001[applause] >> These are the coaches of the speech team. Coach Lawson who has done a great job with them throughout the year. Coach Lawson, can you please introduce our coaches extraordinaire so that everyone in the audience and who are listening online can hear and see our fantastic coaches who lead students. And our assistant coach, coach Vasquez. >> [applause] >> And our head coach, coach Smith. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Thank you, and good luck to you all next week. Our next team that I would like to bring up is the wrestling team. Uh These members qualified and competed in the state qualifiers. Uh they competed in the state tournament and they finished in the region, Isaiah Hill finished first place. >> [applause] >> Enrico Mays finished second. He was second team all region. >> [applause]
002>> Nazir Goode finished second place in the region. >> [cheering] >> And for girls, Mynasia Wilson finished second place in the district and second place in the regionals and was a state qualifier. >> [applause] >> And then the future of Petersburg, we have a second grader from Cool Springs Elementary, Aiden Brown. For the Petersburg Youth Wrestling team versus Hopewell Chesterfield League, he was a champion. He was a regional champion and the kids the V A W A state runner-up for 8U. >> [applause] >> And like I said, the future of Petersburg. All right. >> [applause] >> And the coaches, Keionte Owens. I can't I can't see. And the rest and other coaches, please come forward. >> [applause] >> I couldn't see. And Tyran Taylor, assistant coach. >> [laughter] [cheering] >> Coach Coach Lawson, I just
003like to point out to the audience that what Isaiah Hill did was only done twice before in the history of Petersburg public school, a freshman win the region. So, I just want to give him another round of applause. >> [applause and cheering] [applause] >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Coach Lawson, we got some athletes in Petersburg. Do you hear me? Wow. Yes, ma'am. We we've always had them. >> Always. ALWAYS BEEN. WOO. >> [applause] [laughter] >> AND NOW WE'RE GOING to uh recognize our girls basketball players. >> [applause] >> Laila Graves, first team all region. Denaya Mason, second team all region. >> [applause] >> And Aleah Turner, second place all region. And it's it's very bright for our girls team. Uh this year's girls team did not have one senior on the team and they went to the
004regional semi-finals this year. So, I'm going to put some pressure on y'all next year. I can't see in the back. Is coach Harrison here? Okay. >> [laughter] [applause] >> Congratulations. And now, as you all know, uh our team won the states. 52 years. >> [applause] >> I I'm going to go a little backwards from what I usually do. I want to first recognize coach Tatro White senior. As we know, he was regional coach of the year and class three coach of the year this year. You know, he he promised you all something when he came. And he lived up to his promise. Um coach Coach White knows how I feel about him. Uh with the as we've said, 52 years. And what's crazy, I felt all those losses where we were there. You know, I
005I was my father, he dealt with it in '78. I dealt with it as a kid in '78. Then I was a manager in '85 and '89. Then I was a coach in 2010. I was the AD in 2012 and 2022. Those were the years that we lost in the states. Now, we were there many years. So, when I tell you, you know, sometimes you can't see all my emotions on my face, but Saturday was one of those that got me because I've been here. You know, I wasn't born or went to school in Petersburg, but I've been here all my life. So, when it comes to Petersburg basketball, coach knows. And um I first gave him his first job. He was my assistant coach. And even when he mature when he went away, I
006was still following him. You know, I I always say it when I introduce coach White. I taught coach White how to tie his first tie when he played here. You know, so when I say we've been together for a long time, we have. You know, I'm just grateful that coach White came and like I said, lived up to his promise in the first year. So, now we I'm putting pressure on him now cuz cuz before I leave Petersburg, I got to get me a couple more rings. >> [applause] >> I'd like to bring up the basketball team to please come forward in the middle. >> [applause] >> Yeah, just in the middle of right Yeah, right where coach for right now. Right where coach for right now. And I'd like to recognize uh a couple
007of the guys. Um Oh, coach Blackwell. I'm sorry. Co- Coach Blackwell is the quiet one uh in front of everybody, but we know coach Blackwell can get loud. But, uh, coach Blackwell means a lot to, uh, coach White, who's He's been with coach White the whole time. And he came with coach White. You know, so he a lot. Uh, first team and player of the year for the region and the state, Latrell Almond and McDonald's All-American, >> [applause] >> Ladarius Given, first team all-region, first team all-state, Kelvin Anderson, second team all-region, King Beacot, second team all-region. >> [applause] >> This group was, as y'all know, tremendous for our city. You know, people came out that you hadn't seen in years just to come and support. So, I'd like to say thank you to the team
008for your dedication to Petersburg and Petersburg basketball. Thank you. Thank you, coach Lawson. Can we introduce each of our players on the team as well? Just so that everybody can put a name with the faces that they've seen throughout the season, through our through our wonderful season here. Can you please introduce every player so that every So, all of them can get their shine. I'm going to give coach White the opportunity to introduce everybody. >> [laughter] [snorts] >> Cuz I know I'm going to mess somebody's name up. First, we have Kelvin Dorsett Anderson. >> [applause] >> Wade Hampton Dorsett. Cameron Isaiah Clayborn. Arkeal Roderick Crenshaw. Keenan Arday Mason. Nylan Antonio Robinson. >> [applause] >> Leroy Walker Jr. Cordell Lamont Oliver. >> [laughter] >> King Arday Beacot. >> [laughter] >> Samir White. Auburn Bridgeforth. And last
009but not least, the big fella, my main man, Woo! Woo! Big fella, big fella, big fella. Big fella. Ladarius Tashaun Javeal. Michael Blackwell. A lot of people see me in the front, but, um, a lot of people have a right-hand man. I have a right-hand and left-hand man cuz this is He is the coach and he is the guy. He's the brains of this thing. I get a lot of credit for, but he's the guy behind the scene who's selfless, who really makes this thing work. And in order to have a really successful team, you have to be have people who are willing to to commit. His best ability is his availability. He's always there. He's always counting it on. So, I'm so grateful for these group of individuals who make sacrifices and the coaches
010that we have. I told you all when I first got the job it is our turn now. But, the truth of the matter is it's our turn now, it's our turn later, and it's our turn forever. >> [applause] >> You got to get in there. Yeah. Yeah. Let's get her in here. Come on. >> [laughter] >> That's right. Yeah. All right. Tough. He's number 10. That was strange. That was strange. Yeah, what what's going on this weekend? Who are they playing? So, before we move on, I know everyone is walking out. I just wanted to take a moment and give a shout-out to coach Lawson. If y'all would stand with me and give coach Lawson a round of applause because a lot of people don't see what goes into athletics, but all of the nights,
011the late nights, and the sacrifices that he makes taking away time from his kids and his family, we just want to say thank you so much and we really do appreciate you. PCPS is better because of you. Athletics is better because of you. So, thank you so much. WOO! >> [cheering] >> ALL RIGHT. OKAY, NEXT WE MOVE TO 2B, MS. BROWN. Thank you, board chair, Petersburg School Board members. And so, as we continue with our recognitions, we have some more to celebrate in Petersburg City Public Schools. I'd like to bring up Ms. Wanda Stewart, who is the leader and I think she is the CEO. Is that correct? President and CEO of Communities in Schools, who is a major partner and part of Petersburg City Public Schools. We could not do this work without the
012support of Communities in Schools and so she will come forward and talk about our schools that have received a community schools designation by the Virginia Department of Education. So, thank you, Ms. Stewart. Take it away. Thank you. Um good evening, um chair, vice chair, board members, superintendent, um PCPS family, CIS family, and community. On behalf of our board and CIS staff, I bring you greetings. Um we had a great opportunity um from a fall phone call from our state office back on November 19th, um and the question was, "Are your schools community school designated?" And I said, "I don't believe so." And he asked us to jump on a call, so I jumped on the call with um Darian Wyatt, who has been part of She's a program director with CIS. Um and Darian and
013Natasha, please join me. Um Darian Wyatt is our program director and Natasha Johnson is our director of program operations. And um after receiving that phone call, we had numerous um meetings in which Darian was part of. Um and then on December 4th, they asked us um if we would like to send in a letter of intent. We sent in the letter of intent and it had to be separate for each school. We couldn't send in one for the division, which I tried to do. They said, "No." Um we had to separate each school. And the due date was December 12th for the application, the full application. And so, um I immediately contacted the superintendent's office and asked um is this something that she would approve, do we want to move forward? And she said, "Yes."
