School Board of the City of Norfolk
Minutes of the School Board Meeting
March 21 , 2007

EXECUTIVE SESSION—CLOSED

The School Board convened the executive (closed) session at 3:45 p.m. in the School Administration Building, located at 800 E. City Hall Avenue, in Norfolk, Virginia. Present were: Chair Bishop, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, and Dr. McCluney. Vice Chair Rhodes, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright were absent. 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.

A roll call vote was taken on the motion and it was approved unanimously.

The Board came out of closed session at 4:28 p.m. and the School Board recessed for a dinner break.

FORMAL OPEN SESSION

A. CALL TO ORDER

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. McCluney. Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright were absent.

Also present were Superintendent Jones; Chief Officers Young, Boone, Schmitt, Spencer, and Sullivan; Executive Directors Jones, Lassiter, and Thomas; and Clerk Rhodes.

B. RESOLUTION CERTIFYING AN EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION

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.

C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Bishop led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

The Superintendent reported:

1. A three-day Conference on Educating African American Children started today at the Sheraton Hotel downtown. Norfolk Public Schools is participating in a variety of activities including a “challenge day” for students, musical performances and presentations of remarks by myself and Dr. Boone.

A “Meet & Greet” reception will be hosted by the board members along with the Virginia Beach School Board on Friday, March 23rd from 5:30-7 p.m. in the River Walk Room at the Sheraton. The reception is for School Board members and administrators participating in the conference and is being sponsored by Liger Securities Corporation and Science Weekly.

2. The annual Teacher of the Year banquet will be held March 21st and be emceed by Dr. Boone. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will recognize the Teachers of the Year from each school.

3. Paul Hirschbiel will be hosting a black-tie fundraiser on Friday evening for the Horizons program. The event will honor Dennis Elmer of the Priority Auto Group. You will recall that Mr. Elmer supports Norfolk Public Schools with an annual scholarship contest. He has presented those awards at your meetings.

The Horizons program is a non-profit summer enrichment program that benefits our students. I will be attending the event and I would like to thank Mr. Hirschbiel and the Horizons program for their support of our children.

4. The Norfolk Education Foundation recently met and the meeting was facilitated by Panasonic consultants Andrew Gelber and George Perry. The Board members agreed on a mission and direction for the Foundation and we look forward to their support of our schools and our school system.

5. Albert Mensah will provide the keynote address at Parent University on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at Granby High School. Although Mensah was born in poverty in Ghana, West Africa, he had a dream that he would one day come to America. That dream was realized through his scholastic ability, and he is now an author, life coach, and sought-after international speaker who offers unique, easy-to- incorporate ideas on realizing your fullest potential – whether you are short on time or courage to change.

In addition to the keynote address, Parent University will offer an array of workshops including tips on helping your child with math, science, and reading; dealing with homework; English as a second language; parent education; internet safety; and much more. Special sessions will provide parents with guidance concerning graduation and college funding. Representatives from a variety of community resources will have information and materials on display throughout the morning. Workshops will reflect the theme of the day: building powerful literacy skills for Norfolk Public Schools students.

The continental breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. and all families who have or will have students in Norfolk Public Schools are encouraged to attend. Bus transportation and child-care for children between the ages of 4 and 10 years are provided. There is no cost to attend.

6. As a reminder, our schools will observe Spring Break April 9-13. Schools will be closed at that time.

7. The Azalea Festival will held April 15-21 and, as usual, many of our schools and students will be involved in a variety of learning activities related to the festival. More information will be forthcoming on these events. We hope you will join us in celebrating and learning!

8. Doug Reeves of the Center for Performance Assessment will be visiting the district on March 27th and 28th. He will be working closely with our schools and administrators. If you are interested in sitting in on any of these activities, please contact the Clerk of the Board as soon as possible.

9. Mr. Bishop and I will meet with the Virginian Pilot Editorial Board on March 26th to discuss our budget request and our aim to become a world-class school system. As I have mentioned in the past, there is some skepticism throughout the community as to whether ALL students truly can be successful. Our meeting with the editorial board is another opportunity for us to discuss our needs and to share our belief that all truly does mean ALL.

E. ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. Twenty years ago Amparo Pagan (em-PAro), a special education assistant at Willoughby Elementary School, participated in the 1988 Olympics in Korea representing Columbia, South America, in the track and field events.

Because of her stellar performance, the nation is honoring Ms. Pagan for representing their country in the Olympics and is providing an all-expense paid trip to Columbia and Puerto Rico the week of April 19 through the 30 to be a part of their special track and field events.

2. Rena Toomey, choral director at Northside Middle School, has been selected by Oxford Brooks University to travel to Oxford, England, to work with a group of aspiring educators who will become teachers of 11-18 year-olds in the United Kingdom.

Old Dominion University began this program of exchanging music teachers between England and the United States. While in the U.K., Mrs. Toomey will examine and discuss different aspects of music education. She will also provide background information, and understanding of musical compositions.

3. In February, the Norfolk Public Library held its 3rd Annual African American History Month Quiz Bowl competition. The Blyden Branch Library, named in honor of Dr. Edward Wilmot Blyden, won the competition for the third year in a row. Following are the 1st place winners:

Kaneal Coley, 7th grade, Lafayette Winona Middle School, Toheryl Drewitt, 8th grade, Azalea Gardens Middle, Jimeryl Drewitt, 6th grade, Azalea Gardens Middle, Jamil Adams, 5th grade, Dreamkeepers Academy, Latisha Wilson, 9th grade, Booker T. Washington High School

4. The Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest for “The Patriot’s Pen” was awarded to Azalea Gardens Middle School’s eighth graders Marquis Hall for first place and Jack Chacon for second place. The Norfolk Elks Lodge recognized second place essay winner Jasmine Etheridge and third place winner Shawn Sides, also eighth graders at Azalea. All four students will be honored at special banquets for their contributions.

