Minutes 03/26/1968 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 26, 1968 "WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is making extensiv, e plans for participation in the federally soonsored celebration of the Bicentennial of American Independence; and I~{EREAS, Portsmouth~s Naval Shipyard played an imoortant role in REvolutionary history; and I~MEREAS, Portsmouth has a splendid opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Mational Observance and to benefit from the great influx of tourists that may be ~ntica~ted during the celebration; and !CdEREAS, the coooeration of all Virginia Cormmunities is necessary to make the IndeDendence Commemoration a success; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce that the City Council be requested to appoint 8 Portsmouth Commission for the Independence Bicentennial with membership that is broadly representative of the Community and that said Commission be authorized to join with neighboring cities to coor8inate area planning for the observance." Motion of Mr. Eastes to refer to a conference of Council, for the appointment of this committee, was adopted, without dissenting vote. ~" ~ read: 68-107 - ~The following letter from the Portsmouth Coast Guard ~{useum was "We have previously requested that additional members be appointed to the Board of Directors of Portsmouth Coast Guard ~4useum Incorporated. We had also submitted a list of possible appointees, many of whom live in ~he area which became a part of ~he City of Portsmouth, on January 1, 1968. In view of ~he fact that the annexation has now reached fruition, we herewith renew our request for the appointment of additional members to our Board of Directors. In view of the fact that there is no additional expense to the City, regardless of the number of Directors and because of the fact that we are in great need of having additional people to assist us in planning and carrying out the plans for the operation of the Lightship Museum, we feel that this request is a very reasonable one and we would appreciate prompt action in regard to it. We are confident that there are many ~ersons who would be willing to serve as volunteer members of t~s Board of Directors, and we need their capable and expert assistance. We will appreciate favorable action in this regard." Motion of Mr. Barnes to refer to the City Attorney for the proper handling, with the suggestion that the number of members be increased to fifteen, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 68-108 - The following letter from the Portsmouth Public Schools and communications from Miss Margaret Johnston, acting Principal, Emily N. Spong School, and Horace S. Savage, Jr., Pmesident, Portsmouth Education .ssociation, were received as information:? "The School Board of the City of Portsmouth is most appreciative of the continued display of temmwork between the City Council and the School Board. Not only did the teachers respond favorably to the early approval of the instructional section of the budget but also the citizens of Portsmouth as well. Furthermore, the recent editorial in the Legit S.~ar took cognizance of the tremendous e_fort required by the City to maintain a cor~;etitive position among other school divisions at a time when financial demands are exceedingly great. A curso~/ review of the contracts returned from two of our l~rger scho~ls indicates that teacher turnover has been reduced enormously. In fact, all of the teachers from one school signed their contracts and one teacher in the second school is not returning. According to the personnel department~ this ~eacher's husbmnd is being transferred out of the City. ~ese returns demonstrate very clearly that teacher recruitment begins in Portsmouth and not on the college campuses. Attached is a copy of the budget approved by the Board and previously presented to the members of the City Council at Woodrow Wilson High School. The only change in the budget ~ an addition of $$5~000 needed to increase the beginning teacher's salary from $5800 to $6000. As you are aware, only the financial section of the budget has been presentedto you. The marrative section, including such items as a review of the present programs and long range ~ducational projections, ~'be made availabe to the Council in late May. If you need additional information coneer~ing the proposed budget~ the members of the School Board~ and adminstrative officerswill meet with ou at your convenienceS" 68-199 - The following letter from Frank H. Madigan, Dean of Men, Frederick College, was read: "Dean Ellerd Hulbert and I are appreciative of your recognition which was extended to us on the recent visit to file Portsmouth City Council Meeting. T~e entire Frederick College community is endeavoring to achieve recognition and s~nport for ira plan.to maintain and operate a four-year-institution. ~is in no way conflicts with .the State's plan to create a first-rate community college that will serve the Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Nansemond County It is hoved that the members of the Portsmouth City Council and the public officials will give serious thought to the loss of a four-year institution and the meaning associated with it in the community. At the present time, we are involved in efforts to gain support for the continuance of a four-year institution. We at Frederick solicit your aid, and ~e thank you for your kind consideration that ~as us last ~ednesdav.