HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 21 2018 Work Session with School Board Minutes261
MINUTES
Frederick County Board of Supervisors
Joint Work Session with Frederick County School
Board Wednesday, February 21, 2018
4:00 p.m.
Board Meeting Room,107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA
ATTENDEES
Board of Supervisors: Chairman Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Vice -Chairman
Gary A. Lofton; Blaine P. Dunn; J. Douglas McCarthy; Judith McCann -Slaughter; and
Shannon G. Trout were present. Robert W. Wells was absent. Staff present:
Kris C. Tierney, County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator;
Roderick B. Williams, County Attorney; Cheryl B. Shiffler, Finance Director;
C. William Orndoff, Jr., Treasurer; Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; Ellen Murphy,
Commissioner of the Revenue; Sharon Kibler, Assistant Finance Director; Scott Varner,
Director of Information Technology; Becky Merriner, Director of Human Resources; and
Ann W. Pbillips, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors
School Board: Dr. John Lamanna; Michael Lake; Frank Wright; Seth Thatcher;
Jay Foreman; and Shontya' Washington were present. Staff present: Dr. David Sovine,
Superintendent; Dr. Al Orndorff, Assistant Superintendent; Steve Edwards, Coordinator of
Policy and Communications; Dr. James Angelo, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction;
Patty Camery, Executive Director of Finance, and Kristen Anderson, FCPS Budget Supervisor.
Frederick Co. Finance Committee Members present: Jeffrey Boppe and
Angela Rudolph
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lamanna called the School Board to order at 4:05 p.m.
Chairman DeHaven called the Board of Supervisors to order at 4:05p.m.
PRESENTATION — HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSED
2018-2019 BUDGET
Dr. Sovine discussed his proposed budget using a PowerPoint presentation. He
illustrated his current proposed budget request and noted that the School Board had cut
their requests by $8.2 million prior to submitting the current proposal.
DISCUSSION
Minute Book Number 43
Board of Supervisors Joint work Session with
Frederick County School Board of 02/21/18
County of Frederick, Virginia
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Dr. Lamanna noted the budget calendar and said after several work sessions, the
current proposal is the best option the School Board has generated.
Supervisor McCarthy asked for clarification on the salary numbers in the presentation.
He asked about the salary gap between the County and surrounding jurisdictions,
particularly Loudoun County. Dr. Sovine said the gap in starting salaries is about $8000 and
for experienced teachers can range up to $30,000.
Chairman DeHaven discussed the increase in operational costs in relation to
insurance costs,
Supervisor McCarthy inquired about the costs to re -implement ninth grade sports and
Dr. Sovine said the cost would be $53,000.
Dr, Sovine and Supervisor McCarthy further discussed salaries in the 30-mile radius
of the County. Dr. Sovine said that to be competitive, the School Board attempts to be
within $6000 to $8000 of other localities' salaries. In reference to Supervisor McCarthy's
question about closing the gap, Dr. Sovine said his current budget proposal allows for
salaries to stand still, not close the gap.
Regarding Supervisor Dunn's question about the salaries in the City of Winchester,
Dr. Sovine said there are no significant differences. Supervisor Dunn discussed bus driver
salaries and the need for bus replacement. He clarified that the proposed budget does
not include funding for the 12th elementary school or the replacement of Aylor Middle School.
Supervisor Trout noted the salary gap between secretaries and custodians at the
schools versus the County Administration offices.
Supervisor Slaughter asked for clarification on the number of busses needing
replacement and the number of vacant teacher positions, Dr. Sovine said there are typically
10 to 18 long term substitutes in the system each year.
Chairman Dehaven asked about the length of time to replace the fleet and Dr. Sovine
said that replacing 13 buses per year rotates the fleet in 15 years.
Supervisor McCarthy asked about the projects that had been delayed because of
funding shortages. Dr, Sovine listed several projects including a cooling tower, roof
replacements, and fire alarm systems. Supervisor McCarthy asked about keeping up with
maintenance. Dr. Sovine said the system is doing the best it can and noted that the state
Minute Book Number 43
Board of Supervisors Joint Work Session with
Frederick County School Board of 02/21/18
County of Frederick, Virginia
263
average for the number of students per one maintenance technician is 467, while FCPS
averages 893 students to one technician. Supervisor Dunn asked if having more
maintenance staff would increase the life of school buildings. Dr. Sovine said the
lifespan of a school is about 30 years and with age and less maintenance renovations are
more costly than replacement. The Boards discussed the balance between renovation and
replacement.
Supervisor Dunn requested that the Boards meet again within the next month or so
to discuss the 5-year CIP.
Dr, Lamanna asked the help of the Board of Supervisors in clarifying with
constituents that two statements recently circulating are not true. He said it is false that the
School Board is influenced by OWPR, adding that OWPR was not involved in the last three
school construction projects, Dr. Lamanna said that the air quality control study at Aylor
is being done by an independent contractor, and not by a firm hoping to profit from
constructing the Aylor replacement.
Supervisor Dunn discussed revenue generation and the possibility of raising the meals
tax rate in Frederick County.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:04 p.m.
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Kri . Ti rney
Clerk, Boar-d—oT Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By:
Ann W. Phillips
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 43
Board of Supervisors Joint Work Session with
Frederick County School Board of 02/21/18
County of Frederick, Virginia