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The Portsmouth City School Board Portsmouth, Virginia

MMiinnuutteess The members of the Portsmouth City School Board held their regular monthly meeting on

Thursday, May 22, 2008, in the City Council Chamber, which is located in the City Hall Building, 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Call to Order

Chairman Bridgeford called the regular meeting to order at 7:23 p.m. Ms. Kathy L. Chambliss, the Clerk, and Mrs. Laura C. Chandler, the Deputy Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

Jermaine O. Woodard, an eighth-grader at Churchland Middle School, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Christina B. McGraw, also an eighth-grader, offered a statement. Mrs. Ridenour presented each student with a pin as a token of the Board’s appreciation for their participation in the meeting. The board and the audience paused for a moment of silent prayer. Attendance

The following Board members were present: Mr. James E. Bridgeford, Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, Mrs. Elizabeth N. Hudgins, Mrs. Linda D. Ridenour, Mrs. Jean H. Shackelford, and Dr. Mark M. Whitaker. (Ms. Sheri H. Bailey, Mr. James M. Hewitt and Mr. B. Keith Nance, Sr. were absent. Mr. Hewitt was working out of town).

The following members of the professional staff were also in attendance: Dr. David C.

Stuckwisch, Superintendent, Dr. Patricia H. Fisher, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Dan Pendarvis, Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Planning, Dr. Margaret R. Buxton, Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Nita R. Mensia-Joseph, Director of Operations, Mr. Joseph L. Wiggins, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, and Mr. George M. Willson, School Board/Deputy City Attorney. Approval of the Agenda

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the agenda for Thursday, May 22, 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

Recognition

Hodges Manor Elementary School

Dr. Stuckwisch recognized Hodges Manor Elementary School for receiving the 2008 Title I Distinguished School Award. He presented Dr. Faye S. Felton, principal, with a certificate of commendation. Recognition

Schools

Mr. Wiggins recognized the following schools for receiving the highest percentage of student attendance for April 2008. Each school will display an attendance flag.

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Elementary—Victory Elementary School (97.51 percent) Middle—William E. Waters Middle School 96.28 percent)

High—Churchland High School (94.02 percent) Center—Mount Hermon Preschool Center (94.55 percent)

Resolution

Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the Resolution recognizing May as Bike Safety Month. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

Minutes

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the minutes for the Special Meeting held on Friday, April 4, 2008, the Special Meeting/Public Work Session held on Thursday, April 10, 2008, and the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, April 17, 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

Monthly Report (Curriculum and Instruction)

Dr. Fisher offered a report on the following: 1) curriculum enhancement, 2) division, school and student recognitions, 3) grant awards, and the 4) Governance Committee Report for Cradock Middle School.

First College

Mrs. Rosa M. Wells-Garris, Dean of First College, offered an update on the First College Program for the spring 2008 semester. Dean Garris provided a summary of the program and reported that there were seventy students who studied on the Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College for the spring term. Dylesia N. Hampton, a senior at I. C. Norcom High School, Matthew T. Breining, a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, and Edward L. Brown, also a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, shared their experiences at First College. Bianca N. Baker, a student from the class of 2007, shared her experience at Virginia Tech this past year.

Ms. Bailey arrived at 8:25 p.m.

2008 Summer School Program

Mrs. Judy Eure, Coordinator of Adult and Alternative Programs provided an overview of the 2008 Summer School program. Mrs. Eure reported that summer school will be held at I. C. Norcom High School (June 24, 2008 through August 14, 2008), Waters Middle School (June 24, 2008 through July 31, 2008), and John Tyler and James Hurst Elementary schools (June 24, 2008 through July 31, 2008). Breakfast will be provided for elementary and middle summer school students. Mrs. Eure also acknowledged the principals who will serve at each school, and highlighted the new and traditional summer school programs being offered. Health and Driver Education Curricula K-10

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Health and Driver Education Curricula K-10. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.


Health and Driver Education Textbooks

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Health and Driver Education Textbooks 9 and 10: Health and Wellness and Responsible Driving. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Code of Student Conduct Handbook

Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the Code of Student Conduct Handbook for the 2008-09 school year. The motion carried by an electronic vote of six yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one no vote (Ms. Bailey). Monthly Report (Human Resources)

Dr. Buxton offered a report on the following: 1) the Retirement Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 2) a job fair at the Effingham Street YMCA, 3) announced that Talitha Parker will serve on the Board for Old Dominion University’s Career Switcher Program, 4) GHG Corporation’s Electronic TimeSheet Management Solution, and 5) a MUNIS update.

