001Good evening everyone. We would like to call the business session school board meeting December 2nd Mr. Farooq into order. Madam clerk, >> Mr. Pival, Miss Ricard >> here, >> Mr. Farooq >> here, >> Mr. Hedgepath >> here, >> Miss Rizzy, >> Dr. Harris Muhammed >> present, >> Miss Burke >> here, >> Mr. Jafari >> here, >> Miss Fernandez >> here. >> Madam Chair, we have a quum. >> Thank you. And now we will have the pledge of allegiance a moment of silence led by Mr. Pledge allegiance to the Please let the record reflect Miss Rizzy arrived at 606. And now we'll have translation services announcement. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone and welcome on behalf of the language justice team. If you need interpretation from English to Spanish, please come see me. I will be
002at the table in the back with the interpreters. We have interpretation headsets for anyone that needs one. Interpretation in Spanish is also available for those watching this meeting through Zoom. I want to remind everyone this evening to please speak at a normal pace and keep your face no more than a couple of inches from the microphones so that our interpreters can hear you clearly. I will now make the same announcement in Spanish. Thank you. >> Thank you. Moving along to 1.04. to approve the minutes of November 10th and [clears throat] November 11th school board meetings. I have a motion, Miss Ricard. >> Madam Chair, I motion to approve the minutes of November 10th and November 11th, 2025. >> It's been moved by Miss Ricard and seconded by Miss Burke. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Pible, >>
003yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgeped, >> yes. >> Mr. Vzy, >> yes. Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. And before we move along to the adoption of the agenda, I believe that there is one deferral. Mr. Pible. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I move to amend the agenda of the December 2nd, 2025 Richmond Public School Board meeting to defer item 5.01. receive quarterly financial report from Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts and adopt the agenda as amended. >> It's been moved by Mr. Perl and seconded by Miss Burke. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Perl, >> yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >>
004Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammad, >> yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes. >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. Moving right along to recognition 2.01. Student representative, Mr. Cameras. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Good evening, everyone. I am delighted to introduce Lauren Jackson from Thomas Jefferson High School. Lauren is a dedicated student whose academic drive, creativity, and commitment to community make her a standout among her peers. As an active member of my student advisory council, she brings thoughtful leadership and a strong sense of responsibility to representing student perspectives and helping shape a better school environment. Recognized for her hard work and achievement, she has earned scholar role honors and has been involved in programs such as Skills USA, Partnership
005for the Future, and the Yale National Initiative. opportunities that have strengthened her skills, broadened her perspective, and fueled her passion for learning. Lauren also has volunteered for teachers at the Richmond Technical Center and hopes to expand her community involvement even further as she balances work and academics. Her dedication to service reflects her belief in giving back and supporting the people who have supported her. Creativity is another defining part of her identity. a talented nail technician and the owner of a handmade jewelry business, she channels her artistic vision into entrepreneurship. She also finds joy in music and is currently learning both piano and acoustic guitar hobbies that inspire her and offer balance amid her very busy schedule. After graduation, she plans to attend a 4-year college with Yale University as her top choice to pursue her
006goal of becoming a primary care pediatric physician. More than a high achieving student, Lauren is a motivated, multifaceted young leader whose ambition, creativity, and heart set the stage for a bright and impactful future. Please join me in welcoming Lauren Jackson. Good evening everyone. I would like to thank Superintendent Camry along with each and every one of you on the board for selecting me to speak tonight. It truly is one of the biggest honors of my academic career. I'm extremely grateful to be the student voice for tonight's meeting and to be given the opportunity to ensure that the student voice is heard and considered when making decisions on our behalf in our district. First, I want to start off tonight speaking about my experience at Yale. I am so grateful to have been nominated by my
007teacher and chosen by the Yale National Initiative, which was a competitive and selective process. My trip as a whole was a 10 out of 10. We had tons of good food. For example, I had the best chocolate mousse canoli from Libbyy's Italian pastry shop in New Haven, Connecticut. I also had the opportunity to explore the Sterling Memorial Library in Yel's campus. The architecture of the buildings was magnificent and gave me a glimpse of the scholars that had attended there in the past. from stained glass windows to statues in the garden. I also got to meet the amazing Handsome Dan and got a picture. He's surely my idol. For those of you who don't know, Handsome Dan is the bulldog mascot for Yale. Yes, he's a real dog. I saw my first hockey game. It was
008Yale versus Princeton and Yale won. I will say hockey is a very aggressive sport, but it's very easy to follow as the rules aren't very complex and in my opinion it was very amusing. My seat was close to the plexiglass, so I could almost feel everything that was happening on the ice. I also gave a presentation about a unit my teacher, Miss Taylor, had the opportunity to create during the summer at Yale University. This was a good networking and community building experience because once I was finished with my presentation, I was asked various questions and held conversation with not only other teachers from different states, but also Yale faculty and professors. When I graduate high school, I want to go to medical school to become a primary care pediatric physician. And after this trip, Yale
009University is my number one school. Now, I would like to address an issue that has been not only on my mind, but other students minds as well. As a proud RPS student and student leader, I take great pride in conversing with my fellow classmates about issues that plague their everyday lives and our current school system. I am pleased to represent not only myself, but the entire student body at Thomas Jefferson High School. Upon joining the student advisory council, I learned that the minutes prior to and after instruction vary depending on the school. My school, Thomas Jefferson, for example, does not allow students to leave class for the first 30 minutes and last 30 minutes. No exceptions for the bathroom. From a medical standpoint, repeatedly suppressing their urge for release for periods of time can increase
010the chance of a UTI. The act of relieving oneself allows for bacteria to be flushed out. When you suppress that need, you're allowing for that bacteria to sit and multiply, which results in higher infection rates. In more severe cases, holding one's release for extended periods of time can result in kidney swelling, hydropherosis, kidney stones, and long-term kidney issues. I understand teachers only have a limited amount of time to teach and I agree with having a limit on when students are to leave class after instruction is given. But 3030 is too extensive. For an hour and 30 minute class period, students are only allowed to leave for 30 minutes. In those 30 minutes, you must account for how long it will take for one student to get to the restroom and back to class, which depending
011on which bathrooms are accessible, depending on the time, leaves only mere minutes for other students. My school only has 12 bathrooms total. Yet, only eight are available to be used because two of the four bathrooms on the third floor are out of order. Yet, out of these eight, usually it's only two on the first floor that are open. I mean, picture this. If your classroom is on the third floor, you're going to have to walk all the way down to the first floor to use the restroom. This not only takes more time away from instruction, but also it prevents another student from using the restroom. Usually, the nurse is also around, so she allows students to use her restroom. However, she's not always at our school. Unless you know an administrator who's willing to open
012a bathroom for you, then you can't get in because they lock them, and most admin won't unlock it unless it's a set time. When something traumatic happens, or if the school is under staff that day, we are put on limited movement. Limited movement is a schoolwide punishment, which means you aren't allowed to leave your classroom for any reason unless for the nurse. This also means no restroom unless you use the nurse's and she only has one single use restroom. When you allocate for the entire student body, not everyone can use the nurse's restroom in a school day, which can result in medical emergencies. If two people get in a fight, we all get punished with limited movement. If a student is caught in the hallway for any reason that's not the nurse during limited movement,
013we all get reprimanded. Having attended RPS since the sixth grade, I have seen countless rules regarding when it's appropriate to have students leave class. I personally feel that 1515, which is the first and last 15 minutes of class, is more appropriate not only from a medical standpoint, but also an educational one. This allows for a larger time frame for students to handle their personal affairs in a timely manner without them feeling rushed. and everyone does allowed a chance to succeed. With this information, I hope this topic will be taken into consideration for re-evaluation. Overall, any change to this rule would be appreciated. And I want to thank you all for listening to me speak this evening. >> Thank you so much for your speech and for your courage and sharing. Very impressive. Moving right along
014to 2.02. 02 recognition of inclusion schools week inclusive I'm sorry schools week inclusive schools week is a national celebration celebrating how schools are helping all students [music] learn and feel supported. And >> whereas creating inclusive schools help students do well in a diverse world, feel good about themselves and others, and learn to think, work together, [music] and be responsible members of their community. And whereas the theme of this year's inclusive schools week, children first, means making sure every student [music] gets to learn in a place that supports them, appreciates their abilities, and helps them feel like they belong. Now therefore, be it proclaimed to Richmond public schools recognizes December 5th through [music] 9th, 2025 as inclusive schools week and encourages everyone to join in this celebration. [music] >> Wonderful. And last but not least, oh,
