2005-05-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, May 20, 2005 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - May 20, 2005 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Absent: Ms. Hamilton. Ms. Julie Gronlund, Vice Chair of the School Board, thanked Council for appointing a great advisory commission. She said the charge of the commission will be developed over time. Mr. Bobby Thompson, Co-Acting Superintendent, reviewed highlights, championships and recognitions of the school year. He said efforts are being made to recognize teachers and staff. Mr. Thompson said that SOL testing is finishing up in the schools. He said that after the resignation of the Superintendent, he and Co-Acting Superintendent Gertrude Ivory felt there was a need to work on morale. He said they are also trying to be more open and responsive to the media. He said it is important to put a positive tone to the end of the school year. Mr. Thompson said that they are looking for a new principal at Clark Elementary School. He said school choice was again offered to Clark students, but he was pleased that only five have chosen this option. He said there has been no decline in interest for out of district students even given the bad publicity and increase in tuition. Ms. Gertrude Ivory, Co-Acting Superintendent, stressed that students come first and the schools want to be responsive to all stakeholders, and want to be collaborative and cooperative. She said they want to promote a culture for wanting the best for all of our students. He said some reorganization has taken place and they are working on clarifying roles and responsibilities, and are encouraging logical partnerships. She said that hopefully the tone of the School Board meetings will be changing. Dr. Brown said that the City is offering summer programs and suggested that the City and schools look at new partnerships. Mr. Lynch noted that 11 out of 12 students passed their SOLs at Walker as a result of a technology grant. He said additional funds may be needed for more equipment to help this program move forward. Dr. Brown said that it has been suggested that we plan ahead for joint Council/School Board meetings with topics that would be useful, and asked that topic ideas be conveyed to him or the School Board chair. Mr. Caravati said it would be helpful to have the agenda and background information ahead of time. Mr. Lynch said he would like to have a review of the SOL data. Mr. Bill Igbani, School Board member, said he would be interested in Council's position on an elected School Board. The meeting was adjourned.