RPS School Board Meeting - November 11, 2025

001All right. Um, on this evening, November 11th, 2025, we'd like to call our business session school board meeting into order. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Perl, >> here. >> Miss Ricard here, >> Mr. Farooq >> here, >> Mr. Hedgeped >> here, >> Miss Rizzy >> here, >> Dr. Mr. Harris Muhammed, Miss Burke >> here, >> Mr. Jafari, Miss Fernandez >> here. We have a quorum. >> At this time, we'd um like to ask for a motion to allow Dr. Harris Muhammad to join virtually. >> So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Jafari and seconded by Miss Burke. Madame Clerk. >> Mr. PL. >> Yes. >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepit, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >>

002Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. And now we will have our pledge of allegiance and moment of silence that be led by um Mr. Farooq. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. And now we'll have our translation services announcement. Good evening. >> Good evening. Uh, welcome on behalf of the language justice team. If you need interpretation from English to Spanish, please come see me. I will be 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 to please speak at a

003normal 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 on to 1.04. approved the minutes of October 6, 2025 and October 7th, 2025 schoolboard meetings. >> Madam chair, I move that we approve the meetings. >> It's been moved by Mr. Peral and seconded by Mr. Jafari. Madame clerk, Mr. PL. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ricard severe hearing problems including hearing loss which may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any changes in hearing. >> Yes. >> Miss Rzzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes. >> Miss Burke. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes. >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. Motion passes. Before we move forward,

004can we identify what the echo is? >> Oh, Dr. Harris Muhammed, there's a bit of an echo on um you're in if you can hear us, if you can mute your line. Thank you and welcome. Thank you for being here this evening. All right. Um item 1.05, adoption of the agenda. Miss Ricard. >> Madam Chair, I move to adopt the agenda for Tuesday, November 11, 2025. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Ricard and seconded by Mr. Hedgebath. Madam clerk, >> Mr. Perl, >> yes. >> Mr. Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. HedgeP, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> yes. >> Miss Burr, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. And now for

005a very important part recognition. We have our student representative, Mr. Cameras. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am thrilled to introduce Maple Sanchez from Open High School. Maple is a senior at Open where he stands out as both an academic achiever and a passionate advocate for student voice. As a dedicated member of my student advisory council and the open high speech and debate team, he brings thoughtful insight, strong communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to making education more equitable for all students. An AP scholar, Maple Maple combines intellectual curiosity with a deep sense of purpose. His involvement in political activism, particularly around education policy, reflects his drive to ensure that student perspectives are heard in conversations that shape schools and communities. Outside the classroom, he enjoys exploring creative outlets like photography, visual art, and film.

006He also enjoys listening to music and staying active through workouts, balancing his academic and advocacy work with personal passions that keep him grounded and inspired. After graduation, Maple plans to attend a 4-year university to study public policy with a focus on health policy following a pre-law track on the path to becoming a health attorney. His goal is to combine his love for policy, justice, and service to improve access and outcomes in healthcare. Maple Sanchez is more than a student leader. He is a change maker. With his intellect, empathy, and vision for a better future, he represents the voice and potential of the next generation of community leaders. Please join me in welcoming Maple Sanchez. Testing. Testing. There we go. All right. Good evening, members of Richmond Public Schools Board, Superintendent Jason Cameras, and everyone joining

007us here and at home. Before I begin, I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to the individuals who made it possible for me to speak today, including Daryl Williams, Tama Massie, Clary Carlton, Dr. Danielle Green Brown Bell, sorry, apologies, and many others. Thank you all for your continued support and dedication. My name is Maple Sanchez Cardona. I am proud Hispanic member of an RPS student body and a senior at Open High School. My time in Richmond public schools has been a journey that defies categorization, a unique experience that to me reflects the very resilience of the human spirit. As a young RPS student, I felt a sense of comfort in what I already knew and therefore faded into the blended background of Latino students. It was my River City Middle School algebra teacher, John Bert,

008who saw something in me and led me to the opportunity of specialty school applications. For teachers and administrators to enrich opportunities, it is a necessity to have these personal connections with their students and their families in order to set more students sights on postsecary planning. My hope for RPS is to continue growing into a district that not only celebrates diversity but ensures every student regardless of their background or language feels seen, supported, and capable of postsecary success. While I do not personally share the exact struggles of our multilingual learner students, I stand here as an advocate for them. They deserve every opportunity to thrive, especially in a world that can feel often feel uncertain and intimidating. I want to first recognize the incredible progress RPS has made in supporting its ML community. The district has

009shown initiatives through efforts such as establishing dedicated departments for MLL students, expanding programs like English as a second language and dual language immersion, setting goals for increasing the number of certified ML teachers, working to provide equitable access to rigorous coursework and improving communication with parents and with programs like Konganas, which helps overage and underredited students reach graduation. All of these are powerful examples of RPS's commitment to belonging, equity, and inclusion. However, despite these efforts, significant challenges challenges persist in how we support ML students throughout their secondary and post-secary journeys. According to Jennifer Blackwell, Dr. Jennifer Blackwell apologies, RPS's director of MLL success, enrollment among multilingual learners declined by 355 students in the 2024 2025 school year. Even more concerning, only 10 newcomers, students born in other countries, enrolled during that period. Chronic absenteeism also remains

010a pressing issue with demographic data often under track, limiting timely interventions. In 2024, the graduation rate for Hispanic students stood at 65% and for MLL students just 59%. Both below the state average. These numbers are not merely merely statistics. They represent students with dreams, talents, and potential left unrealized. Several factors contribute to these disparities. One of them is language barriers. Many ML students experience isolation from native English speakers, limiting opportunities for connection in language practice. In schools with large Spanish-speaking populations, teachers without sufficient language training often face challenges providing individualized support despite RPS's commendable commendable efforts to expand resources and welcome centers. Poverty. Broader systemic inequities continue to affect RPS families. Research shows that black and Hispanic students disproportionately attend schools where the majority of peers come from lowincome backgrounds. While not unique to RPS,

011this reality underscores the importance of continued investment in resources and support systems. Fear in immigration policies. Recent shifts in immigration policy have understandably caused significant fear among families leading to lower ML enrollment and less engagement from affected communities. Cultural belonging. Grouping by ethnicity or language can unintentionally isolate rather than integrate students. RPS must continue fostering environments where all students feel a true sense of belonging. Right now, much of the focus is appropriately on helping helping MLO students reach graduation, but graduation should not be the finish line. It should be the launching pad. Motivation to graduate increases when students can see a future beyond high school. When MLO students are given the chance to dream, plan, and prepare for post-secary life, they are far more likely to persist and succeed. This is a shared responsibility for

012students, teachers, administrators in the community alike. Some propositions include students taking leadership through student ambassador programs, mentoring peers, and helping new students find their footing, integrating into RPS, and leaving RPS as well. Teachers can help establish or expand Latino student unions or other affinity groups to guide MLL students through post-secary planning. RPS administration combined the Spanish for educators program develop a clear and accessible menu of resources for ML students and strengthen partnerships with community organizations that provide mentorship, college readiness and family support. For example, one uh one head one figure head of Latino community in Southside Richmond. He is not very active anymore. However, he did have a pivotal role in my early childhood. Dustin Matthew King, lovingly known as Matteo, notably established many opportunities for Latino families on the south side of Richmond, including

013Richmond Clinic Jonas. RPS has the ability to interact with these individuals and ask if they were to so kindly help with fostering connections. Um, of course, community members and families can be empowered through communication systems, especially for parents who may not be techsavvy or fluent in English. My parents are one of these. Um, the progress RPS has made deserves recognition, but the work ahead demands collaboration and vision. If we come together, educators, students, and community members, we can ensure that every multilingual learner not only reaches the graduation stage, but steps confidently into futures they've had the chance to imagine. I look forward to seeing further support implementations carried out in RPS in the future. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to students of Richmond public schools. Thank you so much. Well

014said. Thank you. All right. At this time, we'll receive proclamation for family engagement month. My name Jima. I'm in 10th grade and I attend Richmond Success Academy. National Family Engagement Month. Whereas Richmond Public Schools recognizes that families are our students first and most important teachers and that family engagement is a key driver of student success in school and beyond. And whereas National [music] Family Engagement Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the many ways families [music] contribute to the academic achievement, social, emotional growth, [music] and well-being of students across our division. And whereas meaning meaningful family engagement involves building authentic twoway partnerships between schools, families, and communities grounded in trust, collaborations, and respect. And whereas the RPS engagement office, schoolbased family liaons and community partners works tirelessly to connect families with resources, amplify their voices, and

015strengthen relationships. Now, therefore, be it proclaim the Richmond public schools hereby recognizes November 2025 as National Family Engagement Month and [music] calls upon all schools and community members to join in this recognition. All right. Next up, we have received proclamation for National School Psychology Week. >> Tavarius Martin, Richmond Success Academy, 11th grade, and I'm here to tell you about National School Psychology Week. Whereas Richmond Public Schools recognizes and celebrates our dedicated school psychologist who work to meet students needs, provide counseling and intervention, and strengthen the connection between home and school. Where's the theme of National Psychology Week? Finding your path reflects the way that school psychologist help students, families, and school communities set and achieve their goals. And where school psychologist partner with their teachers, administrators, and family to help remove barriers to learning, ensuring

016that every student feels welcome, heard, loved, and supported. And whereas through expertise and compassion, school psychologists embody the RPS values of equity, empathy, and excellence. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that Richmond Public Schools recognizes November 3rd through the 7th, 2025 is National School Psychology Week and encourages all schools and community members to join this celebration. >> Wonderful. Last but not least, receive proclamation and recognition of Veterans Day. My name is Hassan. I'm an eighth grade and I attend Richmond Success Academy. Whereas Veterans Day is a time to honor and express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the United States Army Forces. And whereas these individuals have demonstrated courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication in defending our nation's freedom and ensuring the safety and security of all Americans. And whereas

017Richmond Public Schools celebrates that many of our students, [music] families, and staff members are themselves veterans or are part of military families whose service and resilience strengthen our community. And whereas our schools are committed to teaching students the importance of civic duty, patriotism, and respect for those who have served our country with honor. And now therefore, be it proclaimed the Richmond public schools hereby recognize November 11th, 2025 as Veterans Day and cause upon all members of the RPS community to join in honoring our veterans for the extra extraordinary service and sacrifice. Thank you so much. We are going to now take pictures and we'll start with Maple. So, if the board could make your way down All right. At this time, we'll move forward to a 3.01 announcements. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Thank you. Good

018evening, everyone. Happy Tuesday. I have a few announcements that I would like to share at this time. I would like to take this opportunity to send a huge congratulations to Principal Dabney, the MLK staff and students and the mentoring program UB 100 for receiving a grant from the Richmond Behavior Authority yesterday. They had a press conference yesterday. I was unable to attend. However, I was there in spirit. So, congratulations and continue doing the great work and the hard work that you all are are continuing to do at MLK Middle School and in the community. Everything that you all do impacts student outcomes. So, thank you. Congratulations. This is huge for you, Principal Davney, [snorts] and your staff. So, thank you so so very much for the work that you all do together. My second announcement

