001Mhm. >> We started this just a few years ago and compliment to our teacher of the year program. We have incredible support staff members that make we could not do this work without them. So we have recognized them for support staff person of the year for each of the schools named the division wide support staff person of the year and we will celebrate them at team New Kent night on May 14th which so our first recipient is not here but she represents New Kent Elementary School and that is Miss Sandra Buckley. She's an instructional assistant um has over 30 years of service. She's also retired, so she's one of the few two-time winners at Team New Kent Night. She will be on stage twice. Our next support staff person of the year is at Oh,
002thank you. That was Dr. Adekumbi. Um so, our next support staff person of the year is from George Watkins, and it's Ms. Kim Dotson, who is our clinic aide. Woo! When we surprised her, we actually saw her in action cuz you had a student who was not feeling well. He brought his trash can and everything. And then >> [laughter] >> he took pictures, took care of the kid and everything. So, congratulations. Thank you, Steve. >> [laughter] >> We will have an opportunity at uh during the intermission to take pictures and line up and do all those kind of things. Uh so, our next award winner uh is also here. Um and while the title may be instructional assistant, I think she has filled so many roles and holes at Quinton this year uh that it
003was no surprise that she came forward to be the support staff person of the year. I believe she also to be a long-term serving kindergarten assistant of the year is a scary endeavor. And she took it on and she did an incredible job with it. So, uh Quinton's uh support staff person of the year is Laura Wilson. Thank you very much. New Kent Middle School Support Staff Person of the Year, just another funny story. We went there to surprise Evette, and she was not there. Um she had been called over to the high school and was handling something there. So, we had to call her on the walkie and uh get her to come back, but um Evette Garner is custodian at New Kent Middle School, but she's also a mentor, a supporter of all
004people, and when she walks in a room you just feel uh Evette is there. She's also been at the high school as well. So, uh definitely she's probably somewhere handling something right now knowing Evette, but uh congratulations to Evette Garner. So, and our final recipient is also not here tonight. Um and this was a first for us. Um so, Richard Pennycup is the school security officer at New Kent High School. Um I've had him as the leading vote getter for Rookie of the Year, cuz this is his first year with us after a long career in law enforcement, FBI, so forth. Um he taught in middle school for 2 years and decided he was going to go into something a little easier. And so, he had a long career in FBI and um law enforcement,
005but uh not only is he Rookie of the Year, he is the Staff Support Person of the Year at the high school, and then he was the Division Staff Support Person of the Year. When you go to the high school, you really don't know what his job is because he knows every kid, he knows every staff member, he's always walking the halls. Um he's playing ping pong, he's he's just interacting with kids. So, I love the way that he takes the school security officer role. It's proactive, it's mentor based, it's getting to know kids and communities. So, um we will bring him back officially and celebrate him. So, Richard Pennycup is your high school Support Staff Person of the Year. All right, it is also May is an incredi- incredibly busy month. Um it is
006also Teacher Appreciation Week, and here we do Staff Appreciation Week May 4th through the 8th. So, if you are at any one of our schools at any point today at any point this week, you could eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack. There is food absolutely everywhere. Um but, we couldn't do this work without our incredible staff. Uh so, we definitely want to appreciate them today, this week, and every day. So, that's Teacher Appreciation Week. Last week, on May 1st, uh was School Lunch Hero Day. Um and it is fitting that they are lunch heroes. They serve thousands of meals daily, uh breakfast, lunch, and anything you need them to do. Perfect example is we got late notice from the state department on a snow day to count it as a school day, you had
007to serve meals. We learned about that at the I'll say 11th hour, but it's probably even later than that. Um and that team said, "Got it. We'll feed kids. How Here are three different ways we can do it." And that's just the incredible part of Team New Kent. When you face a challenge, you take it head-on. Um so, team is led by Crystal Parsley. Um and we're very appreciative of our lunch heroes. And if you knew me before I came to New Kent, I was a lot lighter. That is because of our lunch heroes. Uh and I'm happy to announce it here today. Um so, that is Lunch Hero. It is also Mental Health Awareness Day, May 7th. Um today, in our Monday message, I highlighted our Camden Holmes. Camden is a high school student
008at New Kent High School. He has taken on a Mental Health Awareness Challenge. He's done a whole fundraiser to go back to a charity that supports our community and our families. Um and what I said today is people say kids today are not like they used to be. I agree. I was never that driven and that cool and that uh community-based. Um so, there are events really focused on promoting wellness and supporting you. So, Mental Health Awareness Day is the 7th. All right. It is also recognition of School Nurse day. So, we are incredibly fortunate and board members you support this in the budget to have an RN and a clinic aid at all of our schools. Not everybody has that and we have had that for past past I think 6 years. So, school
009nurse day celebrates and recognizes our nurses and our aids for their incredible work around health, safety, and academic success. And they do an amazing job supporting our families. May is also national speech and hearing month and speech pathologist day. So, we have we provide those services to students in New Kent. So, we definitely want to thank our speech pathologist for supporting our families and supporting our students with communication needs. >> [snorts] >> Tonight, we'd like to celebrate our athlete of the month. The problem with celebrating your athlete of the month is often they're on an athletic field when you're trying to celebrate them and that is the case with Mariah Leonard. Mariah Leonard is a senior softball player committed to play at Bridging Bridgewater and I can't Bridgewater College. So, she has a 4.11 GPA,
010straight A student for the entirety of her senior year. She has is will complete her advanced diploma. We graduate in 2 and 1/2 weeks. I think there's dual enrollment and honors courses. She always goes above and beyond. So, just recently she had her 100th career hits, which is a huge milestone in softball. She's going to follow the enrollment pathway at Bridgewater. She's also a member of Teachers for Tomorrow. And yes, we have already signed her to come back to >> [laughter] >> New Kent upon completion of Bridgewater. So, quick fun fact or funny story about Mariah. We had an injury at the softball game. Although I am a doctor, just not a medical one that can help you, but I still went into the dugout >> [snorts] >> and just listened to the young ladies
011talk. One of them said this is going to be a close game and then I said, "No, it's not. We're going to 10-run rule them run them and we're going to win this game in five minutes." They won by 13 to nothing. So, she is a leader on the field and in the classroom and she's absolutely hysterical. All right. Our other athlete of the month was going to try to run here because he actually has a soccer game about two blocks away and that is none other than Grayson Yates. Grayson is a son of Derek and Michelle Yates. He is a member of our boys soccer team. He has been on a goal-scoring tear and assist with our soccer team. He's the captain of the team. He's a junior. He had seven goals at the
012time of this writing. That number has gone up. Um he had four goals in one game, which I believe is one goal short of the New Kent High School record. So, he has about a season and a half to break that record. He will also be following the enrollment pathway. He'd like to play soccer in college. He would like to major in elementary education. Before you ask, yes, he has also been hired. His advice to teammates is work hard and have fun without putting too much pressure on yourself and he certainly does that with his intensity on the football field. Well, soccer/football depending on what part of the world you're in. Our senior of the month is here. Yay. And that is none other none other than Julie Underwood. So, Julie is the daughter of
