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[A. Meeting Opening - 6:30 p.m.]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE OCTOBER 11, 2022 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING TO ORDER.BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING THIS EVENING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING THE OCTOBER 11TH SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING AND REMIND THE AUDIENCE THAT COMMENTS TO THIS BOARD MAY ONLY BE MADE AT THE PODIUM DURING A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE ARE PROHIBITED AND ARE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 18.2-415 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND PUBLIC SPACES AND SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 6141.
WHILE NATIONALLY NUMEROUS CATEGORICAL DESIGNATIONS ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH MONTH.
THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SEVERAL SPECIFIC AREAS AS THEY ALIGN WITH OUR DIVISION PRIORITIES WITHIN SCHOOLS AND DESERVE MENTION AS THEY PERTAIN TO OUR ONGOING WORK.
THESE INCLUDE NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH, DISABILITY HISTORY AND AWARENESS MONTH, NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, AND DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH.
ADDITIONALLY, WHILE WE TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF DURING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IN MAY, THE INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER CALENDAR OPENED WITH WORLD TEACHER'S DAY.
WE DO NOT WANT TO PASS UP AN EXTRA OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR TEACHERS HERE IN CPS FOR ALL THAT THEY DO AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CPS TEACHERS, OUR WORLD CLASS.
NEXT, WE WILL HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY MS. BAILEY, FOLLOWED BY OUR FLAG SALUTE LED BY MS. HEFFRON. GOOD EVENING.
BEFORE TONIGHT'S INVOCATION, THE SCHOOL BOARD WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE THE PASSING OF CHRIS SHEFFIELD, A FORMER CAFETERIA MANAGER AT DAVIS ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED CPS ON OCTOBER 26, 2020.
PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THANK YOU. NOW FOR THE INVOCATION.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU TODAY ASKING FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, WISDOM AND SUPPORT.
HELP US ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION.
ALLOW US TO GROW CLOSER AS A GROUP AND NURTURE THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY.
[B. Consent Agenda]
13, 2022.BUSINESS MEETING MEMO NUMBER 126-22 RECOMMENDED PERSONNEL ACTIONS.
MEMO NUMBER 127-22 FY 2023 ACCEPTANCE OF NEW GRANTS.
MEMO NUMBER 129-22 TRANSFER OF BUDGET FROM ADMINISTRATION ATTENDANCE AND HEALTH TO INSTRUCTION AND MEMO NUMBER 137-22 APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? MADAM CHAIR, THERE ARE NO ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY REQUESTS FROM A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO SEPARATE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND INDIVIDUAL ACTION? HEARING NONE. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
NEXT WE HAVE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS.
[C. Awards and Recognitions]
MR. SMITH.THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS, IF I COULD ASK COLE CAFFALL TO COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MIDLOTHIAN HIGH STUDENT COLE CAFFALL FOR PLACING THE TOP TEN DURING NATIONAL COMPETITION WITH THE FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA.FBLA IS THE LARGEST BUSINESS CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD.
YVONNE MULLINS IS THE MIDLOTHIAN HIGH CHAPTER'S ADVISOR.
A TOTAL OF SIX MIDLOTHIAN HIGH STUDENTS ATTENDED AT THE FBLA CONFERENCE, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 12,000 STUDENTS AND ACADEMIC ADVISORS FROM 48 STATES AND TERRITORIES FOR LEARNING SESSIONS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS AND COMPETITIONS AND A VARIETY OF EVENTS.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING COLE [APPLAUSE].
GO AHEAD AND WAVE YOUR HAND [APPLAUSE].
AND THEN I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE YVONNE MULLINS [APPLAUSE] BECAUSE WE KNOW BEHIND EVERY GREAT STUDENT IS A GREAT TEACHER AND ALSO DR.
ABEL FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT AND KEEPING THE TEAM TOGETHER [APPLAUSE].
HERE'S THIS WONDERFUL BACKPACK, WHICH I THINK IS PRETTY COOL.
SO YOU NEVER FORGET US, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR FUTURE PLANS ARE, BECAUSE I THINK THE GREAT THING ABOUT FBLA AND I THINK SHAWN SAID THE LARGEST FBLA GROUP IN THE STATE.
YEAH. SO IN THE FUTURE, I REALLY JUST WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE.
AND YEAH, AFTER THAT, I WANT TO BECOME AN ENGINEER, POSSIBLY FOR DISNEY.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO SHARE? I THINK THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.
YOU'RE WHY WE'RE HERE [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
HERE ARE THE 2022 AWARD WINNERS FROM CHESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONNECTING ALL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHICH SPOTLIGHTED THE SUPER SENIOR PASSPORT, THE COUNTYWIDE CCPS ON THE GO NEWSLETTER, THE FAITH LEADERS NETWORK, OUTREACH AND ADDITIONAL CONNECTIONS SCHOOLS MAKES WITH RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE CHILDREN IN CCPS.
THE SECOND CATEGORY FROM THE JUNIOR ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.
IN AUGUST, THE ECHO GAVE ITS TOP AWARD TO CHESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THE VACO ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. CONNECTING ALL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WON THE 2022 BEST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, AND THEY ALSO RECOGNIZED AN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY TO THE YOUNGEST IN THE COMMUNITY TO BECOME FUTURE SCHOLARS.
THE THIRD CATEGORY WAS THE ASSOCIATION OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS.
THIS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION HONORING EXCELLENCE IN WEB CREATIVITY AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION IS UNIQUE, AND THAT REFLECTS THE ROLE OF CREATIVES AND THE DYNAMIC WEB THAT IS TRANSFORMING HOW SERVICES AND PRODUCTS ARE COMMUNICATED IN MARKETING.
AND IN THE FOURTH CATEGORY, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY.
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IN JUNE, THE CREATIVE AND MEDIA SERVICES DEPARTMENT WON SEVEN PUBLICATIONS IN DIGITAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARDS.THESE INCLUDE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE ON THE GO COUNTYWIDE NEWSLETTER, AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE 21-22 PARENT HANDBOOK, AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN FEATURING THE 2021 GRADUATES, THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN OR REASONS TO BE THANKFUL, AWARD OF MERIT FOR THE FY 23 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET PUBLICATION, THE AWARD OF MERIT FOR THE MONDAY MESSAGE DIGITAL NEWSLETTER.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE VALUABLE TEAM MEMBERS [APPLAUSE].
THAT IS QUITE A RESUME OF AWARDS AND ACCOLADES.
AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TO PROMOTE CCPS.
IT'S AMAZING WORK THAT YOU DO.
OH, MY NAME IS EMMA CARLSON AND I'M A PRETTY NEW MEMBER TO THE TEAM, BUT IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN OVER THE PAST ABOUT YEAR TO JUST LEARN A LOT AND GET INTO SCHOOLS AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S OPPORTUNITY TO GROWTH AND I LOVE BEING A PART OF THE COUNTY SCHOOLS SO.
MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] WILKERSON.
I'M A MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST FOR THE TEAM, AND MY FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB IS GETTING TO TELL EVERYONE'S STORIES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT YOU REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT OR NECESSARILY AWARD IT.
MY NAME IS BLAIR COOK AND I AM ALSO A MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST.
SO THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY AND I ENJOY HAVING DR.
D DO CRAZY THINGS FOR US SO [LAUGHTER].
MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], I'M A COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST AND I ENJOY WORKING WITH OUR TEAM, JUST UPDATING THE WEBSITES AND ALL THE CONTENT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED.
I'M [INAUDIBLE] AND MY MAIN ROLE IS WRITING AND EDITING.
AND MY FAVORITE PART OF BEING PART OF THIS TEAM IS JUST SHARING THE NEWS THAT WE GET FROM OUR SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS AND ALL THE INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING THAT'S GOING ON IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS.
ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].
NEXT, WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING DRIVER PERFORMANCE.
DR. FRYE. GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS AND DR.
DAUGHERTY. IT'S MY PLEASURE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE OUR DRIVERS OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER.
PROVIDING SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL EVERY DAY AS ESSENTIAL TO INSTRUCTION.
THERE ARE MANY BUS DRIVERS WHO 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.
ERICKA PLEITEZ AREA ONE BUS 122, ONE YEAR OF SERVICE.
DIETRA TUCKER AREA TWO BUS 708, 19 YEARS OF SERVICE [APPLAUSE].
MARK HEISER AREA THREE BUS 671, 1 YEAR OF SERVICE [APPLAUSE].
CAROL JOHNSON AREA FOUR BUS 328, 22 YEARS OF SERVICE [APPLAUSE].
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ACCEPTING HER AWARD THIS EVENING IS HER AREA MANAGER, JENNIFER DAVIS.STACEY WALTON AREA FIVE BUS 761, 15 YEARS OF SERVICE [APPLAUSE].
SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS HONOR THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING TONIGHT.
AND I CAN JUST SAY THAT IT'S A TREMENDOUS THING TO DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS WITH IT BEING EMPTY.
I CAN'T IMAGINE DRIVING A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN.
AND OBVIOUSLY YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST AMONGST ALL OF OUR DRIVERS.
YOU WERE SELECTED BY YOUR AREA MANAGERS.
WELL, FOR ME, IT'S THE THE CHILDREN.
THEY'VE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
I LOVE IT. IT'S SPECIAL IN THE AREA FIVE.
THEY'RE WONDERFUL [APPLAUSE]. I'M ACCEPTING FOR CAROL.
BUT CAROL HAS BEEN A DRIVER FOR 22 YEARS.
I FOUND IT VERY REWARDING JUST TO BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL FOR OUR KIDS EACH AND EVERY DAY.
AND JUST GETTING THOSE KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY EVERY DAY.
SO VERY PROUD TO BE A BUS DRIVER [APPLAUSE].
I ACTUALLY I WROTE SOMETHING [LAUGHTER].
THIS IS MY 19TH YEAR AS A DRIVER.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE I'VE BEEN HERE THIS LONG.
I LOVE MY RELATIONSHIP I HAVE BUILT WITH MY BUS BABIES AND PARENTS.
I'VE PRETTY MUCH DONE AND SEEN IT ALL AS A DRIVER.
THE ONE THING THAT STAYS THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN.
I LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS THEY LOVE ME.
I HAVE TO ADMIT, I HAVE ALSO BEEN PRETTY BLESSED BY BEING IN AREA TWO.
OUR OFFICE STAFF AS WELL AS OUR SUPERVISOR DESERVES THIS AWARD PROBABLY MORE THAN I DO.
I HAVE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
AND THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MY NAME IS ERICKA.
THIS IS WHY I HAVE ONLY ONE YEAR'S WORK FOR BUS DRIVER.
AND I ENJOY WORK WITH MY KIDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE THEY ASK ME ABOUT EVERYTHING AND THEY SAY, WHAT? HOW DO YOU DRIVE THIS BIG BUS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE].
NEXT, WE HAVE RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES, MR. DUNBRACK.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, DR.
AS MS. BAILEY MENTIONED EARLIER, WE RECENTLY LOST ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS UNEXPECTEDLY.
WHILE OUR TEAM IS VERY SADDENED BY THIS SUDDEN LOSS.
I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE NUMBER OF MESSAGES THAT I RECEIVED FROM OUR STAFF ASKING HOW THEY COULD HELP, WHAT THEY COULD DO, OR JUST LETTING US KNOW THEY'D BE HAPPY TO GO TO A.M. DAVIS TO HELP OUT UNTIL THERE WAS A PLAN MOVING FORWARD.
IT WAS, AGAIN, VERY OVERWHELMING, TO SAY THE LEAST.
IT REMINDED ME OF THE FAMOUS QUOTE ABOUT DIFFICULT SITUATIONS THAT THE IMMORTAL MR. FRED ROGERS ATTRIBUTED TO HIS MOTHER.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK THIS WEEK.
WITH THE THEME THIS YEAR BEING PEACE, LOVE AND SCHOOL LUNCH.
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THE ABILITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL MEALS IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT OUR TEAM TAKES A LOT OF PRIDE IN.AND IT IS VERY APPARENT AS YOU TOUR SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOL CAFETERIAS THIS WEEK.
AS ALWAYS, WE CANNOT ASK FOR A BETTER TEAM TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.
FOR OUR HONOREES THIS EVENING AND AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MS. TURNER IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT GORDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND SHE'S BEEN WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ONE YEAR AND SAYS THAT SHE FEELS THE BEST PART OF HER JOB IS FEEDING THE KIDS AND KNOWING THAT SHE'S HELPING MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO GET A NUTRITIOUS LUNCH.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE KITCHEN.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK, AND I'M LIVING MY DREAM [APPLAUSE].
NEXT, WE HAVE NICOLE WEATHERS.
MS. WEATHERS IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT ELIZABETH DAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S HERE WITH US THIS EVENING.
MS. CUDDIHY IS OUR MANAGER AT SALEM CHURCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I ENJOY WORKING WITH MY TEAM [APPLAUSE].
AND FINALLY, WE HAVE KIM WOLFE.
LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND, EVERYBODY.
SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, FEEDING 63,000 PLUS STUDENTS EVERY DAY IS NO SMALL FEAT.
AND IF YOU'RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, THAT WAS MY FAVORITE SUBJECT OF THE DAY WAS LUNCH SO.
BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM, MY HEART.
THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR FEEDING OUR BABIES EVERY DAY.
WE REALLY, TRULY COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
IF YOU WANT TO JUST GIVE US ONE WORD OF WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK EVERY DAY.
I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON THAT ONE.
YEAH, WE LOVE SEEING THE KIDS EVERY DAY.
WE'VE BEEN THERE LONG ENOUGH NOW.
OUR KINDERGARTNERS HAVE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.
SO IT'S FUN JUST WATCHING THEM GROW UP.
[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH [APPLAUSE].
[D. Public Comment on Agenda Items]
NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS. FOR THIS MEETING CITIZENS WERE GIVEN THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING THEIR COMMENTS ONLINE OR IN PERSON COMMENTS SUBMITTED VIA THE ONLINE FORM WERE SENT TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO THE START OF TONIGHT'S MEETING AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN FULL AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE MEETING MINUTES.MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING'S IN PERSON SPEAKERS ON NON ON AGENDA ITEMS. MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE EIGHT SPEAKERS FOR AGENDA ITEMS THIS EVENING.
PLEASE NOTE THAT COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS MUST BE RELATED TO SPECIFIC ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
IF COMMENTS ARE DETERMINED TO BE OF MORE GENERAL NATURE OR NOT GERMANE TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS, SPEAKERS WILL BE ASKED TO RESERVE THEIR COMMENTS FOR THE SECOND GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
MAY WE HAVE MICHAEL [INAUDIBLE].
BURIED IN THE AGENDA, WE HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PERSONAL ITEMS INSIDE THE RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PERSONNEL ITEMS. THERE ARE SEPARATIONS.
16 TEACHERS LOST IN A TEACHER SHORTAGE.
[00:25:04]
16 TEACHERS WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE.IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DAUGHTER'S THIRD GRADE YEAR.
HER TEACHER LEFT TO GO WORK AT CAPITAL ONE.
WE HAVE THE MOST RESPECTED JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY IN AMERICAN HISTORY UNDER ATTACK.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT MAY BE IN POLICIES ON ON PAPER, TEACHERS IN THIS COUNTY DO NOT ALL FEEL SAFE TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS IN FORUMS LIKE THIS ONE.
ONE WAY TO GIVE THEM THAT VOICE IS THROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
WE NEED TO LET TEACHERS TEACH AND WE NEED TO AVOID EVER PUTTING THEM IN A POSITION.
WHERE A POLICY OR A RULE IS IN CONFLICT WITH THEIR SENSE OF JUSTICE.
OR THE TRUST OF THEIR STUDENTS.
BECAUSE IF THIS WERE TO EVER HAPPEN, WE WOULD SEE A NUMBER FAR WORSE THAN 16 ON OUR SEPARATIONS.
SO REALLY IN THOUGHT OF THOSE 16 I PLEASE ASK.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MAY WE HAVE WENDY LITTLE? DOMINIQUE CHATTERS.
