SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK

Minutes of the Monthly School Board Meeting
January 16, 2008

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

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 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, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, Dr. McCluney, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.  Others in attendance were Superintendent Jones, Chief of Staff Young, Chief Academic Officer Boone, Chief of Operations Spencer, and Clerk Rhodes along with Mr. Cloud and Mr. Mungo from the City Attorney’s office. 

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

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

Mr. Bishop called the informal session of the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. in Room 1200 of the School Administration Building.   Present were Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, Dr. McCluney, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.  

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. Alternative Education Update
2. 2006-07 Division Performance Report
3. School Board Matters:
   1. Preparation for Joint meeting with City Council

The School Board took a short dinner break. 

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

Mr. Bishop called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in Room 1200 of the School Administration Building.   Present were Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Cook, Mr. Driggers, Dr. McCluney, Dr. Tonelson, and Dr. Wright.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

1. School Board Appreciation month will be celebrated in February and the Superintendent handed out certificates for the board and thanked them for their service to the children of Norfolk.


2. The Superintendent reported that Norfolk Public Schools contracted for a state efficiency audit and that MGT of America was the instrument of that audit.    A final report is expected in June.


3. The administration has also been involved in a communications audit.  The audit was designed to find out how well we communicate with our employees, students, parents, and community members.  The audit has been performed by Dave Iwans of DIA Associates, a local public relations firm.  Focus group meetings have been held with teachers, classified staff, principals, parents, students, business and community leaders.  Mr. Iwans will give a briefing of those findings in a more formal report to the board prior to the end of the school year.
   
   
4. The Superintendent reminded board watchers and staff that the School Board will conduct its mid-year retreat January 18, 6:30-4:30 and on Saturday, January 19 from 8:30 until noon.  The Panasonic consultants will facilitate that session.
   
   
5. A joint meeting with the City Council and the Mayor that was scheduled during the mid –year retreat (Friday morning, 8:30-11:30) will be rescheduled because of scheduling conflicts.
   
   
6. The Superintendent extended an invitation to all to attend his State of the Schools address, January 31st at Norview High School.  A reception will open the event at 5:45 p.m. and the actual address will begin at 6:30 p.m.  The Superintendent’s goal is to end by 8 p.m.  The event will be simulcast live on the Cox Cable Channel 47 and a live stream on the internet.
   
   
7. The students and staff will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, March 21st.  Traditionally many in the community will attend the Urban League of Hampton Roads breakfast at Norfolk State University.  There will be a traditional march from City Hall to the Martin King, Jr. Memorial.  This year the Dodson Scholars of Norview High School will lead the march.
   
   
8. Norfolk Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year, Tommy Smigiel is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.  The Board will be informed when the final decision

ITEMS OF INTEREST

1. The holidays are when people seem to give more of their time and resources to help out others.  Norfolk Public Schools reveled in that holiday spirit.  Various schools throughout the system gave of their time and resources to collect items or provide good cheer for those in need.
   
   
2. The staff at Willard Model School decorated wreaths to make their lobby look more festive and held a silent auction with the proceeds going to Relay for Life.


3. Thirty-two Northside Middle School students’ names were submitted by guidance counselors and teachers who had knowledge of special circumstances within those families.  Sacks of clothes, shoes, jackets, sports equipment, and games were given anonymously to these students by representatives from the Community Correlate who sponsored the event.
   
   
4. The Madison Career Center’s Gentlemen’s Club collected canned food and money for two turkeys for the Village Pointe Retirement Home.  The students brought the items to the home and were greeted by several of the residents.


5. Students at Booker T. Washington High School rose over $650 and collected 48 toys to be donated to Toys for Tots.  The contributions were delivered to Toys R Us where the students bought even more toys for the children.
   
   
6. The school administration building held its 4th Annual Holiday Food Bank Supply Party.  Over 770 pounds of non perishable food items was collected and picked up by the Food Bank Truck.
   
   
7. Still keeping with the spirit of giving – Richard Bowling Elementary was one of 4 schools in the entire Commonwealth to receive school supplies from Norfolk State University’s Student Virginia Education Association group.  Richard Bowling is a partner school with the University created to assist students to prepare for study in teacher preparation programs and provide role models for the children. The purpose of this project was to provide each classroom teacher with every item provided on the school's "wish" list.
   
