[00:00:06]
[A. Closed Session - 6:00 p.m.]
WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE ITEMS FOR TODAY'S CLOSED SESSION? SECTION 2.2-3711.A OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, AND SPECIFICALLY UNDER SUBSECTION SEVEN, CONSULTATION AND LEGAL COUNSEL PERTAINING TO ACTUAL OR PROBABLE LITIGATION, AND EIGHT CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE BY SUCH COUNSEL.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU'VE JUST HEARD THE ITEMS REQUESTED TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
DO I HAVE A MOTION IN THAT REGARD? SO MOVED.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL? ROLL ON THE MOTION.
BOARD MEMBERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION? SO MOVED. I HAVE A SECOND.
SECOND. THE BOARD IS NOW IN OPEN SESSION.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE CLOSED SESSION? NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBERS KNOWLEDGE ONE ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND TWO ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
OKAY, I'M GOING TO CALL TO ORDER THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR TODAY.
[B. Meeting Opening]
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING THIS EVENING, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING THE FEBRUARY 22ND SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AND REMIND THE AUDIENCE THAT COMMENTS TO THIS BOARD MAY ONLY BE MADE AT THE PODIUM DURING THE 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 IN PUBLIC PLACES AND SCHOOL BOARD POLICY, 6141.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 22ND AS SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY.
SO WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE EXCELLENT BUS DRIVERS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS.
I ALSO WANT TO I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT NEXT WEEK, FEBRUARY 26TH THROUGH MARCH 1ST, IS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK, WHICH CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NATION'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
WE WILL NOW HAVE AN INVOCATION BY MISS COKER, FOLLOWED BY THE FLAG SALUTE LED BY MISTER PARONTO.
WE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOW OUR HEADS FOR THE INVOCATION THIS EVENING.
LET OUR CONVERSATIONS BE DELIBERATE.
LET OUR CONVERSATIONS BE AGAIN, PRODUCTIVE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN OUR BUSINESS MEETING THIS EVENING.
YOU PLEASE JOIN US WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
BOARD MEMBERS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS EVENING'S AGENDA?
[C. Agenda Adoption]
AS DRAFTED. SO MOVED.IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
[D. Public Comment]
FOR THIS MEETING, CITIZENS WERE GIVEN THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING THEIR COMMENTS ONLINE OR IN PERSON.MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING'S IN-PERSON SPEAKERS? MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.
THEY ARE TIMOTHY CULLY AND AMANDA BEESON.
[00:05:02]
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE FOUR MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.MAY WE HAVE TIMOTHY CULLY? AMANDA BEESON . I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE DEPARTMENTS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION INCREASE FOR SPEECH, PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND SOCIAL WORK, PRESENTED ON JANUARY 23RD BY DOCTOR DAUGHERTY.
I'VE BEEN AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST IN THE COUNTY SINCE 2016.
I'M JOINED TONIGHT BY SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM OT, PT AND SOCIAL AND SPEECH, SORRY.
AND AS OF THIS EVENING, 133 EMAILS HAVE BEEN SENT BY OTS, PTS, SPEECH THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND SPECIAL ED TEACHERS TO BOARD MEMBERS TO SUPPORT OUR REQUEST.
WE ARE ASKING THE BOARD TO INCLUDE THE $1.9 MILLION INTO THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE MARKET VALUE COMPENSATION FOR OUR DEPARTMENTS, AS REPORTED IN THE RECENT PRESENTATION BY DOCTOR HOFF ON FEBRUARY 6TH.
BUT WE GO BEYOND PROVIDING JUST THOSE REQUIRED SERVICES.
THIS CAN LOOK LIKE ORDERING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR A KINDERGARTNER TO GET ON THE CARPET DURING CIRCLE TIME, TRAINING STAFF ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SO THE STUDENT CAN USE A CHROMEBOOK, TEACHING INSTRUCTIONAL AIDES HOW TO IDENTIFY SIGNS OF SENSORY OVERLOAD IN THE CAFETERIA, MODIFYING A PLAYGROUND AREA TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS CAN PLAY AT RECESS. 3D PRINTING, ADAPTED TOOLS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN ART, OR PROVIDING BALANCE TRAINING TO A STUDENT TO ENSURE SAFETY ON A JOB SITE, PLUS MUCH MORE.
SOMETIMES THERAPISTS ARE THE PERSON AT A MEETING THAT CAN ANSWER A PARENT'S QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY IN ALL OF THOSE SETTINGS.
COMPETITIVE PAY ALLOWS FOR TALENT RETENTION AND APPEALING TO NEW PROFESSIONALS ENTERING THE FIELD.
AS I SAID BEFORE, I'VE BEEN AN OT IN THE COUNTY SINCE 2016.
I GRADUATED OT SCHOOL IN 2013 AND TOOK MY FIRST JOB IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN JANUARY OF 2014.
RECENTLY WHEN WE STARTED HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, I DID THE MATH ON MY HOURLY RATE BASED ON MY SALARY, JUST TO HAVE AN IDEA OF WHERE I STOOD TEN YEARS LATER. AND I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO TELL YOU THAT I AM PAID IN WAYS THAT ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY.
BUT I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT TEN YEARS LATER, MY RATE OF PAY COMPARED TO THAT FIRST JOB I GOT OUT OF OT SCHOOL, IS ONLY $1.25 MORE COMPARED TO WHAT I WAS GETTING AS A BRAND NEW GRAD GOING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
SO ON THAT NOTE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR OUR REQUEST.