015do we have jazz coming on? uh recognition of national Yale initiative fellows. We are thrilled to recognize our exceptional vision public schools educators who are selected as 2025 Yale National Fellows through the Yale National Initiative to strengthen teaching in public schools. As fellows, teachers collaborate with university scholars and educators nationwide to develop innovative curriculum units that enrich classrooms across our division. >> Please join us in celebrating the following fellows. Alexandra Al Amarado Barack Obama Elementary School. LJ DLO Hugen High School. Captain Franzel, Southampton Elementary School. Amanda McMahon, Hugenat High School. Riley Schwarz, Mary Munford, [music] Elementary School. Vivian Lee Taylor, Tommy Jefferson High School. Landon Walker, Thomas Jefferson High School. >> Mr. Cameras. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe I see some of the Yale fellows. So, if we could have them all come
016on up and board, if we could come down and take a picture with all of them, we'll do you all first. Come on down. All right, we're moving right along to 3.01. Announcements. Board members, do we have any announcements? Mr. Hedgepath. Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, a number of the co my colleagues here on the board, Miss Burke, uh, Miss Rizzy and, uh, Mr. Ricard and I got to attend the Virginia School Board Association conference um, in Williamsburg a couple weeks ago. Um and uh as of course one of the one of the things that's very important to us is to uh model professional growth and and so I was proud to to be there. One of the things that we we learned about was uh agenda setting and u efficiencies. We
017also uh went to PAX uh law clinic uh where we were able to learn more and practice our knowledge of schoolboard law. And so that was a really uh sorry it was law jeopardy. Yeah. Yeah. Legal jeopardy. But anyway, we we had a a fabulous time there. Um and I hope to share more in the coming months. >> Thank you, Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madame Chair and Ditto. We did have a fabulous time and I'm just so proud because we had four attendees and we haven't had that in about six years, five years. So, we are on the ball with professional development and I'm so excited because we do want to model that as as well. Number one, Armstrong High School. Kudos to Armstrong High School and being number one in the metro area
018and it was a cold game on Friday night. However, everybody was there and then some in support of our young people. It was a good game. It was a cold game. And many thanks to Pastor Winfrey from Deliverance Church in Southside and Charles Willis and volunteers. We were able to serve the team afterwards a wonderful fried fish dinner to include all the fixings. Some of them were a little disappointed, but we think we brought some joy. And coach Puit, he said, "Don't worry, we will be back." So, we are proud of them and Vince them. They also had an excellent write up for Armstrong regarding how the team sticks together as a family. No disciplinary concerns, no absenteeism concern concerns, good grades. So they are modeling across the city what is expected of RPS. Shimmer
019Elementary School was just featured on um the TV st excuse me television station regarding how they are infusing um their laptops their computers to teach music piano. Yeah, it's awesome. I need to post that as well. But I'm so proud and we are ahead of the game. It is required by Virginia State Department of Education that all students have that opportunity. But Shimaranzo has stepped out on that. On Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we had the probably 20 25th year the annual dinner for Thanksgiving at Shimarza Elementary School. And I'm not exaggerating. We usually always have at least 600 700 people. Well, this time as we've done in the past, um we they had live music from communities and schools. We we had everything from secular music to line dance music. We had churches in the area,
020community persons that served the dinner and um we started that when I was at Shimaranzo many years ago. So, I'm so pleased and proud that they have continued that and was able to attend. Um, one last thing, Madame Chair. Um, VCU, we continue and I believe this is our last week with Virginia Commonwealth University. We are in partnership with the basketball team and every school in the seventh district elementary school, there are five, has had the opportunity to have the basketball team to come in and nobody's under seven feet really. Okay, that's the way that's the way it looks. Okay. So, the children were mesmerized and because of the partnership with Synergy Technical um a proud sponsor and supporter of VCU. Each teacher that was selected per lottery received four tickets to go to a
021game front row and the students participated in a uh making electricity using fruits. So, that has been I think we finished up this week with that. So, lots lots happening in the seventh district and it's all good and then some. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Rizzy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, just a few announcements of events that are happening. Um, well, first of all, I just want to shout out that several of us will be walking with the lit limo this Saturday. I think it's going to be kind of cold but fun. Um early in the morning at the Dominion Richmond Christmas parade. So look forward to seeing you all out there. Uh and we are giving away books. We generally go out there with books for children
022from uh K to middle through high school. Okay. And we have tons of them and um the kids just love it. So we look forward to seeing everyone out there. on Saturday morning. Um there's a dance in classrooms competition on the 9th at 5:30 at Hugenot. Um and I'm pretty sure most elementary schools are participating. And so that's that is sure to be an exciting and wonderful event. um at Lois Harrison Jones on the 11th they're having a literacy night and a winter concert from 4 to 6:00 p.m. and would love for people to show out and um look at what those children can do or witness that Swansboro likewise they actually have their convocation for the class of 2026 and these are fifth graders who are due to move to sixth grade um in
0232026 that's uh this Thursday actually on the 4th from 6:00 to 7:30 at Coonia Church um and so they invite community members to come out and help uh them celebrate these children. And they also have a winter concert on the 16th from 5:30 to 6:30. And I will go ahead and type this up and put it on social media. And I'm sure there will be other holiday events coming in and I will be sure to share them. Thank you. this regard. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a few quick announcements. Um, Dogwood Middle School has two events this month. The first is their winter showcase on December 11th from 5 to 7. Um, because they are arts integrated, they show off their arts integrated projects in their classrooms, but they also have a whole bunch
024of performances as well. They are also having an open house for all rising sixth graders who want to come and learn more about Dogwood Middle School and that's on December 17th at 6 o'clock p.m. And then Fox Elementary is having their holiday concert on December 16th at 6 PM. And the the final thing I wanted to announce is that Mr. Farooq and I are co-hosting a town hall at Maggie Walker Governor's School on Monday at 7 o'clock p.m. We're going to be talking about um the new accreditation system um answering any questions about cut scores, looking at our schools, but also just a general forum for parents to ask questions and speak with us. We may be making holiday cookies to bring We challenged ourselves with that. Um, and so we just want to invite
025everyone to come out. It's 7 o'clock at Maggie Walker on Monday the 8th. And if any other colleagues would love to join us, please welcome >> Dr. Harris Mah. >> Thank you. Just wanted to announce that on Friday um at OB Shepard Elementary School, I will be with a group of wonderful ladies from Continental Society, Inc. um of Richmond. And we are going to um have several stations for students at OBS Shepard to focus on several of their initiatives. One is health, the other one is education and also recreation. And then we're going to have some fun on with arts and humanities. And this is to promote um the of course the importance of education, but also recreation. Um I think that's one of the things that we're missing in K through five. Well, we're
026missing that as big people. Talking about K through five. We're missing recreation like napping that really needs to come back in the curriculum. Um for it really does um for us too, but that's another that's another conversation. That's another policy initiative, but it's on the agenda. Okay. So, we will be there um to support Mr. Spain and his staff and um communities and schools and working with students right at the holiday time. I did this about a couple of years ago, gave away coats and shoes and things like that. So, we just want to make sure that when the students leave us for the extended break that they have things that they can utilize and they're fed and they have shoes and um things of that matter. So, just wanted to share that. Thank you
027so much. Go OB Shepard. Yes, >> Mr. Francis Mcclenny Elementary School in the north side will be having its parent uh leadership council meeting on Wednesday, December 10th from 400 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and dinner and child care will be provided. So very excited, encourage people at Francis McClennon Elementary to show up and these meetings will help set the stage and build a cohort of parents to launch a PTA next year. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right, I have a couple of quick announcements myself. Um, what is today everyone? It is Giving Tuesday. There's still some time left. We'll try and wrap up schoolboard meeting early so you can get home and make some donations. Um, I bring that up because uh check with your employer. A lot of times they will do matching on
028Giving Tuesday. It's huge. Couple of great places to direct it if you have interest in the first district. the TJ Viking Fund, tjvikingfund.org. Um, and Albert Hill Middle School is doing their big tiger give, albertillpta.com. Um, please jump there and and be generous. Um, one other announcement. I just like to uh a shout out and a thank you to way for department of public works. So on November 22nd, Saturday before Thanksgiving, the said TJ Vikings Fund organized a cleanup of the grounds at the high school. It was raining, it was cold, and we all got out there and what could be best described as rad uh several metric tons of wet leaves. Um, and so what was amazing about it is is that the Viking Fund went back and forth with Department of Public Works
029for some time and uh I know they probably don't want me to shout this out, but hey, I got a shout out when when kind things are done. Kind things are done. And they six DPW employees showed up on a Saturday morning with six leaf blowers and made short work. Well, shorter work. I I did a lot of raking myself. Um, and and really helped out. And I would just like to call out those Department of Public Works employees and it was raining. I couldn't write their names down. Um, but it was amazing and really appreciate it. Um, my comment is is that bureaucracy is saying that's not my job. Community is saying what can I do to help? And I really appreciate the community that showed up for Thomas Jefferson on Saturday. Thank you.