019is I just want to take the opportunity again to say thank you, a personal thank you to Dr. Bell for standing and to receive the Hall of Fame award on behalf of our late Riddick Parker and his family, wife, and children. Mr. Parker was recognized on October the 16th for his dedication to Southampton County Public Schools, academic program, athletics program, and the community service that he provided. So, Dr. Bell, again, thank you so very much for doing that. Um, and Richmond public schools family, Mr. Parker's, uh, legacy and his hard work continues to live on in the students that he poured into. So, thank you so very much. That concludes my announcements for this evening. >> Thank you, Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madame Chair. First of all, I would like to acknowledge the uh

020wellness department and engagement department and all departments that were in place regarding the fresh market, RPS market at Clo Springs Elementary. had an opportunity to visit on the first day and it was absolutely divine. If you haven't been to the market, I mean there was chicken breasts, watermelons, pineapples, even toasted sandwiches, just everything from one end to the other. And it was so welcoming and it was great to see parents um come in with the big wagons and everybody was just so helpful. So hats off to to Ms. Parks and her team and others in the system that um I didn't want to leave. It was just that welcoming, just that accommodating and food for our families. So thank you so very much for that job. Well done. I also would like to recognize the

021Synergy Technology Company. Mrs. Ro is the u propri proprietor of that business and a great supporter of Virginia Commonwealth University in the seventh district. Each school has an opportunity to have a teacher to be recognized and I need to send the pictures and post them. I haven't had a chance to do that yet. But each teacher that puts his or her name in a basket, their name is pulled and they get four free tickets front row at a VCU basketball team game. Um so far we've had out of our seven schools in the seventh district had the first game um and the next um will be Belleview I think it's this tomorrow morning where the basketball team comes into the school and they were so massive and so tall that our our students and staff

022it was like okay it was it was awesome. cultural roelle I think his name is they did a um through Mrs. row in the technology program. They're doing STEM activities in every seventh district school. So, they had oranges cut in half and with the oranges they made electricity. So, the students were just just taken away by what was done. It was a hands-on project and the next day the teacher, Miss Harrington, second grade teacher, went to the basketball game, four tickets, and depending upon the score, the school would get thousands of dollars. So, we're very grateful to that partnership with Synergy Technology and VCU. Thank you. That concludes matter. >> Thank you, Mr. Hitchpack. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of quick announcements. One, our uh November 4th District Parent Teacher Advisory Council

023uh will be held uh that meeting will be held on Monday the 24th at 5:30. This time it will be at Wester Hills Elementary School. Uh that's one that uh again that will rotate through all of the schools in the fourth. If you're not a a current uh participant, I I encourage you to join us. Anyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be served. If you need uh the if you'd like the agenda beforehand and to get onto the communications, uh please email me and I'll add you to that. Uh we we welcome you at that point. Uh my other announcement is um I just want to say at this point of the year as we're coming to uh to uh Thanksgiving uh that I wanted to share I'm very thankful for my colleagues here on

024the deis as well as the RPS community. It's a very strong community and I'm very thankful for for every one of you all. Um I uh we we we talked a little bit about a uh recently a tra the training that we had gone to. I know a number of us had reflected on that two weeks ago. We went to our our mandator mandatory training with the Virginia School Board Association. Um and that was a moment for us to bond uh further than we have uh previously. And so I just wanted to share my gratitude uh for my colleagues up here but also for the RPS community. and I wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. Miss Ricard, >> thank you, Madam Chair. Um, since it's family engagement month, I just wanted to thank

025um the engagement efforts with the office of engagement and BCU. They've been doing a lot of things in district 2. Um they recently hosted a math and paint night at Carver. They helped out at Dogwood on Halloween and we are starting to talk with Principal Chetum about things that can be done at Richmond Success Academy. So I appreciate their efforts there. Fox Elementary is doing a kindness month and I just think I wanted to mention that. It's lovely. It's random acts of kindness and so um just keep that in mind. This month Mr. Hedgepath talked about gratitude and how can we put that and kindness out into our world. Um, and finally, I just wanted to thank all our teachers. I know it's conference month. I know those take a lot of time. I had

026a conference today with one of my children's teachers and as a parent I really appreciate the 15 minutes to talk and talk about concerns and hear how they are in their class and share any successes or challenges. So um thank you teachers. I know it's in something um but as a parent I do really appreciate it. Miss Rzie. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I um this is kind of small, but I attended a most adorable trunken tree right before um Halloween um at Maymont Preschool Center, and it was just adorable. I mean, all the little princesses and the ninja turtles and um it was so well done. Um and so I want to express gratitude to the parents who showed out and put together those elaborate setouts setups in their trunks. Like I didn't even

027know you could do some of the things that they did in the backs of these trucks. I mean trunks. Like they were like full out like um productions and it was so amazing um and so well organized. So, I do want to shout out Principal Pride and her staff. Um, it was just a lovely event and you could see how much the kids appreciated it. Um, and I do want to also highlight, you know, I've posted about this on social media, but they are looking for someone to help with grounds cleanup on a semi-periodic basis. Um, they haven't really been able to attract volunteers who are showing up regularly. Um, and that front area could use some real beautifification and love. And so if any of you know of any organizations who are interested in

028service projects, um, please reach out to Principal Pride or you can let me know. Thanks, >> Mr. Jabari. >> Good evening. Thanks, Madam Chair. I want to echo the sentiments about the fall fest and the trunk retreats. Uh it was enormous just going around and seeing all of the youngsters throughout the eighth district. Uh if I had to pick one, you know, one that really struck me the most, it was seeing the prekers at uh Summer Hill. They had the whole field laid out with pumpkins and just to watch them class by class just come out and just run out and pick their own pumpkin. Just had to basically run behind one young man. and he had a a shopping bag full of pumpkins. Couldn't even get them back up the hill. But but it

029was all fun and I really commend Principal Doy and all of her staff as well as all of the staff at all the schools throughout the district for the work that went into bringing the community out and having all of the goodies there and sharing together. want to also take this opportunity to uh send some congratulations to Principal Green uh over at Broadock and the staff and students for the accredited status that they've achieved at Broadrock and they really set the uh set the pathway for others of our schools to follow and I'm I'm sure we will all get there. We're not off by a lot of percentiles so I'm quite sure we'll get there. Uh lastly and owing to uh the Veterans Day, the recognition of Veterans Day, my colleagues were trying wanted me

030to stand out there, but generally I leave that for the members of the public that attend and for our employees, but I did. I I was a Marine honor graduate from Paris Island. Um in that regard, I I just want I look at the times we live in and I just wanted to remind us all that, you know, we were never promised a more perfect union. uh more perfect union. What we were charged with rather was a duty to make this a more perfect union. Thanks to our United States veterans, we still had that choice and that charge. On behalf of the 8th district and all of our veterans and veteran families, from my great-grandfather, a veteran of the Spanishame War to our 35th president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Senior, whom, I might add, paid the

031ultimate price. I thank them all for their service and I salute you. >> Thank you, Mr. Farooq. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh first quick announcement that Henderson Middle School in the third district is hosting a free farmers market tomorrow from uh 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. So it's open to all families on a first come first serve basis where you can pick up fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry stables. And that's thanks to a lot of community partners who work together to make that happen. also announced that next month on Monday, December 8th, myself and our second district, representative, Miss Ricard, will be hosting a town hall at Maggie Walker Governor's School at 7 p.m. And that is targeted on a conversation about the new excess the new accreditation or the new quality standards from

032the state as well as many many changes that are happening in public education statewide that will affect our students. So, we want to make sure that we give our parents and staff an opportunity to learn about those changes and have an open conversation with us about how we're preparing for them. And lastly, I'll just give a quick update that today I attended I visited rather three schools in the third district and met with our partners at Child Savers who have clinicians and mental health staff on site at these schools and just had an open conversation about the process that we have where our school-based mental health teams work very hard, our counselors, our school psychologists, our um assistant principles and when we have them our RB BHA or our mental health clinicians that are on

033site to figure out and target our students who need support who might be struggling with something that might affect their learning or affect their behaviors. And there's a reason, you know, again, we rightfully should keep celebrating our students and parents and the incredible achievements we've made in increasing our graduation rates, increasing our test scores, but it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of collaboration to make that happen. And uh today I got a chance to sit with some of our clinicians and talk about what are the conversations they're hearing from our students. What are the things that our students are struggling with? And when I asked them if there what what do you wish people in power knew about the work you do in our schools with our children overall they said

034one that there's a definite need for more resources. Um you you know these are full-time clinicians that are located in our schools. They're there not, you know, from morning to evening with all the other staff. So, they're familiar with the community and the school and the other staff at the school. And I think that makes them much more effective than someone that might occasionally come in once in a while. So, one, the need for resources like that to invest in people like that. And two, the other is just the fact that it takes an extraordinary amount of courage for our young people to even open up to that kind. I know for myself, there's no way you would have gotten me as a high schooler to open up to my counselor or to anybody about

035anything I was struggling with at school. And so the our kids are opening up. They're accepting help. They're working hard. And so we need to keep our eyes on the fact that this is such an important resource that we're able to provide. And it's part of why we part of why when people say, "Well, where is all the money going?" This is some of the ways in which we're investing in our children. and uh just wanted to again appreciate all of our staff and kids for doing that. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. >> Um so I have several announcements as well. First, um I'd like to share that River City uh will be having a cornhole tournament uh coming up on November 13th. Several schools uh in the area will be joining. So

036um that will be super exciting. So hopefully um folks can join in. Also, they'll be having the illuminating vibes event. Uh I had the uh opportunity to um go last year um where they have kind of like a blackout and have like neon lights and uh um sticks and things that they throw. It's It's so fun. Um so um that should be a treat as well. Um, I also had the opportunity to visit Clark Springs um for the first day of the is it called the love the love market. Um, and I will just say um it's topnotch. It it feels it looks uh like going into a a grocery store. And I just really want to thank um the administration uh Mrs. Parks for her passion. um particularly in just being the brainchild of

037uh putting something together so quickly that it positively impacts so many families. Um as I was walking up, families were lined up and not just that but just the staff as they were received. You know, I witnessed as families came through and were being served, they were truly being served with love. Um, so thank you so much. Um, this is a perfect example of how when things in our society happen, we just band together and figure it out. And so, um, we just appreciate the support that you all put into that work. Um, I know that it did not, um, you know, happen overnight, but it happened overnight. And so, we thank you, uh, for that. Um, also, um, just want to, um, send a special thank you to my colleague, Mr. Jafari, for joining

038me for our joint town hall. [laughter] Um, I don't know what week it was. I feel like all the days are going by so fast. Was it last week? Felt like a couple weeks ago. Um, start to many more. And so, just thank you for those who were able to come out. We had really great conversation and discussion. um things that we took back and we will begin to incorporate and some future um information that we'll be sharing with you. Um special thanks to Luke, I don't know if he's hosted or is he here tonight for his help with um he's always very helpful in just grabbing the data and ensuring that we have what we need to prepare. Um, also just want to um share I'm looking at my notes and I don't know

039what this Oh, November 22nd uh the school board will be serving um with Delegate Mike Jones at River City uh Middle School for his uh annual turkey giveaway. Um we're really excited. More information to come, but we'll be the board will be there to serve a table giving out gift cards and some RPS swag. So, if you can make it, I believe it's from 10 to 3. Um, but it's socialized on social media. Delegate Mike Jones. Um, we thank him for his continued support to the community and to RPS families. Um, I'd also like to um call out, please forgive me if I pronounce any names wrong, um, but please join me in congratulating seven RPS teachers who participated this year as fellows in the Yale national um, initiative. I want to call their names

