A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD

AT YORK HALL, 301 MAIN STREET, YORKTOWN, VA

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005

REGULAR SESSION

7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: MR. MARK A. MEDFORD, CHAIRMAN

MR. R. PAGE MINTER, VICE CHAIRMAN

MRS. BARBARA S. HAYWOOD

MRS. LINDA S. MEADOWS

MR. BARRY HENRY

ALSO PRESENT: DR. STEVEN R. STAPLES, DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT

RICHARD M. HIXSON, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT FOR

OPERATIONS

DENNIS R. JARRETT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

DR. JAMES R. TUCKER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION

DR. KITTY RICHMOND, DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND

ACADEMIC SERVICES

DR. JUDY DAVIS-DORSEY, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

DR. SUZANNE CREASEY, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

DR. JENNIFER PARISH, DIRECTOR OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

MARILYN V. STATON, CLERK

Mr. Medford called the Regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Andrew Bentley, a fifth grade student at Grafton Bethel Elementary School led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS:

Seniors of the Month: BHS – Bianca Phillips; GHS – Elliot Murrer; THS – John Clark, YHS – Rebecca Ann Ledebuhr.

Student Service Awards: CES – Sydney Omweg; QLMS – Blair Hailey; DES – Alex Vogt.

Community Volunteer of the Month: YRA – Mrs. Karen Goins; QLMS – Mrs. Teresa Chang; DES Debbie Szymecki.

VFW Teacher of the Year: Dr. Steven R. Staples asked Post Commander Ray Wetherall and Dr. Ed Holler to come forward. Commander Wetherall presented the VFW Teacher of the Year Plaque to Ms. Brenda Tagge, teacher at Grafton Middle School. Commander Wetherall also acknowledged Dr. Holler for promoting the Patriots Pen Essays. Commander Wetherall also presented a plaque to Dr. Steven R. Staples for his support.

Mark Medford, Chairman, recognized Mrs. Marilyn Staton, during School Board recognition month, for her work as Clerk of the Board.

Mr. Henry recognized Tabb Elementary School as one of 77 Title I schools in Virginia for improved achievement of certain students.

Mr. Minter declared a short recess at 7:50 p.m. and Mr. Medford reconvened the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Medford thanked Mr. Dillard and Queens Lake Middle School for the gifts they received at tonight’s meeting in recognition of the Boards support of the arts.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

PRESENTATIONS:

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent, gave a brief overview of the Superintendent’s FY06 Proposed Operating Budget. Copies are attached to the minutes. Dr. Staples noted that there will be a final budget work session in March and on March 21 the budget should be finalized.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Mr. Medford opened the Public Hearing at 8:10 p.m. Mrs. Carol Bauer, YEA President, thanked the Board for using great care in the budget process this budget season. Mrs. Bauer also requested the Board to look at stipends and reimbursement for sick leave for retirement. There being no more speakers, Mr. Medford closed the Public Hearing at 8:13 p.m.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS

None

MATTERS BY BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Henry stated that the Board will continue to look at compensation for all personnel. Mr. Henry thanked the Board for all their patience while he and his wife, Barbara recuperated from heart attacks. Mrs. Meadows stated that she was happy to have Mr. Henry back. Mrs. Meadows also stated that she attended the Science Fair, PTA Reflections contest and the WMES Dinner Theatre, “The Power of the Love Locks”. Mrs. Meadows noted that the York Foundation for Public Education announced their second round of grants ($2900). Their total for the year is almost $6000.00. Mrs. Haywood welcomed back Mr. and Mrs. Henry. Mrs. Haywood noted that this has been a quiet budget season and that we are blessed to have the finances to do what we do. Mr. Minter welcomed back Mr. Henry. Mr. Minter noted that he attended the WMES Dinner Theatre and the Science Fair. Mr. Minter also noted that Grafton High sent a letter requesting funds for their After-Prom affair. Mr. Minter said that they need a letter of request from each high school for funds for after prom activities. Mr. Minter stated that he and Mrs. Meadows and Mr. Medford attended the VSBA Legislative Day in Richmond. Mr. Medford stated that they missed Mr. Henry and were glad he was back. Mr. Medford urged everyone to take a look at and review the budget either in the Public Library or at the School Board Office. Mr. Medford noted the success of “Read Across America” and that he was invited to Seaford Elementary School to judge a door decorating contest. Mr. Medford noted the energy and creativity not only at Seaford Elementary but at all of the schools he has visited. Mr. Henry noted that Dr. Staples mentioned increases in dollars given to Special Education and noted that they are driven by federal regulations. Mr. Henry also noted that the CIP for the upcoming year now includes some extra money for improving parking for buses at Bruton High School and the County Operations Center. Dr. Staples noted that these items are in the School Board Budget but not the County Administrator’s Proposed Budget.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Mrs. Haywood summarized the items on the Consent Calendar.

A motion was made by Mrs. Haywood and seconded by Mr. Minter to adopt the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 5-0.

ACTION ITEMS

a. A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to approve donations. Motion passed 5-0.

b. A motion was made by Mr. Minter and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2005 Special Meeting. Motion passed 3-0. Mrs. Haywood and Mr. Medford abstained.

c. A motion was made by Mr. Minter and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2005 Regular Meeting and the Special Meetings of January 31 and February 7, 2005. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Henry abstained.

DISCUSSION – None

FIRST READING – Chapter 2, School Board Governance and Operations. Administration noted that the only changes in this Chapter are VA Code or terminology and that it now reflects posting on the Internet. Administration recommended bringing this back for Second Reading in March.

SECOND READING – School Board Policy 7.1.11, Sub-Section D – Personal Business Leave. A motion was made by Mrs. Haywood and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to adopt School Board Policy 7.1.11 Sub Section D Personal Business Leave. Motion passed 5-0.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent noted:

· that there would be no School Board Attorney report this evening. The new attorney will join us in March.

· thanks to Maggie Haley, YCCPTA president for the blossoming of playgrounds at area schools. Dr. Staples noted Mrs. Haley was instrumental in pushing the renovation of the school playgrounds.

· that the General Assembly has adjourned

· that early indications show a level of interest in a sick leave bank

· that bid openings will be on the horizon for the next couple of weeks for smaller summer projects. This will give us an indication of the construction costs for the YHS and SBO projects

ANY MATTER NOT ABOVE SET FORTH:

Mr. Henry noted that home sales prices in surrounding areas are down.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

MARK A. MEDFORD, CHAIRMAN

MARILYN V. STATON, CLERK