June 5, 2012 Regular Meeting.pdf - OCPS Public SharePoint Site

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING 

2:30 P.M. Tuesday, June 5, 2012 

Taylor Education Administration Complex 

Orange, VA 

The Orange County School Board conducted a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 

Taylor Education Administration Complex. The meeting was called to order at 2:33 p.m. 

Roll Call 

Present: Mr. Jerry Bledsoe Mrs. Judy Carter (arrived at 4:00 p.m.), Mr. Jim Hopkins, Mrs. 

Sherrie Page, Mr. Lou Thompson, Dr. Robert Grimesey, Superintendent, and Ms. 

Laura Byram, Clerk. 

Absent: None 

(12-482) 

Approval of Agenda 

Mr. Hopkins moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as 

presented. The motion carried. 

Ayes: Bledsoe, Hopkins, Page, Thompson 

Nays: None 

Absent: Carter 

(12-483) Closed Session 

At 2:35 p.m., Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion for the Orange County 

School Board to convene in a closed meeting for the following purposes: 

Discussion of personnel or the performance of a division employee, as authorized by 

Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia. For: Resignation, termination, transfer, 

employment, salary adjustment and retirement of employees. 

Discussion of pupil personnel, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711(A)(2). For: 

Early Admission, Waiver of Compulsory Attendance, Out of County, Out of District 

requests and Student Discipline. 

Be it resolved that the Orange County School Board does hereby authorize discussion in 

Closed Session for the matters identified herein. 


Nays: None 

Absent: Carter 

(12-485) Closed Session Certification 

At 4:18 p.m. Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion to reconvene in open 

session at which time the Board adopted the following resolution: 

Page 1 of 10

WHEREAS, the Orange County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date 

pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia 

Freedom of Information Act; and 

WHEREAS, 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires certification by this School Board that 

such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia Law; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County School Board hereby certifies 

that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully 

exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed and (ii) only such 

public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was 

convened were heard, discussed or considered. 

The motion carried. 


Nays: None 

Abstain: Carter 

Certified: 

Clerk 

Orange County School Board 

(12-486) Disposition of personnel actions 

Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve personnel as presented 

and recommended by the Superintendent in closed session. The motion carried. 

Resignation of Certified Staff 

Jessica Shifflett, Orange County High School 

Salary Adjustment of Certified Staff 

Chris Murray, Orange County High School 

Termination of Support Staff 

Theadore Leach, Transportation 

Resignation of Support Staff 

Brandi Suggs, Locust Grove Middle School 

Employment of Support Staff 

Lisa Crane, Cheryl Perkins, School Board Office 

Suzanne Turney, Head Start substitute 

Miscellaneous 

Substitutes 

Brice, Melvin 

Yurasits, Jamie 

Job Descriptions 

Grounds Maintenance Worker I 

Grounds Maintenance Worker II 

Page 2 of 10

The School Board approved a four-year contract for Dr. Robert P. Grimesey, Jr., effective July 

1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2016, on the terms and conditions as stated in the 

Superintendent’s Employment Agreement. 


Nays: None 


(12-487) Disposition of pupil personnel actions 

Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve pupil personnel cases 

SD 2012-22, SD 2012-23 and SD 2012-24 as presented and recommended by the 

Superintendent in closed session. The motion carried. 


Nays: None 


Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion to approve pupil personnel cases PP 

2012-22 and SD 2012-23 as presented and recommended by the Superintendent in closed 

session. The motion carried. 


Nays: None 


(12-488) Approval of Consent Agenda 

OPEN SESSION 

Mr. Hopkins moved and Mrs. Page seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda. The 

motion carried. Included in the consent agenda were: 

• Approval of Minutes–April 23, 2012 and May 1, 2012 

• Financial report 

• Monthly Food Services Fund Report 

Ayes: Bledsoe, Carter, Hopkins, Page, Thompson 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-489) Approval of Monthly Operating Bills 

Mr. Hopkins moved and Mrs. Page seconded the motion that the following invoices be approved 

for payment: 

Page 3 of 10

May Payroll 

Check #101019-101052 in the amount of $3,103,277.64 

Accounts Payable 

Check #100606-101018 in the amount of $738,873.03 

Payroll total includes direct deposit check #96267-97020 and check #293298-293434. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS & QUESTIONS 

Mr. Thompson congratulated everyone and stated that it is magnificent to see that Orange 

County students have the opportunity to learn the basics of economics. 