5. NPS salutes our talented writers for their participation in the 10th Annual Norfolk Public Library African American History Month Youth Art Contest.

Congratulations to all of our talented students of Norfolk Public Schools. We’re well on our way to World-Class education.

F. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND STATEMENT

Mr. Schmitt reported that as of February 28, 2007, we have encumbered or expensed $184,352,490 or 59.5% of budgeted funds. Anticipating a revenue correction of federal funds reducing our overall budgeted amount to $305,214,200, the revised percent expended is 61%. This compares to 61.4% at the same time last year and 57.9% in 04. Mr. Schmitt anticipates being at 99.9% at year end. It was moved by Mr. Cook and seconded by Dr. Tonelson to receive and file the financial highlights and statement for January. The motion was approved.

G. CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

1. Marianne Simpson, regarding the Joint Military Services School Liaison Committee
2. Marjorie Crouch, regarding the extension of a least contract with Booker T. Washington High School for use of     school facility for church services.
3. Karen Reid regarding son at TRAEP.
4. Tiki Perkins, regarding child at TRAEP.
5. Marian Flickinger, regarding data-driven decision-making
6. Peggy Riccio, regarding discipline at Northside Middle School
7. Monte Mercer, regarding the proposed budget

H. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda was presented for approval and contained the items listed below.

1. The minutes for the February 21, March 5, and March 13 meetings of the School Board.
2. The February Bills and Payroll Report
3. The Personnel Report
4. The Pupil Personnel report including the report of long-term suspensions with special conditions, the      long-term suspension report for the month of February 2007, and the out-of-district report for February 1      through February 28, 2007.
5. The February Use of School Facilities Report
6. The resolution regarding School Social Worker Month.

The motion was made to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed.

I. PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION

The following resolution was presented to Joyce Cheatham and Joan Anderson of the Special Education Department:

WHEREAS, school social workers/visiting teachers help students and parents deal with family problems, child abuse and neglect, drug and alcohol issues, absenteeism, school age pregnancy, emotional problems, economic needs, health care issues, and family violence;

WHEREAS, they serve as a liaison with other community agencies such as Juvenile Court, Department of Family and Children Services, Community Mental Health Centers, and Public Health Departments;

WHEREAS, school social workers/visiting teachers address personal, emotional, and social problems that potentially inhibit a student’s ability to learn;

WHEREAS, school social workers/visiting teachers provide a range of services including assessment and diagnosis of students for special education services;

WHEREAS, school social workers/visiting teachers run counseling groups for students who have experienced some form of loss, and/or provide individual counseling, as needed to enhance the overall well-being of the student so as to promote academic success;

WHEREAS, school social workers/visiting teachers focus on individual strengths and connect students, families, and communities to resources that foster success and achievement;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Norfolk School Board do recognize March 2007, as School Social Worker/Visiting Teacher month; and

FURTHER, we, the Norfolk School Board, congratulate the school social workers/visiting teachers for their work and acknowledge the difficult and demanding tasks they face each day.

J. SUPERINTENDENT’S PROPOSED 2007-08 BUDGET

Mr. Schmitt, Mrs. Pellegrino, and staff of the budget office presented the report on the proposed budget and answered questions. The motion was made by Mr. Driggers and seconded by Dr. McCluney to approve the budget and it passed.

K. GIFTED EDUCATION IDENTIFICATION PLAN UPDATE

Dr. Boone and Dorie Banks presented the report on gifted education.

L. ANNUAL DISCIPLINE REPORT

The report was presented by Mr. Spencer and Elsie Harold Lans. Dr. Lans thanked Karren Bailey and her staff as well as Pat Sullivan and his staff for the collection of data to complete the report.

M. REPORT ON THE ADJUSTMENT OF SELECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL START TIMES

The School Board received for information that the opening and closing times of Rosemont Middle, Norview Elementary, and Oakwood Elementary be adjusted as follows:

School Current Recommended

Rosemont Middle 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM (1st Stagger) 8:15 AM – 2:45 PM (2nd Stagger)

Norview Elementary 8:20 AM – 2:45 PM (2nd Stagger) 9:00 AM – 3:25 PM (3rd Stagger)

Oakwood Elementary 8:20 AM – 2:45 PM (2nd Stagger) 9:00 AM – 3:25 PM (3rd Stagger)

The daily schedule of these schools was adjusted in the past to accommodate their participation in the Atlas Program along with Norview High School. The Atlas Program has ended. Making these changes will allow for some efficiency in our bus schedules. In addition, these changes will better mirror other middle and elementary school schedules.

N. SCHOOL BOARD MATTERS:

1. Mr. Bishop reminded the board members of dates for the city budget meetings and public hearings.
2. Dr. McCluney report on the WHRO committee
3. Mr. Driggers gave a report on his meeting at the Council of the Great City Schools
4. Mr. Cook report on the Construction Committee and the Alternative Education
     Committee

The informal session adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Minutes approved by the School Board: April 21, 2007