PRINCE EDWARD – There was some increase in the number of students in Prince Edward schools, but there was some question at the school board's November meeting on why the numbers declined from the start of the school year.

According to the school's track of K-12 membership registered the last day of each month, August student numbers totaled 2,221. That figure dipped to 2,208 in September, and rose to 2,215 in October. The school board-dependent on state funding liked to the number of students-built their budget for the current year factoring an average daily membership of 2,270.

“I hate to beat this to death,” commented school board member Dr. Lawrence Varner, who also raised the concern at the school board's October meeting, “but can we get more specifics of why we're down like 56 from…where we ended last year and specifics of why September was lower?”

Dr. Varner had noted in October that they typically add students after starting school instead of dropping.

The board is expected to receive a report at their December meeting.

School Activity Funds

Director of Finance Cindy Wahrman presented a report on activity accounts at each of the schools, which were reviewed by an outside auditor. (The funds come from an array of areas including concession stands at games, the gates-which fund athletic programs-clubs that collect monies, such as the FFA holding food sales, which are used for attending state conferences or competitions.)

She noted that they are “very pleased at the outcome. The efforts that we put forward and the changes that we have implemented, we received 100 percent compliance this year and we are very pleased…and thankful for the principals and the bookkeepers for their hard work in making this possible.”

Wahrman reported that they have reviewed the audit with the principal and bookkeeper from each school and discussed the concerns or the recommendations that the auditor placed and noted that some of the recommendations have already been completed. She noted that they will continue to monitor and have discussions with the principal and bookkeepers about the procedures and look for ways to implement changes that would better serve the schools and make sure that everything is done within a fiscally sound process.

Career Tech Changes

Career Tech Coordinator Mary Beth Echeverria reported that the State Department of Education is going to support automotive technology programs solely-which means the current program of auto servicing will no longer be courses supported by the Department.

“So it is a matter of transitioning to automotive technology, which would be a certified program,” she said. “We would have to begin undergoing the certification process or accreditation process immediately.”

It is expected to cost $1,319 for the initial accreditation process, there would also be a cost for exams for the instructor (approximately $200), transitioning the classrooms would involve putting computers in, having software and simulations (initially anticipated to cost about $7,000). The lab, it was also noted, is small and Echeverria said they are going to need significant space. (She would also note they don't know the equipment and the cost for the lab.)

“So what this boils down to is there are some (federal) Perkins funds that we can begin to use this year that have been allotted for that program to start buying some of the tools that we need,” she said. “Next year, we'll allot some more, but we can't do it to the detriment of the other programs.”

Echeverria added that they are going to rely on some local funding, noting that they're going to need the help of the school board. She said that they would need some storage outside of the bay areas for the things students work on.

In Other News…

*School board members recognized second grader Julianna Swanson and high school graduate Gwendolyn Lawrence; their art was part of the area youth art exhibit at Longwood University on display (where it will remain until May of 2013). The exhibition included selected works representing schools in eight counties.

*The school board recognized division math teachers participating in regional and state math assessment item writing projects. Participants included Alicia Edwards and Jason Crow from the elementary school, Wanda Dews and Sebastian Chirila from the middle school, and Calin Lupas and Noel Cabautan from the high school. Dews and Chirila also participated in the Virginia School University partnership Math Assessment Item Writing Project.

*The custodial department was recognized for observing safety procedures and for going the 2011-12 school year without an accident or injury.

*The school board recognized Francisco Auction Company-thanking Bill Talbert for his dedication and service to the County's public schools. Talbert donates his time to conduct the school's surplus auctions.

*The school board approved the sale of 27 computers (12 NCS and 15 Dell models) refurbished by computer services students and 15 monitors from the Career and Technical Education Center. The computers will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis with the funds coming back to the Career Tech Center program.

*The school board was presented a list of budget goals for final review and consideration; the board is expected to consider action at their December meeting.

Specific goals include: improve academic opportunities and achievement for all students while closing the achievement gap; strengthen home, school, business, and community engagement to advance staff and student achievement; ensure that schools are safe, orderly, nurturing and supportive of quality teaching; promote a positive, healthy, and inviting school culture conducive to learning; optimize effective use of management of operational resources that support teaching and learning; hire, support, and retain highly qualified teachers and staff; and provide resources and funding support for the School Board responsibilities related to the partnership agreement with Cambridge Education.

Board member Dr. Ellery Sedgwick said he would like to see more effort to tie the goals with actual budgeted items and particular strategies.

*The school board was presented with Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) policy updates for a first reading. The revisions are based on changes in law and regulations.

*Barry Glenn, president and CEO of Jobs for Virginia Graduates, gave a presentation on the organization's program. The program deals with at-risk children.

*Moses W. Foster Sr., speaking in the pubic comment portion of the meeting, offered, “I have many concerns about Prince Edward County schools, but I am mostly concerned about the quality of leadership being demonstrated by the Prince Edward County administration coming from the central office.”

Specifically, Foster expressed concern over school community relations.

“We have been talking about improving the school community relations for the last three years, but it has not improved,” he said. “It has gotten worse.”

Foster also expressed concern for why students are leaving Prince Edward County schools and enrolling in the surrounding counties.