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<br />NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE <br />HELD ON Friday, January 20, 2006 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference <br />Room. <br /> <br />THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: <br /> <br /> Luncheon meeting with School Board <br /> <br />BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox <br /> <br />BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – January 20, 2006 <br /> <br /> Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: <br />Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bobby Thompson, Acting Superintendent, and Ed Gillaspie, Finance <br />Director, reviewed the highlights of the Superintendent’s proposed budget. They <br />explained that the $4,437,031 increase is due mostly to a proposed 7.78% increase for <br />teacher salaries and 6.25% increase for other staff, and increases in health insurance and <br />retirement. They reviewed class sizes proposed for next year for each of the schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said that salary is not always the primary motivator for teachers, and <br />he asked if teachers have been surveyed to see what they think. <br /> <br /> Ms. Laura Purnell, Director of School Improvement, said that professional <br />development is important to teachers. <br /> <br /> Ms. Julie Gronlund, Chair of the School Board, said that no formal survey has <br />been done. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he thinks doing a formal survey would be good. <br /> <br /> Ms. Gronlund said she will look into the matter. <br /> <br /> Mr. Thompson reviewed proposed teacher reductions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch expressed concern about the loss of a Career Counselor, and Ms. <br />Muriel Wiggins, School Board member, said that the service is currently being provided <br />through a contract with Piedmont Virginia Community College. <br /> <br />th <br /> Mr. Lynch said he was hoping to see a way to address the 9 grade drop-out rate, <br />especially with technical counseling. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peggy Van Yahres, School Board member, said that the PVCC position <br />provides technical counseling. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he hopes to see more resources in this area. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gillaspie reviewed reductions proposed in the budget and projected revenues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Thompson reviewed unfunded priorities. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked how class sizes in City schools compare regionally and <br />statewide. <br /> <br /> Mr. Thompson said Cale Elementary School in Albemarle County, which has a <br />high poverty level, has a 21/1 class size ratio which is larger than the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gillaspie said that the class size ratio in the City is among the lowest in the <br />State. <br /> <br />