[00:00:05]
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT'S MEETING WITH A CLOSED SESSION,
[A. Closed Session - 6:00 p.m.]
WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOMS CONFERENCE ROOM.MADAM CLERK, PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED THEREIN.
>> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SCHOOL BOARD DESIRES TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 22-371 A OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, AND SPECIFICALLY UNDER SUBSECTION 1, THE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF PERSONNEL DISCIPLINARY MATTERS, AND TWO, THE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF STUDENT DISCIPLINARY MATTERS AND MATTERS THAT WOULD INVOLVE THE DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT RECORDS.
>> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE JUST HEARD THE ITEMS REQUESTED TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
DO I HAVE A MOTION IN THAT REGARD?
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL IN THE MOTION?
>> WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED SESSION.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION?
>> THE BOARD IS NOW IN OPEN SESSION.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE CLOSED SESSION?
>> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES.
AND TWO, ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING.
THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD DISCUSSED OR CONSIDERED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION?
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. MISS COKER.
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/13, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE FIRST PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/36-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL IN THE MOTION?
>> MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/37-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/38-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/39-HR.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/40-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/41-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
[00:05:01]
IS THERE A MOTION REGARDING THE NEXT PERSONNEL MATTER?
>> IN CASE NUMBER 2024-25/42-HR, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION BE UPHELD.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
[B. Meeting Opening - 6:30 p.m.]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THE JANUARY 15, 2025, SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING TO ORDER.WE WILL NOW HAVE AN INVOCATION BY MR. PARANTO FOLLOWED BY THE FLAG SALUTE LED BY MISS CHATTERS. MR. PARANTO.
>> LET US PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, LORD, I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THIS NEW YEAR FOR THIS BOARD.
FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE OUR CONVERSATIONS AND OUR VOTES, FATHER THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS AS WE CONTINUE TO CHAMPION OUR DISTRICT MOVING FORWARD.
WE ASK FATHER THAT YOU ARE WITH US AS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND AS A BOARD UNITED FOR THE GREATEST CALLS THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN AND CHAMPION THEIR SUCCESS.
FATHER, WE ASK ALL OF THESE THINGS IN YOUR SON'S NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN.
>> WE WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD FOR
[C. Election of Chair]
THE ELECTION OF CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE 2025 TERM.THE ELECTED CHAIR WILL SERVE UNTIL THE BOARD'S JANUARY 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AT WHICH POINT THE ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIR WILL TAKE PLACE.
ARE THERE NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR, PLEASE?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE ANN COKER FOR CHAIR.
>> THERE'S A NOMINATION FOR MISS COKER.
ARE THERE FURTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING NONE, THE NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE NOMINATION OF ANN COKER TO SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR 2025 AND UNTIL THE BOARD'S JANUARY 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.
>> ANN COKER WILL SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE 2025 YEAR AND UNTIL THE JANUARY 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING HAS OCCURRED. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TRUST AND VOTING FOR ME FOR THE CHAIR OF THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR.
I'M DEEPLY HUMBLED AND HONORED TO BE IN THIS SEAT, AND I THANK YOU FOR AGAIN PLACING YOUR TRUST IN MY LEADERSHIP TO REPRESENT AS A COLLECTIVE BODY FOR THE SCHOOL DIVISION.
NUMBER 1, OUR GOAL IS TO ALWAYS HAVE THE SUCCESS OF OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS IN THE FOREFRONT, AND I PROMISE TO TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY AT ALL.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS PRIVILEGE AND HONOR. APPRECIATE IT.
NOW THE FLOOR IS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS FROM THE BOARD FOR THE ELECTION OF
[D. Election of Vice Chair]
A VICE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE 2025 TERM.THE ELECTED VICE CHAIR WILL SERVE UNTIL THE BOARD'S JANUARY 26 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AT
[00:10:02]
WHICH POINT THE ELECTION OF A NEW VICE CHAIR WILL TAKE PLACE.>> MADAM CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE LISA HUDGINS FOR VICE CHAIR.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? MADAM CHAIR. YES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE DOMINIQUE CHATTERS FOR VICE CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING NONE, THE NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE NOMINATION OF MISS HUDGINS TO SERVE AS VICE CHAIR OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR 2025 AND UNTIL THE BOARD'S JANUARY 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING?
MISS HUDGINS WILL SERVE AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE 2025 TERM UNTIL THE BOARD'S JANUARY 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.
