School Board of the City of Virginia Beach 2512 George Mason Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23456 MINUTES Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Daniel D. Edwards, District 2 Kempsville, Chair Beverly M. Anderson, At-Large, Vice Chair Sharon R. Felton, District 6 Beach Dorothy M. Holtz, At-Large Joel A. McDonald, District 3 Rose Hall Ashley K. McLeod, At-Large Kimberly A. Melnyk, District 7 Princess Anne Carolyn T. Rye, District 5 Lynnhaven Elizabeth E. Taylor, At-Large Leonard C. Tengco, District 1 Centerville Carolyn D. Weems, District 4 Bayside Aaron C. Spence, Ed.D., Superintendent 1. Convene School Board Workshop: The School Board convened in the einstein.lab at 4:05 p.m. In addition to Superintendent Spence, all Board members were present upon the arrival of Ms. Weems at 4:23 p.m. with the exception of Ms. Taylor who was absent from the meeting. A. Board Administrative Matters and Reports: Following a brief overview of the meeting agenda, Chairman Edwards routed RSVP slips for upcoming events commenting on the negative impact of Board members signing up for internal and external affairs and then not attend. He directed Board members to notify the Clerk of any emergencies that may prevent attendance in the future. Relative to a recent invitation sent to Board members for an event during the November 2015 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Annual Conference being hosted by a contractor doing business with the district, the Board s Legal Counsel, Kamala H. Lannetti, Deputy City Attorney, advised of financial disclosure requirements and instructed Board members planning to attend to contact the sponsor to make arrangements to pay for the event personally. Board reports: Ms. Rye advised of an October 1 event at Old Dominion University devoted to dyslexia awareness; and Ms. McLeod reported on a Changing Seasons function, and an Achievable Dreams event. Superintendent Spence reported an incredible opening week of school, offering kudos to all operations; and reflected on students being engaged, thinking, talking and learning. Chairman Edwards commented on the minimal e-mail traffic related to the opening of school compared to prior years. B. Kempsville High School Academy Proposal: James M. Pohl, Ph.D., Executive Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning; along with Meagan A. Timlin, Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship and Business Academy; and William W. Harris, Principal of Kempsville High School, presented a detailed overview of the proposed Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Kempsville High School. Dr. Pohl launched the presentation with requested data on all 2014 and 2015 Academy applications. Ms. Timlin then reported on the alignment of the program to the division s strategic plan Compass to 2020 and explained the progression from the 9 th grade student introduction into three strands of study: Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Business and Information Technology; and Corporate Finance. Each strand advances into senior internships and dual enrollment courses. Mr. Harris reviewed the $1.04 million budget in Year 1 SY2016-17 related to staffing, instruction, facilities improvement, and transportation;
2512 George Mason Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Page 2 of 5 and recognized the many partnerships supporting the program. Discussion concluded at 4:58 p.m. C. Relocation of Adult Learning Center to Renaissance Academy Facility: Anthony L. Arnold, P.E., Director of Facilities Planning and Construction; along with Jack Hasten, AIA with HBA Architecture and Interior Design, presented an introductory report on the feasibility of relocating the Adult Learning Center (ALC) into available space at the Renaissance Academy. Mr. Arnold provided an overview of the ALC 30-year-old, 24,640 square foot building on 2.41 acres, currently assessed at $3.2 million; and reported operations and maintenance costs totaling $222,000. He reviewed the process to determine the potential for relocation to include interviews with facility directors and study of programmatic needs. Mr. Hasten presented results of the facility analysis which supports integrating the ALC into the Renaissance Academy, and explained required floor plan modifications and the expansion of parking facilities needed to accommodate the relocation. Renovation costs were estimated at $750,000, with construction proposed for summer/fall 2016 for relocation to take place in December 2016. In concluding, Mr. Arnold commented the Renaissance Academy, built as a 24/7 facility, was not being used to its full potential with many seats remaining empty after hours, thereby further supporting the recommendation to utilize available space for the ALC program. Discussion concluded at 5:21p.m. D. Quarterly Forecast FY16 2 nd Quarter, October, November, December 2015: The School Board reviewed the Administration s forecast of agenda topics to be presented to the Board for the FY16 second quarter October, November and December 2015. Superintendent Spence advised of the addition of a fiscal update on October 6. Additionally, the Chairman proposed an additional opportunity be provided for Administration to present a review of the new language arts curriculum to Board members who were unable to arrange for individual briefings. He also suggested, in the future, such briefings be scheduled to precede workshops on Board meeting dates. Finally, there was a request for a workshop on December 1 for Administration to review feedback from input solicited from language arts teachers. Discussion concluded at 5:26 p.m. 2. Closed Meeting: None 3. School Board Recess: The Board recessed at 5:27 p.m. to reconvene in the School Board Room at 6:00 p.m. FORMAL MEETING 4. Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call: Chairman Edwards called the formal meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. In addition to Superintendent Spence, all Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Taylor who Chairman Edwards announced was out of the area. 5. Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
