12-20-2001 Continued Meeting1
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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