The Portsmouth City School Board Portsmouth, Virginia Minutes The members of the Portsmouth City School Board held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 26, 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 7:09 p.m. Ms. Kathy L. Chambliss, the Clerk, and Mrs. Laura C. Chandler, the Deputy Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Mr. Dan Pendarvis, Assistant Superintendent, led the Pledge of Allegiance 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, Mr. James M. Hewitt, Mrs. Elizabeth N. Hudgins, Mr. B. Keith Nance, Sr., Mrs. Linda D. Ridenour, Mrs. Jean H. Shackelford, and Dr. Mark M. Whitaker. (Ms. Sheri H. Bailey was absent). 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 Attorney/Deputy City Attorney. Motion to Amend the Agenda Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the motion to amend the agenda to remove page 11 of the Human Resources Report, and table until the Board can discuss it. The motion carried by an electronic vote of five yes votes (Mrs. Hudgins, Mr. Nance, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker) two no votes (Mr. Hewitt, Mr. Bridgeford), and one abstention (Dr. Daniels). Approval of the Agenda Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the agenda as amended (remove page 11 of the Human Resources Report) for Thursday, June 26, 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Chairman Bridgeford and Dr. Stuckwisch presented Mrs. Elizabeth N. Hudgins, retiring School Board Member with a distinguished service award for her service to Portsmouth Public Schools. Mrs. Hudgins served on the panel from July 1, 2000 June 30, 2008, serving as chairman for two years, July 1, 2002 June 30, 2004.
Board Minutes June 26, 2008 Page 2 of 6 Ms. Sheri H. Bailey, (who was unable to be present), also a retiring School Board Member, will receive a distinguished service award for her service to Portsmouth Public Schools. Ms. Bailey served from July 1, 2004 June 30, 2008. Dr. Stuckwisch presented William E. Waters Middle School Concert Band and Mr. Ricardo Brown, Director, with a certificate of recognition for attaining the Grand Champion Award in Paramount s Kings Dominion Jazz Concert and Orchestra Competition. Chairman Bridgeford and Dr. Stuckwisch presented an award to Pernell Robert Whitfield, Jr., recipient of the 2008 Award of Distinction, presented by the International Academy of the Visual Arts and the Communicator Awards. Dr. Stuckwisch and Mrs. Maureen D. Mizelle, Executive Director of the Portsmouth Schools Foundation, presented scholarships to the recipients of the Superintendent s Scholarship Awards for the 2007-08 academic session. The scholarship recipients included Sarah Elizabeth Bowers, Churchland High School; Tiffany Lynn Stokley, I. C. Norcom High School; and Amber Marie Castor, Woodrow Wilson High School. Mrs. Mizelle noted that the scholarships are underwritten by the Rotary Club of Portsmouth. Recognition Schools Mr. Wiggins recognized the following schools for receiving the highest percentage of student attendance for May and June 2008. Each school will display an attendance flag. Minutes May 2008 Elementary Brighton Elementary (99.46 percent) Middle William E. Waters Middle School (95.83 percent) High Churchland High School (94.44 percent) Center Mount Hermon Preschool Center (95.22 percent) June 2008 Elementary Douglass Park (99.62 percent) Middle William E. Waters Middle School 93.82 percent) High Churchland High School (94.71 percent) Center Mount Hermon Preschool Center (99.63 percent) Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting/Public Work Session held on Thursday, May 8, 2008, the Special Meeting held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, and the Regular Monthly Meeting held on Thursday, May 22, 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote.
Board Minutes June 26, 2008 Page 3 of 6 Monthly Report (Curriculum and Instruction) Dr. Fisher offered a report on grants that have been approved, and the Governance Committee. She also provided the textbook purchase cycle. Art Current Initiatives and highlights Mrs. Diana Davenport, Supervisor of Art, offered a report on current initiatives and highlights in the Art department. Ms. Davenport shared achievements and reviewed plans for next year which includes introducing dual enrollment and art. These courses will be presented for the Board s consideration at the next meeting. Board members viewed a video which illustrated the benefits to our students of experiences in the visual arts, art courses that are offered, and enrichment opportunities available. Revised Culinary Arts Curriculum Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the revised Culinary Arts curriculum. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Culinary Arts Textbook: Culinary Essentials Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Culinary Arts textbook: Culinary Essentials. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Sociology, Economics and African American History Textbooks Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Sociology, Economics and African American History textbooks. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Virginia High School League Membership Applications Dr. Whitaker moved to approve the Virginia High School League membership applications for Churchland, I. C. Norcom, and Woodrow Wilson High schools for the 2008-09 school year. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Annual No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Mrs. Hudgins moved to grant permission to submit the Annual No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Local Consolidated Application to the Virginia Department of Education for fiscal year 2008-2009. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Monthly Report (Human Resources) Mrs. Talitha Y. Parker, Supervisor of Human Resources, offered a report on the following: 1) the Retirement Banquet held on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 2) GHG (time management) training and implementation for non-exempt employees and their supervisors, 3) Phase II and III of the MUNIS project, and 4) vacancies as of June 19, 2008.