GOOD EVENING. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME SCHOOLS IN MY DISTRICT.
I WANT TO START WITH HENING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HOPKINS [INAUDIBLE] ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THOSE TWO SCHOOLS HAVE PRODUCED GREAT CHILDREN.
THEY HAVE GREAT TEACHERS, DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS, CARING EVERY DAY, GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND.
SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM.
THEN [INAUDIBLE] HIGH SCHOOL AND FALLING CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL.
ALL OF THEM HAVE DEDICATED, CARING, DYNAMIC LEADERS THAT MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY.
THEY ARE MANAGING TO TEACH WHILE BEING UNDER-STAFFED, UNDER-RESOURCED, AND CLASSROOMS THAT ARE FULL IN CLASSROOMS THAT HAVE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTORS INSTEAD OF TEACHERS DUE TO THE DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN DALE DISTRICT.
I'M ASKING THAT WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHT TO LEAD IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.
THEIR VOICES SHOULD BE HEARD WHENEVER THEY CHOOSE TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND WE HOPE MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WILL COME OUT AND ADVOCATE FOR THEM.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. ANN TATUS.
I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT BURIED IN YOUR HEAD START PRE-K MEMO FOR THIS EVENING THAT STATES HEAD START CLASSROOMS ARE FUNDED DIRECTLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VIA THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
DHH ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, ACF.
COULD YOU PLEASE BE QUIET? SO WE HAVE LITERALLY BROUGHT IN GOVERNMENT PRESCHOOL.
[00:30:08]
SO WE HAVE NOW BROUGHT INTO THE COUNTY AND LET'S ACKNOWLEDGE, FULLY FUNDED FEDERAL PRESCHOOL.LET'S ADMIT THAT. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT CURRENTLY AGES TWO AND UP ARE STILL MASKED.
100% OF STAFF MUST BE VACCINATED.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LIVING IN RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S SO MUCH RESEARCH OUT THERE AND LET'S NOT FORGET REAL QUICK THAT DEVERAUX, THAT LITTLE ODESSA THING THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE YOU CAN'T EVEN GET YOUR ADMINISTRATORS TO ALL FOLLOW AN OPT OUT.
IT'S A FREE FOR ALL IN THIS COUNTY.
SO. DEVEREAUX LOOK RIGHT UP THERE AT THE TOP.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE BRINGING INTO THIS COUNTY.
SO THAT THING THAT WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR, THE CHILDREN K THROUGH 12 HERE TO NOT HAVE THEIR THEIR SOCIAL CREDIT SCORE DONE WITHOUT PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE, GUESS WHAT? THERE'S THIS THING CALLED DECA.
SO WELCOME THAT INTO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, 18 TO 36 MONTHS IF YOU BRING YOUR CHILD TO PRESCHOOL HERE AND THEN YOU'VE GOT DECA P2 THAT'S FOR GUESS WHAT, 3 TO 5 YEAR OLD'S.
SO THIS LITTLE GIRL HERE THAT'S HAD HERS DONE BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? YOU CAN FIND HER INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET UNDER WHAT HEAD START? THEY'RE GOING TO START LISTENING OR RESPECT OTHERS CONTROL HIS OR HER ANGER SEEMS SAD OR UNEMOTIONAL AT HAPPY OCCASION.
SHOW CONFIDENCE IN HIS OR HER ABILITIES.
AND THEN LET'S GO BACK TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH TO EDUCATION, PERIOD.
AND SO NOW YOU'VE BROUGHT A THERE'S NO DEVELOPMENTALLY, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM.
DR. PETER GRAY OF BOSTON COLLEGE WENT IN TO SAY THAT FOR THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLD'S, COMMON SENSE SHOULD TELL US THAT. SO DON'T PORTRAY IT AS PRESCHOOL.
WHEN I SPOKE TO A TEACHER WHO SAID THAT.
THERE I'VE BEEN TO WORK IN THIS FIELD AND HEAD START.
CRITICIZE, PUNISH FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET STUDENT TEACHER DEMANDS.
GREAT JOB [APPLAUSE]. JOHN WARD.
ADDRESSING NUMBER SIX ON THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE NEWEST ITERATION IS TRANSFORMATIVE SEL.
BEING THE MARXIST MARXISM WORD TO INDUCE CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS INTO THE STUDENTS.
SEL STATES, WE DEFINE SEL AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EDUCATION IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, WHICH EVOLVED OR DEVOLVED FROM A MODEL TAKING PERSONAL INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, WHICH WAS OVERSEEN WITH LICENSED THERAPISTS OR COUNSELORS IN A THERAPEUTIC SETTING ASIDE FROM THE CLASSROOM TO ADVOCATE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
NOW THAT HAS BEEN HIJACKED INTO A PARTICIPATORY ROLE OF ACTIVISM IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY AND BY WHICH YOU HAVE REPLACED EDUCATION WITH CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS, YOU ARE USING PSYCHOLOGICAL TOOLS AND A NEFARIOUS TROJAN HORSE TYPE WAY.
NOT ONE OF THESE TEACHERS IS LICENSED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE CLASSROOM, NOR HAVE THE PARENTS INDIVIDUALLY APPROVED OF SEL, NOR HAVE THEY BEEN PRESENTED WITH AN OPT OUT FOR SEL GROOMING PRACTICES.
IF YOU PLAN TO HIDE BEHIND THE SMOKESCREEN OF BEING CONCERNED OF THE CHILD'S EMOTIONAL STATE OR DEVELOPMENT, YOU SHOULD INCREASE THE COUNCIL RATIOS TO STUDENT RATIOS AND TIMES ALLOTTED TO THE STUDENTS TO GET THE PROPER ATTENTION FROM LICENSED COUNSELORS.
NOT A MATH, SCIENCE OR ENGLISH TEACHER.
YOU ARE HERE TO TEACH, NOT CREATE A CRITICAL CONSCIOUS MINION.
EACH CHILD NEEDS TO DEVELOP WITHIN THEIR OWN BEING NOT TAINTED BY SOME LEFTIST IDEOLOGY.
IT IS SAID THAT SEL IS INDIVIDUALIZED.
HOWEVER, YOU HAVE COLLABORATIVE SURVEYS.
AGAIN, ANY EMOTIONAL ISSUE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNSELORS AND PARENTS, NOT THE OVERREACH AND ABUSE OF INFLUENTIAL POWERS OF THE TEACHERS WHO ARE EITHER WILLING OR FORCED TO USE SEL CASEL INDOCTRINATION, FOCUS ON EDUCATION.
TEACHERS NEED TO STAY IN THEIR LANES [APPLAUSE].
[00:35:02]
DORIS [INAUDIBLE].JESUS, PLEASE GIVE THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EYES TO HEAR AND EARS TO LISTEN.
I HAVE COME AND COME AND COME AGAIN.
AND EVERY TIME I COME, I BRING YOU EVIDENCE MORE AND MORE AND MORE.
AND I'M SO DISHEARTENED LOOKING IN YOUR DOCUMENTS TO SEE YOUR EXPENDITURES.
$36 MILLION, $36 MILLION WAS SPENT ON TECHNOLOGY, NONE OF WHICH IS PROTECTING THE CHILDREN.
AND EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT WHEN YOU PULL THAT UP LATER ON HERE, ZERO WAS SPENT ON TEXTBOOKS.
AS A FORMER EDUCATOR WHO GRADUATED IN 2000, WE WERE USING MOSTLY TEXTBOOKS.
HAVE YOU BOTHERED TO ASK THE TEACHERS, WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS? HAVE THEY HAD ENOUGH TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR HOMES? ARE THEY EVEN AWARE OF THE HARMS THAT ARE HAPPENING? I'M BRINGING YOU MORE EVIDENCE, MORE TO SUBMIT, AS I CONSTANTLY DO.
WHAT ABOUT THE EDTECH TRIANGLE? WHAT ABOUT USING TECHNOLOGY AS NEEDED ON A SHORT BASIS INSTEAD OF JUST DUMPING IT EVERYWHERE? LET'S LET THE TEACHERS REALLY TEACH AND STOP SHOVING TECHNOLOGY DOWN THESE CHILDREN'S THROATS.
PAGE SIX YOU TALK ABOUT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES.
YOU TALK ABOUT LEVERAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN CHESTERFIELD VIDEOS AND PODCASTING.
HOW ABOUT DOING SOME OF THAT TO EDUCATE THE PARENTS ON THE HARMS OF WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY? HOW ABOUT USING THAT PLATFORM TO REACH THE PARENTS? HOW ABOUT ACTUALLY PUTTING A DOCUMENT UP ON THE WEBSITE, WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS GOING TO COME AND IT'S COMING AND IT'S COMING, IT'S COMING.
AND JUST RECENTLY IT GOT ANOTHER EMAIL.
WELL, HB 817, THE DIGITAL DEVICE GUIDELINES IN THE CLASSROOM HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PUT IN PLACE BETWEEN 2021 AND 2022 BY THE END OF THAT SCHOOL YEAR. THEY'RE STILL NOT UP ON CHESTERFIELD'S WEBSITE UNLESS I'M MISSING IT.
I WOULD LOVE FOR SOMEBODY TO SHOW ME WHERE THAT IS.
WHAT ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE FOR THE OVERALL WELLBEING OF THESE CHILDREN? THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO.
HOW ABOUT TURNING LEMONADE LEMONS INTO LEMONADE? HOW ABOUT TAKING SOME OF US PARENTS WHO COME ON A REGULAR BASIS AND SPEAK AND EDUCATE US? LET US KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT WE COULD COME AND PARTICIPATE IN.
WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
CNN HAS A NEW DOCUMENT ABOUT THE UNEXPLAINED HEALTH INCIDENTS THAT RESEMBLE CONCUSSION LIKE SYMPTOMS, POINTING DIRECTLY TO WI-FI AND WIRELESS DEVICES, CELL TOWERS, CELL PHONES, CHROMEBOOKS.
I'M ALSO GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH TWO OPPOSING PHILOSOPHIES OF GOVERNMENT.
AND ONE HAS TO DO WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, WHICH IS THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION AND OUR FEDERAL REPUBLIC, AND THEN THE ONE THAT'S BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS NOW, WHICH IS THE PROGRESSIVE SOCIALISTIC DEMOCRACY.
ENOUGH ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH.
ISN'T IT TIME IF YOU CAN SPEND $36 MILLION ON TECHNOLOGY THAT YOU SPEND MONEY TO PROTECT THESE CHILDREN? BLUE LIGHT GLASSES TURN DOWN THE WI-FI, TEST THEM IN THE SCHOOLS, ASK PARENTS WHAT THEY WANT.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE THE WI-FI IN CLASSROOMS. I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GUYS DO WHAT'S NEEDED TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN [APPLAUSE].
I HAVE COPIES FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
IS THERE A WAY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ACTUALLY GET THESE COPIES? THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF.
WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THAT IN THE COMMUNICATION UPDATE THAT THERE IS A FOCUS IN THE OVERARCHING GOALS AND DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRANSPARENCY, TRUSTWORTHINESS, COOPERATION, AUTHENTICITY, COLLABORATION AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE IN THIS AUDIENCE TONIGHT WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED SITUATIONS WHERE COMMUNICATION HAS FOSTERED AN ENVIRONMENT OF
[00:40:06]
FEAR, INTIMIDATION, DIS INGENUITY AND DIVISION AMONG THE COMMUNITY.WE'RE ALSO AWARE THAT WORDS SUCH AS TRANSPARENCY AND COLLABORATION ARE REALLY GREAT BUZZWORDS, BUT UNTIL WE PUT THEM INTO ACTION, THEY'RE JUST THAT, WORDS.
SPECIFICALLY, WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT STAFF COMMUNICATION, THE FIRST STEP NEEDS TO BE A DETAILED, CLEARLY WRITTEN CONTRACT, ONE THAT INCLUDES SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES AND SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXCLUDES ANY GRAY AREAS SUCH AS AND OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
ADDITIONALLY, WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT KEEPING STAFF IN THE KNOW.
ADDRESSING THESE WOULD LIKELY CONTRIBUTE TO LESS STAFF CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION AT EVERY LEVEL AND LESS QUESTIONS DURING [INAUDIBLE] MEETINGS THAT ELICIT RESPONSES THAT LEAVE SOME STAFF FEELING LIKE THEY'RE BEING BELITTLED OR SPOKEN TO IN LESS THAN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, AS IF THEY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY KNOWN WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS THAT AREN'T IN THEIR CONTRACT.
ADDITIONALLY, IN LOOKING AT THE STRATEGIC PLAN, OUR ONLY CURIOSITY IS HOW SCHOOL BASED STAFF AT EVERY LEVEL WILL BE INCLUDED IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIES AND PLANS WHEN WE CONTINUE TO LOSE HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED WORKERS IN MANY OF OUR CLASSROOMS THAT DESPERATELY NEED RESOURCES TO HELP ADDRESS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THESE GOALS ARE STAFFED BY BASICALLY CLASSROOM INSTRUCTORS.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. ROBERT EVERETH.
THIS IS ON THE IMAGINE TOMORROW WITH THE ASSESSMENTS IN THERE.
AND SO WHAT I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS IT WILL MAKE SENSE TO YOU GUYS HERE IN A MINUTE.
AND THE THE TOPIC WAS WHERE DID YOU FIT IN POLITICALLY TOPOLOGY? ARE YOU A FAITH AND FLAG CONSERVATIVE OR PROGRESSIVE LEFT OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN? THIS WAS GIVEN TO EIGHTH GRADERS AT ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THINKING IT WAS JUST ONE TEACHER DOING THIS.
I DIDN'T. SO THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T RESPOND UNTIL WE GOT MORE REPORTS.
AND THAT'S GOING TO MAKE MORE SENSE TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE'RE IN GENERAL, HOW MUCH DO WHITE PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM ADVANTAGES IN SOCIETY THAT BLACK PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE? THESE ARE VERY INVASIVE QUESTIONS, WHICH COMES CLOSER TO YOUR VIEW OF CANDIDATES FOR POLITICAL OFFICE.
I MEAN, HOW IS AN EIGHTH GRADER GOING TO KNOW THAT.
THERE IS AT LEAST ONE CANDIDATE WHO SHARES MY VIEWS.
IN A SCALE 1 OF 100 OR IS 0 TO 100 WHERE DO YOU FEEL IS IS COLD OR NEGATIVE IS POSSIBLE? 100 MEANS YOU FEEL AS WARM OR POSITIVE AS POSSIBLE.
HOW DO YOU FEEL TOWARD A DEMOCRAT? HOW DO YOU FEEL TOWARD A REPUBLICAN? THESE ARE EIGHTH GRADERS NOW.
ANOTHER ONE IS IN REASON WHY I'M DOING THIS.
MAKE SURE THIS THIS QUIZ NEVER HITS THE LIGHT OF DAY SCHOOLS AGAIN.
DO YOU THINK GREATER SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER, PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS A GENDER THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE SEX THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO HIS BIRTH? IS ARE THEY GOOD FOR SOCIETY? SOMEWHAT GOOD FOR SOCIETY? NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD SOCIETY.
SOMEWHAT BAD FOR SOCIETY ARE VERY BAD FOR SOCIETY.
THESE ARE VERY INVASIVE QUESTIONS.
A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS DIG INTO THEIR OWN POLITICAL BELIEFS.
AND THE REASON WHY I'M DOING THIS TOO, IS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE ONLY QUIZ.
THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PEW RESEARCH CENTER QUIZ THAT'S OUT THERE.
AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO PROVE TO YOU GUYS.
THIS THIS IS HAPPENING IN CHESTERFIELD.
IT'S HAPPENING IN THE WHOLE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THESE TYPE OF THINGS.
THERE IS NO REASON THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE FOR THESE SURVEYS ON OUR CHILDREN.
NOW, CAN YOU OPT THEM OUT? SURE. BUT THE PARENT HAS TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN OPT THEM OUT.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER PROBLEM BECAUSE MY KID HAD TO TAKE IT.