AND EVERY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR OUR COUNTY.
AND THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO RESPONDED TO OUR EMAILS GIVING YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BEESON.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT.
[E. Action Items]
MR. MEISTER.MADAM CHAIR. MADAM VICE CHAIR, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY OR THIS EVENING TO TALK ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THE FY 25 OPERATING BUDGET.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LONG PROCESS.
[00:10:01]
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH TOWN HALLS.BUT WE MUST CHECK THIS BOX BEFORE MARCH 1ST, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION TODAY.
SO AS WE LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT TODAY, THE OPERATING BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY DOCTOR DAUGHERTY IN JANUARY OF 913.7 MILLION, OR A 3.3% INCREASE, IS THE OFFICIAL BUDGET THAT WE'RE PRESENTING TO YOU TODAY.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE OPERATING FUND IN THE FOOD SERVICE FUND AND THE GRANT FUND, PLUS THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL PUTS THE TOTAL PROPOSAL AT JUST UNDER 998 MILLION.
TO ADD TO THAT, I'LL GO THROUGH WHAT THOSE ARE A LITTLE LATER IN THE PRESENTATION.
AND THE BIG ASTERISK ON ALL OF THIS IS THE STATE PROCESS IS STILL ONGOING.
SO WE'VE MOVED ANOTHER BOX BLUE ON THIS CHART.
WE'RE HERE TO TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 22ND SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET THAT WILL LEAD INTO THE COUNTY PROCESS, WHICH STARTS ON MARCH 13TH, WHEN DOCTOR CASEY WILL DO HIS PROPOSAL, WHICH WILL LEAD TO AN EARLY APRIL ADOPTION BY THE COUNTY.
AND AS WE ALL KNOW, THE STATE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR PROCESS RIGHT NOW.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAS BOTH PRESENTED A VERSION OF THE BUDGET THE COMMITTEES ARE GETTING TOGETHER.
SO. AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE, BUT STILL A LONG WAY FROM THE END OF THIS PROCESS.
LOOKING AT THOSE STATE BUDGETS THAT WE DO KNOW, BOTH THE STATE AND HOUSE PROPOSAL ARE MORE FAVORABLE TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAN THE GOVERNOR'S, BUT I MUST STRESS, THE IMPACTS ARE REALLY STILL TO BE DETERMINED EVEN ON THOSE PROPOSALS.
THAT'S WHERE WE GET MOST OF OUR INPUT.
IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE THAT BY NOW.
WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE STATE IS WE MAY NOT SEE THAT UNTIL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMES TOGETHER AND HAS A FINAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET, WHEN THE FINAL CALC TOOL FOR THAT WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. SO WE MAY BE IN THE DARK ON WHAT THOSE ITEMS ARE FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS.
WHEN WE DO LOOK AT WHAT WE DO KNOW WITH BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE MODELS IT'S SAFE TO SAY THE SENATE PROPOSAL IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FAVORABLE TO CSPS THAN THE HOUSE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN.
THAT'S REALLY ABOUT A 2.25% FUNDING IS WHERE THEY START ON THE RAISE.
REMOVAL OF THE SUPPORT CAP REINSTATING GROCERY TAX HOLD HARMLESS ADDITIONAL AT RISK FUNDING.
AND LASTLY, SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER SOQ THAT WOULD INCREASE THE REQUIREMENTS TO A LEVEL CLOSER TO WHERE WE CURRENTLY STAFF, BUT NOT ABOVE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REST OF THE HOUSE PROPOSAL, THERE ARE SOME INCREASED AT RISK FUNDING ALSO.
GOOD. HOWEVER, THE ELO SOQ SUPPORT ELO AS MUCH AS ANYONE.
THEIR CURRENT SOQ WOULD PUT THE STATE REQUIREMENT WELL ABOVE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY STAFFING STANDARDS, THUS CREATING A PARTIALLY FUNDED MANDATE ON THE HOUSE SIDE THAT WOULD OFFSET A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WHAT THE HOUSE NEW MONEY WOULD BE.
AS I SAID, I WILL NEED TO WAIT UNTIL CALC TOOLS COME OUT TO SUGGESTS.
SO A FEW SLIDES TO REMIND YOU OF WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT PRESENTED ON $913.7 MILLION BUDGET, BASED ON STILL THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND ALL THAT WENT INTO THAT, A REMINDER THAT THAT IS 28.9 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET.
I'M NOT GOING TO DWELL ON THEM TOO, TOO MUCH HERE.
[00:15:09]
WOULD MATCH THAT 28.9 MILLION THROUGH THE VARIOUS BUCKETS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.AND WE'LL WALK THROUGH THEM ONE MORE TIME IN A SECOND.
AS I GO THROUGH THIS, I KNOW THERE'S A FEW ITEMS WE'LL ADD TO THAT.
I'LL GET TO THOSE IN IN DUE TIME.
DOCTOR DAUGHERTY'S PROPOSAL WAS A 4% INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD AT JUST UNDER 25 MILLION, WHICH TAKES, NEEDLESS TO SAY, A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THAT BUDGET FUNDS AVAILABLE.
I FULLY SUPPORT MORE READING SPECIALISTS.
I'D LOVE FOR THE STATE TO COME WITH FULL FUNDING OF THOSE WHEN THEY ASK FOR MORE.