013Henry and Dina Underwood. She's enrolled in the nursing program at Bridging Communities. So, she has a passion for taking care of people. She's even showed up in scrubs today because she is running between a lot of things. Just last week she interviewed with patient care for a patient care technician with Bon Secours. While in this role, she plans to be employed and enrolled working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Outside of employment and enrollment, she just enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. So, we're going to ask her to travel to the podium at this time and tell you a little bit more about herself. Welcome, Julie. Good evening, Mr. Chair, Mrs. Vice Chair of School Board members, Dr. Nichols, and guests. My name is Julie Angulo. I'm currently a senior at New
014Kent High School and Bridging the Gap Community Center. It is an honor speaking here tonight. From a young age, I've always been drawn to helping others, whether it's taking care of a family member or friend. I've always had a passion for making someone's day better. That feeling turned into my career decision, nursing. I'm interested in pursuing an anesthesia position in nursing because it has a variety of opportunities that come with it. From operating rooms to labor and delivery, anesthesia plays a huge role in the medical field. My E decisions I have chosen are both enrollment and employment. I plan on attending Bon Secours School of Nursing to further my education within healthcare while being employed at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Hospital to gain real hands-on experience within the medical field. I recently interviewed for a
015patient care technician position on the cardiopulmonary step-down unit. I'll be working full-time while finishing my prerequisites for nursing school. My job will be to take care of patients by helping them with activities of daily living, recording vitals, and taking care of them until they leave the hospital. I plan to take on higher positions in that hospital as well after nursing school. BCTCS has assisted me with creating a resume, talking with different schools and employers, and helping make my future career decisions. My nursing instructor, Ms. Van Dyke, gave me the experience of working with patients to further prepare me for taking on the role of caring for others. From clinicals and class instruction, she has been with me every step of the way to build my confidence within my career decision. While learning the primary education
016of nursing in the classroom, attending clinicals gave me the real experience of working with people and gaining the compassion for it. Before I can conclude, I would like to thank Principal Strickland for choosing me as April's Senior of the Month. It is truly an honor that I do not take lightly. I would also like to thank her for the endless support she brings to her students both at New Kent High School and Bridging Communities. She helps students get additional information about Bridging Communities by holding interest meetings, helps students with application process they're interested in if attending Bridging, and she also takes time to match programs to students based on their interests and their future plans or careers. Finally, I would like to thank my family for always pushing me to be ahead. They showed me
017what it means to take care of people and help them through scary situations. My mom and dad both pushed me to start finding my career early and built my confidence along the way. They've always been there for every late night study session, test, and report card, and I'm very thankful to have the unconditional support to help me find my future career path. Thank you. To chair, I believe that concludes my remarks. No, it does not. How good. Was that intentional? No, it was not. Okay, thank you, Shelby. Um so, this is a first ever in the history of uh New Kent County Public Schools. This year, the board put in policy to have a student school board representative and we didn't know what student would want to blaze that trail and start this. And we
018were fortunate to have Toby Davis. So he is our first ever New Kent County Public Schools school board representative and he's sort of set the path and tonight we'll actually vote on our next school board representative. So he remains active with athletics. I don't know how Toby does everything that he is doing. You see he's in a boot right now. So cross country, indoor track, varsity tennis. He is also in Chesapeake Bay Governor's School. So half the day he's not even at the high school. He maintains a strong academic record. Really helped work on the pillar project which you'll hear about more in the coming year and he's really done a fantastic job of kind of making something up that didn't exist before. So we're incredibly grateful and proud of everything you've done Toby. So
019we do have a gift for you and we also have a certificate for you. You want me to come to you? >> [laughter] >> I'm happy to. Thank you. Congratulations. Toby, it's a huge time commitment and he spends the entire Many of you will get to leave at recess, but you're invited to stay. Toby spends the entire board meeting and represents us and does all of those things. So thank you for your hard work. >> Thank you. And he'll be back as a senior next year. So I have a feeling you might see him as senior of the month. So now, that concludes my remarks. Thank you. Thank you and congratulations to all of you. Um Team New Kent is always impressive. And to actually from the board perspective for us to be able to
020to see you and meet you is extra special and we appreciate it. So thank you. We're going to take a 5 minute recess or those of you who don't want to stick around for the exciting board issues to continue. We welcome you to depart and start again in 5 minutes. >> Mhm. >> Okay. We will continue. Next item is consent agenda. Board members by now you have had the opportunity to review the items listed on the consent agenda including meeting minutes from April 14th regular meeting, monthly through the month of March 2026, as well as the superintendent's recommendation regarding 30 personnel matters. Do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? So moved. Do I hear a second? Second. Ms. Davis. Mr. Reiner. Aye. Ms. Cunya. Aye. Mr. Dombroski. Aye. And Mr.
021Buck. Aye. All right. Motion passed. The next item on the agenda is new business. I believe I Miss, go ahead. Off site, Mr. Buck. Uh, before and after school, we're excited to uh move forward with the before and after school program. Uh I want to thank Ms. Morgan I for spearheading this uh from request for proposals through the interviews to the selection piece. So, uh handing floor is yours. Absolutely. Um thank you, Dr. Nichols, Mr. Chair, board members. An RFP was issued on March 17th, and we have had interviews, and we are requesting that this basically you're authorizing Dr. Nichols to commence negotiations with Right At School as the vendor and also sign into a lease agreement. Um that's what we're asking of you for this evening. Be happy to answer any questions you guys
022may have, uh but this allows us to move forward and actually do the contract or for superintendent to do. We will probably bring back some details as far as um maybe a possible board presentation, but definitely the vendor is um ex- expecting, planning to attend any um meetings or presentations at schools towards the end of the year, set up tables, really promote the program, make sure that parents are aware of what we have. Um we do feel like the pricing is going to be great. They're experienced in the region. We're very excited about this um partnership. The lease agreement is a payment that will be coming to each location. Um thousands of dollars for each school to use for back to school supplies for teachers and staff. So, I think that will be great. And
023this is going to fill a big gap as you know, board members in what we've been able to offer. So, it's a huge win for families um and our staff to have before and after school at each of the three elementary schools. Currently, we have after school at two of the schools. Um and the students are bused from the third to one of the other schools. So, uh and they'll pay us through the lease. Please go ahead. Um the you would I I know that the money is initially been dedicated as uh funds for our supplies. Are there other purposes money from the leases going to possibly be used for? So, right now, Mr. Rhymer, we are planning on allowing these funds to go in 10 equal installment payments directly to each elementary school. Yeah.