SO I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT ON MYSELF.
THIS SERVES NO EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE WHATSOEVER.
IT'S COLLECTIVE, IT'S DATA COLLECTING, IT'S SOCIAL ENGINEERING.
I MEAN, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT A DEMOCRAT? WHAT IF YOUR FRIEND'S A DEMOCRAT? WELL, I HATE DEMOCRATS.
I HATE REPUBLICANS. YOU KNOW, BOTH PARTIES ACTUALLY SUCK, IN MY OPINION.
SO SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THESE CANNOT HAPPEN NO MORE.
WE HAVE TO FIND OUT WHERE THESE ARE.
I'LL KEEP REPORTING TO YOU GUYS ON THIS.
I WANT ACTION. YOU GUYS, YOU SHUT THIS DOWN AND I'M GOING TO SAY I COMMEND YOU ALL FOR DOING THAT.
[00:45:01]
WE BROUGHT IT TO LIGHT, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP BRINGING THESE QUIZZES TO LIGHT.THANK YOU MY NAME IS ROBERT EVERTH [APPLAUSE].
[INAUDIBLE] GREETINGS. I'M WENDY LITTLE CLOVER HILL DISTRICT.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I HAD A LITTLE THING UNEXPECTED, AND THAT HAPPENS A LOT WITH MY SON, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME COMMUNICATIONS, AND I FORGET WHAT THE OTHER THING WAS, BUT I'LL GET TO IT.
I'M LOOKING AT IMAGINE TOMORROW AND I MEAN IT JUST INTEGRITY.
TRANSPARENCY. ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCCESSES AND FAILURES.
I TOLD HIM, I SAID, YOU GOT SOME SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES WITH YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION DIVISION.
THAT THE SCHOOL DIVISION COULDN'T FIND A WAY TO WORK THAT OUT IN FOUR YEARS.
THAT THAT'S BEEN THE SAME TERM OF TENURE.
AND SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS AS WELL.
I'M NOT SURE IF PEOPLE REALIZE THIS.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE A CHEERLEADER BOOK.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE PUBLIC REALIZES THAT, YES, YOU DID USE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR IT.
THE COST OF THAT IS APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH TIME YOU PUT IT OUT.
THAT'S THE COST OF A NEW TEACHER.
IT COULD BE PROBABLY BETTER USED.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS SO MUCH HAPPY THINGS IN IT.
NOTHING LIKE REALLY REAL CHEERLEADERS DON'T WIN THE FOOTBALL GAMES.
SO INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY, WE NEED TO BE MORE HONEST WITH OURSELVES WITHIN THE SCHOOL DIVISION.
THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH INTEGRITY.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE AND THINGS ARE NOT BETTER.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
NEXT WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DR.
[E. Superintendent's Report]
DAUGHTERY. MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS LIKE TO CALL SHAWN SMITH BACK.THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT YOU TONIGHT ON COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE.
FIRST PIECES ARE OVERARCHING GOALS.
THE SECOND PIECE THERE IS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.
WHAT WE DO OBVIOUSLY KIND OF RUNS THE GAMUT WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR EMPLOYEES.
[00:50:06]
[INAUDIBLE] IS ANOTHER PIECE OF THAT AS WELL.OUR TARGET AUDIENCES, WE COMMUNICATE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF THOSE GOING FROM OUR EMPLOYEES OR STUDENTS, FAMILIES MEMBERS, THE MEDIA, OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS, RETIREES, VOLUNTEERS, ALUMNI AND KEY COMMUNICATORS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JENNY O'QUINN'S PUT IN PLACE WITH THE TEAM IS REALLY DEALING CLOSELY WITH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO HER TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE REST OF PRESENTATION.
GOOD EVENING. SO WE HAVE DEVELOPED AN ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.
WE PLAN TO UPDATE IT EVERY YEAR.
IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BUT IT PLACES SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON A FEW THINGS SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND THE VISION COLLEAGUES ALIGNING MESSAGING ACROSS THE DIVISION.
STORYTELLING. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AND GREAT PEOPLE DOING THE THINGS AND WE WANT TO TELL THOSE STORIES AND CREATING EFFICIENCIES WHEREVER WE CAN. WE WANT TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS.
JUST BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED, WE SHARED WITH SCHOOLS A COMMUNICATIONS AND BRANDING GUIDE AND ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE SO THAT HOPEFULLY THOSE RESOURCES WILL HELP THEM WITH THEIR COMMUNICATION EFFORTS.
THEY'RE NOT SPECIFICALLY SCHOOL FOCUSED.
IF WE READ THE STORYTELLING, EACH SCHOOL, ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL HAS A PR REP, AND THIS IS A PERSON WHO KEEPS US INFORMED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THEIR SCHOOL. THEY SHARE PHOTOS WITH US, SOMETIMES VIDEO CLIPS.
THEY LET US KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
AND WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR WITH THEM THIS PAST WEEK.
WE'LL HAVE THREE MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND STAY IN CONTACT WITH THEM THROUGHOUT.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ACROSS THE DIVISION BECAUSE IT'S SO BIG.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE PERSONAL CONTACTS TO TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THE LOOP.
MEDIA OUTREACH IS ALSO A BIG FOCUS FOR US.
YOU ALL SAW THE TEAM HERE EARLIER HERE I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO [INAUDIBLE].
SHE REALLY KEEPS HER FINGER ON THE PULSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE DIVISION AND IN SCHOOLS.
AND SHE HAS WORKED REALLY HARD ON THAT MEDIA OUTREACH PIECE.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLANNING IS SOMETHING THAT WE HELP WITH.
BUT COMING SOON, WE'RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT DIVISION WIDE BRANDING GUIDELINES AND COMMUNICATIONS GUIDANCE TO HELP ALIGN OUR COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING ACROSS THE DIVISION HAS THE SAME LOOK AND FEEL.
WE ALSO WORK ON OUTREACH TO FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
CCPS ON THE GO IS OUR PRINTED NEWSLETTER.
WE DEBUT MINUTES WITH MERV EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THESE ARE OUR VIDEOS ABOUT TIMELY SUBJECTS FOR FAMILIES.
WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON A STUDENT NEWS SERIES THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PIECES TO GET INTO PLACE, SO IT'S NOT HERE QUITE YET.
BUT BUT WE'RE HOPING TO GET THE FIRST SEGMENT OUT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
AND AS WE TALK ABOUT VIDEO, I'LL ALSO SHOUT OUT TO TORI WILKERSON AND EMMA CARLSON, WHO YOU SAW.
ALSO ON HERE IS OUR WEEKLY COMMUNICATIONS.
WE HAVE WEDNESDAY CONNECTIONS THAT GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
YOU SIGN UP FOR THAT ON MY CHESTERFIELD.COM.
[00:55:01]
. MOVING TO INTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND FOCUSING ON STAFF COMMUNICATIONS.WE HAVE THE MONDAY MESSAGE, WHICH IS DR.
DAUGHERTY'S WEEKLY MESSAGE TO STAFF.
WE JUST MENTIONED THE FRIDAY UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL UPDATES AS NEEDED.
WE ALSO WANT TO WORK ON HOW WE HIGHLIGHT STAFF MEMBERS.
WE DO THIS IN DIFFERENT WAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THEIR COLLEAGUES OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN NOMINATE PEOPLE TO BE HIGHLIGHTED.
SO THE IMPORTANCE OF WEB CANNOT BE [INAUDIBLE] . THEY MADE A TREMENDOUS PUSH AND ROLLED OUT NEW WEBSITES FOR ALL THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS BELLWOOD, FALLEN CREEK ELEMENTARY, AND MOSTLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE START OF SCHOOL.
THEY'VE ALSO MADE UPDATES TO THE DIVISION HOMEPAGE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN.
THAT WAS THE BACK TO SCHOOL ITERATION OF THE PAGE.
IT ACTUALLY LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT NOW THAT WE'RE OFF ROLLING IN SCHOOL YEAR AND WE'VE GOT ADDITIONAL UPDATES COMING TO THE DIVISION SITE AND WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE ELEMENTARY SITES. THOSE ARE IN THE WORKS TOO.
AND WE ALSO HAVE CNET, WHICH IS OUR EMPLOYEE INTRANET, THAT THAT FALLS UNDER OUR PURVIEW.
SO LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT'S COMING, THE WEB UPDATES THAT I JUST MENTIONED, BUT ALSO LIKE A A PROCESS FOR SCHEDULED REVIEW AND CONTENT UPDATES FOR WEB.
WE HAVE A TON OF INFORMATION THAT'S ONLINE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WEB PAGES, AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT THEY STAY UP TO DATE.
COLLABORATION. WE WANT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND OUR DIVISION COLLEAGUES.
COLLABORATION IS THE KEY IN ANY SUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOR AND FEEDBACK.
WE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING COMMUNICATION, HOW THEY WANT TO RECEIVE COMMUNICATION, AND IF THERE ARE CHANGES THAT WE CAN MAKE TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE, UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? [INAUDIBLE] I JUST HAVE THREE QUICK QUESTIONS.
FIRST, THE WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY IS I REGULARLY GET QUESTIONS AND WE HAD ONE HERE TONIGHT TOO, ABOUT HOW TO APPLY TO DIFFERENT SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES LIKE THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD OR [INAUDIBLE].
WOULD THAT BE IN THE WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY UPDATES? YES, ANYTIME THERE'S AN OPENING ON A COMMITTEE, IT WILL BE IN THE FRIDAY UPDATE.
IT WILL BE ON THE DIVISION WEBSITE AND ALSO SHARED IN THE MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY MESSAGES.
THE FRIDAY MESSAGES GO TO ALL PARENTS WHO RECEIVE EMAILS.
EXCELLENT. AND THE SCHEDULED UPDATES FOR CONTENT.
I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS WORK.
SO THAT'S REALLY JUST A COMMENT.
AND THREE, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY? BECAUSE I DO GET LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS AND LOVE TO SHARE FEEDBACK.
SO WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR SOMEONE TO SHARE THEIR FEEDBACK IF THEY HAVE AN IDEA FOR INFORMATION THAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE ON THE WEBSITE? THEY CAN JUST EMAIL CCPS INFO AT CCPS DOT NET.
AWESOME AND JUST PUT WEBSITE SUGGESTION.
MS. HEFFRON. OH SORRY, SORRY, SORRY.
I WAS JUST KIND OF JUST CAME UP RECENTLY THAT MAYBE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO LOOK AT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR WEBSITES, TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS FOR MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND [INAUDIBLE] MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE FULL PARTICIPATION BY OUR COMMUNITY. THAT WOULD JUST BE MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE JUST MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S IN THERE AVAILABLE OR IS IT AVAILABLE OR, IT IS, WONDERFUL.
THERE'S AN OPTION AT THE VERY TOP OF THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN DO THAT GREAT.
AND OUR LIKE PDF DOCUMENTS AND ARE PRACTICING THAT.
MAYBE THAT'S A LITTLE BIT THAT'S DIGGING A LITTLE ONGOING PROJECT.
WELL I APPRECIATE OUR EFFORTS IN THAT AND WE CAN JUST KEEP KEEP MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
APPRECIATE IT. NEXT, WE HAVE THIS EVENING'S ACTION ITEMS.
[1. Memo #134-22: Strategic Plan Revised]
DR. POPE. GOOD EVENING, BOARD CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, MEMBERS.[01:00:02]
AND DR. DAUGHERTY, BEFORE YOU IS MEMO 134-22.AND OF COURSE, BEING A REVISED VERSION OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN WOULD BE POSTED PUBLICLY.
SINCE REVIEW AT THE AUGUST RETREAT AND THE SEPTEMBER WORK SESSION IN 2022.
BOARD MEMBERS. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 134-22 AS PRESENTED.
SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? [INAUDIBLE] SO I LOVE BOOKS.
I DON'T USUALLY PLUG A BOOK FROM THE [INAUDIBLE], BUT BECAUSE I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THE ADDITION OF THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY METRIC TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN, IF ANYBODY NEEDS TO BE CONVINCED ABOUT WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, READ THIS BOOK.
IT'S A HEALTHY BUILDINGS AND THERE IS SO MUCH RESEARCH ON HOW HEALTHY BUILDINGS AFFECT EVERYTHING FROM TESTING TO STUDENT HEALTH.
SO READ THIS BOOK IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY THAT WAS ADDED TO OUR PLAN.
THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[2. Memo #135-22: HVAC System Replacements at James River High School]
NEXT WE HAVE MEMO 135-22, MR. CARSON.MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
DR. DAUGHERTY, YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU MEMO 135-22 THE REPLACEMENT OF ROOFTOP UNITS AND VARIABLE AIR VOLUME BOXES AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL.
ON SEPTEMBER 23RD WE RECEIVED QUALIFIED BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES THE REPLACEMENT OF 18 AGED ROOFTOP UNITS OVER 100 AGED VARIABLE AIR VOLUME BOXES, HYDRAULIC PIPING AND A UPDATE OF THE BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL.
THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BID CAME IN FROM COLONIAL WEBB CONTRACTORS COMPANY AT A COST OF $7,798,717 .78. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING PROJECT FOR MY DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED WITH THE RESPONSE TO THIS PROPOSAL.
THEREFORE, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE MEMO AS IT IS FOR THIS PROJECT.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, MR. CARSON. BOARD MEMBERS.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 135-22 AS PRESENTED.
SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
NEXT WE HAVE MEMO NUMBER 136-22.
[3. Memo #136-22: UVGI Implementation at Multiple CCPS Locations]
MR. CARSON, HELLO AGAIN.YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU MEMO 136-22 THE UVGI IMPLEMENTATION AT MULTIPLE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATIONS UVGI STANDING FOR ULTRAVIOLET GERMICIDAL IRRADIATION.
THIS IS ANOTHER LONG TERM EFFORT OF MY DEPARTMENT.
[01:05:01]
ON SEPTEMBER 27TH, WE RECEIVED TWO QUALIFIED BIDS FOR THIS EFFORT.WE HAD INTENDED OR WE BID THREE LOTS 15 SCHOOLS TOTAL ACROSS THE DISTRICT WITH THE LOWEST QUALITY OR LOWEST INDOOR AIR QUALITY RATINGS BASED UPON OUR RECENT DEWBERRY STUDY UNDERTAKEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.
GIVEN THE ESSER FUNDING STREAM THAT WE PRESENTLY HAVE, THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BID FOR THIS PROJECT IS JUST OVER $1.72 MILLION, AND THAT IS ALSO COLONIAL WEBB CONTRACTORS AND COMPANY.
WITH YOUR APPROVAL THIS EVENING.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ISSUE A NOTICE TO PROCEED FOR THIS PROJECT.
SUPPLY CHAIN IS A BIT DIFFERENT WITH THIS EFFORT.
SO IDEALLY WE GET MATERIALS HERE IN THE FALL AND EARLY WINTER AND WE IMPLEMENT OVER WINTER WITH A COMPLETION DATE, IDEALLY BY FEBRUARY OF 2023. THANK YOU, MR. CARSON. BOARD MEMBERS.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 136-22 AS PRESENTED.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW.
[G. Items for Board Review]
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE ITEMS FOR THIS EVENING? MADAM CHAIR, TONIGHT'S AGENDA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW.MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT FUNDS FY 2023.
FY 2023 AUGUST EXPENDITURES VERSES APPROPRIATIONS.
BUDGET CHANGE REQUEST SUMMARY ACROSS CATEGORIES AUGUST 2022.
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES AND BALANCES FY 2022.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND PRE K UPDATE AUGUST 2022.
NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. MADAM CHAIR, A POINT OF PRIVILEGE.
AND THERE'S TALK ABOUT MORE OF IT THAT'S GOING TO BEING ENCOURAGED IN OUR SCHOOLS.
NOW, THIS COMES DIRECTLY FROM OUR STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT.
THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL AND THOSE WHOM THE PRINCIPAL DELEGATES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSISTENT AND UNIFORM APPLICATION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND THE RULES OF THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL.