040out. they were able to go and be a part of u the conference and uh surely they'll come back and with you know um armed with um information to disseminate to um their schools but I want to call them out uh Alexandra Amirato uh from um Barack Obama Elementary, LJ Deleo from uh Hugenat High School, Katherine Franzel from um Westover Hills Elementary, Amanda Mc McMahon, I'm sorry if I pronounced that wrong, from um uh Hugenat High School, Valerie Schwarz from Mary Munford, Vivian Lee Taylor from Thomas Jefferson, and Landon Walker from Thomas Jefferson. Um just want to congratulate them for this um welldeserved achievement. And last but certainly not not least, we have a birthday in the house. Our very own vice chair uh Perl is turning 27 tonight and so we want to wish

041you a very very happy birthday and thank you. It's been a pleasure to serve alongside you along with the rest of the board. It feels like we've been together for several years but it's only been since January. But happy birthday to you. Thank you. All right, moving right along. We will have um transition into public comment. Madame clerk, if you could read the guidelines, please. Conduct of speakers. Speakers shall state their full legal name prior to addressing the school board. Speakers will address the school board as a whole rather than individual schoolboard members, the division superintendent, schoolboard attorney, clerk, or any other staff member. 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 one campaign for public office,

042two promote private business ventures, or three use profanity or vulgar language. If a community member's comments during the public information session relate to school-based issues, the chair may refer that individual to Richmond public schools administration for one-on-one consultation and followup. is 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 that policy result in the forfeite of the remaining time that has been allotted to the speaker. Committee members may express their views in writing in lie of any oral presentation. Comments received in writing in lie of an oral presentation will not be read during the meeting but shall be posted to the schoolboard platform board docs. >> Thank you. At this time, we will call up our pre-registered

043speakers um as we have done um consistently in the past. Because of the amount of speakers, we will not have the opportunity to um receive any one additional um from um the public this evening. Uh we have a total of 23 speakers. Um if you could come up uh four at a time, there will be a clipboard if you could sign your name if you have not already. I saw some that were already proactive in doing that. So, thank you for that. Uh we'll try to get um through everyone as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience. Um at this time, we'll ask Ellen Samuels, Gwendelyn Atwell, Jacob Nell Helt, and Andrea Andrea Bryant. Okay. And there may be some in overflow, so we'll give them time. Please feel free to come

044right up. Just state your name, please. Hello, my name is Gwenwell. Sorry, can you hear me? Um, okay. So, hello. My name is Gwen Outwell. I'm a member of Richmond for All serving on our governing board. I'm here tonight asking you to vote no on the proposed collective bargaining resolution changes. When this collective bargaining resolution was first introduced four years ago, it was a beacon for organized labor across the state and served as another milestone in Virginia's shift out of the bad old days of good old boy Virginia politics and into a more progressive and democratic future. Collective bargaining in Richmond public schools is a beacon because it's powerful. Like any other democratic institution, the more successful collective bargaining is in achieving meaningful democratic wins for working people, the more the powers that be will

045fight to take it away. Plenty of bosses in powerful people will pay lip service to the importance of democratic institutions like unions, but stop short of giving them any real power. Tactics like these are so pernicious because they use democratic window dressing to sanitize some extremely undemocratic behavior. We see these tactics playing out on a national stage as millions of Americans are asked to trade their health care for a functioning federal government. And we see these here tonight. As the body has reminded us multiple times over the last few months, this is not a democratic process. Tonight, the only voices that matter belong to the people in this room standing on Adis. There have been repeated appeals to unions and supporters to be reasonable and compromise. I believe the phrase, "Put down your pitchforks" was

046used at one point. All of these came with an implied or else. Union members have engaged in these conversations diligently and in good faith in hopes to keep what should already be theirs, a 4-year-old collective bargaining resolution that was itself already a product of reasonable and good faith negotiation on their part. The existing resolution has been used to protect union members when they reported dangerous working conditions, asked for raises, and advocated for their students. It is true that union organizers and the public cannot decide the outcome this evening. That said, democratic politics is an ever swinging pendulum. While this process has not been democratic, it has produced some of the most compelling public comment I've ever heard. It is my sincere hope that some RPS union member who has spoken or organized as part of

047this process finds themselves on that deis sooner rather than later. And as a member of the board of Richmond for all, I'd just like to say if anyone listening in this audience or at home, if your school board member votes to gut collective bargaining in Richmond public schools tonight and you want help making it onto that deis, please come find us. We want to talk to you. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Hello me hello members of the school board cameras and the public. Um my name is Jacob Neil Helt and I am a member of the REA uh board of directors and a social science teacher at Richmond High School for the arts. I am here to share my hope that the school board will vote no to any proposed changes to the

048collective bargaining resolution. I will be followed throughout this public comment period by members of REA who have volunteered to read the priorities that were approved by membership in May of this year aloud along with justifications for each. Additionally, I would like to bring the school board's attention to the bills VAHB and SB 917 that were passed by General Assembly earlier this year but vetoed by the current governor Ynan. These uh bills provided a framework for collective bargaining that is much more progressive than what RPS is currently proposing. The reason I mentioned these are because Abigail Spanberger has already committed to signing them into law and this statewide framework would negate any of the proposed changes being made today. I believe that it would be prudent of the school board to apply a wait andsee approach

049to this collective bargaining resolution rather than risk making changes that could be reversed by state law and would then create negative perceptions of this school district as trying to limit our workers voices and rights. >> 30 seconds. Why don't we continue the current negotiation cycle using the original resolution and delay any possible changes until after new state representatives take office? Instead of creating limitations, let's work together to continue in developing procedures around collective bargaining that do not risk negatively impacting our workers in our community. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. while you're coming up. Is Ellen Samuels here? Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. Um on October 7th, the RPS school board voted to delay the decision. >> State your name is Bryant. >> Oh, sorry. I'm Andrea Bryant. Um I apologize. >>

050REA President. Um, on October 7th, the RA RPS school board voted to delay the decision on the changes to the collective bargaining resolution until November 11th with the idea to provide union partners a chance to provide input. We truly appreciate that decision. Afterwards, the RPS administration shared a schedule where the RPS administration served as the intermediary intermediary between the unions and the school board. During the time between October 7th and today, there were a total of five meetings that were attended by the REA, especially with the fact that the unions wanted to meet and communicate as a group to ensure cohesiveness. These meetings were not structured with some type of agenda or plan, nor were they as collaborative or transparent as union partners would have liked until we had the November 5th meeting in person.

051While we were able to talk and make some great progress, the resulting document still does not accurately reflect union voices, especially considering that we never expected to get everything we want we asked for. Union members were really concerned that the school board members were not directly involved in the process of negotiating the collective bargaining resolution. With the resolution being school policy, we hoped that the school board members would have more input. The unions would have loved for public meetings to be held in the interest of as much transparency as possible. Union members, especially REA members, are disappointed and frustrated with this process. As such, the REA's representative representative assembly voted against supporting the amendments to the collective bargaining resolution, and we encourage the school board to do the same. It is essential that drafting school

052policy is is done transparently and in public. We greatly appreciate the invitation from Dr. Harris Muhammad to speak about the collective bargaining resolution last Wednesday. Despite there being some conflicts with the union schedule, we hope that the school board will vote no to the current iteration of the collective bargaining resolution and or provide time for a detailed public and collaborative process that allows for thorough research, pres-scheduled meetings, and direct communication between the union partners, their members, the RPS administration, and schoolboard members. This type of thoughtful process takes time and involves research because ideas, solutions, and their effects should be considered. Thank you. >> Thank you. This time we'll ask Angelica Perez, James Smith, Dr. Paul Bond, and Colleen Whale. Hello, my name is Angelica Perez and I'm a career educator with experience working in Maryland

053and Virginia. I'm here to advocate on behalf of the REA union because I believe that the union has been working tirelessly to negotiate a fair contract for our staff, but feel discouraged by the rush timeline and increased stipulations on negotiation terms. As someone who has worked under the protection of one of the most powerful unions in the country, Prince George's County, Maryland, I can tell you that unions bring dignity, creativity, intentionality, and activism to the teaching career. Our role as teachers requires that we advocate for ourselves and our students because the more dignity and freedom that we demand for ourselves, the more creativity, energy, and passion we can present for our students. All that starts with a fully fleshed out contract that defines our rights and responsibilities. This protects both the teacher administration and the

054school board because it dictates the roles of all the stakeholders involved in education and how we set boundaries in order to maintain professional relationships. A contract should dictate working hours, working conditions, clearly address any questions an employee may have about the position, including pay, pay scale, extra pay for extra duties, etc. These things are all vital pieces of information for educators to know about the position we are in. The contract works as a guide, reference material, and a place to advocate for ourselves. In Maryland, if I had a question about working conditions, hours, time off, observations, or most anything, I had a copy of my contract for reference. I always knew what to expect. As an educator, I expect that kind of accountability for myself and my district. But when I came to Virginia, things

055were vastly different. Everything that was outlined in the contract on paper and PDF was now in an editable Google document. Wait a second. >> A contract became a handbook and was individualized per school. Meaning that administration dictated the experience of any school. That is too much pressure for administration and too much uncertainty for teachers who may want to stay but are not sure if they will be treated by dignity at another school. So I urge you to vote no on the proposed changes to collective bargaining and allow our negotiation team to go back to the table without limiting the creativity or advocacy that each of us were hired to utilize and bring out in our >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. Jim Smith, Local 592. Um, [clears throat] you're probably going to hear

056from a lot of naysayers. I want to give you an accurate picture of what has transpired since you uh delayed this. We first started meeting virtually. We were si singing off of two different himbooks. It wasn't going well. I suggested that we meet in person. Uh the superintendent suggested we sing off the same he himbook. We had two meetings in person. They were very productive. We compromised and we agreed on what's before you tonight. Anybody that's telling you otherwise was not in the room or was not present. I believe the compromise reflects fairly what both sides agreed to and um I also believe this is a living document and it can be changed in the future if we find out there's other issues but local 592 supports what's before you tonight to vote on and

057we recommend a yes vote. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please refrain from public outbursts. >> Good evening. Good evening board members. As you will know, my name is Carl Vaughn representing Jumpstart YouTube, better known AS2. I watched last night's meeting and want to thank you for your persistence. Your commitment to solving tough challenges for families, Richmond families, is clear and appreciated. JSU2 shares your goal, helping families stabilize so RPS can educate, but to that we need space to operate alongside you, not apart from you. We often hear working with the community. JSU2 isn't asking for symbolism. We're offering real collaboration. Will RPS move beyond language and lean into action? Tonight, I want to address the proposal to renovate Thompson Middle for swing space. You've already committed to Richmond School of the Arts, RTC at the

058Altria site, Woodville Elementary. Adding Thompson and other programs stretches limited resources even further. River City, Lucio Brown, and Bush Shaw Middle School each sit on 15 to 20 acres. These campuses can support modest additions to address overcrowding without fullcale renovation. Thompson was closed for a reason. It was aging, inefficient, and no longer viable. Reopen it now feels like recycling buildings without solving root issues. Reszoning keeps getting dismissed over rival community concerns, but that narrative is outdated and it's costly. North of the river, buildings with space are being ignored while new vacancy issues are created elsewhere. That's not strategy, it's avoidance. Meanwhile, the Australia building already has space for swing use. You're raising funds for it now. It can house a full academic school and serve the RTC program. Renderings have been shared publicly, but the

