AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 26th DAY OF APRIL, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN AT SEVEN O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

Present	Present	Absent
Roger A Welch, Chairman S. Bryant Lee, V-Chairman Ronald L. Frazier I. Christopher Parrish Michael J. Biniek	John McCarthy, Co. Adm. Margaret Ralph, Clerk	None

The Chairman, Mr. Welch, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and opened the public hearing as to both the FY2011 School Board Budget and the County's FY2011 General Fund Budget.

Mr. McCarthy set forth the procedures that would be followed for the meeting. He also explained that Statute requires that the Board of Supervisors hold a public hearing on the proposed school budget 7 days prior to the adoption of that Budget. The Board is planning to adopt the School Budget on Monday, May 3, 2010, at its regular 2 PM meeting at the Courthouse in Washington, Virginia. They will close the school board public hearing tonight. Everyone is welcomed to this meeting and there will be a public comment time at the beginning of that meeting. The county budget public hearing will be continued tonight and will remain open until at least the afternoon session on May 3. There will be public comment time during this meeting.

Mr. Welch recognized Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, commented on the 15 Budget Public Hearing he has attended during his time as Superintendent. This will be his last one and all he could say was Hallelujah!

Dr. Chappell indicated that he would try to answer any questions. If he does not have the answer he will respond as soon as possible.

He continued stating that the Board had before them 3 documents, which he will summarize:

1. The first is a Budget Flyer that showing charts, amounts of money, and expenditures. He pointed out that he and others believe that our Schools are a good value for our citizens

2. The second document is one that the School Board's Facility Board has put together. It shows the capital improvement priorities. It is felt that the energy saving projects are of the highest priority. Maintenance and repairs are also high priorities.

3. The third document is one that Mr. McCarthy requested answers to. The question was: are certain administrative school positions required or confirmed by Statute. Dr. Chappell gave a brief history of these positions since he became superintendent. There are now 3 administrative positions in the central office at this time. There has been discussion about cutting this to 2 positions. Dr. Chappell is concerned that if this happens there will be serious problems since there is too much work for two people to accomplish competently.

Mr. Frazier asked for a clarification of the assistant principal position at the elementary. Dr. Chappell explained how the percentage of need for this position was computed. This was sent to the Virginia Department of Education for their input. The state officials essentially agreed with this computation. Mr. Frazier asked if this was a required position. Dr. Chappell the School Board is following all state requirements.

Wesley Mills, Chairman of the School Board and Jackson District resident spoke. He commented that he is happy that his children are being raised in Rappahannock County. He thanked the Board for the support for the schools over the years. He continued that the School board continues to be a steward of county funds. He urged the Board to approve the level funded school board budget at the bottom line so that the economic difficulties will have a minimal impact on our students.

Aline Johnson, School Board Member from Piedmont District, thanked the Board for this opportunity to speak as well as for the support the Board has always given to the schools. The School Board is committed to giving our students the very best education possible. The Board wants to stay the course and she urges the Board to adopt the school budget as presented. In closing she read a quote from President Reagan.

Beth Hilscher, School Board Member from Stone-wall District spoke next. She commented on the "lean and clean" budget that does not exceed last year's budget, staffing requirements and needs. She thanked the Board for their continued support and for their efforts with legislation. She asked that they adopt the School Budget as presented.

Meredith Gorfein, School Board Member from Hampton, commented that the school system is the biggest employer in the county. It is charged with the most important job of educating our children. The Budget is sound and based on experience. She urged its adoption as presented.

Rosa Crocker, School Board Member from Wakefield, spoke about the humbling experience of being a school board member and of working together for the benefit of the children. Anxiety over expenses is high, but success depends on the staff and the triumphs of our students, not on reports. She urged the adoption of the Budget as presented.

Chairman Welch opened the hearing to Public Comment.

Those offering support of the School Board and the Budget were Carolyn Thornton, Steve Carroll, Margaret Lee, Bill Dietel, Barney O'Meara, and Kathryn Treanor. These speakers commented on the Farm to Table Program, work of Dr. Chappell and the School Board and the considerable gains in our school system, community cooperation to improve our schools, volunteers, comparisons of past budgets, thanks to the Superintendent and the School Board, elected school board, expenditures, our great teachers and students, the service of Aline Johnson to the School System, children as our most important legacy, teacher raises, maintenance and repair issues.

Ken Thompson offered a footnote to Steve Carroll's comment on excepts of the budget.

Debra Reina, Jackson District, commented on school environmental conditions that are causing health problems to her child and to others: sewer gas odor, mold, asbestos, locks on bathroom doors, security and outdoor lighting for night events.

Tom Junk commented on both the School Budget and the County Budget. With reference to the School Budget he sited declining enrollment, administrative raises, maneuvering of money in the budget. On the County Budget, he commented on the increase in the Board of Supervisor's share of the budget, increases and decreases in certain areas, money being spent for the renovation of the farm house located near the Library to be used as a tourism facility, mileage on county cars. He urged the Board to approve the budget by category.

Roger Cordani, Wakefield District, spoke on being concerned, with others, for the welfare of the children. Specifically, he cited maintenance expenditures, temperature in the schools, other environmental issues. He added that maintenance was the key and that the Board should do its job.

Henry Gorfein commented on the continued band-aiding repairs that cost the county and the taxpayers money. However, he agrees with level funding and a bottom-line adoption of the Budget.

Scott St. Clair, Jackson District, indicated that the budget process was unacceptable to him. Everyone needs to be involved and there is a need to save and spend funds in the right direction. People need to work together.

There being no further comment, the Public Comment was closed at 8:10 PM.

Mr. McCarthy spoke offered a clarification on the issue of the decline of county funds spent on schools. In 2009 (the year only 50% of county funds went to schools) there were two major capital projects that the County engaged in where funds have been accumulating for a number of years: the closing of the land fill and renovation of Scrabble School. However, there were substantial capital improvements made on behalf of the Schools out of the County's Building and Grounds Budget – in 2002 the repair of the ball water supply, 2004 or 2005 the construction of the track, and in 2008 the Rappahannock County High School septic system had substantial repairs. These represent substantial funds taken from the County Budget. Me McCarthy is not disputing that there has been a decline in the overall percentage spent on schools, but it is not as dramatic as one might think, because money has been spent from the County's Building and Grounds Budget.

Mr. McCarthy again reminded the audience about the Board of Supervisor's Regular Meeting on Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Courthouse in Washington, VA, at which time the School Board Budget will be voted on.

The members of the Board of Supervisors commented on the meeting and thanked everyone for their attendance and input.

There being no further business, Chairman Welch called for a motion to adjourn. On motion of Ron Frazier, seconded by Bryant Lee, the meeting was adjourned.

________________________________

Roger A. Welch, Chairman