030>> Awesome. I just have one uh quick announcement. Um Councilwoman Nicole Jones will be hosting a 9inth district code refresh. Um this is the second draft committee meeting. This will be held on December 9th at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 uh p.m. This is an extremely important meeting. And so those in the 9th district um it's really important that you come out. The refresh will directly influence how our community grows, what resources we receive, and how we plan for generations ahead. The ninth district will play a pivotal role, but only if we show up and speak up. And so, make sure that you join Councilwoman Jones. That'll be next Tuesday, December 9th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Southside Community Center. Hope you can make it. Mr. Jafari, >> thank you. Good evening. Uh, a
031couple of items. the uh structure at Summer Hill after uh many conversations and rounds. I want to thank the superintendent and facilities for going ahead and and it's now definite that will be removed and the plans are to remove that during the uh Christmas break. I want to take the opportunity to thank the uh Hugen football team. Men of our youngsters from the eighth and the ninth and other districts do attend there and participate in the athletics program. So I wanted to thank them for not just the success that they had over the season, but also for allowing those Friday evenings out for when my son came down, we were able to just hang out right there in the moment and the excellent level and caliber of football that they played. I want to just
032commend them for a brilliant season and look forward to seeing him next year. Uh lastly, I want to thank Armstrong. Uh the I mentioned about the Turkey Bowl that we attended and we looked up and about we're getting to the last part of the Turkey Bowl and in rode three vans and a bus loaded with Armstrong's football players. And so they came through the midst of us all and came out there at Oakwood playground and just practiced had a regular practice and it was really an uplifting spirit spirited moment and you could tell that the community really enjoyed it. So, I did want to thank uh my colleague from the seventh over here and as well all of them Glenn Anderson who is the athletic director over there at Armstrong and uh we look forward
033to the upcoming years and going and they're going back and next year bringing home all of the hardware. Thank you. Thank you so much. I believe this concludes our section for announcements. Moving right along to public information and the clerk, if you could read the guidelines. >> Conduct of speakers. Speakers shall state their f their full legal name prior to addressing the school board. Speakers will address the school board as a whole rather than individual school board members, the division superintendent, school board attorney, clerk, or any other staff member. The school board will listen to comments but will not respond during the public information period. Persons appearing before the school board will not be allowed to campaign for public office, promote private business ventures, or use profanity or bolder language. If community members comments during
034the public information session relate to school issues, the chair may refer that indiv Richmond public school administration for one-on-one consultation followup. It's important that all community members who wish to participate in the public information period abide by the guidelines set forth in this policy. Refusal to abide by the policy will result in the forfeiture of the remaining time that has been allotted. Community members may express their views in writing in li of any oral presentation. Comments received in writing in an oral presentation will not be read during the meeting but shall be posted school board. Thank you so much. We do have uh several pre-registered speakers. When I call your name, if you could come up, please make sure that you sign on the clipboard and announce your name. After which time, we should have
035um some available opportunity for those in um that would like to speak in the audience that were not pre-registered. First up we have Rick Taltel Patnel. Ah, second times a charm. Thank you so much. Good evening. Um, thank you, Mr. Um, a little birdie told me starting yesterday, y'all were considering a policy change uh to establish the second Monday in October as Indigenous PE people's day as a holiday for Richmond public schools. And I'm here to to speak to to that and to uh applaud you for considering it. and hoping that uh that this is something that passes. And I'd like to provide both some information and uh and some background. Um and since this is a school board, I I brought you all some homework. Um and I've dropped it off with Miss Zas
036uh package for each of you. um which includes um last year the uh library of Virginia concluded its indigenous perspectives uh program and uh it stopped being shown at the library but it's been online and continues to be online. Uh this is a booklet that was handed out uh to anyone who participated and uh I have one for each of you as well as uh one of the forms that they have which has a QR QR code that'll take you to the website because everything that they have is still on the website and it's an extraordinarily uh bountiful amount of information about the history and culture of our 11 recognized tribes in Virginia. um including a section a sub a sub web page that's for educators. So it uh kind of does the work for
037the educators and uh helps them to understand the uh the availability of information as well as uh as well as how it might be presented. So I wanted to make sure that you all had that. And then we also have some information. Uh I have uh for the last couple of years uh my organization is called the Pocahontas Project and for the last couple of years we've been advocating for Indigenous People's Day to be passed as a part of the Virginia General Assembly and uh I have both a one-pager that we offered to legislators last year to offer some ideas about that. Um, and then also a uh opinion that was written by Chief Anne Richardson of the Rapahhanic and Paul Krisc who's a delegate from Fairfax who's put forward legislation for the last two
038years as well as an article that was written after last year's Indigenous People's Day event by Michael Paul Williams uh calling calling with the headline celebrated indigenous peoples for all. And I think that that's a a very uh appropriate uh headline because this is an opportunity for the city of Richmond, which passed Indigenous People's B Day back in 2022 for Richmond public schools to also embrace this. Um, my organization is pushing forward to try to establish the city of Richmond and the RVA as uh the epicenter of remembrance, recognition, reconciliation, and respect for our Virginia tribes. And I think that the the passage of this uh to turn it into a full RPS holiday uh is really another step in in this effort and something that can really set the the stage for the city
039of Richmond to be a leader across the Commonwealth and uh across the country in supporting Indigenous People's Day uh and the in the history, culture, and future of our tribes. Um we have coming up into this next general assembly uh we're going to be trying again and we feel very confident that uh the the general assembly is going to pass this year hopefully in a very overwhelming manner uh indigenous people's day and this is an opportunity for RPS to uh to help to lead our our legislators by giving them a little nudge and to give them uh an opportunity to uh to follow up and then we hope that that will commit go beyond that uh I've been working closely with Cassandra Bell and Jamar Bilips and we have a lot that's going on hopefully
040in adding to uh to the school connections for the tribes. Um, and I've also been working with Matthew Stanley and the advocacy efforts by the Richmond public school students for Virginia General Assembly will include advocacy for indigenous people's day. And so, um, I'm glad to have the opportunity to speak and I really appreciate uh, Mr. Hedgebath and and pushing this forward and I think that it's a it's a real opportunity for Richmond and I'm going to be meeting with Miss Ricard next week to discuss some of the efforts that we have going forward in Richmond public schools. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next up we have Millana Grace Gentry. You're here. You could come forward. Not. Next up, we have Lisa Zelia. >> Good evening. >> Hi. Good evening. >> My name
041is LJ Deo. Hello. I'm a teacher at Hugenat High School and I live in the 8th district. Um I am here today to um urge you all to um approve the requ the course request for Latin American and ethnic studies. Um I'm sorry, Latin American and Caribbean ethnic studies. Um, a Latin American and Caribbean ethnic studies course would support students in developing a sense of belonging and deepening their understanding um, in their own cultural identities as well as empathy toward the cultures and identities of others. This Latin American and Caribbean ethnic studies course presents students with rigorous yet culturally and personally relevant content. Um, I know our district has made significant strides since I first started volunteering, working part-time, and now full-time as a teacher. Um, and this course would continue to develop the mission
042of fostering inclusive schools. And I believe this would be the first district to offer a course of this kind in the whole state of Virginia. Um, I researched this uh extensively to prepare this course request and I could not find any curriculum that uh shares those Virginia high school standards. And so I drafted a curriculum based on university level courses um and then tailored that course to meet the so standards for high school. Um also this curriculum is um connected and integrated into my Yale National Initiative curriculum unit. Um and I presented part of this uh course to my students uh who researched and presented on a culture of their choice and overwhelmingly almost all of my students decided to teach on their own culture. Wonderful. Um, so moving along and along um, recently I
043had my students choose an essay prompt to write about and overwhelmingly the most chosen prompt was whether or not people should learn about their culture and ancestry. Dozens of L and non-L students chose this prompt and every single student recognized an importance in learning about their culture. Currently, students with Latin American heritage do not see themselves represented in the uh curriculum, and students want to and deserve to see themselves in uh what they're learning. So, offering this course would begin to address this issue. Um so, I hope that you all will approve this course. Thank you. Thank you. Now, we have Dennis Mallerie. Good evening. >> Good evening. My name is Dennis Mallerie. I'm here representing the alumni of John F. Kennedy High School as well as the scholarship fund. First and foremost, we will
044uh like to send our condolences to the passing of Mr. Sman Jefferson. He was a a great guy and I'm pretty sure he would be missed among his colleagues. A few weeks ago, I received a phone call inviting me to a meeting that Mr. Jefferson hosted. Pretty sure you have their um paperwork about that meeting. And right before it started, he assured us that this meeting will not be about the school name change. What he wanted to hear was suggestions about how can we preserve the history of John F. Kennedy High School. And right after that, he asked everybody to um stand and introduce themselves, what year they graduated. However, we did do that, but everyone in that room expressed their concern and desire to have the name change of Armstrong to Armstrong Kennedy. Okay.
