Minutes School Board Called Meeting Alexandria City Public Schools 2000 N. Beauregard St. Alexandria, VA 22311 Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:00 p.m. I. Call to order Vice Chairman Morris called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m. All board members were present, except Ms. Carter, who arrived shortly thereafter, and Chairman Gorsuch. II. Pledge of Allegiance Students Abigail Campbell, Olivia Carroll, Kaniya Elcock, Julia Guessford, Michael Henderson, Nikolai Kosinsky, Lucas Maddox, Gabriella Moore, Diana Polio, Liandra Richards, Joseph Schmidt, Rachel Stenzel, Nicholas Toaso, Jr., Rose Anne Valderrama, and Maeve Waller from Charles Barrett Elementary School led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance. The students were accompanied by their teacher, Whitney Elliot. III. Moment of Silence The board observed a moment of silence, keeping in mind Chairman Gorsuch, her husband and family. IV. Adoption of Meeting Agenda and Approval of Meeting Minutes Ms. Carter moved to adopt the April 12, 2012 meeting agenda, incorporating the change as outlined by Vice Chairman Morris. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. V. Communications and Addresses to the Board Public Comments 3 members of the public addressed the board. VIP Governor s Award for Educational Excellence (Charles Barrett) Dr. Sherman gave a history of the award and summarized the criteria on which the award is based. He also recognized Charles Barrett principal, Seth Kennard, and other members of staff. Vice Chairman Morris read a certificate in recognition of Charles Barrett Elementary School s VIP Governor s Award for Educational Excellence. 1
VI. Old Business and Action Items Reading Instruction at Jefferson-Houston, John Adams, and Patrick Henry (Success for All) Dr. GwenCarol Holmes gave an overview of the program s implementation at Jefferson- Houston School, John Adams Elementary, and Patrick Henry Elementary School. She also shared a video showing the program in use at the schools, which included student and teacher interviews. Principal Dawn Feltman shared with the board highlights of the utilization of the program at Patrick Henry. Principal Rosalyn Rice-Harris shared how the program has improved reading levels at Jefferson-Houston School. Principal Grace Taylor reported on the positive impact that the reading program has generated at John Adams Elementary School. Board members asked about: the impact of the dual-language program at John Adams; the available times that board members could observe students using the program; providing more detailed description on the program s appropriateness for special education needs; how does staff anticipate the utilization of the program s guidelines for special education students; possible reasons behind and sources of the intense opposition to the program from some members of the community; a communications plan by executive staff to teachers to quell discontent surrounding perceptions of lack teacher autonomy in utilizing the program; how does the writing program work together with Skillful Teacher, ACPS curriculum, and the SFA program; whether staff was compensated for the extra time spent on evenings and weekends for training. Policy IIBEA/GAB-Responsible Use of Technology Dr. Elizabeth Hoover gave the board a review of the reasons surrounding the proposed changes to the policy including the rationale for the change in the policy s name. Mr. Williams moved to approve revised policy IIBEA/GAB Responsible Use of Technology. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CIP Procedural Review Interim Chief Financial Officer Stacey Johnson briefed the board on the two reports submitted to the board in the aftermath of the CIP procedural review, including procedural changes, both internal and external (with the City), and highlighted the new financial system. Board members asked questions about: whether the findings of the CIP procedural review led staff to assess how the problems can be prevented in the future; what are the additional steps that are needed to prepare for the audit (scheduled for May 2012); clarification of how budget information and expenditure information was managed without the CIP being part of the financial management system in the past; what can the board expect to see in the next few weeks (e.g. pending budget transfers, projects, etc). VII. Consent Calendar Ms. Maness moved to approve the consent calendar. Ms. Folkerts seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2
The consent calendar consisted of the following items: April 12, 2012 Human Resources Report Approve December 2011 Monthly Financial Report Approve January 2012 Monthly Financial Report Approve February 2012 Monthly Financial Report Accept Second Quarter FY 2012 Budget Transfer Report Dr. Sherman congratulated Peter Balas, as the next principal at Mount Vernon Community School; and Mark Eisenhour, new principal on assignment for Mount Vernon and Jefferson- Houston; and commended them on their past and future efforts. VIII. None. Items Pulled from Consent Calendar Recess: Vice Chairman Morris called a recess in the meeting, at the request of the board, at 9:08 p.m. She re-called the meeting to order at 9:17 p.m. and the meeting proceeded as follows. IX. New Business and Reports to the Board Local Plan for Career and Technical Education Federal Funds Sherri Chapman, Coordinator for Career and Technical Education, gave the board a summary of the 2012-2013 local plan for career and technical education for use of Card D. Perkins federal funds. Board members asked about: clarification of the allocation of funds for teachers professional organizations; the accuracy of the enrollment of special population numbers and requested a supplemental report from staff; the accuracy of the expenses for SMARTboards; future plans for web design and development course; the utilization of dual enrollment with NVCC and CTE courses; Ms. Folkerts moved to approve the 2012-2013 Local Plan for Career and Technical Education. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. X. Chairman s Report Vice Chairman Morris: Made remarks to the community regarding adult education classes, including the recently discovered testing irregularities, and reiterated the board s and the superintendent s commitment to adult education in the City of Alexandria. Congratulated Ms. Maness on her appointment as part of the inaugural education advisory board at the School of Education at Howard University. Reminded the board that the TAG survey is online for parents at the ACPS website and the teacher survey will be open April 27 through May 27. 3
Announced the cancellation of next week s work session, to be rescheduled for a date in May. XI. Superintendent s Report Dr. Sherman: Congratulated the school board, the community, and staff on its work in creating the Strategic Plan which led to the divisions recent Magna Award. Announced that the school board will receive the award at the NSBA convention. Noted a special reception including members of the committee and thanked them for their dedication. Noted that the date for Dan Pink s visit on total compensation changed from 4/25 to 5/8 at 4 p.m. at ALL. Reported on recent participation from Cora Kelly for President s Easter egg roll, approximately 200 students participated. Announced the next Jefferson-Houston community meeting, 4/17 at 7 p.m. on proposed construction plans. XII. None. Standing Committee Reports XIII. Announcements by Board Members Ms. Campbell announced her recent attendance at a FACE center event at Jefferson-Houston and recommended that her colleagues also do so. XIV. Future Meeting Dates April 18, 2012-7:00pm TAG Committee Meeting, Minnie Howard Library April 20-23, 2012 - NSBA Conference (Boston, MA) April 23, 2012-5:00pm City/Schools Meeting at GWMS ALL Center April 24, 2012-7:00pm SEAC Meeting, Minnie Howard Media Center April 26, 2012-7:00pm School Board Meeting May 9, 2012-7:00pm, PTAC General Meeting, Minnie Howard May 2, 2012-7:00pm Policy Committee, TC Williams High School May 10, 2012-4:00pm SHAB Meeting, TC Williams High School May 10, 2012-7:00pm School Board Meeting, Budget Public Hearing, and Budget Work Session May 16, 2012-7:00pm TAG Committee Meeting, Minnie Howard Library May 21, 2012-5:00pm City/Schools Meeting at City Hall (due to Memorial Day) May 22, 2012-7:00pm SEAC Meeting, Minnie Howard Media Center May 22, 2012-7:00pm School Board Add-delete work session. May 24, 2012-7:00pm School Board Meeting. Add-delete work session. 4
XV. Closed Meeting and Certification of Closed Meeting (if needed) No closed meeting. XVI. Adjournment Mr. Peabody moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Campbell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:19 p.m. Chairman Clerk of the Board Approved: September 13, 2012 5