October 16th Regular Meeting

001Good evening. The time now is 5:30 p.m. and I call the Thursday, October the 16th meeting to order. Madam clerk, please call role. >> Dr. Williams, >> present. >> Mr. Lay >> here. >> Miss Walker >> present. Merry >> here. >> Miss Cunningham >> present. Miss A >> here. >> Mr. Gr >> here. Next we'll move to item 1.3 approval of the agenda. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. I'd like to approve the agenda as printed, please. >> I second the motion. Motion made by Mr. Payne, second by Dr. Williams. Any discussion on the motion? Any discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call roll. >> Miss Cunningham? >> Yes. >> Mr. Payne? >> Yes. >> Miss Aver? >> Yes. >> Dr. Williams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terry? >> Yes. >> Miss Walter? >> Yes. >> Mr. >>

002Yes. Next, we'll have moment of silence and pledge of allegiance by Miss A. As we pause, let's remember those whose lives and families have been touched by breast cancer. >> Pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move to item 2.1, approval of the minutes. These are the minutes from October 2nd, 2025 regular meeting. October 2nd, 2025 work session. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. I'd like to approve approve the minutes as printed. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Second by Miss Aver. Any discussion on the motion? Any discussion hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call roll. >> Miss A? >> Yes. >> Mr. Payne? >> Yes. >> Dr. Williams? >>

003Yes. >> Walter? >> Yes. >> M. Cunningham? >> Yes. >> Mr. Terry? >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Next. We move to item 3.1, National School Psychology Week, November 3rd through the 7th. This is a consent item. It's a action item. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. I'd like to approve as printed. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Payne, second by Miss Cunningham. Any discussion? Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call role. >> Dr. Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Cunningham, >> yes. >> Mr. Payne, >> yes. >> Miss Walker, >> yes. >> Mr. Terry, >> yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. Next, we'll move the recognitions. Item 4.1 form the school month and National School Lunch Week October the 13th through the 17th. This time I'll turn it over to Miss Cunningham

004and if Miss Mims and your team will come forward, Danville Public Schools Proclamation ation national farm to school month October 2025. Whereas Danville Public Schools recognizes the importance of child nutrition programs to support student success and lifelong healthy eating habits, improving academic performance and food security. And whereas local farmers, farm workers, and school nutrition professionals are key components of our state's vibrant food system that works to provide food to our students and families. And whereas Virginia Farm to School strengthens the connection between communities and local food producers by enriching food purchasing and education practices at schools, early education sites, and other institutions. And whereas Danville and P Pennsylvania counties farmers play an essential role in the prosperity of our rural communities, providing local fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and grains to folks in every corner

005of our state. And whereas the Virginia Department of Agricultural, Trade, and Consumer Protections Farmtoschool program supports student access to nutritious, local foods, as well as educational opportunities through school meals and snacks, school gardens, cooking lessons, and farm field trips, and is committed to addressing disparities in access to program benefits. And whereas this month the state of Virginia joins kids and families throughout our state in celebrating the Virginia FarmtoSchool program. Now therefore, Danville Public Schools does hereby proclaim October 2025 as FarmtoSchool Month and commends this observance to all of our community residents. Adopted by the Danville School Board on September 18, 2025. Signed, Taekwon Graves, school board chair. Dr. Angela Harrison, superintendent. Good evening. >> Good evening, Chairman Graves, Vice Chair AIT, Doc, Dr. Harrison, and board. Um, it is an honor to stand here before

006you as we celebrate National School Lunch Week as well as Farm to School. Thank you for the recognition and the support in joining us in this celebration. uh as nutrition professionals, we contribute uh our support and encouragement to our students in the roles we play. It it is our pride with deep pride and purpose that we do that. This evening, we are honored to be joined by our dedicated school nutrition managers, the heart of our program and as they represent the whole team. We have some plaques for them. Miss Edith Atkins, Schoolfield Elementary. Miss Chenica Scott, who is at Woodro, but also our catering manager. Sylvia Fuller, Gibson Elementary. Tracy Haley GW Trisha Prica Payne Taylor Sharon Hill GW High School >> and Mr. Boseman is out working this evening and yes ma'am he is

007he's our concess concession manager but also our manager at Arn Hills and he's trying to be many places at one time tonight. Uh we also have Miss Wanda Barbara who's the assistant director. We have Miss Deborah Brandon who's the support specialist and Miss Tammy Denise Huard who is our administrative assistant. Um just a few more words about what we do each day through the meals we prepare, offer and serve. We have the privilege of supporting education and nourishing and nurturing our students across Davville public schools. School nutrition and farming go hand in hand. Locally grown foods from Virginia and neighboring states are a staple on our tables, bringing freshness, nutrition, and regional pride to our menus. Apples, green beans, cabbage, cucumbers, pears, sweet potatoes are just a few of the vibrant, nutritious ingredients that enrich

008our offerings. Celebrating Farm to School Month is a meaningful way to honor the essential role farmers play in the lives of our students, families, and communities. Their works that their work sustains us, connects us, and helps us grow both literally and figuratively. On behalf of the school nutrition program, thank you for joining us in this celebration and helping us proclaim the importance of these efforts in Danville public schools. >> Now, Miss Mams, before you leave, we do have another proclamation because it's also National School Lunch Week and Dr. Corey Williams will read that proclamation. Okay. All right. >> Danville Public Schools proclamation, National School Lunch Week, October 13th through October 17, 2025. Whereas the National School Lunch Program has served our nation admirerly for 75 years through advanced practices in nutrition education. And whereas the

009National School Lunch Program plays an important role in helping to ensure every child is ready to learn because a hungry undernourished child is less likely to be an eager and attentive student. And whereas the National School Lunch Program is dedicated to the health and well-being of our nation's children. And whereas the success of the National School Lunch Program is largely due to resourceful and creative local child nutrition administrators, managers, and staff working in cooperation with parents, teachers, community groups, government personnel, and students. And now, therefore, Dam Public Schools does hereby proclaim the week of October 13th through 17, 2025 as National School Lunch Week, a time to celebrate the importance of nourishing students. They are ready to learn. This year's theme is your school lunch passport adopted by the Damble School Board on October 2nd,

0102025 by Mr. Chairman, uh, Taekwon Graves and Dr. Harrison, superintendent. >> Again, thank you for that. I just want to say with our menus each month, each week, we try to highlight different cuisines from different um backgrounds. So, we have a we have Mexican dishes, we have um well, Hispanic dishes, we have um Italian dishes and Asian dishes. We try to make sure that our our theme every day is culinary voyage that we we can reach out to the different um pallets of different people and incorporate that into our menu planning each and every week. It's a part of our menu plan as a cycle menu. >> Awesome. Thank you, Miss Mims. And again, we thank you and your team for being here tonight, but also want to publicly thank you for the Hall of

