+

Spotsylvania County

School Board Meeting

Courtney Carbaugh

EDCI 506-01

A Glimpse

into Public

School

Governance

+The Meeting

Date: October 14, 2013

Type: Regular Meeting

Location: Spotsylvania County School Board Office, 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Attendance:

More than 100 attendees

at start of meeting – mostly

parents in attendance for

student marching band

performance

25-50 attendees after

completion of marching

band performance – even

mix of teachers,

administrators, and parents

+Major Agenda Items

• Public Comments

• Board Member Comments

• Superintendent’s Report

• Recommendation for New Student Information System Product

• Budget Amendment#6 – Approval of FY 2013 Carryover Funds

• Fine Arts Display

• Superintendent’s Award

• Recognition of Chancellor High School by Rappahannock Choral Society

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Spotsylvania High School Marching Knights Performance

Opening Items &

Instructional Highlights

Recognition and Awards

CommentsAction Items

+Advocating for Teacher $alary

The public comment portion of the meeting turned out to be nothing short of inspiring!

No fewer than 8 teachers stood as representatives of educators in their schools to share stories about the impact of low teacher salaries and the lack of step increases and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) over the last

few years in Spotsylvania County.

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“44% of SEA

members at

my school

have a

second job.”

“I rent out part of

my home and

teach 2 classes

at Germanna.”

“I’m not one to

speak in public,

but I am

stepping out of

my comfort zone

for this issue.”

“I make $130 more per

month after earning my

M.Ed.…which is less

than half of what is

needed to make my

student loan payment

for that degree.”

“49% of SEA

members at

my school

have a

second job.”

“One SEA

member

works 3

jobs.”

“My 2 teenage

sons work to

contribute to

the

household.”

“I can’t

afford to live

where I

work.”

“No one has

started talking

about a plan

yet…a plan

equals hope.”

“What is a

teacher

worth?”

“We fight for our

students. Is there

someone willing

to stand for us??”

“I am more

than just a

teacher.”

+Teacher $alary: The School Board Role and Response

Response was generally positive and supportive

• Commiseration over “embarrassing” salary situation

• Current teacher on the board offered that her role as school board member is her second job

• Salary is a priority this year

• Comments are appreciated – “positive and touching”

But…ultimately budget for teacher salary has to be approved by the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

• Teachers were encouraged to repeat these comments at the Board of Supervisor Town Halls

• Board asked teachers to keep the conversation going through the budget process

• Superintendent: We will try to stay responsive to those needs

+Reality of the School Board Roles &

Responsibilities

“School-board members are responsible for all aspects of employee relations[.]”

“The board must keep the school district solvent and get the most our of every dollar.”

Gutek, G.L., Levine, D.U., Ornstein, A.C., & Vocke, D.E. (2011). Foundations of Education (12th ed.). California: Wadsworth.

One aspect of employee relations is retention of employees, which includes options like bonuses and salary increases. The school board has no autonomy to utilize these options.

The board is given a budget to manage, but again they have very little autonomy (if any) to prescribe funds as they see fit.

The teachers that spoke seemed frustrated and discouraged to have the proverbial buck passed from the school board to the Board of Supervisors.

In their fiscal role, the school board served as little more than a sounding board in this situation. This will be reflected again later in the approval process for a budget amendment for employee bonuses.

According to the text… In reality…

+Spotsylvania Enters the 21st Century: Recommendation for a New Student

Information System

Workgroup formed earlier to establish needs and review

options

Workgroup presentation of

research process and recommendation

School Board to vote on approval of

Edupoint recommendation

The Recommendation Process

Why does the county need a new student information system?

Currently the county is one of only three Virginia districts still using an old

DOS system, which does not offer real-time information. The county

seeks to increase end-users to include parents and teachers. It has also

become difficult to find tech staff to manage the program because this

kind of programming isn’t really taught anymore.

+Spotsylvania Enters the 21st Century: Recommendation for a New Student

Information System

Why should the school board approve the recommended Edupoint

student information system?

Real-time data

Would allow for combining of several programs currently in operation

under one system

District can control data that parents see (like grades)

Offers a mobile view

Would be ready for use by the first day of school 2014

Projected cost savings of $350,804 over the next 5 years by way of

retired programs and consolidated applications under this system

+The School Board Likes This

Compliant with “need-to-know” privacy guidelines?

Yes, customizable access and secure system.

Legality of not issuing request for proposal (RFP)?

Approved by legal counsel because similar districts have procured this product.

Training before September for teachers?

Yes, hopefully beginning in July.

Why is this the best product of those reviewed?

Met all established needs

User-friendly

Company’s history with other districts of similar size and make-up

Customizable programming architecture

Grades can be entered directly by teachers

Administrators could track behavioral issues

Parents can have immediate access to all of that information

“School boards set the general rules about what is done in the schools, who does it, and how. The shift to school-based management has changed the what, who, and how, permitting greater involvement of teachers, school-based administrators, and parent groups in day-to-day school operation and direction.” (p. 220)

Questions before approval: (Approved 6-0)

+Better than a Jelly-of-the-Month Club

Membership:Budget Carryover Becomes Possible Bonus

$2.2 million budget carryover funds from FY12 – Superintendent led initiative to find a way to ensure this surplus went to teachers

Must be used for one-time cost only (no COLA or step increases)

Allows for $900 bonus to be paid to all school system employees –payable by December 20

Tax applied at the FY12 rate

Should more than cover even the highest employee healthcare contribution increases

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• Approved! (6-0)

• “Even though we are charged with operating the schools […], we are hamstrung by the Board of Supervisors.”

School Board

• Must review before going to Board of Supervisors

• Approved

County Finance Committee • Will not even look at a

school budget amendment unless it has been approved by School Board

• Awaiting approval

Board of Supervisors

It was noted several times by both the board members and presenting budget staff that Dr. Scott

Baker, the Superintendent, should be commended for his efforts in leading this initiative. This effort

aligns with the textbook’s description of superintendent as “chief executive officer of the school

system” responsible for administrative management including budgeting (p. 222). It is also a politically

savvy move that should allow him to build some support among his teacher and taxpayer

stakeholders.

Budget Carryover Approval:Who’s The Boss?

+Lasting Impressions

Teachers

must

advocate for

their students

and

themselves!!