>> DOT HEFFRON. AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. [A. Meeting Opening - 6:30 p.m.] [00:00:03] I'D LIKE TO CALL THE DECEMBER 10, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING TO ORDER. BEFORE WE BEGIN THE MEETING THIS EVENING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING AND REMIND THE AUDIENCE THAT COMMENTS TO THIS BOARD MAY ONLY BE MADE AT THE PODIUM DURING 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 APPRECIATE THAT EVERYONE'S PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING SO WE CAN CONDUCT THE BUSINESS MEETING IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. WE WILL NOW HAVE AN INVOCATION BY MS. COKER, FOLLOWED BY THE FLAG SALUTE LED BY MR. PARANTO. >> AS WE GATHER HERE TONIGHT, WE ARE MINDFUL OF THE WEIGHT OF OUR DECISIONS AND THE DIVERSITY OF PERSPECTIVES REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM. WE COME TOGETHER NOT AS INDIVIDUALS WITH SEPARATE AGENDAS, BUT AS A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO THE WELL BEING AND THE EDUCATION OF EVERY CHILD IN OUR CARE. IN TIMES OF DISAGREEMENT, MAY WE FIND STRENGTH AND COMPASSION IN WISDOM AND LISTENING. LET OUR DIFFERENCES NOT DIVIDE US, BUT INSPIRE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL RESPECT. MAY THE CHOICES WE MAKE TONIGHT REFLECT OUR HIGHEST VALUES OF INTEGRITY AND STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO THOSE WHO DEPEND ON US THE MOST, GRANT US CLARITY TO SEE THE PATH THAT BEST SERVES THE GOOD FOR ALL, COURAGE TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES WITH HONESTY, AND GRACE TO ACCEPT THE OUTCOMES OF OUR DISCUSSIONS. ABOVE ALL, MAY WE REMAIN UNITED IN OUR PURPOSE TO BUILD A BRIGHTER, STRONGER FUTURE FOR THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF THIS COMMUNITY. >> COULD YOU PLEASE JOIN US AT THIS TIME FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? >> >> THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES THE AGENDA ADOPTION. [B. Consent Agenda] APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 12, 2024 WORK SESSION, THE NOVEMBER 12, 2024 BUSINESS MEETING, THE DECEMBER 3, 2024 JOINT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING. MEMO NUMBER 161-24 RECOMMENDED PERSONNEL ACTIONS, MEMO NUMBER 162-24 FY 2024 ACCEPTANCE OF NEW GRANTS. MEMO NUMBER 163-24, ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION, MO NUMBER 173-24, FY 2025 APPROPRIATION CHANGES, ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS, SO3. 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 BOARD MEMBER TO SEPARATE AN ITEM OUT FROM CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND INDIVIDUAL ACTION? >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THE AGENDA ADOPTION ITEM IN ORDER TO AMEND THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS. I PROPOSE MOVING THE CAC ANNUAL REPORT CURRENTLY UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT TO THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION SECTION. THIS ADJUSTMENT WILL ALLOW OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER MS. GLEASON TO PRESENT BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. >> AYE. >> STEVEN PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS. >> ANN COKER. >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON. >> AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES. MR. SMITH, [C. Awards and Recognitions] WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE OUR NEW ADMINISTRATORS? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. IF I COULD ASK DENISE BRANSCOME AND ARKAM PERDI TO COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME. >> IF YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND. [LAUGHTER] >> THE BIG CROWD. WITH THE BOARD'S ACTIONS, [INAUDIBLE] YOU'VE APPROVED DENISE BRANSCOME, AS THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 23RD, 2024. DENISE COMES TO US, CURRENTLY SERVING AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND FINANCE, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. YOU'VE ALSO APPROVED ARKHAM AS THE DIRECTOR OF NETWORK SERVICES, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 2ND, 2024. ARKHAM PREVIOUSLY SERVE AS A COORDINATOR OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, NETWORK MANAGER, MICROCOMPUTER ANALYST, AND COMPUTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN WITH THE SCHOOL DIVISION. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE TWO TEAM MEMBERS. MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, NOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAD INTO OUR RECOGNITIONS. [00:05:01] I WANT TO PREFACE THIS BY SAYING I KNOW WE HAVE FOLKS IN THE ROOM OUTSIDE THE HALLWAY. FIRST COUPLE OF RECOGNITIONS. THE FIRST ONE, IF I COULD CALL UP OUR VSBA STUDENT VIDEO WINNER FROM CLOVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL, AIMEE VOIGT. SHORTLY FOLLOWING THAT RECOGNITION, WE'LL HAVE OUR VHSL PUBLICATIONS CONTEST AWARD WINNERS, AND FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL HAVE OUR GOODWILL DENIM DRIVE WINNERS. IF WE COULD CALL UP AIMEE VOIGT AND CLOVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL. [APPLAUSE] AIMEE WON A TOP AWARD IN THE 2024 STUDENT VIDEO CONTEST, SPONSORED BY THE VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION. KINDNESS WAS THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S CONTEST, WHICH INVITED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO SUBMIT 30 SECOND VIDEOS IN THREE CATEGORIES. AIMEE'S VIDEO TITLED SIGNS OF KINDNESS, WON THE TOP AWARD IN THE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CATEGORY. AIMEE'S A SENIOR CLOVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL, AND AMANDA BERNECHE IS THEIR ART TEACHER. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING AIMEE. [APPLAUSE] >> [INAUDIBLE]. I PUT MY TEACHER VOICE ON? >> YEAH. >> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. WE MET IN WILLIAMSBURG WHERE YOU WERE RECOGNIZED AND YOUR VIDEO IS AMAZING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IF YOU WANT TO SHARE A BIT ABOUT WHAT INSPIRED YOU. I'M SO SAD THAT WE CAN'T WATCH IT RIGHT HERE. BUT IF YOU ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IT, PLEASE DO, AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT INSPIRED YOU IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE VIDEO. >> HELLO. MY VIDEO WAS MAINLY ABOUT KINDNESS TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO ARE HARD OF HEARING IN SCHOOL. MY SCHOOL RECENTLY JUST KICK STARTED IN ASL CLUB FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, AND I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. I LOVE THE COMMUNITY. I LOVE THE DEAF COMMUNITY. IT'S VERY WONDERFUL COMMUNITY, AND I HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION. MY DAD IS DEAF IN ONE EAR, ONE NIGHT, WE WERE JUST LIKE, ISN'T ASL AWESOME? THAT'S MY IDEA. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH THIS PROJECT. I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT IT MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO WHERE IT IS. >> [INAUDIBLE]. [APPLAUSE] >> DON'T FORGET YOUR SWAG. CONGRATULATIONS, AIMEE. >. IF I COULD CALL UP OUR VHSL PUBLICATIONS CONTEST AWARD WINNERS. CLOVER HILL HIGH, MIDLOTHIAN HIGH, MATOACA HIGH. FOLLOWING THIS RECOGNITION, WE WILL HAVE OUR DENIM DRIVE GOODWILL PARTNERS, AS WELL AS AFTER THE, OUR W!SE FINANCIAL EDUCATION AWARDS. THE RESULTS OF THE '23 '24 VHSL PUBLICATIONS CONTESTS ARE IN, AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WON FOUR TROPHY CLASS DESIGNATIONS. CLOVER HILL HIGH WON TROPHY CLASS DESIGNATION, THE MAGAZINE DIVISION FOR PATHS OF CLOVER HILL LITERARY MAGAZINE. DAN WAIDELICH IS THE FACULTY ADVISOR. MIDLOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL WON TROPHY CLASS DESIGNATION IN THE MAGAZINE DIVISION FOR THE CANARY LITERARY MAGAZINE. JENNIFER FISHER IS THE FACULTY ADVISOR. MIDLOTHIAN HIGH, ALSO WON THE TROPHY CLASS DESIGNATION AND THE YEARBOOK DESIGN FOR TROJAN. TIM JOHNSON IS THE FACULTY ADVISOR. MATOACA HIGH WON TROPHY CLASS DESIGNATION, THE YEARBOOK DIVISION FOR THE ARROW. NICOLE ESHELMAN IS THE FACULTY ADVISOR. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE STUDENTS. [APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS. I'M GOING TO TRIP AS I WALK. THAT WOULD NOT BE COOL. I'M HANDING YOUR ADVISORS GOODIE BAGS. CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS A MASSIVE BIG DEAL, GUYS. I DON'T KNOW. TROPHY CLASS. UNBELIEVABLE. IT'S LIKE STATES, LIKE WINNING STATES. CONGRATULATIONS. YOU DID A YEARBOOK OR A NEWS MAGAZINE. I CAN'T TALK AND DO THIS. I'LL DO THIS IN A SEC. IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE, AND YOU ALL SEE THE STUDENTS BLOSSOM, AND YOU SEE WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. I WAS A YEARBOOK ADVISOR IN MY PAST LIFE. I CAN DO THIS. I'M A GROWN PERSON. THERE YOU GO. CONGRATS. I DO KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO PUT ON A YEARBOOK. I NEVER WON TROPHY CLASS. I'M SURE IF I KEPT GOING, I COULD HAVE. KIDDING. BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS PUT INTO THIS AND YOU ALL MAKE US PROUD. [00:10:01] IT IS A BIG DEAL, AND I HAVE ONE. I KNOW YOU WANTED IT. IT LOOKS GOOD. YOU CAN WEAR IT, SIR. DOES ANYONE HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING TO SAY? DID WE WANT TO SAY, I DON'T KNOW, JUST HOW GREAT THIS WAS, WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED, HOW YOU'VE GROWN, HOW PROUD YOU ARE? WE'LL JUST START HERE. [LAUGHTER] WE'LL SAY PASS. DO YOU WANT TO? THERE YOU GO. >> WELL, I'M PERSONALLY PROUD OF EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE ARROW STAFF BECAUSE WE DID THIS WITH ONLY 15 STUDENTS COVERING 1,600 KIDS IN THE SCHOOL AND 125 FACULTY. I AM VERY HAPPY THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO BE HERE WITH US TONIGHT, AND YEAH, I'M REALLY HAPPY AND PROUD OF EVERYBODY. [APPLAUSE] >> PATHS OF CLOVER HAS BEEN TRYING TO REACH TROPHY CLASS FOR A WHILE, AND BIG THANK YOU TO MR. WAIDELICH FOR HELPING US TO ACHIEVE THAT, AND WE ARE SO THRILLED TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO DO THIS, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE, AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT OUR ONE THIS YEAR AS WELL. THAT'S ALL. [APPLAUSE] >> JUST TO NOTE ON THAT, WE'RE COMING BACK FROM THE PANDEMIC YEARS, OF COURSE. WE DIDN'T PUBLISH FOR TWO YEARS. THIS IS THREE YEARS IN OUR RUN AND REALLY, LIKE ABBY SAID, TRYING OUR HARDEST, BUT HATS OFF TO ALL OF YOU. YOU DID ALL THE WORK, AND I'M AMAZED BY YOU EVERY DAY. THANK YOU ALL, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY ELSE, TOO. WE ALL KNOW HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU GUYS TO GET YOUR PUBLICATIONS OUT AS WELL, SO WELL DONE ALL AROUND. [APPLAUSE] IN MIDLOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL, WE FACE SOME OF THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT PATHS OF CLOVER DID. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH TROPHY CLASS AS A MAGAZINE AND WE ARE ALSO REBOUNDING FROM THE PANDEMIC. WE HAD AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF STUDENT SUBMISSIONS, AND I'M REALLY JUST SO PROUD OF MY STAFF AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, SO THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AT MIDLO, THIS IS ACTUALLY OUR FOURTH TROPHY CLASS BOOK [LAUGHTER] AND OUR ONE PREVIOUSLY, WE HAD A STAFF OF 16, AND WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE ENOUGH LAST YEAR THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD A STAFF OF OVER 30 KIDS LAST YEAR. A LOT OF NEW ONES JOINED, AND WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO A LOT OF THE ONES COMING BACK THIS YEAR AND OUR BOOK THIS YEAR, TOO TO HOPEFULLY DO IT AGAIN. [APPLAUSE] >> IF YOU GET IT FOUR YEARS IN A ROW, FIVE YEARS, MY BAD, FIVE YEARS IN A ROW, YOU GET THIS BIG, HUGE THING, IT'S CALLED SAVAGE. THE SAVAGE AWARD. I DON'T KNOW, I THINK IT'S AMAZING. CONGRATS. WELL DONE. THANK YOU, GUYS. OFF YOU GO. THANKS, GUYS. I APPRECIATE IT. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] >> IF I COULD CALL UP NOW OUR DENIM DRIVE AWARD WINNERS FROM THE SCHOOLS AS WELL AS GOODWILL, AND CHESTERFIELD COUNTY COUNCIL OF PTAS. FOLLOWED BY THIS RECOGNITION WILL BE THE W!SE FINANCIAL EDUCATION AWARDS, AND THEN OUR ART TEACHERS, AND THEN LEARNING WITH YOU. [BACKGROUND] >> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL UP HERE. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ELANA SIMMS, AND I AM THE MARKETING PROJECT SPECIALIST AT GOODWILL OF CENTRAL AND COASTAL, VIRGINIA. WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN THIS FORUM TO PRESENT THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS DENIM DRIVE. THIS AMAZING PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 16 YEARS, AND THROUGH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS SPIRITED PARTICIPATION IN THE DENIM DRIVE IN YOUR SHOPPING AND DONATING AS A COMMUNITY, GOODWILL AS A NONPROFIT IS QUITE LITERALLY ABLE TO TURN JEANS INTO JOBS. THE FUNDS RAISED FROM DONATION SALES ARE REINVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND HELPING INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED JOBS, SECURE A JOB IMMEDIATELY, AND THEN LEARN WHILE THEY EARN THROUGH GOODWILL ACADEMY OF VIRGINIA AND OUR LIFE CHANGING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CHANGING PROGRAMS. THIS EVENING WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING THE TOP 3 DONATING ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS FOR A TOTAL OF NINE CASH PRIZES. FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD PLACE PRIZES WERE $1,000, $750, AND $500. I'M GOING TO COME AROUND AND PRESENT THE CHECKS, BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR AND WE'LL BE SO GLAD TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. [00:15:03] I'M GOING TO COME AROUND. >> WHILE SHE'S MAKING CHECK PRESENTATIONS, I SIT ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL PTA BOARD. YOU CAN DO THAT? I'LL JUST KEEP TALKING WHILE YOU DO THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY AS A PTA PRESIDENT FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS OR SO AT A COUPLE OF SCHOOLS, I NEVER MADE IT TO THIS LEVEL, SO I'M ENVIOUS, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE WORK THAT WENT INTO BEING ABLE TO EVEN COMPETE. IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE IF YOU DON'T KNOW, CHESTERFIELD IS VERY COMPETITIVE IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT. I'M SURE YOU DO. BRAGGING RIGHTS GOES TO OLD HUNDRED ELEMENTARY PTA FOR $1,000 IN FIRST PLACE. LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND. [APPLAUSE] >> OUR TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL IS TOMAHAWK CREEK, FIRST PLACE FOR $1,000. [APPLAUSE]. THEN FIRST PLACE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION IS COSBY HIGH SCHOOL, WITH $1,000. [APPLAUSE] FOR ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE $1,000 LEVEL, THERE'S A TRICK TO THAT. LET'S START SAVING JEANS NOW. START SAVING JEANS NOW, PUT THEM IN A BAG, PUT THEM IN THE GARAGE, SO THAT YOU CAN HELP YOUR SCHOOL COME UP HERE NEXT TIME. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SAY WHAT IT MEANT TO WIN? WHAT INITIATIVES DID YOU START AT YOUR SCHOOL TO MAKE THEM GIVEN ALL THESE JEANS? >> WELL, WE HAVE AN AMAZING PTA THAT TURNED IT INTO A COMPETITION FOR OUR TEACHERS, SO LIKE YOU SAID, COMPETITIONS ALWAYS BRINGS THE COMMUNITY OUT. BUT, I THINK IT'S PRETTY PHENOMENAL THAT ALL OF US FEED INTO ONE ANOTHER IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. OUR COMMUNITY IS JUST SO GENEROUS IN GIVING, SO IT'S BEEN PRETTY AMAZING TO BE A PART OF THIS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF TIME SPENT OUT AT FOOTBALL GAMES BEFOREHAND, TRYING TO COLLECT. WE COLLECT ALL YEAR LONG. THE BIGGEST THING THAT I DID BECAUSE WE HAD SO MANY PARENTS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE JEANS, WAS JUST LETTING THEM KNOW HOW MUCH GOODWILL DOES WITH IT, WHETHER IT'S GOING BACK INTO THE STORES AND IT CREATES JOBS AND MAKE MONEY, OR WHETHER IT'S GOING TO GET UPCYCLED AND RETURNED INTO SOMETHING ELSE. THAT SEEMED TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S EYES IN KNOWING THAT IT WASN'T JUST TO MAKE MONEY, AND THEN LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THE CHECKS THAT WE GET GO STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE SCHOOL, FOR THE STAFF, FOR THE TEACHERS. IT'S AN AMAZING PROGRAM, SO THANKFUL. >> AT OLD HUNDRED, WE ALSO HAVE A VERY PASSIONATE PTA THAT HELPS COLLECT ALL YEAR ROUND, WE HAVE A DROP-OFF BOX AT THE FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL SO PEOPLE CAN DONATE AT ANY TIME, AND MS. WATSON ALSO COMES THROUGH THE CAR RIDER LINE, SHE'LL SEND OUT MESSAGES THAT SHE'LL BE COLLECTING THROUGH CAR RIDER. AGAIN, JUST A REALLY ACTIVE PTA AND JUST APPRECIATE OUR REALLY GENEROUS COMMUNITY. [APPLAUSE] >> WHICHEVER WAY YOU WANT IT. YOU CAN GIVE ME THE CHECK IF YOU LIKE. >> JUST KIDDING. >> THANK Y'ALL. >> IF I COULD CALL UP OUR WISE FINANCIAL EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR ART TEACHERS. THREE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS ARE RECENTLY HONORED AT WISE BLUE STAR SCHOOLS: COSBY HIGH, MIDLOTHIAN HIGH, MONACAN HIGH. SCHOOLS EARN THIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION BY ACHIEVING 80% PASSING RATE ON THE WISE FINANCIAL LITERACY CERTIFICATION TEST AND HAVING EITHER A MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ON GRADE LEVEL RECEIVE PERSONAL FINANCE INSTRUCTION, OR AT LEAST 10% OF ALL STUDENTS TAKE THE TEST. IN ADDITION, ALMOST 30 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHERS WERE NAMED WISE GOLDSTAR TEACHERS. FOR A TEACHER TO EARN THIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION, AT LEAST ONE OF THE TEACHER'S CLASSES MUST HAVE ACHIEVED A 93% PASSING RATE ON THE WISE FINANCIAL LITERACY CERTIFICATION TEST IN THE '23/'24 SCHOOL YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ECONOMICS PERSONAL FINANCE LITERACY TEACHERS WHO ARE NAMED WISE GOLDSTAR TEACHERS. FROM BIRD HIGH, TOBY CAMPBELL, AND BRENT DEANER, FROM CCPS ONLINE, LETIZA BRAGG BULLOCK, AND SAMANTHA UZZLE, CLEVERLY HIGH, MICHAEL BELL, KYLE MILLER, AND REBECCA NECESSARY, COSBY HIGH, JILIAN DIETRICH, [00:20:03] OTIS JARVIS, NICOLA WOZNY. THOMAS DALE HIGH, FELICIA CAMPBELL, PATRICK SWEET, AND BILL WRIGHT. FROM JAMES RIVER HIGH, JULIANA, BETTY, AND JEFFREY BRAZZA. FROM MANCHESTER HIGH, BRIAN GRAHAM, AND PAUL KLEIN. FROM MATOACA HIGH, WILLIAM DE SALVATORE, AND KENDRA PAUL. FROM MIDLOTHIAN HIGH, FANE BRUCE, TRISH REESE, BRETT RIDEN AND GABRIELLE TAYLOR. AND FROM MONACAN HIGH, CAROLYN MANHEIM, MEREDITH SCHUMAN, AND DANIEL ZIZZAMIA. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE WISE FINANCIAL TEACHERS. [APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. TEACHING OUR STUDENTS PERSONAL FINANCE AND ECON IS A LIFE SKILL THAT THEY NEED TO LEARN AND FOR YOU ALL TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE YOUR CLASS IN ORDER TO TEACH THEM THIS WONDERFUL SKILL IS TO BE ADMIRED, AND WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SHARING YOUR NAME IN THE SCHOOL THAT YOU REPRESENT, AND THEN WHAT'S YOUR TRICK TO KEEP THOSE KIDS ENGAGED? >> THANKS. BRENT DEANER, BIRD HIGH SCHOOL. REALLY, IT'S THE STUDENTS WHO WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET ME THIS AWARD SO THE CREDIT GOES TO THEM. THEY TOOK THE TEST, I DIDN'T. I PREPARED THEM FOR IT, BUT IT'S THEIR HARD WORK THAT GAVE ME THIS SO THIS GOES OUT TO THEM. [APPLAUSE] >>DANIEL ZIZZAMIA FROM MONACA HIGH SCHOOL, AND I ECHO THAT 100%. IT'S THE STUDENTS THAT DO IT. IT'S A FUN SUBJECT TO TEACH. IT'S PRETTY EASY TO ENGAGE THEM IN IT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY LIFE PRACTICAL APPLICATION, AND THEY CAN GET PASSIONATE ABOUT IT IN THE CLASSROOM. WE CAN DO LOTS OF THINGS WITH IT. BUT REALLY, IT'S THE STUDENTS THAT DO IT. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M JULIANA BETTY. I TEACH AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL. I JUST SAY YOU LIKE MONEY AND WE ALL LIKE MONEY AND WE NEED TO LEARN ABOUT MONEY. SO IT'S REALLY FUN TO TEACH. IT'S A FUN CLASS TO TEACH, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WE HAVE A GOOD TIME. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU AGAIN, AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> FORGOT OUT CALL UP OUR ART TEACHERS, PLEASE. ART TEACHERS FROM CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SWEPT THE TOP REGIONAL HONORS FROM THE VIRGINIA ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THE ASSOCIATION CENTRAL REGION COVERS 44 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, STRETCH FROM CHESAPEAKE BAY, TO THE NORTH CAROLINA LINE TO CLOSE TO THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. BRIDGET HENDRICKS OF OLD HUNDRED ELEMENTARY WAS NAMED THE 2024 CENTRAL REGION OF VIRGINIA ELEMENTARY ART EDUCATOR. LYDIA WALTERS OF ELIZABETH DAVIS MIDDLE WAS NAMED THE 2024 CENTRAL REGION OF VIRGINIA MIDDLE SCHOOL ART EDUCATOR, AND LYDIA HAD A LAST MINUTE CHANGE AND CANNOT BE WITH US THIS EVENING. VICKI KIRTLEY OF CLOVER HILL HIGH WAS NAMED THE 2024 CENTRAL REGION OF VIRGINIA ELEMENTARY ART EDUCATOR. PLEASE JOIN ME GRADUATING THESE ART TEACHERS. [APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. APPARENTLY, WE SWEPT IT. I JUST CAN SAY IT AS IT IS AND LOOK I HANDED IT OUT AS. AMAZING WHAT WE DO WITH THE ART THAT'S GIVING KIDS THAT ARE EXPANDING ANOTHER PART OF THEIR BRAIN. WE ARE ALLOWING THEM IN BETWEEN CLASSROOM TIME TO BE CREATIVE, DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS. I WOULD JUST LOVE I DON'T KNOW WHATEVER YOU WANT. IF YOU WANT A CRAZY STORY, IF YOU WANT WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT AT THE MOST, JUST TELL ME HOW YOU ARE DOING THE BEST AND MAKING US SO PROUD. >> HI. I'M VICKI KIRTLEY FROM CLOVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL. I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR 36 YEARS, AND I JUST LOVE THE ARTS. >> I TEACH THREE DESIGN AT MY SCHOOL RIGHT NOW THESE LAST THREE WEEKS BEFORE OUR WINTER BREAK. I'M WORKING WITH FIVE CLASSES DOING CLAY, MAKING CLAY PROJECTS. THIS AFTERNOON, I WAS DEFINITELY YAWNING A LOT BECAUSE I STAY VERY BUSY WITH STUDENTS, HELPING THEM GET THEIR PROJECTS GOING. BUT I LOVE IT. I LOVE GOING AROUND TO THEM AND HELPING THEM AND PROBLEM SOLVING. IT'S JUST BEEN A REWARDING CAREER. I COULDN'T ASK FOR MORE. [APPLAUSE]. [00:25:05] >> I'M BRIDGET HENDRICKS AT OLD HUNDRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND I'M JUST SO THANKFUL FOR MY ADMINISTRATION AND OUR PTA WHO ARE SO SUPPORTIVE OF EVERYTHING I DO IN MY CLASSROOM AND EVERYTHING I GO TO THEM FOR, THEY ARE GUNG HO AND SUPPORT ME, WHICH SOME OF MY IDEAS ARE SLIGHTLY OVER THE TOP AND PROBABLY CRAZY. OUR KINDERGARTNERS ARE ALSO DOING CLAY. I MAY HAVE STIRRED THE POT THIS WEEK BECAUSE THEY ARE HUNTING FOR THEIR GINGERBREAD MEN MUCH SO THEY'RE CRAWLING ON THE FLOOR, GOING INTO LIBRARY, GOING TO A SECURITY OFFICER TO CHECK THE CAMERAS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY WENT IT'S JUST BRINGING THEIR CREATIVITY OUT OF MY ROOM AND INTO THE WHOLE ENTIRE SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, GUYS. [APPLAUSE] IF I CAN NOW CALL UP OUR LEARNING WITH YOU PARTICIPANTS. AND AFTER THIS RECOGNITION, WE'LL RECOGNIZE THE GREATER RICHMOND YMCA. [BACKGROUND]. >> LEARNING WITH YOU IS DESIGNED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE LATEST ROUND OF THIS FREE PROGRAM TOOK PLACE THIS YEAR, OFFERING PARTICIPANTS INFORMATION AT THE SCHOOL DIVISION IN CLEANING RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHILE HELPING CCPS LEADERS AS CONNECT WITH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH OUR FAMILY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM, BY AMI BARTILOTTI, AND AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL JUAN SANTACOLOMA. >> GOOD EVENING. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE 17 PARTICIPANTS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM WERE ABLE TO ATTEND TONIGHT. I'M GOING TO CALL ALL OF THEM. BUT AGAIN, NO ALL OF THEM ARE HERE. ANNA KARAVIT, ANNA LUNA, UGO AMADOR, DAHLIA JASMINE TEJADA, ELIZABETH CASTELLANOS ROMERO, LAURA BARRIOS, AMY DEL A CRUZ, JUANITA MORGAN , LETI HERRERA, MARIA PAULINA RODRIGUEZ, JULIEN MURILLO. OSCAR RODRIGUEZ, IRMANTAN ASAK, IMARISOL GRANALS. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE ACADEMY LEARNING WITH YOU, AND I'M MORE THAN SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE DEDICATION THAT IT TAKES THAT YOU'VE TAKEN TO DO LEARNING WITH YOU SHOWS YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COUNTY TO LEARNING MORE AND BRINGING IT BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES. I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU, [SPANISH] BECAUSE IT WAS SIX WEEKS. SIX WEEKS OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU LEARNED ALL ABOUT CHESTERFIELD. [SPANISH] NOW. YOU HAVE TO BRING IT BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES. SPREAD THE INFORMATION, LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, SO THEY CAN SIGN UP FOR LEARNING WITH YOU AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO GIVE ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR RECENT GRADUATES. [SPANISH] WE HAVE ONE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO SPEAK FOR THE GROUP. >> HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU LEARNING PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PRESENTS TO THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF THE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY. ALSO TO JUAN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I'M FROM COLOMBIA TO, I ALWAYS ADMIRE HIS HUMILITY, [00:30:02] LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION AND PREPARATION. I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. [SPANISH] >> CAN I CALL UP OUR FRIENDS FROM THE GREATER RICHMOND YMCA? [BACKGROUND] PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THE WORK OF CHESTERFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND STAFF MEMBERS, DEMONSTRATES THE TRANSFORMATIVE AND UPLIFTING POWER OF EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT OUR SCHOOL DIVISION DOESN'T OPERATE IN ISOLATION AS WE WORK TO EDUCATE 64,000 STUDENTS AND HELP THEM FIND THEIR PATH TO SUCCESS. TONIGHT, WE RECOGNIZE THE GREATER RICHMOND YMCA, WHICH IS A STRONG CHAMPION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION. SEVERAL YMCA REPRESENTATIVES ARE HERE TONIGHT AS WE CELEBRATE THEIR SUPPORT THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, BRIGHT BEGINNINGS, TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, SECOND GRADE LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES, AND OTHER IMPACTFUL EFFORTS. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE COMMUNITY PARTNERS. [APPLAUSE] >> WE WOULD NOT BE THE COMMUNITY WE ARE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT WE ARE IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE OUTREACH AND SUPPORT FROM BUSINESSES IN THE AREA. WHAT THE YMCA HAS MET THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR THE PAST YEARS, AND I HOPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING THAT OUR KIDS ARE ENGAGED NOT ONLY AT SCHOOL, BUT ALSO THROUGH THE Y, MAKING FRIENDS, SEEING THEM AGAIN AT SCHOOL. YOU GO HERE. I WENT THERE. I KNOW YOU KNOW THOSE STORIES. BUT WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE COMMITMENT TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE WOULD NOT BE AS GOOD AS WE ARE IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS. WITH THAT, ON BEHALF OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY TO OUR STUDENTS THAT YOU ARE IMPACTING ON A DAILY BASIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. A FEW WORDS IN REGARDS TO YOUR PASSION FOR THE Y AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK SO MUCH. THE YMCA, WE'RE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENTS, AND REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT FERRIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES. IT TAKES A VILLAGE, I TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE. I SEE A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES THAT WE SEE AT THE Y. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT AND IT REALLY IS A PLEASURE TO SERVE THE STUDENTS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. >> GET THEM ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [BACKGROUND]. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR. BOARD MEMBERS. MR. ROBERTS, IT'S MY PLEASURE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT TO OUR OUTSTANDING DRIVERS OF THE MONTH. THERE ARE MANY DRIVERS WHO COULD BE RECOGNIZED THIS MONTH, BUT EACH TRANSPORTATION AREA MANAGER HAD TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION OF SELECTING A SINGLE DRIVER WHO EXEMPLIFIED EXCELLENCE AND DEDICATION TO REPRESENT THEIR AREA. WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE FOLLOWING DRIVERS. RASHIDA STOKES, AREA 1 BUS 290, ONE YEAR OF SERVICE. RASHIDA CAME TO TRANSPORTATION WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT THE DRIVER SHORTAGE AND WANTED TO HELP, AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH SHE WOULD ENJOY WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS. SHE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS DRIVING FOR CCPS. [APPLAUSE] DAVID LUZ, AREA 2 BUS 732, TWO YEARS OF SERVICE. DAVID SAID HE'S BEEN IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY FOR HIS ENTIRE LIFE, AND TAKING CARE OF FOLKS IS A LABOR OF LOVE. HE ALSO LOVES DRIVING, SO THIS IS EXTRA SPECIAL. [APPLAUSE] MARIANNE MAKOWSKI, AREA 3, BUS 510, TWO YEARS OF SERVICE. MARIANNE SAYS SHE LOVES BEING A BUS DRIVER BECAUSE SHE'S GOTTEN TO SEE HER KIDS GROW UP OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. [00:35:02] [APPLAUSE] ACCEPTING HER AWARD IS KYLE AUSTIN AREA MANAGER. PATTY FLOYD, AREA 4, BUS 718, NINE YEARS OF SERVICE. PATTY SAYS SHE LOVES BEING A CCPS SCHOOL BUS DRIVER. IT GIVES HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO HER COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS SAFE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL. PATTY HOPES TO LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON HER STUDENTS LIKE HER BUS DRIVER DID FOR HER YEARS AGO. [APPLAUSE] KEITH HEISMAN, AREA 5, BUS 601, NINE MONTHS OF SERVICE. KEITH SAYS THE PEOPLE IN AREA 5 MAKE THE DIFFERENCE, AND HE JUST LOVES THE KIDS AND PARENTS HE GETS TO WORK WITH EVERY DAY. [APPLAUSE] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY ON BEHALF OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, CONGRATULATIONS. THIS IS QUITE THE HONOR TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR AREA RECOGNIZED AS BEING FABULOUS BUS DRIVERS. YOU HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT JOB TO GET OUR CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL VERY SAFELY, AND YOU DO IT VERY WELL. YOUR COMMENT ABOUT YOUR BUS DRIVER MAKING AN IMPACT ON YOU I KNOW EACH ONE OF YOU MAKE AN IMPACT ON ALL THE STUDENTS THAT YOU DRIVE TO AND FROM SCHOOL. I CAN SPEAK A LITTLE PERSONALLY THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE COME HOME WITH WONDERFUL STORIES ABOUT CONVERSATIONS THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR BUS DRIVERS AND HOW YOU MAKE THEM SMILE AS THEY GET ON THE BUS AND THEN THEY GET OFF THE BUS IN THE AFTERNOON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY IN THE AUDIENCE? ANYBODY? WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM, STAND UP IF OR WAVE YOUR HAND. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR BUS DRIVERS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [BACKGROUND] >> MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, MR. ROBERTS, DR. MURRAY. THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR OUTSTANDING FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES TEAM MEMBERS. WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WILL ALWAYS BE OUR BREAD AND BUTTER, SO TO SPEAK, I AM CONTINUALLY IMPRESSED BY THE EFFORTS OF OUR TEAM PUTS IN TO POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENTS BEYOND THEIR TRAYS. WHETHER IT'S DECORATING SERVING LINES FOR HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, DRESSING UP AS A COW DURING WORLD SCHOOL MILK DAY OR AS AN ELF DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. OR SERVING SWEET POTATO PUDDING FROM POTATOES THAT WERE GROWN IN A SCHOOL COURTYARD. OUR TEAM GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED. THEY INSPIRE EXCITEMENT, NOT JUST ABOUT EATING, BUT ABOUT THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE OF DINING IN A SCHOOL. WE ARE TRULY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH A DEDICATED FOOD NUTRITION SERVICES TEAM HERE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. WE HAVE FIVE NOMINEES WITH US THIS EVENING. OUR FIRST WHO'S NOT ABLE TO JOIN US IS ELLEN BASHAM. MRS. BASHAM IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT THOMAS DALE HIGH SCHOOL. SHE'S BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR THREE MONTHS. SHE SAYS, "I LIKE THAT EVERYONE WORKS TOGETHER AS A TEAM. I THINK THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS THE KIDS, BEING ABLE TO SERVE THEM AND GET TO KNOW THEM, SO VERY THANKFUL." [APPLAUSE] NEXT WE HAVE ANESTHESIA ROBINSON. MRS. ROBINSON IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT REAMS ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND SHE'S BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR NINE MONTHS. SHE SAYS, "WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB IS SEEING THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES AND SAYING, THANK YOU AFTER THEY RECEIVE EVERY MEAL. IT REALLY MAKES MY DAY." [APPLAUSE] NEXT WE HAVE LILY EARLE. MRS. EARLE IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND SHE'S BEEN WITH US FOR TWO YEARS. SHE SAYS, "IT BRINGS JOY TO MY HEART, KNOWING THAT I CAN HELP PROVIDE A MEAL FOR THE STUDENTS. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN MY JOB, WHICH SHOWS AND EVERYTHING I DO IS A GREAT HONOR TO ACCEPT THIS AWARD." [APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE HAVE WYNDA EGLESTON. MRS. EGLESTON IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT MARGUERITE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND SHE'S BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR FOUR YEARS. SHE SAYS, "THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS SEEING THE CHILDREN GET EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S FOR LUNCH AND MAKING SURE IT SERVED TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES." [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE MARILYN DEMARCO. MRS. DEMARCO IS A FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT ROBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND SHE'S BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR THREE YEARS. SHE SAYS, "I LIKE MY JOB BECAUSE I HAVE A WONDERFUL SUPERVISOR, MR. KARIM, AN EXCELLENT MANAGER ANGELA AND ASSISTANT MANAGER ASHLEY AND CO-WORKERS THAT ARE SO MUCH FUN TO WORK WITH. OF COURSE, I'M ABLE TO HELP FEED THE CHILDREN." [APPLAUSE] >> NOW, [00:40:04] I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAS KIDS THAT ATTEND CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MY SON. WHEN I ASK HIM, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY? HE SAYS, LUNCH. SEE, YOU ALL SAID IT. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. HE SAID LUNCH. IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE FOOD AND HE GETS TO SEE HIS FRIENDS, BUT IT'S ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU CREATE FOR HIM AND FOR THE KIDS THAT COME THROUGH THOSE DOORS. YOUR PASSION FOR NUTRITION, YOUR PASSION FOR FEEDING OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. I'M NOT READY TO LEARN. OBVIOUSLY, A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR DAY IS GETTING OUR KIDS INTO THE CAFETERIA, MAKING SURE THEY'RE FED. WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE PHENOMENAL FOLKS LIKE YOU IN THERE HELPING US OUT WITH THAT TASK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PASSION AND DEDICATION TO OUR KIDS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. CAN WE PLEASE GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE? [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT, WE HAVE A REPORT FROM THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH MRS. GLEASON. >> HELLO. MADAM CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, DR. MURRAY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. IF WE HAVEN'T MET, MY NAME IS CHRISTINA GLEASON. I'M A REGISTERED NURSE. I'M A SPECIAL NEEDS MAMA, AND I CHAIR FOR THE CA COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING, SO I CAN SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO AND WHAT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE. FIRST, MEET OUR COMMITTEE. GOSH, WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF FOLKS WHO SHOW UP MONTH AFTER MONTH FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. I LOVE WORKING WITH THESE GUYS. THEY BRING A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO THE TABLE, AND I HOPE THEY KNOW THAT THEIR VOICES ARE IMPORTANT. LAST YEAR, WE HAD SIX BUSINESS MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE TALKED ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS. YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A COMMON THEME TONIGHT IN MY PRESENTATION ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND EVEN OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TONIGHT. LAST YEAR, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT TRANSITION NEEDS ACROSS THE CONTINUUM, TRANSITION FROM EI TO EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION, TRANSITION AT THE TAIL END WHEN YOU'RE LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL, DARS. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION. WE LEARNED ABOUT ALL IN TUTORING LAST YEAR AND HOW THAT RELATES TO SPECIAL EDUCATION AS WELL. WE HAD A FANTASTIC PRESENTATION REGARDING BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW THEIR TRAINING LOOKS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. IT'S A GREAT YEAR. [BACKGROUND] THIS YEAR, OUR COMMITTEE HAS BEEN BUSY WRITING REPORTS, GETTING OUR BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS IN SOME THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO TALKING ABOUT, PARTNERING WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT AND FAMILY LIAISON, DR. HEATHER STORY. IN MARCH, WE WILL RECEIVE THE ANNUAL SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN, THE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FLOW THROUGH FUNDS, SAY THAT FIVE TIMES FAST. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH CHESTERFIELD MENTAL HEALTH. WE LOVE PEATC. WE WOULD LOVE TO REACH OUT AND CONTINUE TO INVOLVE THEM IN SOME TRAININGS, AND WE SEE A CONTINUED NEED FOR EDUCATION ON IEPS VERSUS 504. WHAT ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS? YOU MIGHT SEE THAT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE A COMMON THEME FROM LAST YEAR, AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE SEE THESE TOP THREE THINGS IN OUR MEETINGS, AND THIS IS WHAT WE SEE AS ID. COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, AND TRANSITION. COMMUNICATION. WHEN I SEE COMMUNICATION, I SEE INFORMATION. WE CONSTANTLY HEAR PARENTS WANT COMMUNICATION. I SEE THAT AS PARENTS WANT INFORMATION. WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? WELL, PARTNERING WITH DR. HEATHER STORY, OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT FAMILY LIAISON. PERHAPS CREATING A SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWSLETTER. MY FAVORITE OFFER PARENT TRAINING SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. I THINK THE SCHOOL HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOLS AND GIVE PARENTS THAT INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR. TRAINING. WE LOVE OUR SPED TEACHERS, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM. HOW DO WE KEEP OUR TEACHERS? WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THEM GO. WHEN OUR TEACHERS LEAVE, WE HAVE THIS LOSS OF HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE AND THAT CAN BE DEVASTATING TO A CLASSROOM. ROBUST ONBOARDING, MENTORSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. AT OUR MEETING LAST MONTH, WE HAD A CHANCE TO VIEW THIS OPTIONS ONLINE, IF YOU WILL, FROM MRS. MANOS OF SOME PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THAT. TRANSITION SERVICES. WE SAY THIS ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. FOR WHEN A PARENT IS COMING TO THE TABLE AND THEY ARE PLANNING THAT TRANSITION FROM EI TO ECSC, WHAT ARE THEIR OPTIONS? [00:45:04] HOW CAN THEY MAKE THAT BEST CHOICE? ASK ANY PARENT OF A CHILD 14 AND UP, WHAT IS DARS? LET'S GET THOSE RESOURCES INTO THE HANDS OF PARENTS. WHAT DOES LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL LOOK LIKE FOR THEIR CHILD? TRANSITION SERVICES, WE HEAR CONSTANTLY THAT WE JUST NEED MORE AND MORE COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION, AND ENGAGEMENT. FINALLY, I WANTED TO THANK RIQUITA KNOX. SHE SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING THE BERMUDA DISTRICT. SHE ALSO SERVED AS OUR SECRETARY, SO I WANTED TO THANK MRS. KNOX FOR HER TIME ON THE COMMITTEE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE REST OF THE YEAR BRINGS. OUR NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY 5TH AT 5:45 AT CTC HALL STREET, AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AS WELL. ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MRS. GLEASON. APPRECIATE YOU. BOARD MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FOR MRS. GLEASON AT THIS TIME? MR. PARANTO. >> MADAM CHAIR, MRS. GLEASON, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING ON THE THIS CI COMMITTEE WITH YOU. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOP OF YOUR FULL TIME JOB AND BEING A MOM, AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT'S ON THE COMMITTEE MOST LIKELY SAY THE SAME EXACT THING. BUT THE DEDICATION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS VERY PIVOTAL AND IMPORTANT AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PICK UP THAT FLAG AND CHAMPION THAT. GREATLY APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS. >> THANK YOU. IT'S MY PLEASURE. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR MRS. GLEASON? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE ON THE COMMITTEE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD EVENING. [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. [D. Public Comment] 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. IN PERSON COMMENTS WILL BE SUMMARIZED BY THE BOARD CLERK AND INCLUDED IN THE OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES. DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED ALONG WITH IN PERSON COMMENTS WILL UPON REQUEST BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD, BUT NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BOARD'S OFFICIAL MINUTES. THIS EVENING IN THE INTEREST OF TIME. TO ENSURE THAT EACH REGISTERED SPEAKER HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THIS EVENING'S SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES EACH. WE ALSO ASK THE AUDIENCE TO REFRAIN FROM APPLAUSE. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENING'S IN PERSON COMMENT? >> MADAM CHAIR, THIS EVENING, WE HAVE 136 SPEAKERS. I WILL CALL SPEAKERS UP IN GROUPS OF 10. LINE UP IN A SINGLE FILE LINE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE WALL TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TURN TO SPEAK. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. THERE IS A TIME OR SET UP ON TOP OF THE PODIUM THAT WILL TURN GREEN WHEN YOU BEGIN SPEAKING, YELLOW WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS REMAINING AND RED WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. AS A REMINDER, NO PERSONAL BELONGINGS OTHER THAN A CELL PHONE AND SPEAKER NOTES ARE ALLOWED AT THE PODIUM. PLEASE HAVE YOUR MATERIALS ORGANIZED IN A MANNER THAT AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE PODIUM, YOU ARE PREPARED TO START SPEAKING. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMMENTS EQUIVALENT TO CAMPAIGNING FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR VIOLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1110 ARE PROHIBITED. WE ALSO HAVE A GOOGLE SLIDE THAT HAS A GROUP BY 10 IN CASE YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO HERE. THE FIRST 10 SPEAKERS ARE JOE MALTEMPI, MARY GARBER, CHRISTINA MEJIA, RANDY HAHN, GLEN JOHNSON, CHRIS JONES, DONALD STROUD SENIOR, JAYCE BRYNER, KAY KIDD, AND JASON SPOON. MAY WE HAVE JOE MALTEMPI? >> GOOD EVENING. I'M PROUD TO OPEN UP TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION. FIRST, MY NAME IS JOE MALTEMPI. I AM A 2005 GRADUATE OF THOMAS DE HIGH SCHOOL. I WENT ON TO COLLEGE AND RECEIVED A CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE AND HAVE SINCE GOTTEN MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING LICENSE. I HAVE THREE KIDS THAT LIVE WITH ME AND MY WIFE, AND THE NINE, SIX AND THREE. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF THEM AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE IN THIS COUNTY, AND I THINK THAT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE DIMINISHED SINCE MY TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL. HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT. THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL IS TO LEARN THINGS AND TO TEACH THE TRUTH. ONE OF THE THINGS I TEACH MY KIDS IS THAT THEY CAN TRUST THE WORDS OF ADULTS. [00:50:02] THE THING THAT I HAVE BEEN MOST SURPRISED BY COMING TO THESE LAST FEW SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS HAS BEEN THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS THAT HAVE COME OUT FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GENDER CONFUSION. WHEN I HEAR THAT THOSE TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS ARE SAYING THOSE THINGS AND NOT WILLING TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH THE PARENTS, THAT ERODES THE TRUST OF THE PARENTS. THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT I DO SO THAT MY KIDS DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO CHEAP COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I PAY A LOT OF MONEY EVERY MONTH SO THAT THEY CAN GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL AND BEWARE THEY CAN REALLY BE TAUGHT THE TRUTH. I ALSO WORK A SECOND HOBBY JOB FROM EARLY MORNING HOURS SO THAT I CAN HELP AFFORD THAT FOR FUTURE COST BECAUSE COSTS WILL INCREASE AS THEY GET OLDER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T NEED ANY EDUCATION TO NEED TO KNOW WAS THAT OVER 6,000 YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY, MEN AND WOMEN DO NOT SWITCH GENDERS. ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY. NEVER BEEN ONE. NO ONE HAS SWITCHED. IN THE CURRENT MODEL POLICY, YOU SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PROPAGATING THAT CONFUSION THAT CAN BE SAID. TO THAT POINT, MY KIDS WILL NOT DARKEN THE DOOR OF CHANGE OF SCHOOLS, [OVERLAPPING] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH JOE MALTEMPI. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. [OVERLAPPING] >> PLEASE SUPPORT THE NOVEMBER POLICY. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MARY GARBER. [APPLAUSE] PLEASE REFRAIN FROM YOUR APPLAUSE. >> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THIS ISN'T AN US AGAINST THEM THING HERE. I THINK EVERYONE IN HERE AGREES THAT CHILDREN ARE VALUABLE, IMPORTANT, AND WORTH PROTECTING. PARENT INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL TO THIS MISSION. MY NAME IS MARY GARBER. I'M A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE WITH THE CHESTERFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT AS THE CHILD SAFETY COORDINATOR. I WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. I AM SORRY FOR WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID FOR ME BECAUSE HE SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT SENDING HIS CHILDREN TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS, BUT IT HAS CHANGED. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED. I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOLS. MY JOB DESCRIPTION AS CHILD SAFETY COORDINATOR WAS CLEAR. POLICIES THAT I HAD TO FOLLOW. IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT WHILE I WAS IN UNIFORM OR WORKING, I REPRESENTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SCHOOL STAFF NEED TO HAVE THE SAME CLEAR POLICIES CONCERNING PARENTS INVOLVEMENT IN CHILD'S EDUCATION. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE WORKED BOTH PRIVATELY AND PROFESSIONALLY ON BOARDS TASKFORCE COMMUNITY GROUPS. HELPING TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN. IN WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS, SOCIAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH, WE NEVER DOUBTED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING PARENTS INFORM. THAT'S WHY I WAS CONCERNED WHEN I SAW HOW THE LANGUAGE HAD CHANGED FROM NOVEMBER TO THIS DECEMBER DRAFT THAT WAS MADE. I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO OPPOSE THE DECEMBER VERSION TO VOTE INSTEAD ON THE NOVEMBER VERSION OF POLICY 1015. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU AS A SCHOOL BOARD CANNOT GUARANTEE HOW ALL CHILDREN AND PARENTS WILL RESPOND TO CERTAIN MATTERS. IN FACT, IT WOULD BE OUT OF LINE FOR ANYONE TO ASSUME THOSE RESPONSES. FOR EXAMPLE, NOT ALL PARENTS ARE GOING TO RESPOND TO A CALL OR AN E-MAIL FROM SCHOOL PERSONNEL REGARDING POOR GRADES OR BAD BEHAVIOR. BUT THAT CONTACT STILL MUST BE MADE. SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT BE A SOCIAL EXPERIMENT. SCHOOL BOARDS MUST SET CLEAR POLICY FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW SO THAT FACTUAL EDUCATION. >> THANK YOU MARY GARBER. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. [APPLAUSE] >> PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE SO WE CAN HAVE THE MEETING IN A TIMELY MANNER. CHRISTINA MEJIA. >> HI, I AM A SCHOOL COUNSELOR, AS WELL AS A MOTHER OF TWO STUDENTS HERE IN CHESTERFIELD. THERE ARE ONLY FOUR TIMES LEGALLY. A COUNSELOR IS SUPPOSED TO BREAK CONFIDENTIALITY, HARM TO SELF, HARM TO OTHERS, IF SOMEONE IS HARMING YOU OR IF THAT CHILD GIVES ME THE CHOICE. THAT IS THE VERBIAGE THE LICENSE CHESTERFIELD REQUIRES US TO HAVE AS COUNSELORS. YOU ASK US TO HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE, YOU ASK US TO HAVE A LICENSE, AND YOUR NEW POLICY WOULD MAKE US GO AGAINST WHAT IS CONSIDERED BEST PRACTICE FOR OUR POLICIES. THE FALSE NARRATIVE THAT WE AS COUNSELORS ARE PUSHING SOME OF AGENDA IS JUST NOT TRUE. SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE NOT THERAPISTS THAT SEE CHILDREN INDIVIDUALLY ALL DAY. MANY OF US ARE PUTTING OUT FIRES IN YOUR BUILDINGS, GOING TO 504IP MEETINGS, TEACHING LESSONS, TRYING TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT RESOLUTION. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFE VOICE FOR OUR STUDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN TELL THEIR STORY WHEN THEY ARE READY TO. THIS BASELESS NEW POLICY WITH THIS FALSE AGENDA, RISKS ISOLATING STUDENTS WHO NEED THE SUPPORT. ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 1,200 THREAT ASSESSMENTS DONE FOR SELF HARM THIS YEAR ALONE IN CHESTERFIELD. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SAT AND HEARD CHILDREN TELL YOU THAT THEY HATE THEIR LIVES. [00:55:01] I HAVE. WITH YOUR NEW POLICY, I'M AFRAID THAT THIS NUMBER IS JUST GOING TO INCREASE. IF YOUR CHILD DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TELLING YOU ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER, THAT IS A HOME ISSUE. THAT IS NOT A SCHOOL ISSUE. COUNSELORS DO NOT WANT TO BE MANDATED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD TO BE PUT IN THE MIDDLE. OUR JOB IS TO TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE THEIR FEELINGS IN SCHOOL AND HOME SO THAT THEY CAN BE REGULATED ENOUGH TO BE EDUCATED. IT IS NOW A FEAR THAT THESE STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN'T TRUST ME, AND TRUST ME, THEY WILL FEEL MORE ALONE, MORE ISOLATED, AND MORE DISCONNECTED. COUNSELORS ARE NOT THIS BAND AID FOR SOME PROBLEM YOU'RE CREATING. IF YOUR CURRENT POLICY IS GOING TO WORK AND YOU'RE OKAY WITH ONE CHILD TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE, THAT IS ON YOUR HANDS. PLEASE, WHEN IS THIS GOING TO END? THE JOB OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR IS TO PROTECT THE CHILD. PLEASE CARE MORE ABOUT THE CHILDREN IN YOUR VOTES. >> THANK YOU CHRISTINA. [APPLAUSE] RANDY HAHN. >> MY NAME IS RANDY HAHN. I'VE WORKED AND LIVED IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR OVER 20 YEARS, PASTOR AT THE HEIGHTS BAPTIST. FATHER OF FOUR KIDS RAISED IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THANK YOU FOR REVISITING THE MODEL POLICY. THANK YOU FOR THE VERSION PRESENTED IN NOVEMBER. I UNDERSTAND MY VIEW IS NOT THE ONLY VIEW. I RESPECT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND SERVE MORE VIEWS THAN JUST MINE. TO BE CLEAR, MY VIEW IS NOT ABOUT GENDER ISSUES. OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S THE ISSUE ON THE TABLE. MY CONCERN IS POLICY THAT ALLOWS THE SCHOOL TO LEAVE PARENTS OUT OF THE PROCESS ON ANY ISSUE FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME. IF WE CAN COME TO THE CONCLUSION ON ONE ISSUE THAT KARENS CAN BE SHOULD BE LEFT OUT, THEN WE WILL COME TO THAT CONCLUSION ON OTHER ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. THAT IS A REALITY, AND THAT VIEW DOES NOT REPRESENT THE LARGE MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I'VE YET TO MEET A PARENT WHO UNDERSTOOD THE POLICY WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER AND WASN'T SHOCKED TO FIND OUT. LET'S NOT TURN RIGHT AND WRONG INTO A CIRCUS OF WHO CAN GET THE MOST PEOPLE HERE ON A TUESDAY NIGHT IN DECEMBER. IF YOU'RE DOING A GOOD THING, THEN LET PARENTS KNOW. WRITE A SIMPLE, CLEAR, ONE PAGE LETTER HOME. LETTING THEM KNOW THE SCHOOL BOARD DOES NOT BELIEVE IT'S NECESSARY. TO HAVE CLEAR LANGUAGE AND POLICY GUIDING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS ON WHAT A PARENT HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN. THE NOVEMBER VERSION OF THE MODEL POLICY IS COMMON SENSE. IT'S WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN ACCEPTED THROUGH MOST VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. PLEASE JOIN THEM. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> GLEN JOHNSON. >> I'M GLEN JOHNSON, PASTOR OF GOOD NEWS FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH, LIVING IN MANTHAN AND PASTOR, OF COURSE, CHURCH IN CLOVER HILL DISTRICT, AND I'M GOING TO THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRMAN AND SCHOOL BOARD FOR WHAT YOU DO. I CAN HONESTLY SAY OUR CHURCH PRAYS FOR YOU AND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT YOU HAVE. IT'S A GREAT ONE. I THINK THE SUBJECT THAT'S ON THE TABLE NOW IS RESONATING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE HERE, A WHOLE LOT AT STAKE. THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH EXPECTATIONS ALMOST, REALLY. DO WE EXPECT FAMILIES TO BE GOOD FAMILIES? ARE WE WILLING TO CUT THE FAMILY OUT OF THE HERD AND SAY, NO, WE DON'T HAVE EXPECTATIONS FOR HOME. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY. AS A PASTOR, I PASTURE SOME GOOD PARENTS AND SOME NOT SO GOOD PARENTS. BUT I WOULD UNDERCUT MY OWN RESPONSIBILITY. IF SOMEHOW I THOUGHT THAT I COULD DIMINISH THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOME AND THE FAMILY. THERE'S GOING TO BE NO WINNERS IN THAT PROPOSITION. IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO YOUR JOB AS REPRESENTING A PART OF THE STATE, YOU NEED TO HELP THE FAMILY BECOME WHAT IT SHOULD BE AND COULD BE AND NOT SOMEHOW DIMINISH THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY. IT'S A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ALL NEED TO BE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS. I WAS NOT THAT GREAT A CHILD. I CONFESS. I DID HAVE GOOD PARENTS, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THE ROLE, BUT IT TOOK A GOOD WHILE FOR ME TO LOOK BACK AND REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT MY FATHER AND MOTHER MEANT TO MY LIFE. IT TAKES SOME TIME. IF I AS A TEENAGER COULD HAVE SOMEHOW CIRCUMVENTED THEM, I THINK I WOULD HAVE. I THINK I WOULD HAVE. WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT. WE NEED THE PARENTS TO BE IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> CHRIS JONES. >> MADAM CHAIR. MADAM VICE CHAIR, [01:00:01] OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. MURRAY AND CCPS STAFF MEMBERS. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHRIS JONES, AND I AM A METOCA DISTRICT RESIDENT WITH FOUR CHILDREN, THE YOUNGEST OF WHICH IS A SIXTH GRADER AT SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND SHARE MY POSITION ON DEEP CREEK ZONING. TO BEGIN, I WANT TO ENSURE YOU HAVE MY POINT OF VIEW ON WHY OPTION 1 IS THE APPROPRIATE OPTION FOR ALL STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT OF THE COUNTY AND FOR THE POSITIVE RIPPLE EFFECT, IT WILL HAVE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL. CAPACITY, CBG PROGRAM, TRANSPORTATION, FEEDER PATTERN INTEGRITY, AND QUITE FRANKLY, ALL THE PLANNING OBJECTIVES OUTLINED BY JOSH DAVIS IN THE PRESENTATION ARE CLEAR REASONS WHY OPTION 1 IS THE BEST AND RIGHT CHOICE. IN ADDITION TO THE OBJECTIVE MEASURES, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE DOUBLE SPLIT THE CHILDREN OF HAMPTON PARK CURRENTLY ENDURE. THEY ARE FIRST SPLIT FROM THEIR FRIENDS FROM WINTER POCK WHEN THEY GO TO SWIFT CREEK AND THEN SPLIT FROM THOSE FRIENDS WHEN THEY GO TO COSBY. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO FIX THAT WITH YOUR VOTE THIS EVENING. THERE ARE TWO QUESTIONS I'M HOPING YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO ADDRESS DURING YOUR DISCUSSION ON THE AGENDA ITEM FOR THE DEP CREEK ZONING DECISION. THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO HEAR THAT DIALOGUE. FIRST, I'M STRUGGLING TO RECONCILE HOW THE PRESENTATION WAS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC WITH THREE OPTIONS, A INCLUDING HAMPTON PARK AND OPTION 1 LABELED AS RECOMMENDED, ONLY TO BE CHANGED TO INCLUDE IN OPTION FIVE THAT DELETED HAMPTON PARK, FAMILIES AND STUDENTS IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE FOXES. YOUR PUBLIC DISCUSSION WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL OF US TO ADDRESS WHY THE CHANGE WAS MADE. SECOND, MR. PERNTO, AT THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, YOU STATED YOU HAD A FOURTH GRADER AT WOOLWICH. DO YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THE FOX CREEK NEIGHBORHOODS OR ONE OF THE FOX NEIGHBORHOODS, IF SO. DOES THIS CONSTITUTE A PERSONAL INTEREST AS DEFINED IN BOTH SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1050 AND IN THE CCPS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT, THE ONE THAT STATES, I WILL REFRAIN FROM USING THE BOARD POSITION FOR PERSONAL OR PARTISAN GAIN AND AVOID ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE MATOACA DISTRICT TO HEAR YOU MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY OPTION 1 IS THE BEST OPTION FOR CHESTERFIELD. >> THANK YOU MR. JONES. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> DONALD STROUD, SENIOR. >> YES, HOW YOU DOING. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVEN TONIGHT. MY NAME IS DONALD STROUD. I HAVE BEEN IN CHESTERFIELDS SINCE 1981. I'VE HAD THREE CHILDREN TO GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. NOW I HAVE FIVE GRANDCHILDREN. TWO OF THEM ARE SCHOOL AGE. BUT I DON'T TRUST AND WE DON'T TRUST THIS COUNTY TO EDUCATE THEM. I'M SORRY TO TELL YOU THAT. BUT ONE STEP YOU CAN MAKE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT CHANGE THAT I CAN TRUST. THE ONE STEP THAT YOU CAN DO IS GO TO THE ORIGINAL YOUNGKIN PLAN POLICY 1015 AND ADOPT IT, NOT THE WATER DOWN VERSION THAT IS OFFERED TONIGHT. IT TOOK THIS BOARD AND I KNOW THAT YOU WANT ON THERE SOME OF IT. BUT IT ONLY TOOK THIS BOARD 30 DAYS TO APPROVE THE GOVERNOR NORKANS PLAN, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO INTO IT. BUT WE'VE BEEN WAITING A YEAR AND A HALF AND ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS BOARD TO ADOPT OUR GOVERNOR'S PLAN YOUNGKIN'S PLAN RIGHT NOW. KIDS CAN'T BUY ALCOHOL OR TOBACCO. THEY CAN'T VOTE. THEY CAN'T EVEN GET A TATTOO WITHOUT A PARENT GUIDANCE. BUT THIS COUNTY THINKS THEY CAN DECIDE THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THEIR GENDER AND KEEP THE PARENTS IN THE DARK. THAT HAS GOT THE END AND HAS GOT THE END TONIGHT. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MR. STROUD. [OVERLAPPING] >> [INAUDIBLE] VOTED. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> JAYCE BRYNER. >> HI. I'M JAYCE BRYNER, AN ART TEACHER AT MEADOWBROOK HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN CHESTERFIELD. EVERY STUDENT DESERVES THE RIGHT TO EXIST AND LEARN IN A SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. RIGHT NOW, THE SCHOOL BOARD IS CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTING POLICIES THAT WOULD PUT SOME OF OUR MOST MARGINALIZED STUDENTS IN EVEN MORE DANGER OF VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION IN AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. I'M TALKING ABOUT POLICY 1015, WHICH SEEKS TO TARGET TRANS AND NON-BINARY CHILDREN. YANKINS 2023 POLICIES, WE ALREADY KNOW, DO NOT RECOGNIZE LGBT PLUS STUDENTS AS A PROTECTED CLASS, WHICH IS IN DIRECT OPPOSITION OF BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL NON-DISCRIMINATION LAWS. [01:05:03] THESE NEW POLICIES CREATE MORE BARRIERS FOR TRANS STUDENTS ACCESSING COUNSELING SERVICES AND REQUIRE TEACHERS TO OUT STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT BE READY TO LET THEIR PARENTS KNOW ABOUT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. FORCED OUTING CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO BEING KICKED OUT OF THE HOUSE, FORCED CONVERSION THERAPY. PHYSICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND EVEN DEATH FOR FAR TOO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I MYSELF HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY OUTED AS TRANSGENDER, AND I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO HAVE FACED VIOLENCE FOR ALSO BEING OUTED AS TRANS OR NON-BINARY, RATHER THAN BEING MADE TO OUT STUDENTS, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO WORK WITH THEM TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WOULD BE SAFE TO INVOLVE PARENTS AND CREATE A PLAN TO GET PARENTAL SUPPORT. MOST OF OUR CURRENT CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TRANS AND NON-BINARY IDENTITIES HAVE BEEN FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE SO-CALLED DANGER THAT TRANS STUDENTS POSE TO OTHER STUDENTS AND RARELY THE SAFETY OF TRANS STUDENTS THEMSELVES. A RECENT STUDY BY NATURE AND HUMAN SHOWS THAT THESE DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES INCREASE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS BY UP TO 72% IN TRANS AND NON-BINARY CHILDREN. AGES 13-17. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OUR STUDENT'S SAFETY AND LIVES IN DANGER BY IMPLEMENTING DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES. I'M GOING TO USE THE REST OF MY TIME TO READ A FEW COMMENTS FROM TRANS STUDENTS THAT I TEACH. I GO TO SCHOOL WHERE IT'S POSSIBLE TO GET JUMPED FOR BEING OUT AS TRANS. THIS IS HARMFUL AND IT COULD COST LIVES. I WOULD BE KICKED OUT IF I WAS OUTED TO MY FAMILY. THANK YOU. >> KIDD. >> I AM HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADOPT THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S MODEL POLICY AND USE THE SAMPLE POLICY THEY INCLUDED IN IT. YOUR DECEMBER 6TH REVISION OF THE 1015 POLICY DOES NOT FOLLOW THE MODEL POLICY. WHY NOT? YOUR POLICY REQUIRES STAFF TO INFORM THE PARENT OF ANY REQUEST BY THEIR STUDENT TO ASSERT A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD. BUT YOU DO NOT SPECIFY WHO, HOW, AND WHEN THEY WILL INFORM THE PARENTS. THIS ALSO DOES NOT INCLUDE PRONOUN CHANGES. IN YOUR POLICY, YOU HAVE REMOVED THE DETAILED REFERENCES TO SCHOOL COUNSELING OF STUDENTS RELATED TO GENDER. YOU ARE REQUIRING THE PARENT TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL AND OPT OUT OF GENDER COUNSELING. WHY DOES THIS PARENT HAVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE HERE? TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS SHOULD NOT COUNSEL ON GENDER IDENTITY UNLESS THEY FIRST CONTACT THE PARENT. I WONDER IF THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COUNSEL STUDENTS AND CONCEAL IT FROM PARENTS. IN YOUR POLICY, YOU HAVE PUSHED THE QUESTION OF GENDER WITHIN ATHLETICS TO THE STUDENT ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS. YOU KNOW THAT THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE ONLY REQUIRES THAT A STUDENT EXHIBITS AS THE GENDER IDENTITY ON A DAILY BASIS IN ORDER TO BE APPROVED TO PLAY IN THE SPORT OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. YOU HAVE REMOVED DETAILS RELATED TO BATHROOM USE TO THE POINT THAT IT IS VAGUE, AND NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. YOU ARE NOT AT ALL IMPLEMENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S MODEL POLICY ENTITLED, "ENSURING PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN VIRGINIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS." THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY STATES THAT SCHOOLS SHALL RESPECT PARENTS' VALUES AND BELIEFS. SCHOOLS SHALL DEFER TO PARENTS. I URGE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> DO NOT VOTE FOR THE POLICY TONIGHT. >> JASON SPOON. >> MY NAME IS JASON SPOON. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF SPEAK UP CHESTERFIELD, WITH ALL THE PROTECT EVERY KID SIGNS BACK HERE. I'M A PARENT OF THREE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. I'D LIKE TO START B THANKING YOU FOR INTRODUCING THE REVISED POLICY 1015 IN NOVEMBER. I RECOGNIZE THAT CONSIDERING POLICIES THAT SUPPORT PARENTAL RIGHTS IS NOT ALWAYS POPULAR. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF COURAGE. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF CONVICTION AND CHARACTER. FORTITUDE IN THE SPINE OF STILL TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF CHESTERFIELD WERE PRO TO STAND UP WITH YOU AND SUPPORT THE NOVEMBER VERSION OF MODEL POLICY 1015. WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT IS PRESENTED HERE IN DECEMBER IS A COMPLETE 180 DEGREES FROM WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN NOVEMBER. WE WENT FROM A POLICY OF STRONG CONVICTION TO MILK TOAST. WE WENT FROM A PROPOSED POLICY THAT BROUGHT PARENTS BACK INTO THE CONVERSATION IF THEIR CHILD IS EXPERIMENTING AT SCHOOL WITH TRANSGENDERISM TO A POLICY THAT DOESN'T EVEN ADDRESS IT. WE WENT FROM A POLICY THAT PROTECTED BATHROOMS AND SAFE SPACES TO A POLICY THAT DOESN'T EVEN ADDRESS IT. NOW, I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL GOING TO TRY TO SELL US THIS POLICY TONIGHT AND TELL US HOW IT [01:10:03] RESPECTS PARENTS AND TOUCHES ON ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR. BUT THIS POLICY SERIOUSLY MISSES THE MARK. WE ASK FOR A STRONG POLICY THAT GIVES EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS TO TEACHER, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATORS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS. WHILE THERE ARE SOME IMPLICATIONS THAT PARENTS MIGHT BE MADE AWARE OF SOME THINGS, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO GIVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO PARENTS. IT KEEPS THE BURDEN ON PARENTS TO CONTINUALLY SCROUNGE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE OFFERED FREELY. LOOK, SINCE COVID, PARENTS HAVE STRUGGLED TO TRUST THE VERY TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH WHOM WE MUST TRUST OUR CHILDREN. PARENTS WERE HOPING THAT POLICY 1015 MIGHT HELP TO REPAIR THAT TRUST, BUT THIS BODY MIGHT FINALLY EXTEND THE HAND OF PARTNERSHIP TO PARENTS OF CHESTERFIELD. IT'S AS IF WE'RE TO ASSUME THAT YOU KNOW BETTER THAN US ABOUT HOW BEST TO TREAT OUR CHILDREN. THIS POLICY IS A JOKE. IT'S AN INSULT TO PARENTS WHO ADVOCATED FOR THE VEOE. >> THANK YOU, JASON SPOON. >>THANKS. >> MADAM CHAIR, WILL CALL UP THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS OF TEN. ALLISON CRERIE, IF YOU COULD LINE UP TO THE RIGHT OR ALONG THE SIDE OF THE WALLS, ALLISON CRERIE, DEANNA LOSEN, DAVID GORMAN, CATHERINE PATTERSON, ROBERT MATOS, JHAYDEN MADOLID, MARY HARVEY, GINA PROMERING, JACKIE SLEMAKER, AND JOSH HETZLER. ALLISON CRERIE. >> HI, I'M ALLISON. I'M A TEACHER AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL WITH NINE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SEVEN YEARS WITH CCPS. I'VE COME HERE TONIGHT TO MAKE CLEAR SOME ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT DRAFTED POLICY 1015, AND HOW WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE FUNCTIONING OF STAFF AND STUDENTS, AND HOW IT CONTRADICTS ITSELF IN PROBLEMATIC WAYS THAT WILL CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS. REALISTICALLY, MANY TEACHERS ARE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THIS POLICY. EITHER THEY WILL RATHER SPEND THEIR TIME ACTUALLY INSTRUCTING STUDENTS AND PLANNING LESSONS IN GRADING STUDENT WORK OR BECAUSE THEY FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE WITH THE POLICY'S DISCRIMINATORY FOUNDATION THAT ULTIMATELY HARMS THEIR STUDENTS. ADMINISTRATORS WILL THEN BE FACED WITH POTENTIALLY HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS NOT FOLLOWING SCHOOL BOARD POLICY. WHAT ARE THESE ADMINISTRATORS TO DO? THEY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON HOW TO CONSEQUENCE THESE TEACHERS. THIS WILL TAKE TIME, PROBABLY MANY MEETINGS. WHATEVER CONSEQUENCE THEY DECIDE WILL TAKE TIME, PROBABLY MANY MEETINGS, PROBABLY MANY DISAGREEMENTS. IS THIS THE BEST USE OF ADMINISTRATOR TIME? BEFORE YOU PASS THIS UPDATED POLICY, YOU SHOULD DEEPLY CONSIDER, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE FOR US TO SPEND OUR TIME. SECOND, I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS A GLARING CONTRADICTION THAT WILL CAUSE CONFUSION AND MORE PROBLEMS, THAT WILL DISTRACT FROM THE ACTUAL WORK OF TEACHING. THIS POLICY AT ONCE PROHIBITS HARASSMENT AND BULLYING AND THEN CREATES THE VERY CONDITIONS THAT GIVE RISE TO HARASSMENT AND BULLYING. THE REVISION OF SECTION 3 STATES THAT SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO DO NOT USE A STUDENT'S PREFERRED NAME WILL NOT BE FOUND TO HAVE DISCRIMINATED OR HARASSED A STUDENT. USING AN INCORRECT OR NOT PREFERRED NAME AND PRONOUNS FOR A PERSON IS DISRESPECTFUL. SECTION 1 MANDATES THAT REPORTS OF HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND BULLYING BASED ON A STUDENT'S ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED GENDER IDENTITY SHALL BE HANDLED AS ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING INCIDENT AND TAKING PROPER ACTION. >> DEANNA LOSEN. DEANNA LOSEN. DAVID GORMAN. >> HELLO AGAIN. I'M DAVID GORMAN. I'M A SCHOOL COUNSELOR HERE IN CHESTERFIELD HERE TO SPEAK AGAIN ABOUT DRAFT POLICY 1015. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR SOME OF THE RECENT CHANGES COMPARED TO THE NOVEMBER POLICY, THAT YOU REMOVE SOME ASPECTS THAT WOULD HARM TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AND DISRUPT THE COUNSELING SERVICES OF ALL STUDENTS. I APPRECIATE ALSO THAT YOU PUT BACK IN THE REQUIRED TRAINING FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS REGARDING SAFETY AND SUPPORT OF LGBT STUDENTS. THANK YOU FOR BEING RECEPTIVE TO OUR FEEDBACK AND OUR CONCERNS. HOWEVER, THE PROPOSED POLICY, THIS TIME IS STILL NOT AS ROBUST IN PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SAFETY TO TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. I'M ASKING YOU TONIGHT TO VOTE NO AND KEEP THE CURRENT POLICIES IN PLACE. [01:15:02] THE PROPOSED POLICY STATES IN SECTION 3, PARAGRAPH 4 THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS POLICY, THE SCHOOL DIVISION SHALL NOT COMPEL SCHOOL DIVISION PERSONNEL OR OTHER STUDENTS TO ADDRESS OR REFER TO STUDENTS IN ANY MANNER THAT WOULD VIOLATE THEIR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS. IN SIMPLE TERMS, THIS IS HOW I READ THAT POLICY. DESPITE ALL THAT LANGUAGE ABOUT ANTI-BULLYING AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION. IF A SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER OR STUDENT WANTS TO INTENTIONALLY DISRESPECT A TRANSGENDER STUDENT, THEY CAN, AND CCPS WILL ALLOW THIS DISCRIMINATION. THIS IS A FREE PASS TO DISCRIMINATE AND HARASS TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. IT'S A FREE PASS FOR STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS TO INTENTIONALLY HARM A TRANS STUDENT BY USING THEIR WRONG NAME AND PRONOUNS BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT VIOLATES THEIR RIGHTS. HERE ARE TWO SCENARIOS OF HOW THIS COULD PLAY OUT FOR A TRANS KID. LET'S CALL HIM JASON. JASON'S SCIENCE TEACHER REFUSES TO CALL HIM JASON. HE REFERS TO JASON AS JUDY AND USES SHE, HER PRONOUNS. JASON HATES GOING TO SCIENCE AND FACING DAILY DISRESPECT AND HARASSMENT FROM HIS TEACHER. HIS SCIENCE GRADE COULD DROP BECAUSE HE'S DISTRACTED AND DISENGAGED. HE CERTAINLY WON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE ASKING FOR HELP OR ATTENDING HIS TEACHER'S OFFICE HOURS. PERHAPS. THANK YOU. JASON. HE EVEN STARTS SKIPPING SCHOOL. THANK YOU. >> CATHERINE PATTERSON. >> HI. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CATHERINE PATTERSON, AND FIRST, I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU FOR THE TIME YOU SPEND IN SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS, AND I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T BE ON THIS BOARD IF YOU DID NOT LOVE OUR STUDENTS AND WANT THE BEST FOR THEM. THAT'S WHY I'M VERY CONCERNED AND ACTUALLY IN SHOCK THAT YOU HAVE REVISED THE POLICY OF 1015. YOU HAVE MADE SINCE THE NOVEMBER MEETING. KEY STEPS REGARDING PARENTAL RIGHTS AND HOW TO HANDLE GENDER ISSUES HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT AND SUBSTITUTED WITH LANGUAGE THAT IS VAGUE AND UNCLEAR. I AM ASKING FOR TANGIBLE CONCRETE STEPS, MAKING IT CLEAR NO POLICY OR GUIDANCE FROM THE SCHOOL CAN ENCOURAGE OR INSTRUCT TEACHERS TO CONCEAL RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM PARENTS ABOUT THEIR KIDS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING GENDER EXPERIMENTATION AT SCHOOL. I AM ADVOCATING FOR ALL PARENTS AND FOR ALL OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL. WE NEED LANGUAGE THAT WILL PROTECT EVERY KID AND ENSURE THAT PARENTS ARE PUT BACK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. REMEMBER SAGE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHEN HER PARENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF HER GENDER DYSPHORIA. SHE RAN AWAY AND ENDED UP IN SEX TRAFFICKING. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PARENTS HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO, I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 42 YEARS, 34 OF THEM RIGHT HERE AT IN CCPS. BEING A TEACHER IS MORE THAN A JOB FOR ME, IT IS MY PASSION. HOWEVER, I ALSO KNOW I AM NOT THE ONE WHO SHOULD MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR MY STUDENTS. THAT IS UP TO THE PARENTS. I ALSO KNOW TEACHERS ARE NOT ALL LIKE-MINDED, HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AND A FEW SHOULD NOT BE TEACHING AT ALL, AND ONE I KNOW ACTUALLY PUT HER STUDENTS IN HARM'S WAY. MY POINT IS THAT TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, PRINCIPALS, AND ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD HAVE STRICT GUIDELINES FOR WHEN AND HOW THEY CAN COUNSEL STUDENTS. THE REVISIONS DO NOT MAKE THAT CLEAR. FINALLY, REGARDING BATHROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS, IT'S JUST PLAIN COMMON SENSE THAT STUDENTS USE THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX. THIS PROTECTS EVERY KID. I KNOW WE AGREE THAT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM HARM. PLEASE VOTE TO PASS THE VERSION PROPOSED AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING. >> THANK YOU. >> PART 1015. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ROBERT MATOS. ROBERT MATOS. JHAYDEN MADOLID. MARY HARVEY. >> MY NAME IS MARY, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR OVER 45 YEARS. MY TWO CHILDREN WENT TO CHESTERFIELD AND I HAD A GRANDCHILD THAT ALSO WENT. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN. IT IS WRONG FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO ASSUME THAT PARENTS WILL BE AGAINST TRANSGENDER IDENTITY. THE PARENTS LOVE, CARE FOR, AND SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN MORE THAN ANYONE AT SCHOOL EVER COULD. LET'S ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN MOST CASES, A MOM WHO CARRIED THE CHILD FOR NINE MONTHS AND GAVE BIRTH TO THE STUDENT IS RIGHT HERE IN HER CHILD'S LIFE. [01:20:04] STOP TRYING TO REPLACE THE PARENTS. YOU DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO HIDE INFORMATION FROM PARENTS, NOR SHOULD PARENTS HAVE TO REQUEST INFORMATION FROM YOU IN WRITING. ANYTIME TEACHERS OR STAFF OBSERVE ANY MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGY-TYPE CHANGES IN A STUDENT, THE PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. WHETHER IT'S A BROKEN LEG, TROUBLE BREATHING, SUICIDAL COMMENTS, OR EXPERIMENTATION WITH GENDER IDENTITY. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS OPENING ITSELF TO LAWSUITS FROM PARENTS, IF AND WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS TO A STUDENT, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TIMELY COMMUNICATION TO PARENTS OR BECAUSE A CHILD IS ASSAULTED BY ANOTHER STUDENT. WE'VE ALREADY HAD THAT. WHO WAS IN A BATHROOM OR LOCKER ROOM THAT DOES NOT MATCH BIOLOGICAL SEX? BIOLOGICAL BOYS SHOULD NOT BE IN A GIRL'S RESTROOM. WOULD EITHER OF YOU WOMEN LIKE TO HAVE THAT IN A BATHROOM THAT YOU WERE GOING TO? >> THANK YOU, MARY. >> YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. GINA PROMERING? GINA PROMERING? JACKIE SLEMAKER. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JACKIE SLEMAKER. THIS IS MY 16TH YEAR AS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I'M ALSO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PARENT. I'M HERE BECAUSE I CONTINUE TO HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT US BEING FORCED TO OUT OUR STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS, THE ONLY EXCEPTION BEING THAT STUDENTS DISCLOSE ABUSE AT HOME OR THAT STUDENTS ARE AT AN IMMINENT RISK OF SUICIDE. I'VE HAD GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS IN MY CAREER. WE MIGHT NOT ALWAYS AGREE, BUT WE ALWAYS FIND COMMON GROUND IN WANTING WHAT'S BEST FOR A CHILD. I WANT TO START THIS OFF BY SAYING THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN OUR DISTRICT ARE LOVING, KIND, AND SUPPORTIVE. THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN WITH THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY HAVE. PARENTING IS NOT EASY. I'M NOT PERFECT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I HOPE MY CHILDREN FEEL UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED AND SUPPORTIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE. HOWEVER, AND I'M ABOUT TO TAKE IT TO A DARK PLACE, NOT ALL CHILDREN COME FROM LOVING HOMES. IF IT'S THAT BAD, A CHILD WILL ASK FOR HELP. THAT'S A DIRECT QUOTE FROM MR. PERNTO AT THE LAST MEETING, AND IS THE REASON I'M HERE TONIGHT. SOME OF YOU HAVE NEVER LOOKED A CHILD IN THE EYES WHO WAS TERRIFIED TO GO HOME IN HIS SHOWS. I'VE BEEN IN THAT POSITION MORE TIMES THAN I'VE EVER WANTED TO BE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT KIDS WHO SAY MY PARENTS ARE GOING TO KILL ME HYPERBOLICALLY. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE KIDS WHO GENUINELY FEAR THEIR PARENTS. I'VE SEEN MARKS ON CHILDREN AND HEARD STORIES OF ABUSE THAT WILL HAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. THE HORRIFIC THINGS THAT MAKE ME COME HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOLD MY CHILDREN CLOSE WITH TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE. EVEN IN THE MOST EXTREME CASES OF ABUSE THAT I'VE REPORTED, IT TOOK THOSE CHILDREN MONTHS OR YEARS TO TELL AN ADULT. THESE CHILDREN WERE OPERATING FROM A PLACE OF SURVIVAL OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR SIBLINGS. THEY WERE EXPLICITLY TOLD TO KEEP THEIR MOUTHS CLOSED. THEY WERE TOLD IF YOU THINK IT'S BAD NOW, JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU TELL SOMEONE. THEY FEARED THAT THEIR FAMILY WOULD BE TORN APART. TO SAY IF IT'S THAT BAD, THE LAST FOR HEALTH IS HEARTLESS AND COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY. STUDENTS AREN'T GOING TO APPROACH AN ADULT THAT THEY'VE JUST MET AND AREN'T SURE THAT THEY CAN TRUST TO DISCLOSE A HISTORY OF ABUSE JUST SO THEIR PARENTS AREN'T NOTIFIED THAT THEY ASKED TO GO BY A DIFFERENT DAVID AT SCHOOL. I'VE ALSO WORKED WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. BECAUSE WHEN SOME KIDS SAY, MY PARENTS WILL DISOWN ME IF THEY FIND OUT, THEY MEAN IT. SOME OF THOSE KIDS WERE PHYSICALLY ABUSED BY THEIR-. >> THANK YOU, JACKIE [APPLAUSE]. JOSH HETZLER. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSH HETZLER. I'M LEGAL COUNSEL FOR FOUNDING FREEDOMS LAW CENTER, AND I'M A RESIDENT AND PARENT IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I WANT TO LAY OUT A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR YOU TO USE AS YOU THINK ABOUT REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015. STATE LAW IS CLEAR. THE SCHOOL BOARD MUST PASS POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THE VOE MODEL POLICIES. THE CURRENT DRAFT SIMPLY DOES NOT DO THIS. FOR EXAMPLE, THESE POLICIES DO NOT PROTECT GIRLS FROM BOYS IN BATHROOMS, LOCKER ROOMS, OR OVERNIGHT LODGING. THEY SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT A STUDENT CAN CLAIM TO BE ANY GENDER WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE, AND THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS. SECONDLY, AS FOR FEDERAL LAW, THE RECENT TITLE 9 REGULATIONS ON TRANSGENDER STUDENTS ARE NOT IN EFFECT IN VIRGINIA. A FEDERAL COURT SUSPENDED THEM IN JULY IN A CASE CALLED TENNESSEE VERSUS CARDONA. FINALLY, MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE FOURTH CIRCUIT OPINION IN GRAM VERSUS GLOUCESTER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. [01:25:01] I TRUST THAT YOU HAVE ALL RECEIVED OUR LEGAL MEMO ON THE IMPACT OF THAT CASE. WE KNOW THAT THIS CASE IS LIKELY OF NO PRESIDENTIAL VALUE GIVEN THE COURT'S REASONING THAT LED TO ITS DECISION. HOWEVER, EVEN IF GRAM WERE TO APPLY, IT ONLY APPLIES TO A VERY NARROW FACT SET. NOTABLY, THE COURT DID NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF LOCKER ROOMS, OVERNIGHT LODGING, PRONOUNS, PARENTAL RIGHTS ISSUES, OR ATHLETICS. THE STUDENT IN THAT CASE, HAD RECEIVED A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS FROM A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND PARENTS WERE INVOLVED AND IN FULL SUPPORT. THE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES HAD BEEN CHANGED. THE STUDENT HAD UNDERGONE SO CALLED GENDER REASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES. NOTHING WOULD PREVENT THIS BOARD FROM PASSING POLICIES THAT ALIGN WITH THE VOE MODEL POLICIES WHILE MAKING NARROW EXCEPTIONS WHERE IT FELT FEDERAL LAW SO REQUIRED. THIS BOARD HAS NO LEGAL EXCUSES TO REFRAIN FROM PASSING POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THE YOUNGKIN MODEL POLICIES. I IMPLORE YOU TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. >> THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS ARE VIRGINIA LAFSER, PETER PISAREK, CHRIS BOSSOLA, ANDREA TORRES, GEORGE BURDINE, OLIVIA GUNTER, MARGAUX SPIEGELTHAL, SARAH ABRAHAM, AND ADAM MANSFIELD. MAY WE HAVE VIRGINIA LAFSER. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT TO SUPPORT TRANS STUDENTS. I AM A MOM OF THREE CHILDREN LIVING IN THE CLOVER HILL DISTRICT. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, IF YOU COULD NOT TELL ALREADY [LAUGHTER]. OVER THE WEEKEND, MY SPOUSE CALLED TO ME FROM THE OTHER ROOM IN A PANIC. HE WAS SCARED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR SAY. ONE OF HIS FRIENDS, A TRANS WOMAN WAS CHATTING WITH HIM ONLINE AND SHE SAID THAT SHE WANTED TO END HER LIFE. THE RESULTS OF THE RECENT ELECTION MADE HER LIFE THAT MUCH HARDER. SHE IS RECEIVING THREATS AND HARASSMENT DUE TO HER IDENTITY. SHE IS SCARED AND DOES NOT SEE A PATH FORWARD. NOW, I HAVE SOME TRAINING FOR MY PREVIOUS JOB ON HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SUICIDAL, SO I HOPPED ON AND HELPED HIM FIGURE OUT WHAT TO SAY. WE SHARED SOME HOTLINES AND SOME OTHER RESOURCES WITH HER, TOO. THE CHAT ENDED ON HER DECIDING TO STICK AROUND FOR HER SPOUSE'S SAKE, BUT SHE IS STILL VERY MUCH DEPRESSED AND STRUGGLING. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE THE FUTURE FOR MY KIDS, THEIR FRIENDS, OR ANY OTHER KIDS WHO ARE DEVELOPING THEIR OWN GENDER EXPRESSION. I DON'T WANT THEM TO FEEL SO UNSUPPORTED THAT THEY CONSIDER ENDING THEIR LIVES. YOU MAY THINK THAT I AM BEING DRAMATIC OR HYPERBOLIC, AND I ASSURE YOU I AM NOT. RESEARCH FROM THE TREVOR PROJECT REPORTS THAT KIDS ATTENDING SCHOOLS WITH EVEN ONE ANTI LGBTQ POLICY, OF WHICH THE CURRENT DRAFT OF 1015 HAS SEVERAL ARE EXPERIENCING MUCH HIGHER RATES OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND THOUGHTS OF SERIOUS THOUGHTS OF CONSIDERING SUICIDE, UP TO A QUARTER OF THESE KIDS REPORTED ACTUAL SUICIDE ATTEMPTS. YOU HAVE A CHOICE HERE TONIGHT TO MAKE A REAL AND LASTING DIFFERENCE ON THESE STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH. THEIR LIVES ARE DEPENDING ON IT. ARE YOU READY TO SHOW THAT YOU CARE? >> THANK YOU, VIRGINIA [APPLAUSE]. PETER PISAREK. CHRIS BOSSOLA. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS CHRIS BOSSOLA, AND I AM THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE ENDOWMENT PROJECT FOUNDATION. OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGH COMMUNITY DRIVEN PHILANTHROPY. IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE RAISED NEARLY $1,000,000 FOR VIRGINIA SCHOOLS THROUGH ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. ACROSS VIRGINIA, WE'VE CREATED FUND RAISING PLATFORMS FOR APPROXIMATELY 300 HIGH SCHOOLS AND PROVIDED FUNDS TO 80 OF THEM. AS OF APRIL 2024, EIGHT MONTHS AGO, WE HAVE 80 THAN DOLLAR IN DONATIONS READY TO SUPPORT CHESTERFIELD HIGH SCHOOLS BASED ON NEEDS IDENTIFIED CONVERSATIONS WITH PRINCIPALS AT SPECIFIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN CHESTERFIELD. ON JULY 30TH, 2024, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THIS BOARD'S ATTORNEY REQUESTING THAT WE DISCONTINUE FUND RAISING FOR CCPS SCHOOLS. THIS WAS UNEXPECTED, ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR PRIOR CONVERSATIONS WITH BOARD REPRESENTATIVES INDICATED SUPPORT FOR OUR EFFORTS. [01:30:02] SPECIFICALLY ON AUGUST 10TH, 2023, MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I MET WITH YOUR ATTORNEY, MR. WENDELL ROBERTS, WHO SHARED NO CONCERNS ABOUT OUR WORK. CHAIRPERSON HEFFRON, YOU AND I MET ON APRIL 4TH, 2024, AND YOU EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR OUR WORK AND SUGGEST THAT WE STAY IN TOUCH. SUPERINTENDENT MURRAY? WHEN WE MET, WE SPOKE ON JUNE 18TH, 2024. YOU THANK US FOR THE GOOD WORK WE'VE DONE SUPPORTING CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS. UNFORTUNATELY, CHESTERFIELD PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO ENGAGE WITH US HINDERING OUR ABILITY TO SUPPORT THEIR SCHOOLS, WHILE WE COMPLIED WITH THE BOARD'S REQUEST BY TEMPORARILY REMOVING CHESTERFIELD FUND RAISING SITES IN AUGUST OF 2024. THIS IMPASS HAS DELAYED THE $80,000 IN GRANTS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TODAY AND FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS TO DEPLOY TO CHESTERFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND HAS LED TO A LOSS IN RENEWED AND NEW DONATIONS TO THESE SCHOOLS THAT ARE IMMEASURABLE. WE GENUINELY WANT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, AND OUR GOAL IS NOT TO BYPASS CCPS, BUT TO BE A PARTNER WITH YOU TO ENHANCE STUDENTS AND TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES. THEREFORE, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD TO ONE, ALLOW US TO DEPLOY THE $80,000 IN GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED FOR CHESTERFIELD HIGH SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS NEEDS THAT PRINCIPALS HAVE IDENTIFIED TO US. ALLOW PRINCIPALS TO ENGAGE WITH US, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD THE MOMENTUM WE HAVE BUILT WITH THE CHESTERFIELD ALUMNI COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH SCHOOL. IF COLLABORATION IS NOT POSSIBLE, PLEASE OFFICIALLY DECLINE THESE GRANTS, SO WE CAN INFORM OUR DONORS. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. WE'LL BE IN TOUCH. ANDREA TORRES. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANDREA AM. I'M PART OF THE MATOAKA DISTRICT, AND I WAS HERE LAST MONTH SPEAKING ABOUT THE POLICY IN SUPPORT OF THE 10,15 NOVEMBER POLICY THAT GOVERNOR [INAUDIBLE] ISSUED FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SAY IS, THIS CONFLICT THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING IN ALL OF US. THE IMPORTANCE TO INCLUDE THE PARENTS IN EVERY SINGLE MATTER THAT RELATES TO THE SCHOOLS IS IMPERATIVE. WE HEAR A LOT OF THESE THINGS, BUT GENDER PRONOUNCE HAVE BEEN USED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS BECAUSE MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FOR THAT LONG HEARING ABOUT THE GENDER PRONOUNCE. THERE'S NO DISCRIMINATION. DOES KNOW THAT. NOW, WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THE POLITICAL MOTIVATION IN ALL OF THIS THAT NOBODY SAYS, BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO SAY TO KNOW. GENDER IDEOLOGY OR GENDER EQUITY, OR GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, THESE POLICIES HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. YOU GO TO THE USAID THAT OF. I RELEASE THAT HAPPENED IN 2022 THAT SAYS, US GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES LARGEST EVER BUDGET REQUEST 2.6 BILLION TO ADVANCE GENDER EQUITY AND EQUALITY AROUND THE WORLD, HOW MUCH OF THAT MONEY GOES TO THE NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES? NOBODY SPEAKS ABOUT THIS. I HAVE WORKED IN THE LEGAL FIELD. I HAVE SEEN ORGANIZATIONS-. >> THANK YOU, ANDREA. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH [APPLAUSE]. >> GEORGE BURDINE. OLIVIA GUNTER. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS OLIVIA GUNTER. I AM 18-YEARS-OLD AND CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT BRIGHT POINT COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THIS PAST SUMMER, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATING IN A MISSION TRIP TO ETHIOPIA, A VILLAGE IN ETHIOPIA CALLED GENDA TESFA LOCATED IN DIRE DAWA. GENDA TESFA, WHICH MEANS PLACE OF HOPE WAS AND STILL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPOVERISHED VILLAGES IN ETHIOPIA. BUT WITH LOTS OF HELP AND RESOURCES, WE ARE WORKING TO BRING HOPE TO GENDA TESFA. I TRAVELED WITH A TEAM OF TEACHERS AND TEACHER ASSISTANTS, AND ONE OF OUR PRIMARY GOALS WAS TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR AN ENGLISH EXAM THAT IS CRITICAL FOR THEIR ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION. THIS INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL. [01:35:04] AS PART OF OUR MISSION, WE HAVE BROUGHT ESSENTIAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES INCLUDING 50 CHROMEBOOKS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO GENDA TESFA PRIMARY SCHOOL. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE GENEROUS DONATION, THE SCHOOL STILL FACES CHALLENGES. WITH OVER 1,200 STUDENTS RANGING FROM GRADES 1-8, THE 50 AVAILABLE CHROMEBOOKS FALL FAR SHORT, REQUIRING ABOUT 24 STUDENTS TO SHARE ONE DEVICE. IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DONATED 30 CHROMEBOOKS. WITH THAT INCREDIBLE DONATION, WE WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE FIRST EVER COMPUTER LAB IN GENDA TESFA. THIS PAST JULY, WE BROUGHT AN ADDITIONAL 20. THESE DONATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO NOTICEABLY TRANSFORM THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND FOR TEACHERS AS THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY SOLELY ON THE VERY LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS OF THE TEACHERS. I'M REACHING OUT TO YOU JUST FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CHROMEBOOKS TO GENDA TESFA PRIMARY SCHOOL. THESE DEVICES WILL ULTIMATELY ENABLE THEM TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN WHICH SO MANY OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY TRAPPED. THE DIRE DAWA METROPOLITAN AREA HOME TO OVER 750,000 PEOPLE, THESE ARE THE ONLY COMPUTER LABS IN ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE AREA, MAKING THIS DONATION EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL. THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THESE CHILDREN LIVE IN ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. MANY FAMILIES RESIDE IN INCREDIBLY SMALL TIN OR MUD HOUSES THAT LACK BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS RUNNING WATER, ELECTRICITY, OR PLUMBING. THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS SO SEVERE THAT MANY STUDENTS EVEN AFFORD THE REQUIRED SCHOOL UNIFORMS. YET DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, THE CHILDREN ARE EAGER TO LEARN AND MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES. I KINDLY ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN DONATING ADDITIONAL CHROMEBOOKS. >> THANK YOU, OLIVIA. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. MARGAUX SPIEGELTHAL. SARAH ABRAHAM. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SARAH ABRAHAM. I AM THE COUNSELING COORDINATOR AT SALEM CHURCH MIDDLE SCHOOL. I HAVE BEEN A SCHOOL COUNSELOR IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SINCE 2015 AND IN THE EDUCATION FIELD SINCE 2008. I'M ALSO THE PROUD PARENT OF THREE CCPS STUDENTS ONE AT EACH LEVEL. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ADDRESS THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1015, THE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IN CCPS, PARTICULARLY SECTION 2, STUDENT PRIVACY. THIS STATES IN REGARDS TO A STUDENT'S TRANSGENDER STATUS, THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL SHALL ONLY DISCLOSE TO OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL WITH A LEGITIMATE EDUCATIONAL INTEREST AND TO A PARENT OR GUARDIAN UPON REQUEST. FOR SO MANY REASONS, DISCLOSING THIS TYPE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION BEFORE THE STUDENT IS READY COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. IN FACT, I FEAR WOULD DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU'RE HOPING TO ACHIEVE. WHEN A STUDENT COMES TO A SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR A SOCIAL WORKER OR A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, THEY'RE TOLD THAT WHAT THEY TELL US IS CONFIDENTIAL. THE ONLY TIME THAT WE BREAK THAT CONFIDENTIALITY IS THAT THEY TELL US THAT THEY WANT TO HARM THEMSELVES, SOMEONE IS HURTING THEM OR THEY WANT TO HARM SOMEONE ELSE, OR IF THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ANY OF THOSE HAPPENING TO ANOTHER PERSON. THIS HELPS TO BUILD TRUST. IT IS VERY OFTEN, IT'S THAT TRUST THAT ALLOWS US TO TEACH THEM THE SKILLS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND EMPOWER THEM TO HAVE THEIR DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR PARENTS WHEN THEY ARE READY. I FEEL THAT STUDENTS WILL NO LONGER CONFIDE IN US IF IT'S MANDATORY THAT WE INFORM PARENTS WHEN THEY DISCLOSE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR GENDER. I FEEL THEY WILL TURN TO OTHER WAYS THAT COULD BE POSSIBLY UNSAFE OR UNHEALTHY IN AN EFFORT TO COPE. I FEAR THAT ALL STUDENTS WILL NO LONGER SEE THE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES AS AN ALLY REGARDLESS OF THE INFORMATION THEY WANT TO SHARE. TO THE PARENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE BEING LEFT IN THE DARK, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL COUNSELOR. I CAN ASSURE YOU ALL, WE'RE ON THE SAME TEAM AS YOU AND HAVE THE SAME GOAL IN MIND, AND THAT IS THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING OF YOUR CHILD [APPLAUSE]. >> ADAM MANSFIELD. >> HELLO. AM I AUDIBLE? COOL. >> I'M A TEACHER FROM CCPS. GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN HAS SAID TO OUR QUEER STUDENTS TO TRUST THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE THEY LOVE YOU. WHILE WE LIKE TO RELY ON THESE PLATITUDES AND THOUGHT TERMINATING CLICHES, THE REALITY IS MORE COMPLICATED. ACCORDING TO STUDIES BY GALLOP, A CHARITY WITH A FOCUS ON LGBTQ ABUSE, 43% OF TRANS PEOPLE SURVEYED HAD EXPERIENCED HIGHER LEVELS OF ABUSE AT THE HANDS OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR MEMBERS. IF YOU AS A PARENT WOULD REACT POSITIVELY WHEN I CALL HOME TO TELL YOU THAT YOUR CHILD IS TRANS, [01:40:01] THEN YOUR CHILD WOULD LIKELY HAVE ALREADY TOLD YOU. IF YOU AS A PARENT WOULD REACT NEGATIVELY, THEN YOU'RE ASKING ME TO OUT YOUR CHILD AND YOU SHOULD REFLECT ON WHY THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY IF YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB AS A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE PARENT. THERE ARE MANY PRESENT THAT WOULD ARGUE THAT POLICY 1015 IS NECESSARY TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE, BUT NO STUDENT IS MADE SAFER BY A POLICY OF FORCED OUTING. BEST CASE SCENARIO, I'VE TOLD A PARENT THAT ALREADY KNOWS AND IS SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR CHILD'S IDENTITY. WORST CASE SCENARIO, I PUT THIS CHILD ON THE DIRECT PATH OF DANGER. ALLOWING STUDENTS TO SOCIALLY TRANSITION, WHICH MEANS GOING BY DIFFERENT NAME, PRONOUNS, AND OR USING THE BATHROOM THAT ALIGNS THEIR GENDER, HARMS NO ONE. ON THE CONTRARY, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO TRANSITION SOCIALLY DOES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO PROTECT TRANS STUDENTS FROM THE NIGHTMARE THAT IS HAVING TO PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE NOT. IF A STUDENT COMES TO ME AND SAYS, I KNOW THAT MY STUDENT ACCOUNT SAYS JONATHAN, BUT I GO BY JENNY, AND THAT STUDENT IS JENNY AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. IF THAT STUDENT BEGS ME NOT TO TELL THEIR PARENTS, I'LL BE ASKING WHY THAT IS, NOT HANDING THEM OVER TO THOSE THAT THEY TRUST LESS THAN THE ADULT THEY'VE ONLY KNOWN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. DESPITE THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF MANY PRESENT HERE TONIGHT, THESE CHILDREN ARE PEOPLE, NOT PROPERTY. I AM BEHOLDEN TO THEM BEFORE I AM BEHOLDEN TO YOU. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS, BLUE IGUCHI, JOSH WALKER, CAROLINE PSARAKIS, EVA CORNER, ANDRZEJ ACHRUK, LISA MANSFIELD, SAM PRATHER, ERIN JENKINS, JERRI COWAN. AND WE HAVE BLUE IGUCHI. JOSH WALKER. CAROLINE PSARAKIS. SORRY. >> HI. I'M CAROLINE. I'M HERE TO ASK EACH OF YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE EXTREMELY HARMFUL PROPOSED CHANGE TO POLICY 1015. MAINTAINING EQUAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AT SCHOOL FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY TRANS STUDENTS UNDER THE CURRENT POLICY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR BOTH THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND FOR THEIR MENTAL WELL BEING. THIS PROPOSED POLICY, BOTH VERSIONS, NOVEMBER AND THE NEW ONE IN DECEMBER, DESTROY THESE PROTECTIONS AND WOULD DEMONSTRABLY WORSEN THE LIVES OF TRANS STUDENTS. DESPITE THE FEAR MONGERING AND OUTRIGHT LIES PUSHED BY ANTI TRANSGENDER ACTIVISTS AND THE OPENLY PRO THEOCRACY FAMILY FOUNDATION ORGANIZATION, EQUALITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY RIGHTS FOR TRANS STUDENTS HARM ABSOLUTELY NOBODY. THEY ONLY HELP TRANS STUDENTS. LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT THIS PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE WOULD DO. FIRST, IT WOULD FORCE ALL TEACHERS AND STAFF TO OUT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS AGAINST THEIR WILL. WHEN THE STUDENT NEEDS A SAFE ADULT CONFIDE IN AT SCHOOL ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, THEY WILL FIND THAT NO SAFE ADULTS REMAIN, INCLUDING SCHOOL COUNSELORS. ALL WILL BE MANDATED TO REPORT STUDENTS WHO ASKED TO BE CALLED BY THEIR CHOSEN NAME TO THEIR PARENTS, REGARDLESS OF THE STUDENTS SITUATION AT HOME, WHICH IN MANY CASES, SCHOOL STAFF WOULD VERY LIKELY NOT EVEN BE AWARE OF. A PEER REVIEWED STUDY PUBLISHED ON THIS EXACT TOPIC IN 2024 BY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SHOWED THAT TRANS STUDENTS WHO WERE OUTED TO THEIR PARENTS REPORTED HIGHER LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND LOWER LEVELS OF FAMILY SUPPORT, THAT COULD CONSTITUTE MEASURABLE AND SIGNIFICANT HARM TO THOSE STUDENTS THAT YOU WOULD BE DIRECTLY CAUSING IF YOU PASS THIS POLICY. MANY STUDENTS HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE ACCEPTING OF THEM AFTER THEY COME OUT AS TRANS, BUT OTHERS UNFORTUNATELY HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT ACCEPTING AT ALL. THIS PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE ACTIVELY ENDANGERS THOSE STUDENTS AND PUTS THEM AT HIGH RISK OF ABUSE, BEING KICKED OUT, AND A HOSTILE HOME ENVIRONMENT. IT ALSO EXPOSES THESE STUDENTS TO THE RISK OF BEING SENT TO HARMFUL CONVERSION THERAPY PROGRAMS OUT OF STATE. WE KNOW THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE IT ALREADY HAPPENS TO MANY TRANS KIDS [OVERLAPPING]. >> THANK YOU, CAROLINE. [APPLAUSE] EVA CORNER. >> ONE PROPOSED CHANGE TO POLICY 1015 IS THE RESTRICTION OF PEOPLE TO BATHROOMS THAT MATCH THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX. IT IS A COMMON BELIEF THAT ALLOWING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE TO USE THE BATHROOM GENDER TO [01:45:01] THE IDENTITY THAT THEY IDENTIFY WITH WILL RESULT IN VIOLENCE INFLICTED ON CISGENDER STUDENTS. IN REALITY, THIS IS PERFIDY TO ANY KIND OF SIGNIFICANT EMPIRICAL TO GLEANED FROM THE EXCESS OF RECORDS WE HAVE. A PEER REVIEWED STUDY CONDUCTED BY AMIRA HASENBUSH COMPARED REGIONS WITH AND WITHOUT LEGISLATION LIKE 1015, AND IT CONCLUDED FEARS OF INCREASED SAFETY AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS AS A RESULT OF NON DISCRIMINATION LAWS ARE NOT EMPIRICALLY GROUNDED. WELL, THIS IS ONE STUDY, IT IS FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE LIKE IT. INDEED, NOT ONLY DO STUDIES NOT SHOW THAT THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN POLICIES LIKE 1015 AND A DECREASE IN SAFETY, THEY SHOW THAT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO FACE THE BRUNT OF VIOLENT VICTIMIZATION THAN CISGENDER PEOPLE. USLA RESEARCHERS FOUND THROUGH DATA FROM THE 2017 AND 2018 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMIZATION SURVEY, THE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WERE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME FOUR TIMES MORE THAN CISGENDER PEOPLE, AND EXPERIENCED 86.2 VIOLENT VICTIMIZATIONS OUT OF 1,000 IN CONTRAST WITH THE CISGENDER, 21.7. AGAIN, THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY STATISTICS SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE, BUT I FOUND LITERALLY DOZENS AND IT WOULD TAKE UP FAR MORE THAN THE ALLOTTED TIME. FURTHERMORE, WHILE TRANS GIRLS ARE OFTEN THE ONES PERCEIVED AS PREDATORY, IN REALITY, IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO GO INTO MALE BATHROOMS NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL OF SOCIAL OR VISIBLE TRANSITION THEY HAVE UNDERGONE. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR BOYS DEEMED AS FEMININE TO FEEL ACCEPTED BY THEIR PEERS OFTEN BEING VICTIMS OF TAUNTING OR EVEN ABJECT VIOLENCE. FOR TRANSGENDER GIRLS, A LOT OF THESE STRUGGLES ARE FACED TO THE EXTREME, ESPECIALLY IN SUCH AN ENCLOSED UNSUPERVISED MALE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT. I PERSONALLY KNOW MORE THAN ONE TRANSGENDER GIRL, AND I CAN SAY THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL UNSAFE WITH ANY OF THEM IN AN ACCOMPANYING STALL. REVISED POLICY CHANGES STATE THAT WHILE PEOPLE WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE THE BATHROOM ACCOMPANYING BIOLOGICAL SEX, BULLYING AND HARASSMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED. BULLYING AND HARASSMENT DOESN'T STOP BECAUSE A POLICY IS PROHIBITED. >> THANK YOU, EVA. [APPLAUSE] ANDRZEJ ACHRUK. >> MY NAME IS ANDRZEJ ACHRUK. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR OFFERING THIS TIME TO HEAR MY VOICE AND THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY. I COME FROM A PLACE OF PATIENCE, TOLERANCE, AND LOVE. WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE CHANGES MADE TO POLICY 1015, THE GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN REVISION, BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON SENSE REVISION. WE AS PARENTS NEED TO BE INFORMED ABOUT OUR CHILDREN. MUCH LIKE IF MY CHILD WAS SQUINTING IN CLASS, I WOULD EXPECT A TEACHER TO LET ME KNOW HE MIGHT NEED TO HAVE SOME GLASSES. IF A KID CHOOSES A DIFFERENT GENDER, GENDER CONFUSION IS CORRELATED TO MANY MENTAL NEUROSES: DEPRESSION, SELF-HARM, SUICIDE, AND ADDICTION. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE INFORM PARENTS QUICKLY TO ENSURE PROPER SUPPORT. WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, NOT IDEOLOGY, THEOLOGY, OR POLITICS, BUT WELFARE OF CHILDREN. THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FORBIDS GOVERNMENT ACTORS FROM ACQUIRING INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO ADHERE TO OR ADAPT PARTICULAR IDEOLOGICAL BELIEFS. FURTHERMORE, WE ARE CONFUSING OUR CHILDREN. I FEAR THAT WITHOUT THESE AMENDMENTS, THERE'S A CLEAR PATH TO INDOCTRINATE OUR VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH OUR OWN IDEOLOGY. IT IS OUR DUTY TO ENSURE AN EDUCATION TO ALL THE KIDS AND PUT ASIDE ANY AGENDAS. I VOLUNTEER AT MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, AND I'VE SEEN SOME VERY GLARING ISSUES. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS ARE DECLINING. SECOND GRADERS, THEY CAN'T COUNT PAST 15. I'VE ALSO SEEN WE CLAIM WE'RE BIG ON DIET AND NUTRITION AND EXERCISE. UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T SEE ANY SCIENCE CAMPAIGNING FOR OUR KIDS TO IMPROVE ACADEMICS, FITNESS, OR NUTRITION. AS IT PERTAINS TO THESE SUBJECT, I FEAR WE CANNOT SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PLEASE VOTE FOR THE COMMON SENSE AMENDMENTS THROUGH 1015. [APPLAUSE] >> LISA MANSFIELD. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA MANSFIELD. I'M THE PARENT OF FOUR CURRENT CCPS STUDENTS, A CCPS GRADUATE MYSELF, AND A CITIZEN OF THE BERMUDA DISTRICT. LAST MONTH, I WAS UNABLE TO COME TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, BUT I DID GET HOME IN TIME TO WATCH THE MAJORITY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. WHAT I WITNESSED WAS A LESSON IN INTIMIDATION AT ITS FINEST. I WATCHED AS CITIZENS SPOKE IN FAVOR OF PROTECTING PARENTAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTING THEIR CHILDREN ON THE PLAYING FIELD AND IN BATHROOMS, ONLY TO BE MOCKED, HARASSED, AND INTERRUPTED BOTH DURING AND AFTER THEY SPOKE. AND THIS WAS JUST WHAT I COULD HEAR ON THE TV. NOT SURPRISINGLY, THOSE ACTIONS WERE NOT RECIPROCATED WHEN CITIZENS SPOKE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE CURRENT POLICY. THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. YET THE CURRENT POLICY AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMES THAT A PARENT OR FAMILY WILL NOT BE SUPPORTIVE, AND BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS LAST MONTH, WOULD IMMEDIATELY TURN TO ABUSE SHOULD THE SCHOOL NOTIFY THEM ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY SITUATIONS. THAT ASSUMPTION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO [01:50:03] A FAMILY'S ABILITY TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LIFE-ALTERING PERIOD IN THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT, A TIME WHEN PARENTS COULD BE AN ADVOCATE, BUT ARE NEVER GIVEN THE CHANCE BECAUSE OF A FEAR UNFOUNDED OR NOT OF REJECTION OR PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE. WHAT RIGHTS DO OUR SCHOOLS HAVE TO MAKE THAT ASSUMPTION? THE IDEA THAT I WOULD BE DENIED THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY SITUATION MY CHILD IS EXPERIENCING IS TERRIFYING. AND WHILE MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE PHENOMENAL TEACHERS, THE IDEA THAT A TEACHER, COUNSELOR, ADMINISTRATOR, OR ANY OTHER ADULT AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL WOULD BE ALLOWED TO DENY MY INVOLVEMENT IS COMICAL, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS WHO ARE DISMISSED EVERY YEAR FOR INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MINORS. [APPLAUSE] AT MY CHILD'S HIGH SCHOOL ALONE, THERE HAVE BEEN THREE TEACHERS FIRED OR DISMISSED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE OF INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OR ACTIVITIES INVOLVING STUDENTS. THAT'S THREE AT JUST ONE SCHOOL. THE REVISED POLICY CHANGES NOT ONLY PAVE THE WAY FOR THOSE RELATIONSHIPS TO OCCUR, BUT IT ACTUALLY ENCOURAGES THEM. WE ALL ADVOCATE FOR PARENTAL AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN EVERY AREA OF OUR KIDS' EDUCATION. WE ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO READ, VOLUNTEER, DONATE, CHECK PARENT VIEW FOR GRADES, AND MEET WITH TEACHERS. SOMEONE IT MAKES SENSE TO ME WHY THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY AREA WHERE WE THROW THAT IDEA OUT THE WINDOW. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SAM PRATHER. >> MADAM CLERK, I WILL JUST REMIND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE TO PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ANY APPLAUSE AND ALLOW THE SPEAKERS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR TWO MINUTES. >> MY NAME IS SAM PRATHER AND I'M THE ARTIST AND RESIDENCE FOR THE OFFICE OF EQUITABLE TRANSIT AND MOBILITY AND AN ART TEACHER. I'M ALSO A TRANS MAN WHO HAS BEEN TRANSITIONING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FEARS THAT THE PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT POLICY 1015. PARENTS HAVE NATURAL EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND FEAR THAT THEY'LL FACE HARDSHIP OR REJECTION BECAUSE OF THEIR GENDER. THAT'S WHY I'M SHARING MY STORY. I GREW UP IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, WHERE POLICIES LIKE THIS DIDN'T EXIST. I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE TRANS. PEOPLE AROUND ME KNEW I WAS QUEER BEFORE I DID. I WAS BULLIED, CALLED SLURS, AND BARRED FROM THE GIRLS' BATHROOM. AT HOME, MY MOTHER BEAT ME FOR NOT BEING FEMININE ENOUGH. I RAN AWAY OFTEN. AND BY MIDDLE SCHOOL, I WAS SUICIDAL. IN HIGH SCHOOL, I TURNED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TO NUMB THE PAIN. AT MY LOWEST, I REALIZED THAT ENDING MY LIFE WOULD JUST BE GIVING EVERYONE WHAT THEY WANTED AND THAT DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH ME. BUT NOT EVERYONE GETS THAT REALIZATION. MY FRIEND HENRY DIDN'T. AFTER HIS FATHER FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD A CRUSH ON ANOTHER BOY, HE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AND PASSED AWAY IN THE HOSPITAL. EVENTUALLY, I LEFT BATON ROUGE AND FOUND REFUGE IN RICHMOND, AND FINALLY BEGAN TRANSITIONING. TODAY, I'M THE HAPPIEST AND THE MOST STABLE I'VE EVER BEEN. IN 2022, I WORKED WITH THOMAS DALES GSA ON A MURAL PROJECT AND MET QUEER STUDENTS WHO FOUND THEIR SCHOOL TO BE A SANCTUARY, A PLACE OF SUPPORT AND ACCEPTANCE. BUT OTHERS FEARED BEING UNHOUSED IF THEIR PARENTS FOUND OUT ABOUT THEIR QUEERNESS, AND I EMPATHIZE WITH THEM DEEPLY. POLICY 1015 PROTECTS QUEER AND TRANS KIDS BY CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND ALLOWING THEM TO SHARE THEIR IDENTITIES WITH PARENTS ON THEIR OWN TERMS. CHANGING THIS POLICY WOULD VIOLATE VIRGINIA'S EDUCATION CODE 22.1 AND HARDEN STUDENTS' TRUST AND WELL-BEING. AS A TRANS YOUTH WHO SURVIVES WITHOUT PROTECTIONS, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER MY STORY. KEEPING THIS POLICY INTACT IS ABOUT THE LIVELIHOOD AND SURVIVAL OF STUDENTS. IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO TALK TO YOU, LOVE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE. AND IF YOU'RE NOT READY YET, LET SCHOOLS BE A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR IDENTITIES. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> ERIN JENKINS. >> HELLO. LET ME LOWER THIS A LITTLE BIT. I AM NOT A WOKE ADVOCATE. I AM AS THAT FOUNDATION RIGHT THERE MIGHT CALL ME. I AM A TIRED FOSTER MOM. AND I ADOPTED TWO CHILDREN THROUGH CHESTERFIELD DSS. AND I GOT TO SAY THAT POLICIES THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE SAVE LIVES, AND THEY'VE SAVED MY CHILD'S LIFE. SINCE BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT, I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT FAMILY CULTURE AS WELL AS RELIGION. EVERYTHING CAN CREATE A CULTURE FOR A CHILD, THAT CAN BE NEIGHBORHOODS, THAT CAN BE CHURCH, IF THEY GO OR THEY DON'T GO, IT COULD BE THEIR FAMILY. FOR INSTANCE, WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS MONKAN TRIBAL LAND, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS KNEW THIS, BUT INDIGENOUS CULTURES HAVE BEEN PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR A VERY LONG TIME BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THEIR CREATOR MADE THE MOON IN THE SUN, BUT THEY ALSO MADE SUNSETS AND MOONRISES. AND THEY ALSO BELIEVED THAT WHILE THEIR CREATOR MADE LAND AND WATER, THEY ALSO MADE BEACHES. THERE'S NOT JUST A BINARY, THEY BELIEVED IN THE BEAUTY OF IT. OTHER CULTURES HAVE NOT BEEN SO ACCEPTING OURS FOR NOW, BUT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO SOUTH ASIA AND LOOK AT THE HIJRA PEOPLE WHO MODERN TIMES HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD TO. THEY ARE GENERALLY OSTRACIZED, KICKED OUT OF FAMILIES, AND ARE HAVING TO BE PROTECTED BY GURUS. TO BE BORN INTO MY COMMUNITY IN MY FAMILY, [01:55:01] YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE AFFIRMED, AND YOU ARE SUPPORTED. WE ALSO BASE OUR OPINION ON WHAT OUR DOCTORS AND TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS HAVE PROVIDED MY CHILDREN, WHETHER THEY'RE GAY, TRANS, OR NOT. MY QUESTION, I GUESS IS THIS. HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY THAT CHILD HAS? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SUPPORT THOSE KIDS THAT ARE BEING KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES FOR BEING GAY? BECAUSE IT HAPPENS. I HAD SO MANY CALLS FOR THAT AS A FOSTER PARENT. AND IT BROKE MY HEART I COULDN'T TAKE THEM. SO CALL 804-717-6212 TO ADOPT. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, ERIN. JERRI COWAN. >> THANK YOU. I'M JERRI COWAN AND I'M PLEASED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS BOARD. I RESIDE AND VOTE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. AMERICA JUST VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO REJECT THE WOKE AGENDA EMBODIED IN THE DECEMBER DRAFT POLICY 1015. THE DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES IN CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS, NOT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANYBODY ON THIS BOARD OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA. THEREFORE, THIS BOARD MUST REJECT THE DIMINUTION OF PARENTS' RIGHTS THAT ARE EMBODIED IN THE DECEMBER DRAFT AND ADOPT THE NOVEMBER DRAFT SO THAT PARENTS CAN BE MADE AWARE OF AND INVOLVED IN LIFE-CHANGING ISSUES REGARDING THEIR CHILDREN. AS FOR THE PRIVATE PLACES OF OUR GIRLS, I AM REMINDED OF THE SITUATION WHICH OCCURRED IN LOUDON COUNTY ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I STRONGLY URGE THIS BODY TO REJECT THE DECEMBER REVISION OF POLICY 1015. [APPLAUSE] >> THE NEXT GROUP OF 10 SPEAKERS, DANIEL COPENHAVER, SKYE WHITCOMB, KIM MARBLE, HAIDEN HOPPER, SANDRA SCHELL, TODD GATHJE, GRAYSON ARTHURS, KEVIN GALLAGHER, DAISY LUTZ, AND TIM FISHER. AND WE HAVE DANIEL COPENHAVER. >> MY NAME IS DANIEL COPENHAVER. I'M A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. I AM MARRIED TO A CCPS TEACHER, AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE SIX CHILDREN ATTENDING FOUR DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY FROM PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I BELIEVE STRONGLY IN THE GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY PARENTS HAVE TO LOVE, GUIDE, AND NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN. I WANT TO STRESS THAT THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION ABOUT HATE OR INTOLERANCE. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, AND AS A CHRISTIAN, I BELIEVE WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. THIS IS NOT ABOUT DENYING ANYONE THEIR IDENTITY OR DIGNITY, IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THAT PARENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE MAJOR ASPECTS OF THEIR CHILD'S LIFE BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CARES MORE FOR THEIR CHILD OR IS MORE EQUIPPED TO GUIDE THEM THAN THEIR PARENTS. PARENTS MUST BE NOTIFIED IF THEIR CHILD WISHES TO BE CALLED BY A DIFFERENT NAME OR PRESENT AS A DIFFERENT GENDER AT SCHOOL. THAT'S NOT AN ATTACK ON TRANS RIGHTS, IT'S A RECOGNITION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. SCHOOLS ALREADY REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT FOR SO MANY THINGS, INCLUDING MATTERS FAR LESS SERIOUS THAN A CHILD'S IDENTITY. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CHILDREN WHO MIGHT FACE REJECTION OR HARM AT HOME IF THEY COME OUT AS TRANSGENDER. LET ME BE CLEAR. IF THERE IS ABUSE, WE ALREADY HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE LIKE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO INTERVENE AND PROTECT THOSE CHILDREN. BUT WITHHOLDING CRITICAL INFORMATION FROM ALL PARENTS BECAUSE OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN A FEW CASES UNDERMINES THE FOUNDATIONAL TRUST BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. THE TRUTH IS SCHOOLS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF PARENTS. THAT IS NOT THEIR FUNCTION. PARENTS HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILD'S WELFARE, AND THAT INCLUDES BEING INFORMED ABOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. IMAGINE IF WE STARTED HIDING OTHER THINGS FROM PARENTS. SOME PARENTS MIGHT RESPOND POORLY TO BAD GRADES. ARE WE GOING TO STOP SENDING REPORT CARDS HOME? OF COURSE NOT. PARENTS MUST BE INVOLVED EVEN WHEN THE NEWS IS DIFFICULT. FINALLY, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT I'M NOT HERE TO TELL ANYONE ELSE HOW TO PARENT THEIR CHILD. IF A PARENT CHOOSES TO AFFIRM A NAME OR GENDER CHANGE FOR THEIR CHILD, THAT'S THEIR DECISION. BUT EVERY PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR CHILD'S LIFE AND TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THEMSELVES. >> THANK YOU, DANIEL. [APPLAUSE] SKYE WHITCOMB. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SKYE WHITCOMB. [02:00:02] I'M A TEACHER AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 23 YEARS. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK WITH YOU REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. FIRST, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHANGES WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE FIRST READ LAST MONTH. UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH, THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMATIC DIRECTIVES WITHIN THE PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES, DIRECTIVES WHICH INTENDED OR NOT PLACE OUR STUDENTS AT RISK ALLOW SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BULLY STUDENTS AND POSE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE ON AN ALREADY STRAINED SYSTEM. UNDER SECTION 3, STUDENT IDENTIFICATION, THE POLICY STATES THAT SCHOOL PERSONNEL SHALL INFORM THE PARENT OF ANY REQUEST BY THEIR STUDENT TO ASSERT A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD. I HAVE 120 STUDENTS. OVER A QUARTER OF THEM, GO BY NAMES OTHER THAN WHAT'S IN THEIR OFFICIAL RECORD. THAT GOES FROM DIMINUTIVE NICKNAMES TO MIDDLE NAMES TO NAMES THAT THEY'VE CHOSEN FOR THEIR OWN. ACCORDING TO THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL, I NOW HAVE TO CONTACT EVERY ONE OF THOSE PARENTS AND ASK FOR PERMISSION TO USE A NICKNAME. TO ASK US TO CONTACT UP TO ONE-FOURTH OF OUR PARENTS IS AN UNREASONABLE USE OF OUR LIMITED PLANNING TIME WHEN WE SHOULD BE PREPARING OUR LESSONS TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, STUDENTS WHO ARE TRANSGENDER OR GENDER NON-CONFORMING OFTEN FACE THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY OF RIDICULE, ABUSE, AND REJECTION AT HOME. WE SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO OUT THESE CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR US TO KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT THAT CHILD WILL GO THROUGH. THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOL PERSONNEL CONTACT PARENTS TO INFORM THEM OF ALTERNATE PRONOUNS AND NAMES WILL, AND I DO NOT EXAGGERATE HERE, PUT CHILDREN IN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DANGER. THE PROPOSED POLICY ALSO STATES THAT SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL BE UNDER NO COMPUNCTION TO USE A STUDENT'S PREFERRED NAMES OR PRONOUNS UNDER THE COVERS. >> THANK YOU, SKYE. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> KIM MARBLE. >> GOOD EVENING. THE QUESTION BEFORE US TONIGHT IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER WE VALUE THOSE WHO ARE LGBT, TRANS, OR WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES. WE VALUE AND SUPPORT KINDNESS AND COMPASSION AND LOVE FOR ALL STUDENTS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN CHESTERFIELD FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. WE CANNOT SUPPORT THIS CURRENT VERSION OF YOUR POLICY REVISION. WE DID SUPPORT YOUR PREVIOUS PROPOSAL OF POLICY CHANGES, AND WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPLANT THE CURRENT VERSION AND GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS VERSION FROM NOVEMBER. PARENTS ARE THE FIRST AND ONGOING LONG-TERM INSTRUCTORS AND EDUCATORS, TEACHERS OF THEIR CHILDREN. THIS IS A GOD-GIVEN DIRECTIVE. FAMILIES ARE THE BEDROCK OF OUR SOCIETY. SCHOOLS WERE ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PARENTS IN TRAINING THEIR CHILDREN. OVER THE YEARS, SCHOOLS TEND TO FORGET THEIR ROLE AND HAVE ENCROACHED ON PARENTAL RIGHTS AND ROLES. WE MUST RETURN TO A TEAM APPROACH WHICH SUPPORTS, HONORS, RESPECTS, AND EMPOWERS PARENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB. WE ALL HAVE WORK TO DO. NO AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT, NO CUTTING-EDGE CURRICULUM, NO PROGRAM CAN REPLACE THE ROLE OF A PARENT. I THINK WE ALL REALLY KNOW THAT. LET US AS EDUCATORS, AND I INCLUDE MYSELF IN THAT, BE CONTENT TO BE A VALUED MEMBER OF THE TEAM. WE THE COMMUNITY COMMIT TO JOINING WITH YOU TO EMPOWER AND EQUIP PARENTS TO DO A GOOD JOB. WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE STRUGGLE AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB AS A COMMUNITY OF HELPING STRUGGLING PARENTS. YOU MUST ADD BACK WORDING THAT INSISTS THAT PARENTS BE GIVEN PERMISSION FOR GENDER IDENTITY TRAINING AND COUNSELING. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] HAIDEN HOPPER. >> MY NAME IS HAIDEN HOPPER AND MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY/THEM. I AM TRANSGENDER. I GREW UP GOING TO SCHOOL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND I WAS VALEDICTORIAN OF THE 2009 GRADUATING CLASS AT MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL. MY PARENTS WOULD NOT HAVE SUPPORTED MY NAME CHANGE AND PRONOUNS. THESE NEWLY PROPOSED POLICIES WOULD HAVE ADDED ME TO MY FAMILY AND PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS A KID, I DID NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT OR STABILITY THAT I NEEDED AT HOME. I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT EVERY KID SHOULD FIND WITHIN THEIR FAMILY. SCHOOL WAS MY SAFE HAVEN. [02:05:02] MY TEACHERS AND GUIDANCE COUNSELOR MADE ME FEEL SEEN AND CARED FOR, WHICH MOTIVATED ME TO DO MY VERY BEST AT SCHOOL. I WAS IN TENTH GRADE WHEN MY MATH TEACHER, MISSES MURRAY, ASKED ME WHAT I PLANNED TO DO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. I SAID, I DIDN'T KNOW AND I WOULD PROBABLY JUST BECOME A STAY-AT-HOME PARENT. SHE WAS SHOCKED AND SHARED THAT I WAS AT THE TOP OF MY CLASS ASKING WHY I DIDN'T PLAN TO GO TO COLLEGE. I HAD NO IDEA THAT HIGHER EDUCATION COULD BE POSSIBLE FOR ME. THAT INTERACTION CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE. MY GUIDANCE COUNSELOR HELPED ME DECIDE WHAT I WANTED TO MAJOR IN AND MADE SURE I KNEW ABOUT EVERY SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT AVAILABLE. I WAS UNABLE TO AFFORD COLLEGE BECAUSE I RECEIVED ALL THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT I APPLIED FOR. NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT I EXPERIENCED AT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BECAUSE I FELT SO SUPPORTED, I COULD FOCUS ON MY ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND I WANTED TO BE AT SCHOOL EVERY DAY. I HAD ALMOST PERFECT ATTENDANCE. IF I HAD NOT FELT WELCOME AT SCHOOL, I WOULD NOT HAVE FELT WELCOME ANYWHERE. THIS ISOLATION WOULD SURELY HAVE KEPT ME FROM LEAVING AN ABUSIVE HOME AND HAVING THE STABILITY THAT I HAVE TODAY, MAYBE FROM EVEN CONTINUING TO LIVE. EVERY KID SHOULD FEEL THIS SENSE OF SAFETY AND BELONGING AT SCHOOL. I'M A SUCCESS STORY, ONE OF A KID WHO DIDN'T FEEL SAFE AT HOME, BUT DID FIND SAFETY AT SCHOOL. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I FOUND MY WAY. PLEASE DON'T IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT'LL MAKE ANY KID FEEL SCARED AND UNSAFE AT SCHOOL. THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE] >> SANDRA SCHELL. >> GOOD EVENING, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT. MY NAME IS SANDRA SCHELL. I'VE LIVED IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR THE LAST 46 YEARS. MY GRANDDAUGHTERS ARE 9 AND 10 YEARS OLD. THE THOUGHT OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS SHARING THEIR PRIVATE SPACES IN GIRLS' ROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS WITH MALES IS FRIGHTENING AND ALARMING TO ME. THEY'RE SO NAIVE, SWEET GIRLS. I'M ASKING ALL IN THIS BOARD TO PLEASE OPPOSE THE DECEMBER 10 VERSION OF POLICY 1015, AND INSTEAD VOTE TO PASS THE VERSION PROPOSED IN NOVEMBER. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT CHESTERFIELD HAS NOT ALIGNED WITH GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S POLICIES TO PROTECT EVERY CHILD. I'M PUTTING YOU TO SLEEP. THESE COMMON SENSE PARENTAL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS, WHICH ALIGN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND BACKED BY OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY MOST VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING NEWPORT NEWS AND VIRGINIA BEACH. THERE SHOULD BE NO SECRETS, NO LIES BETWEEN CHILDREN AND PARENTS. WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN. AND WHEN MY CHILDREN WENT TO SCHOOL, I REMEMBER BEING AT A MEETING ONE TIME AND THEY COULD TELL ME, "WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN. WE JUST LOVE YOU BEING INVOLVED." WE ALL LOVE INVOLVED PARENTS. THAT WAS 30 YEARS AGO. DID WE CHANGE THAT MUCH? WHERE DID WE GO? AND KIM, IT SEEMS LIKE THE YOUNG PERSON WHO JUST SPOKE IN FRONT OF ME MADE IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM. SO LET'S DON'T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH ORDER. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND YOU ALL IN OUR PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOUR DECISIONS. GOD BLESS. [APPLAUSE] >> TODD GATHJE. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. MY NAME IS TODD GATHJE. I SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE FAMILY FOUNDATION. EVERY STUDENT WITHOUT EXCEPTION SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM HARM. AND WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS WITH POLICIES THAT DON'T UNDERMINE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED DIRECTION FOR SCHOOLS. BUT THAT REQUIRES SPECIFIC POLICIES, NOT VAGUE DIRECTIONS. LOUDON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD'S MISGUIDED POLICIES ALLOWED A BOY PRESENTING AS A GIRL TO SEXUALLY ABUSE A YOUNG GIRL IN A GIRL'S BATHROOM. SAGE, A YOUNG GIRL FROM VIRGINIA WAS COUNSELED ON GENDER IDENTITY WITHOUT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT THAT EVENTUALLY CONTRIBUTED TO HER GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE WRONG GROUP AND EVENTUALLY BEING LED INTO SEX TRAFFICKING. BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF CLEAR GUIDELINES. SCHOOL POLICIES ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. IT DOESN'T WORK IF IN THESE POLICIES YOU SAY THAT A SCHOOL SHOULD NOTIFY A PARENT ABOUT A STUDENT'S REQUEST TO USE A DIFFERENT NAME, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SAY THAT SCHOOLS SHALL ALLOW STUDENTS TO ASSERT A NAME AND GENDER PRONOUNS THAT REFLECT THEIR GENDER IDENTITY WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE. IT ALSO DOESN'T WORK TO SAY IN THESE POLICIES THAT PARENTS MAY CONTACT THE SCHOOL AT ANY TIME TO SHARE PARENTAL INPUT REGARDING COUNSELING SERVICES FOR THEIR STUDENTS THAT'S NOT PARENTAL PERMISSION, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO SAY IN ANOTHER POLICY, PARENTAL PERMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SHORT DURATION, [02:10:01] PERSONAL, OR SOCIAL COUNSELING. SCHOOL POLICIES MUST BE CLEAR AND CONSISTENT, NOT CONFLICTING. LAST MONTH, CCPS WAS ON THE PATH TO ADOPTING POLICIES WHICH UPHELD PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND REQUIRED PARENTAL PERMISSION FOR COUNSELING GENDER. BUT THE DECEMBER DRAFT ELIMINATED ALL OF THOSE PROVISIONS AND MORE. SO WE URGE YOU TO CHANGE COURSE AND TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER DRAFT POLICIES INSTEAD. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> GRAYSON ARTHURS. >> MY NAME IS GRAYSON ARTHURS. MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY/HE, AND I'M TRANSGENDER. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS REGARDING THE CURRENT 1015 POLICIES REGARDING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. YOU SAY THEY DON'T INCLUDE THE PARENTS, BUT THAT JUST ISN'T TRUE. IF YOU IMPLEMENT THESE NEWLY PROPOSED POLICIES, BYPASS THE STUDENTS, AND OUT THEM TO THEIR PARENTS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT DAMAGE YOU COULD BE CAUSING. YOU CAN'T GUARANTEE A CHILD'S SAFETY WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL. YOU MAY LOVE AND ACCEPT YOUR OWN KIDS NO MATTER WHAT, BUT YOU CAN'T EXPECT THAT FROM EVERY PARENT. IF A CHILD HASN'T COME OUT TO THEIR PARENTS, THERE'S PROBABLY A GOOD REASON WHY. ACCORDING TO THE TREVOR PROJECT, 41% OF LGBTQ PLUS YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ATTEMPTING SUICIDE IN THE PAST YEAR, AND NEARLY ONE IN FIVE TRANS OR NONBINARY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY ATTEMPTED SUICIDE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THINK ABOUT WHY THAT MAY BE. COULD IT BE BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING OUTED TO THEIR UNSUPPORTIVE OR ABUSIVE FAMILIES BY THEIR TEACHERS? DO YOU THINK IT MAY BE BECAUSE THEIR SCHOOL BOARD IS IMPLEMENTING POLICIES THAT ARE PUTTING THEM IN HARM'S WAY? SO YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE TONIGHT. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT THESE HARMFUL POLICIES AND OUT KIDS TO THEIR FAMILIES WHERE THEY COULD BECOME PART OF THAT 41% THAT CONSIDER SUICIDE OR THE ONE AND FIVE THAT ACTUALLY ATTEMPT SUICIDE, OR YOU COULD VOTE NO, AND YOU COULD KEEP THE CURRENT 1015 POLICIES. YOU COULD PROTECT TRANS KIDS AND YOU COULD ACTUALLY SAVE LIVES. NOW YOU MAY THINK I'M BEING DRAMATIC THAT A POLICY LIKE THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. AND TRUST ME, I WISH I WAS JUST BEING DRAMATIC. I WISH TRANS LIVES WEREN'T ON THE LINE. I WISH THAT KIDS COULD LIVE FREELY WITHOUT FEAR OF REJECTION OR HATE. I WISH KIDS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY HAD A SCHOOL BOARD THAT PROTECTED THEM. BUT HERE WE ARE. ALL I WANT AND ALL ANY OF US WANTS IS FOR OUR KIDS TO THRIVE. WE WANT OUR KIDS TO BE HAPPY AND LOVED AND CELEBRATED FOR WHO THEY ARE, SO LET THEM BE AND LET THEM LIVE. >> THANK YOU, GRAYSON. [APPLAUSE] KEVIN GALLAGHER. HELLO EVERYONE. I'M KEVIN, AND I WORK AT ONE OF VIRGINIA'S MANY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURTS. OVER THE COURSE OF MY JOB, I HAVE SEEN MANY CHILDREN IN VERY TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES. NOW, OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T GIVE ANY SPECIFICS, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT I CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON SOME OF THE STATISTICS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TONIGHT. WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT STATISTICS OF ABUSE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT DOES MUCH TO ACTUALLY GIVE POLICYMAKERS AN IDEA OF WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON. I HAVE SEEN ABUSED TRANS CHILDREN IN MY WORK. NOT A FEW OF THEM, MANY OF THEM. I HAVE SEEN CHILDREN BEATEN, I HAVE SEEN CHILDREN VERBALLY HARASSED, I HAVE SEEN CHILDREN KICKED OUT OF THEIR OWN HOMES BY THEIR PARENTS. YES, WE DO HAVE SOCIAL SAFETY NET SYSTEMS DESIGNED TO HELP THESE CHILDREN, BUT I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THOSE SYSTEMS NEVER NEEDED TO BE INVOKED IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF ANY OF THAT SOUNDS LIKE ACTIVIST FEAR MONGERING TO YOU, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE PROBABLY A GOOD PARENT WHO WOULD NEVER CONSIDER DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN. BUT NOT ALL PARENTS ARE GOOD PARENTS, AND I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HANDIWORK OF THE BAD PARENTS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE SIMPLE BRUTE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IT IS NOT SAFE FOR SOME TRANS CHILDREN TO COME OUT TO THEIR PARENTS. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHTS OR TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES IN THE FIRST PLACE, IT JUST ISN'T SAFE. IF YOU WANTED TO DESIGN A POLICY SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO HURT AS MANY TRANS CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE, IT WOULD READ ALMOST IDENTICALLY TO THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF MANY PARENTS WHO WANT TO BE INVOLVED WITH THEIR CHILDREN, I REALLY DO, BUT THE SIMPLE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IF YOU ADOPT THESE POLICIES AS THEY ARE CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IT WILL END WITH MORE OF YOUR STUDENTS IN A JDR COURTHOUSE. [APPLAUSE] DAISY LUTZ. HELLO. MY NAME IS DAISY LUTZ, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. [02:15:01] AS WE ALL KNOW, THE BOARD WILL SOON BE VOTING ON A PROPOSED REVISION OF POLICY 1015. THE CHANGES IN REVISION POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO THE VULNERABLE TRANS POPULATION OF CHILDREN IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE CONCERN OVER PARENTS RIGHTS TO CONTROL THE UPBRINGING OF THEIR CHILD BROUGHT FORWARD PRIMARILY BY THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA IS A HALF BAKED FALSE FRONT. MASSING AN ANTI INTELLECTUAL HATEFUL AND UNAMERICAN AGENDA TO SUPPRESS INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION PROTECTED BY THE US CONSTITUTION. THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA, WHO IS SPEARHEADING THE EFFORT TO MAKE THESE CHANGES IS AN OPEN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GROUPS FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY POLICY ALLIANCE, WHICH ARE MULTI MILLION DOLLAR ENTITIES BASED OUT OF STATE THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHING HATEFUL ANTI AMERICAN RHETORIC SURROUNDING THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE '70S, SPREADING DANGEROUS MISINFORMATION AND LABELING ACCEPTANCE OF OUR RIGHTS AS A PARTICULARLY EVIL LIE OF SATAN. N AN EMAIL I'VE SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'VE INCLUDED A LINK TO A PROFILE OF THESE GROUPS AND THEIR FOUNDERS FROM THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR HATEFUL AGENDA. THIS PROPOSITION IS A BALD FACED FURTHERMENT OF THIS AGENDA THAT PLACES OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT RISK. THE RECENT CHANGES TO THE PROPOSAL HAVE REMOVED SOME OF THE MORE SHAMELESS ATTEMPTS AT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANS CHILDREN THAT HAVE NO RELATION TO PARENTAL RIGHTS, WHATSOEVER, SUCH AS CHANGES TO BATHROOM POLICIES AND PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS. HOWEVER, THESE CHANGES DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE CORE ISSUE OF THE PROPOSED REVISION, WHICH IS THAT IT FORCES TEACHERS TO BREACH THE STUDENT'S PRIVACY, POTENTIALLY ENDANGERING THEM, AND ONLY ALLOWING FOR THE CHILD'S RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED UNDER "IMMINENT RISK OF SUICIDE RELATED TO PARENTAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT." EVIDENCE OF SUCH RISK IS OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT UNTIL IT IS FAR TOO LATE. MEASURES LIKE THOSE PROPOSED FOR POLICY 1015 IMPLEMENTED ELSEWHERE HAVE BEEN STUDIED, AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, AND THERE HAS BEEN LINKS MADE BETWEEN THEM AND HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION, SUICIDE, AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG LGBTQ YOUTHS. TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS AN INTENDED EFFECT. THANK YOU, DAISY. [APPLAUSE] TIM FISHER. HI. I'M TIM FISHER. I GRADUATED FROM DALE AND STILL LIVE NEARBY SO THIS IS CLOSE TO HOME IN A LITERAL SENSE. I HATE BEING REDUNDANT, SO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLICY 1015 IN MORE BROAD STROKES ABOUT SOME OF THE DYNAMICS THAT GO AROUND IT. I BELIEVE IT CAN REALLY BE SEEN AT ITS CORE ABOUT A POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE MORE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF THE SCHOOL AND THE PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF FAMILY. NOW, THIS COMES DOWN OFF TO THE PARENTAL RIGHTS AS IT'S PUT BUT ONE OF THE MOST DAMNING CRITICISMS I'VE HEARD ABOUT THAT STANCE IS THAT WHEN YOU TAKE IT, WHETHER THEY REALIZE IT OR NOT, WHETHER THEY INTEND IT OR NOT, GO ABOUT TREATING CHILDREN LESS AS PEOPLE AND MORE AS PROPERTY, WHERE THEY ARE NOT INDEPENDENT HUMAN BEINGS CAPABLE OF THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AWARE OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. THEY ARE RATHER EXTENSIONS OF THEIR PARENTS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SUIT. THIS SHOULD RAISE SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO THESE PARENTS ARE. NO, REALLY. IF I WERE TO ASK ABOUT TEACHERS OR ADMINISTRATORS OR COUNSELORS, THEY HAVE BEEN VETTED. THEY'RE HELD TO WRITTEN STANDARDS. THEY ARE THERE VOLUNTARILY AS PART OF THEIR WORK AND MOST OF THE WORK THEY DO IS OUT IN THE PUBLIC. IT IS OPEN AND OPEN TO SCRUTINY. IF THEY VIOLATE POLICIES, THEY CAN BE FIRED. PARENTS, MEANWHILE, THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO BARRIER OF ENTRY. MUCH OF WHAT THEY DO GOES ON BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS AND THEY'RE NOT EASILY REMOVED. ANY INTERFERENCE FROM SOCIAL SERVICES IS OFTEN A VERY TROUBLESOME PROCESS FOR CHILDREN AND SO THIS MENTALITY THAT MORE POWER SHOULD BE PLACED INTO UNACCOUNTABLE HANDS IS A RECIPE FOR DANGER. I THINK THAT IT IS ULTIMATELY A MENTALITY THAT ENABLES A MILLION PETTY TYRANTS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THE NEXT GROUP OF 10 SPEAKERS, IF YOU COULD LINE UP AGAINST THE WALLS; ELIZABETH SCHULTZ, RYN PROFFER, KAREN HAHN, M J TATTAR, LEO CRAYTON, MICHAEL GEORGE, BENNY PENDLEBURY, KRISTEN MARKS, AMBATA KUM, AND AHM BASING. MAY WE HAVE ELIZABETH SCHULTZ? ELIZABETH SCHULTZ. I'M HERE. MY GROWN UP CLASSES. FIRST, LET ME NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT I'M SPEAKING IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AS A CHESTERFIELD PARENT AND TAXPAYER AND NOT IN ANY CAPACITY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION. I AM KEENLY AWARE OF THE MATTERS WHICH ARE BEFORE THIS BOARD. THIS EVENING AS A FORMER FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF [02:20:01] THE THEN EMERGING ADOPTION OF GENDER IDEOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS DURING MY EIGHT YEARS ON THE BOARD. THE PETER VLAMING CASE, A LEGAL VICTORY FOR A TEACHER AGAINST THE SCHOOL BOARD IN WEST POINT, VIRGINIA SHOULD GIVE THIS BOARD PAUSE. THE BOARD'S EFFORT TO COMPEL SPEECH, TO STRIP ON EMPLOYEES OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT COST THAT SCHOOL DIVISION $575,000. WITH A BUDGET OF JUST 2.5 MILLION, THAT WAS A SUBSTANTIAL COURT JUDGMENT IN CASE LAW ON THE VERY ISSUES AND GUIDANCE ISSUED IN THE MODEL POLICIES. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE USE OF CHESTERFIELD RESOURCES TO FIGHT BEST PRACTICES SET FORTH IN THE MODEL POLICIES WHICH ENSURE THE PRIVACY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS DESERVE SERIOUS SCRUTINY. OF 131 SCHOOL DIVISIONS, CHESTERFIELD RANKS 62ND IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, 72ND IN MATH SOLS PASSAGE OF GRADES 3 THROUGH 8, AND 71ST IN READING SOLS. BLACK STUDENTS ARE 25 POINTS BEHIND THEIR ASIAN AND WHITE PEERS IN READING. HISPANIC STUDENTS ARE 30 POINTS BEHIND. MATH IS EVEN MORE BLEAK WITH JUST 55% OF BLACK AND 54% OF HISPANIC STUDENTS PASSING. ALL THIS MATTERS BECAUSE STUDENT OUTCOMES SHOULD BE YOUR MISSION. YOUR FOCUS SHOULD NOT BE ON ALTERING STATEWIDE GUIDANCE PREPARED FOR ALL SCHOOL BOARDS. THIS SHOULD BE A UNANIMOUS VOTE TO PROTECT GIRLS IN THE BATHROOM, LOCKER ROOMS, AND HOTEL ROOMS AND NOT TO REPEAT THE LESSONS LEARNED IN LOUDON COUNTY. THIS BOARD HAS GOT TO GET BACK TO PROMOTING STUDENT OUTCOMES THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL. PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, RESPECT THE DIGNITY, VALUES AND BELIEFS OF PARENTS, BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH THEIR PARENTS. PASS THE MODEL POLICIES PROVIDED AS STATEWIDE GUIDANCE AND BEST PRACTICES AS TURNKEY POLICIES FOR THE COUNTY WITHOUT ALTERATIONS, MODERATION, OR EVISCERATION. THANK YOU MS. SCHULTZ. [APPLAUSE] RYN PROFFER. GOOD EVENING. I KNOW WE'RE ALL TIRED, READY TO GO HOME. I KNOW WE'RE ALL TIRED OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE. PERSONALLY, I'M SUPER TIRED OF HAVING TO SHOW UP HERE AGAINST ALL THE PEOPLE INTENDING TO BULLY CHILDREN. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEGREE OF FOCUS THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO EXPEND ON ENSURING CHILDREN CONFORM TO PATRIARCHAL GENDER ROLES THAT FRANKLY, CHILDREN SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH. I CAME OUT AS TRANS IN MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, WELL BEFORE THERE WAS A POLICY ABOUT THIS AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCESS COMMUNITY THROUGH THE FLEDGING GSA THAT WAS FORMING PRIOR TO THE NEXT YEAR. I STARTED TALKING TO MY TEACHERS TO GET MY HEAD ON A LITTLE BIT STRAIGHT. I WASN'T READY TO TALK TO MY PARENTS ABOUT THIS. THE IDEA FRANKLY SCARED ME SHITLESS. THE IDEA THAT ANY OF MY TEACHERS WOULD TALK TO MY PARENTS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ME FROM COMING OUT. THE TRANSPHOBES IN POWER, IN THIS ROOM AND AMONG YOU, INCLUDING THOSE PRETENDING TO CARE ABOUT PARENT RIGHTS, KNOW OF THIS FEAR, AND THEY KNOW ABOUT THAT COMMUNITY. THEY WANT TO USE THAT FEAR TO SNUFF OUT THAT COMMUNITY IN THE NAME OF CONTROL, USING THAT FEAR TO BULLY CHILDREN TO ADHERING TO A COWARDLY IDEOLOGY. TO THE TRANS CHILDREN WHO ARE WATCHING THIS, YOU'RE AMAZING. TO THE PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY, YOU'RE AMAZING. SHAME ON EVERY TRANSPHOBE, EVERYONE STANDING UP TO DEFEND THE RIGHT OF PARENTS TO BE AMONG THEIR CHILDREN'S BULLIES. IF THIS POLICY COMES TO PASS, YOU WILL ALSO BE AMONG THOSE BULLIES. OTHER CHILDREN WILL BE WORSE FOR IT, YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE WORSE FOR IT. THANK YOU, RYN. [APPLAUSE] KAREN HAHN. HI. MY NAME IS KAREN HAHN. I AM A CURRENT EMPLOYEE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR 18 YEARS AS AN EDUCATOR. I'M IN DIFFERENT SCHOOL EVERY WEEK. ONE OF MY PRINCIPAL FRIENDS AT MATOACA HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE A RUNNING JOKE. I'LL ASK ABOUT A STUDENT THAT'S GRADUATED AND SHE'LL SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I ALWAYS SAY, ONCE THEY'RE GONE, THEY'RE GONE, AND THEN WE LAUGH A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE MOVE THOUSANDS OF KIDS THROUGH THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. BUT YOU KNOW WHO NEVER SAYS ONCE THEY'RE GONE, THEY'RE GONE? THE PARENT. THE PARENT WHO LOVES THAT CHILD, WHO THINKS OF THAT CHILD AND WANTS THAT CHILD THE VERY BEST UNTIL THEY'RE DYING BREATH. [02:25:01] IS THAT WHAT THE PARENT WANTS? THEY THINK AND THEY PRAY FOR THAT CHILD. THAT WAS ALWAYS GOD'S PLAN IS THAT THE PARENT IS THE FOREMOST LOVER OF THEIR CHILDREN, THAT LOVES THEIR CHILDREN. GOD SAYS IN THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, "YOU HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER." THAT WORD HONOR IN THE HEBREW MEANS, YOU MAKE WEIGHTY, YOU MAKE HEAVY WHAT THE PARENTS SAY SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT ASKING THE PARENTS FIRST. THAT'S GOD'S COMMAND. THAT'S PART OF OUR SOCIETY AND WHAT OUR FOUNDATION OF OUR SOCIETY IS BUILT ON, IS THAT WE HONOR THE MOTHER AND THE FATHER IN THE HOME, WHETHER THEY'RE IN GOOD TIMES OR BAD TIMES WE STILL HONOR THEM, AND WE MAKE WHAT THEY SAY WEIGHTY. THAT MEANS WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION. I WANT TO REMIND ALL OF YOU AND I WANT TO REMIND EVEN MYSELF, WE WORK FOR THE PARENTS. DID YOU KNOW THAT? THE PARENTS ARE OUR BOSS ULTIMATELY, NOT THE TEACHERS, NOT THE PRINCIPALS, NOT OURSELVES. WE WORK THE PARENTS, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO REMEMBER. THANK YOU, MS. HAHN. [APPLAUSE] M J TATTAR. IF A STUDENT IS COMING OUT TO THEIR PEERS AND THEIR TEACHERS OR OTHER SCHOOL FACULTY AND NOT THEIR PARENTS, THAT'S USUALLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELY AT HOME. EVERY STUDENT HAS A RIGHT TO EXPLORE AND EXPRESS THEIR IDENTITY ON THEIR OWN TERMS AND WITH DIGNITY. THIS PROCESS IS ESSENTIAL TO A TRULY WELL ROUNDED EDUCATION. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND ONESELF. ONE MUST ALSO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE AND DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE GOING TO BE AND HOW THEY WILL INTERACT WITH THAT WORLD. BY REMOVING STUDENTS AUTONOMY IN THESE DECISIONS, YOU ARE AT LEAST STRIPPING THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH, AND THEREFORE MINIMIZING THEIR EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL AND AT WORST, YOU ARE ACTIVELY ENDANGERING THEM IN THEIR OWN HOMES. THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN ANY DECISION, IN ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE STUDENTS. EVERY STUDY THAT HAS ENDEAVORED TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ALARMING RATES OF SELF HARM AMONG TRANS TEENS HAS AGREED THAT THE DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR IS THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ADVERSE SOCIAL EVENTS. IN OTHER WORDS, DOES YOUR COMMUNITY EMBRACE YOU AND LOVE YOU FOR ALL OF WHO YOU ARE, OR DOES IT BELITTLE YOU, REJECT YOU AND ALIENATE YOU FOR ONE PIECE OF WHO YOU ARE. THE DATA IS CLEAR THAT THESE POLICY CHANGES, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD MANIFEST IN REAL PHYSICAL HARM FOR STUDENTS IN THIS DISTRICT. THE WEIGHT OF THAT HARM WOULD REST DIRECTLY ON EACH OF YOUR SHOULDERS IF YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE CHANGES. BY THE WAY, THANK YOU FOR USING MY CHOSEN NAME WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION. WASN'T THAT EASY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] LEO CRAYTON. >> LEO CRAYTON. MICHAEL GEORGE. >> I HAVE COME TONIGHT TO ASK THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE 1015 MODEL POLICIES AS WRITTEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NOT THE AMENDMENT POLICIES THAT YOU'RE PUTTING FORTH TONIGHT. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE? TEACHERS KEEPING STUDENT SECRETS FROM PARENTS? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? ANY ADULT CONSPIRING WITH CHILDREN TO KEEP SECRETS FROM PARENTS IS UP TO NO GOOD. WITH THIS MATTER, ESPECIALLY, ONE THING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IS THE SUICIDE STATISTICS FOR TRANS IDENTIFYING PEOPLE IS MUCH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE. IF OUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TOWARDS AN IDEOLOGY, WE SHOULD BE INFORMED. IT IS NOT ONLY A PROFESSIONAL DUTY, BUT A MORAL ONE. WHAT HAPPENS IF WHEN THESE STUDENTS, GOD FORBIDS, COMMIT SUICIDE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE SCHOOL HAS KEPT THIS INFORMATION FROM THE PARENTS? I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. MY ELDER WENT TO CCPS FROM K-12. MY DAUGHTER IS A FRESHMAN, JAMES RIVER, AND MY SON IS SEVENTH GRADE AT ROBIOUS. FOR THREE YEARS AT ROBIOUS, MY DAUGHTER DEALT WITH GENDER IDEOLOGY BEING PUSHED ON HER. I OFFERED TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL MANY TIMES. SHE ALWAYS BEGGED ME NOT TO. SHE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE WAVES. SHE DIDN'T WANT THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO DISLIKE HER. WHEN SHE CAME TO ME IN SEPTEMBER AND TOLD ME THERE WAS A BOY IN HER LOCKER ROOM AND SHE WANTED ME TO ACT, I KNEW IT WAS A BIG DEAL. I CONTACTED THE TEACHER WHO TRIED TO PLAY DUMB. I TALKED TO THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WHO PUT IT ALL ON THIS BOARD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE GIRLS WERE UNCOMFORTABLE, THEN THEY COULD CHANGE ELSEWHERE. [02:30:02] THE WHIMS OF ONE BOY OUTWEIGHING THE WISHES OF MANY GIRLS. I WATCHED THE NOVEMBER MEETING AND HEARD LOTS OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO RESPECT ALL STUDENTS, MAKE ALL STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE. DOES THAT NOT INCLUDE OUR FEMALE STUDENTS? DO THEY NOT DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR PRIVACY, THEIR SPORTS? THERE'S A REASON WE HAVE SEX SEGREGATED BATHROOMS, LOCKER ROOMS, AND SPORTS. IT'S NOT TO PROTECT THE MEN. IT IS TO PROTECT THE WOMEN. THIS IS NOT ABOUT TRANS RIGHTS. THIS IS ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS. I'M ASKING YOU TO PROTECT OUR GIRLS AND GET THE MEN OUT OF THEIR SPACES. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> BENNY PENDLEBURY. KRISTEN MARKS. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KRISTEN MARKS, AND I'M SPEAKING IN STRONG SUPPORT OF OPTION 1 FOR THE REDISTRICTING WITH NEW DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO ALL STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THIS REDISTRICTING DECISION. IT IS CLEAR THAT OPTION 1 IS THE ONLY LOGICAL AND EQUITABLE OPTION THAT ACCOMPLISHES ALL THE PLANNING OBJECTIVES DEFINED BY THE COUNTY. OPTION 1 IS THE CLEAR OPTION THAT BEST SERVES OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COUNTY AS A WHOLE. YOUR RECENT PARENT SURVEY RESULTS ILLUSTRATE MY POINT. OF THE FOUR OPTIONS PRESENTED, OPTION 1 HAS THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF FIRST CHOICE VOTES, INDICATING IT IS THE MOST DESIRABLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALSO NOTE THAT OPTION 5 HAS THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE OF LAST CHOICE VOTES, MEANING THAT MOST PEOPLE THINK OPTION 5 IS LEAST DESIRABLE. THE SURVEY RESULTS ALSO INDICATE THAT OPTION 1 HAS BROAD SUPPORT IN A MULTITUDE OF NEIGHBORHOODS, WHILE OPTION 5 SUPPORT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY CONCENTRATED IN THE FOX CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD. THE SURVEY DATA SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS HOW OPTION 1 SUPPORTS YOUR PLANNING OBJECTIVE TO MINIMIZE TRANSPORTATION TIMES. I LIVE IN HAMPTON PARK AND WITNESS DAILY THE DANGEROUS TRAFFIC ON THE CONGESTED HOLE STREET CORRIDOR BETWEEN HAMPTON PARK AND SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT'S ONLY GETTING WORSE WITH THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. OPTION 1, WHICH INCLUDES HAMPTON PARK IN THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINIMIZE TRANSPORTATION TIMES FOR MANY FAMILIES AND SCHOOL BUSES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE DRIVING KIDS IN TRAFFIC AND RISKING MORE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ON HOLE STREET. NEXT, I'LL SPEAK TO THE PLANNING OBJECTIVE TO KEEP NEIGHBORHOODS INTACT, SINCE THIS HAS HUGE IMPACT ON STUDENT WELLNESS AND SUCCESS, AND AGAIN, MINIMIZES TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES FOR FAMILIES. OPTION 1 KEEPS WINTER PARK FRIENDS TOGETHER IN HAMPTON PARK AND HARPER'S MILL, AND IT KEEPS ALL THE FOX NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER AT TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. PLEASE DON'T SPLIT UP OUR WINTER PARK COMMUNITY. ADDITIONALLY, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COUNTY FULLY SUPPORTS TWO CBG SITES AND HAS A DEEP BENCH OF GIFTED TRAINED TEACHERS AND RESOURCES TO OFFER THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MANY MORE STUDENTS IN THEIR HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL. >>THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. >> PLEASE VOTE OPTION 1. [APPLAUSE] >> AMBATA KUM. AHM BASING. THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS, HITOMI WOOD, SCARLETT RUFENER, CARTER WILKINSON, CARSON PENDLETON, ABBIE SMITH, ELLIOTT RUFENER, CHAD CRAYTON, DONNA MICHAELIS, GLORIA RANDOLPH, AND DON POLLO. HITOMI WOOD. >> MADAM CLERK, WE'LL BE CALLING A SHORT RECESS AFTER THIS 10TH SET OF 10 SPEAKERS. >> HI. MY NAME IS HITOMI WOOD. I LIVE IN CHESTERFIELD. I'VE BEEN WORKING IN ONE OF THE SCHOOLS HERE AND I'M A PARENT. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE POLICY REGARDING TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. THIS IS A GUY FROM ME, WHO HAS A TRANSGENDER PARENT MEMBER. THE CURRENT POLICY IS WORKING AND PROTECTING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. PARENT INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL, BUT PARENTS FIGHT TO KNOW SHOULD NOT COME BEFORE STUDENTS' SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. SCHOOL SHOULD BE A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERY STUDENT. I KNOW A TRANSGENDER CHILD. HER FAMILY HAD A RAINBOW FLAG IN THEIR FRONT YARD. BUT STILL IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR HER TO COME OUT TO HER PARENTS. SHE WAS AFRAID HER SIBLING MAY LOSE SOME FRIENDS. [02:35:01] SHE WAS AFRAID SHE MAY HAVE TO KEEP UP PLAYING THE SPORTS THAT SHE LOVED. SHE DIDN'T WANT HER PARENTS TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS GOING BY A DIFFERENT NAME AT SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE KNEW HER PARENTS GAVE HER ORIGINAL NAME, THINKING THAT WAS THE BEST NAME FOR HER WHEN THEY THOUGHT SHE WAS HE. FORTUNATELY FOR HER, THE CURRENT POLICY PROTECTED HER. EACH TRANSGENDER CHILD'S TRANSITION CAN BE VERY DIFFERENT. IT'S VERY PERSONAL, PRIVATE, AND CAN BE REALLY COMPLICATED. IF THEY COME OUT OR NOT, WHEN TO DO SO, TO WHO AND HOW. IT'S REALLY ALL UP TO EACH CHILD. IT IS BEST IF THEY CAN DO IT AT THEIR OWN TIMING WHEN THEY ARE READY. PREFERRED NAMES AND PRONOUNCE MEAN A LOT FOR THEM. DO NOT MAKE IT ANY MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GO BY THEIR PREFERRED NAMES AND PRONOUNCE AT SCHOOL. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SCARLETT RUFENER. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS SCARLETT. I'M A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RESIDENT, A VOTER, THE PARENT OF A CCPS STUDENT THAT IS NON-BINARY, AND I'M A TRANSGENDER WOMAN. TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SPIN. I COMPLETELY CONCUR WITH ALL THE STATISTICS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THE RISK OF INCREASED HARM TO TRANS STUDENTS. BUT I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU MY TRANSITION EXPERIENCE AT WORK, AS I THINK IT'S ILLUSTRATIVE OF HOW THESE TYPES OF POLICIES CAN EITHER ENABLE, HOPEFULLY, OR INHIBIT THE SUCCESS OF TRANS STUDENTS. UP UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, I SERVED IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS. I WORKED ON RUSSIA, CHINA, AFRICA, COUNTERINTELLIGENCE ISSUES. I PRACTICE LAW. I'VE GIVEN BRIEFINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PENTAGON, AND EVERY THREE LETTER AGENCY YOU CAN THINK OF. I'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO US SECURITY, EFFORTS AGAINST FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ACTORS, MANY OF WHICH YOU'VE PROBABLY READ ABOUT IN THE NEWS. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THAT 12-YEAR PERIOD, I TRANSITIONED. FORTUNATELY, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICY IS MUCH LIKE THE CURRENT POLICY 1015. THESE POLICIES CREATED A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT AND HELPED REDUCE MY WORRY, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF IT. I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT BEING SQUEEZED OUT OF IMPORTANT PROJECTS. I WAS SCARED THE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE CAREER THAT I HAD WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY. BUT THOSE SUPPORTIVE POLICIES HELPED ME FEEL CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE TRANSITIONING AND LIVING TRUE TO MYSELF. MOST IMPORTANTLY TO MY EMPLOYER, IT ALLOWED ME TO FOCUS ON MY WORK AND CONTINUE PERFORMING AT A HIGH LEVEL. SIMILARLY, THE EDUCATION OF THE STUDENTS AT YOUR SCHOOLS WILL BE IMPACTED NEGATIVELY BY THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THIS POLICY. IT MAY BE SUBTLE. IT MAY GO UNNOTICED BY YOU OR OTHER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, BUT IT WILL AFFECT THEM. IT WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO HOW SAFE AND COMFORTABLE THEY FEEL AT OUR SCHOOLS, AND WHETHER THEY FLOURISH AND CAN GO ON TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES LIKE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO. THANK YOU FOR DREAM. [APPLAUSE] >> CARTER WILKINSON. >> GOODNESS. HOLD ON. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHUCK. I ATTENDED CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. I AM ALSO TRANSGENDER. I CAME OUT IN ADULTHOOD, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THESE STUDENTS IF I HAD BEEN MORE AWARE OF THE SOURCE OF MY FEELINGS AT THE TIME. BEING TRANSGENDER IS NOT SELF-HARM OR SELF-HATE. EXPRESSION OF GENDER NONCONFORMITY OR CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING TRANSGENDER ISN'T AN EVENT WORTHY OF THESE HYSTERICS. THE ANGUISH BEING EXPRESSED HERE IS OVERBLOWN TO A DISINGENUOUS DEGREE. YOU CANNOT CONSTRUCT A PANOPTICON THAT WILL INSULATE SOCIETY FROM THE REALITY OF TRANSGENDER EXISTENCE. THE SEVERE CULTURAL ANXIETIES CERTAIN PARENTS HAVE ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO A HEALTHY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT FREE THINKING ADULT. EDUCATION IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE CONTENT TAUGHT, IT IS ALSO ABOUT EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE AND IDEAS, EXPERIENCES THAT RESULT IN A WELL ADJUSTED MIND CAPABLE OF GRASPING THAT DIFFERENCES ARE INEVITABLE AND TOLERABLE. IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THESE PARENTS TO MANAGE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES SURROUNDING THEIR CHILD'S INDEPENDENCE. IT SHOULDN'T BE THE JOB OF THE SCHOOL AND ITS STAFF TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY COUNSELING THEM. EVEN IF IT WERE, CODDLING THEM WITH ASSURANCE THAT THEIR CHILD WILL NEVER BE EXPOSED TO A TRANSGENDER PEER ISN'T A REPLACEMENT FOR THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION. [02:40:01] IDEALLY, A LIST OF LOCAL COUNSELING SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO PARENTS MAKING THESE OVERREACHING REQUESTS SO THAT THEY CAN ACCESS THE HELP THEY NEED. THESE POLICY CHANGES WILL ONLY LESSEN TRUST IN TEACHERS AND STAFF AND MAKE EDUCATION A DEEP PERSONALIZED AND UNFRIENDLY CHORE FOR MANY STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY EXACERBATING THE ROOT PROBLEM. PARENTS WHOSE UNADDRESSED NEUROSES LEAD THEM TO BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER THE MINDS AND BODIES OF EVERY CHILD IN THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT. I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER THE CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> CARSON PENDLETON. ABBIE SMITH. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ABBIE SMITH. I AM A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RESIDENT. I AM THE MOTHER OF A TRANSGENDER STUDENT WHO ATTENDS CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I AM ALSO A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER WHO WORKS IN THE RICHMOND AREA WITH PATIENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE TRANS AND NON-BINARY. AS BOTH A MOTHER AND A PSYCHIATRIC PROVIDER, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE KEEP THE WORKING POLICY IN PLACE AS PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE POLICY INCREASE THE RISK OF HARM TO OUR TRANSGENDER YOUTH. IN MY WORK AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER, MY HARDEST DAYS ARE THE ONES SPENT PROTECTING MY PATIENTS FROM SUICIDE. I TREAT TRANSGENDER PATIENTS, I TREAT NON-BINARY PATIENTS. THE LEVELS OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS THAT THEY EXPERIENCE ARE EXPONENTIALLY MORE THAN PATIENTS WHO ARE NOT TRANSGENDER. THAT TRANS INDIVIDUALS BEAR THIS BURDEN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FIT A MOLD THAT SOCIETY PROMOTES IS SOMETHING I HOPE THAT NONE OF US WHO ARE NOT TRANS OR NON-BINARY EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE. THE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND THOUGHTS OF ENDING THEIR LIFE, STEM FROM MANY THINGS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE RHETORIC AROUND HOW THEY SHOULD LIVE THEIR LIFE AND POLICIES ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN OR CANNOT DO. IT IS MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION BASED ON PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, WHICH I HAVE EMAILED TO ALL OF YOU A FEW DAYS AGO. THAT POLICIES, LIKE THE PROPOSED CHANGES, WILL AFFECT TRANS STUDENTS NEGATIVELY. THESE CHANGES RISK WORSENING THE EXISTING DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS THAT THEY HAVE AT BASELINE. I ASK THAT WE PLEASE CONSIDER THE HARM TO OUR STUDENTS THAT WILL CERTAINLY OCCUR IF WE DO NOT KEEP THE POLICY AS OPEN AND INCLUSIVE AS IT IS. MY HOPE IS THAT WE AS PARENTS WHO DO HAVE THESE CONCERNS, AND I VALIDATE THE CONCERNS THAT SO MANY OF THE PARENTS ON THE OTHER SIDE HAVE, AS A PARENT WHO HAS A TRANS CHILD, THAT WE FOSTER A LOVING HOME WHERE OUR CHILDREN COME TO US WHEN THEY HAVE ISSUES, AND WHEN THEY ARE QUESTIONING, AND THAT WE NOT PLACE THAT RESPONSIBILITY ON OUR SCHOOLS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> ELLIOTT RUFENER. >> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ELLIOTT RUFENER, AND I AM A STUDENT OF BOTH JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL AND THE CHESTERFIELD TECHNICAL CENTERS EMT PROGRAM. I ALSO HAPPEN TO BE TRANSGENDER, AND I HAVE KNOWN THIS FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. DURING MY SOPHOMORE YEAR, I WAS BOTH SEXUALLY AND VERBALLY HARASSED BY A GROUP OF BOYS WHOM I HAD KNOWN SINCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THIS INCLUDED PURPOSELY AND LOUDLY MISGENDERING ME, TOUCHING ME IN INAPPROPRIATE AND SEXUAL MANNERS, SCREAMING MY BIRTH NAME AT ME, BOTH ON THE BUS AND OUT THE WINDOW AS I GOT OFF THE BUS. THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO I HAD GROWN UP WITH. THEY KNEW I WAS TRANSGENDER. BY THIS POINT, I HAD BEEN GOING BY MY NAME, ELLIOTT, FOR FOUR YEARS AND I HAD LEGALLY CHANGED MY NAME FOR TWO YEARS BY THAT TIME. THANKFULLY, DUE TO THE QUICK RESPONSE OF MY SCHOOL'S ADMINISTRATORS AND THE CURRENT POLICIES IN PLACE, WE WERE ABLE TO NIP THIS PROBLEM IN THE BUD BEFORE IT BECAME A MAJOR ISSUE. WHILE ALL PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015 CONCERN ME, THE PROPOSED ADDITION TO THE NEW SECTION 3 WORRIES ME THE MOST. THE SCHOOL DIVISION SHALL NOT COMPEL SCHOOL DIVISION PERSONNEL OR OTHER STUDENTS TO ADDRESS OR REFER TO STUDENTS IN ANY MANNER THAT WOULD VIOLATE THEIR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS. THIS IS A VAGUE AND CONFUSING AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT POLICY AND WILL PROTECT PEOPLE LIKE THE BOYS WHO HARASSED ME. HAD THESE CHANGES BEEN IN PLACE DURING MY SOPHOMORE YEAR, IT WOULD HAVE MEANT THAT THESE BOYS WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE HARASSING ME BY MISGENDERING ME AND POTENTIALLY DEAD-NAMING ME AS THE POLICY IS UNCLEAR IN THIS ASPECT. THESE CHANGES WILL SHIELD AND EMPOWER BULLIES. IF THE SCHOOL BOARD'S REASONING FOR THE CHANGING OF THESE POLICIES IS THE SAFETY AND SUPPORT OF ITS STUDENTS, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO KNOW THAT THAT WILL ONLY DO THE OPPOSITE. AS BOTH A STUDENT OF CCPS AND A TRANSGENDER PERSON, [02:45:02] I AM ASKING THE SCHOOL BOARD TO KEEP THE POLICIES AS WRITTEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE] >> CHAD CRAYTON. >> DONNA MICHAELIS. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DONNA MICHAELIS. I AM THE PROUD PARENT OF FOUR GROWN CHILDREN. ALL OF THEM GRADUATED FROM CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS. THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONALS, HOMEOWNERS, AND TAX-PAYING RESIDENTS OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. FOR 39 YEARS, I HAVE SERVED AS A PUBLIC SERVANT HERE LOCALLY IN CHESTERFIELD POLICE AND AT THE STATE LEVEL. I FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLES, WEIGHT, AND THE IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS A TASK THAT REQUIRES WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT. AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, WE MUST ALWAYS STRIVE FOR TRANSPARENCY. GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR THE PEOPLE AND IT MUST REMAIN OPEN TO THE LIGHT OF DAY. HOWEVER, THE PROPOSED POLICY PROMOTES SECRECY, ASKING TEACHERS TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM PARENTS. THIS IS NOT TRANSPARENCY. ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES IN TEACHING CHILDREN PERSONAL SAFETY IS THAT ADULTS SHOULD NEVER ASK A CHILD TO KEEP A SECRET. SOME SECRETS CAN BE HARMFUL, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE PARENT DOES NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS IT. TEACHERS MUST INFORM PARENTS ABOUT SIGNIFICANT MATTERS SUCH AS DISOBEDIENCE, CONFLICTS WITH OTHER STUDENTS, ACADEMIC FAILURES, AND EVEN SNACKS SERVED IN CLASS. YET UNDER YOUR PROPOSED POLICIES, TEACHERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO INFORM PARENTS IF THEIR CHILD REQUESTS TO BE CALLED A DIFFERENT NAME OR USE DIFFERENT PRONOUNS OTHER THAN THOSE REGISTERED BY THE PARENTS. ADDITIONALLY, VIRGINIA'S AGE OF CONSENT IS 18. THERE'S ALMOST NOTHING A MINOR CAN LEGALLY DO WITHOUT PARENTAL PERMISSION. THE PROPOSED POLICY IS NOT CONGRUENT WITH CURRENT LAW AND PRACTICE. A TEACHER HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO GIVE STUDENT PERMISSION TO GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE, GOING ON A FIELD TRIP, OR GET A LIBRARY CARD. YET THIS POLICY GRANTS SCHOOL THE AUTHORITY TO CIRCUMVENT PARENTAL CONSENT. THIS PRESENTS A TROUBLING CONTRADICTION. SCHOOLS OPERATE IN LOCO PARENTE, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE ACTING IN PLACE OF THE PARENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS. HOWEVER, THIS ROLE DOES NOT GRANT TEACHERS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE PARENTS' RIGHTS AND DIRECTIONS. SCHOOL PERSONNEL ARE ENTRUSTED WITH TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, BUT THEY ARE NOT THE CHILD'S PARENT. WITHOUT PARENTS' CONSENT, YOU CANNOT DECIDE ABOUT A CHILD'S HEALTH AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. THE SCHOOL DOES NOT REPLACE THE PARENT. IT IS ONLY TEMPORARILY STEPS IN WHILE THE CHILD IS AT SCHOOL. WHEN PUBLIC SERVANTS ASSUME PARENTAL AUTHORITY, IT IS WRONG AND CAN LEAD TO CONFUSION [OVERLAPPING] AND LASTING CONSEQUENCES. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, DONNA. GLORIA RANDOLPH. >> GOOD EVENING. PRAISE GOD. I'VE BEEN COMING HERE, SPEAKING TO YOU ALL FOR A FEW MONTHS. AND MY NAME IS GLORIA RANDOLPH. I LIVE IN THE DALE DISTRICT. I'M STANDING HERE AS A MOTHER, A GRANDMOTHER, AND A GREAT GRANDMOTHER. I'M ASKING EACH OF YOU AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ON THE BEHALF OF PARENTS, MOMS AND DADS TO INCLUDE AND INFORM PARENTS IN ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THEIR CHILDREN. WE HAVE TO INCLUDE THEIR PARENTS. I'M ASKING YOU TO ACT AND ADOPT GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S PARENTAL RIGHTS POLICIES. THE ADOPTION OF THE NOVEMBER GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S POLICIES FOR PARENTS. I STATED THIS BEFORE, AND IT'S JUST SO REAL TO ME BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN US A COMMAND AS PARENTS TO TRAIN UP OUR CHILDREN IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO AND WHEN THEY ARE OLD, THEY WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT. WE AS PARENTS SHOULD TEACH WHAT IS TRUE, WHAT IS JUST, WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS, AND WHAT IS OF A GOOD REPORT. THIS WILL CAUSE ALL OF OUR CHILDREN TO THRIVE. LET THE CHILDREN SEE US AS PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER. I TRULY BELIEVE AS THE CHILDREN SEE US WORKING TOGETHER, THEY WILL FEEL PROTECTIVE. THEY WILL FEEL THAT THEY'RE IN A SAFE PLACE AND THAT THEY ARE LOVED, CARED FOR AND PROTECTED. [02:50:02] LET US WORK TOGETHER FOR THE SUCCESS OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. I'M ASKING YOU TO ADOPT THE NOVEMBER GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S PARENTAL RIGHTS POLICY. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS [OVERLAPPING]. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] DON POLLO. >> THE BOARD WILL TAKE A SHORT RECESS AND RECONVENE IN APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. [BACKGROUND] >> THE BOARD MEETING WILL RESUME. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? >> MADAM CHAIR, THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS, IF YOU COULD LINE UP ALONG THE WALL, THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS ARE DANIEL TIGER, JEFF LEAR, PHOEBE BOTTRELL, SOPHIA FILLMAN, MICHE VAN ESSEN, LAURA ABBOTT, VIOLET VEGA, MILES WRIGHT, SARAYE MCRAE, AND GAIL CHRISTIE. MAY WE HAVE DANIEL TIGER? DANIEL TIGER. JEFF LEAR. PHOEBE BOTTRELL. >> HELLO. I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN DEFENSE OF A POLICY THAT HAS BEEN WORKING, WORKING FOR OUR KIDS, OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR COMMUNITY. THE PROPOSED CHANGES CLAIM TO CENTER ON PARENTAL RIGHTS. BUT LET'S BE CLEAR, THIS IS FEAR MONGERING, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY, NO AGENDA, NO EFFORT BY TEACHERS TO HIDE INFORMATION FROM PARENTS. THESE CLAIMS ARE NOT ONLY FALSE, BUT THEY ALSO UNDERMINE TRUST IN OUR SCHOOLS AND HURT THE VERY STUDENTS WHO NEED OUR PROTECTION THE MOST. IF YOU ARE TRULY CONCERNED THAT YOUR CHILD IS QUESTIONING THEIR GENDER IDENTITY, THEN THAT'S UP TO YOU, THE PARENT TO TALK TO THEM. WHEN MY CHILD BEGAN QUESTIONING THEIR GENDER IDENTITY, IT WAS A GRADUAL PROGRESSION. THEY DID NOT WAKE UP ONE DAY AND DECLARE THIS CHANGE. SOME OF THOSE EARLY CONVERSATIONS WERE TOUGH, BUT I MADE ONE THING VERY CLEAR. I BELIEVED HIM AND LOVED HIM, AND I ALWAYS SUPPORT HIM. AND WE KEPT TALKING. AND I EVENTUALLY SOUGHT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON HOW TO HELP SUPPORT MY CHILD. SOME OF THOSE PROFESSIONALS HAPPENED TO BE OUR SCHOOLS' GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND OUR PRINCIPAL. THEY SHARED THE CURRENT POLICY FOR THE TREATMENT OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS WITH ME AND A HUGE WEIGHT WAS LIFTED. I SAW HOW MY CHILD WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE THE BATHROOM THAT ALIGNED WITH THEIR IDENTITY, THAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATION WOULD PROTECT HIS MENTAL HEALTH BY USING HIS PREFERRED PRONOUNS AND EVENTUALLY HIS NEW NAME. I WAS ASSURED THAT HE WOULD BE MET WITH LOVE, SUPPORT, UNDERSTANDING, AND AFFIRMATION OF HIS TRUE IDENTITY AT SCHOOL, AS WELL AS AT HOME. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD COUNTLESS CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS TEACHERS, SOMETIMES ON THE PHONE, SOMETIMES IN A CONFERENCE, SOMETIMES A QUICK WORD IN THE HALLWAY. BUT WE WERE ALL TALKING ALL OF THE TIME BECAUSE THERE IS NO HIDDEN AGENDA. THERE IS NO NEFARIOUS PLOT TO KEEP ME IN THE DARK. THERE'S JUST LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE FOR MY CHILD AND HIS IDENTITY. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SOPHIA FILLMAN. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SOPHIA FILLMAN, AND I AM A SOPHOMORE AT JAMES RIVER HIGH SCHOOL. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER POLICY. FIRSTLY, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR LETTING ME VOICE MY OPINIONS TODAY. WHILE I MYSELF, I AM NOT PART OF THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, MANY OF MY ACQUAINTANCES ARE. EVEN THOUGH THIS POLICY WON'T AFFECT ME DIRECTLY, I STILL BELIEVE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SPEAK UP. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF TODAY'S TRANSGENDER YOUTH WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. THIS POLICY, IF YOU MAKE CHANGES TO IT, [02:55:03] WILL ONLY BE USED AS A WAY TO CONTROL AND BARRICADE CHILDREN FROM EXPRESSING THEMSELVES, AND IT COULD POTENTIALLY ENDANGER SOME. SOMETHING I'VE COMMONLY HEARD THROUGHOUT PAST SPEAKERS ON THIS ISSUE IS THAT PARENTS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN MAJOR DECISIONS INCLUDING THEIR CHILD, BUT NO MAJOR DECISION IS BEING MADE. SCHOOLS CANNOT OFFER CHILDREN GENDER REAFFIRMING SURGERY, THEY CANNOT SUPPLY YOUR CHILD WITH TESTOSTERONE MEDICATION. THE ONLY THING THAT SCHOOLS CAN DO IS PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND GUIDANCE. I'D LIKE TO DIRECT THIS TO ALL OF THE PARENTS WHO ARE HERE TODAY. IF YOUR CHILD COMES OUT TO AN ADULT AT SCHOOL AND WANTS TO KEEP IT HIDDEN FROM YOU, THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD. AND TO THE BOARD, ISN'T IT YOUR JOB TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY? I THOUGHT IT WAS, BUT THIS POLICY, IF YOU MAKE AMENDS TO IT, CONTRADICTS THAT FACT. AROUND 34% OF LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH ARE PHYSICALLY ABUSED AT HOME BY A PARENT DUE TO THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. FURTHERMORE, 50% OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH ATTEMPT SUICIDE. I CANNOT BEGIN TO COMPREHEND THESE STATISTICS AND TO THINK THAT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS IS BEYOND ME. PROTECTING STUDENTS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EDUCATOR. AND IF YOU CHANGE THIS POLICY THAT IS CURRENTLY WORKING, YOU DIMINISH THEIR ABILITY TO DO SO. WHEN YOU TOOK THIS POSITION ON THE BOARD, YOU MADE AN OATH TO DISCHARGE ALL THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON YOU ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. ONE OF YOUR UNWRITTEN DUTIES IS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN IN YOUR DISTRICT, PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION AS YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION. PLEASE CHOOSE TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT. >> THANK YOU, SOPHIA. [APPLAUSE] MICHE VAN ESSEN. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TODAY AS A SOON-TO-BE GRADUATE WITH A BA IN ENGLISH PURSUING A CAREER IN SECONDARY EDUCATION. RECENTLY, I APPLIED FOR THE POSITIONS OF BOTH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE POTENTIAL OF THIS COMMUNITY AND ITS SCHOOLS TO FOSTER A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENT SUCCESS. HOWEVER, I AM DEEPLY DISGUSTED BY THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015 AND WHAT THEY WOULD MEAN FOR OUR QUEER YOUTH. CURRENTLY, POLICY 1015 ENSURES CRITICAL PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS STUDENTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT NOT TO BE OUTED, THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM BULLYING BASED ON THEIR GENDER IDENTITY, AND THE RIGHT TO BE ADDRESSED BY THEIR CHOSEN NAME AND PRONOUNS, AND THE RIGHT TO PRESENT AS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES. THESE PROTECTIONS ARE NOT JUST WORDS ON PAPER. THEY ARE LIFELINES. THEY CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN FEEL SAFE, VALUED, AND RESPECTED FOR WHO THEY ARE. THE REVISIONS PROPOSED WOULD UNDO THESE PROTECTIONS IN PROFOUNDLY HARMFUL WAYS. THEY WOULD FORCE STAFF TO OUT TRANS STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS, REGARDLESS OF THE POTENTIAL HARM OR RISK TO THE STUDENT. THEY WOULD ALLOW DELIBERATE MISGENDERING OF TRANS STUDENTS BY BOTH FACULTY AND PEERS. THEY WOULD PUNISH TEACHERS WHO RESPECT THEIR STUDENTS' CHOSEN NAMES AND PRONOUNS WITHOUT EXPLICIT PARENTAL PERMISSION. THEY WOULD MANDATE SEGREGATION BY SEX INSTEAD OF GENDER IDENTITY DURING SCHOOL EVENTS AND SPORTS. THESE CHANGES ARE NOT ONLY CRUEL BUT DANGEROUS TO AN ALREADY INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE POPULATION. STUDIES CONSISTENTLY SHOW THAT POLICIES LIKE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS LEAD TO HIGHER RATES OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STUDENT AMONG LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH. WHEN TRANS STUDENTS ARE DENIED THE RIGHT TO EXIST AUTHENTICALLY, IT SENDS A CLEAR AND DEVASTATING MESSAGE THAT WHO THEY ARE IS NOT VALID, NOT VALUED, AND NOT WELCOME. IS THIS THE MESSAGE WE WANT TO SEND IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY? IF SO, I AM HORRIFIED AND DISGUSTED. AS SOMEONE WHO IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION, I CAN NEVER STAND WITH SUCH POLICIES. EDUCATORS SHOULD BE ALLIES AND ADVOCATES FOR THEIR STUDENTS, NOT ENFORCERS OF HARMFUL POLICIES THAT COMPROMISE THEIR STUDENT SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF DEDICATED TEACHERS. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN [OVERLAPPING] >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] LAURA ABBOTT. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS LAURA ABBOTT, AND THIS IS MY 21ST YEAR TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND I URGE YOU TO KEEP THE CURRENT POLICY. A MAJOR REASON THAT TEACHERS LEAVE THE PROFESSION IS DUE TO A LACK OF PLANNING TIME AND AN EVER-INCREASING LIST OF RESPONSIBILITIES. A LIST THAT THIS POLICY WILL ADD TO. TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT CONTEXTS FOR FAILING GRADES, BEHAVIORAL AND PERSONAL ISSUES, TEACHING SENSITIVE MATERIALS, AND MISSING ASSIGNMENTS. AND THE NEW PROPOSED POLICY WOULD ADD TO THAT BURDEN BY REQUIRING TEACHERS TO VERIFY EACH STUDENT NAME VARIATION, CONTACTING HOME, AND DOCUMENTING A SUCCESSFUL CONTACT FOR EVERY MADELEINE WHO WANTS TO BE CALLED MADDY, EVERY ZACHARY WHO WANTS TO BE CALLED ZACK. AS SCHOOL OFFICIALS LIKELY KNOW FROM THE DIFFICULTIES THEY HAVE HAD TRYING TO VERIFY STUDENT TRANSPORTATION AND COLLECT EMERGENCY CARDS, [03:00:02] CONTACTING EVERY SINGLE PARENT FOR A STUDENT THAT WISHES TO BE CALLED SOMETHING THAN THEIR GIVEN NAME WOULD CREATE A MOUNTAIN OF NEW TASKS FOR TEACHERS AND WOULD MOST CERTAINLY DRIVE MORE TEACHERS OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. AS A TEACHER, I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THIS POLICY WOULD HAVE ON CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE. THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS A TIME PERIOD IN WHICH TEACHERS TRY TO CREATE A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR STUDENTS. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN A CLASSROOM ON DAY 1 IS THE EXCHANGE OF NAMES. AND THIS PROCESS SHOULD NOT RESULT IN A STUDENT FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE OR DREADING THE VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HAPPENING WITH OUR CHILDREN, A CRISIS WHICH HAS ALREADY PRODUCED A SPIKE IN ANXIETY AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN MANY STUDENTS. THE LAST THING WE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING IS TO MAKE A STUDENT FEEL WORSE BY PUTTING THEM THROUGH AN INQUISITION OVER THE NAME THAT THEY GO BY, RESULTING IN THEM NOT WANTING TO RETURN TO WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WELCOMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A SAFE AND ACCEPTING PLACE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. >> THANK YOU, LAURA. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> VIOLET VEGA. >> HELLO. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS VIOLET VEGA. I'M A TRANS WOMAN. I START BY ADDING A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND AS TO HOW I GOT HERE. GROWING UP, I NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE AND BEING GROUPED IN WITH THE GUYS IN MY CLOTHES OR WITH MY NAME. BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORDS TO PUT TOGETHER HOW I WAS FEELING AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS BARELY ANY TRANS REPRESENTATION AND WHEN THERE WAS, IT WAS ALWAYS JUST THE PART OF THE JOKE. SOMEONE SAYS, "THAT SHOCK IS A DUDE." SOMEONE MAKES A DISGUSTED FACE, TO LAUGH TRACK. THANKFULLY, THE WORLD AROUND US IS BECOMING MORE ACCEPTING AND INCLUSIVE. THIS ISN'T SOME IDEOLOGY. WHEN LEFT HANDEDNESS WAS PUNISHED IN THE US, THERE SEEMINGLY WEREN'T MANY 3% LEFT HANDED PEOPLE, AND NOW THEY REPRESENT 10% OF THE POPULATION. THERE ISN'T A LEFT HANDEDNESS IDEOLOGY. WE JUST STOPPED PUNISHING IT. I MYSELF, EVERYONE HERE AND WATCHING AT HOME CARE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS. THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015 PROPOSED BY THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA OR DRACONIAN AND SEEK TO PUT CHILDREN IN DANGER. "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU," MATTHEW 712, THE GOLDEN RULE. WELL WE LET OURSELVES FORGET THIS BASIC MORAL PRINCIPLE TODAY. I SURELY HOPE NOT. CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE DESERVING OF DIGNITY TO BE ADDRESSED HOW THEY LIKE. THE SAME WAY STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THEIR TEACHERS AND SUPERIORS IN THE MANNER THEY WOULD LIKE THE WAY STAFF ADDRESSES STAFF AND THE WAY THEY WOULD LIKE AMONGST THEMSELVES. THE GAIN OF TRANS CHILDREN ISN'T AT THE LOSS OF CIS CHILDREN. INCLUSION DOESN'T EQUAL EXCLUSION. THE POLICING OF THE WAY CHILDREN EXPRESS THEMSELVES ALSO AFFECTS CHILDREN. LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, AND UNDERSTANDING IS NOT A FINITE RESOURCE. THERE'S ENOUGH TO GO AROUND FOR BOTH TRANS AND CIS CHILDREN ALIKE. PLEASE VOTE TO KEEP 2021 VERSION 1015. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MILES WRIGHT? >> HI. MY NAME IS MILES WRIGHT, AND I'M SPEAKING ON THE PROPOSED REVISION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1015. GROWING UP, I WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A STUDENT FLOURISHING IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I WAS RECOGNIZED BY CCPS FOR MY PSAT SCORES, TEAM CAPTAIN, MY JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR, THEATER CLUB PRESIDENT, STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBER, AND CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, I WASN'T PUBLICLY GAY OR TRANS IN ANY CAPACITY IN HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS RAISED IN AN EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE HOUSEHOLD, SO ANY PRIVATE FEELINGS I HAD WERE KEPT AS FAR AWAY FROM SCHOOL AS POSSIBLE. THE WEIRDEST THING ABOUT ME WAS MY COLORED HAIR, WHICH ORIGINALLY WAS MY MOM'S IDEA. EVEN SO DUE TO SOME PERCEIVED OTHERNESS, MY HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BULLIED ME, BERATED ME, DECIDED I NEEDED TO COME OUT TO MY EXTREMELY UNSUPPORTIVE PARENTS AND COMPLETELY ISOLATED ME FROM THE ADULTS THAT I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST. IN 2016, MY PRINCIPAL PULLED ME OUT OF MY AP PHYSICS CLASS JUNIOR YEAR TO DISCUSS MY BEHAVIOR. APPARENTLY, MY PARENTS HAD GONE TO HER REGARDING MY PANIC ATTACKS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY AND MY STRUGGLES WITH MAKING UP MISSED ASSIGNMENTS. MY PRINCIPAL'S RESPONSE TO THIS WAS BLAMING MY MENTAL HEALTH ON OVULATION CYCLES, TELLING ME THAT I DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE IN MY SCHOOL PROGRAM AND THAT ONE OF MY TEACHERS SAID THAT I WAS HAVING A SEXUALITY CRISIS. WHILE I WAS ALREADY SOBBING, SHE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT TO MY PARENTS WAITING IN THE OFFICE LOBBY, AND SHE DIDN'T LISTEN TO ME WHEN I TOLD HER IT WASN'T SAFE. I TOLD HER THERE WASN'T ANY BASIS FOR THIS CLAIM. [03:05:01] INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO ME, SHE INSISTED THAT SHE SOMEHOW WOULDN'T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO ME AND FORCED A DEEPLY CLOSETED CHILD TO DEFEND THEIR STRAIGHTNESS AND GENDER AGAINST THEIR OWN PRINCIPAL TO THEIR PARENTS. THIS PROCESS WAS A DEEPLY TRAUMATIZING HOUR AND A HALF THAT CUT INTO MY ACADEMIC LEARNING AND LASTED LONG PAST THE LAST SCHOOL BELL. EVEN WORSE, THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MEETING, MY GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OF THREE YEARS SAT AND WITNESSED EVERYTHING WITHOUT STEPPING IN ONCE. THE WHOLE ORIGINAL POINT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1015 WAS TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOL. THE ORIGINAL 2021 POLICY WAS WRITTEN DIRECTLY INTO. >> THANK YOU MILES. >> SARAYE MCRAE? SERA MCRAE? GAIL CHRISTIE? >> THANK YOU. [NOISE] MY NAME IS GAIL CHRISTIE. I'M A 40 YEAR RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND MY THREE CHILDREN GREW UP HERE GOING TO CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I WAS PLEASED TO SEE SOME REVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE POLICY THAT WAS PROPOSED LAST MONTH, BUT IT STILL LEAVES ME WONDERING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE POLICY THAT IS CURRENTLY IN PLACE. I'VE SAT THROUGH NOW HOURS OF TESTIMONY LAST MONTH AND THIS MONTH, FROM BOTH SIDES, HEARING PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHTS, HEARING MANY PARENTS, TRANS STUDENTS, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AND ALLIES CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT THE NEW POLICY WOULD DO. ONE GROUP THAT'S BEEN NOTICEABLY ABSENT FROM THIS TESTIMONY IS CISGENDERED STUDENTS WHO FEEL THREATENED BY THE CURRENT GUIDELINES. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT AN ISSUE OF CONCERN TO THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS, AND THE CURRENT POLICY HARMS NO ONE. I KEEP HEARING CERTAIN PARENTS REFERRING TO GENDER IDENTITY AS A CHOICE OR AS AN IDEOLOGICAL BELIEF. GENDER IDENTITY IS NOT A CHOICE. GENDER DYSPHORIA IS A BIOLOGICAL REALITY, AND IT'S NOTHING NEW. OUR STRICTLY GENDER BASED WESTERN CULTURE HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF GENDER FLUIDITY. IN MANY CULTURES, A THIRD GENDER THAT IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, BUT SOMETHING IN BETWEEN IS COMMONLY ACCEPTED AND HAS A NAME. THESE INCLUDE SOUTH ASIA, TONGA, THAILAND, MEXICO, NIGERIA, ALBANIA, EVEN SOME PARTS OF THE US. BOTH NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES RECOGNIZE A THIRD GENDER. WHILE NON-BINARY PEOPLE MAY CHALLENGE THE CULTURAL BELIEFS OF SOME IN THIS ROOM, THEY ARE PART OF THE NORMAL SPECTRUM OF HUMAN SEXUALITY AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH THE SAME DIGNITY AND EXPECT AS ANYONE ELSE. [APPLAUSE] >> THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS, YOU COULD LINE UP ALONGSIDE THE WALL. ANDREW GEISS, COLLEEN JOSEPH, MICHAEL HARRAH, JOHN KWAPISZ, SONALI GULATI, MICAYLA SHIELDS, BEKURA SHABAZZ, QIANA JOHNSON, EDWUAN WHITEHEAD, AIKIDO GRAVES-BEY. ANDREW GEISS? >> GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TO DIRECTLY OPPOSE OPTION NUMBER 1 TONIGHT FOR REDISTRICTING DEEP CREEK. STARTING WITH THE REDISTRICTING SURVEY, THERE WAS A TON OF FLUFF IN IT, LOUD VOICES FROM SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE LOOSELY IMPACTED BY THIS THAT INFLATED THE NUMBERS. HARPER'S MILL IS THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE. PLEASE READ THE SURVEY DATA AND FOCUS ON THE NUMBERS FROM THE SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED, SUCH AS HAMPTON PARK, WHICH IS 6.5% OF THE STUDENT BASE IN FOXCROFT, AND COSBY, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 18.7%. CBG. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CBG PROGRAM. THE PARENTS ARE LOUD AND HAVE DOMINATED MOST OF THE MEETINGS REGARDING REDISTRICTING. CBG POPULATION THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM OPTION 1 IS ABOUT 138 CBG STUDENTS, WHICH IS ABOUT 3% OF THE OVERALL PICTURE. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE CBG PROGRAM IS AN ELECTIVE OPT-IN PROGRAM. IF THE TRAVEL IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THE OPT-IN PROGRAM, PARENTS STILL HAVE THE OPTION OF PUTTING THEIR CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL BASED GIFTED PROGRAMS. ON TOP OF THAT, MANY CBG PARENTS EXPRESS CONCERNS ON THE LACK OF QUALITY TEACHERS THAT WOULD STAFF THE SECOND PROGRAM. LET'S DO ONE AT A TIME. SUCH A LOUD VOICE FOR A PERSONAL CHOICE THAT PARENTS HAVE MADE. OUTSIDE OF THE CBG BENEFIT, I BARELY UNDERSTAND HOW OPTION 1 LIVES ON. MOST OF THE PROS THAT CAME BACK ON THE SURVEY TALKED ABOUT CROWD BALANCES AND OPTION NUMBER 1. OVERCROWDING IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE IN THIS AREA, [03:10:02] NO MATTER WHAT OPTION YOU PICK, WE CAN'T BUILD SCHOOLS FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE HOMEBUILDERS IN THE AREA. THE FACT REMAINS THAT OPTION NUMBER 1 STILL EXCLUDES AROUND 1,000 STUDENTS FROM FOXCROFT THAT WOULD BE ABOUT SEVEN MINUTES AWAY FROM DEEP CREEK, THAT'S 15-25 MINUTES ONE WAY TO THE TAMARC. OPTION NUMBER 5 IS THE CHOICE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS OPTION RESULTS IN NO CHANGE OF THE CURRENT STUDENT BASE OF HAMPTON PARK. THEY GO TO SWIFT CREEK TODAY AND THEY'LL GO TO SWIFT CREEK TOMORROW. NOTHING CHANGES. THEY AIN'T LOSING ANY FRIENDS. THEY WEREN'T GOING TO GO TO SIXTH GRADE WITH HARPER'S BAILEY BRIDGE ANYWAY. I WANT HAMPTON PARK TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO DEEP CREEK, BUT CANDIDLY, THEY'RE QUARTER OF THE SIZE OF FOXCROFT. THE SUBDIVISIONS THEY LITERALLY BE DRIVING BY ON THEIR WAY TO THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL EVERY DAY. HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY VOTE FOR OPTION NUMBER 1 IN FAVOR OF HAMPTON PARK OVER FOXCROFT? OPTION NUMBER 1 ALSO COMPLETELY DISRUPTS FOX CREEK WYNWOOD AND LIVINGSTON APARTMENTS JUST TWO YEARS AGO, THESE KIDS WERE ESSENTIALLY FORCED TO START OVER AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS WITH MOSLEY ELEMENTARY. WE PAID $100 MILLION TO BUILD THIS CLASSROOM SCHOOL. >> THANK YOU, ANDREW. >> THANK YOU. >> COLLEEN JOSEPH? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS COLLEEN JOSEPH. I TEACH IN THIS DISTRICT, AND I AM DEDICATED TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR KIDS. TO THAT END, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD REGARDING THE REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015 ON THE TREATMENT OF GENDER IDENTITY. I AM ADAMANTLY AGAINST THE PROPOSED CHANGES. THE LGBTQ STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE AN ALREADY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY CONSTANTLY BEING SUBJECTED TO HATEFUL SPEECH, BEING SPOKEN TO THEM AND ABOUT THEM, SOME OF WHICH WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY. THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO DESERVE YOUR KINDNESS AND COMPASSION. THEY ARE CHILDREN. WHO ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE CHILDREN SIMPLY TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE BEST WAY THEY CAN. YOU ARE NOT PROTECTING ANYONE BY TAKING AWAY THEIR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION OR FORCING THEM TO ADHERE TO YOUR IDEA OF WHAT THEY SHOULD LOOK OR ACT LIKE. 75% OF LGBTQ YOUTH HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS CONSIDERING SUICIDE IN THE PAST YEAR. YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD THAT ATTENDING A SCHOOL WITH EVEN ONE ANTI-LGBTQ POLICY IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER RATES OF ANXIETY DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY. I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT THESE CHANGES WILL HAVE ON THE HEALTH OF THESE YOUTH, LET ALONE THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS. THIS IS TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WHO ARE CLAIMING TO BE ADVOCATING OR VOTING FOR THESE CHANGES ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS. WE START EVERY MEETING WITH A PRAYER AND I HOPE THAT WHEN WE DO PRAY, WE CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, NOT JUST THE ONES WHO AGREE WITH OUR PERSONAL VALUES. I'M A DEVOUT FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, AND I'M APPALLED AT THE HATEFUL SPEECH THE TRANS POPULATION. AGAIN, SOME OF WHICH WE'VE HEARD HERE IS FACING. THOSE WHO ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST TRANS STUDENTS ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE WAY OF JESUS. YOU NEED LOOK NO FURTHER THAN HIS WORDS TO KNOW. PRIMARILY, MATTHEW 22 40, JESUS STATES THAT THE SECOND GREATEST COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. YOU CANNOT BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS AND HATE YOUR NEIGHBOR, THEREFORE ADVOCATING OR VOTING FOR THESE OPPRESSIVE CHANGES BASED ON CHRISTIAN VALUES AS FALLACIOUS AND ANTI-CHRIST. ADDITIONALLY, IN MATTHEW 23 VERSUS 27-28, JESUS SAYS TO THE PHARISEES, WHICH ARE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE ACTING LIKE. ON THE OUTSIDE, YOU APPEAR TO OTHERS AS RIGHTEOUS, BUT ON THE INSIDE, YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND WICKEDNESS. WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION? WHERE IS THE LOVE FOR OTHERS THAT IS COMMANDED OF YOU IN YOUR SPEECH OR IN HOW YOU VOTE? WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CERTAIN LIFESTYLE CHOICES IS IRRELEVANT. CHESTERFIELD IS NOT JUST FOR ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE, IT IS FOR EVERYONE. PLEASE SEE REASON, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH THEM. >> THANK COLLEEN. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. >> MICHAEL HARRAH? >> GOOD EVENING, DR. BARRY, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND CHESTERFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY. MY NAME IS MICHAEL HARRAH, AND I AM A FORMER SCOUT LEADER OF 13 YEARS. AN ELDER IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND A 27 YEAR VETERAN OF TEACHING IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW ARE ALSO BOTH TEACHERS WITH CCPS. MY WIFE IS A VETERAN TEACHER AS WELL. WE ALL SUPPORT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAVING THE CURRENT POLICY 1015 REGARDING TRANSGENDER AND NON BOUNDARY STUDENTS AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS. ALL STUDENTS EVERYWHERE DESERVE A WELCOMING SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEIR VERY EXISTENCE IS RESPECTED, AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND SELF WORTH ARE NURTURED. ONLY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT CAN A CHILD ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS, MAKE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, AND MAINTAIN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND OVERALL WELLNESS. THE CURRENT POLICY DOES THESE THINGS. PARENTS ARE RESPECTED AND ARE KEPT IN THE LOOP ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR CHILD'S TIME WHILE THEY'RE ENTRUSTED TO US WITH THEIR CARE. OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE PROFESSIONALS WITH STANDARDS AND CODES OF ETHICS TO FOLLOW, LET THEM DO THEIR JOBS. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM IN REGARDS TO MAXIMIZING EACH AND EVERY STUDENT'S POTENTIAL. THIS IS A WORKING SYSTEM FOR OUR STUDENTS. RESTRICTING USE OF FACILITIES AND REJECTING INCLUSION AND EQUITY PUTS ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AT RISK FOR DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HEALTH ISSUES, AND EVEN SUICIDALITY. THIS TOPIC IS HARD. IT REQUIRES ONE TO EDUCATE ONESELF. IF YOU ARE MAKING PREJUDICIAL ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON EMOTION, YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR HEAD. I'VE HAD TO DO SOME COMING TO GRIPS WITH THESE ISSUES THROUGH MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES, AND EVEN MY OWN FAMILY. IF YOU HAVE SOME OF THIS EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU DO NOT, PLEASE TRY TO LEARN WHAT YOU CAN. THERE ARE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE. HESH Z AND WE IS A GREAT PLACE TO START. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY KEEPING POLICY 1015 IN PLACE. [APPLAUSE] >> JOHN KWAPISZ? [03:15:12] JOHN KWAPISZ? SONALI GULATI? >> I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO VOTE TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL POLICY 1015 IN PLACE. THIS POLICY IS IN LINE AND UPHOLDS SO MANY FEDERAL LAWS AND CIVIL RIGHT PROTECTIONS. THE NUMBER 1 REASON TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL POLICY IN PLACE IS BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN NEED TO FEE. IT IS THE SCHOOLS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THIS POLICY SAVES LIVES. YOU'VE HEARD IT REPEATEDLY TONIGHT. THIS POLICY WORKS. SINCE THIS POLICY HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN ZERO INCIDENTS IN CCPS OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS CAUSING HARM TO ANYONE ELSE. THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHANGE THIS POLICY UNDER THE EXCUSE OF SCIENCE TO PUSH THEIR SICK AND HATEFUL AGENDA IS WRONG. I CALL IT SICK BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE SO UTTERLY OBSESSED WITH CHILDREN'S GENITALIA. THIS OBSESSION IS MAKING THEM WANT TO NOT JUST POLICE THEIR OWN CHILDREN, BUT FORCE AND CONTROL OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN INTO WHERE THEY CAN PEE AND POOP AND WHICH ACTIVITY THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN. PLEASE STOP USING SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY AS AN EXCUSE TO CONTROL PEOPLE'S BODIES AND THEIR ACTIVITIES. THE SAME ARGUMENT WAS USED TO KEEP MOTHERS AT HOME BECAUSE THEY WERE CHILD BEARERS. THIS SAME CONTROL. IT IS ABOUT CONTROL. THESE PARENTS, UNDER THE GUISE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, WANT TO CONTROL THE MINDS AND BODIES OF ALL OUR CHILDREN. ALL OUR CHILDREN. CHILDREN ARE NOT OUR PROPERTY. THEY ARE THEIR OWN HUMAN BEINGS WITH RIGHTS AND THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. LISTEN TO THE TRANS PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN TONIGHT BECAUSE THIS POLICY AFFECTS THEM. YES, IT IS ABOUT LIVES. [APPLAUSE] SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN LIFE LINES FOR. >> THANK SONALI. >> I'M SORRY. SCHOOLS [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME'S EXPIRED. >> [OVERLAPPING] DON'T FORGET THAT. [APPLAUSE] >> MICAYLA SHIELDS? >> THE WORLD FEELS MUCH DIFFERENT NOW THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO WHEN MY BROTHER WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND ORIGINALLY CAME OUT TO MY FAMILY. ALTHOUGH SOCIETY HAS PERHAPS BECOME MORE AWARE OF TRANS ISSUES IN THE LAST DECADE IN RECENT YEARS, THEY'VE ALSO BECOME A TARGET. IN 2024 ALONE, 48 ANT TRANS BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL, 669 BILLS ALTOGETHER WERE PROPOSED, AND 1139 ARE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. MANY OF THESE RESTRICTIONS HAVE ADVANCED UNDER THE GUISE OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND TODAY, I AM HERE TO IMPLORE BOARD MEMBERS TO REJECT THIS TROJAN HORSE FOR WHAT IT IS, A VESSEL TO MALIGN, DICTATE, AND ERASE TRANS LIVES FROM THE PUBLIC SPHERE. BY STRIPPING POLICY 1015 OF THE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR TRANS STUDENTS, THE END RESULT IS AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR THAT PUSHES TRANS STUDENTS INTO THE SHADOWS AND REWARDS BIGOTRY. IT IS THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH INTO THE PRIVATE LIVES OF YOUNG ADULTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS. GOVERNOR YOUNKINS ADMINISTRATION ADVISES CHILDREN, TRUST THEIR PARENTS. PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY DESIRE, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORCIBLY OUT THE CHILDREN OF OTHER PARENTS. THIS, I IMPLORE ALL OF YOU TODAY TO TRUST YOUR CHILDREN. TRUST THEM TO COME TO YOU WHEN THEY ARE READY, AS MY BROTHER DID WITH ME AND MY OWN FAMILY, TRUST THEM WHEN THEY SAY THAT THESE POLICY REVISIONS HARM THEM. IF YOU HAVE RAISED THEM TO SHARE YOUR VALUES OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE, THEN THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. ENGLISH POET JOHN DUNN ONCE SAID, NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, THEREFORE, SEND NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR THEE. THE LOSS OF ONE IS A LOSS TO THE MANY AND ATTACK ON ONE OF US IS AN ATTACK ON US ALL. OUR CHILDREN, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LOVED ONES ARE BEGGING TO BE HEARD, WILL YOU LISTEN TO THEM? WILL YOU PROVE TO THEM BY REJECTING THESE UNNECESSARY AND CRUEL POLICY CHANGES THAT THEIR LIVES MATTER? I IMPLORE YOU TO CONSIDER THAT THE VIOLENCE INFLICTED BY A PEN STROKE CAN BE JUST AS VIOLENT AS THE VIOLENCE INFLICTED BY A FIST. TO EVERY TRANS STUDENT, PLEASE KNOW THIS, YOU ARE OKAY, JUST AS YOU ARE. YOU BELONG HERE, YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE WORTHY, AND YOU ARE RESILIENT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> BEKURA SHABAZZ. >> ONE. [03:20:02] I WISH I COULD SAY GOOD EVENING TONIGHT, BUT TODAY, I HAD TO SIT IN A COURT ROOM WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS BEEN FALSELY ACCUSED AND CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND BATTERY FOR PROTECTING HERSELF. WE LISTEN TO THE JUDGE TALK ABOUT PROTECTING THE VICTIM IN THIS CASE WHEN THE SO CALLED VICTIM IS A VIOLENT PREDATOR. WHILE WE SPEAK ABOUT SUICIDE TONIGHT, MY DAUGHTER, AFTER BEING PRESSURED BY HER PREVIOUS ATTORNEY TO TAKE A PLEA AGREEMENT, STATING THAT HE COULD NOT PROTECT HER FROM GOING INTO SYSTEM, SAID TO ME, MAMA, IF I HAVE TO GO, I'M GOING TO COMMIT SUICIDE, WHILE TELLING ME HER PLANS ON HOW SHE WOULD CARRY IT OUT. TELL ME OF YOU ARE HERE TO PROTECT MY DAUGHTER TONIGHT. IT DEFINITELY ISN'T ANY OF YOU ON THIS PODIUM RIGHT HERE. YOU ALL HAVE CONTINUED TO ERASE HER ENTIRE EXISTENCE AND EXPERIENCE. GOOD JOB TO ALL OF YOU. EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU SHOULD RESIGN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO GO GET THE RECORDS THAT WE REPORTED, THAT THE YOUNG MAN HAD SUBSEQUENTLY ATTACKED MY DAUGHTER AGAIN, THIS MAN, WHO YOU SEE RIGHT THERE. MR. STEP AND FETCH WINDELL, TOLD DOCTOR MCLAUREN, MY DAUGHTER'S PRINCIPAL NOT TO GIVE ME THE RECORDS SO THAT I COULD PROTECT MY DAUGHTER. NONE OF OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE, WHETHER THEY'RE STRAIGHT, GAY, LESBIAN, NON BRAIDEN, QUEER, WHATEVER, NONE OF THEM ARE SAFE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE ARE HERE CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION AND OUR TERMINATION OF MR. WENDELL. AN KOKER, DR. MCLAUREN, AND THE REMOVAL OF SRR BRANDON ROSENTHAL AND THE TERMINATION OF THE MOU THAT EXISTS BETWEEN CCPD AND CCPS. WE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE OUR CHILDREN BEING UNSAFE SPACES WHILE THE STATE MANDATES THAT WE SEND OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND THEY NOT BE SAFE. IF MY CHILD CANNOT PROTECT HERSELF IN SCHOOL, ONE OF ALL BETTER START, AND I'M NOT PLAYING ALL OF YOU SHOULD RESIGN. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> QIANA JOHNSON? EDWUAN WHITEHEAD? >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN. VICE CHAIRWOMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS EDWUAN, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE INJUSTICE REFORM NETWORK TODAY AS AN ADVOCATE FOR MISS ALIA SMITH. SHE'S A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN THE SURVIVOR OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, WHO HAS BEEN GRIEVOUSLY FAILED BY THIS DISTRICT. ALIA WAS ASSAULTED AND HARASSED AT THOMAS DALE HIGH SCHOOL INSTEAD OF BEING SUPPORTED AS A VICTIM. SHE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED, CRIMINALIZED, AND CONTINUALLY UNDERMINED. THIS BOARD AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ALLOWED HER LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A SURVIVOR TO BE DISMISSED WHILE ENABLING HER AGGRESSOR TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS. THE ONGOING TREATMENT OF ALIA SENDS A DANGEROUS MESSAGE THAT THIS DISTRICT WILL PROTECT AGGRESSORS AT THE EXPENSE OF ITS SURVIVORS. BY FAILING TO HOLD HER AGGRESSOR ACCOUNTABLE IN ITS FULLNESS, INSTEAD OF PUNISHING ALIA FOR DEFENDING HERSELF, YOU ARE MERELY COMPLICIT IN PERPETUATING A CULTURE WHERE VIOLENCE IS TOLERATED AND VICTIMS ARE SILENCED. I RESPECTFULLY DEMAND OF THIS BOARD TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALIA AS THE VICTIM THAT SHE TRULY IS BECAUSE SHE WAS HURT IN THIS PROCESS. HOLD HER AGGRESSOR ACCOUNTABLE. PLEASE BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE. THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SITTING WHERE YOU'RE SITTING. GIVE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY THAT LOVELY ACTUALLY CARES FOR HER. LET'S FIGURE OUT SOME SYSTEMIC REFORMS SO DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. CAN'T HOW ABUSERS ARE LITERALLY PERPETUATED, AND THAT'S HOW THEY GO HIDING, AND THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE MORE VICTIMS. CAN'T KEEP RELIVING IT. MADAM CHAIR, MADAM VICE CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, YOUR ACTIONS OR LACK THEREOF. DEFINE THE CULTURE OF THIS DISTRICT. WILL YOU STAND WITH YOUR SURVIVORS OR WILL YOU CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE AGGRESSORS? A DESERVES JUSTICE, AND EVERY STUDENT DESERVES SAFETY, RESPECT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE ADULTS ENTRUSTED WITH THEIR CARE. WE ARE WATCHING YOU GUYS VERY CLOSELY, AND WE ARE DEMANDING SOME LEVELS OF CHANGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND TAKING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO JUSTICE. THANKS. [APPLAUSE] >> AIKIDO GRAVES-BAY? >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. ACCOUNTABILITY. AS ADMINISTRATORS AND OFFICIALS, TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SROS AND COPS, THE SYSTEM GATHER BEHIND THEM REGARDLESS HOW WRONG THEY ARE. [03:25:04] HOW DO YOU GO FROM TELLING THE STUDENT WE GOT YOUR BACK OR WE WILL GET YOU WHATEVER YOU NEED TO SUCCEED TO WE CAN'T SUPPORT YOU NOW BECAUSE THE SRA ABUSES AUTHORITY, AND NOW YOU'RE ALONE, ALIA WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE ESTABLISHMENT BECAUSE THE SRO RETALIATED AGAINST A MOTHER AND HER CHILD BY FILING FALSE CHARGES AGAINST ALIA. SHE WAS BRUTALLY ATTACKED AND BEATEN NOW THE SYSTEM WHO'S SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HER HAS JUMPED SHIP TO SUPPORT THE SRO AND HIS WRONGDOINGS. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH OF A CHILD THAT IS BEING PROSECUTED FOR DEFENDING HERSELF OR HAVE TO FIGHT ANY LEGAL MATTERS, KNOWING THEY ARE INNOCENT AND IS BEING RETALIATED AGAINST BY THE SYSTEM. I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND BECAUSE MY SON WAS A VICTIM OF POLICE BRUTALITY AND FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN SCHOOL BULLYING. THE CASE AND STRESS EVENTUALLY WORSENED HIS CONDITION. HE HAD ADHD THAT EVENTUALLY BROUGHT ABOUT SEVERE EPILEPSY. HE WAS ALWAYS LIKE, WHY ARE THEY ATTACKING ME? WHAT DID I DO? WHY WHY, WHY? IT STARTED OFF AS SHAKES, BLOCKING OUT TO FULL SEIZURES. IT EVENTUALLY CLAIMED HIS LIFE. HE NEVER MADE IT TO TRIAL. THESE TYPES OF ATTACKS ON CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL AMID AND OFFICIALS HAVE TO END. NEXT, IT COULD BE YOUR CHILD OR ANYONE'S CHILD. IF WE CAN'T RELY ON SCHOOLS AND POLICE OFFICERS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, THEN WE HAVE TO AS PARENTS, OURSELF, MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES BECAUSE THE SYSTEM KEEP ON CONTINUE TO FAIL THEM. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT GROUP OF 10 SPEAKERS, IF YOU COULD LINE UP ALONGSIDE EITHER WALL, CHRISTOPHER JOYNER, EARLLELGHA SMITH, ANTON RICHARDSON JUNIOR, LAUREN WYNNE, JAMES GALLAGHER, JEFFREY HILL, DR. RODNEY WILLIAMS, GAYLE DOBBINS, CONNOR BINGHAM AND TORI QUALLS. MAY WE HAVE CHRISTOPHER JOYNER. >> GOOD EVENING, STAFF, BOARD. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER JOYNER. I CAME UP HERE FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA BECAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE THAT IS CURRENT THAT IS OCCURRING WITH ALIA SMITH. NOW AFTER SEEING EVERYTHING THAT I'M HEARING WITH ALL THIS FEAR IN THIS COURT ROOM, IT'S A COURT ROOM TO ME BECAUSE IT FEEL LIKE A TOTALLY GOT CONTROL OF A COMMUNITY. ALL GOT THEM FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER, THE PARENTS AND KIDS, AND THAT'S A DISTURBANCE. Y'ALL SUPPOSED TO BE THE MASTERMINDS, THE EDUCATORS AND THE MASS STRATEGIC THINKERS TO HELP BRING BETTER EDUCATION TO A WHOLE FAMILY, NOT PART OF A FAMILY AND FORCE SOME NEGATIVE ON THEM. THAT'S A DISTURBANCE AND THEY SUPPOSED TO ASK FOR ALL Y'ALL.. ALL SUPPOSED TO PETITION THIS WHOLE PANEL AND GET ALL OFFER HERE. BECAUSE THIS HURT TO SEE KEYS AGAINST THEIR OWN PARENTS AND Y'ALL PUSHING IT FOR THIS GOVERNMENT FUNDING SO Y'ALL CAN HAVE BETTER SALARIES. Y'ALL THINKING ABOUT YOUR OWN KEYS AND YOUR OWN FUTURE, YOUR OWN HIDDEN AGENDA IS INAPPROPRIATE. THIS IS A DISTURBANCE WHEN A CHILD FEARS THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE THEIR SELF AT HOME. Y'ALL SUPPOSED TO HAVE BETTER EDUCATION STRATEGIES WHERE Y'ALL HAD THESE MANDATORY PTA MEETINGS AND BRING THE FAMILIES OUT AND TEACH THEM HOW TO ACCEPT CHANGE WITHIN THE KIDS, NOT POINT OUT THAT IT IS THEIR KIDS, BUT TEACH THEM HOW TO ADJUST BECAUSE A LOT OF PARENTS ARE STILL STUBBORN ON THE OLD PAST. I USED TO FIGHT HOMOSEXUALS. I USED TO FIGHT POLICE OFFICERS, I JUST DID 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON. NOW I'M THE CHAIRMAN. I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FREE ENTRY PROGRAM. THAT'S RIGHT. UNDER THE INJUSTICE REFORM NETWORK. I'M GOING TO LEAVE EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF THESE FAMILY AND CHURCHES IN A BETTER METHOD BECAUSE ALL FAILED, AND Y'ALL NEED TO GET OFF THESE SEATS IMMEDIATELY. I WILL BE PUSHING FOR ONE OF Y'ALL SEATS, WHETHER IT'S MEAL IS SOMEBODY WHO DESIRE. THANK YOU JOINER. TAKE CARE OF THESE.THANK YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE. >> EARLLELGHA SMITH? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS EARLLELGHA, AND I STAND HERE. I'M HERE TO STAND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. I WAS BRUTALLY ATTACKED FROM BEHIND IN MY CAFETERIA AT THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL BY A WHOLE FOOTBALL PLAYER WITH THESE NOISE NOISE CANCELLATION HEADPHONES ON. HE WAS TWICE MY WEIGHT. HE PUNCHED ME IN MY EYE REPEATEDLY, AND I WAS RUSHED TO ER. I HAD PERMANENT DISFIGUREMENT IN MY RIGHT EYEBROW FROM THIS HORRIFIC INCIDENT. MISS CROCKER, CALLED ME AGGRESSIVELY IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE I DECIDED TO DEFEND MYSELF, INSTEAD OF LETTING THIS YOUNG MAN TAKE MY LIFE ON THE SCHOOL FLOOR. I WASN'T NICE TO CALL THE POLICE. [03:30:03] I WASN'T NICE TO CALL PEOPLE NAMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT WAS FALSE TUNE. NO ONE WAS THERE TO SAY ME, BUT A COUPLE OF SCHOOL FRIENDS WHILE TEACHER STOOD THERE JUST WATCHING THIS PLAYOUT INSTEAD OF HELPING ME. A PETITE YOUNG WOMAN NO MORE THAN 115 POUNDS SOAKING WET. I FIND THIS VERY CRAZY COMING FROM A WHOLE WOMAN WHO IS SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF ME AND OTHER STUDENTS. I FEEL LIKE MISS CROCKER, ERASED MY EXISTENCE AND I AND SHOULD NOT BE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. IF SHE DOESN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS MAN CAUSING ME TRAUMA, SCARRING TO MY FACE, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND I AM CALLING FOR HER RESIGNATION ALONG WITH MY MOTHER. IT DOESN'T STOP THERE THOUGH, I'M GOING TO ALSO CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION OF MY SCHOOL SRO, MR. ROSENTHAL, WHO DECIDED TO TAKE CHARGES OUT ON ME DUE TO MY MOM WANTS TO GET JUSTICE SERVED FOR WHAT THIS YOUNG MAN WRONGFULLY DID TO ME. I FEEL THE REASON BEHIND THIS IS BECAUSE THE SRO HAS SOMETHING AGAINST MY MOM FOR WANTING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. I HAVE ASSAULT AND BATTERY CHARGE PENDING AGAINST ME WHILE THE OTHER DUDE HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THIS HAS CAUSED ME SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT APPRECIATED, I AM NOT HEARD NO PRIORITY TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE POLICE. YOU ALL HAVE FAILED ME AND I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF A GUILTY PERSON. >> THANK YOU EARLLELGHA. [APPLAUSE] >> ANTON RICHARDSON? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANTON RICHARDSON, AND I'M THE OLDER BROTHER OF EARLLELGHA SMITH. BUT FIRST, I WANT TO START OFF FOR, WE NEED TO RELOCATE, IT DOESN'T MAKE NO SENSE HOW AT THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE YOU'LL WANT TO DO AWARDS, THAT'S ABOUT LEAST 50 PLUS PEOPLE OUTSIDE WAITING, AND THEN WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WAITING TO TALK ALMOST 10: 30 AT NIGHT. YOU'LL HAVE ALMOST $1 TRILLION BUDGET NEXT YEAR, WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER PLACE TO HAVE CONCEIT MORE PEOPLE, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A DAY WHERE PARENTS ARE ONLY THE ONES SPEAKING. WE DON'T NEED TO DO THE AWARDS. YOU CAN DO THEM AWARDS ON SEPARATE. BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE. NOW, IN REGARDS TO MY SISTER, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING. I'M IN COLLEGE I JUST FINISHED THE SEMESTER. I STARTED COMING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS IN JULY OR AUGUST, BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BECAUSE I HAVE CLASS TUESDAY NIGHT. MY MOM IS STILL COMING HERE EVERY SINGLE MONTH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING, NO PROGRESS IS BEING DONE. EVEN FROM THOSE MEETINGS THAT I CAME TO, YOU STILL GOT PEOPLE COMING FOR OTHER ISSUES. STILL ASKING YOU THE SAME QUESTIONS, WHAT CAN YOU GET DONE FROM THEM? BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A BUNCH OF INEPTNESS TO ME. ALSO, WE NEED TO GET SROS OUT OF THESE SCHOOLS. IT IS NO REASON WHY CHILDREN FOR FIGHTING SHOULD BE GETTING ARRESTED, ANY OF THAT. YOU JUST GET YOU TEN DAYS OR WHATEVER OR DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION, GET YOU FIVE DAYS AND YOU GO HOME. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ON COKE COKER, COMING OUT AND THWARTING OUR EFFORTS, TELLING OTHER MEMBERS ON THE BOARD NOT TO BE TALKING TO MY MOM. ALSO, PEOPLE LIKE WENDELL BEND OVER ROBERTS, TELLING DR. MCLAUREN NOT TO GIVE MY MOM THE EVIDENCE SHE'S BEEN ASKING FOR. MY MOM WAS ASKING FOR THE EVIDENCE FOR LIKE SIX WEEKS. AND YOU ALL JUST KEPT GIVING HER THE RUN AROUND, JUST SAY NO. IF YOU ALL AIN'T GOING TO DO NOT, JUST SAY NO, LET US STAND, DON'T GIVE EVERYBODY WHO'S COMING HERE FOR ISSUES, THE RUN AROUND. WE JUST KEEP COMING OUT HERE EVERY SINGLE MONTH. OVER AND OVER. WHAT IS IT THAT Y'ALL DO AND WHAT CAN Y'ALL DO OR Y'ALL JUST GO TO KEEP LOOKING AT? I FEEL LIKE THAT'S WHAT TO KEEP LOOKING AT. >> THANK YOU, ANTON. [APPLAUSE] LAUREN WYNNE. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR ALL OF US TONIGHT. MY NAME IS DR. LAUREN WYNNE. I'M IN MY 27TH YEAR AS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND HAVE WORKED AT THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH-SCHOOL LEVELS. I'M ALSO A CCPS PARENT WITH A RECENT GRADUATE AND A MIDDLE SCHOOLER WHO LOOK TO ME DAILY FOR HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE WELL. FOR THESE REASONS, I FEEL COMPELLED TO ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE DISCUSSION OF HOW WE DO AND DON'T WANT TO TREAT OUR STUDENTS. AT NO POINT IN MY CAREER, DID I EVER LEARN THAT OUTING A STUDENT IS BEST PRACTICE. TO THE CONTRARY, I LEARNED THAT OUTING A STUDENT IS DANGEROUS AND DISRESPECTFUL OF THEIR AUTONOMY. THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION ETHICAL STANDARDS DESCRIBE BEST PRACTICES THAT ARE FOLLOWED BY SCHOOL COUNSELORS NATIONALLY. A QUERY OF THE DOCUMENT YIELDS 21 REFERENCES TO GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION. ALL OF THE REFERENCES GO ON TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO SHOW RESPECT FOR, INCLUDE, ADVOCATE FOR, AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY IN THIS WAY. NO STANDARD ENCOURAGES SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO OUT STUDENTS. [03:35:04] AS WRITTEN, THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER VERSIONS OF THE POLICY 1015 ARE NOT ALIGNED WITH SCHOOL COUNSELING ETHICS OR BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO WORKING WITH TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY YOUTH. THE CURRENT POLICY IS WORKING AND IS ALIGNED WITH SCHOOL COUNSELING, ETHICS, AND BEST PRACTICES. IN CLOSING, I WOULD ENCOURAGE PARENTS, AS I ALWAYS DO, TO OPEN DOORS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN, JUST AS WE ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO OPEN DOORS OF COMMUNICATION TO THEIR FAMILIES. IF A FAMILY FEELS LIKE THEY HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO ASK US WHAT'S HAPPENING, THEY PROBABLY NEED TO TALK TO THEIR STUDENT. IT'S ALSO AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR THEM TO SAY TO THEIR CHILD, "I LOVE YOU FOREVER, NO MATTER WHAT. YOUR HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND WELL-BEING IS MY MOST IMPORTANT GOAL AS YOUR PARENT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU COULD SAY OR DO THAT WILL EVER CHANGE." >> THANK YOU, LAUREN. [APPLAUSE] JAMES GALLAGHER. >> MEMBERS OF THE CHESTERFIELD SCHOOL BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. MY NAME IS JAMES GALLAGHER. I AM A TEACHER IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK AT CHESTERFIELD, AS I HAVE FOUND THAT I CANNOT REMAIN SILENT WHEN THE RIGHTS AND WELL-BEING OF TRANS FOLK ARE AT RISK. I HAVE READ THE CURRENT POLICY REGARDING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS, AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED CHANGES, AND I CAN ONLY COME TO ONE CONCLUSION THAT THE CHANGES TO THE POLICY WILL PROMOTE THE BULLYING OF TRANS YOUTH IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. THE CURRENT POLICY IS COMPLEX AND ROBUST, IT ENSURES THAT THE RIGHTS OF BOTH TRANS STUDENTS AND CIS STUDENTS ARE RESPECTED, AS WELL AS THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS. THE PROPOSED POLICY WOULD REVOKE THESE COMPLEX PROTECTIONS AND ALLOW BULLIES SIGNIFICANTLY EASIER TIME HARMING OUR YOUTH. WHAT I FIND PARTICULARLY EGREGIOUS IS THE PROPOSED EXCEPTIONS TO RESPECTING A TRANS STUDENTS IDENTITY ON THE BASIS OF BELIEF AND THE FORCED OUTING OF STUDENTS. FORCIBLY ADDING TRANS STUDENTS TO THEIR PARENTS, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, PUTS THEM AT SIGNIFICANT RISK AND DOES NOT DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY. IT PUTS THEM AT RISK OF BULLYING BY THEIR COMMUNITY WHEN THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HIDE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF BELIEF, JUSTIFYING THEIR BULLYING UNDER THAT BASIS, AND IT ALSO PUTS THEM AT RISK OF BULLYING BY THEIR OWN PARENTS IN THE SITUATIONS THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. THERE IS A STUDENT AT MY SCHOOL, WHO I HAVE WITNESSED, HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM; THEY WERE OUTED PREMATURELY, AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERBALLY ABUSED. THEY'VE HAD THEIR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS CONFISCATED AND DESTROYED IN FRONT OF THEM, AND THEY'VE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THEIR OWN HOUSE. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE IN THE VAIN EFFORT TO UNTRANS THEM. HAVE THE STUDENT OPENLY OUTED, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM HOME, THEY WOULD HAVE COME OUT WHEN THEY HAD FELT SAFE OR DISCOVERED THAT THEY IDENTIFIED WITH THEIR ASSIGNED GENDER AT BIRTH AND PUT THE ISSUE TO REST WITHOUT THE HARM CAUSED BY THEIR PARENTS. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH. WHEN I TOOK THIS CAREER, I VOWED THAT I PUT THE BEST INTERESTS OF STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE FIRST. I'M HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD HAVE THE SAME OBLIGATION, AND I NEEDED TO MAKE THAT SAID. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. [APPLAUSE] >> JEFFREY HILL. >> SCHOOL BOARD, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ALL OF US. MY NAME IS JEFF HILL. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, AGES 20 THROUGH 13, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK AND ADVOCATE AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER ADOPTING THE NOVEMBER VERSION OF THE 1015 DOCUMENT POLICY. LISTENING TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE ROOM, I ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DIFFICULT DECISION REQUIRING WISDOM, AND THAT'S MY PRAYER FOR YOU. MY PRAYER FOR YOU IS THAT YOU WOULD SEEK GOD'S WISDOM. ULTIMATELY, HE'S THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM, AND ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE'RE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION, ALTHOUGH I DISAGREE WITH MY FRIENDS WHO SEE IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, I TOTALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR CARE AND CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THEIR MINDS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. HOWEVER, I DISAGREE WITH THEIR LOGIC BECAUSE THEIR LADDER IS LEANING AGAINST THE WRONG WALL. EVENTUALLY, WE ALL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO A HOLY GOD, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE MUST STAND FOR TRUTH. IF WE STAND FOR TRUTH IN THE END, TRUTH WILL STAND FOR US. [APPLAUSE] >> RODNEY WILLIAMS. [03:40:01] GAYLE DOBBINS. >> MY NAME IS GAYLE DOBBINS, AND I'M THE PHYSICS TEACHER AT THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK OUT TODAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. UNEQUIVOCALLY, THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE AN ATTACK ON LGBT STUDENTS AND A ROLLBACK OF THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES. THESE CHANGES HAVE NO BASIS IN FACT, AND WHAT IS A FACT IS OVER HALF OF TRANS NON-BINARY YOUTH HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT SUICIDE IN THE PAST YEAR, AND ONE IN FIVE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE. THAT NUMBER GROWS AS THE RIGHTS OF TRANS STUDENTS ARE UNDER ATTACK. TO KNOW WHAT THE BIGGEST FACTORS ARE IN REDUCING THESE STATISTICS, BEING ACCEPTED AT HOME, FOLLOWED BY BEING ACCEPTED AT SCHOOL, AS MUCH AS I HOPE AND DREAM THAT EVERY TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENT IS ACCEPTED AT HOME, A PEER REVIEWED STUDY IN THE PEDIATRIC CLINIC OF NORTH AMERICA FINDS THAT ONLY ONE THIRD OF YOUTH EXPERIENCE PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE, ANOTHER THIRD EXPERIENCED PARENTAL REJECTION, AND THE REMAINING THIRD DO NOT DISCLOSE. ANOTHER STUDY FROM THE TREVOR PROJECT FOUND THAT HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSTABILITY WERE REPORTED AT HIGHER RATES AMONG TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY YOUTH, INCLUDING 38% OF TRANSGENDER GIRLS AND 39% OF TRANSGENDER BOYS AND 35% OF NON-BINARY YOUTH. THIS IS WHY OUTING STUDENTS AGAINST THEIR WILL IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT. WHILE WE CAN'T AFFECT IF A STUDENT IS ACCEPTED AT HOME, WE CAN AFFECT IF A STUDENT IS ACCEPTED AT SCHOOL. EVERY STUDENT SHOULD FEEL SAFE AND RESPECTED AT SCHOOL AND WITH THESE CHANGES, NONE OF OUR TRANS AND NON-BINARY STUDENTS CAN FEEL THAT WAY. ATTENDING A SCHOOL WITH EVEN ONE ANTI-LGBTQ POLICY IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER RATES OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS FROM YOUNG STUDENTS. AS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONE IN FIVE, I NEED YOU TO HEAR ME SAY THAT THE TINY CHANGE OF JUST BEING CALLED THE CORRECT NAME AND PRONOUNS MAKES THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. ASK ANY EDUCATOR WHO HAS HAD A TRANS STUDENT, AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS POLICY IS SIMPLY DISCRIMINATORY. I IMPLORE YOU TO FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF OTHER DISTRICTS IN VIRGINIA AND REFUSE TO FOLLOW THESE PROPOSED CHANGES. FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS, WE MUST OPPOSE THESE CHANGES. IF YOU ARE A PARENT THAT IS HERE TONIGHT AND IS WORRIED ABOUT BEING INFORMED, I ASK YOU THIS, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU TOLD YOUR CHILD YOU LOVE AND ACCEPT THEM, NO MATTER THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY? >> THANK YOU. >> I WOULD START THERE. [APPLAUSE] >> CONNOR BINGHAM? >> LAST YEAR, THE FBI RELEASED A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CALLED THE VIOLENT ONLINE GROUPS EXTORT MINORS FOR SELF-HARM AND PRODUCE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL. GOING FURTHER DOWN THE DOCUMENT, IT STATES THAT THE FBI IS WORRYING THE PUBLIC OF VIOLENT ONLINE GROUPS, DELIVERY TARGETING MINOR VICTIMS ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE MESSAGING PLATFORMS TO EXTORT THEM. THEY USE EXTORTION AND BLACKMAIL TACTICS SUCH AS THREATENING SWAT OR DOSING THE MINOR VICTIMS. IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE GROUP'S REQUEST, THEY MANIPULATE AND EXTORT MINORS INTO PRODUCING C-SAM AND VIDEOS DEPICTING ANIMAL CRUELTY AND SELF-HARM. THESE SELF-HARM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CUTTING, STABBING, OR FAN-SIGNING, AND MEMBERS OF THESE GROUPS THREATEN TO SHARE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIDEOS OR PHOTOS OF THE MINOR VICTIMS WITH THEIR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND/OR POST TO THE INTERNET. THE GROUPS CONTROL THEIR VICTIMS THROUGH EXTREME FEAR, AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE AN INGLE OF FORCING THE MINORS. THEY EXTORT INTO COMMITTING SUICIDE ON LIVESTREAM FOR THEIR OWN ENTERTAINMENT OR THEIR OWN SENSE OF FAME. WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THIS? LET'S CONTINUE. THESE GROUPS TARGET MINORS BETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHT AND 17-YEARS-OLD, ESPECIALLY LGBTQ YOUTH, AND THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL IDEALIZATION. THIS POLICY IS NOT GOING TO DO WHAT YOU WANT IT TO. THIS IS NOT GOING TO CONNECT STUDENTS TO PARENTS. WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO IS THIS IS GOING TO SEPARATE STUDENTS AND ISOLATE THEM FROM THEIR TEACHERS AND REASONABLE RATIONAL ADULTS WHO CAN DIRECT THEM BACK INTO DEVELOPING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILY. WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I SPENT MY ENTIRE TIME AROUND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS, AS YOU SHOULD KNOW AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY WILL NOT TALK TO THE TEACHERS AFTER THIS POLICY IS ENACTED. WHEN THEY ARE BEGINNING THEIR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM THEIR TEACHERS, THEY ARE GOING TO SEEK ELSEWHERE. IN THE BEST CASE, IT IS GOING TO BE THEIR FRIENDS. IN THE WORST CASE, IT IS GOING TO BE PREDATORS. MS. HUDGINS [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] TORI QUALLS? >> HOWDY YOU ALL? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THERE'S MUCH TO BE SAID OF THE PRECEDENT OF GRIMM VERSUS GLOUCESTER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO ME, AS I'M A PROUD TRANSGENDER WOMAN WHO CAME OUT MY SENIOR YEAR AT GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL. POLICY LIKE THAT PROPOSED HERE TONIGHT PROVABLY CAUSES HEIGHTENED DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND RATES OF SUICIDE AMONG TRANS YOUTH. [03:45:03] IT'S BEEN PROVEN WITH STUDY AFTER STUDY SHOWING SERIOUS EVIDENCE THAT THE RESULT OF TRANSPHOBIC LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL MURDER OF PEOPLE LIKE ME. ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS WAS ALSO A TRANSGENDER STUDENT AT GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL WITH ME. TRANS-PHOBIC POLICY AND LEADERSHIP LED TO HIM ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT SUICIDE ON GRADUATION DAY. THIS IS BECAUSE HE WAS FORCIBLY OUTED EARLY IN HIS SCHOOL CAREER, LEADING TO ABUSE FROM HIS FAMILY, FORCING HIM TO WORK TWO JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET WHILE TRYING TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. THROUGH IMMENSE LUCK, HIS LIFE WAS SPARED. YOUR DECISION TONIGHT WILL NOT BE A NEUTRAL ACT. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT TRANS CHILDREN FROM IMMENSE SOCIAL VIOLENCE BY CHOOSING TO KEEP POLICY 1015'S 2021 VERSION AS IT IS. PASSING THE PROPOSED REVISION WILL BE AN ACT OF SERIOUS SOCIAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN. THIS WILL NOT STOP AT TRANS PEOPLE. IN THE WORDS OF ANGELA DAVIS, "WHEN THEY COME FOR ME IN THE MORNING, THEY WILL COME FOR YOU AT NIGHT." MY NAME IS NATALIE HOSKINS WITH THE PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION. TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THE NEXT GROUP OF 10, IF YOU COULD LINE UP ALONG THE SIDE OF THE WALLS. REY REGENSTREIF-HARMS, TRACO FRANSSEN, NATHAN VERILLA, CARLA POLLARD, DIANA GANEY, DEREK WALKER, RIVER OLSSON, ANN BUTLER, KATIE SHAFFER, JAN CALDWELL. MAY WE HAVE REY REGENSTREIF-HARMS? >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS REY REGENSTREIF-HARMS. I LIVE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND I'M THE PARENT OF TWO CHILDREN, ONE WHO STARTED IN CCPS THIS YEAR AND ONE WHO WILL ATTEND IN THE FUTURE. I'M SPEAKING, TODAY, TO URGE THE BOARD NOT TO ACCEPT ANY CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. WHILE CLOAKED IN THE NEBULOUS UNDEFINED TERM PARENTAL RIGHTS, THESE CHANGES ARE CLEARLY TARGETED AT THE ACCEPTANCE AND SAFETY OF LGBT STUDENTS AND MOST ESPECIALLY TRANS STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS. I GENERALLY AGREE WITH COMMENTS SUBMITTED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS THAT KIDS ARE HARMED WHEN PARENTS ARE CUT OUT, BUT NO ONE IN THIS ROOM WOULD AGREE THAT THIS IS TRUE 100% OF THE TIME. SCHOOLS ALREADY MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS ON A DAILY BASIS BY RESTRICTING THE ACCESS OF PARENTS WHO LACK CUSTODIAL RIGHTS, BY NOT ALLOWING A CHILD TO BE PICKED UP BY AN IMPAIRED DRIVER AFTER SCHOOL, EVEN IF THEIR DRIVER IS THEIR PARENT. WHEN PARENTS CANNOT ACCEPT THEIR LGBT CHILD AS THEY ARE, THEY ARE SADLY CAPABLE OF BECOMING JUST AS DANGEROUS TO THAT CHILD. STUDIES CLEARLY SHOW THAT LGBT YOUTH ARE MORE VULNERABLE BOTH TO SUICIDE AND HOMELESSNESS THAN OTHER YOUTH, AND THAT THESE RISKS ARE INCREASED IF THEY ARE IN A FAMILY THAT DOESN'T ACCEPT THEM AND ARE SUBJECT TO SCHOOL POLICIES TARGETING THEM. THESE CHANGES WOULD INCREASE THESE RISKS, WHICH I DEEPLY BELIEVE MAKES THEM UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS BOARD TO EVEN CONSIDER. LASTLY, AS A PARENT, I WANT TO SAY THAT I WOULD NOT SEND MY CHILDREN TO ANY SCHOOL OR DISTRICT WITH TEACHERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART, AND I TRUST CCPS EMPLOYEES WITH MY CHILD EVERY DAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT ABOUT THEM. I KNOW THAT ALL TEACHERS HAVE TO UNDERGO BACKGROUND CHECKS AND PARTICIPATE IN SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING EACH YEAR. I DON'T THINK THAT THE TEACHERS IN THIS COUNTY ARE CAPRICIOUSLY FORCING OR ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO LIE AND DECEIVE THEIR PARENTS. I BELIEVE THEY CARE DEEPLY FOR THE STUDENTS UNDER THEIR CARE AND THAT THE CURRENT POLICY AS WRITTEN GIVES THEM APPROPRIATE LEEWAY TO PROTECT THE LIFE AND WELL-BEING OF ALL THEIR STUDENTS. THANK YOU TO ANY TEACHERS FROM ANY SCHOOL IN ATTENDANCE TODAY, AND THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE] >> TRACO FRANSSEN? >> HI. I'M TRACO FRANSSEN, CHESTERFIELD RESIDENT AND PROUD GRADUATE. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE NOW MORE PROTECTIONS IN THIS PROPOSED REVISION FOR FULL-GROWN ADULTS WHO DEADNAME KIDS THAN KIDS WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE ANOTHER DAY. THIS IS NOW A POLICY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THOSE WHO ARE DETERMINED TO HURT KIDS AND FOR WHAT BENEFIT? SOME OF THE FOLKS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD COULD CURRY FAVOR WITH THEIR POLITICAL IDOLS AND HIGHER OFFICE. WHY ELSE WOULD YOU MANDATE THAT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS TAKE TIME FROM THEIR PROFESSIONAL DUTIES TO INSTEAD SEND A NOTE HOME EVERY TIME A KID WANTS TO BE CALLED A DIFFERENT NICKNAME? NOTICE THE LANGUAGE TOO THAT THAT GETS A SHALL, BUT THAT VULNERABLE STUDENT WHO JUST WANTS A P IN PIECE ONLY GETS AT A SUITABLE FACILITY TO DO SO SHOULD BE OFFERED. I OFTEN HEAR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT UNFUNDED MANDATES COMING DOWN FROM THE STATE, BUT GUESS WHAT? A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS POLICY IS JUST ADDING ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE FROM SPECIFIC MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD. YOU CANNOT BLAME IT ON ANYBODY BESIDES YOU ALL. THERE IS NO REASON TO BE INTRODUCING THIS RIGHT NOW. I HOPE EVERYONE HERE NOTICES ON THE AGENDA THIS WASN'T EVEN PROCEEDED WITH A MEMO NUMBER BECAUSE STAFF ISN'T SAYING THIS IS LEGALLY MANDATED. NOPE. THIS IS A FEW MEMBER OF THE BOARD, [03:50:01] JUST TRYING TO PLAY POLITICS, PUTTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING IN THE BALANCE. WHY FORCE THIS THROUGH UNILATERALLY? WHY NOT SEND IT THROUGH A POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE FIRST AND ALLOW THOSE IN THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY TO WEIGH IN? THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT THE CURRENT POLICY DID. WHY WOULD YOU TAKE IT AWAY FROM THAT? BECAUSE YOU WANT A LICENSE TO BULLY. THAT'S EXTREME. DELETING THE PART ABOUT NOT FORCING KIDS TO UNDRESS IN FRONT OF YOU, THAT'S EXTREME. I KNOW SOME OF YOU WILL DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING I SAY BECAUSE OF WHERE I HAPPEN TO SIT ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, BUT STILL I MUST BE HERE TO FULLY URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTION. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NATHAN VERILLA? >> THE QUESTION THAT I ASKED WERE TO BEAR IN MIND REGARDING THE PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE OF POLICY 1015 IS WHO DOES THIS HELP? BECAUSE IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE STUDENTS TARGETED BY THE CHANGE, IT'S NOT THE FACULTY AND STAFF WHO ACTUALLY WANT TO HELP THIS VULNERABLE STUDENT POPULATION AND LIVE THEIR MOST AUTHENTIC LIVES. REMOVING THIS INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE HELPS BULLIES AND IT HELPS ABUSERS. THIS IS POORLY WRITTEN, MEAN SPIRITED POLICY THAT BENEFITS NO ONE, EXCEPT THE ROTTED PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THE LGBTQ+ STUDENTS FACE EVEN WORSE. NOT A SINGLE JUSTIFICATION STATED BY THE SUPPORTERS OF STRIKING THE INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE FROM CCPS POLICY HOLDS WATER. ADULTS WHO WOULD SEEK TO ATTACK LGBTQ+ STUDENTS FOR LIVING THEIR AUTHENTIC LIVES ARE DESPICABLE HUMAN BEINGS, WHATEVER THESE ADULTS TELL THEMSELVES TO CONVINCE THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE NOT MONSTERS. GOD KNOWS HER LIFE IS GOING TO GET FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THIS SCHOOL DOES NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE TO ACTIVELY MAKE THE LIVES OF STUDENT MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WORSE. I URGE YOU IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS TO REJECT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> CARLA POLLARD. DIANA GANEY. >> GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD. HI. MY NAME IS DIANA. I RECOGNIZE PEOPLE I KNEW BEFORE MY TRANSITION WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT. ENACTING POLICIES THAT HURT TRANS KIDS IS COSTING LIVES. I WAS A TRANS GIRL WHO WAS VERBALLY ABUSED BY MY FAMILY AND OTHER PEERS. MY TEACHERS AND THEY STILL MAKE SURE I'M ALL RIGHT TO THIS DAY. TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS, AND WE ALL BUILD A COMMUNITY WE WANT TO LIVE IN AS A QUOTE FROM MY FRIEND AND COMRADE SADAD. I WANT TO ELABORATE ON THIS. WE NEED TO KEEP THE 2021 VERSION OF THIS BILL BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? IT WILL PROTECT LIVES. I WAS ONE OF THOSE TRAINED STUDENTS WHO WAS SEVERELY SUICIDAL, AND ENDED UP ATTEMPTING SUICIDE AND ENDED UP CUTTING THEMSELVES IN THE SCHOOL BATH THROUGH MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. I REMEMBER IT SO VIVIDLY IT WAS AROUND MARCH 22, 2019, I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND SKIPPED ENGLISH CLASS TO CUT MY WRIST BECAUSE I WAS CONSTANTLY HARASSED FOR BEING TRANS BY NOT ONLY PARENTS BUT SOME OTHER PEERS IN FACING ONLINE BULLYING. KEEPING THIS BILL AND NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES TO IT IS HELPING TRANS KIDS, IS HELPING TRANS YOUTH. IMAGINE I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE IN MY FAMILY, AND I KNOW FRIENDS WHO CANNOT COME OUT BECAUSE THEY FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY, AND GUESS WHAT? PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. THIS IS WHY I'M BEGGING YOU AS AN ALUMNI OF CCPS SCHOOLS, AS A PROUD OF CLOVER HILL HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI, PROUD SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL ALUMNI, A PROUD EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT YOU STAND WITH TRANS PEOPLE, STAND FOR US ALL BECAUSE ONE DAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL MINDS AND BEAUTIFUL IDEAS AND NEW IDEAS IN DIFFERENT PLACES, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY TIME, AND THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. [03:55:04] >> DEREK WALKER. RIVER OLSSON. >> HELLO. I'M RIVER OLSSON. I'M A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY ART TEACHER, AND I DROVE HERE STRAIGHT FROM WORKING LATE AT MY SCHOOL BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO HEAR FROM WHO YOU ARE ASKING TO UPHOLD THIS REVISED POLICY IF YOU ADOPT IT. THIS POLICY DOES NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO SAFELY SHARE WHO THEY ARE, BUT INSTEAD LETS PARENTS TELL THEM WHO THEY ARE. THE STAFF MAY USE THE NAME ASSERTED BY THE STUDENT OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY THE PENT. STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE ALSO NOT COMPELLED TO USE STUDENTS' NAMES OR PRONOUNS. TO TELL SOMEONE WHO THEY ARE INSTEAD OF LISTENING GOES AGAINST THE VALUES WE TEACH EVERY DAY AT SCHOOL, RESPECT AND EMPATHY. OUTING SOMEONE INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM TELL THEIR FAMILY ON THEIR OWN TIME, ROBS THEM OF THEIR AUTONOMY, COULD CAUSE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND BREAKS THEIR TRUST, REGARDLESS IF THEIR PARENTS ARE ACCEPTING OR NOT. TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING ARE CRUCIAL FOR TEACHING. A STUDENT WHO DOESN'T TRUST US WON'T WANT TO LEARN FROM US, AND ALL STUDENTS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE, FEEL SEEN AND RESPECTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS. TONIGHT, I'M THINKING ABOUT THE TRANS STUDENTS IN CHESTERFIELD, BUT ALSO OF MY MOTHER WHO SERVED ON THE WEST POINT SCHOOL BOARD. I UNDERSTAND DEEPLY THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH SERVING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SERVING YOUR STUDENTS EVEN UNDER NATIONAL SCRUTINY. MY MOM CHOSE TO PROTECT AND RESPECT THE STUDENTS PRONOUNS. I'M SO PROUD OF HER AND THE OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR STANDING UNITED IN SUPPORT OF A STUDENT'S WELL BEING AND DIGNITY. TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT FROM A COMMENT EARLIER TONIGHT, THE SETTLEMENT WITH PETER BLEMING IS COMING OUT OF INSURANCE, NOT SCHOOL BUDGET OR TAXPAYER WALLETS. MY MOTHER DOES NOT REGRET HER VOTE. I HOPE YOU VOTE FOR THE GOOD AND SAFETY OF ALL OF CHESTERFIELD STUDENTS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> ANN BUTLER. >> MY CHILD'S FIRST DAY AT CURTIS ELEMENTARY INVOLVED A GUN SCARE, HER FIRST DAY. IT'S BEEN NORMALIZED. IT'S SO NORMAL HER LAST DAY HAD 12. I WISH GUNS WERE REGARDED WITH AS MUCH TERROR AS GENDER AFFIRMATION, SUPPORT, AND CARE. REGARDING PARENTS INSISTING ON THEIR CHILD'S WELFARE AND HAVING TRUST RETURNED BY YOU, IF A CHILD MUST RELY ON SCHOOL PROVIDED SANCTUARY, IT IS BECAUSE THEY FEAR REJECTION, PUNISHMENT, AND ABUSE FROM THE HANDS OF PARENTS WHO WANT TO DECIDE WHO THEIR CHILD IS, EVEN WHEN THAT HARMS THEM, AND YOU ARE ALL OBLIGATED TO NOT PRETEND TO BE IGNORANT OF THAT REALITY. I WAS RAISED BY PARENTS WHO FOUGHT THAT WAY AND I DO NOT SPEAK TO MY FAMILY TODAY. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND WAS RAISED BETTER. WHEN MY KID AND HER FRIENDS ARE AFRAID OF BEING PHYSICALLY SHOT, IT'S CONFUSING TO HEAR ABOUT POLICIES TO PROTECT THEM FROM GENDER VARIANT YOUTH, ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE POLICIES HURT ALL CHILDREN, HETERONORMATIVE AND GENDER VARIANT ALIKE. MY DAUGHTER IS NOT CONFUSED BY HOW SHE IS ONE PERSON AND HER BEST IS ANOTHER AND WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO DON'T OFTEN AGREE. SHE UNDERSTANDS PEOPLE CAN BE VERY DIFFERENT. BUT A PUBLIC PRE OCCUPATION WITH ACCEPTABLE GENDER TRAITS AND THE INSTITUTIONALIZING OF OUR CHILDREN'S SEX IS ALREADY NEGATIVELY AFFECTING HER. SHE HAS IN KINDERGARTEN, BEEN TOLD SHE LOOKS LIKE A BOY, THAT GIRLS CAN'T DRIVE TRUCKS, AND THAT ONE OF HER FAVORITE GAMES IS ONLY FOR BOYS TOO. THIS IS REALLY UNHEALTHY. AS A CHILD, I WAS SUBJECT TO IT ALSO, MUCH FOR LOOKING LIKE A BOY, DESPITE THE DRESSES I WORE, AND BEING TOLD THAT I WAS TOO FLAT, THAT I DIDN'T HAVE BIG ENOUGH BOOBS BEFORE I WAS EIGHT. THAT LEFT ME CONFUSED AND VERY HURT. I WAS VERY MUCH A GIRL BUT WAS MADE TO FEEL SEXUALLY UNACCEPTABLE BEFORE I WAS SEXUALLY FULLY AWARE. YOUR POLICY PROTECTS PEOPLE DOING THAT AND NOT OUR CHILDREN. I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORCED TO THINK ABOUT MY BODY EACH DAY WHEN I WANT TO. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> KATIE SHAFFER. JAN CALDWELL. >> HI. I'M JIM CALDWELL. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN DALE DISTRICT, AND I'VE LIVED IN CHESTERVILLE COUNTY 29 YEARS NOW. IN FACT, I CAME TO CHESTERVILLE COUNTY FROM OUT OF STATE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A HENRICO PRINCIPAL AT THE TIME. SHE SAID, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS WHERE YOU WANT YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL. [04:00:03] ALL THREE OF MY SONS GRADUATED. THE THIRD ONE WAS A MIRACLE BECAUSE OF THE TECH. ALWAYS BE SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I WASN'T PLANNING TO COME SPEAK AS A MOTHER AND A GRANDMOTHER, I WORRY ABOUT THE BATHROOM AND CHANGE AREAS BEING SHARED BY BIOLOGICAL MEN, BOYS. IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE COMMON SENSE TO ME. I JUST HERE TO ASK ABOUT THAT. I ALSO FIND IT INTERESTING THAT MY SON AND MY DAUGHTER IN LAW, WHO ARE BOTH GRADUATES FROM THE COUNTY HAVE DECIDED NOT TO LET THEIR CHILD ATTEND CHESSA COUNTY SCHOOLS BECAUSE IT'S CHANGED SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]. >> NEXT GROUP OF 10. YOU COULD LINE UP TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TURN TO SPEAK. LAITH SHEVALIER, APRIL DAVIS, DAVID TALTON, BEAR LUMPKIN, AMELIA BAILEY, CHRISTOPHER SCHORR, DENISE MEREDITH, ROBERT EBERTH, ANDREW ROBBINS, AND JOSEPH KRAFCZYNSKI. LAITH SHEVALIER. >> HI. MY NAME IS LAITH SHEVALIER. I HAVE TWO TEENS, ONE THAT GRADUATED AND ONE THAT CURRENTLY IS IN A CHESTERFIELD PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL. I'M A VERY CONCERNED CITIZEN OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. AT A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS SINCE MOVED AWAY FROM CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, HER DAUGHTER WAS QUESTIONING HER IDENTITY, AND GOING THROUGH PUBERTY WHILE ALSO BEING HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY HER PEERS IN THE HEIGHT OF COVID. SHE STARTED USING PRONOUNS AND TOLD HER TEACHER SHE HAD ANOTHER NAME SHE WANTED TO GO BY. THE TEACHER OBLIGED. IT WAS ONLY WHEN HER MOM CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF HER DAUGHTER'S TEXT GROUP CHATS. DID SHE REALIZE HER DAUGHTER REALLY NEEDED HER. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THE MOM MADE IMPORTANT CRITICAL DECISIONS THAT HELPED HER DAUGHTER THROUGH HER GROWING PAINS. TODAY, SHE IS EXCELLING IN A VIRGINIA GOVERNOR SCHOOL AND ENJOYING HER IMPORTANT HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN KNOWN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO SHE WANTED TO BE A BOY. THIS IS JUST A CAUTIONARY TALE OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GIVE KIDS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED WITHOUT DRASTICALLY RESORTING TO TESTOSTERONE OR MEDICAL SURGERIES THAT ARE DOING INCREDIBLE HARM LONG-TERM. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO HAVE PARENTS INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO GENDER EXPERIMENTATION AT SCHOOL. HAD MY NEIGHBOR NOT FOLLOWED HER CONCERNS, THINGS WOULD HAVE DRASTICALLY BEEN DIFFERENT FOR HER DAUGHTER. PLEASE VOTE NO TO THE CURRENT REVISIONS AND YES TO NOVEMBER'S MEETING DRAFT OF THEIR REVISED POLICY 1015. WE NEED PARENTS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND INFORMED IN SITUATIONS OF GENDER EXPERIMENTATION. WE ALSO NEED PARENTS NOTIFIED BEFORE THERE IS ANY COUNSELING ON GENDER DISCUSSIONS. WE MUST ALLOW PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS REGARDING COMPELLING SPEECH THAT GOES AGAINST THEIR FAITH OR CONSCIENCE. FURTHERMORE, WE MUST PROTECT THE STUDENTS PRIVACY AND BECKER ROOMS, BATHROOMS, PRIVATE SPACES, AND GIRLS SPORTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]. >> APRIL DAVIS. >> I HAVE SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT TO ASK YOU. I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND A SON. IF MY DAUGHTER WENT INTO THE BOYS BATHROOM IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? BUT THEY WOULD GET MAD. THEY WOULD TELL HER TO GET OUT. SHE'S TRANSGENDER. SHE BELONGS WITH THE GIRL. SHE SHE LOOKS LIKE A GIRL. SHE FEELS LIKE A GIRL. WHEN MY CHILD, MY BABY WAS 3-YEARS-OLD, SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WISHED SHE WAS BORN A GIRL BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE A GIRL, AND I BELIEVED HER. I TOOK HER SHOPPING AND SHE IMMEDIATELY PICKED OUT HER OWN CLOTHES FROM THE GIRL SECTION. SHE WANTED TO LIVE AS A GIRL. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN HER CHOICE, AND WHEN PEOPLE WERE MEAN TO HER AND INSISTED SHE WASN'T OR CALLED HER A BOY. SHE STOPPED GOING TO SCHOOL. HER PAIN WAS DEVASTATING. SHE WAS AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR FEAR SHE WOULDN'T BE ACCEPTED BY PEOPLE THAT KNEW AND THE CHILDREN THAT THE YOUNGER KIDS THAT SHE GREW UP WITH. [04:05:02] AFTER BEING IN BED FOR WEEKS, DEPRESSED AND NOT GOING TO SCHOOL, SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO DIE AND ATTEMPTED TO JUMP OUT OF HER WINDOW. AFTER THAT, SHE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH A LOT OF MENTAL HELP, WORKING ON BELIEVING THAT HER LIFE MATTERS. WHEN SHE WAS CALLED OUT BY EVERYONE OR CALLED A MALE WHEN SHE ASKED TO BE FEMALE, SHE HER. IT WAS DEVASTATING. SHE WOULD FREAK OUT TO HER CORE, AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE CLASS AND RUN OUT OF CLASS. >> THANK YOU. >> GO SOMEWHERE AND TRY TO FIND A SAFE SPACE. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> DAVID TALTON. >> GOOD EVENING. I JOIN YOU TONIGHT AS A FATHER WHOSE CHILDREN LIVE AND PLAY IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, BUT DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL HERE. THAT DECISION WAS MADE BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I WERE UNWILLING TO SUBJECT THEM TO THE DEFICIENCIES OF THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. CHIEF AMONG THOSE DEFICIENCIES IS AN EMERGING AND PERNICIOUS IDEOLOGY THAT TEARS AT THE FABRIC OF FAMILIES BY FIRST AND FOREMOST UNDERMINING THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. REGARDING THE SPECIFIC ISSUE AT HAND, FROM A LEGAL AND MORAL STANDPOINT, THE MATTER IS CLEAR. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY MUST FULLY COMPLY WITH STATE POLICY ESTABLISHED BY GOVERNOR YOUNKIN AND CAN NO LONGER ACT AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE FULL FLOURISHING OF FAMILIES. SCHOOLS ARE TRUSTED BY PARENTS WITH THE SOLE TASK OF EDUCATING CHILDREN IN OBJECTIVE TRUTH IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES ALL SPACES, ESPECIALLY PRIVATE ONES. FAMILIES ARE THE BEDROCK OF SOCIETY. LET'S STRENGTHEN THEM, NOT WEAKEN THEM. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT. [APPLAUSE] >> BAYER LUMPKIN. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS BAYER LUMPKIN, AND I ATTENDED CCPS SCHOOLS FOR ALL 13 YEARS OF MY PUBLIC EDUCATION. FOUR YEARS AGO, I STOOD AND SPOKE AT THE SAME PODIUM, THEN GOING BY THE NAME ANNA. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO SAY THIS. BEING TRANSGENDER IS NOT INHERENTLY TRAUMATIZING. BEING SURROUNDED BY TRANSPHOBIC RHETORIC AND LEGISLATION IS HAVING A TRANSPHOBIC PARENT IS. TODAY, I AM HERE AS AN INFURIATED TRANS PERSON WHO SPENT KINDERGARTEN AT JB WATKINS, SIXTH GRADE AT MID LOTHIAN MIDDLE AND GRADUATED IN THE TOP 20 OF MY CLASS AT MID LOTHIAN HIGH. I AM HERE AS A QUEER PERSON WHO HID MY IDENTITY FOR MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD AND SUFFERED TWO SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS BECAUSE OF IT. MY SCHOOL HAD NO TANGIBLE PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS STUDENTS WHEN I WAS A CHILD. I WAS MORE AFRAID OF BEING OSTRACIZED THAN I WAS OF PRETENDING TO BE SOMEONE I WASN'T. I DO NOT WISH THAT CHOICE ON ANYONE. I WILL SPARE YOU THE ALARMING TRANSUE SUICIDE STATISTICS YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD. THE PROPOSED CHANGES WILL CAUSE SELF HARM AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AMONGST YOUR STUDENTS. IT WILL. YOU WILL HARM THE CHILDREN THIS COUNCIL IS LIABLE TO REPRESENT AND PROTECT. TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON CONFORMING PEOPLE HAVE EXISTED ACROSS CULTURES AND CONTINENTS IN TIME. LIMITING PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENTS AT THE GREATEST RISK WILL NOT CHANGE THAT. IT WILL UNNECESSARILY PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND PHYSICALLY DAMAGE CHILDREN. THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT JUST TRANSPHOBIC, IT IS AN ATTACK ON EXPRESSION AND INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY, IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF EVERY CCPS STUDENT. IT IS DANGEROUS, AND IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU WEAR A SUIT AND SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER OR PUT A WEAPON IN A CHILD'S HAND, THERE IS NO MORAL DIFFERENCE IN THE EFFECT. AS A TRANSGENDER MAN WHO WENT TO THESE SCHOOLS AND HID MY IDENTITY IN FEAR FOR 20 YEARS, I ASSURE YOU. THERE IS NOTHING YOU OR ANYONE CAN DO TO WIPE TRANSGENDERISM FROM THE CLASSROOM OR THE COUNT FOR THE COUNTRY. [APPLAUSE] >> AMELIA BAILEY. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW OUR TIME IS PRECIOUS, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND KEEP THINGS VERY BRIEF. PLEASE MAINTAIN THE CURRENT POLICY 1015. THE POLICY AS IT STANDS, HAS PROTECTED CHILDREN DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT AND VULNERABLE PORTIONS OF THEIR LIVES. IT HAS ALLOWED THEM TO LIVE AS THEY ARE ON THEIR TERMS. THE NEW POLICY DOES NOT PROTECT ANYONE [04:10:03] OTHER THAN THOSE WHO WOULD WISH TO HURT THOSE CHILDREN. IT WOULD REQUIRE COUNSELORS TO TO PARENTS WHO MAY NOT SUPPORT THEM. IT WOULD REQUIRE TEACHERS TO CALL CHILDREN BY NAMES THAT ARE DEAD TO THEM, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH IT HURTS THEM BOTH. IT PROTECTS BULLIES WHILE LEAVING THEIR VICTIMS TO SUFFER. IT CLOAKS FEAR AND HATE IN THE GUISE OF PROTECTING FREE SPEECH AND PARENTS' RIGHTS. BEFORE YOU ADOPT THIS POLICY, PLEASE CONSIDER WHO IT HELPS AND WHO IT HURTS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> CHRISTOPHER SCORE. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M A RESEARCHER IN EDUCATION POLICY. MY FAMILY AND I MOVE HERE FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM THE VERY POLICIES WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY. I'M HERE TO URGE THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE MODEL POLICIES DEVELOPED BY VIRGINIA'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. CURRENT POLICIES AIMED AT SOCIALLY TRANSITION GENDER CONFUSED CHILDREN WHILE CONCEALING THIS INFORMATION FROM THEIR PARENTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, THESE POLICIES INFRINGE ON PARENTAL RIGHTS. PARENTS ARE CHILDREN'S PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS AND SCHOOLS HAVE NO RIGHT TO USURP THIS AUTHORITY. IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOLS TO WITHHOLD IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CHILD'S MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING FROM HIS OR HER PARENTS. SECOND, THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH CURRENT POLICIES EXIST IS DEEPLY FLAWED AND EVEN DANGEROUS. THE THEORETICAL FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL TRANSITIONING. THE NOTION THAT A PERSON CAN POSSESS A GENDER IDENTITY OPPOSITE TO THEIR SEX IS NONSENSE. THIS IDEA EMERGES FROM THE LEAST CREDIBLE AND MOST ACTIVIST ORIENTED ACADEMIC FIELDS OF STUDY. THESE FIELDS IN TURN DRAW INSPIRATION FROM AN OBSCURE AND ANTI RATIONAL SCHOOL OF THOUGHT CALLED POSTMODERNISM. TO BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE, POSTMODERN THINKERS REJECT PITY OF REASON, SCIENCE, AND OBJECTIVITY. THIS IS HOW WE ARRIVE AT THE NOTION THAT GENDER IS AN ARBITRARY SOCIAL CONSTRUCT RATHER THAN A SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF AN UNDERLYING BIOLOGICAL REALITY. BUT I ALSO SAID THIS THINKING IS DANGEROUS. WHEN SCHOOLS REINFORCE GENDER CONFUSION IN THE CLASSROOM, WHETHER BY USING SO CALLED PREFERRED PRONOUNS OR BY INSTRUCTING CHILDREN TO DISMANTLE THE GENDER BINARY. THEY ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO ADOPT FICTITIOUS IDENTITIES THAT THEY WILL ULTIMATELY SEEK TO AFFIRM MEDICALLY. THESE AGAIN, SO CALLED GENDER AFFIRMING MEDICAL PROCEDURES, INCLUDING PUBERTY BLOCKERS, CROSS SEX HORMONES, AND SEX CHANGE SURGERIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH PERMANENT AND DEBILITATING HARMS. THE EFFECTS OF HORMONE TREATMENTS INCLUDE REDUCED BONE DENSITY. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. HEFFRON. [APPLAUSE] >> COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. COMMENTS MADE TO THE BOARD MUST BE MADE FROM THE PODIUM. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM MAKING COMMENTS WHEN YOU'RE NOT AT THE PODIUM. >> DENISE MEREDITH? ROBERT EBERTH. >> HOW YOU DOING ROBERT EBERTH, SHELDON FIRST, PRESIDENT. THIS POLICY THAT WAS DELIVERED PRESENTED IN NOVEMBER LOOKS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE WAS IN DECEMBER. IT WAS 12 PAGES, NOW IT'S SIX PAGES, PROBABLY THREE NOW BECAUSE OF ALL THE STRIKE AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S READY. OBVIOUSLY WITH THE AUDIENCE BACK THERE, THEY SAY NO, AND THEY SAY VOTED DOWN FOR THEIR OR REASONS, MY APOLOGIES, FOR THEIR OWN REASONS. IT'S JUST NOT READY YET. I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO VOTE THIS DOWN AND MAYBE RELOOK AT IT. IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S A COMPROMISE AT ALL IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT WORKING, EVERYBODY SAYING NO AND VOTED IT DOWN. I HADN'T HEARD ANYBODY SAY YES TO THIS POLICY AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW. EITHER YOU DO NOVEMBER'S VERSION OR YOU JUST GO BACK AND START OVER AND ADOPT THE YOUNKIN. NOW, I'VE NEVER COME UP HERE AND ACTUALLY ADVOCATED FOR THAT BECAUSE I REALLY DIDN'T EVEN REALLY LIKE THE YOUNKIN POLICY. IT HAS SOME FLAWS IN IT, BUT THIS DECEMBER 1 IS NOT VERY GOOD. IT ACTUALLY ELIMINATES THE LAWS AND CODES THAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW AND EDUCATE THEMSELVES WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND IT'S OUT. THAT'S WHY I WAS TRYING TO REACH OUT TO YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND THAT A LITTLE BIT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I SAID, LOOK AT THE GROUPS THAT USUALLY OPPOSE ANYTHING THAT DIFFERENT IDEOLOGIES THAT I DO, THEY'RE IN INGREDIENT STATE AGAIN, FOR THEIR OWN REASONS. I ALSO RECEIVED A CALL FOR ACTION FROM THE CHESS LEO GOP, WHICH IS A LITTLE ODD BECAUSE SOME OF YOU GUYS WERE ACTUALLY ELECTED [04:15:01] OR HELPED BY THE CHESS GOP AND THEY'RE CALLING FOR ACTION TO SAY NO TO THIS. I FIND THAT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT. SOME OF THIS FEAR THAT THEY'RE SAYING THAT THE PARENTS ARE GOING TO OUT THEM OR THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANGRY OR WHATNOT. IT'S REALLY INSTILLED BY NOT MANUFACTURED, BUT SOMETIMES MANUFACTURED, BUT IN ALL CASES, SOCIAL MEDIA TV, PEERS, AND CERTAIN ADVOCATES. NOW I WOULD HOPE THAT MOST PARENTS ARE VERY LOVING, AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME EXCEPTIONS TO THAT, SO I'M VERY OPEN TO THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS POLICY AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, SHOULD BE VOTED YES, IT SHOULD BE VOTED DOWN AND RE LOOKED AT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ROBERT EBERTH. [APPLAUSE] >> ANDREW ROBBINS, JOSEPH KRAFCZYNSKI. THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS, IF YOU COULD LINE UP TO BE PREPARED TO START SPEAKING. ADRIAN MCCLINTON, ALEXANDER GUERRERO DIAZ, MICHAELA FELTER, AND TATIS SUMMER VALENTINE, BRENDA STEWART, BELLAMY RILEY, JORJRITO SENIOR, KRISTA MEREDITH, AND KELLY MARLIN. MAY WE HAVE ADRIAN MCCLINTON? >> HI THERE. MY NAME IS ADRIAN MCCLINTON. I AM A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER, A LAND MANAGER AND FIRST AND FOREMOST AN EDUCATOR. I'VE WORKED WITH VIRGINIA STATE PARKS AND MANY DIFFERENT STATE AGENCIES AND WITH HUNDREDS OF YOUTH, PARTICULARLY HERE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. I'M HERE TO 1015 AS IT STANDS WITH THE NOVEMBER OR THE DECEMBER CHANGES. BEING OUT IN THE FIELD IN A MALE DOMINATED FIELD OF FIREFIGHTING, EVEN THOUGH I AM A CIS WOMAN, ALL OF MY CAREER THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND EDUCATION WAS DIFFICULT FOR BEING MASCULINE AND BULLIED FOR BEING SUCH. I NOW STAND PROUDLY AS A FIREFIGHTER AS A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE I STOOD UP FOR EVENTUALLY WHAT I KNEW I WAS, WHICH IS A STRONG WOMAN. BUT THESE POLICIES THAT PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING WHO THEY WANT TO BE AND WHO THEY ARE, ONLY HARMS THE CHILDREN. IT DOESN'T HELP ANYBODY. EVEN WHEN I'VE BEEN OUT IN THE FIELD, SHOWING KIDS THE AMAZING PART OF BEING OUT IN NATURE, ALLOWING THEM TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT PARTS, GETTING OUT OF URBAN AREAS. WHEN THEY GET THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE AND SEE NEW THINGS, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THEM OPEN UP. THAT GOES FOR ANY KIDS, WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN STRAIGHT OR NON BINARY OR AR OR WHATEVER PRONOUNS THEY WANT, LET THEM CHOOSE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WANT, AND CHILDREN HAVE THE BEST SENSE OF WHAT THEY LIKE OR WHAT THEY NEED. THEY KNOW THAT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE CAN TELL THEM. I'D STAND HERE AS AN EDUCATOR SAYING, PLEASE KEEP THE RULES AS THEY ARE AND LET KIDS HAVE A CHANCE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALEXANDER GUERRERO DIAZ. >> GOOD EVENING TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO STAND UP FOR TRANS PEOPLE AND FOR STUDENTS' RIGHTS RATHER THAN PARENTS' RIGHTS TO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN. MY NAME IS ALEXANDER GUERRERO DIAZ. I'M A VCU DEANS LIST STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES AND A PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR EQUAL EDUCATION. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NWACP AT VCU AND HAVE WORKED WITH RICHMOND'S SVEEA, AND EVERY VOICE COALITION. I AM TESTIFYING IN OPPOSITION OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015. I RECEIVED MY ENTIRE K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS, BULA ELEMENTARY, FALLEN CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND LLOYD C BIRD HIGH SCHOOL. MY TIME AT LC BIRD WAS OFTEN SPENT IN EXTRA CURRICULARS. I WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY TROOP 1438 AND KEY CLUB, AND I WAS THE HISTORIAN OF YOVSO AND SCA. I HAVE CURRENTLY SIBLINGS AND COUSINS ATTENDING CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS. THAT BEING SAID, THE REVISIONS OF POLICY 1015 HAVE DISTURBED ME AS A TRANSGENDER STUDENT WHO ATTENDED CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF QUEER STUDENTS. [04:20:03] QUEER PEOPLE ARE OFTEN TARGETS OF BULLYING, NOT JUST BY OTHER STUDENTS, BUT ALSO BY ADULTS. LUCKILY, I HAVE A VERY LOVING FAMILY WHO HAS BEEN VERY ACCEPTING OF MY IDENTITY, BUT NOT ALL STUDENTS HAVE THIS. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS A VERY LARGE AND DIVERSE COUNTY. QUEER STUDENTS MAY OFTEN BE SUBJECT TO ABUSE BY THEIR PARENTS IF OUTED BY THEIR SCHOOLS. IN HIGH SCHOOL, I OFTEN HEARD STORIES FROM OTHER STUDENTS WHO WERE SENT TO RELIGIOUS CONVERSION THERAPIES, AND OTHER STATES ALONG WITH OTHER STORIES OF PARENTAL ABUSE. ALONG WITH THIS, NOT ALL STUDENTS HAVE PARENTS WHO WILL TEACH THEM NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST QUEER STUDENTS. STUDENTS OFTEN WERE BULLIED FOR THEIR IDENTITY IN MY HIGH SCHOOL, AND THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE FOR QUEER STUDENTS. >> THANK YOU, ALEXANDER. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. MIKAELA FELTER. MIKAELA? ATTITAS? >> SUMMER VALENTINE. >> THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I'M A RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, AND I WORKED PREVIOUSLY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR SIX YEARS. I'M DISAPPOINTED AT THE CLEAR PRIORITY IN THIS POLICY REVISION OF 1015 FOR EVERYONE BUT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS. IT LEAVES THE DOOR WIDE OPEN FOR ABUSE, BULLYING, AND NEGLECT. IF YOU'VE WORKED AMONG STUDENTS FOR ANY NUMBER OF YEARS, YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE CASES OF ABUSE THAT ARE HIDDEN. THIS POLICY ASSUMES THAT ALL PARENTS ARE WELL MEANING AND TREAT THEIR CHILD WELL. BUT POLICIES ARE FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING. THIS POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO THE PARENTS WHO ALREADY HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WHO ALREADY HAVE OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION, WHO WILL ALREADY FIND OUT THIS INFORMATION ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS FOR THE ONES WHO ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AND INCLUDED IN THAT ARE THE ONES WHO ARE INFLICTING ABUSE ON THEIR CHILDREN. YOU CAN ASK ANY CPS WORKER AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TESTIFY THAT THERE ARE MANY CASES THAT THEY INVESTIGATE WHERE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT THERE ARE CASES OF ABUSE, BUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROPER EVIDENCE, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. A STUDENT'S ACCESS TO PROPER HANDLING OF DISCRIMINATION, SHOULD NOT RELY ON SCHOOL STAFF'S PERSONAL CONVICTIONS. IF A SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER DOESN'T WANT TO REFER TO A STUDENT WITH NEW PRONOUNS OR NAMES, EVEN WHEN LEGALLY CHANGED, EVEN WHEN THE PARENT HAS ALLOWED IT, EVEN WHEN STUDIES SHOW AFFIRMATION SAVES LIVES, THE POLICY GIVES THEM CARTE BLANCHE TO DO SO. I WAS RAISED A CONSERVATIVE EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN. I HAVE READ THE BIBLE COVER TO COVER. NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE, DOES IT SAY YOU CANNOT REFER TO SOMEONE BY THEIR CHANGED PRONOUNS OR LEGAL NAME. IN FACT, IT SAYS, I BECAME ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN SO THAT BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS, I MIGHT SAVE SOME. TRANS KIDS NEED OUR HELP, NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF STAFF MEMBERS IN SCHOOL IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT AT HOME. THIS 2021 POLICY GAVE TEACHERS DISCRETION. >> THANK YOU, SUMMER. [APPLAUSE] BRENDA STEWART. >> GOOD EVENING. BRENDA STEWART, MATOACA DISTRICT. SOCIAL TRANSITIONS OFTEN LEAD TO PHYSICAL TRANSITION. FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBERD REFERRED TO THE WAY GENDER AFFIRMING CARE IS BEING USED AS NOTHING LESS THAN CHILD ABUSE. SHE HAS ALSO STATED THAT THE PEOPLE AMERICANS OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO RELY UPON IN TRUST SUCH AS DOCTORS AND TEACHERS ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY TAKING PART IN AND PROMOTING THIS CHILD ABUSE AND PERPETUATING THE ASSOCIATED FALSEHOODS ABOUT BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES AND MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES. ENDOCRINOLOGIST MICHAEL LAIDLAW, STATES THAT UNDER THE TRADITIONAL TREATMENT FOR GENDER DYSPHORIA, BETWEEN 80 AND 95% OF ADOLESCENT PATIENTS OUTGROW THE DYSPHORIA NATURALLY. DR. NÜSSLEIN VOLHARD, A BIOLOGIST AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY FOR MEDICINE LABELS THE CLAIM THAT THERE ARE MANY GENDERS UNSCIENTIFIC. ALSO STATING, FEELINGS ARE ALTERABLE BY SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT BIOLOGICAL SEX IS STATIC. PEOPLE RETAIN THEIR GENDER FOR LIFE. NO AMOUNT OF MEDICAL ALTERATION CAN CHANGE STATIC BIOLOGICAL REALITIES. PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR ROLE IN PROMOTING WHAT OTHERS HAVE [04:25:05] LABELED A SYSTEM OF CHILD ABUSE WHEN SUPPORTING TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES. YOU WILL NOT BE INNOCENT OF ASSISTING THESE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE A PROCESS FRAUGHT WITH QUESTIONABLE SCIENCE AND PROCEDURES THAT ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED PHYSICIANS ARE MUTILATING HEALTHY YOUNG BODIES, RESULTING IN CHRONIC WOUNDS, CHRONIC INFECTIONS, LIFELONG PILLS, AND LIFELONG MEDICAL CARE. LITTLE IS BEING ACKNOWLEDGED OF THE REALITIES OF WHAT LIES AHEAD AT THE END OF THE TRANSITION PROCESS. I IMPLORE YOU NOT TO VOTE ON THIS POLICY TONIGHT. THESE TOPICS FRAUGHT WITH EMOTIONAL APPEALS THAT REQUIRE ABANDONMENT OF SETTLED SCIENCE. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE IN HUMAN CHROMOSOMES OF ONLY TWO SEXES, MALE AND FEMALE. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME UNTIL THE TEXT MEETING TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SETTLED SCIENCE AND YOUR ROLE AS A MUTILATOR. >> THANK YOU, MRS. STEWART. [APPLAUSE] BELLAMY RILEY. >> HI. I'M BELLAMY. TONIGHT, I'M ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THE TRANS KIDS. SHOCKER. I KNOW. I WANTED TO ASK YOU GUYS WHO THIS IS ALL FOR BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE TRANS KIDS AND THE HARM THAT'S GOING TO COME TO THEM. WE'VE HEARD ABOUT IT. BUT WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE CIS KIDS, THIS IS THE MOST POLITICALLY ACTIVE GENERATION THAT WE'VE EVER SEEN WITH BIG ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, I WAS LIED TO ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS. SOME HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT WERE GLOSSED OVER, MADE TO LOOK NICER, SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION, I DIDN'T GET. I DIDN'T KNOW, THOUGH, THAT I WAS BEING LIED TO UNTIL I GOT OUT OF SCHOOL AND I HAD MORE EDUCATION. KIDS THESE DAYS ARE GOING TO KNOW, AND THEY'RE WATCHING YOU RIGHT NOW. IF YOUR GOAL WAS TO ERODE TRUST BETWEEN ALL STUDENTS AND THE INSTITUTION OF CCPS, THIS POLICY CHANGE IS GOING TO ACHIEVE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHEN THEIR EDUCATION IS BEING POLITICIZED. PARENTS ALSO CAN SEE YOU AND ARE GOING TO KNOW IF YOU'RE CHOOSING A POLITICAL AGENDA OVER THE SAFETY OF THEIR KIDS. TEACHERS ALSO CAN SEE YOU AND WILL KNOW THAT YOU'RE CHOOSING A POLITICAL AGENDA OVER THE SAFETY OF THE KIDS. YOU'RE ERODING TRUST IN THIS INSTITUTION BY REMOVING PROTECTION FROM SOME KIDS AND THINKING THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY ELSE, AND IT IS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> JORGE BRITO SENIOR. >> YOU CAN CALL ME JORGE. MY NAME IS JORGE BRITO SENIOR. I'M A CHRISTIAN, AND I'M A FATHER OF FIVE CHILDREN. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE CURRENT MODEL POLICIES TODAY, AND I ASK FOR AN IMMEDIATE REVISION OF THAT. AS A FATHER, WHEN YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ALL OF THIS TALK ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST PARENTS, IT REALLY HURTS ME DEEP DOWN, HONESTLY. I THINK THAT THE NUCLEAR FAMILY IS THE ONLY GOVERNING BODY FOR OUR CHILDREN. I DO BELIEVE THAT OUR EDUCATORS ARE IN A TOUGH POSITION TO HANDLE SOMETHING AS PRIVATE AS SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND I ENCOURAGE THE OPPOSITION OR EVERYONE THAT'S AGAINST OR FOR THE CURRENT POLICIES TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT A FAMILY IS AND WHAT A FAMILY DOES FOR ALL OF US. I'M HERE WITH MY SON TONIGHT. HE IS 13-YEARS-OLD. UP UNTIL A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, HE WAS IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS AND WE TOOK HIM OUT BECAUSE OF THE THE AGENDA, THE IDEOLOGY, THE INDOCTRINATION, ULTIMATELY OF THE LEFT, AND IT SEEMS. I DON'T CALL THIS AS A CONDEMNATION TOWARDS THEM, BUT I ASK THAT THEY REALLY LOOK AT WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PUSH BY TAKING PARENTS OUT OF THE CONVERSATION. ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. THANK YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] >> KRYSTA MEREDITH. >> I'M KRYSTA. I'M NON BINARY. I WORK AT CHROMEBOOK SUPPORT FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS. I SEE A LOT OF BROKEN SCREENS EVERY DAY AND A LOT OF NEW FACES. I GO TO FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS EVERY DAY. I DEFINITELY SEE MYSELF IN A LOT OF THOSE FACES. I SEE ME IN THEM WHEN THEY DYE THEIR HAIR, [04:30:01] THEY COME IN WITH A NEW HAIR COLOR, WHEN THEY TRY ON NEW OUTFITS. I SEE ME WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE, AND THAT'S ALL THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO. IF THEY'RE ANYTHING, LIKE I WAS, THEY ARE A BIT SCARED, AND I'M SURE SCARED IN PART BECAUSE THAT A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN SAFELY EXPLORE THEMSELVES IS NOT GUARANTEED. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT TRANS ADULTS WERE ONCE TRANS KIDS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. [APPLAUSE] >> KELLEY MARLIN. >> HELLO. PARENTS HAVE RIGHTS. THEY ALWAYS HAVE. AS A PARENT OF FOUR CHILDREN WHO'VE ATTENDED CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAVE NEVER FELT LIKE PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW THEIR CHILDREN WERE BEING TREATED. WHAT THEY DO NOT HAVE IS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN ARE TREATED OR TO DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO PUSH POLICY THAT HARMS OTHER CHILDREN. MANY OF THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE SHOWING UP REPEATEDLY IN FAVOR OF CHANGING THE PROPOSED POLICY DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS. SOME ARE PAID, SOME ARE HERE FOR POLITICAL THEATER, AND SOME ARE SIMPLY MISINFORMED ABOUT HOW HARMFUL THE REVISIONS WOULD BE. THE REAL STAKEHOLDERS FOR THIS POLICY ARE THE PARENTS, TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, AND STUDENTS WHO ARE IN SCHOOL, AND WHO ARE TELLING YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF THEIR HEARTS HOW THIS POLICY CAN CAUSE REAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SUICIDE. PLEASE LISTEN TO THEM, NOT THE MISGUIDED FOLKS WHO DO NOT RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF PRIVACY OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN WHO ARE AT RISK OF HARM BY OTHERS, AND NOT JUST HARMED BY PARENTS, BUT BY PEERS AND COMPLETE STRANGERS, BY SIMPLY EXISTING AS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES. CCPS INVESTS HEAVILY IN TRAINING STUDENTS FACULTY AND STAFF TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF SUICIDE, YET NOW WE'RE DEBATING A POLICY THAT IS GUARANTEED TO INCREASE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG STUDENTS. FINALLY, THIS REVISED POLICY ILLEGALLY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST TRANSGENDER CHILDREN. IT GOES OPENLY AGAINST FEDERAL AND STATE DISCRIMINATION LAWS AND OPENS CHESTERFIELD COUNTY UP TO TITLE IX LAWSUITS BASED ON DISCRIMINATION. AS STATED ON THE CCPS WEBSITE, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS COMMITTED TO NON-DISCRIMINATION WITH REGARD TO SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AND MANY OTHERS. THE COMMITMENT PREVAILS IN ALL OF ITS POLICIES AND PRACTICES CONCERNING STAFF, STUDENTS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND INDIVIDUALS. PLEASE KEEP THE POLICY AS IT IS. [APPLAUSE] >> THE LAST SIX SPEAKERS THIS EVENING, IF YOU COULD LINE UP TO BE PREPARED TO SPEAK. ADAM GJERULFF, ROSA HAMILTON, SARAH SMITH, RUSSELL BARRON, MIKE KARABINOS, AND MAGS BREKKA. ADAM GJERULFF. ROSA HAMILTON. >> HI, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS ROSA. I WORK AT SIDE BY SIDE, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT LGBT YOUTH CENTER THAT HAS BEEN OPERATING IN THE RICHMOND AREA AND IN CHESTERFIELD FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. I SEE TRANS KIDS EVERY DAY, AND A LOT OF OUR TRANS KIDS ARE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND I'M HERE TODAY JUST TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICIES THAT ARE IN PLACE. THEY'RE WORKING, THEY HELP THE STUDENTS THAT I SEE, AND THESE NEW POLICY CHANGES ARE NOT GOING TO STOP ANY OF THEM FROM BEING TRANS. IT'S JUST GOING TO TEACH THEM THAT THEY CAN'T BE HONEST ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, AND THAT THEY NEED TO HIDE WHO THEY ARE WHEN THEY'RE AT SCHOOL AND NOT TRUST ADULTS, BASICALLY. YOU ALL HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN BE SUPPORTED AND FEEL SAFE, AND THESE CHANGES DON'T DO THAT. EVERY DAY I SEE YOUTH COME INTO OUR SPACE WHERE THEY ARE AFFIRMED AND SUPPORTED FOR WHO THEY ARE, WHERE WE DO USE THEIR NAME AND PRONOUNS, AND I GET TO SEE THEM JUST LIGHT UP AND BE WHO THEY WANT TO BE, AND THEY HAVE A SPACE TO GROW AND DREAM BIG, AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK THEY DESERVE THEIR SCHOOLS TO BE TOO. IT'S REALLY SIMPLE JUST GIVING THEM THAT SPACE WHERE IF THEY SAY WHO THEY ARE, [04:35:04] THAT THAT'S JUST REFLECTED BACK TO THEM. WHEN I WAS A TRANSGENDER STUDENT IN THE 2000S IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHEN THERE WAS NO SUPPORT, NO POLICIES IN PLACE, AND MY FAMILY WASN'T SUPPORTIVE, NONE OF THAT STOPPED ME FROM BEING TRANS, BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE ME STOP WANTING TO BE HERE OR ALIVE, AND IT MADE ME STOP WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL. I HAD THE HIGHEST ABSENTEE RATE AND TARDINESS RATE OF ANY STUDENT IN MY SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT WAS BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE. I DEFINITELY URGE NOT ADOPTING THESE CHANGES AND STICKING WITH THE GOOD JOB YOU DID IN 2021. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. SARAH SMITH. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS SARAH SMITH. I LIVE IN THE MATOACA DISTRICT. I AM THE PARENT OF A TRANSGENDER TOP CHILD CURRENTLY ATTENDING A CCPS SCHOOL. I WANT TO IMPRESS UPON YOU THE REAL HARM THAT WILL BE CAUSED BY THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICY 1015, AND I WILL SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO THE PROPOSED SECTION 3. THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY OF THIS WORLD IS THAT THERE ARE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT SAFE. I SEE THIS AS A PEDIATRIC MESS, A FELLOW MANDATED REPORTER. THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF MANY TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, MANY OF WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD FROM TONIGHT IS THAT THEY FACE VIOLENCE AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE IN THEIR OWN HOMES AS YOUNG PEOPLE, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSGENDER IDENTITY. REQUIRING TEACHERS AND STAFF TO NOTIFY PARENTS THAT A CHILD ASKED TO GO BY A DIFFERENT NAME, NOT ON THEIR OFFICIAL RECORD, WILL PUT STUDENTS AT RISK OF VIOLENCE AND HARM. I KNOW THAT WE ALL HOPE THAT EVERY FAMILY WILL LOVINGLY EMBRACE THEIR CHILD, BUT IN REALITY, NOT ALL WILL. IN THESE MOMENTS, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CCPS IS TO THE STUDENT, TO THAT STUDENT'S SAFETY. WHEN THERE ARE CONFLICTING PRIORITIES OF A PARENT'S DESIRE TO KNOW AND THE SAFETY OF A CHILD, THE CHILD MUST BE THE PRIORITY. THERE HAVE BEEN ZERO TRANS PEOPLE OR PARENTS OF TRANS CHILDREN SPEAKING UP TO SUPPORT THE REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015 HERE TONIGHT. BECAUSE WE KNOW IT WILL PUT TRANS CHILDREN, OUR CHILDREN, AT RISK. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE PROTECTIONS FROM MY CHILD. PLEASE REJECT ALL CHANGES TO POLICY 1015. [APPLAUSE] >> RUSSELL BARRON. >> FINAL STRETCH. MY NAME IS RUSSELL BARRON, AND I HAVE LIVED IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY FOR SIX YEARS NOW. MY SON JUST ENTERED KINDERGARTEN. WE ALL WANT THE BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN, BUT I CANNOT AGREE THAT ANY REVISION TO 1015 REPRESENTS THE BEST FOR MY OR ANY OTHER CHILD. THESE POLICY REVISIONS SIMPLY REQUIRE SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BULLY STUDENTS. WILL YOU BE PATTING YOURSELVES ON THE BACK WHEN YOU OUT A STUDENT TO HATEFUL PARENTS AND THEY COME BACK WITH BRUISES, IF THEY DON'T COME BACK AT ALL? I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE STRENGTH REQUIRED TO QUESTION ONE'S GENDER IDENTITY, WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE WILL BE FURIOUS, YOU EVEN ASK THE QUESTION. NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO BE THAT STRONG OR TO LIVE IN FEAR OF SCHOOL OR THEIR TEACHERS. HOW MANY KIDS ARE WE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT? ONLY HALF OF 1% OF PEOPLE IN THE NATION IDENTIFY AS TRANS, 64,000 STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY. DO THE MATH, SUBTRACT THE KIDS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE QUESTIONED YET, THERE ARE PERHAPS 150. YOU COULD FIT ALL THEIR NAMES ON ONE PAGE. FIVE FOR EVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL. AWFUL LOT OF EFFORT, JUST TO HURT 150 KIDS. THE POLICIES THAT PROTECT THEM ARE ALREADY IN PLACE, AND IT COSTS NOTHING TO LEAVE THEM. BEING KIND, GIVING KIDS THE SPACE THEY NEED TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, EXTENDING ENOUGH GRACE TO JUST HUMOR THEM IS THE EASIEST THING IN THE WORLD. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS NOTHING. DON'T MAKE THESE REVISIONS. DON'T TAKE THESE PROTECTIONS AWAY FROM THEM. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MIKE KARABINOS. >> NEVER BEFORE IN THIS COUNTY HAS SO MUCH TIME, SO MUCH EFFORT, AND SO MANY WORDS BEEN SPOKEN TO HARM SO FEW. THE NUMBERS HE JUST GAVE, TELL THAT. I'M SO HAPPY I STAYED AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT LAST NIGHT TO LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT HELPS ME UNDERSTAND WHERE SOME OF YOU ARE COMING FROM, AND WE'RE ALL COMING FROM A POINT OF LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN. [04:40:04] BUT THE QUESTION I HAVE TO ASK IS, WHY IS GENDER IDENTITY OR JUST THE QUESTION ABOUT GENDER SUDDENLY A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE? SUICIDE, DRUG USE, CRIMES ARE MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE. SOMEONE QUESTIONING THEIR IDENTITY, TO MAKE IT A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE IS TO OUTRIGHT SAY TO THE STUDENTS, WE DON'T RECOGNIZE RESPECT OR HONOR YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE THAT QUESTION WHATSOEVER. IT'S NOT A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE. IF IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE THERE'S A RISK OR THERE'S A THREAT, WE HAVE RULES ABOUT MANDATORY REPORTING. BUT TO MAKE THE SCHOOL AN UNSAFE PLACE TO EVEN HAVE THE CONVERSATION. STEVE WALKS INTO A SCHOOL TO A TEACHER OR TO A COUNSELOR AND SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT, MY FAMILY IS CATHOLIC, BUT I MIGHT NOT BE CATHOLIC. THAT'S NOT A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE. STEVIE WALKS INTO A COUNSELOR'S OFFICE AND SAYS, I MIGHT LIKE BOYS. THAT'S NOT A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE. BUT NOW YOU WANT TO SAY THAT STEVIE WALKS INTO A COUNSELOR'S CLASSROOM AND SAYS, I MIGHT NOT BE A BOY, AND THAT'S A MANDATORY REPORTING ISSUE. THEN WHEN YOU STRIP OUT THE LANGUAGE ABOUT DEFINITIONS AND TERMS, YOU'RE SAYING, YOU DO NOT RESPECT THOSE PEOPLE. THAT STRUCK LANGUAGE TELLS A STORY. THEN BY GIVING THE AUTHORIZED BULLYING UNDER THE GUISE OF FREE SPEECH, THAT ALSO IS TELLING PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T RESPECT THOSE STUDENTS. PLEASE SET THIS ASIDE. DO, LIKE I SAID LAST MONTH, DO NOTHING. UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A FLAWED APPROACH AND LEAVE IT ALONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. KARABINOS. MEGS BREKKA. >> HELLO. I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE I'M THE LAST PERSON TO TALK TODAY. MY NAME IS MEGS BREKKA AND I AM A TRANS NON BINARY RESIDENT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. WHEN I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, I KNEW I WASN'T A GIRL. THE CLOSEST THING I COULD DESCRIBE MYSELF AS WAS A TOM BOY. MY DAD AND MY STEPMOM DID NOT CARE TO HEAR ME AND INSTEAD FORCED ME INTO DRESSES THAT I HATED AND SHAMED ME FOR EVER QUESTIONING IT. MY MOM LISTENED AND MY MOM HAS CONTINUED TO BE MY NUMBER 1 SUPPORTER TO THIS DAY. I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO EMPLOY YOU TO NOT IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT CAN SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE WELL BEING OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AND ALL THE STUDENTS WHO ASK FOR THEIR VOICE TO BE HEARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT PARENTS WHO HAVE COME TO ASK FOR THESE CHANGES, BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE THEIR CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS IN MIND. BUT BY IMPLEMENTING THESE POLICIES, YOU ARE POTENTIALLY TAKING AWAY YOUR CHILD'S VOICE. THE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED 2021 VERSION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1015 ALLOWS FOR STUDENTS TO USE THEIR VOICE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH OF WHO THEY ARE AND NOT BE OSTRACIZED OR POTENTIALLY FACE CONSEQUENCES BY THEIR CAREGIVERS. ELIMINATING POLICIES LIKE THIS WON'T STOP YOUR CHILD FROM EVER QUESTIONING THE WORLD AROUND THEM, OR WHY THEY MUST FIT THEMSELVES INTO A MOLD THAT THE WORLD HAS FORCED UPON THEM. REVISING THE 1015 POLICY WITH GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S 2024 UPDATES WILL HURT YOUR CHILD, BECAUSE THESE POLICY REVISIONS CONTINUE THE IDEA THAT YOUR CHILD DOESN'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, WHEN IN FACT, THEY DO. IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CHILD, CARE ENOUGH TO LISTEN AND TO MAKE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES, I IMPLORE YOU TO KEEP THE ORIGINAL 1015 POLICY, BECAUSE IF WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR YOUR CHILD COMES OUT OF FEAR, YOU'LL ONLY CAST THEM INTO A WORLD BUILT ON FEAR. I ASK THAT YOU OPEN YOUR HEART TO SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT HURT YOU AND THAT YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND, BUT FOSTER A WORLD BASED ON LOVE WHERE EVERY CHILD'S VOICE CAN BE HEARD WITHOUT REPERCUSSION. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. [APPLAUSE] >> MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. NEXT, WE [E. Superintendent's Report] HAVE THIS EVENING'S SUPERINTENDENT REPORT, DR. MURRAY? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. HALF OF MY REPORT THAT I KEPT BRIEF ON PURPOSE THIS MONTH, APPRECIATING ALL OF THE ACTION ITEMS THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY MISS GLEASON. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING HER GO EARLY ON WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY REPORT. TONIGHT, WE HAVE ONE FEEL GOOD PRESENTING SHOWCASING OUR FALL MARCHING BAND EXHIBITION THAT BRINGS TOGETHER EVERY HIGH SCHOOL BAND WITHIN CCPS TO PERFORM THEIR SHOW ON THE SAME NIGHT. THESE KIDS PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK. IT'S EXTRA IMPRESSIVE TO SEE THEM ALL TOGETHER. THIS EVENT WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT TIME TO HIGHLIGHT OUR BAND PROGRAMS. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REMAINED, I WILL SAY THAT I WILL GIVE SOME ADDITIONAL UPDATES DURING [04:45:02] MY REMARKS AT THE END OF THE MEETING THIS EVENING. >> [MUSIC] TONIGHT AT MONACAN HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE OUR CHESTERFIELD ALL COUNTY MARCHING BAND NIGHT, AND IT'S SUCH A GREAT NIGHT AND SO EXCITING FOR NOT ONLY OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY, BUT FOR OUR MARCHING BANDS. [MUSIC]. >> THIS IS WHERE THE 10 HIGH SCHOOL BANDS IN THE COUNTY, WILL ALL COME TOGETHER IN OUR STADIUM, AND WE WILL ALL PERFORM OUR SHOWS FOR EACH OTHER. WE GO FROM SMALLEST BAND TO BIGGEST BAND ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COME AND WATCH AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO WHEN THEY GET TO HIGH SCHOOL. WE ALSO HAVE FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS THAT ARE COMBINING TO PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE WE START. >> IT'S JUST A REALLY WONDERFUL THING. NOT ONLY DO WE LOVE IT AS A COMMUNITY, IT'S ALSO BUILD SUCH CAMARADERIE BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS, AND THEY SUPPORT EACH OTHER. >> AT A COMPETITION, WE ARE ESSENTIALLY COMPETING AGAINST A STANDARD, AND WE'RE ALSO COMPETING AGAINST THE OTHER BANDS IN OUR CLASS THAT ARE SIMILAR SIZE TO US. FOR THIS EXHIBITION, THERE WILL BE FOUR, WE CALL THEM JUDGES. THEY'RE REALLY CLINICIANS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE GIVING US FEEDBACK ON OUR SHOWS, BUT NO SCORES WILL BE GIVEN, AND IT'S NOT A COMPETITION. WE ALL GO TO COMPETITIONS, BUT WE GO TO DIFFERENT ONES AROUND THE STATE ON DIFFERENT DAYS, AND SO WE DON'T GET TO SEE EVERYBODY THAT'S IN OUR OWN COUNTY. EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT IDEAS AND DIFFERENT CREATIVITY THINGS HAPPENING, AND IT'S JUST A REALLY GREAT TIME FOR THE KIDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER. ALSO, A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE FRIENDS IN OTHER BANDS, AND SO IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR THEM TO GET TO RECONNECT AND SEE WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING. >> IT WAS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ATTENDED BEFORE COVID, BUT WE NOTICED ONCE THINGS CAME BACK OUT AFTERWARDS, IT WAS A HUGE EVENT, AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME OUT AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE DATE IS EARLY ON. THEY REARRANGE THEIR SCHEDULES. IF THERE'S AN ISSUE SOMEWHERE OR ANOTHER, I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT IT, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR SCHEDULES ARE CLEAR SO THEY CAN COME. THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. NOT JUST THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS THAT ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED, BUT OTHER TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL DIVISION, OUR FOLKS IN CENTRAL OFFICE WANT TO KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY WANTS TO KNOW. THIS IS JUST A REALLY AWESOME WAY FOR US TO JUST SHARE WITH EACH OTHER AND JUST FEEL THE LOVE. [MUSIC]. >> ONE THING THAT I THINK IS REALLY UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT ABOUT MARCHING BAND IS THAT EVERYBODY IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. ON A SPORTS TEAM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE KIDS WHO MOSTLY RIDE THE BENCH, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE KIDS WHO PLAY THE GAME. IN A BAND OR AN ORCHESTRA OR A CHOIR, EVERYBODY COUNTS. IN A PROGRAM LIKE THAT, EVERYBODY HAS TO PERFORM, AND EVERYBODY IS DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER TO CARRY THEIR OWN WEIGHT. THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF BUY IN FROM THE KIDS AND A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP, WHICH MAKES THEM REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S THEIR OWN PROGRAM. [MUSIC] >> THANKS SO MUCH, DR. MURRAY. FOR MEMBERS, ANY DISCUSSION? OTHER THAN IT IS A PHENOMENAL NIGHT, IF YOU HAVEN'T GONE OUT TO SEE THAT, WE DO IT EVERY YEAR IN THE FALL. MAKE SURE YOU GO. IT'S BY FAR ONE OF MY FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENTS. AS MY MARCHING CHIEF GRADUATED LAST YEAR, BUT ONCE A BAND MOM, ALWAYS A BAND MOM. NEXT, WE HAVE ACTION ITEMS WITH MR. SMITH. [F. Action Items] >> MADAM CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU YOUR 2025 DRAFT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. [04:50:02] I'LL NOTE OBVIOUSLY IN BOARD DOCS, A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS ARE THERE. ONE IS THIS POWERPOINT PRESENTATION. I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THE SLIDES, BUT ALSO IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC IS YOUR DRAFT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. I'LL TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THAT AS WE GO ALONG. A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH BEGINS IN JANUARY. ONE OF THE THINGS IS HIGHLIGHTING OUR WORK IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION FOR THE CHESTERFIELD RECOVERY ACADEMY. AS WE KNOW, THAT'S A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND VERY SUCCESSFUL BEING THE FIRST RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA. WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THE EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING DONE AND CERTAINLY THE INVESTMENT WE'RE MAKING THROUGH OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE STATE GOVERNMENT. THERE'S A COUPLE OF SLIDES IN HERE TO POINT OUT. ONE IS WITH REGARDS TO JUST HOW LARGE OUR OPERATION IS FROM A FORTUNE 500 BUSINESS. THAT'S A PERSPECTIVE WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, OBVIOUSLY FOR HOW WE HAVE TO RUN THE SCHOOL DIVISION. OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE CLEARLY IN THE CLASSROOM IN SUPPORTING THOSE EFFORTS WITH ANYTHING WITH REGARDS TO TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SERVICES AND THE WORK WE DO THERE. THE SECOND PIECE IS OBVIOUSLY THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS WITHIN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION AS WELL AS THE KNEES OF THE SCHOOL DIVISION. ONE OF THE THINGS I HIGHLIGHTED FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION RECENTLY IS THAT AS A REMINDER IS THAT WE HAVE MORE STUDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS. THE CITY RICHMOND HAS STUDENTS. CERTAINLY WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE NEEDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO WORK TO MEET THOSE NEEDS AS WE COUNT THE WORK WE DO THROUGH OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE'RE OBVIOUSLY MAKING SURE CERTAINLY THAT OUR EFFORTS EDUCATION WISE, THAT PREPARING OUR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO HELPING OUR FAMILIES AS THEY COME INTO OUR SCHOOL DIVISION. FOR THE 2025 SESSION, OBVIOUSLY, OUR WORK BEGAN, ESSENTIALLY AFTER THE LAST SESSION COMPLETED, AND CERTAINLY WE'VE SEEN SOME CHANGES WITH REGARDS TO THE MAKEUP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. WE'LL SEE MORE NEXT YEAR, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE ELECTIONS AHEAD. BUT AS THE SESSION PROGRESSES, OBVIOUSLY THE WORK WE DID LAST WEEK WITH THE MEETING OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, HAD SOME REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT THE EFFORTS WE'RE HAVING IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS WITH REGARDING CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION. THIS EVENING OBVIOUSLY IS YOUR FORMAL VOTE WITH REGARD TO YOUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. NEXT WEEK, THE GOVERNOR WILL INTRODUCE HIS AMENDED BUDGET, SUPPORT TO THAT. MR. MEISTER, WILL TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT WITH YOU. BUT THIS IS AMENDMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET. WE'LL SEE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING FROM HIM ABOUT THAT. HE HAD SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS ACTUALLY TODAY WITH REGARD TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, AND WE'LL SEE MORE ABOUT THAT ALONG THE WAY. DURING THE SESSION, AS IT STARTS, OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL BE A PRESENCE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THROUGH MY REPRESENTATION, BUT ALSO CERTAINLY ACKNOWLEDGING QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE THROUGH A DELEGATION, MAKING OURSELVES ACCESSIBLE TO THEM, TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND AND HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR IMPACTS IT HAS ON OUR SCHOOL DIVISIONS, AND CERTAINLY RECOGNIZING WHERE WE HAVE DISCRETION TO RECOGNIZE THE CHANGING DIVERSITIES IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION. THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR. OUR LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES. THESE FOUR PRINCIPLES ARE KEY AS WE LOOK TO EVALUATE LEGISLATION. WE ANTICIPATE EVERY YEAR ALMOST 2,000 BILLS INTRODUCED. I TRACK GENERALLY ABOUT 300 BILLS CLOSELY RELATED TO EDUCATION. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND CERTAINLY THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE FAIR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE LEGISLATION, ALLOWING US MAXIMUM DISCRETION ALONG THE WAY, AND THAT'S CERTAINLY FLEXIBILITY AND ANY OPPOSITION TO ANY NEW STATUTORY OR UNFUNDED MANDATES ALONG THE WAY. OUR TWO BIG FOCUS FOR THE SESSION, CERTAINLY IS WITH REGARD TO FUNDING. WE TALKED A LOT LAST SESSION. THE JLARC STUDY, WHICH WE KNOW IN CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE'S ABOUT $203 MILLION THAT SINCE OUR SCHOOL DIVISION THROUGH THE JLARC STUDY WOULD BE DUE FOR FUNDING. WE KNOW THAT CERTAINLY TAKING THAT FUNDING INTO CONSIDERATION, WILL PUT THAT CERTAINLY TO SOME OF THE GREAT NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISION. THE SECOND PIECE OBVIOUSLY IS THE INVESTMENT IN THE WORKFORCE. THIS BOARD HAS DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK, CERTAINLY IN INVESTING, PRIORITIZING OUR EMPLOYEES. THAT'S CERTAINLY SOME WORK THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO IN OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO WITH REGARD TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE. IN THE COLLABORATION WE HAVE OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WITH THE WORK THIS BOARD HAS DONE WITH THE BOARD SUPERVISORS, I THINK THIS YIELDED SOME GREAT BENEFITS AND CERTAINLY THAT WILL YIELD US SOME ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AS WE GO INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WITH THAT, MADAM CHAIR, YOU HAVE FOR YOU A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION, THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, ADOPT THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND WORK WITH THE CHESTERFIELD LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO IMPLEMENT. >> THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. BOARD MEMBERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO NUMBER 171-24 AS PRESENTED? >> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. >> AYE. >> STEVE PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS. >> AYE. >> ANN COKER. >> AYE. >> DOR HEFFRON. >> AYE. THE MEMO IS APPROVED. [04:55:01] NEXT, WE HAVE MEMO NUMBER 172-24 WITH MR. MEISTER. >> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DOCTOR MURRAY, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, MEMO 172-24 FY24 YEAR END FUNDS. THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS OF THIS MEMO. FIRST, THERE WAS JUST UNDER 8.2 MILLION AVAILABLE FROM YEAR END FY24 FINANCIAL RESULTS TO BE CONSIDERED THIS EVENING. THIS SAVINGS WAS DRIVEN FROM A COMBINATION OF LOWER REVENUE PRIMARILY IN THE FORM OF LOWER STATE SALES TAX, OFFSET BY LOWER SPEND ACROSS THE DIVISION PRIMARILY FROM STAFF VACANCIES. IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD ALLOCATE THIS 8.2 MILLION DOLLAR FOR FUTURE SCHOOL NEEDS SPECIFICALLY TO FUND THE FY26 OPERATING BUDGET ONE TIME FUNDS REVENUE SOURCE. THE SECOND PORTION OF THIS MEMO IS THERE IS AN 11.5 MILLION ACCOUNTING TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENT THAT DOES REQUIRE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO REAPPROPRIATE THAT SAME 11.5 MILLION TO OUR CIP FUND. THIS TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN RELATED TO THE COUNTY FUNDING CONTRIBUTION OF ARPA FUNDS TO THE AM DAVIS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. AT THIS POINT, I LEAVE IT TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON NUMBER 172-24 AND THE RELATED RESOLUTION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THANK MADAM CHAIR. >> THANKS MEISTER. BOARD MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO NUMBER 172-24 AS PRESENTED. >> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND, MADAM CLERK. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL? >> DOMINE CHATTERS? >> AYE. >> STEVEN PARANTO? >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS? >> AYE. >> ANN COKER? >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON? >> AYE. THE MOTION CARRIES. NEXT, WE HAVE MEMO NUMBER 174-24 WITH MR. DAVIS. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR. MURRAY. COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WITH A ACTION MEMORANDUM REGARDING MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING FOR DEEP CREEK MIDDLE AND NEARBY SCHOOLS. THERE ARE SEVERAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO THE MEMORANDUM. IN CASE A BOARD MEMBER DURING DISCUSSION, WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT EITHER ATTACHMENT A OR B, WHICH WERE PRESENTATIONS THAT CAME ALONG THE WAY. WE WILL HAVE THOSE TEED UP IF DESIRED. BUT TO BRIEFLY ENCAPSULATE THE MEMO, WHEN WE OPEN THE NEW DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN AUGUST OF 2025, THE BOARD WILL ESTABLISH A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ZONE. THIS REDISTRICTING PLAN PROPOSES ADJUSTMENTS THAT WOULD IMPACT UP TO THREE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA, TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE, SWIFT CREEK MIDDLE, AND BAILEY BRIDGE MIDDLE. STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ATTENDANCE ZONE SINCE MARCH OF 2024. NOVEMBER, WE PRESENTED A PLAN WITH UP TO FOUR OPTIONS TO THIS BOARD AT THE WORK SESSION. WE WENT ON AND HAD A COMMUNITY MEETING AT COSBY HIGH SCHOOL ON NOVEMBER 18. AGAIN, THE ATTACHMENTS SHOW SOME OF THOSE DIALOGUES AND SLIDES THAT WERE PRESENTED. THERE'S BEEN ADDITIONAL DIALOGUE SINCE THEN. I DONE MY BEST AND OUR STAFF HAS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE BOARD AS REQUESTED, AS YOU'VE BEEN CONSIDERING THESE IMPORTANT OPTIONS. WE DID HAVE A SURVEY OF FAMILIES THAT WERE POSSIBLY IMPACTED, CONDUCTED FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD FROM 19TH NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER 2ND. ATTACHMENT B SHOWS THE SUMMARY OF THAT SURVEY. WE HAD 419 RESPONSES WITH OPTIONS 1 AND 5 RECEIVING THE MOST RANKINGS AS THE HIGHEST FAVORED OPTIONS. IN RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS, OPTION 5 WAS SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE FOXCROFT NEIGHBORHOOD TO ATTEND DEEP CREEK MIDDLE ZONE INSTEAD OF TOMAHAWK CREEK THAT ADDED NINE STUDENTS, BOTH TO OPTION 5 AND OPTION 2, WHICH I UNDERSTAND MAY COME UP THIS EVENING. WE'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO YOU TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND CHOOSE BETWEEN ANY OF THE DESIGNATED OPTIONS. AGAIN, WE'VE CALLED OUT OPTIONS 1 AND 5, BUT OTHERS ARE CERTAINLY ON THE TABLE IF YOU WISH. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME OR ASSIST YOU IN YOUR DISCUSSION AS NECESSARY. >> APPRECIATE THAT, MR. DAVIS. BOARD MEMBER, IS THERE A MOTION FOR EITHER OPTION 1 OR OPTION 5 OF THE PROPOSED MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING PLAN FOR DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL? >> MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD ASK THAT THIS BOARD WOULD ALSO CONSIDER A MOTION TO INCLUDE OPTION 2 FOR CONVERSATION AND DEBATE IN ADDITION TO OPTIONS 1 AND 5. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE A SECOND TO AMEND THAT CONSIDERATION OR ARE WE ABLE TO CONSIDER ALL OF THEM? [05:00:04] NO REALLY SURE OF THE MECHANICS. >> MADAM CHAIR, ALL ARE FREE TO DISCUSS. THEN IF A MOTION PRESENTS THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN THE RECOMMENDED ACTION IN THE MEMO THAT IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE. >> THANK YOU, DR. MURRAY. BOARD MEMBERS, DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS OPTION 2, OPTION 1, OPTION 5? ANY QUESTIONS? >> MADAM CHAIR, YES, THANK YOU. THE REASON I HAD PROPOSED OPTION 2 FOR THIS BOARD TO CONSIDER IS THIS IS THE OPTION THAT I HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING FROM THE WORD GO, BECAUSE IN THE MATOACA DISTRICT ON THE WESTERN PART OF HULL STREET, THIS OPTION INCLUDES ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. IT DOESN'T EXCLUDE A NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WOULD ALLOW HARPERS MILL, HAMPTON PARK, THE FOXES, MAGNOLIA GREEN, WESTERLY, SUMMER LAKE TO ATTEND DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHICH WOULD BE THE CLOSEST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN PROXIMITY TO THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. THE CONCERN WITH OPTION 2 WAS THAT THE FIVE YEAR PROJECTION WOULD PUT IT AT 102% CAPACITY. THE CONCERN THERE WAS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SCHOOL IF WE CHOSE OPTION 2, AND THEN WITHIN FIVE YEARS, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ESSENTIALLY MEGA TRAILER OUTSIDE. I'M OF THE BELIEF THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT OPTION WE CHOOSE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A MIDDLE SCHOOL WITHIN FIVE YEARS THAT'S GOING TO HAVE THAT CAPACITY REGARDLESS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THIS AREA OF THE WESTERN PART OF HULL STREET GROW TREMENDOUSLY. IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND NOT SPLIT COMMUNITIES IS WHY I HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT FOR OPTION 2 FROM THE WORD GO. I UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND OPTION 1 AND 5 BASED UPON A SURVEY THAT WAS SENT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. AT THE SAME TIME, REPRESENTING MY COMMUNITY AND THE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK GIVEN WAS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SEPARATED. THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE TOGETHER IN ELEMENTARY, GOING TO MIDDLE AND THEN TO HIGH SCHOOL. I THINK OPTION 2 GRANTS THAT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DO HAVE A POSSIBILITY IN FIVE YEARS OF NEEDING A MEGA TRAILER AT DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL. NOW, WHEN I ASKED STAFF ABOUT THAT, AT 102% CAPACITY. THE FEEDBACK I HAD RECEIVED WAS AT THAT CAPACITY, 102, LET'S SAY WE HAD THREE ART ROOMS, AND WE NEEDED ONE FOR HISTORY, FOR EXAMPLE, THEN ONE ART ROOM WOULD BE REPOSITIONED AS A HISTORY ROOM TO MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE STUDENTS SO THAT WE DIDN'T GO RIGHT IMMEDIATELY TO A MEGA TRAILER. THAT MADE SENSE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINKING, AND LISTENING TO THE MATOACA DISTRICT, SINCE THIS HAS COME OUT AND THE NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE GONE ON IN REGARDS TO THE AREA, I DO THINK THAT OPTION 2 WOULD PRESENT THE BEST SCENARIO FOR THE DISTRICT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, FOR STATISTICS PROJECTIONS, IF YOU WILL, OPTION 2 WOULD START OFF WITH CAPACITY AT BAILEY BRIDGE AT 79.8%, SWIFT CREEK AT 71, TOMAHAWK AT 62 AND DEEP CREEK AT 81.2, AND THEN THE PROJECTION IN FIVE YEARS WOULD BE IN THAT SAME ORDER WITH BAILEY BRIDGE, 81%, SWIFT CREEK AT 74, TOMAHAWK AT 70 AND DEEP CREEK AT 102.3%. I'VE SUPPORTED OPTION 2 IN THE PAST, AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS BOARD'S SUPPORT TO CONTINUE VOTING IN FAVOR OF OPTION 2. THANK YOU. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE RECEIVED AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, MESSAGES, TALKS IN THE KROGER. THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION, AND THERE ARE SO MANY MOVING PARTS. BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES WHO FEEL VERY STRONGLY AND VERY DEEPLY ABOUT IT. AS I WAS BALANCING, [05:05:03] I'M STILL QUESTIONING HERE, BUT AS I WAS CONSIDERING ALL THE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, I BEGAN TO WONDER WHY PEOPLE WERE SO VEHEMENT ABOUT THE VARIOUS OPTIONS. IT FELT LIKE TO ME IN THE END, IT TYPICALLY WHEN REDISTRICTING IS DONE, THERE IS THE POINT OF THE SCHOOL IS THE CENTER POINT, AND THEN THERE'S A CIRCLE DRAWN AROUND IT. THAT'S ONE WAY. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO REDISTRICT. THAT IS ONE WAY, AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT METHOD IS THE METHOD THAT MOST OF OUR CONSTITUENTS BELIEVE IS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE PRIMARY WAY THAT WE CAME TO SOME OF THESE OTHER OPTIONS, BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAPS WHICH HAVE BEEN UP IN THE PAST, THEY ARE NOT ANYTHING CLOSE TO A CIRCLE. WE HAVE THIS RANDOM FOOT AND WE HAVE ALL THESE JUST THEY'RE NOT A CIRCLE. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING PAST THE SCHOOL AND THEY THINK, OH, HEY, FRIENDS, THAT'S YOUR NEW SCHOOL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, OUTCOMES THE NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN. THEN, NO, THAT'S NOT YOUR SCHOOL. YOU CAN WALK TO IT, BUT IT'S NOT YOURS. YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING TO THE 25 MINUTES OR 20 MINUTES OR 18 MINUTES AWAY. THAT IS WHY I UNDERSTAND. ALSO, THEN WE HAVE TO BALANCE KEEPING ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER, ET CETERA. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY'S UPROAR AND THEIR CRY FOR I GUESS, JUSTICE, AND KEEPING ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER STAYING IN CLOSE. OPTION 2 MAKES SENSE EXCEPT THAT NUMBER OF 102 CAPACITY AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT HULL STREET CORRIDOR IS BLOWING UP AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO STOP. I KNOW MR. DAVIS, YOU GAVE US SOME NUMBERS ABOUT BUS RIDE TIMES, AND IT LOOKED LIKE MOST OF THEM WERE ABOUT THE SAME ODDLY, BUT THERE WERE SOME DIFFERENCES. WITH OPTION 1, THERE WAS A SAVINGS I BELIEVE, OF $60,000 OF GAS. SAME NUMBER OF BUSES. GO AHEAD. >>IN ALL THE OPTIONS OUR TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES WOULD REDUCE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT OPENING THE NEW SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY TO THE WEST WHERE THOSE LONGEST BUS ROUTES HAVE OCCURRED. TOMAHAWK CREEKS ZONE BECOMES MUCH MORE CONCENTRATED IN ANY OF THESE OPTIONS, THE LONGEST RIDE WOULD BE ABOUT 32 MINUTES. BUT THOSE LONG ROUTES TO THE WEST ARE NOW COMING TO A SCHOOL THAT IS CLOSER TO THEM FARTHER WEST. THAT DYNAMIC IS IN PLAY WITH ALL THE OPTIONS. THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE DID A LITTLE FURTHER ANALYSIS WERE FIRST THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE FOXES, WHICH IS EXCLUDED FROM OPTION 1, BUT INCLUDED IN OPTIONS 2 AND 5. WE LOOKED AT THE FIVE ROUTES THAT SERVE THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS TODAY AND LOOKED AT THOSE RIDE TIMES TODAY AND HOW THEY WOULD CHANGE IF THEY WERE GOING TO DEEP CREEK. WE SAW THAT THOSE BUS ROUTES WOULD START GENERALLY 4-6 MINUTES LATER THAN THEY DO NOW. THAT'S A FOUR TO SIX MINUTE SHORTER RIDE. ONE COULD ARGUE THAT THE RIDE TO TOMAHAWK TODAY IS NOT A HARDSHIP, BUT THE RIDE TO DEEP CREEK WOULD BE EVEN A LITTLE CLOSER. WE WERE ASKED TO DO THE SAME THING FOR HAMPTON PARK, SINCE IT WAS EXCLUDED FROM OPTIONS 5. IT'S INCLUDED IN OPTION 2, AS MR. PARANTO NOTED, AND INCLUDED IN OPTION 1. AGAIN, YOU SAW SMALL CHANGES IN RIDE TIMES FOR THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS IF THEY WERE TO GO TO DEEP CREEK IN THAT 4-6 MINUTE RANGE. EACH SET HAD A COUPLE OF SLIGHTLY ODD BALL ONES THAT ONLY CHANGED BY LIKE ONE MINUTE, AND SO NOT SIGNIFICANT. BUT IN GENERAL, WE SAW THE SHORTENED TIMES THAT WE EXPECTED FOR BOTH OF THOSE GROUPS. THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO HAVING MORE SAVINGS IN OPTION 1 WAS WITH THE CONCEPT OF OPENING THE CBG CENTER AT DEEP CREEK MIDDLE IN ADDITION TO TOMAHAWK CREEK, [05:10:05] BECAUSE THE EXTRA BUSES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE STUDENTS ZONED FOR DEEP CREEK TO TOMAHAWK CREEK, WOULD BE FOUR COMPLETE ROUTES IN THE MORNING, FOUR COMPLETE ROUTES IN THE AFTERNOON. THAT'S WHERE THE $60,000 DIFFERENCE CAME IN. WE WOULD SAVE ABOUT I GUESS IT WAS 75-80,000 IN OPTION 1, WE'D STILL SAVE SOME IN OPTIONS 2 AND 5, BUT IT WOULD BE A LESSER AMOUNT. >> MS. COKER. BEING ON THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE END IN MY NORMAL WORLD, FROM WHERE THE REDISTRICTING IS HAPPENING, I TOOK A DRIVE OUT TO THE AREAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE AFFECTED IN THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. IT DID BECOME QUITE APPARENT DURING THAT DRIVE TO HAVE THE FOXES OUT OF THE EQUATION REALLY DIDN'T MAKE 100% SENSE LOGISTICALLY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, NUMBER 2 OPTION, MY NUMBER 1 THING IS TO LOOK AT CAPACITY. CAPACITY IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF. SORRY, I DON'T MEAN TO NOT LOOK THIS DIRECTION. SO IT IS WEIGHING ON ME IN OPTION 2, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT OF KEEPING ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER AS I'M THINKING THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS AS WELL. >> JOSH, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT OPTION 1 KEEPS THE FOXES TOGETHER AT A SCHOOL AND HAMPTON PARK AND MAGNOLIA TOGETHER AT A SCHOOL. >> YEAH. MISS CHATTERS. HARPER, SOME OF THEM WOULD BE AT TOMAHAWK AND SOME OF THEM WOULD BE AT DEEP CREEK. >> MY SUPPORT RIGHT NOW IS FOR OPTION 1. AS I SAID LAST MONTH, CAPACITY WAS ONE OF THE METRICS THAT I USED. THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE SCHOOL WAS THE OTHER METRIC AND THEN THE CBG ASPECT. IF WE USE THE MODEL WE USE WITH DAVIS WITH THE PHASE ROLLOUT FOR CBG, I'D BE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT FOR DEEP CREEK. CAPACITY BEING AN ISSUE IN MY DISTRICT, I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT AND THE THINGS THAT OUR BUILDING ADMINS HAVE TO DO TO MAKE ROOM IN MR. PARANTO'S EXAMPLE OF THREE ART ROOMS VERSUS TWO ART ROOMS BECAUSE YOU NEED ANOTHER ROOM FOR A CORE SUBJECT. IT BRIEFS WELL, IN MY OPINION, BUT IN EXECUTION, MY BUILDING ADMINS WOULD SAY THAT IS A LIFT, TO HAVE TO CONVERT DO ART SUPPLIES ON A CART. THAT'S NOT THE BEST WAY FOR OUR KIDS TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE. THE SYSTEM THAT WE'RE USING, AND I'M GLAD YOU PUT IT ON HERE THAT WE'RE USING TO FORECAST WHAT THE SCHOOL'S CAPACITY WILL BE LIKE. IN MY EXPERIENCE SITTING ON THAT OTHER SIDE, BEING THE PARENT THAT COMES TO THE DIAS IS FLAWED. WHEN WE BUILT BLA, IT WAS OVERCAPACITY BEFORE, NOT THIS BOARD, THE OTHER BOARD, DID THE GROUNDBREAKING BECAUSE THAT SYSTEM IS FLAWED. I ANTICIPATE THAT WOULD BE A CAPACITY SOONER THAN PROJECTED ON HERE. THAT'S JUST DOMINIQUE. IF THAT IS THE CASE, OPTION 2 MEANS THAT WE WOULD HIT 102 CAPACITY SOONER THAN FIVE YEARS BASED ON THE GROWTH THAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIAL. BUT THE MOST OF THE EMAILS THAT WE RECEIVED AND I TRIED TO RESPOND TO EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM. THE COMMON THING WAS KEEP THE KIDS TOGETHER. OPTION 1 DOES THAT, KEEPS US AT A REASONABLE CAPACITY. 92% IS STILL NOT IDEAL IN MY OPINION, BUT IT IS BETTER THAN 102. FORECASTING THAT IT'S GOING TO GET BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE WAS A PARENT UP HERE, I HAVE IT IN MY NOTES THAT SAID, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE OVERCAPACITY. CONCUR. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. BUT OUR JOB IS TO BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE DECISION THAT DELAYS THAT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. OPTION 1 BASED ON THE DATA PRESENTED GIVES US THE BEST OPTION TO CATCH UP AS SOMEONE ELSE MENTIONED, AND BE BETTER EQUIPPED AND PREPARED TO DO SO. I AM IN FAVOR OF OPTION 1, AND THE IDEA OF BRINGING OPTION 2 BACK TO THE TABLE, I UNDERSTAND MR. PARANTO'S POINT ABOUT EVERYBODY STAYING, [05:15:01] ALL OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS STAYING TOGETHER. BECAUSE WE PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC IN THE AGENDA THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ONE AND FIVE, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS TO BRING OPTION 2 BACK ON THE TABLE BECAUSE THEN THEY COULD HAVE RESPONDED IN THEIR EMAILS TO US FOR THAT OPTION. IT DID NOT GIVE EVERYONE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO VOCALIZE THEIR SUPPORT FOR OPTION 2 BECAUSE WE DID NOT SAY WE WERE GOING TO CONSIDER THAT. I THINK IT'S UNFAIR TO DO IT THAT WAY. ALSO THE RELEASING OF THAT INFORMATION OF OPTION 1 AND 5 ALSO WAS A DISADVANTAGE TO SOME PEOPLE TO THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO CHIME IN AS WELL. SAYING ALL THAT TO SAY, I'M WITH OPTION 1. >> MR. PARANTO. >> THANK YOU. MISS CHATTERS, I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK. VOTING FOR OPTION 1 TAKES OUR KIDS APART IN THE WESTERN PART OF WHOLE STREET. THE KIDS THAT LIVE IN THE FOXES THAT ARE ON THE SAME SPORTS TEAMS AND COMMUNITY TEAMS WITH THE KIDS IN MAGNOLIA GREEN OR THE KIDS THAT ARE IN HARPER'S MILL, OR THE KIDS THAT ARE SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT AREA. THEN YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM AND PUT THEM IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT CLOSE TO EACH OTHER IN REGARDS TO THEIR ABILITY TO BE WITH EACH OTHER. BUT THEY LIVE MINUTES APART, AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY THE BEST THING FOR THEM IS TO REMOVE THEM FROM EACH OTHER. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY. YES, THE NUMBERS, IF YOU'RE STRICTLY LOOKING AT NUMBERS FOR OPTION 1, MAKE SENSE. 100% AGREE WITH THAT. THAT'S ONE FACTOR TO MANY DIFFERENT ONE FACTORS THAT MAKE THIS WHOLE THING WORK, WHICH IS OUR COMMUNITY. WE DID HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT SPOKE UP IN FAVOR OF ALL THE OPTIONS, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. ABSOLUTELY. IT WAS THIS BOARD THAT DECIDED THAT ONLY OPTIONS 1 AND 5 WERE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON SURVEY RESULTS. BUT IF YOU READ WHAT OPTIONS 1 AND 5 IS DOING TO OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, IT'S SPLITTING COMMUNITIES APART WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE REMOVED FROM EACH OTHER. OPTION 2 PUTS THEM TOGETHER. OPTION 2 ALLOWS THEM TO BE IN COMMUNITY TOGETHER. NO, I'M NOT A FAN OF A MEGA TRAILER. I'M NOT A FAN OF OVERCAPACITY, NOT AT ALL. BUT LIKE I SAID EARLIER, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OPTION WE PICK. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HIT THAT AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ANYWAY, WHICH I THINK WAS MENTIONED HERE THIS EVENING AS WELL, AND I DO AGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH. WHETHER OPTION 2 OR 5 OR 1 TO YOUR POINT BRINGS A HIGHER CAPACITY THAN ANTICIPATED IN YEAR 3, WE DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL AND WE DON'T KNOW. BUT WE HAVE TO GO ON IN MY BELIEF OF WHAT WE KNOW NOW, WHICH IS IN BETWEEN OPTIONS 1 AND 5, THE WESTERN PART OF THE MATOACA DISTRICT COMMUNITIES ARE BEING ASKED TO BE TORN APART. IN SOME OF THESE CASES, THESE KIDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TORN APART FROM WHERE THEY WENT TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO NOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THEY WERE CHANGED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TWICE, SOMETIMES, IF NOT THREE TIMES. WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP THE KIDS TOGETHER. WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP COMMUNITY TOGETHER. TO ME, OPTION 2 MAKES SENSE. IF WE GO WITH OPTION 5, HAMPTON PARK, WHO'S A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY IS LEFT OUT ALTOGETHER, AND THEY STAY AT SWIFT CREEK. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT THE DISDAIN ABOUT THAT POTENTIAL FOR THEM. THE FOXES HAVE VOICED THE SAME THING. THEY ARE IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO MISS HUDGINS POINT IN REGARDS TO TRANSPORTATION WISE TO DEEP CREEK THAN THEY ARE TO TOMAHAWK. TOMAHAWK IS AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL. TWO OF MY CHILDREN WENT THROUGH TOMAHAWK. THERE'S NO ISSUE WITH TOMAHAWK AT ALL. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THEY'RE RECEIVING, IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY WANTING TO BE TOGETHER. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD ASK THIS BOARD TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY IN THE WESTERN PART OF MATOACA TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> MEMBERS, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION COMMENTS? I WILL JUST SAY THAT FROM A PURELY DATA DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE, I HATE THAT TERM. BUT OPTION 1 KEEPS US UNDER CAPACITY, IS A BALANCED CAPACITY WITH TOMAHAWK CREEK AT 79% FIVE YEAR PROJECTION, [05:20:02] DEEP CREEK AT 92% FIVE YEAR PROJECTION, AND ALIGNS WITH OUR GOALS TO EXPAND CBG PROGRAMS. IT WAS DEVELOPED BY OUR CRACK TEAM THAT IS AWARD WINNING KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO REDISTRICT. I'M GLAD THAT YOUR TEAM DOES. I TRUST THE WORK. I HEAR YOU, MR. PARANTO. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT GETS PULLED APART IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THEN PUT BACK TOGETHER. I KNOW THAT IT CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE IN THAT SITUATION. WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MY KIDS JOINED REC LEAGUES THAT PLAYED WITH OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND THEY MADE FRIENDS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS THAT THEY EVENTUALLY MET UP WITH WHEN THEY WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL. WE CAN LOOK AT COMMUNITY BEYOND JUST DEFINE COMMUNITY AS BEYOND OUR SUBDIVISIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT AND I CAN EMPATHIZE WITH THE FOLKS THAT CAME TO US FROM THE FOXES AND THAT CAME TO US TO TALK FROM HAMPTON PARK AND HARPER'S MILL. MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE THAT WE TAKE A VOTE ON OPTION 1. BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST CALL FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT EITHER OPTION 1, OPTION 2, OR OPTION 5 OF THE PROPOSED MIDDLE SCHOOL REDISTRICTING PLAN FOR DEEP CREEK. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR OPTION 2. >> JUST NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR. >> MY APOLOGIES. >> IT'S OKAY. YES. MR. PARANTO. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR OPTION 2. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING OPTION 2? MADAM CLERK, WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. >> NAY.. >> STEVEN PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS. >> AYE. >> ANN COKER. >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON. >> NAY. >> OPTION 2 IS APPROVED. NEXT, WE HAVE MEMO NUMBER 175-24, MR. DAVIS. >> GOOD EVENING AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DECISION. STAFF WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO SUPPORT THAT DECISION AND HAVE A SMOOTH OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL. MOVING ON TO THE BELL SCHEDULE. WE ALSO HAD A PRESENTATION IN NOVEMBER ABOUT POSSIBLE BELL ADJUSTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. AS YOU KNOW, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL, ALL OTHER CCPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS OPERATE ON THE TIER 1 BELL SCHEDULE 7:35-2:05. STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE NEW DEEP CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL BE PLACED ON THE TIER 1 SCHEDULE. TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE HAS BEEN THE ONLY ONE OPERATING ON THE TIER 2 BELL SCHEDULE 8:30 TO THREE O'CLOCK IN RECENT YEARS. THERE'S BEEN SOME INEFFICIENCIES WITH TRANSPORTATION, SOMEWHAT LOSS OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND DIFFICULTY FOR SOME OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES. OUR GENERAL CONSENSUS HAD BEEN WHEN THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL OPENED IN THE WEST THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT MOVING TOMAHAWK TO TIER 1 AT THAT TIME. THAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF. WE SEE THAT AGAIN, SOME OF THOSE TRANSPORTATION INEFFICIENCIES WOULD BE ELIMINATED, THAT THE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WOULD BE RESTORED FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES, AND THAT THE SCHEDULES THEMSELVES FOR THE ATHLETICS WOULD SMOOTH OUT A BIT SO THAT EVERYBODY FINISHES AT THE SAME TIME IN THE AFTERNOON. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE BOARD APPROVE PLACING BOTH DEEP CREEK AND TOMAHAWK CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOLS ON THE TIER 1 BELL SCHEDULE, AND THAT BELL SCHEDULE WOULD TAKE EFFECT FOR THE 25/26 SCHOOL YEAR. >> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. BOARD MEMBERS MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO. NUMBER 175-24 AS PRESENTED. >> SO MOVE. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >>, BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? [05:25:02] MADAM CLERK, WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. >> AYE. >> STEVEN PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS? >> AYE. >> ANN COKER. >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON. >> AYE. THE MOTION IS APPROVED. NEXT, WE HAVE MEMO NUMBER 176-24 WITH MR. SMITH. >> MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS, AS A RESULT OF THIS MEETING ON OCTOBER 24, 2024, THE SUPERINTENDENTS ADVISORY POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS REVISIONS OF CURRENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS AS FOLLOWS, REVISIONS OF POLICY 3020, SELECTION IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTURAL METHODS, STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS. POLICIES UPDATED TO CODIFY CONSISTENT PRACTICES MOVING FORWARD. REVISIONS OF POLICY 4010-R, STANDARD STUDENT CONDUCT. POLICY IS UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW CELL PHONE GUIDANCE. PROPOSED CHANGES HAD BEEN REVIEWED BY SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WITH REGARDS TO DIVISIONS OF POLICY 4010R, THAT'S THE STANDARD STUDENT CONDUCT. THAT DOES INCLUDE THE NEW POLICY WITH REGARD TO CELL PHONE GUIDANCE. THERE ARE TWO CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING. THE FIRST CHANGE WAS TO STRIKE THE WORDS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. IT SIMPLY CAUSED SOME CONFUSION AND ITS LOCATION IN THAT POLICY NEARLY PUT OBVIOUSLY THAT OUTSIDE OF THE BELL TO BELL. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UPDATE, AS YOU'LL NOTE IN GREEN HERE ON THE SCREEN IS NEW VERBIAGE, WHICH SAYS, "THIS UPDATED SECTION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 2025. HOWEVER, BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2025 AND MARCH 2, 2025, SCHOOL SHALL HAVE DISCRETION EXPECTATIONS, AND ASSOCIATED CONSEQUENCES." THAT WAS A VERBIAGE, CERTAINLY THAT WE FELT LIKE ADHERE TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLICY GOING INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY 1, BUT ALSO ALLOWED OPERATIONALLY FOR OUR SCHOOL SOME DISCRETION, KNOWING THAT THEY'D BE UP FULLY RUNNING BY MARCH THE 3RD. THOSE ARE THE TWO NEW CHANGES WITH REGARDS TO THAT. I WOULD NOTE, PENDING THE BOARD ACTION THIS EVENING, THERE WOULD BE COMMUNICATION TO PARENTS AND THE STAFF WITH REGARDS TO THE NEW CELL PHONE GUIDANCE. WITH THAT, MADAM CHAIR, YOU RECOMMENDED ACTION, IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT THE SCHOOL WOULD APPROVED THE ABOVE REFERENCED PROPOSED REVISIONS CURRENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS. >> THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. BOARD MEMBERS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MEMO NUMBER 176-24 AS PRESENTED. >> SO MOVE. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MR. PARANTO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTY WITH KIDS COMING OFF A SPRING BREAK, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL, WITH A CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. I UNDERSTAND THE LEEWAY GIVEN OF THE TIME FRAME FROM JANUARY TO MARCH TO ADJUST. I DO APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION OF THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO EASE INTO A NEW WAY OF LIVING THAT OUR STUDENTS SINCE AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, HAVE NOT BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO HAVE A CURRENT VERSION OF A CELL PHONE POLICY, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT WITH THIS, AND SO THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. I DO THANK THE COMMITTEE'S TIME AND INVESTING IN RECOGNIZING THAT AND PUTTING THAT FORTH TO REQUEST THAT ADJUSTMENT PERIOD FOR OUR STUDENTS. GREATLY APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE. >> YES, SIR. >> BOARD MEMBERS, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. >> AYE. >> STEVEN PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS. >> AYE,. >> ANN COKER. >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON. >> AYE. THE MEMO IS APPROVED. THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. NEXT, WE HAVE REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015 UP FOR SECOND REVIEW AND ADOPTION. BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED REVISIONS? >> GO AHEAD. MS. COKER. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICY AS PRESENTED IN POLICY 1015. >> THERE'S BEEN A MOTION. >> IS THERE A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MADAM CHAIR, MS. CHATTERS. >> THANK YOU. LAST MONTH, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS POLICY, THE NOVEMBER VERSION, AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY BOARD MEMBERS, [05:30:05] MS. HUTCHINS, MR. PARONTO, AND MS. COKER, FOR GOING BACK TO OUR ORIGINAL POLICY AND USING THAT AS THE BASELINE, SO IT WOULD BE EASIER TO UNDERSTAND, LIKE WHERE WE WERE GOING. I DID APPRECIATE THAT CHANGE THERE. WE RECEIVED 176 EMAILS REGARDING THIS POLICY. LAST MONTH'S PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE HAD 26 PEOPLE THAT ASKED US TO KEEP THE CURRENT POLICY SEVEN ASKED US TO CHANGE IT. OF THAT 176 EMAILS, WE HAD 132 ASK US TO KEEP IT AND 24 ASK US TO CHANGE IT. TONIGHT, WE HAD 63 PEOPLE THAT ASKED US TO KEEP IT AND 30 PEOPLE THAT ASKED US TO CHANGE IT. THAT GIVES ME A 221 OF KEEPING IT AND A 61 OF CHANGING IT. THAT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE 353 PEOPLE THAT SUBMITTED WRITTEN COMMENT FOR THIS EVENING'S MEETING. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO FINISH COUNTING THE 353 AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEIR PERSPECTIVE WAS. IN THOSE EMAILS AND IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT, I WROTE DOWN SOME COMMON THEMES THAT I'M HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY. I HAD COMMENTS RELATED TO ELECTIONS, REFERENCING GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN'S ELECTION AND HOW THAT SHOULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR ON HOW WE PROCEED. I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T NOTE THAT IN THIS PAST ELECTION, CHESTERFIELD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY BLUE, WHICH WOULD TELL ME THAT THERE'S SOME LIBERALISM IN HERE WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS. I HEARD RELIGION USED SEVERAL TIMES, AND LIKE I SAID, LAST MONTH ABOUT, I THINK RELIGION IS A PERSONAL PRIVATE THING BETWEEN YOU AND WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU BELIEVE IN, WE SHOULD NOT BE FORCING THOSE BELIEFS ON OTHER PEOPLE. WE HEARD ABOUT THREATS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE EMAILS, BUT YET, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN INCIDENT OF A TRANS STUDENT SEXUALLY VIOLATING OR ASSAULTING OR HARASSING A NON TRANS STUDENT OR ANYBODY FOR THAT MATTER. WE HAVE HAD NONE, BUT WE'VE HAD PEOPLE REFERENCE IT AS IF IT IS SOMETHING. WE HAD PEOPLE REFERENCE STUDENT OUTCOMES AND THAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON STUDENT OUTCOMES AND I CONCUR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE BEST STUDENT OUTCOMES, WE NEED TO PROVIDE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. I ALSO MENTIONED LAST MONTH THAT IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOLS TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILIES. THAT IS NOT OUR JOB. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE UP HERE TO DO. I EMPATHIZE WITH THE FAMILIES WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE INFORMATION, BUT OUR CURRENT POLICY DOES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY JUST TO REACH OUT. REACH OUT TO WHOEVER YOU WANT TO ASK IN OUR SCHOOL DIVISIONS, AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE TRUTH. NO ONE I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE HAS READ 1015, BUT OUR CURRENT 1015, NOTHING IN THERE SAYS THAT YOU'LL BE DENIED INFORMATION. THAT IS NOT WHAT IT SAYS. TO STATE THAT REPEATEDLY IS SO DISINGENUOUS OR YOU JUST DID NOT READ THE DOCUMENT, AND THAT'S FINE TOO, BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT NO TEACHER OR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IS DELIBERATELY TELLING YOUR CHILD TO LIE TO YOU. THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE RELATED TO HOW TO BEST HAVE THAT CONVERSATION BECAUSE THE COUNSELOR KNOWS THAT THE FAMILY NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO FORCE YOU INTO THAT CONVERSATION UNTIL YOU'RE READY. MAYBE I'LL GIVE YOU A BOOK ON HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, BECAUSE THAT'S MY JOB AS A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR. I'M HERE TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH WHATEVER YOU'RE GETTING THROUGH SO THAT YOU CAN GO BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM AND LEARN. I HEARD A LOT ABOUT STAFFING WITH PROFESSIONALS. THE POLICY THAT'S CURRENTLY IN PLACE WAS STAFFED WITH PROFESSIONALS. THERE WAS DELIBERATE ACTION BY THAT SCHOOL BOARD TO AT LEAST, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS TOPIC. LET ME GO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE, AND LET'S SIT IN A ROOM AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT SAY THAT TO ME. THE MAIN THING IS SAFETY. I BELIEVE THAT ALL MY BOARD MEMBERS CARE ABOUT CHILDREN AND THAT WE'RE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SAFE. WE DISAGREE ON HOW TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE AT ALL. STOMACH IN KNOTS, COULD NOT SLEEP. I KISSED THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HURT CHILDREN IN THE NAME OF TRYING TO PROTECT CHILDREN, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS IS DOING. OUTING CHILDREN TO FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEIR HOME LIFE IS LIKE IS WRONG. IF I WANT TO KNOW AND I SAID THIS LAST MONTH AND IT WAS MET WITH NOT POSITIVE FEEDBACK, [05:35:04] IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY THAT, BUT YOU CAN YOU CAN EMAIL YOUR COUNSELOR WHENEVER YOU WANT, EMAIL YOUR TEACHER WHENEVER YOU WANT, SO THAT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, YOU CAN KNOW, AND YOU'RE NOT PUTTING ANOTHER CHILD IN RISK, BUT THAT'S WHAT THIS POLICY DOES. IT OUTS EVERY CHILD, THE ONE WITH THE PROTECTIVE HOME AND THE SUPPORTIVE HOME, AND THE ONE WITH THE HOME THAT IS DANGEROUS. FOR US TO IGNORE THAT POSSIBILITY AFTER SEEING THE EMPIRICAL DATA AFTER IF IT'S NOT BROKEN. WE SHOULD NOT TOUCH IT. IF IT'S WORKING FOR THE FAMILIES THAT IT'S MEANT TO WORK FOR, WE SHOULD NOT TOUCH IT. IF WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED ON THIS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT. IF WE'RE GOING TO LISTEN TO THE FAMILIES THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED, LIKE WE JUST DID WITH THE REDISTRICTING, THE FAMILIES MOST AFFECTED. THE FAMILIES MOST AFFECTED HAVE STOOD HERE BRAVELY AND TOLD THEIR STORIES, AND WE ARE STILL WITHOUT FLINCHING, GOING TO TRY TO PASS SOMETHING THAT HAS EVIDENCE WILL HARM THEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE RUSH IS TO GO INTO THIS WITHOUT FULLY DOING WHAT WAS DONE WHEN YOU GUYS DID IT BEFORE. BRING IT TO THE TABLE. SOMEONE MENTIONED IT TODAY AND I'M ASHAMED THAT I DIDN'T THINK OF IT FIRST. THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE MR. PARONTO AND I SAID ON THAT. WHY DIDN'T WE TAKE THIS THERE? IF THAT IS WHERE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TAKE IT SO THAT WE CAN GET COMMUNITY INPUT AND UNDERSTAND OPERATIONAL IMPACT, THAT IS WHERE IT SHOULD GO. I DON'T THINK IT'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH SAYING, HEY, WE MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE THIS, BUT LET'S AT LEAST GO THROUGH THE SAME METHOD THAT WE DID FOR EVERY OTHER POLICY WE HAVE, AND NOT JUST A COUPLE OF FOLKS US JUST DOING IT OURSELVES BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER EITHER. KNOWING THAT YOU ALL CARE ABOUT KIDS AND I KNOW NO ONE WANTS TO SEE A CHILD HURT, I KNOW THIS AT THE CORE OF MY BEING, I KNOW THAT IS NOT WHAT ANY OF US WANT, BUT THE IDEA THAT THAT CAN HAPPEN FROM THIS SHOULD TELL US WE SHOULD PAUSE. THE IDEA THAT ONE CHILD BECAUSE ONE IS TOO MANY SHOULD GIVE US PAUSE, BUT WE'RE RUSHING INTO THIS. KNOWING THAT CHILD CARE AND WE'RE RUSHING INTO THIS IS THE CONFLICT THAT I'M HAVING. I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS AS WRITTEN. I WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS AS WRITTEN. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH IT. >> THANK YOU MS. CHATTERS. BOARD MEMBERS. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MR. PARONTO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHT AND PARENTAL AND SUPPORT. I DO APPRECIATE MS. CHATTERS REMARKS. YES, ABSOLUTELY 100%, THE CORE OF EVERY PERSON SITTING ON THIS DIAS, IN MY OPINION, AND I ALSO BELIEVE IS TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE. I SAID THIS LAST MEETING. HOW DO WE BRIDGE THAT GAP? HOW DO WE BRIDGE THE GAP? I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, BUT I DO KNOW AS A PARENT, I AM INVOLVED. THAT'S MY RIGHT AND MY CHOICE AND ANY PARENT CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THEIR SCHOOL AND SAY THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT, THIS IS WHAT THEY DON'T WANT. ABSOLUTELY. HOWEVER, TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL AND NOT KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT BASED UPON A POLICY IS WHAT HAS PEOPLE CONCERNED AT THE END OF THE DAY. THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER, THE GUIDELINES THAT WAS GIVEN, AND I KNOW WE HAD SOME CONVERSATION ON THAT AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE BOARD, WHICH WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HOW DO WE BRIDGE THIS GAP? HOW DO WE UNIFY THIS VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC? BECAUSE I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TONIGHT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND THEIR IDENTITY AND WHAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO. WHAT ABOUT MY DAUGHTER AND HER RIGHT TO USE A FACILITY OF HER GENDER? I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE TALK ABOUT THAT. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, THERE'S THIS GAP THAT STILL EXISTS, AND WE HAVEN'T, I THINK, AS A SOCIETY, NOT THIS BOARD, BUT AS A SOCIETY BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THAT PART OUT. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS A FIVE MEMBER BOARD OF VERY DIFFERENT THINKINGS AND BACKGROUNDS IN A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY. [05:40:01] WHAT IS THE RIGHT DECISION? PARENTS SHOULD BE INVOLVED. IF YOU'RE NOT AND YOU'RE A PARENT RESPECTFULLY GET INVOLVED, CALL YOUR SCHOOL, VOLUNTEER, GO READ, DO SOMETHING, GET INVOLVED. YOU FIND OUT A LOT MORE THAN YOU MAY REALIZE WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON THE SIDELINE AS MUCH. I UNDERSTAND, WE ALL WORK WE'RE FAMILIES, WE HAVE OTHER THINGS. I GET IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT BEING IN TOUCH AND HAVING YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IS GOING TO HELP GUIDE AND DIRECT THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOUR SCHOOL, AT HOME. IT IS DIFFICULT. I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I DON'T WANT ANY HARM TO COME TO ANY CHILD. REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU IDENTIFY, REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHO YOUR FAMILY IS OR WHAT THEY THINK, I DON'T WANT HARM TO COME TO ANY CHILD, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR PARENTS AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE THAT ARE ENGAGING THEM. I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THAT POINTS BEEN MADE. IT'S A VERY UNIQUE POSITION TO BE IN TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S RIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AS A PARENT, IF I DON'T SAY PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT OR PARENTS HAVE A SAY, THEN WHAT ARE WE SAYING? THAT'S WHERE AGAIN, THAT DIVIDE COMES. VERY DIFFICULT TOPIC TO MANEUVER. WE HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU. MS. COKER. >> YEAH. TO PIGGY BACK OFF OF WHAT MR. PARONTO SAID. WE TOOK ALL THE COMMENTS FROM LAST NOVEMBER, THIS PAST NOVEMBER. WE TOOK ALL THE COMMENTS, NOT ONLY THAT HAPPENED UP HERE AT THE DIAS, BUT WHAT WE HEARD OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE TRIED TO FIND THAT BALANCE. THAT IS REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE HEARING THE WORDS FROM BOTH SIDES, IF YOU WILL, AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT BALANCE IS BECAUSE I AM ALSO A PROPONENT OF PARENTAL NOTIFICATION. I HAVE BEEN SINCE THIS POLICY WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO US IN 2021. I HAD TWO FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES WITH THE POLICY AND THEY STILL STAND TODAY AND IT'S PARENT NOTIFICATION AND STAFF MORAL RIGHTS. LOOKING FOR THAT SUPPORT, LOOKING FROM THE SUPPORT OF THE EXPERTS, FIND THE LANGUAGE THAT BRIDGES THIS GAP. THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. FINE THE LANGUAGE >> BOARD WILL ONLY BE ACKNOWLEDGED COMMENTS FROM THE PODIUM. >> MS. COKER, I'M SORRY. >> MS. CHATTERS? >> YOU SAID FIND, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. ARE YOU ASKING ME TO FIND THE EXPERTS TO SUPPORT YOUR CURRENT VERSION OF THE POLICY? IS THAT. >> YOU JUST MENTIONED BEFORE IN YOUR COMMENTS THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE EXPERTS. WE WEREN'T THE EXPERTS. STAFF, WHERE ARE EXPERTS? >> I GUESS MY MY CONFUSION WOULD BE WHEN THREE BOARD MEMBERS DECIDED THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED, THAT THE SAME STEPS NOT FROM MS. HUTCHINS OR MR. PARONTO BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PART OF THE 2021 DECISION, BUT BECAUSE YOU WERE THE VETERAN EXPERTISE OF THE THREE OF THEM, I ANTICIPATED THAT THAT WOULD BE THE SAME STEPS YOU WOULD TAKE. THAT THAT WASN'T A PART OF IT. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WENT. >> YES, I WILL EXPLAIN. IN 2021, IT WAS STAFF RECOMMENDATION. IT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY STAFF. THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS SCENARIO IS THIS ISN'T BEING BROUGHT BY STAFF. IT IS BEING BROUGHT BY THE BOARD MEMBERS. IF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO TO BRIDGE THIS GAP HERE, IF WE NEED STAFF INVOLVEMENT TO HELP BRIDGE THIS GAP, IS ALL I'M SAYING. >> THEN ARE WE WILLING TO CONSIDER TAKING WHATEVER VERSION TO THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE BEFORE PASSING ANYTHING SO THAT IT CAN GO THROUGH THE PROPER PROCESS THAT EVERY OTHER [05:45:05] POLICY THAT WE HAVE GOES THROUGH AND NOT CREATED BY JUST BOARD MEMBERS. >> I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO STAFF TO KNOW IF THE 2021 POLICY WENT THROUGH THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE. I DO NOT RECALL. I'M JUST CURIOUS. I DON'T KNOW. >> WHETHER IT DID OR IT DIDN'T, BUT FOR THIS ONE, CAN WE SAY THAT WE WANT TO TRY IT THAT WAY TO LOOK AT IT? >> I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A COUPLE THAT I WAS ASKED TO SHARE MY CONCERNS WITH MY BOARD MEMBERS REQUESTED MY CONCERNS WITH THIS REVISION, AND I WANTED TO SHARE THEM. I THINK THAT THESE DEFINITIONS IN THE FRONT WHILE NOT REQUIRED, THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE CLARITY TO THE POLICY. THESE ARE THE AMENDMENTS THAT I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE PUT INTO THIS POLICY THAT'S BEFORE US. >> I HAVE A CONCERN WITH REVISED SECTION 3, STUDENT IDENTIFICATION WHERE WE HAVE ELIMINATED THE STATEMENT THAT SCHOOL STAFF SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT OR PARENT, ADDRESS THE STUDENT USING THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN. THAT'S BEEN ELIMINATED AND REPLACED WITH LANGUAGE THAT SAYS SCHOOL STAFF SHALL INFORM THE PARENT OF ANY REQUEST BY THEIR STUDENT TO ASSERT A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD. THE CONCERNS THAT I SHARED ARE THAT THIS PROPOSED CHANGE IS NOT ALIGNED WITH BEST PRACTICES. IT RISKS POSSIBLY OUTING A STUDENT WITHOUT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS OUTLINED IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA 22.1272. I'M CONFUSED AS TO HOW THIS LANGUAGE ENDED UP IN THIS DRAFT. THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF THE SECOND SENTENCE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN MORE INCLUSIVE OF PARENTS BY CHANGING THE OR TO AND. MAKING THAT CHANGE WOULD ALLOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE IN A SAFE SITUATION, SO THAT WE CAN APPLY THE CODE OF VIRGINIA TO THAT PROCESS. BUT BY AUTOMATICALLY NOTIFYING PARENTS, WE ARE NOT GIVING A CHANCE FOR THE MECHANISM TO KICK IN THAT IS AN OBLIGATION OF THIS BOARD THAT'S OUTLINED IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS WHO ARE AT RISK. I WOULD MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE OMIT THE SUGGESTED LANGUAGE, REPLACE IT WITH THE EXISTING LANGUAGE, AND CHANGE THE OR TO AND SO THAT THE SENTENCE WOULD READ, SCHOOL STAFF SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT AND PARENT, ADDRESS THE STUDENT USING THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN THAT CORRESPONDS TO THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. AT THAT OPPORTUNITY, A STUDENT COULD SAY, I WANT TO BE CALLED THIS. A TEACHER HAS A CHANCE TO SAY, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT IF YOUR MOM OR DAD UPDATE SYNERGY. THAT GIVES A STUDENT A CHANCE TO SAY, I DON'T KNOW THAT MY MOM WOULD LET ME DO THAT. THEN WE CAN FACILITATE A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT ABOUT THIS SITUATION. BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM THE PARENTS, BUT WE CAN HELP MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENT IS SAFE WHILE FACILITATING THAT CONVERSATION. THAT'S MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT SECTION. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT, AGAIN, IT'S THE OTHER ADDED LANGUAGE, SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT INFORMED BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OF THE DESIGNATED NAMES, NICKNAMES, AND PRONOUNS IN THE STUDENT'S RECORD WILL NOT BE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OR HARASSED FOR NOT USING THE NAMES. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? HOW DOES ADMINISTRATION INFORM PERSONNEL AND STUDENTS? IS THERE AN EMAIL? OR IS IT ANNOUNCED IN THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS? WHY IS STUDENT ASSERTION NOT ENOUGH TO HOLD PERSONNEL AND STUDENTS TO THE EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL USE THE DESIGNATED NAMES, [05:50:01] NICKNAMES, AND PRONOUNS OF A STUDENT? UNLESS WE HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THIS CLEAR THAT YOU CAN'T HOLD SOMEBODY TO A STANDARD THAT YOU HAVEN'T. YOU CAN'T HOLD SOMEBODY TO AN EXPECTATION IF YOU HAVEN'T TO IDENTIFIED IT? THEN INADVERTENT OR MISTAKEN USE OF A NAME. MY CONCERN WITH THIS WAS HOW WILL WE DETERMINE INTENT. HOW WILL WE DETERMINE IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR NOT? I CERTAINLY WOULD HOPE THAT A TRUSTED ADULT IN THE BUILDING WOULD RESPECT A PARENT'S ASSERTION OF THEIR CHILD'S IDENTITY. BUT THIS GIVES SCHOOL PERSONALITY OPPORTUNITY TO OVERRIDE A PARENT'S. TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CHILD'S IDENTITY. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. I UNDERSTAND, MISS KOKER, WE DON'T WANT TO COMPEL SCHOOL DIVISION OR PERSONNEL TO ADDRESS STUDENTS IN ANY MANNER THAT WOULD VIOLATE THEIR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS. I DON'T KNOW IF NOT CALLING A STUDENT BY THEIR NAME AND GENDER PRONOUN THAT THEIR PARENT HAS ASSERTED IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED. THERE WAS AN EXAMPLE FROM A SPEAKER TONIGHT WHO SAID, IF A YOUNG MAN WAS IN SCIENCE CLASS AND THE TEACHER WHO CALLED HIM JENNIFER AND USED SHE PRONOUNS, THAT IF SOMEBODY WAS DOING THAT TO MY STUDENT BECAUSE THEY SAID MY CHILD, BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY FELT IT'S UNCLEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S MR. ROBERTS, DO YOU KNOW IF THAT'S A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED DOES THAT FALL UNDER COMPELLED SPEECH? >> YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION. THERE WAS A RECENT CASE OUT OF THE SUPREME COURT WHICH TEACHERS OR TEACHERS ASSERTED THAT A RELIGIOUS WISE MEANING A TEACHER DID NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE A STUDENT'S GENDER FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES. THAT WOULD OVERRIDE THE RIGHTS OF A TRANSGENDER STUDENT TO BE CALL THAT? NO. WE WILL WORK TO PROTECT AN EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT TO MAINTAIN THE RELIGION AND STILL WORK ON THE SCHOOL WORK. BUT THERE WAS A RECENT CASE IN DECENT VISUALS. >> THANK YOU, MR. ROBERTS. MY LAST CONCERN IS IN SECTION 7, AND MISS HUDGINS, I THINK YOU AGREED WITH ME AS WELL, THAT UPON REQUEST, SINGLE-USER FACILITIES THAT SHALL TO SHOULD WAS A MISTYPE, AND IT WOULD THE RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE IS THAT WE MAINTAIN THE SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY STUDENT. CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY SUPPORT FOR THOSE RECOMMENDED CHANGES, OR DO WE WANT TO, MISS HUDGINS? >> YEAH. THANK YOU. I WOULD WELCOME JUST GOING DOWN THE LIST AND RESPONDING TO YOU. I GUESS, FIRST OF ALL, WE APPRECIATE THE ENGAGEMENT. WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE COMING OUT, SHARING. THERE IS A LOT OF EMOTION. IT'S HARD SITTING UP HERE LISTENING TO ALL THAT AND TRYING NOT TO SHOW STUFF, BUT WE FELT IT. I FELT IT. EVERYONE. I KNOW IT CAN BE NERVE-RACKING. I APPRECIATE YOUR COURAGE, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID, AND I HEARD EVERY PERSON WHO CAME UP. THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE ALSO GOT A LOT OF EMAILS. THIS HAS BEEN AN EMAIL-FRIENDLY WEEK FOR US, LET ME TELL YOU. THERE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, [05:55:02] LOTS OF INFORMATION, LOTS OF PEOPLE ALL AROUND. I RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A CONTENTIOUS TOPIC. BOTH SIDES RAISING VALID ARGUMENTS. IT'S BEEN MY PRACTICE AS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. SEVERAL OF MY FORMER STUDENTS WERE SPEAKERS TONIGHT. IT WAS REALLY NEAT TO SEE MY STUDENTS IN THE CROWD. MISS HEFFRON IS A FORMER TEACHER, TEACHERS, YOU HAVE YOUR STUDENTS, YOU ALWAYS LOVE YOUR STUDENTS. IT WAS JUST REALLY PRECIOUS TO SEE MY FORMER STUDENTS. I HEARD WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT, THIS IS HARD. I AM A FORMER TEACHER. I WAS A STUDENT-FIRST TEACHER, AND I TAUGHT EVERY TYPE OF CHILD THERE WAS, AND I LOVED EVERY TYPE OF CHILD THAT I TAUGHT. OFTEN, MY EXPERIENCE WAS WHENEVER THERE WAS A CHILD WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN TRANSGENDERED I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE FAMILY. I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY TIME THAT I DIDN'T WORK WITH THE FAMILY ON THAT. BUT I FOUND THAT AS I INTERACTED WITH MY STUDENTS, I TREATED EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT, KINDNESS, AND COMPASSION. THAT WAS HOW I DID. THAT'S HOW I DO. THAT'S HOW. MISS CHATTERS, I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZING THAT WE ARE ALL COMING FROM A PLACE OF WANTING THE BEST FOR STUDENTS. THAT REMAINS TRUE, AND I APPRECIATE THAT. WE DO KNOW THAT VIRGINIA LAW RECOGNIZES THAT PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE UPBRINGING AND EDUCATION AND CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN. THAT'S THE LAW, GUYS. THERE'S A REASON. THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT THE PARENTS ARE THE EXPERTS ON THEIR CHILD. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN WHERE MAYBE THAT'S NOT THE CASE. BUT I WOULD ARGUE, THAT'S NOT THE NORM. I JUST WOULD ARGUE THAT'S NOT THE NORM, AND I'M SORRY WHEN IT'S NOT THE CASE. WHEN WE ASSUME THAT IF A CHILD, THE NOTIFICATION OF A PARENT THAT THEIR CHILD IS ASKING TO BE CALLED BY A DIFFERENT NAME, WHICH IS WHAT IS HAPPENING OVER HERE, WE'RE NOT SAYING WE'RE NOT SAYING WHAT THE CHILD IS ASKING TO BE CALLED, WE'RE SAYING THAT THEY'RE ASKING TO BE CALLED SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT IS INCUMBENT THEN UPON THE PARENT TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH THE CHILD AND THE CHILD CAN SAY SOMETHING OR NOT SAY SOMETHING. A LOT OF PARENTS IN THIS ROOM, WE KNOW THAT SITUATION. I DO FIND IT NOTEWORTHY THAT PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NAVIGATE THIS SITUATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN ARE ARGUING AGAINST OTHER FAMILIES HAVING THAT SAME PRIVILEGE. ALSO, SOMEONE BROUGHT UP CLEARLY A VALID POINT SAYING, HEY, IF IN THE CLASSROOM, THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE KID NOT TURNING IN HOMEWORK OR NOT DOING CLASSWORK OR GRADES ARE SLIPPING. WHAT'S THE FIRST THING WE DO? HAVE YOU TALK TO THE PARENT? ALWAYS, HAVE YOU TALK TO THE PARENT? PARENTS ARE A PART OF OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES. MANY STUDIES SHOW THAT WHERE A PARENT IS INVOLVED, CHILDREN FLOURISH, SCHOOLS FLOURISH. WE KNOW THAT ALWAYS, GUYS, THERE IS AN EXCEPTION. BUT THIS IS THE NORM AND, THIS IS THE RULE. YOU'LL NOTICE IN THIS POLICY, WE HAVE, OF COURSE, HERE, IT'S TRUE EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT EDUCATION, BUT IT'S TRUE HERE IN THIS POLICY. IF THERE'S A DANGER TO THE CHILD, [06:00:01] AN EXCEPTION IS GOING TO BE MADE. MISS HEFFRON, HERE'S THE REASON THAT WITH THE TERMINOLOGY THAT WAS DELETED AND THE LAWS WE ARE FOLLOWING ANYWAY, THE TERMINOLOGY WAS DELETED BECAUSE IT'S NOT NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE POLICY THAT FOLLOWS. ALSO, THESE TERMS, THEY CAN GET TIMED OUT PRETTY QUICKLY AND DATE THIS DOCUMENT, AND ALSO OUR OTHER POLICIES IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP OUR POLICIES CONSISTENT, OTHER POLICIES TYPICALLY DON'T HAVE THE TERMS. WE DECIDED TO JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR AND MORE CONCISE. IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE TERMS, WE CAN LOOK IT UP ELSEWHERE. WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THAT'S ABLE TO DO SO. THE NEXT YOU HAD THIS QUESTION, YOU SUGGESTED TO CHANGE THE STRICKEN LINE, SCHOOL STAFF, SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT, CHANGE THIS OR PARENT, CHANGE AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT AND PARENT. ADDRESS THE STUDENT USING THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN THAT CORRESPONDS WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. FRANKLY, I THINK THAT BOTH THE SUGGESTED LINES AND THAT CHANGE, I DON'T SEE A DIFFERENCE, FRANKLY. I DON'T SEE HOW, GO AHEAD. MISS CHATTERS? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY THERE'S A BIG REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE. >> GO AHEAD. TELL ME. >> ONE IS THEY'RE DOING IT TOGETHER, AND ONE IS YOU'RE OUTING THE CHILD. THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AND PART IS THAT IT GIVES THE CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MOM OR DAD AND SAY, THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK SO NEVER MIND. I'LL LIVE WITH THE DEAD NAME BECAUSE I'D RATHER NOT GET WHATEVER'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME IF I GO HOME. WITHOUT THE AND, IT'S DIRECT REPORT TO THE PARENT. >> WITH THE STRICKEN LANGUAGE, IT BRINGS, YES, WE WANT PARENTS TO BE MORE INVOLVED, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO INVOLVE THE CHILD. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS AMENDED LANGUAGE INVOLVES THE CHILD. IT'S STRICTLY BETWEEN SCHOOL STAFF AND PARENT, AND IT ELIMINATES CHILD INVOLVEMENT. I THINK THE WAY THAT IT WAS WORDED INITIALLY, AND TO YOUR POINT, MISS. CHATTER, YES, THAT IS CLEAR, THAT IT'S A STUDENT COULD INDEPENDENTLY ASSERT A DIFFERENT NAME WITHOUT THE BUY-IN OF A PARENT, BUT CHANGING THAT OR TO AND WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE BUY-IN AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PARENT AND THE STUDENT AND SCHOOL STAFF, WHICH I THINK THAT'S REALLY OUR TRIFECTA. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. WE HAVE THAT IN SECTION 4 UNDER SCHOOL RECORDS SECOND PARAGRAPH UPON THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT AND PARENT, SCHOOLS SHALL USE THE ASSERTED NAME AND GENDER ON OTHER SCHOOL RECORDS OR DOCUMENTS, AND THAT'S OUR PROVISION FOR WRITTEN IDENTIFICATION. THIS IS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST ADDRESSING A STUDENT. MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO KEEP THE STRICKEN LANGUAGE AND CHANGE THE OR TO AND. >> OF COURSE. >> IN MY MIND, I'M THINKING OF BEING IN THE CLASSROOM, AND A STUDENT WILL COME TO YOU AND SAY, HEY, I WOULD LIKE TO BE CALLED I KNOW SYNERGY, I KNOW TEACHER VIEW SAYS THIS, I WOULD PREFER TO BE CALLED THIS. MY RULE IS NORMALLY, I DON'T CARE, I'LL CALL YOU WHATEVER, HAVE NAME RECOGNITION FOR IT. IF I CALL THAT NAME, YOU BETTER ANSWER. OTHERWISE, WE REVERT. HOWEVER, HERE, WITH THE END, I'M NOT SURE OPERATIONALLY HOW THAT HAPPENS. LIKE SO WE SAY, OH, CAN'T CALL YOU THAT UNTIL WE GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR PARENT AND WE'RE TALKING. IF THAT'S, WE HAVE IT IN PLACE FOR WRITTEN. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT A SIMILAR PROCESS. COULD BE INVOKED FOR ADDRESSING A STUDENT VERBALLY IN THE CLASSROOM. I WANT EVERYONE TO BE INVOLVED. I FEEL I AM ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH CHANGING THAT OR TO END. DO YOU SUPPORT CHANGING I MEAN, THE SHOULD TO SHALL? [06:05:02] >> OH, DEFINITELY THE SHOULD TO SHALL, SHOULD THE WHOLE POINT OF THAT WAS A MISTAKE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THESE THIS AS PRESENTED, WHICH WE NOW, IN ORDER TO ADOPT IT WITH AMENDMENTS, WOULD NEED TO VOTE DOWN, CORRECT? WE HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE ON A MOTION IN A SECOND. >> YOU NEED TO OR YOU CAN RESEND YOUR MOTION THAT YOU JUST DID. >> OR DO YOU WANT TO RESCIND THE MOTION. >> I RESEND THE MOTION. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS? MS. CHATTERS? >> I SUBMITTED LANGUAGE THAT I THOUGHT COULD BE INCORPORATED IF IT WAS OKAY WITH EVERYONE. I CAN READ IT AGAIN. >> PLEASE DO SINCE IT'S NOT PUBLIC. >> DID I WRITE THAT? >> NOW I CAN'T FIND A CHAT FEATURE. I DID IT. WELL, I LOOK FOR THAT. >> I DON'T KNOW. >> I'VE GOT IT. >> YOU CAN READ IT. IT'S AN OVERARCHING STATEMENT THAT I THINK WOULD HELP UNIFY THE DOCUMENT. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO PUT IT, BUT PLEASE, MA'AM. >> SCHOOL PERSONNEL SHALL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR GENDER EXPRESSION OR GENDER IDENTITY TO A PARENT OR GUARDIAN. SCHOOL PERSONNEL SHALL ALSO MAKE STUDENTS AWARE OF COUNSELING SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES. >> THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY ONE OF THE E MAILS THAT WE RECEIVED. ONE OF THE COUNSELORS RECOMMENDED THAT LANGUAGE BECAUSE TECHNICALLY THAT IS WHAT'S GOING ON FOR OUR STUDENTS NOW BECAUSE WE'RE NOT HIDING INFORMATION FROM PARENTS. THE COUNSELORS ARE OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THAT DIFFICULT CONVERSATION AND NOT OUTING THEM TO THEIR PARENTS. THERE EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS. THAT LANGUAGE JUSTIFIES WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING OR WHAT OUR COUNSELS ALREADY DOING BY HELPING THEM WITH RESOURCES TO TRY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. BECAUSE IT'S AN ENCOURAGING TECHNIQUE THAT OUR COUNSELORS ARE DOING, NOT A INFORMATION SUPPRESSION TACTIC. >> MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE A QUESTION. >> MR. PARANTO. >> THANK YOU, MS. CHATTERS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THAT. INCLUDING THAT LANGUAGE, WOULD OMIT THE PARENT FROM KNOWING THAT THAT CONVERSATION IS TAKING PLACE UNTIL AFTER THE FACT? IF THE CHILD SHOULD CHOOSE TO GO HOME AND REACH OUT TO THEIR PARENT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WORKS. >> I ALSO HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THAT THE LANGUAGE IS THAT IT MAY AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IF IT'S JUST TALKING ABOUT GENDER THAT IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE DISCRIMINATORY OR IN SOME WAY UNIVERSAL. I DON'T KNOW I WOULD WANT TO LOOK I WOULD WANT TO HAVE. >> UNIVERSAL IN WHO IT APPLIES TO? >> RIGHT. >> WHO WOULD APPLY TO YOU IN THE TRANSGENDER POLICY OR WHO I. I'M GOING TO COME BACK TO THAT ONE. LET ME TRY TO ANSWER, MR. PARANTO. THE ESSENCE OF DOING THE AND PART TOGETHER, THAT WAS PART OF THE TOGETHER. THE COUNSELOR AND THE CHILD, HEY, HERE ARE SOME TECHNIQUES TO HAVING HARD CONVERSATIONS. DO YOU WANT ME TO BE ON THE PHONE WITH YOU? DO YOU WANT ME TO INVITE THEM IN AND WE ALL CAN TALK ABOUT IT TOGETHER? IT'S PART OF GETTING THE CHILD TO BE COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE PARENT, BUT ARMING THE CHILD WITH THE SKILLS TO TRY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION INSTEAD OF FORCING THE CONVERSATION. I'M SORRY. IF THAT MAKES SENSE? >> THANK YOU. MAKES SENSE. IF THE CHILD WERE TO SAY NO, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH HOME, THEN THE PARENTS NOT INFORMED THAT THE CHILD WAS WANTING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE SCHOOL, IS THAT CORRECT? >> WE'RE GOING TO PLAY OUT THE SCENARIO. IF THE CHILD TELLS THE COUNSELOR, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION. THE COUNSELOR WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY SAY, IS THERE A REASON WHY YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION? [06:10:01] THE CHILD CAN SAY, WELL, MY PARENTS WOULD KICK ME OUT, OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. THEN IT WOULD TRIGGER THE VIRGINIA CODE THAT LETS THEM PROTECT THE CHILD FROM BEING OUTED. BUT IN ORDER TO FIND OUT IF THE CHILD NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED FROM BEING OUTED, IT HAS TO START SOMEWHERE, AND THAT LANGUAGE GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIGURE OUT, IS IT OKAY TO BRING IN YOUR FAMILY OR IS IT NOT OKAY TO BRING IN YOUR FAMILY? >> I THINK THAT'S ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE BETWEEN STUDENT AND PARENT WITHOUT GETTING TOO STICKY. I MEAN, IT'S LOVELY LANGUAGE. [LAUGHTER]. >> YES, MA'AM. >> I DIDN'T MENTION IN PARAGRAPH 2 STUDENT PRIVACY. THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT SCHOOL COUNSELING. I KNOW LAST TIME IN THE NOVEMBER POLICY THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT AN OPT OUT OF PARENTS COULD OPT THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL COUNSELING ON THIS TOPIC. BECAUSE OF THE SMALL NUMBERS OF STUDENTS THAT THIS WOULD APPLY TO, WE FELT LIKE IT WAS A MASSIVE LIFT FOR OUR COUNTY. WE HAVE 64,000 PLUS STUDENTS, 11,000 EMPLOYEES. IT IS A HUMONGOUS COUNTY. FOR THE SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT IT WOULD APPLY TO, OR IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THAT IS DISPROPORTIONATE, A HUGE LIFT FOR IT. WE ARE READY TO SUPPLY THIS. PARENTS ALREADY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY, I DO NOT WANT YOU TO TALK TO MY CHILD ABOUT THIS. THEY CAN CONTACT THE SCHOOL. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO, AND THEY CAN STILL TODAY, AND THAT THIS OVER HERE IN PARAGRAPH 2 IS A REMINDER OF THAT ABILITY THAT PARENTS HAVE. PARENTS MAY CONTACT THE SCHOOL AT ANY TIME TO SHARE PARENTAL INPUT REGARDING COUNSELING SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO THEIR STUDENT AT ANY TIME. THAT WOULD EVEN BE FOR A PARENT IS LIKE, I DON'T EVEN WANT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CONVERSATION TO HAPPEN. THAT'S THEIR PRIVILEGE. THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE. YOU WERE SAYING MS. CHATTERS ABOUT IT'S NOT THE OUTING OF THE CHILD, IT'S IF THE CHILD WOULD BE IN DANGER. THAT'S WHAT THAT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO. THE CHILD BEING IN DANGER OR IT DOESN'T MATTER. WE DO IF THE CHILD IS IN DANGER, THAT'S WHERE WE DRAW THE LINE. >>IF THERE'S NO OTHER RECOMMENDED, YES, MR. PARANTO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. FURTHER RECOMMENDATION IN SECTION 3, STUDENT IDENTIFICATION. SCHOOL STAFF SHALL INFORM THE PARENT OF ANY REQUEST TO BUY THEIR STUDENT TO ASSERT A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD AND MAY USE THE NAME ASSERTED BY THE STUDENT UNTIL OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY THE PARENT. IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT THIS POLICY IS SAYING IS, IS THAT BEING DELETED? I DIDN'T CATCH THAT. >> THAT WAS MY RECOMMENDED. CORRECT, TO ELIMINATE THAT PHRASE. >> I'M SORRY, NOT TO INTERRUPT YOU. I APOLOGIZE. THE ENTIRE PHRASE? >> YES. TO ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE PHRASE, SCHOOL STAFF SHALL INFORM THE PARENT OF ANY REQUEST BY THEIR STUDENT TO ASSERT A NAME OTHER THAN THE NAME ON THE OFFICIAL RECORD AND MAY USE THE NAME ASSERTED BY THE STUDENT UNTIL OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY THE PARENT, AND TO REPLACE THAT LANGUAGE WITH THE EXISTING LANGUAGE THAT SAYS SCHOOL STAFF SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT AND PARENT, ADDRESS THE STUDENT USING THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN THAT CORRESPONDS TO THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION, MADAM CHAIR. >> ONE MORE CHANGE. HERE IT SAYS, USE THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN. I'M TRYING TO THINK, WE DON'T COLLECT PRONOUNS. WE DON'T OFFICIALLY HAVE A MECHANISM WHEREBY WE COLLECT PRONOUNS. I'M WONDERING IF ASSERTED IT'S JUST AN ASSERTED NAME, AN ASSERTED PRONOUN. I MEAN, I CAN LIKE WHEN YOU AM SHE HER? >> I MEAN, IT WOULD JUST BE LIKE THE STUDENT WOULD JUST LIKE LET THE TEACHER KNOW OR STAFF KNOW. THAT'S NO. [06:15:01] >> THERE'S DOESN'T OPEN THIS WHOLE MECHANISM WHEREBY WE BEGIN TO? >> YEAH. >> GOT YOU. >> NO. I DON'T VISION THAT. >> WE NEED TO. >> I FEEL THAT WE NEED THAT. MR. ROBERTSON. >> THE PROPOSED AMENDED LANGUAGE IS, I'M SORRY, IF THERE'S NO OTHER PROPOSED CHANGES AMENDMENTS. THE CHANGE IS TO ELIMINATE THE SECOND SENTENCE IN SECTION 3, SCHOOL STUDENT IDENTIFICATION, TO REINSTATE THE LAST SENTENCE IN SECTION 3, SCHOOL STAFF SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF A STUDENT CHANGING THE OR TO PARENT ADDRESS THE STUDENT USING THE ASSERTED NAME AND PRONOUN THAT CORRESPONDS TO THEIR GENDER IDENTITY. THEN THE SECOND CHANGE WOULD BE CHANGING THE SHALL OR THE SHOULD IN SECTION 7. UPON REQUEST, SINGLE USER FACILITIES AND OTHER REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY STUDENT WHO SEEKS PRIVACY. THOSE ARE MY RECOMMENDED CHANGES. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? YES, MA'AM. >> I APOLOGIZE. IN THAT PARAGRAPH, ACCESS TO FACILITIES. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO FACILITIES HERE IN EMAIL ACROSS EVERYWHERE. WHAT WE DECIDED TO PUT INSTEAD OF LIST THIS OR THAT OR WHATEVER, BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHIFTS WITH THE WIND AND SO NOT WITH THE WIND BUT WITH LAWS. WE DECIDED JUST TO PUT CCPS FOLLOW STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO STUDENT FACILITY ACCESS. THAT IS COVERED. THERE WAS DISCUSSION FROM THE PODIUM THAT TALKED ABOUT THE WAY THAT A LAW IS INTERPRETED. THAT IS ADDITIONAL. THAT IS DIFFERENT. WE WOULDN'T TALK ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION HERE. WE WOULD JUST SAY, THAT IS WHY THIS HAS BEEN AMENDED TO JUST STATE. WE FOLLOW THE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS HUDGINS. BOARD MEMBERS. LAST CALL. >> MADAM CHAIR ONE PARLIAMENTARY THING. I HAVE A MOTION TO RESCIND YOUR PREVIOUS ACTION. I JUST NEED A SECOND AND THEN A VOTE. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A SECOND TO MS. COKER'S MOTION TO RESCIND? >> SECOND. >> WOULD YOU CALL ROLE ON THE MOTION? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS? >> AYE. >> STEPHEN PARANTO? >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS? >> AYE. >> ANN COKER? >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON? >> AYE. MOTION CARRIES. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ADOPT APPROVE AND ADOPT POLICY 1015 WITH THE DISCUSSED AMENDMENTS. AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BE AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 3, JUST TO BE CLEAR, SECTION 3, STUDENT IDENTIFICATION, REINSTATING THE FINAL SENTENCE, AND ELIMINATING THE SECOND SENTENCE AND CHANGING THE STUDENT OR PARENT TO STUDENT AND PARENT, AND THAT WOULD BE IN SECTION 7, REPLACING THE STRICKEN SHAW AND ELIMINATING THE SHOULD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT AS AMENDED? >> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYBODY WHO WANT TO DISCUSS THIS? >> I DO. I HAVE ONE QUESTION. SORRY. ON SECTION 3, THE LAST PART WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTED RIGHTS, ARE WE STILL RESEARCHING THAT PART WITH MR. ROBERTS? >> ACCORDING TO THE RECENT VIRGINIA CASE THAT I REFERENCED TO THE FLEMING CASE, A TEACHER DOES HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT IN THE EXERCISING OF THE RELIGION. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> SORRY. >> NO, I GET IT. THEN I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, JUST TO PUT MY ARMY HAT ON REAL QUICK, IN THE MILITARY IN ORDER FOR YOU TO CLAIM A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION, [06:20:01] YOUR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION HAS TO BE NOTED ON FILE. I'M JUST SAYING THAT'S THE ARMY WAY. ARE WE GOING TO ASK TEACHERS TO PUT THEIR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION ON FILE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE RANDOM CASE OF ARBITRARY, I'M NOT A FAN OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN, SO I DON'T WANT TO CALL YOU THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY IT'S BASED ON RELIGION, BUT THERE'S NO DOCUMENTED ANYTHING SAYING THAT WHAT I'M SAYING LIKE UPFRONT. >> THERE WAS A PROCESS IF A TEACHER WOULD WISH TO ASSERT RELIGIOUS RIGHT, HUMAN RESOURCES ALONG WITH OUR OFFICE WORK THROUGH THAT. >> I'M ASKING DOES THAT HAVE TO BE IN HERE? >> NOT IF WE HAVE A MECHANISM. WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE. >> WE HAVE EXISTING PROCESS IN PLACE, ANYONE WHO ASKED FOR A RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION. THERE IS AN EXISTING PROCESS IN PLACE FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S HOW WE WOULD HANDLE THAT. >> I'M JUST ASKING IT TO BE STATED THAT THEY NEED TO SUBMIT THEIR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION BEFORE THEY JUST CLAIM CONCEPT. I'M ASKING, CAN WE PUT THAT IN HERE JUST TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO DO THAT? NO TAKERS. >> THERE'S AN EXISTING PROCESS IN PLACE IF AN EMPLOYEE SEEKS TO HAVE A RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION. IF AN EMPLOYEE WANTS TO ASSERT THAT, ASK FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION, NOT TO FOLLOW A STANDING RULE OF ADDRESSING A PERSON A CERTAIN WAY, THEN THEY COULD ASSERT THEIR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION. IT WOULD BE PROCESS [OVERLAPPING] THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCES. >> THAT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE THAT LEVER. MISS CHATTERS. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? BOARD MEMBERS, THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND. MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL ROLE ON THE MOTION? >> DOMINIQUE CHATTERS? >> NAY. [APPLAUSE] >> STEVEN PARANTO? >> THE REVISED POLICY DOES NOT, FOR ME, MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, SO NAY. [APPLAUSE] >> LISA HUDGINS? >> AYE. >> ANN COKER? >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON? >> COME ON DOT. >> AYE. >> THE REVISIONS TO POLICY 1015 ARE APPROVED. 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. NUMBER 1, MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT FUNDS, FY 2025. NUMBER 2, FY 2025 OCTOBER EXPENDITURES VERSUS APPROPRIATIONS. NUMBER 3, BUDGET CHANGE REQUEST SUMMARY ACROSS CATEGORIES, OCTOBER 2024. NUMBER 4, BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS. NUMBER 5, PRE K DATE OCTOBER 2024. NUMBER 6, MEMO NUMBER 177-24, AWARENESS OF TECHNICAL EDITS TO THE 2025-2026 PROGRAM OF STUDIES. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. NEXT, WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS. DR. MURRAY. [H. Superintendent's Remarks] >>THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I DO WANT TO ECHO SIMILAR SENTIMENTS, THANKING OUR SPEAKERS WHO CAME OUT THIS EVENING, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO REMAINED FROM ONE DAY INTO THE NEXT. I WANT TO GIVE A FEW UPDATES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. [06:25:01] FIRST, OUR THOUGHTS REMAIN WITH OUR JB WATKINS STUDENT WHO CONTINUES TO RECOVER AFTER BEING UNFORTUNATELY HIT BY A CAR LAST FRIDAY, BUT IS AT HOME RECOVERING. WE CONTINUE TO SEND THAT STUDENT OUR WARM WISHES. WE'RE ALSO WANT TO CELEBRATE A LIFE WELL LIVED A MIDLOTHIAN LEGEND THAT IS MR. FRANK POTES, A FORMER PRINCIPAL FROM 1972-1991, WHO PASSED AWAY, LIVED WELL INTO HIS YOUTHFUL EARLY 90S. BUT MR. POTES WAS A REMARKABLE MAN WHO DID A LOT FOR THE MIDLOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY. SO THOUGHTS WITH HIS FAMILY. HAD A GREAT EVENING. IN FACT, WITH MISS CHATTERS OVER AT HOPKINS ELEMENTARY LAST WEEK, CELEBRATING THEIR MOST RECENT INDUCTION OF THE NATIONAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HONOR SOCIETY KIDS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A FEW OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN, BUT IN TALKING WITH DOCTOR HI, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE THINK WE CAN STRATEGIZE USING AS A MECHANISM BY WHICH TO MORE DEEPLY ENGAGE STUDENTS AS THEY TRANSITION FROM THOSE ELEMENTARY YEARS INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHERE WE TEND TO LOSE SOME KIDS, ACADEMICALLY, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, COMMUNITY SERVICE, ALL THE THINGS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BOLSTERING THAT AT EVEN MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. AS PROMISE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON WEAPONS DETECTION, OUR DEMOS BEGAN TODAY AND WE'LL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK AT TWO SITES. I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO TALK WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. >> COULD YOU PLEASE EXIT QUIETLY? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WE ARE PERFORMING THESE DEMOS WITH THE FIRST OF AT LEAST TWO VENDORS. WE'VE GOT A WEEK SCHEDULED WITH THE SECOND VENDOR IN MID JANUARY. THANKS TO THE ROBES AND MEADOWBROOK TEAMS FOR PLANNING AND HELPING STAND UP THESE DEMONSTRATION DAYS. VERY APPROPRIATE THAT I HAD A MEETING WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A NATIONAL FOOTPRINT ON PROVIDING REDUCED COST CHILD CARE ON SITE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, WHERE THIS WAS QUITE THE TOPIC. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 10 OF OUR 40 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT DO NOT HAVE A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE OPTION FOR PARENTS TO PURCHASE INTO. THEY HAVE PROMISED THAT THEY COULD STAFF AT EACH OF THOSE SCHOOLS. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR PROPOSAL AND HOW THAT MIGHT ALSO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR EXTENDED DAY DURING SUMMER SCHOOL AT A MUCH CHEAPER COST TO WHAT WE PAY OURSELVES. TOMORROW, WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING ALONG WITH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN THEIR STATE OF THE COUNTY, WHICH WILL OCCUR AT THE CHAMBER LAUNCH IN. EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE ALONG WITH OUR COUNTY PARTNERS, BUT AS WELL AS CHIEF CARPENTER, OF THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AND MEETING WITH THE CHAMBER. IF YOU'RE FREE, TOMORROW IS THE FIRST OF MANY MONARCH MARKETS OVER AT MEADOWBROOK. YOU HEARD MENTION EARLIER OF THEIR MADE PROGRAM FOR THEIR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS. TOMORROW, ALL OF THE STUDENTS WILL BE SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS. SHOULD BE A GREAT TIME. TONIGHT, YOU TOOK ACTION ON THE TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS STARTING NEXT YEAR ON TIER 1 TO FOLKS WHO MAY BE TUNING IN BASED ON LAST MONTH'S WORK SESSION WHERE WE ALSO DISCUSSED, I BELIEVE, SEAN SEVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. I WANT TO SAY THAT MESSAGING WILL BE GOING OUT TO AT LEAST FOUR OF THOSE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES TOMORROW TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE HEARD THEIR FEEDBACK. WE APPRECIATE IT. APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL. I GUESS, TO THE PLEASURE OF THESE FAMILIES, I WILL SHARE HERE, BUT THEN MESSAGING WILL GO OUT TOMORROW THAT GRANGE HALL, MATOACA ELEMENTARY, HARROGATE ELEMENTARY, AND CRENSHAW ELEMENTARY WILL ALL REMAIN ON THEIR CURRENT TIERS FOR NEXT YEAR. [06:30:04] WE'LL RE-EXPLORE PROPOSALS AS WE MOVE TO OPEN WESTERN AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SEE WHAT IMPACTS PROGRAMATICALLY THAT MAY HAVE OR ENHANCE. THEN LAST MONDAY, WE HAD OUR FIRST FOUR ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS FOR ALL COUNTY AWARDS WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE AT LEAST 100 OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND MARCHING BAND STUDENTS. WE WILL HAVE ACADEMIC INSTALLMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL, AND THEN ABOUT 200 HONORABLE MENTIONS, JUST A NEED OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE OUR FAMILIES, BUT IN PARTICULAR, OUR STUDENT ATHLETES FOR THE REMARKABLE WORK THAT THEY DO. YOU THINK ABOUT ALL REGION AND ALL STATE HONORS, YOU MIGHT GET ONE HERE AND THERE, TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE INTENTIONALLY ONE HIGH SCHOOLER FROM EACH OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND CREATE OUR OWN ALL COUNTY TEAMS IS PRETTY SPECIAL. THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND BEING A PART OF THAT. I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH FOR 116, AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY WE BROKE ANY MORE RECORDS BECAUSE I'M AFRAID WE'LL DO IT AGAIN NEXT MONTH, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE HERE THAT LATE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. MURRAY. I PACKED UP BEFORE. [LAUGHTER] SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, [I. Announcements, Communications, and School Board Comments] ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS? MR. PARANTO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. DOCTOR MURRAY, I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND THIS BOARD FOR RECOGNIZING THE OUTCRY FOR THE MATOACA COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO CHANGING THE BELL SCHEDULE, ESPECIALLY AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL TO A LATER START TIME, WHICH WOULD POSE A FINANCIAL STRESS ON THAT COMMUNITY AS WELL AS WE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OUT THERE TO HAVE DAYCARE CENTERS AVAILABLE. ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT BEING ON THE CEF IS I'LL BE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT WORKING WITH THE Y TO SEE IF WE CAN GET MATOACA ELEMENTARY AND THE SURROUNDING SCHOOLS TO HAVE A BEFORE AND AFTER SETUP LIKE WE HAVE IN OTHER SCHOOLS HERE IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK TO REVISIT THIS, BECAUSE IT DOES MAKE SENSE FROM A TRANSPORTATION STANDPOINT TO MOVE THINGS AROUND, THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO ACCEPT THOSE CHANGES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR CHILD IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF, AND IT'S NOT AS A BURDEN ON THEM FINANCIALLY. I DO APPRECIATE THE STAFF AND THIS BOARD'S RECOGNITION OF THE MATOACA COMMUNITY SPEAKING TO THAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> BOARD MEMBERS, ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS? THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL BE CONDUCTING MULTIPLE CLOSED MEETINGS OVER THE NEXT 15 DAYS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT. THE CLOSED MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AND WILL OCCUR AT VARIOUS TIMES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.23712B OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORM ACT. THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL HOLD A BUSINESS MEETING ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025 AT 6:30 PM HERE IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION. DOMINIQUE CHATTERS. COME ON. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO GO TO WAFFLE HOUSE? >> AYE. >> STEVEN PARANTO. >> AYE. >> LISA HUDGINS? >> AYE. >> ANN COKER? >> AYE. >> DOT HEFFRON? >> AYE. >> THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.