City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session October 4, 2017 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Linda T. Johnson, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Michael D. Duman Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Curtis R. Milteer, Sr. Lue R. Ward, Jr. Patrick G. Roberts, City Manager Helivi L. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None The following members of the Suffolk School Board were present: Dr. Michael J. Debranski, Chairman Enoch C. Copeland, Vice Chairman Linda Bouchard Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck David P. Mitnick Lorraine B. Skeeter Also present from School Administration: Dr. Deran Whitney, School Superintendent Wendell Waller, School Board Attorney Cynthia Chavis, Clerk of the School Board ABSENT Phyllis C. Byrum JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD Mayor Johnson and Dr. Debranski offered introductory remarks. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. LaToya Harrison, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Curriculum, Suffolk Public Schools, offered information on student performance. 1 City Council Work Session October 4, 2017 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg called for clarification about the Standards of Learning accreditation denials. Dr. Harrison explained that Booker T. Washington Elementary School received the denial status due to the scores in English and Math, while Mack Benn Elementary School and John F. Kennedy Middle School received the denials due to the scores in English. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg queried about increases in the Standards of Learning scores in Math at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Dr. Harrison stated there has been a modest increase in the Math scores at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward called for clarification about the schools that were denied accreditation last year as compared to this year. Dr. Harrison reported the following information: Booker T. Washington Elementary School was denied accreditation last year in three areas, and this year they were denied accreditation in two areas; Mack Benn Elementary was denied accreditation last year in two areas, and this year they were denied accreditation in one area; and John F. Kennedy Middle School was partially accredited last year, and they were denied this year because they did not make sufficient progress in English. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward opined about alternative techniques for improving student performance. Dr. Whitney advised that staff examines the student performance data in order to create different programs and offer additional resources based on students’ needs. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward opined about pre-kindergarten resources and issues. Dr. Whitney provided information about the Early Start and Special Education Pre-Kindergarten Programs. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward queried about the availability of the Early Start and Special Education Pre-Kindergarten Programs. Dr. Whitney explained that all students citywide are eligible for these programs if they meet the qualifying factors. Ms. Bouchard asked about the number of students on the waiting list for Early Start. Dr. Whitney replied that about 60 to 70 students are on the waiting list. Ms. Bouchard inquired about the current number of students in Early Start. Dr. Whitney indicated that there are 424 students in that program. Dr. Whitney asked about the number of students for whom Suffolk Public Schools receives state funding. Director of Elementary Leadership Pamela L. Connor replied that Suffolk Public Schools receives state funding for 350 students. Council Member Johnson asked about the number of students that are on the waiting list for Early Start. Dr. Whitney replied that about 60 to 70 students are on the waiting list. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Wendy Forsman, Finance Director, Suffolk Public Schools, gave a summary on budget priorities including employee salaries and new school staffing and utilities. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett asked if the salary increases would apply to all employees of Suffolk Public Schools. Ms. Forsman replied in the affirmative. 2 City Council Work Session October 4, 2017 Council Member Milteer called for a comparison of teacher salaries regionally. Ms. Forsman indicated that while Suffolk has increased teachers’ salaries, they still are lower than other municipalities in the region. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett called for a review of the other actions to retain teachers. Dr. Whitney reported that administration has sought input from teachers and worked to address concerns raised during their exit interviews such as workload and assessments. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, F. Terry Napier, Director of Facilities and Planning, Suffolk Public Schools, provided an update on capital improvements. Dr. Harrison gave additional information on project based learning. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg opined about the size of the gym at the new Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School. Mr. Napier explained that the gym size has been reduced because the Parks and Recreation Department is not using it as a joint use facility or for competitive events. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman sought clarification about the roof damage at Oakland Elementary School. Mr. Napier indicated that staff is still trying to determine if these repairs might be covered by insurance. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about a transfer that the City provided to Suffolk Public Schools. Ms. Forsman said that the City transferred $154,000 for capital improvements and $600,000 for teachers’ salaries. Council Member Duman opined about the feasibility of energy performance contracting. Mr. Napier explained that the cost to implement energy performance contracting was estimated between $3,000,000 and $8,000,000, and no action was taken on this matter. Dr. Whitney added that it was cost prohibitive. Council Member Duman requested a copy of the recommendations provided regarding energy performance contracting. City Manager Roberts replied that he would provide copies to all members of City Council. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward inquired about leaks at John F. Kennedy Middle School. Mr. Napier advised that leaks have been an issue there in the past. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked about the future replacement of John F. Kennedy Middle School and Forest Glen Middle School. Dr. Whitney indicated that matter has been discussed, but no definitive decisions have been made. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman solicited clarification about the need to seek new land for John Yates Middle School. Mr. Napier stated that the current parcel is not large enough to accommodate the construction of the new school and operate the existing school at the same time. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman queried about the timeline for the possible purchase of land for a new John Yates Middle School. Mr. Napier said that currently 2021 is the current target date. 3 City Council Work Session October 4, 2017 Council Member Duman opined about the future use of mobile units. Mr. Napier replied that mobile units would still be needed. Members of City Council and the School Board opined about future district wide school rezoning and related matters. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Whitney gave information about enrollment and projections. Dr. Harrison also gave supplementary information about the Excel Academy at Driver. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett queried about the number of students at John Yates Middle School. Dr. Whitney explained that, in total, there are 518 students at the school and 42 students are in the alternative education program. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett called for clarification about the Excel Academy at Driver. Dr. Whitney indicated that academy would be a brand new program. Council Member Fawcett asked about the student capacity at Driver Elementary School. Dr. Whitney said that the capacity is 476. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett sought clarification about the funding request for the Excel Academy at Driver. Dr. Whitney explained that the funding is needed for repairs and staffing. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett queried about the anticipated start date for the Excel Academy at Driver. Dr. Whitney stated that the anticipated start date is 2019-2020. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman inquired about the process used to determine which students would attend the Excel Academy at Driver. Dr. Whitney said that the process has yet to be determined, but parents would be consulted should their students benefit. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Harrison, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Curriculum, Suffolk Public Schools and Andre Skinner, Director, College and Career Academy at Pruden, offered a report on the facility. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Wendy Forsman, Finance Director, Suffolk Public Schools, submitted information on expenditures and operational costs. The work session adjourned at 6:12 p.m. 4 City Council Work Session October 4, 2017 CLOSED MEETING City Clerk Dawley presented the Closed Meeting motion for City Council’s consideration: 1. Pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711(A)(1) and (A)(8), the consultation with legal counsel employed by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the legal advice of such counsel, and the discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for appointment and the assignment, appointment, and performance of specific public officers or appointees of the City, specifically the appointments as shown on the attached list for vacancies or term expirations for Community Policy and Management Team, Historic Landmarks Commission, Library Advisory Board, Southeastern Public Service Authority Board of Directors, Suffolk Clean Community Commission Keep Suffolk Beautiful Executive Board, and Suffolk Clean Community Commission. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purpose, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 6:13 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 6:28 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: NOVEMBER 1, 2017 5