Recap: WCEA @ Kids' Day at the Wytheville Farmers' Market

We had a great time with all the kids, families, and community members that joined us at the Wytheville Farmers' Market. 

W.G. Steele Leadership Conference

The WCEA sent five members to Damascus, VA for the W.G. Steele Leadership Conference on July 19. We had a lovely setting at the brand new Damascus Public Library. We discussed different ways of organizing - New Teacher Orientation, 10-Minute Meetings, One-on-One Conversations, and Bulletin Boards. Jen Ryan highlighted several of the Community Engagement activities that the WCEA has organized and participated in over the past year. 

Retirees Honored

On Thursday, May 14, 2015, WCEA celebrated 2014-15 with an end of the year picnic. Several retirees were honored. Perfect weather provided an opportunity for relaxed fellowship! The afternoon ended with a monthly meeting. Officers were elected for next year. Jen Ryan and Kim Aker are Co-Presidents;  Stephanie James is Secretary, Vic Gravely is Treasurer.

Kirstie Smith, Betty Billingsley, Nancy Humphrey, Linda Jessee

April school board meeting highlights

Thursday, April 9, 2015. In attendance: 7 school board members,  12 central office staff,  6 administrators,  1 teacher, 1 teacher/coach, several parents and students, 1 Uniserv director

1. Awards and Observances 

• State swim and indoor track medalists,  forensics winners, spelling bee winner
• School librarians

2. Informational Agenda 

• Principal Updates from the eastern end of the county highlighted student achievements, typical days of students at school, and the work teachers do to ensure their students' success.
• Expedited retakes of Elementary and Middle School SOL tests will allow students to retake any non-writing SOL tests under 2 conditions: passing the course AND failing by a narrow margin. 2 days, or 5 hours, of remediation must occur before any retake.
• Capital Improvement,  Phase II was discussed briefly. The committee will be interviewing A & E firms for consideration. 

2015 VEA Convention

Wythe County's delegation is in Hampton, VA for VEA's Delegate Assembly today thru Saturday. Here are news, notes, and important information. 

What a pleasant surprise to see in the Convention Hall! Wythe County's own Kerry and Glenda Eans are being recognized by the VEA. 

Let your Senator know you want ESEA (aka No Child Left Behind) reauthorized with positive changes. Call 866-331-7233 or go to edvotes.org. 

Sign up to attend the April 18th Put Kids First Rally. 

Free charter bus transportation is provided from WCC at 8am. 

There will be a Food Court available at the Convention Center. 

There will be music, bouncy houses, and lots of fun. 

There will be 2,000 Put Kids First (royal blue) shirts available on a first-come-first-serve. 

Bring your family, neighbors, and anyone you know who wants to put kids first. 

Upcoming Dates:

June 9 Primary for November elections (all GA seats are up for election) 

June 22-24 Southwest Organizing Institute

July 19-21 Local Presidents Retreat

July 22-24 Reggie Smith Organizing School

Nov 4 Election Day (all General Assembly seats are up for election!)

Keynote speaker Rodney Ellis, president North Carolina Association of Educators, warns us to not allow what has happened in NC happen in VA. Anti-Public Education in NC legislators have...

Lifted a cap on the number of vouchers 

added $10 million dollars to voucher schools. 

Eliminated teacher tenure/continuing contract (contracts can be nonrenewed for any reason with very little notice)

Eliminated salary supplements for masters degrees and other advanced degrees. 

Implemented an A-F school rating scale based on test scores. 

Eliminated due process for teachers (ALL teachers have no right to appeal or panel hearing)

It's District Bee Day at Convention. 

Our own Vic Gravley is the King Bee for his VEA Fund raising!

WCEA has earned Super Star status as a district for raising an average $8 per local member.  Approximately $1600 has been  raised by WCEA.  

VEA recognized Senators Chafin (R), Norment (R), and Howell (D) and Delegates Plum (D) and Miller (R) were recognized for seeking positive legislation for students, schools, and educators - 6% scale raise (got 1.5%) repealing the A-F school grading scale (passed), statewide health insurance plan for educators (passed Senate, but wasn't heard in House). 

