SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK

Meeting of the School Board of the City of Norfolk • March 19, 2008
Central Administration Building • 800 E. City Hall Avenue

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

The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Chair Bishop in the Superintendent’s Conference Room of the School Administration Building (800 E. City Hall Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia).  Present were:  Chair Bishop, Vice Chair Rhodes, Mr. Driggers, Mr. Cook, 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. 

The School Board went into executive (closed) session at 4:08 p.m.

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 and supplement 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.

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 5:15 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. 

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

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. Part II Communications Audit Report (presentation of a proposed logo and brand)
2. School Board Matters:
1. PTA joint meeting
2. MGT Facilities Study Task Force
3. Construction Committee Report
4. Other Committee Reports

 
The School Board took a short dinner break at 6:08 p.m. 

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

Mr. Bishop called the meeting to order at 7:05 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.   

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

Mr. Bishop gave a summary of the informal session of the meeting.  The Board heard the second part of the Communications Audit, which included a proposed logo and brand.  School Board Matters included discussion of the PTA joint meeting, MGT Facilities Study Task Force, Construction Committee Report and the proposed budget.

The School Board will hold a work session on Continuous High School Improvement (CHSI) April 22nd at 5 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room on the 12th floor of the Central Administration Building.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

1. Norfolk Public Schools will observe Spring Break March 24-28.  School buildings will be closed during this time and some central administrators may be on leave.

2. The next Administrators Conference will be held April 3rd at the Ted Constant Convocation Center from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Stephen White of Lead and Learn (Doug Reeve’s organization) will work with principals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

3. Our annual Teacher of the Year Banquet will be held March 20th from 6-8 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott.   Teachers of the Year from each of our schools will be honored and the overall Norfolk Public Schools Teacher of the Year will be named.

4. Dr. McCluney, Dr. Wright, Mrs. Rhodes, and Mr. Driggers will attend the National School Boards Association Convention in Orlando, Florida, March 27 through April 1st. 

5. The Norfolk Public Schools Job Fair was recently held.  680 people attended and participants came from all over the country.  Dr. Dillard offered 44 contracts and 11 letters of intent to qualified teachers and additional candidates are slated for interviews with Human Resources over the next several weeks. 

6. The budget will be sent to the City Council after the meeting tonight.   The City will hold a public hearing for May 7th at Granby High School at 6 p.m.

7. Dr. Jones expressed his thanks to staff and students for their efforts on behalf of Relay for Life. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Norfolk Public Schools’ students celebrated Black History Month by learning about the various contributions prominent African Americans have made through history.  Students at Campostella Elementary studied various cultures around the world through prose, dance, and displays.  The adults dressed as famous African Americans so the students could ask questions about their accomplishments.

Ocean View Elementary students decorated their doors to recognize the achievements of African Americans.  Including one of their favorite teachers, Mr. Gates and assistant principal, Mrs. Duke-Washington

Selected students from each class at Norview Elementary School researched various African Americans and reported their findings to the school n their morning news shows. 

The students at Sewells Point Elementary incorporated SOLs dealing with civil rights, activists, and the struggle for equality.

Dr. Billy Cannaday, State Superintendent of Schools visited Suburban Park Elementary as part of their celebration of Black History Month.  He spoke to the students about setting high goals, achieving those goals, and encouraging one another.

Earlier this year, Governor Kaine recognized Norfolk’s high-performing schools and awarded The School of International Studies at Meadowbrook the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence.

The VIP Excellence Award was given to Crossroads, Ghent, Ingleside, and Larchmont , Larrymore, Mary Calcott, Oakwood, and Ocean View, Suburban Park, Tarrallton, W. H. Taylor, and Willoughby Elementary Schools for meeting all state and federal accountability benchmarks for two consecutive years and making significant progress.

The State Board of Education’s VIP Competence to Excellence Award went to Bay View, Chesterfield, Dreamkeepers, Little Creek, Richard Bowling, St. Helena, Sewells Point, and Sherwood Forest Elementary Schools, and Norview High School.

Ingleside Elementary School and Dreamkeepers Academy each received a $2,000 Best Buy Teach Award.  These schools were 2 out of the 7 schools in Hampton Roads and among 1300 other schools nationwide to receive this honor.  Through a competitive application process, this award sustains and enhances existing educational programs by providing gift cards to schools to enable them to purchase more technology for their students to use and learn.

Read Across America day is the nation’s largest reading event.  Getting children interested in being lifelong readers takes a group effort.  Members of the community came out to the schools to be a part of this endeavor and connect with the children through the animated stories of Dr. Seuss.

Cycling around the world for Peace and Environmental Conservation was the message students learned at Norview Elementary.  Nasim and Jafar Yousefi, a husband and wife team from Iran, visited the school to talk to the children about their culture, world peace, and the environment.  Their mission is to form a “Green Belt” around the world by planting trees along their route while spreading the message of peace and friendship.  What better message for our children, our future, to learn.

For more on these and other stories visit our website at www.npsk12.com .

These are the Items of Interest for March 2008.