CONGRATULATIONS. NOW, MUSICAL CHAIRS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR FOR PLACING YOUR TRUST IN ME AS VICE CHAIR OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING I TAKE LIGHTLY, AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO TAKE ON THIS ROLE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU GUYS TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A PRODUCTIVE AND INSPIRING YEAR.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA,
[E. Consent Agenda]
WHICH INCLUDES AGENDA ADOPTION, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR DECEMBER 10, 2024 WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 10, 2024 BUSINESS MEETING.MEMO NUMBER 001-25, APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES TO COMMITTEES AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS, APPOINTMENT OF CLERK AND DEPUTY CLERKS, RESOLUTION TO BOND AND DEPUTY CLERKS, APPOINTMENT OF AGENT, RESOLUTION TO BOND AGENT.
AUTHORIZATION OF SIGNATURES AND ABSENCE OF SUPERINTENDENT, SCHOOL BOARD APPROVAL OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESIGNEES TO ATTEND MEETINGS IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ABSENCE, SETTING OF MEETINGS, TIMES, AND PLACES.
MEMO NUMBER 002-25, APPROVAL OF USDA FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION.
MEMO NUMBER 003-25, ADOPTION OF THE 2025/2026 YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR BELWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
MEMO NUMBER 004-25, APPROVAL OF CCPS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCEDURE MANUAL, UPDATED 2024, MEMO NUMBER 005-25, RECOMMENDED PERSONAL ACTIONS, MEMO NUMBER 006-25, ACCEPTANCE OF NEW GRANTS, AND MEMO NUMBER 007-25 FY 2025 REALLOCATION OF AVAILABLE DEBT FUNDS.
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 THE SCHOOL BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO SEPARATE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION OR INDIVIDUAL ACTION? HEARING NONE, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED?
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
[F. 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, POSTED TO THE BOARD DOC SITE, 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
[00:15:01]
WILL UPON REQUEST BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE BOARD, BUT NOT INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE BOARD'S OFFICIAL MINUTES.MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS EVENING'S IN-PERSON SPEAKERS?
>> MADAM CHAIR, WE HAVE EIGHT SPEAKERS THIS EVENING.
THEY ARE EMMETT HICKAM, MICHAEL GEORGE, BAKIRA SHABAZ, STEFAN MORRIS, TAMARA KIDD, CHRIS BASSO, LEANE CARROLL, AND JASON SPOON.
EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE FOUR MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
THERE'S A TIME ARE 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'RE PREPARED TO START SPEAKING.
PLEASE NOTE THAT COMMENTS EQUIVALENT TO CAMPAIGNING FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR VIOLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1110 ARE PROHIBITED.
MAY WE HAVE EMMETT HICKAM? MICHAEL GEORGE.
>> YOU MAY REMEMBER I SPOKE LAST MONTH HERE.
I GAVE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A REASONABLE, EVEN MOVING SPEECH.
THIS BOARD, HOWEVER, WAS NOT MOVED.
I WAS MAINLY ASKING YOU TO PROTECT OUR GIRLS.
PROTECT THEM FROM MALES IN THEIR LOCKER ROOMS AND BATHROOMS. TO END THE SCHOOL SANCTION SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF MY DAUGHTER AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER FEMALE STUDENTS.
FOR SOME REASON, IT HAS BECOME CONTROVERSIAL TO SAY WOMEN SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN SPACES.
ALTHOUGH ACCORDING TO THE FBI, MALES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 78% OF VIOLENT CRIMES, OVER 98% OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS.
YET YOU CONTINUE TO ENDANGER OUR DAUGHTERS BY LETTING MALES INTO THEIR SINGLE-SEX AREAS.
AFTER YOUR FAILURE TO ACT LAST MONTH, I CONTACTED THE PRINCIPAL AND HAD MY DAUGHTER REMOVED FROM THE LOCKER ROOM.
MY DAUGHTER NOW GETS TO WAIT IN THE HALLWAY UNTIL THE MALE STUDENT IS DONE IN THE LOCKER ROOM.
THEN SHE MAY ENTER. LOOK HOW FAR WOMEN'S RIGHTS HAVE COME.
THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT SHE CAN USE THE BATHROOM WITHOUT THE THREAT OF A MALE STUDENT ENTERING, EVEN THOUGH I REQUESTED THAT AS WELL.
