School Board: Brenda Foster

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1 OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE MANASSAS PARK GOVERNING BODY AND MANASSAS PARK SCHOOL BOARD HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2013 AT 7:00 PM AT MANASSAS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER, 99 ADAMS STREET, MANASSAS PARK, VIRGINIA 1. Roll Call: Frank Jones, Mayor Bryan E. Polk, Vice Mayor Keith Miller Suhas Naddoni Preston Banks Brian Leeper Jeanette Rishell School Board: Absent: Staff Present: Michael Wine, Chairman Rachel Kirkland Patricia Rhodes Dr. Fran Kassinger School Board: Brenda Foster Lana A Conner, City Clerk James Zumwalt, City Manager Bruce McDade, Superintendent of Schools Krista Kelly, Finance Director City Schools Pam Blake, Assistant to Superintendent 1. Strategies for Upcoming Elections Building Citizenship and Participation: Electoral, School Board and Governing Body: The Electoral Board members present: Laura Hampton, Maxine Coleman and Dick Fischer. Patricia Brendel, Registrar: The Electoral Board is asking the City Schools to close school when the Presidential Elections are held which is every four years and are asking that there not be parent/teacher conferences. The School Board was in agreement with that. The Electoral Board can approach teachers and staff to work on Election Day as long as they go through proper school procedures. There were 35 BETA club members that worked the last election. Officers of Election must be 18 years or older to work election. Discussion followed on third precinct. Councilmember Banks stated the 3 rd precinct would work for presidential election but nobody votes in the majority of the elections. The city now will have to go to the scanner system with paper ballots and this will get more voters through. They are not sure where a third precinct could be located. The Mayor stated the city must progressively pursue early voting program. This would require the public to be educated on this program. The Mayor would pursue this matter with State Legislators, Mayors & Chairs, and Northern Virginia Regional Commission. 2. Report on Euclid Sidewalk/Path to Middle School: Jay Johnson, Director of Public Works: The Director stated he is very concerned about the latest engineering revised estimate of $780,000 to design and construct the sidewalk/path down to middle school. The estimate far exceeded the Safe Route to Schools Grant of $425,000. The balance of $355,000 would have to be funded with Vdot revenue sharing funds of approximately $177,000 and approximately $177,000 of Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission funding. The estimate construction cost per linear foot of path is approximately $ including drainage items on school property and approximately $ per linear foot of sidewalk and curb including drainage items from Blooms Quarry Road to school property

2 Page Two Governing Body Joint Meeting April 9, 2013 The Director stated he has some ideas for reducing cost. He proposes to immediately to investigate and implement ditch and shoulder modifications starting at Blooms Quarry Lane to Owens Court. The Mayor asked if the road could be marked stipulating a school zone. The Director stated he would work with Chief Evans and investigate and implement additional stripping and signage. Dr. McDade stated the number one issue is foot traffic. A lot of kids walk to and from the school on Euclid Avenue to Manassas Drive and it is very dangerous. Chief Evans stated that this area is a number one priority with the police department. The Public Works Director will give a report on April 16, The Mayor asked for a closed meeting with City Attorney on April 16, 2013 to discuss contract and possible debarment. The Public Works Director will bring back a Resolution on April 16 to Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission asking for the remaining funds. The Mayor stated he wants this path installed before school opens in September. 3. Proposed Joint Staff Training Program with Laura Liswood: Mayor: His work was given a training program on diversity by Laura Liswood who has expertise in this field and has written a book The Loudest Duck. She can give training in September and the cost would be $2,200. It would be a two hour session. This would focus on the many challenges of diversity. 4. CSA Funding and Decision-making process-jen Braswell-Geller and Addie Whitaker: She explained how cases get to FAPT and CPMT. The Mayor stated he asked about this because when he was on School Board, Fairfax County had at the last minute two special cases that cost them over one million dollars. How does the city make sure we do not get these surprises? Ms. Geller stated there are ways to make sure that does not happen. We are talking about making sure they are educated regardless of cost. Schools do not deal with the medical side. We have agreements with regional services with other schools, private schools and private facilities. School Boardmember Kirkland asks that these children be referred to as disabled not handicapped. She stated that funding is constantly being reduced even though there are more children coming into the program. Ms. Whitaker stated they want to make clear what CSA pays and what they won t. Her department works very closely with them. Councilmember Naddoni stated he wanted to see what could be done to make sure that children have enough to eat and do not go hungry. Food services are a federal program. The schools are required to have certain food provided each day such as meat or meat product, grain and must take a fruit or vegetable. They can take a total of five items on the menu but three of them must be what is listed above. Ms. Kelly stated that now the schools must look at the calorie intake so certain foods are gone. Fifty seven percent of the children in Manassas Park schools get free or reduced lunches. They are also provided breakfast. The schools do not know who these children are on this program. No matter what, children do not walk away hungry because of lack of funds. The schools do not want to just put funds on a swipe card. There must be some control. The schools, social services and the city social services department will try to come up with a summer food program so no one will go hungry. They use to have this program at parks & recreation