Mr. Hopkins stated that the certifications that the students have earned are very valuable in the 

marketplace and it is amazing that our students can be certified right out of high school. He 

said he is proud that these programs are available to our students. 

Mr. Bledsoe thanked the parents and staff for encouraging our students. He stated that it is 

great to see Orange County well represented and our seniors certainly have a major jump on 

life. 

(12-490) 

RECOGNITIONS 

Student Recognition: Color the Economics Concept Contest 

Mrs. Carol Hunter, coordinator of ESL and gifted, and Mrs. Sharon Mohrmann, Orange 

Elementary School gifted resource teacher, recognized Taylor Munger, Orange Elementary 

School 3 rd grader, as one of eight winners of the Virginia Council on Economic Education 

(VCEE) “Color the Economics Concepts” Contest. The title of her posted was “Scarcity!” Ms. 

Munger won a $100 College Savings Account and her poster will be printed and sent to schools 

all over the state of Virginia. It will will be on display at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond 

and can currently be seen on the VCEE website at http://www.vcee.org/concepts_winners . 

(12-491) 

Student Recognition: Spring Cyber Challenge 

Mr. Doug Duncan, Orange County High School (OCHS) principal, and Mrs. Charlotte Reynolds, 

OCHS Hornet Technology teacher, recognized OCHS students who participated in the Spring 

2012 Cyber Challenge. The challenge is an online competition which features a series of 

quizzes in the most important foundational fields of cyber security: networking, operating 

systems, and system administration. Several OCHS students ranked in the top 30 at the state 

level. Two students finished in the top 100 across the nation. 

Page 4 of 10

(12-492) 

Head Start Policy Council Update 

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER REPORTS 

Mrs. Page updated the Board on the May 15, 2012 meeting of the Head Start Policy Council. 

She reported that representatives gave reports on activities in the classroom and year-end 

projects sponsored by parent committees. Members also were updated on facility 

improvements at the Unionville and Lightfoot locations. Mr. Dorn presented the Council with a 

report on food services and the USDA legislation. The Bylaws Committee members were 

identified and plans were made to meet prior to the next regular Policy Council meeting, which 

will be held on July 10 th at 3:00 p.m. 

(12-493) 

Orange County Education Foundation Board Update 

Mr. Thompson updated the Board on the May 11, 2012 Orange County Education Foundation 

(OCEF) Board meeting. He reported that the winners of the Spring Teacher Innovation Grants 

(TIG) were announced at that meeting. They were as follows: Jill Woycik, LGPS; Erin 

Shafferman, GBES; Shyla Vesitis, Grymes Memorial School; Jennifer Hudson-Foskett, 

PHMS; Sandi Terry, OCHS; and Michele Reuss, LES. Also awarded were the first Ernestine 

Reid and Barbara Hill teacher innovative grants. Lori Barden, OCHS and Karen McKean, 

GBES both received the Ernestine Reid grants and the Barbara Hill grant was awarded to Mary 

Freeman, OCHS. 

Foundation Board members also finalized plans for a “publishers clearing house” style tour of 

schools to announce the TIG winners on May 16 th , Mr. Thompson reported. Finally, members 

discussed preparations for Senior Awards Night on June 4, as well as continued planning for the 

Celebration of Education on September 30. The next meeting will be held on July 20. 