011Fame work that y'all did over at George Washington High School. You guys are doing a phenomenal job. Please keep it up. Thank you again. >> Thank you for the opportunity. It's our pleasure. >> Absolutely. >> We'll get it later after. >> Or do they want to leave? >> Probably get it now. They like they want to leave. >> We're losing one already. Safety Week, October 20th through the 24th, 2025. At this time, I'll turn it over to Miss Walker, and if Mr. Scares and your team will come forward, please. Proclamation National School Bus Safety Week, October 20th through the 24th, 2025. Whereas the safety and the well-beings of Virginia school age children are important to parents, family members, teachers, and citizens. And whereas over 54 school bus driver school bus operators provide daily transportation to

012an assigned 4,16 students on a combination of 298 daily bus routes along with regular scheduled shuttles and between campus trips and drive over 600,000 6 thou 600,000 miles annually throughout the city of Danville, making school bus safety crucial to the overall for our well-being of our children and families. And whereas school bus transportation employees should be recognized for their diligence in safely transporting the school children of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And whereas student transportation administrators and operators remain diligent in their efforts to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of thousands of students in Danville on a daily basis. and their efforts are crucial to the operation of our schools. And whereas the highest standards of school bus safety are maintained through rigorous driver training and certification requirements, the use of vehicles that meet necessary safety

013requirements and mandatory passenger safety training for students. And whereas the corporation and the cautions of motorists are necessary in order to maintain the safety of our children. And this can be accomplished by the citizens complying with the traffic signals, observing traffic patterns, and by stopping when students are boarding and exiting school buses. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Danville School Board recognizes October 20th through 24, 2025 as school bus safety week. Adopted by the Danville School Board on October 2nd, 2025th. Taekwon Graves, school board chair. Angela Haristen, Superintendent. >> Good evening, Chair Graves, Vice Chair Aert, Dr. Haristen. I'll take just a moment and recognize just a couple of staff members. Uh, obviously, uh, we have a large number of staff and we actually have buses out now with after school tutoring programs. So,

014had to try to wrangle a few people that I could come in, but I do want to take a few minutes to recognize them. And first off, thank you for the proclamation and for the recognition. Um it is uh it is a daunting task um and one that we don't take lightly. Uh and we do consider this a team effort. Um you know the heart and soul of of the transportation operation is the routing office. That's where everything starts and stops. If if it's not routed correctly, the drivers don't know where to go. Uh they don't have those directions. They don't have their student list. So first and foremost, I want to thank that team. and that's Miss Penny Bryant and our newest addition transportation support assistant uh Miss Landa Glass. So, I want to

015appreciate their hard work um in in the trenches behind the scenes most of the time. So, I definitely want to make sure they get some recognition. And then our newest member of our administration is Miss Hope Adams uh with our bus discipline program and to say that she hit the ground running. Um, she's on it. Uh, and the drivers now know her by name and they they love they love to see Miss Hope coming. They appreciate that support as well. Um, and then uh we got Mr. Larry Morris, one of our trip drivers, uh, athletic trips, and I couldn't begin to tell you the thousands of miles that this gentleman has logged uh, over the last few years transporting our student athletes to and from events. uh long long nights coming back sometimes well after

016midnight, weekend trips. Uh and then one of our our most recent hires coming in uh late last year, uh Mr. Chris Carter, a Georgia transplant. We're so happy to have him and his family with us uh here in Danville. U just a fine example of jumping in and and taking the learning part of it and just hitting the ground running with it. So, um it's a long process to become a school bus driver. Uh just the bare minimum is 50 some hours um of classroom and behind the wheel before they ever get to the DMV portion to be certified. So, um we do take it seriously. We thank you for the recognition and unofficially our motto is uh where the wheels on the bus are always rolling. Thank you again. Thank you, Mr. Scares. I

017would like to thank you and your team. Often time we talk about the champion for our children and you guys are truly the champion for our children. Um often time you don't get the praise that you deserve. But we want to tell you on behalf of the board how much we appreciate you because without you guys, our kids don't get to where they need to be and we want our kids at school every day ready to learn. And it's because you guys are ready every day that our kids are ready every day. So again, thank you for your support and dedication to our children and Denver public schools. Let's give them another round of applause. Thank you. >> Picture, Mrs. Scarce, we appreciate you as well. We know you put in some long long hours.

018[Laughter] Can we see Miss Avery? Let me see. >> Everybody ready? Ready? Three, two, one. >> Thank you. Let's give them another round of applause. Next, we'll move to item 4.3, the 2325 Academy Award, Certificates and Pins. And I have the great honor of acknowledging and recognizing all of our board members who um earn credits through the uh VSBA School Board Academy. Um this is this is actually amazing to see. Um it's it's done every two years and they're they're they receive credits based on the classes that they attend. Um so each board member is being recognized tonight for the work that they've put in over the past two years and these are from 2023 to through 2025. The first board member I have the honor of recognizing is Miss Teesha Walker. If you would

019come, Miss Walker is receiving the highest um certificate uh certificate of distinction and we have our board representative uh Mr. Franklin Lake who's presenting the award. >> Next we have Mr. The Terrell Payne Award of Honor. Next, we have Miss Casey Cunningham, Award of Recognition. Next we have Miss Kesha A also award of distinction. And I'd love to get the opportunity to recognize our clerk of course, Miss Marquita Bash Jones, Award of Recognition. [Applause] And I'm sure she's happy to hear this, but I get to recognize our superintendent for award of excellence. All right, hold it. Now we get to get a picture with you guys. Congratulations. Let's give them another round of applause. [Applause] It is a lot of time and a lot of hours put into this amazing work and I just can't

020thank the school board members enough. A lot of people don't see the work that they do behind the scenes, but it's simply amazing. Um, they're always working. They're always in the trenches. They're always putting our kids first. So, definitely love to take that time to recognize our board members. Next, we'll move to item 5.1, uh, public comments. Do we have any? >> Awesome. Next, we'll move to 6.1, school accountability framework update. This time, I'll turn it over to Miss Mcraw. >> Good evening, Chairman Graves. Vice Chair Ait, Dr. Haristen, and esteemed board members. I'm here this evening to give you an update on uh 2526 accountability and accreditation. Um not my usual strategic goal update. Um normally this says monitoring assessment data, uh which falls under our student achievement category. But since we're presenting on

