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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLEGHANY COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
November 21, 2017
The Alleghany County School Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary School in Covington, Virginia.
PRESENT: Gerald E. Franson; R. Craig Lane; Danielle I. Morgan; Norman L. Persinger, Jr.; Jennifer S. Seckner; Randall S. Tucker, and Jacob L. Wright. Also present: Eugene P. Kotulka, Superintendent; and Lorie C. Bess, Clerk.
ABSENT:
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
(18-128) OPENING REMARKS AND WELCOME BY APRIL EASTON, PRINCIPAL, MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Mrs. Easton welcomed everyone to the school and thanked her staff and students for working so hard to become accredited. She explained it takes a lot of stamina to reach this goal and it is because of the wonderful staff, students, and parents that it was made possible. She thanked the school board for their continued support.
(18-129) REMARKS BY MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY PTO REPRESENTATIVE
DeAnn Stull, PTO president, welcomed everyone and reported on recent activities held by the PTO and also future events. Some past events included Literacy on the Lawn, monthly birthday recognitions, “Purple Day” benefit for Emily Byer, “Ties for Texas”, and others. She noted the Santa Shop will be held December 4-8 and volunteers are needed. Also, Polar Express will be shown at The Masonic Theatre on December 15 and each student will receive a “golden ticket”.
(18-130) REMARKS BY SCA OFFICERS
Kinlee Huffman (president), Kaylee Nicely (vice president) and Kenzie Arrington (secretary) each spoke about SCA events and activities.
(18-131) SCHOOL BOARD COMMENDATIONS:
(18-132) PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no citizens wishing to address the Board.
(18-133) SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS
Mr. Wright thanked Mrs. Easton and staff for hosting the meeting. He thanked the PTO for their support to the students. He congratulated everyone on their respective awards. He noted the Board recently attended the VSBA Annual Conference and it was a very positive and informative conference. He congratulated Mountain View on earning full accreditation.
Mr. Persinger thanked everyone for attending the meeting and supporting the school. He congratulated the students on their SOL awards, noting they worked very hard to achieve a perfect score. He congratulated the others on their awards and thanked the PTO for their involvement and support of the school.
Mr. Lane thanked the Cub Scouts for leading the pledge. He congratulated Mountain View on earning full accreditation. He commended those who received awards. He thanked the PTO for their support.
Mrs. Morgan thanked Mrs. Easton for hosting the meeting and the wonderful meal. She stated she is grateful and we are blessed to have so many people with multiple talents that want to help each other and students.
Mrs. Seckner stated it takes a village to raise a child and she can certainly see that support at Mountain View Elementary School. She thanked the PTO for their support and service. She commended the SCA students for addressing the Board, noting it takes a lot of courage to get up and speak to a crowd. She congratulated everyone on their awards and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mr. Franson thanked Mrs. Easton and all staff for the meal and for hosting the meeting. He noted he also attended the VSBA Conference and it was very informative and focused on students. He stated he enjoys seeing all the awards being presented. He thanked the SCA students for their comments. He thanked the parents for teaching their children manners, values and discipline.
Mr. Tucker stated parents are the number one reason for student success and thanked them for their involvement. He thanked the PTO and stated this group is one of the most innovative and busy PTO’s he has ever seen. He thanked the SCA students for their comments and stated they are our future community leaders.
Mr. Kotulka thanked Mrs. Easton for hosting the meeting. He stated students, staff, parents, and the community are all leaders because they are willing to persevere when the going gets tough.
(18-134) CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were included for approval.