AS OF JULY 1ST, 2021, STUDENTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH ARE ALLOWED TO BE EXCUSED FOR ONE ABSENCE FOR SCHOOL DAY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CIVIC EVENT OR CIVIC DEMONSTRATION.
THE LAW'S CURRENT AND WE'RE RECOGNIZED BY CCPS.
BUT WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND EVEN STATEWIDE THAT ARE ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO TAKE CIVIC ACTION DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.
THIS CAUSES DISRUPTION NOT JUST FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE WALKING OUT.
THIS CAUSES DISRUPTION FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS THAT ARE IN SCHOOL.
ALSO, FROM OUR STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY IS DEFINED AS THE LENGTH REGULARLY SCHEDULED FOR THE SCHOOL DAY, MEANING FROM THE MORNING TARDY BELL UNTIL THE DISMISSAL BELL.
TO THOSE ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO LEAVE CLASS AND PROTEST, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE STOP.
STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS AND SUPPORT ON ANY ISSUE THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL, OR EVEN BY TAKING AN EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR THE DAY TO SUPPORT THAT CIVIC ACTION.
SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
THEY'RE IN OUR CARE. I'M CONCERNED THAT WHEN COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EVEN ELECTED LEADERS ENCOURAGE AND SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, PLANS AND LOCATIONS WHERE WALKOUTS WILL TAKE PLACE, IS PUTTING A TARGET ON OUR STUDENTS.
WE LIVE IN A VERY HIGH STRESS AND A HIGH TENSION TIME.
AND THIS MAKES STUDENTS A SOFT TARGET.
WE DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL SECURITY OR STAFF AVAILABLE FOR WALKOUTS.
SEEMINGLY PEACEFUL SITUATION CAN DETERIORATE QUICKLY.
[01:10:03]
AND FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS UNNECESSARY RISK.OUR STUDENTS ARE IN THEIR FIRST NORMAL YEAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.
AS A COMMUNITY. WE CANNOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT LEARNING LOSS AND ON THE OTHER HAND, ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS TO DISRUPT THE SCHOOL DAY WITH ACTIVISM, NOT TO MENTION THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE A CONSEQUENCE FOR NOT BEING IN THEIR ASSIGNED CLASSROOM AT THAT TIME.
I'M ASKING FOR EVERYONE'S HELP.
WELL, AS AN ADDENDUM TO THE MEETING MINUTES.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING'S IN PERSON?
[H. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items]
SPEAKERS ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE 33 SPEAKERS FOR NON AGENDA ITEMS THIS EVENING.I'M JUST GOING TO CALL THEM UP FIVE AT A TIME.
SO EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
THERE IS A TIMER SET UP ON TOP OF THE PODIUM THAT WILL TURN GREEN WHEN THEY BEGIN SPEAKING YELLOW WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS REMAINING AND RED WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. AS A REMINDER REMINDER, NO PERSONAL BELONGINGS OTHER THAN A CELL PHONE AND SPEAKER NOTES ARE ALLOWED AT THE PODIUM.
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.
I'M GOING TO ASK MISS MARY LOU HERE TO TRANSLATE THAT FOR US.
GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
IN LATIN THE WORD NICHOLAS MEANS SPARK, LITTLE FIRE OR FLAME.
WE ALL START OUT WITH A SPARK IN US.
BUT I FEAR THE LAST STEP IS SKIPPED, IGNITING THE FLAME.
I'VE BEEN A STUDENT IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR 11 WONDERFUL YEARS NOW, AND AS I FIND MYSELF LOOKING BACK ON ALL OF THESE YEARS, I REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN MISSING.
BOARD MEMBERS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE, MORE VOICES TO BE RECOGNIZED, MORE STORIES TO HEAR, AND MORE STUDENTS TO BE REPRESENTED.
[01:15:01]
HOWEVER, IT IS NOT JUST MORE STUDENTS.IT IS ALL STUDENTS, BLACK STUDENTS, HISPANIC STUDENTS, ARAB STUDENTS, ASIAN STUDENTS, WHITE STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF ALL GENDERS AND IDENTIFICATIONS, STUDENTS IN ESL AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
BECAUSE WHEN WE SAY EVERYONE, WE NEED TO MEAN EVERYONE.
IF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS IN PLACE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, WHY IS IT THAT STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE A SAY ON THE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES FOR THEIR OWN SCHOOL? TO PRESENT A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION.
STATES ACROSS THE NATION HAVE SEEN GREAT SUCCESS IN HAVING STUDENTS SERVE ON THEIR SCHOOL BOARDS.
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION SHOWS US AFTER A SURVEY CONDUCTED THAT VIRGINIA IS ONE OF THE 14 STATES ACROSS THE NATION THAT DOES NOT HAVE STUDENTS ON THEIR SCHOOL BOARDS. IT IS THE LIGHT INSIDE MY GENERATION, GENERATION Z, THAT WILL CHANGE THIS COUNTY AND WE NEED TO BE HEARD NOW.
BARACK OBAMA IS WELL KNOWN FOR REFERENCING THE AUDACITY OF HOPE.
NOT JUST HOPE, BUT THE BOLDNESS IT LEADS WITH.
THAT IS WHAT GENERATION Z HAS TO OFFER CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE AUDACITY OF HOPE.
AND THAT IS WHAT WILL AFFECT THIS COUNTY FOREVER.
BUT ONLY IF CHANGES ARE MADE AND ONLY IF OUR VOICES ARE HEARD NOW.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MAY WE HAVE MARY LOU BATTISTA? [SPANISH] I'M HERE TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY WORRY ABOUT THE SCHOOLS OF MEADOWBROOK AND FALLEN CREEK [SPANISH] FOR THE SECURITY OF OUR CHILDREN.
[SPANISH] I SEE IN THE SCHOOLS.
THERE'S THE NEED FOR MORE STAFF AND MORE TEACHERS [SPANISH]. SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ON THEIR OWN [SPANISH].
LAST WEEK THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN ONE OF THE CLASSROOMS, ONE OF MY CHILDREN'S CLASSROOM [SPANISH] THE STUDENT HAD A KNIFE IN HIS HAND.
[SPANISH] THAT'S WHY I DECIDED TO COME HERE TONIGHT.
[SPANISH] MAYBE HIRE MORE PERSONNEL TO BE TO SO MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE [SPANISH] ONE OF MY CHILDREN COMMENTED TO ME THAT THE STUDENTS WERE SMOKING.
[SPANISH] BECAUSE ONE OF MY MY YOUNGEST CHILD WAS IN INSIDE THE CLASSROOM WHEN THERE WAS A FIGHT AND [SPANISH]. I'M GLAD NOTHING REALLY SERIOUS HAPPENED THAT DAY, BUT I AM WORRIED FOR HIM BECAUSE HE IS LITTLE [SPANISH]
[01:20:23]
BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.AND SOMETIMES THE CHILDREN ARE BY THEMSELVES IN THE CLASSROOM.
THAT'S WHAT I BRING TO YOU TONIGHT.
AND I'M REPRESENTING OTHER PARENTS [APPLAUSE].
[SPANISH] WE ARE REPRESENTING THE PARENTS.
[SPANISH] AS YOU HAVE HEARD, WE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS [SPANISH] WHAT I MEAN IS THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR MORE TEACHERS [SPANISH] AND ALSO THE BUS DRIVERS.
[SPANISH] SOMETIMES WE ARE WAITING FOR OUR STUDENTS 35-40 MINUTES FOR THEM TO GET HOME.
[SPANISH] AND SOMETIMES MAYBE THEY ARE NOT IN DANGER.
BUT THE COLD WEATHER IS COMING AND 35-40 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE BUS OR GETTING HOME.
[SPANISH] IF THE STUDENTS GET LATE TO SCHOOL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BUS ARRIVED LATE TO PICK THEM UP, WHY DO THEY GET MARKED AS TARDY? [SPANISH] AND HOW DO WE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM? BECAUSE WHAT THEY TELL THEM IS THERE'S NO PASSES LEFT FOR TARDINESS.
SO HOW CAN WE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM? BECAUSE WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO BE MINDFUL OF BEING TO SCHOOL, TO CLASS ON TIME, BUT DUE TO THEM NOT BEING ON THE BUS, BEING LATE, THEY ARE ARRIVING LATE TO CLASS.
[SPANISH] WE WANT TO SEE IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
[SPANISH] WE HAVE A GROUP OF PARENTS AND WE WHAT WE EXPECT IS FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BE SAFE.
AND SO THE TEACHERS ALSO TO BE SAFE IN SCHOOL AND ON TIME [SPANISH] WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE AND WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS, FOR OUR CHILDREN, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE NEXT GENERATION.
[01:25:01]
HOPE THAT YOU LISTEN TO US.PLEASE [APPLAUSE]. MARIA CASTRO.
[SPANISH] [SPANISH] AS IT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE.
WE ARE REPRESENTING THE COMMITTEE OF PARENTS [SPANISH] WE ARE VERY WORRIED BECAUSE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME IS BECAUSE WE ARE VERY WORRIED.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE'RE WORRIED.
[SPANISH] I HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT IN THE CLASSES AND THE SCHEDULE, THE CLASSES THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE AS A SPECIAL [SPANISH] AND I FIND THEM IN THE STORES OR PLACES TO HAVE LUNCH EATING [SPANISH] . AND I ASKED MYSELF IF THERE ARE NO CAMERAS AT SCHOOL, THEY CAN SEE WHEN THE STUDENTS LEAVE THE SCHOOL [SPANISH] THE COMMITTEE OF THE PARENTS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AMONGST OURSELVES AND WE CONCUR THAT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE SCHOOL SAYING TO US THAT THE STUDENT HAS LEFT THE SCHOOL, BUT WE HAVE SEEN THEM IN NEARBY PLACES OF BUSINESS FOR THE SCHOOL . [SPANISH] SO WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS THE SCHOOL DOES NOT COMMUNICATE TO US THAT THE STUDENT HAVE LEFT THE SCHOOL OR YOU'RE NOT DOING IT ANYMORE.
YOU NEED TO LET US KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
[SPANISH] WE SUGGEST TO YOU THAT PLEASE, MAYBE YOU STOP AT THE SCHOOL AND CHECK OUT THE GAS STATIONS, THE FAST FOOD STORES AT DIFFERENT HOURS, AND SEE THAT THE STUDENTS SUPPOSED TO BE IN SCHOOL, BUT NOW THEY ARE AT THESE PLACES.
AND IF WE CAN ASK FOR MAYBE THE MATERIALS, THE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SCHOOL TO THE FAMILIES, CAN THEY BE TRANSLATED TO SPANISH? [SPANISH]. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AND THEY ONLY SPEAK SPANISH, BECAUSE THERE ARE NEWCOMERS [APPLAUSE].
FORD TEHRAN [INAUDIBLE]. IRAN.
SORRY. [SPANISH] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD [SPANISH].
[01:30:02]
[SPANISH].I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE PARENTS, THE GROUP OF PARENTS FOR CHILDREN AT MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL, [SPANISH] I WANT TO EXPRESS THAT SHARE WITH YOU SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED FROM THE SCHOOL [SPANISH] .
TRULY WE NEED MORE TEACHERS [SPANISH]. SO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IN THE CLASSROOM AND NOT OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL OR IN THE HALLWAYS.
[SPANISH] FOR THE WELFARE OF THE TEACHERS TOO [SPANISH]. AND WE WANT THAT NOT ONLY FOR OUR CHILDREN SECURITY SAFETY, BUT ALSO FOR THE TEACHERS, BECAUSE WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THE TEACHERS ARE THERE EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS, OUR CHILDREN.
[SPANISH] THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SECURITY, THE DOORS.
THERE ARE SO MANY DOORS ARE THE SCHOOLS, SO MANY THE CHILDREN.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE WHAT DOOR THE CHILDREN IS LIVING FROM, WHAT DOORS THEY ARE LIVING.
IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE [SPANISH] BECAUSE THE YOUNG OF TODAY WE NEED THAT SAFETY.
[SPANISH] BECAUSE AS THE SPEAKER BEFORE ME STATED, THIS IS THE NEW GENERATION THAT THE TEACHERS ARE EDUCATING AND WE HOPE THE BEST FOR THEM.
[SPANISH] AND WE NEED MORE TEACHERS TO TEACH IN ENGLISH IN THE PROGRAM'S ESL PROGRAM.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU [SPANISH].
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE].
AT THIS TIME. I'LL CALL THE NEXT FIVE BONILLA SANTOS ROMERO, [INAUDIBLE] ZACARIAS.
DINA CONTRERAS, WENDY LITTLE AND AARON LITTLE.
I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS SCHOOL MEADOWBROOK.
AND I SAW THE THIRD PERIOD AND I REALIZED MY CHILD WAS NOT AT SCHOOL.
[01:35:16]
SO I CALLED MY OLDEST DAUGHTER AND I SENT HER TO SCHOOL TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.SAY THAT SHE RECEIVED FROM THE SCHOOL WAS AN INSTRUCTION TO GO AND LOOK FOR HER AT THE GAS STATION IN THE WOODS AROUND THERE BECAUSE A LOT OF STUDENTS LEAVE THE SCHOOL WITHOUT THE SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE.
AND SHE SAW VARIOUS STUDENTS PLAYING.MY DAUGHTER, MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, THE ONE WHO ATTENDS MEADOWBROOK, CAME HOME ON BUS.
YES. SO SHE ARRIVED IN THE BUS WITH ANOTHER STUDENT WITH OTHER STUDENTS.
AT SCHOOL THAT SEES THE STUDENT LEAVING THE BUS, GETTING OFF THE BUS AND GETTING INSIDE THE SCHOOL OR LEAVING THE BUS AND GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE? SO MY DAUGHTER TELLS ME THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DOORS EXIT TO EXIT AND ENTER, THAT THEY CAN LEAVE AND THROUGH ANY OF THOSE DOORS WITHOUT ANYBODY KNOWING.
SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE STUDENTS WHO SELL DRUGS AT SCHOOL.
SO YOU KNOW THAT THE CHILDREN NOW CAN BE CONNECTED THROUGH TIKTOK, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM.
THERE'S TO BE POPULAR. BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ATTITUDE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NOWADAYS.
WHAT I'M ASKING YOU, IS IF YOU CAN LOOK INTO MAYBE PUT MORE SECURITY IN THE SCHOOLS? AND A BETTER COMMUNICATION FROM THE SCHOOL TO US, THE PARENTS.
IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT THREE TIMES.
I BELIEVE THAT THE SCHOOL SHOULD LET US KNOW.
CHILD WHO IS VERY INTELLIGENT.
SHE IS VERY GOOD IN MATH AND SHE IS VERY GOOD BUT I BELIEVE I'M LOSING MY CHILD.
THIS SAFETY AT THE SCHOOLS AND I'M ASKING YOU IF YOU CAN HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO TEACHERS OR SECURITY
[01:40:04]
AND PEOPLE WHO ARE BILINGUAL.AND I AM HERE REPRESENTING MANY PARENTS, FATHERS AND MOTHERS WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.
AND I ASK YOU TO PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF EVERYBODY.
YEAH, HE SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THAT.
DINAOF THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOLS OF MEADOWBROOK AND FALLING CREEK.
ESPECIALLY FOR SAFETY, THE SAFETY IN THE SCHOOLS.
AND MY CHILD TELLS ME THAT HE HAS SEEN CHILDREN USING DRUGS IN THE SCHOOL BATHROOMS. AND SO HE DOESN'T GO TO THE BATHROOM.
AND SO I ASK MYSELF, HOW IS THAT THE CHILDREN CAN BRING DRUGS TO SCHOOL.
SPANISH] AND HOW ABOUT THE CHILDREN LEAVING THE SCHOOL AT DIFFERENT HOURS WITHOUT THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL KNOWING ABOUT IT? REITERATE THAT THERE IS THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IS SAFETY IN THE SCHOOLS.
I SEE SECURITY HERE, BUT I'M WONDERING WHY ISN'T THAT THERE'S NOT THE CASE IN THE SCHOOLS BEING SO BIG . [APPLAUSE] AND THAT WORRIES US VERY MUCH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS A PARENT, YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD.