024Um so, we we can uh kind of tell them how we would like for those funds to be used. But right now, it would be um it would be at the discretion of the school principal in my opinion. Um but we can look at Um So, the only thing I'm thinking is if this becomes a long-term prospect, uh we may not want that to be the way the arrangement that uh proceeds. Uh especially given how our funding troubles are always present. And and we can certainly say we can re-evaluate it after year one and see how it's going and provide an update to the board. Yeah, one of the reasons why, Mr. Rhymer, we tried to build that into our RFP was that we did have grant fundings that were available in the past through
025the COVID funding that we had received that was um extremely supportive in helping to buy school supplies for staff and >> And that's gone. really appreciated that and we were not able to put that into the budget this year. Oh, I I understand that. >> will fill that immediately need. Um but especially >> every year we could revisit that. Yeah, we'll look at the budget. Okay. Thank you. Could you give um a bit more detail of how the whole thing is going to work out and how will uh staff are able to take advantage of this? So, without saying too much just so that we are able to still negotiate, uh there will be a reduced rate for staff. Okay. >> Um which is great. I do believe it will land at 50%. Um the
026pricing per month, I will wait for Right At School to be able to promote that. Um but it will definitely be affordable and within reason of what Parks and Rec has charged in the past. Um there are other type of discounts available for multi students and things of that nature. Um but I think folks will be really excited about the opportunity. Um they do not they um we do not anticipate there being a wait list for these programs. They're able to staff um and keep their ratios moving as long as there's space available. They're wanting to enroll their students. We do believe that we'll be able to that they'll be able to meet that need. And that was one of the beautiful things in it. Most a lot of places will say we'll take 30
027kids. What they say is if we get over that number, we're going to hire another staff member. So, we're going to keep the ratios low, but we'll still you know, support more students coming in. So, That's tremendous. Yeah. It is. That's that's great. >> staff members um even if the ratio meets the one, there will obviously a step in there. What did you all say again? Mr. Chairman. Yes. Um, assuming everything goes well, um, how quickly will you be able to let the community know? Because they're making decisions, right? About the the following school year, about daycare, etc. How soon do you think Our plan is that we would negotiate and, um, have a lease agreement possibly within 10 days. Um, I do believe that we will immediately start promoting, um, right at school we'll
028do the promoting and we'll immediately be contacting our principals to make sure that they're involved in any back to school you know um, end of the year events where they have everyone coming through, whether it's a table set up or flyer going home with students. Um, we can certainly highlight it in an upcoming board meeting. Um, just to get even more information. Obviously, we'll push it out through our social media as well. Any other questions? Go ahead. How long is the lease for? So, they're for 1 year. So, they're they're they're renewable? They are. Um, and we wrote it in a way that we could continue as long as our partnership was, um, mutually mutually beneficial. Correct. Thanks. We apologize for the choir. They do have questions. >> We have no control over when they
029sing and when they don't. Any other questions with regard to this? Miss Morheim, thank you and I believe you're up next as well. Yes, I think we have a renewal or, um, basically an authorization uh, for myself and Mr. Hoffman. It allows us to act, um, really it's more of reports, documents other official correspondences only if Dr. Nichols is not available. And that's really what we need a week. Um, we've had that in the past, and this is just a one-year subscription. Okay. Mr. Chair. Yep. Just finished. Um, Mr. Whitehead, I just noticed that on the document that you shared or that was posted, the uh authorization was through June 30th, 2026. Is that an error? Because Yeah, that is correct. So, it currently runs through June, and we're renewing effective July 1st. Um, it
030takes time. You have to sign this, endorse it. There's some special stamps that uh Ms. Davis has to do and then mail it in. Okay. I thought it was through 2027, but Yeah, that's when um currently you all have approved through June 30th of 2026. So, Ms. Davis will write an extended through June 30, 2027. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. Anyone else? Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Next is uh federal programs grant first read. Mr. Ross Miller. Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board, Dr. Nichols. Um, every year around this time I come to talk to you about our federal programs. And uh bring forward to you the grant applications that will be submitted to the state and get your approval on those. Tonight, it is just
031first read, and we'll bring them back um next month. So, if you have any questions, uh have them saved for tonight or next month, and I'll go through them. I'll also remind you what they're for. So, Title I provides financial assistance to schools based on their um their students with um special needs for based on our free or reduced lunch count. And it's And then we look at a grade span, we identify only elementary school. And so, I have some updates actually about them this year that's going to look a little different. Title is mostly used for like well, book and up. Uh title two is teacher equality and so those funds are used for licensure, professional development, things like that. So we get a set fund and that typically goes out each year. Title
032three is to support English language learners and um you'll see in a little bit we get a little bit there, not very much, but based on our our enrollment of ESL students and we currently have 70 in the division. Title four is a student grant and it's intended to assist us in bringing about new programming and a fine well-rounded education as well as enhancing technology education and student support and counseling and things like that. I agree that will probably help with that. So title one this is our largest of our title grants outside of 6B and with title one we get $350,525.13. And this the update for this year there should be a Q&A at the end. Last year we actually had two fund identified Worth Watkins and because of regulations that state basically your
033free reduced lunch percentage of schools must be lower than the district average. This year they actually changed to give us some flexibility with that and that was just an update literally mid last week. Um and allowed us to identify Watkins as a title one school again and so it allowed us to then diversify our funding between the three elementary schools. We use that to pay the salary and benefits of three staff members. We also provide funds for material supplies to be used by the school both for those teachers as well as teachers across the school as well as parent engagement events and lastly we use title one for our McKinney-Vento homeless population supports. For title two, again, this is teacher quality. This has been going up quite a bit over the last couple years. For
034many years, it was literally set right at $50,000. So, now, after a couple years of growth, we're up to $76,000. These funds are used to do professional development, my tuition assistance, mentor program for our new teachers, um provide conference attendance. We're as you probably know, through our HR department, we've been increasing our teacher residencies, which is a great recruitment tool for us. And um so, we we're using some of those funds this year to support the teacher residency program. And and then to help teachers get add-on endorsements to their license so that they can teach more things for us. As I said, title three is for ESL supports. Um as you know, we have 70 students and we get $4,000 $130 uh $4,130.47. Um we use those to provide materials for our ESL teachers and
035then also professional development for the so that they're down for conference attendances, as well as for our classroom teachers on how to help best ways they can support English learners in their classroom. We do two parent engagement events per year for um specifically for our um English learners and so, this also helps to support those two parent engagement events. And then, we also have some different assessments that we use to progress monitor English development throughout the year to make sure that they're meeting meeting benchmarks throughout the year before they get their end-of-year English assessment. And they they take a an additional assessment on top of that, as well as all that, to measure English growth. And finally, title four, as I mentioned, this is a student support grant for expanding programs. We utilize it mostly
036for um read these three things here. We get $22,520.37. And so, we use it for career planning software that we use at elementary all the way to senior year. And that uh helps our students and our counseling department helps to sort plan out their um coursework as well as plan out what career they want to pursue after high school. We also utilize it to provide enrollment into our the welding course program at RCC. Y'all Last month, y'all heard me talk about the Perkins grant, and we're utilizing that for the welding, and this year we added electrician. We the we have you also utilize Title IV to add additional slots to that welding program. And then lastly, we utilize it for materials at for our STEAM classes at all all levels. So, yeah, this is this
037is up for uh vote next month. This is just first reading. I'm happy to answer any questions you have tonight, or we can take the show. Mr. Chairman. Sure. Um in regards to George Watkins now re-qualifying as Title I. Did you Did you say that you can split those funds among the three elementary schools? >> Right. So, we don't get any more of additional funds by identifying more schools, but it does allow us to basically split the funds that we do get in three ways versus two. And so, it'll give Watkins a little bit more spending money for some material supplies to support students. Um the two the two elementary schools will give up a little bit for that. Um but um they'll still get a decent amount, and they actually still get more than
038Watkins because it's all based on your free and reduced lunch application. So, it's not an even split. We're still based on your need. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Driver. Um the the $1,000 DSO uh has any stipulations with it? All four grants have stipulations with them. All four we go through monitoring. So, given the $4,000, is it worth pursuing? So, we question we question that all and all throughout the year. Um everything that is I would say extra laborious that they come with it, we would have to do it anyway. Whether we accept the funds or not. So, there are some things that no matter what the funds of the office of the lights and urban justice we have to do we have to do. And those are those are probably the higher requirements. The