Board Minutes June 26, 2008 Page 4 of 6 Pay and Classification Plan Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the Pay and Classification Plan for the 2008-09 School Year. The motion carried by an electronic vote of seven yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one no vote (Mr. Nance). Election List Mrs. Hudgins moved to approve the Election List for the 2008-09 school year. The motion carried by an electronic vote of seven yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one no vote (Mr. Nance). Human Resources Report Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the Human Resources Report for June 2008, excluding page 11. 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. Lunch Prices Mrs. Shackelford moved that the price of elementary school student lunches be raised from $0.85 to $1.00, the price of secondary school student lunches be raised from $0.95 to $1.10, and that the price for teacher lunches be raised from $2.00 to $2.75 for school year 2008-09, and starting September 2008, students in the elementary schools will be allowed to charge three lunches, and upon notification to the parents(s) or guardian, all subsequent lunches will be an alternative lunch until the charged lunch has been paid. The alternative lunch will be at no cost to the student. The motion failed by an electronic vote of three yes votes (Mr. Bridgeford, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Hewitt) to five no votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Hudgins, Mr. Nance, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker). Dr. Whitaker moved that the price for elementary school student lunches be raised from $0.85 to $1.15, the price of secondary school student lunches be raised from $0.95 to $1.15, and that the price for teacher lunches be raised from $2.00 to $2.75 for school year 2008-09, and that students will be allowed to charge lunches in the elementary school, and no alternate lunch will be provided. Mrs. Hudgins moved to amend Dr. Whitaker s motion (exclude the wording and that students will be allowed to charge lunches in the elementary school, and no alternate lunch will be provided ). The motion was withdrawn. Mr. Hewitt moved to amend Dr. Whitaker s motion to only include the price increases. The motion did not receive a second.
Board Minutes June 26, 2008 Page 5 of 6 Dr. Whitaker s motion failed by an electronic vote of three yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Ridenour, Dr. Whitaker) to five no votes (Mr. Nance, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hudgins, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Bridgeford). Mrs. Shackelford moved that the price of the elementary school lunches be raised from $.085 cents to $1.00, the price of secondary school student lunches be raised from $0.95 to $1.10, and the price for teacher lunches be raised from $2.00 to $2.75 for the school year 2008-09, starting in September 2008, and that all other matters related to school lunch prices be discussed at a later meeting. The motion carried by an electronic vote of five yes votes (Mrs. Hudgins, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Mr. Bridgeford) to three no votes (Dr. Daniels, Mr. Nance, Dr. Whitaker). Lunch Surcharge Mrs. Shackelford moved that this item be removed from the agenda and placed on an agenda at a later time (Consideration to establish a lunch surcharge to address the need of replacing cafeteria equipment). The motion carried by an electronic vote of seven yes votes (Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hudgins, Mr. Nance, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one no vote (Dr. Daniels). Finance Report Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the Financial Report for May 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Board Members Comments and Concerns Mrs. Hudgins 1) thanked the citizens of Portsmouth for electing her to the School Board, 2) expressed it being an honor to work with Dr. Stuckwisch, administration, teachers, support staff and the children, 3) expressed disappointment with City Council for not living up to their promise that education was their top priority, and 4) extended best withes to all and the newest Board members Mrs. Shackelford 1) noted that the Porte Town Magic Group received the Superior Award at Kings Dominion, 2) commended the teachers who work with the group, and 3) stated that the Woodrow Wilson High School vocal department received the Superior Award, also Mr. Hewitt 1) referenced a May 29, 2008 newspaper article regarding the 2 nd year of the courts program for students; a positive article that referenced students from Cradock Middle, 2) referenced a full page advertisement in the Currents section of the newspaper for the class of 2008, highlighting the valedictorians, salutatorians, and third place individuals Superintendent s Report Dr. Stuckwisch offered a report on the following: 1) high-school graduations recently held at N Telos Pavilion, 2) the Tidewater Builders Association s 2008 Scholarship Foundation Awards ceremony held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 3) commended the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel for
Board Minutes June 26, 2008 Page 6 of 6 its selection as the regional winner of the 2008 State Business and Industry Partnership Creating Excellence Award by the Department of Education, 4) announced the oath of office ceremony held for Board members James Bridgeford, Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, B. Keith Nance, Sr., and Board memberselect Costella Williams and Edward McCabe, 5) reported that the Portsmouth Public School Division was recognized as the 2008 Education Partnership of the Year by Young Audiences of Virginia, 6) congratulated Mrs. Sharon W. Moore, Wellness Specialist, for recently being recognized for the 2008 Innovative Prevention Projects (Safety Town) by the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Injury Community Planning Group, 7) the School Board s annual reorganization meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2008, 12:00 noon, Sixth Floor Conference Room, 8) noted that the Superintendent will be out of the office July 15-18, 2008, attending a professional conference, 9) the Superintendent shared a copy of an article featured in Tidewater Teach titled Beyond the Classroom, and 10) the Superintendent shared a copy of Discover Portsmouth with Board members. By-Laws and Code of Ethics Mr. Nance moved to adopt the By-Laws and Code of Ethics. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Board Evaluation Instrument Mrs. Shackelford moved to approve the Board evaluation instrument. The motion carried by an electronic vote of seven yes votes (Dr. Daniels, Mrs. Hudgins, Mr. Nance, Mrs. Ridenour, Mrs. Shackelford, Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Bridgeford) to one abstention (Mr. Hewitt). Hiring Authority Mr. Nance moved to authorize the Division Superintendent to hire teachers and other critical personnel, July 2008 and August 2008. The motion carried by a unanimous electronic vote. Public comment None Adjournment Chairman Bridgeford adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m. James E. Bridgeford, Chairman Kathy L. Chambliss, Clerk September 18, 2008 Date of Adoption by the Board