THAT'S INITIAL 2.7 MILLION HERE.
AND LASTLY, SUPPORT FOR THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT WILL STAND IN THE WEST END SHORTLY.
I'LL GO A LITTLE BIT QUICKER THROUGH THIS LIST BECAUSE I'LL UPDATE IT IN A MOMENT.
THIS IS THE UNFUNDED PRIORITIES THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD PROPOSED.
ABOUT 5.5 MILLION FOR EXISTING BONUSES.
THAT'S THE SPEECH LANGUAGE, OT PT, ETC.
THAT YOU HEARD YOUR CITIZEN CONSTITUENT JUST TALK ABOUT UTILITIES AND FUEL LARGELY INFLATION AND MERV 13 ARE ANOTHER ITEM THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
I'LL COMMENT ON THOSE TWO REALLY QUICKLY AS THOSE ARE NOT FUNDED.
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS TO 12 MONTHS SUBSTITUTE PAY TO MARKET.
AND LASTLY, COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS, ALL THINGS THAT WE ALL SEE AS VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS. THROUGH YOUR PROCESS OF TOWN HALLS, BUDGET CONVERSATIONS INPUT FROM CBAC.
THERE WERE THREE ITEMS THAT FLOATED TO THE TOP IN TERMS OF NEEDING TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST.
WE ADD THEM HERE THE FIRST AND FOREMOST ANNUAL SUBSTITUTE AT A COST OF ABOUT 4.5 MILLION.
ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS AT ABOUT 1 MILLION, PENDING FINAL STAFFING MODELS.
THIS WOULD ELIMINATE SHARED COUNSELORS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL, AND THE LAST ONE ON THIS LIST IS ADDITIONAL BILINGUAL LIAISONS TO EXPAND THAT INITIATIVE TO AN ADDITIONAL NINE SCHOOLS.
THOSE LAST TWO ARE PRESENTED AS PART OF THE CBAC RECOMMENDATION IF YOU RECALL THAT DISCUSSION.
SO THAT PUTS OUR NEW LIST HERE.
BONUSES AT FIVE FOUR OTHER NEEDS AT 18 TWO.
I WILL DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE OTHER VERY SPECIFIC ITEM ON HERE AROUND HIGH NEEDS BONUSES.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS, BOTH IN TOWN HALLS AND AT THE BOARD PREVIOUSLY, TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL OR OTHER MEANS TO FUND THAT. AS WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY, WE STILL DON'T HAVE MONEY, HONESTLY, TO FUND THE THREE FOUR.
AND WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE A SOLID PLAN IN TERMS OF WHAT THOSE ADDITIONAL NEEDS MAY BE.
I WILL HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS COULD BE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER NUMBER IF WE COME BACK THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS TO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WHILE WE'RE KEEPING THE PLACEHOLDER AT 3.4 FOR THIS PROPOSAL, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER THAT AS WE GO FORWARD THROUGH THE REST OF THE PROCESS. THE REST OF THE NEEDS I'VE FILTERED IN HERE AGAIN, NOT IN A PRIORITIZED WAY, BUT MERELY IN A DOLLAR AMOUNT MATTER.
SO WHAT DOES THAT LEAVE YOU WITH? WITH AN A BUDGET? WITH THE BUDGET TODAY, INCLUDING THOSE NEW LIST IS NOTHING ABOVE THE LINE HAS CHANGED.
WE ADD IN ITEMS ON THE UNFUNDED LIST.
EXISTING BONUSES AT FIVE FOR OTHER NEEDS GOES TO 18 TWO, WHICH PUTS US AT 23.6.
[00:20:05]
IS THE CURRENT UNFUNDED LIST.ATTACHED TO THE MEMO IN FRONT OF YOU THIS EVENING.
AND ONCE AGAIN ADDING IN ALL FUNDS.
IT PUTS US JUST UNDER 998 MILLION AND ABOUT A 3.4% INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD.
AND I'LL PAUSE FOR A SECOND ON SCHEDULE.
DOCTOR DAUGHERTY SAID IT BEFORE THE SCHOOL BUDGET PROCESS IS A BIT BACKWARDS.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE A NUMBER BEFORE WE HAVE OUR REVENUE.
THEIR PROCESS REALLY BEGINS OFFICIALLY WITH DOCTOR CASEY'S BUDGET WORK SESSION ON MARCH 13TH.
WELL WHERE HE WILL REVEAL HIS SIMILAR TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S, PROPOSED HIS PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET.
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THERE IS A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN BETWEEN THERE ON APRIL 9TH.
SHOULD STARS ALIGN? AND WE KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER TO THE STATE IS, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS BOARD TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS AT THAT POINT TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE APRIL 10TH COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BUDGET.
BUT BETWEEN YOU, ME, NOT A LIKELY SCENARIO, A MORE LIKELY SCENARIO.
YOU START TO LOOK AT THE MAY MEETING, WHICH IS THE MAY 14TH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
THAT WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOTH ADOPT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BUDGET AND PROPOSE AMENDMENTS.
THIS IS LARGELY HOW WE'VE DONE IT MOST YEARS IN THE PAST.
SO ALL THAT LEADS TO I PRESENT TO YOU A MEMO O24-24, WHICH INCLUDES THE FY 25 FINANCIAL PLAN TOTALING JUST UNDER 998 MILLION FOR ALL FUNDS.
WITH THAT SAID, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, MADAM CHAIR.