BUT BEING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF DRUGS AND NO SAFE PLACE, HE CAN TURN THE OTHER WAY.
AND THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT THEY EVERY COMMUNICATION I RECEIVE FROM SCHOOL IS IN ENGLISH.
[01:45:05]
SO THEY SEND ME THE REPORT CARD IN ENGLISH .SO SOMETIMES THEY LET US KNOW THAT THE BUS IS GOING TO BE LATE, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.
AND THEN MY CHILD IS OUT THERE WAITING FOR 15-20 MINUTES AND THE COLD WEATHER IS COMING.
HE CANNOT GO BACK HOME BECAUSE HE MISSES THE BUS.
BECAUSE IF THE TEACHERS ARE SAFE, WE KNOW THAT THE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE.
GREETINGS, WENDY LITTLE AGAIN.
MAYBE DON'T WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR THAT.
SO I HAVE A LOT THAT I WANT TO DISCUSS BECAUSE I ALWAYS DO IN SUPPORT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, NOTHING HAPPENS.
WE TALKED TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
SOUNDS LIKE SOME FOLKS IN HERE COULD USE SOME OF THAT HELP SOME STATE COMPLAINTS.
AND MAYBE IF YOU GET SOME EXTERNAL ATTENTION, MAYBE THINGS WILL IMPROVE THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED.
THE SCHOOL DIVISION HAS BLOCKED MY ACCESS TO STAFF WHO DON'T RETURN EMAILS, CALLS, NOTHING.
LACK OF ACCESS AND INFORMATION.
ALL OF THAT IS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY BECAUSE I NEEDED TO PERFORM CIVIL ACTIONS FOR MY SON.
I ALSO HAD MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, I DO A LOT OF CHARTS AND THINGS IN SUPPORT OF OUR KIDS, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE JUST FORGETTING TO WE'RE CELEBRATING A LOT OF FAILURE, IT SEEMS, OR JUST FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AT ALL.
YOU KNOW, SO THESE ARE SOME CHARTS AND I'VE SEEN YOU'VE ALL SEEN THEM BEFORE.
THE KIDS DID BETTER AFTER THE PANDEMIC, INITIALLY HIT AN SCHOOL WENT OUT AND THEIR FIRST MAPS BACK.
THEY DID BETTER IN READING. YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE THEY READ BOOKS.
THEY HAD NOTHING ELSE TO DO FOR A WHILE.
I ALSO HAVE I DON'T HAVE THE I'VE BEEN A LITTLE BUSY LATELY.
I DON'T HAVE THE UPDATED SOLS, BUT I'LL LEAVE THAT.
MY LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS SHARE A LETTER WITH YOU IN THE PUBLIC.
YOU ALL HAVE GOTTEN A COPY OF THIS.
THIS IS FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
[01:50:06]
PASSED YOUR NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE OF YOUR ISSUE TO THEIR AGENCY.OTHER AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED AND OTHERS ARE TO THANK YOU.
SO AARON WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
AM I ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE READ HIS COMMENTS? BECAUSE I GUESS I'M NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
WE CAN HAVE ELKE OUR SCHOOL BOARD CLERK READ THE LETTER.
AND THE ENTIRE FIRST NINE WEEKS WILL BE OVER SOON.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? I ALREADY HAVE TO RETAKE EIGHTH GRADE AND I'M MISSING ALL OF THAT NOW.
AGAIN, I THINK MY LAST LETTER SAID, WHAT DID I EVER DO TO DESERVE THIS BAD TREATMENT FOR SO MANY YEARS? I'M A KID WITH A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, INCLUDING AUTISM, ADHD, ANXIETY, MOOD DISORDER, UNSPECIFIC CONDUCT AND IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDER, AND THEN MEDICALLY [INAUDIBLE] FOOT AND ANKLE PROBLEMS SO THAT I'M WAITING ON PERMANENT ORTHOTICS RIGHT NOW, SCOLIOSIS AND SPINAL BIFIDA, AND MOST RECENTLY PROBABLY DIABETES ALSO, AND THYROID ISSUES AS CHECKED JUST TODAY.
I MAY ALSO HAVE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER WHICH IS ALSO BEING CHECKED ON.
AND WE STARTED THAT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND IT GOT HALTED.
AND WE HAVE STARTED CHECKING ON THAT AGAIN.
NEXT WEEK WE'RE SCHEDULED FOR SHRINERS HOSPITAL OUT OF STATE AGAIN NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF SPECIALISTS CAN COME TOGETHER AND SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS TO HELP ME OUT IN MANY WAYS. NEXT WEEK WE SEE NEUROLOGY AND GI.
I'VE HAD THREE NEUROLOGISTS HERE AT HOME AT ONE TIME SO MY MOM COULD TRY TO HELP FIGURE OUT THINGS AND FIND THE RIGHT TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES OR WHATEVER TO HELP ME OUT AND GET A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
I NEED A LOT OF HELP AND SUPPORT AND WE HAVE NO HELP AND SUPPORT AT ALL.
THE SCHOOL REFUSES OVER AND OVER TO GIVE A SIMPLE STATEMENT THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN IN SCHOOL SO MY MOM CAN ACCESS DAYTIME CARE FOR ME, SO SHE CAN DO THINGS SHE NEEDS TO DO. THIS IS ALL JUST SO UNFAIR.
WHY? WHY ISN'T THERE ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO HELP AARON? [APPLAUSE] THE NEXT FIVE COMMENT PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKERS ARE MARILOU JUAREZ, CLAUDIA QUINTANILLA, SANDRA GARCIA, DOMINIQUE CHATTERS, AND KATE FLYNN.
MAY WE HAVE MARILOU JUAREZ? CLAUDIA QUINTANILLA.
GOOD EVENING. I HAVE THREE THINGS I WANTED TO ADDRESS.
FIRST, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MS. BAILEY FOR ATTENDING THE BOND REFERENDUM DISCUSSION AT [INAUDIBLE] LIBRARY.
IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND I APPRECIATED HER ATTENDANCE.
SO I'M SURE YOU HAD A WISH LIST OF THINGS THAT YOU HAD TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CHERRY PICK THE LIST OFF OF YOU GUYS OR WHAT, BUT IN THE FUTURE, IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU NEED US TO DO TO HELP GET WHAT YOU WANT DONE ON THAT LIST, THEN ACTIVATE US SO WE CAN HELP YOU.
BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE PRIORITIZED SCHOOLS THAT ARE OVERCROWDED VERSUS SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT.
[01:55:03]
BECAUSE IN THAT SLIDE DECK THAT WAS BRIEFED BY MR. HOLLAND'S STAFF, THEY SHOWED THE CAPACITIES OF THOSE SCHOOLS THAT THEY'RE REBUILDING OR BUILDING BRAND NEW AND THEY HAVE SPACE.BUT IN DALE DISTRICT, WE HAVE TRAILERS, RIGHT? HOPKINS HAS TRAILERS.
AND IF WE'RE GOING TO BE HONEST, THE MEGA TRAILER IS NICE, BUT IT'S NOT SECURE.
WOULD YOU WANT YOUR CHILD IN THE HARD BUILDING OR WOULD YOU WANT YOUR CHILD INSIDE THE MEGA TRAILER? SO THE MEGA TRAILER IS NOT THE ANSWER, BUT I KNOW THAT'S NOT ON YOU GUYS.
CORRECTION I DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE MIGHT BE PARENTS IN THE ROOM WHO KNEW THAT ALREADY, BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN I NEED TO BE REACHING OUT TO PARKS AND REC TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE FACILITIES THAT THEY'RE USING, THAT THEY'RE NOT MAINTAINING THAT HAPPENED TO BENEFIT OR AT THE DETRIMENT OF OUR STUDENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRACKS OR THE ATHLETIC FIELDS.
AND FINALLY, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT LET THE TEACHERS TEACH.
LET'S START WITH LETTING THEM TEACH THE TRUTH.
WE CAN START WITH THINGS THAT ARE EASY THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.
IT WASN'T COLUMBUS DAY, IT WAS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.
WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT COLUMBUS DID NOT DISCOVER AMERICA.
WE CAN AGREE ON A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS THAT ARE EASY AND THAT WE CAN HANDLE.
SO WE'RE ALL PAYING ATTENTION.
IF YOU NEED TO ACTIVATE YOUR PARENTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU, BECAUSE WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN IS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE WE'RE DOING REVERSIONIST HISTORY.
TALKING ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC RELOCATION IS REALLY WHAT SLAVERY HAPPENED, OR THAT SLAVERY WAS A CHOICE.
WE DON'T NEED TO BRING THOSE MORONIC CONCEPTS HERE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, BUT IF YOU NEED OUR SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T GET PUSHED ON YOU, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
I'M GOING TO CALL THE NEXT FIVE CALLERS ANN TATUS, ASHLEY [INAUDIBLE], LUCILLE ELLIOTT, EMERSON [INAUDIBLE], CATHERINE COSTANOLA.
I THINK THAT WE'VE DRIFTED SO FAR AWAY FROM REALITY IN THAT EVERYBODY'S FEELINGS HAVE TO MATTER.
AND THAT STARTED DECADES AGO WITH POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.
PARENTAL RIGHTS ARE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.
THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF PARENTS TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING AND EDUCATION OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN IS IN THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION 1-240.1 YOU GUYS KNOW THAT ONE.
A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AND THIS WOULD BE PALKO V.
YET ON AUGUST 10TH, 2021, YOU ADOPTED A TRANSGENDER MODEL POLICY, REMOVING PARENTS IN ADDITION TO ADHERING TO ALL LEGAL STANDARDS OF CONFIDENTIALITY, SCHOOL PERSONNEL SHALL TREAT INFORMATION RELATING TO STUDENTS TRANSGENDER STATUS AS BEING PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE.
AND IT LISTS A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE INCLUDING PARENT OR GUARDIAN UPON REQUEST.
[02:00:01]
IT'S NOT YOUR JOB.YOU DON'T GET TO REMOVE PARENTS.
AND THEN I'LL GO ON AND THERE'S A LIST OF SUPREME COURT CASES THAT HAVE OVER AND OVER.
OKAY. THE LIBERTY OF PARENTS TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING AND CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
SOCIETY OF SISTERS IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS, MR. ROBERTS. IN 2000, TROXEL V GRANVILLE GAVE A LIST OF CASES.
WISCONSIN V YODER 1972 THE PRIMARY ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE UPBRINGING OF THEIR CHILDREN IS NOW ESTABLISHED BEYOND DEBATE AS AN ENDURING AMERICAN TRADITION.
IN LIGHT OF THIS EXTENSIVE PRECEDENT, IT CANNOT NOW BE DOUBTED THAT THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT PROTECTS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF PARENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THEIR CHILDREN.
NEITHER THE UNITED STATES NOR ANY STATE SHALL INFRINGE UPON THESE RIGHTS WITHOUT DEMONSTRATING THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST AS APPLIED TO THE PERSON OR THE HIGHEST ORDER OTHERWISE SERVED.
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR FREEDOM AS AMERICANS.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST MEET A HEIGHTENED BURDEN OF PROOF IN ORDER TO RESTRICT THOSE RIGHTS.
THANK YOU. MS. TATUS. THESE ARE FACTS.
MADAM CHAIR, MADAM CHAIR MAY HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
YES MS. HEFFRON. THE CLERK DID MENTION AT THE START OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT SPEAKERS ARE REMINDED THAT COMMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND NOT TO INDIVIDUAL STAFF MEMBERS.
I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD REMIND SPEAKERS OF THE SAME.
PLEASE ADHERE TO THE RULES OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND REFRAIN FROM ADDRESSING INDIVIDUALS.
THANK YOU. ASHLEY [INAUDIBLE] DID I DO IT RIGHT? YEAH YOU DID GOOD. GOOD JOB. THANK YOU, ASHLEY [INAUDIBLE].
LET ME FIRST SAY I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE CCPS LEADERSHIP TEAM.
STUDENTS MET ON THEIR OWN TO PLAN A SAFE WALK OUT TODAY, BEGINNING AT 9 A.M.
AFTER CHECKING IN THEIR MUSTANG MORNING CLASSROOM.
TODAY'S EVENT WAS NOT A SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITY.
OUR SCHOOL IS HERE TO PROVIDE A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, CARING COMMUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS.
HERE IS CCPS SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, WHICH MR. HARTER DID STATE IN PART.
THE SCHOOL BOARD EXPECTS A HIGH STANDARD OF STUDENT CONDUCT TO ENSURE AN ATMOSPHERE CONDUCIVE TO TEACHING AND LEARNING FREE OF DISRUPTION AND THREAT TO PERSON OR PROPERTY AND SUPPORTIVE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.
STUDENTS AND STAFF HAVE A PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CREATING A CLIMATE OF MUTUAL RESPECT, HONESTY AND TRUST IN EACH SCHOOL IN ORDER THAT THE DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS PROTECTED AND THE POTENTIAL OF EACH STUDENT MAY BE REALIZED.
LET'S BE CLEAR THE ONLY SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND CARING PLACE FOR ALL ADMINISTRATION STAFF AND STUDENTS IS IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING WHERE THEY'RE PREPARED TO FACILITATE OR RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN AN EXCELLENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE WITHIN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
FRIENDS, I EXPECT MORE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP.
OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER.
[02:05:01]
BY ACTIVISTS.WHY IS THAT HAPPENING? FINALLY, ANYONE LISTENING? PLEASE START PETITIONING FOR SCHOOL CHOICE AND EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS FOR OUR STUDENTS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
AND ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE MANY CLOSE FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS BOARD.
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE TOPIC OF GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S NEW MODEL POLICIES.
SOON, THE CHESTERFIELD SCHOOL BOARD WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REJECT OR PASS THEM.
THESE NEW REGULATIONS, FRANKLY, ARE RIDICULOUS.
SOME PARTIES STILL OPPOSE THIS POLICIES AND THAT IS WELL WITHIN THEIR RIGHT.
PERHAPS THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ADJUSTMENTS MADE.
YET THESE NEW POLICIES FROM GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN GO FAR BEYOND MINOR COMPROMISE.
I NOT AN ADULT, TEACHER OR REPRESENTATIVE.
THE POLICIES DO NOT KEEP KIDS SAFE.
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED TERROR AT THESE POLICIES.
THEY ARE SCARED THEY WILL BE KICKED OUT, EVEN DISOWNED.
TO THE CHESTERFIELD SCHOOL BOARD.
I BEG YOU TO REJECT THESE POLICIES WHICH DO NOTHING TO IMPROVE OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] EMERSON [INAUDIBLE].
I ATTEND THOMAS DALE HIGH SCHOOL.
I BELIEVE WE ARE BEING USED AS PAWNS IN OUR POLITICAL FIGURES GAMES.
THESE PROPOSED POLICIES TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHT TO SURVIVE.
WE, AS CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC STUDENTS, MUST ALL STAND NOW.
YOU MATTER. AND YOU ARE CARED FOR.
MY GENDER IDENTITY IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE.
WE MUST ACTIVELY STAND AGAINST THE MISTREATMENT OF OUR QUEER AND TRANS SIBLINGS FOR THE FUTURE OF TRANS KIDS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY I URGE THE BOARD TO REJECT GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S NEW MODEL POLICIES IMMEDIATELY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CATHERINE CASTAGNOLA.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR. AND THE BOARD.
I'M CURRENTLY A STUDENT, A SENIOR AT COSBY HIGH SCHOOL.
MY FAVORITE SUBJECT IS CALCULUS.
BUT I MEAN, YOU DIDN'T NEED TO KNOW THAT.
I WILL BE MENTIONING SOME HEAVY TOPICS, SO PLEASE BE PREPARED.
[02:10:04]
SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO RELATE MENTAL HEALTH TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LGBTQ STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASSROOMS, YOUR SCHOOL'S, YOUR JURISDICTION ESSENTIALLY.I USED TO BE A STUDENT AT CLOVER HILL.
