Montgomery County Public Schools public meetings in 2020

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a retreat and special session, approving the receipt and appropriation of $4.1 million in deferred operating funds from the Board of Supervisors. They also discussed a revised pay plan proposing an average 3% employee raise for the last six pay periods of the 2020-2021 contract year, and entered closed session for one personnel matter.

• Approved $4.1M deferred funds from Board of Supervisors for 2020-2021 operating budget
• Discussed revised pay plan with average 3% employee pay increase
• Entered closed session for one personnel matter
• Retreat activities on effective school boards and crucial conversations

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a special session to consider a proposal from the superintendent to change instructional phases due to staffing concerns. The board voted to approve the change, with two members opposed. The meeting was procedural and included the pledge, agenda adoption, and adjournment.

• Approved change to instructional levels based on staffing concerns
• Motion carried 5-2, with Penny Franklin and Sue Kass opposed
• Meeting held virtually and live-streamed on YouTube

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a special session to discuss and act on adjustments to instructional phases and levels amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The board approved allowing middle and high school students with D/F grades to attend school all day with parent permission, affirmed Wednesdays as a student work-from-home day, and affirmed the remote-only option through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The board also approved consent items, including grant proposals, and the payment of bills totaling $8,357,967.91.

• Approved allowing D/F students in middle and high school to attend all day school while in Phase 3, Level 2, with parent permission
• Affirmed Wednesdays as a Student Work-From-Home Day
• Affirmed remote-only option available through end of 2020-2021 school year
• Approved payment of bills totaling $8,357,967.91
• Approved consent items including grants for Wednesday Challenge Incentives ($1,000) and Gardening: An Alternative to Stress ($856.72)

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a regular session that included a public hearing on the proposed Strategic Plan, a public address period, and approval of consent items and financial reports. The board also approved several grant proposals, including a $10,485 grant for Shawsville Middle School and a $1,500 grant for emergency preparedness kits.

• Public hearing on the proposed Strategic Plan
• Approved payment of bills totaling $8,098,419.59 for FY 2020-2021
• Approved grant proposal for SMS Office of School Quality 2020-2021 Mini-Grant ($10,485)
• Approved grant proposal for VT Prepared ($1,500)
• Approved consent items including minutes and MCEF grant cycle ($350)

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

This is the second of two School Board retreat sessions focused on anti-bias and anti-racism development. The agenda includes procedural items like the pledge, agenda adoption, and adjournment, plus a discussion of upcoming meetings. No decisions or public hearings are scheduled.

• Anti-Bias Anti-Racism Development (information item)
• Upcoming meetings: Nov 30 joint with Board of Supervisors, Dec 1 reorganizational, Dec 15 VSBA development
• Agenda adoption (action item)

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a virtual special session on Nov 16, 2020, approving a COVID merit stipend for employees (Option B) and adjusting COVID notification procedures. The board also approved consent items, including MCEF grants and multiple meeting minutes, and acknowledged financial reports. Discussions included a potential joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and scheduling an additional December meeting.

• Approved COVID Merit Stipend Option B (motion carried 4-3)
• Adjusted COVID notifications: phone/email for positive cases, weekly division-wide notifications
• Approved payment of bills totaling $6,834,572.57
• Approved MCEF grant proposals (2 applications totaling $849)
• Discussed joint meeting with Board of Supervisors on Nov 30

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board approved COVID-19 merit stipends for employees, requested supplemental appropriations from the Board of Supervisors, and approved revised instructional phases for reopening. The board also approved the budget planning calendar, advisory committees, the gifted plan, and policy revisions, and discussed a 3% pay increase and reopening survey feedback.

• Approved COVID Merit Stipend: $2,000 for contracted employees employed after March 13, $1,000 for those hired during 2020-2021, pending Board of Supervisors approval
• Authorized supplemental appropriation request of $3,384,516 for CARES Act reimbursement
• Authorized supplemental appropriation request of $6,925,600 for deferred operating budget funds
• Approved revised instructional phases adding sixth-grade in-person attendance and Phase III Level 3 (4-5 full days)
• Approved payment of bills totaling $6,273,925.09