014And so, I dug in. Um and we wrote the application for each school within Petersburg City Public Schools. Um and Alexandra Jabna with the Department of Ed Virginia Department of Education assisted me with making sure that we had all that we needed for each application. And so, I truly thank her. And on January the 23rd, I received a letter that every school in Petersburg City Public Schools was chosen as a community school to receive community school designation. Um Thank you. And in order to receive this, we had to be we had to prove that we had grants, a designated coordinator who would coordinate community engagement and um partnerships. We had to do a needs assessment, have wrap-around services and supports. We had to have a reflection tool, um a um strategic plan, and be part
015of shared leadership. And CIS site coordinators being in every school in Petersburg City Public Schools set this in place because they're designated person within the school that could um bring in community partnerships and work with community resources. Um we do a needs assessment each year. Um we deliver wrap-around supports um and they are part of the school improvement teams and the school leadership teams and they have a CIS team in which they work with at each school. And so, we felt that all we had to do we were doing all of these things. And from the administrative standpoint, I was writing grants to bring in grant funding for um Petersburg City Public Schools. So, we met all the requirements, so it was just easy and we had to just articulate it in order to um
016receive designation. So, what does this mean? This means that as a community designated school, that we are now able to qualify for community school designated funding and state level initiatives. And so, of course, the reporting begins because there is always a DOE report that you have to do at the end of year. Um but we will also um make sure that we are part of applying for the grants and the state level initiatives that um we are afforded now that we're community school designated. So, I want to thank you, um Superintendent Brown, PCPS staff, because without you all, our principals, we could not do what we do. And so, we just thank you for the support. We thank the board for the support. Um and on to New Horizons. Thank you. Mhm. That's it. Any
017questions? No. Okay. Just want to say thank you for all that you do. I know you I text you at night, late at night, early in the morning to let you know families that are in need and you will respond back and say we'll take care of it. Thank you for all that you do for Petersburg City Public Schools. >> [applause] >> Since C, we move to C. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board Member. We'll now move to our our final recognition this evening and of course, we this is our attendance or our chronic absenteeism traveling trophy. Just as a reminder for everyone listening and everyone in the audience, as a part of our 20 25-26 school year board goals, our one of our top goals is to reduce chronic absenteeism by 3%
018by the end of this school year. And so, as a part of our overall plan, our team is working to make sure that we are able to recognize by following the data very closely as it relates to attendance, the work of our attendance task force and everything that's been put in place so that we could focus on reducing the number of students and the percentage of students who are chronically absent from school. And so, with that, I'm going to turn it over to our assistant superintendent of student services, Dr. Tory Manson, to talk a little bit about the data this month and to recognize the month for the month March. For the month of March, the new chronic the new school that will get the chronic absenteeism trophy. Dr. Manson. Uh good evening, Chairman Pritchard,
019Vice Chairman Tucker, fellow members of the school board, Madam Superintendent, and all all those assembled. Uh the award tonight is for the month of February for the reduction in chronic absenteeism for the month of February. We do want to give a shout-out to Pitman Academy, which is a program, for their continued hard work in reducing chronic absenteeism. And we also want to give a shout-out to Vernon Johns Middle School. Um they made it very close for their hard work each um month. Vernon Johns is right there on the cusp of making it to being the um to being the um winner for the chronic absenteeism. But for this month, with a 10% uh drop in their chronic absenteeism, Petersburg High School once again is the trophy winner. So, I ask Ms. Fields to come up
020and get your trophy yet again for Petersburg High School. They showed a 10% reduction in their chronic absenteeism from last year to this year. So, congratulations, Ms. Fields and the team of Petersburg High School. Ms. Fields, it seems like you're lifting several trophies in back-to-back. >> [laughter] >> I just with athletics. That's exactly That's exactly right. Congratulations to Petersburg High School and thank you to our attendance task force, our teachers, our staff, and everyone at Petersburg High School for your continued focus on helping to ensure that kids are coming to school every single day. Thank you. Congratulations. Okay, board members, next we move to three, the approval of the consent agenda. Ms. Brown, 3A, B, and C. And board members, hopefully you had an opportunity to look at the personnel agenda. There wasn't anything on
021there that needed to go back into closed session. Okay, thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board Members for 3A. It is a superintendent's recommendation the school board approve the final personnel agenda dated 3/8 2026 as provided. For 3B, the approval of the minutes. It is a superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the minutes of the 12/17/2025 and you can see them on the screen, regular board meeting, the meeting for 1/14/2026 organizational meeting, the meeting for 1/14/2026 regular meeting, the special and regular meetings for 2/4/2026, 2/18/2026 special and regular meetings, and 3/4/2026 special board meeting as provided. And for 3C, board members, donations received by Petersburg City Public Schools. And it is a superintendent's recommendation the school board approve the donation received the note donations received from March 1st to March 15th, 2026 as
022provided. And you can take a look at the screen as reported prepared by our finance department. So, we want to thank everyone, all of our donors who continue to provide donations to Petersburg City Public Schools. And you'll see some of those donations that we've received between March 1st, 2026 and March 15th, 2026. So, with that, it is again the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve 3A, the final personnel agenda dated 318 2026 as provided, 3B, the approval of all the minutes listed on 3B, and the donations that have been received um between March 1st and March 15th, 2026 as provided. Thank you, Ms. Ms. Brown. Any questions? Is there a motion to accept the recommendations? So moved. Mr. Pierce. Who's second? Second. Mr. Dance. All in favor? Aye. Oppose? Motion carries. Thank you. Next,
023we move to Superintendent and staff reports, number four, Ms. Brown. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett and school board members. We'll start this afternoon with a presentation update for the board, which is our Title I annual program comprehensive needs assessment for the 2026-2027 school year. And that'll be given by Dr. Tia Palmer, who is our interim director of federal programs. And so, we are excited because if you all remember last year, board members, we um there was um we brought a needs assessment to you all, I think in the late spring of last year. And of course, there was not enough time at that time to have everything collected. And so, we revamped our process this year based on that experience. And so, we're really excited to have a update for the Title I annual comprehensive
024needs assessment summary that you'll hear tonight. And so, thank you to Dr. Tia Palmer, and Thank you uh to Dr. Decarter Jackson. Thank you. Dr. Palmer. Good evening, Chair Pritchett, members of the board, Superintendent Brown, and members of the audience. Today, we are reviewing the targeted findings and action steps identified during the comprehensive needs assessment on February 25th and 26th. We will also look at how these findings seamlessly align with our overarching strategic plan for Petersburg Forward 2031 for 2026 through 2031. Here's a quick look at our agenda for today. We will start by grounding ourselves in our mission, accomp- acknowledging the incredible team that made this assessment possible, and then diving into our specific findings, including our newly defined goals for teacher retention and compensation. Everything we uncovered in the CNA and every goal
025we set is designed to ensure our students graduate with a life filled with choices. These four areas allowed us to identify current realities and make and map out our strategic goal for the coming years. The assessment required a deeply comprehensive and collaborative effort, bringing together top division leadership, school board representation, and our building principals. We also rely heavily on the grassroots perspectives of our teachers, specialized coordinators, data analysis, video e-support, parents, and community partners to ensure our findings were grounded in reality. To ensure all students are succeeding academically, we have set a firm target for our English learner populations by aiming for a 4% increase. We are actively pushing our schools toward the mastery performance indicator for L progress. Priority two of our strategic plan demands that we support our educators. We cannot expect provisional
026teachers to navigate the licensure project process alone. The Pathway to Licensure program will be our centralized solution to this gap. Furthermore, to fully support our instructional staff and meet growing student needs, we must actively increase the number of language instructional educational program or LEAP teachers. This is a It's critical to meet the new increased standards of quality of the SOQ requirements. The state has shifted away from the previous flat ratio of 44 to 1 to a targeted tier system based on English learners' profess- proficiency levels. We must align our hiring and licensure pipeline to meet the new ratios. To stop the revolving door of new educators, we must invest heavily in our staff. By combining salary adjustments with a 3-year commitment pact and robust mentorship, we aim to transition our novice teachers into seasoned professionals
027and raise our retention rate to 85%. A strong academic environment requires safety and support. Equipping 90% of our teachers with de-escalation training will directly support our strategic goal of cultivating a safe work and learning environment. By leveraging parent surveys and other engagement strategies, we guarantee that our families have a true voice in our district's direction. Getting this input is the only way to ensure our funds are actually paying for services that benefit our students and increase their success. Moving forward, we have drastically increased stakeholder participation, so our future assessments are highly representative of our community. This directly aligns with priority five of our strategic plan, which is entirely focused on strengthening family voices and partnerships. As we approach the July 1 launch of the comprehensive strategic plan, our immediate focus will be on building the
028organizational frameworks necessary to support our educators, adjusting compensations, and improving our school climates. Furthermore, the data and goals we have discussed today are highly actionable right now. They will serve as the foundation for our upcoming Title grants, ensuring that our funding requests are perfectly aligned with our division's most pressing documented needs. And Dr. Palmer did a wonderful job um putting all this together. She started way back like um Superintendent Brown said, way in advance. I just want to echo some of the hard work that went into this. It may seem like it was easy, but some of you all who was there participated know there was a lot of work that went into this, a lot of data. When we say two days, it was two days of hard work looking at data, really to
029find out what is a root cause analysis, what is a root cause analysis, and what can we do to resolve that, and what can we put forward in measurable action what items. And as you know, it has also be tied to our strategic plan. So, that was not an easy task. notice all those names that was up there, we had higher level division leadership there participating. Um I was actually at Mr. Miles' table, and he challenged me, and I challenged him back. And it was a wonderful learning experience. So, we grounded everything based in data. And it kind of was an eye-opener. We pulled folks in who was kind of experts in that area, and it was a great great experience. I want to kind of highlight some of the things that Dr. Palmer just
030um kind of announced. So, we can just kind of go back just reiterate some of those tasks that we um set forth and some of those goals that tied. I just want to kind of highlight those, and then we'll ask um see if there's any questions from the audience. So, Dr. Palmer um noted the first priority, this one right, was student achievement, wellness, and support. So, we can go back a few slides just so we can make sure. Yes, one more, right here. So, right here, you notice with this goal, by 2025, as she mentioned already, the L progress um we set a goal to increase by 4% in each school from the previous year. That goal is important because that ties directly to our new accountability system. And we noticed as we looked at
031the data, and we looked at each school, and we said, "Where are they not progressing? Where can we gain more points?" Our group or that group that had that data said, "Hey, we can increase if we look at this L population right here." Not just in one school, but in all schools. So, that wasn't easy to come up with that goal. We set that target and said, "Over the next four um over the next year, we want to increase by 4%." That was very very important. That was a great goal. And again, aligns with our priority one. It says the end of this year. I'm saying that asking. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett. I just have a quick clarification, Dr. Jackson. It says by June 2026, and I know we worked on this work. So,
032is that's the end of this school year? Are we Okay, so that's set for So, we Right, because we looked at the progression, so we Principals already been working on this. Let let's go ahead and put out there. Principals already know. When I would met with principals way back, they knew this was something they needed to work on individually. But as a division, when we're doing a division-wide needs assessment, it's no longer about the individual school, it's all of our schools. So, we want to emphasize that. Yes, PHS may had an individual goal, but we looked at every single school and said, "That's great, PHS, but how can we also do that at all of our schools?" So, that's our goal for 4% this year and the next year so we can make sure we
033close that gap. I do want to emphasize that. So we didn't wait a year out. No. >> We continued to focus even though we knew we had been working on moving all of our subgroup populations but we already knew we were working on that so we integrated into our plan Absolutely. for this year. So in the next year we'll also build off of that but we wanted to make sure that we kept the goal in front of us that we want to see that increase of 4% in each school based on that that student population. Perfect. Thank you. Yeah. Okay, next slide just again to re-emphasize some of the things Dr. Palmer already shared and um a lot that came out you're hearing everyone talking about at different tables was about um how we retain
034our great teachers and how do we do that? And if you heard I know Dr. Long-Lane there's already things she's already doing in her pipe. Again, we're going to make this division wide schools are kind of seeing this so they kind of aligned and looked at the data. They looked at a lot of different data that was provided from both human resources and different survey data to come up with this goal. Thank you Dr. Jackson. I just want to highlight for the board that as a part of each one of the priorities that we aligned to our strategic plan were the root causes and the findings and that's the big piece is that this needs assessment right there when it says findings that's what we found when we dug into the data for Petersburg and
035so that's what set the direction of where we're going. So for here for number two, we are currently at 68% teacher licensure. And so I just want to make sure attention to the root cause analysis of what we found when we did the deeper dive into the data. And that should be for each of the priorities which allowed us to be able to say okay now that we know that now where do we want to go from here? Now that we know that that's what the data is telling us and I can attest cuz I was a part of this process that there was so much data that everyone throughout the school division that would participated could dig into every single detail of data over the last what 3 years? Is that correct? Yes. And
036so this is what we found with our teacher licensure. So is that 68% is saying what? So is 68% of our teacher licensure is that saying that's 68% of our teachers are currently licensed Dr. Lane and team? It and the the And actually the total from based on what VDOE deems as highly qualified is actually 52. Right. But um you know that with different metrics that they use so it's 52 but we want to kind of get that 277 but some the 68 would include those teachers who also have provisional license and things of that nature. As well as the regular license. Right. So a fully a full license and a a um a license that is provisional is considered to be licensed in the state of Virginia. >> Yes, it is. That is correct.