039ones that come along just with the grant are not. That totally we just get. Um also the soft line for career development like what happens with that? So, the program is called Zello. Uh Zello? Yep, spelled with a Z. Not really. I encourage you to look it up on that if you send me the information but Anyone else? Anything? This grant, um Mr. Ross, what materials does the support STEAM classes say you're thinking of using funds for? So, we utilize them for a variety of things every year and we we've utilized them for 3D printers, we've utilized them for consumable materials that in STEAM classes you do a lot of building um the things that you design and so there's a lot of consumable materials with our robotics kits and different things like that to
040support basically through a variety of different things within science, technology, and mathematics. And that was your title four supporting digital literacy. Mhm. So, specifically how is that addressed with title four here at UCAN? So, mostly within STEAM classes, also our technology integration coaches, other places call them ICTs, they work with our teachers on working with our students to teach best practices of online practices and good best uses for our digital technology. Anyone else? All right. Thank you. Mr. Miller, thank you. Mr. Hoffman, code of conduct review. First read. Mr. Chair, Vice Chair, Dr. Nichols. Um this evening I am here to talk to you about the student code of conduct review committee. Um this committee exists to ensure that our student discipline framework remains aligned with the needs of students, staff, and families in the
041community and while supporting a a state board of a positive school environment. Um our committee consisted of parents, teachers, administrators from all of our buildings, and also a student from the high school. Um we worked very uh diligently on this. Um the goal was to make sure that this book is safe, fair, consistent, uh legally compliant, student-centered, and also responsive to emerging challenges. The majority of the work that we do on this committee focuses on interventions and responses. You will see here there are five major sections for behavior violations, which are labeled A through E. A, behaviors that impede academic progress. Behaviors related to school operations. Relationship behaviors. Behaviors of a safety concern. And behaviors that endanger yourself or others. For section A, uh BAP 1, interfering with learning in the classroom, the recommendation also
042added level three to that. Just for your reference, we have five levels. Level one being the lowest level, which is really a classroom response. Level two would be a lower-level administrator response. Level three would be sort of a middle-level administrator response. Four would be the most intensive administrative response and then finally level five, our highest level, would be a school division response. So, we're basically adding a lower level um administrative response to this one. For section B, which is behaviors related to school operations, there were no recommended changes. In section C, relationship behaviors, once again, there were no recommended changes. We get to level D, behaviors of a safety concern. There were four recommended changes. VSC one, uh possessing or using alcohol, they want you add a recommendation to notify school resource officer, which is
043also the same for VSC two, distributing alcohol to other students. That would also include a a referral to the school resource officer. Two more changes under D. Oops, go back one, please. VSC six, bullying after an intervention. Um the schools recommended that we add the level five to that. And then VSC 15, causing a substantial disturbance, they wanted to recommend an addition of level four. Level five would be district level. That would include things um like an alternative school, things of that Any suspension exceeding 10 days. There's a couple different things that come with that. Section F is our most severe offenses. Um what you'll see is that have been levels one through five. We really are asking that we want to remove levels one and two from those. Um they just they would never
044be used in any of those at any of our levels. So, we're just leaving that as a good decision just to clarify what the options are when dealing with those types of situations. Yeah, most most offenses, board members, you go through the progression of one through five, but if somebody has any of those, like we're not doing a school intervention. Like you will not be, you know, in school to shoot safety concerns. So, really just the housekeeping term. I have some additional team changes and verbage in our policy in the book on the weapon on the school policy. We want to add a line that adds weapons, look-alike weapons, and toy weapons will not be returned to students or families. And you wouldn't think we'd have to put that in there, but numbers, but it's
045not in there currently and if it's not in there, you get challenged on it. So, it's just The document says there they feel like there is time being wasted in having those conversations about why things aren't returned, so we want to make it very clear that we will not be returning any of those items. Um one additional change for portable electronic communication device. We want to add a little verbage so that it's very clear for our families. The use of a Chromebook or any personal electronic device to photograph, video record, or audio record other students without their knowledge or consent is strictly prohibited. Such actions may violate the privacy and safety of others and disrupt the educational environment. This is just another way of letting the families know when they read the book that this
046is not something that is okay. We have been dealing with this obviously and punishment for them and trying to make sure that is crystal clear when one of those things happen, photographing, video recording, or audio will be a real consequence to come with it. Um that concludes all of the recommended changes um from the committee. Um this is a first read. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer. Mr. Rhymer? Um the alcohol distribution Um it seems to me that there could be a case made to have a five-level escalation on something like that, any bond, uh how organized or how persistent the distribution was. Could be. Uh we could take that back to the committee. That is not one of the recommended change that come from They came from the
047committee that one. But I understand your point on that. Okay. Mr. Skinner. Um I'm just curious. Um the conduct committee, did they have any discussions related to AI and inappropriate use of AI by students? As far as, you know, academic use, inappropriate. No, uh there was no discussion on that. My thoughts on that not coming up would be that the consequences are there for such as that. Um typically what would happen in that committee, an administrator would bring about situation where something happened and that the consequence didn't match. That was never something that was brought to us. Um and that came on a parent and a teacher and administrator level. I don't know if there are any concerns for those. Mr. Skinner. Worth us considering across the next year. Right now, if you're using AI
048to cheat, it is coded as such. Uh cheating. If you're using AI to bully or harass or some of the, you know, fake videos and things that you see online, we use really the behavior code related to it. And maybe worth as it evolves that it is there in conjunction with uh AI. I don't know if that's what you were leaning toward, Mr. Skinner, but Right. I know that sometimes they overlap, but do we have anything specific yet related to AI? >> And we haven't had anything that doesn't code as something that it naturally is. But I think as things evolve, it may be worth um considering. So, and that's kind of how these come out. With greater prevalence, I would imagine that that would probably come up. And I think um as we move
049forward, and we've had discussions at different times, we'll be um reviewing and perhaps even creating policy uh with respect to AI, which will give them uh a standard or benchmark to work off of for code of conduct as well. >> It's also a violation of our AUP, our acceptable use policy as well uh with it. So. There's a particular area that seems to be rising rapidly with this use of AI fake um nudity. Um I read an article about a school board that had to address problems with a number of young ladies being uh photographed nude. And our intent is to be proactive with AI and anything uh related to or associated with it so that we don't encounter that. So thank you, Mr. We will be That will be on future agendas and we
050will um address that specifically. Any other Mr. Teague. In regards to the certain levels of behavior, I'm just curious as to why some we stop at three or four on some and then other ones we jump right We skip five and go right to SRO. If If you could just maybe explain why >> SRO usually we put anything that goes through an SRO we stop everything that's related to legality. So some offenses in the school while maybe seeming severe would not go off the threshold of going to a an officer or court um and the recommendations like you talked about jumping from three to five, these recommendations we go based upon school level recommendations in accordance with what we think and what we see is happening. Our goal is to not ever have to be
051creative when we're giving out discipline. We want it to be sort of cut and dry. Here's the offense and here's the consequence for it. Um if there was a situation and this is how some of these changes come about, a situation comes up where there's an offense and we don't have something that we feel as if it's aligned to it in terms of being appropriate in discipline, we would then add the appropriateness. What we see right now, I think our across the board our administrators they would say this is appropriate. The administrative teams meet regularly throughout the year to review any concerns they have with the code of conduct and then when we come together, we try to sort of bring these all into one hat and fix them if we can. The state also
052I'm sorry jump off the The state also dictates um many of things that you contact law enforcement for. So, it may not be a alternative school five piece, but it's a severe thing. So, that's why you may see a Leo 4 with an in our case of SRO check box. Make sure we're in compliance with that. Okay. I forgot my good. Oh, sorry. I didn't Before I forgot my response. Yeah. Um with this particular um the use of Chromebook and personal electronic devices photograph um would should and did you consider or should we consider also the distribution of such? Um social rather than just um There are things in there and I and we absolutely could consider that. This was as I recall a clarifying an official remark to so that folks would see it.