059district has confirmed excuse but the district has confirmed its potential. It's a viable active asset far more strategic than reop reopening a closed facility. Why not support RTC and solve swing space in one move? This is what real partnership looks like. JSU2 is a viable, strategic, and doesn't require tens of millions of dollars. I thank you for this time and each time I come, I'm not just coming with an ask, but I'm coming to you bringing viable solutions. Again, thank you for your hard work and we appreciate all that you do. >> Thank you. >> One last call for Colleen Whale, >> Kathleen, I'm sorry. Whale, Chloe Ter, Lisa Dea, Sophia Barbarie Barbarie. Apologies if I mispronounce your name. >> Evening. My name is Kathleen Wall. I'm a member of REA and work as a

060LEAP teacher at River City Middle School. One of our bargaining priorities is creating and protecting a harassment-free workplace because every employee deserves safety, respect, and a voice. We're asking for a stronger, transparent grievance pro procedures, and clear standardized policies for reporting and addressing harassment. A fair transfer process, true workplace autonomy, and the full protection of federal rights are all essential to staff safety and dignity. Educators must also have a voice in hiring administrators and in the district budget process, decisions that directly affect school climate and working conditions. So, I'm talking here about uh grievance procedures. And this is important due to the anti-UN behavior of management in the past. In June 2023 and 2024, the REA dealt with bad faith bargaining by management, management retaliation of American Sign Language interpreters by trying to strip their

061tenure rights and worsen working conditions, and a refusal to grant an unpaid leave of absence for the REA's president, which had been a long-standing practice prior to that year. The management and school board eventually fired the REA president rather than grant an unpaid leave of absence. February 2025, REA members in the central office bargaining unit spoke out publicly about the abuse and toxic workplace under the HR chief and the the chief ultimately was forced out of RPS. Summer 2025, REA members joined RPS bus drivers who are members of LANA 804 to protest the retaliatory firing of five RPS bus drivers for speaking out at a schoolboard meeting regarding their overtime rights. >> 30 seconds. The drivers were eventually reinstated in August 2025, but lost long-standing overtime pay rights. So now, in September 2025, the RPS

062management blindsided REA union leadership with proposed changes to the collective bargaining ordinance that would substantially and permanently limit bargaining and impede workers rights to organize. At the October school board meeting, the board decided to delay voting on the superintendent's proposed changes to the collective bargaining resolution. They heard our deep concerns, but we've been rushed through a series of private meetings with only the administration and union reps present. >> Thank you so much for your time. >> Good evening. My name is Khloe Ter. I'm a member of the REA. I'm a District 4 resident. I work at Bushaw Middle School as a science teacher, also an academic architect for the district. I'll be honest, I'm tired and I do not want to be here for the second time in the last month. I'm here though because

063I know how important this vote is and I want to ensure you all hear me when I say vote no. Two of the union's top priorities are fair competitive compensation and safe, healthy spaces for learning. The bare necessities needed for a successful school. We are asking for a more transparent pay scale with reduced steps so employees can afford to work and stay in the district long term. Teachers who put in time and effort toward advanced degrees, national board certification, and other programs that elevate the quality of learning in our district should be earning additional compensation. We are also asking for safe schools. Benefits for all with sick time upfront and preventative health days protect both staff and students. Safe schools means honoring occupancy limits, maintaining consistent temperature control, and ensuring clean air and ventilation by

064enshrouding AHA and Virginia code standards in our contract. Full ADA accessibility for all disabilities must be guaranteed so every member of our community can learn and work safely. Which leads me to ask you, why are we here in this building again tonight? You know, it is difficult to park here and getting into the building is challenging for those with mobility issues. There would be more people here tonight to urge the board to vote no if we were in a different space. In fact, there are people who showed up tonight but left because they were made to wait outside and it is very cold out tonight. Despite this, I'm here tonight to urge all of you to vote no to the proposed changes to the collective bargaining resolution. >> 30 seconds. >> We deserve the opportunity

065to negotiate in good faith for fair, competitive, and transparent compensation and benefits and for safe learning spaces for our staff and our students. If you vote yes tonight, you are telling the people who show up day in and day out to serve RPS students with love that their work is not important, their time is not valued, and their health does not matter. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. My name is Lisa or LJ De Lao and I'm a teacher at Hugenat High School. I live in the 8th district and I'm also an a u an REA member. I'm here today to urge you to once again to vote no on the superintendent's proposed changes to the collective bargaining resolution so we can negotiate in good faith to improve transparency and community involvement.

066We should be negotiating our next contract. But instead, union leadership have had to stretch themselves to meet an unrealistic timeline and attend lastminute meetings. Our original resolution, which involved our contract negotiation team, was ratified by the REA membership. At our latest rep assembly, we voted unanimously to reject these proposed changes to our resolution. These changes diminish our rights to negotiate a strong contract for staff that impacts students. A strong collective bargaining resolution ensures that we are able to improve our working conditions. These improvements would have immediate benefits for our students learning conditions. One of the priorities is to see a transparent and school-based budget where student where each school staff and student population can provide their feedback and directly receive those funds. We have students who have parents that have been taken by ICE. And

067a school-based budget could provide more specific support for those students so that they don't give up on school in order to tend to that family emergency. Every day I show up for my students. Every week I pay out of my own pocket to provide for my students. Now I need my district to show up for me. Please vote no on these anti-worker, anti-UN changes. >> Thank you. As you come forward, I also ask Quinton Robbins, Corbin Little, Emily Yen, and Egon Shroud to come forward as well. Good evening. >> Good evening, members of the school board, Superintendent Cameron, the Richmond community. My name is Sophia Barbieri, and I'm an REA member and an English teacher at Henderson Middle School. Last month, this board voted to delay this decision to compensate for the fact that this

068proposal was initially presented to the union last minute and on very short notice by collaborating with workers and bringing the process into the light. That collaboration never happened. The delay wasn't transparency, but it was a stall. It gave the appearance of listening while the same anti-worker proposal was quietly discussed behind closed doors in the hopes that it could be moved forward without the input of the reps nor the executive board. Educators showed up in good faith. We asked for open meetings, honest dialogue, and a chance to shape the politics that affect our classrooms. Instead, we got silence, confusion, and 11th hour edits. If the process to change collective bargaining has to be hidden and rushed because the proposal itself cannot stand up to public scrutiny, these changes limit what we can negotiate, strip away neutral

069arbitration, and threaten workers who speak up. Plain and simple. That's not efficiency. That's an attack on labor rights. You can't claim to value collaboration while ignoring the voices of the very people you employ. Collective bargaining is about trust and shared power. And this process has betrayed both. So tonight, do the one transparence transparent thing left to do. Vote no. Stand with educators. Stand with workers. And stand with the public who are watching closely to see whose side you're on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening. Uh my name is Quinton Robbins. I'm an organizer with uh Teamsters Local 322. Um so last Tuesday I went to bed uh with a lot of hope. Uh we saw everyday people push back against authoritarianism and corruption and that was occurring uh from Richmond to New York. Um,

070unfortunately in the last week I have been robbed of a little bit of that hope. Um, just when I feel that there are some elected officials who are ready to stand up just a little bit for the working class for workingclass people, um, there's another politician that's supposed to be on our side working to hurt us. Democracy at every level is under threat in this country, including in our workplaces. I'm asking y'all to stand on the side of democracy and against authoritarianism. Now, I fear that folks on this board are attempting to pit teachers and staff interests against students. When students have teachers in the district who are experienced, when they have staff who dedicate their lives to uh to RPS as they do today, uh students thrive. Their interests are one and the same.

071You know, I'm I'm not interested in getting in a back and forth about, you know, what happened in the last month. I was in the room negotiating the board has my opinion and writing. Uh you know, I think I disagree with the uh perspective of Mr. hammerous. Um, but what I want to talk about is whether or not this is good policy. Um, if it's proworker, pro- student, um, it's not. And I think Virginia voters agree. Uh, I gave, uh, Miss Richardson a handout. I hope you look at it, uh, after the meeting. uh details the bill that was mentioned before, but in this general assembly session, members are going to pass legislation that would undo the proposed changes that uh are on the table tonight. That means July 1, this goes away. Um uh

072and you know, again, Governor Spanberger uh has committed to signing that bill. Um would it in fact strengthen what we already have? So, I just want to be clear, you're out of step. um you know the core cost from uh Mr. Cameron's or the core complaint from Mr. Cameron has been cost >> 30 seconds. >> We asked for a cost breakdown under the existing resolution. We didn't get it. Um I think a number floated around was 150k but I was shocked to see that the division posted a central office job for deputy chief of staff for 180. Um, democracy costs, but for collective bargaining and RPS, I think it's worth more than just another overpaid central office job. Um, in some vote this down, be on the side of uh of democracy everywhere. Be on

073the side of prog the progress we advanced last Tuesday. >> Uh, we'll do better fighting on the same side. >> Thank you for your time. >> Good evening. >> Uh, good evening. My name is Dr. Emily Yen. I'm a consultant at Teamsters Local 322. Um I'm uh Brian P, President Brian Payton of Teamsters 322 um is sick and is unable to uh express his opposition around this collective bargaining um resolution. Um this is um RPS made history in 2021 or sorry uh or in 2022 when um they were the first district in Virginia to sign a uh collective bargaining agreement um after the bargaining law went into collective bargaining law went into effect in 2021. This lawer allowed a limited scope of collective bargaining. Uh, Governor elect Abigail Spamberger um wanted to make progress on

074um with collective bargaining and has agreed to sign a collective bargaining bill that would allow um a full scope of bargaining. This was the same bill that Governor Ynan vetoed last year. Um it is important to have a full set of topics um to bargain. Um there are many win-win solutions that can be gained um around student academic achievement um working uh safety issues and a myriad of other issues related to um building safety. And it is >> um it's a very important that um you that we are able to find solutions around um address the serious mold issues and HVAC issues and this shouldn't be coming at the expense of worker pay issues. Um and so I urge you to vote no. Um so we can find win-win solutions together. Thank you. >> Thank

075you. As you come forward, I also ask Carrie Tread Treadway, Elizabeth Barrenstein, Baronstein, Jen Summers, and Steven Strauss. Good evening. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Is that good, Madam Chair? If I may ask you for a tiny favor, instead of vocally saying 30 seconds, would you mind just raising your hand and I can see it? That is the clerk that's saying it. I'm not saying it at all, but thank you for the request. That's not me. [laughter] >> Okay. Um, I'm Egon Shroud. I'm an early intervention assistant and union rep for Westto Hills Elementary. One of the bargaining priorities for our next contract is best practices for instruction because teachers need time, reasonable class sizes, reliable coverage and autonomy to deliver highquality instruction. We need more protected planning time at all levels

076so teachers can prepare lessons, assess student work, and collaborate. For elementary specifically, shortening the student bell schedule by 30 minutes will ensure regular meaningful planning without extending teachers workday. Setting and enforcing reasonable class size caps and ratios at every grade level ensures instruction is manageable and individualized support is possible. Finally, we need clear policies for coverage. When staff must cover an absence or vacancy, there must be substitute support and equitable compensation and protection. So their primary responsibilities are not neglected. When teachers have adequate planning time, reasonable class sizes, and dependable coverage, instruction improves, morale improves, and students thrive. It takes time and intention to negotiate a good deal. The framework guiding the next three years of our partnership deserves more than six weeks of consideration. RPS workers deserve a thorough and truly collaborative negotiation process

077that isn't rushed or limited under the guise of efficiency. As the gentleman repping Teamster said, "A lot of us weren't in the room when this happened, and it shows. Our students deserve teachers who aren't running on fumes and surviving on dreams." I urge the board to vote no on this resolution, and I support the formation of a committee wholly dedicated to doing this the way it should have been done all along. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. My name is Liz Bartinstein. I am a fourth year teacher in RPS. I'm here to urge our school board to vote no on the proposed changes to our CBA terms. Maslo over Bloom. It's a philosophy we hear in education reminding us that a student's basic human needs must be met before they can engage

078in higher level thinking and learning. At the bottom of Maslo's hierarchy of needs are physiological needs followed by safety needs. RPS workers simply want the ability to advocate for these basic needs which we know encompass students, teachers, and administration alike. As we teach in crumbling, molding and leaking buildings, attempt to satisfy increasingly stringent VDE and district requirements for curriculum, and educate in an environment where we don't just anticipate we expect there to be gun violence. How can we suggest that adults caring for our children not get to have a say in the conditions of that environment? Teaching is not getting easier and it's more important now than ever that we make every effort to ensure teachers are supported. We are better than this in Richmond and our children and educators deserve better. Not to mention,

079we are still in a teacher shortage. What will these restrictions communicate to wouldbe educators who are considering employment with RPS? >> 30 seconds. Collective bargaining is not the boogeyman. It is just what the title suggests, an attempt to collectively reach an agreement on terms that work for both parties. Weakening the CBA in ways that these changes propose is not a good faith way to support our staff and students, and it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our district. Many of us are not just RPS teachers, but city residents who voted for the members of this board. Respectfully, I ask that you please remember that you represent us and work for us as elected officials. I sincerely hope you plan to reject these changes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Hi.