021the new accountability model and how we look at accredititation now, those two frameworks cover all five of our goal areas. And so just to update, um the new school support our school performance and support framework, which is modeled on the left, is um essentially our new accredititation system, but we call it accountability. on the right, Virginia's accredititation system has shifted to more of an operational compliance component. So when we talk about accreditation, uh we're talking about operations. And so schools will be designated fully accredited um based on compliance with the standards of accredititation. Whereas on the accountability side, we're tracking school performance um through various components like mastery and growth and readiness. and I'm going to show you that in detail. And so, um, just a reminder, the new school performance and support framework is

022a an, um, system built for Virginiaians by Virginiaians in the name of transparency. The idea is high expectations for every student in every school. Um, the state really wants to promote access to information. They're going to remodel and redo the school quality profiles with all of the data that's available online. And um this really came from a place of wanting to build trust with the public, with parents, the community, and so on in regard to what data is available. And so you guys have seen this timeline, but we've moved the star. Now we are in full implementation of this framework. So over there on the right um so when we get all of our accountability results um they will follow this new framework. So gone are the days of the level one and level two

023and so on. Now we'll have designations like distinguished or on track and so the new framework follows um or for each school level there's these categories. So for elementary and middle uh we look at mastery, growth and readiness. And then in high school instead of growth we look at graduation and those components mastery is broken down into so or VAP scores growth from those reading and math assessments and then readiness right now is chronic absenteeism. Um and then at the middle school level the the only difference is with readiness we include that advanced coursework component. So like our middle schoolers taking algebra 1 or algebra 2 we get bonus points essentially for that. And then at the high school level, um, readiness is chronic absenteeism, the extended graduation rate, so looking at students who graduate

024with applied studies, and then what they call the ready for life or 3E framework, which is the new version of CCCRI, if you remember that, college, career, and civic readiness. Um, we now look at employment, enrollment, and enlistment. Um, and we get points based on the criteria that our students meet in those categories. And then graduation is the graduation rate. Once all of those things are summed up, the scores that we get in that framework, uh schools will fall into four or one of four buckets. So a distinguished school would essentially be a model school for the state. That means they're meeting above and beyond the state expectations. On track means that schools are meeting state expectations. Off track would mean not quite there and we're going to get some support from the state. And

025then needs intensive support is exactly how it sounds. Schools are not meeting expectations and they need extensive support. And so we used to be like fully accredited or accredited with conditions or something of that nature. Now um we will have these designations when the results are released. Separate but connected. Um we also have federal identification. So um there's three categories of federal identifications based on student performance. The first is comprehensive support and improvement. Um the lowest 5% of title one schools. So only um the title one schools in the state um schools will be designated CSI. um based on subgroups, schools can also be designated targeted support and improvement or TSI. Um and that can be title one or non-title one schools. And then if schools stay targeted support, they can be switched to ATSI

026or additional support and improvement. And those are federal designations that um come with some criteria that schools have to meet for improvement. Right now, um I'm unable to give you an accountability update because the results have not been released. However, we did get an update from the state today, just this afternoon at about 4:30, um that says in the name of transparency, the state is finalizing a third party to review and validate all of the accountability data. And when that's done, no timeline, they will um release the data. And so we'll keep you guys updated as uh that information uh becomes available. Um and we're hoping it's really soon so uh we can um share all of the success um that we're seeing in Danville public schools. Yes, ma'am. In the in the meantime, you

027guys know that we're doing the right work and we're continuing to do good work in our schools. We're doubling down on initiatives like our reading initiatives. We have a new reading initiative that we'll um introduce soon to strengthen foundational literacy. Um expanded leader and teacher development uh through our microcredentiing framework. Um still working to fully implement um and even better implement our HQIM uh attendance initiatives, our choice programs, family engagement, and then supports for our alternative alternative education programs. And these uh reflect our division's commitment to ensure every student is supported and challenged and can be their best and uh ready for college, career, and life. And I'll leave uh this quote from our outstanding superintendent um on the slide as she has some words for you all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you

028so much. Um so members of board and chair graves um there will be three identifications for some, two for others. again the framework score, the accredititation score, and a federal identification when appropriate. And uh we received notice today, we received several notifications about the release of data in the last month. And today we received a notice that they would um secure a third party to ensure data was correct. We feel really good about our information. Um, we expected tonight to be able to bring our schools forward and give them banners, but uh, we'll have to delay and wait until the appropriate time. But there's one recognition that I'm thankful that you are giving me permission to move forward with uh, this evening. Again, um, while our accountability results remain preliminary and may not yet be

029released publicly, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on this incredible work that has happened over the last 5 years. I'm confident that the results this year will reflect our commitment to high quality education for every student and the collective impact of our focused and intentional efforts and equity in the classroom. We know that true sustainable improvement takes every part of the organization. It takes our transportation, our bus drivers, uh we rely on our school nutrition staff, our IT and facilities and maintenance staff. Um, they all must function at high levels and provide the infrastructure to support teaching and learning. HR must recruit and retain top talent. Our finance department must allocate funds appropriately. Our communications and business partners must work and they matter too. All of these areas are critical. Yet when we

030signed the memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Department of Education in 2020, the most significant gaps were in the core area of teaching and learning. Over the past five years, we focused heavily on building and strengthening our academic systems and the transformation is evident. Um today I walked through every class at Arnett, every class at um um Rise and I can tell you the teaching and learning is drastically um in Gibson. I was at Gibson today and went through all of their classes and we've had audits and our folks are working so very hard and I hope you take time to thank them whenever you're in their presence. But I'd like to ask our chief academic officer, Dr. at the Kiwi Babalola. She would join me at the podium. She'll come on up. Now, she

031sits on the back pew in all of our meetings. Uh we've implemented a comprehensive instructional turnaround model um that addresses every layer of academic experience for our students. There are some key initiatives that I think we need to remember that we've been working on over the past five years. First is policy, board policies, the eye policies, and ensuring that the policies set a vision, a vision that you have for all of our students. The roll out of DEX was remarkable to have a curriculum that students uh and parents and and teachers could use every day to ensure rigor in the classroom. our playbooks. We've got a literacy playbook, a face playbook, a math playbook, but we're not playing. We're not playing. It's serious. The development and launch of DPS 3D Livia, you have been remarkable

032and you have done a wonderful job in the CNI department. The CTE pathways, Dr. Stone is at a conference this evening. Uh but it is it is amazing at the work that has gone on. um the inclusive environment. We were not an inclusive environment 5 years ago. If you were in a special education program, you probably were secluded, not included, and we have a more inclusive environment. I was in an adaptive PE class and an adaptive coral class last week. And the kids just amazing access, stronger and more aligned tutorial programs, summer school, deeper integration of communities and schools. um receiving grants that you wrote for DRF, our Virginia tier system of supports and our coaching model. And as you all learned in your conferences, the use of HQIM, high quality instructional materials. So we