BOARD MEMBERS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MEMO 24-24 IS PRESENTED.
SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MS. CHATTERS.
HEY, MR. MEISTER. GOOD EVENING.
SO I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE BONUSES FOR THE HIGH NEED SCHOOLS.
YES, MA'AM. SO I APPRECIATE THE THE EFFORT AND THE COMMUNICATION THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN GIVING TO ME REGARDING HIGH NEEDS BONUSES AND THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BOARD TO HELP ME FILL MY SCHOOLS FROM VIRTUAL TEACHERS.
RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF VIRTUAL TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE THAT A HIGHER BONUS WOULD HELP FACILITATE GETTING MORE PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING, ESPECIALLY FOR MY MATH TEACHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, AT FALLING CREEK AND AT MEADOWBROOK.
SO I'M HOPING THAT THE NEXT TIME WE DISCUSS THIS THAT THE BOARD IS ON BOARD WITH RAISING THE BONUS TO A LITTLE BIT MORE SUBSTANTIAL LEVEL, TO TRY TO MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BRING PEOPLE INTO THE BUILDING.
BECAUSE WE NEED THOSE MATH TEACHERS IN THE BUILDING.
THANK YOU, MS. CHATTERS. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION? NEXT WE HAVE MEMO 2524 MR. MEISTER. ME AGAIN.
SORRY. IT'S ME, SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AGAIN, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO PRESENT TO YOU THE SCHOOL CIP FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
THANK YOU. THIS PARTICULAR CIP TOTALS JUST OVER $500 MILLION INCLUDING, MOST IMPORTANTLY, 68 MILLION TO BE APPROPRIATED IN FY 25 FOR CURRENT ONGOING PROJECTS.
THE LIST IN THE CIP THAT YOU SEE HERE INCLUDES.
IT'S. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT SAYS 61 THERE ANYWAY.
WE'LL WE'LL CORRECT THAT IN THE FINAL VERSION.
[00:25:04]
A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, A HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION AND A NEW ITEM ON HERE FROM THE SIMILAR BOARD DISCUSSIONS, BOTH IN THE WORK SESSIONS AND TOWN HALLS, WHICH IS A GYM RENOVATION THAT I WILL TALK ABOUT HERE IN A MOMENT.SORRY. AND THE MAJOR MAINTENANCE OF 7 MILLION AT THE BOTTOM, I SPLIT THEM.
GOOD FOR ME. 68 MILLION IN TOTAL, 61 FOR CONSTRUCTION, 7 MILLION FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE.
I APOLOGIZE, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.
THAT'S FOR THE PROPOSED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING.
YOU CAN SEE THE NEW ITEM ON HERE IS THE BYRD HIGH SCHOOL GYM.
IT'S ONE OF THE SMALLER, IF NOT THE SMALLEST HIGH SCHOOL GYM.
AND AS WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED, FUNDING FOR THESE ITEMS ARE PRIMARILY FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS WAS VPSA FUNDING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BOND REFERENDUM FUNDING ONE MORE TIME? I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY POPULATION, BOTH THE RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THE SUPPORT ON THE REFERENDUM, WHICH WENT A LONG WAY TO FUND THIS.
BUT WE'RE NOT DONE ON OUR FUNDING JOURNEY.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ITEMS CURRENTLY ON HERE THAT ARE NOT FUNDED, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE THE DALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OLD HUNDRED, MATOACA MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND NOW THE BIRD GYM, WHICH WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR, ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUE TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY, AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF OUR PRIORITIES AND CONTINUE TO HELP LOOK FOR WAYS TO FUND THOSE, INCLUDING THE LAND, ETC..
MAJOR MAINTENANCE. JUST A QUICK REMINDER HERE THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO THROUGH THE SOURCES BOTH FEDERALLY THROUGH COVID MONEY AS WELL AS COUNTY BOND REFERENDUMS AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR OWN OPERATING FUNDS, BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN ROUGHLY A $30 MILLION SPENDING LEVEL FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE.
AS MR. DAVIS AND MR. CARSON HAVE TALKED IN THE PAST, WE'D LOVE FOR THAT TO BE MORE.
SO WHAT THAT LEAVES US WITH TODAY FOR YOUR APPROVAL IS MEMO 25-24 FOR APPROXIMATELY A $500 MILLION CIP, INCLUDING THAT 68 MILLION TO BE APPROPRIATED IN FY 25.
AND I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR QUESTIONS FOR ME.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MEISTER. BOARD MEMBERS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO 2524 AS PRESENTED.
SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MISS CHATTERS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY BOARD MEMBERS FOR AGREEING TO ADD BIRDS GYM TO THE CIP.
AND I KNOW THE SKYHAWKS WILL APPRECIATE IT AS WELL.
THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY, GREAT. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
NEXT WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY.
[F. Superintendent's Report]
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.FIRST OF ALL TO CALL UP OUR CECLA PRINCIPAL AND MISS HARRIS AND THE DIRECTOR OF OVER CECLA, DOCTOR FOGLESONG TO GIVE A PRESENTATION OF THE SCHOOL.
WE TRY TO DO THIS TWICE A YEAR FOR THE BOARD.
IT'S A SPECIAL SCHOOL THAT EVERYBODY IN THE STATE WANTS TO SEE ALL THE TIME.