080Um, my name is Dr. Jennifer Summers. I am a resident of the sixth district. I'm a member of the community. I am a federal employee and a member of the National Treasury's Employees Union, Chapter 297. And I'm also a proud product of public schools, which is why I'm here. Um, I want to urge you to vote no on these changes to the collective bargaining resolution for all the excellent reasons that have already been stated by REA members and others. RPS employees know what our students need and they know their needs. It is very widespread that teachers are not paid enough and their requests are common sense. All I hear are things that are very reasonable. So, I urge you to work with them and understand where they're coming from and value the collective bargaining agreement.

081The actions taken to undermine union power in Richmond reflect actions taken by the Trump administration against NTEU and it undermines not just the short term but the long term. The loss of federal employees is going to be felt for generations. The same will happen in Richmond. You need to protect Richmond employees and public schools and I urge you to vote no. These um employers, the foundation of this community and the community of Richmond is watching what choices you make here tonight. Thank you. Thank you. As Mr. Strauss comes forward. I'd also ask Finnegan Pard, Chris Hollis, Jacob Peters, and Sean Caesar Cassar. My apologies if I'm mist. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Steven Strauss and I'm a the treasurer of the Richmond Education Association. speaking as an individual, but I'm also speaking on

082one of the priorities for the union, which is around appropriate staffing. As you'll see from this piece of paper, there are four different uh bullet points here. Um with the current um revisions to the collective bargaining agreement, that would be almost half of what we could bring to the table. Um I think the the reality is that the original resolution was a was a compromise with the first round of negotiation being only two topics. This is further limiting that. Just looking back at um the central office unit that was negotiated. There were 18 or 13 different um proposals for just ASL interpreters and that unit represents family liaison, IT workers, a whole lot of folks. And so just to work through something like that would take over three years for one group of employees within

083a unit. And so I think uh with the proposal for only 10 things that this is uh regressive from what we currently had the first round. Um and I really think that we need to uh continue this process so that we can really refine it. folks have mentioned what's happening on the state level. Um but just also thinking about how this is just like a step um in the wrong wrong direction. Um this has been described as like a itchy sweater that um >> you know it's one sizefits-all and it's uh maybe some people aren't going to be totally happy with it. Um but in the teaching world uh we call that punishing the entire class. uh and that's usually something that you want to avoid. And so I think that we need to be

084more intentional, more specific uh with this uh process and it needs to be public so not just the unions can engage but the public can learn about collective bargaining. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Hello. My name is Sen Pard. Um I'm a resident of the second district and I'm here as a member of Sunrise Richmond. Um, and I will be speaking on behalf of the organization today. Um, Sunrise is a young adult climate justice group in the city of Richmond and we believe we believe strong labor unions and collaborative decision-m are key um in RPS are a vital part of climate justice here in Richmond. As such, we ask the school board to vote no on the proposed changes to the collective bargaining resolution um this evening. If changes are

085necessary to the resolution, we believe the school board should form a committee that includes representatives from the board, the administration, and the unions with a longer timeline to ensure that the final document is something that everyone can support and celebrate. A key part of climate justice is ensuring that folks have what they need to be able to adapt to climate change. This means that people need to be able to be paid well and have good working conditions. If someone has to go to another job just to pay their bills, this is not fostering a healthy workplace. It is not climate justice. It is not helping RPS students. As such, RPS teachers and staff should be able to collaborate with the school board and superintendent. >> 30 seconds. >> Oh, do I have three minutes or

086only one minute? >> You're speaking as an individual. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I was speaking as an organization. Um, on behalf of Sunrise, so I ask that this board um vote no to the proposed changes. I also would like to mention that there were 20 people outside um today who were not able to get in um to be able to see this and then last month there were 40 people outside who were not able to join this meeting um because this room is not big enough for everyone. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Good evening uh school board and uh cameras. Yes, my name is Chris Hollis. I'm a representative for uh the RPS Transportation Workers Will Iona. I'm here today. I've attended the meetings um for the several weeks

087uh to come up with a good resolution. I am perplexed as to what's wrong with the one that we currently have. Um if I don't know if everybody's familiar with what happened April the 25th of this year, five people lives were changed. the RPS5. They're dubbed the RPS5. It took us two months and they're back employed. But I say that because without having a fair process, they would still be unemployed today. So I feel that gutting a resolution that is for the workers is something that is unprecedented. But to understand that these children at the end of the day is what we all need to be focused on to have adequate transportation, good teachers, good janitorial workers. I mean, all RPS workers matter. You guys matter. Your constituents in the back voted to put you

088in here to make the decisions for the people at the end of the day. So, I ask that you just govern your conscience, do the right thing, vote for what's going to help people and not hurt people. I came all the way up here to brag. I've been bragging on you guys for like over a year now. I organized the Taiw cities everywhere from Newport News down to Chesapeake. And you guys are like a beacon light for all these cities who do not even have collective bargaining. They don't even have a resolution. Portsmith is the only Tidewater city that has a resolution and it's a lame duck. Nobody's moving on it. Glover is not moving on it. But we look at you guys for inspiration. because of what you have put in place being one

089of the first cities to do so. So, I just ask that you just look at yourselves, make the right decisions that's going to progress and not regress. That's what really matters at the end of the day. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Hello. My name is Sean Casar and I'm the labor co-chair for the Richmond chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. I'm here today to ask on behalf of all the Richmonders we represent that you vote no on the changes to the CBA ordinance. After the same rushed process, we are here discussing the same one-sided document that brought us back here. After talking with those in the negotiations, the union partners agree that the proposal does not represent the full scope of the negotiations that the union administration had

090over the last month. There are omissions, lingering struck language, and agreed upon wordage changes that did not did or didn't make their way into the final product. Maybe because of the process was rushed or bad faith. Who's to say? The document itself also has an underlying assumption that is incredibly disrespectful to the teachers and staff who make sure Richmond schools are safe and nurturing. Something we've all been celebrating over the last few meetings. The remaining changes in this document, specifically around bargaining, impass, and union rep access, assume that the teachers and staff, which are indistinguishable from these unions, don't currently prioritize their students best interests. and despite history showing differently are unable to negotiate while accounting for financial burdens that the district faces. If anyone understands financial creativity and sacrifice in order to make the

091schools function, it's them. Now, on to the process. administration took up almost the entirety of last month to explain its rationale for these changes, which means negotiations didn't actually take place until last Wednesday, giving the unions even less time than before to report back to their membership on what actually was changing. I would also add that the lack of participation from the school board in these discussions is equally frustrating. Lastly, after the gubanatorial election results on last Thursday, the changes you ultimately make here would be moot in a few months down the line, and it's up to you all to decide what kind of public perception and relationship you want to have with your staff when those new rules go into effect. Your public your political careers depend on your decision tonight. Thank you. >>

092Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Good [clears throat] evening. Good evening, school board. My name is Jacob Peters. I live here in Richmond in the second district. Um, I'm an elected representative of the Virginia Young Democrats and the chair of the labor caucus. I've come here tonight to advocate for a strong collective bargaining resolution that equally privileges the teachers in the city of Richmond. I've come with the intent to reaffirm to the council the values of the Democratic voters of this city, the position of the labor movement within the Democratic party. It is the position of this caucus of Democrats to support uni unionization efforts led by working people of this city. We therefore ask that the school board vote no the proposed changes the collective bargaining resolution this evening. I was inspired tonight by

093the testimony provided by Maple, our student representative, and the interactions that he described between highly skilled and energized teachers and their students, and how that creates outcomes which benefit our students. We cannot expect these outcomes without a strong union of teachers who also support each other. In addition to my work with the with the within the local and state Democratic party, I work as an electrician here in the city. I owe the quality of my working conditions exclusively to the valiant efforts of the local IBW66 electricians. I am a non-union electrician. However, and despite this, the low rates of unionization in the state, the influence of the strong contract that the IBW negotiates is felt at my workplace. Unionization of workers and strong collective bargaining agreements benefit us all. The teachers of this city have

094a strong act of union and we've seen this tonight. With a vote no on this collective bargaining resolution tonight, teachers in this city can continue to expect higher pay, working conditions, and benefits that they deserve. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. One last uh time, I'd like to call Corbin Little if you're here. All right, then this concludes our public comment section. At this time, we'll move to board action items. Proceed for action. Head start. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, uh Mr. Camerons and the board members. Uh, in your packets, you have the program report for September. You also have the minutes for the policy council for September. And you also have the financial report for September. Um, but I would like to add uh an update on enrollment. As of today, Early Head

095start has 54 out of 56. Uh, two are just waiting for medical forms. So, they will start by next week. So that will be 100% enrol for early head start. At this point we are 97 which is we are in the safe zone. Um headar as of today uh has six will start this week. 11 are in process of getting medicals and asthma asthma plans to to start. So um if we make it to that that will be 93% of enrollment. Um but we shooting for the 97 because that's the safe zone we head start. Um we also are restructuring the whole uh data system shop plus because we don't have physical files. So we are inputting all the informations and all the tracking forms into the system. Um policy council um elections will be

096this weekend on the 15. So, next Monday we will have a new um policy council. Any questions? >> Mr. Cameras. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I do want to note are the are the bylaws in here or not? >> No. No. Okay. >> They not here. >> I wanted to make sure Any questions, feedback? Need a motion. >> Miss Ricard, >> so Madam Chair, I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Thank you. Thank you so much for your report. Can you share with us if there is a plan in place and has that plan been shared with the school board for the 104 slots that have not been filled? >> At this point, we don't need 104 slots because our enrollment for Richmond is 513 and at this point we

