05-23-2013 Special MeetingSPECIAL MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS HELD THE TWENTY -THIRD DAY OF MAY IN THE
YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND THIRTEEN AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE
ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PRESENT: JoAnn W. Hall, Chairman, Hardy District
Byron B. Bailey, Newport District
Rex W. Alphin, Carrsville District
Delores M. Darden, Windsor District
Alan E. Casteen, Smithfield District
Also Attending: Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Director of Information
Resources and Legislative Affairs
Chairman Hall called the meeting to order for the purpose of
conducting a public hearing on the School Board budget.
Matt Moore of 102 Patrick's Court in Carrollton advised that he has
two (2) children who attend County schools. He stated that the strength of
the County is its schools and the strength of its schools is its teachers and the
strength of its teachers are people who support them.
Erin Mulligan of 156 Liberty Way in Carrollton is a partner in a real
estate development company (Eagle Harbor & Founders Pointe) and he is in
support of the approved funds for education.
McKenzie Swan of 8394 King's Landing Way and a senior at
Smithfield High School spoke in support of an increase in the budget.
Shanea Eastman of Carrollton spoke in support of additional funding
for County schools.
Rhonda Tristen of Smithfield spoke in support of an increase in
funding for County schools. She stated that she has seen firsthand children
and teachers suffering from lack of resources.
Cory Hearn of Smithfield, on behalf of his wife and children, stressed
the politics of the players surrounding the School Budget.
Mr. Tristen of Smithfield stressed his passion for the schools and
teachers and spoke in support of a tax increase in order to provide additional
funding for County schools.
Neil Johnson of Smithfield stated that recruitment and retention of
students and teachers are low and he requested additional funding be
allocated to the schools.
Donna Spivey, a County resident, shared that she and her daughter
petitioned for a new middle school that is being built in the County. She
shared her pride of raising good students and citizens and she spoke in
support of increased funding.
Shelly Spears of Smithfield shared her understanding of a lack of
revenue in the County and she spoke in support of increased budgeting for
the schools.
Herb DeGroft, School Board member, shared about the stagnant pay
rate for teachers and spoke is in support of an increase for the School Budget.
He submitted a check made payable to the Isle of Wight County Treasurer in
the amount of $450.00, the amount he anticipates his tax bill to be increased
by if the Board increases the County's tax rate by $.15. He was instructed by
the County Attorney to give his check to the County Treasurer.
Stephanie Bailey, president of the Isle of Wight County Education
Foundation, spoke on behalf of concerned teachers, school faculty and staff
who feel unappreciated.
Mayor Coritta Richardson, Mayor of the Town of Windsor, spoke in
support of a tax increase to support the school system.
Ed Easter of Hideaway Lane spoke in support of a tax increase to fund
school, police and emergency service needs. He offered to give a check in
the amount his taxes would be increased.
Katrina Zaharis, a County resident, inquired when the last independent
study had been done with respect to where leftovers funds have been going.
William Constant of Ivor invited the Board to see what teachers and
School staff encounter on a daily basis. He stated that teachers should not
have to worry about job stability, supplies for their classrooms or how they
will even eat.
Larry Odom of Smithfield spoke in support of additional funding for
the schools.
Dave Mosley of Carrollton, a graduate of Smithfield High School,
spoke in support of an increase for the school system.
Megan Grumbling, a Junior at Smithfield High School, discussed the
need for technological advancement and spoke in support of additional
funding for the School system.
Will Wyatt, a senior at Windsor High School, stressed the importance
of teachers in the lives of students. He spoke in support of an increased
budget for the school system.
Raquel Dougherty, a senior at Windsor High School, discussed the
stress and turmoil teachers endure daily and she spoke in support of an
increase in the School budget.
Aaron Wiesenberger, a senior at Windsor High School, shared his
concerns regarding technology and spoke in favor of an increase in the
School budget.
William Archer, a Junior at Windsor High School, discussed his
concerns regarding the services that are lacking based upon lack of
technology and opportunities available online for education advancement.
He spoke in favor of additional funding for the School system.
Kirsten Cook asked that all elected officials restore trust with the Board
and spoke in favor of increased taxes to support additional funding in the
School budget.
Shenee Eastern, a military family who has two children in the County
school system, spoke in support of teachers and additional funding in the
School budget.
Chairman Hall closed the public hearing and advised that the Board
must wait seven (7) days following the public hearing of the School budget
before taking action.
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Chairman Hall declared the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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Byron B. Bailey, Chairmad
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk