July 6, 2010 Page 1

Regular Session

July 6, 2010

The Montgomery County School Board met on the above date in the
Montgomery County Government Center at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of a
regular business meeting.

Board Members Present

B. Wendell Jones, Chair Penny J. Franklin
Phyllis T. Albritton W. Wat Hopkins
Jamie M. Bond Joseph T. Ivers, Jr.
Drema B. Foster

Staff Members Present

Brenda B. Blackburn, Superintendent
Judith K. Barylske
Daniel A. Berenato
Judy Diggs
Christina T. Gilley
Harvey C. Goodwin
Roger L. Hartless
Katherine Miano
Rebecca N. Mummau
Diane R. Naff
Amy Poff
Lisa R. Radford
Jonathan E. Schulz
Walter L. Shannon
Don Simpkins
Nelson Simpkins
Roberta A. Snelling
Rick Weaver
Brad King, Attorney

Call to Order
Mr. Jones called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to
the flag at 7:30 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda
On motion by Mr. Ivers, seconded by Mrs. Albritton, the Board voted
unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented.

Public Address
Eric Thomas, Blacksburg High School social studies teacher, said the
BHS situation has caused an unfortunate division in the Montgomery
County community. He stated that once a decision has been reached the
community should come together and begin to heal. Mr. Thomas shared his
view that no option will satisfy everyone and suggested that the Board
approve an option that meets the needs of the majority. He asked the
Board to dismiss the option that would place BHS at OCMS. Mr. Thomas
said this option is far too costly and achieves very few of the
established goals of the community. He voiced support for placing BHS
at the BMS facility. Mr. Thomas said it has now been proven that this
facility can provide the BHS students with the quality educational
programs and extracurricular activities they deserve. He also said he
could support a modified version of the Joe Ivers’ plan (portable
 July 6, 2010 Page 2
Regular Session

classroom campus for Blackburg Middle School at the Price’s Fork

location). However, Mr. Thomas voiced concern about the cost of this
plan and the logistics. Therefore, he reiterated his preference for
placing BMS students at OCMS.

Darrell Pearman, Director of Bands at BHS and the Assistant Director of

Bands at BMS, pointed out that the BHS band was recently inducted into
the Virginia Honor Band Hall of Fame. He noted that the BHS band is the
fifth band in Virginia to achieve this honor and the only high school
band in Southwest Virginia to do so. Mr. Pearman said the BHS band
program has consistently been deemed one of the best in Virginia for
many decades due to the support of the school administration, staff,
and parents. He also referenced the outstanding band program at BMS.
Mr. Pearman stated that the future structure of many of the successful
BMS and BHS programs depends on keeping consistency in the instruction
for all students. He shared concerns regarding the proposal for a
mobile campus at BMS. Mr. Pearman stated that a big concern for him is
the sheer number of learning cottages this plan would require (at least
47 cottages). He also noted the phenomenal cost of this option as
compared to the others and pointed out that sending back sixth graders
to the elementary schools would make their participation in programs
such as band impossible without hiring additional staff. Mr. Pearman
also shared concerns with moving students to OCMS. He said without
proper practice facilities on site, students might be excluded from
participating in extracurricular activities due to transportation
concerns. Mr. Pearman encouraged the Board to keep grades six through
eight together and grades nine through twelve together in facilities
that will best meet their needs. He proposed the option wherein BMS
students would attend school at OCMS and BHS students would attend
school on the BMS campus.

Bernice Hausman, parent of two children who will attend high school in
the Blacksburg strand during the coming year, said the entire community
suffers when there is no functioning high school for students in the
Blacksburg strand. She said it is clear from the previous experience
that a semi-permanent solution is needed for BHS students (preferably
for two years but at least for one year). Ms. Hausman said this
solution should give the students, teachers, and administrators a home.
She said this should also address the high school curriculum and
extracurricular activities. She said of the three options settled on
last week, her preference is the one in which BHS students occupy the
current BMS sending the current BMS students to OCMS. However, she said
if the School Board is convinced that the best option is to send BHS
students to OCMS and believes that the building can be adequately
outfitted to offer the academic instruction necessary as well as
provide for extracurricular needs, she would not be alarmed to send her
 July 6, 2010 Page 3
Regular Session

children to Christiansburg. Ms. Hausman voiced opposition to a modular

campus at the current BMS to house both middle and high school students
on the same campus. She shared concerns regarding safety and security
issues related to this option along with the costs involved. Ms.
Hausman also noted a proposed change to grade level divisions and said
this would be disruptive. She emphasized that this is a “community”
decision.

Mary Norris, parent of two children that will attend BHS next year and
a high school teacher, said any teacher will be able to teach in any
environment even if it is not optimal. She said high school is more
than what goes on in the classroom. Ms. Norris stated that BHS students
need a comprehensive campus and she said this needs to be in the Town
of Blacksburg. Because of this, Ms. Norris shared her support for the
plan that would put the BHS students in the BMS building and put the
BMS students in the OCMS building.

Mary Ann Hansen, parent of a rising ninth grader at BHS, said she
considered possible options presented at the last School Board meeting
and supports an option that includes a school building for as many
students as possible. Ms. Hansen said her concerns regarding a mobile
campus would be safety, chaotic class transitions, traffic issues, and
a generally inferior academic environment for high school students. She
also shared her view that investing in a number of mobile classrooms
when a functioning school is available is a waste of valuable
resources. Ms. Hansen said she doesn’t understand the sentiment that
Blacksburg students must be kept in Blacksburg at all costs. She said
she attended many old school buildings when she went to school with no
negative effects. However, Ms. Hansen also stated that she would like
to see some research on the (academic) effects of spending whole days
in mobile units before sending her son for three or four years of high
school in only mobile units. She said the solution she would propose
would be to send BMS students to the OCMS and have BHS students housed
at BMS. Ms. Hausman did say, though, that if the OCMS could house the
BHS population without excessive crowding, she would have no problem
sending her ninth grader to Christiansburg for high school. She also
asked the Board to make certain that the teachers are not stressed in
their respective environment. Ms. Hausman shared her view that their
preferable environment would most likely be the one with the least
number of mobile units.

Sue Kass, sixth grade teacher at BMS and a parent of both a rising
sixth and eighth grader, talked about conversations with her children
regarding this situation. She said the thought of having to go to
another location was very stressful for her sixth grade daughter. Ms.
Kass said the proposal of sending sixth graders back to the elementary
 July 6, 2010 Page 4
Regular Session

school is of concern to not only her but other middle school teachers
as well who have worked hard to build the middle school philosophy. She
said the middle school teachers have proved for many years that the
middle school facility can meet their needs and they’ve built a strong
philosophy around helping the sixth through eighth grade students
through the most defining moments in their lifetime. Ms. Kass shared
her belief that the middle school students should remain in the middle
school. She said she believes the high school staff could rise to the
occasion in the event that they are moved to OCMS. Ms. Kass referenced
the strong music programs at BMS along with the accomplishments in
technology. She encouraged Board members to think about grades six
through eight together when making their decision.

Keith Gruber said although he had a speech prepared all of the points
were covered by previous speakers. He shared his interest in hearing
the recommendation of the superintendent in terms of the options before
the Board.

Matt Stolte, parent of a rising seventh grader, said he had attended

all meetings related to the BHS issue. He commended Joe Ivers for his
presentation at the last Board meeting because the presentation was a
product of someone who looked at where the division had been for the
last several months and did some homework up front to bring an
interesting plan to the table that met many of the objectives. Mr.
Stolte encouraged Board members to consider the objective criteria when
evaluating options this evening. He challenged the Board to make a
listing of the criteria the Board hopes to meet as part of the solution
and be specific about it in order to arrive at the best solution.