097are in 459 with six more starting this this week. So we are not in the need for 104 slots. It's less than that. >> Is that full? >> And the plan is that we're working with Luke the enrollment team for BBI. We are meeting weekly. Uh we are tracking the intakes and we are tracking the SEC uh um spots and the start days. uh we have a um like a chat that is a tracking system that we can communicate on daily basis with each other. Uh so we are working together as a team to get um head start fully enrolled. Um followup, madam chair. So Miss de la Cruz, I'm looking at page three under Head Start bullet one where it reads we have 405 children enrolled and 513 funded slots. So actually I said

098104, it's actually um because I was thinking it was 409. So my apologies, but that's where I got the number from. So you said 459. Can you tell us where that 459 number is? Because on page three, bullet one, it has 405 children currently enrolled. Can you talk a little bit to that number or is that not an accurate number? >> Yes. Um when we submitted the report, that was the number for September, but uh the numbers are increasing day by day, hour by hour. We're enrolling um daily. We are starting kids daily. So the numbers for enrollment is a number that is changing every day. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Have a motion record. >> Madam Chair, I move to approve the Head Start program reports, minutes, and financial

099statements presented by the by the administration. It's been moved by Miss Ricard and seconded by Miss Rizzy. Madame clerk, >> Mr. Pival, >> yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. Motion passes. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. Glad to hear those numbers are increasing hour by hour. Really excited about that. Now we'll move to 5.02 receive for action collective bargaining resolution update Mr. Pible Mr. Cameras. >> I just wanted to thank everybody for coming and sharing your feedback this evening. Um, it is not easy to come and speak before a public body and I'm truly grateful. I've done

100it myself in other venues and it is always nerve-wracking. And so, regardless of what side of this particular issue or any issue folks are on, we do appreciate the engagement. Uh, truly, it does certainly make us better. I also want to thank our union partners. I do believe last week collectively we struck a great agreement that is a middle ground that I think protects all of the core principles of collective bargaining which I support and everybody on this deis supports while also doing our very best to maintain the financial responsibility that we have for the school system. And so um I again just want to express gratitude to everybody uh who has engaged in this process and uh look forward to uh what comes next. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Perl. >> Madame Chair,

101I move to adopt the collective bargaining resolution for the school board of the city of Richmond dated November 7th, 2025. >> Madam Chair, colleagues, I second that vote. It's been moved by Mr. Pible and seconded by U. Mr. Jafari. Before we go into a vote, are there any is there any debate? Mr. Farooq. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. the we had lots of discussion at our last schoolboard meeting about this and so um while members of the school board were not in these negotiations, we all got updates and were in contact with our staff as well as our collective bargaining partners about what was happening. And so I remember getting updates after certain meetings that people were frustrated. They felt like that we were making no progress. And then uh it looked like that there

102was some progress where there was a maybe two or three points where our admin staff and our collective bargaining partners found a compromise and then now it seems like after some due diligence some of our collective bargaining partners have decided they did not want to support that. I just want to point out that when we began this process, there has been and we don't have to go through all of it and some of our speakers mentioned it, but there's not a lot of trust, right? There's been a lot of things that have happened that have eroded the trust and so it was to me it was normal that there didn't seem to be some progress. I do think it's heartening that we made some progress even if people later changed their minds or there was

103a vote and people decided that they didn't like it. I think there is some progress and so I'm grateful for our staff and our collective binging partners for coming to those meetings. That being said, because there isn't uh agreement from all the parties who are in the room, I can't support this resolution and these changes and for that reason I'll be voting no. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Thank you so much. Um I want to first thank the administration for the consistency and the work um meeting with schoolboard members sharing the updates as they knew the updates were at that time the updates were shared. I also want to thank the two school board members who reached out to me to ask uh my historical perspective from 2021 when

104the first resolution was created alongside then co-chair of the um of the team at that time Miss Renzy. So I really appreciate that. I shared it before and I will share that again. >> [gasps] >> One of the things that I have learned in this process and I am consistent in saying is that people will remember how you make them feel in a process. And so even though I support the work that the administration has done, it's a lot of hard work and it was difficult work [snorts] and that has not gone unnoticed from me as a schoolboard representative. But I have a duty to my constituency and I also have a duty to the teachers to whom I serve and the staff, the certified and the classified staff, every single one who's employed by

105Richmond public schools. In this process, I felt there was a time where we had actually climbed up the mountain together. We had reached the peak and we have began to come down the mountain together. When we have partners in the process that has felt and they have been consistent from day one indicating to us as a team that they have not felt involved and they their voices have not been clearly heard. [snorts] They never expected from my point of view nor that I hear that they expected everything that they had bargained for or put on the table. But what but one thing I did hear that they expected was to be treat to be treated like professionals and many of them that I have heard from do not feel that way. Unfortunately, I wasn't in

106the room but I'm hearing their voices and their voices matter to me. And so for those reasons that I have described before and I do appreciate the first delay that we had. I really do. And for reasons that I'm sharing again this this evening, I too will be voting no [snorts] um on the resolution. I've shared that it's not new. I have not moved from it. I haven't wavered from it. I have been consistent since day one. If certain things had not happened, I would not be supporting the collective bargaining resolution as is right now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Rizzie. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. So, um I'm super nervous about this, but I'm going to try to put my thoughts together. Yeah, I truly appreciate all the speakers. Um as

107a lifelong educator, I've never really done anything else. Um I I understand uh that teachers deserve and need to have a voice. And I also understand that during this process, there are some points of contention on both ends of this. um we absolutely you know neither side we can't have everything we want but I want to make it clear that what has been proposed here is not a gutting of the collective bargaining agreement interestingly it was mentioned as um you know I am a part of the original you know co-chair the committee with Dr. Harris Muhammad. Um, I heard someone today mention that that original document protected workers. If it did, I never heard about it. Um, and knowing that it did though does my heart good. Um, and I really do wish someone had

108expressed that before now. Um, never heard a word of gratitude from anyone. Um, and it would have gone a long way. I'm a human being, too. We've worked hard to hear you and we've adjusted much. The school board um was engaged throughout the process. Uh the administration updated us every step of the way. And I do want to say that there weren't very uh many references to specific areas that were adjusted. Um, and there was no mention of the rationale for why those things were adjusted. Um, I think that we have reached a point where both sides have made some fair compromises that make sense for our district and that puts the needs of our students first. >> Um, so I encourage our communities to read the new contract for yourselves. um so that you

109can see what the changes are and hopefully you'll see that they're the result of hours of work and compromises and I again say that this is not it's not representative of a gutting of this original bargain bargaining um >> correct >> um and I would hope that tonight we can go ahead and vote on this and let the real negotiations get started. Thank you, Mrs. Jafari. >> And colleagues, as I've listened, came down on the side of deferring the vote because I just want the process to be fair for everyone. But then as I listened and if I can echo my colleague's comments, I really didn't hear any specifics about what was in the proposed CBA. I I just want to make it clear that we have a duty to not just implement a CBA,

110but we have to revisit it and refine it. And we can't do either of those from one vantage point. We have to look at this from the vantage point of the entirety of the division. Yeah. In this position, we expect criticism. Uh we expect some hyperbole every now and again a few metaphors, few simileies. But there's nothing present in the proposed CBA that destroys democracy, removes workers rights, adds or makes difficult the process of grieving or underpays or attempts to drive away teachers. I think uh our administration has shown to be on the cutting edge of as a matter of fact we have to pull him back sometimes to keep him from uh just just willy-nilly just giving raises. We have to question those things. So again I just say that there's there's been no

111effort to drive away teachers or to do any of that. Um, as I listen, many of the comments have referred to authoritarianism and dictatorships, and one even referred to government shutdowns, which clearly we have nothing to do with. Now, when you come and speak, you you're able to speak about whatever you want. But again, I can I have to point to specifics. I I I have to be driven. I'm only one ninth of the vote. I have to be driven by specifics. and when we're all over the place and comparing us to the federal administration, which which we don't emulate or even attempt to emulate, I just don't think that that's helpful. So, uh, I would have to say >> that, you know, accordingly, I support the CBA. And should it come down the road

112that has changed July 1, so be it. We'll conform to that, should it be the next time around that we collaborate again and we get closer, that's fine, too. But tonight we have a duty to act on this and accordingly as I said I support it as proposed. >> Thank you madam chair. >> Thank you Mr. Hitchpath. >> Thank you madam chair. I I want to echo the words of uh my colleague Mr. Baroo and Dr. Harris Muhammad and the appreciation for uh the administration and our partners and and uh and working through this this difficult process. U I at the onset of this u had concerns about the uh the the speed of it. U if it's too fast if it feels too fast it and it isn't it doesn't feel good and it's

113probably not right. Uh I uh opposed the uh the delay. I didn't feel like a month was uh was appropriate to do this process justice. I also don't appro I don't support a delay today. I I uh I will go back to what I suggested at the beginning and what I uh what I uh emailed to and proposed to my colleagues last week. uh was u I I really believe that we need to go with the original CBA for this process so that we can do it justice going forward. I think in tandem we can appoint a workg group that combines the administration, our union partners and schoolboard members and give that work group a four to six month window to in real time observing the process be able to provide feedback that can then

114govern a new resolution solution in in the future without being rushed. Um, I think it's it's fair to do it with more time. I think it uh does goes a long way to demonstrate our collaborative effort for our partners and I think it does a lot to repair uh damaged trust that uh that is uh is palpable. So, uh I'm going to continue. I'm going to vote no tonight. >> Thank you, Miss Burke. Thank you, Madam Chair. Many thanks to the administration for all the hours and um the length of of work that has been put put in place and also to all of the unions as well as as sharing what's been on their minds all along. From the very beginning, um I stated that I thought a month was not enough. And I

115I repeated that more than once because I was hoping we would get to the point of reaching consensus across the board. And I really thought we had reached consensus until I started receiving all of these emails and from what I've heard tonight as well. Um, from the very beginning, my thought was all of the hours and time that the administration puts in this to get a third party to come in to help us with this process, even though we're not at the point of the overall negotiations. But, um, I I cannot I listen tonight. I've read my emails and I think everyone has well intentions but we have not reached consensus. I agree with what my um colleague Mr. um Jquari stated regarding not hearing any specifics, but apparently something just isn't right at this

116point. Um so therefore I'm going to vote no. >> Thank you, Miss Burke. Mr. Perl. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'm I'm going to echo my colleagues, M Vy and Mr. in noting the reduction specific public comment, which I think is attur boundaries as a basis for negotiations. someone else's words, not mine. Um, that it is a living document, that teaching is not getting easier, that teachers are the foundation of RPS, that we really need strong labor unions, we need good pay, we need well-maintained buildings, we need fair process, and that we up here are elected to do what's best for our PS. And obviously, our political careers are on the line. And ultimately what we really need are strong contracts. I could not agree more with all of those sentiments. And if I

117thought that anything in this document ran counter to any of those sentiments, I would be the first one to say so. To Miss Rizzy and Mr. Jafari's comments about specifics. The two specifics that I have read through emails that have brought about are one access to our buildings without prior notification. And I said last night publicly that the school board members ourselves follow the exact same procedure. In order to enter a school building, we give prior notice. So asking for asking for special treatment above what we go through is not something that I'm going to support. The other thing the other specific that I have seen is the grievance process. And when I have talked to some representatives of unions, I said someone is going to have to explain to me how the school board

118is not an impartial panel when it comes to grievances. And I understand that we are being representative as fat cats. Uh, I do enjoy a good inflatable outside as much as the next person, but we do not hold stock in RPS, Inc. We do not benefit from one party being heard over another. We are elected to do a job, which is to run a school system the best that we can. And we are going to do that and we are going to make sure that everybody's voice is heard and that the best process is put in place to make education happen. As far as the proposals, it is interesting to me that the 10 proposal process was put forth by a union and that many of the compromises that exist in this document were put