033we could not have done so many of these things in such an expedited fashion without your leadership, Dr. Babalola, because what we realize is people just don't rise above leadership. So great leadership yields great results and although you have a team we know it takes your leadership. So this evening I would like to again formally recognize you for your work. Our school board is appreciative of your work. Uh Dr. Babalolo uh her family members are in Georgia and Texas. uh she joined our division prior with no prioritized to our community but over the last 5 years through sacrifice, consistency and care she has become an integral part of our progress. So tonight I say thank you for your leadership, your service and all that you have done. And and this is Mr. Mavalola. He drove

034all the way from Georgia today. Thank you so much. So 13, if you all could come up, our team members are here. We can give it. We appreciate you changing. So we had we knew we could not change this again, right? Thank you. Dr. Haristston, if you don't mind, if you would join us at the podium, Dr. Haristen, just stay where you are. Um, so on behalf of the Danville Public School Board and the entire Danville Public Schools community, we extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Angela Haristen for her continued service, outstanding leadership, and unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of the Danville public school and community. Since assuming the role of superintendent, Dr. Angela Haristen has made a direct and positive impact on our school division and community. Under her leadership, Damville

035public schools has made significant progress in academic achievement, staff support, and community engagement. She has led multiple strategic initiatives focused on improving instruction, increasing student opportunities, and creating a stronger and more unified school culture. Dr. But Harrison has also been a champion for our employees, advocating for competitive payraises, 1% sales tax, school infrastructure, school choice, CTE, and resources that empower staff to deliver their very best. Her focus on collaboration, transparency, and accountability has strengthened public trust and built stronger partnerships between our schools, families, and the broader Danville community. We also recognize and thank Dr. Harist's family if Mr. Dean Haristston would join us for their continued support and understanding as she leads this important work. Their encouragement allows her to dedicate the time and energy needed to move our division forward. As a token of

036our appreciation, we present we have a plaque. [Applause] Is that all right? That's all right. >> Thank you all so much. Thank you so much. >> And again, Dr. Harrison, thank you for all you do for Danville public schools and also in our entire community. In the spirit of educator Rita Pearson, as I always quote, "Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them." And Dr. Haristston, you embody that champion every day through your passion, service, and belief in the potential of every single child in the Danville public school. If Dr. Haristston and Miss Babalola, Dr. Babalo would come forward for just a second. Just a second. Uh tonight, as we gather to celebrate the achievements in education, we often spotlight our students. That was one of our biggest push

037on behalf of the board. We're going to spotlight our students, but tonight um we're we're celebrating and honoring Dr. Harrison's visionary leadership and Dr. uh Babalola's commitment to education and academic excellence. And uh I was on the way here and I was listening to a song and uh again I'm I'm notorious for quoting songs so it is what it is. But this one really stuck with me. Um, as the song Goodness of God, um, everybody know by CC Wins, um, beautifully reminds us, all my life, and I'm trying not to get choked up cuz I'm not a cry. I'm tough guy. All right. It says, "All my life, you've been faithful. All my life, you've been so, so good." And tonight we echo that sentiment for these two leaders, these two amazing leaders who faithfulness

038and goodness have blessed us in this community tremendously. So you don't know, but I know we have a special uh staff member who's here tonight and I'm going to ask her to come just for a second. If Miss if Miss Stephanie Rattliff would just join us for just a second. >> Miss Rattiff, if you would just give me just a little bit real Bruce. All my life you have been faithful. >> And all my life you have been so so good. With every breath that I am, I lose of the goodness of God. For your goodness is running after. It's running after me. Your goodness is running after is running after me. With my life laying down, I surrender now. I give you everything. [Music] Your goodness is running after is running after me. [Music]

039For all my life you have been faithful. And all my life you have been so so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. Absolutely. >> Yeah. Let's get a picture. >> Yeah. I've never been crazy. moment to thank uh Councilman Sherman Saunders for being here. I reached out to him at the last minute and without a doubt he said I'll be here. So I thank you. Let's give him a round of applause for being here. [Applause] I would also like to thank uh Miss Bash Jones. I can't thank her enough, but I I'm a firm believer in giving people their flowers while they're here. And I do appreciate each and every one of you. Um and I thank Dr. Babalo's husband

040for being here this evening with us. I know it was a surprise for you, but that's exciting and you absolutely deserve every minute of this. And again, Dr. Harrison, thank you uh for your extraordinary leadership um on behalf of the school system. Next, we'll move to item 6.2, update on early college. And I'll turn it over to Dr. Jordan. >> Vice, Dr. Harrison, and school board members. I was kind of nervous when I was like, "Oh, I got to follow a boring accountability update, but now I got to follow church." Okay. Um, I'm D. Jordan here to give you some updates on our early college. So, the early college program is a dual enrollment opportunity um where students have the opportunity to earn their associates liberal arts associates degree from Danville Community College. In their

041junior year, our students will earn 33 college credits and in their senior year they will earn 30 college credits. But in addition to an acceleration program for academics, it also meets the social needs of our students and it gives them an opportunity to engage with college college professors professors and have a firsthand experience of college setting including how to be advocates for their own learning and to participate in the opportunities for support offered by the community college. Um students apply well 10th grade students can apply to the program during our choice window. Our first window will open up this upcoming Monday, October 20th. We will also have a window in January and if se's remain in the program we will have a summer um window as well and students need to meet the criteria that

042is on the screen here which is um completion of algebra 1 and two with a C or better a 3 um zero or higher GPA satisfactory attendance and behavior teacher recommendation an interview that's conducted with Danville public school staff as well as Danville Community College staff. So, one of the highlights is if you look at our class of 2025, we had our students take full advantage of the early college opportunity. We had 92% of our students move forward to a 4-year college or university. For those students who went to a public school, a public college or university in the state of Virginia, they were able to take all of their college credits with them. So as you can see here, our students are excelling to wonderful opportunities including the military as well as the colleges

043and universities listed there as well as we have students who are moving forward with entrepreneurship. Our current class consists of 60 I think I have a typo up there so I wanted to make sure because we only have um 36 um juniors in the um class. I do apologize for that typo. So we have 68 current students in the junior class. again that's um 36 students and then in the senior class the class of 2026 it is 32 students. Uh I am also pleased to announce that today we received a midterm um updates from Danville Community College and 94% of those grades um meet the threshold of a C or higher. So our students are excelling as well. And for our students who may need support, Miss Gunter, who is our advanced learning specialist, and

