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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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At 6,41 p.m., Supervisor Clark moved the Board of Supervisors
adjourn. The motion was adopted by .unanimous vote (5-0).
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Henry H. Br dby, Chairman
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