Carl Rakes, parent of three BHS students, thanked the Board for the
professional and well thought-out process. He said it was his
understanding that there might be more options to consider other than
the three that the Board narrowed down last week. Mr. Rakes said he
would have hoped that if this were the case those options would have
been presented before this public discussion. He said he would feel
remiss if the parents did not have an opportunity to comment on any
other options being considered. Mr. Rakes asked the Board to approach
this as a logistical issue that has to be solved with safety
considerations, cost considerations, and quality of teaching
considerations. He asked for continued transparency and asked the Board
to adhere to the decision criteria. Mr. Rakes said nobody would be
satisfied with the BHS versus BMS to OCMS option although it makes the
best use of the county assets that are available. Withstanding any
safety concerns, he said he could not see the justification for the
additional expenditures to bypass that decision. However, Mr. Rakes
said if the decision is to maintain the students within the area of
 July 6, 2010 Page 5
Regular Session

Blacksburg and MCPS does go to a pod campus, he would like to consider

the logistics within the pod campus. Mr. Rakes mentioned that one
benefit of the pod campus is that MCPS would have the opportunity to
set up a university or college environment for the high school
students. However, he also pointed out that this does not mean
transferring to seven classes in one day. Mr. Rakes stated his belief
that it would be more appropriate to have the type of scheduling that
occurred to accommodate the BHS students at BMS.

Barbara Crockett, MCPS teacher for 37 years, said she appreciated all
of the comments thus far but reminded Board members that the students
are the most important consideration in this process. Ms. Crockett
shared that she just returned from Yorktown where they renovated about
ten years ago and put mobile units on the entire campus. She noted that
students went to school there for three years in the mobile units until
the renovations were complete. Ms. Crockett said the students seem to
be doing well. She relayed that she has taught in a mobile unit before
and said her experience with this was not a bad one. Ms. Crockett asked
the Board not to take these children out of their community. She also
commented that it’s hard to start a day spending an hour on a school
bus.

Michael Marcenelle, MCPS employee housed at OCMS, asked the Board if

the OCMS facility has been evaluated to the same extent as BHS. In
addition, he questioned whether OCMS would be capable of handling any
student population, middle or high.

Samantha Quesenberry, MCPS employee for 21 years and National Board

Certified Mentor, said she spent her first seven years in MCPS at BMS.
She said as a Nationally Board Certified teacher, teachers are taught
to look at how student learning will be affected. Ms. Quesenberry asked
the Board to use these same criteria. She shared her belief that the
most students will be affected by moving the middle schoolers and
pointed out that they are at a most critical age. Ms. Quesenberry
emphasized that you have to get through middle school to get to high
school and asked the Board to look at the student learning of middle
schoolers. As a parent of a middle schooler and a high schooler, Ms.
Quesenberry stated her belief that her middle schooler would be better
suited to be in an environment that was designed for middle schoolers
and that the least amount of disruption would occur if middle schoolers
stay in their own building.

Rod Davey thanked Board members for receiving public comments. He

shared his belief that the option presented by Joe Ivers (or some
variation) is the most feasible option. Mr. Davey proposed that the
administration look seriously at this option. He pointed out that the
 July 6, 2010 Page 6
Regular Session

OCMS and mobile campus options still require a lot of evaluation. Mr.
Davey said the mobile option at BMS preserves the Blacksburg community
and noted that the lack of a long-term plan for BHS means that the
situation may exist for a while. Therefore, he stated that taking BHS
children or BMS children to OCMS might be something that lasts three
years by the time a new school is constructed. Mr. Davey emphasized
that the mobile option piles the division’s resources in one area and
allows the administration to focus on just that area. He noted that
mobile units have been proven effective both educationally and from a
facilities standpoint. Mr. Davey said they are flexible in terms of the
fact that you can implement a college type campus for the high
schoolers and can arrange them into pod arrangements similar to what is
in use at the current middle school. He encouraged the Board to look in
more detail at the option presented by Joe Ivers last week.