I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE PRINCIPAL IN THIS BOARD THAT THESE POLICIES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS.
WELL, THE FEDERAL COURT IN KENTUCKY DISAGREES.
THE COURT RULED LAST WEEK THAT TITLE 9 APPLIES TO SEX, NOT GENDER IDEOLOGY.
IT NEVER HAS, AND IT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO CHANGE THAT FACT, MEANING ALL OF YOUR EXCUSES TO CONTINUE TO VIOLATE OUR DAUGHTER'S RIGHTS ARE NULL AND VOID.
BUT I'M NOT HERE TONIGHT TO APPEAL TO THIS BOARD.
I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD DO ANY GOOD.
YOU HAVE YET TO ACT, AND I DO NOT SEE HOW ANYTHING I SAY WILL CHANGE YOUR MINDS NOW.
I'M HERE TO APPEAL TO THE PARENTS.
TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTERS, MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.
IF THEY ATTEND JAMES RIVER, YOU KNOW THEY MOST LIKELY ARE.
DON'T WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL TO INFORM YOU.
THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF EVER DOING THAT.
FILE A TITLE 9 COMPLAINT. IT IS REALLY EASY TO DO.
THEY HAVE AN ONLINE FORM THAT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE.
LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDE IF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW OR NOT. THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE THE VEKERO SHABAZ, STEFAN MORRIS.
>> GOOD EVENING. CHAIR PERSON COKER.
CONGRATULATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT MURRAY.
I AM A CO FOUNDER OF THE ENDOWMENT PROJECT.
OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGH ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY DRIVEN PHILANTHROPY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AGAIN TONIGHT.
LAST MONTH, I PRESENTED REMARKS OUTLINING THE WORK OF THE ENDOWMENT PROJECT FOUNDATION, AND OUR OFFER TO SUPPORT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH $80,000 IN DONATIONS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND TO MEET THE NEEDS THAT THEY'VE ASKED FOR THESE FUNDS FOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED RESPONSE OR A RESOLUTION SINCE THE LAST MEETING.
AS OF THE END OF 2024, WE HAVE RAISED OVER $1,000,000 IN DONATIONS AND PLEDGES FOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING SCHOOLS IN HENRICO, THE CITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BEACH, FREDERICKSBURG, FLUVANNA, PETERSBURG, AND MOORE.
OUR EFFORTS TO WORK WITH CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS HAVE STALLED AS WE AWAIT A RESPONSE FROM THIS BOARD.
CHESTERFIELD IS THE ONLY DISTRICT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN BLOCKED FROM DISBURSING NEEDED FUNDS TO SCHOOLS.
WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO PARTNERING WITH CCPS TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS,
[00:20:02]
AND I BELIEVE RESOLVING THIS ISSUE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY.TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP IN OUR PROPOSAL, I WOULD LIKE TO RE-READ MY REMARKS FROM LAST MONTH WITH THE HOPE THAT WE CAN ENGAGE IN A PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE TONIGHT OR IN THE FUTURE.
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.
SPECIFICALLY ON AUGUST 10TH, 2023, I MET WITH MR. WENDELL ROBERTS WHO SHARED NO CONCERNS ABOUT HER WORK.
CHAIRPERSON HEFFRON, I'M SORRY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CALLED NOW. MISS MADAM HEFFRON, YOU AND I MET ON APRIL 4TH, 2024, AND YOU EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR OUR WORK AND SUGGESTED WE STAY IN TOUCH.
SUPERINTENDENT MURRAY, WHEN WE SPOKE ON JUNE 18TH, 2024, YOU THANKED 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 2024, THIS PASS HAS DELAYED THE $80,000 IN GRANTS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE BANK SINCE APRIL OF LAST YEAR, THAT IN GRANTS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DEPLOY AND HAS LED TO AN IMMEASURABLE LOSS IN RENEWED AND NEW DONATIONS TO THESE SCHOOLS.
OUR MOMENTUM WITH DONORS WITH AT ITS PEAK IN JULY WHEN WE RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM MR. ROBERTS TO CEASE OUR ACTIVITIES.
WE GENUINELY WANT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, OUR GOAL IS NOT TO BYPASS CCPS, BUT TO PARTNER WITH YOU TO ENHANCE STUDENT AND TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES.
THEREFORE, ONCE AGAIN, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THE BOARD TO ONE ALLOW US TO DEPLOY THE $80,000 IN GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED FOR CHESTERFIELD HIGH SCHOOLS.