053Um what would typically happen if someone were to distribute that? That would be dealt with potentially as bullying or something like that. That is typically how some of that is handled at the particularly the secondary level. Somebody taking a photograph or alter the photograph, and if they move it along, it would come under the DOS illegal use of our AUP and then doing something that this is a hand with that related to bullying or not appropriate behavior. That would help us when we start to form these policies on AI and and terms of support. That would help us something with regard to distribution. Um that often becomes the issue. Um um teen suicide rate for instance is through the roof because of AI and these fictitious characters that they associate the the students with. Um
054and we I would like that's one of those that we'll get into it more with the AI policy, but um I wondered if we couldn't um at least take it back and consider at this point in time with the placement of these things over social. Yeah. And what I'll do is I'll I'll look at that and I'll also show you how it's being handled in the data permission to cross. Thank you, Mr. Hoffman. >> You're welcome. Next item E is 2026-2027 student board representative update. Um we have um we had a situation which is unusual and unfortunate. Um and District 1 where the representative um relocated and it was just outside of the district. Therefore, um that conflicts to immediate resignation from that position. Uh we have received um applications for that and indications that
055um folks would like to um represent District 1. Uh what happens is we take into consideration after reviewing those. >> Excuse me. Yeah. I'm sorry. Um is this relevant to the agenda item E, which is about the student school board representation? >> Oh, I'm sorry. We had two I'm sorry. We had two We have two We have filling as District 1 representative. >> That's my mistake. We're only having one on the agenda. Yes, thank you for for bringing that to my attention. As I read it, I um That's the student I missed the student part of it. Yeah. Got off the start line with the wrong direction. So, thank you for that. Uh student school board uh representatives, um which is also very important. Um and Toby, thank you um for serving. Um we reviewed
056applications for students um school board representative. And um we will um after after um reviewing and and being able to sit and talk with these incredible students, uh we learned a lot about them and we're so impressed with everyone who had applied. Um and the unfortunate thing is that we have to decide. And we have done that and we in the action items uh will vote on those who the school board has uh reviewed and will vote on um who we believe um collectively will be the best representative to serve going forward. Thank you. Okay. I'm bowing out of this quickly. Dr. Nichols. Sections six and seven, I'm going to bow out pretty quickly, too, sir. I am saving uh comprehensive updates on on the first two topics for our June meeting and and making
057way for you guys to move forward with unfinished business. Okay. Sorry, I had to run back. No, no worries. Uh um annual plan um second reading goal one Dr. Young. Good evening, Mr. Chair, Madam Vice Chair, members and Dr. Nichols. Tonight is the second reading opportunity for questions on the annual plan title 6B um grant application and I ask if there are any questions on the annual. Mark. Any questions? I I none. Yeah. So, you need the budget. It did it. Pointed the birds. Mr. Miller, I just want you to take notes on the number of questions you received. So noted. So noted. Total 60. >> [clears throat] >> Superintendent's recommended FY27 budget update. It's my time again. So So we continue. Um I wish I had more news, more information. We do not have
058a state budget, but we do have to move forward. Um we want to get contracts to our employees. So we do need to make some decisions and approve a budget this evening. I do believe that the budget that we approved this evening may change. Um I think it will depend on the funding that we get from the state. But what we can do is best anticipate where we'll end and try to plan for that. And I feel very comfortable with issuing contracts. Is that fair? So what we presented at the last meeting was that we were going to leave our budget the same total dollars. We did request 1.2 from the county. If you recall um they did include 700,000 of that in their recommended budget. So at the last meeting we just shifted 500,000
059from county contribution to state contribution. So that left all of our expenditure lines exactly the same. So we're just saying we're shifting where we might receive that revenue. To be clear, I do not believe that we will receive $500,000 additional funding from the state. What we are planning uh and what you'll see kind of in the document that's provided to you is that we're estimating currently we're making cuts of approximately two 277,805 dollars. Ms. Morgan, may I interrupt you just for a moment? >> Mhm. I believe there may be a spider on >> got a spider on you. on your arm or sweater. I told you, sir. On back? How close is the spider? don't You're fine. I look like I was doing baseball signs over here. I'm spider-man. No, no. You can see we
060were all working on stuff. So. No. That was a total team effort. Yeah. It's It's bad enough it sounds like we're in a barn. We don't need the insects as well. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Please. Thank you. Okay. Woo. No spiders. Um So, where we were was shifting revenue. So, now we're making reductions, still hoping that we'll receive additional state funding, but not knowing specifics around what that funding might look like or what percent salary increase might be approved through the state. Okay? What we did at our last meeting was we eliminated a health and PE position. Uh we felt comfortable with doing that. We have a plan. And we shifted summer school funding to after school remediation. So, that that's a no dollar change with that. Now, in addition to that, we are proposing
061eliminating a gifted teaching position. Now, none of these are These are all new position new position requests with the caveat. So, right now the state is is is tracking to June to approve that. Uh so, there is there will be could be room to add physicians back. This is our recommendation to you of how we can forward safely. Uh as you contact fill positions that we currently have while we're in this month even month and a half waiting on work with the state. So, sorry. I didn't want to anybody >> this will be the budget that we'll adopt. Yeah. So, we will have to adopt this budget that we maybe don't feel 100% about and then what we will do probably in June or July even is come back to you to possibly amend our
062adopted budget with any of those further changes. Fair enough. >> Which makes it very difficult if you're adding back a new position in July, it's really hard to find folks at that time, but um we are trying to do the best that we can and push on in as much as we can um especially on the positions that we're trying to hold on to. Mr. Chair. Yes, Mr. Reimer. Um how confident are you that your conservative estimates will at least be met? I >> Because that would be a disaster if we We have contingencies, sir, even in positions that we're recommending we green light in the period that we'll be working on those positions. Um we would likely hold until we had we we're And so, there are new positions that you would hold on
063until Hold on officially approving and hiring. So, our next board meeting is in June. Yes. >> Um so, hopefully by that time we have a state number. Um we're pushing the envelope, but we still feel um like we have a the wiggle room in there. So, we have some disaster preparedness scenarios. >> And so, are your um average attendance numbers conservative. Um not as conservative as I would like. However, more so than what they have been in recent years. So, I am trying to work our way back to being a little more conservative. What Mr. Reiner is talking about is our average daily membership um and how we budget those and we really pushed on that in past years. So, we we are trying to um remain. I thought it was a little bit better,
064but our numbers are coming in a little bit lower. So, um but I do still feel okay about that. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. Anyone else? >> Mr. Chair. Um Mr. Pelham, you mentioned currently eliminating gifted teacher position and a PE teacher position. Any other positions? Yes, Mr. Chair. Um so, I'll read through the list just so everyone can kind of hear. We have a reading specialist at the middle school position that we are eliminating. Now, this would be the first position that the team prioritized to come back with with additional state funding out of all of these cuts. Last meeting, Mr. Davis was here and presented to you our health care increase. It was more favorable than what we originally had planned and I did tell you at that meeting that I would not touch