A. Approval of Minutes of October 16, 2017 Regular Meeting
B. Approval of payment of bills
C. Cafeteria report
D. Communications/Monthly Reports
1. JRTC monthly report
2. Minority Advisory Committee
3. Parent Advisory Committee
MOTION: That the items listed on the consent agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION: Mr. Wright
SECOND: Mr. Lane
ROLL CALL VOTE: Unanimous
BUDGET AND FINANCE
(18-135) BUDGET REPORT
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School Operating Fund
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$2,409,954.83
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School Textbook Fund
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$1,187,305.14
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Alleghany Foundation Nursing Grant
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$48,217.05
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Governor’s School
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$141,096.62
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Scholarship
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$76,752.91
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Alleghany Foundation Mental Health Initiative
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$0
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School Capital
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$1,150,922.58
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Medicaid Reimbursement
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$446,944.23
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Technology
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$0
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New Tech Program
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$428,377.83
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Grand Total
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$5,889,571.19
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(18-136) FY 2017 VRS ATTESTATION REPORT
As mandated by Section 51.1-136 of the Code of Virginia, the firm of Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates performed an examination of the census data reported to the Virginia Retirement System by the County of Alleghany and by the School Board of the County of Alleghany to determine if the submitted data for fiscal year 2017 was complete and accurate based on the criteria set forth in the Code. The resultant attestation report found that the census data reported to the Virginia Retirement System by the School Board of the County of Alleghany to be complete and accurate with no findings or recommendations.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(18-137) CALENDAR INFORMATION
Mr. Kotulka reminded the Board of the following meetings:
- November 15-17 – VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg
- November 22-24 – Schools closed- November 28 – Education First meeting at Historic Masonic Theatre
- December 12- 12:00 p.m. – JRTC Joint Board at JRTC
- December 12, 6:00 p.m. – AHS band concert
- December 18 - Regular monthly meeting at Central Office Complex
- December monthly calendar
(18-138) FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH REPORT
The free and reduced lunch rates in Alleghany County Public Schools have been steadily climbing over the past few years. We currently have three schools with a rate above 50%. The division average has also increased this year.
Oct 2017 Oct 2016 Oct 2015 Oct 2014
Alleghany High School 41.22% 43.39% 39.80% 35.98%
Clifton Middle School 44.82% 51.87% 49.39% 49.81%
Callaghan 50.50% 49.28% 48.84% 50.00%
Mountain View 80.04% 66.40% 58.85% 57.38%
Sharon 54.82% 50.00% 46.43% 51.79%
Division Total 53.31% 51.85% 47.86% 46.83%
(18-139) ACADEMIC REVIEWS FROM EACH SCHOOL
Each school principal provided an update on their schools academic progress. Each report is attached to these minutes.
(18-140) UPDATE ON LITERACY PLAN
Last year, Alleghany County Public Schools conducted a literacy audit of all five schools. The audit was conducted by Dr. Otilee Austin from the McGuffey Reading Center in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Several recommendations were made and our division reading team has been in the progress of implementing these recommendations. The division reading specialists have been working on a division literacy plan. An executive summary was provided to the Board.
(18-141) ONE-TO-ONE INITIATIVE UPDATE
An update on the One-to-One initiative as it pertains to:
- Staff Training
- Chromebooks for Grade 5 Students
- Network Performance
- 1:1 Committee Meeting; November 14, 2017
- Chromebook Parent Meetings; Elementary Schools
- Update on Request for Proposal Number ACSB-20171017
- Other
(18-142) DISCUSS MOVING SOL TEST TO 10TH GRADE
Dwayne Ross, principal of Alleghany High School, explained the following advantages to giving the SOL test in the 10th grade:
- The goal is to reduce testing anxiety for students in English 11 by only administering the reading SOL.
- The goal is to provide a stronger basis of composition skills in English 9 & 10 and literature in English 11 and 12.
- The goal is to provide more room for our at-risk students to achieve success on the writing SOL or Work Keys exam prior to their 12th grade year.
Mr. Kotulka agreed it would be advantageous to give the test to 10th graders.
(18-143) REDESIGN OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Kotulka discussed the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and New Tech. He noted Alleghany High School would present a proposed New Tech plan at the December Board meeting.
