Loading...
08-24-1998 Minutes (School Bd)BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES August 24, 1998 Supervisors in Attendance: Mrs. Renny B. Humphrey, Chairman Mr. Arthur S. Warren, Vice Chrm. Mr. Edward B. Barber Mr. Harry G. Daniel Mr. J. L. McHale, III Mr. Lane B. Ramsey County Administrator School Board Members Dr. James R. Schroeder, Chrm. Ms. Dianne E. Pettitt, Vice Chrm. Ms. Elizabeth B. Davis Mr. Marshall W. Trammell, Jr. Mr. Thomas L. Wootton, Jr. Dr. William C. Bosher, Jr. Superintendent School Staff in Attendance Dr. Carl K. Chafin, Asst. Supt. for Administration Ms. Catherine L. Clark, Exec. Asst. Office of the Superintendent Mr. Larry J. Elliott, Asst. Supt. for Instruction Ms. Judith Ellis, Director Compensation & Benefits Mr. David Foreman Information Systems Manager Ms. Leslie Keller, Benefits & Compensation Analyst Ms. Kathryn S. Kitchen, Asst. Supt. for Business & Finance Ms. Debra Marlow, Director Community Relations Ms. Susan Newton, Director Management and Budget Staff in Attendance: Ms. Marilyn Cole, Asst. County Administrator Ms. Becky Dickson, Dir., Budget and Management Ms. Karla Gerner, Dir., Human Resources Mgmt. Mr. Bradford S. Hammer, Deputy Co. Admin., Human Services Mr. John W. Harmon, Right-of-Way Manager, Utilities Department Ms. Tammy D. Haskins, Clerk to the Board Mr. Donald Kappel, Dir., Public Affairs Mr. Steven L. Micas, County Attorney Mr. James J. L. Stegmaier, Deputy Co. Admin., Management Services Mr. M. D. Stith, Jr., Deputy Co. Admin., Community Developmen~ Dr. Schroeder called the joint Board of Supervisors/School Board meeting uo order at 6:15 p.m. at the Heritage Building at Pocahontas State Park. 98-576 8/24/98 Mrs. Humphrey called the joint Board of Supervisors/School Board meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. at the Heritage Building at Pocahontas State Park. Mrs. Humphrey and Dr. Schroeder welcomed everyone to the meeting. Dr. Schroeder presented copies of a School Board Report of Accomplishments & Challenges for 1996-1998. He acknowledged the cooperation between the Board of Supervisors and the School Board as it relates to these accomplishments. He expressed appreciation to the Board of Supervisors and County staff for their support. Mr. Edward Swope, District IV Manager, welcomed everyone to Pocahontas State Park. He stated that the Heritage Building is a multi-use building that will be used for various events. He referenced the new Amphitheater Complex that was recently built in the Park and construction and renovation projects taking place at the Park. Mrs. Humphrey presented Mr. Swope with a gift from the County in appreciation for his assistance and hospitality to the County. 1. UNIFIED PAY PLAN Mr. Ramsey introduced Ms. Karen Collins, Consultant with Peat Marwick, to present an update on the Unified Pay Plan. Ms. Collins reviewed the project background; project deliverables; project approach; members of the Unified Pay Plan Task Force; conducting of interviews and focus groups; compensation strategy; job classification/evaluation; con- ducting of a market analysis; proposed pay structure; and project status. She then reviewed the next steps of the Plan including addressing salary compression issues; addressing the cost analysis for implementation; and providing a final report. She noted that the final report is expected to be completed by the end of September, 1998. Discussion, comments, and questions ensued relative to implementation of cost analysis; how the proposed Plan relates to the State's pay plan system; issues involved with a step pay system; maintaining the integrity of the pay plan system; developing and maintaining a system that reflects equity within and between the County and the School System; correcting the inequities in the system; addressing salary issues between fire, police and teacher personnel; and training of supervisors regarding implementation of the plan. ~-~. Bosher stated that he is not suggesting that the teacher's 'scale will or will not represent steps. He further stated that there still may be a system around a mid-point and a system that has steps. He noted that whether a unified system or a coordinated system is established, the two organizations are committed to working together for a better system. 8/24/98 98-577 Ms. Collins acknowledged the efforts of the task force and the cooperation between the County and the School System during this process. Mr. Ramsey stated that staff hopes to have a recommendation regarding the implementation of the Plan including the financial impact by the end of September, 1998. He noted that it has been over thirteen years since an outside market analysis has been conducted on County salaries. Questions were raised as to whether the final report to the two Boards in September, 1998 will be in a joint session. Staff was asked to work out the schedule and advise the two Boards. 2 - DINNER On motion of Dr. Schroeder, seconded by Mrs. Pettitt, the School Board recessed to dinner and went into an Executive Session pursuant to Section 2.1-344A.3., Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for discussion of the acquisition, condition and use of real property for a public purpose relating to a school facility in the Dale Magisterial District. Ayes: Schroeder, Pettitt, Davis, Trammell, and Wootton. Nays: None. On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mr. Daniel, the Board of Supervisors recessed to dinner and went into an Executive Session pursuant to Section 2.1-344A.3., Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for discussion of the acquisition, condition and use of real property for a public purpose relating to a school facility in the Dale Magisterial District. Ayes: Humphrey, Warren, Barber, Daniel, and McHale. Nays: None. Reconvening: On motion of Dr. Schroeder, seconded by Mrs. Pettitt, the School Board adopted the following resolution: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board 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 in the executive session to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the executive session were heard, discussed, or considered by the School Board. Ayes: Schroeder, Pettitt, Davis, Trammell, and Wootton. Nays: None. 98-578 8/24/98 On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mr. Daniel, the Board adopted the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has this day adjourned into Executive Session in accordance with a formal vote of the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act effective July 1, 1989 provides for certification that such Executive Session was conducted in conformity with law. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Supervisors does hereby certify that to the best of each member's knowledge, I) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Freedom of Information Act were discussed in the Executive Session to which this certification applies, and ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the Motion by which the Executive Session was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board. No member dissents from this certification. The Board being polled, the vote was as follows: Mr. Daniel: Aye. Mr. Warren: Aye. Mrs. Humphrey: Aye. Mr. Barber: Aye. Mrs. McHale: Aye. Dr. Bosher stated that on August 25, 1998, the School Board will adopt a resolution requesting that the Board of Supervisors appropriate funds, contingent upon the approval of those funds by the State, for the acquisition of Southside Church of the Nazarene to be used for specialized educational programs and office space. He noted that the property has been valued at two and one-half million dollars; that the building contains 50,000 square feet; that the building will cost $1.950 million; and that the facility is a great location for educational purposes. 3, UPDATE ON BOND PROJECTS (INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY) Ms. Kitchen presented an update on 1996 active Bond Projects including C.C. Wells Elementary School renovations; construction of a new elementary school on Spring Run Road; Clover Hill High School renovations; Lloyd C. Bird High School renovations; Thomas Dale High School renovations; Meadowbrook High School renovations; design phase of Chester Middle School; Jesign phase of Chesterfield Technical Center; and construction ~f a ~new Matoaca High School. She then reviewed future projects including renovations of Bensley Elementary, Grange Hall Elementary, and Curtis Elementary Schools and construction of a new elementary school #2 to relieve Jacobs, Hening, and Chalktey Elementary Schools. 8/24/98 98-579 There was brief discussion relative to the possible loss of athletic facilities during renovations to Thomas Dale High School. Dr. Chafin presented an overview of the technology implementation status report including infrastructure standards and 1996 bond implementation for high, middle and elementary schools. Mr. Foreman reviewed internet access and noted that all schools will have internet access through a secured filter connection by the time the current bond projects are completed. He then reviewed reference materials using the Wide Area Network; accountability applications; student information applications; and cooperative ventures. There was brief discussion relative to the planning process for computers being provided to students for use at home; there being a plan whereby every student in every classroom will have the same access; and budgeting relative to these projects. Mr. McHale expressed concerns relative to budgeting of these projects and to projects that show a shortfall from the amount originally budgeted. Dr. Bosher stated that each of the projects that show a shortfall have been adjusted without impacting the scope of any other project. 4. BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS/CALENDAR Ms. Dickson reviewed the FY2000 proposed budget calendar and highlighted tentative key dates including a revenue work session in February, 1999; presentation to the Board of Supervisors of the proposed FY2000 budget, including the School Board advertised budget, on March 10 and 24, 1999; a public hearing being held on March 24, 1999 on ordinance changes, tax rates, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), and the proposed budget; and adoption of the budget, tax rates, ordinance changes, CDBG Program, and CIP being held on April 14, 1999. Ms. Kitchen reviewed the School Board Budget calendar and highlighted key dates including presentation of the budget to the School Board on January 26, 1999; a public hearing being held on February 9, 1999; approval of the advertised budget on February 23, 1999 and transmittal to the Board of Supervisors by March 1, 1999; and adoption of the approved budget on April 27, 1999. She then reviewed budget considerations for FY1999- 00 and stated that significant expenditures for growth, prior year budget decisions, and increases in benefit costs will be required prior to examining any program improvements and that several needs identified in the FY1999 budget remain unfunded. She then reviewed personnel considerations including increased instructional staffing based upon enrollment growth; full year cost of 1998-99 salary increase; compensation increases for 98-580 8/24/98 December 1, 1999 related to teacher salaries; and impacts of the Unified Pay Plan study; increase in retirement costs for prefunding COLAs; potential increases in health and dental care costs due to rate renewals; and opening of a new elementary school on Spring Run Road. She noted that other considerations include several existing programs growing at significant rates such as dual enrollment, center-based gifted, and specialty programs. She then reviewed increased debt service; complete phase-in of the school maintenance program; and the school resource officer program. There was a brief discussion relative to the school resource officer program. (It is noted a booklet of information regarding this meeting is filed with the papers of this Board.) 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mr. Daniel, the Board adjourned at 8:55 p.m. until August 26, 1998 at 4:00 p.m. for the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting. Ayes: Nays: Humphrey, Warren, Barber, Daniel, and McHale. None. On motion of Mr. Trammell, seconded by Mrs. Pettitt, the School Board adjourned at 8:55 p.m. until August 25, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. for the regularly scheduled School Board meeting. Ayes: Schroeder, Pettitt, Davis, Trammell, and Wootton. Nays: None. Lan~ B. Ramsey' l County Administrator~/ 98-581 Renny B .--Humphrey Cha i rman 8/24/98