Brownie Cauley, life science teacher at BMS, said one of the

considerations mentioned during the discussions thus far is that
students in grades six through eight and grades nine through twelve
should be kept together. In addition, he reflected on comments made to
keep students within their own community. Mr. Cauley stated that it
would be a lot easier to outfit mobile units with the technology and
the arrangement that would be effective. He pointed out the
difficulties involved in dragging cables through the walls of a
building like OCMS. Mr. Cauley said he did not understand the concerns
about safety in the mobile units when students would be traveling to
Christiansburg from Blacksburg in some of the other options presented.

Item 07/10-116 Personnel Report: On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by

Mrs. Foster, the Board unanimously voted to approve the
personnel report as presented.

The report is attached and made a part of these minutes

as pages A1-A9.

Item 07/10-117 Payment of Bills: On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded

by Mrs. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the
bills as presented.

Operating Fund:
Bills, 06/24/10, Ck. Nos. 4621260-4621482, $1,079,486.23

Payroll, 06/30/10, Ck. Nos. 47092-47100, $5,617,008.55

Fixed Charges, 06/30/10, Ck. Nos. 47101-47113, $1,468,721.29

 July 6, 2010 Page 7
Regular Session

Cafeteria:
Bills, 06/24/10, Ck. Nos. 3237-3255, $110,975.68

Payroll, 06/30/10, Ck. No. 5576, $153,702.60

Fixed Charges, 06/30/10, Ck. Nos. 5577-5580, $36,606.42

Superintendent’s Reports, Recommendations, Announcements:

Item 07/10-118 Mathematics Textbook Adoption – 32010 Algebra Readiness
(Action): Ms. Blackburn explained that over the course
of the spring semester the MCPS curriculum supervisors
for mathematics, science, and social studies organized
textbook reviews for secondary textbook adoptions. She
noted that in mathematics the adoption process was
completed for the following:
(1) The Algebra I-Geometry-Algebra II Sequence – The
three high school courses with Standards of
Learning tests
(2) Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis – A new VDOE
course that will begin in SY 2010-2011
Ms. Blackburn relayed that the review process has not
yet been completed for Algebra Readiness, a new MCPS
course scheduled to begin in SY 2010-2011. In view of
this, the review committee’s recommendation to purchase
the following textbook was presented:

Algebra Readiness (2010; ISBN 9780133721188) - 200

books needed at a total cost of $12,394.00 ($61.97
each)

On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mrs. Albritton,

the Board voted unanimously to approve the mathematics
textbook adoption as presented.

Item 07/10-119 Blacksburg Strand Student Accommodation Options for

2010-2011 School Year (Action): During her presentation,
Ms. Blackburn emphasized that the BHS buildings will not
be available for use during the 2010-2011 school year.
She provided the School Board with a detailed analysis
regarding alternative housing options for students in
the Blacksburg strand for the upcoming year. Ms.
Blackburn also referenced the numerous opportunities for
public input regarding this issue. The options as
presented are shown below.
July 6, 2010 Page 8
Regular Session

1. BMS facility houses grades 7-12 and grade 6

remains at the respective elementary schools (47
portable units)
2. OCMS facility houses grades 9-12 and becomes the
temporary home for BHS; BMS facility houses
students in grades 6-8 (29 portable units)
3. OCMS facility houses grades 6-8 and becomes the
temporary home for BMS; BMS facility houses grades
9-12 and becomes the temporary home for BHS
4. CMS facility houses grades 6-8 from Christiansburg
and grades 6 and 7 from Blacksburg; BMS facility
houses grades 8-12 in Blacksburg

Ms. Blackburn’s presentation focused on how effectively

each plan addresses a listing of criteria including
safety, quality instruction, technology, location, and
amount of disruption. She also presented a detailed
breakdown of the cost of each option.