I HAD SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AT ONE POINT BECAUSE OF THE HOMOPHOBIA I EXPERIENCED, AND TO HEAR THIS DIMINISHED DOWN TO AN ISSUE OF PARENTS RIGHTS.
IT REALLY HURTS BECAUSE WE FEEL, ME AND MY FRIENDS BEING WE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE FRIEND WHO HAD PASSED, I TRIED TO KEEP THEM IN MY MEMORY.
I IMPLORE YOU TO REJECT THESE CRUEL POLICIES PROPOSED BY THE VDOE SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE AND MAINTAIN AN EQUITABLE AND VIVID ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR CCPS.
MAY WE HAVE JENNIFER MCMURDY? GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JENNIFER MCMURDY AND I'M A PARENT OF THREE TEENAGERS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY.
ONE OF MY CHILDREN, ALEX, IS HERE TONIGHT AND IS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
ALEX HAS A LOVING HOME, AN ACCEPTING FAMILY, AND SOME OF THE MOST SUPPORTIVE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATION ANY STUDENT OR PARENT COULD ASK FOR FROM A SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND STILL, ALEX HAS STRUGGLED WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SO MUCH SO THAT TWO YEARS AGO I FOUND MYSELF IN THE BACK OF AN AMBULANCE, UNSURE AS TO WHETHER MY CHILD WOULD LIVE OR DIE.
YOU MAKE MANY PROMISES TO GOD, TO THE UNIVERSE, AND TO WHOMEVER WILL LISTEN.
ONE OF THE MANY PROMISES I MADE THAT NIGHT TO BOTH MYSELF AND TO ALEX WAS THAT I WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE ALEX FELT LOVED AND SUPPORTED NO MATTER WHAT. I PROMISE THAT ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE, I WOULD ALWAYS BE TEAM ALEX.
SOMETIMES TEAM ALEX MEANS SITTING IN THE STANDS AT A LACROSSE GAME, SITTING IN THE SIDELINES AT FIELD HOCKEY PRACTICE, OR CHEERING IN THE AUDIENCE AFTER A CHORUS PERFORMANCE. BUT TONIGHT, BEING PART OF TEAM ALEX MEANS STANDING HERE, SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE DANGER OF GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S NEW POLICIES AND THEIR POLICIES THAT WILL HAVE A TERRIBLE EFFECT ON OUR COMMUNITY.
I SAY ON OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE EFFECTS WILL RUN DEEP.
THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE FELT BY PARENTS WHO WILL FIND THEMSELVES DESPERATE TO COMBAT THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THEIR CHILDREN WILL FACE BY TEACHERS WHO WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN A POSITION TO OUT STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS AND DENY STUDENTS THE BASIC HUMAN RESPECT OF A PREFERRED PRONOUN.
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RELIGIOUS OR NON-RELIGIOUS BELIEFS MAY BE CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION, INTOLERANCE, DISRESPECT JUST FOR BEING THEMSELVES.
THIS POLICY WILL LEAD OUR CHILDREN TO FEELING REJECTED AND ISOLATED.
YOU THINK OF A PERSON LIKE ALEX SURROUNDED BY SUPPORT AND LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE, AND STILL IT IS GUT WRENCHINGLY DIFFICULT AND INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING.
AND THEN YOU THINK OF THE KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE A MOM OR DAD ON THEIR TEAM.
SOMETIMES TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATION, OTHER TRUSTED ADULTS, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL BOARD, ARE THE ONLY ONES SHOWING THEM THE UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE THEY DESERVE. SO AS PART OF TEAM ALEX, AND ON BEHALF OF ALL STUDENTS WHO HAVE ENOUGH CHALLENGES, SIMPLY TRYING TO BE WHO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE, PLEASE STAND WITH US IN REJECTING THESE HARMFUL POLICIES.
THAT WAS WHAT I INITIALLY WROTE.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT MY CHILD IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE GSA AT COSBY.
THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
I HOPE THAT AS MUCH PRAISE GOES INTO THESE KIDS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, TAKING THE RIGHT ROUTE MA'AM, I'M SORRY, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.
[02:15:09]
JOHN WARD.[APPLAUSE] WELL, GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A BEACON OF LIGHT, MR. HARTER WITH YOUR WORDS EARLIER.
I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT WAS STATED BY MERV EARLIER WITH THE PAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
YOU'VE IGNORED EVERY SINGLE PARENT WHO SPOKE ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.
NOT ONCE DID YOU SHOW AN OUNCE OF EMPATHY.
IT WASN'T TILL HER SON SPOKE WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY DID YOU SAY SOMETHING? I WONDER IF THE ADA WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW HIS MOTHER WAS TOLD NOT TO HELP HIM SPEAK.
YOUR HOLLOW WORDS OF WE HAVE DONE A LOT FOR SPECIAL NEEDS WERE A WASTE OF YOUR BREATH.
YOU CANNOT GIVE CLEAR EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU DID TO ADDRESS HER SITUATION LAST YEAR NOR THIS YEAR.
GOD HAS US TO SPEAK UP FOR WEAK AND WEARY.
I'M NOT HERE TO MAKE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD WITNESS STRONG MEN WHO HAVE STRONG MORAL CONVICTIONS BEING CALLED TOXIC MALES BECAUSE THE WOKE WEAK PORTIONS OF SOCIETY HAVE SUCH FRAGILE FEELINGS THAT WHEN FACED WITH GOD FEARING MORAL CHARACTERS, THEY SHATTER.
JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, [INAUDIBLE] UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND REQUEST OF A WOKE LIBRARIAN, MS. ROBERTSON. NUMEROUS QUESTIONABLE THINGS HAPPENED.
FIRST, BEING A KINDERGARTNER WHO CHECKED OUT A TRANSGENDER BOOK CALLED I'M NOT A GIRL.
THEN BETWEEN ME AND BETWEEN US AND [INAUDIBLE] BEING READ FOR KINDERGARTNERS.
IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THIS SOCIAL JUSTICE [INAUDIBLE] IS PUSHING HER IDEOLOGY INTO THE MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN AND NOT AT THE BEHEST OR REQUESTS OF PARENTS, BUT BY HER POWER ABUSING, PERVERSE GROOMING.
THIS NEEDS TO STOP, ESPECIALLY AT THE ELEMENTARY AGE.
STOP SEXUALIZING OUR CHILDREN.
AND ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR THE KIND TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE SOME MORE COUNSELING FOR THESE STUDENTS WHO MAY BE GOING THROUGH THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, WHETHER IT'S WITH TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA AND IF THEY ARE GOING THROUGH DEPRESSION.
THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO SEE ANOTHER CHILD DIE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MAX GOLDSMITH AND I AM A JUNIOR AT COSBY HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS NUMBER BEING EVEN HIGHER FOR LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE OF COLOR.
EVERY MORNING DURING THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT COSBY HIGH SCHOOL, A MOTTO IS RECITED.
COSBY WHERE WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING.
WE NEED TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT THAT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO INCLUDE INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, AND RESPECT FOR OUR SUPERIORS AND OUR PEERS IN SCHOOLS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, GENDER, OR GENDER IDENTITY.
[02:20:07]
MY PEERS AND I WANT THE FUTURE STUDENTS OF THIS DISTRICT TO FEEL WELCOME AND ACCEPTED.IF THESE MODEL POLICIES MAKE IT PAST THE PUBLIC COMMENTING PERIOD AND GET VOTED INTO LEGISLATION BY THE VDOE, CCPS IS PUT INTO A POSITION WHERE IT MUST MAKE A CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT TO INCLUDE THESE MODEL POLICIES.
IF IT PASSES THEM, IT SETS THE PRECEDENT THAT QUEER STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO THEIR OWN PRIVACY AND THAT QUEER PEOPLE ARE NOT SEEN OR RECOGNIZED AS A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. BUT WE ARE EVERYWHERE IN CHESTERFIELD WE ARE YOUR GROCERY STORE CLERKS, YOUR NEIGHBORS.
WE DO YOUR HAIR. WE WORK FOR YOU.
THESE NEW POLICIES FROM THE VDOE ARE A COMPLETE 180 FROM THE 2021 GUIDELINES THAT THE QUEER COMMUNITY HAS FOUGHT OVER FOR YEARS, AND THEY'RE GOING AWAY JUST AS QUICKLY AS THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED. THIS GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT CCPS AND VIRGINIA STANDS FOR.
THESE NEW MODEL POLICIES MENTIONED HOW THE VDOE RECOGNIZES THAT EACH CHILD IS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL, WITH DISTINCTIVE ABILITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE THEM VALUED AND RESPECTED. ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO ATTEND SCHOOL IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE OF DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT OR BULLYING.
YET THESE NEW POLICIES ARE CONSISTENTLY IMPLICATING OTHERWISE.
CCPS CLAIMS TO NOT TOLERATE HARASSMENT, YET THESE POLICIES CONSTANTLY DISAVOW IT.
BUT THE POLICIES PERMIT TEACHERS AND STAFF TO USE THE [INAUDIBLE] NAME AND MISGENDER STUDENTS THROUGH THESE DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES, DOING SO ON THE BASIS OF FREE SPEECH, YET CALLING SOMEBODY BY A NAME THAT THEY HAVE MADE CLEAR THEY DON'T WANT TO BE CALLED BY IS HARASSMENT.
ALL OF THESE NEW MODEL POLICIES ACTIVELY GO AGAINST WHAT WE CLAIM TO STAND FOR.
AND MY PEERS AND I CAN'T JUST SIT AROUND WATCHING ALL THIS HAPPEN.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALEX MCMURDY.
I USE HE HIM PRONOUNS AND I AM A TRANSGENDER STUDENT AT COSBY HIGH SCHOOL.
INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS OR STUDYING FOR MY ANATOMY QUIZ ON FRIDAY, I'M HERE TONIGHT SPEAKING TO YOU ALL ABOUT THE NEW DRAFT MODEL POLICIES GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN HAS RELEASED AND ASKING FOR YOU ALL TO REJECT THEM.
AFTER REVIEWING SAID POLICIES, IT HAS BECOME CLEAR TO NOT JUST MYSELF BUT MY PEERS AS WELL, THAT THESE NEW POLICIES POSE DETRIMENTAL HARM TO QUEER AND TRANS STUDENTS, BOTH TO A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXTENT.
IF THESE POLICIES ARE PUT INTO LEGISLATION, TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENTS WILL LOSE ALL OF THE VERY LITTLE PROTECTION RIGHTS AND VISIBILITY THAT THEY HAVE IN SCHOOLS.
A 2022 SURVEY RUN BY THE TREVOR PROJECT HAS SHOWN THAT MORE THAN HALF OF TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY YOUTH HAVE SERIOUSLY THOUGHT ABOUT SUICIDE, AND ONE IN FIVE TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY YOUTH HAVE ATTEMPTED.
I MYSELF FALL INTO BOTH OF THESE CATEGORIES.
FURTHERMORE. FURTHERMORE, BY OUTING STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS, THIS WILL PUT MANY STUDENTS IN HARM'S WAY AS NOT EVERY PARENT IS GOING TO BE ACCEPTING OF WHO THEIR CHILD IS.
AND ON A FEW OCCASIONS PARENTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO MENTALLY AND EVEN PHYSICALLY ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN WHEN GAINING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEM BEING TRANSGENDER OR QUEER . BY ACCEPTING THESE NEW POLICIES INTO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WE ARE WILLINGLY PUTTING MORE LIVES OF CHILDREN AT RISK EVERY DAY.
HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE DO WE HAVE TO LOSE BEFORE OUR VOICES CAN BE HEARD AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THOSE IN CHARGE? THANK YOU.
[02:25:02]
MAY WE HAVE GLENN STURDEVANT? GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR.DR. DAUGHERTY. MY NAME IS GLENN STURDEVANT.
I'M A PARENT OF THREE KIDS IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS.
THEY PROTECT FREE SPEECH RIGHTS OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND THEY PROTECT GIRLS, SPORTS AND PRIVACY.
NOW, EVEN THOUGH MANY CHILDREN ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH DEFICITS FROM THE COVID LOCKDOWNS, FORCED MASKING POLICIES AND DISTANCE LEARNING AND ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY WAS DISRUPTED BY THESE WALKOUTS.
AND SINCE THESE WALKOUTS HAVE COME TO LIGHT, WE'VE LEARNED THAT THE PRIMARY GROUP BEHIND THE WALKOUTS SEEKS AS PART OF ITS WORK TO, QUOTE UNQUOTE, REHOME CHILDREN IF THEIR PARENTS AREN'T DEEMED SUPPORTIVE ENOUGH AND WILL EVEN PROVIDE CASH PAYMENTS TO THESE KIDS TO HELP THEM LEAVE HOME AND LIVE WITH AN UNRELATED ADULT AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY.
NOW, IT ALSO APPEARS THAT IN SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS, THESE WALKOUTS WERE DONE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, AND WE'RE ALLOWED BY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TO DISRUPT THE SCHOOL DAY. NOW, THESE WALKOUTS HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA, BUT IT'S MY HOPE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD AND CENTRAL OFFICE WILL PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE RISKS TO STUDENT SAFETY AND THE DISRUPTION OF THE ACADEMIC WORKDAY CAUSED BY THESE WALKOUTS, AND WORK TO CORRECT THE MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED POLICIES THAT ARE BEING PUSHED BY POLITICAL GROUPS AND THAT ARE REALLY CAUSED BY A FAILURE TO READ THE ACTUAL POLICIES CAREFULLY.
IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE CURRENT POLICY OF CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS COULD ALLOW TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO KEEP PARENTS IN THE DARK ABOUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.
AND IT'S SAD AND CONCERNING TO SEE SOME OBJECT TO GIVING THOSE RIGHTS BACK TO PARENTS.
WHEN GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S MODEL POLICIES COME BEFORE THIS BOARD.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENACT A POLICY THAT STRONGLY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY RESPECTS PARENTAL RIGHTS, PROTECTS EMPLOYEES RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE AND FREE SPEECH, AND THAT PROTECTS GIRLS SPORTS AND THEIR PRIVACY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MELISSA JONES.
GOOD EVENING. LAST TIME I WAS HERE WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND I WAS TALKING ABOUT CERTAIN BOOKS IN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS . THIS YEAR THIS TIME I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME BOOKS IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
NOW, FOR REFERENCE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE CHILDREN FROM AGES 5 TO 10.
AND BEFORE I GO INTO THAT, LET ME READ WHAT THE CODE OF VIRGINIA DEFINES AS OBSCENE.
THE WORD OBSCENE, WHERE IT APPEARS IN THIS ARTICLE, WHICH IS SECTION 18.2-372, SHALL MEAN THAT WHICH CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE HAS AS ITS DOMINANT THEME OR PURPOSE AND APPEAL TO THE PRURIENT INTEREST IN SEX.
THAT IS A SHAMEFUL OR MORBID INTEREST IN NUDITY, SEXUAL CONDUCT, SEXUAL EXCITEMENT, EXCRETORY FUNCTIONS OR PRODUCTS THEREOF, OR SADOMASOCHISTIC ABUSE, AND WHICH GOES SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND CUSTOMARY LIMITS OF CANDOR AND DESCRIPTION OR REPRESENTATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND WHICH, TAKEN AS A WHOLE, DOES NOT HAVE SERIOUS LITERARY, ARTISTIC, POLITICAL OR SCIENTIFIC VALUE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE WITH YOUR 5 TO 10 YEAR OLD'S, BUT I ASSURE YOU, TRANSGENDERISM, LGBTQ, HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT THOSE THINGS THAT I THINK WOULD BE CUSTOMARY IN A HOUSEHOLD.
WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED I'M NOT A GIRL WHICH HAS A HAS A SUMMARY ABOUT A
[02:30:06]
BIOLOGICAL GIRL WHO WHO BELIEVES THAT SHE IS A HE.THIS PARTICULAR BOOK IS AT THREE DIFFERENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, ECOFF, HENING AND MOSLEY.