Highlights of the Floor Debate:

FAILED - VEA Charter Amendment 

#1 which would have allow associate membership to anyone outside of professional educators. 

PASSED - ByLaw Amendment #3 which only allows those delegates ATTENDING  VEA's Delegate Assembly to vote in VEA elections. (This effectively eliminates Cyber-Delegates from voting during convention.)

PASSED - New Business Items that moved VEA support:

continued efforts to fight disclosure of student growth percentiles, 

the Put Kids First rally and campaign,

securing optional participation in the state health insurance plan

PASSED - New Business Items that moved VEA seek legislation for:

reducing SpEd and ESL caseloads,

Changing Take Your legislator to Work Day to Legislators Enriching Academics Day (L.E.A.D.)

Reinstating alternative assessment for SpEd students

The Crockett-Eans family was recognized at the VEA Awards Dinner. 

Executive Director Phillip Forgit gives his keynote address. 

Virginia Education Association and Supporters Sponsoring March 24 Press Conference to Inform Public About “Put Kids First” campaign

ABINGDON, VA – Members of the Virginia Education Association and supporters are sponsoring a 5 p.m. press conference Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at the William N. Neff Center, 255 Stanley St, Abingdon, VA 24210 to inform the public about their “Put Kids First” statewide campaign. The VEA and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) are co-sponsoring the campaign and the first major event will be an April 18 family friendly rally on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond. There will be transportation from Southwest VA to the rally and back.

 “The Virginia Education Association and the Virginia Parent Teacher Association believe that the Commonwealth has no more precious resource than its children. We further believe that the Commonwealth has the capacity and knowledge to truly transform the lives of Virginia's children by ensuring that every single child has access to a high-quality public education, from preschool to graduation,” said Tracey Mercier, a Special Education teacher in the Bristol, Virginia public school district and VEA member.

 The “Put Kids First” campaign is centered on four major goals: Increasing funding for public education; Quality Early Childhood Education; Reducing high stakes and burdensome testing; and Reducing class sizes. 

 Thus far, the Chilhowie Town Council and Smyth County Board of Supervisors, the Lee County School Board, the Wythe County School Board and Board of Supervisors, the Scott County School Board have passed resolutions supporting the “Put Kids First” campaign and the April 18 rally.  

“We can change the conversation in Virginia about what it really means to support students and public schools. The time is ripe to show Virginia that, as our state's economic prospects grow, the needs of our students must come first,” states the PTA (vapta.org).

 Those wanting to travel from Southwest Virginia or for more information, call: 1-877-628-7213 (276-628-7213) or 1-800-242-0645 (276-889-0157). Free bus transportation for VEA members, family and community supporters will be provided by the VEA. Travelers should expect to leave their location by 7 a.m. April 18 and return about midnight that day. Light snacks and water will be provided.

Recap: School Board Meeting 3/12/15

Attendance: 6 SB members, 7 Central Office Admin, 6 Building Admin, 4 teachers/para, several students and family members

Student Recognitions 

• RRHS & GWHS Wrestling team members won several state championships and runner ups

Public Comment 

• Renee Arnold spoke against the possibility of closing Speedwell, had signed petitions with 1090 signatures to redraw bus lines and stays in the Phase II renovation cycle.
• Beth McNamee spoke against the possibility of closing Speedwell. 

