A REGULAR MEETING OF THE YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2005

REGULAR SESSION

7:00 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

MR. RICHARD M. HIXSON, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

DR. JAMES R. TUCKER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION

MR. DENNIS R. JARRETT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

DR. CARL JAMES, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

DR. SUZANNE CREASEY, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

DR. JENNIFER PARISH, DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT

DR. LUCIA SEBASTIAN, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

BETSY OVERKAMP-SMITH, COMMUNITY PUBLIC RELATIONS

OFFICER

MARILYN V. STATON, SCHOOL BOARD CLERK

Mr. Medford opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Taylor Rena Fox, a fifth grade student at Yorktown Elementary Math, Science and Technology Magnet School led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS:

Seniors of the Month: BHS- Katherine E. Finch, GHS-Katie Hudson, THS- Sophia L. Black and YHS- Ben Abel.

Student Service Awards:

Brian Willis, YES and Long Vinh from YHS who was unable to attend this meeting.

Community Volunteers:

Mrs. Linda Reisch received the December Volunteer of the Month, for Yorktown Elementary Math Science and Technology Magnet School. Mr. and Mrs. James and Donna Elliott received the December Volunteer of the Month, for York High School.

GFOA and ASBO Budget and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Awards:

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent asked Dennis R. Jarrett, Chief Financial Officer, Karen Hendricks, Senior Budget Financial Analyst, Margaret Kirk, Accounting Supervisor and Cassandra Dillard, Payroll Supervisor to come forward and receive four awards. Two FY2006 Budget Awards, the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Assn. of the United States and Canada. Dr. Staples noted that these awards represent the highest form of recognition in governmental and school district budgeting and that this is the 7^th year in a row that the school division has earned these awards. Dr. Staples noted the other two awards are for the York County School Division’s Fiscal Year 2004 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Association of School Business Officials International and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Mr. Mark A. Medford, Chairman presented these awards. Dr. Staples stated that this is the 7^th consecutive year that the school division has earned the CAFR awards.

Mr. Minter, Vice Chair, declared a recess at 7:25 p.m. to meet the student and adult award recipients. Mr. Medford, Chair reconvened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

PRESENTATIONS:

Construction Report – Jim Wilkins, Director of Maintenance and Facilities Report, gave the following construction update:

· THS- Roof trusses being installed and masonry work continues, weather permitting.

· SBO- Initial basement concrete slab was placed. Final placement should be later this week. Almost all materials are on site; therefore, activity should increase soon on this project.

· GHS- Basically complete with the exception of the duct work and ceiling related to the duct work. Material is scheduled for 16^th December delivery. Project should be complete by mid-January with ribbon cutting about the same time. Area will be ready by 2^nd semester.

· YHS- Work continues on the well field, weather permitting. Installation of new energy efficient windows has begun with the two story nearing completion.

Fiscal Year 2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:

Dr. Steven R. Staples, Superintendent, asked Dennis R. Jarrett, Chief Financial Officer to start the briefing on the FY05 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Mr. Jarrett noted that the school division is required by law to have an audit of the financial report each year. Mr. Jarrett also noted that a copy of this report is in the Public Library and on line at yorkcountyschools.org. Mr. Jarrett asked Mr. Robert Bielat of Cherry, Bekaert and Holland, L.L.P. to come forward and brief the Board on the Audit. Mr. Bielat stated that the results of their examination were an unqualified clean statement and that this is the best you can get from an outside independent accounting firm. Mr. Bielat stated that Cherry, Bekaert and Holland L.L.P. are truly independent with respect to York County School Division in that they provide no other services to York County other than auditing services.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS

There were no citizens signed up to speak.

MATTERS BY BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Henry said that it will be a pleasure to comment on financial matters tonight after receiving excellent marks from Mr. Bielat of Cherry, Bekaert and Holland, L.L.P. Mrs. Meadows, Mr. Minter, Mrs. Haywood and Mr. Medford wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Mr. Minter also noted that he attended the Senior Christmas Party at Tabb High School.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Mr. Henry summarized the items under Financial Matters.

Approval of Claims Certified for Payment.
Consideration of approval of Resolution No. 05-47 Authorizing Specific Procurement.

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mrs. Meadows to approve Financial Matters. Motion passed 5-0.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Mr. Minter summarized the items on the Consent Calendar.

Approval of Previous Minutes: November 28, 2005, Regular Meeting and the November 14, 2005 Special Meeting.
Personnel Actions
Donations

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

ACTION ITEMS

a. A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mrs. Haywood to approve Resolution No. 05-45 A Resolution of the County School Board of York County, Virginia approving the Division Superintendent’s Fiscal Year 2007 Capital Improvement Program. Motion passed 5-0.

b. A motion was made by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Minter to approve Resolution No. 05-46 a Resolution approving the Second Amendment to the York County School Board Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Motion passed 5-0. Mr. Dennis R. Jarrett, Chief Financial Officer provided a brief summary of Resolution No. 05-46. Mr. Jarrett noted that the amendment to the York county School Board Defined Benefit Pension Plan was required for compliance with federal tax laws, specifically the Economic Growth and tax Relief Reconciliation Act. He also noted that the amendment, which would be effective January 1, 2006 requires that the participant consent for a cash out between $1,000 and $5,000.

DISCUSSION – None

FIRST READING – None

SECOND READING – None

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Melanie Economou, Assistant County Attorney stated that there was an interesting case from the Court of Appeals, Myers -v- Loudon County Public Schools, where a Virginia Law that requires daily voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment. They stated that it is a patriotic exercise and not a religious one.

Steven R. Staples, Ed.D., Superintendent:

· stated that Friday, December 16 is the last day of school until schools reopen Monday, January 2, 2006.

ANY MATTER NOT ABOVE SET FORTH:

Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

R. PAGE MINTER, VICE CHAIR

MARILYN V. STATON, CLERK