044myself, we'll be contacting parents via email as well as personal calls to make sure that the students understand how to take full advantage of the support that's there, which includes study hall tutorial as well as they can schedule individual tutorial sessions through the success center at the community college. Um because of um the schedule, our students started school August 6th, but classes at the Danville Community College did not start until August 21st. So there was a little gap there. Um so there was intentional programming offered by the Danville Community College staff to make sure that students had intentional orientation on what to do when they get to the community college. Miss Gunter and myself also planned activities for the students. Two of those that we like to highlight is that we had um Ann Love

045um Loveless from Aver University to come and speak to our junior class about leadership development because that's going to be very helpful in helping them develop those executive function skills. And then we also had Nicole Webster who was an educational consultant and as a counselor at one of the um one of the nation's very successful early college programs and she helped our students, juniors and seniors um develop checklists to help them curate a college um application successfully. Um here are some pictures of those two opportunities just to give you um to see that not only we're addressing academic needs but we're also addressing the social and emotional needs of our students as well. So in summary the early college is doing well but that is because two institutions came together with intentional planning to meet

046the needs of our students. So I would like to thank our board um for the vision of starting the early college. Um, I'd like to thank Danville Community College for the partnership that we have and I look forward to coming to you later to let you know more success about the program. Thank you. >> Awesome. Awesome. >> Thank you, Dr. Jordan. Next, we'll move to item 7.1, accounts payable warrants. I'll turn it over to Miss Gillis. >> All right. Good evening, Chairman Graves, Vice Chair Hbert, Superintendent Harrison, and members of the board. >> Good evening. This evening you have before you accounts payable warrant number 60 in the amount of $2,486,460.54. Number 61 in the amount of 1,ion6,852.98. Number 71 in the amount of $461,000724. Number 75 in the amount of $2,276,133.60. and number 79

047in the amount of $476,92428. If anyone has any questions concerning these expenditures, I'd be happy to try to answer them. >> Any questions? Any questions? Thank you. And before we move forward, um I'm going to go back to item 6.2, early college. Dr. Jordan, you come forward again. Miss Walker had a quick question for you. >> Thank you for your presentation. Just two questions. Um, in regards to the early um, college, is it a capacity cap? >> When you speak to Danville Community College, they currently moved our students to the Taylor building. And so, their science lab right now has a capacity to hold 40 students. They are looking at their facilities to see how they can change where that class is located so that we can increase the number of students that we're able

048to accept. >> Okay. And then the other thing is um, how do students come aware of the early college program? So, we do have the information in our choice guide. Um, I am also offering virtual sessions where parents can hear open house presentation for myself as well as have um daily check-ins where they can join me via MS teams for questions. Um, we also are going to put post on social media and then we do also intentionally have letters where I've identified students who already have that 3.0 and I will be sending those letters out via email so that the student can get it and the parent will get it as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Jordan. Any other questions for her before she? Awesome. Thank you again. Next, we'll move

049to 8.1 National School Board Association 2025 annual conference report. And at this time, I'll turn it over to Dr. Williams and all the other board members that will be presenting this evening. >> However you want to present. All right. Good evening, Chairman Graves, Vice Chair Ait, uh, Councilman Saunders, uh, esteemed board members and community members. Uh, roughly a month ago, uh, fellow board members and myself had the opportunity to travel to the small city of Los Angeles, California, where we, um, got to join the council of urban board educate, uh, boards of education and collaborate and network with some other urban and urban adjacent um, school districts across the nation. And so we just want to give a little recap of um some of the great things that we saw and so and how we

050are replicating a lot of those things that other districts were doing. So So we kicked off on Friday. Uh we got an opportunity to meet uh the Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carjo. Uh he gave a really powerful and igniting welcome address that morning. Um, if you don't know, Los Angeles has gone through a lot in the last year, um, between COVID, postcoavid, uh, recovery, wildfires, ICE raids, immigration protests, and other just general education issues that we're seeing in day-to-day things. But, um, I was really inspired just to see how resilient they were and how they were overcoming barriers and, um, I thought a lot about our district and a lot of the barriers and stuff that we're seeing and how we're just as strong and resilient. So, that was a great way

051to kick off the morning. Uh I had the opportunity to um a session that really resonated with with me was the where innovation meets opportunity and how to create community-based opportunity hubs. And what this was was a session on how to use underreal um utilized resources within our community whether it's buildings um or just resources that may get overlooked and how we can use those as hubs and resources for our students which um after coming back and reporting with some of our district staff we are doing a lot of those things. So I'll cover a lot of that. So the VSBA um as I stated they one of the thing for that session is how can we make resources more accessible to not only students but community members as well. We can move on to

052the next one. Um and the the kind of the topics that they were talking about in that session uh were workace train uh workforce training and education, early childhood care, um computer labs and access to technology, um how to use incubator spaces for entrepreneurs, health and wellness, arts and culture, and of course parks and recreation as well. So again, um I was really excited to see that DPS was doing a lot of the things that other districts across the nation were doing. Um, so in regards to adult training and education, uh, as we know, we have the DPS adult education. They're offering night classes, um, DPS, uh, adult education also collaborates with companies like Caesars to provide certifications such as Safe Serve, um, excuse me, Surf Safe for employees who are looking to get into

053the food and hospitality industry. Uh, another area for possible duplication is creating career corners in our school libraries so that we can um highlight job posting, training flyers, and all the sorts for our community members who are looking to uh get into the workforce. Um, as far as child care and early child care, um, previously Danville Parks and Recreation had offered, um, affordable after school programs uh, at Park Avenue, Forest Hills, and Schoolfield. These programs are now supported by the YMCA um which is launching an afterchool program with Gibson beginning in January. And our teach for tomorrow students at GW um they support teachers by working with the preschool programs uh such as nurturing young minds childcare as well as elementary schools. And another area of pop possible duplication is uh parent study nights uh

054where we can get childcare provided in some of our gyms and classrooms uh while adults and parents are attending workshops in our community. Uh for as far as computer labs and uh technology, um if you get an account with Expinity, uh you can get uh if you're considered lowinccome internet access for as low as $15 a month. I know that previously with co we had done the hotspots, but this is another great deal um if you're having issues with access to internet. So um while other while families are enrolled, others unfortunately do not qualify um just due to outstanding balances and things like that. um areas for duplication with this as far as technology. Um keeping computer labs open in the evenings and weekends for families or setting up a device checkout program whether that's

