COVINGTON CITY SCHOOL BOARD
Minutes
October 12, 2015
The Covington City School Board held its regular meeting in the Board conference room on
Monday, October 12, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. with the following members in attendance:
Tammy Scruggs-Duncan, Chair
Cynthia Bennett, Vice-Chair
Eddy Clemons
Dizzy Garten
Nicole Rickett
Superintendent Tom Long was present as were Melinda Snead-Johnson, Director of Elementary &
Middle Education and Student Services; Shannon Fuhrman, Principal of Covington High
School/Director of Secondary Education/Career & Technical Education; Rob Bennett, Principal of
Jeter-Watson Intermediate School; Marc Smith, Principal of Edgemont Primary School; and
Rebecca Irvine, Clerk.
Mrs. Scruggs-Duncan called the meeting to order, and those in attendance recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
RECOGNITION/DELEGATION
Dianne Garcia, from The Alleghany Foundation, presented a report on the work of the New Tech
Committee. The curriculum task force has developed and submits the following curriculum for
Board consideration:
GRADE
INTEGRATED COURSE I
INTEGRATED COURSE II
Freshman
Sophomore
Biology & Health PE
English 10 & Environmental
Science
US History and English 12
English 9 & World History I
Design Multi Media I &
Creative Writing
Design Multi Media II &
Journalism
English 12 & Communications
Junior
Senior
US Government &
Economics & Personal Finance
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mrs. Rickett, the Board unanimously approved the
proposed curriculum.
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mrs. Rickett, the Board unanimously approved
submission of the joint planning application with Alleghany County Public Schools for New Tech.
MINUTES
Upon a motion by Mrs. Rickett, seconded by Mr. Garten, the Board unanimously approved the
minutes of September 14th, September 21st, and October 5th, 2015 as presented.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 12, 2015
FINANCE
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved
payments of September and October warrants and invoices totaling $880,089.33.
The Board reviewed expenditure reports from each school and the division budget analysis
through September.
Mr. Long noted that the division has been awarded a school security equipment grant in the
amount of $38,516 for the purchase and installation of electronic access control doors at CHS.
The total cost of the project is $48,145 which includes a required local match of 25% ($9,629). Mr.
Long requested Board approval of an appropriation submission to City Council for $38,516, and
budget transfer of $9,629.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved an
appropriation request of $38,516 (state funds) and a budget transfer of $9,629 (local match) for the
school security equipment grant.
Mr. Long thanked Mrs. Snead-Johnson for her work on this project.
POLICY REVISIONS
Mr. Long requested Board approval of the following VSBA Policy updates.
BBDD
DI
DJF
GBE
GBL
IKFA
IL
KHH
KLB
Electronic Participation in Meetings from Remote Locations
Financial Accounting and Reporting
Purchasing Procedures
Staff Health
Personnel Records
Locally Awarded Verification Points
Testing Programs
Suicide Prevention
Public Complaints about Learning Resources
Upon a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Mrs. Bennett, the Board unanimously approved the
recommended policy updates.
BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
Mr. Long noted that while staff address bullying throughout the year, October, 2015 has been
designated as Bullying Prevention Month by the Virginia School Board Association.
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mrs. Rickett, the Board unanimously approved a
resolution recognizing the month of October, 2105 as Bullying Prevention Month.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 12, 2015
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK
Mr. Long requested Board approval of a proclamation designated October 12 – 16 as National
School Lunch Week. He noted that child nutrition staff served 43,393 breakfasts and 86,877
lunches last year, and encouraged Board members to have lunch in the schools this week.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved a
proclamation designating October 12 – 16 as National School Lunch Week.
DISCUSSION/OTHER NEW BUSINESS – SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Clemons suggested that School Board Goals be placed on the agenda at each school board
meeting as a reminder for ongoing discussion.
Mrs. Bennett noted that she was pleased to see one of the maintenance items discussed last week
being addressed quickly.
Mr. Garten noted that he wanted any decisions made regarding New Tech programming to be in
the best interest of Covington City students.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
Mr. Long distributed the audit reports on public school activity funds for food services and each
school. No audit findings were reported, but there are some recommendations. School staff have
addressed these recommendations and are making adjustments as needed.