2512 George Mason Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Page 3 of 5 6. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition: None 7. Superintendent s Monthly Report: Superintendent Spence s report focused on the positive impact of community support and volunteers including faith-based partners. Recognizing ten years of their involvement, members of the Wave City Care were featured in a video showcasing their work with schools to prepare for the new year. Following the presentation, members of the Wave City Care were recognized in the audience. Superintendent Spence then reported 23,000 volunteers and partners donated nearly 658,000 hours of service to the school division in the 2014-15 school year estimated at nearly $15.2 million. He further commented on the efforts that support the division s strategic plan goal related to a culture of growth and excellence for students, staff, parents and the community. 8. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items: None 9. Approval of Minutes: September 1, 2015 : Mr. McDonald made a motion, seconded by Ms. Holtz, that the Board approve the minutes of their September 1, 2015 regular meeting as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0). 10. Adoption of the Agenda: There being no proposed changes to the published agenda, Ms. Weems made a motion, seconded by Mr. Tengco, that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0). 11. Consent Agenda: Ms. McLeod made a motion, seconded by Mr. McDonald, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0), and the following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda: A. Resolution recognizing October 2015 as Dyslexia Awareness Month as follows : Resolution for Dyslexia Awareness Month October 2015 WHEREAS, dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that causes difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, and word pronunciation; and WHEREAS, the onset and severity of dyslexia varies for each individual; and WHEREAS, because it takes individuals with dyslexia longer to process phonemic information, the disability directly affects academic growth, achievement, and self-esteem; and WHEREAS, it is important to provide effective teaching approaches and educational intervention strategies for individuals with dyslexia; and WHEREAS, Dyslexia Awareness Month is an opportunity to acknowledge educators utilizing effective teaching strategies, and to celebrate the many achievements of adolescents, students and adults with dyslexia; and WHEREAS, the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach is committed to a continued focus on educating students, parents, and school staff about effective teaching strategies to address the needs of students with learning disabilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach designates the month of October to be Dyslexia Awareness Month, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That strategies and interventions to address the needs of students with learning disabilities be ongoing in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.
2512 George Mason Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Page 4 of 5 B. The School Board approved the high school Independent Living and Introduction to Interior Design I & II textbooks as recommended by the relative Textbook Adoption Committee for implementation in the fall of 2016 as follows: Course Title Textbook Publisher Copyright Independent Living Succeeding in Life and Goodheart-Wilcox 2017 Career, 11 th edition Introduction to Interior Design I & II Housing and Interior Design, 10 th edition Goodheart-Wilcox 2012 C. Religious Exemption Case Numbers: RE-15-08, RE-15-09, RE-15-11, RE-15-12, RE-15-13, and RE-15-14. 12. Action A. Personnel Report / Administrative Appointments: Ms. Melnyk made a motion, seconded by Ms. Holtz, that the Board approve the Personnel Report dated September 15, 2015 specifying appointments, resignations, retirements, and other employment actions. There were no recommended Administrative appointments. The motion passed (ayes 10, nays 0). 13. Information: A. Textbook Adoption: Japanese I-IV and AP Japanese Language and Culture: James M. Pohl, Ph.D., Executive Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, presented the proposed textbooks for Japanese I-IV and AP Japanese Language and Culture as recommended by the relevant Textbook Adoption Committee for implementation in the fall of 2016. B. Kempsville High School Academy Proposal: William W. Harris, Principal of Kempsville High School, presented a brief review of the proposal presented in the afternoon workshop to establish an Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Kempsville High School. He explained the program progression from the 9 th grade student introduction into three strands of study: Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Business and Information Technology; and Corporate Finance, recognized partnerships, and reviewed financial information. C. Interim Financial Statements: 1. June 2015 (unaudited): Crystal M. Pate, Director of Business Services, presented an overview of unaudited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. She explained the overall final revenue trend was unfavorable with actual coming in $3 million under budget due to lower than projected March 31 average daily membership (ADM); and less than anticipated federal impact aid receipts from the U. S. Department of Education. However, state sales tax was reported as favorable with an actual over budget amount of $311,000, and other revenue sources yielding $900,000 over budget. Final expenditures were presented as favorable in all categories with $15.4 million reported as unspent and unencumbered. Ms. Pate summarized the net effect of actual under budget
2512 George Mason Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Page 5 of 5 revenues and unspent balances resulting in a reversion of $12.3 million which includes $217,386 reverted back to the School Operating Fund from the School Athletic Fund. After explaining the School Athletic Fund balance, she reported revenues from the City/Schools revenue sharing policy came in over budget with the School s surplus reported to be approximately $578,000. She noted figures presented were unaudited and subject to change. Chairman Edwards commented on previous action taken by the City that reduced fund balances, specifically textbooks and health insurance, and expressed concern for the future impact. 2. July 2015: The Board received abbreviated statements for July 2015 absent salaries and benefits for 10 or 11 month employees, and other adjustments to be reflected in future statements. 14. Standing Committee Reports: None 15. Conclusion of Formal Meeting: The formal meeting concluded at 6:33 p.m. 16. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items: None 17. Workshop: None 18. Closed Meeting: None 19. Vote on Remaining Action Items: None 20. Adjournment: There being no further business before the Board, Chairman Edwards adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Approved: Dianne P. Alexander, Clerk of the Board Daniel D. Edwards, Chairman