055um laptops, hotspots um throughout the school library. And then other ways that we can uh duplicate uh some of our entrepreneur efforts. Uh we can utilize uh empty classrooms or library spaces after hours for small business workshops. Uh partnering with the Chamber of Commerce or um local business leaders to run office hours for button entrepreneurs and also just sharing resources such as copers, printers, Wi-Fi, etc. to community members in some of our school building. >> All right, moving on to health and wellness. Um, as you all know, we have the Half's Clinic at GW that was established to provide full access health care. Um, in addition to SOA for uh conducting physicals at Bonner and Westwood before school starts. Um, the health of the Virginia Department of Health uh they host a lot of immunization

056clinics in our schools. DPS nurses can also conduct their annual visual screenings there um as well as dental care. However, student services is already um I stated coordinating a lot of this with PATHS um but an area of possible innovation could be starting wellness classes whether it's yoga um nutrition workshops etc with our school cafeterias and gym spaces. All right, moving on to arts and culture. Um we could utilize our DPS auditoriums uh for student and community performances. Um I know that recently as of last night for Hispanic Heritage Month, we were doing some things with our gyms as well. So, um it's great to see that we're utilizing those spaces. Um and also using our um buildings for weekend open studio spaces for art classrooms. Um using some of those supplies or maybe organizing

057a community moral uh mural or um doing some photography projects to uh continue to decorate and beautify our schools. All right, moving on to parks and recreation. Um DPS currently has anou with parks and w allowing uh shared use of facilities at no cost. Parks and Rex uh regularly uses our building and as we meet with our director Jason Botheheimer and I'm going to pass the mic to our next person. >> Thank you Dr. Williams. Um also during the course of the conference we each have the had the opportunity to attend several breakout sessions. So we usually try to make sure that we all go to something different. So um one of the sessions that I attended was advancing equity through a student outcomes focused governance and this was presented by the Kraton school district

058in Arizona. Um so what is a student outcomes focused governance? Um this is a process based on the idea that student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change using the SOFG model. Thraton school district aims to create conditions that support improving student outcomes. Um, so I selected this session because the school district there is similar to ours and being that we are a governing body, I enjoy learning ways to strengthen our board governance and I thought it also would be good as we're working through our strategic planning. So the school district um their model they have a total of 5,000 students where we have 5,500 students. Um they also serve students in nine title one schools and I think we have 10 um currently. So I thought this was a good um session to attend.

059So by implementing the SOFG model there were three major learning targets. So the first one is um understanding how our actions as board members directly affect student outcome and education equity. Um so the fact that um what they pointed out was that we are the genesis of change. Um, student outcomes depend on the decisions we make and how we operate as a district and every system is perfectly designed to get the results that it wants. So during this uh discussion, we also broke out into smaller groups. So, I was happy um as they went through the discussion, I was happy to um rave about Danville public schools and the great work of our superintendent department and school leaders, uh teachers and staff. Um and I think this was perfect. It ties into today because I

060did talk about our DEX curriculum. Um, I spoke about our CTE pathways and all of the strides that we're making to make sure that students are learning every day. Next slide. Learning target two was identify researchbased governance competenc competencies that create conditions for improved student outcomes. Um the competencies, if you can see them, are vision and goals, values and guard rails, monitoring and accountability, communication and collaboration, unity and trust, and continuous improvement. So these are some of the focus areas that we as a board and superintendent, these are some of the places that we focus in on when we're talking about student outcomes. So we're right in line with what the conference was saying. Excellent. and the learning target number three gain tools and strategies to implement student outcomes focused governance in their districts. So

061here we talked about board assessments which we currently uh do assess ourselves as the school board and also the ACE habits of mind. Go to the next slide. You can go to the next one. Um in that ACE habits of mind um it highlighted a shared commitment to action, assessment and adjustment, intentional collaboration and support of ongoing adult adult learning and relentless focus on evidence in all conversations. And I like this graphic because it's just a way to keep what's important at the top of mind. And it's just um I like good visuals. In conclusion, the breakout session called had a call to action and it's encouraging us to continue to emphasize high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and encourage us to stay committed to our vision. And now I will turn it

062over to Miss Cunningham. [Laughter] >> Okay. Good evening. Um the closing session that we all attended was the revolutionary school leadership. Um it was the six principles to unlock your district's hidden treasure. The presenter there was principal Aman Raw. He was the founding principal of um University Pathways Public Service Academy. Um going on there you'll see what is leadership what is revolutionary school leadership. Um it focuses on the transforming the student the student experience by creating engaging cultural relevant and aspirational school environments. Um what I can say there um just diving in a little bit more of what he touched on um he actually invented a lot of products his own um that helped with their school's assistance with chronic absenteeism with chronic absenteeism um with trauma. He talked about he discussed the empowerment of

063the student voice and recognition and he also highlighted the cultural relevance of our students. Um there were six key elements that we all discussed. Um the first one was building a restorative community that fosters belonging, accountability and mutual respect. Um you have lead with cultural relevance so that every student's identity is recognized as a source of strength. um empowering the student voice as a driving force for engagement and academic success. Um leverage strategic partnerships to expand resources, opportunities and realworld connections and aligning policy with purpose to ensure equity is embedded in decision-making at every level as well as creating a legacy of sustainability by cultivating leadership capacity among staff, students and families. Um other I I can say for myself I did attend the raising the bar in math with high quality instructional materials. Um

064of course I picked that one Dr. Babalola first one of mine. Um of course I was able to highlight Danville public schools as already taking this on. Um they did highlight just some couple questions as from board members as what we should be asking. Um the next one that I also attended was going to be the equity and action building a cultural esteem. Um there what I I can say the main thing that I took away from that one was making sure that our children understood the difference between test and assessments. Um that was the main thing that I took away from that. Um, also the second thing, my takeaway was making sure that we are shifting the mindset of our students from being underserved, low poverty, and low income. Um, what our children hear,

065what they see is what they take in. Um, so if we continue to remind them that they're underserved, if we continue to remind them that they're low poverty, and we continue to just dredge in their minds that they're low income, then they may not see the importance of the benefits of striving for advancements such as early college, such as a dual enrollment program. So, it's just really important that while we are also reminding them of the importance of the difference between test and assessments, that we're also just changing the mindset and the nar and the narrative sometimes of our children's minds. Um, also intentional partnerships. This one really hit well with me, of course, because my daughter does attend the attend the STEM Academy. Um, they highlighted intentional partnerships to where um, Amazon, Google, um,