Informational Agenda

1. Principals' Updates
• Mrs. Ingo - gave a presentation on their theme of Give One Degree More at Spiller using a video that featured many students, teachers, and support staff
• Mr. Haga - showed a video of being Happy at SMMS, spoke positively about STEAM program and Pi Day
• Mr. Hensley - spoke about many of the positives going on at GWHS
• Mr. Sykes - spoke about teachers helping students earn over 500 credentials last year as well as many other accomplishments of the staff and students.
2. SOL Testing Update - Ms. Beth Cochran
• Writing Test - coming up in March
• Non-Writing Window - 4 weeks in May
3. School Board Public Comment Procedure - Dr. Brannon
• Following items were approved to include on the top of the public comment sign-in sheet
• Swearing at public meetings is a misdemeanor
• Specific concerns with students and staff should be brought to administrative staff prior to speaking
• Time limits could be implemented by SB Chair if needed
4. FY16 Budget Update - Dr. Brannon 
• The budget is for teachers and students, not the school board.
• Dates: May 12 public hearing on SB budget, May 26 BOS approves SB budget
• Enrollment is projected to go down about 100 students from 2010 
• Revenue Overview
• federal monies have gone down ($174K), 
• state monies have gone up ($254K), 
• sales tax up ($94K), 
• Bland County doesn't send their students to WCTC anymore (down $133K) 
• BOTTOM LINE: need $1.154 million additional money, need $1,657,178 (including Phase II, accounting program)
• Benefits - VRS Employer share went down (0.44%), but not significantly; employee share remained the same 5%.
• Salary Increase for Employees
• Projected costs: 1.5% increase for all employees costs $450K, 3% costs $900K (This is what is in the budget.)
• Supplements will remain the same
• Proposals for 1.5% and 1.5+% (would keep round figures) were also presented
• Adjustments of other Budget Categories
• reduction to fuel costs
• school bus lease program
• savings retirees?, 
• SACS visit costs
• additional guidance counselor is in budget, additional IT/ITRT is possible
• Point of Note: 47 positions have been cut over the last 5 years
• Health Insurance Increases
• Projected 9.6% increase will cost school system $288K 
• Point of Note: 5.5-6% average increase over the past five years (much lower than other counties)
• Projected 5% for employer and 4.6% increase for employees (picture of costs)
• Discussion of different plans offered - currently 500/Expanded, change to 1000/500 which would be cheaper, but benefits wouldn't be as good 
• Plans could be changed with no cost differential to the proposed budget
• Point of Note: Live Health can be used for simple diagnosis (use app to visit doctor via internet, get diagnosis, and prescription without going to the doctor)
• Update of Accounting Software - Sunguard 
• adopted by schools and county 
• $150K needed to cover costs
• Capital Improvement Phase II ($393K needed, see action agenda for more detail)
5. Central Office Staff Discussions - None

Action Agenda

1. Revised 2014-15 Calendar APPROVED
• State Code says counties have to make up every other day after 5 days, 
• Last day would be May 29th, 
• Teachers would make-up 4 days
2. Graduation Dates APPROVED
• WCTC 5/21 7pm
• RRHS 5/22 6pm
• GWHS 5/22 8pm
• FCHS 5/23 10am
3. 2015-2016 Calendar APPROVED
• August 11-Dec 18, Jan 6-May13
• August 4 is starting day with opening session
• Thursday meet the teacher night
• Starting on a Tuesday because of the need to get 90 days in before Winter Break
• Early dismissals would be a 12pm to provide more time for grading/recording
• No school on Election Day (teacher PD day)
• Kept workday to begin 2nd semester; will be on Jan 5th
• Kept Spring Break Th-Tu
4. Meal Prices for 2015-16 APPROVED
• going up $0.10 adult lunch up $0.25 ($3.25)
• Adult T'giving meal $4.50 to comply with federal regulations
• Have investigated outsourcing cafeteria/custodians/buses but it's not cost effective with our student numbers
5. Capital Improvements for Phase II APPROVED
• Spiller & Scott are the schools in Phase II
• Add FCMS if money is available
• One NO vote from Mr. Frye
6. Sheffey Activity Room APPROVED
• Grant will cover $179K to build the room for community use
• Low bid is $193K through Fairview Construction (local and has history with WCPS)
7. Adopt FY 2016 Budget Proposal APPROVED
• Negotiations remain with Board of Supervisors
• Mr. Frye voted no citing the A&E Fees for Phase II construction

Put Kids First Rally - April 18th

Some Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Put Kids First April 18^th rally----

Do you have Nutsy?  YES, we’ve got Nutsy the Flying Squirrel, mascot for the San Francisco Giants Double A baseball affiliate in Richmond booked to appear at the staging area, the Richmond Convention Center, available for autographs and pictures!!!