THEN WE HAVE A BOOK CALLED LGBTQ+ RIGHTS STAND UP, SPEAK OUT.
THIS IS A BOOK THAT IS LOCATED AT [INAUDIBLE], AND THE SUMMARY SAYS, LEARN ALL ABOUT LGBTQ+ ACTIVISM FROM GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS TO LEGALIZING SAME SEX MARRIAGE.
GET A GLOBAL LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
MEET THE ACTIVISTS INVOLVED AND CELEBRATE SOME OF THE LEGAL VICTORIES.
THIS REALLY IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILD FROM 5 TO 10.
BORN READY, THE TRUE STORY OF A BOY NAMED PENELOPE.
THIS IS IN [INAUDIBLE] AND MOSLEY.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. RAY [INAUDIBLE].
I'M A TRANS MAN THAT ATTENDS COSBY HIGH SCHOOL.
I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE BEING DEAD NAMED.
I DON'T ASSOCIATE MY DEAD NAME WITH ME.
A NAME REPRESENTS WHO SOMEONE IS, AND MY DEAD NAME IS NOT ME.
I GET PANIC ATTACKS WHEN I HEAR MY DEAD NAME.
HEARING MY DEAD NAME MAKES ME FEEL LIKE THE SHELL OF MY FORMER SELF.
I KNOW MANY OTHER TRANS PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY FEEL THE SAME.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETING TRANSGENDER KIDS, BUT IT CAN ALSO AFFECT CIS GENDER KIDS.
DEAD NAMING AND MIS GENDERING KIDS MAKES THEM UNCOMFORTABLE AND CAN CAUSE THEM SO MUCH HARM.
AND IT'S JUST BASIC HUMAN RESPECT TO RESPECT WHAT SOMEBODY WANTS TO GO BY.
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BELIEFS ARE OR OR JUST WHATEVER YOUR OPINIONS ARE, AND PEOPLE'S RIGHTS SHOULDN'T BE POLITICIZED AND PEOPLE SHOULD JUST BE COMFORTABLE BEING WHO THEY ARE AND COMFORTABLE IN THE SCHOOL SETTING.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MICHAEL [INAUDIBLE].
NOW, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT SOME PROTESTS AGAINST GOVERNOR JENKINS.
WELL, THAT POLICY, I BELIEVE, IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.
WHY? ONLY 2% OF STUDENTS ARE TRANSGENDER.
SMALL, POORLY UNDERSTOOD GROUPS ARE EASY TARGETS.
SOCIAL WEDGES DRIVE ENGAGEMENT.
TRANS BASHING THEN BECOMES THE NEW GAY BASHING.
SO THEY USE OUT-OF-CONTEXT QUOTES, LIE ABOUT OR MISCHARACTERIZE STATEMENTS MADE IN PRIVATE CHATS REPEAT MISINFORMATION WITH INCREDIBLY MADE UP NUMBERS, FALSE ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON NOVELTY AND OLD PREJUDICES, FALSE CONNECTIONS TO REAL CONCERNS AND INFLATION OF RISK. THE TRUTH IS THAT 34% OF QUEER QUEER YOUTH REPORT PARENTAL PHYSICAL ABUSE.
26% OF QUEER YOUTH ARE FORCED TO LEAVE HOME DUE TO CONFLICTS WITH FAMILY.
[02:35:05]
UP TO 40% OF YOUTH WHO BECOME HOMELESS EACH YEAR ARE QUEER.SO THE IMPACT IS TRANS MISINFORMATION BECOMES MAINSTREAMED.
TRANS STUDENTS ARE OUTED IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS.
THERE'S THAT PHRASE AGAIN DON'T PANIC.
AND THEN REVERSAL OF THE VIRGINIA DOE GUIDANCE THAT ONCE PROTECTED TRANSGENDER STUDENTS PUTS STUDENTS IN REAL DANGER. NOW A COUPLE MORE THINGS I DO WANT TO SAY.
AND I BELIEVE THAT JUSTICE DOES NOT MEAN JUST US.
SO WHEN YOUNG KIDS DON'T SAY TRANS POLICY COMES TO YOU, REMEMBER YOU'RE A COMMONWEALTH.
KEEP THE POLICY YOU HAVE ON THE BOOKS.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. SAVANNAH [INAUDIBLE].
I'M SAVANNAH [INAUDIBLE] FROM COSBY HIGH SCHOOL.
I MYSELF AM NOT TRANSGENDER, BUT I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE.
AND IT WORRIES ME, TOO, ESPECIALLY THE PART ABOUT ADDING TRANSGENDER KIDS TO THEIR FAMILIES.
SOME KIDS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TELL THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS WILL ABUSE THEM.
IF YOU OUT THEM TO THEIR FAMILIES, IT COULD BE WORSE.
I KNOW THAT PEOPLE WHO PASS THE POLICY THINK THAT WHAT THEY THEY'RE DOING IS RIGHT.
BUT MY FEAR IS FEAR IS THAT WE MIGHT START SEEING TEEN SUICIDES START TO GO UP.
SO PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF YOU DO WHAT THIS POLICY SAYS.
I URGE THE BOARD TO REJECT GOVERNOR JENKINS NEW POLICIES.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. I'LL CALL THE LAST THREE SPEAKERS CHRISTINE MELENDEZ, JASON SPOON AND ROBERT [INAUDIBLE].
GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MELENDEZ, AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHESTERFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION [SPANISH]. FIRST, I WANTED TO GIVE A WELCOME AND THANKS TO THE FAMILIES THAT WERE HERE WHO SHARED THEIR WORDS.
THEIR VOICES ARE IMPORTANT AND I'M VERY PROUD.
BUILDINGS THAT ARE OVERCROWDED AND STAFF ARE CHRONICALLY OVERWORKED.
WE HONOR THE STAFF THAT HAVE REMAINED AND LOVE OUR STUDENTS BEYOND MEASURE, AND WE COMMEND STAFF WHO PUT FORTH THEIR BEST EFFORTS AND HAD TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO MOVE ON FROM THESE WORK SITES.
THAT BEING SAID, WE ALSO KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE SAME PARENTS ENCOUNTERED COMMUNICATION TODAY THAT COULD EASILY BE MISUNDERSTOOD AS TACTICS OF INTIMIDATION AND FEARMONGERING.
WE KNOW THAT THE MOST LOGICAL NEXT STEP IN RETAINING AND RECRUITING STAFF, ESPECIALLY IN THESE SCHOOLS, IS TO ENTER INTO A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR A WELL WORDED AND NEGOTIATED CONTRACT.
[02:40:01]
PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PEERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY.I ALSO WANT TO SHARE A QUOTE FROM TIM MCCLURE, A SENIOR EXECUTIVE AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER WHO ACTUALLY SPEAKS TO HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT OVERCOMING OBSTACLES, BEATING THE ODDS AND LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR ANY ORGANIZATION SHOULD BE WHEN THEIR MOST PASSIONATE PEOPLE BECOME QUIET.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. JASON SPOON.
HEY, GOOD EVENING. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, MR. SUPERINTENDENT, AND ALL YOU CONCERNED PARENTS OUT THERE.
MY FAMILY AND I RECENTLY MET OUR HOME IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY.
LAST MONTH WAS MY FIRST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, THOUGH.
BUT WE ALL DO HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE FACT THAT SCHOOL BOARDS, NOT ONLY IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, BUT ACROSS VIRGINIA AND ACROSS THE NATION, YOU GUYS HAVE KIND OF LOST THE TRUST AND FAITH OF THE PARENTS.
HAVING READ THE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNOR JENKINS ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED 2022 MODEL POLICIES ON THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA SCHOOLS, IT'S A MOUTHFUL.
I KNOW THE MODEL POLICIES ARE NOT YET FINISHED, BUT I WANT TO SHARE MY SUPPORT FOR THEM AS THEY ARE WRITTEN AND TO HELP YOU SEE THAT THAT YOUR SUPPORT FOR THEM WOULD BRING SOME, SOME TRANSPARENCY AND SOME LIGHT BACK INTO THAT IMPORTANT SCHOOL PARENT AND STUDENT RELATIONSHIP.
AND IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO RESTORING THAT CRITICAL TRUST THAT PARENTS NEED TO HAVE IN YOU.
WELL, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I GUESS THAT'S ALWAYS NICE TO GO LAST.
A LOT OF THINGS WERE COVERED, SO IT'S GOING TO SHORTEN MINE A LITTLE BIT.
SO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MR. [INAUDIBLE] I SUPPORT YOU 100% ON THE NON WALKOUTS AND NON PROTEST DISRUPTED OF SCHOOL.
I ALSO SUPPORT UPDATING THE STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY TO SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE THE WORD PROTEST AND WALKOUTS IN IT AS A DEFINITION AND PUNISHMENTS THERE AFTER. AND I KNOW THAT'S ON THE PRINCIPAL TO ENFORCE THAT BUT THEN IT BECOMES ON THE ADULT THE PRINCIPAL FOR NOT ENFORCING IT.
THEN IT COMES DOWN ON THEM AS FAR AS ADMINISTRATION GOES.
SO I THINK WE START HOLDING ADULTS ACCOUNTABLE.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPEN IN SCHOOLS.
SECOND, AS FAR AS THE CHILDREN THAT SPOKE TODAY, I WILL SAY THAT THEY'RE VERY BRAVE TO COME UP HERE AND SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE BOARD, BECAUSE I KNOW IN EXPERIENCE IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS. SO I WANT TO SAY THAT AS I APPRECIATE THEM COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK, SPEAKING ON WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN, I DISAGREE ABOUT TAKING AWAY PARENTS RIGHTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING FROM GENDER DYSPHORIA, OR MAYBE THEY CAN EVEN HELP THEM.
I DISAGREE WITH THE PARENTS ARE GOING TO ABUSE THEM.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GUARANTEE.
I THINK THAT'S MAYBE ONE OR 2%, BUT THEY PROBABLY ALREADY BEEN ABUSED ANYHOW.
AND I DON'T KNOW THAT. BUT I'M JUST SAYING THAT WE WE HAVE TO TRUST THE PARENTS.
IT'S NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE IN ON A HOUSE BEING OUR BEDROOMS. AND WHEN WHEN THE KIDS ARE IN THE SCHOOL, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE.
ALL RIGHT. [INAUDIBLE] ALL RIGHT.
SO I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE BOOK THAT JUST CAME OUT.
I'M NOT A GIRL FOUNDED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
FIRST SCHOOL IT WAS THERE WAS MOSLEY.
IT'S CHECKED OUT RIGHT NOW, PROBABLY BY ANOTHER SIX YEAR OLD.
ECOFF CHECKED OUT RIGHT NOW, PROBABLY ANOTHER SIX YEAR OLD.
LUCKILY IN HENING ELEMENTARY, IT'S STILL THERE.
NOW, I DIDN'T CHECK ALL THE SCHOOLS, BUT THANKS TO SOME OF THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED FROM YOU GUYS, I KNOW HOW TO DO IT WITH MY EYES CLOSED NOW AND I CAN SHOW PARENTS HOW TO CHECK WHERE THE BOOKS ARE, HOW TO REPORT THEM AND HAVE THEM GET THEM REMOVED.
I KNOW HOW TO DO THAT 100% NOW, SO THERE'S NO PROBLEM.
SO IF THE LIBRARIAN DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT WAS, SHE HAS HE OR SHE HAS NO EXCUSE FOR EXPOSING THIS TO A FIVE YEAR OLD, SIX YEAR OLD, SEVEN YEAR OLD, WHAT HAVE YOU, AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL, IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND I KNOW HOW TO GET IT REMOVED, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME WORK FROM OTHER PARENTS.
NOW, THIS IS A NEWS ARTICLE THAT WENT NATIONAL CHESTERFIELD IS IN IT.
OKAY. AND SO IT WAS IT WENT NATIONAL.
[02:45:08]
CLOTHES OR SHE WASN'T WEARING THE CLOTHES THAT THE PARENTS PUT OUT THERE.SO, I MEAN, IT'S JUST A FIVE YEARS OLD.
YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU HAVE NO IDENTITY EXCEPT FOR YOUR CHILD.
YOU'RE PLAYING WITH BARBIES, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH CARDS, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH WHATEVER.
LET THEM FIGURE IT OUT FOR THEMSELVES.
THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
NEXT WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS, DR.
[I. Superintendent's Remarks]
DAUGHTERY.A COUPLE OF THINGS. TRANSPORTATION, ALWAYS A BIG THING IF YOU KNOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT OUR SIZE, THAT HAS A FULL CAPACITY. I LIKE TO MEET THEM.
RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT AROUND US, IT'S STILL A BIG ISSUE.
WE TRANSPORT OVER 55,646 STUDENTS A DAY.
WE HAVE 34 VACANCIES OF DRIVERS RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S 34 AND WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 63 SO THAT SUBSTITUTES AND OTHER OTHER POSITIONS.
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT WE TRAVEL OVER 26,000 MILES A DAY.
AND I KNOW THE BOARD GETS REPORTS EVERY DAY.
IF, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY SEEMS WELL, THEY LOVE TO HIT THE SCHOOL BUS MIRRORS FOR SOME REASON, BUT WE JUST GO INTO THE BUSINESS OF MAKING SCHOOL BUS MIRRORS.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 26 NEW TRAINEES, WE HAVE 36 IN MEDICAL, WE HAVE 58 IN BACKGROUND CHECK 11 AND CAN HAVE CONDITIONAL OFFERS. FIVE INTERVIEW PROCESS SIX WITH INTERVIEWS AND 17 NEW DRIVERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH STARTING THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER DRIVERS LIKE EVERY OTHER POSITION IN AMERICA, PEOPLE ARE COMPETING FOR THEM AND WE SOMETIMES FORGET THAT BUS DRIVERS MUST BE EXEMPT FROM GETTING OTHER JOBS OR THE SHORTAGE.
AND THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE A SHORTAGE NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.
IT'LL BE SHORTAGE. BUT THESE GUYS ARE WORKING HARD AND THEY'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN.
SO THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH STAFFING.
RECRUITING. WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT TEACHERS AND PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOMS NOT BEING FULLY STAFFED, THE POINTS ARE WE ARE STAFFED IN OUR BUILDINGS.
THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO REMEMBER.
AND I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME THINGS.
SO 97% OF OUR CLASSROOMS HAVE A CERTIFIED TEACHER IN THEIR CLASSES.
AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE MORE TEACHERS ALL THE TIME WORKING TO BE CERTIFIED.
AND I'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOU BECAUSE THE ONE THING THAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO, WE PICKED THIS UP FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, WAS THAT TAKING? WE DID A CAREER SWITCHER AND PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO GO INTO TEACHING AND HAD A DEGREE IN THAT FIELD AND IT WAS AMAZING.
AND OUR GOAL WITH THEM IS TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THEIR LICENSE.
SO IN ANY CLASSES WHERE WE DON'T HAVE STAFF MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS IN THE SENSE OF I'LL GIVE YOU THE PERFECT EXAMPLE, MATH TEACHERS. SO THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF MATH TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY AND BUT WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE
[02:50:03]
COUNTRY WHO DO DISTANCE LEARNING, AND WE ACTUALLY OFFER A STAFF MEMBER IN THE CLASSROOM AND A CERTIFIED TEACHER.BUT HERE THEY HAVE THEY HAVE A CERTIFIED TEACHER.
WE'RE DOING THINGS WITH GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY.
BUT WE WE'VE EVEN HAD OUR ANYWHERE THAT WE HAVE A CERTIFIED TEACHER DOING LONG DISTANCE LEARNING.
WE'VE GONE IN WITH OUR CURRICULUM STAFF TO CHECK THE CLASSROOM, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TEACHING, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE FOLLOWING THE CURRICULUM. ALL OF OUR ANNUAL SUBS THEY ARE WORKING TO HAVE MENTORS WHICH ARE STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PAID TO HELP THEM GO THROUGH.
USUALLY IT'S NOT CURRICULUM THEY NEED HELP WITH.
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PROCEDURES OR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT.
