A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD

AT YORK HALL, 301 MAIN STREET, YORKTOWN, VA.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2004

 

REGULAR SESSION

 7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:                MRS. BARBARA S. HAYWOOD, CHAIR

                                    MR. MARK A. MEDFORD, VICE CHAIR

                                    MR. PAGE MINTER

                                    MR. BARRY HENRY

                                    MRS. LINDA S. MEADOWS    

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. SUZANNE CREASEY, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

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

            BETSY OVERKAMP-SMITH, COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

            OFFICER

            MARILYN V. STATON, BOARD CLERK

 

Mrs. Haywood called the Regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Kathryn Brooke Emerson, a rising fifth grade student at Seaford Elementary School led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS:

Seniors of the Month: BHS – Gabriel J. Possich; GHS – Lindsey Baynham; THS – Kristen Seay; YHS – Jered Decker.

Student Service Awards: GHS – Amanda Massie and SES – Taylor Collier.

Community Volunteers of the Month: SES – Edna DeChristopher and GMS – Mrs. Susan Hunter.

James Weldon Johnson 50th Anniversary Committee: Dr. Staples, Superintendent, read the commendations for Mr. Ronald Muse, Mrs. Jean Oliver and Mrs. Lillian Lewis while Mrs. Barbara Haywood, Chair, presented a plaque to each member of the Committee.

York County School Division Representatives to Zweibrucken: Dr. Staples, Superintendent, introduced Mrs. Sandy Hespe, Instructional Specialist for Curriculum and Coordinator of the Zweibrucken Exchange Program who introduced each participant in the program.  Mrs. Hespe introduced Mr. Bill Spear, chaperone, who reported on the educational value of the trip and presented a gift to the Board in appreciation of their support.  Mrs. Hespe also introduced Krista Hailey, spokesperson for the group who thanked the Board for their backing and allowing the students to experience a memorable trip.  Mr. Henry thanked the students for all their notes showing their gratitude for being able to participate in the Exchange Program.

 

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent, presented Board Members, with VSBA certificates in recognition of their dedicated service.  Mr. Henry, Certificate of Recognition; Mrs. Meadows, Award of Achievement; Mr. Medford, Award of Excellence; Mr. Minter Award of Honor and Mrs. Haywood, Award of Distinction. 

 

Mrs. Haywood declared a short recess at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

 

PRESENTATIONS:

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent, gave a report on the Opening of School noting that:

·        Enrollment is on target for revenue

·        Excellent pupil-teacher ratios

·        Most school enrollments within building capacity (temporary mobile units on several sites)

·        Staffing is completed

·        Transportation is functioning well

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS

Mrs. Carol Bauer, YEA president, informed the citizens that Mrs. Barbara Haywood received the Whole Village Award from the YEA for dedicated service to York County Schools since 1989, noting that Mrs. Haywood is currently serving her second term as Chairman of the Board, and currently serves as the President of the Virginia School Boards Association. 

 

MATTERS BY BOARD MEMBERS   

Mr. Henry urged parents of high school age children to attend the College Fair at Hampton Coliseum in October.  Mr. Minter stated that the Virginia Career Education Foundation, which was established in 2002 by Gov. Mark Warner, works to bridge the gap between the large number of career and technical positions available throughout Virginia and the comparatively small number of qualified applicants to fill these positions.  Mr. Minter also stated that Dr. Staples is on the Board of Directors of VCEF.  Mr. Minter noted Gov. Mark Warner’s Education for a Lifetime initiative and especially the “Senior Year Plus” component.  Senior Year Plus expands opportunities for highly motivated students who are capable of college-level coursework while ensuring that students who enter the workforce directly after high school possess the skills they need for productive careers.  Mr. Minter also noted that he attended several Back to School nights and the YEA Open House.  Mrs. Meadows noted that she attended several Back to School nights and urged parents to stay involved in their children’s schools.  Mr. Medford also urged parents to stay involved and talk to your children.  Mrs. Haywood thanked Mrs. Bauer and the YEA for their recognition of her receiving the Whole Village Award. 

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

Mrs. Meadows summarized the items on the Consent Calendar.

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mr. Henry to adopt the Consent Calendar.    Mr. Medford requested that item “C”  Resolution No. 04-68 be pulled from the Consent Calendar.   Motion passed 5-0. 

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Meadows and seconded by Mr. Medford to approve Resolution No. 04-68 with the exception of Req. No. 50324.  Motion passed 5-0.

 

ACTION ITEMS

a.         A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Minter to approve donations.  Motion passed 5-0.

b.         A motion was made by Mr. Medford and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to increase the FY05 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget by $494,000 and to authorize the Division Superintendent to transfer $494,000 from the FY05 CIP to the Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund as final payment for up fronting the $985, 000 of the cost of the addition and renovation of Bethel Manor Elementary.  Motion passed 5-0. Dennis R. Jarrett, Chief Financial Officer gave a briefing on this motion.

c.          A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Minter to designate the Creekside Landing neighborhood as a non-transportation zone for Queens Lake Middle School students.  Motion passed 5-0.

d.         A motion was made by Mr. Medford and seconded by Mr. Minter to authorize the Division Superintendent to execute a Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Use of parking lots at Shiloh Baptist Church and Yorktown Middle School.  Motion passed 5-0.  Richard M. Hixson, Deputy Superintendent for Operations gave a briefing on this the Memorandum of Understanding.

e.         A motion was made by Mr. Minter and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to approve an additional overnight trip for York High School.  Motion passed 5-0.

f.            A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Medford to accept waiver and hold harmless agreements from the owners of Belmont and Clairmont apartments to allow school bus traffic on private streets.  Motion passed 5-0.

 

Discussion – Section 9.10.1.1 – Advanced Placement Exams. After discussion, administration recommended bringing this back for First Reading in October.

First Reading – None

 

 

SECOND READING – Expedited – Section 9.11.6 Alternatives to Animal Dissection.  A motion was made by Mr. Minter and seconded by Mr. Medford to approve Section 9.11.6 Alternatives to Animal Dissection.  Motion passed 5-0.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Carla Blake Hook stated that she conducted a Leadership Academy on disciplinary issues and a Legislative update. 

 

 

 

 

ANY MATTER NOT ABOVE SET FORTH: None 

 

 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

____________________________

BARBARA S. HAYWOOD, CHAIR

 

___________________________________

MARILYN V. STATON, CLERK