119forth by union members and agreed to by the administration and by the union. So I will just say that I don't believe that this document represents some of the sentiment that was put forth this evening. I think when it comes to specifics, I think this accomplishes what we need it to accomplish. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Miss Ricard. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I just want to thank everyone who has contributed to this process, who has spoken about it. I know everyone feels very strongly about it. I have worked um in a state that has unions and been a member of a teachers union and a unit B administrators union. I've also worked in a county where there were no unions. Um I am grateful that RPS has a union. I am

120grateful that our teachers have a right and all our staff, have a right to grieve, have a right to bargain. These are important things. Many people don't have them. I don't currently have them in the job that I am, but that was a choice I made when I changed careers. I've thought a lot about if I was still in a union, how I would perceive the changes to the collective bargaining agreement and I will be completely honest that I do feel they are fair. And so while I will be voting for the collective bargaining agreement, what I do want to say publicly is that does not mean that and I know I speak this on all my colleagues regardless of what we're voting. That does not mean that we will not continue to advocate for

121our teachers, our students, and our parents. That when teachers call me, I will pick up the phone and listen to their issues going on at their school, and I will make those issues known to the superintendent. And that's not bargaining. That's just being an elected official and listening to your public because that is what we are elected to do. And I hope that I will continue to get those phone calls so that we can continue to make the day in and day out workings of our schools healthy, safe, and good for our students. >> Thank you. I um echo everyone's um sentiments as it relates to the work that has been put on all sides regarding uh revisiting the resolution namely the administration um for their tireless efforts and galvanizing not just the union members

122but us as a board individually to ensure that we continue to have a say um and share their concerns and continue to advocate on the community's behalf as we received information. Um, I would like to also thank the unions for continuing to share your feedback. We received countless emails, had conversations, and a lot of what the draft of this resolution that we have now truly was inspired uh by the feedback that was shared by several members and individuals of the union. Our ultimate goal with this conversation was to ensure that everyone had a say. The you the board several months ago could have made a blanket decision to change the resolution without any purview into the intent or heart of what the community wanted. In order to ensure that that was not the case, we

123allowed for everyone to come together to have an opportunity to share. When we heard that we that the community felt that it was rushed, I personally requested from the board to extend it for more time. When I walked away from a conversation on last Wednesday, I thought that there was a consensus as um some of my colleagues have shared and to my surprise after which there were some who changed their mind or were informed and did not agree and you have every right to do so. What I want to want to say is this. The work doesn't stop after this vote. We will continue to advocate, support and um listen to each and every staff member uh because the work that you do tirelessly day in and day out is extremely important. 30 seconds to

124the value of our students. And so it's in our best interest to move forward in the spirit of collaboration. And it's my hope that once we make our decision tonight that we'll do just just that. And so with that, let's go forward. Does Miss Frizzy have any more time? 15 seconds. That Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. So I, you know, I just want to say I I'm going to support this because I know that the first time we voted there was nothing close to a consensus and I deeply in my heart believe it did a lot of good and so I am going on faith that that is the same time. >> Thank you. And it is my also my commitment that if we go through this process and it doesn't work, we'll revisit it.

125And with that, Madame Clerk, Mr. Pival, >> yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> no. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> no. >> Mr. Rizzy, >> yes. Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> no. >> Mr. Burke, >> no. >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you. >> Motion, Madam Chair. What is that? Is that in the room or is that somewhere else? As you transition out, thank you so much for your time tonight. We're going to transition into the next part of our meeting, which is 5.03, receive for approval. >> Motion, Madam Chair. Pardon me. Uh, I'd like to make a motion that we create a work group to continue some of these negotiations for the future. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Farooq and seconded by

126Mr. Hedgepath. Before we go to a vote, is there debate? And I see a hand already raised. Miss Rizzy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Point of clarification. Uh, do you mean forming a group that will work on the process for how this will take place in the future? I'm I'm not sure what you're proposing here. >> Dr. Harris Baham has a comment when um convenient. Thank you. >> I will modify my motion. So I will say, Madam Chair, I motion that the school board create a work group comprised of one representative from the school board, representatives from our administration, representatives from our union partners that will work over the next six to eight months to and have a public and transparent process to discuss and come up with suggestions and consensus changes to the CBA

127resolution to go into effect next year. I still second that. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, couple of questions. Um, I wasn't prepared this evening to um, vote on a mo motion such as this um, considering [clears throat] it has so many moving parts. All of the parts we can't discuss right now because we don't know what those parts are. Do I agree that we should form a working group? Yes, I do. Um there are some things that are missing and um that that were missing in this process that was just voted upon. I I just think that in the light of full transparency that we so often discuss um the motion and I'm one I'm one of the mindset that a motion can come forth at any time of the evening.

128I there is no statute there is nothing and Robert rules the order to state that it cannot. However, I have been supporting that motions do not come from the floor the night of without um conversation or notification to all board members. And so I don't know if that happened. If it did happen, Mr. Farooq, I apologize. I I missed it. Um, and so I said all that to say, is is this something that we want to vote on now? Is it something that we could possibly discuss in December where we can give each other some feedback? Um, and the reason why I'm saying that, I'm just going to be very frank. I'm not gonna beat around the bush. Many of you champion champion that motions would not come the night of it was out there

129and so well particularly without feedback from the community. [gasps] Um so I'm just taken a back um that it has happened. Um I'm I just I don't know what to say and so I just wanted to share that. But if the majority of the board supports it, um, then go forth and conduct the work group. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Berg. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Farooq, for that suggestion. Um, I'm not ready to vote tonight on a motion to move forward. Um, I would like to have the opportunity to get some details. I think it's great, but who's going to serve? Why just one board member? I'm thinking it should be two as we have on other committees. So, I would just like to hear more particulars. I don't

130think it's anything wrong with it. In fact, I think it's right as we address the opportunity to reach to collaborate and reach consensus. So, um my suggestion tonight, I'm not ready to vote as Dr. Harris Muhammad stated regarding I know it's not a policy, but just to have some information. So maybe we need to have an ad hoc I don't some type of committee per se that's my suggestion moving forward but to vote tonight to put in place one to get started now for next year. I just ask for more details that is thought through. >> Thank you. And just to clarify because there was a motion and a second we do have to vote unless he rescends his motion. So just >> I wanted his um Mr. Hedgeh hands was raised but I wanted

131to clarify that just so we're all on the same page. >> Thank you Madam Chair. I just probably going to say the same thing that maybe Mr. Farooq is uh that u maybe perhaps this is something that we can just propose during new business. Uh that will be a future item uh rather than a a motion for today. Uh it was something that we've talked about uh since last month and it was something that I wrote an email about a workg group. So it's not a new idea, but if the board is not ready to move on that, then I'm happy to happy to move that to a new business item. >> Um yeah, Madam Chair, I resend the motion and plan to bring this up as a topic during new business on the agenda.

132>> Thank you. Um, madame clerk, did you Okay. All right. Moving right along to um receive for approval collective bargaining agreement for Teamster Local 5 92. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm pleased to bring forward to the board the already ratified Teamsters Local 592 contract which covers principles, assistant principles and directors and request your approval. >> Mr. Persal. >> Madame chair, I would move that we adopt the we approve the collective bargaining agreement for Teamster Local 592 as presented. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Perl and seconded by Miss Ricard. Madame Clerk. >> Mr. Perl. >> Yes. >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farug. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hedgepin. >> Yes. >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes. >> Miss Berg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes.

133Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. >> Motion pass. >> Thank you and congratulations. We're excited. >> All right. I just need a motion for the consent agenda. >> Madam Chair, I motion to approve the consent agenda as stated. >> It's been moved by Mr. Mr. Hedgepath and seconded by Mr. Jafari. Madam clerk. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pible. >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath. >> Yes. >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> I had a question, but I I'll go ahead and and vote. Um >> Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't I didn't >> That's okay. Go go go right ahead. That's that's fine. >> What's your vote, Dr. Harris Muhammed? >> Yes. Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafar, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. Motion passed.

134Thank you. All right. >> Did you want to ask your question now, Dr. Harris? Muhammad, >> the vote has already been taken. I'm fine. Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you. And now for new business. Miss Rizzy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I'm not sure where we're headed with the or what you all want to do with the recommendations that I presented yesterday with the um vacant property and facilities committee. Are we going to take a vote or are we approving by consensus? Are we I'm not sure what the >> my I believe that we approved by consensus yesterday. >> That's fine. >> Um I will say that as we anything that's with budgetary implications that'll probably fall within line with the budget items, but that's just my thought. Mr. Cameras. >> Thank you, Madam

135Chair. Um because it involves the disposition of property, I would very much like a vote of the school board. So my recommendation would be to place it on the December business meeting agenda for action level. >> All right. Thank you. I have one other um I'd requested a report um related to the disperate scores that um exists among subgroups especially at the elementary school level. Um I I think that might be coming up. Um I just want to add that I'd love to see um like historical data maybe going about back about five years to go along with that report. Yes, we had a conversation at our last agenda set in meeting. Um, Mr. Cameron shared that they had some one-off conversation with you and I told uh him and requested that that information be

136discussed openly with everyone else. So, um, I think the plan is for it to be in other information in December. >> Uh, if I may. >> Yeah, I can clarify that in a second, but I'll let Mr. Cameron share. I had a subsequent conversation with Miss Rusie and was going to recommend that it's a admin update discussion item at the December if possible given that there was interest from other school >> and I'm totally fine with that. I think we are just trying to navigate the time frame and so we're we're trying to utilize other information more but certainly we're always open to pull those items out into open discussion. But I'm totally okay with having it as a a item under administrative topics. Thank you, Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. In our

137consent agenda on yesterday, the early college academy uh report was listed. However, um when I asked to have that information, my concern was regarding support in terms of study hall and in the report it listed that because of schedules at different schools that the support was not it wasn't clear. So, I'm asking that that information is pulled out. My concern is that we we um move forward in making sure that each student receives the support he or she needs to have. I know they have coaches in place, but it doesn't always mean that they're being reached. I didn't see any data to support how many students were seeing a coach or what the consequences were, but I do want to go back to the part with the study hall. Um who's have net, how many

138students are attending. And I can write this up if you'd like. I can do that. >> Yeah, if you could um write it up and email it. That way we can ensure that the administration has all the points to cover and we can include that in our next meeting. And >> I have a second um ask um the renaming proposal for Armstrong High School. I know it was supposed to been on the agenda for tonight and um it was not as I mentioned to you that it was not. So, but I did see Mr. Jefferson and he explained to me that that it was moved on um because of the overload. However, his persons were calling me from Armstrong and from Kennedy that um and I said come to the meeting on Tuesday night before

139receiving the agenda. then being told later that there is a special meeting that's going to be in place. Um, but I I don't think I want to make sure if that's happening as stated that all board members have the opportunity to be a part of that. I know it's during the time that we have the um Virginia School Board Association's conference, but um I've not as the board member representing the seventh district of which Armstrong and used to be Kennedy existed. I just would like to have um some consensus. If three board members were invited, I think all nine of us should be. And has it been announced or has that changed? I have not heard anything about a meeting. Um >> I got an email. >> Okay. Yeah, I was on the way. We

140did um that topic was broached and doc Dr. Mr. Cameron shared that he would connect with you offline to discuss next steps and would come back with more information. And so that was the last I've heard because I did um ask per your request. And in terms of a some type of meeting, I don't I don't know anything about that. >> So, let me clarify. So, on November 20th, because several members of the association reached out, we wanted to have a proactive meeting around how we can honor the legacy knowing that the vote has not been taken. We wanted to hear from them. And so, again, we scheduled something for November 20th. and we invited the board members that showed interest, but it's already been noticed and so anybody that wants to attend can come.

