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07-31-2001 Continued Meetingaocn 2Q .~~~3~7 CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. HELD THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF JULY IN :THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND ONE AT THE. WINDSOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRESENT: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Henry H. Bradby, Chairman Robert C. Claud, Sr., Vice-Chairman Stan D. Clark Richard K. MacManus Phillip A. Bradshaw. ALSO PRESENT: SCHOOL BOARD George A. Bradby, Chairman • Pamela J. Edwards Dr. Richard L. Peerey A. Gene Lowery Barbara B. Olin 1 Also Attending: H. Woodrow Crook, Jr., County Attorney W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator .Carey H. Mills, Recording Secretary Board of Supervisors Chairman Bradby. called. the continued meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a joint meeting with the School Board. School Board Chairman Bradby thanked the Board for the opportunity of the two (2) bodies to meet jointly. f] Dr. Peerey .noted this past Spring, he attended a conference. which addressed the eight (8) most single areas of the demise of public education. He noted the leading cause of such demise is in the area of politicization of public schools. He stated if politicization is not removed from the public school system, it will not survive. He stated we have to begin this process by talking to each other. He stated it was suggested that the. two (2) bodies conduct arr open meeting and offer alternatives. He stated at this time, both boards should articulate what issues are most important to each and agenda items could then be articulated for discussion at a subsequent work session. He stated such a meeting would keep the respective Boards .informed of what is important to each. He stated in addition, -such a meeting .would keep the public informed and.. prevent special interest groups .from gaining control. He stated the School Board wanted to meet with the Board of Supervisors to determine if such a meeting was desirous on the part of the Board. soon. ~U ,a~~3s$ Ms. Edwards brought up the issue of elected versus appointed school boards. She stated while recently filling in for Dr. Torrence on a speech to a local civic group, she .was approached by several individuals requesting information on this topic. Supervisor MacManus suggested the Boards discuss financial aspects. He stated. one (1) of the issues the Board of Supervisors has been addressing this past year is growth control, which is also relative to the School Board. He recommended .discussion between .the two (2) Boards center around issues of finance and growth and elected school boards. Supervisor Clark stated Board of Supervisors' members are repeatedly asked to address the issue of .elected school boards, however, the Board has been advised to avoid making comments. He stated racial diversity is critical to the success of the School Board. He requested clarification on why the cost per student is greater in .the County when Standards of Learning (SOL) scores. are higher in other jurisdictions. Ms. Olin stated most individuals are not aware of the pros and cons of elected versus appointed school boards, but they seem to believe elected boards are better. Supervisor Bradshaw stated he believes that individuals should make their own decision on whether or not the County has elected or appointed school boards. He stated it is not the Board of Supervisors' place to .campaign for elected or appointed school boards. Supervisor Claud stated he did not believe the Board of Supervisors should campaign either way. He noted that he has had numerous calls from individuals asking his opinion on the subject. He .suggested gathering material from a third party, i.e., State Board of Education, which could, in turn, be evaluated and distributed. to the public. Supervisor Clark agreed with Supervisor Bradshaw in that the decision of elected versus appointed school boards should be left to the public. Chairman Bradby recommended the Board take whatever action necessary to inform the public about appointed versus elected school boards. Ms. Edwards reiterated that the public has indicated a desire to have information on elected versus appointed school boards, however, the School Board is not in a position to distribute this information. Mr. Lowery stated the VSBA would have this information which could be passed on to the various newspapers. 1 1 2 ~~:~~~ ~~U .;~,~3s9 School .Board Chairman Bradby stated the School Board could obtain this information for the Board of Supervisors. He noted that way, both parties would have the information: 1 Dr. Peerey inquired what would be the best approach to begin discussions on the budget now in preparation for the upcoming year? Supervisor Bradshaw stated communication is the key. He stated that in the past, the Board has fully funded the School Board budget, but by doing that, other County services have been placed on hold. He stated that while he is a strong supporter of education, he was not in support of the budget, as proposed, and he could not support additional funding for the School Board this year. He stated that he has previously recommended consolidation of services between the School. Board and the County, but to no avail. He stated he is more interested in placing emphasis on funding County services which have suffered at this time. Dr. Peerey stated the School Board needs some indication of what percentage of funding may be coming from the County before the School Board can enter into contracts for services. 1 School Board Chairman Bradby indicated that the .School Board has had a difficult time retaining teachers. He noted that the teachers employed by the school system do it either out of love for the County or for the love of the children. Supervisor Bradshaw .stated teachers' salaries -are not the Board's responsibility, they are the responsibility of the School Board. Supervisor MacManus suggested that a three (3) year forecast would provide the County and the School Board an envisioning tool for the future and allow the Board to make the most informed decisions possible. Mr. Lowery stated the School Board has experienced cuts in State and Federal funds, while also dealing with mandates. 1 Supervisor Claud stated the County receives revenue projections so late in the year that it makes it difficult for the Board of Supervisors to address budget needs. Noting that the School .Board does need some guidelines, he suggested the Board establish a certain percentage of increase in local funding based on school age population. He stated the Board would. not really know the amount offunding until it sees the revenue projections, however. School Board Chairman Bradby suggested setting .another date between the two (2) Boards to discuss the issues of elected school boards versus appointed school boards and. the budget. 3 aocr, 2U ~„~~370 Supervisor MacManus suggested .staff could obtain information on elected schools boards versus appointed schools boards. from VSBA, VA PTA, VML and VACo which could be forwarded straight to the press. School Board Chairman Bradby requested Ms. Harrup, Dr. Decker and Ms. West to contact VSBA and, upon receipt, forward to the press for publication. Supervisor Claud pointed out that when the next new school is .built,. the Board of Supervisors need to know what to expect in the way of cost for this facility as this will have an effect on the Operating Budget next year. Dr. Decker pointed out that a new school is four (4) to five (5) years away. Supervisor Claud requested that the Board be notified as projects come along so that the County-has sufficient time to accrue the funds.. Supervisor Bradshaw noted that with the advancement of the County's GIS .technology,. the County would have the ability to forecast the population. Ms. Edwards noted another joint meeting is necessary to discuss financial and growth matters and the CIP. Dr. Decker noted with respect to financial strategies, school staff would be unable in the months of August and September due to their relocation. He suggested discussions involving finances take place no earlier than October. Dr. Peerey .moved the School Board. have a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors in October, 2001. The .agenda will consist of discussion of budget and finance issues. Mr. Lowery seconded the motion. . The motion was adopted with School Board members Bradby, Edwards, Peerey, Lowery and Olin voting in favor of the motion (5-0) and no School Board members. voting against the motion.. Supervisor Clark moved the Board of Supervisors have a joint meeting with the School Board in October, 2001 and County Administrator Caskey to contact Dr. Decker to set a specific date. in October on which the two (2) Boards could meet. The motion was adopted .with Supervisors MacManus, Bradby, Bradshaw, Clark and Claud voting in favor of the motion (5-0) and no Supervisors voting against the motion. At 6.:40 p.m., Mr. Lowery moved the School Board adjourn. Mr. Perry seconded the motion. The motion was adopted by unanimous vote (5-0). 4 i~ i~ I1 aoo~. 2~ .~~-~371 At 6,41 p.m., Supervisor Clark moved the Board of Supervisors adjourn. The motion was adopted by .unanimous vote (5-0). // Henry H. Br dby, Chairman S ..