066I know that they referenced in Apple where Apple is setting up a lot of computer labs and they're giving all students laptops. Um they referenced partnerships with Cisco, Verizon, Lego just to make sure that that intentional partnership is being met with the specialization on the STEM program. Um they also highlighted the roles of the school board as far as vision, policy and budget um equity as well as the importance of community signal um showing that steam is not an actual an option. It's going to be a priority now and especially more years to come. Another session that was attended was the rethinking of minority teacher pipelines. Um, innovative approaches to recruitment and retention. Next slide. Any questions? >> Any questions? Any questions? >> Think y'all did a phenomenal job. Let's give him a round of

067applause. [Applause] >> Awesome. Next, we'll move to item 8.2, VSBA fiscal governance cohort. Not sure who's presenting. >> Mr. Terry, >> good evening. >> Chairman Grace, community members, I'll be brief tonight. Last week, I and three of my fellow board members along with Dr. Harrison attended the Virginia School Board Association cohort building collaborative physical governance teams to improve student outcomes. Now, the purpose of this cohort is to improve student outcomes by focusing on developing an understanding of the impacts of collaboration between school finance and instructional leadership along with school governance and administration on student outcomes. This cohort provides a framework designed to ensure that intentional collaborative efforts are made that keep governance teams focused on resource allocation designed to have maximum impact on outcomes for all students. The training outcomes for this cohort are team

068building, physical and instructional planning strategies, an understanding of how policy impacts resource allocation and student access. Gaining a knowledge of how assembling a physical governance team is critical to division, school, and student success and helping us to uh create a toolbox of tactics for communicating physical and instructional decisions. Now this cohort is divided into four training sessions and the session that we attended last week was focused on school finance 101. And the objective of this particular session was to gain knowledge on the basics of school finance and resource allocation in the context of student needs and instructional framework. In addition, the benefits of developing and maintaining a collaborative decision-making relationship between key instructional finance and governance team members was discussed. Now there was a heavy emphasis on understanding the characteristics of an effective school board

069and a few of those are uh school an effective school board has a vision of high expectations has strong shared beliefs and values is accountabilitydriven and focus on policies to improve student achievement. It's collaborative relationship building through effective communication structures and two that I believe are really important leading as a united team with the superintendent and also committed to team development with the superintendent. Now, the major takeaway from this session is that the school board should develop and maintain an effective working relationship with the superintendent to ensure that school finance policies, practices, and decisions are aligned with division goals and remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Now, while there were some items that we realized we need more training, our school board is well ahead of the curve in many of the items

070that were discussed. And I can tell you it's our goal to continue the learning process to ensure that we're providing the best service and support to our superintendent, to our students, and to our community. >> Thank you, Mr. Terry. Thank you all for attending that cohort session. Next, we'll move to item 9.1, public notice, November 2025. Monday, November the 3rd, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Strategic Planning Session. Thursday, November the 6th, 2025, 4:30m finance committee meeting here in the Damble room. Thursday, November the 13, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. we have a regular meeting followed by a work session. And Tuesday, November the 18th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. student achievement committee meeting. And if you notice those dates, it's a good thing because we only have one school board meeting that month. Um, also other

071dates, November the 4th, election day. Uh, November the 11th is Veterans Day, a holiday for all. Um, November the 19th through the 21st, the board will be at the BSBA annual convention. And on November the 26th through the 28th is Thanksgiving break. Next, we'll move to item 10.1, finance report. Good evening. Once again, you have before you the revenue and expenditure statement for the month month ending September 30th, 2025. And you also have the textbook report for the month of September as well as the school nutrition report. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them. >> Any questions? Any questions? Hearing none. This is an action item. Motion that we uh accept the report. >> All right. >> I second the motion. >> Motion made by Mr. Terry, second by

072Dr. Williams. Any discussion on the motion? Any discussion? Hearing none, madam clerk, please call for vote. >> Dr. Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Cunningham, >> yes. >> Mr. Payne, >> yes. >> Mr. Terry, >> yes. >> Miss A. >> Yes. >> Miss Wer, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next, we'll move to item 11.1, personnel recommendations. This time, I'll turn it over to Miss Wimberly. Good evening, Chairman Graves, Vice Chair A, Dr. Harrison, and members of the board. You've been presented with a person of recommendations um for your review, consideration, and approval. I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. >> Any questions? Any questions? This is an action item. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we uh approve the personnel recommendation as presented. >> Second. >>

073Motion made by Dr. Williams, second by Miss Aver. Any discussion on the motion? Any discussion hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call for vote. >> Mr. Payne, >> yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Dr. Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move to item 12.1, board requests for information for future agenda items. Miss Walker. >> Um, just two things. Um, one, Dr. Harrison, if you don't mind, the PowerPoint that was given um in regards to the school accountability framework, I don't know if anybody else got it, but could you send that out to us? >> And then the second thing, just a reminder, I'd asked um a couple of months ago in regards to the communities and school update. >> So, I was just making sure

074that was still on the agenda, too. >> It is. Um did I did I present in January? >> Is it J? Yeah. Okay. >> They actually um hit the reset. We met what about two weeks ago. They have a new uh Dr. Smith is a new coordinator. So, they're case load is not due until November 1st. >> And um they're also um implementing u care mediation. >> So, it'll be um they'll be better prepared in January. >> But we'll have >> Dr. Williams. And if we can just get an update on the microcontenting I know it's been a pilot program so just how things are going. >> Actually we have that tonight but you know >> yeah November we go to November we have some teachers that uh we would like to bring forward and

075recognize for the micro credential. >> I'm a mind reader. >> You are >> awesome. Any others? Any others? All right. Next we'll move to comments. City attorney. I don't have any comments. >> Superintendent, >> I want to just thank everyone. Um, this is a very special evening, but thank you all so much as we work on behalf of children. We have a long way to go, but we certainly have come a long way. And Mrs. Saunders, it means so very much, Mrs. Saunders, for you to be here. You're very special. So, thank you so much. >> Clerk, could you call the role, please? >> I have no comments tonight. Thank you. Mr. Terry, >> I just one uh was very impressed with Miss Whims and uh what they've done in the cafeteria. I've eaten a

076couple times there. I love to eat. So uh that you've given the uh children, our youth opportunities to try different things. I think that is uh that is great. So thank you. >> Good evening. Um, I want to first start by saying, let me uh uh this is the first school board meeting I've been at where I've actually had to cry. So, I take that as a very good sign. The very first one. Um, Dr. Harrison, I want to first start by thanking you. Um, it's it's very different to come in this experience and sit in this seat as a parent. Um, you you see the on the outside, you see the work and you see the the dayto-day is one thing. Um but when you sit in this seat and you see the transformation