045So, during the meeting, it was a great meeting. It was a lot of good suggestions. One of them was a historical marker. And toward the end of the meeting, I said, Mr. Jefferson to everybody. I said, "Thank you for this opportunity for giving us this um hearing or meeting." And I said, "These suggestions, they are good. However, our main concern and priority was to rename the school Armstrong Kennedy." Now, the reason why I'm saying that is because I just read the documentation of the meeting on page four and it says administration's recommendation maintain the school's official name as Armstrong High School recommendation on slide three. Well, that disturbed the entire alumni because that is not what we agreed upon. Once again, we did not talk about the name change. We were talking about suggestions on
046how to preserve Kennedy. And as we see this, it does not reflect on what we are requesting. So when you take this vote, please take into consideration that we still stand with the request of the name Armstrong Kennedy. Thank you so much for your time. May all of you have a great day. >> Thank you, Mr. Mallerie. >> Next, we have William McGee. >> Good afternoon, everybody. >> Good evening. >> Oh, it is evening. I'm sorry. >> I was at the meeting. Uh, first of all, I'm William McGee. >> Sorry. Could you please state your name? >> Yeah. My name is William McGee and I represent the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Richmond, Virginia. I'm also an alumnest faculty member of John F. Kennedy High School. And I'm also a former administrator at Armstrong High
047School. And uh somebody asked me said, "Well, where did you work when you were in Richmond?" I said, "Well, at Kennedy High School." They said, "Well, where is that?" I said, "2300 Cool Lane. Then they said, 'Well, when you were one of when you were principal, administrator, where did you work? I said, ' At Armstrong High School. They said, 'Where is that located? I said, 2300 Cool Lane. Kind of sets up a little dichotomy there, right? They're trying to go like, well, how can those both of those schools be in the same place and that's the dilemma that we face. So, I attended the meeting and as I agree with Mr. Mallalerie, uh we wish the family of Mr. Jefferson or Dr. Jefferson our best. He he he did a fantastic job at the meeting
048but he assured us that the meeting was not about the name change and many people many of us that were there were kind of suspicious as to well why are we here meeting for these suggestions? So we came up with some suggestions but Mr. Mallerie right there made it very clear at the end of the meeting that we all still had the expectation that the board would vote on adding the name Kennedy to the building that's on 2300 Cool Lane. And then when we got this call today and this information that said that had been taken off the agenda because we had said something about we didn't want the name changed in that meeting. We were all very disturbed and perplexed because nothing of that nature was discussed at that meeting and we had been
049assured that that meeting was not a meeting held in opposed to changing the name. So, we're here expressing our desire to have the board vote on whether or not they will add the name Kennedy High School to the building at 2300 Cool Lane, which is now just Armstrong High School. I had the opportunity, the pleasure of working in that same building under both names. And I know that the students that I taught from John F. Kennedy High School are hoping to see the name of Kennedy associated with that building. Thank you all very much and God bless each and every one of you. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. How much more time do we have for open comment? >> 15 minutes. >> Wonderful. At this time, we'd like to open the floor for anyone um
050that is here uh and would like to share a comment. If you could just line up. As you line up, please sign your name to the clipboard and pass it back and we will do our best to receive everyone within the 15 minutes that we have remaining. >> Madam Chair, my name is Charles Willis and I sent an email clerk last week asking to be placed on uh the agenda to to speak. I'm not sure why. wasn't called, but I'm glad I have the opportunity to speak. Say that again, man. Mr. Michael. Yes. Uh, I want to make sure, but I'm speaking just in general since my name wasn't called. Speaking just in general, I want to share with you again, Madame Chair and members of the board. Um, I want to share with you,
051[snorts] excuse me, if by any chance you know, we have lost so many young folks throughout the years. And one of the things that we enrichment does, the homicide support group is we have a holiday memorial memorial and remembrance service. That service will be tomorrow at 6:00 at the um Richmond Police Academy with the Richmond Police Department. Just want to be very brief about it. Um just like the young man that was Richmond public school student lost his life this past weekend. 15year-old over in the Mosqu area. That was a Richmond public school student. His family is hurting right now. It's the holiday season. There's nothing like losing a loved one to murder and violence in our city. So, this is opportunity where we come together and remember those young folks, remember the families. We
052remember the young folks, parents of Richmond public school students. So, if you have the opportunity to stop by, please stop by. Nothing but to wave a hand. And if not, just please send an email or something to the police chief and let them know that you're supporting the families. Moving right along. I don't want to be laid because I have heard from a school board member today and they say don't don't be long just just tell it like it is and y'all know my slogan if I smell it I'm going to tell it behold the scholar and gold you're looking at it the private job 1978 John F Kennedy high school and I shared in a meeting I said back then the students ran the school the principal saw over administration but the students ran
053the school at John F Kennedy we even had a smoking I didn't smoke but we even had a smoking restroom and we abide by the rules. We were proud of the things that we learned. But what's bothersome is what you've heard from Mr. McGee and Mr. Mallalerie and maybe from some of the others >> is is the fact that the notes that you see on there, page two says that we had 18 participants, but those 18 participants were very strong participants. We represented a lot of other entities. We had folks that came all the way and travel from Yorktown. We had folks that came from Northern Virginia. We even had a gentleman on the call from Atlanta, Georgia. That's how important it was to the folks that was there. And then I do want to
054say in closing is that Mr. Maler and Mr. McGee is exactly correct. Mr. Solomon did an excellent job. But to say that his recommendation or the administration recommendation is not to recommend that the name be changed. That's their recommendation. Our recommendation of John F. candidate is that the name be added back to the building. Not be changed, but added back. Now, that may cause a change, but we asking that it be added back. And we ask that not only those board members I've spoken with, but those that I have not had a chance to speak with, if you would consider that. God bless you. And thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, Superintendent Cameras, board members. My name is Jerome Legends and I'm the president of the Carver Area
055Civic Improvement League and Carver Elementary School sits in the middle of our neighborhood. And the reason why I'm here is because there's a part of that school that is in dire need of repair and that's the Morris Street School. I've been working with the Morris Street School Foundation since 2021 trying to get that building saved and and and renovated. The problem that I'm having here is that the holdup is actually the Richmond public school system. We've been see we've been negotiating with you guys over and over again to see what we can possibly do to make that happen. What we've what you've asked us for in memor in in um emails we provided you with that information. We've said to you said to us what is it that you want? You guys said we'll give
056you this. Okay. This is the size of the building that you said that you are willing to to um to to to deed over. You asked us for things such as surveys. We gave you the survey. We spent $35,000 to produce a survey that would show you the boundary line. I'm sorry, the boundary lines for the schools. You guys have copies of this. This is the boundary line adjustment for the school. You guys have copies of this. We spent $180,000 I'm sorry, $120,000 just to have the design work done to say what the school will look like. And so what the holdup is is that RPS has not yet written a quick claim deed to the city of Richmond to say we ready to let this building go. The last time I was here, you
057guys talked about the fact that you couldn't find the quick claim deed. Dana Fox found that quick, not the quick claim deed, you couldn't find the um the suggestion to surplus the building. Dana Fox found that paperwork and said, "We got it. Okay, you've agreed to surplus the building." What is holding us up now is the quick claim deed. The quick claim deed has to be written by your attorney. It has to be mailed to the city's attorney to accept that process. That process has been done over and over and over again. You guys have done this before. Okay. And so what I'm asking you for is a favorable recommendation or a favorable vote to have your attorney to write the quick claim deed for Morris Street School. One minute. >> Okay. Okay. To write
058the quick claim DE for Mor Street School with the memorandum. And the reason why I'm talking about the memorandum because when y'all sent me the first email to say that y'all are interested in in letting the building go, you said the building can this these are the conditions that the building cannot be used for housing. And so we're saying because it's connected to Carver Elementary School, it will stay connected to Carver Elementary School. We decided not to do any housing with as far as that building is concerned. What we're looking at doing is turning it into a performing arts training center for the city of Richmond. This building is one of the buildings that came under the opaces of our um Lieutenant Colonel Kutshaw and you all know his buildings. This is the only building
059of his that sits in the city of Richmond that has not received any kind of attention. This building was designed in 1887 to educate black kids in the city of Richmond. It has been doing so since the school board shut it down in 2000. That building has been sitting vacant in 2005. What really drives me a little nuts about this whole process is because when that building has any kinds of damages, water damage, when the wall when the windows are s out, >> it happens it leaves it elementary school. So I'm asking for your support. >> Thank you. Have a good evening. Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening board members, superintendent cameras, and staff. As you are aware, I'm Carl Vaughn representing Jumpstart You, a local nonprofit since 2012. First, thank you for your
060continued leadership in guiding RPS facilities decisions. I especially want to acknowledge the recent action to surplus the noral annex which represents an important step in aligning resources with community needs. In the official agenda and minutes from December 1st, Thompson Middle was referenced by no new action was taken while no annex was formally advanced in the surplus process. This distinction is important because it signals where the board's current priorities lie. As someone who has been engaged in conversations around Thompson Little, I would like to formally shift my interest to Noral and next. I've walked the property and found it to be nestled within a growing community that shares values aligned with our initiatives. It is more centrally located just 2.2 miles or about 8 minute drive from my home and it sits in the third district
061I believe where Jumpstart U2 is currently located. I've also met several residents in the community, shared my intent, and my concept was welcomed with enthusiasm. I've already begun discussion with members of the VPC group, and I will continue to engage with the chair and other stakeholders as this process moves forward. Having the board support as I make this transition strengthens the case for responsible and community-minded reuse of the property. Thank you again for your stewardship of RPS facilities. I look forward to working collaboratively as norex annex moves through the surplus process and again I do thank you all for your responses. I've emailed and text every one of you and I believe I've heard back from each and every one of you. So I do appreciate the hard work that you do. I appreciate your
062responsiveness and now I'm on to the next challenge and that's hopefully getting hold of moral end and you won't be disappointed with what we do once we make this happen again. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Have a good evening. >> Good evening. >> I'm Joyce Adams to the board, the chair. Um I'm here for John F. Kennedy High School. And first of all, condolences to all of you. I'm with stated. The only thing that I'm asking is you preserve the legacy of Armstrong. Please preserve the legacy of John F. And do not let us just a silent memory, but let us thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Four minutes remaining. >> My name is Larry Wolfford and I'm a graduate of 1972 graduate of John F. Kennedy High
063School. I'm also a hall of famer football. Also was a chief justice of the student government along with as a council as one of the SCA members. But I'm asking and I was at that meeting when the vote was taken to change the name to Armstrong and you didn't have a chance to say what we needed. What we didn't have any discussion on our part as John Kennedy of having a building change. When we learned of it, it was the night of the vote. I'm hoping it's not a deja vu that that is happening again that we don't have any say that things forward chosen. So, I'm asking you to vote to put the name back on the building because we never asked for any of we never asked that you come to our building.