2008-09 Salary Scales

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the 2008-09 Salary Scales. The motion carried by an electronic vote of six yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one abstention (Ms. Bailey). Human Resources Report

May 2008

Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the Human Resources Report for May 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

Monthly Report (Budget and Planning)

Mr. Pendarvis offered a report on items in the areas of Operations, Finance, and Information Technology. Resolution

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Resolution to reimburse expenditures made by the school district in support of the SOL Web-based Technology Initiative from funds provided by the Virginia Public School Authority Educational Technology Notes. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Contract

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the contract to construct a team locker room and an officials’ locker room at Woodrow Wilson High School. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Finance Report

Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Financial Report for April 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.


Board Members’ Comments and Concerns

• Dr. Daniels—recommendation of the American Heart Association on April 21, 2008 for the children who are going to be given ADHD drugs

• Ms Bailey— the May 6, 2008 School Board Election • Mrs. Ridenour— 1) the Code of Ethics and the By-Laws (with changes, 2) finding a way for

all fourth-graders to attend the Jamestown/Yorktown exhibits in Jamestown and Yorktown next year, and 3) initiating a program at the elementary level to start kids on their second language of Spanish next year

• Mrs. Shackelford— students’ suggestions/ideas made at the Superintendent’s Scholars Luncheon

Ms. Bailey departed at 9:10 p.m.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stuckwisch offered a report on the following: 1) the Superintendent’s Fourth Annual Senior Forum held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 2) the Superintendent’s Eighteenth Annual Scholars Luncheon and Recognition Ceremony held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 3) announced that Mrs. Nita Mensia-Joseph and Mrs. Korrie Allen were selected to serve on a panel for the Crisis Management Institute program; Mrs. Mensia-Joseph presented the school division’s school safety plan, 4) commended the W.E. Waters Middle School Concert Band for participation in Paramount’s Kings Dominion Jazz, Concert, and Orchestra Competition in Richmond, Saturday, May 17, 2008, and received the Superior Rating and recognition as Grand Champions in the middle-school division, 5) shared a copy of two divisionwide programs that were highlighted in the Showcase of Success: Academics Plus Career After High School (AC-13) and After-School Art Enrichment for Middle-School students, 6) shared a letter from the Executive Director of Young Audiences regarding Portsmouth Public School Division’s recognition as a Sunburst Educational Partner of the Year for 2008, 7) announced that the school division will be closed May 23 and May 26, 2008, in observance of Memorial Day, 8) announced that the Superintendent would commence the summative evaluation process with principals on June 2, 2008, and 9) provided information on graduation ceremonies as follows: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, EXCEL Campus, 5:00 p.m., I. C. Norcom Auditorium; Tuesday, June 10, 2008, I. C. Norcom High, 7:00 p.m., N’Telos Pavilion; Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Woodrow Wilson High, 7:00 p.m., N’Telos Pavilion; Thursday, June 12, 2008, Churchland High, 7:00 p.m., N’Telos Pavilion.

School Board Evaluation Form

VSBA Code of Conduct for School Board Members and By-Laws

Mrs. Shackelford offered a report on the recommendations from the committee for the School Board evaluation form and the VSBA Code of Conduct for School Board Members and By-Laws. She noted that the Board would vote at the meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2008. Members were asked to submit any suggestions or changes to Mrs. Shackelford by June 5, 2008.


Evaluations

Dr. Daniels moved to approve the evaluation of the School Board Attorney, Clerk and Deputy Clerk. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

School Board Policies

Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the following School Board Policies. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.