037So currently we have 52% of our teachers, right? Are currently either licensed or provisionally licensed? Is that correct from my data? Yeah. Okay, just wanted to highlight that. Okay. All right, again another goal that was also kind of supporting um to increase teacher retention meaning those teachers would stay and we want them to stay right here in Petersburg. That was another goal. So they want to align again that's aligned to priority two as well as I want to say was it priority um priority four but this was objective um two. I think it was objective four. Right. So it was objective four underneath priority two. For teacher retention and focus on increasing um the retention rate. So some of our goals are currently this year 2026 and then we also have a goal by 2029.
038So we're saying by 2029 we will increase the teacher retention rate from 50% to 85% and is that in alignment with our strategic plan? Because our strategic plan goes to 2031. So that means that we're going to have to take another look because if it's only to 2029, what about 2030? What about 2031? Because that is the 5 years for the plan for us to get to. So are we saying we're going to get to 100% by 2031? So just wanted to understand as you all broke that down how did you say that we're going to get to 85% by 2029? Um So over that 3 years um we didn't set all all the way to five cuz we need to probably reassess you think about it. So when you first set a goal and
039if you try to set it out for 5 years that's so long you need to be able to come back and reassess say what have we where are we now with the first and second year to be able to gauge those long year um plans where we might need to either increase or decrease it for that reason that 15 points is five incremental point five um over the next 3 years. All right. So this one is priority two also and it's focused on talent acquisition and um and development. And this focus on um staff and best practices and cultivating a welcoming safe learning environment. And this one it says by 2029 we're going to increase the staff capacity and relationship building um and engagement strategies as well as de-escalation and um and that means for
040all staff by 90% of the of staff and leaders. We looked at a survey and um we noticed that a um the survey that went out so I we did see that there wasn't as many respondents. We were aware that that particular survey that we had didn't have a long enough time that it was shared. So we know there things that of course now we're doing differently but that particular data point stood out because we said hey only a certain number of our families responded to this. What was so then we dug into it a little deeper well how long was the survey out? What are other ways that we can make sure besides just sending out electronically that all families receive this information? So those were some things that went into making sure that
041we really do have um that information surveys and make sure everyone's kind of um participating. This this one. Okay, so the next one priority five is family engagement. So by 2029 um the percentage of stakeholders that complete the district comprehensive needs assessment will increase by 80%. Um I'm sorry I think I mixed up I was talking about surveys I was looking at this one. Our last needs assessment survey we noticed there was not as many participants and you can't if you only have a small percentage of feedback then we can't really say that's how a community feels. So we know anytime we do a a needs assessment we need to make sure that we're reaching everyone. We're really pushing the envelope leaving it out a little longer to make sure we have at least 80%
042um feedback. The team was a little apprehensive well we only had this amount last year is 80 too high? So there was a lot of conversation looking at the data to say well what can we say that really represents? They went from can we say 60? Can we say 75? Then the 80 is we have 80% feedback then we know that truly represents the majority of the community and we want to make sure we hear all voices to say well what can we do differently? If I can't reach this family through this way what else can I do? Can I knock the door? Can I send something home in a backpack? Can I attend a neighborhood community event? We really want to make sure that we're really pushing the envelope to make sure every family
043voice is heard. So that's why we set that number. I know it seems a little high but it's what we need to make sure all voices are heard. So Dr. Jackson I know that that number is much higher than what statistics say It is. makes a survey reliable, right? And so I know that that number I don't know what that number is but I know that that's that's definitely well higher than what um what research and statistics say when you have a survey there's a certain amount of people that you should get and that makes it you know a a valid survey that you can use the data from. Okay. Thank you for aiming high. Yes. W- that was that group. So the next steps are very important. So um we we're not just stopping
044here as you noticed um as you already said why not 3031? It says here that we structured it for just for 3 years so we can go back and reassess. Um to put the goals all the way out to five we wouldn't have time to go back and reassess so that's why you noticed it said to 2029 but it is Petersburg forward to um 2031. So I just want to re-emphasize that and then um we're going to make sure that we have those established baselines so we can make sure we measure um be able to measure those relationships and things have that has improved. And then we're going to really use this data as we write our grants. That's what's most important as we write grants we find out how we can best move Petersburg
045forward. This data will serve in that purpose. So if we don't have this baseline data to be able to say that we won't know what direction how we can really truly push. So that was one major thing that was discovered. Is there anything else you want to add doc? Okay, this time are there any questions? Any questions from board members? Mr. Miles. First [clears throat] of all, thank you. That was um very good. I did have an opportunity to participate both days and it was very enlightening. And um uh my my thing is about um how we need you know things that we need to bring together. One of them is family engagement. CIS and PTA. I think that would be very beneficial to the to the whole if if we can come out somehow
046work those three together to build that PT because we need need that relationship between um family engagement and CIS which is very strong and then work it in there with the PTA. Um Um that was one of the things I think where we could use we could be way more effective in reaching people and reaching families and reaching parents and students because um that's the goal of all three to bring those three together and have some type of um um not just communication but I tell them some type of relationship when it comes to PTA. Um The other thing is um we had a I saw a lot of good feedback through this activity I mean through this training. I I received a lot of good training. One thing I know about policies they're only
047as good as the programs we create. So I saw a lot of good policies or things things that we were coming up with. Now we need to come up with programs to support those policies. And I think we on the in the right going in the right direction. Um I was really impressed when it when it came to you enlightened me about accreditation and what each school was different. It wasn't the same for all schools. And they I think everybody on the board need to be aware or at least educated on the challenge of each school. Because I was not aware that it was like that. You know, so but uh and um a lot of things we could do. You brought up about the um English learners. We we we we lose points for
048accreditation and money for not having the right number of English learners teachers. I was not aware that. Uh same thing when you talk when uh you brought up about the elementary school teachers not being licensed. We we losing funds and we got to focus on on that. Um and I say this over and over again to my board members, constituents. We have to educate ourselves because if we going to lead this thing we need to know exactly what they need in order to give them what they need. And you know, somebody telling you is not enough. You need to learn for yourself. And so thank you for allowing me to come in there Brown and yourself coming there for two days and receive some training. >> [laughter] >> I appreciate it. Thank all of y'all
049for participating. Mr. Brown too but he enlightened me a couple on a couple of things. Conversations that we had because the conversations that take place in those workshops are not the same conversations that take place on in this board room. You know, in the board meeting. So those you got to build those relationships also. So thank you lot for what uh for for that. And hopefully I know we moving in the right direction. It's going to take a while to get there. It's not going to happen overnight. >> Right. Thank you for your participation. >> But the question was those three community engagement, CIS and PTA. So you know about trying to bring together build those relationships. Yes. Yeah. Thank you Mr. Miles. Any other questions from board members? Ms. Tucker. >> [snorts] >> So
050I do have one question. Um Well, it's not really a question. To Mr. Miles' point PTA has come up several times and excuse my voice. I'm still trying to get it back from the game on Saturday. Um PTA has come up several times in our PAC meeting and our parents are really concerned when it comes to PTA. There's been a lot of pushbacks in in the schools from the principals with forming PTAs. We have been discussing PTAs before the school year started and we still only have three up and running right now because of the pushback. So I guess my question is how do we make PTA a non-negotiable when it comes to the schools because we have parents that are actively waiting to get in the buildings and to start fundraising and to get
051these things that we need for the buildings. So I guess how do we make it um a non-negotiable and how do we eliminate the pushback? Thank you um board member Tucker, vice chair Tucker. Um that is a conversation we're currently having with principals now. Um I would I think part of us as a division we have to bring parents back into the school. And so we are working with our leaders to kind of break away from those barriers and having our parents be a part of the conversations. Today we have started like a mid-year conversation with principals and that's one of the questions I'm asking. What's the status of your PTA requirement and what supports you need? So I will say to you that you will see have a different result. I would love to
052hear which schools that are pushing back because in my conversation with them we are trying to build up and so we can have that conversation and I will guarantee you by the end of this school year we will have PTAs in all of our schools or they will be preparing to be members of PTA. Perfect. Yeah. Thank you so much. I knew you was coming. I knew you was coming. Cuz we having that conversation. Yes, ma'am. >> Absolutely cuz our parents are waiting and as much as you know, we understand the risk that it that comes with having our parents but I think we have to give them we have to allow an opportunity for them to come in. So it is great to hear that it's something that we are actively working on in
