2010-01-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, January 22, 2010 AT 12:00 noon IN THE “City Space”, Charlottesville Community Design Center. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox CITY SPACE – January 22, 2010 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Ms. Szakos. Absent: Dr. Brown. Dr. Thomas Taylor, Principal of Charlottesville High School, discussed th educational highlights at CHS, including a new urban design class for 10 graders. He said this class looked at the plans for redevelopment of public housing, designed asset maps, and made suggestions about how they would change public housing if they could. He said that the work of the class is on display in the Charlottesville Community Design Center. He said future projects will include looking at finances for the City and looking at City transportation and changes they would recommend. He said they will also be designing a bus shelter. He said plans are being made to take the students to the Making Cities Livable Conference in Charleston, South Carolina next year. Responding to a question from Mr. Huja, Dr. Taylor said all of the students in the class are minorities and most are residents of public housing. Ms. Kathy Galvin, School Board member, said the genesis of this class was the Housing Authority’s master planning process and thinking of ways to get residents involved. Ms. Szakos asked if consideration is being given to offering Chinese language at CHS which would help enable kids to go to engineering schools in China which are now seen as the best. Dr. Taylor said Chinese will be offered next year though on-line delivery with a teacher certified in Chinese. Dr. Taylor said that Black History Month events will be held throughout February at CHS. He said student discipline deferrals are down significantly, there are fewer physical altercations, and attendance is up. Mr. Norris noted that most students will have free membership at the YMCA when it opens in McIntire Park, and he asked if there have been discussions about this. Dr. Taylor said no, but it is on their radar screen. He said it will provide an opportunity for more outlets to students. Ms. Faye Giglio, Director of Human Resources for City Schools, said she found out today that 100% of City School teachers have been designated as highly qualified by federal standards. Mr. Norris said there is an effort by the City to increase people of color in City government and he would like the Schools at the table. He said he would also like to look at recruitment of teachers and professionals in general. The meeting was adjourned. _____________________________ ________________________