In terms of option 1, the Board discussed the numerous

safety challenges involved with this plan and the fact
that this is the most costly option (Total Cost Purchase
- $2,995,500/Total Cost Lease - $1,529,570). Board
members also talked about the fact that no lockers would
be available for seventh and eighth grade students. In
addition, they talked about the Blacksburg town code
issues that may apply with this particular option. Ms.
Blackburn indicated that the Blacksburg town manager
told her that the Blacksburg Town Council has gone on
record stating that the town council will do everything
possible to help the School Board accomplish whatever
option it deems appropriate. Mr. Shannon, Assistant
Superintendent, pointed out that this option would
require a special use permit, necessitating the
involvement of the planning commission. To help address
safety concerns, Ms. Blackburn said another resource
officer could be placed on this campus. Ms. Franklin
asked where funding for this position would come from.
Ms. Blackburn mentioned the possibility of placing the
current middle school and high school resource officer
at this facility. However, she told the Board that she
hasn’t addressed any other entity in regard to this
possibility. In relation to a question about possible
fencing, Ms. Blackburn said she would like to work with
the police department and the Town of Blacksburg to
establish a “best practice.” If this is the approved
July 6, 2010 Page 9
Regular Session

option, Ms. Blackburn relayed that there may need to be

a request for a waiver as there could possibly need to
be less emphasis on physical education and more on
health due to the lack of facilities. She also stated
that a mobile kitchen may be required to supplement
activities going on in the cafeteria area. Mr. Shannon
told the School Board that there is flexible dining
space at BMS and said the dining room there can be
expanded to look at other configurations if necessary.
He said it will really become a scheduling issue as the
school will be at 144% capacity. Mr. Shannon also noted
that the menu would more than likely have to be
adjusted. Ms. Blackburn said she would be happy to
provide additional information related to school
nutrition programs. In regard to career and technical
education programs, Ms. Blackburn said Rick Weaver has
worked with principals regarding this issue. She noted
that there may be some changes for next year but shared
that it was felt students could use the space available
at BMS along with the portables for this program. In
answer to a question concerning lease and/or purchase of
mobile units, Mr. Shannon responded that $40,000 is
generally required to purchase each mobile unit plus
$12,000 for set up whereas the cost for leasing the
mobiles is $8,810 for each per unit per year which
includes delivery (plus $12,000 for set up). He noted
that the prices could vary and emphasized that the
school division would have to take what is available
from vendors now due to time constraints even though
negotiations regarding price would still occur. Mrs.
Albritton asked about keeping the sixth graders with the
seventh and eighth grade students. Ms. Blackburn said
another 300 students could not be accommodated on this
campus without adding an additional 15 portable units.
Mr. Ivers had previously gathered specific information
about cost and availability of mobile units and said he
would forward this information to Mr. Shannon. Ms.
Blackburn agreed to call York County Public Schools
tomorrow regarding their experience with mobile units.
She said there would more than likely be four restrooms
with the 46 mobile units. Ms. Blackburn shared concerns
related to getting mobile units in place by September 6,
2010. She also noted issues with transportation stating
that an additional bus would probably be needed. Ms.
Blackburn confirmed that in all likelihood CTE programs
could not be delivered to sixth grade students with this
July 6, 2010 Page 10
Regular Session

option.

In relation to option 2, Ms. Blackburn said area

churches had been contacted about MCPS potentially using
their parking spaces. However, she said the
administration has not heard back from those churches
about the use of their facilities. She noted that OCMS
has a maximum capacity that would allow ten buses to
park at present. Ms. Blackburn stated that MCPS would
have to expand into the athletic fields if this option
were chosen by the School Board. In addition, she said
student parking would have to be restricted. Ms.
Blackburn pointed out that 35 buses would be
transporting students to this facility using this plan.
She said one of the positive points to this plan is that
it keeps students in grades nine through twelve and
students in grades six through eight together. Ms.
Blackburn also noted that the plan promotes the
traditional high school schedule and doesn’t disrupt the
middle school schedule. However, Ms. Blackburn told
Board members that she would have great difficulty
recommending this option because it utilizes the OCMS
facility at 144% of its capacity. She pointed out that
this facility is far less capable of handling the
increased student load. She also voiced reservations
about safety and delivering the high school program.