053the division and we'll have an outside conversation. Yes, ma'am. And I will say to you to our parents who are out there in order for us to change the trajectory of what our students' academic performance look like, we have to have a partnership with our parents. And so those conversations for those parents who may not be a part of PTA, we still want them to connect with the school and make sure they are part of the school community. So that's those conversations we are currently having. Thank you so much. Thank you vice chair Tucker for your question. I also just want to remind everyone that in our five-year proof strategic plan as a part of priority number five, that is a focus area for family engagement. So when you said non-negotiable the five-year strategic plan
054is the law of the land and so it's already embedded in our five-year strategic plan and so that is the expectation that has been set by you all voting to approve it that we will have PTAs in all of our schools and so that pushback as Mr. Brown said he will address that but I just want you all to know that the expectation has already been laid and that's what we're focusing on our five-year strategic plan with those PTAs and family engagement priority number five. Thank you. Thank you. When when and my throat is gone too. When Mr. Brown first came Mr. Brown first came in he separated um uh uh leadership and our leadership was able to to bring one another back together because our parents weren't coming together with one another. Remember that
055Mr. Brown? You moved those um leaders in one area and then you moved another in another area and we began to try to make some leeway with one another. But it never holds itself. The clay always breaks. And we need to make sure that we can bring that. The potter has to get back together. And that's the only way things will work. But we need more of that. Our our parents have to work with each other. We have to learn how to walk around in our areas and share what it is that we know and share what it is that we may not know and share what it is that we can do better. But we have to do what we can with our parents so that we can get them to allow their kids
056to be as active as they should be doing. So that's that's one of our targets that we need to look at. Thank you Mr. Lundy. Dr. Gay. Yes, good afternoon board chair, superintendent and our esteemed board members. Um I just wanted to add this. This is an addition to Mr. Brown's um you know, declaration of us creating more of a cohesiveness um around family engagement um communities in schools and other supports. There's a term that says you're designed to get the results that you get. Meaning that if you are designed to um if you have uh high chronic absenteeism, somewhere you're designed to get that. If you are increasing in attendance and decreasing chronic absenteeism you're designed to get that result. We are creating a design of family engagement and I just want to honor
057Dr. Lee and her team um uh family and community engagement. We've created a design um with your board approval of increasing parent liaison support. They are the mediators between home and school where we can dig deeper into that connection with families. I just want to acknowledge also that we went from zero to three PTAs in one year. Uh so just want to celebrate the small wins that the small wins predict the bigger wins. So we are moving forward to uh board member Miles' point, it's going to you know, we're moving fast. It's going to take a minute but we're going to continue to increase. I just want to provide an example our partnership with uh Virginia State University uh working with one of our schools and the conversation that came from that is before we
058start creating programs we need to address uh uh, some things that have happened in the past. So, there's some healing work that is happening in our schools before we create PTAs. Um, well, not before. I'll say that we're doing it in tandem. So, if there is some resistance, we want to get down to the root cause of why there is resistance. So, I would love, as Mr. Brown mentioned, to know more about where that resistance is so that we can provide, um, more targeted support around that. But, I just wanted to, uh, just share that we are on our way um, building PTAs, um, in our schools. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Gay. Any other comments from board members? Oh, you have one. Ms. Tucker. So, just one more question. I'm sorry. So, I do
059know that, um, to Dr. Gay's point with the parent liaison positions, we have the two parent liaison positions. Are we looking to put other either more parent liaisons in other buildings or more family engagement? Because we do know that that is a small team. Um, are we looking to increase that number to put one in each building so they're not stretched so thin and we can get we can actually get more results and greater results, um, with more bodies. What does that look like? Absolutely. Um, that has been the goal from the beginning. Um, it's to have a parent liaison for every school. Currently, we do not have a parent liaison assigned to every school. Um, I think there's one parent liaison for two to three schools right now and they're doing a great job,
060um, with building their capacity and working with families and our, uh, administration in schools. But, um, you know, we are working, um, is contingent upon our budget. Um, and we're going to be looking at grants, um, outside grants, uh, to support the process as well. That has been the conversation. So, um, it's still in the thought process. Um, I know our superintendent, um, is a advocate for parent liaisons and so we'll continue to work towards that. Thank you so much. Dr. Gay, thank you. I think I'm just expounding on the fact that I think we're looking at grant funding now. Is that correct as we look at transitioning our them to to to to be able to leverage some of the grant funding that's already at the school level. Am I correct? Because we were
061trying to get to a point where one can support a school and so we're looking at our, I think it's Mr. Brown, I think it's Dr. Gay's our titled our title dollars, I think, we're looking at related to parent liaisons and we're looking to work with our principals to have them write that type of, um, role into, um, some of the grant funding, um, as we try to build each year. And so as we get grant funding, as Dr. Gay talked about, I think that's some of the intention we talked about in our planning. Is that correct, Mr. Brown and Dr. Gay? Um, yes, ma'am. So, principals right now are looking at, as a part of the Title I assessment, they're also looking at the Title I dollars that we get. And we do have
062to do a better job of informing our principals of the role of family engagement because for so long it was housed downtown when it should have been attached to the school. And so, we need to calibrate around what those roles are and how they support schools and principals and how they are part of those conversations. So, we're kind of reorganizing the way our parent liaisons are. Principals are looking at if we need to increase where they're not as, you know, with our Title I dollars, if we need to increase those positions, those conversations are happening. I would say two things have to happen in our division. One is that principals have to see the value of them and how they are supporting those that school community. And so that's a part of us recalibrating. Two
063is looking at if there's a need for increasing the amount. If it's half time going to one, those are the conversations we're having with principals right now. And as Dr. Palmer develops the Title I funding document, those are the things that we're trying to realign our, um, our money to to make sure they're attached to the school. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Miles. You know, um, when it comes to, um, interacting with the public, interacting with the parents, we have a lot of people that's working in our school system that's support staff that's that that's not teachers. We got, um, um, counselors and and and a lot of different people. Um, I know for a fact when we when when I first started out on the school board before I before 2025, um, I
064spent a lot of time at Blandford Academy. A lot of time at Blandford Academy, three days a week. And on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. And, um, and I challenged the school board that each one of us, since there's only seven schools, seven school board members, each one of us, um, adopt a school to support what you're trying to do, um, at that school. And, um, and that's why I chose Blandford Academy because in my ward we don't have a school. And, um, and that's since that split from the middle school. But, this 2025 I had a lot of issues where I couldn't attend because I had four surgeries. But, starting today, I'm going I'm going to start that back up because we need the participation from everybody. You got to be willing to inconvenience yourself. If
065you want to do something to make a change, you got to be willing to inconvenience yourself to get it done. We got a lot of people working in the school system that could be at a PTA meeting. And, um, um, or plan a PTA meeting because we know the nature of Petersburg, they're not going to come unless the kids participate. So, if you got a activity going on that day, whether it's the first grade, second grade, third grade, of that elementary school at the PTA meeting and you have it organized, if it don't take but 20 minutes, those parents from that grade level going to show up. And you know you might not get the rest of them, but you're going to get a lot of them. So, if the more activities you have that
066involve kids and the more people, a minister not not just um, staff, but I'm talking about school board members and everybody else, if we we show a presence and interact and get communities and schools and family engagements involved in that, plus the different people that parents need to talk to at the PTA meetings, you're going you're you're going to get better participation. But, you got to have a goal what you want to accomplish when when once the parents get together, uh, how to organize them so they can make the decisions, not you, uh, how they want that PTA run and how they want to support that school because that's what the PTA is for. It's not for you to dictate to them. For them to see what you need and provide that need. And so
067it's very important that we do it right. And, um, so getting the PTAs is one thing, making it effective, that's a totally different thing. And so we want to do more than just bring them to the meeting. We want to make sure they we we we organize them and have goals that the PTA want to meet to support that school. And, um, so, um, but we need the commitment from everyone. And hiring more people not going to solve the problem. We need the people that we have to get involved. That's all. Thank you, thank you, Mr. Miles. Thank you, Dr. Jackson, and thank you, Dr. Palmer. Who else? You again? The only thing I wanted to share is that when we think about the PTA and all of the other things that we bring about,
068we have to remember that we have all types of people. And we have to learn how to negotiate with them. And to share with them how we can make this process really take place. Because some some people are open people. Some people are quiet people. Some people just want to be able to check it out until they feel like they become a part of it. And this is how you bring people together. You cannot bring people together if you stand in a room like this and everybody spreads his or herself. That's not how you do it. We have to bring it together so that our adults can get it and so that our children can pick it up even at a later time or an earlier time. We need to concentrate on that. Anyone else?
