The Smyth County School Board met today in a regular meeting at 5:00 P.M., in the board meeting room, 121 Bagley Circle, Suite 300, Marion, Virginia.
Chairperson Hall called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
The roll was called by the clerk, and all members were present.
Pursuant to § 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, on motion by Mr. Nipper, seconded by Mrs. Clark, by 7-0 vote, a closed meeting was declared for the purpose of discussing the following: personnel issues as authorized by § 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia and student exemption from compulsory attendance as authorized by § 22.1-254(B)(1) of the Code of Virginia.
On motion by Mr. Catron, seconded by Mr. Choate, by 7-0 vote, closed session ended.
WHEREAS, 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 conducted 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 Mr. Choate, seconded by Mrs. Clark, by 7-0 vote, the following was approved.
There were no informational reports included from the superintendent.
No students or employees were present for presentations or recognitions. Attendance recognitions will continue again next month.
Dr. Robinson recognized Mrs. Hall as being selected for the "VSBA All Virginia School Board". She will be honored at the 2007 VSBA Annual Convention held in Williamsburg, Virginia, on November 14, 2007.
Dr. Robinson recognized Smyth County Schools and all the teachers for being one of eighteen school divisions out of 132 in the state of Virginia that every school in the division and the division made AYP.
Mrs. Hall congratulated the southwest region for all their participation in VSBA activities. Mr. Catron is on the regional nominating committee.
Barry Glenn, President and CEO of Jobs for Virginia Graduates, presented Mrs. Hall with a plaque for outstanding performance and accomplishments in exceeding "5 of 5" national performance goals for the Class of 2006. Kim Stewart, Project Director, was presented with an Outstanding Specialist Award and a $250.00 cash award.
Jeff Cassell, Director of Operations and Finance, reviewed revenue, expenditures, and cash flow figures for the month of August, 2007, fiscal year 2007-2008.
Dr. Robinson reviewed enrollment figures after the first ten (10) days of school.
Dr. Robinson reviewed Mental Health Services provided at schools by Mount Rogers.
The board discussed plans to attend the 2007 VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia, on November 14-16, 2007.
No topics were listed for discussion.
Roger Nipper inquired about the air conditioning at Northwood Middle School. Dr. Robinson told the board it was complete and running.
Mr. Nipper asked about the source of heat for the agricultural shop at Northwood Middle School. Dr. Robinson said this had also been addressed but he could not recall the details. Dr. Robinson will look into this and report back to the board.
Mr. Nipper asked about enclosing the vents and pipes in the ceilings at Northwood Middle School. Dr. Robinson told the board that the ceiling had been dropped in the hallway. Due to funding, he does not know when the ceilings can be dropped in all the classrooms.
Kimberly Clark asked for an update on the Facility Study. Dr. Robinson told the board they would be back in Smyth County next week for more interviews.
The board considered approving fundraising activities for 2007-2008 as presented by schools. On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the fundraising activities were approved.
The board considered approving activity/athletic calendars for 2007-2008. On motion by Mr. Choate, seconded by Mrs. Clark, by 7-0 vote, the board gave Dr. Robinson the authority to approve the needed field trips until he brought the full list of field trips back for approval at the October board meeting.
The board considered renewing athletic insurance coverage for 2007-2008 with the same four (4) companies as previously used as presented by Rick Blevins, Director of Human Resources. On motion by Ms. Sneed, seconded by Mr. Catron, by 7-0 vote, the insurance coverage for athletics was approved as follows:
The board considered the schedule for school board visitation of schools during the 2007-2008 school year. On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the board approved the schedule. The board will meet at 12:00 noon on the Wednesday prior to the board meeting at the following schools:
| Atkins Elementary School | October 3, 2007 |
| Marion Primary School | November 7, 2007 |
| Rich Valley Elementary School | December 5, 2007 |
| Marion Middle School | January 9, 2008 |
| TAP | February 6, 2008 |
| Saltville Elementary School | March 5, 2008 |
| Chilhowie High School | April 9, 2008 |
The board considered setting the locations for two regular school board meetings to be held elsewhere in the county (one in the fall and one in the spring). On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Catron, by 7-0 vote, the board approved to hold the Monday, November 12, 2007, school board meeting at Chilhowie Elementary School and the Monday, April 14, 2008, school board meeting at a site to be determined in the Saltville or Rich Valley area. These changes in locations for the regular school board meetings will be advertised.
The board considered passing a resolution to request VSBA to hold their state conference in a location that is more central and convenient for all counties to attend. On motion by Mr. Catron, seconded by Mr. Choate, by 7-0 vote, the resolution was approved.
The board considered adoption of Title I and Title III Parent Involvement Goals for 2007-2008. On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Catron, by 7-0 vote, the goals were approved.
The board considered approving the fourth grade swim schedule. On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Choate, by 7-0 vote, the schedule was approved.
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Catron, by 7-0 vote, the board accepted the following resignations:
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Ms. Sneed, by 7-0 vote, the board accepted the retirement of Nancy B. Cress, a fourth grade teacher at Marion Intermediate School, effective February 1, 2008.
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the board approved up to a total of 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for Nancy Johnson, a food service worker at Marion Senior High School, effective August 21, 2007.
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Ms. Sneed, by 7-0 vote, the board hired the following as recommended by the superintendent effective as of their first day of employment:
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the board accepted the following resignations in coaching/extracurricular positions:
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the board hired the following in coaching/extracurricular positions:
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Ms. Sneed, by 7-0 vote, the board accepted the recommendation for dismissal of Arvin Hayden, building and trades teacher at the Smyth Career & Technology Center.
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Catron, by 7-0 vote, the board approved the salary adjustments to accurately align some administrative personnel to the correct step based on the previously approved salary scale.
On motion by Mrs. Clark, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the board approved a religious exemption for home schooling for Case #2007-02, Case #2007-03, and Case #2007-04.
On motion by Mr. Catron, seconded by Mr. Nipper, by 7-0 vote, the meeting was adjourned.