Is this a family friendly event? YES! Some of you have been wondering if the April 18^th Put Kids First rally in Richmond will be kid and family friendly. Well at the pre-event and staging area at the Richmond Convention Center (doors open at noon) we will have a bouncy house, an 18 FOOT TALL SLIDE and a bouncy house Obstacle Course for starters. This will be a fun, festive, family event, a coalition of the two greatest and most respected advocates for public education-the Virginia Education Association and the Virginia Parent Teacher Association!! We’re not babysitting but there will be entertainments in the staging area to keep kids occupied and enjoying the day with you as they stand up for the schools they attend.

                                               

What’s the latest on buses? Thank you to every one of you who got back to us with best guesstimates. Many of you, despite the weather, have been hard at work with turnout plans and sending commitment cards to the VEA which now number in the hundreds. The Facebook event page for VEA has a couple of hundred definite attendees and almost that many saying “maybe”. Patsy Coppins, who you might remember worked with the VEA Board for many years and was the Executive Administrative Assistant to Executive Directors from Dave Johnson to myself has come out of retirement to coordinate buses. She has completed an initial order of 44 buses booked from Alexandria to Dublin, from Galax to Hopewell, from St. Paul to Stafford, from Danville to Fairfax, from Fredericksburg to Norfolk…. well you get the point; every corner of the state is covered.  These orders are based on both actual numbers, commitment cards, revised guesstimates and best thinking and should put a bus near enough to most all of our members.  What is most encouraging are the conversations Patsy Coppins has been having with staff-- both your local administrative UniServ Support staff and the UniServ Directors in all areas of the state. The turnout efforts, the commitment cards, the real numbers that are beginning to percolate are all positive.  So we have buses and now we have to fill them. One difficulty going forward is that the VEA has contracted most of the available and reasonably priced buses throughout the state of the Virginia and as we get improved numbers we may have difficulty contracting for additional buses at less than cost prohibitive rates. We will consider the use of gas cards for locals willing to coordinate car pools if we are unable to secure additional buses at reasonable rates to meet growing demand. We really are hoping that is going to be a problem we face J!! By the way , the NEA has kicked in $50,000 to pay for buses to get us to Richmond!

What about those commitment cards? Attached to this email is  a copy of the commitment card (PKF CToolkit ComCard.docx). Print these out. Distribute them to your reps in bundles. Carry them on you to every place you go and get people to sign and commit to come to April 18^th. Then make certain to send them back to us either through your UniServ office or directly to Sonny Ogbuehi at sogbuehi@veanea.org , Assistant Director of Field Support, Organizing and Minority Engagement. He’s coordinating and cataloguing all the cards and the calls and emails that will go back to these individuals to confirm their attendance and their needs for transportation. The cards are an important way of ensuring turnout for April 18^th so please ask everyone you know and turn ‘em in. People can also register at thegoodforvirginia.org/PutKidsFirst web page.

What are we going to say at the rally? Well, there are four major issues-underfunding, class size, early childhood education, and over-testing, but the key is for us to tell our story. Pre-packaged message points are helpful but what is most effective are real and powerful stories of how these issues manifest in our local community. To that end we need your stories and you can tell them by going to goodforvirginia.org/PutKidsFirst.

Where can I get materials to promote the rally? goodforvirginia.org/PutKidsFirst This is your one stop shop to tell your story, commit to the event but also to get materials. On here you can get your campaign toolkit, find editable speeches, resolutions, letters to the editor and commitment cards.

Is there a new rally flier? Yes there is and you can find it attached above. It is two sided with a map of the area between the convention center and capitol as well as parking areas marked. Though there are events in and around the convention center, there are multiple public parking garages and areas next to and within blocks of the convention center staging area. We do not anticipate parking problems but give yourself time to get into Richmond and the convention center otherwise you will have a parking problem. The doors of the convention center staging area will be open at noon to receive you. There are food court and snack areas located within the convention center and we will have water and nutrition bars available for you on your way to the rally.

What about weather? The good thing about the Richmond Convention Center is we can use it as a backup should a reasonable weather event-snow, heavy rain, etc (not a hurricane or tornado) cause us problems at the Capitol. If it is a hot day, again there will be waters staged outside the convention center to keep people cool. Get to Richmond early and stay out of the weather, hot or cold,  at the convention center as you wait for the march to the Capitol to begin.

