THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610180214
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Aleta Payne
LENGTH: 75 lines
Action and discussion from Tuesday night's School Board meeting included:
The board recognized Birdneck Elementary School and fifth-grade teacher Irvin Beard as the national second-place winner in the Microsoft ``Schools on the Web'' home page competition. Beard designed and developed the page, which was one of more than 2,000 submitted. The honor includes a $10,000 technology grant for the school.
The board recognized seven district students who took part in the 1996 National Junior Wheelchair Championships. They are: Betsy Bondurant, a 10th-grader at Kempsville High School; Tara Chandler, a sixth-grader at Virginia Beach Middle School; Ryan Jaggan, a sixth-grader at Salem Middle School; Stephanie LeLache, a fifth-grader at Pembroke Elementary School; Brian Reinertsen, 11th-grader at Kempsville High School; Anthony J. Russo, a ninth-grader at Cox High School; and Carrie Shaw, a 10th-grader at Kempsville High School.
The board delayed action on a massive textbook adoption of 14 books spanning first grade through senior high school so that it could review public comment and ask questions of the committees that studied the books.
During the public comment period, several speakers - some affiliated with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - criticized one of the life sciences texts as presenting false and biased information about animal experimentation. Members of the committee that selected the text said it offered a balanced presentation of the issue.
The board is expected to vote on the adoption at the Nov. 5 meeting.
The board continued refining its financial practices to ensure oversight and the clear presentation of budget information. The board voted to change one of its bylaws so that the Director of Business Services, Sammy Cohen, is now the division's fiscal agent. Previously, that role had been handled by the superintendent. In addition, at the board's request, Cohen presented a new format for financial reporting aimed at making the district's fiscal situation more easily understood.
The board voted on a new agenda format. Meetings will begin at 4 p.m. with a closed session followed by the formal meeting at 6 p.m. Another executive session may be held at 8 p.m. if needed. The hearing of citizens and delegations will follow the 6 p.m. call to order almost immediately.
The board approved a policy that requires all employees to notify the superintendent in writing if they are charged with a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, sexual or physical abuse of a child or drug-related offense. Failure to comply may result in termination of the employee.
The board heard a report from the General Advisory Council for Technical and Career Education. Among the council's recommendations were:
Updating materials and equipment;
Increasing collaboration between academic and technical and career education teachers;
Expanding Tech Prep and High Schools that Work to all high schools; and
Developing an advising system that helps all students begin planning their careers and the education that supports it much earlier.
The Council also offered support for the proposed new Tech Center concept.
The board also heard a report from the Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee, which offered recommendations including:
Providing citywide standardized testing for all first-grade students;
Developing a school-within-a-school middle school arts magnet;
Maintaining continued support for the Governor's School for the Arts;
Developing a full-time elementary gifted magnet;
Completing the development of the Kemps Landing Magnet School program by extending the enrollment to a maximum of 600;
Providing equity in advanced placement opportunities among students in all high schools; and
Establishing opportunities within the high schools for students to extend mathematics studies beyond calculus. by CNB