School Board Adopts CIP for FY2017-26, Discusses Year-End Advisory Reports

School Board Adopts CIP for FY2017-26, Discusses Year-End Advisory Reports The Arlington School Board unanimously approved its FY 2017-26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) at last night’s meeting. APS projections indicate that enrollment will grow to a record high of more than 27,000 students in 2017-2018, and to 30,000 students by 2021. The committed and proposed projects in the 10-year CIP total- $510.29 million and include $435.03 million in bond funding. For more details on the CIP, click here. OTHER ACTION ITEMS:

• Revision of School Board Policies: The Board also approved recommended revisions to the following policies:
• School Board Policy 35-2.2 Staff Reductions
• School Board Policy 35-2.3 Position Classification
• School Board Policy 35-5 Leave
• School Board Policy 35-6.1 Holidays
• School Board Policy 35-6.4 Other Benefits
• Change Order for New School at Wilson Site Multi-Modal Transportation Services: Staff requested approval of a change order for the Wilson School Project (Project) Multimodal Transportation Services Contract fixed-price for Toole Design Group due to an expanded scope of work not previously awarded in the original contract to finalize the traffic analysis and provide the required support during the Use Permit and construction phases. With the change order, the Total Fee is increased to $158,223.00. The requested funds would use contingency funds in the original project budget.

FY 2016 3rd Quarter Fiscal Monitoring Report – The Board approved the Superintendent’s recommended investments in professional development, student activity needs, safety and security, and $7.1 million for capital improvement projects. As of March 31, staff projects $6.6 million in funds available from operational savings and $7.1 million from a bond premium, for a total of $13.7 million. INFORMATION ITEMS:

• Budget Adjustment for McKinley Renovation and Addition Project: Staff reviewed a proposed budget adjustment for additional expenses due to the extended construction timeline for the McKinley Elementary School Addition/Renovation Project and options to offset the expenses originally budgeted. Staff estimates that an additional $941,500 in funding is required to complete the project. More information is available online.

MONITORING ITEMS:

• Annual Report of the Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs (FAC) and Staff Response – The FAC provided their annual report to the Board which included highlights; sustainability; collaboration; priorities and general recommendations. The presentation was followed by staff response. Read the full report and response online.
• Annual Report of the Budget Advisory Council (BAC) and Staff Response – The BAC provided their year-end report which included highlights; progress on prior recommendations; and recommendations. Staff followed the BAC presentation with their response. The full report and staff response are available online.
• Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Instruction – The ACI report included highlight of the committee’s work, recommendations and status of previous recommendations. The full report is available online.
• Internal Audit Report – The report included an overview; information on the financial controls at schools; and a summary of fee revenues. To read the full report, click here.

APPOINTMENT: The School Board appointed Briana Milton as the Director of Counseling Services at Gunston Middle School, beginning July 1. Milton has 15 years of experience in education and has worked in public and non-public schools, from supporting students as a therapeutic counselor to her current position as lead counselor for Mark Twain Middle School in the Fairfax County Public Schools. She is a Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Reviewer and has worked diligently with a colleague to lead the Mark Twain counseling department to receive Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) certification from ASCA, which is the model recognition for any school counseling program. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Saint Mary’s College and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from John Hopkins University. RECOGNITIONS: The meeting began with student recognitions of the Career Center Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Corps and the National Scholastic Arts and Writing award winners. The Board also recognized Washington-Lee High School student athletes for their accomplishments on the field.

• Benedict Draghi is a three-time state champion in either the shot put and/or discus. He has broken the 40-year-old school record in both of these events.
• The Washington-Lee Varsity Boys Soccer Team won the 2016 state championship title, finishing the year with a record of 18-1-2. This is W-L’s first state championship in any sport since 1977.

The Board also recognized and thanked Deirdra McLaughlin, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management Services, and Connie Skelton, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, for their dedication to APS. McLaughlin and Skelton will be retiring from APS on August 1. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Citizens who want to comment on any of the items discussed at the School Board meeting should email the Board at school.board@apsva.us or call 703-228-6015. Citizens may call 703-228-2400 on the Monday after the School Board meetings to listen to a meeting summary. School Board meetings are also broadcast live on Comcast Cable Channel 70 and Verizon FiOS Channel 41; live-streamed on the APS website, and re-broadcast on Fridays at 9 p.m. and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the meeting. All materials and minutes of the meeting will be posted to the website at aps2016.apsva.us/schoolboard upon School Board approval at a subsequent meeting.