VEA's Robley Jones Spells VRS Out

I hope Rob won't mind that I've taken his Daily General Assembly Report verbatim and added it to this blog. Rationality is what we need in the debate to save our VRS, and Rob has posed the real questions that should be answered before anyone goes off, willy-nilly, to change our solid retirement program.

~Thom

Think Before You Mess With VRS!

There seems less certainty now regarding how the session will address VRS reform. That is good news. A knee-jerk reaction to the Governor’s Chicken Little rhetoric could have a negative impact upon the ability of the commonwealth to attract and retain high quality personnel and, there are legitimate questions regarding the adequacy of some of the proposals on the table to afford retirees some dignity in their final years.

It seems that if we are going to take a rational approach in regard to Virginia Retirement System reform, some questions should be answered regarding the pending retirement legislation and the degree to which they will “fix” VRS.

1. Does changing who pays the 5% employee contribution add one cent to the fund?

2. Is there a danger that current retirees won’t get their checks in the years ahead?

3. Does creating a defined contribution plan for future hires, be it optional or mandatory, reduce the $17.6 billion unfunded liability of VRS?

4. If we adhere to the ten year repayment schedule, in regard to last year’s VRS contribution shortfall, and; from this day forward, honor the VRS Board of Trustee’s certified rate; won’t we achieve a sounder funding status? If we follow this path, isn’t it likely that we will move to a much firmer footing within a decade?

5. Isn’t the actuarial horizon of the $17.6 billion rather long? Consequently, don’t we have decades to address this problem?

6. I keep hearing that the current system is not sustainable. Isn’t it a fact, that if we bite the bullet and pay the certified rate that the system is sustainable?

7. Aren’t the high anticipated contribution rates, which will be a burden in the short-run, just a repayment for our failure to make appropriate contributions most of the time over the past twenty years?

8. In the 2008 JLARC report on state compensation, PricewaterhousCoopers found that the defined contribution model in the report d would provide 52% of the replacement income of the current defined benefit plan. Shouldn’t we take the time to do this same kind of analysis on each proposal to know the expected consequence of each on those that will retire after years of honorable service to the commonwealth?

Your legislators, both delegates and senators, are heading home for the weekend. Look for a chance, by letter, call, email or in face-to face conversation to ask them if this isn’t just too big an issue to address in a short session when so many questions remain unanswered.

Speaking Out For Education

It's happening. People across the state are speaking up for education!


Public radio station, WVTF, carried a news piece this morning regarding public school education. The report drew heavily on comments by the state PTA and VEA. This is a transient link, so it may be rotated off the main page soon.

WVTF News

http://www.wvtf.org/news_and_notes/




Today in the Roanoke Times, the editorial board blasted Governor McDonnell's approach to public school education funding in Virginia. The editorial board backs up their claims with solid facts and irrefutable information. It is THE MUST READ of the budget season.

Roanoke Times Editorial

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/274284

It's Coming...

On January 9, the RCEA led a "Rally for Education" at Northside High School. The purpose of our meeting was to bolster our membership and send our local legislators to Richmond with our message clearly articulated.

The event was attended by approximately 300 RCEA members, central office personnel, parents, and students. We were loud and unwavering as several speakers addressed the crowd. Tammy Wood, President of the RCEA, Chuck Lionberger, Chairman of the Roanoke County Council of PTA's, Superintendent Lorraine Lange, School Board Chairman Mike Stovall, and State Senator John Edwards all spoke to the enthusiastic crowd.

Attendees were encouraged to stay engaged in the political process by joining VEA's cyber-lobby army.



Since the rally, there have been several key developments. Thom Ryder, ex-RCEA president (me) was interviewed by a news organization for a state-wide piece on the impact of negative education support. Ryder recounted facts that Dr. Lange taught the rally participants. Roanoke County supports its schools, but thanks to cuts from the state, we've had to cut $17 million from the education budget and lose 150 positions over the last two years in addition to closing three effective schools. This radio spot played heavily here in the Roanoke area, especially on WFIR.


*****

And now a personal comment...

Today, news is being distilled from Richmond that our Governor is calling for a merit-pay scheme. Personally, I have no problem with merit pay as long as I get it. But how do you fairly distribute such prizes? Are you going to base it on my homeroom class' test scores? My Math class' scores? My Reading class' scores? Some kind of sort of quasi kind of combination of all of the above?

In some respects, I'd support such schemes IF AND ONLY IF the cost of education, as defined by the Virgina Standards of Quality, is FULLY met. Until then...sorry. Can't support such poppycock. Read more about it here...Oh and remember, please write your governor. Tell him who you are and what you do for our state. Tell him what you think. Tell him where you vote. Tell him what you're going through this year. Tell him your story. You'll feel better. While you're at it, tell your story to your local state legislators (Senator Edwards, Delegate Ware, Delegate Cleaveland, Senator Smith). Let them know what it's like to be a teacher today!

Rally For Education!

RCEA will lead a "Rally For Education" this Sunday, January 9, 2pm, at Northside High School's auditorium. We will have speakers from our organization, the school division, the school board, the county supervisors, and the state legislature. We want everyone to know that Public School education is IMPORTANT and needs to be fully funded!

