Minutes City of Fairfax School Board Regular Meeting No. 1 July 7, Armstrong Street City Hall, Room 100

Transcription

1 Minutes City of Fairfax School Board Regular Meeting No. 1 July 7, Armstrong Street City Hall, Room 100 In attendance at this meeting were: Mrs. Toby Sorensen, Chairman; Mrs. Carolyn Pitches, Vice Chair; Mr. Jon Buttram, Member; Mr. Robert Reinsel, Member; Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent; Ms. Mary Ann Ryan, Assistant to the Superintendent; Mrs. Carolyn Dorsey, Communications Specialist; Mrs. Susan Wiczalkowski, Clerk of the Board. 1. MEETING OPENING Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance: Superintendent Noonan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. by stating the following: There being a quorum of Board members present, I call this meeting of the City of Fairfax School Board for FY to order. Dr. Noonan then led the Pledge of Allegiance Announcement of Changes in Agenda: There were no changes to the agenda Other Announcements: Dr. Noonan announced that Dr. Sutterfield would not be in attendance at this evening s meeting Annual School Board Organization: Elect Chairman & Vice Chairman for FY 2014/2015. Dr. Noonan stated: Section of the Code of Virginia specifies that, at its annual organizational meeting in July, a School Board shall elect one of its members as Chairman and one as Vice Chairman, and shall approve other appointments and designations of responsibility necessary for Board operations during the school year. So tonight, in my role as Chief Executive Officer of this school system, I have the pleasure and responsibility of presiding over the first part of this annual organizational meeting. You will see, on our agenda, the actions the Board must take to approve organizational arrangements and make appointments for the coming school year are the first order of business for this meeting. At this time, I will open the floor to nominations for Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board. Dr. Noonan opened the floor for nominations for the Chairman s seat. Mrs. Pitches nominated Mrs. Sorensen as Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board. Dr. Noonan asked if there were any other nominations. Hearing no other nominations, Dr. Noonan called for a vote that all in favor of electing Mrs. Sorensen as Chairman of the School Board signify by raising their hand and saying Aye. The vote in favor of Mrs. Sorensen was unanimous. Mrs. Toby Sorensen was elected as the Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board for the year Dr. Noonan turned the meeting over to Chairman Sorensen. Mrs. Sorensen thanked the board members. Elect Vice-Chairman for FY Mrs. Sorensen asked for nominations for Vice-Chair. Mr. Reinsel nominated Mrs. Pitches as Vice-Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board. Mrs. Sorensen asked if there were other nominations, there being no other nominations, Mrs. Sorensen called for a vote that

2 all in favor of electing Mrs. Pitches as Vice-Chairman of the School Board signify by raising their right hand and saying Aye. The vote in favor of Mrs. Pitches was unanimous. Mrs. Pitches was elected as the Vice-Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board for the year Establish meeting dates: The next order of business was to authorize board organizational arrangements and appointments. Mr. Buttram moved that the City of Fairfax School Board authorize organizational arrangements and appointments as follows: Designate the first Monday of each month as its regular meeting dates for July, October, November, and December of 2014; January, February, March, April, May and June of The regular meeting for September 2014 will be held on the second Monday. The Board does not meet in August. Work Sessions will be held on the third Monday of each month for the 2014/2015 School Year, with the exception of January and February For the months of January and February 2015, the work sessions will be held on the fourth Mondays.* If during the year the regular meeting date or work session date falls on a holiday, the respective meeting or work session will have to be rescheduled. In those instances, it shall be the responsibility of the Division Superintendent to inform the School Board. Set the salary of Board members at $1,800 per annum and that of the Chairman at $2,300 per annum. Appoint Susan Wiczalkowski, Clerk of the City of Fairfax School Board. Retain Anne M. Murphy, to provide general legal services. Establish a rotation schedule for the Superintendent and School Board members to attend or preview the Fairfax County School Board Regular monthly meetings. This schedule will start with the superintendent and follow with school board members in alphabetical order. Appoint Bob Reinsel and alternate Toby Sorensen to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. This information is to be passed on to the City Council. Appoint Mitch Sutterfield as the City School Board delegate to the VSBA convention and Bob Reinsel as the alternate delegate. Appoint Edward Cummings to the Fairfax County Business and Community Advisory Council (BCAC) for the 2014/2015 School Year. Appoint Mitch Sutterfield and Jon Buttram as the City of Fairfax School Board Legislative Liaisons. Appoint Carolyn Pitches and Mitchell Sutterfield as representatives to the Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE). Appoint Kathleen Hackshaw as the City of Fairfax Schools representative to the Fairfax County Public Schools Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Member. Appoint Andrea Rasmussen and as alternate Natalie Dick-Peddie as City of Fairfax Schools representative to the Fairfax County Public Schools Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC) member.

