September 27, 2011

GOOCHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MONTHLY WORKSHOP
September 27, 2011
Goochland High School

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER
Ivan O. Mattox, Sr., Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Present were:
Ivan O. Mattox, Sr., Chairman
James L. Haskell, Vice Chairman
Mr. Andrew A. Meng, III
Mr. Raymond A. Miller
Dr. Linda A. Underwood, Superintendent

Absent:
Mr. Maxwell G. Cisne

Also attending were:
Peter M. Gretz, Assistant Superintendent
Tom DeWeerd, Director of Secondary Education
Dr. Steve Geyer, Director of Elementary Education
Dianna Gordon, Principal, Randolph Elementary School
James Hopkins, Principal, Byrd Elementary School
Tina McCay, Principal, Goochland Elementary School
Francie Ball, Principal, Goochland High School
Connie Foreman, Enrichment and Interim Elementary Instruction Specialist
Laura Kassner, Teacher Induction and Professional Development Specialist
Andrea Erard, Legal Counsel
Diane Bennett, School Board Clerk

The Media was represented by:
Ken Odor, The Goochland Gazette

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO AGENDA
Dr. Underwood presented additions/deletions/changes to agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

• Sekou Shabaka stated he has had unparalled access to the school board office. He spoke regarding the achievement gap and that in his opinion there is built-in bias in the system.  He feels that until the bias is removed, the numbers will not go down.  He would like someone to assess the system regarding disproportionality, would like to see a plan come out of that assessment with measurable goals and objectives to see how they can close the gap.

• Michael McDermott spoke regarding transparency stating he has a problem with the statement in the packet that additional items could be presented at the meeting.  He feels transparency issue is one of great importance and that he struggles with the public meeting laws and how they apply to the School Board and how they do things without a vote.

• John Wright spoke regarding the Rotary Club application for use of Goochland High School for the Symphony and the issue regarding the fee.  He stated the Rotary Club has tried to make it a practice to help the schools when they can and he wanted to make the Board aware of that fact.

• Jane Christie spoke regarding Advanced Placement (AP) tests and the fact that students are not passing the tests.  She spoke regarding rigor and the library not being open and available to students to study.

• Beth Hardy spoke regarding the AP tests stating that having only a 30% pass rate is not something to be proud of.  She would like the School Board to focus more in preparing students for passing rather than offering more courses.

CONSENT ITEM:
PERSONNEL ACTION
The following Personnel Action item was presented for approval:

Supplemental Appointment:

Neil Burch, GHS Drama

Mr. Meng made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Haskell, to approve Personnel Action as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

ACTION ITEMS:
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS
Dr. Underwood presented a request by Goochland Parks and Recreation for a school bus.  Dr. Underwood recommended that bus number 23 be declared surplus and ownership transferred Goochland County Board of Supervisors so that the bus can be used by Goochland Parks and Recreation.

Mr. Haskell made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve the declaration of bus number 23 surplus and transfer ownership to Goochland County Board of Supervisors for use by Goochland Parks and Recreation as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

DANCE TEAM FIELD TRIP
Dr. Underwood presented a request by the Goochland High School Dance Team to attend the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 

Mr. Meng made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve the dance team field trip to Annapolis, Maryland as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

GIFTED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dr. Underwood presented a list of Gifted Advisory Committee members for approval.  Connie Foreman was present to answer questions.

Mr. Haskell made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Meng, to approve the gifted Advisory Committee as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

FACILITIES USE APPLICATION
Dr. Underwood presented a request by Goochland Rotary to use the Goochland High School Auditorium on November 5, 2011 for the Symphony, and recommended approval of the use with fee waived.

Mr. Haskell made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve the facilities use request as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Dr. Underwood also presented two requests by the Goochland Chamber of Commerce to use the Goochland High School Auditorium on October 18, 2011 and October 19, 2011 for candidate forums, and recommended approval of the use with fee waived.

Mr. Meng made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Miller, to approve the facilities use requests as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

INFORMATION ITEMS:
BUDGET CALENDAR UPDATE
Dr. Underwood presented information regarding the budged calendar.  She is working with Ms. Dickson regarding revisions to the calendar and will have more information at the October meeting.

ENRICHMENT UPDATE
Connie Foreman, Enrichment and Interim Elementary Instruction Specialist, presented an overview and update on enrichment.

ELEMENTARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Steve Geyer, Director of Elementary Education, presented information regarding professional development.

EVALUATION PROCESS
Laura Kassner, Teacher Induction and Professional Development Specialist, presented information on the evaluation process and alignment of the process with the new state requirements.

AdvancED DISTRICT ACCREDITATION
Pete Gretz, Assistant Superintendent, presented information regarding the accreditation process.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN - RANDOLPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dianna Gordon, Principal, Randolph Elementary School, presented the school improvement plan for Randolph Elementary School.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UPDATE
Francie Ball, Principal, Goochland High School, presented information regarding Advanced Placement (AP) tests.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN - BYRD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
James Hopkins, Principal, Byrd Elementary School, presented the school improvement plan for Byrd Elementary School.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Dr. Underwood presented information.

OTHER BUSINESS:

• Dr. Underwood announced that on September 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Goochland High School, GCPS and the NAACP will have an informational evening on two major topics:  (1) Preparing Your Child for School and (2) Pathways for Specific Diplomas and College Readiness.

• Mr. Mattox informed the Board that Maggie Walker is currently searching for a new director.  They hope to have the process completed by January.  If not, the process will be repeated.

CLOSED MEETING
None.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Miller made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Meng, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was approved unanimously.