064We never asked to have you throw us our legacy away. Never asked anything other than to have justice. We want our name back on the building. Never asked Armstrong people to do anything for Kennedy. We never asked them take Armstrong away. We never asked them to come. So do the right thing. Do justice. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> There's no other public comments. We will transition to board action items since we've deferred 5.01. All right. And um we'll move forward to 6.01 receive for action. Head start report. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, Superintendent Cameras, and members of the school board. Uh the main update we have to share tonight is that we're delighted to share that we are at 93.4% enrollment for for Head Start. Um, and we continue to get closer and closer
065to our goal. I'm happy to receive any questions. >> Miss Burke, Dr. Harris Muhammed. Thank you, Madam Chair. Am I hearing correct? I am so elated. I am so proud. 90 what? >> 93.4%. you deserve is all that work of the team is super great. >> Well, it also goes to show that we have a great team in place to get things done. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for whatever you did to make this happen because this has been a challenge for a while. Well done. Well done. Thank you for our children get the opportunity to have preschool education as they should. 93% that's excellent. Thank you. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Thank you. I too am elated to hear the news. Um uh thank you for the report. And I also just want
066to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Wiggins and the team for um that lift that led work and and thank you for taking on the lift. He has started is is a heavy lift. um just the entire team and making sure that the alignment was there and um we were filling these seats and people were where they needed to be. So, thank you to everyone that's working together on the hairstart team and RPS to make sure that our slots are almost at 100%. Um it is critically important that our children as we all know in this day as have access to education as early as possible. Um and so thank you. I'm excited um to see this report and and where we stand. Mr. Cameron, I do want to um ask though the future of
067the 200 day school at Ogro Belme if that is going to be a discussion or automatic. It's every year that they're going to be on 200 days every year. Is that not a discussion that comes back up for approval? How does that work? >> Uh we would discuss that um at an update on the 200 >> Mr. Jafari. Thank you. And we're looking at the report and emulated as well because as I look at the old grow child care center it's it's it's sort of an anomaly there because it's not really an RPS site but as I've maintained since joining this board in my view and estimation there are no lesser RPS students and wherever we find them I want the very best for them and I continue to push for the very best for
068all of the families and students scholar in the eighth district. So again, I take my head off to you for the uh the high levels of occupancy that we have with between those two centers. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Pible. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for these numbers. These are amazing. Um and yes, it is it if it takes a village to educate a child, it takes several villages to run Head Start. Um, and uh, a big shout out to uh, Dr. Wiggins as Dr. Harris Muhammad said, but also a shout out to Dr. Harris Muhammad for all of her hard work um, on the Head Start program as well. And getting to the numbers, I know we've been very much focused on these attendance numbers. And I think I'd be remiss
069if we didn't call out Luke Hosteder and all of his efforts and trying to get those numbers up as well. And with all of that positive, let's maintain the focus that 93% is not the stopping point. We have to keep going and we will keep going. But this is definitely good news. Thank you. >> I'm going to sound like a broken record as well. Um very very very excited to see how we've really worked our way to this moment and it was definitely a collaboration and a team effort. Uh Dr. Wiggins, uh, Luke, um, obviously Dr. Harris Muhammed, policy council, um, and it just goes to show you that when we all come together and and and really truly collaborate and true partnership that we can really make some things happen. And I'm excited to
070hear how we're going to consistently um, remain in the green moving forward. Um this is a very huge it's a large body of work and um just am interested to hear how we'll maintain the numbers moving forward but excited for your leadership in this role um temporarily and and just excited to to see all the wonderful things that will come from it. Thank you. Is there a motion? >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> If there isn't any additional questions, I move that we accept the Head Start report as presented. >> Second. >> Been moved out by Dr. Harris Muhammad and seconded by Miss Ricard. Madam Clerk, >> Mr. Pival. Yes, >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes, >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes, >> Mr. Hedgep. >> Yes, >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes, >> Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> Yes,
071>> Miss Burke. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes, >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion pass. >> Great. Thank you. Moving right along in 6.02 receive for approval on strong renaming recommendation. Before we move forward, I would like to open the floor to Miss Burke. >> Thank you. Um, Madame Chair, I'd like to thank all the persons that have participated in coming together over the last couple of years, then came back again. And as I stated at a meeting earlier, this isn't going anywhere. So at some point it does need to be addressed fully in terms of Armstrong's renaming of U. Armstrong Kennedy High School as stated earlier. I think Mr. um Matt I can't think of your last name. Forgive me that was just stated regarding the village. I always wanted just a
072win-win situation regarding this request because at the end of the day, it's about all of us. It's about the entire village. We're talking about two schools that ran the East End. I mean, that's that's historic. It shouldn't be a battle. It shouldn't be a contest. Again, it's about win-win. The proposal that was given to us from the administration was well done and as I stated yesterday, I'm in agreement. However, yes, I am in agreement in everything on the first page except two things. But why not, as a person stated this evening, why can't we honor both John F. Kennedy and Armstrong is are we too too drawn in not to accept that or each other? This is an opportunity not for inclusiveness. Therefore, Madame Chair, I move that Armstrong High School be renamed as Armstrong
073Kennedy High School effective July 2027th with the updated name reflected on the marquee. In addition, I recommend the installation of a John F. Kennedy historic marker and the creation of display cases throughout the building that honor and exhibit the history of both Armstrong and John F. Kennedy. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Miss Burke and seconded by Dr. Harris Muhammad. Before we vote, is there any matter of debate? Thank you, Madame Clerk. Oh, Mr. Pival. [clears throat] >> Thank Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'm a little concerned about the motion. While I I fully support Miss Burke's statements and fully support all the comments that we have here this evening. Um, I'm a little bit concerned that we're rushing into a school renaming situation without the due diligence. And I understand that this may
074be a hybrid, but um, Dr. Dr. Harris Muhammad has told us many times that we have policies in place for a reason and if we're going to rename a school, we likely need to follow policy which would require a certain number of community feedback meetings, etc. I know that we have done some of those things, but um I'm a little concerned. I would love to support this, but I I don't want anyone to take a no vote from me this evening as not supporting this. I just feel like voting on this tonight for a school name change may be a bit premature. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, Miss Burke, Mr. Jafari, >> thank you so much. Um, thank you Mr. Perl. So um the administration did that they collected we as a board asked the administration
075to conduct a survey. Um we provided feedback on that survey. So that was one piece of engagement. The second piece of engagement was the continued meetings that was held with both the alumni Kennedy alumni as well as Armstrong High School at different times. Also, most recently, um the latest meeting that took place, um a week and a half ago at Nora Elementary School on Find that involved, um I was there to provide support. Um but that was of course led by late Chief Jefferson um and his administrative assistant as well as Dr. J. Bell. So we have had and I understand um the concern and everyone on this day is knows and probably those that are watching um me and them policies. Yes, I'm telling you I'm going remind you remind us um and love
076but I think we have done our due diligence. Um this is actually this hasn't this discussion and process and activity has not started with this sitting board. It actually was something that started with the previous board and um with without any disrespect to any entity, it just continued to roll. And so I'm ready for some closure. I think the both entities are ready for some closure. Um but I absolutely understand um what you're saying and sometimes it is very difficult to come towards the end of a process that probably started 16 months ago. >> One minute. >> Um and so I just wanted to share that feedback because I'm not sure if it was clearly shared or um eloquently shared throughout this process, but it's not new. Um I think this is the most work
077though to be fair. this was the most work that has has been done um in this point in this season. And so um I just I just wanted to share that. Um so thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Berg. >> Thank you, Madame Chair. Um vice chair, I would like to know I know I can't answer >> 30 seconds. >> Ask a question and then Why did I get 30 seconds? >> Okay. Um so just to point at clarity >> she was in essence presenting in the beginning with the motion. >> Yeah. Does that make sense? All right. My my question is number one I did ask earlier this we've been dealing with this situation for um I've been on the board about what eight years is it eight years we've been dealing excuse me
078I said dealing with this addressing this for a while and I believe it was just after co um in talking about it going through the same situation not to this extent though and getting feedback and I did ask since this board has been in place I asked and the superintendent presented And I'm not going to second guess what he stated regarding the process. When when we changed the other names of the schools, Justice Lois Harrison Jones, schools were renamed according to the policy because they were slave owners. Armstrong was a union colonel. I believe he was not um um civil war or whatever. So it was explained to us and and I asked us the superintendent address that the process for this was different and we had to be mindful of that. So I don't