MISS HEFFRON, MISS COKER, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
TO RENOVATE THE FORMER HARROGATE ELEMENTARY TO HOUSE THE FIRST EARLY LEARNING CENTER, MOVING PRE-K CLASSROOMS FROM SEVERAL OF OUR SURROUNDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
CECLA OPENED ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2021, WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF AROUND 365 STUDENTS.
[00:30:11]
GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY, CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR SCHOOL.I'M LESLIE HARRIS, I'M THE PROUD PRINCIPAL OF CECLA AS WE LIKE TO CALL OUR SCHOOL.
OUR SCHOOL SERVES THE 12 SCHOOLS IN THE BERMUDA DISTRICT.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 377 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN 31 CLASSROOMS. WE HAVE 12 VIRGINIA PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE CLASSROOMS, WHICH IS THE STATE FUNDED FREE PRESCHOOL.
WE HAVE FIVE HEAD START CLASSES, WHICH IS THE FEDERALLY FUNDED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE 14 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS. WE ARE THE ONLY INCLUSIVE PRESCHOOL SITE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY.
AT CECLA, WE ENGAGE IN THE CLASS ASSESSMENT AND SCORING EVALUATION TOOL, AND THAT IS A TOOL THAT MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF POSITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING.
WE USE THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM, WHICH IS OUR ACADEMIC CURRICULUM.
WE ALSO USE THE HAGGERTY CURRICULUM TO HELP WITH LETTER IDENTIFICATION AND LETTER SOUND AWARENESS.
WE ALSO ADMINISTER THE VKRP ASSESSMENT AND THE KINDERGARTEN SCREENER.
WE HAVE INTERACTIVE HALLWAYS ALL THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.
WE HAVE A FULL RESOURCE TEAM, LIBRARY, ART, MUSIC, PE, AND STEAM.
SO STUDENTS GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE OUTSIDE AND EXPLORE THE GARDEN.
WE HAVE FOUR PLAYGROUNDS THAT ARE ADA COMPLIANT.
ALSO UNIQUE TO OUR SCHOOL IS WE HAVE YMCA BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE.
VERY STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA.
WE ALSO HAVE A UNIQUE PROGRAM WITH THE CTC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM.
WE HAVE 23 STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ACTUALLY ARE ON OUR CAMPUS.
THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO WORK WITH A HEAD START, VPI OR ECSE TEACHER, AND THEY GET REAL FIRST HAND FIELD EXPERIENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON THEIR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE.
I'M A DATA PERSON, SO THIS IS WHAT I LOVE TO SHARE MOST ABOUT OUR SCHOOL.
THIS IS THE DATA FROM LAST YEAR'S FROM LAST YEAR'S STUDENTS.
IN THE FALL, 12% OF OUR STUDENTS MET THE FALL BENCHMARK ON OUR LITERACY AND LANGUAGE SCREENER.
AND THEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THAT NUMBER BUMPED UP TO 58%.
SO WE SAW CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE AREA OF LETTER RECOGNITION.
IN THE FALL FOR VKRP, WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT STUDENTS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS OUR STUDENTS WERE AT ABOUT 16% AND THEN BUMPED UP TO 37% IN THE SPRING.
AND THEN FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATION THEY SCORED 15% AND THEN INCREASED THAT TO 32% IN THE SPRING.
NEXT, I HAVE LISTED HERE SOME INFORMATION THAT I GOT FROM THE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE I WAS CURIOUS HOW OUR STUDENTS FARED WHEN THEY LEAVE US AND THEN ENTER INTO KINDERGARTEN.
[00:35:05]
SCORE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STUDENTS.SO OUR STUDENTS DID FARE A LITTLE BETTER IN LETTER RECOGNITION SKILLS.
AND ALSO WHEN LETTER SOUNDS, OUR STUDENTS SCORED 12.5.
OTHER STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY THAT DID NOT COME TO SCHOOL SCORED 10.93.
SO WE SEE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE FARING A LITTLE BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO LETTER RECOGNITION SKILLS.
ALSO GREAT NEWS, 70% OF OUR STUDENTS LAST YEAR SCORED ABOVE THE CUT SCORE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL, SO THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DEMONSTRATED THAT READINESS IN THE SUMMER, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT.
NINE OF THE STUDENTS IN THE CTC EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM EARNED THEIR CDA LAST YEAR, AND HISTORICALLY IN CHESTERFIELD SINCE 2012, ONLY TEN STUDENTS IN VIRGINIA EARNED THAT CREDENTIAL, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET VERY CLOSE TO THAT LAST YEAR.
ALSO, WE'VE HAD SOME RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS.
WE HAVE LOTS OF VISITORS AT CECLA.
THERE IS A BIG PUSH ACROSS THE STATE TO EXPAND PRESCHOOL.
SO RECENTLY WE'VE HAD VISITS FROM VCU, ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
TWO OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS WERE AWARDED A GRANT THROUGH CRF TO EXPAND OUR BLACKTOP SPACE.
SO THAT WILL BE ANOTHER OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND SPACE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTING AT THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS THIS PAST SUMMER, AND I WAS ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHER DISTRICTS ALL THE GREAT THINGS WE'RE DOING IN CHESTERFIELD TO EXPAND PRESCHOOL.
LAST YEAR, WE ALSO WERE AWARDED A NACO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AND A VACO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD JUST FOR PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE HERE IN CHESTERFIELD.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT OUR SCHOOL.
