Virginia School-University Partnership Meeting Summary
Meeting of May 11, 2010
Members Present:
Rosa Atkins - Charlottesville, Steve Nichols - Staunton, Bobby Johnson - Campbell
County, Robin Crowder - Waynesboro,
Brian Ratliff - Amherst County, Tom Smith - Fluvanna, Doug Schuch - Bedford
County, Al Butler - VASS, Rebecca Gates - Buena Vista, Rebecca Kneedler - UVA-
Curry, Bob Grimesey - Orange County, Deborah Pettit - Louisa County, Gary Blair
- Buckingham County, Roger Collins - Nelson Co, Lou Justis - Warren Co, Pam
Moran - Albemarle Co, Andy Stamp - VSUP Ex Director, Brenda Tanner - Madison
Co,Janice Marston VSUP PD Director
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. in room 200 of the Curry School
of Education, UVA by the Chairman, Roger Collins, Nelson County.
Roger asked each member present to introduce him/herself to the group.
The meeting began with Rebecca Kneedler providing a report on activities within
UVA/ Curry that affect the membership. She pointed out progress on the DaVinci
program with Bill Booze at UVA heading the Curry involvement. Most importantly,
she passed along a request from the Dean at Curry to let the University know
if there is anything that they can do to assist school divisions. Efforts continue
to support and shore up the grad programs at the University. Partnerships with
professional organizations, the Darden School, and others are enriching the
Curry experience. The question was raised to seek clarification on the future
of doctoral programs through UVA and Virginia Tech, especially with the growth
of these programs at other colleges. The result is that the Curry School is
most interested in working with applicants for the doctoral programs and will
be working very hard to remove any doubt that UVA is unwelcoming to these students.
Janice Marston provided information, recap, and review of successful professional
development activities from the year. The results were that VSUP was able to
provide more PD opportunities to more participants than in years past. The Test
Item Bank has seen growth this year especially in 3rd grade reading. In seeking
information as to what spurred the growth, Janice indicated work with Interactive
Achievement and teacher confidence in writing questions led to the growth. For
the 2010-2011 PD Plan six objectives will drive planning based on the needs
of the member divisions. The draft Calendar of Planned PD Events/ Activities
reflects ten options. Interest was expressed in the area of increasing emphasis
and funding grants for STEM programs. Currently a grant is being developed in
cooperation with George Mason University.
The Student Leadership Conference was the largest yet in 2010. 235 students
representing 18 high schools participated.
Various members of the UVA faculty spoke to group about PD opportunities they
are pursuing to enrich the training opportunities for members. Science inquiry
is moving along, especially in the areas of light and optics, but still working
on developing an accurate means of assessment for inquiry. Staff from the Asia
Institute discussed the benefits of becoming more attuned to the educational
programs of China and India.
Andy Stamp presented a plan that would allow Janice Marston to truly become
part time. The current position would be broken into three, smaller, part time
positions. Individuals are available to fill these needs and improve services.
Additionally the change would generate a savings of about $7,000. A motion made
by Steve Nichols and seconded by Bob Grimesey was made to approve the change.
The motion passed without dissent.
Andy also presented the budget for the next year that reflected a net loss of
two participating members in two years. Any surplus funds were to be held to
off-set any weaknesses in funding through the next budget cycle. It is anticipated
that the next year's budget cycle will also be very unstable. The motion to
approve the submitted budget was made by Gary Blair, and seconded by Robin Crowder.
The motion passed without dissent.
The slate of officers for the next two years was submitted (Steve Nichols, Chair,
Robin Crowder, Secretary, and Rosa Atkins, Treasurer). Motion to approve nominees
was made by Brenda Tanner, and seconded by Roger Collins. Approved without dissent.
Without additional business, the meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Nichols