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Superintendent's Community Advisory Council

 

SCAC Minutes
November 9, 2004

Lynn Terhar opened the meeting and introduced guests Dean Tistadt, assistant superintendent for the Department of Facilities and Transportation Services, and Rose Kaspersen, Office of Community Relations. She then asked Jack Dale for Superintendent's updates.

Dale discussed the budget process for FY 2006, which will be handled differently than previous budgets. The School Board has asked for the process to be revised to include the Board in more discussion prior to release of the Superintendent’s budget. In January, the FCPS Superintendent’s proposed FY 2006 budget will be released. The document will reflect perspectives within the school system.

At this time in the process, staff members have created a list of potential items to include in the budget and have identified anything that we might be able to cease doing. The School Board has revised the list and then considered it at a work session on Nov. 8. The School Board and the Leadership Team collectively rated the importance of each item relative to the FCPS strategic targets.

Dale invited committee members to rate the items on the list and get back to him within the next few weeks. He then reviewed each item on the list, which was handed out to the group.

Several members asked questions related to items, including technical support at schools, student testing, teacher incentives, school start times, teacher salaries, and class size.

Tistadt talked about disposition of FCPS property. He noted that cash flow for renovations and capacity enhancements is not sufficient--$600 million less than FCPS’ projected needs over 10 years. Staff members have looked at alternative means such as the public-private partnership at the South County site and specific energy-saving programs.

FCPS is now looking at the portfolio of properties not needed for instruction. Staff members are looking at the benefit of selling any of these sites. Tistadt is hopeful that some properties can be sold to develop revenue that can be used to add instructional space.

Lacey and Devonshire Centers are needed as schools. One proposal is to close Graham Road and rebuild Devonshire Center as a school. Staff members are also looking at the concept of building community schools at these sites, so that the facilities will serve student needs and the needs of the greater community.

Several members had questions.

Cathy Horowitz asked if students would be split between Graham Road and a new school at Devonshire. Tistadt said the students would be kept together.

Floyd discussed her positive experiences with the community school concept in Arizona.

Tracy Pless gave the Superintendent a new booklet from NVAR that highlights research that NVAR has done on smart growth.

Ann Rodriquez asked what happened with the Pohick site. Dale said that the property had a reverter clause that would return it to the developer if a school was not built there. FCPS did not have plans to build at the site, and the developer offered $12 million for the site.

Ellen Oppenheim said she was at the Pohick meetings and was pleased by the collaboration between the school system and the Board of Supervisors.

Brenda Greene endorsed the concept of community schools.

Lynn Petrozula said that all proceeds from land sales should be used to accelerate the renovation schedule.

Mary Tycz asked about the criteria for putting properties on the list. Tistadt offered to have someone come to a council meeting to talk about the process.

Terhar asked if there was a time line for making decisions about these properties. Tistadt said that properties will be considered one at a time.

Hurley noted that Arlington has community schools. She said SCAC members can help get correct information about each property out into the community if the members are kept informed.

Dick Reed asked about proffers from builders for schools and other facilities. Ellen Oppenheim said that proffering is a problem in Fairfax County.

The meeting was opened to member issues.

Eileen Filler-Corn asked for an update on South County. Reed said two of three planned boundary meetings have been held. Three boundary options were being used to form the preferred alternative. It has been a good process in terms of entertaining comments.

Tycz asked if there any way to receive feedback on the renovation process and the contractors used.

Levy said that high school students don’t appear to be doing research papers anymore. She talked to a teacher who said they don’t have time. Lynch said that, at Chantilly High School, students do research papers and there is a focus on writing across the curriculum. Bill Oehrlein confirmed this is true across the county.

Weaver said this is her last meeting. She is moving to Madison, Wisconsin.

Pless referred to the minutes from the last meeting and clarified that any Realtor who promotes a specific school could be fined for violating the federal Fair Housing Act.

Hurley spoke about the research paper issue. Her sixth grader is writing one now. Last year, her 11 th grader wrote a 20-page paper on a decision made since 1945. Teachers are good at making students use a variety of sources.

Floyd is concerned about SOL scores being used to screen for honors and GT pullout.

Reed asked if there was funding for any of the new initiatives on the budget considerations list. He said he appreciated wanting to make the process more open earlier and hopes it is constructive.

Cee Stephens returned to the GT screening process and said using any single resource to screen is not best practice. There are no standard tests for achievement other than the SOL at this time. Each administrator can decide how much time he or she wants from a GT specialist. Many serve several schools so do not have time for the assessment piece. Single assessment should not be used, but you need data. Formative assessment would really help.

Martin suggested a presentation from Carol Horn on GT issues, the honors program, and the new TJ admissions process.

Hurley said she received a complaint because some high school teachers have required students to state the candidate they supported in the election and why.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20. Next meeting 12/14.