(12-494) 

State Ranking National Ranking 

Chris Zimmerman 1 st 62 nd 

Alex Redmon 2 nd 79 th 

Caleb Severn 6 th 299 th 

Anthony Knicely 8 th 310 th 

Jack Chisenhall 15 th 384 th 

Dale Jackson 16 th 385 th 

Kourtney Monroe 21 st 425 th 

Collin Jones 25 th 461 st 

Rashad Robinson 27 th 470 th 

Andy Archibald 29 th 486 th 

Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School Board Update 

Mr. Thompson updated the Board on the May 2, 2012 meeting of the Blue Ridge Virtual 

Governor’s School Board (BRVGS). He reported that Marc Carraway, director, updated 

Page 5 of 10

members on planning for the Advanced Placement Biology course for all BRVGS 10 th graders 

for the 2012-2013 school year. Dr. Grimesey presented a request to the board to consider 

granting three additional slots for rising OCHS 9 th graders in 2012-13. The slots would be 

funded through tuition from the locality, Dr. Grimesey said. The board approved the request. 

Finally, the board approved a revised mission statement and adopted a slate of goals and 

strategies for long-term planning. The next meeting will be August 8. 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

(12-495) Final approval of the FY2012-2013 budget 

Mr. Matt Benefield, director of finance, presented the Board with a revised fiscal year 2012-13 

budget for all funds. If approved, the Operating Fund budget would have revenues and 

expenditures totaling $45,145,643, which represents a $2,810,204 increase over the 2011-12 

fiscal year budget. Mr. Benefield also pointed out that approval of this budget would include 

approval of cafeteria meal prices, out-of-county tuition rates and student fees. Regarding meal 

prices, he illustrated how the Federal government’s legislation is forcing the school division to 

raise student meal prices by $0.10 for 2012-13. All of the other fund budgets were presented as 

follows: Child Care - $140,630; Food Service - $1,979,185; Textbook - $580,000; Head Start - 

$1,276,703; Regional Adult Education - $381,368. The total budget for all funds totals 

$49,503,529. 

Mrs. Page moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve the FY2012-2013 budget 

in the amount of $49,503,529 as presented and recommended by the Superintendent. The 

motion carried. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-496) Consideration of VRS rate and contribution elections 

Mr. Benefield reported that recent legislation is requiring local school boards to make certain 

decisions regarding employer and member contributions to the Virginia Retirement System by 

July 1, 2012. Two separate elections need to be made: 

1. Employer Contribution Rates – For the employer rates paid on behalf of nonprofessional 

employees, VRS is permitting localities to choose between the VRS Board-certified 

rate and an alternate rate. While the alternate rate is lower – 5.86% as opposed to the 8.14% 

VRS Board-certified rate for OCPS – it will eventually lead to substantially higher employer rates 

in the next biennial budget. The latest actuarial study of OCPS’ pension already forecasted 

rates of 9.04% beginning in July 2014, and assumed a rate of 8.14% was used for fiscal years 

2013 and 2014. An 8.14% rate was used for budgeting purposes. 

2. Member Contributions – School boards are required to elect the percentage both 

professional and non-professional employees will be required to contribute to VRS beginning 

July 1, 2012. An employee contribution rate of 5% was used for budgeting purposes. 

Page 6 of 10

Mrs. Carter moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve a resolution to set the 

employer contribution rates for non-professional employees at 8.14% and the member 

contribution rates for all VRS eligible employees at 5% as presented and recommended by the 

Superintendent. The motion carried. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-497) 

Approval of health, dental and vision plans 

Mr. Benefield reported that Digital Benefit Advisors (formerly Dominion Benefits), the County’s 

and School Board’s insurance consultant, performed a competitive evaluation of the division’s 

health insurance and received bids from five providers: Anthem (our current provider); Southern 

Health; United; Optima and The Local Choice. Upon evaluating each of the proposals, it is 

recommended that Anthem be retained as the division’s provider and that a fourth option be 

added – a high deductible health plan with a health savings account – to the list of medical plan 

options provided to employees. Mr. Benefield noted that the consultant evaluates the value 

provided by each plan and normally does not see employers move for less than .03 - .04 

difference in value points. Anthem and Southern Health had the strongest proposals, and 

Anthem’s value score was 1.08 versus Southern Health’s 1.09. Anthem’s overall renewal came 

in at 5.76%, which is what the School Board used in establishing its revised FY2013 Budget. 