Group I: Cosmetic Changes

BFC, Policy Adoption, (reflects cosmetic changes, revisions, and updates) BG, Board-Staff Communications, (reflects cosmetic changes and the addition of a cross-reference (GBD) BHB, School Board Member In-Service Activities, (an updated policy) BHD, School Board Member Compensation and Benefits, (an updated policy; includes the addition of a cross-reference) DA, Management of Funds, (reflects cosmetic changes and revisions; includes a new legal reference) DI, Financial Accounting and Reporting, (reflects a review of the policy; includes the addition of a cross-reference; requires each school division to have an activity accounts manual promulgated by the Division Superintendent) DJA, Purchasing Authority, (assumes that each department or school has procurement procedures; reflects revisions; provides additional cross-references) DLC, Expense Reimbursements, (an updated policy; incorporates an update of the legal references and the addition of a cross-reference) DO, Nonlocally Funded Programs, (an updated policy; includes the deletion of a legal reference) GBD, Board-Staff Communications, (reflects cosmetic changes and revisions; includes a new cross- reference (BG) GBEC, Tobacco-Free School for Staff and Students, (provides for internal consistency with the update; reflects the addition of a cross-reference; permits, but does not require, the School Board to direct the Division Superintendent to issue regulations (JFCH) GBLA, Third Party Complaints Against Employees, (corrects a typographical error) GCI, Professional Staff Assignments and Transfers, (reflects a policy update; incorporates an update of the legal reference and the addition of a cross-reference) JFCH, Tobacco-Free School for Staff and Students, (reflects (an updated and revised policy designed to provide internal consistency; permits, but does NOT require the School Board to direct the Division Superintendent to issue administrative regulations (GBEC) KGC, Tobacco Use on School Premises, (makes it clear that smoking is NOT permitted in school vehicles; is NOT required by law, reflects the practice observed in most school divisions) KI, Public Solicitations in the Schools, (is being deleted; is merged with Policy KGA, which has been renamed Sales and Solicitation in Schools)


KJ, Advertising in the Schools, (reflects the deletion of the final sentence of the policy in order to avoid a conflict with Policy KF: Distribution of Information/Materials) KK, School Visitors, (reflects a policy update; incorporates an update of the legal references; includes an update of the cross-references and a correction) KM, Relations with Community Organizations, (an updated policy; corrects the legal reference; adds a cross-reference) KMA, Relations with Parent Organizations, (includes a correction to the legal reference and the addition of cross-references)

Group II: Minor Changes

BHE, School Board Member Liability Insurance, (reflects a change in the name of the policy; includes an updated text to note the legal reference and the addition of a cross-reference) DB, Annual Budget, (a policy update) DG, Custody and Disbursement of School Funds, (incorporates an updated policy; includes the addition of legal references and cross-references) DJB, Petty Cash Funds, (an updated policy; requires local school boards that establish petty cash funds to appoint an agent for the approval of claims) DL, Payroll Procedures, (an updated policy; (reflects the addition of cross-references) DM, Cash in School Buildings, (an updated policy; incorporates the addition of a legal reference and a cross-reference) JL, Fund-Raising and Solicitation, (a policy update; includes the addition of various cross-references; requires the Division Superintendent to have procedures in place for reporting fund-raising activities) KGA, Sales and Solicitations in Schools, (reflects the renaming of the policy; (includes an updated policy which has been merged with the contents of the former policy (Policy KI: Public Solicitations in the Schools); includes the addition of a cross-reference)

Group III: Major Changes/Revisions and New Policies

DGC, School Activity Funds, (a new policy which reflects the provisions in the Virginia legal code, Section 22.1-122.1; assumes that each School division has accounting regulations; requires each local School board to have regulations governing bonds for certain School board employees) DGD, Funds for Instructional Materials and Office Supplies, (a new policy which reflects the provisions in the Virginia legal code, Section 22.1-122.1) DK, Payment Procedures, (a policy update necessitated by the legal references section; includes the addition of a cross-references section) GCBE, Family and Medical Leave, (a policy update which incorporates the recent changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act) KGB, Public Conduct on School Property, (an updated and revised policy; eliminates the third and fourth sentences to avoid a duplication of Policy KK; reflects an updated legal reference; includes the addition of a cross-reference)


Final School Board Operating Budget

Mrs. Hudgins moved to adopt the final School Board Operating Budget for the 2008-09 school year. The motion carried by an electronic vote of five yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Bridgeford) to one no vote (Dr. Whitaker). Salary Increase

Dr. Whitaker moved to approve a salary increase not to exceed $12,000.00 for current teachers on longevity steps labeled “L”. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. (It was so noted that this is a vote of support to move ahead but will be finalized in the weeks ahead).

Public comment

None Adjournment

Chairman Bridgeford adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. ____________________________________ _____________________________________ JJaammeess EE.. BBrriiddggeeffoorrdd,, CChhaaiirrmmaann KKaatthhyy LL.. CChhaammbblliissss,, CClleerrkk

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