[00:00:03] GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE AUGUST 10TH, 2021 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS [A. Meeting Opening - 6:30 p.m.] MEETING TO ORDER. FIRST UP, WE HAVE INVOCATION. MS. COKER? EVERYONE WILL BOW THEIR HEADS, PLEASE. DEAR, LOVING AND GRACIOUS GOD, PLEASE BE WITH US IN OUR DISCUSSIONS TONIGHT AND HELP US TO BE CLEAR AND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE PLACED THEIR FAITH IN OUR LEADERSHIP GIVE US INSIGHT TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY THAT OUR DECISIONS MAY REFLECT WHAT IS RIGHT, GOOD AND FAIR. I PRAY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF STRONG AND YOU WOULD BE WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS. GRANT US THE HUMILITY TO ALWAYS SEE YOUR WILL AND ALL THAT WE DO AND SAY. AMEN. MS. HAINES FLAG SALUTE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHICH IS HAINES. A NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES AGENDA ADOPTION, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES, [B. Consent Agenda] JUNE 1ST, 2021 WORK SESSION, JUNE 1ST, 2021 BUSINESS MEETING, JUNE 24TH, 2021 SPECIAL MEETING. MEMO 91-21, FY 2021, APPROPRIATION CHANGES, CARES RELIEF FUNDS, MEMO 92- 21, DEED OF GIFT FOR HARROGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MEMO 95-21, LOCAL PLAN FOR THE EDUCATION OF GIFTED, MEMO 96-21, REVIEW ADOPTION FY 2022 TUITION RATES FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENTS. MEMO 97-21 FISCAL YEAR 2022 ACCEPTANCE AND NEW GRANTS. MEMO 98-21, APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SCHOOL BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEES. MEMO 99-21, REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK. MEMO 105-21, RECOMMENDED PERSONNEL ACTIONS. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE CONTENT AGENDA? MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING. ARE THERE ANY REQUESTS FROM A BOARD MEMBER TO SEPARATE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND INDIVIDUAL ACTION [INAUDIBLE]. SORRY ABOUT THAT. THERE ARE. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL MEMO 91-21 FISCAL YEAR 2021 APPROPRIATION CHANGES FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA SO THAT THE CFO CAN EXPLAIN SOME OF THE LINE ITEMS ON THAT MEMO. AND I WOULD LIKE TO PULL A MEMO 99-21 REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK TO MAKE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS FROM TODAY'S RETREAT. AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON MEMO 95-21. THE LOCAL PLAN FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED. I JUST WANT. THAT WOULD NEED TO BE PULLED, YOU CAN'T MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, DO YOU MAKE A MOTION TO PULL IT? I MAKE A MOTION TO PULL IT. OK. OK, THANK YOU, MS. HAINES. BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY OTHER REQUESTS TO SEPARATE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE, MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MR. CLERK WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOT HEFFRON? AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES? AYE. ANN COKER? AYE. RYAN HARTER? AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES. DR. DAUGHERTY, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE OUR NEW ADMINISTRATORS? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS I'D FIRST LIKE TO CALL UP DR. LAURA MARSHALL. SHE IS NOW THE PROUD PRINCIPAL OF SWIFT CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. LAURA IS A YOUR DOCTOR FROM VCU, SO I KNOW MS. BAILEY IS HAPPY ABOUT THAT, AND THE COMES TO US AS ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL ALBERTA SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE HER. DO YOU HAVE FAMILY HERE? I HAVE MY HUSBAND. OH, HE HAS TO STAND UP BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO BE DOING A LOT OF COOKING, I THINK. LAURA, CONGRATULATIONS. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED AND HAVE A GREAT YEAR. NEXT, WE HAVE JENNIFER O'QUINN IS OUR DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT POLICY AND MEDIA RELATIONS. [00:05:05] JENNIFER DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE? OK, WELL, WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE HER WITH US. SHE HAS HER DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES AT VIRGINIA TECH AND SHE COMES TO US FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AND ALSO SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST. AND SHE'S DOING A FANTASTIC JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER. AND WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST. AND MR. JONATHAN SIEMEN, OUR DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. JON, DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE? ANY FAMILY? HE COMES TO US FROM [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY AS THE IN MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM I MEAN, EXCUSE ME, COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND WAS THE DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF FINANCE AND ALSO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE JON, THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT IS ALL THE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR TODAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, DR. DAUGHERTY. NEXT, WE HAVE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. [C. Awards and Recognitions] MR. SMITH? IF I COULD ASK LAURA EARLY TO COME UP FRONT, PLEASE. LAURA EARLY, THE COORDINATOR FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WAS NAMED VIRGINIA SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OF THE YEAR DURING THE SPRING CONFERENCE OF THE VIRGINIA ACADEMY OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS. SHE JOINED TEAM CHESTERFIELD IN 2018 AFTER SERVING 21 YEARS AS SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST AND BUCKINGHAM COUNTY HOUSING UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES. LAURA SUPERVISES 34 SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, NINE ELEMENTARY DIAGNOSTICIANS AND THREE INTERNS, AND A LETTER TO THE VOSP. DR. JENNIFER RUCKER WROTE, QUOTE, "MRS. EARLY EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SERVANT LEADER, TEAM PLAYER AND INFANT LEARNER. WHAT MAKES HER STAND OUT ABOVE OTHERS IS HER ABILITY TO LEAD OTHERS AND BUILD A STRONG TEAM OF EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS," END QUOTE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING LAURA EARLY. JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS EVENING, CONGRATULATIONS, THIS IS VERY WELL DESERVED, WONDERFUL ACCOLADES FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. MENTAL HEALTH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR BOARD, AND THEN SO WE NEED STRONG LEADERS LIKE YOU TO HELP WITH CCPS'S STUDENTS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS. IF I COULD ASK JOEY RICHLAND TO COME UP FRONT, PLEASE. JOEY RICHLAND WAS SELECTED AS THE 5A, 6A ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR BY THE VIRGINIA INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION. THIS ASSOCIATION PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL VOTING OPPORTUNITIES, LEADERSHIP TRAINING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS FOR ATHLETIC DIRECTORS ACROSS THE STATE. THE STATEWIDE AWARD RECOGNIZES HER TIRELESS EFFORTS AND PROFESSIONALISM TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT ATHLETES. CURRENTLY, THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AT MIDWICH HIGH SCHOOL, SHE'S BEEN [INAUDIBLE] WITH SCHOOLS FOR TWENTY SIX YEARS. HER WORK AS A DISTRICT REGION CLASSIFICATION FIVE REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE VHSL HAS MADE HER [INAUDIBLE] LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE. SHE SERVED IN NUMEROUS COMMITTEES AND WORKED TO HELPED STUDENTS, PARENTS, COACHES AND SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS SAFELY NAVIGATE A UNIQUE SPORTS YEAR IN 2021. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING JOEY. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS HONOR. I THINK IT'S AMAZING THE JOB THAT YOU DO, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU PROBABLY NEVER GO HOME AND ESPECIALLY MANAGING ATHLETICS DURING A COVID YEAR HAD TO BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. AND TO WIN THIS AWARD DURING PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS OF YOUR CAREER SPEAKS VOLUMES TO WHAT A TREMENDOUS JOB YOU DO FOR OUR COUNTY AND FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR THE MONARCHS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS. IF I COULD ASK OUR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS TO COME UP FRONT. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS FOR THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR, ARIANE HAYES OF CHALKELY ELEMENTARY. LINDSAY MOTLEY OF [INAUDIBLE] ELEMENTARY. MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR DR. DEREK WASNOCK OF ROBIOUS MIDDLE. [00:10:02] HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, JOHN PHILLIPS, CLOVER HILL HIGH. ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, SUMMER DAVIS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY. MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, NICHOLAS OLSEN, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL OF CARVER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, BEN SCHINDLER, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL OF MATOACA HIGH SCHOOL. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THESE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS. ALL RIGHT, SO I HAVE A NUMBER OF LITTLE GIFT BAGS, SO I'LL JUST TALK WHILE I'M HANDING THEM OUT, BUT I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A SINCERE, HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I KNOW FROM THE REST OF THE BOARD MEMBER'S HEARTS. I KNOW FROM STAFFS AND I KNOW ESPECIALLY FROM OUR STUDENTS ON WHAT YOU GUYS DO. AND WE'RE TEAMED UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR. AND IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH BETTER YEAR THAN LAST YEAR. AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT, BUT I'M EVEN MORE CONFIDENT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE AT THE HELM OF THE SHIP. YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN AMAZING LAST YEAR AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO AMAZING THINGS THIS YEAR. SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DO. CONGRATULATIONS. DO YOU GUYS WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? IT'S UP TO YOU, IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING YOU CAN. WE'RE GOOD THEY CUT MY MICROPHONE OFF ALREADY. NEXT UP, WE HAVE OUR FOOD FOR THOUGHT COMPETITION. IF BERKELEY AND ELLIS CAN JOIN US UP FRONT ? IN THE VIRGINIA SCORE ASSOCIATION'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT COMPETITION, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WON IN THE HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS CATEGORY, THE WINNING PROGRAM, QUOTE, "VIRGINIA FARM TO SCHOOL, HEALTHY HABITS TAKE ROOT EARLY" UNQUOTE. WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THE FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED CREATING GARDENS AND ENGAGING THIRD GRADERS AT CHALKELY, FALLING CREEK AND BEULAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PLANTING SEEDS. THE VSBA CREATED THE FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND COMPETITION TO EDUCATE, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER SCHOOL LEADERS TO ADDRESS CHILDHOOD HUNGER AND PROVIDE ALL CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA OF THE HEALTHIER, MORE NUTRITIOUS SCHOOL MEALS. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THAT TEAM. MR. PARKER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR KIDS. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION. IF I COULD ASK OUR CURRENT [INAUDIBLE] EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS TO COME UP FRONT, PLEASE. THE [INAUDIBLE] PROGRAM OF THE CHESTERFIELD CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER, VIRGINIA'S TOP CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR 2021. EACH YEAR, THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, SPONSOR THE CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM CREATING EXCELLENCE AWARDS. THESE AWARDS PROMOTE BEST PRACTICES IN EDUCATION AND RECOGNIZES THE DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ONE OF THESE 2021 AWARDS. FIRST UP, MEADOWBROOK HIGH'S ACADEMY FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS INSTRUCTOR SHANNON [INAUDIBLE] ONE OF THE REASON ONE AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FOR ITS CONNECTION WITH ENTREPRENEUR GAIN, THE BACON AND PASTRY ARTS PROGRAM OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER. CTC HALL INSTRUCTOR ELISE CHONKA I APOLOGIZE, A CTC COURTHOUSE INSTRUCTOR, SARAH [INAUDIBLE] WAS NAMED THE TOP CT PROGRAM REGION ONE, THAT WENT ON TO BE HONORED AS A TOP CT PROGRAM IN THE ENTIRE STATE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THESE LEADERS. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. I THINK THAT YOU GUYS REALLY TOUCHED THE CHILDREN IN WAYS THAT SOMETIMES THOSE ALGEBRA AND READING TEACHERS COULD NEVER HAVE DONE. SO, AND I KNOW YOU'RE REPRESENTING STANDING IN FOR METAPHOR, BUT CONGRATULATIONS. WELL DESERVED HONOR, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IF I COULD ASK OUR DEPARTING SCHOOL BOARD ADVISOR, COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME UP [00:15:06] FRONT. ADVISORY COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED BY THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ARE ONE WAY THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONNECT TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED FROM EACH OF THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL DISTRICTS AND INCLUDE PARENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF MEMBERS, STUDENTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERESTED IN HELPING CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACHIEVE ITS MISSION AND VISION. THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WISHES TO THANK THOSE OF ITS FULLY COMPLETED THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE ON THE BOARD'S VARIOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEES FROM THE CCPS AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. JENNIFER EGGLESTON, FROM RAMITA DISTRICT, THE GIFTED EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE; JENNIFER WEST, BERMUDA DISTRICT, AND DR. SARAH STEVE, [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT FROM THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD; JENNIFER THOMPSON; [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT, DR. ARLENE BOHANNAN, MATOACA DISTRICT; DR. MATTHEW PAYNE, MATOACA DISTRICT AND LAILAH WARD FROM THE LOTHIAN DISTRICT. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. IS IT WORKING? YEAH, IT IS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT. I KNOW IT'S A HARD ASK BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG MEETING AND IT MIGHT BE HARDER TO GET INTO THE BUILDING. BUT YOU CAME AND THAT REALLY HAS BEEN JUST IT'S EXEMPLARY OF YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD. SO ESPECIALLY DURING A YEAR OF COVID, SO I WOULD LOVE TO SAY A LITTLE BIT WHAT WAS IT LIKE? BECAUSE WE DO NOT PAY YOU TO DO IT JUST WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEING ON THE JOB DURING THE RETURN TO SCHOOL. I MEAN, IT WAS CHALLENGING AND IT'S DEFINITELY CHALLENGING. BUT, YOU KNOW, I LOVE THESE KIDS AND I LOVE THE COUNTY. SO SHOW UP. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. SMALL, VERY SMALL GIFT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. DAUGHERTY. IT IS MY EXTREME PLEASURE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE OUR BUS DRIVERS THIS IS A SPECIAL AWARD THIS EVENING. THEY ARE PART OF THE 160 DRIVERS THAT WORKED FOR US THIS SUMMER, ALL OF WHICH ARE HEROES, IN MY OPINION. BUT THERE WERE MANY BUS DRIVERS THAT COULD BE RECOGNIZED THIS MONTH. BUT EACH TRANSPORTATION AREA MANAGER HAD TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION OF SELECTING A SINGLE BUS DRIVER WHO EXEMPLIFIED EXCELLENCE AND DEDICATION TO REPRESENT THEIR AREA. WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE FOLLOWING DRIVERS THAT CALL YOUR NAME. PLEASE COME ON DOWN. SUSAN ERBY, AREA ONE, BUS 848, 11 YEARS OF SERVICE. CHASE ARMSTRONG, AREA TWO, BUS 271, TWO YEARS OF SERVICE. DONNA BELCHER, AREA THREE, BUS 477, 14 YEARS OF SERVICE. DANIEL KENZER, AREA FOUR, BUS 690, 14 YEARS OF SERVICE. AND BECKY KENDALL, AREA FIVE, BUS 204, FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE. JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS OF FIRST TO START OFF AND SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR GETTING OUR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SO SAFELY. AND SO BEFORE I TOLD MY KIDS I GOT TO RECOGNIZE BUS DRIVERS THIS EVENING, SO I SAID, WHAT ARE SOME WORDS THAT I COULD SAY? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR BUS DRIVER? SO ONE OF MY CHILDREN SAID, I LOVE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE WITH MY BUS DRIVER. ONE SAID THAT I LOVE THE MUSIC THAT GETS PLAYED FROM TIME TO TIME ON THE BUS. AND THE OTHER ONE SAID, I LOVE HOW EVERY TIME I GET OFF THE BUS, THEY SAY, HAVE A NICE DAY. SO THOSE ARE THE MEMORIES THAT YOU'RE MAKING WITH OUR CHILDREN AS YOU DRIVE THEM TO AND FROM SCHOOL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, DR. DAUGHERTY, THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS, FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR OUTSTANDING FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES TEAM MEMBERS. TO ECHO DR. FRYE, WE HAVE FOLKS THAT WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH US THIS SUMMER HERE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE WHICH, AGAIN, TO ECHO DR. FRYE, I THINK WAS JUST A GREAT SERVICE THAT THEY PROVIDED FOR THEIR [00:20:02] COMMUNITY. AND AS ALWAYS, THEY DID IT WITH A SMILE. THEY DID IT WITH COMPASSION. AND AS ALWAYS, AS ALWAYS, THEY MADE SURE PEOPLE GOT FED. AND THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. AND WE CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH, NOT JUST THESE FOLKS, BUT EVERYBODY THAT WORKED FOR US THIS SUMMER IN FOOD SERVICES. SO FIRST REPRESENTATIVE, AS THEY COME DOWN, PLEASE CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME DOWN. KEISHA BUTLER, MS. BUTLER'S CAFETERIA MANAGER AT MANCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHE'S BEEN WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR 13 YEARS, AND THE BEST PART OF HER JOB IS FEEDING AND INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS EVERY DAY. ALL RIGHT. NEXT JANICE COWER. MS. COWER WILL BE THE NEW CAFETERIA MANAGER AT ELSIE BIRD HIGH SCHOOL THIS UPCOMING YEAR. SHE'S BEEN WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR FIVE MONTHS, BUT PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR US AS A CAFETERIA MANAGER. SO SHE HAS COME BACK TO JOIN US AGAIN, WHICH WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT. BEST PART OF HER JOB IS FEEDING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS. NEXT, WE HAVE ANGELA CARTER JOHNSON, MS. CARTER JOHNSON IS THE MANAGER-IN-TRAINING AND ROBIOUS MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHE'S BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR TWO YEARS AND FEELS THE BEST PART OF HER JOB IS GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WORKING IN FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES IS ME GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. NEXT, WE HAVE SUPORA FOLKES. MS. FOLKES, THE CHIEF OF OUR FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT MARGUERITE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SHE'S BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR 12 YEARS AND FEELS THE BEST PART OF HER JOB IS FEEDING THE CHILDREN AND SEEING THEIR SMILING FACES EVERY DAY. NEXT, WE HAVE CHRIS. CHRIS SCHIFFLETT IS MY NOMINEE FOR THIS SUMMER. MR. SCHIFFLETT ITS OPERATIONS ANALYST FOR THE FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HAS BEEN EMPLOYED WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR 10 YEARS. FEELS THE BEST PART OF HIS JOB IS BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO ALL THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES STAFF AND BEING ABLE TO GO OUT AND VISIT ALL THE SCHOOL KITCHENS WHEN ISSUES ARISE THAT CAN'T BE FIXED REMOTELY. SO CHRIS IS IN CHARGE OF OUR I.T., BUT THIS SUMMER WE ACTUALLY HAD TO UNDERGO A RENOVATION AT OUR OFFICE. AND CHRIS TOOK SUCH A LEAD IN THAT AS FAR AS REMOVING CABINETS, MOVING DESKS, GETTING CHAIRS OUT INTO PODS REALLY COULD NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITHOUT HIM. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL, I'M SORRY, I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO GET GO, BUT SERIOUSLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT JOB THAT YOU DO. AND SOMETHING THAT I LOVE ABOUT IN YOUR BIOGRAPHIES IS THAT EVERYBODY SAYS, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? AND IT'S SOMETHING TO DO ABOUT THE KIDS. RIGHT? IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH THE KIDS AND SUPPORTING THE KIDS IN YOUR JOBS. AND WE JUST APPRECIATE YOU. AND WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. [00:25:12] JUST FOR THOSE THAT ARE FOLLOWING ALONG AT HOME ON THE VIDEO, WERE WAITING UNTIL WE BRING SPEAKERS INTO THE ROOM TO BE SEATED BEFORE WE PROCEED WITH PUBLIC COMMENT. [D. Public Comment on Agenda Items] OK, NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS. FOR THIS MEETING, CITIZENS WERE GIVEN THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING THEIR COMMENTS ONLINE OR IN PERSON. THE BOARD RECEIVED 185 ONLINE COMMENTS. COMMENTS SUBMITTED VIA THE ONLINE FORUM WERE SENT TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO THE START OF TONIGHT'S MEETING AND WILL BE POSTED TO THE BOARD DOC SITE AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FULL ADDENDUM OF OUR MEETING MINUTES. MR. CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING IN PERSON SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS? MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE 36 SPEAKERS FOR AGENDA ITEMS THIS EVENING AND I WILL CALL EVERYONE UP IN GROUPS OF FIVE. BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT EACH SPEAKER THIS EVENING WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THERE'S A TIMER SET UP ON TOP OF THE PODIUM. IT'LL TURN GREEN WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING, YELLOW WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS REMAINING AND RED WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR NAME AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR COMMENTS. MR. CHAIR, OUR FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS THIS EVENING, ARE ANN TATUS, MIKE CARABINOS, TERAN BRENNAN, CAROLYN FERRARO AND KATHLEEN MEDARIS. ANN TATUS ? OK. MY NAME IS ANN TATUS. I AM A LIFETIME CHESTERFIELD COUNTY GIRL, I GRADUATED FROM LOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL MANY YEARS AGO. MY DAUGHTER IS CURRENTLY GETTING READY TO ENTER SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND JUST, THE RUMBLING OUTSIDE IS AFTER THE SUPERINTENDENT SPOKE TODAY. TODAY IS POINTLESS BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY UP HERE THAT IS GOING TO GO AGAINST THAT. WE ARE GOING TO WATCH THE DOMINOS FALL, AS WE HAVE WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES WHO MADE MASKS OPTIONAL THAT ARE NOW REVERSING THEIR DECISIONS STRICTLY OUT OF FEAR. AND I CHALLENGE THAT BECAUSE I HAVE FAITH IN ALL OF YOU THAT WHEN YOU VOTE FOR THIS, YOU WILL THINK ABOUT THIS. WHETHER YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY OR HAVE HAD WOULD YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A MASK WITH ZERO PERSONABILITY? THEY DO NOT GET TO KNOW THEIR TEACHERS. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEIR FRIENDS LIKE. SO WHAT IS THE POINT IN SENDING THEM INTO AN OPEN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHEN THERE IS NO LEARNING? MY SISTER TEACHES SECOND GRADE AT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND I SPOKE WITH HER AND SHE SAID, YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO TEACH A CHILD TO READ WHEN THEY CANNOT READ YOUR LIPS. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THERE ARE ZERO EMPIRICAL DATA STUDIES THAT SAY THAT FULLY MASKED CHILDREN, THEY MISSED THE BOAT ON THAT ONE. SO IF THIS IS A COURT OF LAW, THERE'S NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW IT. SO THAT WE GET THE CHOICE. THE CHOICE, THE PEOPLE AGAINST US ARE THE PEOPLE, PRO-CHOICE, EVERYTHING EXCEPT THIS. BUT IF YOUR MASK WORKS, WHY DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO WEAR ONE? IT'S REMOVING PARENTAL CHOICE, WHICH IS WHAT THE ARGUMENT FOR MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE. THE HPV VACCINE. I HAVE HAD CLEAR COMMUNICATION WITH MY DAUGHTER'S PRINCIPAL. THE SECOND I SAW IT IN THERE AND IN THE NEWSLETTER CAME OUT FROM THE SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT SAID OPTIONAL. REQUIREMENT, BUT OPTIONAL. I SAID IT CAN'T BE THIS EASY WHERE'S THE OPT OUT FORM? THERE ISN'T ONE. I TAKE HER TO HER PEDIATRICIAN. I'M NOT ONLY NOT INFORMED THAT IT'S REQUIRED, THE DOCTOR GOES TO GIVE IT TO HER BEFORE I GRAB HER AND SAY NO. SHE TELLS ME IT'S REQUIRED. I SAID, I HAVE CHESTERFIELD HAINES NEWSLETTER SAYING THAT PARENTS, IT'S OPTIONAL. SHE SAID YOUR DAUGHTER'S VACCINATION RECORDS WILL NOW BE INCOMPLETE. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WERE TOLD. IT IS NOT FULL TRANSPARENCY AND PARENTS WHO ARE NOT AWARE ENOUGH TO QUESTION [00:30:01] THIS WOULD THEN JUST BE, WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE, GIVING THEIR CHILD A VACCINE. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER I WANT TO GIVE MY CHILD A VACCINE. IT'S THE STATEMENT THAT IT DOESN'T BELONG IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. UNLESS YOU CAN GET HPV OR ANY OF IT OR ANY OF ITS VARIANTS, WHICH IS LIKE SIXTY THREE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION IF YOU CAN. IT DOESN'T BELONG THERE. IT IS A PARENTAL ISSUE. IT IS A PARENTAL CHOICE, JUST LIKE THE MASKS. SLOWLY OUR PARENTAL CHOICES ARE BEING REMOVED. AND THAT'S FRIGHTENING. AND WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH ME OR NOT, IF YOU'RE A PARENT AND SLOWLY THINGS ARE GETTING REMOVED FROM YOU AND YOU'RE BEING TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO VACCINATE YOUR CHILD, AN STD LIKE COLONIAL HEIGHTS SENT EMAILS TO THEIR PARENTS OR THEY WON'T GET THEIR SCHEDULES. THE VDH AND WHAT CHESTERFIELD IS SENDING OUT IS NOT CLEAR. SO WHEN YOU VOTE, PLEASE THINK FREELY AND NOT OUT OF FEAR. THANK YOU. MS. TATUS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, MS. TATUS, MIKE CARABINO? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I THINK YOU ALL GOT MY EMAIL EARLIER WITH THE PETITION ASKING THAT THE COVID-19 VACCINE BE MADE MANDATORY FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN GET IT. THE PETITION HAD OVER 100 SIGNATURES ON IT. YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE IT IN YOUR INBOX IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT. AS TO THE ISSUE OF MASKING, THE GOVERNOR HAS ALREADY SOLVED THAT ISSUE, SO THERE'S NO NEED TO ADDRESS THAT. BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT. ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS THE TRANSGENDER STATE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT. ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS EQUITY AND HOW EQUITY IS TAUGHT TO OUR STUDENTS. ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER THE STATE, WE'VE BEEN SEEING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ERUPT. ERUPT OVER THIS FABRICATED FICTION ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHEN CRITICAL RACE THEORY ISN'T EVEN TAUGHT IN THE K THROUGH 12 CURRICULUM. WE'VE BEEN SEEING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ERUPT OVER THE TRANSGENDER GUIDANCE POLICY, WHEN ALL WE'RE REALLY ASKING IS THAT KIDS BE PROTECTED AND HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO TO SCHOOL. WHEN THE FOUNDERS FOUNDED THIS NATION, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE ARGUMENTS ARE BATHED AND WRAPPED IN THE FLAG AND BATHED IN PATRIOTISM, BUT IT MISSES THE POINT. WHEN THE FOUNDERS FOUNDED THIS NATION, THEY FOUNDED FOR A MORE PERFECT UNION. IT'S THERE IN THE CONSTITUTION. THEY THEMSELVES KNEW THIS NATION WAS NOT PERFECT. ITS FOUNDING WAS NOT PERFECT. ITS HISTORY IS NOT PERFECT. AND IN ONLY AN UNDERSTANDING THE IMPERFECTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY. CAN WE BUILD A GENERATION OF STUDENTS WHO CAN IMPROVE THIS NATION? AND THAT MEANS TEACHING HISTORY, WARTS AND ALL, TO OUR STUDENTS. WE HAVE A DUTY TO THE FUTURE TO DO THAT. AND PART OF MAKING THIS NATION A BETTER PLACE, PART OF MAKING CHESTERFIELD AND VIRGINIA A BETTER PLACE, IS PROTECTING THOSE STUDENTS SO THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. THE ARGUMENTS I HEAR AGAINST THIS TRANSGENDER MODEL POLICY RING HOLLOW IN MY EARS. ALL THE STUFF YOU SEE ABOUT ATHLETICS. NO BOY RAISED AS A MALE IN AMERICA WITH THE MACHO BAGGAGE THAT IS ATTACHED TO IT AND THE MASCULINE IDENTITY ATTACHED TO IT, WOULD EVER GIVE THAT UP AND SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO THAT KIND OF OPPRESSION, THAT KIND OF DYSPHORIA AND THAT KIND OF OF TORMENT JUST TO GET AN ADVANTAGE IN SPORTS? OR GET A PEEK AT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN LOOK UP ON THE INTERNET IN A BATHROOM? IT'S RIDICULOUS TO THINK THAT AND TO SAY THAT IT'S REALLY JUST A WAY TO SNEAK IN A LITTLE DIG TO ACCUSE THE OLD, "ALL THOSE ARE DEGENERATES" ARGUMENT THAT WE'VE HEARD AGAINST GAY COMMUNITY. WE'VE HEARD AGAINST THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY. WE'VE HEARD AGAINST THE INTERRACIAL COUPLE COMMUNITY BEFORE THAT AND EVERY OTHER COUPLE IN THIS SOCIETY AND THE CONSERVATIVES ARGUED AGAINST BEFORE THAT. OUR HISTORY IS IMPERFECT. WE SEE THE IMPERFECTION TODAY. WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT, ACCEPT IT AND WORK TO MAKING IT BETTER AND NOT HIDING IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CARABINOS, TARAN BRENNAN? GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT DAUGHERTY. IF MASKS WORK, WHY ARE PEOPLE WORRIED WHEN WE CHOOSE NOT TO WEAR ONE? IF YOURS WORKS, IT KEEPS YOU SAFE, RIGHT? SO MASK CHOICE WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY SINCE EVERYONE GETS WHAT THEY WANT. WHY WOULD YOU FORCE ONE GROUP TO DO SOMETHING NOT BACKED BY SCIENCE? THIS IS A HUGE OVERREACH. WE DO NOT CO-PARENT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY, AND IT'S MY PARENT DUTY TO QUESTION EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF MY CHILDREN AND NOT BLINDLY TRUST. DOCTORS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY, TEACHERS DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND NOR [00:35:02] DOES THE GOVERNMENT. I'M THE PARENT, I'M THE AUTHORITY. AND VACCINES AND MASKS SHOULD BE, NOT BE MANDATED WHEN THE DECISION SHOULD BE MADE BY PARENTS. WHEN THE STATE STEALS THE RIGHT OF A CHILD, IT MUST PROVE THAT BY DOING SO, IT'S PROTECTING THEM AGAINST CONCRETE AND IMMINENT DANGER. THIS PROOF IS STILL NEVER BEEN PROVIDED. PER THE CDC LAST WEEK, THE PCR TEST CANNOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FLU AND COVID, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT DATA YOU RELYING ON. THE TEST CANNOT TELL IF YOU'VE GOT DELTA OR WHATEVER OTHER "VARIANTS," I'M NOT SURE WHAT DATA YOU'RE RELYING ON. AND THEN IF THE PCR TEST CYCLE'S SET OVER 40, THEY PICK UP ANY REMNANT OF LIKE A COLD YOU'VE EVER HAD. I'M NOT SURE WHAT DATA YOU'RE RELYING ON. AND WHAT IS THE CURRENT DEATH COUNT? AND I MEAN DEATHS OF CHILDREN WITHOUT PREEXISTING COMORBIDITIES THAT HAVE DIED OF LEUKEMIA AND COVID BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN PAID TO SAY THAT. THIS AWFUL VIRUS WITH A SURVIVAL RATE OF 99.99X PERCENT, AS I'VE SAID BEFORE. WHO'S NOW LIABLE FOR FUTURE TRAUMA LIKE CHILDREN SUICIDE, HEALTH ISSUES, MASKS AND VACCINE ? SINCE PEOPLE NOW HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO PARENT OUR CHILDREN, WHO'S LIABLE? YOU GUYS? FOR THOSE OF YOU WAITING FOR A VACCINE TO BE APPROVED UNTIL YOU REMOVE THE MASKS; HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS? MAYBE WRITE THIS DOWN. MULTI-SYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN. MIS-C? THIS IS A KNOWN SIDE EFFECT FROM THE FDA SLIDE SHOW THAT WAS QUICKLY SKIPPED OVER IN OCTOBER OF 2020. IT'S A NEW SYNDROME SINCE 2020. AMAZING. AND THEY WERE ACTUALLY ALREADY 4,200 OCCURRENCES OF THIS REPORTED ON THE CDC . GOV. I'M NOT ANTI-VAX. ACTUALLY, WE'VE HAD ALL OUR VACCINES BUT THERE'S BEEN OVER FORTY DEATHS OF THIS. FORTY DEATHS FROM THIS ALREADY. SO I'M NOT ANTI-VAX, BUT I'M ANTI GIVING MY KIDS SOMETHING THAT MAY HURT THEM NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT. AS PARENTS ARE FEARFUL OF THE LONG LASTING NEGATIVE EFFECTS MASKS HAVE ON OUR CHILDREN, MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. KIDS ARE DEPRESSED, NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER. CAN'T HEAR THE TEACHER. THE TEACHER CAN'T HEAR THEM. YOU CAN'T SEE SOCIAL CUES TO SEE IF THE KIDS BATTLING. IT'S JUST, IT'S A NIGHTMARE. ALL THIS FOR A VIRUS THAT DOES NOT AFFECT CHILDREN. I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING. SO IT EVEN STAYS ON THE CDC WEBSITE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR MASKS THAT ARE DIRTY AND WET, WHICH THAT'S MOST MASKS THAT COME HOME EVERY DAY ARE DIRTY AND WET, OK, BECAUSE THEY SUCK AND CHEW ON THEM AND THEY DON'T TAKE THEM OFF, ACCORDING TO THE CDC WEBSITE. ALSO, THE CDC IS A RECOMMENDATION, NOT A REQUIREMENT. IT'S NOT A LAW. YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRESENTING THIS COMMUNITY AND STANDING UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MRS. BRENNAN. CAROLYN FERRARO? HI, MY NAME IS CAROLYN FERRARO, AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO FEELS THE NEED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, HER WORDS, THEIR WORDS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1015 TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. EVERY STUDENT DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. AND STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING GENDER DYSPHORIA NEED TO BE SHOWN COMPASSION AND SUPPORT FROM THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, BUT IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF ALL OF THE OTHER STUDENTS. FIRST, THIS POLICY ALLOWS FOR EMBARRASSING AND HUMILIATING INVASION OF PRIVACY. THINK OF AN 11 YEAR OLD GIRL ALREADY IN AN AWKWARD STAGE OF LIFE, GOING THROUGH PUBERTY, HAVING TO BE FORCED TO UNDRESS IN FRONT OF A BIOLOGICAL BOY OR VICE VERSA. WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCING A CRISIS OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. WE DON'T NEED TO DELIBERATELY CONTRIBUTE TO IT BY INTENTIONALLY PUTTING THESE KIDS IN A HUMILIATING AND EMBARRASSING SITUATIONS WHICH COULD AFFECT OUR MENTAL HEALTH. ADDITIONALLY, THIS POLICY CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT IS ALARMING SCHOOLS TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO CLAIM TRANSGENDER STATUS WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE. SO YOU AS A SCHOOL BOARD ARE GOING TO ALLOW BOYS WHO CLAIM TO BE TRANSGENDER TO ENTER PRIVATE SPACES SUCH AS GIRLS RESTROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS WITH NO SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? HOW CAN THAT POSSIBLY BE GOOD POLICY THAT WILL PROTECT ALL STUDENTS? SECONDLY, THIS POLICY CAN BE TRAUMATIZING TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN WE MAY BE AWARE. ALLOWING A BIOLOGICAL MALE TO COME INTO A SPACE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PRIVATE AND PROTECTIVE FOR GIRLS SUCH AS BATHROOMS, LOCKER ROOMS AND HOTEL ROOMS AND OVERNIGHT SCHOOL TRIPS COULD BE EXTREMELY TRAUMATIZING TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE. VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE NEED TO BE PROTECTED. THIRDLY, THIS POLICY COMPLETELY UNDERMINES WOMEN'S SPORTS, WHICH TITLE NINE WAS ENACTED TO PROTECT. IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO USE BIOLOGICAL GIRLS TO COMPETE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL BOYS AS THEY ARE AT A BIOLOGICAL DISADVANTAGE. THIS IS WHY WE HAVE MEN'S SPORTS AND WOMEN'S SPORTS. THERE ARE ALREADY LAWSUITS FILED IN OTHER STATES WHERE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HAVE HAD COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM BY BIOLOGICAL BOYS, WHOM THEY CAN NEVER BEAT, NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY WORK OR TRAIN OR COMPETE. THIS POLICY WOULD DENY FAIR COMPETITION THAT GIRLS DESERVE AND DEMORALIZE THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SUCCEED. LASTLY, THIS POLICY ALSO VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF [00:40:01] FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. IT CREATES A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF FAITH WITH STRONG RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS AND DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THEM, FORCING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO DENY BIOLOGICAL REALITY AND USE PRONOUNS THAT DO NOT DESCRIBE THE BIOLOGICAL REALITY OF A STUDENT VIOLATES THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND VIOLATES THEIR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM TO HOLD TO THEIR CONVICTIONS THAT GOD CREATED MALE AND FEMALE, AND THAT THE TWO ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. THERE ARE ALREADY TWO CASES IN VIRGINIA OF TEACHERS WHOSE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THIS POLICY. ONE WAS FIRED AND ONE WAS SUSPENDED. THESE TEACHERS HAVE BOTH BROUGHT LAWSUITS AGAINST THEIR SCHOOLS. THERE IS ALREADY ANOTHER COUNTY IN VIRGINIA WHOSE SCHOOL BOARD LISTENED TO ALL THE PARENTS WHO SHOWED UP AND EXPRESSED THESE SAME CONCERNS AND VOTED NOT TO ADOPT THE DIRECTIVES FROM BDOE'S TRANSGENDER POLICY. WE WOULD APPRECIATE THE SAME SUPPORT FOR CHESTERFIELD PARENTS AND THEIR CONCERNS WITH THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND ASKED THIS BOARD TO VOTE NOT TO ADOPT THIS POLICY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS FERRARO, KATHLEEN MEDARIS AND WHILE MS. MEDARIS IS COMING UP. I'LL CALL OUT THE NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS DOMINIQUE CHATTERS MARIELLE SMITH, MONET SMITH, MARTEE SMITH AND EMILY KLEIN. MS. MEDARIS. THANK YOU. I KNOW I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US HERE TONIGHT WHEN I SAY WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE, ESPECIALLY IN A YEAR, THAT MUST PROVE DIFFICULT MORE THAN ANY BEFORE. I'M A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RESIDENT OF MORE THAN SIX YEARS AND A MOTHER OF THREE BOYS. YES, BOYS, NOT GIRLS. THEY'RE CRAZY. I INTIMATELY UNDERSTAND EACH PARENT'S DESIRE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM. IN REGARDS TO CHESTERFIELD'S DECISION ON WHETHER TO MANDATE OR MAKE MASKS OPTIONAL, I'D ASKED YOU TO CONSIDER THREE POINTS I'D LIKE TO RAISE IN THE LIMITED TIME I HAVE TO SPEAK WITH YOU, THOSE BEING SAFETY, DIVERSITY AND DAMAGE SAFETY FIRST. NONE OF US WERE IMMUNE FROM EXPERIENCING COVID IN A VERY PERSONAL AND VIVID WAY WHEN IT FIRST HIT THE U.S.. I REMEMBER THE OVERWHELMING FEAR AS AN EXPECTANT MOTHER WITH TWO LITTLES AND OUR FAMILY'S BEHAVIOR CHANGED. WE DIDN'T GO OUT. WE DIDN'T SEE EXTENDED FAMILY. ALL THE NORMAL THINGS STOPPED FOR US. WE WERE CONFRONTED WITH WEIGHING THE REWARDS AND OUR BEHAVIORS ALONG WITH THE RISKS OF THOSE BEHAVIORS. AND WE MADE CHOICES. TODAY WE DO THE SAME THING, SOMETIMES TAKING ONE STEP FORWARD OR SOMETIMES TAKING TWO STEPS BACK. LATER UNDERSCORED BY STUDIES THAT SUGGESTED THE SAME THING. MANDATES DO NOT ACTUALLY DICTATE OUR BEHAVIOR OR OUR RISK TOLERANCE OR OUR CONCERNS. THE INFORMATION, OUR CONCERNS, OUR RISK TOLERANCE, HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS, ETC.. I DID THAT FOR OUR FAMILY. EACH FAMILY HERE TONIGHT CONTINUES THE SAME PROCESS LIKE WE DO, TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT A DAY AT A TIME, WHETHER WE ALWAYS WEAR MASKS IN SOME PLACES AT HOME OR NOT AT ALL. WE CAN MAKE THESE DECISIONS JUST LIKE WE MAKE THE DECISION TO ALLOW OUR CHILD TO EAT CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR EVERY SINGLE MEAL. WE DON'T NEED A MANDATE TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE FOR OUR CHILD'S DIETARY HEALTH. WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE HAVE A MANDATE TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEIR RESPIRATORY HEALTH. NUMBER TWO IS DIVERSITY. SECOND, A MASK OPTIONAL MODEL PROVIDES FOR INCLUSION AND FOR EQUITY. WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN THAT SOME KIDS WEAR DIFFERENT SHOES, HAVE DIFFERENT SKIN COLORS, HAVE A DIFFERENT BLEND OF FAMILY, OR HOLD DIFFERENT VALUES OR BELIEFS. WE CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AS A COMMUNITY. WE DON'T ISOLATE OUR CHILDREN TO A WORLD THAT IS ONE WAY. SOME KIDS WEARING MASKS AND SOME NOT DOES NOT POSE A RISK OF THEM FEELING DIFFERENT. IN FACT, IT PROVIDES A PLATFORM AND FURTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES. NUMBER THREE IS DAMAGE. PARENTS ARE FOCUSED ON NOT JUST PROTECTING BUT ALSO PRESERVING THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MANY PARENTS ACROSS THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF THAT ARE REALLY VALID AND HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. WHEN WE PUT MANDATES IN PLACE, WE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE HOW THOSE WITH ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS, DEPRESSION, BREATHING ISSUES, ET CETERA ARE AFFECTED BY THEM. IN FACT, MY DOCTOR LAST YEAR UNKNOWINGLY WENT OUT ON A LIMB JUST TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CARE THAT SHE SAID THAT I NEEDED. MEDICAL ISSUES SHE AND I REALIZED WAS NOT SO SIMPLE. I'M A PERSON WHO LITERALLY CARRIES AROUND A DOCTOR'S NOTE FROM ALMOST PASSING OUT AND SUFFERING A PANIC ATTACK IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WHILE PREGNANT AT FIVE MONTHS, ALL WHILE I WAS MASKING, BECAUSE I BELIEVED THAT WAS THE SAFEST CHOICE AT THE TIME. THAT CHOICE CREATED A NEW MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THAT I LIVE WITH NOW AND DON'T WANT MY CHILDREN TO SUFFER FROM BY MAKING A RULE FOR ALL. WE OFTEN END UP CONSIDERING NONE. SO PLEASE ALLOW PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. MEDARIS. DOMINIQUE CHATTERS? THERE'S A NIGERIAN PROVERB THAT SAYS, UNTIL THE LION LEARNS TO WRITE, EVERY STORY WILL GLORIFY THE HUNTER. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT DIVERSITY AND EDUCATION IN OUR CURRICULUM. IT'S TIME THAT WE READ UP ON OUR HISTORY AND ACKNOWLEDGE ITS TRUTHS. IN 1954, THE SUPREME COURT RULED SEPARATE BUT EQUAL WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. VIRGINIA, LED BY SENATOR HARRY BYRD, PASSED LAWS TO PREVENT INTEGRATION. [00:45:02] IN 1964, SUPREME COURT ORDERED THE PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY TO REOPEN THEIR SCHOOLS AFTER FIVE YEARS OF DEFYING THE LAW. THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT PASSED AND OPENED FINALLY IN 1965 TO NATIVE AMERICANS. WE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN THE TRUTH OF OUR HISTORY. TO DENY THE TRUTH OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR BEGINNINGS IS TO DENY THE PROGRESS WE HAVE ACHIEVED. AND WE HAVE ACHIEVED PROGRESS. SO WE CAN ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CRT IS NOT PART OF THE K-12 CURRICULUM, BUT WE STILL NEED TO HONOR THE TRUTH WHEN WE TEACH IT. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO DISCUSS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MASKS. I'M NOT HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR EVERYONE TO GET A VACCINE, THAT IS YOUR PERSONAL CHOICE. BUT TO WEAR A MASK AFFECTS OTHER PEOPLE AROUND YOU. AND IF WE ARE GOING TO BE A VILLAGE AND HELP EACH OTHER, THE SAFEST THING TO DO IS TO WEAR A MASK WHEN YOU'RE IN PUBLIC. LAST YEAR WE WERE ALL MOST OF US WERE VIRTUAL BECAUSE THAT WAS OUR CHOICE, BECAUSE WE LOST THAT BATTLE OF WEARING MASKS IN SCHOOL 24/7. AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY TO HELP TEACH WHILE YOU HAVING A MASK ON, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS. THERE ARE CLEAR MASKS. YOU CAN SEE CLIPS, YOU CAN SEE THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE TEACHER'S MOUTH. I HAVE A RISING FIRST GRADER FOR CHILDREN, ACTUALLY, AT CCPS SCHOOLS. AND I'M TRUSTING YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION SO THAT I CAN SEND THEM BACK INTO THE BUILDING SAFELY. THEY ARE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. AND AS YOU KNOW, AND I DON'T HAVE TO QUOTE ALL THE STATISTICS, BUT THE DELTA VARIANT IS INDISCRIMINATE. IT ATTACKS VAXXED AND UNVAXXED ALIKE. SO I'M ASKING NOT TO INFRINGE ON OTHER PEOPLE'S PERSONAL RIGHTS, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT. IT'S ABOUT SAVING LIVES OF THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I ASK THAT WE REMEMBER ONE THING. TO LIFT EACH OTHER UP, WE HAVE TO BE HONEST. WE HAVE TO DO THE HARD THING. AND I KNOW YOUR JOB IS DIFFICULT. I KNOW YOU'RE HEARING VOICES FROM BOTH SIDES ADVOCATING PASSIONATELY FOR WHAT THEY WANT. BUT IN THIS SITUATION, WE NEED YOU TO DO WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING. FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDANCE. THAT WAS YOUR BEDROCK ALL YEAR, FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THERE'S NO REASON TO DEVIATE TODAY. I ASK THAT AND I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS CHATTERS. MARIELLE SMITH? HELLO, MY NAME IS MARIELLE SMITH, AND I'M 10 YEARS OLD AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MASKS. DO YOU THINK THAT MASKS ARE REALLY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN OF CHESTERFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL? BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT. HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED ON THE SIDE OF A BOX OF MASKS? BECAUSE I HAVE. IT SAYS WILL NOT PREVENT COVID-19. WHY ARE YOU MAKING US WEAR MASKS FOR A VIRUS IN WHICH WE HAVE A 99.9997 PERCENT SURVIVAL RATE? THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT MANDATED MASKS. SO IT'S UP TO YOU. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN FOURTH GRADE HOW YOU'D SIT THERE FOR HOURS UPON HOURS IN A MASK. SLOWLY, YOUR FACE WOULD GET HOTTER AND HOTTER AND YOUR OXYGEN WOULD DECREASE AND YOU START TO FEEL DIZZY AND GET A HEADACHE. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO BREATHE. IT WAS AWFUL, HAVING HAD TO ASK YOUR TEACHER TO PULL DOWN YOUR MASK, AND ESCAPE THE CO2 THAT YOU'RE BREATHING DAY IN AND DAY OUT. DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE IN KINDERGARTEN? YOU JUST GRADUATED FROM PRESCHOOL AND YOU'RE GOING TO A NEW SCHOOL AND NEW PEOPLE AND NEW TEACHERS, AND SOMETIMES YOU FEEL ANXIOUS AND INSECURE. AND NOW YOU CAN'T EVEN GET THE REASSURING GLIMPSE OF A SMILE. YOU MAY REMEMBER ME FROM LAST TIME AND I COME BACK TO TALK ABOUT MASKS BECAUSE IT IS UNFAIR FOR YOU'D BE FORCING US TO WEAR MASKS AND FORCING US TO LIMIT OUR BREATHING. MASKS DON'T WORK. THEY'RE ABOUT AS HELPFUL AS TRYING TO STOP A MOSQUITO FROM GOING THROUGH A WIRE FENCE. NOW, PLEASE STAND UP FOR ME. STAND UP FOR THE KIDS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, BECAUSE YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE FINAL SAY. PLEASE BE BRAVE AND MAKE YOUR DECISION FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE KIDS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS SMITH. MONET SMITH ? [00:50:10] HI, MY NAME IS MONET SMITH, I'M 13 AND I GO TO TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT I'M NOT TRANS PHOBIC. I'M NOT HERE TO TELL YOU THAT TRANS PEOPLE ARE WRONG, THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE RIGHTS. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO BE LEFT OUT OF THIS PERFECT EQUATION FOR INCLUSIVITY, WOMEN. WOMEN MAKE UP OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. TRANS PEOPLE MAKE UP ABOUT ONE PERCENT. AND WHILE YOU WERE GIVING TRANSGENDERS ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL RIGHTS, YOU WERE SIMULTANEOUSLY TAKING THEM AWAY FROM US. I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE THE RESTROOM OR CHANGE IN A LOCKER ROOM WITHOUT A BOY WALKING IN. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME ARE WOMEN. SO CAN YOU TRY TO THINK BACK TO WHEN YOU WERE A TEENAGE GIRL GOING THROUGH PUBERTY, GETTING YOUR PERIOD AND BEING INSECURE ABOUT YOUR BODY ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MOST TEENAGE GIRLS HAVE TO GO THROUGH. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A BOY INVADING OUR PRIVACY AS WELL, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOCKER ROOMS. I'M NOT ALLOWED TO COME TO SCHOOL SHOWING MY SHOULDERS OR WEARING SHORTS ABOVE MY FINGERTIPS. AND YET YOU THINK IT'S OK FOR A BOY TO SEE ME IN MY UNDERWEAR WITHOUT MY CONSENT? THAT IS NOT OK. NOW, I KEEP REFERRING TO THESE PEOPLE AS BOYS. SO LET ME EXPLAIN. I'M NOT DELEGITIMIZING THE GENDER IDENTITY OF TRANS STUDENTS. I'M SAYING THAT NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE HONORABLE. A TRANS GIRL THAT IS ON HORMONE PILLS AND HAS HAD OR IS PLANNING TO HAVE GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERY IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO USE THE GIRLS BATHROOM AND LOCKER ROOMS. BUT A BOY WHO DECIDES TO IDENTIFY AS FEMALE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT WELCOME. THERE IS NO WAY FOR US TO TELL IF THIS STUDENT ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO TRANSITION TO FEMALE. IT IS A PERVY BOY WHO WANTS TO SEE US GETTING DRESSED. IT SUCKS, BUT RULES CANNOT BE MADE FOR PERFECT WORLD. INSTEAD OF MAKING A BLANKET RULE THAT ASSUMES EVERYONE TELLS THE TRUTH, WE SHOULD INSTEAD MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE ONE PERCENT. PLEASE DON'T SACRIFICE THE RIGHTS OF FEMALE STUDENTS AND VOTE AGAINST THIS MOVEMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS SMITH, MATEE SMITH. HELLO, MY NAME IS MATEE SMITH, AND WE'RE BACK DISCUSSING MASKS BECAUSE OF SB 1303 AND THE DELTA VARIANT. SO LET'S LOOK AT IT. FRANKLIN, CHESAPEAKE, PATRICK, CRAIG AND CULPEPPER COUNTY HAVE DECIDED TO NOT MANDATE MASKS, EVEN AFTER NORTHAM'S SPEECH. SO YOU HAVE A CHOICE. IT'S YOUR CHOICE. THE DELTA IS MORE TRANSMISSIBLE BUT LESS LETHAL. HOW CAN WE TELL THAT? THERE ARE 92 AVERAGE NEW CASES PER DAY IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, BUT ONE HOSPITALIZATION OVER THAT SEVEN DAYS AND ZERO DEATHS. SO WHY SHOULD KIDS WEAR MASKS? OK, LAY MITIGATION? YOU HAVE TO HAVE LAY MITIGATION. WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE SCHOOLS. THAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU ALWAYS HEAR. WELL, LET'S LOOK AT THAT. DR. EMILY OSTER FROM BROWN UNIVERSITY LOOKED AT MITIGATION TECHNIQUES THAT ALLOW SCHOOLS TO OPERATE. SHE LOOKED AT SIX MILLION. THAT'S 20 PER CENT OF THE KIDS WHO ATTENDED AMERICAN SCHOOLS LAST YEAR. AND GUESS WHAT SHE FOUND? SHE FOUND THAT SCHOOLS THAT MANDATE A MASK, HAD A 37 PERCENT MORE INFECTION RATE THAN SCHOOLS THAT DIDN'T. SHE FOUND THAT THERE WAS 87 PER CENT HIGHER LEVEL OF INFECTION IN STAFF MEMBERS FOR SCHOOLS THAT MANDATED MASKS. SHE FOUND THIS DISPARITY EVEN IN LOW AREAS OF TRANSMISSION, AND HIGH AREAS OF TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE. SHE STATED THAT OUT OF ALL THE MITIGATION TECHNIQUES, MASKS WERE THE LEAST EFFECTIVE. THE NEXT THING I HEAR IS WE HAVE TO START GETTING, STOP KIDS FROM GETTING SICK AND GOING TO HOSPITAL. OK, SO THE DEATH RATE FOR KIDS IS POINT . 0003 PERCENT. DR. MARKIE FROM JOHNS HOPKINS SAY 48,000 COVID CASES OF KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND FOUND THERE ARE ZERO DEATHS FOR KIDS WHO DIDN'T HAVE ANY PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. HE THEN LOOKED AT HOSPITALIZATIONS AND FOUND THAT 46 PERCENT OF KIDS WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID ACTUALLY WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID. SOMETHING ELSE BROUGHT THEM TO HOSPITAL, SOME PREEXISTING CONDITION BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL BEFORE BECAUSE THEY HAD PERFORMED AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WERE SAID TO BE THEREFORE COVID. OKAY, SO WHY IS IT REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T HAVE MASKS? THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT MASKING OUR KIDS IS A MENTAL EFFECT THAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM. IN VIRGINIA LAST YEAR, WE LOST TWO CHILDREN TO COVID UNDER THE AGE OF 18, TWO. YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT WE LOST A TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS IN EIGHTH GRADE FROM SUICIDE. WE KNOW THAT THESE KIDS ARE STRUGGLING. WE KNOW THAT THEY NEED NORMALCY AND THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO DO IT. SO YOU JUST SAY, WELL, PUT A MASK ON, NO BIG DEAL. IT COMPLETELY DELEGITIMIZES THE TERRIBLE MENTAL STRAIN THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE UNDER. NOW, LAST TIME I WAS HERE, WE SAID WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE. GUESS WHAT? WE HAVE EVIDENCE. [00:55:01] LET'S LOOK AT THE STUDY FROM GERMANY THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT IN JUNE 30, 2021. THEY LOOKED AT CO2 LEVELS INSIDE OF MASKS WITHIN THREE MINUTES OF CHILDREN HAVING MASKS ON. THREE. YOU CAN LOOK IT UP. I'VE GOT THE ENTIRE PACKET OF ALL THE STUDIES RIGHT HERE. THEY HAD SIX TIMES THE AMOUNT OF CO2 ALLOWED IN GERMANY. SIX. THE YOUNGEST ONES WERE THE ONES THAT HAD THE MOST ISSUES. A SEVEN YEAR OLD HAD TWELVE POINT FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF CO2 IN HIS MASK AFTER THREE MINUTES. THE FACT THAT YOU THINK MASKS ARE JUST NO BIG DEAL IS A REALLY BIG PROBLEM. I PLEAD, PLEASE, AT LEAST LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE. THANK YOU, MS. SMITH, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, MISS SMITH. EMILY KLEIN? DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HERE, SO I WILL GO AHEAD AND ANNOUNCE THE NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS, TANYA KELLY, ROBIN CHANEY, KATE FLYNN, KATE BOWERS AND BILL BROWN. MS. KELLY ? HELLO, MY NAME IS TANYA KELLY AND I'M A MOTHER OF THREE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY STUDENTS. MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE. SO I AM SPEAKING ON HER BEHALF AND OF ANY OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING WHAT SHE IS. I WILL SHARE SOME POINTS THAT SHE BRAVELY WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH YOU ALL. EDEN STRUGGLES WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AND ONCE THE PANDEMIC HIT. IT WAS A PERFECT STORM, HER FIRST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. SHE'S EXPERIENCING IT VIRTUALLY. SHE BECAME MORE ISOLATED. AND WHEN WE WOULDN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE TO GO ANYWHERE, SHE WOULD GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC IN HER MASK AND SHE WOULD FEEL DEFEATED BECAUSE NOT ONLY WAS SHE SUFFOCATED, BUT HER SOFT SPOKEN VOICE COULD NOT BE HEARD CLEARLY FROM A MASK. AT TIMES SHE WOULD TRY AND BREATHE THROUGH PANIC ATTACKS SO SHE WOULDN'T OFFEND ANYONE IF SHE REMOVED HER MASK. SHE WAS EITHER ISOLATED AT HOME OR QUIETLY SUFFOCATING OUTSIDE OF IT. AND AT TIMES SHE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE. SHE HAS BEEN PRIMARILY UNMASKED FOR SOME TIME NOW, AND THANKFULLY HER MENTAL HEALTH HAS IMPROVED DRASTICALLY. BUT NOW WE ARE BACK TO THE MANDATE DISCUSSION BECAUSE THE CASES ARE SUPPOSEDLY ON THE RISE. EDEN IS NOT AFRAID OF COVID-19. SHE IS AFRAID OF THE HATRED SHE HEARS FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN FEAR OF THE VIRUS. I ENCOURAGE HER TO REMAIN UNMASKED AND I'M FEARFUL, AS I DO MY OTHER CHILDREN, BECAUSE OUR KIDS SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IS IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LOVE THEM OR KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM. AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO FEEL GUILTY FOR HONORING THE NEED TO BREATHE. I ENCOURAGE MY KIDS TO REMAIN UNMASKED BECAUSE THE SCIENCE I FOLLOW SHOWS THESE MASKS DON'T WORK, ARE MORE HARM THAN GOOD, AND GIVE NOTHING MORE THAN A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE AND CONTINUE TO WEAR THEM. HOW MUCH SENSE DOES IT MAKE TO WEAR A MASK, HYPOTHETICALLY PROTECTING OTHERS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SLOWLY KILLING YOURSELF? THIS IS MY STANCE AS A PARENT AND IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL MORE SAFE WEARING ONE, FEEL FREE. BUT PARENTS AND CHILDREN DESERVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE. AND YOU ALL AS A SCHOOL BOARD AND YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL SHOULD BE ECHOING THAT RIGHT. REGARDLESS OF YOUR DECISION. I WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING FOR MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FREEDOM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS KELLY, ROBIN CHAINING? MY NAME IS ROBIN CHAINING AND I HAVE A SON THAT ATTENDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I ALWAYS HEARD PARENTS ASK IF YOUR FRIENDS JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE, WOULD YOU DO IT? THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN NO. PEOPLE LIKE TO TELL YOU TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE OR SAY WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE. BUT WHICH SCIENCE ARE WE FOLLOWING EXACTLY? [01:00:01] IS IT THE SCIENCE OF PERSUASION? THE SCIENCE MANIPULATION? THE SCIENCE OF FEAR MONGERING? FOR THE LAST YEAR, WE THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED THE SUPPOSED RULES OF SCIENCE. AND THIS IS WHERE THE SCIENCE IS LED US. WE WERE TOLD TO WEAR A MASK AND GET THE VACCINE TO ACHIEVE HERD IMMUNITY. THEN WE WERE TOLD IF WE GET THE VACCINE, WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO WEAR MASKS OR WORRY ABOUT GETTING SICK AND INFECTING OTHERS. NOW WE'RE TOLD TO GET THE VACCINE, EVEN IF WE'VE ALREADY GOTTEN COVID BECAUSE EXPERTS DON'T KNOW HOW LONG WILL BE PROTECTED FROM GETTING SICK EVEN AFTER RECOVERING. SO BASICALLY, WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG OUR NATURAL IMMUNITY IS GOOD FOR OR HOW LONG SAID PROTECTION ACTUALLY VIES FROM THE VACCINE, IF ANY. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. NOW, WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE CATCHING COVID EVEN AFTER PREVIOUSLY HAVING COVID AND HAVING RECEIVED THE VACCINE, ALL WHILE WEARING MASKS. THE CDC HAS STOPPED REPORTING THESE SO-CALLED BREAKTHROUGH CASES. BUT IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL ANY BETTER, THEY'RE ACCEPTING VOLUNTARILY REPORTED INFORMATION. WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO REPORT THE NUMBERS OF VACCINATED PEOPLE GETTING SICK? UNLESS IT'S BECAUSE THAT INFORMATION DOESN'T SUPPORT THE AGENDA OF GETTING THE JAB. IN THIS CASE, NO ONE IS ACTUALLY FOLLOWING ANY SCIENCE UNLESS THE SCIENCE, OF COURSE, IS SIMPLY BASED ON WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING. HOW MANY LIVES DOES IT TAKE TO FINALLY REALIZE THAT WE ARE BEING LIED TO. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT MASKS ARE INEFFECTIVE, UNCORRECTABLE, CAUSE BREATHING PROBLEMS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO HEAR AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING SAID. DIRTY MASKS ALSO CARRY AND TRANSMIT DISEASES. A RECENTLY PUBLISHED STANFORD STUDY REVEALED THE MANY HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES OF FACE MASK A HUMAN BEING'S PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. WHEN IT COMES TO FACE MASKS AND GETTING THE COVID VACCINATION, THERE HAS BEEN ONE CONSISTENT MESSAGE. THAT MESSAGE IS THAT THERE IS NO CONSISTENT MESSAGE. WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER THAT AMERICA IS THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. TELL ME, ARE YOU GOING TO BE ONE OF THE COOL KIDS WHO WEARS YOUR FACE DIAPER AND JUMPS OFF THE BRIDGE BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO AFRAID TO BE LABELED? OR ARE YOU GOING TO EXERCISE YOUR AMERICAN FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND SIMPLY SAY, NO! WE WILL NOT COMPLY? THANK YOU, MISS CHAINING. KATE FLYNN. HELLO, BOARD MEMBERS, NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I WANTED TO PUT THIS UP HERE AND SHOW EVERYONE, IF YOU CAN SEE IT, THIS IS A GRAPH OF TODAY FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT SHOWS THE RISE, THE VERY SHARP RISE IN COVID CASES IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, SEVEN DAYS. ALL RIGHT. I'M READING SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM SOME RECENT NEWS ARTICLES BECAUSE ONE OF THE SPEAKERS EARLIER SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT CHILDREN DON'T GET AFFECTED BY COVID. FROM CNN IN FLORIDA, WHICH HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF NEW CASES PER CAPITA AFTER LOUISIANA. "CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS AND STAFF ARE OVERWHELMED," SAID DR. AILEEN MARTY, AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY. "OUR PEDIATRICIANS, THE NURSING, THE STAFF ARE EXHAUSTED AND CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING, AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING. OUR CHILDREN ARE VERY MUCH AFFECTED. WE'VE NEVER SEEN NUMBERS LIKE THIS BEFORE." FROM FOX NEWS COVID-19 CASES AND CHILDREN ARE UP 84 PERCENT IN THE PAST WEEK, WITH 72,000 KIDS TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS. A NEW STUDY FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS REPORTED ON WEDNESDAY. THIS WAS LAST WEDNESDAY. THE NEW INFECTIONS WERE RECORDED IN THE SEVEN DAYS LEADING UP TO JULY 29TH UP FROM 39,000 THE WEEK PRIOR, ACCORDING TO THE AAE REPORT. NBC,, THE NUMBER OF VERY SICK CHILDREN ADMITTED TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN NEW ORLEANS WITH COVID-19 HAS EXPLODED OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS FROM ZERO TO 20. "I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT," SAID DR. MARK KLEIN, THE HOSPITAL'S PHYSICIAN IN CHIEF. "WE ARE SEEING CHILDREN FALL ILL THAT WE JUST SIMPLY DIDN'T SEE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC BEFORE THE DELTA VARIANT CAME ALONG." AND THIS WAS FROM DR. JUAN DUMOIR, A PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, SAID THIS TO A REPORTER ON AUGUST 5TH. "THIS DELTA VARIANT IS SO MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN THE COVID WE WERE SEEING A YEAR AGO. IT IS BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST CONTAGIOUS VIRUSES WE'VE EVER SEEN. IT IS MOST, IT WAS ALMOST AS CONTAGIOUS AS CHICKENPOX. CHICKENPOX IS SO CONTAGIOUS THAT IF YOU HAD A PATIENT SITTING IN A ROOM WITH CHICKENPOX, SOMEONE WALKING BY IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE ROOM WITH THAT DOOR OPEN COULD CATCH IT. THAT'S HOW CONTAGIOUS IT WAS. JUST BREATHE THE SAME AIR FROM AN ADJACENT ROOM." I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THE MASK WEARING ISN'T THE CDC'S ONLY RECOMMENDED COVID MITIGATION STRATEGY FOR K THROUGH 12 SCHOOLS. IT ALSO RECOMMENDS SOCIAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST THREE FEET BETWEEN STUDENTS SCREENING, VENTILATION, HANDWASHING AND RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE. STAYING HOME WHEN SICK, COVID TESTING, CONTACT TRACING, QUARANTINE AND/OR ISOLATION AND CLEANING AND DISINFECTION. IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND FOLKS OF ITEM NUMBER FOUR IN THE CCPS CODE OF CONDUCT AND ALL CCPS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SIGNED AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR TERM. [01:05:03] IT SAYS, I WILL MAKE PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS BASED ON THE AVAILABLE FACTS, LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC INPUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MS. FLYNN, KATE BOWERS? HI, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. I'M A LOCAL PEDIATRICIAN IN MIDLOTHIAN AND I ALSO HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. AND I'M HERE TO ASK THAT THE SCHOOL BOARDS MAKE MASKS MANDATORY. I KNOW FIRSTHAND WHAT A CHALLENGING YEAR THIS YEAR WAS FOR FAMILIES. CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC. VIRTUAL SCHOOLING AND SOCIAL ISOLATION LED TO UNPRECEDENTED INCREASES IN ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS FOR ALL AGES. AND MY PATIENTS WERE NOT IMMUNE TO THAT. SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF LAST YEAR SHOULDERED THE ENORMOUS TASK OF EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS EFFORTS. I THINK I SPEAK FOR PEDIATRICIANS AND PARENTS ALIKE WHEN I SAY I DESPERATELY WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE A SAFE AND CONTIGUOUS IN-PERSON LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR . FOR COVID TO SPREAD SIMPLISTICALLY LIKE VIRAL PARTICLES HAVE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PERSON'S FACE TO ANOTHER PERSON'S FACE. THE CURRENT DELTA VARIANT CAUSES PEOPLE TO CARRY 1,000 TIMES MORE VIRAL PARTICLES IN THEIR NASAL PASSAGES THAN THE ORIGINAL COVID STRAIN. IT IS SO MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS. EVERY SNEEZE, EVERY COUGH CONTAINS MORE INFECTION CAUSING PARTICLES THAN WE SAW IN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN. THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT SPREAD OF THESE PARTICLES IS TO USE A MASK TO CATCH THOSE PARTICLES AS THEY LEAVE A FACE AND TO USE A MASK TO FILTER THOSE PARTICLES AS THEY'RE COMING TOWARDS YOUR FACE. UNIVERSAL MASKING IS NECESSARY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE CONTAGIOUS FOR TWO DAYS BEFORE THEY DEVELOP SYMPTOMS, AND IT WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE VIRUS TRANSMISSION. IF WE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, THEN WE CAN REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR CLASSROOM WIDE AND SCHOOL WIDE OUTBREAKS, WHICH WILL INEVITABLY FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES. CLOSURES PLACE US IN THE SAME POSITION THAT WE WERE IN THE EARLY PANDEMIC WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF, FACULTY, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SCRAMBLING TO KEEP LEARNING GOING. AS OF AUGUST 5TH, THE U.S. REPORTS 371 PEDIATRIC COVID DEATHS. KIDS HAVE A FAIRLY SMALL RISK OF DEATH, EVERY AVERAGING 0.01 PERCENT. THAT'S STILL ONE OUT OF EVERY 10,000 KIDS. WE HAVE ROUGHLY 50 MILLION KIDS IN THE U.S., JUST UNDER 12. SO WHILE I'VE HEARD PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SAY THINGS LIKE, WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO ALL GET IT BEFORE IT'S OVER, IF WE DO THAT, THAT'S 5000 KIDS THAT ARE DEAD UNDER 12. THAT'S NOT A SMALL NUMBER TO ME, EVEN IF WE GET LUCKY AND THOSE KIDS ARE NOT IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT ONCE IN THE HISTORY OF KNOWN DISEASE HAVE WE EVER ACHIEVED HERD IMMUNITY FROM NATURAL INFECTION. NOT ONE TIME. FOR EVERY NEW INFECTION, WE GET THIS CHANCE, THIS VIRUS A CHANCE TO MUTATE. IT MAY MUTATE TO MAKE VACCINES LESS EFFECTIVE. IT MAY MUTATE TO BE EVEN MORE CONTAGIOUS. IT MAY MUTATE TO BE EVEN MORE DEADLY. AND THAT RATE OF ONE IN 10000 KIDS WHO DIE MAY CHANGE TO SOMETHING HIGHER. AS A PEDIATRICIAN, I HAVE WATCHED MANY OF MY PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES STRUGGLE THIS YEAR. MY OWN FAMILY HAD OUR STRUGGLES THIS YEAR. MY JOB AS THEIR DOCTOR IS NOT ONLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GROW AND TO TREAT THEIR STREP THROAT AND EAR INFECTIONS. MY JOB IS ALSO TO HELP THEM MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR EDUCATION AND TO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH HARD TIMES IN LIFE. MAKING THESE KIDS GIVE THEM THE BEST CHANCE AT AVOIDING COVID INFECTIONS. THANK YOU, MS. BOWERS, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. BY GIVING THEM THE BEST CHANCE TO BE IN PERSON. IT'S COVID, THEY WOULDN'T DIE. MA'AM, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WANT TO JUST AS BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER WITH THIS, I DO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT COMMENTS TO THE BOARD MAY ONLY BE MADE FROM THE PODIUM DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE ARE NOT ALLOWED. PLEASE STOP SPEAKING. LET EVERYONE HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO TALK. THANK YOU. BILL BROWN. THANK YOU FOR THAT REMARK, MR. CHAIRMAN, MY NAME IS BILL BROWN. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR DECADES. COVID-19, PARTICULARLY THE DELTA VARIANT, IS KILLING CHILDREN, IT WILL KILL MORE CHILDREN IF WE DO NOT TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN QUOTING A LOT OF PSEUDOSCIENCE, UNCONTROLLED STUDIES AND THE LIKE. WELL, THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE IN JANUARY 2021, BASICALLY ONE PAPER SAID THE PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE NOTION THAT [01:10:06] MASKING REDUCES THE TRANSMISSION OF VIRUSES, INCLUDING COVID-19 AND MASKS ARE MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN EVERYONE WEARS A MASK. ONE OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT CARBON DIOXIDE UNDER THE MASK. WELL, THAT'S NOT THE RELEVANT NUMBER. THE RELEVANT NUMBER IS BLOOD OXYGEN PERCENTAGE. AND THERE'S A STUDY FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION THAT REPORTS THAT THE MASK DOES NOT CHANGE BLOOD OXYGEN CONTENT. IT'S ABOUT THE SAME WHETHER YOU'RE WEARING IT OR NOT. I'VE BEEN WEARING THIS MASK FOR THREE HOURS. I'M NOT HALLUCINATING. I'M SURE THEY'LL, BACK THERE, THEY'LL DISAGREE. I'M NOT COLLAPSING FROM OXYGEN DEPRIVATION. MASKS WORK. THEY WORK BEST WHEN EVERYONE WEARS THEM. VACCINATIONS ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE MANDATORY. SCIENCE. SCIENCE CHANGES THEIR MIND. SCIENTIST CHANGED THEIR CONCLUSIONS AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AS THEY GAIN MORE RELEVANT INFORMATION. SCIENTISTS CHANGE THEIR CONCLUSION, WHEN THE ITEMS ARE STUDYING, THE COVID-19 VIRUS, CHANGES. IT HAS CHANGED. IT'S MORE DEADLY THAN EVER. SO I WISH I SHARED THE CONFIDENCE OF THE VERY FIRST SPEAKER THAT YOU ALL ARE GOING TO VOTE TO TO ADOPT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION. I HOPE YOU DO. IT IS CRUCIAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BEING OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BROWN. OUR NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS ARE TRACY FRANTZEN, NANCY MOORE AND GLENN, EXCUSE ME, GLENN BEZA, KAREN BADMAN AND ASHLEY HARRISON, MS. FRANTZEN? HELLO, MY NAME IS TRACEY FRANTZEN. I'M A RESIDENT, PROPERTY OWNER, BUSINESS OWNER AND EMPLOYER IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND A VERY PROUD AUNT TO CCPS ELEMENTARY STUDENT. EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL MYSELF, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, TO HAVE THE SCHOOL DOORS OPEN AGAIN THIS FALL. IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALL TRULY LOOKING FORWARD TO. HOWEVER, AS ANY BUSINESS PERSON CAN TELL YOU, CONSISTENCY IS KEY. SO I AM HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL MASKING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS A WAY TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY FOR OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. WHEN KIDS STAY HEALTHY, PARENTS CAN STAY FOCUSED ON WORK. MASKING IS SO SIMPLE THAT IT'S HARD FOR ME TO COMPREHEND ANYONE NOT WILLING TO TRADE OPEN SCHOOLS FOR SIMPLE FACIAL COVERINGS. THE PROS VASTLY OUTWEIGH THE CONS. IF WE DON'T KEEP THE SPREAD OF COVID DOWN, THEN WE'LL ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF ROLLING QUARANTINES AND ISOLATIONS AND POTENTIALLY EVEN NEWER VARIANTS FILLING UP OUR HOSPITALS, ADVERSELY AFFECTING ALL EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE CAPACITY IN OUR REGION. I COMMEND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR TAKING THE POSITION THAT FOLLOWING THE LAW BY COMPLYING THE CDC GUIDELINES FOR MASKING IN K-12 SCHOOLS IS OF THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO URGE A CHANGE TO EITHER EACH OF HIS RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AND ASK THAT A FORM BE DEVELOPED FOR DOCTORS TO SIGN OFF ON ANY CLAIM OF MEDICAL WAIVERS FOR THE MASK REQUIREMENT. THOSE FORMS CAN BE TURNED INTO SCHOOL NURSES WHO WILL THEN NOTIFY CLASSROOM TEACHERS SO THAT THE SEATING CHART CAN BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. SEATING MASK-LESS STUDENTS AT LEAST SIX FEET AWAY FROM THOSE THAT DO MASK. AND PARENTS CAN BE INFORMED OF HOW MANY MASK-LESS STUDENTS ARE ASSIGNED TO SHARE A CLASSROOM WITH THEIR CHILD, THUS ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICE FOR THEIR OWN CHILD'S BEST HEALTH INTEREST. HOW ELSE WILL YOU CONDUCT PROPER CONTACT TRACING WITHOUT KNOWING WHICH STUDENTS MASK AND WHICH HAVE OPTED OUT? HOW ELSE CAN SEATING CHARTS BE WRITTEN APPROPRIATELY BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS? HOW ELSE CAN YOU STAND BEHIND SO CALLED PARENT CHOICE IF NOT PROVIDING PARENTS WITH ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED? AND WHILE YOU'RE DEVELOPING THE OPTIONAL SAFETY OPT OUT FORM, REMEMBER TO ADD CHECKBOXES FOR OTHER SAFETY ITEMS. [01:15:01] CHEMISTRY GOGGLES, HELMETS FOR FOOTBALL AND SOFTBALL, SEATBELTS FOR DRIVER'S ED CLASS, SHIN GUARDS FOR SOCCER AND FIELD HOCKEY, SHOES. IF YOU THINK IT'S SILLY TO LET FOLKS OPT OUT OF SEATBELTS FOR DRIVER'S ED AND SHOES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, THE LET'S STOP KIDDING AROUND HERE. AND BE CLEAR WHEN WE SAY BACK TO CLASS, WEAR A MASK. I'M ALSO HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO URGE THIS BOARD TO ADOPT A POLICY RELATING TO TRANSGENDER STUDENTS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AND EXTENDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS CONSISTENT WITH VIRGINIA LAW IN THE MODEL POLICY OF THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THANK YOU, MS. FRANTZEN AND YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, MS. FRANTZEN, NANCY MOORE? GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS NANCY MOORE AND I AM THE PARENT OF A MANCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT. MY HUSBAND, WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, AND I BOTH FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD NOT BE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH. THESE DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, NOT SCHOOL BOARD REPS. FORGIVE ME, BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH. IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING, ARE ANY OF YOU TRAINED MEDICAL DOCTORS? NO. ARE ANY OF YOU INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS? THAT'S A NO, YOU ARE NOT. I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO LEAVE THESE DECISIONS UP TO THE EXPERTS. EVEN MS. BAILEY AGREES WITH ME, AS SHE STATED ON AUGUST 3RD, AND I QUOTE, "I DID NOT RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO VOTE ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. AND I WISH I WOULD JUST WAKE UP AND IT WOULD ALL BE A BAD DREAM," UNQUOTE. I FEEL THE SAME WAY. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. NONE OF YOU RAN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THIS REASON. VOTING ABOUT MATTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UP TO AN UNQUALIFIED BODY. THIS IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HAS BEEN POLITICIZED. MASKS ARE NOT A LOT TO ASK, SO THAT WE CAN ALL RETURN TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY. THE CDC SAYS DUE TO THE CIRCULATING AND HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT, CDC RECOMMENDS UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASKING BY ALL STUDENTS, STAFF, TEACHERS AND VISITORS TO K-12 SCHOOLS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. IN ADDITION TO UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASKING, CDC RECOMMENDS SCHOOLS MAINTAIN AT LEAST THREE FEET OF PHYSICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN STUDENTS WITHIN CLASSROOMS TO REDUCE TRANSMISSION RISK. I HAVE A FEW OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO ADD IN THERE, BUT I WANTED TO GET MY LAST STATEMENT AND SO I'LL SKIP OVER SOME OF THE OTHER CDC STUFF. I TRUST YOU ALL HAVE READ IT. PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR CHILDREN TO ATTEND SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE TENETS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I BELIEVE THE SAFEST COURSE OF ACTION FOR EVERY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND THE GUIDANCE OF THE EXPERTS, THE CDC, DDH AND THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MISS MOORE . GLEN BEZA? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MS. BAILEY, I'M FROM THE DALE DISTRICT. MY NAME IS GLEN BEZA. I'M 70 YEARS OLD. I ATTENDED A SEGREGATED SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA, IN PERSAINE COUNTY, NOW VIRGINIA BEACH. I WAS TAUGHT IN THAT SCHOOL THAT SLAVERY WASN'T SO BAD, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CIVIL WAR AND THAT THE CONFEDERATES FOUGHT FOR AN HONORABLE CAUSE. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO TEACH REAL HISTORY, NOT FAKE HISTORY. AND I HOPE YOU'LL DO THAT. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF UNIVERSAL MASK POLICY BASED ON MEDICAL SCIENCE AND ALSO IN FAVOR OF TRANSGENDER NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY. WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL AND IT WAS A WHILE BACK, THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN WHO HAPPENED TO [01:20:05] BE GAY. I DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME. WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT GAY KIDS AT THE TIME. WE KNOW THAT THEY WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. NOT LONG AFTER WE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I LEARNED THAT, AND I KNEW HIM, HE WAS NOT A CLOSE FRIEND. HE COMMITTED SUICIDE. WE DON'T WANT THAT KIND OF THING HAPPENING THESE DAYS. WE WOULDN'T WANT THE STUDENTS TO FEEL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. SO I HOPE YOU'LL RECOGNIZE THAT AS YOU VOTE TONIGHT. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE STATE LAW ACTUALLY OBLIGATES YOU TO REQUIRE UNIVERSAL MASKS. AND ALSO THE STATE LAW IS PRETTY CLEAR ON TRANSGENDER NONDISCRIMINATION. SO I HOPE YOU'LL FOLLOW THE LAW. I HOPE YOU FOLLOW THE SCIENCE. AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL NOT WASTE TAXPAYERS MONEY ON FRIVOLOUS PROTEST LITIGATION BY NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING TONIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, MR. BEZA KATHRYN BADMAN? DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HERE. MS. HARRISON? HI, MY NAME IS ASHLEY HARRISON. I LIVE IN THE MIDLOTHIAN DISTRICT AND I HAVE TO RISING SIXTH GRADERS AT ROBIOUS MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR STARTING THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH UNIVERSAL MASKING, CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW, SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING ABOUT MITIGATION MEASURES NEEDED TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. IT'S ALSO CONSISTENT WITH CCPS'S LESSONS LEARNED FROM LAST YEAR AS COVERED IN TODAY'S WORK SESSION. WHERE ITS SITE STATES SAFETY IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE OUR TOP PRIORITY. I'VE SUPPORTED IN-PERSON LEARNING OPTIONS SINCE LAST SUMMER'S FIRST DISCUSSIONS OF PROJECT RESTART. MY CHILDREN BENEFITED IMMENSELY FROM BEING IN PERSON FOR THEIR SECOND SEMESTER OF FIFTH GRADE, AND THAT WAS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE WITH CASE AND POSITIVITY RATES HIGHER NOW THAN THEY WERE AT THE END OF THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND RISING INSTEAD OF FALLING AS THEY WERE THEN. WE NEED THOSE MEASURES EVEN MORE. THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, CDC, VDH AND VDOE ALL AGREE THAT IF WE COMBINE LAYERS OF PROTECTION, SUCH AS VACCINATION, MASKING AND CLEAN HANDS HYGIENE, THEN IN-PERSON LEARNING CAN BE SAFE BECAUSE ALMOST ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH SIX, WHICH IS MORE THAN HALF THE STUDENTS IN CCPS, ARE UNDER 12 AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION. WE CAN'T RELY ON THE BEST MEANS OF MITIGATION VACCINATION AS A STRATEGY TO PROTECT THEM. WITH THE COUNTY'S FULL VACCINATION RATE FOR THE 12 TO 15 YEAR OLDS AT AROUND 38 PERCENT BASED ON CURRENT VDH DATA, RELYING ON VACCINATION TO PROTECT OLDER STUDENTS ISN'T GOING TO WORK EITHER. IT'S LIKELY THAT A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN ANY CCPS SCHOOL WILL BE UNVACCINATED, AND IT'S ALMOST CERTAIN THAT WILL BE THE CASE IN EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. THAT MAKES LAYERED IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER STRATEGIES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT. AND IF OTHER STRATEGIES ARE NOW HARDER TO USE WITH MORE STUDENTS RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING, MASKING BECOMES EVEN MORE CRITICAL. LAYERED MITIGATION IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WITH THE PREVALENCE OF THE DELTA VARIANT. SCIENTISTS ESTIMATE, IS TWICE AS TRANSMISSIBLE AS PRIOR VARIANTS, WHICH DEMANDS MITIGATION STRATEGIES AT LEAST AS STRONG AS THOSE USED BEFORE. LAST YEAR'S VENTILATION IMPROVEMENTS WERE A GREAT STRATEGY, AND SO WAS UNIVERSAL MASKING. BOTH NEED TO CONTINUE. AFTER 18 MONTHS OF LEARNING DISRUPTIONS, CCPS MUST ACT TO KEEP KIDS HEALTHY AND IN SCHOOL, BECAUSE CONTACT TRACING EXPERTS OUT K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS WITHIN THREE TO SIX FEET OF EACH OTHER. IF BOTH STUDENTS ARE MASKED, MASKING IS CRITICAL TO AVOIDING MASS QUARANTINES, MASS ABSENCES. EVEN IF THERE'S NO TRANSMISSION TAKING PLACE IN SCHOOL, WE DON'T NEED MORE ADVERSE EDUCATIONAL IMPACTS TO OUR STUDENTS. AS THE PUBLIC HEALTH SITUATION CHANGES, I AGREE YOU SHOULD REVISIT MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND TAILOR THEM TO THE TIMES. BUT FOR NOW, MASKING IS CRITICAL. YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE, FOLLOW THE LAW AND REQUIRE IT ON A UNIVERSAL BASIS. PROTECTING AND PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT A CHOICE. IT'S AN OBLIGATION WE HAVE AS CITIZENS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. HARRISON. OUR NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS ARE ASHLEY APINO, AMBER TISHEO, LAURA SMITH, JAYCEE CORGAN AND MELODY CHOATE. MS. APINO? HEY THERE, FRIENDS, ASHLEY APINO, AS 2019 CANDIDATES WHO BRAVELY STEPPED INTO A JOURNEY BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE. THANK YOU. LITTLE DID YOU KNOW THE TWISTER COMING FOR YOUR FOUR YEAR TERM. [01:25:01] THE WIZARD OF OZ IS THE CLASSIC WITH ONE BIG LESSON I LIKE TO REFLECT UPON THROUGH ALL THE STRONG EMOTIONAL WINS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS, FLYING MONKEYS, ONE PARTY RULE FEDERALLY AND IN VIRGINIA. AND LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS. OH, COME ON, PEOPLE! OH, MY! OUR CHILDREN, AS YOU RECALL, DOROTHY WAS NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE. SHE HAD HER LITTLE DOG, TOTO LANDED UPON THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST IN A LITTLE PLACE CALLED MUNCHKIN LAND. FOR OUR PURPOSES, WE'LL NAME OUR CHARACTERS WICKED COVID VIRUS FROM CHINA, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY MUNCHKINS SCHOOLS AND OUR FINE SCHOOL BOARD AS GLINDA, OUR TRUE NORTH VISIONARIES AND GUIDES. SO WHAT WAS THE LESSON DOROTHY LEARNED? SHE'S ALWAYS HAD THE POWER TO DO WHAT HER HEART'S DESIRE, AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FURTHER TO GO THAN HER OWN BACKYARD. AS THE SCHOOL BOARD, YOUR POWER AND AUTHORITY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST DERIVED FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA, TO WHICH LET ME POINT OUT ARTICLE ONE, SECTION ELEVEN, THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF HIS LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW. WHAT IS DUE PROCESS? DUE PROCESS IS A LIMIT ON THE GOVERNMENT'S POWER TO ENACT LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT AFFECT ONE'S LIFE, LIBERTY OR PROPERTY RIGHTS. IT IS A SAFEGUARD FROM GOVERNMENTAL ACTION THAT IS NOT RELATED TO ANY LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT INTEREST OR THAT IS UNFAIR, IRRATIONAL OR ARBITRARY IN ITS FURTHERANCE OF A GOVERNMENT INTEREST. IN REGARD TO HOW TO MOVE FORWARD DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR THE CCPS SYSTEMS OPENING, PARTICULARLY AS IT PERTAINS TO HOW OUR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND ADMINISTRATORS TREAT ANYONE SETTING FOOT WITHIN OUR BUILDINGS, STUDENT, TEACHER, PARENT, LEADER. OUR VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION ALREADY OUTLINES IT FOR YOU. AS STATED, EACH PARENT IS THE OWNER OF THEIR CHILD AND THEIR OWN PERSON. THIS IS PARAMOUNT TO ANY STATEMENT MADE BY A FEDERAL STATE AGENCY OR BY AN OVERREACHING, POWER HUNGRY GOVERNOR OR UNION. YOU HAVE ALL THAT YOU NEED IN THE VERY DOCUMENTS YOU SWORE TO UPHOLD. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE YOUR CONSTITUENTS THE RIGHT OF DUE PROCESS, AS OUTLINED IN ARTICLE ONE, SECTION ELEVEN. DO NOT ALLOW THE GRAND BLACKFACE WIZARD NORTHAM TO FURTHER SUBJECT US TO UNFAIR, IRRATIONAL AND ARBITRARY MEANS OF REQUIRING UNHEALTHY PRACTICES. HE HAS OVERSTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY AND HAS STATED THE CDC AS LAW. PERHAPS HE SHOULD BE REMINDED OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND WHO EXACTLY WRITES THE LAW. FINALLY, ARE UNDERPINNING AS REPUBLICANS IS OUR CREED. INDIVIDUALS ARE ENTITLED TO EQUAL RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES AND SHOULD ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CITIZENS IN A FREE SOCIETY. THE GOVERNMENT MUST PRESERVE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY BY OBSERVING CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND THAT FAITH IN GOD IS RECOGNIZED BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE MORAL FIBER OF THIS NATION. VOTE REPUBLICAN IN NOVEMBER! YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. WHY ARE YOU BEING ALLOWED THEN TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN? IT'S POLITICKING. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ONE MORE TIME FOR EVERYBODY THAT'S IN HERE, THE NEXT PERSON THAT DOES CALL OUT FROM THE AUDIENCE, OK, OR SPEAK OUT OF TURN, I'M GOING TO ASK THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES TO ESCORT YOU FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM FOR DISRUPTING THE MEETING. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. LET'S HEAR EVERYONE OUT FROM THE PODIUM AND WE'LL MOVE THROUGH THIS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AMBER TISHEO. WHO ALSO DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HERE. LAURA SMITH. JAYCEE CORRIGAN. GOOD EVENING, HOW Y'ALL DOING? Y'ALL ARE CAUGHT IN A BEHAVIORAL FOOD FIGHT BETWEEN A GOVERNMENT THAT IS PARALYZED BY FEAR AND ARE BEING BLAMED AND NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO WHEN THE SHOOTING STARTS. AND A HUMAN OPERATING SYSTEM THAT SEEKS A NARRATIVE THAT SUPPORTS THEIR PERSONAL TRUTH AND THEN FORWARDS IT TO YOU IN AN EMAIL WITHOUT VETTING IT. AND I FEEL VERY BAD FOR YOU FOR HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT, BECAUSE YOU'RE CAUGHT IN A PARADOX THAT WHERE A PERSONAL DECISION COULD BE COMPLETELY RATIONAL AND REASONABLE BUT CAN BE COLLECTIVELY RECKLESS. AND THAT'S THE PARADOX THAT YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO SOLVE. SO FROM A DECISION SCIENCE STANDPOINT, I WOULD ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THIS FROM THREE DIFFERENT WAYS. ONE, AMONG THE OPTIONS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF YOU, IMAGINE THAT EACH OF THEM ARE WRONG. WHICH ONE HAS THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DOWNSIDE. TWO, WHICH DECISION IS THE EASIEST TO REVERSE AND KEEPS THE MOST OPTIONS AVAILABLE? THIS SHOULD BE AS EASY AS A PILOT TURNING THE FASTEN SEATBELT LIGHT ON IN THE MIDDLE OF A FLIGHT BECAUSE HE'S EXPECTING TURBULENCE. BUT FOR SOME REASON THAT CAN'T HAPPEN IN THIS CASE. AND THREE, WHAT EVIDENCE WOULD CHANGE YOUR MIND ON YOUR CURRENT DECISION? [01:30:04] AND ARE YOU WILLING TO GO ON THE RECORD AND SAY IF THIS EVIDENCE EXISTS, I'M WILLING TO CHANGE MY MIND? SO THE QUESTION I ASK MYSELF WHEN I GO THROUGH THOSE QUESTIONS IS, IS THERE ANY HARM? WE'RE STARTING WITH MASK AND ALLOWING EVERY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE CHOICE OF WEARING MASKS, IF WE'RE NOT WEARING A MASKS AND NOT LET CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL CHILDREN BE THE LAB RATS. LET THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS MESS WITH THAT. AND THEN WE MAKE OUR DECISION DOWN THE ROAD. WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM. WE CAN PICK THE COUNTIES AHEAD OF TIME, SO WE'RE NOT CHERRY PICKING. SO PEOPLE DON'T THINK WE'RE LOOKING FOR AFFIRMATION VERSUS INFORMATION. THE BOOK BY MICHAEL LEWIS THE PREMONITION DISCUSSES THE GENESIS OF COVID AND HOW IT TRANSPIRED. AND THE QUOTE THAT'S PROBABLY MOST RELEVANT TO YOU ALL IS "THE PROBLEM WITH IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS TOO LATE IS YOU GET ALL THE DOWNSIDE AND LITTLE BENEFIT. SO SPEED IS CRITICAL. THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THEY NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THINGS GET BAD. BY THE TIME PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THEIR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, THEY NEED MORE THAN A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE TRICK WAS THEY NEEDED TO LEARN HOW TO SMELL THE SMOKE." SO I THINK WE ALL WANT A TIMELY, TARGETED AND TEMPORARY SOLUTION SO THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS AS BEST AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. AND THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO INCREASE YOUR MARGIN OF ERROR. SO NOT FOR ONLY WHAT WE EXPECT, BUT ALSO FOR WHAT WE DON'T EXPECT. MS. BAILEY, YOU'RE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER. YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THIS STORY. IN 1942, THE NAZIS PUT A BUNCH OF TANKS OUTSIDE OF BERLIN EXPECTING THE ALLIES TO COME IN AND MAKE THEIR ASSAULT. WELL, ONCE THEY DID MAKE THEIR ASSAULT, THEY RAN OUT TO THE TANKS AND WHEN THEY GOT TO THE TANKS, ONLY 20 OF THEM WORKED BECAUSE FIELD MICE HAD GONE THROUGH THE TANKS AND EATEN THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. SO THE GERMANS WERE READY FOR THE ALLIES. THEY WEREN'T READY FOR THE FIELD MICE. SO MY QUESTION IS, IS THE DELTA VARIANT OR A FURTHER PATHOGEN. THANK YOU, MR. CORRIGAN, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION. THANK YOU, MR. CORRIGAN. EXCUSE ME, MR. CHAIR? YES, I'D APOLOGIZE FOR THE INTERRUPTION. AND I JUST HAD A POINT. AND I APPRECIATE YOU REMINDING THE PUBLIC OF OUR EXPECTATIONS. AND THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SHOULD BE KEPT AT THE PODIUM. HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A POLITICKING SITUATION AND PERHAPS A REMINDER, I KNOW OUR CLERK HAS SOME LANGUAGE THAT HE CAN USE TO REMIND FOLKS ABOUT CAMPAIGNING. MR. CLERK IS THAT PERTAIN TO ACTUAL BOARD MEMBERS SPEAKING FROM THE DAIS ON POLITICAL ISSUES OR SPEAKERS THAT COME UP TO THE PODIUM? MR. CHAIR, IT IS ACTUALLY BOTH. THERE IS NO CAMPAIGNING OR ALLOWED IN THIS ROOM DURING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. OK, THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M SORRY. LET ME PLEASE THEN MAKE THAT CORRECTION THAT IF YOU DO COME UP TO SPEAK AT THE DAIS, PLEASE DO NOT BE INSERTING ANY TYPE OF POLITICAL LANGUAGE OR ANY PLUGS FOR ANY CAMPAIGNING. THANK YOU, GO AHEAD. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MELODY CHOATE, AND WHILE SHE'S COMING UP, OUR NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS ARE HEATHER WILSON, KELLY, MARLON, WENDY LITTLE, JUSTIN WALKER AND CAROLYN LAW. HELLO, MY NAME IS MELODY CHOATE, I'VE BEEN WEARING MY MASK FOR FIVE HOURS AND I FEEL GREAT, NO HEADACHE. I'M A RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN ENROLLED IN SPRING RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MY CHILDREN ARE SEVEN AND NINE YEARS OLD AND NEITHER IS OLD ENOUGH YET FOR THE VACCINES. I AM AWARE OF THE STATEMENT THAT WAS RELEASED THIS MORNING STATING THAT MASKS WILL BE MANDATORY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. I WANT TO COMMEND THE BOARD IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING A SCIENCE BASED APPROACH TO MASKING STANDARDS AND TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO USE MASKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR REGARDLESS OF A CHILD'S VACCINATION STATUS. PLEASE DO NOT REPEAL THIS POLICY AS VACCINATIONS BECOME AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS. I HAVE TWO REASONS FOR THIS. NUMBER ONE IS THAT LESS DEADLY BREAKTHROUGH CASES ARE STILL HAPPENING EVEN IN THE FULLY VACCINATED POPULATION, AND MASKING WILL HELP PREVENT SOME TRANSMISSION. THE SECOND REASON IS THAT THE HONOR SYSTEM WITH MASKS IS A HORRIBLY FAILED SOCIAL EXPERIMENT. ANTI-SCIENCE, ANTI-MASKING, COVID DENIERS WHO REFUSE TO MASK WHILE UNVACCINATED ARE SERVING AS HUMAN PETRI DISHES FOR THIS DEADLY VIOLENT VIRUS TO MUTATE AND BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AT KILLING PEOPLE. FROM JULY 31ST TO AUGUST 6TH OF THIS YEAR, 216 CHILDREN ON AVERAGE WITH COVID ARE BEING HOSPITALIZED EVERY SINGLE DAY. [01:35:01] 216. DOCTORS ON THE FRONT LINE ARE SAYING THEY ARE SEEING MORE CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN THAN THEY HAVE AT ANY PREVIOUS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC AND THAT THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT IS LIKELY TO BLAME. SO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, AS PROMISED EARLIER THIS YEAR. ON THE TOPIC OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS, THIS IS THE YEAR 2021. CHESTERFIELD NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD, NOT BACKWARDS. TRANS KIDS DESERVE TO USE THE NAMES AND PRONOUNS THAT COULD CORRESPOND WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. TRANS KIDS DESERVE TO PLAY ON THE CORRECT SPORTS TEAM AND TO USE THE BATHROOM IN PEACE WITHOUT BEING HUMILIATED AND STIGMATIZED BY THEIR OWN SCHOOL BOARDS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. TRANSGENDER INCLUSION POLICIES ARE AN ISSUE THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND SOCIETY. IN A SURVEY LAST YEAR, 60 PERCENT OF TRANS AND NON BINARY YOUTH ENGAGED IN SELF-HARM. 60 PERCENT! 50 PERCENT OF THOSE SURVEYED REPORTED HAVING STRONGLY CONSIDERED ENDING THEIR OWN LIVES! WHAT OTHER GROUP IS THEIR IN EXISTENCE WHERE HALF OF THE MEMBERS STRONGLY CONSIDER ENDING THEIR OWN LIVES? WHAT CAN WE DO? RESEARCH HAS REPEATEDLY SHOWN THAT GREATER LEVELS OF SUPPORT AND ACCEPTANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DRAMATICALLY LOWERING THE RATES OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. THEREFORE, I BEG OF YOU THAT WE ACCEPT AND EMBRACE TRANSGENDER AND BINARY STUDENTS AS THE LAW ALLOWS. LESS BIGOTRY IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, MAKE US THE JUDGE, THE JURY AND THE EXECUTIONER OF THESE VULNERABLE CHILDREN. THANK YOU, MS. CHOATE, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU, MS. CHOATE. HEATHER WILSON? MY NAME IS HEATHER WILSON AND I'M A PARENT OF THREE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY STUDENTS, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF A UNIVERSAL MASKING POLICY, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ACCEPTING THE UNIVERSAL MASKING POLICY AND YOUR DECISION TO FOLLOW THE EXPERT GUIDANCE OF THE CDC AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. AS A HEALTH CARE WORKER AT A HOSPITAL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. I'VE SEEN THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY UNIVERSAL MASKING WHEN WORKING DIRECTLY WITH SYMPTOMATIC COVID PATIENTS. OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE SEEN THE NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY IN OUR HOSPITAL AND HAVE SEEN AND READ REPORTS REGARDING INCREASING NUMBERS OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. MY CONCERN REGARDING MY CHILDREN'S RETURN TO SCHOOL HAS GROWN OVER THAT TIME. MY FIRST CONCERN IS REGARDING THE DETAILS STATED IN THE SUPERINTENDENTS MEMO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, STATING THAT ANY PERSON WHO DECLINES TO WEAR A MASK BECAUSE OF A MEDICAL CONDITION MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION VERIFYING THAT CONDITION. I AM ASKING THAT YOU REQUIRE PARENTS TO PROVIDE PHYSICIAN DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING ANY STUDENT'S INABILITY TO TOLERATE WEARING A MASK AT SCHOOL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PRACTICABLE SOLUTION, AS STATED IN THE LAW, AND IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH VIRGINIA LAW. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DIVERT FROM MY SPEECH A LITTLE BIT HERE TO ADDRESS SOME ISSUES WITH MASKING. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, PLEASE DO CHECK YOUR SOURCES. THE ARTICLE QUOTED EARLIER ABOUT THE CO2 STUDIES WITH MASKS AND CHILDREN HAS BEEN RETRACTED FROM THE FROM JAMA. SO PLEASE, THE VALIDITY OF THAT HAS BEEN QUESTIONED. I'VE BEEN WEARING THIS MASK PROBABLY NOW FOR 11 HOURS TODAY. I WORK FIVE, SOMETIMES SIX DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. I WEAR A MASK ALL DAY LONG. I'VE NOT SEEN ANYONE PASS OUT OR HALLUCINATE FROM WEARING A MASK. QUARANTINES AGAIN CAN ONLY BE AVOIDED IF BOTH CHILDREN ARE WEARING MASKS. SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO TRACK WHICH CHILDREN NEED TO BE MASK VERSUS THOSE WHO DON'T, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WOULD DETERMINE WHO NEEDS TO BE QUARANTINED AND HOW WE WOULD PREVENT SCHOOL CLOSURES. MY SECOND CONCERN IS REGARDING ADDITIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGIES RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC. MASKING ALONE IS NOT SUFFICIENT, AND THE CDC RECOMMENDS A LAYERED APPROACH. WE CAN ALREADY ASSUME THAT DISTANCING GUIDELINES CANNOT BE MET WITH ALL STUDENTS IN PERSON. SO OTHER LAYERED STRATEGIES ARE NEEDED TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN AND TEACHERS AND STAFF SAFE. I AM ASKING YOU TO STRONGLY CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING A SCREENING TESTING PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND THERE ARE FUNDING SUGGESTIONS [01:40:01] AVAILABLE ON THE CDC WEBSITE. LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I'M APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU, MS. WILSON, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS WILSON. KELLY, MARLON? GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN HARTER AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. WHILE I FULLY SUPPORT UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL MASKING IN OUR SCHOOLS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR, AND THAT IS BASED ON CDC GUIDANCE. I ASSUME WE WILL BE DOING SO. BUT I HAVE TO WONDER IF WE'RE STARTING FROM BEHIND THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT WE'VE HAD SO MUCH MORE INFORMATION TO WORK WITH. AS MR. WILSON JUST STATED, THE DELTA VARIANT RUNS RAMPANT AND CASES CONTINUE TO RISE. AND I'M MORE CONCERNED ALSO ABOUT SENDING MY THREE CHILDREN IN PERSON EVERY DAY. I NOTICED IN THIS MORNING'S PUBLISHED PRESENTATION YOU'RE SAYING WE HAVE VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR EVERY STUDENT. DO WE REALLY? ARE OUR GIFTED CHILDREN GIVEN A PATH TO CONTINUE THEIR CBG STUDIES VIRTUALLY? BECAUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO WE WERE TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO CONTINUE CBG COURSEWORK WAS TO ATTEND IN PERSON. ARE DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS COVERED THIS YEAR BECAUSE LAST YEAR THERE SEEMED TO BE A HUGE MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN JOHN TYLER AND CCPS. JOHN TYLER SAID STUDENTS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND PERSON FOR TOTAL ENROLLMENT, BUT CCPS HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THEY WERE. I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHETHER ALL CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND MAKE SURE THAT BOTH VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON STUDENTS HAVE THE SAME EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS CLAIM. AND IF WE MUST SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, WE MUST ADDRESS THAT IN ADDITION TO RECOMMENDING MASKS FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS. THE CDC ALSO RECOMMENDS MULTIPLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES, INCLUDING DISTANCING AND HANDWASHING, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SOAP DISPENSERS AND PAPER TOWELS THAT WORK AND REGULAR SURVEILLANCE TESTING AND MORE. I'VE HEARD THAT CCPS IS CONSIDERING ADDING SYMPTOMATIC TESTING, BUT BEST PRACTICES, YOU REALLY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING FOR EVERYONE MORE OFTEN, NOT AS A FOOLPROOF STANDALONE MITIGATION, BUT AS ANOTHER LAYER OF PROTECTION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. WITH 10 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FEDERAL MONEY SET ASIDE IN COVID RELIEF FUNDS JUST FOR TESTING. HAS CCPS PROCURED TEST AND TRAINED NURSES HOW TO SUPERVISE STUDENTS FOR SELF TESTING? THESE TESTS ARE NO LONGER SUPER INVASIVE, AND THOSE STUDENTS ARE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING A SELF-TEST UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A TRAINED ADULT. CAN YOU PLEASE LET US KNOW THE STATUS OF THE NURSES IN CCPS? DO WE STILL HAVE A NURSE IN EVERY SCHOOL? WE KNOW WE LOST A LOT LAST YEAR. HAVE YOU ALL CONSIDERED ADDING OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS TO EVERY SCHOOL WITH CARES FUNDING? WE HAVE TO GET KIDS OUT OF CROWDED CLASSROOMS IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A CHANCE AT MITIGATING SPREAD. AND FINALLY, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE LUNCHES AND RECESS, P.E. AND MUSIC CLASSES? ANY TIME STUDENTS ARE UNMASKED, THE RISK OF SPREADING THE DELTA VARIANT INCREASES EXPONENTIALLY. IF YOU CAN'T PROTECT OUR KIDS ALL DAY. SHOULD WE REALLY EVEN BE BACK IN PERSON? IT SEEMS CRAZY TO ASSUME THAT KIDS WILL BE SAFE IF THEY MASK ALL DAY EXCEPT FOR LUNCHES AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PARENTS HERE TO RESPECT DISTANCING, EVEN THE ONES WHO ARE MASKED. YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER FOR OUR KIDS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR PLANS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. WE ALL WANT OUR KIDS BACK IN SCHOOLS AND WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO STAY OPEN. MOST OF US ARE WILLING TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICES TO ENSURE OUR KIDS CAN HAVE SOME IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. PLEASE DON'T LET THE DEMANDS OF THOSE WHO AREN'T WILLING TO DO THE SAME RUIN IT FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU, MS. MARLON. WENDY LITTLE? SHE IS NOT HERE, JUSTIN WALKER? OH, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. GREETINGS, EVERYBODY, MR. CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS DR. DAUGHERTY, DR. TAYLOR, ESTEEMED GUEST. MY NAME IS WENDY LITTLE. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN EVERYONE ELSE THIS EVENING SO FAR. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CARES ACT FUNDING AND SOME OF THE FUNDING GOING INTO EDUCATION FOR COVID. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT THAT WAS DONE. I THINK PEOPLE KNOW THAT I'VE HAD A BIG CHALLENGE WITH MY SON. MAYBE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, MY ONE SON. HUGE CHALLENGE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO BEG, BEG FOR HELP. HE NEEDED ASSISTANCE, HE NEEDED A TUTOR. DENY, DENY, DENY, ALL THE WAY. HE'S IN A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL CENTER NOW, IN PART DUE TO HIS LACK OF EDUCATION. OK, AND CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RECEIVED MILLIONS IN FUNDING. MUCH OF IT WENT TO BUILDING MAINTENANCE, THINGS THAT HAD GONE UNDONE FOR YEARS. BUT REALLY NOTHING WENT TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS. AND SO I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT. FURTHERMORE, A LOT OF CHILDREN LOST A LOT OF SERVICES. [01:45:02] SPEECH IT, A LOT OF [INAUDIBLE]TIME, INCLUDING MY SON, IT REALLY DISRUPTED HIM. I'M GOING TO TRY TO KEEP MY COMPOSURE, MS. COKER. BY A MIRACLE OF AN ACCIDENT, I REACHED OUT TO DR. MIGUEL CARDONA. I SAID I THINK I COULD USE YOUR HELP IN CHESTERFIELD, CAN YOU COME VISIT US? INSTEAD, I ACCIDENTALLY GOT ON A ROUNDTABLE FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION. I'M NOT KIDDING. AND WHEN WE FIRST MET, EVERYBODY IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR. AND MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR DOCTORATE DEGREES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. THEY'RE ALL IN. I SAID, I DON'T THINK I QUALIFY. I'M JUST A PARENT. THEY SAID, WE WANT YOUR INPUT, TOO. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR MORE FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, THEY HAVE A BIGGER JOB. CHANGING SOQ, SO THERE'S A HIGHER TEACHER STUDENT RATIO FOR [INAUDIBLE] PROGRAMS. THAT'S FANTASTIC. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ASKED FOR WAS TO THAT WE'RE WORKING ON STREAMLINING THE IP PROCESS FOR ALL OF US. THAT'S HARD PROCESS TO GO THROUGH, MAKING IT HARDER TO PUT THINGS IN AND OUT OF AN IEP, WITHOUT PRIOR PARENTS KNOWLEDGE, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT GETS A LITTLE SNEAKY. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I ADVOCATED FOR WAS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CARES ACT AND ESSER FUNDING. SO YOU HAVE SOME IDEA SPECIFIC FUNDING COMING FORWARD. YOU ALSO HAVE SOME ESSER, OF WHICH 10 PERCENT MUST GO TO SPECIAL NEEDS. WE'VE ALREADY GOT TEACHERS RAISES AND EVERYTHING. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A A NOVEL IDEA I LEARNED AT REST AND RETREAT FOR MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. ONE, I'D LIKE TO PROMOTE AND ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENCY AND HOW EVERYONE WITH CHILDREN SPECIAL NEEDS ACCESS RESOURCES TO GET THE RECOVERY LEARNING GOING. WE NEED A TRANSPARENT POLICY ON THAT. SOME SCHOOL SYSTEMS GAVE PARENTS FUNDING, SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, RATHER THAN US MICROMANAGING THIS FOR YOU, HERE'S THE FUNDING. YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR KIDS. GET THOSE THERAPIES, GET THOSE TUTORS, GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED. OK, MS. LITTLE, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. LITTLE. JUSTIN WALKER? GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JUSTIN WALKER, I'M FROM THE MATOACA DISTRICT, I THINK WE CAN ALL GO AHEAD AND AGREE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG SCHOOL YEAR. I KNOW I'M ALSO NEAR THE END OF THIS THING, SO I'M GOING TO READ SO I CAN BE AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A MODERATE. I HAVE NO LOYALTY TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY FOR SURE. AND I DO HAVE A LOYALTY TO DUE PROCESS. AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS DECISION. I APPRECIATE STAFF AND SUPER MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION FOR A TEMPORARY MASK REQUIREMENT. I'M HERE TO ASK THE BOARD TO ACCEPT THAT RECOMMENDATION, NOT TO ALIGN WITH ANYONE'S POLITICS AND CERTAINLY NOT TO REFUTE ANYONE ELSE'S, SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON THE MISSION OF EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS. WE'RE ALSO NOT ASKING FOR THIS REQUIREMENT OUT OF FEAR. WE COULD FRAME EVERY SINGLE ISSUE WE FACE IN THE TERMS OF FEAR, BUT THAT'S NOT PRODUCTIVE. WE COULD SAY WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID THEY WON'T LEARN ON THEIR OWN OR THAT WE ASK THEM TO BEHAVE BECAUSE THEY'LL BE IRRESPONSIBLE, IF WE DON'T. WHEN I CHOOSE TO EXERCISE MY RIGHT TO OPEN CARRY, IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL BE ATTACKED. IT'S BECAUSE I'M CONFIDENT THAT WHEN I NEED MY WEAPON, IT'LL BE AT MY DISPOSAL. I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE MASK REQUIREMENT IS THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE PATH TO ACHIEVE OUR MISSION. NONE OF US LOVE THIS OPTION, I WISH WE DIDN'T NEED IT. AND YES, IT WILL BE DISRUPTIVE. AND YES, THE SCIENCE IS EVOLVING BECAUSE SCIENCE DOESN'T STOP AT PUBLICATION. AT THIS POINT, A TEMPORARY MASK REQUIREMENT SHOWS IT'S THE FAR LESS DISRUPTIVE OPTION THAN HAVING TO CLOSE OUR FACILITIES BECAUSE OF AN OUTBREAK OR HAVING TO FIND NEW STAFF BECAUSE THEY LEAVE, OR PUTTING OUR DISTRICT AT FINANCIAL LIABILITY RISK BECAUSE WE IGNORE THE ADVICE, LIKE IT OR NOT, FROM VDH, CDC AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. ANY TIME WE COME TOGETHER TO DO SOMETHING AS A GROUP, WHETHER IT'S TO TEACH OUR KIDS, PLAY A SPORT OR RUNNING A FARMING CO-OP, WE SET RULES SO THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR MISSION. RULES, BY DEFINITION, LIMIT PERSONAL CHOICE, BUT THAT IS NOT THEIR PURPOSE. THEY'RE HERE TO HELP US FOCUS ON A MISSION AND WE ACCEPT THOSE RULES AT ALMOST EVERY TURN. THIS TEMPORARY RULE WOULD BE THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE TO OUR MISSION, AND IT WOULD GIVE US TIME TO CONSIDER THE CHOICE TO HAVE OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN VACCINATED. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION, HAVE A NICE EVENING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. WALKER. WELL, MS. LOWELL, WHILE YOU'RE COMING UP, I'LL ANNOUNCE THE FINAL SIX SPEAKERS ALISON DOSIC, [01:50:03] ELIZABETH HARVEY, JENNIFER DUNNING, JASON MELENDEZ, ASHLEY APPLE AND CHRISTINE MELENDEZ. MS. LOWELL? I OPPOSE FORCING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO WEAR MASKS IN SCHOOL. I AM ASKING THE SCHOOL BOARD TO FIGHT FOR OUR KIDS. THE GOVERNOR ISN'T THE FINAL LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF THE CDC MANDATE OR RECOMMENDATION. YOU ARE A VOICE. WE ARE NOT IN A CRISIS SITUATION. THE CDC MADE THE WRONG RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP OUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS KNOWN THAT CHILDREN ARE AT THE LOWEST RISK OF COVID. BEFORE THE DISPOSABLE MASKS WERE BEING MADE IN CHINA, INSIDE OF THE MASK BOX HAD A WARNING WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY PROTECTION AGAINST COVID. BY MEMORIAL DAY, MASKS WERE GONE AND VIRGINIA LIFTED RESTRICTIONS AND OPENED UP AGAIN WHEN THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE FOR COVID TESTS IN VIRGINIA IS TEN. NOW WE ARE SUDDENLY IN A HIGH RISK CRISIS BECAUSE THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF DEATHS IN VIRGINIA IS FOUR. SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE A CONTAGIOUS VIRUS THAT ARE NOT DEADLY? DO WE NEED TO WEAR MASKS FOREVER TO PREVENT COLD AND FLU FROM HAPPENING? WHAT BUILDS OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IF WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CATCH A COLD? AS OF TODAY, AUGUST 10TH, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY HAS REPORTED 92 STAFF TO GO TO ICU BEDS, 54 AFFILIATE, NINE COVID PATIENTS AND FIVE WERE FULL RECOVERED PATIENTS WITH PENDING RESULTS. NOT EVERYONE IN THE HOSPITAL HAS COVID DELTA VARIANT. PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PUT OFF THEIR HEALTH RISK FOR A YEAR A HALF THEIR, HEALTH CARE. THIS IS NOT A HIGH RISK COVID CRISIS. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY HAS A SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF ZERO DEATHS. THIS IS NOT A HIGH RISK COVID CRISIS. SUDDENLY, OUR GOVERNMENT IS IN A PANIC TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED BY THREATENING TO FIRE SKILLED HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHEN THERE'S A STAFF SHORTAGE, IF THEY DON'T COMPLY. TEACHERS ARE ALSO BEING THREATENED TO LOSE THEIR JOBS FOR NOT GETTING AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE, WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS. WHY DO WE NEED TO MASK UP DUE TO THE NEW COVID VARIANT? WHICH IS MORE CONTAGIOUS, BUT LESS DEADLY? WHY IS OUR BORDER OPEN IF WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC? WHY ARE WE CONTACT TRACING A VIRUS THAT IS LESS DEADLY THAN 0.01 PERCENT? WE ALL SEE HOW STUDENTS HAVE LOST THEIR CONFIDENCE BY WEARING MASKS. WELL, IT'S THE WAY TO COMMUNICATE, THEY ARE DISCONNECTED. THEY ARE EXPERIENCING MORE SOCIAL ISOLATION. MASKS INCREASE, ANXIETY, STRESS AND SADNESS. ANOTHER YEAR WITH NO FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, NO SMILES. MASKING RULES COULD LEAD TO PERMANENT PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DAMAGE. WE DO KNOW THAT TEEN SUICIDES AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE ARE SKYROCKETING. CHILD CRISIS CENTERS ARE FULL IN JUST ONE COUNTY. LET THAT SINK IN. BUT DOES IT MATTER THAT WE WILL SPEND MORE STUDENTS, THAT WE WILL SEND MORE STUDENTS INTO DEPRESSION? HOW MANY ANTIDEPRESSANT PILLS ARE ENOUGH? HOW MANY SUICIDES ARE ENOUGH? THIS IS A HIGH RISK CRISIS. THIS IS THE ONE. MASKS ARE A PERSONAL CHOICE. AND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO WEAR ONE IF YOU NEED TO. YOU COMPLY BECAUSE YOU WANT IT TO END, BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR COMPLIANCE THAT IT WILL NEVER END. THANK YOU, MS. LAW, ALISON DOSIC? GOOD EVENING, I'M ALISON DOSIC. I'M FROM THE CLOVER HILL DISTRICT AND A PARENT OF THREE CCPS STUDENTS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY. I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION READS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF HIGH QUALITY ARE TO BE MAINTAINED. THIS IS A DIFFICULT TASK WHEN PARENTS REFUSE TO HELP PROTECT FACULTY AND STAFF BY THE USE OF MASKS. WE HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES AS CITIZENS. THE FIRST AMENDMENT GUARANTEES FREE SPEECH, RELIGION, THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT. WEARING A MASK INFRINGES ON NONE OF THESE. HOWEVER, DOING SOMETHING THAT INFRINGES ON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS IS NOT PROTECTED. WITH THESE RIGHTS, WE ALSO HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THOSE WHO CANNOT BE PROTECTED BY VACCINES. LIKE OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS, WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS, TO CONTINUE TO LEARN IN SCHOOL WITH THE PROTECTION OF MASKS. I THINK EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT HAS THEIR FAMILY'S BEST INTERESTS IN MIND, AND I AGREE WITH MANY THAT ARE PRESENT. I DON'T WANT MY CHILD TO HAVE TO SIT IN A MASK ALL DAY EITHER, BUT MORE STRONGLY. I DON'T WANT MY CHILD WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE TO GET THE DELTA, DELTA+ OR EPSILON VARIANTS OF COVID THAT ARE MUTATING AMONG THE UNVACCINATED AND BEING TRANSMITTED AT INCREASING RATES. AND THE SIMPLEST OF TERMS, EVOLUTION WORKS LIKE THIS. IF YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AT YOUR JOB, WHICH IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK IN COVID'S CASE, YOU CAN DO IT BETTER AND FASTER THAN THE OTHER COVID VARIANTS, THEN YOU WIN AND YOUR VARIATION TAKES OVER AND HUMANITY SUFFERS. VACCINES ARE ALREADY LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IF EVERYONE HAD GOTTEN VACCINATED WHEN ELIGIBLE. EVERY TIME THE VIRUS IS GIVEN, THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLICATE IT HAS THE CHANCE TO MUTATE INTO SOMETHING WORSE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THE VACCINE, THEN PLEASE HELP STOP THE VARIANT MUTATIONS. BY WEARING A MASK AND HAVING YOUR KIDS WEAR A MASK, TOO. AN ALTERNATIVE IS TO BE EDUCATED VIRTUALLY. I WOULD ASK THAT THE BOARD RECONSIDER THE HYBRID MODEL FOR KIDS WHO WISH TO REMAIN [01:55:02] IN THEIR HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY BUT DON'T WANT TO WEAR A MASK OR DON'T WISH TO BE AROUND OTHER KIDS WHO WON'T WEAR MASK. TEACHERS DO NOT NEED THE EXTRA BURDEN OF FIGHTING WITH KIDS WHO DON'T WANT TO WEAR A MASK. IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO PIVOT AT THIS POINT, BUT THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SHOWN US THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO WORK IN THE BEST INTEREST OF STUDENTS, STAFF AND PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE PAST 18 MONTHS. THANK YOU FOR REQUIRING MASKS AND PLEASE CONSIDERING ADDING ALTERNATIVES FOR PARENTS TO ADDRESS THOSE WHO FEEL STRONGLY AGAINST THEM. THOSE OF US WHO ARE WILLING TO HAVE OUR KIDS WEAR MASKS ARE HAPPY TO HAVE OUR KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL, BUT NOT WITH UNMASKED KIDS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS DOSIC. ELIZABETH HARVEY? OK. I KNOW MY TIME IS LIMITED, SO FIRST I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU THAT TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE ME BACK, BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THAT. ALL RIGHT. SO MY NAME IS ELIZABETH HARVEY. I LIVE IN THE BERMUDA DISTRICT, BUT MY CHILDREN ACTUALLY ATTEND A SCHOOL IN THE DAYLE DISTRICT DUE TO SCHOOL BOUNDARIES. THE MAJORITY OF MY OLDEST CHILD'S EDUCATION HAS BEEN SPENT VIRTUALLY ON THE COMPUTER. SHE NEEDS TO GO TO SCHOOL THIS YEAR. FRANKLY, I'M SURPRISED THAT WE ARE HERE DEBATING THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS AND THIS COMMUNITY AS SAFE AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE. THE LAW IS PRETTY CLEAR ON THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO OFFER IN-PERSON LEARNING WHILE MAXIMIZING MITIGATION STRATEGIES. MASKING IS THE NUMBER ONE EASIEST MITIGATION STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY. PARENTS CHOICE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE. PARENTS CHOICE IS DECIDING WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS ALLOWED TO DRINK SODA OR WATER FOR DINNER. PARENTS CHOICE IS DECIDING IF YOUR CHILD WILL PLAY SOCCER OR JOIN THE SWIM TEAM THIS YEAR. PARENT'S CHOICE IS DECIDING IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE DRIVEN TO SCHOOL OR RIDE THE SCHOOL BUS. PARENT'S CHOICE IS NOT DECIDING THE APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE AT SCHOOL. PARENT'S CHOICE IS NOT DECIDING WHAT THE CAFETERIA WILL SERVE THAT DAY TO SUIT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CHILD. PARENT'S CHOICE DOES NOT INCLUDE DECIDING WHAT VACCINES THE SCHOOL WILL REQUIRE UPON ENROLLMENT. THESE ARE NOT ANY ONE PERSON'S CHOICE BECAUSE IN ORDER FOR A SCHOOL SYSTEM OF OVER 63,000 CHILDREN TO RUN SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY, RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED. WE TURN TO EXPERTS TO MAKE THESE GUIDELINES. WEARING A MASK IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE. THE CDC RECOMMENDS, AND I QUOTE, "PEOPLE WEAR FACE CLOTH COVERINGS IN PUBLIC SETTINGS WHEN AROUND PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES ARE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN." IF THAT DOES NOT DESCRIBE A SCHOOL, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS. WHAT THE DATA TELLS US, MASKS REDUCE VIRAL TRANSMISSION BY UP TO 70 PERCENT. THAT COMES TO YOU FROM NYU DOCTORS GROSSMAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. MASKS REDUCE ASYMPTOMATIC SPREAD UP TO 50 PERCENT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT CAN BE TRANSMITTED BEFORE PEOPLE SHOW SYMPTOMS. THAT COMES TO YOU FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY. MASKS PROTECT PEOPLE AROUND YOU. THEY PREVENT THOSE THAT ARE INFECTIOUS FROM SPREADING TO OTHERS. WE CAN THANK HARVARD FOR THAT ONE. SO WE HAVE OVER FORTY NINE PEER REVIEWED STUDIES ALL COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. MASKS DO, IN FACT, REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. THIS IS NOT A DEBATABLE ISSUE WE KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE. THE SILVER LINING FOR COVID SO FAR IS THAT WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE IN FACT LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER SERIOUS DISEASE, BUT THEY CAN AND THEY DO. THE VARIANTS ARE CONTINUING TO MUTATE AND MOST LIKELY WILL BECOME MORE SEVERE IN CHILDREN AS TIME GOES ON. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE FUNNY MEME GOING AROUND FACEBOOK OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA THAT SAYS. THANK YOU, MISS HARVEY, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. HARVEY. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JENNIFER DUNNING. THANK YOU AS A PARENT OF AN INCOMING FIRST GRADER, I AM STRONGLY AGAINST ASKING OUR CHILDREN ANOTHER YEAR AFTER CAREFULLY CONSIDERING THE DATA AND THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. I REALIZE THAT THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE LAST WEEK LEFT SCHOOL DISTRICTS FEELING AS THOUGH THEY HAVE NO OPTION IN THIS DECISION. HOWEVER, WHILE THE CDC RECOMMENDS MASKS FOR CHILDREN TWO AND OLDER, IT ALSO STATES THAT YOU SHOULD NOT TOUCH YOUR MASK WHEN YOU'RE WEARING IT AND TO CHANGE YOUR MASK WHEN IT'S DIRTY OR WET. CAN WE HONESTLY SAY THAT A FIVE YEAR OLD WHO IS EXPECTED TO WEAR A MASK FOR SEVEN HOURS A DAY WILL NOT TOUCH THEIR MASK, WILL KEEP IT CLEAN AND DRY, AND WE'LL KNOW WHEN TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE BILL THE GOVERNOR REFERENCED STATES THAT WE FOLLOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE. AND AS A PARENT OF A SIX, FOUR AND TWO YEAR OLD, I CAN TELL YOU THIS RECOMMENDATION IS NOT POSSIBLE, CONSIDERING THE GUIDELINES FOR SAFE MASK USAGE. [02:00:03] RESEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT A MOIST MASK IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR BACTERIA AND FUNGI AND ADVOCATES THE USE OF MEDICAL MASKS, NOT THE COTTON MASKS THAT ARE USED ONCE AND REPLACED AFTER JUST A FEW HOURS. THIS MEANS THAT A FAMILY OF FOUR WOULD CONSUME AROUND 20 FACE MASKS A DAY. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE IT MEETS THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE CRITERIA RECOMMENDED BY THE BILL? SEVERAL STUDIES ALSO SHOW THAT LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO SOCIO PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, WHICH CAN BE CAUSED BY LONG TERM MASK WEARING LEAVES NEURO EPIGENETIC SCARS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO CURE IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND OFTEN ESCALATE INTO MENTAL BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AND A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO PSYCHOLOGIST DR. LEE, "IT IS NOT UNTIL KIDS ARE ABOUT 14 YEARS OLD THAT THEY REACH ADULT SKILL LEVELS AND RECOGNIZING FACES. BEFORE THEN KIDS TEND TO SEE INDIVIDUAL FACIAL FEATURES RATHER THAN RECOGNIZING THE PERSON AS A WHOLE. BY PUTTING ON MASKS, WE TAKE AWAY INFORMATION THAT MAKES IT ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT FOR CHILDREN TO RECOGNIZE OTHERS AND READ EMOTIONAL SIGNALS. THESE ISSUES MAY BE ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, INCLUDING ASPERGER'S, WHO TEND TO HAVE PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES READING THESE NONVERBAL CUES." A RECENT STUDY BY THE CDC CONCLUDED THAT IN YOUNG ADULTS, THE LEVEL OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION HAS INCREASED BY 63 PERCENT SINCE THE COVID CRISIS. A QUARTER OF THEM THINK ABOUT SUICIDE AND AS A RESULT, THE USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS HAS ALSO INCREASED BY 25 PERCENT. SO NOW THAT WE'VE COVERED THE RISK OF MASK WEARING FOR CHILDREN, I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADDRESS THE FEAR THAT MAY STILL LINGER FOR OUR FULLY VACCINATED SCHOOL STAFF. ACCORDING TO THE CDC, AS OF JULY 19TH, A TOTAL OF 4072 VACCINATED AMERICANS HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS. OUT OF MORE THAN 161 MILLION WHO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED. OF THOSE HOSPITALIZED, 849 HAVE DIED OF COVID. THAT MEANS THAT THE CHANCE OF A FULLY VACCINATED PERSON DYING FROM COVID IS ONE OUT OF 189,634. IF YOU'RE VACCINATED, YOU'RE MORE THAN TWO TIMES LIKELY TO DIE FROM A HORNET, BEE OR WASP STING, WHICH IS ONE IN 59,500. MASKING OUR CHILDREN IS UNWARRANTED, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DANGEROUS AND IN THE MOST RESPECTABLE WAY, NOT YOUR DECISION TO MAKE. I AM ASKING THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT'S BEST FOR MY CHILD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS DUNNING, JASON MELENDEZ ? GOOD EVENING. I'M JASON MELENDEZ AND I'M A RECENT SUMMER GRADUATE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO START BY FIRST THANKING THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE WORK THEY'VE DONE TO SUPPORT CCPS ONLINE AND SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ALLOWED ME TO GRADUATE A YEAR EARLY. AND NOW CCPS ONLINE WILL PLAY A BIGGER ROLL IN MOVING FORWARD. AND I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE SCHOOL'S VISION. I'LL FIRST SAY THAT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR THE CHAIR TO HAVE ENTERTAINED THE USE OF CAMPAIGN LANGUAGE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A VIOLATION OF POLICY 1110 HAS HAPPENED. LAST BOARD MEETING, THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SPOKE ABOUT LITIGATION, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS A WASTEFUL PROTEST CASE AGAINST MASKING POLICY, IT STILL WAS A VIOLATION OF POLICY 1110, IT HADN'T BEEN MENTIONED. NOW, A RECENT CDC DATA NAMED CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS AN AREA WITH HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION. I DISAGREE WITH THOSE WHO IN PARTICULAR STAND AGAINST THE USE OF OF MASKS AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE VACCINES. AND I CERTAINLY AM NOT ONE TO CALL FOR VACCINE MANDATES. THE SCHOOL DIVISION NOW HAS A POSITION TO TAKE TODAY ON COVID-19 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR THE FORTHCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. AND I ENCOURAGE BOARD MEMBERS TO ASK THEMSELVES HOW THEY CAN SELL THE CONTINUATION OF MITIGATION STRATEGIES TO SAVE PARENTS AND FAMILIES THAT STOOD SO FIRMLY AGAINST BOTH MASKS AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE VACCINES JUST TWO MONTHS AGO AND TODAY. THE SCHOOL DIVISION HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM A LOT OF THE PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS THAT BOTH THE CHAIR AND MS. BAILEY, NAMELY, AND IGNORANTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT DURING THE LAST BOARD MEETING. BARRING INTERPRETATIONS OF SB 1303, THIS DECISION IS LARGELY UP TO THE BOARD. WHILE I BELIEVE IN THE COMMON SENSE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THERE IS A SIZABLE POPULATION IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE SCHOOL DIVISION WHO DID NOT. TODAY'S BUSINESS MEETING SERVES AS AN ADEQUATE EXAMPLE OF WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW SCIENCE AS IT EVOLVES AND TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS. I BELIEVE THIS BOARD SHOULD APPROVE MEMOS 106-21 AND THE BOARD SHOULD FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, LIKE THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS DONE INSTEAD OF MAKING POOR, POLITICALLY INFLUENCED REMARKS. THANK YOU, MR. MELENDEZ. DR. ASHLEY APPLE? GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ASHLEY APPLE AND I AM A MOM TO TWO CHILDREN IN MIDLOTHIAN DISTRICT. I'M A BOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER WITH A DOCTORATE IN MY FIELD. I WORK IN PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE. AND LIKE YOU, I TAKE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN VERY [02:05:03] SERIOUSLY. A STUDY BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOUND THAT 40 PERCENT OF TRANSGENDER VIRGINIANS HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED AND THE MEDIAN AGE FOR THEIR FIRST ASSAULT WAS 16 YEARS OLD, 27 PERCENT REPORT BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, WITH 80 PERCENT OF THOSE REPORTING MULTIPLE SEXUAL ASSAULTS WITH MEDIAN AGES OF 14 AND 15 YEARS OLD. ONE IN FOUR TRANSGENDER VIRGINIANS REPORTED AT LEAST ONE SUICIDE ATTEMPT, WITH MEDIAN AGES BEING 15 AND 16 YEARS OLD FOR THE FIRST ATTEMPT. TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENTS ARE AT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK FOR MULTIPLE EPISODES OF VIOLENCE, VICTIMIZATION AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. AND STUDIES HAVE REPEATEDLY IDENTIFIED SOCIAL STIGMA AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS STATES IF A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE EXISTS, IT MOST OFTEN STEMS FROM STIGMA AND NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES, RATHER THAN BEING INTRINSIC TO THE CHILD. AT THE STRUCTURAL LEVEL, STIGMA IS PERPETUATED BY POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES THAT REJECT A PERSON'S INHERENT IDENTITY OR EXCLUDES THEM FROM FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE FUNDAMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIFE. PEER SUPPORT AND INCLUSION ARE FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS DURING THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF ADOLESCENCE. SO WHEN STRUCTURALLY BASED REJECTION AND EXCLUSION OCCUR DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, THE IMPACT IS PROFOUND. EVIDENCE CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THAT WHEN TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENTS ARE SUPPORTED AND THEIR GENDER IDENTITIES ARE AFFIRMED BY DEVELOPMENTAL STRUCTURES SUCH AS FAMILIES, PEERS AND SCHOOLS, THE RISK FOR VIOLENCE AND VICTIMIZATION SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASES. OVERALL EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IMPROVES, AND THE PREVALENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IS REDUCED TO THE SAME LEVEL SEEN AMONG THEIR CIS GENDER PEERS. SUPPORTIVE MEASURES IN SCHOOLS CAN INCLUDE BEING RESPECTFUL, USING STUDENTS PREFERRED NAMES AND PRONOUNS, ALLOWING THEM TO ACCESS FACILITIES, AND PLAY TEAM SPORTS THAT ALIGN WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. GENDER AFFIRMATIVE CARE AND SUPPORT IS ENDORSED BY THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. DURING THE PROCESS OF MEDICAL DECISION MAKING, WE CONSIDER THE BENEFITS VERSUS RISK OF ANY GIVEN TREATMENT OR INTERVENTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE FOR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES. SO LET ME BE CLEAR. THERE'S NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THESE SUPPORTIVE MEASURES POSE ANY RISK TO THE HEALTH OR WELL-BEING OF ANY STUDENTS. AND THESE ACTIONS CAN BE QUITE LITERALLY LIFESAVING FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF BENEFIT VERSUS RISK, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT FOR THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CHILDREN, WEARING A MASK IN SCHOOL POSES NO RISK TO THEIR HEALTH. AND THIS SIMPLE INTERVENTION CAN BE POTENTIALLY LIFE SAVING FOR EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING. I HAVE A NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE. I WEAR A MASK FOR 10 TO 12 HOURS A DAY AS I TAKE CARE OF COVID POSITIVE CHILDREN. IT IS NOT THE ROLL OF THE SCHOOL BOARD TO PROMOTE ANY SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY, BUT IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. AND WITH THAT IN MIND. DOCTOR, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. I HOPE YOU LISTEN TO SCIENCE AND LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO THE THANK YOU, DR. APPLE. CHRISTINE MELENDEZ? GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS AND DIVISION EMPLOYEES. MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MELENDEZ AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHESTERFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. I COME TO YOU WITH IMMENSE GRATITUDE FOR YOUR WORK AND ATTENTION TO OUR COMMUNITIES NEEDS THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE A SCHOOL BOARD THAT PUTS THEIR NEEDS FIRST. AND ALTHOUGH MANY MAY DISAGREE, WE BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS COME FROM A PLACE OF LOVE FOR OUR FUTURE CITIZEN LEADERS AND WORLD CHANGERS. AS WE CONSIDER THE POLICIES FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR, ALL THAT THE CEA ASKS IS THAT YOU CONTINUE YOUR COMMITMENT TO NONDISCRIMINATION WITH REGARD TO SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, RELIGION, ANCESTRY, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND RELATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS, DISABILITY, STATUS AS A VETERAN, GENETIC INFORMATION OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY LAW. A COMMITMENT THAT PREVAILS IN ALL CCPS POLICIES AND PRACTICES CONCERNING STAFF, STUDENTS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES WITH WHOM THE BOARD DOES BUSINESS. FOR REFERENCE, THIS LANGUAGE IS EXPRESSED IN POLICY 1011. AS EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL DIVISION, WE ARE ALSO ASKING THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUE TO EMPOWER STUDENTS AND STAFF TO CREATE A BETTER TOMORROW AND IGNITE PASSION THROUGH AUTHENTIC AND CAPTIVATING EXPERIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY CCPS VALUES OF INTEGRITY, EQUITY, TEAMWORK AND INGENUITY. FOR REFERENCE, THIS LANGUAGE IS EXPRESSED IN POLICY 1012. FINALLY, THE FAMILIES AND EMPLOYEES OF THIS COUNTY RELY UPON YOUR COMMITMENTS OF POLICY 1020, WHICH STATES THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE SAFE AND SUITABLE SCHOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING [02:10:02] AND LEARNING. THIS IS A MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT YOU HAVE SWORN TO UPHOLD. STATEWIDE, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AGAINST THIS VIRUS, WHICH HAS ALREADY KILLED MORE THAN 600,000 AMERICANS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO A STUDENT FROM CHESTERFIELD OWN MATOACA HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE I WAS HONORED TO SERVE AS A SPANISH TEACHER FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. THE NEW VARIANTS REMIND US THAT THE PANDEMIC IS NOT BEHIND US. LETTING OUR GUARD DOWN IS NOT AN OPTION, WEARING MASKS AND IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES AND FOR LEARNING TO CONTINUE TO PROGRESS. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. WE ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO CAN GET VACCINATED TO DO SO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE REMAIN COLLECTIVELY COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF AS WELL AS OTHERS WHO ARE NOT YET VACCINATED. WE KNOW FROM RECENT STUDIES THAT LAYERED MITIGATION STRATEGIES, INCLUDING MASKING, PREVENT TRANSMISSION AND SAVE LIVES. BRINGING THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN SAFELY RETURN TO FULL IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, REQUIRES ROBUST, CONTINUED ENFORCEMENT OF MITIGATION MEASURES, SAFETY MEASURES AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT REMAIN OUR BEST PATH FOR GETTING THIS PANDEMIC COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL. AS WE'VE SAID SINCE DAY ONE OF THIS PANDEMIC, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. AND MR. CHAIR, I LOOK FORWARD TO RESCHEDULING OUR CANCELED MEETING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. MELENDEZ. MR. CHAIR THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS. THANK YOU, MR. CLERK. NEXT, WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT REPORT. [E. Superintendent's Report] DR. DAUGHERTY? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, THIS EVENING, IT'S A PRIVILEGED TO HAVE DR. HIGH COME FORWARD ON THE END OF THE YEAR UPDATE. YEAR SCHOOL UPDATE FOR THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR AND OUR PATH FOR LEARNING FORWARD. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS, INSTRUCTIONAL IMPACT, EQUITY AND ACCESS, GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS, PRELIMINARY DIVISION, ACCREDITATION STATUS, OUR SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM AND LEARNING FORWARD. TONIGHT. I WANT TO BEGIN WITH SOME CELEBRATIONS FROM THIS YEAR. THERE WERE SIX CCPS SCHOOL RIBBON CUTTINGS. CCPS RENOVATED THE OLD HARROGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO MAKE THE FIRST PRE-K SCHOOL SITE. MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MOSTLY ELEMENTARY AND CCPS RECEIVE TWO AWARDS FROM THE VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS RECOGNIZED TONIGHT. THESE ARE JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS PAST YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THIS YEAR HAD MANY TWISTS AND TURNS. SOME INSTRUCTIONAL IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC WERE IMPROVED ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL STUDENTS THROUGH DEPLOYMENT OF DEVICES AND HOTSPOTS. THE EXPANSION OF THE USE OF CAMPUS PRE-K-12, OUR SCHOOL BASED TEAMS CREATED CONTENT RECOVERY MODULES TO MEET THE INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS. AND THERE WAS AN INCREASED COMMUNITY OUTREACH THROUGH HOME VISITS TO MORE DEEPLY ENGAGE WITH OUR FAMILIES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THEM. COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS WAS A KEY PARTNER IN PROVIDING WRAPAROUND SUPPORT TO OUR FAMILIES. THEY FILLED GAPS FOR OUR STUDENTS BY ASSISTING WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, FOOD, CLOTHING, ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. THIS PARTNERSHIP ENHANCED OUR OUTREACH TO FAMILIES. TEACHERS HAD THE GREATEST INSTRUCTIONAL IMPACT OUR CCPS EDUCATORS USE. UTILIZE MULTIPLE LEARNING MODELS. THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, THEY WERE ABLE TO ADJUST THEIR TEACHING TO COMBINE THE BEST IN-PERSON INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES WITH VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES TO ENGAGE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND LEADERS EXHIBIT A GROWTH MINDSET. EQUITY AND ACCESS IS ALWAYS A FOCUS. ALL MEANS ALL. SOME OF OUR EFFORTS INCLUDE A REQUIRED MODULE FOR OUR TEACHERS ON CULTURAL COMPETENCE. EFFORTS THAT CAME FROM THE WORK OF OUR EQUITY DESIGN TEAM WAS ALSO TO ADDRESS DISPROPORTIONALITY IN DISCIPLINE. AND AS OF THIS YEAR WE WILL HAVE RESOLVED ALL OF OUR ESL CATCHMENT CENTERS SO EACH STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THEIR HOME SCHOOL FOR INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED HERE. GUIDANCE FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ED. THEY INCLUDE FIRST THE PASSAGE OF THE VIRGINIA HOUSE BILL 2027, WHICH REQUIRES THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CHANGE THE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FROM ONE YEAR TO THREE, THREE TIMES A YEAR TO MEASURE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT GROWTH IN READING AND MATHEMATICS FOR GRADES THREE THROUGH EIGHT FOR 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR, THERE WILL BE A FALL AND A SPRING [02:15:05] ASSESSMENT. THESE ASSESSMENTS WILL BE BASED ON GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS. THE FALL ASSESSMENT WILL BE BASED ON THE PREVIOUS GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS. THE VDOE WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE SOME MORE GUIDANCE IN THE FALL REGARDING THESE ASSESSMENTS. ACCREDITATION, ALL SCHOOLS WILL OFFICIALLY HAVE A RATING OF ACCREDITATION WAIVED FOR 2021-22. THE VDOE WILL NOT CALCULATE OR REPORT SCHOOL QUALITY INDICATOR PERFORMANCE LEVELS. CCPS WILL MAINTAIN ITS 2019-20 ACCREDITATION RATING WITH 100 PERCENT OF OUR SCHOOLS ACCREDITED. ON TO GRADUATION, IN JUNE EACH OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS DID AN EXCELLENT JOB RECOGNIZING OUR 2021 GRADUATES THERE WERE 4,540 GRADUATES. THIS INCLUDES ALL STUDENTS WHO EARNED AN ADVANCED DIPLOMA IB DIPLOMA STANDARD AND ADOPTED STUDIES DIPLOMAS. THE PERCENT'S GIVEN HERE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF CREDENTIALS EARNED FOR THE TOTAL GRADUATES. NEARLY 59 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVED AN ADVANCED DIPLOMA. 39 PERCENT RECEIVED A STANDARD DIPLOMA AND 2 PERCENT RECEIVED AN ADAPTED STUDY'S DIPLOMA. PRELIMINARILY, THE CURRENT GRADUATION RATE IS 91.64 SO 92 PERCENT. AND THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE OUR SUMMER GRADUATES. THE DROPOUT FOR 2021 PRELIMINARILY IS 5.61 PERCENT. THE GRADUATION RATE AND THE DROPOUT RATE WILL BE FINALIZED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THIS SLIDE OUTLINES THE EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PATHS THAT STUDENTS WILL TAKE BEYOND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TOTAL ALMOST 27 MILLION DOLLARS. THIS WAS AN INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR 2020, WHEN IT WAS AT 25 MILLION. SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS OFFERED, WE OFFERED BOTH VIRTUAL AND FACE TO FACE INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS WHO CHOSE TO ATTEND THE SUMMER PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WAS OPEN TO ALL CCPS STUDENTS, K-12, PRE-K -12 FREE OF CHARGE. THIS INCLUDED ACADEMIES FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND ENRICHMENT CAMPS FOR OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WERE SERVED FREE TO ALL. AND TRANSPORTATION WAS PROVIDED AT NEIGHBORHOOD STOPS. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 10,126 SERVED IN THE BUILDING AND THROUGH VIRTUAL OFFERINGS THIS SUMMER. THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS DID PARTICIPATE IN FACE TO FACE INSTRUCTION. THAT WAS AROUND 8,200. OUR LESSONS LEARNED AND LEARNING FORWARD. MOST DIVISIONS HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH THIS CRISIS FOR THIS SCALE AND THE SCOPE FOR THIS LONG. DURING THE LAST 17 MONTHS, WE HAVE LEARNED TO BE RESILIENT AND BOUNCE BACK FROM THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE DUE TO THIS PANDEMIC. EDUCATORS HAVE REINVENTED THEIR TEACHING AND LEARNING PRACTICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND RECOGNIZE THAT MANY STUDENTS WOULD BE NEED TO BE REORIENTED WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE WILL FOCUS ON CLOSING LEARNING GAPS BY DELIVERING ESSENTIAL CONTENT AND DEVOTING TIME TO MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF STUDENTS. WE KNOW THAT CONNECTING WITH OUR LEARNERS IS A PRIORITY. AS ALWAYS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IMAGINE TOMORROW THIS IS THE TIME TO ENGAGE OUR INFINITE MINDSETS WHILE CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS? I HAD ONE QUESTION, KATHRYN. DOCTOR HIGH I NOTICED THE DISCREPANCY AMONG SCHOOLS INCIDENTS RECEIVING AN ADVANCED DIPLOMA, AND I LOVE TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE TAKING TO CLOSE THOSE GAPS. SO YOU SAID THERE WAS A DISCREPANCY. YEAH. SO YOU HAVE SCHOOL HAD SCHOOLS WITH VERY HIGH PERCENTAGES OF KIDS THAT RECEIVE ADVANCED DIPLOMA AND THEN SCHOOLS WITH VERY LOW PERCENTAGES. THIS WAS OVERALL OF ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS. 59 PERCENT HAD RECEIVED THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA, 39 PERCENT NO IN THE BREAKDOWN. THERE WAS A SLIDE THAT EACH HIGH SCHOOL WAS LISTED AND THE PERCENTAGE PER HIGH SCHOOL. SO I NOTICED THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS. LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET BACK TO IT. I MEAN, SOME OF IT IS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, THE TOTAL GRADUATES WE HAVE, WE HAD OVER 105 STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED IN THE SUMMER AS WELL, AND THAT NUMBER NEEDS TO BE CALCULATED. AND AGAIN, THESE NUMBERS ARE STILL PRELIMINARY. [02:20:01] THE VDOE WILL GIVE US OUR FINAL NUMBERS, OK. FOR EXAMPLE, I'M JUST NOTICING MEADOWBROOK HAS 33 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS RECEIVE ADVANCED STUDIES AND MIDLOTHIAN HAS 77 PERCENT. SO THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY BIG GAP, BUT THAT COULD CHANGE. YEAH, AND MANY OF THEM ARE BASED ON THE COURSEWORK THAT STUDENTS TOOK AND THAT IN THAT SCHOOL AND WHAT CLASSES THEY PARTICIPATED IN. IF I MAY, MR. CHAIR, A COUPLE OF THINGS MS. HAINES, IF I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY ON THE QUESTION. WE THINK THAT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE WITH THIS IS LEARNING THIS YEAR WILL START TO HELP MORE STUDENTS TAKE MORE RIGOROUS COURSES. THAT'S ONE THING WE PICKED UP FROM THE FROM THIS PAST YEAR OF TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING. SO THERE ARE TIMES THAT STUDENTS WANT TO TAKE ADDITIONAL COURSES, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE INSTRUCTOR IN THE BUILDING. AS THE EXAMPLE I WOULD ALWAYS GIVE, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE AN AP BIOLOGY COURSE AND YOU WORK WITH SCHOOL A. BUT IT WAS ONLY OFFERED AT SCHOOL B, YOU COULDN'T TAKE IT. NOW YOU CAN. SO WE ARE ANTICIPATING A SHIFT IN THESE NUMBERS TO HELP SOME OF OTHER SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE RIGOROUS COURSES AND WE'RE GOING TO CHALLENGE OUR STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THOSE COURSES. WE THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE PROBABLY TWO OR THREE YEARS TO REALLY GET THE [INAUDIBLE] LEARNING ACCEPTED BY ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. BUT WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT COURSE TO GO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE EQUITY OF RIGOROUS COURSES THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT. THANKS. AND I KNOW THAT COLLEGE SUCCESS IS VERY MUCH TIED TO TAKING RIGOROUS COURSES. I THINK THAT'S WHY I WAS A LITTLE BIT SHOCKED AT THE DIFFERENCE. IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THAT WE'RE TAKING STEPS. AND IF THERE WERE JUST ALL THESE TEACHERS JUST WAITING TO GET HIRED AND WE COULD JUST BRING THEM ALL IN AND GET THEM ALL TRAINED. BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU DEAL WITH A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS OR BUS DRIVERS OR WHATEVER IT IS, YOU HAVE TO ADAPT AND TO COME UP WITH PLANS THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR CHILDREN. AND I THINK THIS IS A PLAN. PRINCIPLES DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF GETTING THIS READY FOR THIS YEAR. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO REVIEWING THAT DATA AND MOVING FORWARD TO SEE HOW WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, JUST LIKE ANY TIME WE LOOK AT DATA, HOW DO WE GET BETTER? AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO REPORT THAT. I'M EXCITED TO REPORT THAT TO THE BOARD. [INAUDIBLE] THIS IS NOT THE FIRST YEAR. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? BOARD MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE AS WE APPROACHED THE 9:00 O'CLOCK MARK, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND REQUEST A 10 MINUTE RECESS FOR THE BOARD AT THIS POINT BEFORE WE GET INTO ACTION ITEMS, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START THIS MEETING BACK UP AT 9:05. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S 9:05 I WOULD LIKE TO RESUME THE MEETING, I'LL GIVE EVERYONE A MOMENT TO GET SETTLED. BUT NEXT, WE DO HAVE THIS EVENING'S ACTION ITEMS. MS. HAINES HAS REQUESTED THE TWO CONSENT ITEMS BE SEPARATED FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTION. BUT FIRST, WE HAVE MR. SMITH WITH THE FIRST TWO POLICY MEMOS THIS EVENING, MR. SMITH. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU MEMORANDUM 093-21 [INAUDIBLE] STAFF RECOMMENDS [1. Memo #093-21: Second Review and Adoption of Proposed Revisions to Current Policies and Regulations] A NEW POLICY AND REVISION TO CURRENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS AS FOLLOWS NEW POLICY POLICY, ONE ZERO ONE FIVE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. REVISION TO POLICY ONE ONE ONE ZERO. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT MEETINGS REVISION TO POLICY THIRTY THIRTY ONE. TEACHING OF SENSITIVE OR CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS AND REVISION TO POLICY FORTY THIRTY DASH R ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES AND REVISION TO POLICY. FORTY FORTY R WAIVER FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND OTHER THAN HOMESCHOOL, PROPOSED CHANGES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY. I DO WANT TO QUICKLY KIND OF WALK THROUGH TWO PIECES THAT ARE THAT ARE NEW HERE TONIGHT. FIRST OF ALL, POLICY THIRTY THIRTY ONE TEACHING OF SENSITIVE, CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS ON THAT POLICY WHEN WE HAD FIRST REVIEW OBVIOUSLY ON JUNE THE FIRST THERE'S COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS TO LOOK AT SOME ADDITIONAL OPTIONS THERE. WHAT YOU'LL SEE HERE IN GREEN IS NEW TO THIS POLICY. AND WHAT ESSENTIALLY IT DOES IS IT PULLS DIRECTLY FROM SUPERINTENDENTS MEMORANDUM AND IT GIVES SOME GENERAL PARAMETERS AND SOME GUIDANCE FOR THE CLASSROOM REGARDING THE TEACHING OF CONTROVERSIAL, SENSITIVE TOPICS. THAT'S REFLECTIVE CLEARLY OF ONE OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS MEMORANDUMS THAT'S REFERENCED AT THE BOTTOM AS WELL. THE PIECE, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S STILL STRICKEN IS IN THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS ON THE SECOND PAGE WHERE IT HAS THESE LITERAL TOPICS THAT USED TO BE LISTED FOR THE POLICY. SO I DID WANT TO LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE, OBVIOUSLY, THE NEW GREEN SECTION AND THE LEGAL REFERENCES IS FOR THE [INAUDIBLE] MEMORANDUM, 052-17. [02:25:01] THE SECOND PIECE JUST TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS I HAD AT THE JUNE 1ST MEETING A LENGTHY PRESENTATION REGARDING THE THE NEW POLICY 10-15, THE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. AND I DID THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY, TO TO WALK THROUGH THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS THAT ARE IN HERE. I WILL SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS UP FRONT. ONE IS THAT THEY ARE DIRECTLY OUT OF THE MODEL GUIDANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE LAW THAT WAS PASSED ON ESTABLISH THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS TO PROVIDE THAT MODEL GUIDANCE AND ALSO FURTHER ESTABLISH THE FACT THAT SCHOOL BOARDS MUST ADOPT A POLICY THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE THIS EVENING. AS YOU LOOK AT THIS POLICY, THERE'S ABOUT 10 SECTIONS HERE. THE FIRST TWO SECTIONS DEAL WITH THE TERMINOLOGY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THEY'RE ALL TALKING AND USING THE SAME TERMINOLOGY. THE SECOND PIECE IS THE RELATED LAWS FOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. AND I WILL SAY, AS YOU LOOK THROUGH THOSE LAWS, IT IS SETTLED CASE LAW THROUGH THE SUPREME COURT, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S ESTABLISHED AS SUCH. THE THIRD PIECE DEALS WITH BULLYING, HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A RELAPSE IN OUR SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH THAT IN THIS POLICY AS WELL. NUMBER FOUR, NUMBER FIVE. NUMBER FOUR DEALS WITH STUDENT PRIVACY, WHICH WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON ALREADY IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION AND IN STUDENT IDENTIFICATION. SECTION FIVE, NUMBER SIX, DEALS WITH SCHOOL RECORDS. NUMBER SEVEN DEALS WITH THE DRESS CODE. I WILL NOTE THAT THAT PULLS VERBATIM FROM SCHOOL POLICY FOUR THOUSAND NINE. THAT DRESS CODE POLICY WE HAVE IS ALSO VERBATIM OUT OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY, TO HAVE IT PARCEL HERE IN THIS CONVERSATION. THE NEXT PIECE, SECTION EIGHT, DEALS WITH STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. SO KEEPING IN MIND A LOT OF THE GUIDANCE WHICH WILL COMPLY WITH IS DEALT WITH THROUGH THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE. NUMBER NINE, DEALS WITH ACCESS TO FACILITIES, AS WELL AS NUMBER TEN, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING. SO I DID AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE AGAIN OBVIOUSLY THOSE PIECES THAT ARE PART OF THAT POLICY. YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDED ACTION BEFORE YOU THAT IT'S RECOMMENDED THE SCHOOL BOARD ADOPT AND APPROVE THE ABOVE REFERENCED PROPOSED REVISIONS, CURRENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE RECOMMENDED SCHOOL BOARD'S SCHEDULE, THESE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO CURRENT POLICY AND REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE MEMOS? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MR. CHAIR MRS. COKER? I DO HAVE COMMENTS ACTUALLY ON BOTH POLICY 30-31 AND THEN ON SOME QUESTIONS AND A COMMENT ON POLICY 10-15, I'LL START WITH POLICY 30 31. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MAKE TWO AMENDMENTS TO THIS POLICY, SOMETHING I ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP IN OUR JUNE MEETING UNDER SECTION C. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE ADJUST THE LANGUAGE TO ALLOW FOR MORE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION WHEN A CONTROVERSIAL, SENSITIVE TOPIC IS TO BE DISCUSSED OR ASSIGNMENT IS GIVEN AND ALLOW FOR AN OPT OUT PROCESS FOR PARENTS FOR THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF CONTROVERSIAL, SENSITIVE TOPICS, TEACHERS SHOULD, AT LEAST AT THE VERY LEAST, NOTIFY PARENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH NINE WEEKS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL, SENSITIVE TOPICS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THAT MARKING PERIOD. AND THEN, IN ADDITION, AN OPT OUT PROCESS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND WE COULD [INAUDIBLE] SOMETHING SIMILAR THAT WE HAVE FOR THE FAMILY LIFE CURRICULUM? AND ALL OTHER CHANGES I SUPPORT. I THINK MR. CHAIRMAN, HEARING THOSE COMMENTS AND CERTAINLY DEFER TO THE BOARD DISCUSSION. I MEAN, AS WE LOOK AT NUMBER THREE UP ON THE SCREEN, A PROPOSED MEMBER OF THE BOARD CAN CONSIDER IS WHERE IT SAYS PARENTS RECEIVE ADEQUATE NOTICE. YOU COULD INSERT LANGUAGE, QUOTE, AT THE VERY LEAST COMMON NOTICE AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH NINE WEEKS. AND I'VE ALREADY PREPARED AND READ, IF YOU CAN SEE IT UP THERE, JUST SOME CONCEPTS TO THINK ABOUT. THE SECOND PIECE ALIGNED WITH MRS. COKER COMMENTS IS THE NUMBER SIX, AN OPT OUT PROVISION, AND THAT COMES VERBATIM FROM THE SAME SCHOOL POLICY. WE HAVE THE OPT OUT, WHICH IS FAMILY LIFE, EDUCATION. THAT'S AT LEAST THERE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION BASED ON THE BOARD COMMENT. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE DOCUMENT. AND I HAVE A SECOND. SO GO AHEAD. I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. I ALSO HAVE A COMMENT. GO AHEAD NOW. SO, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE, YOU KNOW I THINK THAT IT'S A REASONABLE REQUEST. BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WHAT IMPLICATIONS WOULD THIS CHANGE HAVE ON STAFF AND WOULD THERE BE? YOU KNOW, DO WE HAVE ANY SAFETY NET, YOU KNOW, AND MRS. COKER AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WE MANY OF US HAVE BEEN IN [02:30:02] THE CLASSROOM WHERE OUR CONVERSATIONS JUST KIND OF ORGANICALLY HAPPEN AMONG STUDENTS. AND THE MOST ROBUST CONVERSATIONS ARE TYPICALLY THE ONES THAT ARE CONTROVERSIAL. SO DO WE HAVE A SAFETY NET FOR TEACHERS? YOU KNOW, WHEN THOSE CONVERSATIONS MAY HAPPEN ORGANICALLY WITHOUT A NINE WEEKS NOTICE, WITHOUT A PARENTAL OPT OUT LANE? I THINK IF YOU TAKE IN PARCEL, BOTH THE THE AMENDMENTS SUPPORTS CONSIDERING THE SECTION IN GREEN WHERE WE BROUGHT BACK IN THE [INAUDIBLE] MEMORANDUM WHERE IT'S TALKING ABOUT WHEN AN ISSUE IS CONTROVERSIAL. I THINK THERE'S CONSIDERATION IN A CLASSROOM ABOUT THAT. THE CONCEPT ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE CONTROVERSIAL TO ONE MAY NOT BE TO ANOTHER AND HAVING THAT THOUGHT PROCESS. SO I THINK THAT THAT WILL DOVETAIL WITHIN MS. COKER ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS ABOUT THERE BEING ADDITIONAL NOTICE. I THINK THE OPT OUT PIECE IS SOMETHING THAT MOST OF OUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT CONCEPT, WHETHER IT'S IMPLICIT IN POLICY OR JUST THE GENERAL NOTION OF THERE MAY BE A FAMILY WHO HAS PARTICULAR CONCERN ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSED IT'S ESTABLISHED IN THE SYLLABUS. SO I THINK THAT WOULD FLOW THROUGH THAT. I DON'T THINK IT PROVIDES ANY LIMITATIONS. CERTAINLY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM ITSELF. IT REALLY IS ABOUT, I THINK, ENGAGING OBVIOUSLY THE COMMUNITY. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND MS. COKER TO HAVE SOMETHING ADDITIONAL TO SAY. JUST HAVE COMMENTS ON THE OTHER POLICY WHEN WE'RE READY FOR THAT. THERE'S BEEN A THERE'S BEEN A FIRST AND SECOND MR. CLERK CAN YOU GO AHEAD AND CALL ROLL TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS. DOT HEFFRON AYE, DEBBIE BAILEY AYE KATHRYN HAINES AYE ANN COKER AYE RYAN HARTER AYE THE AYES HAVE IT. IT'S APPROVED. ON POLICY 10 15, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, ONE MIGHT BE FOR MR. DAVIS [INAUDIBLE] SO JUST WANTING TO I GUESS KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO, WHAT WE CAN LOOK AT IN OUR CURRENT BATHROOM AND LOCKER ROOM FACILITIES TO INCREASE PRIVACY FOR ALL STUDENTS, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT DOING? WE'VE TAKEN A FEW STEPS IN PREPARATION FOR THE POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF THIS POLICY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR PLANNING TEAM HAS DONE IS THEY HAVE VISITED EVERY SCHOOL THIS SUMMER WE DO AN ANNUAL SPACE UTILIZATION ANALYSIS AND WE PROACTIVELY LOOKED AT THE PRESENCE OF SINGLE USER RESTROOMS. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR BUILDINGS, WE'RE SEEING FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF THOSE FACILITIES THAT I KNOW THAT YOU AND I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED THE MULTI-USER RESTROOMS THAT ARE MOST COMMONLY USED BY STUDENTS AND THE FACTORS THAT WOULD REALLY COME INTO PLAY IF WE WERE TO, LET'S SAY, ADD SOME ADDITIONAL PARTITIONING TO THOSE STALLS, WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS WOULD STILL BE OPERATIONAL, AND ADEQUATE, THAT THERE WOULD BE ADEQUATE LIGHTING, AND THAT THERE WOULD BE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND A MODIFIED RAISING, YOU MIGHT SAY, OF THOSE PARTITIONS ON THE SIDES, NOT NECESSARILY THE FRONT OF THE DOOR MIGHT BE POSSIBLE. THE KEY CODE IS THAT 18 INCHES OF CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED FROM THE CEILING DOWN TO THE TOP OF THAT PARTITION FOR SPRINKLERS TO BE OPERATIONAL. SO WE STARTED LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF PILOT SCHOOLS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE BOARD INFORMED AS WE FIND SOME ANSWERS TO WHAT MIGHT BE ACHIEVABLE WITH AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF FUNDING STREAM AND DETERMINE ABOUT HOW LONG IT MIGHT TAKE TO TO DO SUCH A PROJECT. AND WHAT ABOUT LOCKER ROOMS AND IN LOCKER ROOMS? WE ARE LOOKING AT PERHAPS THE PROCUREMENT OF SOME SCREENS THAT MIGHT PROVIDE WHAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A MODULAR, REMOVABLE, PORTABLE PRIVATE DRESSING FACILITY FOR STUDENTS. THERE'S A VARIETY OF THEM AVAILABLE. WE WANT TO BUY SOMETHING THAT, OF COURSE, WOULD BE LONG LASTING AND ECONOMICAL AND PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF PRIVACY. SO I'VE BEEN COORDINATING WITHIN MY FACILITIES DEPARTMENT AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND DIRECTORS ABOUT SOME PRODUCTS THAT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT USE. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. AND THEN MY NEXT QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH A FEATURE THAT I ACTUALLY LEARNED [02:35:02] MYSELF FOR MY SON, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO IN PARENT VIEW AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO PUT YOUR CHILD'S NICKNAME. SO IF YOU HAVE A CHILD THAT GOES BY A CERTAIN NICKNAME OR YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT, THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES. SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION. AND BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IT MYSELF UNTIL PROBABLY ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AND CERTAINLY WITH REGARD TO PARENT VIEW, EVEN THIS EVENING, ACTUALLY, WE SENT OUT THE PARENTS SOME INFORMATION REGARDING PARENT VIEW AND JUST SOME CHANGES THERE. BUT CERTAINLY THAT IS A FIELD THAT'S AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES. IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY OVERLAP WITH THIS POLICY, BUT IT'S A TECHNOLOGY FEATURE THAT'S AVAILABLE. EXCUSE ME, MR. [INAUDIBLE]. I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE NAME. SO IN THE WE HAVE AN ESTABLISHED ASSUMED NAME PROCEDURE. HOW DOES THE NICKNAME FEATURE IN PARENT VIEW DIFFER FROM THE PROCESS THAT WE USE? FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CHANGING THEIR NAMES THROUGH OUR PROCESS THAT WE HAVE. SO I THINK THERE'S REALLY TWO SEPARATE PIECES THERE. I THINK THE THE NICKNAME THE SENSE OF SOMETHING TO BE CALLED SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEIR GIVEN NAME CAN BE USED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. I THINK THAT WHEN WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, WE NEED TO THINK OF THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF IT. IF USING A TECHNOLOGY PIECE OF A PARENT WERE TO GO INTO THE SYSTEM TONIGHT TO ADD A NEW NICKNAME, CERTAINLY THERE'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE OVERLAP FOR THE TEACHER TO SEE. OBVIOUSLY, THAT FIELD HAS BEEN UPDATED, I THINK INHERENTLY IN THE CLASSROOM. THE NOTION IS CERTAINLY THAT IF A CHILD WOULD LIKE TO BE CALLED A PREFERRED NAME, THE TEACHER IS GOING TO CALL THEM BY THAT PREFERRED NAME. AND I THINK THAT'S KIND OF THE RUNNING GUIDANCE WE HAVE IN THE CLASSROOM. I HAVE A QUESTION, DOES IT LIKE DOES IT SHOW IN VIRTUAL LIKE A VIRTUAL LEARNER, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'RE ON A GOOGLE MEET WOULD THE NICKNAME SHOW? THAT IT'S SEPARATE FROM THIS FIELD MS. COKER TALKING ABOUT. OK, SO FOR A CHILD, IT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS OR FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, THEN THEIR ASSUMED NAME WOULDN'T, I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY BE CONSIDERED A NICKNAME. I THINK IT WOULD BE MORE. THIS IS THIS IS THEIR NAME. ABSOLUTELY. AND SO WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL TECHNOLOGY WOULD BE ABLE TO REFLECT THAT. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT, YES, THE NICKNAME FEATURE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE WHO IS NAMED AFTER THEIR GRANDMOTHER, DOROTHY, WHO MIGHT PREFER TO GO BUY SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT SHORTER. AND THEN SO FOR FOLKS WHO MIGHT WANT TO OR FOR OUR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE AN AVENUE FOR THEM AND THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR COUNSELOR TO THEIR SCHOOL COUNSELOR TO CHANGE THEIR NAME ACROSS THE WAY. THAT'S KIND OF PART OF THE COMMENT I WAS MAKING EARLIER ABOUT THIS IS A FEATURE AVAILABLE. IT DOESN'T OVERLAP WITH THE CONVERSATION WITH REGARD TO TRANSGENDER STUDENTS OR STUDENTS THAT MAY HAVE A PREFERRED NAME WE HAVE A DIFFERENT PROCESS FOR THAT. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SO I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MEMO. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE STATEMENT BEFORE CASTING MY VOTE ON THIS TRANSGENDER POLICY. FIRST, I JUST WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT ALL STUDENTS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO ATTEND SCHOOL. THAT GIVES THEM SAFETY, INCLUSION AND A GREAT EDUCATION. I COMPLETELY SUPPORT TRANSGENDER RIGHTS TO INCLUSION AND THEIR RIGHTS TO ASSERT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. AND AS DR. DAUGHERTY ALWAYS SAYS, ALL MEANS ALL. AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT. BUT THERE ARE TWO FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES IN THIS STATE DRIVEN POLICY THAT GIVE ME PAUSE. THE PROPOSED POLICY DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ENOUGH PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OR INVOLVEMENT AND DOES NOT ALLOW OUR EMPLOYEES AND INFLEXIBILITY FROM A MORAL OBLIGATION STANDPOINT. SO I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT I WILL BE ABSTAINING MY VOTE TONIGHT. OK BOARD MEMBERS, THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND THERE'S BEEN A SECOND MR. CLERK CAN YOU GO AHEAD AND CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOT HEFFRON AYE DEBBIE BAILEY AYE KATHRYN HAINES AYE ANN COKER ABSTAIN. RYAN HARTER AYE, AYES HAVE IT. MOTION PASSES. DR. SMITH, BEFORE WE MOVE, MR. SMITH, MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE. MR. CLERK. I DID FORGET, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE THE MENTION THAT BEFORE THE SPEAKERS COME UP LATER THIS EVENING, IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND REMIND THEM SAME THING ABOUT POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING FROM THE PODIUM AND IF WE CAN ON SIGN UP FORMS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IF WE CAN GO AHEAD, INCORPORATE THAT LANGUAGE BACK SO THAT EVERYONE'S AWARE OF IT. [02:40:02] YES, SIR. MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. MR. SMITH. PLEASE PROCEED. MR. [2. Memo #094-21: Proposed Adoption of Revisions to Current Policies and Regulations, and Suspension of Rules] CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS DR. DAUGHERTY YOU HAD BEFORE YOU MEMORANDUM 094-21. AND I'LL SAY THE OUTSET THAT THIS MEMORANDUM IS MUCH MORE DETAILED THAN USUAL FOR THIS VERY REASON. IT'S LENGTHY NUMBER OF POLICIES THAT ARE IN THERE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC HAD ADVANCED NOTICE. WHAT PIECES ARE IN THERE THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND UPDATED REFLECT ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FROM LEGALLY LEGAL CHANGES THAT ARE MADE BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR US TO HAVE IN PLACE THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR. AS CHAIR OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE, STAFF RECOMMENDS REVISIONS TO CURRENT POLICIES, REGULATIONS AS FOLLOWS AND READING THROUGH THE TITLES, REVISION TO POLICY. TEN, ELEVEN NONDISCRIMINATION REVISION TO POLICY TEN TWELVE SCHOOL BOARD'S VISION, MISSION AND STANDARDS OF QUALITY. NUMBER THREE REVISION OF POLICY TEN FOURTEEN EQUITY NUMBER FOUR. VISION THE POLICY TEN SIXTY ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING NUMBER FIVE REVISION OF POLICY TEN EIGHTY TWO. ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS [INAUDIBLE] LOCATIONS NUMBER SIX REVISIONS OF POLICY. ELEVEN FIFTY CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. ELECTION AND DUTIES. NUMBER SEVEN REVISIONS TO POLICY TWENTY FORTY EVALUATIONS. SUPERINTENDENT NUMBER EIGHT REVISIONS OF POLICY TWENTY ONE FIFTY NINE SCHOOL YEAR SCHOOL DAY NUMBER NINE REVISION THE POLICY. THIRTY TWELVE CHARACTER EDUCATION NUMBER TEN REVISIONS POLICY. THIRTY ONE THIRTY SIX SCHOOLS NUMBER ELEVEN REVISIONS POLICY. THIRTY ONE FIFTY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. NUMBER TWELVE IS THE POLICY. THIRTY ONE FIFTY DASH E CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION ADDENDUM NUMBER THIRTEEN REVISIONS POLICY THIRTY ONE FIFTY R CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATION NUMBER FOURTEENTH REVISIONS OF POLICY THIRTY ONE SEVENTY. THE VIRGINIA ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. THERE ARE FIFTEEN REVISIONS POLICY. FORTY TEN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. NUMBER SIXTEEN REVISIONS POLICY. FORTY TEN DASH R STANDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT NUMBER SEVENTEEN REVISIONS OF POLICY FORTY ELEVEN TEACHER REMOVALS STUDENTS FROM CLASS OR EIGHTEEN REVISIONS OF POLICY FORTY TWENTY ATTENDANCE NUMBER NINETEEN ORIGINAL POLICY FORTY ONE TEN EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES NONDISCRIMINATION NUMBER TWENTY WRITTEN POLICY FORTY ONE SIXTY DRUG FREE SCHOOLS. NUMBER TWENTY ONE REVISION TO POLICY FORTY ONE EIGHTY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM NUMBER TWENTY TWO REVISIONS OF POLICY FIFTY FIFTEEN PROHIBITION OF PIECE OF WORK ENVIRONMENTS. NUMBER TWENTY THREE RESIDENCE POLICY FIFTY FORTY EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN. NUMBER TWENTY FOUR REVISIONS POLICY. FIFTY SIXTY SEXUAL HARASSMENT NUMBER TWENTY FIVE REVISION THE POLICY. FIFTY ONE FIFTY R PROCEDURES FOR ADJUSTING GRIEVANCES FOR TEACHERS. NUMBER TWENTY SIX REVISIONS OF POLICY FIFTY ONE SEVENTY ONE EVALUATION PROFESSIONAL STAFF NUMBER TWENTY SEVEN REVISIONS OF POLICY. FIFTY ONE NINETY ONE PROFESSIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT NUMBER TWENTY EIGHT REVISIONS OF POLICY FIFTY FOUR FORTY EMPLOYEE SUSPENSIONS. NUMBER TWENTY NINE REVISIONS OF POLICY FIFTY OR SIXTY EFFECTIVE CRIMINAL CONVICTION OF FOUND A COMPLAINT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND OR THIRTY REVISIONS. POLICY APPENDIX A SECTION TWO EO/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN NUMBER THIRTY ONE REVISIONS APPENDIX A SECTION TWENTY ONE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT. NUMBER THIRTY TWO REVISIONS TO POLICY SIXTY SEVENTY GUEST SPEAKERS NUMBER THIRTY THREE REVISIONS OF POLICY. SIXTY ONE THIRTY FIVE RELATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. NUMBER THIRTY FOUR REVISIONS THE POLICY. SEVENTY TEN FEDERAL CHILD INTEREST PROGRAMS. NUMBER THIRTY FIVE REVISIONS POLICY SEVENTY TWO HUNDRED REPRODUCTION OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL NUMBER THIRTY SIX REVISIONS TO POLICY SEVENTY TWO THIRTY EXCEPT FOR USE THE CCPS NET NUMBER THIRTY SEVEN REVISIONS OF POLICY SEVENTY TWO THREE R EXPECTED TO USE THE CCPS DESK NET NUMBER THIRTY EIGHT REVISIONS OF POLICY SEVENTY TWO. THIRTY THREE ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND RECORDS SCHOOL POLICY. TWELVE HUNDRED PROVIDES THAT QUOTE. IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IMMEDIATE ACTION ON PROPOSED POLICY REGULATION, THE SCHOOL MAY SUSPEND ITS RULES OR BRING THE POLICY REGULATION UP FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION. FOLLOWING THE FIRST MEETING READING AND QUOTE. THEREFORE, IT'S RECOMMENDED THE SCHOOL BOARD SUSPEND ITS REGULAR RULES OF POLICY ADOPTION BY WAIVING A SECOND READING OF THE POLICY POLICIES, CONTAIN THE MEMORANDUM AND APPROVE EACH FOLLOWING THIS FIRST READING. PROPOSED CHANGES HAPPEN REVIEW BY SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY. IF APPROVED REVISIONS, CURRENT POLICY REGULATIONS WOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. AND MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU HAVE TWO RECOMMENDED ACTIONS. THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. BOARD MEMBERS MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. THIS IS MEMO THIRTY ONE DASH TWENTY ONE. CORRECT. MR. SMITH. ZERO NINE FOUR DASH TWO ONE. SO IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD JUST MR. CHAIR, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT WE'RE WAIVING OUR SECOND READING AND I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE WE'VE GONE OVER ALL 500 OF THOSE POLICIES. I'VE SAT DOWN WITH MR. SMITH AND GONE OVER THEM. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND AND ALL THE EFFORT THAT YOU PUT INTO THAT, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE THESE HUGE AVALANCHES OF POLICY THAT COME THROUGH THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE ONE WORD CHANGE. AND THEY'RE ALL IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE GUIDELINES. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE HAVE DISCUSSION ON IT? [02:45:01] AND THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND MR. CLERK PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOT HEFFRON AYE DEBBIE BAILEY AYE KATHRYN HAINES AYE ANN COKER AYE RYAN HARTER AYE THE MOTION IS APPROVED. BOARD MEMBERS MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 94-21 SECOND RECOMMENDED ACTION AS PRESENTED. SO MOVED, IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND MR. CLERK CAN YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL DOT HEFFRON AYE DEBBIE BAILEY AYE KATHRYN HAINES AYE ANN COKER AYE RYAN HARTER AYE. THE MOTION IS APPROVED. NEXT WE HAVE MEMO 106-21. DR. TAYLOR. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD DR. [3. Memo #106-21: COVID-19 Mitigation for the Opening of the 2021-22 School Year] DAUGHERTY BEFORE THE BOARD THIS EVENING IS MEMO NUMBER 106-21, AND IT IS REGARDING COVID MITIGATION STRATEGIES AS WE OPEN THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR. BUT I'LL BEGIN BY STATING THAT IT'S AN EXCITING WEEK IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE WELCOMED OUR NEW TEACHERS TO CHESTERFIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEK, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AS NEW TEACHERS NEW TO THE FIELD AND THOSE NEW TO CHESTERFIELD GOT A CHANCE TO SEE THEIR CLASSROOMS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. GET TO HEAR FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT AND FROM SOME SENIOR STAFF. IT WAS A IT'S BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK, BUT IT ALSO IS A GOOD REMINDER THAT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. NEXT WEEK, WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR STAFF BACK THAT ARE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF AND THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR. AND WE WILL BEGIN PREPARATIONS FOR AN IMMINENT RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM STARTING THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AND SO WITH THAT, WE'RE DELIGHTED TO REPORT THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR THE START OF THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR. AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT REMINDER THAT YOU HEARD TODAY IN OUR COVID LESSONS LEARNED SESSION DURING THE WORK SESSION EARLIER TODAY THAT SAFETY IS, IN FACT OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. WE WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU THAT INSTRUCTION IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, BUT CAMPUS SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. BUT WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE THAT EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND OPTIONS FOR ALL KIDS. SO THIS YEAR, WE ARE OPENING MUCH THE SAME WAY THAT WE CLOSED AT THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT WE ARE OFFERING AN IN-PERSON LEARNING OPTION FOR ALL STUDENTS AS WELL AS A VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION. AND TWO DIFFERENT FORMS THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT EARLIER TODAY, A VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY THAT WILL CATER TO STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THEN A SECONDARY SCHOOL THAT WILL ALSO CATER TO MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND THEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OUR CCPS ONLINE PROGRAM, WHICH HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 17 YEARS. TODAY, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF OUR COVID MITIGATION STRATEGIES AS WE ENTER INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. AND I HAVE A LOT OF HELP TODAY. STARTING OFF THIS EVENING, YOU'LL HEAR FROM SHAWN SMITH, WHO WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR LEGAL AND REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS THAT WE'RE WORKING UNDER. YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL COUNSEL, WENDELL ROBERTS, WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY OF THE BOARD'S QUESTIONS. WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE PRESENTATION AS WELL AS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME Q&A AT THE END AS WELL. YOU'LL HEAR SOME PUBLIC HEALTH DATA FROM HEATHER SCHNEIDER, WHO IS OUR STUDENT WELLNESS COORDINATOR. SHE SUPERVISES ALL OF THE SCHOOL NURSES AND THE SCHOOL DIVISION. AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY DATA AS IT'S BEEN REPORTED OUT PUBLICLY AND THEN ALSO ABOUT SOME OF OUR READINESS STRATEGIES THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH. YOU'LL ALSO HEAR FROM OUR HEALTH DISTRICT DIRECTOR, A FAMILIAR FACE TO THIS BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY, DR. ALEX SAMUEL. AND FROM OUR COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICE, KYLE CAMPBELL, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, WILL BE HERE TO OFFER GUIDANCE TO THE BOARD AND TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MAY HAVE. I'LL THEN COME BACK UP TO THE PODIUM AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE EFFECTIVE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT WE EMPLOYED LAST YEAR AND THAT WE PLAN TO CONTINUE ON FOR NEXT YEAR. AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION. SPOILER ALERT THAT RECOMMENDATION IS GOING TO INCLUDE GUIDANCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 1303 TIED TO CDC RECOMMENDATIONS, AS WELL AS THE CONTINUATION OF OUR EFFECTIVE MITIGATION STRATEGIES. SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'LL INVITE MR. SMITH UP TO TALK ABOUT THE REGULATORY AND LEGAL EXPECTATIONS. SO AS YOU THINK ABOUT THE REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS AND THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS, THINK ABOUT INITIALLY FROM A TIMELINE PERSPECTIVE, AND I'LL SAY AT THE OUTSET, AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION AND WE TALK ABOUT THE CONVERSATION AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ANALYSIS, IT IS A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AND TO ANALYZE PART OF THAT. IT REALLY BEGINS WITH THE REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS. SO WE ENDED THE SCHOOL YEAR ESSENTIALLY UNDER THE GUISE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM [02:50:04] WHAT WAS THEN THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER. ON JULY 1ST, 2021, STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER PUT IN PLACE A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER THAT HAD THE REQUIREMENT, THAT WHICH PRETTY MUCH LED US THROUGH THE MONTH OF JULY, REQUIRED ALL INDIVIDUALS AGE FIVE OR OLDER TO WEAR MASKS WHEN INDOORS AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. THE CAVEAT THAT ORDER THERE REALLY TALKED ABOUT THE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION ON SETTINGS FOR K-12 STUDENTS. THEY DID IT HAVE IN THEIR EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A MASK. THAT ORDER ESSENTIALLY EXPIRED ON JULY 25 AND IT WAS NOT EXTENDED AT THAT TIME WITH THE EXPIRATION ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER. IT REALLY BECAME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOL DIVISIONS AT THAT TIME TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL MASK POLICIES BASED ON THE COMMUNITY LEVEL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS IS VERY MUCH ALINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE RECEIVED AND GUIDANCE FROM VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LOOKING AT THE IMPORTANCE OF IN-PERSON LEARNING AND WHAT THAT MEANS. SENATE BILL 1303 WAS FROM THE PAST GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION THAT STARTED THIS PAST JANUARY, THE CONVERSATIONS REALLY STARTED ABOUT REALLY AN EMPHASIS BEHIND LEGISLATORS WANTING TO HAVE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AT THAT TIME CHESTERFIELD WAS VERY UNIQUE IN THAT CONVERSATION WERE ALREADY PROVIDING IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAD EVEN TRIED IT AND SO WE HAD THE ABILITY TO ADAPT THAT LAW. PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT OCCURRED JUST LAST WEEK IS REALLY WHAT IS IN THAT BILL AND WHAT'S REQUIRED WITH IT. AND SO THERE'S A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT CAME FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THEN THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT THAT REALLY TALKED ABOUT STATE LAW REQUIRING US TO HAVE REQUIRED UNIVERSAL MASKING. AND AS YOU LOOK AT THE SENATE BILL, 1303, THERE'S PROBABLY THERE'S TWO PIECES THAT COME WITH IT. THIS FIRST SLIDE FIRST REALLY IS A SENATOR THAT TALKS ABOUT US HAVING TO OFFER IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION TO EVERY STUDENT, WHICH WE ARE AN APPLIANCE OF BEFORE AND NOW AS WELL, GOING TO THIS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. THIS NEXT QUOTE IS REALLY WHERE A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION HAS OCCURRED. AND WHAT IT TALKS ABOUT HERE IS THE SCHOOL WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT, IMPLEMENT AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, UPDATE PARAMETERS AND WHEN WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PARAMETERS FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AND [INAUDIBLE] IT OUT THAT THAT PHRASE THERE THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE. AND IT GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT, OBVIOUSLY, PROVIDED BY THE CDC. YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT PRACTICAL IS THINKING ABOUT IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE FACT THAT IT WAS HAS BEEN PRACTICAL FOR US TO OPERATE OUR SCHOOL DIVISION WITH MASKS PREVIOUSLY THAT CAME INTO PLAY IN OUR ANALYSIS. THE SECOND PIECE REALLY WAS THE NEW CDC GUIDANCE THAT CAME OUT AND THAT'S LISTED HERE JULY THE 9TH, 2021. AND THAT TALKED ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASKING FOR ALL TEACHERS, STAFF, STUDENTS AND VISITORS ON SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. AND THAT THAT ANALYSIS REALLY KIND OF GUIDED JUST LOOKING AT THE REGULATORY EXPECTATIONS AND THE LEGAL EXPECTATIONS THAT KIND OF COME WITH IT. I'LL TURN IT OVER NOW TO HEATHER TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE HEALTH DATA. HELLO, I'M JUST GOING TO REVIEW SOME OF THE CURRENT HEALTH DATA, AS WE ALL KNOW, EVERYTHING WITH COVID IS RAPIDLY CHANGING. SO THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY, WHICH IS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN IT LOOKED A FEW WEEKS AGO. THIS IS NEW DATA THAT WE DID NOT HAVE AVAILABLE TO US LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME. AND THIS IS WHAT OUR CURRENT STATUS LOOKS LIKE WITH VACCINATIONS BY AGE, WE HAVE A BROKEN DOWN FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN THAT ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE, THE 12 TO 15 YEAR OLD'S AND THE 16 TO 17 YEAR OLD'S, THOSE THAT HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOSE AND THOSE THAT ARE FULLY VACCINATED. THE DEFINITION OF A FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUAL IS IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS PAST THE SECOND DOSE OF A TWO DOSE SERIES SUCH AS THE MODERNA OR PFIZER, OR TWO WEEKS AFTER A ONE DOSE SERIES SUCH AS THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON. THIS MIGHT BE SOME DATA THAT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH FROM LAST YEAR, OUR CURRENT CASES ARE IN THE HIGH RANGE AND THE AVERAGE IS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT, AND THAT IS BASED ON PER HUNDRED THOUSAND OF THE POPULATION. OUR POSITIVITY RATE IS ALSO IN THE SUBSTANTIAL RANGE. POSITIVITY RATE IS THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE TESTS DIRECTLY RELATED RELATIVE TO THE OVERALL TOTAL NUMBER OF TESTING THAT HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S DECREASING A LITTLE BIT AND THAT IS DUE TO WE'VE HAD INCREASED TESTING VOLUME. SO THE MORE POSITIVE CASES, THE MORE TESTING WE SHOULD BE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY TO REALLY TRACK THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION. OUR NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO GOING UP. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG TIME IN REPORTING HOSPITALIZATIONS. THAT'S DUE TO A LOT OF TIME. THAT DATA IS NOT CAPTURED UNTIL THEY'RE INTO THE INTERVIEW PORTION OF THE [02:55:04] CONTACT TRACING. IF SOMEBODY IS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL, THEY MAY NOT BE INITIALLY ADMITTED AS A COVID CASE, BUT AS FURTHER TESTING GOES ON SO THAT THAT DATA. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS DATA IS DERIVED FROM THE CDC WEBSITE. THE VDH PAGES FOR THE SCHOOL METRICS AND LOCALITY PAGES ARE CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED. SO THE CASES PER HUNDRED THOUSAND IN THE POSITIVITY RATE ARE REALLY THE TWO FACTORS THAT GO INTO DICTATING WHAT THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IS. AND YOU CAN SEE BY THIS MAP, WE ARE IN THE HIGH TRANSMISSION RIGHT NOW, WHICH MEANS THERE ARE A HUNDRED PEOPLE PER HUNDRED THOUSAND POSITIVE CASES. MOST OF THE CENTRAL REGION IS IN HIGH TRANSMISSION. I THINK THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY OVER THERE. THAT'S IN THE LOW TRANSMISSION. AND THAT'S THAT'S ABOUT IT. WE'RE PRETTY HIGH ACROSS THE STATE. EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, HAPPY TO BE HERE. I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU ALL PUBLICLY FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING YEAR. I THINK EVERY DECISION YOU'VE MADE WITH THE WORD HEALTH ATTACHED TO IT HAS BEEN FRAUGHT. SO THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE. I DIDN'T COME WITH A ANY PREPARED REMARKS OR STATEMENTS. I WANT TO BE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU SERVE AS A RESOURCE. I WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT WHATEVER DECISION IS MADE, YOU KNOW, MY TEAM STANDS BY TO SUPPORT DR. DAUGHERTY AND HIS STAFF AS WELL. SO OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE A. THANK YOU, DR. SAMUEL. DOES ANYONE WANT TO ASK A QUESTION FIRST? MS. HAINES, GO AHEAD. SO WE HEARD TONIGHT A LITTLE BIT, AND I ALSO HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF EMAILS FROM PARENTS ASKING ME WHY A MASK OPTIONAL POLICY DOESN'T WORK. RIGHT, JUST TO HELP EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO PROTECT MYSELF, SO I'M GOING TO WEAR A MASK AND THAT THAT SHOULD WORK. RIGHT. I THINK YOU HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO BETTER ANSWER THAT QUESTION AS COMPARED TO MYSELF. YEAH. SO I GUESS I INTERPRETED THAT TO MEAN WHY SHOULD UNIVERSAL MASKING BE WELL, I THINK PART OF IT IS JUST KIND OF UNDERSTANDING THE WAY MASKS WORK. AND THERE ARE REALLY TWO WAYS THAT MASKS PROVIDE SOME LEVEL OF MITIGATION, ONE OF WHICH IS SOURCE CONTROL. SO THAT IS IF I WAS POSITIVE AND COULD POTENTIALLY TRANSMIT, THIS MASK PREVENTS ME FROM INFECTING YOU. AND THERE'S REASONABLY GOOD DATA TO SUGGEST THAT IT CAN DO THAT AT FAIRLY HIGH LEVELS, 70 PERCENT. THE OTHER WAY THAT A MASK PROTECTS AN INDIVIDUAL, OF COURSE, IS TO PROTECT ME FROM SOMEBODY WHO IS POTENTIALLY TRANSMITTING. YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT DROPLET AS WELL AS AEROSOLIZED SPREAD OF COVID AND PROVIDING A STRATEGY, A MEANS TO COVER THE MOST PEOPLE. I GUESS, IN SORT OF THE MOST LIMITED MANNER, WHICH IS SIMPLY APPLYING A MASK TO THE FACE IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO DO THAT. SO IT REALLY DOESN'T WORK. IF NOT, EVERYONE IS MASKED AGAIN REDUCING THAT RISK OF POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION TO A LARGER A LARGER GROUP OR A SMALLER BODY OF STUDENTS IN A CONFINED SPACE, AN INDIVIDUAL REFERENCE, SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT, I THINK, EARLIER IN SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS, WHICH WAS RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF CONTACT TRACING GUIDANCE, IF TWO INDIVIDUALS SEATED THREE FEET TO SIX FEET APART ARE BOTH WEARING MASKS, NEITHER IS CONSIDERED OR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO COULD BE POTENTIALLY CLASSIFIED AS A CONTACT IS NOT TRULY CONSIDERED ONE MEANING THEY WOULD NOT BE QUARANTINED BECAUSE OF THE BELIEF OF THE VALUE OF MASK AND PROTECTION. THANKS. ALSO I GUESS I WANTED TO KIND OF GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOU AND AND YOUR HARD WORK SUPPORTING THE BOARD, AND I WANT TO SHARE A QUOTE FROM THAT I FOUND ON THE [INAUDIBLE] WEB SITES, AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NONPARTISAN AND DOES POLLING. AND THEY DID A RECENT REPORT ON PARENTS THOUGHTS ON RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS FALL. AND QUOTE, DR. [INAUDIBLE] SAID, THE INFLUENCE OF PARTISAN POLITICS AND DECISIONS THAT SHOULD INSTEAD BE BASED ON DATA AND DOCTORS THREATENS OUR NATION'S CHILDREN. THE PUBLIC WANTS HEALTH AND EDUCATION EXPERTS, NOT POLITICIANS, DECIDING SCHOOL COVID POLICIES. SO GIVEN THAT, I'M I'M EXCITED TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE YOU TO [03:00:11] HELP GUIDE US AS A BOARD. APPRECIATE THAT. DR. SAMUEL, I HAVE ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS I WANTED TO ASK, SO CURRENT CDC GUIDELINES RIGHT NOW SAYS THAT DURING SUBSTANTIAL AND HIGH TRANSMISSION RATES, IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION THAT THROUGH K-12 SCHOOLS AT THIS POINT, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION, EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR A MASK? IT IS. AND IF EVENTUALLY WE GET TO A PLACE WHERE THOSE NUMBERS GO DOWN, WHAT I GUESS IS OUR INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WE THINK THE CDC SAYS IN REGARDS TO THAT POLICY? SO IF WE GO DOWN TO THE LOW AND WE GO DOWN TO MODERATE. DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE SOMETHING ACCEPTABLE AT THAT TIME WHERE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT REDUCING IN ADDITIONAL MITIGATION STRATEGY? YEAH, AND I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT RECIPE WILL LOOK LIKE, IT MIGHT NOT BE AS SIMPLE AS TURNING BACK THE DIAL, RIGHT. THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHER VARIABLES TO CONSIDER THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED. SO COMMUNITY VACCINATION RATES, ET CETERA, TO PREVENT THAT CLIMB BACK UP. SO IT MIGHT NOT, AGAIN, BE KIND OF A SIMPLE, NO QUICK FORMULA. I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK THROUGH, TALK THROUGH. AND I KNOW THIS CONVERSATION IS SIMPLY NOT LIMITED IN ONE JURISDICTION. IT'LL BE A STATE WIDE DISCUSSION. THANK YOU. AND MAYBE IT WAS HEATHER THAT PROVIDED IT, I BELIEVE THAT YOU SAID THE DEFINITION FOR HIGH WAS WHEN YOU HAVE 100 PEOPLE OUT OF 100,000 TESTING POSITIVE. IS THAT WHAT IT WAS? IT COULD BE ANSWERED BY EITHER WORD, ACCORDING TO THE CDC, AND SUBSTANTIAL DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER IS? I'M JUST TRYING TO THAT MASK WEARING WAS UNHEALTHY FOR THEIR CHILD. COULD YOU SPEAK FOR A FEW MOMENTS ON YOUR MEDICAL OPINION ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF MASK WEARING? YEAH, I HAVE NOT HEARD. I WILL CLAIM TO BE AN EXPERT. AND THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NOT IN ADVANCE OF THIS TIME RESEARCHED. BUT I'VE NOT HEARD OF ANY CLEAR EVIDENCE SUGGESTING THAT WEARING MASKS IN CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR POSES A RISK TO THEM. CERTAINLY ADULTS WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FROM FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE E.R. TO THOSE WHO ARE IN SURGERY, AND THAT OVER THIS PAST YEAR, NOT MOST MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE FACE TO FACE PATIENT CONTACT HAVE BEEN WEARING MASKS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. AGAIN, I CAN'T SPEAK TO SORT OF EVIDENCE OR STUDIES THAT INDICATE RISK. I SIMPLY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THAT BEING ANY SORT OF KIND OF EVIDENCE TO JUST MASK WEARING POLICY IN THE WORKPLACE IN GENERAL. THANKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND I CAN IMAGINE THAT THIS PAST 18 MONTHS HAS BEEN. QUITE A LOT ON YOU. ALL RIGHT. AND WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR EVERYONE, YOU MENTIONED IT BRIEFLY, BUT I THINK THAT IT BEARS REPEATING THE QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS FOR MASKED PEOPLE. I'M UNDERSTANDING YOU CORRECTLY, YOU'RE SAYING THAT TO ME, IF IF TWO PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS AND ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE ENDS UP, IT TURNS OUT, POSITIVE FOR COVID, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY SPENT TOGETHER OR THEY'RE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM. SO THIS IS IN A SCHOOL SETTING. THE EXCEPTION APPLIES TO CHILDREN, NOT TO ADULTS. SO FOR CHILDREN IN A SCHOOL SETTING. YES. IF ONE CHILD ENDS UP BEING POSITIVE FOR WHATEVER REASON, ANOTHER CHILD WITHIN THAT THREE TO SIX FEET PROXIMITY WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A CONTACT AND THEREFORE ELIGIBLE FOR QUARANTINE. ONLY IF THEY WERE MASKED. ONLY IF THEY WERE MASKED, YES, ALL HAVE TO BE MASKED IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE. I MEAN, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERING WHAT THE QUARANTINE. I MEAN, THE QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR A CHILD WOULD BE. IS IT STILL 14 DAYS? 10 DAYS, I BELIEVE UP TO 14. OK, I MEAN, THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE LOSS OF, YOU KNOW, LOSS OF LEARNING YOU'RE GOING TO CATCH UP WITH. TWO WEEKS OF LEARNING, THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT. [03:05:01] AND I GUESS REALLY ONE OF THE JUST LAST QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD HAVE IS FROM A LOT OF PARENTS, MADE A GREAT POINT TONIGHT THAT WE'RE NOT MEDICAL EXPERTS AND WE DO RELY ON MEDICAL EXPERTS AND PROFESSIONALS AT EVERY LEVEL. TO ADVISE US ON REALLY WHAT THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS, SO IN YOUR BEST MEDICAL ADVICE AT THIS TIME, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND WITH THE LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION WE'RE AT NOW, THAT IF SCHOOL WERE TO START TODAY OR AS IT'S LOOKING RIGHT NOW, WOULD YOU THINK THAT MASKS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE? I DO. AND I THINK THE DELTA VARIANT HAS CHANGED THE GAME. WE NOW HAVE A VERSION OF THE VIRUS THAT IS TWICE AS TRANSMISSIBLE AS THE MOST OTHER TRANSMISSIBLE VERSION OF THE VIRUS, MOST HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE VERSION OF THE VIRUS. SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, ONE PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SETTING. GRANTED, TO DATE, THANK GOODNESS THAT THE RATES OF HOSPITALIZATION AND WORSE OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN ARE CERTAINLY NOT AS HIGH AS SOME OF THE MORE VULNERABLE ADULT POPULATIONS. BUT THEY CAN STILL GET SICK AND THEY CAN STILL TRANSMIT IT. SO IT'S THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION TO VULNERABLE FAMILY MEMBERS. THAT IS ANOTHER CONSIDERATION TO ALL OF THIS. SO ABSOLUTELY, DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. OK, AND DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AS WE START TO DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF TRANSMISSIONS AND I THINK YOU'VE NAMED THE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MEASURES, WE'RE LOOKING AT VACCINATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY GOING UP, THAT WE COULD BE AT A POINT WHERE A RECOMMENDATION COULD BE THAT MASKING WOULD BE OPTIONAL? YEAH, I THINK, AGAIN, IT'LL BE LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VARIABLES THAT ARE KIND OF KEY IN ALL OF THIS AND DO TRUST THAT WE WILL GET TO THAT POINT. I DO THINK VACCINATION RATES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PART OF THAT METRIC. THANK YOU, DR. SAMUEL, BOARD MEMBERS DOES ANYONE ELSE? I THINK CREDENTIALS ARE IMPORTANT, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL I READ THIS BOOK THAT A CONSTITUENT SUGGEST THAT I READ THAT A DIRECTOR OF A PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY SUCH AS YOURSELF ACTUALLY HOLDS TWO ADVANCED DEGREES. AM I CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT. SO FOR MYSELF, I HAVE AN MD, A DOCTORATE IN MEDICINE AND A MASTER'S IN PUBLIC HEALTH. THAT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT. HEFFRON? WE ARE WE. OK, YEAH, OK. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE ACCESS. THANKS. GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME. AND I'D LIKE TO ECHO DR. SAMUEL IN THANKING ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I THINK YOU ALL AND DR. DAUGHERTY ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH CONSIDERING TO LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE DATA AND TO USE THE VDH AND THE CDC GUIDANCE AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR. WE WILL RISK MANAGEMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FULLY SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OPERATIONS UNDER VDH AND CDC. AND I'M GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU GUYS MAY HAVE. SURE, WELL, I GUESS I'LL START UNLESS ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO GO FIRST, BUT. SO WORKING IN WITH OUR SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND WITH WORKING WITH DR. SAMUEL AND REALLY TAKING A LOOK AT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 1303 AND KIND OF WHERE OUTLINES IN THERE TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE FROM RISK MANAGEMENT DECISION. DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS IN THE BOARD'S BEST INTEREST TO PRETTY MUCH FOLLOW THE ADVICE THAT DR. SAMUEL JUST GAVE THAT MASKING AT THIS TIME BE APPROPRIATE? ABSOLUTELY. BOARD MEMBERS ANYONE ELSE? WE HAVE A QUICK QUESTION REGARDING VOLUNTEERS. THERE WAS LAST YEAR VOLUNTEERS HAD TO BE VACCINATED IN ORDER TO COME INTO THE SCHOOLS, AND I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME THROUGH RISK MANAGEMENT METRICS. THEY'RE JUST LOOKING TO WHAT WE CAN TELL OUR PARENTS FOR VOLUNTEERING AT THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. THANKS. WE LIKE TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERS THE SAME AS EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, AND WHATEVER RULES WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE OR REQUIREMENTS WE LIKE TO STICK WITH THE SAME FOR VOLUNTEERS AND WE CAN LOOK AT EACH CASE INDIVIDUALLY TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. WELL, I'M CONFUSED BECAUSE WE'RE NOT MANDATING OUR STAFF. THANK YOU. OK, BECAUSE THAT IS A BIT A BIT OF CONFUSION FOR ME THERE BECAUSE. THANK YOU. I'LL LET YOU CLEAR THAT UP DR. DALE. MR. CHAIR ALONG THOSE LINES I HAD, YOU KNOW, DO WE HAVE ANY LIMITATIONS OR DOES RISK [03:10:07] MANAGEMENT SEE ANY LIMITATIONS THAT WE SHOULD BE PLACING ON FACILITIES USAGE BY COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, NONPROFITS, CHURCHES? YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WHEN WE USE THE USE OUR FACILITIES AND PEOPLE KIND OF COMING AND GOING ? WE LOOK AT THAT A LOT. AND IT'S ALSO ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. IT DEPENDS ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO, WHAT THE FUNCTION IS, WHAT KIND OF SPACE THEY NEED, WHAT SERVICES ARE GOING ON, THE LAYOUT OF THE SPACE, CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO WE ANSWER A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC FACILITIES ON THE COUNTY SIDE IN THE SCHOOL SIDE. THAT'S A CONSTANT CHALLENGE IN THOSE SPACES. SO WE'RE GLAD TO LOOK AT THAT. AND THERE IS SOME CDC GUIDANCE ALONG THOSE THOSE THINGS, TOO, AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC ACTIVITIES. SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THAT GUIDANCE THERE AS WELL. SO IT WOULD MAKE SENSE THAT IT WOULDN'T BE WE COULDN'T HAVE A BLANKET POLICY. WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS CASE BY CASE SITUATION BY SITUATION AS WE LOOK AT OUR FACILITIES USAGE. CURRENTLY. YES. THANK YOU. THAT'S THE BEST WAY. I THINK THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. TAYLOR, IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS FOR JOINING US TODAY. THEY'VE BEEN A HUGE HELP IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND HELPING TO GUIDE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF AND THE DIRECTION AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE BRING TO THE BOARD TODAY, AS WELL AS IN THE WORK THAT WE DO ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVING PARTNERS WITH OUR COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DEFINITELY HELPS US A LOT WHEN WE'RE HAVING TO ANSWER DIFFICULT QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND THIS IS NOT OUR SPACE. AND AND WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM THEM. BUT WE'VE ALSO LEARNED A LOT IN THE LAST YEAR. AND SO DO TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE I JUMP INTO OUR MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE. WITH VOLUNTEERS, A CHANGE IN OUR PRACTICE FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR IS THAT WE WILL BE WELCOMING VOLUNTEERS BACK INTO THE SCHOOLHOUSE REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, AS LONG AS THEY ARE MASKED. SO LIKE OUR EMPLOYEES, FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE FROM OUR COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND FROM THE CDC, WE ARE GOING TO WE ARE GOING TO STICK TO THOSE AS TRUE AS POSSIBLE AND AS SENATE BILL 1303 SAID, AS PRACTICABLE AS POSSIBLE, THAT IS OUR PLAN. AND SO WE HAVE A LOT TO BE VERY PROUD OF. ACTUALLY, IN CHESTERFIELD, WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST LARGE DISTRICTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO RETURN TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. AND WE DID SO FOR THE BALANCE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WHEN WE DID RETURN TO FIVE DAYS OF INSTRUCTION. AND WE DID SO BECAUSE WE HAD SOME VERY EFFECTIVE LAYERED MITIGATION STRATEGIES, JUST LIKE THE CDC RECOMMENDS. AND IT'S IN THE IN THOSE LAYERED STRATEGIES AND THAT PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES THAT WE EMPLOYED THAT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP TRANSMISSION DOWN IN OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR KIDS HEALTHY AND SAFE. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID INCLUDED UPGRADES TO OUR HVAC AND FILTRATION AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS, ENHANCE CLEANING PROTOCOLS AND FREQUENCY, DAILY HEALTH ASSESSMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. STUDENT AND ADULTS WEARING FACE COVERINGS WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT STRATEGY. SOCIAL DISTANCING WHERE POSSIBLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DYNAMIC IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE END OF THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR TO THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, WHERE IN SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS WE HAD LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS REPORT, THIS YEAR. IN THE FALL, WE ARE EXPECTING AS MANY AS 98 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS. SO IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NOT GOING TO BE AS POSSIBLE IN ALL PLACES AS IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS SCHOOL YEAR. AND WE'RE GOING INTO THAT EYES WIDE OPEN BECAUSE WE ARE USING THESE OTHER MITIGATION STRATEGIES TO HELP STYMIE THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS. CONTINUED REPORTING AND TRANSPARENCY TO FAMILIES I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WHEN WE HAVE A CASE, WE PUT IT UP ON OUR WEBSITE. WE'RE VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AND WE NOTIFY PEOPLE IN A VERY QUICK MANNER AND DO THE CONTACT TRACING. OUR PRINCIPALS I THINK WHEN THEY WERE COMING UP THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP PREP PROGRAMS, I DON'T THINK ANY SINGLE ONE OF THEM THOUGHT, MAN, I HOPE I GET TO BE A CONTACT TRACER AT SOME POINT IN MY LIFE. AND I'M SURE NONE OF THEM PLANNED FOR THAT. BUT THEY ARE SUPER GOOD AT IT AND THEY ARE FANTASTIC IN SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AS THEY ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS AND THEY DEAL WITH THIS AND THEY WORK WITH THEIR SCHOOL NURSE. WE HAVE BEEN QUARANTINING STAFF AND STUDENTS AS NEEDED. A LOT OF THIS AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL HAS COME FROM, YOU KNOW, NOT FOLLOWING SOME OF [03:15:06] THE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT WE'VE HAD IN PLAY. AND THAT'S WHERE SOME OF OUR QUARANTINES HAVE COME FROM. WHEN WE FOLLOW THE QUARANTINING PRACTICE OR EXCUSE ME, WHEN WE FOLLOW THE MITIGATION PRACTICES OUR QUARANTINES GO DOWN, IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE. ANOTHER REALLY EFFECTIVE STRATEGY HAS BEEN HAVING A SICK AND WELL AREAS FOR OUR CLINICS WHERE WE ARE SEPARATING STUDENTS, ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOU GO TO THE PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE AND THEY PUT YOU ON ONE SIDE OF THE WAITING ROOM OR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WAITING ROOM. WE WERE DOING THE SAME THING IN OUR CLINICS AND WE'RE MAKING SPACE FOR THAT, MAKING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THAT. AND IT'S HELPED TREMENDOUSLY. SO IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM. THERE ARE SOME SILVER LININGS HERE. IT IS VERY MUCH OUR INTENT TO KEEP OUR SCHOOL HOUSES OPEN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. AND THIS IS HOW WE KNOW WE CAN DO THAT. SO I'M GOING TO PAUSE HERE BEFORE WE GET INTO THE RECOMMENDATION AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO CONSIDER. AND OUR TEAM HERE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS AS THE BOARD HAS THEM AND REALLY TRY TO DIVE INTO SOME OF THE NITTY GRITTY IF THE BOARD HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCESS OR IF WE CAN OFFER SOME CLARITY FOR SOME OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WE'LL BE SENDING OUT NOTICE OF THE BOARD'S DECISION, HOWEVER IT GOES TO FAMILIES AS SOON AS. THE DECISION IS MADE. BOARD MEMBERS, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MS. BAILEY? WELL, I NOTICED THAT OBVIOUSLY IN YOUR RECOMMENDATION, THERE IS THIS OPTION FOR A MEDICAL EXEMPTION. CAN YOU TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND SPEAK TO OUR FAMILIES ABOUT AN ABILITY FOR A FAMILY TO GET A MEDICAL EXEMPTION FOR THEIR STUDENT WEARING THE MASK IF WE VOTE TO PASS UNIVERSAL MASKING? I'M GOING TO ASK HEATHER TO CHECK ME ON THIS, BUT I THINK I GOT THIS ONE. WE DEFINITELY WANT OUR FAMILIES TO TALK TO OUR SCHOOL NURSES. THEY ARE REALLY FANTASTIC AT HELPING FAMILIES THROUGH ANY KIND OF HEALTH PLAN THAT IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS. I CAN THINK OF A NUMBER OF OUR STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE FOR THEM TO TO HAVE FACE COVERINGS AND PROBABLY DO NEED AN ALTERNATIVE. WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE THAT HAVE VENTILATION ON THEIR FACES, THAT HAVE OBSTRUCTIONS ON THEIR FACES, AND IT DOESN'T MAKE PRACTICAL SENSE AND IT MAY NOT EVEN BE IN THEIR BEST INTEREST FROM A HEALTH STANDPOINT. BUT WHAT BETTER PERSON TO TALK TO ABOUT A MEDICAL EXEMPTION? AND WE HAVE GUIDELINES FOR FOR WHICH TO FOLLOW, WHICH ARE OUTLINED IN THIS MEMO. BUT BUT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE SCHOOL NURSE TO MAKE THAT KNOWN THAT YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EXEMPTION AND TO WALK THROUGH THAT WITH THEM SO SO THAT OUR STUDENTS DO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR MEDICAL EXEMPTION WHILE THEY'RE IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE. MS. HAINES. SO I NOTICED THAT DR. SAMUEL MENTIONED THE VACCINATION RATES ALSO PLAY. AND, YOU KNOW, SINCE I KNOW THAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS A SCIENCE BASED REMOVAL OF MASKS BASED ON EVIDENCE. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO MAYBE DO VACCINE CLINICS AT MIDDLE OR AND OR HIGH SCHOOLS FOR PARENTS THAT REALLY JUST WOULD LIKE THEIR KID VACCINATED BUT DON'T HAVE THE TIME. I THINK THAT WE OFTEN UNDERESTIMATE, YOU KNOW, THE BARRIER, YOU KNOW, TAKING TIME OFF WORK. I NOTICED THAT OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAD NOT DONE THAT ARE STARTING TO DO THIS. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNTY TO DO THAT AND ALSO TESTING STRATEGIES. LET ME TAKE YOUR FIRST ONE. OK. IF THAT'S ALRIGHT. AND I DON'T I JUST DON'T WANT TO FORGET YOUR FIRST SPEAKERS] INTO YOUR SECOND PART. SO WITH VACCINATIONS, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY EXPLICIT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A COUNTY SUPPLY OF VACCINATIONS AND HOW WE MIGHT DEPLOY THEM IN A SCHOOL, GIVEN THE THE AVAILABILITY OF 24 HOUR PHARMACIES THAT ARE GIVING VACCINATIONS ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS. YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT ECHOED AS LOUDLY. BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE COULDN'T EXPLORE THAT. TODAY IS A PRETTY FANTASTIC DAY, BECAUSE BEFORE THIS BOARD MEETING STARTED, WE SAW A NEWS CLIP ANNOUNCING THE PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR THIS FALL FOR VACCINES TO EVEN GO EVEN TO SOME OF OUR YOUNGER BEING BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO EVEN SOME YOUNGER STUDENTS. IT'S REALLY EXCITING NEWS. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING CONCRETE TO GO ON, BUT SOME NEWS REPORTS OF THAT BEING AN OPTION DEFINITELY HELPS WITH THAT. I THINK THAT SOME OF THE DATA POINTS THAT YOU SAW TODAY, SOME VERY FAMILIAR TO [03:20:03] THIS BOARD IN TERMS OF CASES PER 100,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND POSITIVITY RATE, THESE ARE ALL TERMS THAT WE'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO OVER THE LAST 17 MONTHS AND HAVE REVIEWED REGULARLY. COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION, I THINK, WILL PROBABLY PLAY A PREDOMINANT ROLE IN DECISION MAKING. IF THIS MEMO IS APPROVED AND THE SUPERINTENDENT IS EMPOWERED TO WORK WITH THE HEALTH DIRECTOR, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT A LOT OF THEIR CONVERSATIONS WOULD REVOLVE AROUND COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION DATA AS A [INAUDIBLE] SOURCE AND THEN VACCINATIONS AS WELL AS PART OF THAT DISCUSSION. THAT'S THAT'S JUST BASED ON SOME OF OUR PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS. SO I THINK THAT THERE'S THERE'S REASON TO BE HOPEFUL AND REASON TO TO EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE VACCINES AVAILABLE TO YOUNGER STUDENTS. WE CERTAINLY CAN EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE. BUT, YOU KNOW, AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE DON'T MANDATE A VACCINE FOR STUDENTS. WE DON'T MANDATE A VACCINE FOR STAFF. THOSE ARE NOT IN OUR WHEELHOUSE AT THIS TIME FOR MITIGATION STRATEGIES BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING WITH A LIST THAT HAS BEEN PRETTY EFFECTIVE. SO SORRY SECOND PART. YEAH, I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT TESTING AND I THINK PROBABLY THE LOGISTICS FOR SOME FOR ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING DON'T MAKE SENSE. I MEAN, WE DO ALSO NEED TO TEACH THESE KIDS. BUT I THINK ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO EXPLORE, TO GIVE OUR OUR PARENTS CONFIDENCE THAT. RIGHT. IF YOU THE KID COMES IN WITH A RUNNY NOSE, YOU CAN SIGN A FORM AND THEY CAN GO TO THE OFFICE AND GET A COVID TEST AND SAVE EVERYBODY SOME TIME. YEAH, WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND SQUEEZE IN SOME INSTRUCTION THIS YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE A NICE TWIST. SO WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. BUT I AM GOING TO PUNT SOME OF THE LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS TO HEATHER BECAUSE SHE HAS SOME DETAILS ABOUT ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE WOULD FACE IN THE CLINIC IN TERMS OF BALANCING THAT AND THEN ALSO SOME REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SO WE HAVE EXPLORED TESTING, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS EVEN RECENTLY WITH ONE OF THE PHYSICIANS AT VCU JUST TALKING ABOUT OUR CONCERNS AND PARTICULARLY THE SCREENING, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT MODELS FOR TESTING IN SCHOOLS, THE SCREENING MODELS WHERE YOU WOULD ROUTINELY SCREEN A CERTAIN GROUP OF STUDENTS, EITHER BY CLASS OR ATHLETES AT A REGULAR INTERVAL ONCE A WEEK, TWICE A WEEK, THREE TIMES A WEEK. THAT REALLY DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A FEASIBLE OPTION. AGAIN, THE MANPOWER WOULD TAKE, THE INTERRUPTION INTO OUR INSTRUCTIONAL DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS. THE SECOND VERSION IS TESTING SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS IN THE CLINIC. AGAIN, THERE'S IT'S IT'S VERY COMPLICATED LOGISTICS WISE. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS RIGHT NOW IS STAFFING WITH NURSES. WE STILL DO HAVE A FEW VACANCIES. WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET THOSE FILLED, BUT WE HAVE HAD QUITE A BIT OF TURNOVER THIS PAST YEAR. SO THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG HURDLES. ALSO MAINTAINING THE REGULATORY ASPECTS OF IT, A [INAUDIBLE] CERTIFICATE, A LAB CERTIFICATE FOR EACH SCHOOL. THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING SYSTEM, JUST THE AMOUNT OF TIME MANAGING CONSENT, AND THEN STUDENTS STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE, ALL WHILE SCHOOL NURSES ARE MANAGING THE HEALTH NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS IN THE BUILDING AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. THANKS, AND SINCE YOU MENTIONED WE'RE DOWN A COUPLE NURSES, HOW MANY SCHOOLS CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE NURSES? SO AS OF TODAY, I DID GET ONE ACCEPTANCE TODAY, SO THAT'S GREAT. THAT LEAVES US WITH TWO OPENINGS RIGHT NOW. WE DO HAVE FOUR NURSES THAT WILL BE STARTING AFTER THE START OF SCHOOL. WE BROUGHT FOUR ON THIS WEEK, BUT WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO OPENINGS. THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD TO FILL THEM FOR ALL YOUR WORK. THANK YOU. I HAVE ACTUALLY JUST TWO QUESTIONS. I THINK IT'S MORE DR. TAYLOR ON IT. BUT I DO THINK YOU CAN HANG OUT UP HERE HEATHER [INAUDIBLE]. JUST TWO THINGS AS WE GO THROUGH THIS. AND I THINK IT'S KIND OF IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT ANY SITUATIONS WHERE WE WOULD CHANGE BETWEEN ONE OF OUR MITIGATIONS, NUMBER ONE, THE MASKS. IS IT THE INTENTION THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY FLUID AND THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IS GOING TO WORK WITH DR. SAMUEL AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO REALLY MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND NOT HAVE TO CONVENE THE [03:25:01] BOARD. SO AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE WE START SCHOOL, MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER NUMBERS GOOD DOWN. VACCINATION RATES ARE UP. THE PERFECT STORM KIND OF ARRIVES THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT WOULD FEEL THAT BOTH OUTSIDE AGENCIES, PROFESSIONALS WOULD FEEL THAT WE MAY BE AT A AT A TIME, A PLACE WHERE WE'D BE ABLE TO REMOVE MASKING IS THAT THE UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN FLUIDLY? YES, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO TO READ THE FIRST PART OF THE RECOMMENDATION NOW, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THIS MIGHT ILLUMINATE THAT SPECIFIC ISSUE, BECAUSE WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IS REQUESTING IS THAT THE BOARD EMPOWER THE SUPERINTENDENT EFFECTIVELY TO WORK WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND IN A MORE RAPID WAY SO THAT WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR THREE WEEKS TO PASS FOR A BOARD MEETING, FOR YOU TO CONVENE TO TO THEN LIFT A LAYER OF A MITIGATION STRATEGY WHERE WE'VE BEEN COMFORTABLY READY TO MAKE THAT DECISION AND JUST THE DATES DIDN'T LINE UP A CERTAIN WAY. SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS AS FOLLOWS BASED ON LOCAL TRANSMISSION DATA, SENATE BILL 1303 AND EXPERT OPINION, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS THE CONTINUATION OF COVID-19 MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND UTILIZATION OF GUIDANCE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT. IT IS IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE IS FOLLOWED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PREVIOUS HEALTH ORDER THAT ENDED ON JULY 25TH, 2021, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IS EMPOWERED TO WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHESTERFIELD HEALTH DISTRICT TO ADJUST THESE REQUIREMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND SO THERE'S A CRITICAL WORD IN THAT LAST SENTENCE, WHICH IS TO ADJUST THESE REQUIREMENTS. SO SHOULD WE FIND OURSELVES IN A FAVORABLE SITUATION, WHICH WE HOPE AND ASSUME THAT WE WILL. YOU WOULD BE EMPOWERING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ACT ON THE DISTRICT'S BEHALF IN CONJUNCTION, IN CONSULTATION WITH DR. SAMUEL TO MAKE A DECISION TO LIFT A RESTRICTION. IF WE HAVE ONE OR ONE OF THE MITIGATION STRATEGIES, SHOULD WE FIND OURSELVES IN AN UNFAVORABLE SITUATION? YOU WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ACT ON THE DISTRICT'S BEHALF AS WELL. ONE QUESTION, WILL THERE BE A FREQUENCY OF THESE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT? I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR DR. DAUGHERTY, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THEY COMMUNICATE REGULARLY. OK. ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS. I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE DASHBOARDS AND THE DATA AND I'LL SPEAK WITH HEATHER A LOT. I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO CALL DR. SAMUEL EVERY DAY. WE'RE BOTH EXTREMELY BUSY. BUT AS WE SEE THE TRENDS OCCUR, WE GET NOTIFICATION ALL THE TIME. TRUST ME, I'LL GET ENOUGH PEOPLE TELLING ME ABOUT THAT SO I CAN GET AHOLD OF DOCTOR SAMUEL, I'M SURE THAT I'LL BE A POPULAR PERSON WITH EMAIL EVERY DAY. YEAH, THANK YOU. WE'RE NOT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE A DECISION THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAND THE TIME AS WELL AS WE YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THIS ROLL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS ROLLERCOASTER MOVE, YOU KNOW, IF DATA GOES DOWN ONE DAY, THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO US. IT'S OVER THAT 14 DAY PERIOD THAT WE REALLY MUST LOOK AT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE WITH. MR. CHAIR, I HAVE ONE QUESTION. GO AHEAD MS. HEFFRON. SO, LIKE SO FAR REMOVED FROM THIS DISCUSSION ALREADY, BUT WHAT'S WHAT PERCENTAGE OF STAFF WAS VACCINATED IN THE SPRING TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT? DID WE HAVE ANY? I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW. YEAH. HEATHER'S HERE. PERCENT. OK, YES. THROUGH YEAH, THE SCHOOL NURSES. AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO REPORT IT. RIGHT. AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO OFFER THAT AS PEOPLE COME ON BOARD, THEY'RE STILL ABLE TO GET A VACCINATION IF THEY IF THEY PREFER. THANK YOU. SO MS. HEFFRON TO FOLLOW THAT UP, ALSO ATTACHED TO THIS MEMO IS A STRONG RECOMMENDATION AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT THAT ALL STAFF AND ELIGIBLE STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TO PLEASE GET VACCINATED IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE ABLE. I'VE JUST THOUGHT OF ANOTHER QUESTION, COULD YOU TOUCH ON IF A CHILD DOES GET COVID AND HAS TO GO TO QUARANTINE? WHAT WILL THEIR EDUCATION LOOK LIKE? WHAT WOULD THEY BE RECEIVING? ABSOLUTELY. AND WE'VE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH THIS BEFORE PANDEMICS. IT IS ACTUALLY NOT NEW FOR US TO WORK WITH FAMILIES THAT HAVE HAD A MEDICAL [03:30:03] CHALLENGE. WE DO PROVIDE HOMEBOUND SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORK THAT'S BEING PERFORMED IN THEIR REGULAR CLASSROOM. WHAT WON'T HAPPEN WILL BE A SCENARIO VERY SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR WHERE WE HAD DUAL TEACHING OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME WHERE THE TEACHER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS A SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE INSTRUCTION. THE WORK THAT WOULD BE ASSIGNED FOR STUDENTS DURING A QUARANTINE PERIOD WOULD HAVE MORE OF AN ASYNCHRONOUS APPROACH TO IT. IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, VERY IMPORTANT. I JUST HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION ON THIS AND IT'S JUST TO CLARIFY THE AIR, BECAUSE I KNOW I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF THESE QUESTIONS, TOO. SO MS. HEFFRON BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT. AND THEN YOU KIND OF ECHOED THAT, SAYING THAT IT'S HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RECEIVE THE VACCINATION AND ALSO FOR CHILDREN. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT'S NOT A MANDATE TO WORK IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR FOR YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND, CORRECT? IT IS NOT. CERTAINLY NOT AT THIS TIME. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PLACES ARE LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGE CIRCUMSTANCES, STATE GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WITH THE MILITARY. THE PENTAGON HAS MADE A REQUEST FOR THAT RECENTLY. SOME LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE EVEN GONE TO THAT. WE'RE IN A POSITION RIGHT NOW WHERE WE HAVE A LIST OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY FIRST AND SEE WHERE THAT GOES. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE, BUT RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT SOMETHING THAT WE THINK MIGHT WORK. LET'S GO WITH WHAT WE KNOW HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN THE PAST AND LET'S SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE. I THINK IT IT'S INTERESTING, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WERE SOME OF MY THINKING STARTED SHIFTING ON THE APPROPRIATE POLICY FOR THE RETURN TO SCHOOL REALLY CAME BY FAMILIES THAT CONTACTED ME WHO HAD A MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD. AND THE DELTA VARIANT, DR. SAMUEL SAID, THAT REALLY THE DELTA VARIANT WAS THE GAME CHANGER. AND WHEN THE NEWS OF THE DELTA VARIANT CAME OUT, THEY SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU KNOW, MY WHAT IS THE VACCINATION RATE OF STAFF? THE DELTA VARIANT IS MORE CONTAGIOUS AND I'M SCARED FOR MY MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILD. SO THOSE WERE THE FIRST PHONE CALLS THAT I STARTED TO GET. SO I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO SHOW THAT THERE IS A REAL CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WASN'T THERE WITH ALPHA BECAUSE IT WASN'T AS CONTAGIOUS. AND I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT, BECAUSE I HEARD SOME CONCERN TONIGHT ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND WE MENTIONED WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TO DO IT BECAUSE WE'RE, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK FULL FORCE. AND I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE CDC SAID THAT OUR INABILITY TO SOCIAL DISTANCE SHOULD NOT INHIBIT THE FACE TO FACE RETURN OF STUDENTS. I'M SURE THAT THEY DID THAT BASED ON STRONG DATA. AND IF YOU NEED SOME CHESTERFIELD DATA, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO RECORDING OF TODAY'S WORK SESSION WHEN IT COMES OUT AND LOOK AT THE PRESENTATIONS ONLINE, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO GET OUR DATA AND IT'S NOT PRETTY AND IT SHOWS JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE IN PERSON. SO I THINK IT'S JUST WORTH SAYING THAT. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OR QUESTIONS. BEFORE WE MOVE ON. I THINK I HAVE ONE MORE. IT'S FAIRLY SIMPLE, I THINK I'VE COVERED MEDICAL, I'VE COVERED RISK MANAGEMENT. BUT JUST FOR FOR EVERYONE, I GUESS, TO KIND OF SEE IT, MAYBE MR. SMITH OR MAYBE EVEN MR. ROBERTS. AND IT DOES TIE TO 1303 SENATE BILL 1303. YOUR INTERPRETATION OF THE BILL THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW, IN YOUR OPINION, I'M GUESSING THAT WE WOULD FOLLOW THAT. WHERE WE'RE AT TO THE RECOMMENDATION WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHO'VE GOTTEN THE SAME ANALYSIS. THANK YOU. YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. DAUGHERTY. UNDER [INAUDIBLE] LANGUAGE, SENATE BILL 1303 DOES IMPOSE A MANDATE ON SCHOOL BOARDS TO, ONE, PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AND TO ADHERE TO CDC GUIDELINES. THE CURRENT CDC GUIDELINES CALL FOR UNIVERSAL MASKING. AND IN MY VIEW, AND IT IS MY VIEW, THAT STATE LAW REQUIRES IT. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. [03:35:02] I HAD MY ANSWERED, BUT BOARD MEMBERS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. ROBERTS? I HAVE A QUESTION SO AND I THINK MR. HARTER YOU AND I HAD HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PRACTICABLE EVERYONE'S NEW FAVORITE WORD, I'M HAPPY TO MOVE AWAY FROM PIVOT OR UNPRECEDENTED. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PRACTICABLE. MASKS, MASKING IN BUILDINGS IS PRACTICABLE. WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING? ARE WE COVERED FOR THAT SOCIAL DISTANCE GUIDELINE? BECAUSE AT 100 PERCENT CAPACITY, THAT'S I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, AT 30. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE AT 35, 40 PERCENT IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IT WAS IT WAS PRACTICABLE. IS THAT A STANDARD THAT WE CAN BE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN GOING FORWARD OR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT WOULD FALL UNDER THE UNFEASIBLE GUIDELINES? I THINK YOU'RE YOU'RE I THINK OUR PREVIOUS INSTRUCTION, OUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE COULD LEND US SOME ADDITIONAL DATA ON THAT. BUT FROM MOST OF THE INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTORS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO, THE SOCIAL DISTANCING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MAINTAIN IS NOT PRACTICABLE IN TERMS OF HOW WE GET KIDS TO SCHOOL, KIDS ON BUSSES, HOW WE OPERATE ON THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WE CAN HAVE IN OUR CLASSROOMS. I THINK WE DISCOVERED THAT LAST YEAR JUST AS A FACT, THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT WEARING MASKS WAS PRACTICABLE. I THINK MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCES. WE'VE HAD EVIDENCE THAT THAT THE SIX FEET SOCIAL DISTANCING WAS CERTAINLY NOT PRACTICABLE. SO I AND I GUESS NOW WE'RE JUST GOING TO TO GO TO THE HEALTH SIDE OF THIS. WE WOULD SAY THAT ALL THE MORE REASON TO USE EVERY MITIGATION STRATEGY THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE IF WE HAVE TO TAKE ONE AWAY. EXACTLY. RIGHT. THAT'S EXACTLY CORRECT. OH, SURE. EXCUSE ME. AND I JUST WANT TO ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS, SINCE THE MR. ROBERTS BROUGHT UP BUS TRANSPORTATION, THE BOARD CONSUMED A REPORT EARLIER TODAY DURING ITS WORK SESSION ABOUT THE START OF SCHOOL. AND AND THIS IS A GREAT REMINDER THAT IT WOULD BE A HUGE HELP FOR OUR PARENTS THAT IF THEY ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO TRANSPORT THEIR CHILDREN, OUR BUSSES WILL BE TIGHT. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TIGHT. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE TIGHT. AND THERE THERE MAY BE SOME QUARANTINING CONFLICT THAT MAY HAPPEN IF WE HAVE POSITIVE CASES THAT TIE BACK TO A BUS BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT NATURE OF THAT WITHIN THE THREE FEET AND WITHIN A SIX FEET RANGE FOR CERTAIN. SO THAT IS GOING TO PRESENT SOME CHALLENGES, EVEN IF STUDENTS ARE WEARING MASKS. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE NOT FULLY STAFFED IN OUR OUR BUS DRIVER RANKS. WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR THINKING EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE PERFECT AND RUN IDEOLOGICALLY OR SMOOTHLY. IT WILL NOT AND ANY ASSISTANCE THAT OUR FAMILIES COULD PROVIDE FOR THIS MAY GIVE THEIR CHILDREN, QUITE LITERALLY, A LITTLE BIT OF ELBOW ROOM AND ALSO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF ELBOW ROOM IN MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR KIDS. SO THANK YOU FOR FOR BRINGING THAT UP MR. ROBERTS AND MS. HEFFRON. DR. TAYLOR, SINCE THIS DECISION TONIGHT MAY SEND SOME PARENTS RUNNING IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER TOWARDS OR AWAY FROM VIRTUAL EDUCATION, CAN YOU SPEAK TO A MINUTE TO THE FAMILIES FOR THEIR ABILITY TO CHANGE THEIR MIND ON THEIR STATED PREFERENCE OF VIRTUAL OR FACE TO FACE LEARNING? ABSOLUTELY. WE DO NEED TO FINALIZE SCHEDULES AND WE DO NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. WE FULLY RECOGNIZE THE GRAVITY OF THE BOARD'S DECISION AND WOULD LIKE TO GIVE FAMILIES UNTIL THE END OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK TO MAKE SOME FINAL PLANS IF THEY ARE CHOOSING A VIRTUAL OR AN IN-PERSON LEARNING OPTION OR MAKING A CHANGE TO THEIR EXISTING SCHEDULES, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO TO PRESS PRINT ON A LOT OF THESE SCHEDULES AND GET THEM IN THE HANDS OF OUR KIDS AND TEACHERS AND AND MAKE PLANS FOR WHO NEEDS TO BE PICKED UP AND WHO DOESN'T NEED TO BE PICKED UP AND ALL OF THOSE LOGISTICAL DETAILS. WE'RE RUNNING VERY CLOSE TO THE WIRE HERE JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GO. SO WE DO ENCOURAGE OUR FAMILIES TO TO THINK ABOUT IT IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH, TO MAKE A THOUGHTFUL DECISION. BUT PLEASE DO SO QUICKLY AND PLEASE DO SO IN A TIMELY WAY. AND YOU CAN DO THAT BY REACHING OUT TO YOUR YOUR HOME SCHOOL OR YOUR ZONE SCHOOL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DR. TAYLOR. [03:40:01] MS. HAINES. I DID HAVE TWO MORE POINTS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE, I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT THIS THIS IS LIKE MY CHANCE, I GUESS, TO SPEAK TO ALL CONSTITUENTS IN A WAY THAT SEEMS FAIR. SOCIAL MEDIA, SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE YOU REACH FEWER PEOPLE. AND I DID GET A NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS THAT REALLY WANTED TO HEAR THAT I WAS REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT. I THINK MY ABILITY AND I'M LUCKY I GET A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS WHO REACH OUT. SO I REALLY TOOK GREAT CARE WITH MY DECISION. AND I THINK THAT WE MAKE A LOT OF POLITICAL ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE LIE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ISSUE. AND I WANTED TO LOOSELY QUOTE A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS AS PASSIONATE ABOUT PARENTAL CHOICE AS MANY WERE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT. HE SAID, DON'T TAKE AWAY MY CHOICE TO OWN 10 GUNS AND DON'T TAKE AWAY MY CHOICE TO REDUCE MY FAMILY'S MEDICAL RISK. ANOTHER ARTICLE THAT I FOUND, NEW HILL HARRIS POLL, STATED THAT 71 PERCENT OF INDEPENDENTS, 59 PERCENT OF REPUBLICANS SUPPORTED REINSTATING MASK MANDATES WITH COVID SPIKES. AND SO, AS I THOUGHT THROUGH THIS, GIVEN THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN HIGH TRANSMISSION AND WE HAVE NOT YET MET OUR COUNTY VACCINATION GOAL, WHAT I HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS WAS DELAY PARENTAL CHOICE FOR MASKS IN FAVOR OF PARENTAL CHOICE FOR MEDICAL RISK REDUCTION. AND I REALLY HEARD THAT VERY STRONGLY. AND THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO BRING UP ONLY BECAUSE WE DID LOOK AT THE EQUITY POLICY TONIGHT, OR I WOULDN'T MENTION THIS BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ABIDE BY OUR POLICIES. AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS, ARE WE INCLUDING THOSE AFFECTED BY DECISIONS IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS? AND I DID NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNITY THAT WAS PRETTY SILENT IN THIS DECISION. AND THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE TONIGHT AS WELL DID NOT REFLECT THE RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR COUNTY. AND I'M REALLY BRINGING THIS UP BECAUSE OF THE EQUITY POLICY, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF AN EMAIL THAT I RECEIVED. SO ON ON SUNDAY NIGHT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM BRANDON [INAUDIBLE] WHO DID GIVE ME PERMISSION TO TO TO QUOTE. HE SHARED HIS STRONG BELIEF THAT MASKS SHOULD BE REQUIRED AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND STATED THAT IT WAS AN EQUITY ISSUE. I ASKED HIM FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HIS CREDENTIALS. HE OFFERED SOME POINTS TO SUPPORT TREATING THIS DECISION AS AN EQUITY ISSUE. AND I WILL LIST A COUPLE THAT HE SHARED, QUOTE, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE DISEASE, INCLUDING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH. SPECIFICALLY, BLACK AND LATINO CHILDREN GENERALLY HAVE INCREASED RISK FOR HOSPITALIZATION, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT ADMISSION AND UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH MAY PLACE CHILDREN OF COLOR AT HIGHER RISK OF CONTRACTING OR DYING FROM COVID. ACCORDING TO THE CDC, BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES LIVE IN MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS. MY CREDENTIALS, I'M AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW, ONE OF THE LEADING SCHOLARS ON CIVIL RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND RACIAL JUSTICE. THESE FIELDS OF LAW DEMAND THAT I HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL GROUNDING IN JUSTICE, EQUITY AND EQUALITY. I AM ALSO BLACK. MY CHILDREN ARE MIXED, BLACK AND LATINA. MY DAUGHTER ATTENDS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I MENTION THIS NOT FOR CREDENTIAL REASONS, BUT BECAUSE OF HOW DEEPLY AFRAID WE ARE TO SEND OUR DAUGHTER BACK TO SCHOOL IF THERE IS NO MASK MANDATE. KEEP IN MIND, BLACK AND BROWN, AS DO MANY WHITE FAMILIES, DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE MEANS TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND VIRTUAL SCHOOL. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY SHARES THIS FEAR END QUOTE. SO I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO MAYBE IT'S IN DOING MORE TOWN HALLS, FIND A WAY TO INCLUDE MORE VOICES IN OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A POINT OF ORDER REALLY QUICK, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TIME AND HOW WE'VE CONTINUED TO ELABORATE. AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE STARTING TO REALLY KIND OF START TO STRAY OFF OF THE SUBJECT. I'M. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS. SO MOVE. IS THERE A SECOND. SECOND. AND NOW DISCUSSION MS. BAILEY. YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE I'VE LANDED IN TERMS OF MY THOUGHTS WITH THIS THIS ISSUE. [03:45:01] THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS JUST BASICALLY THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL THAT I FEEL ON THIS BOARD, THAT ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE PUT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF A VERY POLARIZING ISSUE THAT REVOLVES AROUND PUBLIC HEALTH. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHEN THIS BOARD CAN FOCUS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND NOT PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS. BUT NONETHELESS, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. THIS TIME, VOTING ON MASKING OR NOT MASKING CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR PRIOR TO THIS VOTE THAT I DO NOT THINK IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH CHOICES A FAMILY MAKES FOR ITS CHILDREN. I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE AWAY PARENTAL RIGHTS OR FREEDOMS. I RESPECT FAMILIES CHOICES TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE MANNER THAT THEY SEE FIT. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT ELECTED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR ONE CHILD. I WAS ELECTED TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR SIXTY THOUSAND CHILDREN. IN THIS SITUATION, THERE IS NO SCENARIO WHERE ONE FAMILY'S DECISION DOES NOT IMPACT OTHERS. THIS IS NOT A CHOICE ABOUT BRACES OR EYEGLASSES OR MEDICATION. THOSE DECISIONS IMPACT NO ONE BUT YOUR OWN CHILD AND YOUR FAMILY. THOSE WHO WANT PARENTAL CHOICE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR CHILD WEARING A MASK MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL THOSE AROUND THEM. I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR. I DO NOT WANT TO MASK OUR STUDENTS. I WANT A NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR. THE QUESTION BECOMES, HOW DO WE HAVE AS NORMAL A SCHOOL YEAR AS POSSIBLE GIVEN THE CURRENT HIGH TRANSMISSION RATE OF THIS VIRUS? I'M NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORIST, SO I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY, IF MASKS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE TO ANY EXTENT IN THE PREVENTION OF THE SPREAD OF COVID, WHY HAVE THE CDC, THE BDH AND THE AAP ALL COME OUT SO STRONGLY IN THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO WEAR THEM DURING PERIODS OF HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION? I JUST WISH EVERYONE COULD GET ON THE SAME PAGE WITH SCIENCE FOR EVERY ARTICLE, STUDY OR RESEARCH I READ THAT PROVES ONE THING I CAN FIND VALID INFORMATION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. OUR NATION HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO JUST WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING CANNOT TRUST SCIENCE, THE MEDIA OR POLITICIANS. I CAN FIND INFORMATION TO SUPPORT ALMOST ANY BELIEF. THAT ALL SOUNDS VERY DISMAL, BUT I'M NOT A DOOMSDAY PERSON EITHER. I DO NOT BUY INTO THE FEAR MONGERING. I DO BELIEVE IN ONE THING STRONGLY. MASKS ARE NOT GOING TO DEFEAT COVID, ONLY VACCINATIONS ARE GOING TO STOP THIS VIRUS. SO IF YOU ARE ABLE PLEASE GET VACCINATED. BUT I DO HAVE TO ANALYZE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE PARENTS FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, IF MASKS ARE NOT NECESSARILY HARMFUL. AND THERE'S RESEARCH SUPPORTING BOTH SIDES HERE. AND DR. SAMUELS STATED HIS MEDICAL EXPERT ADVICE ON THIS TONIGHT. AND MASKS ARE STATED BY SOME RESEARCH TO PROVIDE A LARGE PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH A SENSE OF SECURITY, THEN I DO GIVE THEM I NEED TO GIVE THEM THAT SENSE OF SECURITY WITH UNIVERSAL MASKING. THE I ALSO WANT TO STATE MY FOUNDATIONAL GOAL HERE, MY GOAL IS TO KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN, TO KEEP KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM AND AVOID MASS QUARANTINING OF STAFF AND STUDENTS. IF THIS IS MY GOAL, HOW TO MASK EITHER SUPPORT OR HINDER THAT GOAL? ONE COULD ARGUE THAT MASKING KIDS WOULD SUPPORT THIS GOAL, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF HIGH TRANSMISSION IN THE COMMUNITY. WE WILL HAVE TO QUARANTINE UPON VERIFICATION OF POSITIVE COVID TEST. I BELIEVE THE REAL DEVIL HERE IS GOING TO BE IN QUARANTINING OUR STUDENTS, NOT MASKING THEM. NOTICE THAT SEVERITY DOES NOT COME INTO PLAY WITH THIS RULE. IT MATTERS NOT THAT THERE ARE LOW HOSPITALIZATIONS OR LOW DEATH NUMBERS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. IT MATTERS NOT THAT THERE IS NO PANDEMIC AMONG CHILDREN. SCHOOLS WILL HAVE TO QUARANTINE STAFF AND STUDENTS UPON POSITIVE TEST RESULTS. THIS COULD BE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. DEBATING THE SEVERITY OF THE VIRUS IN CHILDREN IS IRRELEVANT. AND SO FAR AS THIS DISCUSSION IS CONCERNED, THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING KIDS IN SCHOOL. SO HOW DO WE LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF A POSITIVE TEST RESULTS AND QUARANTINING OUR STAFF AND OUR STUDENTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP STUDENTS IN SCHOOL? IF WEARING MASK INCREASES OUR CHANCES OF KEEPING OUR STUDENTS IN SCHOOL, THEN HOW COULD I [03:50:01] VOTE AGAINST THAT? DURING PERIODS OF HIGH COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION, THE LIKELIHOOD OF STUDENTS PASSING COVID AMONG THEMSELVES IS GREATER. SO TONIGHT I WILL VOTE TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL MASKING. FOR DURING PERIODS OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT'S VERY HIGH AND I KNOW THAT OUR SUPERINTENDENT WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AS TO WHEN THE TIME COMES THAT WE CAN UNMASK OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU, MS. BAILEY. BOARD MEMBERS, DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, MS. COKER. I JUST WANT TO SHARE A FEW COMMENTS. FIRST, JUST IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME A YEAR AGO THAT WE WOULD BE SITTING HERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, I WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT. WE WERE TOLD EARLIER BY THE STATE THAT WE HAD THE DECISION MAKING ABILITY, BUT WE REALLY DIDN'T. WE ARE HELD BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE THAT WE MUST FOLLOW AND AS A SCHOOL BOARD, WE HAVE A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND WE HAVE TO WEIGH THE RISK VERSUS REWARD. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR CDC GUIDANCE, BHD GUIDANCE, AS WE HAVE SHARED EARLIER AND AND LOOK TO SEE WHEN WE CAN REDUCE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THAT ARE SAFE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW MITIGATION STRATEGIES TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. AND WE DO KNOW THAT WE ALL ARE COMMITTED TO RETURNING TO NORMAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DO WANT TO END ON A POSITIVE NOTE THAT WE WILL HAVE A MORE NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR THIS YEAR, THAT WE HAVE OVER 95 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS RETURNING TO IN PERSON LEARNING WHERE THEY LEARN BEST. OUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO FORM IN-PERSON RELATIONSHIPS, EVEN WITH A MASK ON THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND WITH THEIR TEACHERS. BEING ABLE TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS OPEN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE, AND OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO GREATLY BENEFIT FROM THE EDUCATION, THE PHYSICAL HEALTH, THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOCIALIZATION THAT THAT BRINGS. AND I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THAT OPTION FOR OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YOU KNOW, I JUST WANTED TO SAY I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE HAD TONIGHT IN THIS PRESENTATION AND ALL ALONG WE'VE FOLLOWED CDC GUIDANCE. WE'VE JUST DONE IT. WE RECOGNIZED EARLY ON IN THIS SITUATION THAT WE ARE NOT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. WE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND. I THINK THAT I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE OF OF THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW. HOW THIS IS HOW THIS WORKS. AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WE'LL FIND OUT THE OTHER END OF THIS. WE'LL GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS. IT'S BEEN A ROLLER COASTER AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL WE'LL GET TO THE END OF THIS EVENTUALLY. BUT I SUPPORT HAVING DR. DAUGHERTY FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE OF THE EXPERTS AS WE GET TO THE END OF THIS MARATHON. THANKS. MS. HAINES, DID YOU ALREADY MAKE A COMMENT BEFORE OR YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT NOW? I APOLOGIZE FOR MAKING MY COMMENT OUT OF ORDER. THANKS FOR HEARING ME. AND I'LL JUST BE FAIRLY QUICK, BECAUSE I KNOW NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ME JABBER ON. BUT, YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, I ENVISION THAT THIS SCHOOL YEAR WOULD BE DIFFERENTLY FROM LAST YEAR. AND IT'S GOING TO BE I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT WE HAVE OVER OVER 95 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE RETURNING. AND I WANTED YOU KNOW, OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO GET OUR KIDS BACK IN THE BUILDINGS, AS WE WENT TO RETURN STUDENTS TO AS NORMAL OF AN ENVIRONMENT AS POSSIBLE. AND AT THIS TIME, JUST LAST WEEK, IT LOOKED LIKE WE'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND MASKS WOULD BE SOMETHING OPTIONAL LITERALLY A WEEK AGO. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I SPOKE WITH A LOT OF PARENTS OVER THE PAST WEEKS AND I TOLD THEM IT LOOK LIKE MASK WOULD BE OPTIONAL GIVEN THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION RATE. IT WAS ALMOST NONEXISTENT TWO WEEKS AGO. THERE'S NOTHING I HATE MORE THAN GOING BACK ON MY WORD FOR THIS, I APOLOGIZE AS IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO CHANGE COURSE. BUT HERE WE ARE. THIS PAST WEEK CHANGED THINGS. HOWEVER, YOU MAY FEEL ABOUT REQUIRING MASKS DURING THESE LEVELS OF HIGH TRANSMISSION AND SPIKES. THE GOAL IS TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS OPEN. SO WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS, I HAVE REALLY TWO PATHS THAT I HAD CAN CHOOSE, I CAN CHOOSE TO ENSURE THAT WE KEEP OUR SCHOOLS OPEN. OR MASK OUR STUDENTS, AND THE CHOICE THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE IS TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS [03:55:03] OPEN AND BY MASKING, BY REQUIRING MASKS IN HIGH TRANSMISSION, IF THAT IS GOING TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SOMETHING AN INCONVENIENCE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NECESSARY THAT WE DO FOR THE TIME BEING. YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT THIS VIRUS TO BE GONE. WE ALL WANT TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. BUT WHEN THE STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OR RISK MANAGEMENT AND OR OUR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS ALL TELL US ONE WAY, YOU'RE RIGHT, A PARENT MADE THE POINT UP HERE TODAY. NONE OF US ARE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. NONE OF US ARE LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AND NOT RISK PROFESSIONALS. WE HAVE TO LEAN ON THAT ADVICE. AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE'RE AT. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR SCHOOLS CLOSED AND HOPEFULLY WE COME THROUGH THIS QUICKER. SORRY. EXCUSE ME. IT IS 10:38 AND WE'VE BEEN IN MEETINGS SINCE NOON. OK, MY APOLOGIES. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS STAY OPEN, NOT THE SCHOOLS WOULD STAY CLOSED. BUT I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE MITIGATION FACTORS IN THE PLAN THAT STAFF HAS CREATED, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO REACH A POSITION WHERE WE COULD REMOVE SOME OF THESE MITIGATION FACTORS SOONER THAN LATER. SO THANK YOU. SIR? CHAIR AND POINT OF CLARIFICATION, I THINK IS WE'RE TIRED. I THINK IT'S THE BDH SAID MASKS AND SUBSTANTIAL AND HIGH. CORRECT OR DO I HAVE THAT WRONG? DR. CDC SORRY. DID NOT OPINE ON THAT. BUT YES, THE CDC SAID SUBSTANTIAL OR I GUESS SUBSTANTIAL. SUBSTANTIAL AND HIGH. YES. THANK YOU. SO WHAT WAS THE QUESTION THAT WAS POSED? OK, LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. CHAIR I MAKE A MOTION, WE CALL THE QUESTION TO VOTE. OH THE QUESTION TO VOTE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE MOVING TO NOW, THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A MOTION. THERE'S A SECOND, MR. CLERK. GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ROLL. DOT HEFFRON. AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES. AYE. ANN COKER. AYE. RYAN HARTER. AYE. THE MEMO WAS APPROVED. NEXT WE HAVE MEMO 91-21 MR. MEISTER. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD DR. DAUGHERTY, I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT MEMORANDUM 91-21, FY 21 APPROPRIATION CHANGES FOR THE CARES RELIEF FUNDS. BEFORE I GET INTO THIS, A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY WILL BE IMPORTANT TO REMIND YOU WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU RECALL, OVER THE SUMMER, THE COUNTY ALLOCATED US APPROXIMATELY 28 MILLION FROM THEIR CORONAVIRUSES RELIEF FUNDS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CARES, IN OCTOBER OF 2020. WE GOT AN ADDITIONAL 11 MILLION FROM THE STATE AT THAT POINT. ALL OF THIS WAS CONTINGENT ON BEING ABLE TO EXPEND THOSE FUNDS BY DECEMBER 30TH, 2020. WHEN WE PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER, WE REALIZED WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMFORTABLY SPEND THOSE FUNDS. SO WE RETURNED THOSE 11 MILLION OF FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY, WHICH LEFT US WITH THE SAME 28 MILLION WE STARTED WITH OVER THE SUMMER, BUT WAS ALLOCATED ELEVEN MILLION DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE AND 17 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY. THIS MEMO IS TO REALLOCATE THE FINAL SPEND ON THE 17 MILLION THAT CAME FROM THE COUNTY. AND WHAT IS HERE IS LARGELY TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS IN NATURE. WHAT WE'RE SHOWN HERE IS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 LESS IN OPERATING IN OPERATING EXPENSE, PRIMARILY FROM WE JUST HAD PPE INVENTORY THAT WE HAD. WE DIDN'T NEED TO SPEND. WE REALLOCATED THAT MONEY PRIMARILY TOWARDS INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES OF ABOUT 25 K AND 23 K IN ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY, CHROMEBOOK, CHROMEBOOK SUPPORT, THAT TYPE OF STUFF, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER MINOR ADJUSTMENTS. THAT IS A TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENT THAT WE'RE SHOWING HERE IN THE MEMO TODAY. AND LOOK FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF. OK, THANK YOU, MR. MEISTER. BOARD MEMBERS MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 91-21? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION. IT'S TOO LATE, SO I HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA, WENT LIVE ABOUT WHY MAJOR MAINTENANCE WENT DOWN, WHY AND WHY TRANSPORTATION WENT DOWN. AND IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO COMMENT ON TECHNOLOGY TOO, PEOPLE TO ASK ABOUT THAT, BUT IT MIGHT BE GOOD INFORMATION. SO THE KEY THING TO REMEMBER HERE IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHEN IT WENT DOWN. [04:00:01] IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ORIGINAL APPROPRIATIONS, A LOT HAVE CHANGED SINCE THEN. SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MAJOR MAINTENANCE, WE ORIGINALLY ASSIGNED ABOUT 11 MILLION FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE. THIS WAS IN THE SUMMER. WE HAD A CHANCE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AND SEE WHAT WE COULD ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH IN THAT ROUND. WE ALSO GOT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BOND FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY TO SUPPORT MAJOR MAINTENANCE, SPECIFICALLY HVAC REPAIRS, THE COMBINATION OF THE ABILITY TO EXECUTE THAT AND THE ADDITIONAL BOND FUNDING. WE SHIFTED A LOT OF OUR HVAC WORK FROM CARES OVER TO THE MAJOR MAINTENANCE FUNDING THAT FREED UP MONEY TO SPEND ELSEWHERE. WE LARGELY ALLOCATED THAT TO A COUPLE OF AREAS. ONE INSTRUCTION YOU'LL SEE, ORIGINALLY WE HAD VERY LITTLE IN INSTRUCTION. WE WOUND UP PUTTING, IF YOU REMEMBER, ESL, COUNSELORS, ET CETERA, INTO INSTRUCTION THAT WAS FUNDED BY THAT REDUCTION IN MAJOR MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION BUSSES, WHICH YOU DON'T SEE HERE. BUT THAT WAS IN THE OTHER PORTION OF THE STATE FUNDS. TECHNOLOGY. WE'VE LARGELY STAYED IN AROUND THAT FIVE AND A HALF MILLION FOR THIS PORTION, AS WELL AS ANOTHER SEVEN EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND FROM THE STATE MONEYS FOR A TOTAL OF SIX POINT TWO MILLION IN TECHNOLOGY, LARGELY CHROMEBOOKS, ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE, ET CETERA, TO SUPPORT THE VIRTUAL LEARNING FROM LAST YEAR. THANKS. THAT MAKES SENSE. OK, SO THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND MR. CLERK, PLEASE CALL, ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOT HEFFRON. AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES. AYE. ANN COKER. AYE. RYAN HARTER. AYE. THE MEMO'S APPROVED. NEXT WE HAVE MEMO 99-21 REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK. SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SPEAK ABOUT SPEAK TO THIS. EARLIER AT THE AT OUR RETREAT THERE WAS A WE KIND OF SPOKE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME CHANGES TO TWO DIFFERENT PIECES. ONE WAS TO OUR OUR SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK. MS. HAINES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND PROPOSE WHAT YOUR CHANGE WOULD BE? YES, I SUGGESTED THAT WE STRIKE THE SENTENCE, THERE SHOULD BE NO SURPRISES AT A BOARD MEETING IN ORDER TO FOSTER THE IMPRESSION OF TRANSPARENCY IN OR SORRY OUR GOAL OF TRANSPARENCY AND THEN TO THE LAST SENTENCE, BECAUSE THE WHOLE GOAL OF THAT PARAGRAPH IS TO NOT OVERBURDEN STAFF THAT WOULD WE WOULD WE WOULD ADD SO THAT STAFF HAS ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE NECESSARY MATERIALS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION. OK, THERE'S BEEN A MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. OK, THERE'S BEEN A SECOND, BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM, ON THE MEMO, THE CHANGE TO IT? THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO CHANGES. DO WE DO THEM SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER? DO THEM TOGETHER. THEM TOGETHER. IT WAS THE SAME MEMO. TO GO AHEAD AND IT'S SECOND. [INAUDIBLE] THE SECOND. SO THE SECOND ONE WAS TO ON PAGE SIX UNDER THE SECTION ROLE OF THE CHAIR. AND WE WOULD STRIKE THE SENTENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN AN ISSUE IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON A SPECIFIC MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT. WE WOULD JUST DELETE THAT SENTENCE. OK. IN REGARDS TO THE SECOND CHANGE, DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT AS WELL? SECOND. OK, SO FOR FOR BOTH PROPOSED CHANGES. WE'VE HAD A MOTION, WE'VE HAD A SECOND MR. CLERK YOU GO AHEAD AND CALL ROLL. DOT HEFFRON. AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES. AYE. ANN COKER. AYE. RYAN HARTER. AYE. THE MEMO IS APPROVED. SECOND, WE HAVE MEMO 91-21, THAT WAS MEMO 91-21. [G. Items for Board Review] IT SAYS, NEXT WE HAVE ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW, GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY YOU'RE THERE. MR. CHAIRMAN, ACTUALLY, YOU HAD A THIRD MEMO THAT WAS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. IT WAS ACTUALLY MEMO 95-21, WHICH IS THE ANNUAL LOCAL GIFTED PLAN. I AM NOT NEARLY AS ATTRACTIVE AS DR. POPE, BUT I'LL DO MY BEST TO FILL IN FOR HER IN TALKING ABOUT THE GIFTED PLAN. THE GIFTED PLAN IS AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT IS MADE TO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OUTLINING OUR GIFTED SERVICES. THERE WERE NO SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES THIS YEAR. MS. HAINES BEING THAT THE BEING THAT YOU REQUESTED IT TO BE PULLED REALLY QUICK. DO YOU WANT TO GIVE A SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE CHANGED? [04:05:03] YEP, IT IS WAS IT REALLY JUST TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS BOARD HAS REALLY BEEN COMMITTED TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO GIFTED PROGRAMS AND THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN UPDATE ON FUTURE EXPANSIONS OF THE PROGRAM AND ACTUALLY THINKING BACK ON THE PERCENT STUDENTS WITH ADVANCED DIPLOMAS THAT, YOU KNOW, 33 PERCENT IN MEADOWBROOK VERSUS 70 PERCENT MIDLOTHIAN, THAT EXPANDING THIS ACCESS TO GIFTED COULD HELP WITH THAT. SO, YES. I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR, BUT I DO WANT TO BEFORE WE REALLY GET IN DEPTH ON IT, I WANT TO SEE IF THERE'S A SECOND TO MAKE THE DISCUSSION ON IT. YEAH, I DO NEED A MOTION? SO I'LL MOVE AND. SO THERE WAS A MOTION ORIGINALLY FOR HER TO PULL THIS AND THEN KIND OF LIKE A BRIEF DISCUSSION, AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT IT IS THAT WE WOULD TAKE UP AND THEN A SECOND, IF WE WANT TO HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON IT AND IF WE WANT TO. SECOND THAT. OK, SO THERE'S A SECOND. SO NOW WE CAN OPEN UP THE BOARD DISCUSSION. I THINK MS. HAINES KIND OF EXPLAINED WHAT HER INTENTION WAS WITH THE POLICY. AND SPECIFICALLY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO HAVE CHANGED OR AMENDED? NOTHING REALLY, JUST THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN UPDATE AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING ON OUR EXPANSION PLANS. THAT'S NOT A THAT'S NOT REALLY A. YEAH, THAT WOULD BE MORE OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT [INAUDIBLE] BE A MOTION, SO I GUESS THERE'S A MOTION RIGHT NOW AND THERE'S ACTUALLY BEEN A SECOND. THE MEMO'S STILL ON THE TABLE. YOU STILL HAVE TO APPROVE SO THERE'S BEEN A FIRST AND SECOND MR. CLERK CALL ROLL. DOT HEFFRON. AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES. AYE. ANN COKER. AYE. RYAN HARTER. AYE. THE MEMO'S APPROVED. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW, MR. CLERK. MR. CHAIR TONIGHT. EXCUSE ME. TONIGHT'S AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THE BOARD'S REVIEW. MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT FUNDS CLOSING OUT FY 2021, MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT FUNDS FOR FY 2022, FY 2021 MAY EXPENDITURES VERSUS APPROPRIATIONS, BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS, THE PRE-K UPDATE FOR MAY 2021 AND THE ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE. THANK YOU MR. CLERK. [H. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items] NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. FOR THIS MEETING, CITIZENS WERE GIVEN THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING THEIR COMMENTS ONLINE. THE BOARD RECEIVED ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE ONLINE COMMENTS. COMMENTS SUBMITTED VIA THE ONLINE FORUM WERE SENT TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO TONIGHT'S MEETING, AS WELL AS POSTED ON BOARDDOC'S SITE AND WILL BE INCLUDED AS A FULL ADDENDUM TO THE MEETING. SO MR. CLERK. WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING'S IN-PERSON SPEAKERS ON NON AGENDA ITEMS? EXCUSE ME, MR. CHAIR. WE HAVE 25 SPEAKERS FOR NO AGENDA ITEMS THIS EVENING AND SIMILAR TO AGENDA ITEMS, I WILL CALL THEM UP IN GROUPS OF FIVE. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THERE'S A TIMER SET UP ON TOP OF THE PODIUM THAT WILL TURN GREEN WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING, YELLOW WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS REMAINING AND RED WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR NAME AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR COMMENTS. AND PLEASE NOTE THAT COMMENTS EQUIVALENT TO CAMPAIGNING FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICE ARE IN VIOLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1110 AND ARE PROHIBITED. OUR FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS THIS EVENING ARE DORIS [INAUDIBLE], DR. PATRICIA POWERS, MARY BAUER, PETER GREENWALD AND JESSICA ANDERSON. DORIS [INAUDIBLE]. HELLO. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DORIS [INAUDIBLE], AND I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF VIRGINIANS FOR SAFE TECHNOLOGY. OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT CURRENT AND FUTURE VIRGINIANS RIGHTS TO SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY. I'M ALSO A MOM OF TWO AND A FORMER ELEMENTARY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. I'VE PROVIDED EACH OF YOU IT'S BEING PASSED OUT RIGHT NOW WITH A TECH SAFE SCHOOLS BROCHURE, A COVER LETTER AND A LEGAL DOCUMENT FROM THE EIGHT LAWYERS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE LAWYERS COMMITTEE ON WIRELESS RADIATION AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH. I HAD DELIVERED THAT IN PERSON TO DR. DAUGHERTY AND TO THE SCHOOL TO THE SCHOOL'S LAWYER ON FRIDAY. THE EIGHT LAWYERS IN THIS DOCUMENT BELIEVE THAT SCHOOLS HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION. AND WE AGREE. DO YOU? IT'S A MYTH THAT THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT WIRELESS RADIATION IS HARMFUL AND NON-IONIZING RADIATION IS SAFE. THE FACT IS THAT THERE ARE OVER THREE DECADES OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT EXISTS ON HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS OF WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY. HUNDREDS OF PEER REVIEWED STUDIES, PUBLISHED STUDIES IN BOTH HUMANS AND ANIMALS, HAVE LINKED WIRELESS RADIO FREQUENCY EXPOSURE AS WELL AS MAGNETIC FIELD NINE NON-IONIZING [04:10:01] ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCY EMF RADIATION AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXIN THAT HAS HARMFUL BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS. AND WHEN OUR CHILDREN WERE SENT HOME IN MARCH OF 2020 AND PUT ON VIRTUAL LEARNING IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS FOR MYSELF. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THEN THEY WERE SIX AND 10 AND THEY BEGAN HAVING UPSET STOMACHS, HEADACHES, NOSEBLEEDS AND NOTHING ELSE IN OUR LIVES THAT CHANGED OTHER THAN THEM BEING HOME AND BEING ON VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY. SO I BEGAN RESEARCHING TO FIND OUT IF THAT WAS TRUE, THAT WIRELESS DEVICES COULD BE HARMFUL. AND IN FACT, I FOUND THAT IT WAS SO I HARDWIRED THE DEVICES IN OUR HOME. AND WHAT I NOTICED WAS THEIR STOMACH ACHES, THEIR HEADACHES AND THEIR NOSEBLEEDS WENT AWAY AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY FINE. SO I'VE BEEN EMAILING THE SCHOOL BOARD EVER SINCE THEN, SINCE I LEARNED AND AS AN EDUCATOR, I HAD NO IDEA. I'VE BEEN EMAILING AND GIVING A LOT OF GRACE. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAVE GIVEN I'VE PROVIDED USE THE FOIA, THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT CHESTERFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT GETS A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE TELECOM INDUSTRY PER YEAR. AND THAT RECENTLY YOU'VE THROUGH THE ESSER ESSER3 GRANT. YOU HAVE RECEIVED TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE DOLLARS FOR THE TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATION CATEGORY. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. I'M ALSO AWARE THAT YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WITH FOR WITH BELL TECH LOGIC'S FOR WIRELESS HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHY HAVE YOU NOT INVESTED ANY MONEY INTO HARDWIRING DEVICES? IF YOU TRULY CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR STUDENTS, YOU HAVE IGNORED THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE. WHEN THERE IS POTENTIAL HARM, YOU SHOULD STOP AND PROVE THAT IT IS SAFE BEFORE CONTINUING. THERE IS MORE. IT LOOKS LIKE MY TIME IS JUST ABOUT OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO OUR GROUP IS GOING TO TALK WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEGLECTED THEIR DUTY HERE AS WELL. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH MR. DAUGHERTY IN THE FUTURE AND HAVE OUR RF ENGINEER, MEETING. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, MS. [INAUDIBLE]. DR. PATRICIA POWERS. SHE IS NOT HERE THIS EVENING AND NEITHER IS MARY. THEY ARE THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO JOIN US VIA ZOOM, HOWEVER, THAT'S THE PHYSICIAN THAT I BROUGHT WAS GOING TO BRING WITH ME AND THE RF ENGINEER BUT THEY'D BE HAPPY TO SPEAKERS]. THANK YOU, PETER GREENWALD. JESSICA ANDERSON. OK, AND OUR NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS ARE SHARITA JOHNSON, MIKE CARABINERS, CAROLYN FERRARO, DOMINIQUE CHATTERS AND MARIO SMITH. SHARITA JOHNSON. MIKE CARABINERS. HELLO AGAIN. I THINK TONIGHT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS A LOT OF PARENTS WHO ON BOTH SIDES WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR STUDENTS, AND I EXPECT YOU ALL TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STUDENTS, PERIOD, THE END, THE STUDENTS, THE SCHOOLS. WHILE I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE, I'VE BEEN REREADING NEWS STORIES ABOUT DIFFERENT NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTIES AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS WITH THE AIM OF GOING THROUGH THE SCHOOL BOARDS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS ONE TO PUSH A NATIONAL AGENDA. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT IS JUST UTTERLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SEE THIS SCHOOL BOARD REMAIN AS NONPARTISAN AS IT POSSIBLY CAN. I THINK YOU EVEN MENTIONED IT EARLIER, THAT IT HAS TO BE NONPARTISAN. WE CANNOT LET THE VERY PARTISAN TIMES THAT WE LIVE IN, THE VERY PARTISAN VOICES THAT ARE DRIVING MANY OF US INTO THIS ROOM TODAY WITH INFORMATION, LIKE YOU SAID, ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. IT'S A PARTISAN TACTIC TO GET THIS INFORMATION MIXED UP OUT THERE. SO WE DEPEND ON YOU, THE SCHOOL BOARD, NOT TO TAKE PARTISAN SIDES. AND IT HURTS WHEN I SEE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD ENDORSING POLITICAL OFFICES FOR ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER. SO WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, I ASK THIS BOARD, STAY NONPARTISAN. WE'RE DEPENDING ON YOU TO BE FOCUSED ENTIRELY ON THESE STUDENTS AND WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM. AND THAT MEANS NOT GETTING EMBROILED IN THIS NATIONAL PARTISAN CONVERSATION AND DEBATE THAT HAPPENS ALL AROUND US. YOU'RE HERE TO WORK FOR THE SCHOOLS, NOT THE POLITICIANS AND NOT THE PARTIES THAT ARE ALL AROUND US CONSTANTLY TRYING TO PUSH THEIR OWN VIEWS INTO IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. [04:15:01] CARABINERS. CAROLYN FERRARO. HI, MY NAME IS CAROLYN FERRARO, AND I AM ONCE AGAIN IS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF [INAUDIBLE], WHO IS UNABLE TO ATTEND THIS THIS EVENING. DEAR BOARD MEMBERS, I HAVE WRITTEN ALL OF YOU PREVIOUSLY, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BOARD IS NOW WAVERING IN ITS COMMITMENT TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF VIRGINIA'S PARENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION AND CARE OF OUR CHILDREN. VIRGINIA CODE 1-240.1. AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF MY SIXTEEN HUNDRED PLUS HOUSEHOLD HOA AND A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN VIRGINIA, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULT POSITION IN WHICH YOU FIND YOURSELVES. YOU NEED TO THREAD A POLICY NEEDLE. YOU'RE BEING BUFFETED BY THE POSTURING AND THREATS OF LOCAL POLITICIANS SEEKING POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN AN ELECTION YEAR. THE EVER SHIFTING GUIDANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT HAVE BEEN ELEVATED TO LAW DESPITE THE FACT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT SUCH CDC MANDATES MASKS, EVECTION MORATORIUM ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THEREFORE INVALID. AND NOW RUMORS OF INSURANCE POLICY CANCELATIONS. IF YOU FAIL TO FOLLOW STATE POLICY CLOSELY ENOUGH, HERE'S YOUR ONLY SOLUTION THAT ADDRESSES ALL OF THE ABOVE. ADOPT A POLICY THAT REQUIRES PARENTS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RISK MITIGATION FOR THEIR OWN CHILD IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. THIS IS FOR GOING FORWARD AS WELL. PARENTS EMPOWERED TO CUSTOMIZE THE RIGHT FIT FOR THEIR CHILD ASSUME ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD. THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY THUS NOT VOID ANY INSURANCE PROVISIONS AS NO ADDITIONAL LIABILITY RISK WILL HAVE BEEN CREATED OR ASSUMED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD OR CCPS. FURTHER, THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY WILL BE IN LINE WITH VIRGINIA LAW, WHICH REQUIRES SCHOOL BOARDS TO NOT VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS CITED ABOVE WHILE ADHERING TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE. TO CURRENTLY TO CURRENTLY APPLICABLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES PROVIDED BY THE CDC. THE CDC DOES NOT CREATE LAW. THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOES. THE VIRGINIA GA CLEARLY DID NOT INTEND ON SCHOOL, SCHOOL ON SENATE, SENATE POLICY NUMBER 1303 TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO USURP THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF VIRGINIA'S PARENTS BY TREATING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CDC, CDC AS LEGAL MANDATES. IF THIS BOARD TREATS THE CDC'S CURRENTLY APPLICABLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES WHICH COME IN THE FORM OF RECOMMENDATIONS AS LEGAL MANDATES IN VIOLATION OF VIRGINIA LAW. THE BOARD WOULD OPEN ITSELF UP TO LIABILITY FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO STUDENTS BY MASKS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION. THE SOLUTION IS CLEAR. YOUR POLICY MUST BE TO SHIFT THE BURDENS AND BENEFITS OF CHOICE UPON THE PARENT OF EACH CHILD, ONE TO FOLLOW STATE POLICY, AND TWO TO DETERMINE WHICH OF THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MITIGATION STRATEGIES APPLIES TO THEIR CHILDREN. [INAUDIBLE] JUST VOTED TO MAKE MASK OPTIONAL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, AND I WILL BE EMAILING TO FIND OUT WHY FOR UNDER THE SAME LAW AND WE ARE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER WITHIN BDH THINGS. HOW THINGS ARE SO DIFFERENT IN TWO DIFFERENT AREAS. SO FROM OUR EMAIL, I WILL SEE YOU LATER OR NOT SEE YOU LATER, BUT HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MS. FERRARA. DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. MS. HAINES MENTIONED INCLUSIVITY. SHE ADDRESSED THE FACT THAT THERE ARE CONSTITUENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT BEING HEARD. AND HERE I STAND AGAIN. JUST A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE STILL NOT REACHING ALL OF THE AUDIENCE. I WOULD ASK THAT GOING FORWARD, IF WE LOOK AT THIS AS HALFTIME OF A FOOTBALL GAME, WE HAVE TWO QUARTERS LEFT IN YOUR IN YOUR TERM TO TRY TO DO BETTER. AND I'M ALL ON BOARD WITH MS. HAINES SUGGESTION FOR REACHING OUT FOR MORE TOWN HALLS. BUT WE HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. AND SOMETIMES TECHNOLOGY IS NOT ACCOMMODATING FOR EVERYONE. SO IF YOU HAVE IT WITHIN YOUR POWER TO HOLD SOMETHING MORE IN PERSON, INSIDE YOUR DISTRICTS, INSIDE THOSE AREAS THAT YOU'RE NOT HEARING FROM, I THINK THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO SHOW YOUR EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THE VOICES. YOU DON'T HEAR ENOUGH OF. GRACIAS. THANK YOU, MS. CHATTERS. [INAUDIBLE] SMITH. OUR NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS ARE MONA SMITH, [INAUDIBLE] SMITH, EMILY KLEIN, KATE FLYNN AND BILL BROWN. MONA SMITH. [INAUDIBLE] SMITH. EMILY KLEIN, KATE FLYNN. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT VOTE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. MY NAME IS KATE FLYNN AND I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT FEAR MONGERING. A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED IT TONIGHT. SOMEBODY UP HERE SAID IT. ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAID IT. FEAR MONGERING IS A FORM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION WHICH CAUSES FEAR BY USING EXAGGERATED RUMORS OF IMPENDING DANGER. IT IS FOMENTED BY CERTAIN GROUPS IN ORDER TO GAIN, MOSTLY POLITICALLY, FOR MAKING A SUBJECT MORE FRIGHTENING AND THEREFORE MORE DIVISIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON ITS OWN. WE KNOW THAT THAT'S HAPPENED WITH MASKS HAS HAPPENED WITH SEVERAL OTHER TOPICS. [04:20:03] THE ONE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS CRITICAL RACE THEORY, OR CRT. IT'S ONE OF THE MANY SUBJECTS THAT THAT'S BEEN FOMENTED TO VILIFY PUBLIC EDUCATION. CRT POSITS THAT RACISM IS NOT JUST THE RESULT OF INDIVIDUAL BIAS, BUT IS THE RESULT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED LAWS AND PRACTICES THAT CREATE OR REINFORCE DISCRIMINATION. CRT IS A COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, IT IS NOT TAUGHT IN K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WHAT IS TAUGHT IN K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION IS CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING, WHICH IS THE OTHER CRT AND APPROACH TO TEACHING THAT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING STUDENTS CULTURAL AND BACKGROUND IN ALL ASPECTS OF LEARNING. IT IS TAUGHT AT DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE LEVELS BASED ON STUDENTS GRADES AND AGE. IF CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT BEING TAUGHT IN K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I GO BACK TO FEAR MONGERING, WHY AND HOW DID IT SUDDENLY BECOME A BOOGIE MAN TOPIC FOR K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION? REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN 26 STATES HAVE INTRODUCED OR PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DIRECTLY TARGET THE PRINCIPLES OF CRT BY BANNING SCHOOLS FROM TEACHING ABOUT STRUCTURAL INSTITUTIONAL RACISM. THIS HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY BECAUSE THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL, OR ALEC, SWIFTLY ENSURED LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED WIDELY ACROSS THE U.S.. ALEC IS WHERE LEGISLATORS AND CORPORATE LOBBYISTS WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE MODEL LEGISLATION THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, WEAKENED STATE REGULATIONS OF CORPORATIONS AND CREATE ANTI-UNION MEASURES. ALEC WAS PROFILED BY USA TODAY A FEW YEARS AGO AS A COPY AND PASTE BILL MILL. THERE ARE SEVERAL VIRGINIA LEGISLATORS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF ALEC. ALEC HOSTED A WORKSHOP LAST DECEMBER CALLED AGAINST CRITICAL THEORIES ONSLAUGHT, FOLLOWING SEVERAL MONTHS OF PROTESTS OVER THE MURDERS OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BRIANNA TAYLOR. THIS COPY PASTE LEGISLATION STARTED BEING INTRODUCED AND PASSED STARTED IN EARLY 2021. PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO BE AWARE WHEN FEAR MONGERING IS BEING USED TO PUSH AN AGENDA THAT BENEFITS ONLY A FEW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. FLYNN. BILL BROWN. AND WHILE MR. BROWN IS COMING UP, I'LL CALL THE NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS TRACY [INAUDIBLE], GLENN VESA, KAREN BADMAN, MELODY [INAUDIBLE] AND KELLY MARLIN. MR. BROWN. MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBER OF THE BOARD BOARD MEMBERS. I'M BILL BROWN. I'VE LIVED IN I FIGURED IT OUT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY 37 YEARS. I WAS MAINLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT YOUR LACK OF CONCERN FOR CITIZEN INPUT, BUT THEN I SAW IT WAS OK TO YELL FROM THE AUDIENCE, EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE THREATENED WITH BEING THROWN OUT OF THE PLACE IF YOU DID IT AGAIN. YOU ALSO HAVE A POLICY AGAINST SPEAKING TO AGENDA ITEMS DURING THIS PART OF THE EVENING. BUT YOU LET THAT PERSON TALK FOR THREE, THREE AND A HALF MINUTES ABOUT AN AGENDA ITEM. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND YET MAKE THEIR FEELINGS KNOWN ON PARTICULAR ISSUES HAS THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS WHAT WAS THIS EVENING. THREE ITEMS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. BUT ENOUGH TIME, I USED TWO AND A HALF MINUTES ON ONE ITEM. I DIDN'T SEE ANY POINT IN TRYING TO CONDENSE INTO 15 SECONDS EACH. WHAT I HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE OTHER TWO AGENDA ITEMS. IF YOU CARE, IF YOU TRULY CARE ABOUT CITIZEN INPUT, YOU'LL CHANGE THE RULES BACK TO WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE YOUR PREDECESSORS TRIED TO SHUT DOWN CRITICISM OF THEIR POORLY RUN OPERATION. THAT'S ALL I GOT. THANK YOU, MR. BROWN. TRACY [INAUDIBLE]. HELLO, I'M TRACY [INAUDIBLE]. I'M COMING BACK TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE MISREPRESENTATION OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND THE BACKLASH AGAINST TEACHING STUDENTS ABOUT OUR COMPLETE HISTORY, WARTS AND ALL, THAT ACTUALLY PROVES THE POINT THAT RACISM IS REAL. SOME ELEMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY ARE IN DENIAL STILL AND THAT OTHERS ARE STILL ACTIVELY PROMOTING RACIST POLICIES. I, I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THE SCHOOL BOARD 2020 RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RACISM AND AFFIRMING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S COMMITMENT TO AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. HOWEVER, I WOULD URGE YOU TO STAND BY THAT RESOLUTION BY RENEWING YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE VCU SCHOOL OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE ANTI-RACISM TRAINING TO FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS. AND I WOULD ASK THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. [INAUDIBLE], GLENN BESSA, KAREN BADMAN, MELODY [INAUDIBLE]. HI, I'M MELODY [INAUDIBLE]. I'M A RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES TODAY. [04:25:13] THEY PUT MY HEART AT EASE. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY. MY OLDER BROTHER IS A FULL TIME LOBBYIST FOR AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL LOBBY GROUP, FOR SECURITY REASONS. I CAN'T SHARE WITH YOU THE NAME OF THAT GROUP, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT HE HAS NO SOCIAL MEDIA, HIS NUMBER IS UNLISTED AND HIS FAMILY IS IN FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY. I CAN CONFIRM WHAT YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT THE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP AT ALEC, AGAIN, THAT STANDS FOR THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL. THAT MEETING DID TAKE PLACE, I BELIEVE, ON DECEMBER 3RD 2020. AND MY BROTHER WAS THERE. THAT IS ALL. THANK YOU, MS. [INAUDIBLE], OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KELLY MARLIN, AND WHILE MS. MARLIN IS COMING UP, I'LL ANNOUNCE THE FINAL FIVE SPEAKERS OF THE EVENING, WENDY LITTLE, HEATHER WILSON, JUSTIN WALKER, STEVE BOWING AND CHRISTINE MELENDEZ, MS. MARLIN. GOOD EVENING AGAIN. I ALSO WANTED TO BRIEFLY ADDRESS THE NOTION THAT CCPS IS TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN SCHOOLS. EVERY INFORMED PERSON IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT IS NOT TRUE. CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT DESIGNED FOR K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION, BUT IRONICALLY, IT'S THEORY BASED ON CRITICAL THINKING. IT IS APPLYING A LENS CRITICAL THINKING TO RACIAL INJUSTICES. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BAD IDEA, ALTHOUGH THE NUANCES AND DEPTH REQUIRED FOR IT ARE ABOVE THE SKILL LEVEL OF MOST K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS. BUT CRITICAL THINKING IS A TOPIC CCPS AND VDOE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT'S ONE OF DR. LANE'S FIVE CS THAT VIRGINIA GRADUATES NEED TO DEMONSTRATE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS. WE ARE TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN APPLY CRITICAL THINKING IN THE WORKFORCE. WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? IN ITS MOST BASIC FORM, CRITICAL THINKING OCCURS WHEN STUDENTS ARE ANALYZING, EVALUATING, INTERPRETING OR SYNTHESIZING INFORMATION AND APPLYING CREATIVE THOUGHT TO FORM AN ARGUMENT, SOLVE A PROBLEM OR REACH A CONCLUSION. IT SOUNDS SIMPLE ENOUGH. IT'S VERY MUCH LIKE USING SKILLS TO SOLVE A WORD PROBLEM, ARGUE A DEBATE POINT, OR PERFORMING A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT. I SUPPORT MY KIDS LEARNING TO THINK CRITICALLY AND TO QUESTION THINGS THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE EXPLORED. I BELIEVE CRITICAL THINKING WILL SERVE THEM WELL IN SCHOOL AND COLLEGE, IN THE WORKFORCE AND IN LIFE. BUT BACK TO CRT. WHAT DOES CCPS INCLUDE IN ITS MISSION? WHAT CCPS DOES INCLUDE IN ITS MISSION IS A DIFFERENT CRT CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING. THAT MEANS TEACHERS ARE TAUGHT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE CULTURE EACH STUDENT COMES FROM. SO MAYBE THEY DON'T LEAVE KWANZA OUT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS OR THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR MUSLIM STUDENTS MAY BE FASTING AND TIRED DURING RAMADAN, OR THEY UNDERSTAND WHY SOME STUDENTS MAY BE UPSET WHEN DISCUSSING SLAVERY. TEACHERS ARE AMAZING PEOPLE, AND MANY OF THEM COME TO THE PROFESSION WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF EMPATHY AND CARING FOR ALL CHILDREN. BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY ALL UNDERSTAND THEIR STUDENTS LIVED EXPERIENCES AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING HELPS THEM MEET AS MANY STUDENTS AS THEY CAN WHERE THEY ARE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SUFFICIENT TO JUST SAY CPS DOESN'T TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY. FACTUALLY, THAT'S ACCURATE, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO QUELL THE RUMORS THAT CCPS IS TRYING TO RADICALIZE OR UNDERMINE PARENTS. THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CCPS TO EXPLAIN WHAT BOTH FORMS OF CRT ARE AND TO LET PARENTS KNOW THE GOAL ISN'T TO PUT BLAME ON ANYONE. IT'S TO SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS, PERIOD. THANK YOU, MS. MARLIN, WENDY LITTLE. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. MR. CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS DR. DAUGHERTY, DR. TAYLOR, ESTEEMED GUESTS, MY NAME IS WENDY LITTLE AGAIN, AND I'M HERE THIS TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION. I WOULD ARGUE THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF SPEAK TALKING ABOUT EQUITY IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, ESPECIALLY FOR ELLS, FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITY. THAT'S IMPORTANT. BUT I DO THINK THAT PROBABLY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN ARE YOUR LARGEST PORTION OF THOSE TYPES OF EXTRA NEEDS GROUPS OR EXTRA ATTENTION NEEDS GROUPS. AND WE'VE REALLY, REALLY SUFFERED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC. I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW. I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES INFORMATION THAT'S NOT FILTERING UPWARDS, THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING. [04:30:01] AND THIS IS REALLY LONG TERM. SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS TO TO TO MAKE SOME POSITIVE CHANGES. AND SO I WAS INTERESTED IN THE GIFTED EDUCATION. SEE, I HAVE A CHILD IN A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL WITH AUTISM AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER THINGS AND INCONTINENCE, WHICH TOOK TWO MONTHS TO GET HIM AN AID TO HELP HIM. HE'S BEEN SITTING IN DIRTY DIAPERS FOR TWO MONTHS. THIS TIME THIS GO AROUND, NOT THE THREE 504 PLANS AT SCHOOL SYSTEM DONE BEFORE COVID, WHEN HE CAME HOME EVERY DAY OFF THE BUS IN DIRTY DIAPERS EVERY DAY. THIS IS NOT OK. THIS IS NOT WHAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM REPRESENTS WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN WITH NEEDS. JUST BECAUSE HE'S INCONTINENT, HE'S CONSTANTLY BULLIED BY PEOPLE. AND THAT'S NOT THAT'S NOT A WAY THAT A CHILD SHOULD HAVE AN EDUCATION. SO I'M TRYING TO ACTUALLY NOT TALK ABOUT HIM. BUT I LOVE THE THE. THE GIFTED PLAN, MY OTHER CHILD IS AN CBG, HE FLEW THROUGH VIRTUAL LEARNING, GOT HIMSELF UP AT 5:30 EVERY DAY CLASS DIDN'T START TILL 9:30 AND HE DID FANTASTIC, YOU KNOW, SO I GOT TOTALLY TWO ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM HERE. SO I JUST WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IF I COULD GET EVERYBODY'S COMMITMENT TO HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP OTHERS, HELP THE SCHOOL DIVISION, HELP DIANE GLOVER AND HER TEAM BE A CHAMPION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS, BECAUSE SADLY, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS KIND OF KNOWN AROUND THE STATE AS BEING NOT VERY SUPPORTIVE OF SPECIAL NEEDS. AND WE NEED SUPPORT AND HELP FOR OUR KIDS REALLY NOW MORE THAN EVER. SO NEXT TIME I COME, I'M GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION AND THINGS THAT I CAN DO AND THAT I'D LIKE TO DO TO JUST BE A CHAMPION, NOT ONLY FOR MY SON, BUT ALL OF THE THE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. I FEEL LIKE THEY NEED LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE ME TO BE THEIR VOICE. AND I'M GOING TO JUST BE I'LL BE ASKING FOR SOME HELP WITH SOME ENDEAVORS THAT I'M TRYING TO WORK ON. AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CHILDREN. AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. LITTLE, HEATHER WILSON. JUSTIN WALKER. STEVE BOWING, CHRISTINE MELENDEZ. GOOD EVENING AGAIN, BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MELENDEZ AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE AS THE FIRST LATINA PRESIDENT OF THE CHESTERFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THIS SUMMER, CEA LEADERS MET WITH CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF TO DISCUSS LANGUAGE CLARIFICATION REGARDING CONTRACTS, PAY AND WORK CALENDARS. WE SEEK TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE TRUST BETWEEN RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES AND CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF BY ENTERING INTO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WITH YOU. OUR SCHOOL BOARD. DECISIONS ABOUT SCHOOLS AND WHAT'S BEST FOR STUDENTS SHOULD BE MADE BY THE EDUCATORS WHO WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS EVERY DAY. BUT TIME AFTER TIME, MANDATES ARE PUT IN PLACE WITH ZERO INPUT FROM EDUCATORS. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NOW PERMITTED UNDER VIRGINIA LAW IS A STANDARD LABOR PRACTICE THAT GIVES EDUCATION WORKERS A SEAT AT THE TABLE DURING THE FORMATION AND RATIFICATION OF THEIR EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS. THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS THROUGH THEIR ASSOCIATIONS IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR EDUCATORS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS COUNTRY. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH MOST OF THE COUNTRY BY ENSURING THEIR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ENJOY BASIC LABOR RIGHTS. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT LEARNING CONDITIONS IMPROVE FOR STUDENTS WHEN EDUCATORS HAVE THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE THEIR CONTRACTS. WHEN STRESS IS REDUCED AND EDUCATORS HAVE SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, THEY CAN DEVOTE MORE TIME AND ENERGY TO THEIR STUDENTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS. EDUCATORS HAVE USED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TO SECURE SMALLER CLASS SIZES, INCREASE ONE ON ONE ATTENTION FOR STUDENTS FROM PROFESSIONALS LIKE NURSES AND COUNSELORS, AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON SAFETY ISSUES. A CONTRACT EXPRESSES A SHARED SET OF VALUES THAT CAN BE BUILT UPON TO CREATE THE BEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THE BEST WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR EDUCATORS. WHEN WE JOIN TOGETHER EDUCATORS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, WE CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY STUDENT CAN LEARN AND FLOURISH BY ENSURING THAT EACH STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, MEALS AND AFTERCARE PROGRAMS AND HIGH [04:35:05] QUALITY INSTRUCTION. COLLECTIVELY NEGOTIATING WILL HELP OUR STUDENTS GET THE SKILLS AND EDUCATION THEY DESERVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. MELENDEZ. MR. CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. THANK YOU, MR. CLERK. NEXT, WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS, DR. DAUGHERTY. I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH BEEN SAID TONIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME TIME BACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BOARD MEMBERS. [J. Announcements, Communications, and School Board Comments] ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS? MS. HAINES. YES, NEXT YEAR WHEN WE DO A RETREAT, CAN WE DO IT ON A SEPARATE DAY? I DON'T THINK I HAVE AN 11 HOUR ATTENTION SPAN AND YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME. I'M SUPER PROUD OF US, THAT'S ALL. ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? MS. HEFFRON. SO MY COMMENT IS IT'S 11:18. [LAUGHTER] AND THEN I WILL I WILL REFRAIN FROM MY STATEMENT MS. BAILEY. I WILL I WILL LET YOU I WILL LET YOU GET HOME. NOW, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I THINK THAT WE DO HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF TONIGHT. AND TODAY WAS REALLY, REALLY A CHALLENGE FOR US. AND IT WAS A MARATHON. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK VERY QUICKLY, VERY SOON, WE WILL ALL BE GOING TO BED AND RESTING EASY KNOWING THAT WE TWO BIG AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE APPROACHED WITH EQUITY AND SAFETY. AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID TODAY. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I AM VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING OUR SCHOOL YEAR AND GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND I TRUST DR. DAUGHERTY THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. OK. THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD SESSION WILL BE HELD AT FOUR P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 14TH,2021 WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BUSINESS MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVED. MR. CLERK. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOT HEFFRON. AYE. DEBBIE BAILEY. AYE. KATHRYN HAINES. AYE. ANN COKER. AYE. RYAN HARTER. AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES THE AUGUST 10TH, 2021 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.