Mr. Benefield also noted that the consultant performed a competitive evaluation of our dental 

insurance and received bids from four providers: Delta Dental (the division’s current provider); 

Ameritas; Anthem and MetLife. Upon evaluating each of the proposals, it is recommended that 

the division switch providers from Delta to Anthem. Delta’s proposal contained a 7.5% increase 

in premiums, whereas Anthem’s actually reduced dental premiums by -2.14% and provided an 

additional -1% reduction in health insurance premiums, a substantial cost savings to both the 

employer and employees. The plan benefits are comparable, with the network being the key 

difference. While Delta has a large network of dentists, Anthem does not, but Anthem’s 

reimbursement levels under the contract that OCPS would be under far exceed those provided 

by Delta and so employees and dentists would both benefit and employees wouldn’t have to 

change dentists so that they go to one “in-network”. 

In response to some concerns over the Anthem Dental program, Mr. Benefield asked Ms. Cindy 

Bartolacci, senior advisor at Digital Benefits, to speak to some of the intricacies involved in 

dental insurance and reimbursement rates. Ms. Bartolacci pointed out that while the Anthem 

dental network is smaller, members may seek care at any dentist and get the same benefit from 

the plan because Anthem pays non-network providers at a higher rate than Delta pays. If an 

employee seeks care at a non-network provider, the out of network reimbursement rate will 

apply, and Anthem pays at the 80 th percentile of reimbursement, meaning 8 out of 10 providers 

will accept Anthem’s payment as payment in full, whereas Delta pays at the 60-70 th percentile of 

reimbursement. The Board elected to table a decision on insurance until more information 

could be provided on the dentists included in the networks and how billings would vary on 

certain procedures. 

Page 7 of 10

(12-498) 

Consideration of 2012-2013 textbook adoptions 

Mr. Bill Berry, director of elementary instruction, and Ms. Linda Carlton, director of secondary 

instruction, requested the Board’s approval of the purchase of K-12 mathematics textbooks for 

adoption in 2012-2013 as recommended by the Textbook Committee. Ms. Carlton reminded 

Board members that the textbook committee consisted of twenty-six parents, teachers, and 

administrators from all nine schools. Both Mr. Berry and Ms. Carlton worked with the committee 

from February-May to reach consensus in grades K-5 and 6-12. Public Review of texts was 

offered during the week of April 16-20 as had been advertised in the Orange County Review. 

The recommended texts are published by Pearson, and the approximate cost is $328,111.81. 

These figures are an estimate based on current enrollment figures and will be adjusted to reflect 

actual enrollment numbers for 2012-13 prior to ordering in July 2012. 

Mrs. Carter moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion to approve the purchase of K-12 

mathematics textbooks for adoption in 2012-2013 as presented and recommended by the 



Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-499) Consideration of proposed revisions to policy IKC-Grading Policy 

Mr. Berry and Ms. Carlton requested the Board’s approval of minor revisions to Grading Policy, 

IKC which reflected changes in wording. Mr. Berry explained that edits were designed to 

provide clarity and do not reflect any substantive change in practice. Ms. Carlton advised the 

Board that the grading committee consisted of twelve members from all nine schools and 

included Victoria Mundia, Kim Crandall, Sherri McGhee, Pam Whitlock, Jewel Williams, Wendy 

Shifflett, Doug Duncan, David Rabe, Renee Bourke, Sandy McLeod, Judy Anderson and Emily 

Miksovic. Parents and other members of the original grading committee from two years ago 

were invited to participate. Feedback was collected from the schools and shared by school 

representatives with the committee. 

Mrs. Carter moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion to approve the proposed revisions to 

policy IKC-Grading Policy as presented and recommended by the Superintendent. The motion 

carried. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-500) Presentation of proposed policy revisions recommended by staff and/or Virginia 

School Boards Association 

Dr. Grimesey presented the Board with a packet of proposed policy revisions recommended by 

staff and/or Virginia School Boards Association for first review. He advised Board members that 

these policies reflect recent actions of the General Assembly. Dr. Grimesey asked that the 

Board review the policies and contact the appropriate administrative staff member with 

Page 8 of 10

questions. He stated that he will ask for the Board’s approval of these policies at the June 26 

meeting. 