077and you see the growth and you see the progress um you see it in completely different alleys. Um so for that I would love to say thank you. Um I count it as a blessing to be able to sit in this seat and work with you alongside and see the progress that we have been able to make. Um I want to make a few very quick few shoutouts. Um October is going to be a very busy month. Um we are very fortunate as well. Um, Cazell & Company Incorporated, a nonprofit that is partnered with Danville Public Schools, um, has eight young ladies who will be or who have been selected to walk in Los Angeles Fashion Week. Um, they will be leaving for LA next week. Um, of those eight, six of them are students

078of Danville Public Schools. Um, they are at the STEM Academy as well as Bonner and Westwood. So, I definitely want to shout them out. Um also, um the E boys girls flag football team. Um they are also heading to DC on October the 31st where they have also they'll be participating in the NFL All-Star um flag tournament hosted by the Washington Commanders. Um so I definitely want to highlight and shout them out as well. Um other than that, it's been a blessed day and it's been a great meeting. Thank you. >> Yes. First, I want to give another special uh shout out to our school nutrition team and to our transportation team for the accolades that we provided with them this week as we celebrate national weeks for both of them. Um, I definitely want

079to give my deepest gratitude to all of our teachers, our staff, administrators, um, central office staff, fellow board members, and last but not least, our incredible superintendent. As we can see on a state level, regional level, even nationwide level, Danble Public Schools is doing great things. We're not far behind other districts and stuff. And so, um, we've got some great steam, great energy, and I just hope that things keep moving forward. So, thank you all again, >> Miss. >> Yes. Good evening again. Um, I'll first start off with Dr. Harrison. Um, I was sitting here and uh, Miss Cunningham, I didn't I was getting a little bit emotional, but um, because sometimes, you know, when you do this work and and and when you see these type of things as we congratulate um, everyone, it

080to me, you reset and you think about how when you came on the board, you didn't know what to expect. And sometimes just just you just the community will never know what it is, I guess, until you walk in these shoes. It's a very very um it's some very hard shoes. But to Dr. Harrison, you know, I was sitting here and I was kind of teared because you know, we have hard conversations. I know sometimes when I call you, you probably like, "What is Miss Walker giving me today or texting, but even in those hard conversations, I thank you for putting the work in that even though it's a hard conversation, you um make that task, you make it work." So I appreciate for the things your great leader you know your leadership because a

081lot of times like you said before it's hard being in leadership and sometimes you know like I said it's it's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. So I appreciate your work here. Sometimes it may not seem like it cuz it's like okay one more message. But I honestly honestly um appreciate your work um to the transportation. Sometimes I am riding behind buses and I'm like, you know, I really pray to God because it's a lot that go on on buses. And so for our people, our bus drivers that are driving sometimes to be behind a bus, it's it's grateful to have um them that wake up every morning and say, "I'll do this again." Have bus drivers that have been here 10 and 20 years. Um to Dr. Babalola sometimes when I congratulate

082you again cuz sometimes I look at you I think she'd be like what is she getting ready to say now but I I appreciate all of that because you know I I Curtis work very passionate is very passionate for me. So you know just you know overall I'm just thankful for the whole district and the work that you do because a lot of times even to our teachers especially our seasoned teachers sometimes I just walk up to them and say thank you and they like what are you talking about? I said because you know you decide to keep doing this work every day and so for that I really thank you. Um and then again um the last thing I guess I will mention um is that um the culinary department like they said over

083the weekend it's like every event that we are going to it is just amazing me over what they are doing and how they are implementing the students in the events that we are having. So just thank you again for everything, every position that you all serve. It's not overlooked. You know, it's it's it's it's something that more than you know when I'm passing schools and you just praying saying God just cover them. So thank you all for all that you do. >> No, thank you. [Laughter] >> Yes. Good evening. Um, so much has been shared tonight. I I mean, I'm almost at a loss for words, which is I am, but um this this past weekend as we celebrated the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and it was a great event. And so I do

084want to um say thank you to Chef Harris who had the students serving. Um they did a phenomenal job. You would not have known that they had never did did this before. So I just wanted to mention her and those students who served on Saturday. But for our our keynote speaker was um Mr. Herman Moore. and he said in his presentation, "Greatness isn't a destination, it's a daily decision." >> So, thank you, Dr. Haristen. Thank you, Dr. Babalola. Thank you to the entire district for making that decision every day that Danville public schools is going to be great. Yeah, I just want to I know we've highlighted two amazing leaders tonight, but I want to thank everybody. I think all of you guys need a round of applause for the work that you do. We're

085so fortunate to have Mr. Saunders here with us this evening um so he can hear all the amazing things that are happening right here in Danville Public School. And I want to thank you personally because city council chose to put education in the forefront, making it its number one priority. And with that support, we do appreciate you for all that you do. Um, I want to start with thanking our board. Um, and again, I can't I can't thank you guys enough for the work that you do. Um, again, a lot of it is unseen uh and behind the scenes and but you guys work extremely hard. um those recognitions and the uh and the and the credits that you receive from your board academy shows the work that you put in, but not only shows

086that, it shows, you know, the heart that you have uh for the students. Um and and no question is is never a crazy question or or whatever. I know you you said, you know, sometimes you think what what in the world are you going to say or what are you going to ask? And and but it's it's about the work. And I I just want to thank you guys and I just can't thank you enough for the work that you put in because times we're we're criticized, we're talked about and that's a part of of politics, I'd say. But you guys come, you show up every day, but you show up for our kids daily and and that is definitely appreciated. Um to our bus drivers and our um and our cafeteria staff, I can't

087thank them enough. They're truly a champions for our children. Um they show up every day ready to go. Um they're feeding our children and they're and they're busing our children. So, we do appreciate them for the work that they're doing and and that that culinary arts team is just simply amazing. Not only are they just fixing meals, it's more than meals, they're putting love into meals. Um, we have, you know, culinary arts, we have catering, we have things that no other school division can talk about, you know, and it's not often that we talk about the good things because we spend a lot of times on the bad things. So, again, I just want to highlight that. Um, definitely want to give a shout out to Miss Ratliff for being here. Um and and one

088of the things that the song highlighted was faithfulness, you know, and and that's what you guys display every single day and that's why we are where we are because of your faithfulness to Danville public schools. So again, I cannot thank you enough and I'm proud to be a product of Danville public schools. It's not a bad thing. People can run, people can go to other schools, but it feels amazing to be a product of Danville public schools because we have amazing teachers. We have amazing staff and again I'll say let them talk again. Thank you. And I'm gonna give everybody a gift tonight. No clothes, no work session. We're going home. So So with that being said, any further business? Any further business? All right. Thank you. Meeting a journ.