079know I would like to know what policy is being addressed that we didn't follow. I wasn't aware of a different policy. Um and I did ask this earlier as well otherwise we didn't have to go through all that we have gone through. Man, I've had many, many, many, many, many, many meetings and I wanted to be at the table, students, the whole nine yards. The um when when the survey was done, when this report was given, it listed the renaming of Armstrong. I can't say it any clearer clearer than that. So, I'm not clear on what we're what we missed. And I really would like to know so we can make it right and move forward. Thank you, Mr. Cambress. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, the schoolboard policy governing naming of facilities is policy
0806-2.9. I do believe the spirit of this policy has been followed. Um, it requires public notice of the school board's intention to name or rename a school shall be given during a formal meeting. I do believe it has been a topic of discussion formally at several schoolboard meetings. The board did not formally vote to engage in a process. Nonetheless, it very clearly entertained this process. Uh considering the name change, there also needs to be a public comment period of at least one month. We certainly have had uh public comment that exceeds that. During that time period, individuals may suggest names that has certainly occurred. Names of persons actively serving the division cannot be considered. They have not. All recommendations must be submitted in writing. I believe various forms they have along with the reasons there
081too. It says the school board shall hold a minimum of two public hearings within the community where the school is or will be located. Certainly the meeting on the 20th I think would qualify. I believe there was another meeting. I can't say that for certain, but I see Mr. Willis nodding his head. So, I'm going to take that as evidence of a second meeting. Um, and um it requires four letters of support. I believe we've gotten certainly at least four emails of support. Uh so all that to say while it may not exactly um follow the typical procedure I do feel though I'm not the lawyer that it does meet the spirit if not the substance of the policy. So um uh from the administration's perspective I I am comfortable moving forward on this. Miss
082Burke. >> Thank you, M. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Cameras. Um, I just just the question that's on my mind and I hope Mr. Persville is is pleased with that. If not, we can go back and do whatever else needs to be done. But you all do the agenda. So, to put on a vote for Armstrong, I'm not I might not at the table for the agenda. So my my question is it shouldn't have been on the agenda to vote for it if we didn't follow the process if I'm following you correctly. I'm just asking for clarification. >> One minute. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um my perspective, Miss Burke, was simply that last night the presentation was given to the board. What I believe that we were voting on was the
083administration's proposal of these following items. Um, and so that was all I was addressing. I have not been through a school renaming process. I appreciate superintendent, walking us through the policy and and addressing these issues one by one. Um, and again, I don't want this to come across as I am against the name change. Uh, I'm just concerned that that we have a motion on the table to change the name of a school and I understand that we have been debating this, but as of last night, what was presented as part of the vote to your point about the agenda was that that other steps had been taken and agreed upon by the parties and we have just found out this evening that that may not have been the case. >> I want to move
084us along. If you can hold your additional question, you need to speak. Say it now, Miss Burke. Thank you, Madam Chair. All I want to say is I agree. So, if we need to vote on this first, fine. I'll switch my motion up and make it after that is done. So, if if if the correct parliamentary procedure is to, and I agree with you on that, is to vote on what was before us, which was the proposal. I agree. And I gladly will restate and come back if that's what's necessary. >> Okay. So, because we have a motion on the floor, we will have to address. Typically, we would address that unless you're wanting to um you could amend it. Yeah. Um but let us get through the discussion first and we can revisit that.
085Mr. Jafari and then Miss Rizzy. >> Thanks, Madam Chair. This this is a historic vote and I know that we can get bogged down in what the policy says and we can go back and forth, but I can tell you that I'm disappointed that what was presented to us in terms of the the uh presentation did not fully and accurately represent what those who were present at that November 20th meeting said. Yes. And so so I'm disappointed about that. But you know, I'm not going to be labor that because my colleague from the seventh district has already said that she's in favor of this and I'm in favor of it as well. But as a little bit of background, this didn't just happen. We've got two decades of people walking through the community disgruntled, upset,
086and thinking that Richmond public schools is ignoring them. And while we can get again get bogged down in policy and we can do all the other things that I think policy permits us to do, sometimes you just have to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done. And right now this is only a segment. This is a very very small segment of those who not just attended that school but who live in that community. always felt that Armstrong Armstrong is the for parent of our schools here but the school building was given by Kennedy there are no lesser entities in this picture everybody is on equal power one gave the building the other gave the legacy that needs to be on the marquee Armstrong Kennedy and let's move forward and heal
087and allow them to heal allow them to sit down in cool air hills. 20 years of walking is a lot. And I can tell you in 18 in 1985, I walked around outside with picket signs on me outside of this very building. Now I sit on the 17th floor sent here by constituents who recognize that everything can't just get lost in policy. You have to be able to answer to the needs and will of the people. And that's what we intend to do with this. There is no intent here to to slight anybody or look past the policy requirements. If you look at it, we we've invited over and over again comments, emails, and we we've all received them. >> 30 seconds. >> And so again, I I just want to lay any concerns that
088we we are doing something untoward or we're doing something that's validative. Actually, what we're doing is what I think John F. Kennedy, Senior, deserves. Thank you. Thank you, Miss RZY. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I, you know, I would really like to before we proceed, know I think primarily just in the case that something like this arises again that what we've done specifically where public hearing the public hearing requirement uh is concerned actually can serve as an actual public hearing. I you know what I what I don't want to happen is that in the future when this you know should happen again and I think that there is at least one school I'm potent particularly interested in having this conversation about in the future at some point um that we don't run into a situation
089where people are going to ask for exceptions from the policy that we have stated um if we do not follow it by the letter every single time. And so I think I just want some reassurance. I don't know if legal can offer that that what we've done up to this point as Mr. Cameas has said can stand in lie of an actual um official public hearing. Thank you Mr. Hedgepath ready please. >> I was just saying sharing with packed please get ready. I have the exact same question in terms of legal. So, >> thank you, Madam Chair. Um, history is not a zero- sum game and um I think a yes vote today is a win-win. I uh really respect the the perspective of my my colleague in the in the seventh and um and
090my other colleagues who've also spoken in favor of this. I think that O yes vote uh pushes back against the censorship of our history and again recognition of both histories is not a loss for one uh but a gain for for both. My I will be voting in favor of that motion but I I do have a question about uh the financial implications of of renaming a school. >> Mr. cameras. >> Uh I believe our prior estimate was something on the order of $100,000 for the marquee uniforms, other signage, historical marker and and so on. Can't say exactly how much it'll all turn out to be, but um I think that would be the the minimum amount. >> Um thank you. Before we let's circle it back, I I do want to um share my
091thoughts. I'm in full support of and prepared to vote yes on tonight, but I do believe that um Vice Chair Perl has a very important question. I never want us to not govern appropriately. It is our responsibility as board members to drive governance and we do that through policy. And so I would feel most comfortable if just understanding from a legal perspective that we've ticked and tied all areas that cover the policy not just in the spirit but in the letter of the law. Um because for me that is what we should be representing. Um that said I do fully support um whatever steps we need to take to ensure that that takes place. But I want to make sure that it's very clear where I stand in terms of as a board, we have
092to be driven by governance and we do that through policy and we should never lose that regardless of what the circumstance is. There's a way for us to get where we need to get through the confines of policy. Um Pat, could you just share if based upon what Mr. cameras has shared through the policy just your um professional perspective in terms of if we've ticked and tied all of the necessary steps. Madam chair. Um, so as an initial matter, I think the board and the superintendent needs to understand that there is no legal requirement because that's not governed by statute or any Virginia law. So what it comes down to it is whether or not the policy was followed. Okay? And there is legal There is in the legal cannon there is this proposition that
093stands for the proposition that the school board has the authority to interpret its own policy. Separately, there is also this legal Canada stands for the proposition that if a policy was not followed to the T, the school board also has the authority to vote to wave or excuse that um that wave the policy application in a particular instance. Okay. So standing here I think if you want to ask whether or not the policy was followed I think it's better rather than for me to tell you I think we go together line by line of this particular policy and I think it will be pretty apparent to you all and members of public whether or not this policy was followed to the team. Okay. Now we can do that or you know I or the I
094think the other options for the school board is to determine okay well if it wasn't was it sufficiently follow or was it followed in a sufficiently enough that the school board feels comfortable what was happened and is willing to wave any informalities that perhaps was wasn't followed and that is within the discretion of the board. And that could be that could be built into the motion. And the motion, for example, could be if that's the will of the board. And I'm not saying that this, but if that's the will of the board, the motion could be something to the effect of the school board. You know, I move that the school board adopt this name and wave any formalities that perhaps was not followed to the exacting language of policy, that's certainly fine as well.
