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12-20-2001 Continued Meeting1 1 gOnr, ~ ~,./ ~IJS CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT. COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE TWENTIETH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND ONE PRESENT: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Robert C. Claud, Sr., Vice-Chairman - Stan D. Clark Richard K. MacManus Phillip A. Bradshaw ABSENT: Henry. H. Bradby, Chairman PRESENT: SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS George Alvin Bradby, Chairman Dr. Richard Peerey . A. Gene Lowery: Barbara B. Olin Pamela. J. Edwards Also Attending: H. Woodrow Crook, Jr., County Attorney W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Adminstrator/Director of Human Resources '~ Carey H. Mills, Recording Secretary j Vice-Chairman Claud called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and noted that Chairman Bradby would not bepresent at this meeting, however, he is anticipated to be present at the Board's regular meeting later today. // 1 School Board Chairman George Bradby noted the. School Board has forwarded correspondence to the County Administrator advising of the School Board's areas of concern and- the sharing of services between the two (2) organizations. Dr. Alexander Decker, Acting School Superintendent, stated good solid progress is being made in the area of SOLs since 1997 and that seven (7) of the eight (8) schools have earned. the second highest rating and four (4) of the schools missed full accreditation by only, four. (4) points. He stated the school system has a low dropout rate of 3.46% which is below the national average of 6%. He stated competent teachers have been. attracted and are being retained; the transportation system is reliable; the website is .being redesigned and regularly maintained; the school community alliance was.. created in an effort to increase public. involvement in the school system of which there are over fifty. (50) partnerships of various business, clubs and organizations that provide. services; student art shows in the Spring and 1 90nK ~f! -.::r~~s Winter recognize the talents of .students; and, progress is being made in the area of instruction. He stated of concern to the School Board are salary increases; the difficulty in filling of certain vacancies, i.e., Special Education, Science and Mathematics; four (4) Special Education Assistants positions had to -added this year and will have to be included in next year's budget; Human Resources is unable to hire and maintain service oriented employees such as custodians and food service workers; anticipation of increased health insurance .costs; nine (9) full-time Instructional Assistants and twelve (I2) part-time Instructional Assistants which are needed to meet the needs of Kindergarten students were reduced from last year's budget; .budget restrictions have forced the school system to reduce. the amount of money for library and instructional materials; administrative services have been moved to a fifteen (15) year rotation; and, $300,000 of technology improvements were cut from this year's budget. School Board Chairman George Bradby advised that the School Board has asked the Acting ..Superintendent of Schools and the County Administrator to work together to develop a plan for sharing and consolidating services and expertise among departments using existing personnel. Dr. Decker stated if directed, he and the County Administrator would proceed further to determine if there are other areas that the two (2) Boards can become more efficient in by cooperating together in an effort to share each other's expertise. `County Administrator Caskey distributed a report summarizing the various activities which have been successful in the. area of technology. Supervisor MacManus stated he would welcome Dr. Decker and the. County Administrator getting together and using .their staff to produce some benefit for the citizens and be more efficient. He noted he shared Dr. Decker's concern with teachers and staff salaries and he is fully supportive of efforts- in this regard. He stated he would welcome input from the School .~ Board members in regard to the school's needs from a capital perspective to ensure that the County's CIP reflects the needs of the school system. He recommended the two (2) bodies meet on a regular quarterly basis and .receive presentations at that time. Supervisor Clark requested Dr. Decker handle from a public relations standpoint the estimated impact on some of the new developments as far as school attendance on .the Carrollton area. He stated this may .address concerns of residents on how the School Board is planning for that. Dr. Decker stated he .has requested further documentation for consideration by the School Board at its January meeting. He stated the school's Community Liaison officer would prepare in its district-wide newsletter what has occurred directly following the meeting. U D G' 2 1 1 1 so~~ ~ 2~l . J'~? Supervisor Claud mentioned that the County has been discussing the need to improve -the radio systems. and while the Board has not taken any formal action to upgrade any equipment he would hope that the school system would be a part of the group that gets together to make sure that: the school needs are taken into account if and when the County does upgrade its system. Supervisor MacManus moved that the Board. meet with the School Board on a quarterly basis and directed staff to coordinate -the next such meeting to be in March of 2002. The motion. was adopted with Supervisors MacManus, Bradshaw, Clark and Claud. voting in favor of the motion (4-0) and no Supervisors voting against the motion. Supervisor Clark moved that the Board direct staff to work with School Board "staff on consolidation of services to determine if there are ways that the County can reduce its expenditures. The motion was adopted with Supervisors MacManus, Bradshaw, Clark and Claud .voting in favor of the motion (4-0) and no Supervisors voting against the motion. // School Board member Olin recognized and thanked the many dedicated and hard working employees of the school system andthe County. School Board member Edwards pointed out that the consolidation of services does not mean any employee should fear for his/her job. She stated the School Board recognizes all school employees and what they do in every .department.. School Board member Lowery stated the two (2) bodies need to get together to discuss finances from eachother standpoints. He stated the School Board needs to know the amount of funding it will receive. Supervisor Bradshaw .stated this is an opportunity for: these. two (2) boards to make some great strides. He stated the outgoing Governor has created a billion dollar budget shortfall for the State of Virginia for this and. .next year. He stated the County has been .advised by the State that it will receive less funding this year, however, he believes the Board. of Supervisors agrees that the teacher's .salaries need to be reviewed and if both boards make this a primary objective then this will be targeted during the budget process. Dr. Decker ,stated teachers' salaries are the primary focus of the. School Board and the School Board will be lobbying for a salary increase for all school employees. !/ 3 BOOK 2O ~::'i'~ti.18 Supervisor Clark moved the Board adjourn at 4:55 p,m. The motion was adopted unanimously (4-0), Robert C. Claud, Vice- hairman W. Doug key, Clerk ~. 1 1 i