2007-02-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Thursday, February 22, 2007 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 – February 22, 2007 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Taliaferro. Absent: Mr. Norris. Ms. Rosa Atkins, Superintendent of Schools, said that the final budget is being developed and will soon go to Council. She said that the presentation today will show that the Schools not only go to Council to help supports the schools, but also go elsewhere for support. She said that the Strategic Plan is kept in mind when looking at potential partnerships and grants. Ms. Gertrude Ivory, Associate Superintendent of School, said that $3.7 million in grants have been applied for and $2.7 million already received. Ms. Ivory, Harley Miles, Supervisors of Assessment, and Ms. Beth Baptist, Director of Special Education and Student Services, reviewed grants that have been received and applied for. Mr. Lynch said it is an impressive effort. He asked about the potential for the Schools to work with the City to secure funding to conduct a study to identify the types and sources of poverty in our area. He said we need to get a better handle on families in poverty and the causes (i.e., in-migration, ESL, generational, breakdown in families) to better target programs. He said he would be willing to make a pitch to Council for City funding for such an effort. Mr. Taliaferro applauded everyone’s efforts in securing and seeking the grant funds. Mr. Ned Michie, School Board Member, noted that the Schools receive a significant amount of volunteer time as well. Mr. Lynch said he has heard that the Book Buddies Program is being curtailed. He said he is an advocate of the program but understands that it could be run more efficiently. He asked if there is a way to expand it to have more volunteers under each coordinator. He said he thinks the major benefit to the program is this may be the only time these students get one on one attention from an adult. He said perhaps that could be done with one coordinator for 100 volunteers. Ms. Atkins said the Book Buddies Program is not being taken out of the budget, but it is important to allow principals the flexibility to adjust programs to serve the needs of their students. Mr. Lynch suggested getting together with the School Board and Book Buddies volunteers to make it a better program, and present it to the principals as a more useful program. Ms. Peggy Van Yahres, School Board member, said she understands the principals are talking with the coordinators. Mr. Lou Bograd, School Board member, said the School Board is open to creative suggestions as to how to make it more effective.