141I'll send it out to everybody. >> Who was who was on the invitation? >> So, there were three board members that were invited. You want me to name them specifically? >> I'm just I'm just wondering. I'm curious. >> So, we invited Mr. Jafar, um Miss Burke, and Miss Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> Okay. >> I can invite everybody. I mean, it just was for people who showed interest, but happy to send it out to everybody because Patrice has already sent out the the notice. >> It's a listening session. It has not been noticed as a board meeting. So, I just put out a public advisory because there were three board members included in the discussion about the listening session. >> And it's not a special meeting. It is to hear from the alumni association. It's not

142a meeting about a vote or anything. just to hear about how they want their legacy to be honored because quite frankly they have stated that there there are certain things that are there but it's not enough and so I just wanted to be proactive before we came before the board um and I could actually have some information to share. >> Thank you. I have thoughts but I'll Mr. Hedge have to share first. >> Thanks Madam Chair. I just have the question if is this going to be recorded because as I think it was alluded to earlier, a number of us will be at the uh Virginia School Board Association and we've already committed to that. But I do think that to Ms. Burke's point, it's important for us all to to hear uh the um

143the concerns so that way we know how to move forward. >> Well, we can reach out to the alumni association. They actually chose the date. Um and so we can reach out to Mr. Mallerie to see if they are able to adjust the schedule. Thank you. And I I appreciate you being proactive and wanting to hear what uh they have to share just in full transparency and you know ensuring that everyone is on the same page is helpful so that there it minimizes the confusion because we were kind of caught off guard just now. But I appreciate your efforts. >> Yeah. But just it's a listening session that had nothing to do with >> and it's totally fine. That's that's >> Thank you for bringing that to our attention, Miss Burke. Mr. Hedgep. Uh, Madam

144Chair, I'd request as we move into our budget season that we have um a full report of all our uh contracted services and and uh partners that we work with uh our vendor list that we have that available for us um as as um you know as possible by the administration during the budget process. Please. >> Thank you. Miss Ricard, >> this is not an urgent agenda item, but I would love um even if it's under otherformational um an update on our school breakfast and lunches and how the new offerings are going, if they're being implemented, how that's going with cost, how are the students liking it, and maybe just what continued efforts there may be to um continue to refine our lunches and make sure that they have locally grown things and are appealing

145for for our students. Thank you, um Miss Berg. And then I have a couple. >> Thank you. And I this is not what you asked for at this point, but I because of what Mr. I just stated, I do want to thank um our wellness chief officer, Miss Parks, to make sure that every child has the opportunity to get breakfast every morning because we did have some challenges. But every child, thanks to what she did in terms of making sure that every child received the services of being able to eat breakfast and or lunch when they come in. It's not our food. So I I thank you for stepping out and addressing that. You can go home now. Okay. You done your death. [laughter] >> Mr. Farooq then I have a couple >> Dr. HSM

146has something as well. Okay. Is that is this >> Yeah, Madam Chair, for I guess next month's meeting, I would recommend that we So, first I want to clarify that what Dr. Harris Muhammad said. We did change the procedures that we use for our meetings and limited night of agenda changes, but that does not apply to motions. You can make all kinds of motions at each point in the agenda. So yes, regarding my proposal that probably we should aim for the December meeting to vote on is the creation of a work group because we heard lots of people obviously very emotional about the process feeling like they were not involved or that it was moving too fast. So creating a longer process, something more predictable that we can plan around and hopefully if we have

147more time it will take up less, it will be less intense, right? We're not going to have two meetings a week. Maybe we'll only have one meeting a month. Who knows? But again, thinking about starting possibly in early March where we assemble a work group. So it would be a formal work group of the school board that could have one to two how you know an appropriate number of schoolboard representatives um uh sta you know our administrative staff however many uh you know there won't be any limit on that number because we would need to bring in the appropriate staff depending on the discussion and then uh at least one representative from each of our collective bargaining partners and the purpose would be to take more time to allow people to talk through different proposals.

148I'm I I genuinely am heartened that we got close to a compromise. I think that shows that obviously we all work together, right? And so despite the lack of trust, we are able to talk through and and come close. So I think we might find more things to talk through and mull on. Uh, also I think having a predictable process over the course of six to eight months creates kind of a stress valve where if more things pop up in our collective bargaining process, they can become agenda items for discussion at one of these meetings as a possible change to the CBA resolution. Uh so yeah, my my motion that I plan to bring up again in December will be to create this workg group and have it meet over the next six to eight

149months with the specific charge of coming up with a list of consensus changes to the CBA resolution to be put before the school board for a vote um probably next October. So, is your request to start the conversation in December or for us to get to a place of vote because I I think there's >> Yeah, my my specific proposal is for us to vote at our at next month's meeting to create this work group. >> But the work >> here's my here's my internal challenge. I'm going to say it out loud. Um, I appreciate the um the suggestion. I think the challenge is going to be how do we do it in a way where the public has access to the information that we're sharing prior to December? Because if not, the first time

150we're going to really hear public comment is in December. And I just don't want it to be viewed as a similar situation as we're in now with the collective bargaining resolution where if we're including something that's going to include them and they don't have a say in it and we're going to make a vote in December. So that's what I'm I'm being challenged with as I think through it. That's I just wanted to share that out loud. >> Sure. >> Yeah. I I can I think we can write this up as a resolution which could then be posted online prior to >> and we have Miss Burke, Mr. Jafari. Miss Burke, thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to have a working group that would represent all parties. My concern is and maybe this

151will be a part of coming together because we're we're talking about being transparent. I think I'm I'm getting that so that we can collaborate better. However, um as we talked as a board or maybe this can be a public piece whereas to have some sessions um not town hall meetings but some sessions where we would have someone to come in. Yes, we are the model for the state of Virginia. Yes, we have made history in terms of and I was chair during that time and that was a lot of stress but we made it through there well and look where we are now. So, um I just want to make sure that as we we talk about December or March that that's so testing and stakes are higher just just just what I want to

152go back to what was suggested earlier and maybe having someone to get together to come up with a plan and we don't want to seem like it's the board running it. So, so if it's really going to be inclusive of every every group um I just would like us to take some time to go through that. Maybe the first session will be open to the public to come in and just hear about how the all the components of collective bargaining. This this is new for me, but I'm so glad that the state of V state of Virginia, the Commonwealth, the city of Richmond is is leading the leading the charge there. But um I don't want us to get caught up in in the in the the mess of what could take place. Mr. Jafari.

153>> Thanks, Madam Chair. Uh point of clarification as to the mechanics of of what's being recommended. Uh we talking about uh what an 8 to 10 month process wherein at the end of the process we revisit what we've just voted on tonight or are we talking about a process that upon the conclusion of it at the expiration of the tenure the time period for what we just voted on then we would implement it. I'm unclear on when that implementation would take place. Yeah. So, um I think this is going to take a little bit of time to just sort through and I think we can we let's we have it listed on the um agenda setting for an up andcoming meeting. and let's step away and kind of think through what that looks like since

154this is your you two have really kind of shared your aspiration to to spearhead this perhaps you guys can connect and talk through some things we just need to flesh it out a little bit more absolutely and I think does Dr. Harris Muhammad do you have something as well >> do thank you um I would like to recommend to the school board and administration that we develop a policy or strengthen the current policy that we have for renaming school buildings, parts of a school building, any road, lake, river that may lead to a RPS building. [snorts] Um, also I wanted to share that the National School Board Association is having again in 2026 their annual advocacy conference in Washington DC. I will be attending. Also, I would like to share that my nonprofit organization, Northside

155Coalition for Children, Inc. is hosting a holiday drive this year. More information um public is is forthcoming. I will make sure I try to give updates. We are moving right into the holiday season. I would like to also know more about um this is from the administration. who is eligible for a local license and who is not. The state regulations are clear on the lensure pla page but I am not 100% certain if our school division is currently following that process to the tea. So I would like for us to um receive information on who is eligible for a local license and who is not. And I do want to thank the administration for providing that data um to the board particularly because I requested it. Um so thank you for that. And then also

156I would like to know and if I missed this email um I apologize to the administration. I was looking through my emails and the last email that I saw was pertaining to they were going to get back with me on an update as to why the virtual academy students cannot receive mail meals. I understand the the email correspondence that was sent to me, but I'm still waiting on an update from the state department of education as to why they cannot. And then the last thing that I want to share um and I I'm just I'm saying this in um with the love that I have in my heart. Um and it's it's in no way let me leave with this. I'm not in any manner throwing shade because I believe I look cute in many

157shades. But I will say that Mr. Farooq to your point, thank you so much. Um it was also about motions that was made very clear in the training that we had before we took the oath of oath of office that there was some discontent that board members in the past had um made agenda and agenda changes and motion changes. This is not throwing any shade. I'm not I'm not doing that. I'm just saying that if we're not going to stick with that, that's fine. We just need to make sure that it is supported by all and not just a few on the days. So I just wanted to end with that but thank you for your comment. I receive it in the spirit in which you gave it to me. Thank you. >> Thank you.

158I believe Mr. Pival wants to ask a clarifying question. >> Dr. Sure. Harris Muhammed, just a clarifying question on your item for local licenses. Um, is that an ask for additional information and update or were you calling out the information that was provided as adequate? >> You you wanted you mentioned who is eligible for a local license and is RPS following a process. Are you seeking additional information? I'm just trying to capture this for new business. I would like to know more about who is eligible for a local license and who is not. The state regulations are clear and I am not 100 100% certain that Richmond public schools is following that process. >> Okay, great. Thank you. I just want to clear >> Thank you, >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes, briefly just to answer

159my colleague Mr. Jafar's question because the resolution passed today those changes go into effect and that becomes our new amended CBA resolution. So this work group would be dealing with the amended CBA resolution and over the course of the next 6 to 8 months would be discussing further amendments. So not necessarily revoting on what we just voted on but dealing with the new amended CBA resolution as it ex as it will exist. So, you know, perhaps people will find out that some of those changes worked great or maybe they will really hate them. But that that is what the discussion will be that and there I I know that some people have emailed me and said there were even other things they were interested in visiting that did not make it to this uh resol

160the proposal tonight that we voted on. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'll end the conclusion. No, I I'll move that topic. >> This is great conversation. It's fine. Um, appreciate the dialogue. Makes us better. All right. Who has our closed session? Mr. Wesley, Mr. Hedgeback. Madam Chair, I move that the school board of the city of Richmond convene in close session to discuss and consider the the performance and possible discipline of two employees as permitted by Virginia Code 2.2-3711A1. It's been moved by Mr. Hedgep and seconded by Miss Rizzy. Madame Clerk, >> yes. >> Mr. Perl, >> yes. Okay. U Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> I would like to vote, but I didn't hear. Is

161it What is the close? I'm sorry. to discuss and consider the performance and possible discipline of two employees as permitted by Virginia Code 2.2-3711A1. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes, >> Miss Burke. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes, >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. Motion passes.