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held its regular session on October 6, 2020, approving consent items, financial reports, and several grant proposals. The board also recognized October Seniors of the Month and heard public comments, including concerns about remote learning tools and communication.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $4,733,592.83 for FY 2020-2021
• Accepted $1,500 donation from United Way of the New River Valley for Christiansburg High School nutrition program
• Approved grant proposals including $500,000 NSF-funded online STEM lectures with Virginia Tech
• Recognized October Seniors of the Month from four high schools
• Heard public comments on Google Meets issues, homework load, and meeting notifications

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held its regular session on September 1, 2020, addressing COVID-19 concerns, approving policy changes, and recognizing staff. The board approved revisions to Policy 7-1.1 to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, aligning with Virginia legislation. It also approved updates to the Code of Conduct and student suspension/expulsion policies, and approved the payment of bills totaling $3,336,265.17. Public comments raised concerns about rising COVID-19 cases and the safety of in-person learning.

• Approved Policy 7-1.1 revisions adding gender identity to non-discrimination protections
• Approved Policy 7-3.1 (Code of Conduct) and 7-3.2 (Student Suspension/Expulsion) updates based on VDOE model guidance
• Approved payment of bills totaling $3,336,265.17 for FY 2020-2021
• Approved $370 grant for Minecraft Education subscriptions at Harding Avenue Elementary School
• Public comments requested all-virtual learning due to rising COVID-19 cases in the New River Valley

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board met on August 18, 2020, in a regular session that included a closed session for legal matters. The board approved a positive case notification letter as a general guideline for communicating COVID-19 cases in schools, and also approved the payment of bills totaling $2,597,303.33. The meeting included public comments on school reopening, with some urging a fully virtual start.

• Approved positive case notification letter for COVID-19 (motion carried, Sue Kass opposed)
• Approved payment of bills FY 2020-2021 totaling $2,597,303.33
• Approved consent items including 4 grants from Montgomery County Educational Foundation totaling $3,192
• Approved electronic meeting participation for Dana Partin during reopening discussion
• Heard public comments on school reopening, including calls for fully virtual start

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a regular session on August 4, 2020, addressing school reopening concerns, approving consent items, financial reports, and several business items. The board approved payment of bills totaling $2,147,538.83, authorized the superintendent to request re-appropriation of open purchase orders, approved a supplemental appropriation, and approved marketing the Cambria Street property for sale. The board also reviewed a first reading of a new restraint/seclusion policy and approved legislative policy updates. Public comments focused on COVID-19 safety, instructional time loss, and bus mitigation concerns.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $2,147,538.83 for FY 2020-2021
• Approved grant proposal for Montgomery County Educational Foundation 2020 Grant Cycle ($270)
• Authorized superintendent to request re-appropriation of open purchase orders from FY 2019-2020 to FY 2020-2021
• Approved supplemental appropriation request
• Approved marketing of Cambria Street property for sale

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board met virtually for a closed session to discuss personnel items, including prospective candidates, assignments, promotions, salaries, and other employee matters. The board voted to enter closed session, later certified the session as lawful, and approved the personnel report. This meeting was largely procedural and focused on confidential personnel actions.

• Closed session authorized under Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(1) for personnel matters
• Two employee matters and one personnel report discussed in closed session
• Personnel report approved as presented (attachment: 07.07.2020 Personnel Report (final).pdf)
• All votes were unanimous among present members

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board approved revisions to Policy 7-2.4 to allow for a full-time virtual school option. The Board also approved Option 2 schedules for elementary, middle, and high schools for the 2020-21 school year.

• Approved $700,000 supplemental appropriation request for School Nutrition budget
• Approved payment of bills totaling $20,203,610.36
• Approved Policy 7-2.4 revisions for a full-time virtual school option
• Approved Option 2 re-opening schedules for all school levels
• Approved Title applications as presented

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board met virtually and approved a transportation plan for the 2020-21 school year, choosing Option 2. The board also received an update on COVID-19 and school re-opening, including an additional scheduling option. The meeting included procedural items like adopting the agenda and adjourning.

• Approved Transportation Plan Option 2 for 2020-21 school year
• Received COVID-19 update and school re-opening information
• Discussed additional scheduling option for 2020-21
• Adopted agenda as presented

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board met virtually on June 2, 2020, primarily to hold a closed session to evaluate the superintendent and discuss a personnel report. The board also approved the agenda, payment of bills, and the personnel report. All votes were unanimous.