065that, but I lied and I am and I'm going to reduce um $41,173. I feel good about that. It'll be fine. Um we are reducing our residence fees. So, we did have five teacher residents in the budget. We are reducing that to two. We only believe that we may have two actually identified. So, if something did happen and maybe a third came along, we do believe that we could fit that back into a budget plan um but we feel good in reducing those two dollar amounts. Um there's two things actually that we want to add into the budget. That is the Beta Club sponsor that was discussed at the last meeting. The team did go back and review that stipend. We are increasing that to grade two. That's our recommendation. Um that's $1,905 total. And
066then we do want to go ahead and move every position that we had budgeted as adjusted 2% increase. We're shifting that to 3%. So that we do have 3% and that additional cost is $71,314. Really that's for um administration, principals, APs, clerical support, maintenance, mechanics, technicians, mechanic helpers. All of those pay scales that were in the recommended budget document will change. And the way that they will change is that they will now um go up instead of 1 and 1/2% they will be Well, they will move up 1 and 1/2% instead of just a half a percent to get us to 3%. Um so probably at the next meeting when we adopt the budget, I'll make sure that we have a a complete document that has those new scales in it. Um but that's typically
067how we would make that adjustment for cost of living. Does that part make sense? It does. I have an additional question. So I'm really concerned that I know it's priority that reading specialist, but that should be a priority. Um and you're still keeping the request for an additional assistant principal at the high school, correct? I know I know you've been asking this for several years. You've We've kind of put that off. Um I'm just uh based on what I witnessed in my conversations when I was at the middle school, um, having that support system for students who are still not proficient readers has to be a priority. Um, seventh grade, eighth grade, and they're moving on to high school. If they're still behind in their reading, um, they're going to struggle. They're going to struggle
068in all their other courses. Um, this has to be a priority. So, where do we get the money? So, where do we get the money? Right. Where do we get the money? Uh, well, and we're cautiously optimistic that to be able to put that first position back in or any other savings that we're able to find or any additional money that we can get from local or state government. But, I don't disagree with that sentiment at all, Ms. Gardner. Uh, How many reading specialists do we have currently? At the middle school? >> No. Total seven. One at the middle school and six at elementary. Two at each elementary. school has one and there's one at the middle. Two at each elementary. And technically you have a second at the um middle school on the special
069ed side of things that does uh a specific special ed uh All right. reading program. It's Well, yeah. It's too bad. And I will say every vacancy that comes up the team is really um sitting and trying to prioritize even, you know, are we rehiring what we have? Can we do something different? Can we buy some more time? Seeing what we get from the state. Um, of course, Ms. Anderson, we have to prioritize our hires and which positions are harder to fill at what point in the year is it easier to get some of these positions. There's lots of um that's in this process and really just trying to get the most you can. Now with the information that we have. Ms. Gardner, just an idea, throwing this out for us to consider, we can
070go ahead and post and try to get a pool together and that way if this budget comes in at the same time we're not starting from square one. But we post and get a pool in June, we can have that in anticipation and call it an anticipated opening which will help us. >> Yeah, what would the dollar amount be for that position? For the The reading specialist 85,817. That's with salary and benefits. Not including Yeah. Keep that. Thank you. Another concern um student residency. We've we've yielded we benefited from that. Um and to Yeah, we've had great success in hiring students and residents or resident teachers. Uh what we're getting from our college partners is some years there are a a lot of them and some years there are not as many. Uh we also
071have a neighbor in local Cal State that has seen our success and they're closer to this institution. I will not name them. Um but they they are starting their own residency so we've lost a couple to them just cuz proximity to the college. Uh but I agree with you. I we wanted five budgeted uh and we're we're at two. When we don't budget them we get lots. You're right. Maybe we should just try and be patient. Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty good for planning. Yeah. Well, and um to compete. Um we have a national shortage of teachers and I hate to touch anything that prohibits us from taking the forward positions and that and the residency is one of those things that And if we do get additional we will 100% make that happen. Um we
072did we did this year and this will This is just a way to try to be more conservative but what we really can try to squeeze in with the budget with these numbers. Yeah, and I I so appreciate the um, you know, this this just isn't fun. There's not a fun part of it. Right. Uh, you know, and I so appreciate your We did want to just um, say what we do have in here. Still new positions and then we are moving forward. Um, there's two additional elementary school teachers, two teachers in in residence, a speech language pathologist assistant, a school psychologist, an ESL teacher, a PK coordinator for BPI, a high school assistant principal, a special education teacher for our middle school, a paraprofessional in special education for our middle school, and sports stipends
073to include a golf assistant, gymnastics assistant, and sports assistant. These still, you know, very much needed and we um, greatly work up to getting that in. She needs to The school psychologist. Does that require for uh, Is that mandated in any way? VDOE? Yeah. So, when you are we have a number of students that need tested for a variety of reasons. So, yeah, so when we look at our our current case load of students who require additional testing, um, it is necessary. So, right now we have two. Um, as you Here's the point where our budget and in county wise, we are growing and the infrastructure related to the growth is not keeping up. So, as we got a couple hundred more kids, we need to just Yeah. Well, I understand it. I I'm I'm
074just That's kind of Yes, sir. Yes, sir. In places that I work I really I probably should have been in place, you know, 2 years ago related to we keep trying to hold on and I think it's impacting us. I will just add even though it's not listed here cuz this is really more a general operating budget, but on our school nutrition side, we're also adjusting the salaries 3%. Their total bottom line will not change. They should shift that signature lines and then for any grant funded positions as well. Um those would shift, same thing. Um the total bottom line will not change. So So, who are we actually So, state budget Do we know how much we're getting from federal at this point? We do. We have it. They will change. We use um
075prior year awards in those cases until we get the new award. In some cases, we might anticipate an increase. Um we typically feel confident so we're not concerned about losing any of those funds right now. We have been previously, but we feel good about this particular with this with this grant though. We have a working number from the county. I have no reason to believe that will change. Uh so it include the list shouldn't change for us. Less than I would be opposed to them giving us more money. If anyone wants to attend the county advocate for it. And we'll get contracts out. Um our goal is as as soon as possible. We'll we'll get to work on that immediately. Any other questions? Thank you. Ms. Morgan, thank you. This time we've come to number
07610, citizens comment. Um prior to we have one uh citizen for comment, Ms. Tiffany Lewis. >> [clears throat] >> Before we begin, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight to speak. Please note that comments are limited to 3 minutes. Once the timer sounds, please promptly finish your comment and return to your seat. It is customary for the school board not to make comment during the citizen comment period. Please make sure your contact information is provided on the sign-up sheet, if you would. And if you would like someone to contact you, we will follow up with you. Thank you very much. Good evening, Chair of our Executive Nichols and members of the board. My name is Tiffany Lewis, and I'm addressing you this evening as a concerned and disappointed parent. As a parent of