(18-144) 2016-2017 SAT AND ACT RESULTS
A total of 93 (72 seniors and 21 juniors) high school students took the SAT assessment. The results for public schools were as follows:
Test ACPS Mean Score VA Mean Score US Mean Score
Critical Reading 485 516 487
Mathematics 484 513 494
Writing 443 493 472
A total of 52 high school students took one or more ACT assessments. The results were as follows for public schools:
Test ACPS Mean Score VA Mean Score US Mean Score
English 19.9 22.2 21.1
Mathematics 21.7 22.4 20.9
Reading 22.2 22.6 21.0
Science 21.6 23 21.0
Composite 21.5 23.1 20.8
(18-145) MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR CDL CLASSES AT DSLCC
Bus drivers are an important part of the educational process. A challenge to the hiring process has been the length of training and certifications required to be a school bus driver. The MOA shortens the process, reduces costs, and targets increasing trainee retention. Attached is the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between ACPS and DSLCC, for your review.
(18-146) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Board members were provided the work orders in their agenda packet.
(18-147) REVIEW Comprehensive IMPROVEMENT and Capital Improvement Plans
The draft Five Year Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Plan for Alleghany County Public Schools were presented. These drafts include various refinements based on continued input offered by the staff and advisory committees. The School Board will review the plans again on November 20 and a public hearing will be held on December 18. The Board will be asked to consider final adoption of the Plans during its meeting on January 24. Once approved, the Plan will be made effective as of February 1, 2018.
OTHER BUSINESS
(18-148) ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
There were no additions.
CLOSED SESSION
(18-149) CODE OF VIRGINIA: PERSONNEL MATTERS 2.2-3711.A.1., STUDENT MATTERS 2.2-3711.A.2, AND SCHOOL SAFETY REPORTS
MOTION: That the School Board enter closed session to discuss Personnel Matters, Student Matters, and School Safety Reports as authorized by the Code of Virginia Sections 2.2-3711.A.1, 2.2-3711.A.2, and 2.2-3711.A.19.
MOTION: Mr. Wright
SECOND: Mr. Lane
ROLL CALL VOTE: Unanimous
TIME: 7:55 p.m.
MOTION: That the School Board return to open session from closed session.
MOTION: Mr. Wright
SECOND: Mr. Lane
ROLL CALL VOTE: Unanimous
TIME: 9:05 p.m.
CERTIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Chairman requests a motion to certify that to the best of each member’s knowledge:
- Only public business matters lawfully exempted from opening meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applies; and
- Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the School Board.
MOTION: Mr. Lane
SECOND: Mr. Franson
ROLL CALL VOTE: Mr. Franson – YES
Mr. Lane - YES
Mrs. Morgan - YES
Mr. Persinger - YES
Mrs. Seckner - YES
Mr. Tucker - YES
Mr. Wright - YES
7 -YES 0 - ABSENT 0 -NO
TIME: 9:06 p.m.
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| Chairman, Alleghany County School Board |
Clerk |
PERSONNEL
(18-150) PERSONNEL ACTIONS
MOTION: That the Board approve all personnel actions as discussed in closed session and recommended by the Superintendent.
MOTION: Mrs. Morgan
SECOND: Mrs. Seckner
ROLL CALL VOTE: Unanimous
PUPIL PERSONNEL
(18-151) DISPOSITION OF PUPIL PERSONNEL
a. Case #18-06
MOTION: That the Board approve the disposition of pupil personnel case 18-06, as discussed in closed session.
MOTION: Mr. Wright
SECOND: Mr. Lane
ROLL CALL VOTE: Unanimous
BOARD MEETING EVALUATION SURVEY
Board members were provided an evaluation summary from the October meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: That the November 21, 2017 meeting of the Alleghany County School Board be adjourned.
MOTION: Mr. Franson TIME: 9:09 p.m.
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| Chairman, Alleghany County School Board |
Clerk |