3 Page Three Governing Body Meeting April 9, Update on status of development projects: Mayor Project at Andrew Drive & Manassas Drive: Has been shut down couple times because of issues. It is now starting to move along. Apartment complex across from Yappie Cuttery: There were issues but hopefully they have been resolved. Cul-de-sac at end of City Center: 8 acres Phase I-couple of structures. Plans are 80% complete. It is office space and some residential. Walker Station: located in Prince William County but will have access on Manassas Drive. Four hundred residential units. There are proffers. There is a possibility of another access on the road next to Wal-Mart. This is about an 18 month planning process. City Center: True North: Henry Burkeman: There are three or four build outs planned on ground floor to show perspective renters what it would look like. Belmont Reserve City has received some tap fees. This is 87 townhouses. Euclid Avenue: appraisals are ready with right of way 6. City budget: James Zumwalt, City Manager: End of Year Projection for 2013: Projected revenue $34, Projected expenditures $34,432,000 Projected June 30, 2013 $ 458,000 FY2014 Revenue Growth Anticipated Revenue $35,738,000 FY2013 Budgeted revenue $34,659,000 Increase $ 1,079,000 Department Requests FY2014 Department Requests $36,156,000 FY2013 Budget $34,659,000 Increase $ 1,497,000 Requests vs. Revenue FY2014 Department Requests $36,156,000 FY2014 Anticipated Revenue $35,738,000 Cut to balance $ (418,000) Requests vs. ½% target FY2014 debt services & schools $17,380,000 FY2013 Operating + ½% $17,619,000 ½% growth target $34,999,000 FY2014 Department requests $36,156,000 ½% growth target $34,999,000 Cut to balance ($1,157,000) The City Manager went over the Capital Projects Funds proposed budget for Excess revenues over (under) expenditures ($1,890,780) Department line items and personnel Total change breakout FY2013 to FY2014 total change $1,497,129 Debt service, school transfer & trueup ($ 442,027) Department managed reductions ($ 262,100) Department changes $ 793,

4 Page Four Governing Body Meeting April 9, 2013 Policy Issue #1 Balance to revenue: ($ 418,000) Balance to ½% target ($1,157,000) Policy Issue #2 Capital Budget Options: Defer Expenditures, transfer from general fund or spend proffer revenues Policy Issue #3 Solid Waste Rates Solid Waste Fund accumulating deficit ($418,798) Items Not Included: FY2014 refinancing savings +/-$559,000 Proffer Revenue Revenue anticipation loan +/-$100,000 Employee raises: 1% = $97,500 Pay compression proposal $235,000 Economic Development Program Staff must finalize request numbers, finalize department narratives, discuss budget reduction with directors and update financial plan The Governing Body is advertising the $1.65 tax rate; no increase. There are some funds that may come available upfront for apartments. There may be some tap fees coming in. 7. School Budget and Future Year Outlook: Superintendent of Schools: 2014 School Budget: Dr. Bruce McDade and Krista Kelly, Finance Director along with School Board members: Michael Wine, Rachel Kirkland, Patricia Rhodes, and Dr. Fran Kassinger: Dr. Bruce McDade, Superintendent, Manassas Park City Schools presented the 2014 School Budget: Copy of presentation made part of the record. He stated that enrollment projections are factored into some of the decisions for this budget. They have identified serious overcrowding and choke points throughout the school division. They had to hire additional staff to deal with class sizes. They want to remain competitive on raises. Professional development has a huge impact on teaching and learning and the biggest is the differentiation initiative which is needed at a time when class sizes are rising and diversity in school division is ever expanding. Teachers need strategies to be able to deal with the variety of students in the classrooms. The facilities are starting to show their age. There must be a plan in place for replacement and refurbishment and maintaining our facilities. Technology is a huge consideration not only in the classroom but in terms of administrative services at central offices and the school division. They have gone to a wireless model at the high school and will continue into the other three schools in the upcoming year. They use technology to enhance their instructional methods for all students. In February, the Superintendent proposed a budget of $34,735,000 the bulk of which in federal grants and operations

5 Page Three Governing Body Meeting April 2, 2013 In this $33,230,000 there is included a 1% required pass-thru of 1% for VRS and a salary increase of at least 2%. There is a bus lease purchase for two 78 passenger busses and one special needs bus because of increased enrollment. Food Service Organization= $1,500,000 is part of the overall budget but is a separate component. There is Medical Trust = $5,000 for retirees who contribute to the plan to continue health care coverage. There were changes at the state level which changed the school budget. State budget earmarked 2% salary increase for all SOQ funded positions but Dr. McDade made the increase for all city staff. This is above the 1% VRS increase. They are committed to 1% minimum for VRS cost increase and are on the five year plan. They are looking at the enrollment pattern based on three to five year plan. Based on their conclusions, they will need seven additional educators; four at the secondary campus and three at elementary campus. This will put the system in good shape in the core areas; math, science, language arts, and social studies. Sequestration assumed reduction: Approximately 10.5% or $103,644 but they are not counting on these funds. School Board Proposed Budget $33,400,000 Food Service 1,660,000 Medical Trust 5,000 $35,065, Discussion of City and School finances: School Board and Governing Body: This was discussed under Items 6 and Transportation Studies, NVTA and Route 28: 10. Adjournment: The Mayor adjourned the regular meeting at 10:00 pm. Approved, May 7, 2013 Frank Jones, Mayor Lana A Conner 21060