February 10, 2015 School Board meeting highlights

Faculty Focus
Spring Valley High English Teacher Michelle Maxberry discussed how her English I students connected the artwork of Jacob Lawrence with "Copper Sun," a novel about a slave's journey to freedom written by Sharon Draper.

Maxberry’s students are participating in an arts initiative in partnership with Bravo Blythewood, a community arts group. This initiative blends art, literature, research and technology with prints from African American painter Jacob Lawrence’s “Great Migration” series. 

Voting Item: Eight Percent Funding
Chief Financial Officer Harry Miley presented, for second reading, an updated list of projects to be funded through Eight Percent Funds. As of June 30, 2014, the remaining debt margin available to the School District was $10,606,460. The board voted to table this item until a future board meeting.

2015–2016 Capital Improvements
2015–2016 IT Capital Expenditure Budget  

Voting Item: Bond Refunding Resolution
Chief Financial Officer Harry Miley presented for second reading a draft of the 2015 Bond Refunding Resolution that will authorize the district to pursue refunding eligible outstanding bond issues and also to issue an Eight Percent Capital Improvement Bond for 2015. The board voted to approve this resolution, which is expected to save the district $2 million.

2015 Bond Resolution

Report: Second Quarter Financial Statement
Chief Financial Officer Harry Miley presented as in formation to the board the Second Quarter Financial Statement.

Second Quarter Financial Statement

Update: Ridge View Facilities
Executive Director of Operations Jack Carter presented an update to the board on the status of ongoing facilities upgrades at Ridge View High School.

Ridge View Facilities Report

Update: R2i2
Assistant Superintendent Baron Davis presented a summary of new and ongoing projects for the Institute of Innovation. In addition to reviewing program concentrations and sample course highlights, he introduced the new R2i2 Director and Career Development Facilitator. Dr. Davis also discussed the new iOS Swift programming satellite course offered in partnership with Midlands Technical College and listed upcoming career exploration trips for students and staff.

R2i2 Update

Update: Leadership, Management & Supervision Training 
Assistant Superintendents Baron Davis and Keith Price presented information regarding new programs developed to cultivate leaders in our district. These two new programs evolved from one of the 2014–2015 district priorities—Leadership, Training and Supervision Development.

The Administrator Development Series targets new administrators, aspiring administrators and individuals interested in leadership-type positions. More than 100 employees expressed interest in the program. They meet monthly to learn about a variety of relevant topics.

The Assistant Principal Academy serves a group of assistant principals who aspire to become principals in the near future. Eleven individuals were selected from a pool of applicants to participate in the first class.
 
Planning for the next phase of Leadership, Training and Supervision Development has already begun. In the summer, individuals in their first two years of administration will participate in a series of workshops focused on essential responsibilities of district departments. The next application-based program is anticipated to begin in fall of 2015 and will focus on a group of individuals who aspire to begin their 

Leadership, Management and Supervision Training

Report: Accountability
The board received as information a report regarding the administration’s plans to address schools whose Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) letter grade dropped from 2013 to 2014.

ESEA letter grades are reported using five performance levels (A, B, C, D, and F). One of the challenges for schools and communities aiming to make sense of ESEA ratings is the fact that ESEA letter grades are created by combining two constructs into one: growth and proficiency.

Teaching and Learning Department Accountability Report


A complete recording of each board meeting is aired on the district’s cable access channel 12 R2TV on Time Warner Cable and on demand anytime through the district’sYouTube channel.