095or if it's the will of the board and say look because it was not followed to the T we would like for it to be followed and then be brought back and I think that's what the board did. >> Thank you, Miss Rzzy. >> Yes, thank you so much for that um pack. I I you know I would feel very comfortable if that were added to the motion so that if we have to do this again and we do go through that policy to the letter um we have the right to go through that policy to the letter and defend our choice. >> I agree. I feel comfortable. Um, I do think we should also still behind the scenes do the due diligence of documenting where we where what movement has taken place because some
096of that was prior to us as as new board members as well. But, um, I I feel comfortable with that uh with updating the language, Miss Burke. So, right now, and I'm I'm I'm glad that you asked uh our attorney to explain that because we don't want anything to come back and and later on as as what was asked. So, what I'm asking now is do you want me to I know emotions on the floor which probably I would feel better restating it if we can move forward to ask number one that uh that I can I can address whatever is in the first put that in there as well. the the um recommendation only thing on page five I think it's page five four five the last page that lists at this time the
097recommendation is um not to change the name so that's the only thing I'm not in favor of otherwise it's I'm in favor of the report that was given so what's the best way to move forward >> so because there was a motion on the floor that was seconded what we would have to do is address that first you can do that and Please correct me scholars if I'm if you I believe you can amend the the motion that was placed on the floor. Am I correct? And and then we can do another uh vote from there. >> [laughter] >> No, I think it it it would be most appropriate to just rescend it since it's in a different posture. Yeah, >> Madame Chair, I resend the motion just rendered. >> Okay. May restate. >> Yes.
098Okay. Okay. I move that um okay my notebook I made a copy of it. Um, I move that the report from the administration regarding the renaming of Armstrong be accepted the coming from the list page three provided that we wave the policy policy 6-2.9 to rename the Armstrong High School to the Armstrong dash Kennedy High School effective July with the updated name reflected on the marquee listed. In addition, I recommend the installation of a Kennedy historic marker. I don't have to say all this because all this is on page one. Okay. All right. Okie do. All right. Let's start this again. Are we good? Please forgive me, but I'm old school. Okay. All right. Okay. We're going to do it. Do it right. And I appreciate everyone's patience, patience. All right. Madam Madame Chair, I
099recommend that we accept the recommendation from the administration to include the recommendations listed on page three only and to wave the policy six um 6-2.9 in the re renaming of Armstrong High School to Armstrong Kennedy effective July I 2027. It's been moved by Miss Cler by Dr. Harris Lord. It's been moved by Miss Burke and seconded by Dr. Harris Muhammed. Is there any matter of debate before we vote? Mr. Pible. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to state emphatically I want to thank the board for their indulgence. I was not against this name change. I just appreciate the conversation. Thank you. >> And now we shall vote. >> Mr. Percal, >> yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >>
100Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Let me think. I just I'm just I'm not sure. I'm not really sure. I think we need to redo this again. Yes, >> I am the policy person. So, >> Miss Burke, >> yes, >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes, >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes, >> madam chair. Motion passes. >> Thank you. This is what happens when the community comes together. Thank you for your emails. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for your advocacy. I think there as my colleague Mr. Heshbath said tonight it was a win-win and we just wanted to make sure we did that in the confines of true policy and governance. So thank you. >> Absolutely. 10 seconds. Just want to thank everybody for their patience, the administration, the superintendent, the community, and at the end of the
101day, we'll be a stronger village in district 7. It truly takes a village. All right, moving right along to 6.03. Receive for action, vacant property committee recommendations. Mr. Herel. >> Good evening. Um, the first slide that we are going to cover is a review of what Miss Rizzy shared last month. It is a collection of the recommendations from the November 11 school board work session regarding the dispossession of assets as recommended by the facilities and vacant properties committee to the board. Um, and we have a recommended motion on the table. In terms of process, I'm happy to pause here and then give a quick update on facilities updates, but I I wanted to give you all the space there. >> And I would note I have not received any questions. So, say that >> and
102as a reminder, this was more of a formality as we had already had the consensus, but it was a request that actually voted. So we should be in a good space for this particular document. There is another that I believe we need to discuss. Do we have a motion for >> I move that we accept the recommendations as presented. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Dr. Harris Muhammad and seconded by Mr. Hedgepath. Madam clerk or is there a matter of debate? Madam clerk. >> Mr. Perol. >> Yes. >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath. >> Yes. >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> Yes. >> Miss Burke. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes. >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you.
103Uh in addition, we wanted to provide a quick update on a option to uh prioritize the facilities updates that we need to make. As this board knows from the uh facilities condition assessment that was done recently, we have an enormous amount of deferred maintenance on our buildings. That means in practice that Bobby Hathaway and his facilities team do enormous amounts of work to keep our buildings in operating shape and they are constantly facing an uphill battle. One of the challenges that they have very consistently faced and that will only increase over time as we continue to have fewer capital dollars for investments in our facilities than our need would uh recommend that we have is those needs are going to continue. And so we want to make sure that we are being very disciplined about
104how we use those dollars to keep our buildings up to date. And we want to make sure that at the top of the list at all times whenever we have to make the decision is making sure our buildings are safe for our students and staff. That has to be our top priority. And so unfortunately what that means is we need to make difficult choices about what we can and cannot do. And we wanted to put in place a structured process for how we would do that. And we wanted you to be aware of that. I do have at the bottom of this slide a little bit of context just to put into real numbers what this means on a daily basis for the facilities team. So as you see this year, for example, the operating
105budget for ongoing maintenance is about $6.3 million. If you take out all of the preventative and proactive maintenance that we do every year, that amounts to about $4.3 million, which leaves Bobby and his team about $2 million for all of their unanticipated facilities maintenance needs over the course of an entire year, over 50 plus buildings and over 5 million squaret of real estate. When I have shared those numbers externally with folks, they have been shocked by that. That means that Bobby and his team have about $170,000 per month across all of that facility space. This is why unfortunately we have to be really disciplined and make difficult prioritization decisions. And so what we are proposing is creating a categorization matrix where we would have high priority, medium priority, and low priority items. And we would
106share with schools the high priority items we are committing to fixing within 48 hours. The medium priority items we are committing to fixing within two months and the low priority items we would try we would attempt to fix within six months. That would unfortunately be based on whether or not the budget would allow. No one wants this to be the case, but given our financial situation, we want to do this because we want to make sure that we are proactively and transparently communicating with schools as they make facilities maintenance requests. We want to be able to tell them this is the timeline you can expect things to get done if we have the ability to do so. I've provided some uh specific examples of what would fall under the high priority, medium priority, and low
107priority items. And as you can imagine, this is exclusively driven by safety of our buildings for our students and our staff. I'll yield the floor for any questions you all might have. this record. >> Just want to thank you for this and for the matrix. I think we get a lot of questions from our constituents about certain things going on in our building and it'll be helpful to talk about the timeline um and explain why maybe some things just aren't addressed and why some will be addressed right away. Um, so I I truly appreciate and I think as much as we can get this out amongst all our staff and faculty that would be great. Um, >> thank you. >> You all do a lot with a very small amount and we are so grateful
108and we want that amount to be far more which is why we're going to start advocating hard for that. Um, just really appreciate this. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Cameras. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, thank you so much, Mr. Herrell. Just to make this more concrete, as board members and other staff are out and about and identify issues that come up, invariably it makes its way to Mr. Hathway, Mr. Herrell, or to me. Sometimes what we will begin to do is respond by saying, "Thank you so much. This has been deemed high priority and it will be dealt with in this timeline. This has been deemed medium priority, which means we will attempt to get to it over the next six months. That is going to be a hard transition for folks. I am as
109guilty as anyone of telling Mr. Haway, I want this done next week. Um, and so I'm going to try really hard and I respectfully ask from all of you as well. I know you want to be responsive to your constituent, which is your job. Um, but we will need to begin to manage expectations. It's on us to get the word out about this so you're not um on your own, but that will begin to become common knowledge across the system. Thank you so much. It's been deemed low priority. Unfortunately, that means so so on and so forth. We'll make this very public. We'll make sure it's on the website. We'll make sure we communicate it out. I'll even talk about it uh in an upcoming RPS direct at some point just to you know let
110the whole community understand what we're facing with. Um but I do think my sense is folks are generally so disappointed understanding if they just know what are the rules of the game as it were what I can expect. Sort of like when you call the airlines and it says the next call will be answered in 92 minutes. you're not happy, but at least you know what you're dealing. Um, and so, uh, that's that's the goal. >> When you do that, anybody wants >> just a quick Thank you, ma'am. Just a quick question. Um, what is the rollout time frame? Is this tomorrow? week from now, >> we have materials ready to go that outline more details about what the matrix looks like, the timeline, and uh examples. And so, we are ready to go immediately.
