Regular Meeting of The

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALEXANDRIA SCHOOL BOARD Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:30 PM

meeting summary

THE MEETING OF THE ALEXANDRIA CITY SCHOOL BOARD WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY Chairman Yvonne Folkerts.

THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:

Arthur Peabody Blanche Maness Charles Wilson Eileen Rivera Marc Williams Ronnie Campbell Scott Newsham Sheryl Gorsuch Yvonne Folkerts

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Superintendent Sherman

Call to Order

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

John Adams Elementary SCA students Chauncey Pittman, Shirel Mgbe, Triniti Hosein, and Savannah Halabuk led the Pledge of Allegiance. Students from the Orff Ensemble and Opera Education Program Odell Sidberry, Isabel Sparks, Girwan Shah, Sabra Rose, Rudy Mercado, AnnMarie Teal, LeeAnn Richards, and Rodrigo Teran performed selections from the upcoming February opera production.

3. Moment of Silence

The Board observed a moment of silence.

4. Adoption of Meeting Agenda

Mr. Peabody moved to adopt the meeting agenda. Ms. Maness seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Communications & Addresses to the Board

The School Board and Superintendent Sherman honored three new National Board Certified Teachers Suzette Adams, counselor at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology; Jennifer Larsen, first grade teacher at George Mason; and Celia Ochs, second grade teacher at James K. Polk.

Superintendent Sherman and the School Board congratulated the budget staff, Margaret Byess, Linda Diaz-Paz, Connie Collins, Michelle Parks- Robinson, and Robert Watling on receiving the ASBO Meritorious Budget Award for the FY2009 budget document.

6. Chairman's Report

Chairman Folkerts:

Announced that the operating budget will be presented tonight and noted that the budget work sessions will begin next week in the third floor training room.

Asked Mr. Peabody, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Newsham to continue the policy review process and bring recommendations to the Board.

Reported on developing School Board goals for this year and will bring them forward this month they include policy revisions, complete strategic plan, community schooling concept, and legislative agenda.

7. Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Sherman:

Noted that the Community Read has more than 260 registered participants for the February 24 discussion with the author Daniel Pink.

Reported that weather alerts are available on the hotline 703-866-5300 or on the ACPS website.

Congratulated Coats for Kids president Paul Darby for his work to supply coats to our needy students.

Invited everyone to the William Ramsay PTA Inaugural Ball that will take place tomorrow night.

8. Approval of Minutes

Mr. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of December 4, 2008. Mr. Peabody seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

9. Consent Calendar

Mr. Peabody moved to adopt the consent calendar. Ms. Rivera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The consent calendar consisted of:

Appointment of Laurie Rackas to the Special Education Advisory Committee

Old Business and Action Items

10. FY 2010-2015 CIP Budget

Mr. Wilson moved to adopt the FY 2010-2015 CIP Budget. Mr. Peabody seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Newsham read the revised summary paragraph language included in the CIP motion.

11. FY2010 Budget Process Resolution

Ms. Gorsuch moved approval of the Budget Process Resolution. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

12. Strategic Planning Update

Ms. Gorsuch reported that the committee will meet Saturday, January 10 at John Adams to discuss and prioritize the goals and objectives. She noted the February 7 date for the school board work session will be changed. The town hall forum will take place February 21 - location to be determined.

13. Program of Studies - High School Course Additions

Mr. Peabody moved to adopt the high school Program of Studies course additions. Ms. Maness seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The courses are: Science Research Course – Independent Study AP Macroeconomics AP Microeconomics Men’s Choir/Women’s Choir Chinese II Research and Development Engineering (Engineering II) TV Production III Advancement Via individual Determination

14. Inauguration Day

Ms. Rivera moved to make Inauguration Day a day off for all ACPS employees. Ms. Maness seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business

15. Presentation of FY 2010 Budget

Superintendent Sherman and Ms. Byess reviewed highlights of the proposed FY 2010 proposed budget of $197.4 million dollars. They discussed the seven guiding principles, five pillars of student achievement, budget overview, the 4 R’s (reallocation & reductions, responsiveness, responsibility), increasing enrollment, cost per student, one time expenditure reductions, and the next steps.

Superintendent Sherman thanked the staff for their work on the budget.

Ms. Maness requested that a copy of the budget be placed in the school and public libraries.

16. Budget Work Session Topics

Superintendent Sherman reviewed the proposed budget work session topics that will be discussed by the Board:

January 13 – Revenue projections, costs associated with increased enrollment, championing student achievement, questions on items not specifically addressed.

January 15 - Efficiencies and accountabilities, non-discretionary cost changes, sharing the impact, update on other school division budget requests, questions on items not specifically addresses.

17. Announcements By Board Members

Mr. Wilson reported on the intersession classes taught at Tucker. Ms. Campbell announced a Reading Is Power program for at risk youths that will be implemented at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Ms. Maness reported on the meeting held today on the safety and evacuation plan for Tucker students presented by City and school staff.

Future Business

18. Future Business Dates

January 10, 2009, 11:30 a.m., Strategic Planning Meeting, John Adams Elementary School January 13, 2009, 7:30 p.m., School Board Budget Work Session, 3rd Floor Training Room January 15, 2009, 6:30 p.m., Review of Goals & Budget Work Session, 3rd Floor Training Room January 22, 2009, 7:30 p.m., FY2010 Budget Public Hearing & School Board Meeting January 26, 2009, School Board Budget Work Session (If Needed) January 28, 2009, 7:30 p.m., School Board Add/Delete Work Session February 1-3, 2009, NSBA FRN Conference, Washington, D.C. February 3, 2009, 7:30 p.m., School Board Add/Delete Session February 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m. School Board Meeting (Budget Adoption) February 7, 2009, 11:30 a.m., Strategic Planning Meeting February 12, 2009, VSBA Legislative Conference, Richmond February 19, 2009, 7:30 p.m., School Board Meeting February 21, 2009, 11:30 a.m., Strategic Planning Meeting, George Washington Middle School March 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m., Strategic Plan Public Hearing & School Board Meeting March 9, 2009, 7:00 p.m., City Council/School Board Budget Work Session March 19, 2009, 7:30 p.m., School Board Meeting

19. Closed Meeting & Certification of Closed Meeting

The Clerk read the motion to convene a closed meeting for the discussion and consideration of the assignment, appointment, promotion/demotion or performance of specific employees of the school board pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3711 A(1).

Mr. Wilson moved to certify the closed meeting. Ms. Rivera seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

20. Adjourn

Mr. Peabody moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (Ms. Folkerts was absent). The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.