Mr. Long noted that parent/teacher conferences were held on October 5th with good parent
participation: EPS 221; JWIS 213; and CHS 901.
Mr. Long noted that the Board of Education has revised its school accreditation standards to better
inform the public about the progress of schools towards meeting the commonwealth’s high
expectations for student learning and achievement. These new standards became effective
October 8th. Mr. Long noted that the revised terminology is a much more positive approach to
recognizing student achievement.
Mr. Long noted that Senator Deeds will visit JWIS and CHS on November 16th.
COMMENTS
Mr. Bennett asked what happens with New Tech if a student fails since courses are paired. Mrs.
Snead-Johnson noted that every effort is made to access student achievement quickly, she will
explore this question.
Mr. Ron Arritt addressed the Board to ask if Covington City was committed to pursuing the New
Tech curriculum even if Alleghany County Schools did not participate. Mrs. Scruggs-Duncan noted
that the application that was approved at this meeting was not contingent upon the participation of
both school systems.
MINUTES – OCTOBER 12, 2015
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon a motion by Mr. Rickett, seconded by Mr. Garten, the Board unanimously approved an
executive session to discuss matters in relation to the Code of Virginia, Section 2.2-3711 (1)
Personnel and Section 2.2-3711(6) Public Funds Investment.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board came out of executive
session at 9:05 p.m.
Upon a return to open session, the Board agreed to certify the closed session under the Code of
Virginia, Section 2.1-3711 (1) Personnel and 2.2-3711 (6) Public Funds Investment with a roll call
vote.
APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE/BOARD COUNCIL MEMBERS
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved the
following advisory boards/councils:
Special Education
Advisory Committee
Virginia Preschool
Advisory Board
School Health
Advisory Board
Margaret Burks
Lisa Clark
Kyla Crosier
Tammie Harmon
Natalie Garten
Kathy Harris
Doris Hayes
Marcy Jermann
Susan Kincaid
Diana Oden
Melinda Snead-Johnson
Brian Summo
Barbara Tyson
Lynn Whitehead
Rob Bennett
Marnie Carr
Leslie Downer
Melissa Lee
Sarah Patton
Sue Pleasant
Rebecca Rhea
Marc Smith
Melinda Snead-Johnson
Kit Staunton
Amanda Taylor
Teresa Weintraub
Susanne Adcock
Felicia Prescott
Rob Bennett
Debbie Burns
Leslie Downer
Shannon Fuhrman
Jon Gilbert
Melissa Lee
Heather Mann
Tracy Miller
Linda Powell
Kelly Brickey
Marc Smith
Melinda Snead-Johnson
Kit Staunton
Mary Tyree
Title I Advisory Council
Melinda Fox
Linda Leeman
Levi McCoy
Aaron Smith
PERSONNEL
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved the
following personnel resignations/appointments:
MINUTES – OCTOBER 12, 2015
Appointments:
Munsey, Betty
Gibson, Kathy
Edgemont Primary School Principal Designee
Food Service Worker (part-time), retroactive to 9/14/15
Substitute Teachers/Aides:
Benefield, Jacqueline
Cosby, Donna
DiBenedetta, Fraancesca
Graves, Betty
Riley, Katelyn
Staunton, Burke
Coaching Assignments:
Brewster, Tara
Grimes, Jacob
Jefferson, Garland
Moore, Keith
Nicely, Molly
Pifer, Mark
Sullins, K. Ray
Tyree, Mary
Wolfe, Carl
Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach
Boys Basketball Volunteer
Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach
JV Boys Basketball Coach
Girls Basketball Volunteer
Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
Head Wrestling Coach
JV Girls Basketball Coach
8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach
Retirement/Resignation:
Long, Thomas
Smith, Lolita
Superintendent of Schools, effective June 30, 2016
Food Service Worker (part-time) effective 9/11/15
ADJOURNMENT
The Board adjourned at 9:15 p.m. and announced that it would reconvene at 5:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 to discuss Code of Virginia, Section 2.1-3711 (1) Personnel and
2.2-3711 (6) Public Funds Investment.
__________________________
Tammy Scruggs-Duncan, Chair
_____________________
Rebecca Irvine, Clerk