069You good? Thank you, Mr. Brown, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Palmer. Appreciate it. Next, we'll move on to DB. >> Thank you. Who else? Thank you, board chairperson and school board members. Our second presentation of this afternoon is our Claude Moore grant, um, through our CTE CTE program. And so we have Dr. Thomas Mi- our director of CTE programs. Thanks. Thank you, Dr. I got it right this time, right? Thank you. Uh, thank you, superintendent, school board, and board chair. Um, so going to discuss our Claude Moore grant proposal. Um, going to go over the background of Claude Moore, uh, our budget proposal, and take any questions that you might have. Uh, so, the, um, the Claude Moore Scholars program, one component of it is to provide local school systems with grant funds to establish healthcare education
070programs for high students. So, Petersburg has applied for Claude Moore grants since 2019. And we received three different grant awards during that time time span. So, I want to kind of pause and emphasize um that area right now. Um this is not a given. Like some grants are kind of cyclical and they're almost going to be like a given. These are competitive grants and so it's not guaranteed. So, I just want to put that out there so everyone knows that this is not necessarily a guaranteed grant, but we have had some success in the past uh obtaining three different grant awards. Um so, this definitely goes towards our board goal number two, subsection two, to increase each year the percentage of students participating in workforce readiness and dual enrollment programs. And I'm going to show
071a little video of our nursing program. Nursing aid program, it helps you become a certified [music] nursing assistant. I know a lot of people who went to trade school to become a CNA or did it after they got out of high school. We could When we get out of high school, we could go We could do our LPN class next year >> [music] >> and then when we get out and go to the college, we could go straight into being a RN, which means we would only need about [music] 3 4 years of college. A lot of people would to become a doctor or RN, they'd be at college for like 8 years. Seeing that a lot of people [music] don't have good nurses, I want to be that good nurse for them. I feel
072like this is a very good opportunity for us. >> [music] >> So, that's a thank you to Chelsea and Frank for putting those videos together. They did a couple of those throughout the year. Uh definitely been huge help. Um so, in developing our grant proposal for Claude Moore this year, um so in times past and that from different situations, a lot of times they'll look at adding different programs or adding different classes um for the grants. Uh so, made a strategic decision not to add programs and as to not water down what we currently have. Um so, Ms. Gary's done an excellent job in the last few years getting both the practical nursing and nurse aid programs on two um Board of Nursing approval. Um that's thing something throughout the years one was, one wasn't.
073Practical nursing would have the Board of Nursing approval, nurse aid wouldn't and it would kind of flip-flop back and forth. Um so, as opposed to stretching ourselves too thin and having those Board of Nursing approvals go away, we want to strengthen what we currently have with our existing programs. Um and we'll get a little bit more into the meat of that in just a second. Um so, our project addresses quality outcomes for students, which results in more students entering the health care workforce that are prepared to serve our community. Uh so, currently we have students going through the nurse aid classes, receiving the credit, but while that's good and there's benefits to that, uh we want to be moving away from students just taking the class without We want them to exit with their clinical
074hours in in hand and also passing the NCLEX to get uh their state license as a nurse aid. So, that's the main goal of instead of just students just going through the class, we want students coming out with their license to go into the workforce. Um so, objective number one is to increase number of students that are completing the nurse aid course, that meet the criteria for state licensure and pass the NCLEX. Um and that's something I'll kind of highlight uh that we have to take very seriously uh as far as the NCLEX pass rate. Um to stay within the Board of Nursing approval, we have to have a 80% or higher pass rate on the NCLEX. Um objective number two is better to better prepare students that are going into phase one of the
075practical nursing program. That goes hand in hand with objective one. If we are strengthening the students that are coming out of the nurse aid program and they want to go into practical nursing, that's going to um go hand in hand with objective one. Then objective three is to expand mental health assistant careers program and offer certifications through that course. Something we've actually already started making some uh headway on that. Um Ms. Tiffany Jones is our mental health assistant careers teacher. She's already um got stuff set up to where we can test for the certifications throughout that course. We'll be completing the paperwork for having mental health assistant careers two um in the coming months. Um so, the strategy is to achieve those goals, um we would look at providing weekly after school NCLEX prep and
076a monthly Saturday session. Um provide follow-up courses. Sorry, next slide. Provide follow-up courses for underclassmen if students are not ready for the NCLEX. So, if they're a junior in the nurse aid class, we're going to have them again next year and they're not ready to to take the NCLEX during their junior year, they'll come back to us in another course where they'll receive remediation for the NCLEX. Uh we'd also look at moving up the start of clinicals and offer more clinical times than just the required 40 hours. Um as most of us know, students retain um better with a combination of hands-on learning that comes with those clinicals. We'll also provide training for instructors to obtain required certifications for mental health so students can obtain industry certifications in that field. So, as far as the
077dollars for the uh budget proposal, so personnel is about $76,560. Currently, there is a teacher match that is tied with Claude Moore. Um so, that's a little bit over half of that, it's about 42,000. Um part-time staff to help out with the remediation for the NCLEX. Purchase services um is about $83,820. With the um items for it would be for ATI, CPR, that's kind of followed in with the e-learning, clinical scheduling software and transportation with increased clinical time. Instructional supplies is at 17,000. These are items like uh linens, glucometers, stethoscopes, um bringing the total up to $177,380. Um any questions on the items covered, whether it be the budget, focus areas as far as objectives or the strategies? Thank you, Dr. Any questions from board members? Mr. Dance. Good evening. Good evening. >> uh NCLEX?
078What does that mean? Uh NCLEX, that's the There's various NCLEX tests um within the nursing health care world. So, the nurse aid students to be able to get their state licensure, have to pass the NCLEX nurse aid examination. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Yeah. Mr. Miles. Um what are your plans to ex- uh to expand on um the um in in you know, to have more opportunities in different subject areas and because I just visited I'm planning on visiting more schools that um have outstanding um CTE programs. I last yesterday I visited Louisa. It was amazing. I was out there, it was absolutely amazing. Um next week I'm visiting um Winchester. Yeah. And because um Virginia School Board Association said they're one of the best. Um and um and so I want to see
079what they had. Um do you have planned for us in the future for our kids? For our programs? Uh so, for currently kind of on the on the docket, so in coming months we we'll be receiving um course proposals for not only mental health assistant careers part two, but also for hospitality and tourism um because of the surrounding area as far as items that we want to prepare our students for. Um but also um this is probably a couple years down the road, but we'll look at look at more skilled trades programs for our young men. Um so, a little closer to my heart is electrical side of things. Um but we look at options that are in need in the local area, but also uh programs where young people can come out of high
080school and get their foot right in the door, um whether it's skilled trades, electrical, manufacturing, and so forth. But as of right now, things are on the docket are >> I was more concerned about working while you're in high school. Like you get a work permit at 14. When I was in high school, they would call me to the counselor's office. And they would say, "Hey, do you want a job this summer? Do you Are you planning on working this summer?" Stuff like that. They'd help you get a work permit. They'd help you get all the information, I mean, all the things that you need in order to work, go into the workforce. The school system even hired some of the kids to um for in the in the system, you know, for the part-time
081jobs during the summer and some of them worked during the school year part-time. So, the thing is is that we don't have any of those programs now. And I was out there at Louisa and and about a a a fifth of their workforce were students. And they saved a lot of money using these students. They didn't have to pay no benefits. They didn't have to do a whole lot of things that they didn't have to do. And these kids are gaining valuable experiences doing things in the system. And the thing is is that um that's why I told um the board I'm going to Winchester and and take a look at that also because I want to see what other people are doing. And and uh the thing is is I I know for a
082fact that when these kids graduate from high school, we we haven't been hiring them in the system. So, I know we have jobs that we need not just in the not just in the city, but in the schools also. So, the thing is is that everybody's not going to go to college right away. Some people might take trade schools, different things like that. But at the same time, they need to work to get money to make it. So, what do you You have any plans like that in future? Yeah, so I guess uh kind of spoil the surprise for upcoming board meetings where I give a different CTE update, but I'll kind of expand upon that right now if that's okay. Um so, our automotive students are um automotive two students are interning every Friday
083at CMA Automotive right off exit 58 at the Honda dealership, Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru dealership. Um so, they go there every Friday from 9:30 to 1:30. Our early childhood students, both early childhood one and early childhood two, go to West View for the clinicals. Um I'll get back on track on other experiences, but so cool thing about those two programs, the auto two and the early childhood two students, um those that complete the paperwork for it are getting paid. Um they're getting paid not by us, not coming out of you know, Petersburg school district funds, but uh connected with Tabitha Taylor and Kerling Patrick at the Crater Regional Workforce Development Board. Uh they had us some additional um funding that they could utilize to help support our programs. Um so, they had to complete, you
084know, certain paperwork for it, but those students essentially are getting paid each day for coming to class and going to their internships. Um so, it's about $100 per week for those students, but it's mainly for coming to school, participating in their workplace experiences. So, that's those students. We're going to look to expand that. Had another meeting today with the organization that is looking to possibly fund expansion of that. Um but as far as other workplace experiences, so the nursing students specifically, they have clinical hours. Our culinary students, so was able to connect with Ms. Martin, our school nutrition manager. And so, we have about 12 students in our culinary two program. And so, it worked out well in numbers-wise. Monday through Thursday, a group of different three students will come down to the school nutrition