• Closed session for superintendent's evaluation and personnel report
• Approved payment of bills (FY 19-20)
• Approved personnel report
• Certified closed session complied with Virginia law

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a virtual meeting on May 5, 2020, and took action on several items. They approved the payment of bills totaling $18,460,371.67 for FY 2019-2020, the Special Education Annual Plan for 2020-2021, and a budget letter to the County Administrator regarding deferred items for the 2020-21 operating budget. The board also approved a schedule of secondary student fees for 2020-21, including reducing the parking pass fee from $11.00 to $7.00 and eliminating locker and agenda/planner fees. Additionally, they received a COVID-19 update and entered closed session for a personnel matter.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $18,460,371.67 for FY 2019-2020
• Approved Special Education Annual Plan for 2020-2021
• Approved budget letter to County Administrator on deferred 2020-21 budget items (vote 5-2, with Penny Franklin and Sue Kass opposed)
• Approved 2020-21 secondary fees: parking pass reduced from $11.00 to $7.00; eliminated hall locker ($6.00), gym locker ($4.00), and agenda/planner ($7.00) fees
• Received COVID-19 update and entered closed session for one personnel matter

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a virtual meeting on April 21, 2020, approving the payment of bills totaling $16,857,834.37 and acknowledging financial summary reports. The board also approved a resolution to temporarily suspend school board policies when state government regulations are waived, citing graduation requirements as an example. The meeting included a public hearing on the 2020-21 operating budget and a closed session for personnel matters.

• Approved payment of bills for FY 2019-2020 totaling $16,857,834.37
• Approved resolution to temporarily suspend school board policies when state regulations are waived (e.g., graduation requirements)
• Held virtual public hearing for 2020-21 proposed operating budget
• Acknowledged receipt of financial summary reports for February and March 2020
• Entered closed session for personnel matters at 8:11 p.m., returned at 9:22 p.m.

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a virtual meeting on March 31, 2020, where it approved the payment of bills totaling $16,312,590.80 and authorized a $400,000 supplemental appropriation request to the Board of Supervisors for before/after school program donations and reimbursements. The board also received an information presentation on the MCPS COVID-19 response plan and approved a personnel report. The meeting included a closed session for one student disciplinary matter and one employee personnel matter.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $16,312,590.80 for FY 2019-2020
• Authorized request for $400,000 supplemental appropriation to 2019-2020 School Operating budget
• Received presentation on MCPS COVID-19 response plan
• Approved personnel report (03.31.2020)
• Held closed session for one student matter and one employee matter

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

This meeting, a joint session between the Montgomery County Public Schools Board and the Board of Supervisors, has been canceled. The agenda contains no items for discussion or decision.

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held a work session on Feb. 18, 2020, approving a $121,283,813 initial operating budget request for 2020-21, a $5,228,004 school nutrition budget request, and the renaming of the Christiansburg High School auditorium. The board also approved the middle school program of studies, calendar revisions, and a resolution recognizing local businesses. A closed session was held for one student and one personnel matter.

• Authorized a $121,283,813 initial 2020-21 operating budget request to the Board of Supervisors (passed 6-1, Penny Franklin opposed).
• Authorized a $5,228,004 2020-21 School Nutrition Program budget request to the Board of Supervisors.
• Approved renaming the Christiansburg High School auditorium as the George "Bo" Newcomb Auditorium.
• Approved $13,834,900.07 in bill payments for FY 2019-2020.
• Approved the 2020 VSBA Business Honor Roll resolution recognizing Wing, Warm Hearth Village, and Turman Lumber Company.

BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2002 – 2026)

The Montgomery County School Board held its annual reorganization meeting, electing officers and making appointments for 2020. The board also held a public hearing on two PPEA proposals for renovations and additions at Christiansburg Elementary, Christiansburg Primary, and Belview Elementary schools. All agenda items were approved unanimously except the vice chair election, which Penny Franklin opposed.

• Elected Gunin Kiran as Chair and Marti Graham as Vice Chair for 2020
• Appointed Brenda Drake as Clerk; Becky Shanks and Mark Miear as Deputy Clerks
• Approved 2020 committee appointments, including liaisons to Christiansburg and Blacksburg towns
• Reaffirmed hiring practices resolution with focus on diversity
• Public hearing on PPEA proposals for renovations at Christiansburg Elementary, Christiansburg Primary, and Belview Elementary