Please join us and bring your family and friends.

Roanoke County School Board meets tonight.

I'll be "Live Bloggin'" during the meeting.

Stay tuned.
Here's the agenda...

1. CLOSED SESSION - 5:30 P.M.

1.01 Closed Session in Accordance with Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) To Discuss a Personnel Matter and Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711 (A) (2) To Hear 2 Requests for Student Expulsion

2. MEETING OPENING - 7 p.m.

2.01 Call to Order - Chairman Michael Stovall

2.02 Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance -Ms. Rebecca Eastwood

3. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION

Action

3.01 Certification of Closed Session

3.02 Action from Closed Session

4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES IN THE AGENDA

4.01 Announcement of Changes in the Agenda

4.02 Approval of Agenda with Changes

5. PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

5.01 The Prevention Council of Roanoke County, Winner of the 2010 Got Outcomes! Coalition of Excellence Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America - Dr. Lorraine Lange

5.02 Recognition of American Education Week, November 15-19, 2010 - Mr. Chuck Lionberger

6. REPORT BY STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

6.01 Report by Student Advisory Council
Interesting report. The students on the advisory council were split over the ten point scale issue.

7. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 10-POINT GRADING SCALE

7.01 Public Hearing to Receive Comments Regarding the Proposed 10-Point Grading Scale

Several people spoke, including RCEA president, Tammy Wood. All speakers spoke in favor of the ten point scale. Tammy shared results of the recent RCEA survey of members on the ten point scale issue. In that survey, members who returned the survey supported the ten point scale by a wide margin.

8. HEARING OF CITIZENS AND DELEGATIONS

8.01 Hearing of Citizens and Delegations

• Several people spoke out against the block schedule plan for high school including Barry Tucker, head of the music program in the county. He asked for a split block that would meet daily in order to foster the repetitiveness needed to master the instruments and scripts. He also pointed out that the elimination of the zero periods will eliminate the Jazz band program at our schools.

• Mindy Sarver also spoke to the length of the blocks at the middle school, especially how it may affect her students in playing their instruments. She further spoke in support of the zero periods.

• Greg Denton spoke as well. He's concerned that the new scheduling system will negatively impact the highly recognized music programs in our county. Greg stressed that with music instruction being skills based, they HAVE to meet every day.
  
• A parent asked the "why" question. Why are we doing this? She went on to asked many other valid questions, for example will students be able to participate in Science fairs even if they aren't in Science class that semester.

• See heated discussion in 10.03 below
  

9. CONSENT AGENDA

Action (Consent)

9.01 Approval of Personnel Changes, Including Supplement

Action (Consent)

9.02 Approval of Minutes from the September 30, 2010; October 11, 2010; October 14, 2010; and October 28,2010 School Board Meetings

Action (Consent)

9.03 Approval of Block Scheduling

Action (Consent)

Moved to 10.03

9.04 Approval of Major/Minor Capital Reserves Report

Approved

10. ACTION ITEMS

Action

10.01 Superintendent's Contingency Fund Request - Dr. Cecil Snead

Action

• $13,000 to transfer for Olsats, etc.

10.02 Revision to Policy 6.43 to Include Virginia High School League Exception - Dr. Cecil Snead

• Allow low revenue teams to use school buses when they need to travel beyond 125 miles. He Mr. Wymer was concerned about provisions to compensate the teachers and drivers on multi-day events.

10.03 Block Scheduling

• Mr. Canada moved the change to block scheduling. He spoke to his motion and suggested that the board find money for zero period classes. He thinks that high school students in band should be able to handle the 90 minute odd/even block (8th-12th). He would like to see a split block program worked out for middle school (6th and 7th). He said he would vote for the block. IN the end every school will do this zero period differently. He pointed out that Tim Gaylen at NHS will make a zero period happen by coming in early and leaving early.

• Dr. Lange: In high school, we have 7 periods plus a zero period. There are some misconceptions. GHS principal, Joe Haffey, spoke to how students would still be able to take the same number of band classes as in the past. Dr. Lange said that all teachers were talked to about this.
  

• David Wymer spoke to the financial aspects of the block plan. David was concerned that the people affected by the block need to be involved and at the table. What concerns him the most is that the only advantage as he sees it is that teachers are just weary trying to go through a seven period day. We need to look at what we can do and not what we can't do (referenced to the ability to fully schedule band in the 8 period day). Dr. Lange spoke to the "singleton classes" and our ability to schedule.
  

• Dr. Canada asked why we can't fund a split period (create skinnies).

• Drew Barrineau interjected at this point and asked Dr. Lange why a teacher couldn't take a duty period to teach a zero period.
  

• GMS principal spoke to the skinny issue. She suggested that skinnies most likely could be done, but with a cost. Also, she insisted that the middle school program must work for "the total child."

• Mr. Wymer stressed that teachers need to have adequate training before implementation.