085school cafeteria and help out and support our individuals there. Um just now kind of starting to crack this egg, but getting with Daryl for any Mr. Godette, rather, any type of basic handyman type of construction builds, whether it's the chairs, they actually did that recently for the auditorium. But using the carpentry students, whenever we know that the maintenance department has items that they need to thus build. So, we can utilize our individuals to help support our school district and schools. Probably a couple others that I left out, but stay tuned. So. Yeah. So, we've started that. Is that correct? We started using those students to help support Mr. Godette in maintenance. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Um I know when I was in school, we my first job was at Fort Lee through Petersburg
086High public schools. They they they had about like um about 50 of us. And we were in the mess halls. We did lawn service. We did a whole lot of things down at Fort Lee. They had a partnership with Fort Lee. So, the kid you know you know, so soon as the school year was over, matter of fact, it went over into the doing school, too, because they still needed us. But at the same time, those partnerships are very very important for those little part-time jobs where those kids get their work permit. They can go out there and make money because let me tell you, it's a difference when they have money in their pocket. Yeah. It's a different kid. So, if you create opportunities for them to work, and if it's like you say,
087it is only $100 a week, that $100 a week make a a big difference in a person's life. You know, so the thing is that those type opportunities and they build up a resume that they have some because the main thing they got to do in order to be successful in life is what we're focusing on, their attendance. If you're not where you're supposed to be on time, doing what you're supposed to do, ready to go, you're not going to have a job. And that's very important. They need to learn that. That's the first thing to order to have a job, we have to be there. And if you're not there, you're there just sometimes, it's not going to happen. But we need these opportunities for them so they'll understand more so than just sports
088because our kids lean towards the coaches. We need to lean towards, you know, these opportunities also. So, the more opportunities you can create for them to work, it's going to make a difference. Yeah, showing up is half the battle. Had that conversation with the students, "Hey, if you're not here these days, it's coming off the paycheck." So. I had gotten people off the corners by by finding them a jobs, drug dealers. I said, "Hey, man, wouldn't you rather have a job?" He said, "Yeah, but where I'm going to work?" And put put him with a roofer. Next thing you know, you're making money. You don't want to Half of them don't even want to be out there on the corner. They just don't have anything else to do. And if they had something they could
089do that made them feel good, that they can look back and look at, "Hey, I put that roof on right there." That's a change lives. So, we got to create these opportunities for them and um so, the more we can do. Thank you. Mr. Lundy. I want to ask one thing. Um As as for instance, the culinary, um do we time our kids? Do we does our chef do they do um do they prepare things faster? Do they know what they're doing? Do they get their um everything prepared so it can be in place. And say if we had something taking place in here that someone would be able to make sure food is out immediately. Not when you want to get ready and chef want to come when he gets ready. That's not how
090it works. Because I'm going to sit here and I'm going to be hungry. And so, I'm wondering, are we paying attention to these things? These small things are what comes in the end of things. And then when you start seeing it happen that way, you begin to say, "Oh, we we messed up." And that's what happened in here. We had a luncheon. And when we had a luncheon, I mean, we didn't have anything that was prepared. Not one thing for Black History. We didn't have any preparation. And that's because somebody's working in this area that he or she doesn't know how to put this thing together called CTE. As far as the timing for the culinary students, that's part of their competencies. It's also going to goes back to the um importance of getting them
091out into work-related experiences. So, timing in the classroom and the in the culinary lab is one thing, but then also like coming down with Ms. Martin and the other um individuals to work with with them. That's a different timing type of situations. It's a real-life situation scenario um as far as here with school nutrition, school cafeteria, or also same thing out in the restaurant. So, that's where we need to work on expanding more of our programs to get students out of the classroom and the lab and into real-world experiences, whether it's culinary or carpentry or so forth. But I'm saying, those individuals that stand in front of of of our students that have to lead should be leading. We we shouldn't have to go where as we had a a luncheon, we had to go
092all the way back around, all the way down to CTE, when preparation should have been taking place. So, somebody's missing the ball. And we have to do better with that. Okay. Mr. Chance. Yeah, some people may not know this, but the police department offers jobs to our students each year. They work several hundred of our students each year in different places like the fire department, police department. So, that an opportunity is out there. Library, whole lot of different places. So, um Chief Miller, assistant um City Manager Miller, he runs that program. It's a very good program. So, we do have jobs out there for our children each summer through the city. Yeah, so we connected with the city of Petersburg, the individual that runs the summer internship. So, we've sent that out to our our
093staff as far as for the application for it. They'll actually be here next week to provide more information for our students. But correct, you're you're absolutely correct from the police department, city manager, fire department, and various other entities within the city, they have the summer interns that are available for our students. >> Great program. Yeah. And so, we've we've kind of connected a little more this year. So, we want to once the once the applicants are in for the summer internship, we're going to they're going to share the information with us where we're then going to look at what program they are here they are taking here currently at Petersburg High School. So, they can try to match them cuz right now the application is just a basic general summer internship application. We want to
094help align that as much as possible towards a good fit, not only for that department, but also for the student. So, as opposed to having a carpentry student go and work in HR, we want to have that person that's maybe doing something with facilities or the department of utilities towards a better fit for both parties. Yeah, I kind of followed that program for the last couple of years. The kids, they really learn a whole lot. They get a whole lot of good experiences Yeah. through that program. Thank you. Yes, I I have one more question and and I'm not sure if you're familiar with it. I know Dr. Manson is, but we had we had a partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Services where we had students and they were here and we
095had students that were taking courses for mental health and it was to be in partnership with Central State Hospital, meaning that if they completed the program, that they could come to Central State and work as a mental health tech or a or security tech or whatever. Do you all know whether or not we're still working with them? Do anyone know? Um Because I was in that meeting when we brought them here down to the central office. And we sat there and I remember it was a couple of students who actually entered the program. But Do you know what what year it was? This was maybe about two years ago, right? Maybe about two years ago. No, um I mean, and it's a I mean, it's a program that that will provide kids with state benefits,
096a full-time job with state benefits. I know Dr. Manson's familiar with Central State because we hire his students through special education and once they graduate, if we have openings, they're hired, they receive full-time state job with state benefits. And so, we were doing the same thing with the mental health course, also. It's an actual If you don't mind >> would go through it. getting that information to me, then I'll follow up and see how we can Okay. And Dr. Dr. Manson. Okay. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you for bringing that to our attention. Mhm. Anything else? Yeah. Um your your plans for to develop the the the STEM because that's falling into you, also. Do you have anything new coming up with STEM? Uh that's Miss Carmen Milner as with the STEM side things. All
097right. Well, I just would like to inform you if you need the name, I think I have it on here with Dominion Energy. They had a pro- I went to the their graduation this um September. They had a summer program for graduates, high school graduates, and you could be had actually been out of school a couple of years if you wanted to. But, everyone that finished that program, they trained them on the job as field people um um linesman, all kinds of stuff. And let me tell you, it was real really really good. They had about 100 people in the program. I think about 38 graduated. And er all 38 people interviewed for jobs and got jobs. And one of them were what the reason why I went because one of them was a Petersburg
098High grad that was um one of my mentees, and I was really impressed with the program. And that was the second year in the state sponsored it. The state of Virginia sponsored it. So, the thing is it's open to all. But, uh are you familiar with that? Who's the contact with them? I got the contact. I'll get with you afterwards. Dominion Energy. Mhm. You finished? Are you finished? Are you finished? Yeah, I'm finished. >> [laughter] >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Mr. Brown, we will move next to 4C. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett and school board members. We now will have our monthly division update, which is a update of our Head Start and our grants update for the month of February given by Dr. Matthias Graywood, our Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Graywood. Good evening,
099um Board Chair Pritchett, Vice Chair Tucker, esteemed members of the school board, Superintendent Brown, staff, and members of the Petersburg community. Tonight, I will provide our monthly update as of February 28th. This update covers all major funds including the general fund, food service, grants, and Head Start. Our agenda would deal with the Petersburg City Transfer, general fund budget and expenses, food service grants, Head Start, and both the federal and non-federal side. This slide shows the city transfer for FY 25-26. The original budget was 12.97 million. We have received so far 9.7 million to date. The remaining balance is 3.24 million. So far, we have received eight installments of 1.08 million each. General fund budget and expense by state category. We have the general fund budget and expenditures by state. Um instruction, current budget is 46.17
100million. Year-to-date expense, 26.99 million. Remaining balance, 19.18 million. For administration, attendance, and health, expenses are tracking as expected with 2.7 million remaining. People transport, year-to-date expense, 2.26 million. Remaining balance, 1.22 million. For operations and maintenance, expenses total 7.55 million with 2.81 million remaining. For technology, expenses total 2.25 million with 989,000 remaining. Overall, the general fund has a remaining balance of 26.9 million, which is consistent with expected spending patterns for the rest of the year. For food service, school construction, and grants, current budget for food service is 4.18 million. Year-to-date expense, 3.06 million. Remaining balance, 1.13 million. Food service continues to operate within budget and remains stable. Fund five, school construction. This is our um CIP fund. We currently have 75,000 budgeted with minimal spending of a few dollars remaining, 74. 74,840. For fund seven, which