WE HAVE READ ACROSS SCHOOL DAY COMING UP ON MARCH 6TH AS WE CELEBRATE READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR BLACKTOP PAINTING PROJECT ON APRIL 12TH AND 13TH.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION NIGHT ON MAY 14TH, WHERE PARENTS WILL GET INFORMATION WITH HOW THEY CAN BEST SUPPORT STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS THEY ENTER INTO KINDERGARTEN.
AND I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO COME OUT TO CECLA OR TO ANY OF THESE EVENTS.
WE'D LOVE TO GIVE YOU A TOUR SO YOU CAN SEE OUR LITTLE SCHOOL FOR YOURSELVES.
WITH THE MANY PRE-K CLASSROOMS IN OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY CONTINUES TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO POTENTIALLY PROVIDE ANOTHER CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING FOR THE EASTERN END OF THE DIVISION.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBERS, DID YOU HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? MS. COKER. ONLY THAT CECLA IS A HIDDEN GEM IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND I DEFINITELY IMPLORE THE REST OF THE BOARD TO COME DOWN AND VISIT.
IT IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO, TO VISIT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MY VISITS EVERY TIME I COME.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, MR. PARONTO? THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
A STAT THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT I THINK IS OUTSTANDING, AND I WANT TO POINT OUT, IS YOU STATED THAT IN THIS PAST YEAR, NINE STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR CERTIFICATION. IS THAT CORRECT? IN ONE YEAR, IN ONE YEAR AND THE PREVIOUS.
TEN YEARS OR SO NO, THIS IS 2024.
SO IN THE PREVIOUS 12 YEARS, TEN STUDENTS.
SO WITHIN ONE YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE WHAT IT TOOK US IN TEN YEARS TO DO.
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING.
WHAT DO YOU CREDIT THAT TO? I THINK JUST OPPORTUNITY.
HAD OUR SCHOOL NOT BEEN CREATED, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A CENTRAL LOCATION.
THEN THEY'RE RIGHT THERE ON OUR GROUNDS.
AND LAST YEAR WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MALES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE TWO MALE STUDENTS, SO I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT.
[00:40:07]
SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS GOT JOBS RIGHT AFTER THEY FINISHED THEIR PROGRAM IN OTHER PRESCHOOLS.SOME OF THEM APPLIED TO BE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS.
OTHERS HAVE GONE ON TO COLLEGE TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN EDUCATION OR PSYCHOLOGY OR SCHOOL COUNSELING.
THANK YOU. I EXCELLENT ANSWER TO THAT AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE'LL SAY, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS ONE OF THE NINE STUDENTS.
YES, SHE RECEIVED HER CREDENTIAL.
SO SHE'S AND SHE'S EXPERIENCING HER FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB THIS WEEK.
AND TO ECHO MISS COKER, IT IS JUST THAT'S WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
IT'S SO EXCITING TO COME AND VISIT YOUR BUILDING AND JUST SEE EVERYBODY JUST GROWING.
IT'S WONDERFUL. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS.
NEXT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM MR. DAVIS ON THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES FROM BENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DOCTOR DAUGHERTY.
WE'RE GOING TO BREAK GROUND IN SEPTEMBER.
WE'RE GOING TO OPEN FOR STUDENTS IN AUGUST OF 2026.
SO THAT'S ALMOST A FULL TWO YEAR CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
AND THE BENSLEY STUDENTS NEED A DIFFERENT HOME BECAUSE IT'S A TIGHT PIECE OF PROPERTY.
WE CAN'T KEEP THEM IN THAT EXISTING BUILDING AND BUILD ON THE SAME PIECE OF PROPERTY.
SO THE CURRENT FALLING CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHICH WILL BE VACATED WHEN WE OPEN THAT NEW BUILDING LATE THIS SUMMER, WILL TURN INTO THE NEW HOME TEMPORARY HOME FOR THE BENSLEY STUDENTS FOR THAT CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU A MAP AND A, AND A DIAGRAM OF THE FALLING CREEK MIDDLE.
THE ON THE LEFT, YOU SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WITH TO THE TOP OF THE PHOTOGRAPH, YOU SEE THE EXISTING FALLING CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND AT THE BOTTOM YOU SEE FALLING CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DESIGN THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL TO FIT BETWEEN THOSE TWO BUILDINGS.
AND SO THAT OTHER PHOTOGRAPH THAT YOU SEE SHOWS PROGRESS THAT WAS MADE UP TO ABOUT A MONTH AGO.
IT'S EVEN FARTHER ALONG THAN WHAT YOU SEE NOW.
THINK ABOUT BUSSES AND PARENT TRAFFIC AND HOW WE FRANKLY NEED TO SPREAD OUT THOSE THREE SCHOOLS AMONGST OUR BELL SCHEDULES. WE HAVE THREE PRIMARY TIERS TO SPREAD OUT.
OUR STUDENTS AMONGST THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY IN REGARDS TO WHEN THEY ARRIVE AND WHEN THEY DEPART.
FALLING CREEK MIDDLE WILL REMAIN ON THAT FIRST TIER, ARRIVING AT 735 IN THE MORNING.
BENSLEY IS CURRENTLY A TIER ONE SCHOOL.
WE CALL IT MODIFIED FIRST TIER.
IT'S ACTUALLY TEN MINUTES LATER, SO THOSE STUDENTS NOW ARRIVE AT THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL AT 745.
GET THE BUSSES IN AND OUT, SERVE THE PARENTS.
