COVINGTON CITY SCHOOL BOARD
Minutes
August 10, 2015
The Covington City School Board held its regular meeting in the Board conference room on
Monday, August 10, 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; Robert Bennett, Principal
of Jeter-Watson Elementary 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.
RECOGNITIONS/DELEGATION
Mr. Bennett and Cindy Arthur addressed the Board regarding GEAR-Up Virginia Program. The
program has a total of 70 student participants, and eleven students attended the Leadership
Academy held at Virginia Tech in July.
Mr. Long commended Jerome Johnson on his work on behalf of the Covington City School Board
and recommended Board adoption of a resolution placing Mr. Johnson’s name on the 2015 Media
Honor Roll.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Garten, the Board unanimously adopted this
resolution. (Copy attached).
MINUTES
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mrs. Rickett, the Board unanimously approved the
minutes of June 29th and July 1st, 2015 as presented.
FINANCE
Upon a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Mrs. Bennett, the Board unanimously approved
payments of July and August warrants and invoices totaling $621,752.83.
Ms. Irvine reviewed the FY 2015 Budget analysis with the Board. Total revenues for the year were
$11,536,935, and total expenses were $11,428,407. In addition to the $56,299 in carryover funds
included in the current budget for FY 2016, $39,091 in state funds were received and not
expended last year. These funds were due to an ADM total of 915 vs. the 910 that was anticipated
MINUTES - AUGUST 10, 2015
Some discussion ensured regarding possible facility needs that may be addressed if these funds
are appropriated by City Council.
2015 REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION/VPSA
Mr. Long requested Board approval of the annual Reimbursement Resolution for VPSA funds
(Series XV) totaling $158,400.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved this
reimbursement resolution.
POLICY GAB-R/IIBEA-R REVISION
Upon a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Rickett, the Board unanimously approved a revision
to Policy GAB-R/IIBEA – Acceptable Computer System Use.
APPROVAL TEXTBOOK ADOPTION/ZANER BLOSER
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board unanimously approved the
following Elementary Reading Textbook adoption as recommended by Mr. Long and staff:
Kindergarten
Superkids Reading Program
Level 1: Meet the Superkids
Level 2: Superkids’ Club, 2011
Rowland Reading Foundation
ZANER-BLOSER
Grade 1
Superkids Reading Program
Level 3: Adventures of the Superkids
Level 4: More Adventures of the Superkids 2008 – 2011
Rowland Reading Foundation
ZANER-BLOSER
Grade 2
Superkids Reading Program
Level 5: The Superkids Hit Second Grade
Level 6: The Superkids Take Off 2009 – 2010
Rowland Reading Foundation
ZANER-BLOSER
CHS VARSITY CHEERLEADERS OVERNIGHT TRIP
Upon a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Mrs. Bennett, the Board unanimously approved an
overnight field trip for the Varsity cheerleaders to Roanoke on August 5 – 7, 2015.
DISCUSSION/OTHER NEW BUSINESS – SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Garten noted that new foam commercial roofing was now available which may be an option to
consider for CHS.
MINUTES - AUGUST 10, 2015
Mrs. Rickett noted that Cathy Lowry from Bath County and Ben Truett from Alleghany County were
also appointed the Jackson River Governor’s School Board.
Mr. Clemons noted that he would like the Board to prioritize maintenance/facility issues that need
to be addressed as well as the CHS improvement plan with a special meeting.
Mrs. Bennett shared Mr. Clemons’ concerns for a priority list of facility needs. Mrs. Bennett also
noted that the JRTC Board meets tomorrow, August 11th.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS
Mr. Bennett and Mr. Smith reviewed crisis management plans for JWIS and EPS. Dr. Fuhrman
reviewed the crisis management plan for CHS.