077black children in this district, my concern is clear, is undeniable, and has been the experience of many black students and families that New Kent County Public Schools has a climate and culture of problematic racism. For brevity, I want to approach this in three parts: past, present, and future. I'm sure that many of you are well-versed in the historic Green versus New Kent County Supreme Court case of 1968, in which the entire country watched as the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided that New Kent School Board and boards across the country should integrate schools immediately. And as New Kent County went, so did the country and the rest of the world. So, if we know that New Kent County holds this historic significance, and in fact still serves as a home to many of the children listed
078in the Green case, many of whom are grandparents of students in your schools today, then how can we today in 2026 not swiftly secure a healthy learning environment for all students? Presently, there are a myriad of incident reports being processed daily in your schools regarding racist verbal and physical altercations towards black students. In New Kent County Public Schools, black students are being called the N-word, they're being called monkey and other racial epithets from some of their white peers and classmates. When black students follow protocol and are brave enough to report these incidents, they are met with a lack of accountability or even questioned about their alleged participation. Black parents are given {quote} {unquote} investigation promises and responses like, "We can't help what kids children hear at home." This is inexcusable. So, I propose the following
079suggestions. Number one, provide an opportunity for parents of different racial and ethnicity backgrounds to get input in the selection processes of the upcoming New Kent Middle School principal position and future principalships. Update number two, update the student code of conduct with student behavior codes or S bar codes that align more closely with the BDOE's behavior codes related to bullying and hate speech. Specifically, codes RB7, RB8, and RB9. New Kent Public Schools code of conduct includes vague and avoided notations for these codes, not including words like hate speech, which can model the accuracy of the racial incidents being reported. Number three, provide an annual school climate and culture survey to provide students and community and staff an opportunity to provide feedback. Number four, invest in culturally responsive training for all teachers and staff aside from the
080required standard six training by the BDOE. And number five, invest in restorative practices for all staff and students in alignment with House Bill 298 and current legislative priorities. I'm happy to discuss opportunities for collaboration because I, like many other black parents, want to believe that the county that we decided to call home, to pay our taxes, to educate our children, and for some black families have centuries-long heritage, is better than what we are experiencing. I want to thank Mr. Sammy Fudge, New Kent Middle School principal, and Mr. Shawn Hodge, New Kent Middle School school counselor, for their leadership. I want to thank you, Dr. Nichols, for your integrity and being responsive thus far. There are teachers who do amazing jobs for our students every day, and we're thankful to them, but I feel that the
081overall is a little better. She's right. And on that note, my actual last statement is that 3 minutes is not long enough to change a system, but it's just enough time to challenge it. I'll be following up with a formal email. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Morrison. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Chairman, I just want to say this before I forget. Yes, please proceed. Yes. You're going to send those in Okay, cuz you were doing a great job of moving through it. Yeah, I'm sure you are. I just want those and I know we're going to be so thank you. I got three and half of four and the end of five. So we thank you for sending those. Thank you. All right. Number 11, action items. So we need to consider for approval of
082before-and-after school program. I move that we consider reapprove the school after child care program. Do I have a second? Second. Ms. Davis. Mr. Reiner. Aye. Ms. Vigna. Aye. Mr. Brosky. Aye. And Mr. Wolfe. Aye. Okay. Motion passes. Next is consider approval of fiscal agents. I move that we approve the delegation to the fiscal agents. Fiscal agents, sorry. Yes. The second. Ms. Davis. Mr. Reiner. Aye. Ms. Vigna. Aye. Mr. Brosky. Aye. And Mr. Wolfe. Aye. The next is consideration of appointment of student school board representatives. Mr. Chairman, I have a question. Yes. Um do we have a How do we identify the candidate? We have um reviewed the We sent out the information and we were able to review those. Yes. Um I have a recommendation on this That's basically what I was what I How
083are we going to proceed on this? Policy allows up to two. And my recommendation is that we um this time have two student school board representatives. Um so Can you please name them? Yes. Cuz they're staring at us right here. Right here. Well, I move that we first appoint one. Yes. We did last year. But we um we ran into um a very good thing as it turns out. Um Marley uh Monroe and Haven Locks. We in interviewing them and spending time with them, Miss Cunya and I, um they both have uh weak not weaknesses, but strengths that we believe working in tandem together will really um help in terms of um bringing information to the student body. This year also, we would like to um Toby kind of set the pace and it was
084the pioneer. And um I would like to as chair um have us increase the amount of involvement in terms of their involvement in um the processes that we use as a local government. And becoming familiar more familiar with the process. And that's all very well, but what's the motion. The motion is that we bring on I've already raised a motion. Yeah, Haven and Monroe and Marley as school board representatives. I want to amend the motion to appoint one initially. Okay. Then we'll vote on that amendment. >> You'll need a second. Do we have a second? Can I have a That's a good question. >> Mr. Homer, are you saying that we appoint one for now or we appoint them separately at the same time? >> Well, I'm saying we appoint one for now, but somebody
085else could have raised a motion to appoint some a second one. >> Second one. Do Okay. >> we ought to do at least one. I'm not I don't think it should be in the same motion. Is this because there's a It was It just stated "Consider appointment of schools student school board representatives." There's No, there's Yeah, there was no S there. I I think the I think the we will vote two separate Yeah, motions. Your motion is that we um add one school board representative. Is that correct? >> Yes, we both Okay, do we have a second? I second. Okay. Mr. Homer I Um Ms. Cunya One moment. Shouldn't we name that person? That word Well, I assume I didn't >> Is there two? There's two cases of this. Okay. We need to decide if
086we're going to have one or two first. We'll clarify that. Then we'll move to the next motion. So, shouldn't the motion be amended the wording changed to I make a motion that we appoint two student representatives. No, I'm specifically making a Not now, we'll get there. We'll get there. Hang on. >> I apologize. That's okay. Okay, we've had a second. That's all right. We've had a second. It's time to call for the vote. Man, I'm just clarifying. Pardon. This vote is to only have one. That's correct. >> Okay, just making sure. I just want everybody to be level set on this. Okay. Yes. Actually, the motion is to appoint one. Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes. Nothing else. Okay. And we have a second. But does that mean that we're voting to only I just want
087to clarify that we're only appointing one. But after we appoint one, then somebody can make the motion to appoint a second. Is that That's correct. Thank you. And Mr. Bot. No. So, technically that passes 3-1. Okay. Do I have a motion to approve of two school board members, student school school board members? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Mr. Kavis. Mr. Rimmer. No. Did uh Ms. Granja? Yes. I. Mr. Brasky. I. And Mr. Bot. I. Motion passes 3-1 for two school board members. Yes. Student representatives, I apologize. Okay. So, we've cleared that up. Okay? You were right. That's the second motion. Uh the third motion. >> Yes, there will be a third motion for this change for the individuals. Okay, do I have a motion to appoint Haven and Marley as school
088board student school board representatives. So moved. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Reimer? No. Ms. Kenya? Yes. Mr. Ostrowski? I. And Mr. Boyd? I. Motion passes 3-1. Congratulations. >> Yes, ladies, congratulations. Thank you. You can pick your table. >> [laughter] >> And if we can make that any more confusing, we will. Um The next is consider approval of annual plan Title 6B. Title 6B. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Do I hear a second? Second. Ms. Davis? Mr. Reimer? I. >> Ms. Kenya? I. Mr. Ostrowski? I. And Mr. Boyd? I. Next is a consideration of approval of superintendent superintendent's recommended budget. Do I hear a motion? So moved. Second. Ms. Davis? And I just noticed my mistake is on the board, but the you did the correct motion. We're not adopting, we're approving.