3 Appoint Stefani Roth as the City of Fairfax Schools representative to the Fairfax County Public Schools Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) member. Authorize the Chairman and the Clerk to sign all legal documents for the Board, other than those requiring the signature of some other officer; and authorize the Vice-Chairman to sign in the absence of the Chairman. Authorize Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent for the City of Fairfax Schools, to execute official documents relating to state, federal, and impact aid. Mrs. Sorensen asked if there was a second to the motion and Mr. Buttram seconded the motion. Mrs. Sorensen called for discussion, hearing none, Mrs. Sorensen called for a vote, asking all those in favor of accepting the motion to signify by saying Aye, those opposed, Nay. The chair voted Aye no members were opposed. The motion passed unanimously Introduction and report of Student Representative, John Nicopoulos: Mr. Nicopoulos presented the following report: Good evening, everyone! As the school year has come to an end, the final report for the year stands short but significant. On Tuesday, June 17th, the Fairfax Class of 2014 made their last appearances as students before they accepted their diplomas as a bridge to adulthood at graduation. Student speaker Josephine Kihiu advised the student body to be unafraid of uncertainties as she mentioned that we shouldn t fear the future while smoothly tossing in a couple of High School Musical references to lighten the atmosphere. Guest speaker, First Lieutenant Jason Pak, is a Fairfax High School Alum and having lost both legs and a few fingers from an IED while in Afghanistan, he provided guidance to the senior class about overcoming adversity and reaching unbelievable heights. His goal is to eventually run the Boston Marathon, which we know he is more than capable of. Good luck Jason, and thank you for being a stellar role model for the Fairfax Class of On their quick and powerful trip to Florida, the Robotics team swept the Mini-Urban Challenge at Nationals. The team of William Chang, Thomas Dabney, Paul Huravitch, Calvin Rizek, Jack Rizek, Philip Simpson and Francis Winn went down south as regional title holders, and came back to Fairfax having won the National Championship, beating nine other qualifiers. The Fairfax community is encouraging students to keep an educational mindset while enjoying the summer. Along with completing the summer assignments, for each class, students are encouraged to read The Maze Runner in which over 100 copies are available through the main office. Keep on reading Fairfax! Unfortunately, as many of you have already heard, two recent Fairfax graduates passed away in Myrtle Beach in a car accident while at their senior beach vacation. Both young men were active in the Fairfax community through sports and other clubs. The Fairfax community keeps Matthew, John, and both of their families in our thoughts. Thank you Presentation of Resolution to Janice Miller: Mrs. Sorensen read the following resolution: WHEREAS, Janice Miller has been a highly effective and the longest serving member of the City of Fairfax School Board since its modern inception, working with dedication, zeal and distinction for 29 years between 1977 to 2014 as member, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the Board during years of growth, challenge, and outstanding success, and WHEREAS, during this time the City s schools earned the following awards and recognitions among many; top three finalist in VSBA Green School Challenge; Virginia Naturally Schools; First-Year Principal of the Year; Providence Blue Ribbon mentoring program; Support Employee of the Year; award winning middle school Eco Club; award-winning middle school arts program;