101is grants, across all grant categories, instructional grants show about 7.55 million expenses with remaining 6.49 for the rest of the year. For admin, transportation, operations, and debt servicing, all tracking appropriately for the rest of the year. Across all three funds, the total remaining balance is 8.7 million. When we combine all funds, general fund, food service, construction, and grants, the total FY 26 budget is 91.7 million. Year-to-date expense is 56.12 million with a remaining balance of 35.61 million. This is consistent with expected expenditure for February. Moving on to Head Start. This slide shows the Head Start federal budget and expenses. Total federal budget is 1.4 million. Year-to-date expenses, 825,000. Remaining balance, 574,000. Most spending is in personnel and fringe benefits, which is typical for this program. Supplies and other operating expended expenditures are tracking normally for
102this point of the year. Head Start non-federal funding. Total non-federal budget is about 350,000. Year-to-date expenses, 203,000. Remaining balance, 146,000. Combined federal and non-federal totals bring the Head Start budget to 1.75 million with 721,000 remaining. Questions. Any questions for Dr. Graywood? No questions, sir. Thank you. Appreciate it. Okay, next we move to our public comment period, and I do not believe we have Okay. Next we move to our action item, Ms. Brown, 6A. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett and school board members. Our 6A, our first action item this evening, relates to our updated 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan for Petersburg City Public Schools. And so, my recommendation this evening is that the Superintendent's Superintendent's recommendation the school board approve the updated 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan with the amended projects that were presented at the March 11,
1032026 school board work session. If you want to take a look, it is attached. And those are the that is the original Capital Improvement Plan 2024-2029. And then we also have the update. So, it'll show what was the original plans from the operational advisory committee. And then they also projected with some updated pieces for our Capital Improvement Plan. And so, some of those updated projects that we added addition to a little bit more. And so, we've made a few additions to the Capital Improvement Plan. So, you can continue to scroll up. Thank you. And so, you'll see some adjusted approvals. Let me adjust the approval adjusted adjusted additions, excuse me. And so, you see the gym locker rooms, and we're going to address those. We're going to bring those for recommendation this evening. And then
104we have some other additional proposed items to be a part of our CIP. Okay, along with unplanned maintenance and emergency repairs. So, with that, it is the Superintendent's recommendation the school board approve the updated 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan or our CIP with amended projects presented at the March 11, 2026 school board work session. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Brown. Any questions, board members? You heard the Superintendent's recommendations. I'll motion to accept. Yes, I move that we accept um the plan. Second. Moved by Mr. Miles, second by Mr. Dance. All in favor? Aye. >> Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. 6B. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board members. This is our proposed FY Superintendent's FY27 proposed budget adoption. >> [clears throat] >> I want to make sure I have the right number. Okay. And so, it
105is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board approve the Wait a minute, sorry. Okay. It is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board approve the final proposed budget adoption for FY27 in the amount of 139 million 126,702 and that is inclusive of our 53 million for the Walnut Hill Elementary School project. And so, again, it is the Superintendent's recommendation the School Board approve the Superintendent's FY27 proposed budget for adoption. In addition, so let me go back. So, in addition, um, to the Superintendent's recommendation the School Board approve approve the, um, FY27 proposed Superintendent's budget, um, to include the 53 million for the Walnut Hill PreK-5 project along with the addition of our and the in increase in our health care for the deductibles of 1,000 and 2,000 as a part of the FY27 budget proposal
106as provided. Any questions? Is there a motion to accept the recommendation? I'll move. Moved by Mr. Pierce, second by Mr. Miles. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Next, we move to 6 6C Thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board members. This is our VSBA 2026 Business Honor Roll, which is Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned Black Men of Petersburg. And so, it is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board Okay, so we'll go back. Approve the resolution for the 2026 Business Honor Roll celebrating recognizing Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned Black Petersburg. Do you want me to read the actual If you could click on I'll just do the first one. Okay. And so, for each of the resolutions, again, for those three organizations, Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned
107Black Men of Petersburg. So, whereas public schools and local businesses are an integral part of this community, and whereas many local businesses play a crucial role in supporting our schools, and whereas the economic health of our community, state, and nation depends on a strong public school system, and whereas collaboration between local public schools and local businesses strengthens schools and the business community alike by providing a well-trained and highly educated workforce, and whereas an excellent public school system is vital to the quality of life in this community and fundamental to preserving a strong democratic society now and in the future. So, therefore, be it resolved that Petersburg City Public Schools School Boards names Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned Black Men of of Petersburg as the 2026 Virginia School Boards Association Business Honor Roll recipients
108showing appreciation for the ongoing support of Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned Black Men of Petersburg. Your work has aided this community in focusing on the goal of providing the best public schools we can for every child who attends them. Adopted by the School Board of the City of Petersburg this 18th day of March 2026. So, again, it is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board approve the resolution for the VSBA 2026 Business Honor Roll recipients, Brightpoint Community College, Crimson Clinic, and Concerned Black Men of Petersburg as provided. Thank you, Ms. Brown. You've heard the recommendations. Is there a motion to approve? Moved by Mrs. Proctor, second Mr. Pierce. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. We move to D. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board members. This is
109our Walnut Hill Elementary School PreK-5 new school construction selected preferred proposer. It is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board accept the new construction advisory committee recommendation and approve the selection of the preferred proposer design-build team, Gilbane Building Company and Moody Nolan to proceed into the interim agreement and design initiation phase consistent with the PPEA process timeline presented. Thank you, Ms. Brown. Any questions from Board members? You've heard the recommendation. Is there a motion to accept? So moved, Mr. Chair. Moved by Mr. Dance, second by Mr. Pierce. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Yes. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchard and School Board members. 6E, the Walnut Hill Elementary School PreK-5 new school construction interim agreement process. And so, it is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board authorize the Superintendent or designee to negotiate
110and execute an interim agreement with the selected preferred proposer design-build team, Gilbane Building Company and Moody Nolan in order to initiate the design phase activities consistent with the PPA schedule and next steps. Thank you. Any questions, Board members? Is there a motion to accept the Superintendent's recommendation? So moved. Moved by Mrs. Proctor. Is there a second? >> Second. Mrs. Tucker. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion [applause] carries. Congratulations to Gilbane. Look forward to working with you all. Thank you, Mr. Miles and Mr. Dance for serving on the committee. I know it was a hard job, but someone had to do it. I thank you What a pleasure. >> [laughter] >> Had the pleasure. And I also want to thank the community and the advisory team, the first one, the second one, and the entire team.
111It was a It was a It was a a collective effort and it was a great, great, very rigorous process. And so, we're excited to be at this point, um, with beginning to start the building of our new elementary school, PreK-5 Walnut Hill Elementary School. So, we are excited and again, we look forward to working with the chosen proposer. And so, the work now begins of designing what our new school will look like hand-in-hand with the Gilbane Company and Moody Nolan. So, thank you again and congratulations. So, for 6F, gymnasium lockers and budget expenditure. It is the Superintendent's recommendation that the School Board approve the Petersburg High School gymnasium lockers budget expenditure as provided. And if you could please click on that. And so, on November 12th, 2025, Deputy State Fire Marshal Marlow Jones conducted
112a formal inspection of the Petersburg High School gymnasium and locker room facilities. The resulting report concluded that existing conditions, um, provided offered an opportunity for students and staff and visitors and declared the spaces unsafe for occupancy. Critical and high-risk violations cited in the report included some safety, electrical hazards, and systemic, um, facility issues. The PCPS Facilities Department has immediately remediated those most urgent findings and the local fire department subsequently granted its approval for the continued use of the building. So, Petersburg City Public Schools request approval for the amount of $209,779 to complete a comprehensive modernization of all three PHS locker rooms through BSN Sports under the nationally competitive solicited Omnia Corp cooperative contract AR25-0101. The scope of the work includes the supply and installation of the new impact high-definition laminate lockers for the boys varsity
113room with seat cushion packages, accent lighting, and nameplate nameplate holders. The boys JV room, 21 club lockers with Ojmar Combi Pro locks. And the girls room, 27 locker rooms with supply and installation of 3/8 impact rubber sports flooring with wall base and doorway transitions across all three rooms and custom branded wall graphic wraps featuring the school colors and athletic imagery for all three spaces. All locker units will be finished in black onyx with a red edge band accents matching the Petersburg High School Crimson Wave logo. Completion of the full scope is projected no later than June 30th, 2026 subject to the division fulfilling its required site preparation responsibilities in advance of installation. So, we're requesting board approval of this investment will deliver safe, modernized, and equitable athletic facilities that reflect the pride and aspirations of
114our Petersburg City Public Schools and Petersburg High School student athletes. So, again, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the Petersburg High School Gymnasium Lockers Locker Rooms Budget Lockers Budget Expenditure through the cooperative agreement of Omnia in the amount of $209,779 as provided. Thank you, Ms. Brown. Any questions? Is there a motion to So move that we accept the proposal. Move by Mr. Miles. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Dance. All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion carries. >> [applause] >> 6G. 6G. Next is the other thing. What's the thing What is it called, Mr. Dance? On the field. Dogs. The sled. Sled. Football sled. Yes. Sled. That's next. Yeah. Okay. We'll bring that at the next meeting. We'll bring that for um for approval. Yeah, the sled. The training sled. Oh, okay.