111Our plan would be to start by rolling that out to school leaders. We've given them a heads up that this prioritization scheme would happen. And so, we would want to start with the um our school building leaders, including our custodial staff, who often submit these requests on behalf of buildings. We'd want to start there. And then, as Mr. camera said, "Roll this out to families as well. Add it to our website so we'd be able to do that immediately." >> Thank you. I think this makes a ton of sense. As a matter of fact, I thought we had something similar already in place. Um that's why I was whispering to uh Mr. Cameras, but um either way, I think this is extremely important. I think my only feedback would be for those that are medium
112priority to low priority, how do we still choose, right? And so as long as there's a level of consistency and fairness across the districts um just to ensure you all have line of sight into that to ensure that all division, all of the division is being um supported. I think that um yeah, I think it's a great structure. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Ninth district projects go first and then >> that's pretty much what I'm saying. Um, no. And and also I mean I think when you you compare this or couple this with the facilities maintenance um assessment that we have, it just it's paints a big picture, right? Because we're still advocating for the funding that we need, but we're also being very smart about how we prioritize the needs of the different
113school buildings. And what we'll find, I'm sure, is that even with high priorities, there's still competing priorities that we'll have to challenge. And so, I'm just hopeful that there's a way to navigate those nuances because they will be there. So, thank you for your work on this. All right. There's nothing else. Board action items. Moving right along to the consent agenda. >> Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> I move that we accept the consent agenda. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Dr. Harris Muhammad and seconded by Mr. Hespath. Madam clerk. >> Mr. Perl. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ricard. >> Yes. Mr. Mr. Farooq. >> Yes, >> Mr. Hedge. >> Yes, >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes, >> Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> Yes, >> Miss Burke. Miss >> Mr. Jakari. Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Okay.
114Um, we will now be moving to new business. And I would like to yield the floor to Dr. Harris Muhammad who would first like to make an announcement. [clears throat] Okay. I have some news to share. I have the honor of serving as a CEO of a school division in Virginia, as the acting superintendent in Virginia. Thank you. And this will be most likely my last schoolboard meeting with you. So that's what all the hustling was about earlier, receiving the news and trying to hold the news to share with all of you. My family and I have Thank you. This little girl from Cuckoo, Virginia. And that is a place [sighs and gasps] has worked hard all of her life to get to this point in my career. This is a bittersweet moment. So, Madam
115Chair, thank you for allowing me just to take a few minutes. Everything that I have, every path that I've been on in my life has been for a purpose as for for has been for an ordained assignment. And I walk boldly in my faith. Have always walked boldly in my faith. I have reflected on the contributions that I have made as a schoolboard member, as a community leader, and the door has opened for me to move into the next season of my professional life. And I'm going to take it because I deserve it. I deserve it. And I'm so appreciative to my family, to my husband, who is also my boyfriend and all of the things. It's so weird to proclaim my love for him from the days. But the support that my children and
116my husband have given me over the past few days has just has just been unparalleled. And so I'm excited for what God has for me. And everything that I've done from this day is has prepared me for this new season. And I'm so excited. I'm so excited for what God has for me. So I look forward to working with you on the other end. Welcome to the club. Thank you to all of the chiefs for just allowing me to a little bit. Thank you to my schoolboard colleagues for just seeing my heart and the work because for me students matter. I was one of these children. My grandparents raised me. I grew up in turmoil had a lot of trauma. But that doesn't define the woman that I am today. and everything that I have
117been through, everything that I have walked through has prepared me for the next season. And I am elated what God has for me. So, I may not be in this seat, but know that I will be championing all of Richmond City public schools from the transition committee that I've been appointed to by the governor, excuse me, lieutenant governor elect as well as in my new role as the acting superintendent. And so I am so excited for the next move. Thank you so much for your support. Thank you so much for serving on the policy committee which is so much part of who I am. And I just will continue to to support you and pray for us, pray for you as you as we all are going into have been in a unprecedented time of
118public education. Continue to always always speak to student outcomes and keep the children and families first as I know you will do. Always participate. Participate in governance training. Always obtain professional development. Do the things that is necessary. This is not goodbye. This is just I see you later in another row. So thank you Before we do a picture, before we do a picture, because I know once we do pictures, we'll probably transition to uh the next thing. I just want to take just a few moments to give um Dr. Harris Muhammad her flowers. I was appointed to the board February of last year. Feels like forever, but it's only been a short period of time. And what I can say about Dr. Harris Muhammad is that her passion is real. And she leaves very big
119shoes to fill. Um, and I just want to thank you, Dr. Harris Muhammed, for always being your true authentic self. and for championing what governance looks like, championing what driving policy looks like, and not being afraid to say the hard things. Um, it has been truly been an honor and a privilege to work alongside of you. This is not goodbye. You're right cuz you are stuck with me and I'm sure the rest of us um because we've been doing this body of work together. But I just want you to know how much I appreciate you and all that you have brought to the RPS school board. You will be greatly missed. Yeah, we could we could say well I mean what's >> and we all [laughter] but I I don't know we all can sing
120but I I I have faith in you. I have faith in you. I have faith in you. >> Well, we can all and we and we will have some time. We, you know, we'll be breaking bread on Thursday for a holiday >> convening. So, we'll be able to do I know this is fresh. This was I don't know why it's happening like this, but a lot of things are happening fresh off the press and so we've had to pivot and adjust and and so it's it was met with sadness but excitement at the same time. She said, "I'm leaving. I'm leaving." Like, "No, no, no, no, no." And then she said, "But I'm going to be superintendent." I was like, "Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's good. It's really good. So, congratulations again. All right, let's
121take a picture, guys. And yes, Okay. I don't think any of our new business can top that, but I would uh like to open the floor now for any items for new business before we go into close. Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to ask, and I'm doing this respectfully, something just hit me. Something to add to the um agenda for those schools that are we are having the process of being built um such as um Richmond High School of the Arts and Opportunity. Everybody's now privileged to read the um docs, board docs. In fact, I found out a lot of folks with this process with Armstrong renaming, they never they heard about board dos but never knew what was what. So people want to know a refresher, but they want
122to hear it from the administration in terms of uh and I'm saying that because I hadn't shared that with you. That's why I'm asking respectfully, right? Yeah. Yeah. I know you don't have meeting but they just want to hear they want to hear all over the world. get in school though even though some of us have to wait. >> Yes. And similar to Fox where I think the build is out a certain amount of time, it will start to become a part of uh action item where we actually openly discuss it. It will no longer be in other information. When is that timeline? >> Yeah, I think probably about six months from now. >> Yeah, because we're still about a year out. So, and there's a, if I may, there's a couple of issues that
123we do need to discuss that we're preparing. Uh, for example, the the nature of the athletic field, um, which is going to require some additional investment to meet the requests of the community. So, we're preparing that analysis and we'll be bringing that forward short, >> but maybe that'll be an opportunity for us. Any other items? Thank you. So, please um note that if anything comes to mind before next month, feel free to email those items to the full board and we can those up for consideration. Next meeting is in January, folks. So, for those who are watching, happy holidays. Be safe. Yeah. It's really happening. And um with that, who has closed? >> Madame [clears throat] Chair, I move that the school board of the city of Richmond convene in close session one to discuss
124and consider the hiring of candidates for a central office position as authorized by VA code 2.2-3711A. >> All right, folks. We're not quite enclosed yet. Give us just a couple more seconds. Second. >> It's been moved by Miss Ricard and seconded by Mr. Pival. Madame Clerk, >> I'm sorry that Mr. Hedgebath, I'm so sorry. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Perl. >> Yes, >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farut, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, Dr. Harris Muhammad, >> my Yes. Yes. Is this my last? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Miss Burke. >> Nic. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes. >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. We are now in close. If we could just transition quickly. We don't have