Ms. Blackburn stated that the third option is the third

most costly option and uses 114% of the capacity of
OCMS. Mr. Ivers shared his belief that the
administration did not consider the costs involved in
moving students and staff when they outlined the costs
associated with this option. He encouraged the
administration to seriously consider the movement of
staff and students at OCMS (to include the Robotics
program) in the event that the Board chooses this
option. Board members discussed the possibility of
keeping certain programs like Independence Secondary in
the building. Mr. Jones asked about an analysis of the
longest bus route. Ms. Blackburn responded that the
longest bus route would be 65-75 minutes. Mr. Jones said
the portables shown on the illustration of this option
need to be located to a safer place. Mr. Shannon noted
that they were placed in their current location because
they were located there previously. Mr. Jones indicated
that he would not approve them being situated there
July 6, 2010 Page 11
Regular Session

again.

Ms. Blackburn reported that option 4 is strong in terms

of safety and in the program area. However, she
acknowledged that the plan is less positive in regard to
keeping students in Blacksburg. Ms. Blackburn noted that
this is the least expensive option. She said both
campuses would require 12 mobile units. Ms. Blackburn
stated that although this was not one of the three
options the Board voted to bring back this evening, she
would like for them to take another look at the plan. If
the Board votes to approve this option, Ms. Blackburn
stated that there would be one administrator at CMS for
grades six through eight while there would be a unified
administrator at the high school for grades nine through
twelve. Mr. Ivers commented that this is an
educationally sound plan. In response to a question by
the Board, Ms. Blackburn said the pupil-teacher ratios
should not change as staff would be moving along with
the students. Mrs. Foster voiced concern because this
was not one of the options shared last week. However,
Ms. Blackburn reminded Board members that this option
was presented on June 15 and again on June 21 and 22,
2010. Dr. Hopkins also noted that he did not consider
his vote (when voting the previous week) an action that
would close the door on other possibilities. He said he
felt he was voting on options that the Board members
wanted additional information about. Other Board members
concurred. Ms. Blackburn reflected on her past
challenging experience involving portable units (she
worked with 23 portable units). Mrs. Bond asked about
using mobile units on the BHS campus for the sixth and
seventh grades in order to keep the students in the
Blacksburg community. Ms. Blackburn acknowledged that
this would divide some of the problems, but she said
there would be no kitchen and no office space.

After continued discussion about the pros and cons of

each option, Ms. Blackburn told Board members that she
would offer her strong recommendation for option 4.
Concerns were also noted about programs and staff that
would be displaced from the OCMS building during this
move.

Mrs. Albritton moved that the School Board approve

Option 4 (CMS facility houses grades six through eight
July 6, 2010 Page 12
Regular Session

from Christiansburg and grades six and seven from

Blacksburg; BMS facility houses grades eight through
twelve in Blacksburg). Mrs. Albritton’s motion died due
to lack of a second.

Mrs. Franklin moved that the School Board approve Option

3 (OCMS facility houses grades six through eight and
becomes the temporary home for BMS; BMS facility houses
grades nine through twelve and becomes the temporary
home for BHS). Ms. Franklin’s motion died due to lack
of a second.

Mr. Ivers moved, seconded by Mrs. Foster, that the Board

approve Option 1 (BMS facility houses grades seven
through twelve and grade six remains at the respective
elementary schools). This motion failed with Mrs.
Albritton, Mrs. Bond, Ms. Franklin, and Dr. Hopkins
opposed. Mrs. Foster, Mr. Ivers, and Mr. Jones voted in
favor of the motion.

Ms. Franklin moved that the Board approve Option 3 (OCMS

facility houses grades six through eight and becomes the
temporary home for BMS; BMS facility houses grades nine
through twelve and becomes the temporary home for BHS).
Ms. Franklin’s motion died for lack of a second.

