we remained in the eligibility pool, the results would have been too close to call. He declared this as a testament to our sustained effort and stated we have a real opportunity to repeat as winners.
The superintendent congratulated the Board for being selected as one of three finalists for the Council of Urban Boards of Education Outstanding School Board Award . He wished good luck to the three Board members traveling to the conference in Phoenix, Arizona, — Ursula Rhodes, Steve Tonelson and Lillian Wright . The Clerk of the Board was also traveling to Phoenix and he and the board members were to participate in a panel presentation
Dr. Jones was invited to participate on a new advisory panel of superintendents being assembled by the College Board. He accepted the invitation and will be offering advice regarding initiatives and strategies to increase participation in Advanced Placement courses — particularly among minority students.
A reminder was given that the School Board will host a recognition ceremony and a public hearing on the budget for 2007-2008. The date of the public hearing will be October 10 and it will be held at Campostella Elementary School. The recognition ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the budget hearing will begin at 6:15 p.m.
A School Board work session is scheduled for October 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to develop the School Board Accountability Plan.
Dr. Jones presented the items of interest.
1. The “First Annual Central Administration Cookout” with employees from Norfolk Public Schools and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office took part in the parking lot of the School Administration Building. Thanks went to vendors who contributed to the event and included Blue Bunny, Gustos, PepsiCo, Sysco Corporation, Valley Food Service, and Wood Vending to name a few. The purpose of the event was to collect school supplies for Norfolk Public Schools’ students.
2. On the first day of school, students were greeted by Vice Mayor Paul Riddick, School Board Chair Barry Bishop, Superintendent Stephen Jones, and Clerk of the School Board Vince Rhodes.
3. Another exciting event that occurred during the first weeks of school was a visit to Booker T. Washington High School from the Honorable Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia. The purpose of his visit was to see how the freshman transition program was coming along. The move from middle to high school is a critical stage for many students who may be at risk of dropping out. This program provides the support to give them the extra attention they need to be successful in high school.
C. AUGUST FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND STATEMENT
Mr. Schmitt presented the financial highlights and statement for August. It was moved and seconded to receive and file the financial highlights and statement for August. The motion was approved.
D. CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
1. Mr. Charles Jefferson addressed the board on the dress code.
2. Ms. Kiesharra Corvette-Henderson addressed the board on discipline at the high school level and professionalism of administrators.
3. Mr. William Colclaser addressed the board on the 8-block schedule.
4. Mr. Glen Jones spoke on teacher/student relationships.
5. Ms. Monte Mercer, president of the Education Association of Norfolk, spoke on teacher concerns.
Dr. Jones presented Steve Tonelson, with a framed article published in the Virginian-Pilot regarding his late father, Rufus Tonelson.
E. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
The motion was made to approve the consent agenda after the removal of policy CLAZ—Jurisdiction over Students. The motion was approved.
1. The minutes for the School Board meeting of August 16, 2006, and the School Board Retreat of August 18 and 19, 2006
2. August Bills and Payroll Report
3. Personnel Report
4. Pupil Personnel Report(a) Long-term Suspension Report
(b) Out-of-district Transfer Report5. August Use of School Facilities Report
6. School Rental Request for a six-month rental extension from the original date of April-September 2006 to March 2007, from the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship
7. School Rental Request from New Life House of Prayer Community of Faith Church
8. School Rental Request for a six-month rental extension from the original date of April-September 2006 to March 2007, by the Believer’s House Worldwide Ministries
7. Approval of Policies:(a) EI. Insurance Management
(b) JEB. Entrance Age/Admission of Persons not of School Age
(c) JEC. School Admission
(d) KNAJ. Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities
F. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ADMINISTRATORS
1. Sharon A. Phillips, promoted from Assistant Principal, Tanners Creek to Principal, Willoughby
2. Scot Wucher, elected Network and Engineering Services Manager, Information Division
G. MIDDLE SCHOOL 6TH GRADE TRANSITION PROGRAM
The board heard a report from Cathy Lassiter regarding the Middle School 6th Grade Transition Program which took place for the first time this past August. The program is designed to ease the transition from the elementary school to the middle school and is offered at no cost to the families. The purpose of the program was to alleviate the stress faced by students and parents as they move into the middle school setting and prepare them for the academic challenges in the middle school curriculum. The board heard comments from parents, students, and teachers.
H. HOW NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS USES DATE
The Board heard a report from Karren Bailey regarding the use of data. The data helps teachers to focus on strengths and weaknesses in various subject areas. Numerous reports as well as data team discussions take place throughout the year about student achievement and diversified instruction.
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. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MATTERS
1. The School Board scheduled dates for recognition ceremonies and work sessions:
Recognition Ceremonies:
October 10 Recognition Ceremony (5:30 p.m.) and 1st Public Hearing on the Budget (6:15 p.m.), Campostella Elementary
December 4 Recognition Ceremony (5:30 p.m.) and Capital Improvement Budget Public Hearing (6:15 p.m.), Crossroads Elementary School
February 12 Recognition Ceremony
April 5 Recognition Ceremony
May 23 Work and/or Recognition Ceremony (4:30-6:30)
Work Sessions:
October 12 SB Work Session-Accountability Plan, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Supt. Conf. Room (Admin. 1200)
November 13 4:30-6:30 p.m. Work Session on Communications (CR 1200)
January 10 Work Session
January 19-20 School Board Retreat (Friday and Saturday)
March 5 Work Session/Final Public Hearing on the Budget, Little Creek Elementary
May 23 Work and/or Recognition Ceremony (4:30-6:30)
2. Board Role in Communicating the District’s Message
The members of the School Board continued a discussion they had at the August retreat about better defining its role in the district and the responsibility of serving as ambassadors for carrying the message of Norfolk Public Schools to the community. They wanted to determine how they might support the school system by communicating key messages about our journey to world-class status.
3.Norfolk Public Schools Values
After review of the alignment between the statements on core values, operating principles, and the district mission statement, the Board agreed to adopt the mission statement, core values, and operating principles as policy at a later meeting.
4. Board Member Values and Norms for Interaction
The School Board reviewed the Values and Norms notes from the August School Board retreat.
5. Other School Board Matters:
(a) Mr. Driggers commented on adults not being able to buy sodas at sporting events.
(b) Dr. McCluney reported that she attended the Virginia School Boards Association Hot Topic workshop on “The Changing Face of Public Education.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes approved by the School Board: October 18, 2006
