SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK

Minutes of the Monthly School Board Meeting
November 20, 2007

Closed Executive Session (Superintendent's Conference Room/1200) - 4:00pm

The meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. by Mr. Bishop in the Superintendent’s Conference Room of the School Administration Building, 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia.  Present were:  Mr. Bishop, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, Mrs. Rhodes, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.  Dr. McCluney was absent.   Others in attendance were Superintendent Jones, Chief Academic Officer Boone, Chief of Operations Spencer, and Deputy Clerk Stocks along with Mr. Cloud and Mr. Mungo from the City Attorney’s office. 

The School Board went into executive (closed) session at 4:03 p.m.

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

The Board came out of closed session at 5:00 p.m.  

Open Informal Session (Superintendent's Conference Room/1200) - 5:00pm

Mr. Bishop called the informal session of the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Room 1200 of the School Administration Building.   Present were Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.  Dr. McCluney was absent. 

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.

Topics discussed during the informal session included:

1. Algebra I
2. Prekindergarten Program
3. Energy Savings Contracting Effort

The School Board took a short dinner break at 6:40pm.

Open Formal Session (Room 1202) - 7:00pm

Mr. Bishop called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in Room 1200 of the School Administration Building.   Present were Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.  Dr. McCluney and Mr. Driggers were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

HIGHLIGHTS OF INFORMAL SESSION

The Board discussed during the informal session the Algebra I program, the Prekindergarten Program, and the Energy Savings Contracting Effort which is listed on the consent agenda for approval.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

1. Dr. Jones reminded the board that during the Thanksgiving Holiday offices would be closed at 2 or 2:30 p.m. on the Wednesday before and would be closed on Thursday and Friday.  The offices will close December 24-26 for the Winter Holidays and December 31-January 1.  The Central Administration Building will be open Dec. 27th-28th, however, staff may be on leave.



2. The Norfolk Education Foundation held their first annual Together in Education (or TIE) awards at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott on Nov. 14.  The first honoree was Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot who was “roasted” by his former high school English teacher (Suzanne Chavoustie), his college football coach (Andrew Faison), and a childhood friend (Delegate Kenneth Alexander).  Approximately 225 people attended and the foundation raised over $56,000. The donations are still being tallied.  Winners of the foundation’s mini-grants were announced.   One award from each level (elementary, middle and high school) was featured at the event) including:
   
   
• an interdisciplinary graphic design project for graphics and culinary arts students to develop and produce their own cookbook at Norview High School,
  
  
• the implementation of an “orienteering” program for 6th-8th graders in physical education at Azalea Gardens, and
  
  
• a writing/publishing project at Lindenwood Elementary aimed at helping boost reading skills by publishing student writing.



• The administration is beginning to focus on communications.  They are working with Dave Iwans & Associates (DIA) – a local firm that has done interesting work with Tidewater Community College, Norfolk International Airport, and others.  A focus group discussion was held with members of the Guiding Coalition recently.  Other focus groups have met or are scheduled to meet in the next few weeks.  The goal of the focus groups is to collect information regarding internal and external perceptions of the organization and feedback on how well we communicate.  DIA will return recommendations for improving our communications efforts at the end of January and the board should hear a report at the time.



• The Superintendent is looking forward to meeting with the board at their retreat in January.  The retreat is currently scheduled for January 18 & 19. Times and location will be announced later.   Andrew Gelber and George Perry from the Panasonic Foundation will be facilitating the retreat.  He asked that the web site be checked for updates and details.  The Board and Superintendent will be reviewing important trend data and examining policy and considering resources as well as discussing the Board’s role in communicating our efforts and better engaging the public.



• Dr. Jones congratulated Dr. Lillian Wright, School Board member, who was elected to the Virginia School Boards Association Board of Directors as an At-Large member.  Dr. Wright will represent Norfolk and the State of Virginia at a variety of meetings and we know the VSBA, NSBA and Virginia’s public schools will benefit from her leadership.



• Dr. Jones and his family thanked the board, staff, and community for the outpouring of sympathy and well wishes during their time of bereavement.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. For the second year in a row, Dr. Jones was selected as the South Atlantic Superintendent of the Year by the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  Last year, over $117,000 was raised.  This year, Norfolk Public Schools surpassed that by raising over $174,000.
   
   
2. The fourth grade class at Poplar Halls Elementary School helped out the first graders with their reading, science, and math by forming a Pumpkin Partnership.  The students had to find out the size of the pumpkin in inches and centimeters and the weight in pounds and kilograms.


3. Tommy Smigiel, a graduate and teacher of Norview High School has been named the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year, making him the first Norfolk teacher in over 40 years to receive the title.  He is now Virginia’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year, an award sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the ING Foundation.


4. To keep students educated with what’s going on in the world of politics, Calcott Elementary School had their fifth graders become candidates for the House of Delegates and Senate races.  The students presented their views during the morning announcements and stood outside the polling area to remind students of the elections.


5. The Marching Bookers of Booker T. Washington High School had an excellent start to the 2007-2008 school year.  They endured a very intense and successful band camp in August and the fruits of their labor have been evident in the awards they received:
   
   
   • 3rd Place Flags
   • 3rd Place Majorettes/Dancers
   • 3rd Place NSU Fish Bowl Parade
   • 2nd Place Overall Class 1A, I.C. Norcom Band Day
   • 2nd Place Overall Class 1A, Hampton University Band Day
   • 2nd Place Drummajors
   • 1st Place Percussion



6. Keeping the arts alive in the schools takes a group effort.  Norfolk Public Schools partnered with the Virginia Stage Company and brought “Man of LaMancha” to life for Willard Model School parents and “The Jungle Book” for the students at Granby Elementary School.

For other stories, visit the Media Production web page at www.npsk12.com.

These were the Items of Interest for November 2007.

RECOGNITION OF TOMMY SMIGIEL, VIRGINIA STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

The board congratulated Tommy Smigiel as Virginia’s Teacher of the Year.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW ADMINISTRATORS

Mr. Spencer, Chief Operations Officer, introduced:

1. Janice Pegram, elected Senior Coordinator -Security Services, Pupil Personnel Services
2. Sharon Byrdsong, promoted from Principal, Azalea Gardens Middle School to Senior Director - Alternative Options, Operations
3. Carol Hamlin, reassigned from Assistant Principal, Blair to Senior Coordinator - Hearing Officer, Pupil Personnel Services
4. Nicole Gregory, promoted from Program Leader/Rally Coordinator, Blair to Assistant Principal, Blair

CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Mrs. Ginny Bobby addressed the School Board regarding revisions to the State Special Education Regulations. 

OPEN FORMAL SESSION - CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Personnel Report for November 20, 2007, and Supplement
2. The Pupil Personnel Report containing
   
   
   1. The Long-term Suspension Report for the month of October 2007
   2. The Out-of-district Report for October 1-31, 2007
      
      
3. The School Board minutes for June 27, 2007 Work Session, the August 22, 2007, work session on facilities, the October 2, 2007, joint meeting with City Council, the October 17, 2007, regular School Board meeting, and the October 24, 2007, work session, recognition ceremony, and public hearing.
4. The October 2007, Bills and Payroll Report;
5. The October Use of School Facilities Report;
6. The request from St. John (Disciples of Love) R.Z.U.A. Church for the use of Ingleside Elementary School for religious services;
7. The request from Immanual Free Church of Deliverance for the use of Poplar Halls Elementary School for religious services;
8. The School Improvement plans for Blair, Northside, Norview, Lafayette-Winona, Rosemont, and Ruffner middle schools;
9. The recommendation that the administration proceed with the Energy Performance Contract Initiative.

OPEN FORMAL SESSION - DISCUSSION/DECISION AGENDA

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND STATEMENT

Mr. Schmitt presented the Financial Highlights for October and the Financial Statement (Month End Report Period 4, 2008).  The motion was made by Mr. Cook to receive and file the financial statement for October and seconded by Mrs. Rhodes.  The motion was approved unanimously.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Linda Steadman, Legislative Liaison, presented the Legislative Program for the 2008 Virginia General Assembly.  The motion was made by Dr. Tonelson and seconded by Mrs. Rhodes to approve the legislative agenda for 2008, as highlighted in the attached brochure.

SCHOOL BOARD MATTERS

1. The members of the Teacher Pay and Compensation Study Group include:  Stephen Tonelson, School Board Member. Jane Pellegrino, Senior Director, Budget, Andrea P. Tottossy, Principal, Northside, Vincent M. Darby, Principal, Granby Elementary, Thomas R. Smigiel, Science Teacher, Norview High, Marion Flickinger, President, Norfolk Federations of Teachers, Monte Mercer, President, Education Association of Norfolk, Patricia H. Dillard, Senior Director, Human Resources, and Michael Spencer, Chief Operations Officer.  Lockton Companies has been contracted to work with Norfolk Public Schools in conducting a Teacher Pay and Compensation Study.  Melissa To, Lockton’s Compensation Practice Leader has received all of Norfolk Public Schools’ teacher pay data and will be in contact with the committee.
   
   
2. The Incentive Task Force will meet near the end of the month.
   
   
3. The Board discussed extending its January retreat time and whether one-half day will be used to meet with the City Council.


4. The public and the board were reminded of the upcoming recognition ceremony and capital improvement public hearing at Sewells Point Elementary School on December 5th.

The meeting adjourned at 8:17p.m.

Minutes approved by the School Board: December 19, 2007