115Yeah. Okay. 6G. So, we have our field trips for this for this afternoon for for requesting for approval. So, we have It is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the field trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Catholic Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament on May 2020 on May 22nd through 24th, 2026 at Salem High School, Salem, Virginia for the VHSL State Speech Competition on March 27th through 28th, 2026 and the 4-H Ignite Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 25th through 29th as provided. You can click on those field trip forms. And this is our first one of our May 22nd through the 24th of 2026. And this is again for our National Speech and Debate Tournament and you met some of our wonderful speech and debate students earlier today who have
116placed and we are very proud of them and so we want them to go to Washington, D.C. if approved and to do and show them all the great things and what they know here in Petersburg City. So, thank you for that is the first That is the first one. You can click on the next one. And this is also to Washington, D.C. for the 4-H Ignite Conference for our VSU Cooperative Extension. So, we are excited about this leadership opportunity and that's March 25th and they will return on March 29th, 2026. And then the final. Okay. And so, our final field trip is this to Salem High School in Salem, Virginia. That's March 27th through March 28th, 2026. And so, this again is our VHSL State Speech Competition. And so, we're excited for our students and
117we wish them the best of luck. So, again, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the field trips to Washington, D.C. for the National Catholic Forensic League the National Debate Speech and Debate Tournament on May 22nd through 24th, 2026 at Salem High School in Salem, Virginia for the VHSL State Speech Competition on March 27th through 28th, 2026 and the 4-H Ignite Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 25th through the 29th as provided. Thank you, Ms. Brown. You've heard the superintendent's recommendation. Any questions? Is there a motion to accept? Yes. Move to accept um to approve all three field trips. Move by Mr. Miles. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Lundy. All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion carries. 6H. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett, school board members. This is for policies for second
118read. And so, you've seen these policies. So, it is the superintendent's recommendation the school board approve the policies for second read BBD BDD Electronic Participation in School Board Meetings from Remote Locations BDDL Optional Electronic Participation in Committee Meetings from Remote Locations and GCEB Classifications of Employment LBD Home Instructions as provided. That's it. You've heard the superin- Any questions? You've heard the superintendent's recommendations. Is there a motion to accept? So move, Mr. Chair. Move by Mr. Dance. Seconded by Mr. Miles. All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion carries. Last is our is uh 6I the calendar. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett. We are bringing to the board for recommendation for approval for our 25-26 calendar. And so, it is the superintendent's recommendation that the school board approve the calendar changes for April 21st and April and April
11924th so that April 21st, 2026 will be designated as a student holiday and employee wellness day and April 24th, 2026 will become a regular student school day and work day for employees. Board members, this is for our election day. And so, if you take a look, this is election day is now is now April 24th. Actually, it's 21st. >> 21st, excuse me. April 21st, thank you. And so, we originally had that date, if you remember, as a student hol- as a student holiday. Is that correct? I mean, student student in in school day, regular work day regular school day for students, excuse me. April 21st was already scheduled which you were approved as a regular school day for students and work day for staff. The 24th of course. So, we had it originally for the
12020 first. And so, now we want to move it. Is that correct? We will be designated. So, now we will approve the calendar changes for April 21st and 24th and April 21st will be designated as a student holiday because that is election day. And so, we want to move students move that day to a holiday for students so that we can have election day without incident. Thank you. Any questions? Is there a motion to accept the recommendation? So move. Move by Mr. Lundy. Is there a Second. Mr. Miles. All in favor? I. Opposed? Motion carries. Next, we move to 7A Superintendent's Report. Thank you, Board Chair Pritchett, school board members. I have a quick superintendent's report. Next slide, please. Thank you to all of our board members and to everyone in the community who helped
121us help Petersburg City Public Schools celebrate Read Across America Day. During the week of March 2nd through the 6th 2026, schools across our division celebrated National Read Across America. School board members, division leaders, students, and community members alike came together to read in classrooms as we celebrated literacy and encouraged our students to read. Wasn't it amazing to see our 3A State Championship Basketball team in the classrooms reading to students. That is amazing and that is the the visual and that is what we want everyone to know that our students are not just athletes, they are student athletes. And a part of their role is to give back to the younger generation and to give back to their community. So, thank you to Coach Ty Trae White and thank you to the schools that opened their
122arms to them. Well done, board members. Well done to our staff and well done to our Class 3A State Championship Boys Basketball team for coming and to participate participate in our Read Across America Day in our schools. Next slide, please. Again, congratulations to our state championship title returns to Petersburg City Public Schools. We've already celebrated them today, but I just wanted to highlight that we of course won against Lake Taylor High School which is in the Tidewater area. Is that correct? In Norfolk? Norfolk, if I if I pronounced it correctly. And so, we are so excited and congratulations once again to our team, Ty Trae White, Athletic Director Bill Lawson, and congratulations to our school board members and our entire Petersburg City community. Thank you. Next slide, please. Our Career Technical Highlight Education Highlight is
123now Culinary Arts. We're continuing to highlight the different academic and learning opportunities afforded to our PCPS students. Recently, we highlighted highlighted our Culinary Arts students. Of course, you saw before we highlighted our nursing students. And then, we also highlighted our I think it was Appomattox. Is that correct? Appomattox Regional Governor's School. And so, we're excited that we get a chance to tell everybody that if you come to Petersburg City Public Schools you have a wealth of opportunities that meet the needs of your individual child. We have something for every student. Just give us a try. Come to Petersburg. I know that you won't be disappointed. Next slide, please. Okay. And sorry there is. If you press play. Thank you. The Culinary Arts program [music] is a program that teach you like the basics of cooking,
124show you how to cook things, like knife guys, the sizes of the cuts. [music] Like small dice, medium dice, all of that. It shows you new skills, [music] shows you how to cook things that you never cooked before. I love to cook. I've always wanted to I had a dream of having [music] my own restaurant. I feel like in a way it can prepare me is to be [music] like make sure I'm in the kitchen with a lot of people instead of just me by myself and just cooking, you know. It gives me more of an experience of like being social. You know, making [music] sure I have the gist of how many people in here and I'm not just by myself. You know, when you're by [music] yourself you're working by yourself, you're not
125thinking about the chaos that's going to be going on in the actual kitchen. So, being in here, you hear a bunch [music] of yelling, you hear hot plate, hot, and you'll have people walking around with knives, you'll have the grills and everything steaming. It's like >> [music] >> it's hot, it's loud, and everything's moving so fast. So, you got to make sure you're getting used to that instead of being in a quiet house and still getting your kitchen. It really [music] just keeps you on your toes, basically. Yeah. It's going to be a great experience. Thank you. Welcome to Petersburg City Public Schools. Thank you. Next slide. So, I am excited to share with our share with our school board members and everyone listening that we have our inaugural Crimson Awards host that has been
126brought brought into play by our human resources team and Dr. Lane. And so, of course, we know we already recognize our teachers and members of our staff related to their contributions. We have our teachers of the year. And so, we now have a new award that we have put into place, the Crimson Award. And so, we now have several um several staff members who have been voted on by their peers as the very first Crimson Awardees. So, congratulations to the elementary winner, India Johnson. She is student mental health and wellness interventionist. At the secondary level, Yes, thank you. >> [applause] >> Jonah Vasquez, instructional technology resource teacher. And our school board office and operations, Ms. Stephanie Eaton, our payroll specialist. The winners that were [applause] selected by their peers in the school division for their
127contributions and their daily work. And so, congratulations to those members. Congratulations to those members and thank you to our HR department for bringing on another award that allows us to recognize our people and the work they do on behalf of students here in Petersburg. So, congratulations to all of our elementary, secondary, and school board office operation winners. We will celebrate you at a later date. And last but not least, as a reminder, please don't forget to take our communication survey. As you know, as a part of our work, we have to build a communications plan. And so, we are excited about that. And so, we're encouraging everyone to please scan the QR code, go on to our website. You should have gotten a link. We want the entire community to give us your feedback so
128that we can build a community a communications plan that will take us over the next 3 years. And so, your feedback is essential and we need to hear your voice. So, please take our communication survey. Thank you for your feedback. That concludes my superintendent's report. Thank you, Boy Scout Pritchard and school board members. Thank you, Ms. Brown. Any questions for Ms. Brown? Okay, we'll move to seven B, our committee reports. And we do have notes from our special education advisory committee. Please take an opportunity out to read during your spare time. Next, we'll move to eight, new business from board members. Wait a minute, we have a committee. You said you had what? From the VSBA Southside. Um we have an uh I'm going to announce it. >> it? >> [laughter] >> Okay. Go ahead
129and announce. That's what I was going to say next. I was at new business and board members. >> [laughter] >> Dude, put your back up to committee reports one. Okay, Mr. Dance, committee report. Yeah, the Appomattox Regional Governor's School board, we met last Thursday in the newly renovated alumni house. And uh it's very nice on the inside. Y'all should go and check it out. New kitchen, new bathrooms, we did the floors. And uh they don't know exactly what they're going to do with it now, but uh they may make it an event center or or Airbnb, but it's very nice. New roof, new front porch, back porch. And um also, we're looking at um trying to get the vending in there for the cafeteria. Uh currently, we are bringing in lunches where kids can buy
130lunches through the vending machines. So, we're trying to get some money through the General Assembly where we can open up the cafeteria there and start serving lunches to lunches to our students. Thank you. I did see something from Delegate Yeah. Hope Adams? >> Yeah, Hope Adams. Something through >> Yeah, she put something in for us, yeah. So, she's working along with us. Okay. To try to get that done. Hopefully, the General Assembly will give us some money. Um Maggie Walker Governor's School also needs a cafeteria in that school, also. And I don't believe they had one at CodeRVA, do they? I don't think they Okay. Well, we need to add that one to the list. Okay. Do what they doing. Right. It's not free. Okay, so we'll move You finished, Ms. Dance. Thank you. So,
131next we'll move to new business from board members um and announcements also, A and B. Um Ms. Davis did advise me that everyone has signed up for the regional meeting that's going to be held at I started to say Green Is it right, Greensville Greensville County High School? And what's the date? 24th Mar- March 24th, next week. You thought it was a what? And that's Right. It means meeting will be set on 31st now. Right. Oh, you have it out in there. Okay. It's 5:00. Yes, it starts Okay. It starts at 5:00 p.m. Yeah, whoever wants to take the van, they can. The drive is not bad. It is uh in a year Do you know When was the cut off date? When is the cut off date for registration? Cuz I was No, I
132was going to ask her was any of her staff going? Cuz it's the open Yes, it's it's open. What was the cut off? Oh, thank you thank you. I'll get with my um senior team. She said it's gone. She said the cut off date was 16th. So, you may not want to announce it, right? Thank you. Okay, board members, also you want to remember that we have a joint meeting with city council on March the 31st. That's that Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. No, we're going to have to be there. >> [laughter] >> They can't be by themselves. I think that's it, right? Special education will have Petersburg Little Feet Meet on April the 30th. And I believe it's here Petersburg High School on the track. Okay. Right, we'll see on the 31st. That is
133That is it, right? That's it. If you sign up for any Remember, if you sign up for any trainings, remember to attend trainings online. But that's it. Okay. Is there a motion to adjourn? Moved by Mr. Lundy. Is there a second? Second. Mrs. um Tucker. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.