Why are we doing this? On April 18, 2015, a historic gathering for public education will be held on the Capitol grounds in Richmond, Virginia made up of a coalition of the VEA and the Virginia PTA. The coalition is born from a pent up frustration with the empty rhetoric of support that officials utter while the policies they promote and the investments they make in our schools, our teachers, our ESPs, and our kids fall short. If we are to “Put Kids First”, if we are to see the kind of investment in the Commonwealth’s schools that we want, we cannot continue to do things as we have done. We must make the public and the officials they elect take notice. We must do something to “change the conversation”. 

So if you have had enough the stage is set. Now we have to play our part and get those around us to get on the bus and into their cars and get to Richmond. Be safe in the weather we have been having and have a great weekend. More updates to follow as we move through these next 57 days to April 18^th.

VEA & PTA Announce the Put Kids First Rally

Recap: School Board Meeting 2/12/15

The Wythe County School Board met at 9 a.m. on 2/12/15. Attendance: 7 School Board members, 12 central office, 7 principals, 1 media, >15 community members, 2 teachers, and 2 retired teachers

• Public Comment
• Several community members spoke to the school board, expressing their concerns about the possibility of Speedwell Elementary School closing. Others addressed the board with concerns about the FCHS football program.

• Informational Agenda

• Ryan Walker presented the results of the 2014-2015 Employee Survey. Here's the link to his powerpoint. http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/wythe/Board.nsf/files/9TNKV874E264/$file/WCEA%2014-15%20Survey%20Presentation%20-%20Preview%20for%20SB.pdf
• Project Graduation: Dr. James explained that this is a program designed to provide remedial assistance for students who are at-risk of not graduating. It is grant-funded and gives these students more opportunities to remediate and to take/pass required SOL tests.
• Woodford Golf Fund: Mr. Lee gave the background of the fund and explained how the fund helps high school students more fully participate in the sport of golf.
• Budget FY 16 Update: Dr. Brannon hoeps to be able to give WCPS employees both a step increase and an additional salary increase for the coming school year.
• Principals Update: Four schools were in the spotlight at this month's meeting.
• Mr. Rouse highlighted these and other great things happening at Speedwell Elementary. They are happy to house the new program for students with autism at Speedwell. Their Tiger Tailgate party fostered community involvement and building relationships. The Trout in the Classroom program gets kids collecting water samples and evaluating their data. Also, teachers nominate students each month to join the Principal's Club to be recognized for their awesomeness.
• Mrs. Walters spotlighted these and other great things about Rural Retreat Elementary. RRES students are friends and "bucket-fillers." Teachers from all areas are helping to remediate students in math and language arts. Kids are excited to earn extra library time for rewards, as going to the library is a hands-on experience. Finally, and very importantly, kids are happy at RRES.
• Mrs. Vaught put Rural Retreat Middle School in the spotlight. RRMS has student-developed clubs to address the interests of the students. A STEAM Team has been developed, with 4 teachers traveling to each of the 3 middle schools for kids to get more experience with STEAM concepts: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The students at RRMS believe, "Whether you win or lose, if you're a good sport, you always win."
• Mr. Jackson put Rural Retreat high School in the spotlight. He highlighted several teachers who have secured classroom funds/materials through donorschoose.org. They're using the ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) program to help students become more successful. Students are using a great deal of technology in the classroom and becoming more active learners.

•  At this point in the meeting, your WCEA teacher reps had to leave to return to their respective schools.

Recap of Joint S.B. and B.O.S Meeting, January 27, 2015

The Wythe County School Board and Board of Supervisors held a joint meeting today at 1:30. In attendance were 17 community members, 10 central office staff,  1 teacher, 1 building admin., 1 ODPR rep, and 5 media members.