4 Fairfax High School ranked #11 in state by U.S. News and World Report; award-winning arts and band programs and multiple VHSL championships; 94.7% of Fairfax High school students attending post-graduate education or military service with a 95.2% on-time graduation rate; all City schools fully accredited by the Commonwealth of Virginia; numerous Regional, State and National Science Fair, Science Olympiad, Robotics, DECA and Foreign Language competition awards, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller has consistently provided the nuanced, effective leadership essential to the City s positive relationship with Fairfax County Public Schools on the one hand, and with the Mayor and City Council on the other, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller has been a mentor to and a role model for Board members, administrators, principals, teachers, staff, and students, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller has been a leader in education in the Commonwealth serving as a Chairman of the Northeastern Region of the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) and as a member of the VSBA Board of Directors, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller oversaw the successful consolidation of the six elementary schools leading to the renovation and renewal of the two remaining elementary schools, Daniels Run and Providence, and led the effort to pass an unprecedented bond issue to expand and renew Sidney Lanier Middle and Fairfax High Schools resulting in a state-of-the-art learning environment for all students to improve and enhance educational services to the City s children, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller, in tirelessly working with the City superintendent, City leadership, staff, Fairfax County Public Schools School Board and administrative leadership, was responsible for a string of successes highly beneficial to our students to include: a successful boundary change crucial to Lanier Middle and Fairfax High Schools, the Road Map to Academic Success, improved communication channels (that includes a Schools App and expanded presence on multiple social media sites), the establishment of the facilities planning committee, the nurturing of new initiatives for the instruction of algebra and geometry in middle school, French at Lanier, Latin, and later, Chinese and Spanish at the elementary schools, and the Arts and Communications Academy at Fairfax, and WHEREAS, Janice Miller was a regional leader in the creation of the All Night Grad Party that has led to safe and fun post-graduation parties that helped to reduce the risk to student safety, and WHEREAS, in recognition of her many exceptional accomplishments and vision, leadership and commitment to students, staff, families, and community, the School Board desires to authorize a permanent recognition of the contributions of Janice Miller to the City of Fairfax Schools. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Fairfax School Board extends its highest commendation and deepest appreciation to Janice Miller for her leadership, devotion and service to the City of Fairfax Schools, and hereby establishes an annual $2, school board scholarship in the name of Janice Miller to one outstanding senior graduate from Fairfax High School. Done this 7 th day of July 2014 in the City of Fairfax, Virginia. Mrs. Sorensen asked Mrs. Miller if she would like to say a few words. Mrs. Miller stated that she enjoyed her time on the school board and everyone that she worked with. Mrs. Miller stated she is honored that an outstanding senior will receive a scholarship in her name. Mrs. Sorensen called for a motion.

