Marion, Virginia
August 8, 2005
The Smyth County School Board met today with all members present.
On motion by Mr. Catron, seconded by Mr. Doane, the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2005, school board meeting as presented.
On motion by Mr. Doane, seconded by Mrs. Hall, the board voted unanimously to approve the agenda after adding 8.b. Receive a draft copy of the Smyth County School Board Policy Manual as presented by Rick Blevins, Director of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services; 13. Other items of interest - a. Questions from Laura Hall; and b. Consider a Request for Waiver of Instructional Model/Program Requirement for Northwood Middle School and Sugar Grove Combined School.
Mr. Choate thanked the superintendent and all those responsible for the new boardroom furniture.
No citizens were present to speak during citizens' time.
The board heard a report on the close out of the literary loans for the Chilhowie projects as presented by Elizabeth Roberts, Business Decision Support Analyst.
The board received a copy of the updated debt service amortization schedule for 2005-2006.
Elizabeth Roberts, Business Decision Support Analyst, reviewed revenue, expenditures, and cash flow figures for the month of July 2005.
Rick Blevins, Director of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services, reported on the school board ad hoc insurance committee meeting that was held prior to the board meeting. On motion by Mr. Doane, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted unanimously to approve the insurance committee's recommendation to replace the Blue Care 300 Plan with a Key Care 300 Plan and keep the Key Care 500 and Key Care 20 Plans as presented. The three plans and rates for policy year October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006, are as follows:
| Plan | Health | Dental | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Care 300 | |||
| Employee Only | 327.65 | 22.26 | 349.91 |
| Employee/One Minor | 461.99 | 31.35 | 493.34 |
| Family | 763.43 | 51.81 | 815.24 |
| Key Care 500 | |||
| Employee Only | 304.72 | 22.26 | 326.98 |
| Employee/One Minor | 429.65 | 31.35 | 461.00 |
| Family | 709.99 | 51.81 | 761.80 |
| Key Care 20 | |||
| Employee Only | 316.19 | 22.26 | 338.45 |
| Employee/One Minor | 445.82 | 31.35 | 477.17 |
| Family | 736.71 | 51.81 | 788.52 |
All three coverage options include the dental coverage and vision coverage.
Mr. Sullivan reviewed plans for the opening of school.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to approve the fee schedules for the 2005-2006 school year for high and middle schools as presented.
The board considered policy changes for middle school athletics as presented by Rick Blevins, Director of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services, Kyle Rhodes, Principal of Marion Middle School, and Kermit Nelson, Athletic Director of Chilhowie High School. On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Doane, the board voted to approve the policy changes to the Smyth County School Board Athletic Handbook with the addition that no 9th or 10th grader would be cut for an 8th grader and no 8th grader would be cut for a 7th grader. The board will look as this policy again next year. The motion passed with four ayes and three nays.
The board received a draft copy of the Smyth County School Board Policy Manual.
The board considered a band trip as presented by Noel Collins, Band Director of Marion Senior High School. The trip would be a Western Caribbean Cruise scheduled for April 20-24, 2006. On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted to approve the trip as recommended by the principal unless that during this time we would be under a heightened terrorist alert. The motion passed with five ayes and two nays.
The board considered a price adjustment request of motor and heating oil by Rye Valley Oil Company as presented by Sam Musick, Director of Maintenance and Transportation. No action was taken by the board for Rye Valley Oil Company to renegotiate the terms of the existing contract.
Pursuant to §2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, on motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Ms. Sneed, the board voted unanimously to convene a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters: personnel issues as authorized by §2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia and the consideration of a recommendation for a student(s) as authorized by §22.1-254(B)(1) of the Code of Virginia. On motion by Mr. Doane, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to return to the open meeting.
WHERES, the Smyth County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative-recorded vote in accordance with the provision of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, §2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this school board that such closed meeting was conduced in conformity with Virginia Law:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Smyth County School Board, by roll call, hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia Law were discussed and (ii) only such public business as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard discussed, or considered.
VOTE:
Ayes: 7 Nays: 0
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Catron, the board voted unanimously to approve a request for five (5) students to be exempt from public school attendance by reason of religious training and belief as authorized by §22.1-254(B)(1) of the Code of Virginia.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted unanimously to accept the following resignations:
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to hire Rebecca Ewald as a Health Services Consultant for a one-year term as recommended by the superintendent.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Ms. Sneed, the board voted unanimously to approve the list of new coaches for the 2005-2006 school year as presented.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted unanimously to approve the following new hires as recommended by the superintendent:
On motion by Mr. Nipper, seconded by Ms. Sneed, the board voted unanimously to approve the July payroll, paid July 29, 2005, checks #49087-49170.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to approve and pay current invoices in the amount of $409,039.07 from the County School Operating Fund, the same to be listed in the warrant register.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to approve and pay current invoices from the County School Debt and Capital Outlay Fund, as follows, the same to be listed in the warrant register:
The Bank of Marion Wire Fees for Debt Payments: $60.00
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Nipper, the board voted unanimously to approve invoices for utility payments made prior to the August 8, 2005, school board meeting in the amount of $28,000.80 from the County School Operating Fund, the same to be listed in the July warrant register.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted unanimously to approve payments for textbooks to publishers in the amount of $19,226.74.
Mrs. Hall had a question about the Career Pathways Project grant received recently from the Smyth County Community Foundation in the amount of $22,500.00. Mr. Sullivan reported that he was still pursing matching funds to implement this program.
Mrs. Hall asked for clarification on how board members would receive their compensation. July through December of 2005, board members will receive $400.00 per month in order to catch up for January through June of 2005. As of January 2006, board members will begin receiving $200.00 per month.
The board considered a Request for Waiver of Instructional Model/Program Requirement for Northwood Middle School and Sugar Grove Combined School. On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mr. Doane, the board voted unanimously to approve this request.
On motion by Mrs. Hall, seconded by Mrs. Clark, the board voted unanimously to allow the superintendent to fill vacancies for employment prior to the September 12, 2005, school board meeting for the following positions contingent upon final board approval: one special education teacher at Northwood High School, one special education teacher at Marion Middle School, an agriculture teacher at Marion Senior High School, a speech pathologist, a physical therapist, and three instructional aides.
Mr. Choate invited board members to join the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center 40th Anniversary Grand Finale on Friday, August 19, 2005, at the Job Corps Center.
On motion by Mr. Catron, seconded by Mr. Doane, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.