The Stafford County School Board meeting on September 24th, 2013 included discussions on proclaiming October as Virginia Disability History and Awareness Month, citizen comments on school funding and extracurricular activities, recognition of teachers, an update on bus drivers and reserves, approval of organizational charts and teacher evaluation systems, a presentation on health benefits, and a resolution to waive fees for two school renovation projects. The board worked respectfully and collaboratively to address the issues.

1. Stafford School Board Meeting
By: Victoria Jones

2. The Meeting
• Date: September 24th, 2013
• Location: Stafford County at
the Alvin York Bandy
Administration Complex
• Number of Attendees: There
were about 10 High standing
attendees there. I want to say
around 50 or so others
attending the meeting.

3. School Board Attendees:
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Chair of Aquia District, Stephanie Johnson
Vice Chair, of the Falmouth District, Meg Bohmke
Garrisonville District, Nanette Kidby
Hartwood District, Holly Hazard
Rock Hill District, Patricia Healy
George Washington District, Dewayne Mcosker Jr.
Griffis-Widewater District, Danah Reinboldt
Acting Superintendent, Dr. William Symons
Clerk of the Board, Cheryl Dombrosky

4. Opening Actions
Call to Order – By the
Chairman
II. Invocation and Pledge of
Allegiance. Moment of
Silence was taken after Pledge
of Allegiance.
III. Approval of the Agenda which
was moved by Reinboldt and
Bohmke. Agenda was
approved.
IV. Awards were then given out to
the appropriate people.
I.

5. Proclamation to designate
October as Virginia Disability
History and Awareness Month
•It was moved by Bohmke and
Reinboldt.
•Comments made for movement:
• Will increase
awareness, public knowledge
and understanding of
disabilities
• Will increase respect for
people with disabilities
• Ensure the understanding that
disability is a part of life
• Teach future generations that
people with disabilities have
made valuable contributions
The result: The school board
proclaimed October as
Virginia Disability History and
Awareness Month.

6. Comments open to Citizens
• Dean Fetterolf from the Rock
Hill District brought up the
School Board Budget Priorities
for 2015. “There is a lack of
funding and the need to better
plan ahead for future schools
in the County.”
• Paul Waldowski, also from the
Rock Hill District commented
on the lack of funding in the
Stafford County Public
School’s extracurricular
activities.

7. Board Member Comments
• Ms. Kidby made a special shout out to two teachers, a Patricia Apicella
from Rodney Thompson Middle School and a Tom Coen from Colonial
Forge High School who have been appointed to the Governor’s Teacher
Cabinet.
• Ms. Hazard also made a comment to all Stafford County Public School
teachers congratulating them for being one of the 36 school districts
receiving full accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education.
• *Note* I really liked how much appreciation for one another was being
shared. I think that is quite important!

8. Superintendent Comments
• Like I stated in the previous slide, the amount of appreciation being shared
between one another is fantastic. The superintendent made a
comment, thanking the principals for their work, keeping our schools
running smoothly and providing great leadership.
• He also noted that they have hired additional bus drivers considering they
were running a bit low in that category. There is a class currently taking
place which should bring the number up to what I needed.
• Dr. Symons discussed lastly that the board may need to consider reserve
positions as they move forward with budget process.

9. Other Topics Discussed
1. Approve Superintdendent’s proposed supervising line of Authority
Organization Chart. It was moved by Healy and Reinboldt. Result:
Approved
2. Approve the implementation of the Administrators’ Professional Growth
System to commence in the Fall of 2013
3. Lace Wolff gave a presentation on the Health Benefits Fund. It showed
that all funds as being fully committed and assigned. Sufficient funds are
shown to be available to provide a total increase holiday of 1.5 million
dollars and an annual contribution to the OPEB Trust fund of 4 Million
Dollars.

10. RESOLUTION REGARDING WAIVER OF
ALL PLAN REVIEW AND PERMITTING FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE REBUILD
STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL AND ADDITION & RENOVATION GRAFTON VILLAGE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECTS
• Comments made about plan:
▫ The Policy costs tens of
thousands of dollars on an
annual basis
▫ Stafford County Public Schools
works off of public funds
▫ The school boards is
responsible for deciding how it
will spend the finite resources
made available to it.
• Result: “Adopted a resolution to
request a waiver or a reduction
from the Stafford County Board of
Supervisors for all fees pertaining
to plan reviews, conditional use
permits and construction permitting
for the Rebuild Stafford High
School and Additions &
Renovation Grafton Village
Elementary School Projects and for
it to be retroactive to include all
plan review and construction
permitting fees already incurred for
the Rebuild Stafford High School
and Additions & Renovation
Grafton Village Elementary School
Projects.”

11. Thoughts…
• Just wanted to make a couple comments about the meeting. The meeting
stayed on task and all attendees were very respectful. Like previously
stated, there was much appreciation being shared among attendees which I
truly liked. The school board seemed very respectful about comments
made and ideas expressed and people worked together to come to a result.
The school board proved to take into account everyone’s opinions as well
as keeping in mind how far they could reach within in reason.
• The meeting ended around 9:45pm