Mrs. Bond moved that Blacksburg students in grades eight

through twelve be housed at the current BMS facility and
students in grades six through seven attend school at
OCMS. Mrs. Bond’s motion died for lack of a second.

Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, that the

Board approve Option 3 (OCMS facility houses grades six
through eight and becomes the temporary home for BMS;
BMS facility houses grades nine through twelve and
becomes the temporary home for BHS). This motion failed
with Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Foster, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr.
Ivers voting against the motion. In favor were Mrs.
Bond, Ms. Franklin, and Mr. Jones.

School Board members continued to debate this option.

Mr. Jones pointed out that any improvements made at OCMS
would be beneficial to the school division in the
future. Board members learned that the OCMS facility is
 July 6, 2010 Page 13
Regular Session

older than the BHS facility. Mr. Shannon noted that

there is no indication that there are any issues at
OCMS. In the event that this option is seriously
considered, Mr. Jones asked that the mobile units be
placed away from the intersection so that the middle
schoolers would be away from the traffic.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, and the

Board voted to approve Option 3 (OCMS facility houses
grades six through eight and becomes the temporary home
for BMS; BMS facility houses grades nine through twelve
and becomes the temporary home for BHS) with Mrs. Bond,
Ms. Franklin, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Jones voting in
favor. Opposed were Mrs. Foster and Mr. Ivers. Mrs.
Albritton abstained from the vote.

The Board recessed at 11:24 p.m. and reconvened at 11:30 p.m.

On motion by Ms. Franklin, seconded by Mr. Ivers, the Board voted

unanimously to extend the meeting to complete the agenda.

Item 07/10-120 Revised Calendar for 2010-2011 School Year (Action): Ms.
Blackburn presented a proposed calendar for 2010-2011
with a later start date for the Board’s consideration
which would provide additional time for facilities
preparation related to the relocation of students in the
Blacksburg strand. She said an initial option that was
proposed scheduled students to return on September 7,
2010, with teachers reporting on August 30, 2010. Ms.
Blackburn presented two other options for consideration
based on discussion at the School Board meeting on June
29, 2010. She said one option has students reporting on
August 25, 2010, with teachers reporting on August 18,
2010, while the other option has students reporting on
August 30, 2010, with teachers reporting on August 23,
2010.

Ms. Blackburn shared her recommendation that the Board

adopt the calendar with the start date of September 7,
2010. Ms. Franklin shared her concern with this calendar
regarding the last day of school not occurring until the
end of June. Other Board members echoed this concern.
Dr. Hopkins proposed eliminating some of the days that
the students are out of school already to help make up
some of the days. Mrs. Foster also brought up her fear
July 6, 2010 Page 14
Regular Session

that childcare for an additional three weeks will be a

hardship for some parents. The Board discussed the
possible need to look for an alternate start date in the
event that some facilities are not ready for the
Blacksburg students.

Mrs. Bond moved, seconded by Ms. Franklin, that the

Board approve the calendar presented with the September
7 start date.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mr. Ivers, that the

calendar with the September 7 start date be amended to
eliminate as days off November 2, November 24 (early
dismissal), January 17, and May 30. The motion proposing
the amendment to the calendar with the September 7 start
date failed with Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Foster, Ms.
Franklin, and Mr. Jones voting against the motion. Mrs.
Bond, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Ivers voted in favor of the
motion.

The original motion to approve the calendar with the

September 7 start date as proposed by Mrs. Bond,
seconded by Ms. Franklin, failed with Mrs. Albritton,
Mrs. Foster, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Jones opposed. Voting
in favor were Mrs. Bond, Ms. Franklin, and Mr. Ivers.

Ms. Franklin moved, seconded by Mrs. Foster, that the

Board approve the calendar with the August 25 start
date. This motion failed with Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Bond,
Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Ivers voting against the motion.
Voting in favor were Mrs. Foster, Ms. Franklin, and Mr.
Jones. Mr. Ivers voiced concern about this particular
calendar because of the time that the superintendent
stressed to the Board that would be needed to get the
facilities ready for the Blacksburg students.