5 Mrs. Pitches moved that the City of Fairfax School Board approve an allocation of $2,000 for an annual scholarship in the name of Janice M. Miller to be awarded to a graduating senior. Mrs. Pitches further moved that this scholarship shall remain in place so long as the City of Fairfax Schools budget can accommodate this expenditure. Mr. Buttram seconded this motion. Mrs. Sorensen called for discussion, modifications or changes. Mrs. Sorensen stated that she always felt the School Board should have their own scholarship and who better to name one after than Janice Miller. Mrs. Sorensen called for a vote, asking all those in favor of accepting the motion to signify by saying Aye, those opposed, Nay. The chair voted Aye, no members opposed. The motion passed unanimously. 2. PRESENTATIONS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD 2.01 Citizen Participation: There was no citizen participation Update of Capital and Administrative Accounts: Dr. Noonan updated the Board on the status of the Capital and Administrative accounts and provided an approximate amount of carryover funds. Dr. Noonan stated that there are still a few outstanding invoices. Mr. Buttram asked Dr. Noonan if he was still researching the debt service information which was asked about in the work session last week. Dr. Noonan stated that we are still gathering information. Mr. Buttram asked what the carryover number might look like in September. Dr. Noonan suggested that there would likely be between $300,000 and $400,000 in carryover. 3. PUBLIC HEARING. None. 4. ACTION ITEMS Motion to Approve Minutes June 2, 2014: Mrs. Pitches moved that the City of Fairfax School Board approve the minutes of the June 2, 2014 regular School Board meeting as printed and distributed. Mr. Reinsel seconded this motion. Mrs. Sorensen called for discussion, modifications or changes, hearing none, Mrs. Sorensen called for a vote, asking all those in favor of accepting the motion to signify by saying Aye, those opposed, Nay. The chair voted Aye, no members opposed. The motion to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2014 regular School Board meeting passed unanimously. 5. SUPERINTENDENT MATTERS Dr. Noonan mentioned that he hopes everyone will read the Fairfax High School summer read, The Maze Runner. Dr. Noonan congratulated the Class of 2014 on their graduation. Dr. Noonan provided status updates on the Daniels Run Elementary tank removal project. The project is complete and the replaced concrete is curing. Seed and straw will be placed in the next day or two. Dr. Noonan wished to thank Mr. Manuel Cumes and his crew for their extraordinary work. Dr. Noonan also mentioned that the concession stand project at Fairfax High School is underway. In addition, the turf field replacement is also taking place at Fairfax. Dr. Noonan stated that the new turf field will look more up-to-date and will also include the Fairfax logo in the center of the field. Dr. Noonan stated that the bus loop at Providence Elementary remains dry and we are in the process of getting quotes for repairs to the asphalt. Dr. Noonan extends his heartfelt condolences to the Choe and Ta families in their time of loss.

6 6. BOARD MATTERS Mrs. Pitches congratulated the 2014 graduates. Mrs. Pitches thanked Mrs. Miller for her 29 years of service and congratulated Mrs. Sorensen on becoming the new Chairman. Mrs. Pitches wished Dr. Sutterfield a quick recovery and looks forward to seeing him soon. Mrs. Pitches stated that her thoughts and prayers are with the Choe and Ta families. Mr. Buttram thanked Dr. Noonan and staff for all of their hardwork this year. Mr. Buttram wished Mrs. Miller well in her retirement and in her future work on City Council. Mr. Buttram wished a speedy recovery to Dr. Sutterfield. Mr. Buttram congratulated the Class of 2014 and wished everyone a safe and restful summer break. Mr. Reinsel offered his condolences to the Choe and Ta families. Mr. Reinsel sends his best wishes to Dr. Sutterfield on his recovery. Mr. Reinsel congratulated Mrs. Sorensen and Mrs. Pitches on their roles as Chairman and Vice Chairman. Mr. Nicopoulos sends his condolences to the Choe and Ta families. Mr. Nicopoulos thanked Mrs. Miller for her service even though he only got to work with her for a short period of time. Mr. Nicopoulos wished Dr. Sutterfield a quick recovery and congratulated Mrs. Sorensen and Mrs. Pitches on becoming Chairman and Vice Chairman. Mrs. Sorensen mentioned that graduation was wonderful and that she is always amazed at how smooth the graduation program goes and that it is very meaningful. Mrs. Sorensen mentioned she is looking forward to the VSBA Conference on Education at the end of July. Mrs. Sorensen is happy that the Board established a scholarship in Janice Miller s name and it is very deserving. Mrs. Sorensen welcomed Mr. Reinsel and Mr. Nicopoulos to the Board. Mrs. Sorensen also wished Dr. Sutterfield a speedy recovery. Mrs. Sorensen stated that in light of the recent horrible tragedy, she wishes everyone a relaxing, but safe, summer. 7. ADJOURNMENT Mrs. Sorensen adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Chairman Clerk