THIS IS A BIG ENABLER AND WE KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THE JOB, BUT WE DO NEED TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO TRANSPORTATION? I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE STEP BACK BEFORE I DIVE INTO THIS SLIDE.
LAST YEAR WE CAME VERY CLOSE, DIDN'T QUITE ACHIEVE IT.
WHEN WE MEASURED IN OCTOBER, WE WERE JUST BELOW 97%.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WHEN WE MEASURED IN JANUARY, WE'RE AT 98.
[00:45:03]
THAT PERFORMANCE.WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN AND KEEP THAT WORKFORCE WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
BUT WE ALL DO ALSO NEED TO LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE SCHEDULES.
SO WHEN WE MOVE BENSLEY TO TIER TWO, THAT'S MOVING NINE BUSSES WITHIN ONE OF OUR AREAS.
IT'S WHEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARRIVE, ALL THE SPECIALTY CENTER STUDENTS ARRIVE.
AND WE DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE COMMUNICATIONS THIS EVENING.
WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET THE BENSLEY COMMUNITY ON MARCH THE 6TH.
TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL.
SHOW THEM HOW IT'S GOING TO BE DESIGNED, HOW IT'LL FIT ON THE PROPERTY, WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, AND ALLOW THEM TO HELP US MAKE SOME CHOICES IN REGARDS TO THE EXTERIOR COLORS. SO THAT MESSAGE WILL GO OUT.
WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH THEM ON MARCH THE 6TH, MAKE SOME DECISIONS AND MOVE FORWARD.
AND WE'RE GOING TO BREAK GROUND AND BUILD THIS SCHOOL.
AND WE JUST APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION AND SUPPORT OF THESE PROJECTS.
BE HAPPY TO HAVE ANY DIALOG OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE BOARD MIGHT HAVE.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CHAIR. YES, MA'AM.
I JUST ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT ON MARCH 6TH, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH TO HEAR ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE DISCUSSION AROUND IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE BELL SCHEDULE CHANGE.
YOU KNOW, WE WILL BE THERE TO, TO HELP FACILITATE THAT.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING EVERYBODY AND TALKING.
GREAT REMINDER. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.
OUR LAST PRESENTATION THIS EVENING, DOCTOR MERRYMAN ON THE GRADUATIONS FOR 2024.
EXACTLY. GOOD EVENING, MISS HEFFRON, MISS COKER, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND DOCTOR DAUGHERTY.
I HONESTLY KIND OF APPRECIATE SITTING THERE LISTENING ABOUT PRE-K AT THE BEGINNING AND TALKING ABOUT WHERE OUR STUDENTS START, AND NOW GETTING TO FINISH THIS PART OF OUR EVENING, REALLY TALKING ABOUT WHERE OUR STUDENTS END, WHICH IS MAKING SURE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM CROSSED THAT STAGE.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WITH YOU GUYS ON THAT.
SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER SINCE YOU WERE HERE, AND SOME OF YOU, THIS MIGHT BE NEW, BUT WE DID SHARE INFORMATION IN NOVEMBER, SO THAT WAY THE COMMUNITY WAS AWARE OF WHAT WE WERE DOING. SOME OF OUR DATES AND TIMES REGARDING GRADUATIONS FOR THIS COMING SPRING.
SO OUR VERY FIRST GRADUATION IS MATOACA HIGH SCHOOL AT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY.
THAT WILL BE STARTING AT 9 A.M.
AND HONESTLY, I ACTUALLY HAD A PRINCIPAL THIS WEEK SAY LIKE, OH MY GOSH, THAT'S 90 DAYS AWAY.
BECAUSE IT'S JUST THIS MOMENT WHERE IT'S ONLY 90 DAYS AWAY, PARENT OF A SENIOR, 90 DAYS AWAY.
DO I NEED TO GET YOU A TISSUE? IT'S SUCH AN EXCITING TIME THOUGH, THOSE 90 DAYS, AS WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR SENIORS ARE PREPARED TO CROSS THAT STAGE AND ARE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER NEXT FOR THEM, THAT'S REALLY KEY.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE AT VIRGINIA STATE AT 9:00 ON THAT MONDAY.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THAT AT CTC AT HULL.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO'VE BEEN TO SOME OF OUR CARVER GRADUATIONS, BECAUSE IT'S A SMALLER GROUP OF STUDENTS, SOMETIMES THOSE LARGER VENUES JUST FEEL MORE IMPERSONAL, AND WE REALLY WANTED THEM TO HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
AND THAT'S ON TUESDAY, MAY 28TH AT 3 P.M..
THIS IS SUCH A SPECIAL EVENT FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND FOR MANY PEOPLE, THIS IS THEIR ONE AND ONLY EXPERIENCE WITH US IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY.
WE REALLY WANT TO DO OUR BEST IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE IT'S SUCH A SPECIAL EVENT.
[00:50:04]
SO WE'VE BEEN PLANNING THIS REALLY SINCE SUMMER OF 23.AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WITH ONE, WE IMMEDIATELY START PLANNING THE NEXT GROUP.
SOME OF THOSE LOGISTICS WOULD INCLUDE MAKING SURE EVERY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE THE CORRECT ORDER OF EVENTS, MAKING SURE EVERYONE'S INVITED, WHO NEEDS TO BE INVITED, LOOKING OVER SAFETY AND SECURITY REVIEWS AT EACH OF THESE VENUES, WORKING WITH OUR SECURITY PEOPLE AND WORKING WITH THE POLICE AND RMC TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE APPROPRIATE STAFFING THERE. WALK THROUGHS.