• Mr. Barrineau spoke to the potential $7 million cut staring us in the face. Expressed his disappointment that more people aren't getting fired up about the states pending lack of education funding support. He's sympathetic to his employees. He's afraid that the current 7 period plan is unsustainable, especially with the general lack of raises. He gave a tristifical appraisal of the despondent times in which we are wading where the rules have changed rapidly and the way we've done things in the past no longer hold sway. He's convinced that this block business will work. He again told the public to get out there and contact legislators.

• Fuzzy Minnix echoed much of what was said in prior discussion. "Folks, change is scary... a lot of times we're reluctant to embrace change."Change is scary. Let's embrace it and work to get everything [everyone] needs...I think you'll find a year from now that you'll be very satisfied with the block system."

• Mr. Canada asked again if NHS will have a zero period. Dr. Lange said, "No."

• Mr. Stovall stated that he is in favor of it. He thanked the people for coming.

• The vote: all in favor...Canada cast a reluctant "yes."

11. INFORMATION AGENDA

Action (Consent), Information

11.01 Request for Acceptance of 4th Quarter Report of Revenues and Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2009-10 - Mrs. Penny Hodge Information

• Presented and accepted...
  

11.02 Annual School Report for 2009-10 - Mrs. Penny Hodge

Action (Consent), Information

• Available online right now for the board.
  

11.03 Request for Appropriation of Final Year-End Balance from School Operations for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2010 - Mrs. Penny Hodge

Action (Consent), Information

• Formal request. Ended the year under budget by $2.1 million. State cut our budget at the end of the FY. Did not draw down second year of fed stimulus dollars which the state had forwarded to us...long story short... Net surplus of $6.0 million.

• Will send 2/3 to major capital and 1/3 to minor. We can play with the minor how we want.

• Emergency reserve: Up from $2 million to $2.6 million...after a few transactions between the county and the school board. Take the excess over $2 million and send it to minor capital.
  

11.04 Request for Acceptance of 1st Quarter Report of Revenues and Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2010-11 - Mrs. Penny Hodge Action (Consent), Information

• Budget for the year based on 14,200 (200 less than last year but in accordance with actual trends)

• Sales tax collections last month were really good...
  

11.05 Revisions to Purchasing Policies for Purchasing Authority and Capital Outlay - Mrs. Penny Hodge Information

• A jobler task involving contracts and lawyers.
  

11.06 Technology Assessment - Dr. Cecil Snead and Mrs. Penny Hodge

Information

• Penny spoke of a technology replacement plan. She summarized the state of the county technology program now. Dr. Snead spoke to the next steps. "We need to maintain a certain level of functionality." His team analyzed basic needs (SOL electronic testing). Will evaluate a purchase lease program. Will identify basic needs at middle and elementary schools. Since we've introduced item analysis... So we need to be able to formatively assess and address our needs in this area. Looked into teacher laptop replacement plan. Asked for a group to look into the priorities as outlined. Penny called this a needs assessment.
  

• Mr. Canada: concerned about laptop carts used for middle school testing. Can we be successful this year using these machines? Ben Williams said that yes we can. In future years, we will run into challenges.

• Mr. Barrineau wants a report of current reserves as of 6/30/10.

• Battery running low...

• Wymer and Canada were concerned about losing data on old laptops. Spent $752,000 for new labs at middle schools according to Jeff Terry.
  

11.07 Revisions to Policy 7.11, Rule 1 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments - Mr. Allen Journell

Information

• Hanging in as long as I have battery power...
• Modified the language of what weapons are in the mandated expulsion.
  

11.08 Approval of New Course/Program Refinements - Dr. Cecil Snead

Information

• Culnary arts and Mechatronics programs at BCAT (Burton) for 2011-12. Some money will come from Perkins grant money (Fed govt for economically disadvantaged.)
• Want to develop choices for foreign language and band in 8th grade. The state will allow 8th grade PE to be an elective. RCPS currently requires PE in 8th grade and 9th and 10th. We must offer it. Mr. Canada is concerned about relaxing the PE standard.
  

11.09 Revisions to the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - Dr. Cecil Snead

Information

• A plucky jobler, Dr. Snead stated that an update is needed to address mobile devices and bullying in a tidy fashion.
  

11.10 Technology Plan 2010-2015 - Dr. Cecil Snead

Information

• Submitted to the board to give us direction. Not an absolute, but rather a plan. It was required by the state by December.
  

11.11 2010 Comprehensive Plan - Dr. Cecil Snead

• Plan presented as a growing document. Mr. Canada acknowledged the amount of time that was needed to create the document.
  

12. REPORT BY SUPERINTENDENT

• None
  

13. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS

• Late discussion about how minor capital money can be spent by principals. Software, books, cd's are all fine. Consumable things are fine (like levelized books) according to the school board. Copy paper, crayons. are all okay.

• Mr. Wymer asked if Formative Assessments have been finished. He wants the data as soon as possible.
  

14. ADJOURNMENT

• at 9:40pm
  

Reality of Today

A look into professionalism and test data.

Listening to Us

My colleagues and I spent our afternoon at Northside High School's cafeteria. Why? Well, the RCEA held an open meeting to address school concerns with our superintendent, Dr. Lange, and school board chairman, Mike Stovall.

The discussion was passionate and pointed.


More on that when we digest what we learned.