CITIZEN COMMENT ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS

1.         Victoria Makhlouf, regarding budget at school for toiletries (soap, toilet paper, etc.) being cut 
2.         Marian Flickinger, NFT President, Teacher Pay Raise
3.         Cheryl Lacey, regarding Teacher Pay Raise
4.         Knox Garvin, regarding Teacher Pay Raise
5.         Juanita Alexander, regarding Teacher Pay Raise
6.         Brenda Kennedy, regarding Teacher Pay Raise
7.         Mary Lou Ferralli, regarding Teacher Pay Raise
8.         Mr. Desir Joselin, regarding Stuart Early Childhood Center
9.         Rebecca Roberts, regarding Teacher Pay Raise

OPEN FORMAL SESSION - Consent Agenda

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

1.         The Personnel Docket and Supplement for March 19, 2008;
2.         The Pupil Personnel Report, as amended, containing
              a.         Suggested Long-Term Suspension with Special Conditions Report;
              b.         The Long-term Suspension Report for the month of February 2008;
              c.         The Out-of-district Report for the month of February 2008;
3.         The School Board minutes from the February 20, 2008, School Board meeting, March 4, 2008, Joint meeting with City Council, March 5 Public Hearing on the Budget, and March 13 Work Session on the Budget.
            4.         The February 2008, Bills and Payroll Report;
            5.         The February Use of School Facilities Report;
6.         The request from New Kindling Baptist Church for the use of Berkley/ Campostella Early Childhood Center for religious services;
7.         The request from Garrett Memorial Community Church for a six-month extension for the use of Chesterfield Heights Academy for religious services;
8.         The request from New Life Providence Church for a six-month extension request for the use of Richard Bowling Elementary for religious services;
9.         The 2008-2009 Academic Calendar;
10.       The addition of three members to the Special Education Advisory Council—Cheryl Ward, Dr. Edwin Gomez, and Bruce Wooten; and
11.       School Social Worker Resolution recognizing March 2-8, 2008, as School Social Worker/Visiting Teacher week.

The motion was made by Mr. Driggers and seconded by Dr. McCluney 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 February and the Financial Statement for February 2008 Month and Budget Report Period 8.  There were no significant budget amendments to report to the Board this month.  The motion was made by Dr. Tonelson and seconded by Mr. Driggers to receive and file the financial statement for February.  The motion was approved unanimously.

2008-2009 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET

Dr. Jones encouraged the Board to approve the budget.   Mr. Schmitt offered the Superintendent’s Proposed 2008-09 General Fund Operating Budget with technical amendments for approval.  The motion was made by Dr. Wright and seconded by Mrs. Rhodes, to approve the Superintendent’s proposed budget with technical amendments, reflecting the approved General Assembly revenue.  The motion was approved with Dr. Tonelson voting against the motion

Chief Executives        FTE                 From 6 to 5
                                    Budget 2008   $588,791         

All lines will read Chief Executives as a descriptor versus Chief Executive Officers or Chief of Staff/Executive Directors..

This line corresponds to the five Chief Officers:  Chief Academic Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Chief of Staff.

The Budget amount will reflect the amount Budgeted in 2007 based upon individuals that are now currently in that specific accounting classification.  This budgeted amount and the individuals will be noted in the description of program D21.

Other Professionals    FTE                 From 97 to 98

Reduce Pay Raise for Administrators to 3.4% and adjust benefits as required.

ESCO                         Budget From $2,600,000 to 0

Funds associated with any ESCO savings have been returned to the utility lines from which they were associated.

 As the ESCO discussion continues, any ESCO savings or payments will come from or go to the utility lines from which they are generated.

Updated the Organizational Chart with newest version

Updated the Budget work flow chart for clarity
Updated page 2 4th paragraph 4.4% over our 2007-2008 base of $101,094,910.
Updated page 13 3rd paragraph remove statements on revitalized base and include a budget increase of 4.4 Million or a 4.4% increase
Updated page 20 4th paragraph a budget increase of 4.4 Million or a 4.4% increase
Updated page 23 revised chart as noted above
Updated page 27 revised chart as noted above
Updated page 33 Chief Executed Officers and Other professionals as noted above
Updated page 34  percent of increase for 2008 for information technology
Updated page 36 inverted 2009-2011 Information technology and facilities totals do not change
Updated page 39 sized to show page number
Updated page 41 sized to show page number
Updated page 47 sized to show page number
Updated page 48 Revised chart for clarity
Updated page 51 Chief Executive Officers and Other Professionals FTE and associated dollars
Updated page 52 ESCO and utilities
Updated page 62 Other professionals  FTE from 0 to 1 funding remains the same
Updated page 78 Benefits amounts not correct
Updated page 85 and 86 Chief Executive Officers
Updated page 98 to reflect information Technology Goals and accomplishments
Adjusted spelling on page 109 from Deffered to Deferred

Items still requiring action:

Realignment of additional funds for teacher stipends
Fuel increases beyond that which were know in Dec 2007.
PTA training
School Board Document Program

STUART PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Dr. Tonelson moved and Mr. Driggers seconded that the pre-school classes currently housed at Stuart be reassigned to the cited locations.

Currently, Stuart School houses eight (8) pre-school classes. While these children come from throughout the city, the majority live in the Monroe Elementary School and Granby Elementary School attendance zones. Depending on next year’s enrollment it is recommended that these classes be reassigned as follows:

Granby Elementary School                 2 classes
School Board Minutes
Monroe Elementary School                2-4 classes
Oakwood Elementary School             2-4 classes

This move would more closely align these children to their community schools, place them in a K-5 instructional continuum, and place them in a better physical environment.
 
The motion was approved unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Minutes approved by the School Board:  April 16, 2008