WE HAVE WALK THROUGH EVERY GRADUATION SITE WITH THE STAFF WHO WILL BE THERE TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE AWARE OF HOW THIS IS SET UP, AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO THEIR FAMILIES AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
SO THAT WAY THE FAMILIES ARE PREPARED FOR THAT DAY BECAUSE EVERYONE'S A LITTLE NERVOUS ON GRADUATION DAY, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE FRONT LOAD AS MUCH INFORMATION FOR THEM AS POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
WITH THAT QUICK REMINDER, WHILE WE SAID THERE'S 90 DAYS, THERE IS STILL 90 DAYS.
SO THAT MEANS OUR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN'T GIVE UP YET.
PLEASE KEEP A FOCUS ON ACADEMICS.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY'RE STILL COMING TO SCHOOL.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY'RE STILL BEHAVING.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE STILL REALLY KEY.
AND THIS IS OUR TOTAL SCHEDULE LISTED HERE.
IF YOU DO NOTICE, ON MONDAY, WE START OFF AT MATOACA AT 9 A.M.
AND WE'RE AT THOMAS DALE FOR VCU AT 3 P.M.
THAT'S A SLIGHT SHIFT IN THE REST OF THE DAYS OF THE WEEK, AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE PLATFORM GUESTS COULD MAKE IT FROM ONE AREA ALL THE WAY TO ANOTHER AREA WITHOUT GETTING ANY SPEEDING TICKETS OR RUSHING OR PERHAPS LOSING ANYTHING ALONG THE WAY.
SO THAT'S REALLY WHY WE SHIFTED THAT AT EACH TIME FOR THAT, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SET.
AND ONCE AGAIN, AS I SAID ALREADY, CARVER, CCA IS HELD THAT FOLLOWING WEEK THERE AT CTC AT HULL.
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR GRADUATES CROSS THAT STAGE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EACH OF YOU GUYS UP THERE ON THE DAIS WITH US ON THE STAGE WITH US.
IT IS TRULY SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING DAYS, THOUGH, TO SEE THAT JOY IN OUR PARENTS FACES AND OUR STUDENTS FACES, SEEING TEACHERS GETTING TEARED UP BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE WORK THAT THESE STUDENTS DID TO GET ACROSS THAT STAGE.
THANKS SO MUCH, DOCTOR MERRIMAN.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY ANY DISCUSSION? MRS. COKER.
I WAS GOING TO SAY IT IS A MAGICAL DAY, DAYS TO WATCH OUR STUDENTS REACH THAT ACHIEVEMENT AND TO SEE THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES AND THE APPLAUSE. AND DOCTOR DAUGHTERY DOES A GOOD JOB KEEPING THE CROWD UNDER CONTROL.
THAT WAS A JOKE. HE RUBS THEM UP SLIGHTLY, SOMETIMES TOO.
BOARD MEMBERS ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? AS A TEACHER, I ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS WAS GRADUATION.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE KIDS WOULD COME BY AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH.
AND YOU JUST HIGH FIVE, HIGH FIVE, HIGH FIVE.
SO I AM THRILLED THAT I GET TO CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF IT.
I KNOW YOU GUYS. I'VE BEEN IN THIS SEAGULL CENTER WITH YOU DOING THE RUN THROUGHS.
IT IS SUCH AN UNDERTAKING, BUT IT IS SO WELL DONE AND SO EXCELLENT AND I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
I CAN'T WAIT ALSO. SO THANK YOU.
MADAM CHAIR, JUST FOR EVERYONE'S INFORMATION, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MANCHESTER GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE REGION SIX TOURNAMENT, REGIONAL GAME OVER THOMAS DALE.
BOTH SCHOOLS DO QUALIFY FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT, SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT FOR THE SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU. DOCTOR DAUGHERTY. CONGRATULATIONS.
THEY SHOULD BE COMMENDED AS WELL.
BUT ABSOLUTELY, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MANCHESTER GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM.
VERY HAPPY FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
THANK YOU. THERE WERE CANDY BARS ON THE LINE, I'M NOT GOING TO LIE.
I'M JUST GOING TO. NEXT WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATION AND BOARD COMMENTS.
[G. Announcements, Communications, and School Board Comments]
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS, MISS CHATTERS? YES. I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE IN DALE DISTRICT THAT ON MARCH 18TH IS THE TOWN HALL WITH OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MR. HOLLAND, IT'LL BE AT THE BEULAH REC CENTER.[00:55:04]
MR. HOLLAND CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM ALL OF YOU.THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS CHATTERS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS? MR. PARONTO.
I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH AT 7 P.M.
IN THE SRES CAFETERIA, I WILL HOLD A TOWN HALL SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN ENSURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD AND THAT TOGETHER, AS A UNIFIED COMMUNITY, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND LEARN LESSONS OF THE PAST SO THAT WE DO OUR BEST NOT TO REPEAT THEM IN THE FUTURE.
THE TOWN HALL IS TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY.
I DO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FROM DOCTOR DAUGHTERY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON MONDAY EVENING AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
BOARD MEMBERS. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL HOLD A WORK SESSION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12TH 2024 AT 4 P.M.
HERE IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A BUSINESS MEETING AT 630.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE JUST NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SO MOVED. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION.
22ND, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.