TWO, TO 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.
THREE, IF COLLABORATION IS NOT POSSIBLE, TO PLEASE OFFICIALLY DECLINE THESE GRANTS SO THAT WE CAN INFORM OUR DONORS AND RETURN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.
WE BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN PROVIDE MEANINGFUL SUPPORT TO CCPS SCHOOLS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS OR IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? NO. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD?
>> SHOULD WE REACH OUT TO YOU BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD THAT LAST DECEMBER AS WELL OR LAST MONTH AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN COKER. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> GOOD EVENING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
CONGRATULATIONS, MISS COKER, FOR BEING SELECTED AS A CHAIR FOR 2025.
I'M A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY RESIDENT IN CLOVER HILL DISTRICT.
I'M AN EDUCATOR, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M A PARENT OF THREE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN.
I'M REALLY, VERY SORRY TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING A MONTH OFF AFTER THAT REALLY DISAPPOINTING REVISION OF POLICY 1015.
BUT THEN ON JANUARY 9TH, THE FEDERAL JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF A GROUP OF STATES ATTORNEYS GENERALS, INCLUDING THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THAT THE CURRENT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S EXPANSION OF TITLE IX TO INCLUDE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IS UNLAWFUL.
TO QUOTE THE AP, US DISTRICT JUDGE DANNY C REEVES, SCRAPED THE ENTIRE 1,500 PAGE REGULATION AFTER DECIDING THAT IT WAS "FATALLY TAINTED BY LEGAL SHORTCOMINGS".
FOR EVERY TWO YEARS, MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD PAST AND PRESENT, HAVE SHRUGGED THEIR SHOULDERS TO CONCERN PARENTS CITING THIS FATALLY TAINTED INTERPRETATION OF A LAW AND SAYING THAT YOUR HANDS ARE TIED.
PARENTS WHO ONLY WANTED TO PROTECT THEIR DAUGHTERS FROM SEEING A BIOLOGICAL MALE UNDRESS AND SHOWER AT SCHOOL.
PARENTS LIKE MR. GEORGE, WHO SPOKE TONIGHT, PARENTS WHO MERELY WANT TO PROTECT WHAT LITTLE INNOCENCE OUR CULTURE HAS LEFT OUR LITTLE GIRLS.
WE'RE TOLD THAT REMOVING BIOLOGICAL MEN FROM FEMALE LOCKER ROOMS AND SHOWERS WOULD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE MAN UNDER TITLE IX, THE LAW THAT PROTECTS WOMEN IN EDUCATION.
ANYWAY, THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO THE LOGICAL MIND OR THE RATIONAL PERSON, FATALLY TAINTED BY LEGAL SHORTCOMINGS.
I'M NOT THE SMARTEST GUY, BUT I FIGURE THAT MEANS LEGALLY INDEFENSIBLE UNDER CURRENT JURISPRUDENCE.
[00:25:03]
IT'S ILLEGAL TO USE TITLE IX TO PROTECT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AS YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.TO QUOTE THE AP AGAIN, "RATHER THAN CARVE OUT CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE RULE," REEVES, THAT FEDERAL JUDGE, "DECIDED IT WAS BEST TO TOSS THE REGULATION IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REVERT TO A PREVIOUS INTERPRETATION OF TITLE IX.
HE SAID IN HIS DECISION, WE'LL SIMPLY CAUSE A RETURN TO THE STATUS QUO THAT EXISTED FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS." THE RESPONSE FROM THIS BOARD IS CLEAR.
YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND AMEND POLICY 1015 TO PROTECT FEMALE STUDENTS IN THESE SAFE PLACES.
LOOK, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE PRESSURE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN UNDER FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
I SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND FIX AN ERROR. LET'S DO IT.
LET'S GO BACK AND PROTECT EVERYONE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
I THINK WE CAN STILL DO THE RIGHT THING. >> THANK YOU.
>> MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. NEXT, WE HAVE
[G. Superintendent's Report]
THIS EVENING'S SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DR. MURRAY.>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
THIS FALL, THE CCPS IN THE NO VIDEO SERIES WAS LAUNCHED TO GIVE QUICK BUT HELPFUL INSIGHTS TO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
CHESTERFIELD SCHOOLS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WORK TO CREATE NURTURING AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE TEACHING AND LEARNING THRIVE.
THIS VIDEO SHOWS HOW SCHOOLS SUPPORT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.