WE KNOW THAT THROUGH THE STAFFING PROCESS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH SEVERAL PROGRAMS FROM THE STATE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING REIMBURSEMENTS. AND THIS IS, YOU KNOW THE THE [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT'S WITH SO MUCH MONEY WE'RE REIMBURSEMENT.
BUT THE OTHER ONE DEALS WITH RIPE AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS WHO COME ON BOARD, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM AUGUST 15TH TO NOVEMBER 30TH, THEY GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING AS WELL. AND THE NICE THING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THEIR ANNUAL SUBS, WHEN THEY BECOME PROVISIONAL, THEY GO FROM THAT LONG TERM ANNUAL PAY TO THE TEACHER PAY. WHICH IS VERY BENEFICIAL AS WELL.
IF ANYONE SAYS THEY KNOW HOW TO GET TEACHERS QUICKLY, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE BEING AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS THEY CAN BE BECAUSE IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.
EVERYBODY'S IDENTIFIED IT AND SOMEONE CAME UP AND SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY HAD A TEACHER AND THEY WENT TO CAPITAL ONE AND THEY MADE $30,000 MORE DOLLARS BY GOING TO CAPITAL ONE.
AND YOU CAN'T SAY, GEE, DON'T GO.
THAT HAPPENS. AND WE'RE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET RIGHT NOW.
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED A MARKET THAT THAT IS UPSIDE DOWN.
SO WE'RE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS AND INCREASING OUR SUB RATE.
WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OR SOMETIMES WE'RE IN THE MID EIGHTIES AND THE NINETIES.
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WE WERE IN THE SEVENTIES IN THEORY AND YOU KNOW, THE BY HAVING OUR FRIDAYS AND DAYS THAT ARE HIGH NEED, YOU KNOW WITH DOUBLE PAY PEOPLE AND COME BACK AND DO OTHER DAYS AS WELL.
WE'RE 700 SUBS OVER LAST YEAR'S COUNT AND THAT'S JUST COUNT.
WE WERE EXTREMELY HIGH AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE JOB FAIRS.
WE HAVE JOB FAIRS EVERY MONTH FOR DIFFERENT STAFFING.
AND THAT IS MY REPORT, BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING HARD WITH STAFFING.
WE'RE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE BOARDING FOR THEM AND OUR TRANSPORTATION EFFORTS, BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WITH OUR TEACHERS AS WELL.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE? THANK YOU, DR. DAUGHTERY, FOR THAT UPDATE.
BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? QUESTIONS FOR DR. DAUGHTERY.
GO AHEAD, MR. HARTER. [INAUDIBLE] ALL RIGHT, I PUT THE LIGHT ON, SO.
AND IT IS JUST. NUMBER ONE, JUST TO ADD TO IT FOR THE TEACHER STAFFING, I DID HEAR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME UP AND, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A BETTER SOLUTION OUT THERE THAN TO HAVE SOMEONE AT A DISTANCE BE ABLE TO BE IN OUR CLASSROOMS, IF THAT'S BETTER THAN THROWING A PACKET ON THEIR DESK, PLEASE BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION. WE ARE TRYING THE HARDEST THAT WE CAN.
I'VE SEEN STAFF TRY THE HARDEST THAT WE CAN.
AND THAT'S AN INITIATIVE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT PUT FORWARD AND OVER TIME THAT MAY PAY OFF.
BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.
SO KUDOS FOR FOR TALKING ABOUT THAT.
THE ONE THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT REALLY QUICK WAS WAS A COUPLE OF PIECES OF TRANSPORTATION THAT I KNOW, PARTICULARLY ME AND I THINK MAYBE MISS HEFFRON MAY HAVE GOT SOME OF THE SAME TYPES OF CALLS.
AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE GOING ON.
IT'S NOT JUST WITH OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
[02:55:08]
IT MAKES IT CHALLENGING.BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS THAT I AM GETTING AND I GOT TO TELL YOU THAT DR.
FRYE HAS BEEN GREAT ABOUT EVERY TIME THAT I GET WITH HIM ON IT.
BUT THE COMMUNICATION FROM THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, EVEN POSSIBLY TO THE SCHOOLS.
AND THEN WHEN WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SAID ONCE THEY'VE CALLED IN OR WHATNOT, GETTING COMMUNICATION BACK FROM THEM, DO WE HAVE ANY PLAN TO INCREASE ANYBODY THAT WE COULD PUT IN PRETTY MUCH ALMOST THE AREA OFFICES TO HELP OUT WITH COMMUNICATION? WELL, I JUST SO HAPPENED TO HAVE THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER HERE WHO HAS THE ANSWER TO THAT.
OKAY. GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
AND AS A RESULT, COMMUNICATIONS BROKE DOWN BETWEEN THAT OFFICE AND A COUPLE OF THE SCHOOLS WHERE THOSE SCHOOLS NEEDED TO KNOW THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE SOME LATE BUSSES. SO DR.
FRYE AND I TALKED ABOUT THAT TODAY, AND HE SAID, I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO, BUT THEY'VE REALLY GOT TO STICK AT HOME TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE IN PLACE, EVEN IF IT MEANS ANOTHER BUS OR TWO IS GOING TO BE LATE JUST BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE SCHOOLS AND FOR THE PARENTS TO KNOW.
NOW, YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR WHEN WE HAD MORE TRAINEES THAN WE DO THIS YEAR, WE DID HAVE SOME FOLKS THAT WERE STILL IN THE TRAINING PROCESS BUT WEREN'T QUITE BEHIND THE WHEEL.
AND WE ASSIGNED THEM TO THE AREA OFFICES AND THEY HELPED.
SO I DON'T THINK THOSE FOLKS ARE AS PLENTIFUL.
FRYE AND MS. DREW TO SEE IF WE'VE GOT SOME STAFF MEMBERS THAT CAN FILL IN, IF THEY'RE WAITING FOR TRAINING FOR FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.
BUT RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT QUITE THE FLOOD OF CANDIDATES THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOU IN THE BUDGET PROCESS ABOUT SOME MORE PERMANENT ADDITIONS.
BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY AND I'M TALKING ABOUT TODAY ALSO.
SO WE WILL SEE WHAT ELSE WE MIGHT HAVE WITHIN OUR RESOURCES.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS.
AND, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS I'VE GOT SOMEONE THAT'S WORKING IN FACILITIES THAT CAN FILL IN FOR A DAY.
ONE OF THOSE DRIVERS REMINDED ME OF THAT.
SO MAYBE IT CAN MAYBE IT CAN GO BOTH WAYS.
AND. WAS THE ACTUAL THE TRACKING APPLICATION THE PARENTS HAD.
I SEEM TO HAVE HAD AN EXTREMELY LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE APP WASN'T WORKING.
AND ACTUALLY SOME OF THE SCHOOLS PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN SHARING GOOGLE DOCUMENTS, GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS WITH PARENTS SHARING THE LINK SO THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO BASICALLY BE ABLE TO TRACK THE BUS A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCURATE.
DO YOU KNOW, DOES THAT APPLICATION, IS IT RUNNING OFF CELLULAR DATA? IS IT JUST WHEN IT HITS THE WI-FI AT THE SCHOOLS? BECAUSE I'M JUST WONDERING.
AND IS IT JUST POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE CELL TOWERS AND WHERE WE HAVE GAPS THAT THE APPLICATION DROPS? BECAUSE I HAVE HAD A LOT MORE PEOPLE THIS YEAR SAY I JUST TOOK THE APP OFF MY PHONE.
AND I IMAGINE THAT THERE ARE SOME DRY ZONES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS.
BUT ONE OF THE THE ONE ISSUE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF, OF COURSE, IS WITH THE ANDROID PHONES MINE RECENTLY UPDATED TO TO VERSION 13 AND AND WE HAVE TRIED TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH MR. SMITH'S COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, PROVIDING A WORKAROUND FOR THOSE WITH THOSE PHONES.
AND I KNOW I SHARED THAT WITH ONE PARENT AND HE SAID THAT'S GOLD AND IT'S WORKING FOR HIM.
[03:00:04]
AND AND I WOULD JUST ASK THOSE WITH THE ANDROID PHONES TO HANG TIGHT.AND IF TYLER TECHNOLOGIES NEEDS TO GET THEIR WORK DONE WITH GOOGLE SO THAT THESE LARGE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT HAVE THAT PHONE CAN CAN OPERATE THE APP AND AND THEN WE WOULD LEARN ARE THERE ANY OTHER ISSUES.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR FOR EXPLAINING IT.
I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.
I MEAN, I DON'T THINK WE COULD OVERCOMMUNICATE ENOUGH TO PARENTS WHENEVER WE HAVE CHANGES.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.
NEXT, WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SCHOOL BOARD COMMENTS.
[J. Announcements, Communications, and School Board Comments]
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS? MS. BAILEY. I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS BASED ON SOME COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE TONIGHT BY VARIOUS SPEAKERS.JUST CHECKING OFF A FEW ITEMS I'D LIKE TO REMARK ON.
I DO THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR BUDGET FINANCE PEOPLE AND WHEN WE HAVE OUR SAVINGS FOR BUILDING ALL THESE NEW SCHOOLS, THAT IF WE HAVE ANY FUNDS LEFT OVER, THAT THE DALE DISTRICT DOES GET A HARD LOOK AT ITS OVERCROWDED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
THE DALE DISTRICT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO HAVE ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I THINK WHEN OUR NEW SCHOOLS ARE BUILT WITH THE BOND REFERENDUM, WE WE WILL HAVE TO DO SOME REDISTRICTING THAT WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES, THE OVERCROWDING IN THE DALE DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
I REGRET THAT THIS WASN'T A PRIORITY AND IT DID NOT GET BROUGHT FORWARD AS PART OF THE BOND PACKAGE.
NOW LOOKING AT IT IN HINDSIGHT, I WE DID PRIORITIZE THE SCHOOLS BASED ON THE NEEDS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO US AND THE OVERCROWDED DALE DISTRICT SCHOOLS WAS NOT PRESENTED AS A PRIMARY NEED.
SO I WOULD LIKE US TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE THE DALE DISTRICT DOES NEED ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE NEAR, IF NOT CURRENT TIME, NEAR FUTURE. AS FAR AS BOOKS AND THE COMMENTS WITH THE PARENTS THAT OBJECT TO BOOKS IN LIBRARIES, WE HAVE A POLICY AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE THE FAMILIES AT THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE AN OBJECTION TO A BOOK THAT'S IN A LIBRARY TO FOLLOW THE POLICY AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND TRY TO EITHER UNDERSTAND WHY THE BOOK IS IN THE LIBRARY AND IF THERE IS NO RATIONAL, REASONABLE EXPLANATION OR YOU CANNOT COME TO A MEETING OF THE MINDS, THEN FILL OUT THE FORM TO CHALLENGE THE BOOK AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
THIS BOARD IS NOT IN THE BOOK BANNING REALM.
I HAVE MY OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS ABOUT CERTAIN BOOKS.
I REALLY DO, AND I'M GOING TO FOLLOW THE POLICIES CLOSELY AND SEE HOW THEY PLAY OUT.
BUT I ENCOURAGE PARENTS THAT OBJECT TO A BOOK THAT IS IN THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL LIBRARY TO FOLLOW THE POLICY AND FILL OUT THE FORM AND GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. FOR THE FAMILIES AT MEADOWBROOK AND FALLING CREEK THAT SPOKE TONIGHT, FIRST I WANT THEY'RE NO LONGER HERE, BUT JUST TO PRAISE THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE TO COME UP AND SPEAK.
I THINK THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF COURAGE ON THEIR PART TO COME.
I CAN'T IMAGINE MYSELF IN THEIR POSITION IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY NOT KNOWING A NEW COUNTRY TO ME AND NOT KNOWING THE LANGUAGE AND HAVING THE COURAGE TO COME TO A MEETING LIKE THAT IS THEY DESERVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THAT.
THEY WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM.
[03:05:05]
MEADOWBROOK AND FALLING CREEK AND SEE WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.AND THEN THE LAST AREA THAT I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON IS REALLY TRY NOT TO GET EMOTIONAL HERE AND SAY THIS, BUT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS I'M A MOTHER OF A DISABLED CHILD, A CHILD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY THAT'S LIVED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES IN A WHEELCHAIR.
AND FOR ANYONE TO STAND THERE AND MAKE AN ACCUSATION THAT I OR ANYONE UP HERE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY, I TAKE GREAT OFFENSE AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT DR.
DAUGHTERY HAS MORE INTEGRITY THAN ANY PERSON I'VE EVER WORKED WITH, AND HE SHOULD NOT BE ATTACKED FOR SAYING THAT PEOPLE CANNOT COME TO THE DAIS AND MAKE ACCUSATIONS AND PRESENT MISINFORMATION.
I RESPECT HIM FOR COMING AND DEFENDING TEACHERS AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT MISINFORMATION THAT'S PERPETRATED AT THAT DAIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S FACTUAL OR THAT IT'S THAT IT'S TRUE OR THAT IT'S EVEN HAPPENING.
AND PEOPLE HEAR THINGS THAT ARE BEING SAID AND THEY'RE JUST NOT TRUE AND THEY'RE NOT ACCURATE.
AND IT'S THEIR PERCEPTION AND THEIR PERCEPTION IS THEIR REALITY, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S REALITY.
AS A MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO HAS WENT THROUGH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS IN A WHEELCHAIR.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO ME AND IT'S NOT FAIR TO ANYONE UP HERE.
PEOPLE, IF YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THE REALITY, YOU WOULD BELIEVE ME.
AND THAT IS REALLY ALL I'M GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
THE LAST THING IS THAT WHEN DR.
DAUGHERTY WAS SPEAKING ABOUT STAFFING, THE MODEL THAT WE PUT IN PLACE AT SOME OF OUR HARD TO STAFF SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE CANNOT FIND MATH TEACHERS IS LITERALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE MODEL FOR STAFFING A CLASSROOM TO PAY A CERTIFIED, HIGHLY QUALIFIED CREDENTIALED MATH TEACHER TO TEACH VIRTUALLY, AND THEN TO PAY A MONITOR IN THE CLASSROOM TO MANAGE THE STUDENTS IN THE ROOM IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE MODEL FOR AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT IN PLACE IN SOME OF THOSE SCHOOLS THAT ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO STAFF.
AND YES, THEY MAY NOT HAVE THAT THAT CREDENTIALED MATH TEACHER IN THE PHYSICAL ROOM, BUT THEY HAVE THEM ON THE SCREEN TALKING TO THEM IN LIVE TIME.
THEY'RE PRESENT IN THE ROOM VIDEO ON A VIDEO DISTANCE LEARNING.
WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE CERTIFIED TEACHERS.
ALL RIGHT. SO I'M GOING TO SAY TONIGHT, BUT I JUST SORRY, I JUST HAD TO ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MS. BAILEY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR FOR SHARING YOUR YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR COMMENTS.
AND I JUST WANT TO TAKE ONE MOMENT.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG EVENING, BUT JUST TO KIND OF ECHO ON THE STAFFING SIDE, BECAUSE WHAT I SEE IS UNTIL WE STOP BEATING UP PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE ARE NOT GOING TO FILL THIS POOL OF TEACHERS THAT WE ARE LACKING.
WE'RE SCARING THEM AWAY BY OUR COMMENTS AND OUR BEATING EACH OTHER UP.
AND UNTIL WE START WORKING TOGETHER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TEACHERS TO FILL OUR CLASSROOMS BECAUSE THE STUDENTS TODAY DON'T SEE THIS AS A VIABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITY.
AND I IMPLORE EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
I GUESS I HAVE MORE TOO SORRY.
THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL HOLD A WORK SESSION ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2022, AT 4 P.M.
[03:10:01]
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BUSINESS MEETING AT 6:30 P.M..IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS [INAUDIBLE].
I SAID SEPTEMBER. I WENT BACKWARDS IN TIME AT 4 P.M.
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BUSINESS MEETING AT 6:30 P.M..
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIES THE OCTOBER 11TH, 2022 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.