Mrs. Snead-Johnson and Dr. Fuhrman shared with the Board their experiences from the New Tech
Planning Conference held in Chicago in July. Todd Persinger from the Alleghany County School
Board, Mary Jane Muterspaugh from Alleghany County School, and Dianne Garcia with The
Alleghany Foundation also attended this conference. Primary objectives of New Tech include
creating a culture that empowers, teaching that engages, and technology that enables. Mrs.
Snead-Johnson and Dr. Fuhrman found the conference very worthwhile.
Mr. Long noted that the VA Department of Education has released preliminary accreditation results
based on the 2014 – 2015 test scores. Preliminary results are as follows:
State Accreditation
EPS – Fully Accredited
JWIS – Fully Accredited
CHS – Accredited with Warning in English
Federal Accreditation/Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO)
EPS – Met all Federal AMOs in English and Math
JWIS – Met all Federal AMO’s in English and Math
CHS – Met all Federal AMOs in English and Math
Mr. Long noted that he was extremely pleased with test results and commended all students and
faculty for their hard work and improvement.
Mr. Long noted that the asbestos abatement project at CHS is complete and commended
maintenance and custodial staff for their hard work during the summer. New employees started
work last week, and all instructional staff returned today.
The Alleghany Foundation arranged for Dave Weber, author, creator, speaker, CEO, and
organizer to address all interested staff as well as community leaders today, and this event was
very well received.
MINUTES - AUGUST 10, 2015
Mrs. Scruggs-Duncan noted that Congressman Morgan Griffith will host an appreciation lunch for
local government elected officials in Alleghany County and the City of Covington on Friday, August
21st at noon at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon a motion by Mr. Garten, seconded by Mrs. Bennett, the Board unanimously approved an
executive session to discuss matters in relation to the Code of Virginia, Section 2.2-3711 (1)
Personnel.
Upon a motion by Mrs. Bennett, seconded by Mr. Clemons, the Board came out of executive
session at 8:25 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 with a roll call vote.
PERSONNEL
Upon a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Mr. Garten, the Board unanimously approved the
following personnel resignations/appointments:
Resignations:
Barnett, Jennifer
Dressler, Steve
Tenney, Rodney
EPS Administrative Assistant, Part-Time
CHS Junior Class Sponsor
CHS Head Track Coach
Appointments:
Ayers, Denise
Campbell, Ashley
Gibson, Kathy
Jackson, Billy
McDonald, Joy E.
McLaughlin, Connie
Nicely, Molly
Poague, Howard
Staunton, Clarence
Tenney, Cory
Zeek, Sara
Junior Class Co-Sponsor
Paraprofessional
Substitute Food Service Worker
Substitute Bus Driver
Instructional Technology Specialist (Funded by The
Alleghany Foundation for Alleghany County & Covington
City Schools)
Substitute Food Service Worker
Girls Basketball Volunteer
Substitute Bus Driver
JWIS Principal Designee
CHS Football
Junior Class Co-Sponsor
MINUTES - AUGUST 10, 2015
Substitute Teachers:
Baker, Richard (Bert)
Barnett, Jennifer
Bennett, Vanessa
Burks, Vanessa
Cooper, Robert
Crowder, Marilyn
Dressler, Charles (Jr.)
Dressler, Machelle
Fisher, Rose
Fry, Dillon
Fuhrman, Richard
Gibson, M. Vance
Givens, Susan
Hall, Deanna
Halsey, David (Sr.)
Hanna, Clara
Hudson, Terri
Jones, Deborah
Massie, Laura
McCallister, Beverly
McLaughlin, Connie
Meadows, Chris
Meyer, Susan
Minter, Trina
Moran, George
Morris, Jody
Rice, Anita
Rice, Bobby
Scruggs, Nanci
Stapleton, Daniel
Tate, Brenda
Waddell, Donna
Wallace, Diane
Williams, Debra
Williams, Rebecca
Wood, Kathryn
ADJOURNMENT
The Board adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
__________________________
Tammy Scruggs-Duncan, Chair
_____________________
Rebecca Irvine, Clerk