>> MENTAL HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF LIFE, AND THAT INCLUDES SCHOOL LIFE.
CHESTERFIELD SCHOOL TEAMS WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH STUDENTS FEEL A PART OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND WHERE TEACHING AND LEARNING THRIVE.
PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND RESPONSE ARE THREE MAIN WAYS THAT SCHOOLS SUPPORT STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH.
IN SCHOOL, STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN LEARNING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
EACH DAY THEY LEARN WAYS TO BE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
SCHOOLS HELP CHILDREN GROW INTO RESILIENT YOUNG ADULTS.
SCHOOL NURSES, COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER STAFF HELP CHILDREN DISCOVER PATH TO SUCCESS, NAVIGATE HARDSHIPS, AND DEVELOP POSITIVE COPING STRATEGIES.
SOMETIMES STUDENTS NEED EXTRA SUPPORT, EITHER FROM SCHOOL PERSONNEL OR FROM COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS.
SCHOOL TEAMS WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAKE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS WHEN NEEDED.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ON CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEBSITE.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GET TO KNOW VIDEO SERIES.
I THINK THAT THAT IS HELPFUL TO THE COMMUNITY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THOSE ON FACEBOOK.
>> ALL THE CREDIT TO MR. SMITH'S TEAM, AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF MANY. WELL DONE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. DR. MURRAY, THE CLIP WITH THE DOG JUMPING UP ON THE COUNTER TO GREET A STUDENT.
WHAT PROGRAM DO WE HAVE TO THAT'S OFFERED? IS THAT THROUGH A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OR.
>> IT TOOK MONTHS OF TRAINING FOR SHAWN TO GET THE DOG TO DO THAT.
>> I DON'T TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT, BUT IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE IN SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
I HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE CLIP ITSELF.
BUT WE HAVE NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR KAREN K9S IS ONE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE THAT COME INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND SO.
>> BECAUSE I SAW IN THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE WERE APPROVING FUNDS JUST OVER $2,000 TOWARDS TRAINING AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN THAT ASPECT, WHICH IS GREAT.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS BECAUSE I WANT TO GO VISIT THAT SCHOOL.
>> WE CAN SET THAT UP. THE OTHER THING I WOULD NOTE TOO, ALSO, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY AS WELL AS THEY DO SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS.
THAT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE TOO.
>> MR. PARANTO, I CAN SPEAK TO THE SCHOOL THAT THAT DOG RESIDES IN.
IT'S THOMAS DALE WEST CAMPUS, AND YOU'RE WELCOME ANYTIME.
NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW.
[H. 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,
[00:30:02]
FY 2025, NUMBER 2, FY 2025 NOVEMBER EXPENDITURES VERS APPROPRIATIONS.NUMBER 3, BUDGET CHANGE REQUEST SUMMARY ACROSS CATEGORIES, NOVEMBER 2024, NUMBER 4, BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND NUMBER 5, PRE K UPDATE, NOVEMBER 2024.
NEXT, WE HAVE THIS EVENING SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS, DR. MURRAY.
[I. Superintendent's Remarks]
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. A FEW ITEMS OF EMPHASIS AS WE RETURN FROM WINTER BREAK.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS WEEK IS PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION WEEK.
I KNOW YOU JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP THAT EACH OF OUR PRINCIPALS APPLY, NOT JUST EACH YEAR, BUT EACH AND EVERY DAY.
SO WHAT A GREAT TEAM THAT WE ALL GET TO WORK WITH AND ALONGSIDE AND SUPPORT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR REMARKABLE PRINCIPLES.
SECONDLY, AFTER COLONEL CARPENTER WAS SWORN IN RECENTLY, HE AND I QUICKLY GOT TO WORK ON A COUPLE OF INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIP OUTSIDE OF THE MOU.
I JUST WANTED TO CELEBRATE TWO OF THOSE.
ONE IS THAT HE AND I BEGINNING NEXT MONTH WILL GO AROUND AND RECOGNIZE AN OUTSTANDING SRO IN ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS.
WE WILL PRESENT THEM WITH THE SHIELD OF SERVICE AWARD.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OUT WITH FRANK AND CELEBRATING THE GOOD EFFORTS OF OUR SROS.
