Feb 25th SB Meeting Update

On February 25, 2014 from 10:30-12:00, the Wythe County School Board met.

The School Board praised the accomplishments of the RRHS Wrestling Team on their recent State Championship.

A  2014-2015 school calendar (draft) was shared. The first semester ends before Winter Break. The proposed calendar also includes a Spring Break (Thursday through Monday). Nine week grading periods are also a part of the new calendar. This was discussed and positively received last year, but with all of the changes with scheduling, the Administration wanted to wait a year before adding this change.  The calendar will be voted on at the March School Board Meeting. (March 13, 2014 at 6:00pm)

Superintendent Dr. Lee Brannon presented the projected budget for 2014-2015 school year. There are some increases in the budget, but most are due to business costs increasing. Also, there will be a health insurance premium increase this year, but the amount is unknown. Possible options to help keep the increase down as low as possible will be discussed. The School Board will approve the budget at the March 13, 2014 6:00 pm meeting and then it will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at their April meeting.

When is the last day of school?
The administration is waiting to see what March brings. The end date and graduation dates plan to be announced in March.

The School Board members praised the swim team and choirs for their accomplishments in recent competitions.

When the meeting dismissed, the School Board traveled to Rural Retreat to present the Wrestling Team with a resolution during an assembly. They also toured the newly remodeled facilities at Rural Retreat Middle and Sheffey Elementary.


The next meeting of the WCPS School Board will be on Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the School Board Office.

February SB Meeting Update

Chairman Bill Kidd called the meeting to order and made a point to thank everyone involved in taking care and educating our students.

Public Hearing on the FY 2015 Budget: No one spoke

Awards and Recognitions:

• Dr. Brannon recognized and thanked the SB members in honor of SB Appreciation Month.
• Chairman Kidd recognized the School Board Clerk and thanked her for her 61 years of service in honor of SB Clerk Appreciation Week
• Other recognitions: School Counselors Week, Black History Month, and FCCLA Week.

Public Comment (Please note: WCEA representatives didn't speak during public comment since we were on the Informational Agenda to speak/present.)

• Mr. Pugh (FCHS Band Director) spoke about the research behind the 4x4 block schedule. He spoke about research that points to a dip in test scores after a few years on the 4x4 block, the decreases in participation in the band programs in school systems that have implemented the 4x4 schedule, and about the number of school systems that are moving away from the 4x4 block to a hybrid block schedule.
• Mr. Boenke (concerned parent) spoke about his concerns with the 4x4 schedule. He is specifically concerned with continuity of course selection, affects on band/choir programs, and 90 minute classes.

Informational Agenda

• Mr. Ryan Walker (WCEA co-President) presented the results of the 2013-14 Employee Survey. See the presentation here.
• Mr. Ricky Skeens (principal @ GWHS)  updated the SB on the Woodford Golf Fund.
• Ms. Marcy Olinger discussed an update to the Pre-K application process. The new application would likely qualify more students for the Pre-K program. 
• Dr. Becki James spoke about 4x4 versus Hybrid block schedule. She presented results of the survey given to the high school teachers. Many SB members asked questions and gave their opinions - spoke about planning concerns, 90 minute classes, want more pros/cons of current schedule, and concerns with affects on band/choir/art. Dr. James will continue to research and present more at the next meeting.
• Dr. James also presented on the E-Learning Backpack Program. Students at FCHS will be issued a tablet to use similar to a textbook beginning in 2014-15 for next four years. VADoE is funding 80% of cost while an application for a grant from the Wythe Bland Foundation for the other 20% is pending. 
• Dr. Wes Poole updated the SB on the progress of Capital Improvement to Sheffey and RRMS. Progress is being affected by the weather. Phase II classrooms at both locations are close to being ready. Phase III classrooms will begin soon. The lower entrance at RRMS will be ready for use within the week. 
• Dr. Brannon presented on the FY2015 Budget. Bottom line projections at this point has a $700,000 shortfall. (This is up from $400K projected at the last meeting.) He went over the line items in the proposed budget. Changes include: decrease in travel, reduction in textbooks, and increase in dual credit, increase for audit, increase in instructional supplies, and others. He discussed an increase in cafeteria prices (+$0.10 to all meals). Proposed salary scale stays the same as current scale (average 1.78% raise for step; top of scale would get $500 increase). Dr. Brannon mentioned Phase II of capital improvements originally slated to be at Spiller, Speedwell, Scott, and FCMS - more will be discussed about this at the Feb 25 meeting. See his complete presentation here.

Action Agenda

• Approved SB meeting for February 25 at 10:30am. This meeting will focus on a budget work session. 
• Approved a nomination for the Foundation of Excellence. 
• Approved a resolution for the e-Learning Backpack Initiative (described above).

Other Updates:

• Dr. Brannon distributed a copy of the draft calendar for 2014-15. He said this would be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

WCEA Members Attend Lobby Day

L to R - Vic Gravley, Denise Davis, and Kim Aker in front
of the VA General Assembly Building on January 27, 2014
for VEA Lobby Day.

Three members of the WCEA attended VEA's Lobby Day on January 27. This is a time where educators from all over the state travel to Richmond to meet with General Assembly legislators. Our own Denise Davis (RRES), Vic Gravley (MMES), and Kim Aker (Spiller) had meetings with Senator Carrico and Delegate Campbell. Our members report that both of our representatives say are on board with the VEA Legislative agenda - except the Medicaid Expansion.

Read more about the VEA legislative agenda here.

Keep up with the goings-on at the VA General Assembly with Rob Jones's VEA Daily Reports blog.