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December 14, 2000' <br /> <br /> A work session of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held to <br />meet with the City School Board on December14, 2000, in the Martinsville Middle <br />School Media Center, beginning at 12:15 P. M., with Mayor Mark Crabtree presiding. <br />Council Members present included: Mark A. Crabtree~ Mayor; M. Gene Teague, Vice <br />Mayor; and Council Members Bruce H. T. Dallas, J. Ronald Ferrill, and Terry L. Roop. <br /> <br /> Following the invocation, Dr. Ira Trollinger, Superintendent, welcomed everyone <br />to the meeting. <br /> <br /> Chuck Davies, School Board Chairman, stated, "We had a fund balance for <br />prudent financial management; the party's over. We need to look at an international <br />baccalaureate program. It would be a valuable alternative." <br /> <br /> Council Member Roop stated, "We have got to keep in mind that the general <br />population doesn't feel that the City's programs and services may be efficient. A review <br />is in the process. I'm glad to hear that you're looking at savings." Dr. Trollinger stated, <br />"We never balked when the City hit hard times. We did our part. My biggest concern <br />and biggest fear is that the schools will be the only one to make significant cuts. We <br />want to be a team player." Council Member Roop stated, "Our greatest resource in the <br />City is personnel. I didn't mean to imply that the school system should be the only one <br />to make cuts. We need to look at all programs and services." Mayor Crabtree stated, "1 <br />express my appreciation to the school system for its efforts. This should be a year to <br />focus on staff." Dr. Trollinger stated, "We typically lose an average of fifteen teachers <br />per year; last year, we lost 30." <br /> <br /> Chairman Davies stated, "Regarding cost containment, we could close a school, <br />eliminate parallel schedules, review benefits, and/or consider a merger with the County <br /> <br /> <br />