089We're approving, not not technically adopting. Mr. Reimer? I. Ms. Kenya? I. Mr. Ostrowski? I. And Mr. Boyd? I. All right, thank you guys for the good work on the budget. Okay, consider appointment of District 1 vacant school board seat. I make a motion that we appoint Ms. Jessica Stewart as the representative in District 1. So moved. Is that what I was supposed to say? Okay. And second? Yes, it was. Mr. Reimer? I. Ms. Cunya? I. And Mr. Brosky? I. And Mr. Vaughn? I. Congratulations. Congratulations, Ms. Stewart. We're now at comments. School board members and superintendent comments. We'll start with Mr. Reimer. Would you start us off, sir? As we wrap up the school year, um I think it's evident that despite some of its failures, this is a good school. Um it's an improving school
090under the leadership of our superintendent, and we have a student body that's full of achievement. We celebrated some of that achievement today. We celebrated the fall of these students. It's remarkable to see the young people here in the school uh learn and and um do great things and achieve great things. Uh for a school this small, Well, in athletics, we do well in academics. And it's a tribute to the community um and as well as the students and the leadership of our school and then the staff and teachers here. Um we're growing very rapidly. And I'm worried about how that growth is going to impact the school in the coming years. First, let me talk about things that we uh to have enough money to operate and have money um And it may get harder
091as we go along because the county doesn't have a good revenue base to support what's happening in terms of infrastructure. And uh um it's going to be a tight couple of years. Uh despite all that, you know, our kids are doing very well. I'm worried that we're coming close to a point where what we're going to have to cut to impact their levels of achievement and their ability to do things. And I just want to make clear that we're trying to do as much as we can but um we're bankrupt. Primary source of revenue comes from the state, county, a little bit from the federal government mostly from the state and county. The county is where we're Well, both places are not going to be able to fund all of our aspirations. We need to
092um I'm doing my best to be transparent this way. Um, working with advisors as much as I can, but I think in the coming years we're going to see tax increases coming. And I hope you as parents will advocate for the spending that we're wanting to pursue to help our kids achieve this. And I hope you have faith in us to do it well. Um, thank you. Let's turn it I agree with a lot of what Dr. Mr. Wymer said. Um, I want to thank the staff, Ms. Morheim, everyone who's been working on this budget. It is These are difficult decisions that we have to make. Um, I think we could I could say speak for the board, our primary objective is student achievement, student outcomes. Um, but as Mr. Wymer said, we're being stretched
093thin, right? And so we have to make priorities and they're hard they're hard choices to make. Uh, but I have confidence in the division uh, and their leadership. Um, I know that they they put academic achievement, student achievement, student outcomes first as well. And so uh, I'm confident that um, we'll be able to do the best we can for our children. Um, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate uh, seniors who are graduating in a couple of weeks. I will not be at the graduation ceremony this year. I'm going to be in Alaska with my husband. We're going to visit uh, our daughter and son who are in the Air Force and we haven't seen them for 4 years. They they were in Japan, now they're state they're state side and we're going to
094meet our second grand baby. So we're really excited about that. So I just want to say that, you know, I'll be thinking of everyone and uh congratulations to the students. You're going on to the next chapter of your lives. How exciting. And parents, thank you for all you do to support your children. It makes all the difference in the world. So, thank you. Thank you, Ms. Mr. Ambroski. I want to congratulate Marley and Haven. We're very excited to have you. And Toby, thank you so very much for being the pioneer in this endeavor. You've been phenomenal. And really appreciate all your efforts and and all that you've done. Also looking forward to working with Ms. Stewart. Very excited to have you on board. Ms. Lewis, thank you for coming out and speaking. We cannot address
095problems that we are not familiar with. And it's so important that we always speak out about these issues. I've been contacted by other parents who are concerned about the bullying issues. And I feel we need to do a better job in really addressing what's going on. And we again can't do that unless we have people who are willing to come out and speak out. So, thank you. It's hard to believe that it's almost the end of the school year. It goes by super fast every year. And this time next month, school will be out for the summer. Um so, for those watching who may not be aware of the incredible phenomenal efforts that have to go on every day behind the scenes to make any school division run seamlessly and almost apparently like effortlessly the
096way that New Kent does. Um so to all the administrators, the teachers, staff members, custodians, bus drivers, maintenance, everyone who makes New Kent schools run, thank you for your efforts. I think a lot of it goes without the gratitude that that you deserve. So thank you very much. Um and I wanted to add just one more accolade to our student athlete of the month, Maria Leonard. She was also the student who the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized as a good citizen for New Kent High School this year. So again, thank you. Best of Hope everyone has a smooth and good rest of their year. And best of luck to all the students who will be taking their last SOLs and tests and um >> [laughter] >> you will do great. Best of luck. Thank
097you, Mr. Ambrowski. Um Miss Lewis, thank you for coming and speaking. Um I look forward to getting the rest of the recommendations or suggestions. Uh Miss Stewart, welcome. We're we're uh excited and looking forward to working with you. Um there has been a concern with um and and an issue that that um has been talked about and that we've heard about with respect to the um childcare transportation issue. And um I appreciate everyone who's commented on that as well. And um those who have urged the Board of Supervisors as well as the school board to figure that out. Um I would like to add a third party into that group to help figure this thing out. In other locations, uh private daycares uh provide transportation as part of um an amenity or or reason to
098go to their daycare in fact. And it doesn't fall on the budget of um the rest of the the the area. Uh so I urge those who are concerned and um about transportation to perhaps talk to the day day private daycare centers that you are sending your children to and asking them if they wouldn't consider uh working from that angle or aspect. I know that the comment that we always get, there's not a lot of money in that. Quite frankly, there's not a lot of money in anything. Uh I'm a believer it's not in what you make, it's how you spend it uh when you prepare your personal budget. So I would hope that um they would consider approaching the daycare centers uh and asking them what can you do in terms of transportation? Because
099in most areas, the private daycare centers provide the transport to and from even before and after. And I would like to see us even uh broaden our scope of horizon into that model. Um but I also, as I always do, I am uh so grateful for um Dr. Nichols, our administrative staff, and teachers, and all of those. Um we all ran and were elected to this board um under the understanding that we would try to achieve excellence in education. That's a broad swath, I understand, but I believe in the period of time that we have, we should be able to do that, and that's the goal. All aspects um involved in that, but we have a great team. New Kent has a great team. And uh we can we can get even better, and we
100will, and we have, and I look forward to that. Thank you, Dr. Nichols. Oh, that was a deferral. That's That's it. A deferral. That's a deferral to you, sir. >> That's uh appreciated. Um want to thank Toby for going first and uh having blazing uh the trail. Uh I also want to say welcome to Mr. I've been sitting at the table for a little while, and I'm I'm excited to have some company. So, um So, thank you for taking that on. You've always been an active one part of team New Kent for a long time, but as as a as a mother and as PTO and the work you do uh with the drive, it's just I'm just really excited. So, it's it is service, and I just thank you for stepping up um to
101do that. This is a time of year where people are really excited, and I've got to tell you it's one of my least favorite times of the year. Um I love the ceremony, like I'm doing signing days and all these kind of things, but I live and breathe our community and our families and our staff. And in 25 days, they kind of go away for a little bit. So, I had a taste of that in my own home. My two grown children were gone for a week. It was incredibly quiet, and I didn't know what to do. That's sort of what happens in the summer with me, but as I reflect on the closing of the year, I'm proud of the successes we have, but we have work to do. Like there's big, strong the
102strong foundational work uh that we have to do and just uh know that we're committed to it. Um and we're ready to move forward with it. So, excited about the new programs. I want to thank the team I work with. They are small but mighty and I don't thank them often. Um but to put together this budget that's going to move the Kent schools forward. Um we are once again 129 out of 131 in per pupil spending. That's all the money we get and we are number eight in the entire state in outcomes for kids. So, it's hard to find somebody that does it better. Um but we still have work to do. So, I thank the board that I have the opportunity to line up for year eight and I'll finish some of that
103work that I need to finish this year. So, thank you. Thank you, sir. And I apologize for the nature scene that we experienced throughout the entire meeting and competed with uh with the bird choir. Um Mr. Davis just told us important Mr. Davis? Yes, um I just want to say one final thank you to the school board for giving me the opportunity to um I just want to let my fellow board members know that I'm going to miss them. Congratulations to my fellow board members. Uh you guys are doing great. Are you going to do anything? Thank you, sir. Thank you. All right. No further discussion? Meeting is adjourned.