1. FY 2016 Joint Budget Work Session

• Dr. Brannon stated that the top priority for the School Board is what's best for the students of Wythe County. In order to provide the best for our students, additional revenue is needed. As the state will not be providing any additional money in the upcoming year, all additional funding must come from within the county. 
• Out of 134 school divisions in VA,  77 have raised taxes in the last 5 years. Mr. Dalton, of the B.O.S., noted that the local governments may not introduce new taxes at this time, but may only raise current taxes.
• Further discussion led to the unlikely possibility of participating in the state health insurance plan, as it probably wouldn't provide savings for WCPS.
• Student enrollment is the main factor in determining the budget. Declining enrollment has led to a decline in state funding over the past 5 years. 
• Dr. Brannon wants the "best and brightest" teaching Wythe County students. This requires more funding for teacher salaries in order to be competitive with surrounding divisions.
• Dr. Brannon informed the B.O.S. that grants have been applied for, and received, to help provide all FCHS 9th & 10th graders with a laptop/tablet through the One-on-One Tech Initiative.

2. Phase II of Construction

• A total of $14, 830, 000. would be requested to fund the next phase of construction. 
• Spiller and Scott are determined as having the greatest need of renovations.  A couple possibilities to save money in the long run were discussed, including building a new elementary school to accommodate the needs of Spiller, as well as closing Speedwell Elem. 
• It was noted that closing a school would lead to other expenditures including renovations to other buikdings to house additional students.
• Waiting on construction would raise the project cost by 2-3% each year, due to rising costs for materials, labor, etc...
• Mr. Dalton mentioned that it's a good time to borrow money for construction projects right now, as interest rates are lower.
• Mr. Dalton thanked SB members for the opportunity to work together to continue improving WCPS.
• Phase II specifics will not be decided for certain until the exact funding amount is known.

3. Public Comment

• Several community members attended and spoke in favor of keeping Speedwell Elementary open. There was a recurring theme of support for their school, the teachers there, and the positive atmosphere they feel is present at Speedwell. Statistics were shared to reinforce the importance of small class sizes and small schools' roles in communities.
• A few parents proclaimed that if the school were to close, the county would receive even less state funding because they would home school their children before sending them to another school.
• It was noted that several more parents wanted to attend the meeting.  Unfortunately,  due to it being held at 1:30, many could not attend. 
• A bus driver of Speedwell and Rural Retreat students asked the board to consider how long the children would be on the bus each day. He said that a child living 1.4 miles from Speedwell would be on the bus for 48 miles each day, if traveling to Rural Retreat. Some parents also mentioned the increase in bus time.
• Community members developed a facebook page in support of Speedwell. You can find it by searching, "Save Speedwell."

• 4. Superintendent Search

• About 275 surveys were completed and submitted as part of the public input portion of the search for a new superintendent. Not all board members had received survey results prior to today's meeting.
• Mr. Frye and Mr. Sage both reinforced the public opinion that a new superintendent should reside in the county.
• Other requirements were agreed upon, including teaching experience. 
• Preferences include a doctorate, experience as a principal and central office administrator,  as well as work experience in VA.
• After much discussion and working on their own surveys, SB members decided to continue the discussion in closed session.
• The meeting was adjourned. 

Recap: Open Hearing & School Board Meeting 1/20/15

Attendance: 5 teachers, 2 retired teachers, 2 students, 2 building admin, 7 SB members, 1 BoS member,

Public Hearing on Superintendent's Search

1. Michelle Patton and Annie Zorn spoke about their desires for the new superintendent.

Phase II Construction Discussion

1. Plans were presented on Spiller, Scott, FCMS

2. Renovations to GWHS and FCHS were discussed

3. Plans were discussed for the possibility of adding space to RRES

4. Decision was made to go to Board of Supervisors for a $15 million dollar request to cover Spiller, Scott, FCMS

Recap: MLK, Jr. Walk & Program

It was a great event today in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you to all that made it happen! We walked, we talked, and we prayed - three of MLK's favorite things.

Dan Wilner lead GWHS students in a rockin' performance.

Children of all ages discussed and colored Martin's Big Words!

One of Martin's most important Big Words - equality.

The WCEA was given the great opportunity to participate in the program. We used Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport as a basis for an activity and discussion with the children in attendance. Check out some pictures...










FYI - Here's a link to a great YouTube version of Martin's Big Words to use with your students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBKP6v3rWSI

WCEA members walking with our community in honor and memory of MLK.