November 10, 2015 – MINUTES

JOINT BOARD OF CONTROL

JACKSON RIVER TECHNICAL CENTER

MINUTES

 

November 10, 2015

            The Joint Board of Control for Jackson River Technical Center met in regular monthly session on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 with the following members present:

                        Cindy Bennett, Chairman     Covington City

                        Eddy Clemons                        Covington City

                        Billy Angle                             Alleghany County                                        

                        Randy Tucker                       Alleghany County

                        Jacob Wright                         Alleghany County

 

Also present were Mr. Tom Long, Administrator; Mr. Eugene Katulka, Superintendent of Alleghany County Schools; Mr. Glenn Spangler, Director; and Mrs. Sue Wolfe, Clerk.

Mrs. Bennett called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon and led in a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

            On a motion by Mr. Clemons, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the minutes of the October 13, 2015,  meeting were approved as submitted unanimously by aye vote.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS  (16-28):

             Grant Request Update.  Mr. Spangler reported that he received an email from the Alleghany Foundation Board of directors indicating that they had received our application for a grant to upgrade our Welding lab.  They indicated that they were interested in funding the project and wanted to contact Mr. Strutner, Alleghany County Administrator, to see if Alleghany County would agree to be the legal entity to accept the grant.  Wanda Simpson, Alleghany County Treasurer and JRTC fiscal agent, had already sent an email indicating that she would act as fiscal agent for funding.  The Chamber staff was satisfied with the email from Wanda Simpson to act as fiscal agent.

            Building Feasibility Study.  Mr. Spangler reported that a building feasibility study will be done at JRTC as well as Alleghany and Covington School Systems to be included in the New Tech Facilities Utilization Report.  When asked what space is open, Mr. Spangler replied that the Computer Systems Technology lab is available, the Machining lab is not being used but still has all the equipment stored there, and Lab 4 does not have a regular class every day but it has been used for GED and NOCTI testing.  Alternative Education occupies the old Air Condition/Refrigeration lab, which has the largest area and would probably be best suited for the New Tech program, but then Alternative Education would require another place.

            Last Day of Second Six Weeks.  Mr. Spangler told members that this is the last day of the second six weeks.

            JRTC Dual Enrollment.  Mr. Spangler reviewed the fall 2015 JRTC Dual Enrollment report, noting that we have a total of 61 students involved in dual enrollment which is 13 less than last year at this time.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            Permission to start the process of changing the Building Trades Program into a three year Electrical Program  (16-29).  Mr. Spangler explained to the Board that he had been at a meeting at DSLCC that included the Chancellor of Community Colleges, one of the State secretaries, and business leaders from the whole region.  During the meeting business leaders expressed the fact that Virginia businesses cannot find enough qualified in-state candidates today to fill the vacancies they have in middle class careers.  The brochure entitled “Workforce Credentials:  The Pathway to Virginia’s New Middle Class,” the occupation with the largest Projected 5-Year State wide Supply Deficit was Tractor-Trailor Truck Drivers. The occupations with the second largest deficit was Electricians.  Our current Building Trades program includes electricity, plumbing, and building maintenance for special needs students.  Mr. Spangler requested permission to start the process of changing the building Trades Program into a three-year Electrical Program.  He explained that it would be phased in one year at a time and he would like to begin the process next fall. 

            Mr. Tucker asked about the possibility of working the Electrical Program into a journeyman’s process for the program.  He added that if the program was a four-year program, all the students  need is 8,000 on-the-job training hours to become a journeyman electrician. Members discussed possibilities and options to consider.

            Members expressed concern over the fact the Building Maintenance program would be eliminated and the need for finding some kind of training for special needs students.  Mr. Kotulka expressed the need for Alleghany and Covington to work together to keep the building Maintenance Program or any other program that would be beneficial to both systems.

            Mr. Wright moved that Mr. Spangler be given permission to proceed with changing the Building Trades program into a three year Electrical Program.    Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously by aye vote.

            Mr. Wright asked about the equipment for the program.  Mr. Spangler told members that the existing electrical equipment will remain in the lab and any carpentry equipment will be moved to the carpentry lab.

EXECUTIVE SESSION  (16-30):

            Mrs. Bennett called for a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters, pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711.A.1.  Mr. Tucker moved to enter executive session as requested by Mrs.  Bennett.  Mr. Angle seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by aye vote at 12:18 p.m.

            At 12:22 p.m., Mr. Angle moved that the Board return to open session from closed session.  Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously by aye vote.

            At 12:23 p.m., Mr. Tucker moved that to the best of each member’s knowledge:

1. Only public business matters lawfully exempted from opening meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification applied; and
2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board.

Mr. Angle seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously by roll call vote.

 

PERSONNEL:

            Action on Personnel Matters (16-31).  As recommended by Mr. Spangler, Mr. Wright moved that Christy Armentrout be hired to fill the secretarial position left open by Mrs. Wolfe’s retirement and that she be appointed Clerk, effective January 1, 2016.  Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.

 

            Permission to hire person to fill vacant secretarial position.  Mr. Tucker moved that Mr. Spangler be given permission to hire someone for the secretarial position left open by Ms. Armentrout and that the effective date be December 1, 2015.  Mr. Wright seconded the motion, and the motion carried with all in favor with the exception of Mr. Clemons who recused himself from the vote. 

PAY BILLS  (16-32):

            Mr. Tucker reviewed the bills and moved that bills in the amount of $24,370.06 be approved for payment.  Mr. Angle seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously by aye vote.

            Bills and salaries for the month of October in the amount of $108,510.06 were also paid in accordance with approved salary and benefit schedules.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned on motion by Mr. Angle, seconded by Mr. Tucker.

 _____________________________________         _____________________________________

      Date Approved                                                                       Clerk

 

_____________________________________

                            Chairman