Dr. Hopkins moved, seconded by Mrs. Bond, that the

School Board approve the calendar with the August 30
start date. The calendar with the August 30 start date
was approved with Mrs. Albritton, Mrs. Bond, Ms.
Franklin, Dr. Hopkins, and Mr. Jones voting in favor of
the calendar. Opposed were Mrs. Foster and Mr. Ivers.

Mr. Shannon reminded School Board members of the

 July 6, 2010 Page 15
Regular Session

requirement of 180 days and said the calculation is

based on the shortest schedule. Therefore, he said even
if MCPS gets to the August 30 date and BMS students
aren’t able to go to school, they will have to make up
the days during the school year. Without a waiver from
the state, Mr. Shannon noted that the lowest number of
days any school in the division attends school becomes
the calculation for the state even if students in the
other schools attend school more days.

Item 07/10-121 Request for Funding (Action): Ms. Blackburn relayed that
the School Board has been presented options for
alternative locations since BHS will not be able to be
used for the 2010-2011 school year. She noted that
there will be additional costs for options and said
funds are not included in the School Board’s operating
budget to cover this. Ms. Blackburn shared that the
exact cost of the options is not available as the
design, specifications, and procurement will require the
use of an expeditious process for the work to be
accomplished as quickly as possible. She stated that
there is about $7.5 million in the bond accounts from
the first phase of borrowing that included the two new
elementary schools. Ms. Blackburn said this balance will
not be required for the completion of the elementary
projects and was to be added to an additional bond issue
to be used for the next projects on the capital list.
In addition, she shared that funds will be received from
the VACO insurance company for the replacement of the
BHS gym. However, Ms. Blackburn relayed that the amount
of the payment and when it will be received is still
under review. She said in the meantime a source of
funding is required in order to prepare classroom space
for 1,117 students that will be displaced from BHS.
Therefore, Ms. Blackburn shared the administration’s
recommendation that the School Board approve a letter
directed to the Board of Supervisors for an
appropriation of funding not to exceed $2.5 million so
the implementation of an option for BHS may proceed.
This letter is attached and made part of these minutes
as page B1.

On motion by Mrs. Albritton, seconded by Ms. Franklin,

the Board voted unanimously to approve the letter to the
Board of Supervisors for an appropriation of funding not
to exceed $2.5 million so implementation of an option
 July 6, 2010 Page 16
Regular Session

for BHS may proceed.

Item 07/10-122 Announcements/Calendar for July (Information): No

announcements were made for July.

Unfinished Business by School Board Members

• School Board Retreat (July 9-10, 2010): Ms. Blackburn said the
retreat will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and dinner will be at 5:30
p.m. She said Saturday’s session will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the
retreat will end at 3:30 p.m. that day. Ms. Blackburn said a
continental breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday. She
reminded Board members that the retreat would be held at the
CrossPointe facility.

Board members requested a detailed update of the status of BHS

along with the FORCON report by the next School Board meeting.

New Business by School Board Members

There was no new business.

Announcements/Information
There were no announcements.

Agenda Preparation
July 9-10, 2010 School Board Retreat

June 20, 2010 Funeral Leave Policy (Information)

Wellness Leave Policy (Information)
Update on Housing for Blacksburg Schools
(Information)

August 3, 2010 Response to Intervention (RTI) Presentation

Appointment of School Health Advisory Board Members
and Officers (Action)
School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) Resolution and
Membership Roster (Action)
Update on Housing for Blacksburg Schools
(Information)

August 17, 2010 Facilities Status Report (Shawsville, Elliston-

Lafayette, Shawsville Annex)

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:06 a.m. on motion by Ms. Franklin,
seconded by Mrs. Bond, and passed unanimously.
July 6, 2010 Page 17
Regular Session

School Board Chair Clerk of the School Board