   
8. The Granby High School Field Hockey Team showed support for their charity by dedicating their 2007 season to cancer awareness.  Instead of the school colors of blue and gold, the team wore pink uniforms.  At the conclusion of each game, the team members distributed breast cancer awareness pamphlets and raised almost $10,000 to be donated to the Susan G. Koman Global Breast Cancer Campaign.  The city council recognized the team members for their dedication to the cause.
   
   
9. America is behind in the number of engineers produced each year.  One of the many ways to encourage students to pursue careers in this field is through the NORSTAR program at the Norfolk Technical Center.  The program involves students in computer hardware, software and networking and also includes the study of industrial robotics and experimental science.
   
   
10. Students from NTC competed in the Virginia State Championship of First Tech Challenge and took part in the Quad Quandary challenge in which teams competed to complete tasks with operator controlled and autonomous play by student-built robots.  Mrs. Joy Young’s team placed in the semi-finals and Mr. George Skena’s team placed in the quarter finals.

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

These were the Items of Interest for January 2008.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW ADMINISTRATORS

There were no introductions made of new administrators at this meeting.

CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

1. Susan Burroughs-Tamouro, regarding the need for Gifted/Honors programs in all middle school, not just Meadowbrook
2. Catrina Williams, regarding reducing speed limit on Campostella Road
3. Wanda Jordan, PTA President, Campostella Elementary, regarding reducing speed limit on Campostella Road (not present but remarks given)
4. Margaret Burke, regarding traffic along Campostella Road in front of Campostella Elementary
5. Glen Jones, regarding diversifying education for students
6. Audrey Newell, Friends of Coronado School

OPEN FORMAL SESSION - CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. The Personnel Docket for January 16, 2008
2. The Pupil Personnel Report containing
   
   
   1. Suggested Reinstatements
   2. Suggested Long-Term Suspensions with Special Conditions
   3. The Long-term Suspension Report for the month of December, 2007
   4. The Out-of-district Report for the month of December, 2007
      
      
3. The School Board minutes from the December 19, 2007, School Board meeting and the January 8, 2008, joint meeting with the PTA Council
4. The December 2007, Bills and Payroll Report;
5. The December Use of School Facilities Report;
6. Approval of Karen M. Helfen for membership on the Special Education Advisory Council
7. Approval of a contract for implementing Project Lead the Way at Maury High School       

The motion was made by Mr. Driggers and seconded by Mr. Cook to approve the consent agenda.  The motion was approved unanimously.

OPEN FORMAL SESSION - DISCUSSION/DECISION AGENDA

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND STATEMENT

Mr. Schmitt presented the Financial Highlights for December and the Financial Statement (Month End Report Period 6, 2008).  The motion was made by Dr. Wright and seconded by Mr. Cook to receive and file the financial statement for January.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Mr. Schmitt and Mrs. Pellegrino presented a summary of FY 2008 Governor’s (Caboose Bill) Amendments to FY 2008.  It was reported that Governor Kaine’s proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2008 state budget (the “Caboose Bill”) were presented on Monday, December 17, 2007, before a joint session of the Senate Finance, the House Appropriations, and the House Finance committees.  These amendments to the fiscal year 2008 (i.e., July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008) budget will be considered by the 2008 Session of the General Assembly, which is scheduled to convene on January 9, 2008.  The introduced budget bill containing the Governor’s amendments is House Bill 29/Senate Bill 29.  The Governor’s proposed changes amend the fiscal year 2008 budget adopted at the 2007 Session (i.e., Chapter 847).

The recommendations made by the Governor regarding the Direct Aid to Public Education budget primarily include technical adjustments to the Standards of Quality (SOQ), incentive, categorical, and school facilities accounts.  The Governor’s introduced budget provides funding for the state share of all SOQ programs and the continuation of all existing incentive, categorical, school facilities, and supplemental education programs in Direct Aid.

INTENT TO CLOSE OAKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lillian Thomas gave a brief update on Oakwood Elementary School.  Enrollment at the school continues to decline.  A significant factor in this is the change within the community serving the school from primarily residential to commercial.   Public hearings were held in December and January.

The meeting adjourned at 8:26p.m.

Minutes approved by the School Board: February 20, 2008