(12-501) Consideration of appointments to the 2012-2013 Special Education Advisory Council 

Mrs. Jan Carpenter, director of special education instruction, requested the Board’s approval of 

the Special Education Advisory Council, or SEAC, members for 2012-13. She reminded Board 

members that the SEAC is a group of parents of children with disabilities who volunteer to 

represent all children with disabilities in OCPS’ special education programs. The purpose of 

SEAC is to bring concerns from fellow parents to the attention of division level staff and to 

advise division level staff throughout the school year. SEAC is also a way to network with 

others and get to know central office staff. SEAC meets four times annually, as required by 

state regulations, and meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates are published on the 

OCPS’ web site, in the local newspaper, and via flyers sent home with students. SEAC serves 

as a platform to express concerns or comments. 

Mr. Hopkins moved and Mr. Thompson seconded the motion to approve the Special Education 

Advisory Council members for 2012-13 as presented and recommended by the Superintendent. 

The motion carried. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-502) Consideration of annual leases: Boys and Girls Club and Orange Cooperative 

Preschool 

Mr. Doug Arnold, coordinator of facilities and maintenance, requested the Board’s approval of 

leases for Boys and Girls Club and Orange Cooperative Preschool, each covering the period of 

July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013. He reminded Board members that the rental rates on each 

have been increased by about 5% from the current lease to cover increases in utility costs, but 

that no other significant changes have been made. These are the only two tenants currently 

covered by School Board Regulation KG-R2. The Boys and Girls Club has been authorized to 

make further improvements (such as removal of the remaining lockers in the common hall and 

installation of shelving) but the work is not contingent on any request for a reduction in rent. 

Mrs. Carter moved and Mr. Hopkins seconded the motion to approve the annual leases for the 

Boys and Girls Club and the Orange Cooperative Preschool as presented and recommended by 

the Superintendent. The motion carried. 


Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Page 9 of 10

(12-503) Overnight/Out-of-state fieldtrip requests: JROTC: Fort Pickett, Blackstone, VA, June 17- 

22, 2012 

Mr. Doug Duncan, Orange County High School principal, requested the Board’s approval of the 

JROTC fieldtrip to Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia, June 17-22, 2012. 

Mrs. Carter moved and Mrs. Page seconded the motion to approve the JROTC fieldtrip to Fort 

Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia, June 17-22, 2012 as presented and recommended by the 



Nays: None 

Absent: None 

(12-504) 

Committee Meeting Summary Notes 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. Grimesey presented for the Board’s information the following committee meeting summary 

notes. 

• Minority Advisory Committee summary notes – March 15, 2012 

• Student Health Advisory Board summary notes – May 8, 2012 

• Safe School Committee summary notes -- May 9, 2012 

(12-505) 

Calendars 

The following events were reviewed with the Board. 

June 1, 2012 VSBA School Law Conference, Charlottesville @ 9:00 a.m. 

June 4, 2012 Senior Night @ OCHS, reception @ 5:30 p.m. / awards 7:00 p.m. 

June 5, 2012 School Board Meeting @ TEAC 4:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. 

June 9, 2012 Graduation 

June 15, 2012 Last Day of School/Early Dismissal 

June 26, 2012 Work Session @ TEAC 4:00 p.m. 

July 4, 2012 Independence Day 

July 10, 2012 School Board Meeting 4:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. @ TEAC 

July 30, 2012 Work Session 4:00 p.m. @ TEAC 

July 31, 2012 VSBA Governor’s Conference on Education in Richmond 

Adjournment 

With no further discussion or objections, the Board adjourned its June 5, 2012, School Board 

meeting at 5:54 p.m. 

_____________________________________ ________________________________ 

Chairman, Orange County School Board Clerk 

Page 10 of 10

June 5, 2012 Regular Meeting.pdf - OCPS Public SharePoint Site

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?