SECONDLY, COLONEL CARPENTER'S TEAM HAS PUT TOGETHER SOME PSAS ABOUT HOW OUR GRADUATING SENIORS WHO MIGHT BE WONDERING WHAT'S NEXT FOR THEM AS FAR AS CAREER, IF COLLEGE IS NOT ON THE HORIZON FOR THEM AND THEY WANT TO ENTER MORE IMMEDIATELY INTO THE WORKFORCE.
SOME PSAS HAVE BEEN CREATED ABOUT HOW THEY CAN JOIN CPD PROPER BY WAY OF BEING A SERVICE AIDE.
I'LL START HERE BEFORE IT GETS SHARED MORE BROADLY WITH OUR SENIORS THAT THOSE JOBS START JUST NORTH OF $45,000.
IT WAS SOME VERY THOUGHTFUL WORK THAT HIS TEAM PUT FORWARD AND WE'RE HAPPY TO COLLABORATE ON HOW WE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION INTO THE HANDS OF OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE.
THIRDLY, HAD QUITE THE SNOW DAY EXPERIENCE, FRESH OUT OF BREAK.
NOT TYPICALLY WHEN STAFF LIKES TO SEE IT.
THEY TEND TO ROOT FOR LATE JANUARY, EARLY FEBRUARY.
PERSONALLY, I HOPE WE'RE DONE.
YOU GET A CROWN THE FIRST DAY YOU CLOSE SCHOOL FOR SNOW AND THEN QUICKLY, PARENT PATIENCE RUNS THIN.
EVERYBODY IS A METEOROLOGIST ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT, ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL THE THINGS.
BUT I MENTIONED ALL OF THIS TO CELEBRATE THE PARTNERED RESPONSE EFFORTS THAT IT TAKES TO GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.
OUR TEAM WORKS WITH THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, SPECIFICALLY PARKS AND RECREATION.
THEY DO A GOOD JOB AS DOES MR. DAVIS AND HIS TEAM OF REACHING OUT TO VDOT, IDENTIFYING TROUBLE SPOTS SUCH THAT THEY CAN GET OUT AND TREAT THOSE ROADS AND GET THEM READY FOR BUS AND STUDENT TRAVEL.
AS WELL, OUR FRIENDS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE PROVIDING US WITH INTEL ON WHAT THEY'RE SEEING.
ALL OF THIS GOES INTO OUR CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE MAKING CALLS, THEY'RE NOT DONE LIGHTLY.
THEN FINALLY, AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO CELEBRATE OUR CUSTODIAL TEAMS AND OUR FACILITIES TEAMS. THEY ARE THE REAL BACKBONE ON OUR DIVISION SIDE OF THE HOUSE FOR GETTING SCHOOLS, SIDEWALKS, BUILDINGS, BOILERS, LIKE AT JACOBS BACKUP, RUNNING AND READY.
THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE FOLKS FOR THEIR VERY DELIBERATE AND COMMITTED WORK, COMING IN ON DAYS WHERE OTHER FOLKS WERE GETTING TO ENJOY A LATER ALARM CLOCK IF AN ALARM AT ALL.
WE ARE ENJOYING OUR FIRST FULL WEEK BACK.
IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH KIDS AS WE TURN THE PAGE LATER THIS WEEK ON THE FIRST SEMESTER AND START STARING DOWN SECOND SEMESTER, WILD TO THINK THAT WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITHIN SITE AS WE TURN THIS CORNER.
THEN LASTLY, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT THE MAGISTERIAL BUDGET TOWN HALLS WILL BE BEGINNING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT. FOR THAT INFORMATION, WE'D LOVE TO SEE OUR CONSTITUENTS AND HEAR THEIR FEEDBACK AT ANY OF THOSE.
[00:35:05]
THEY WILL CONTINUE INTO FEBRUARY, CULMINATE WITH OUR SPANISH SPEAKING TOWN HALL.MADAM CHAIR, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
[J. Announcements, Communications, and School Board Comments]
COMMUNICATIONS, AND SCHOOL BOARD COMMENTS.SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS THIS EVENING? MISS HEFFRON.
>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU BOTH ON YOUR BOARD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DESPITE, AS DR. MURRAY POINTED OUT, A LITTLE BIT OF A ROCKY START TO 2025.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT WE'LL ALL DO TOGETHER.
>> OUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING WILL BE A SPECIAL MEETING HELD HERE IN THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM AT 4:30 PM ON JANUARY 16TH, 2025.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL ON THE MOTION?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. THE JANUARY 15TH, 2025, SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.