Thursday, March 26, 2015
2015 VEA Convention
Monday, March 23, 2015
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.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Recap: School Board Meeting 3/12/15
- RRHS & GWHS Wrestling team members won several state championships and runner ups
- 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.
- 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.
- SOL Testing Update - Ms. Beth Cochran
- Writing Test - coming up in March
- Non-Writing Window - 4 weeks in May
- 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
- 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)
- Central Office Staff Discussions - None
- 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
- Graduation Dates APPROVED
- WCTC 5/21 7pm
- RRHS 5/22 6pm
- GWHS 5/22 8pm
- FCHS 5/23 10am
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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