001Good evening everyone. We would like to call the the school board meeting the business session for September 3rd, 2025 into session. Madame clerk, >> Mr. PL >> here. >> Miss Ricard >> here. >> Mr. Farooq. >> Mr. Hedge >> here. Miss Rizzy >> here. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed >> present. >> Miss Burke >> present. >> Mr. Jafari >> here. >> Miss Fernandez >> here. >> We have a quorum. Give us just a moment. We're having some feedback in the background. We're just doing a test quickly. I believe we resolve the issue. 15 14 5 zero. Wonderful. We absolutely love technology, but sometimes it can give us a little bit of a challenge. So, thank you for your patience. At this time, we will do the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence. Mr. Cameras, could
002you lead us in the pledge of allegiance, please? >> Would you please pick up the microphone and hold it while you speak? 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, with liberty and justice for all. And now we'll have our translation services announcement. Good evening everyone. If you need interpretation from English to Spanish, please come see me at the table in the back with the interpreters. We have interpretation headsets for anyone that needs one. Interpretation in Spanish is also available for those watching this meeting through Zoom. I want to remind everyone to please speak at a normal pace and keep your face no more than a couple of inches from the microphones so that our interpreters can hear
003you clearly. I will now make the same announcement in Spanish. interpret. Thank you. Gracias. >> Thank you. I would like to reiterate um from our um Spanish interpreters, they requested for us to please remember to talk slowly um so that they have time to process what we're saying and interpret. Um so we'll try to do our very best to accommodate that request. Moving right along to 1.04, approve the minutes of August 4th and August 5th, 2025 schoolboard meetings. Miss Regard. >> Madame Chair, I motion to approve the minutes of the August 4th, 2025 and August 5th, 2025 school board meetings. >> Harris Muhammed. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Miss Ricard and seconded by Dr. Harris Muhammed. Madame Clerk. >> Mr. Perl. >> Yes. >> M. Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes.
004>> Mr. Hedgep. >> Yes. >> Miss Rzzy. >> Yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammad. >> Yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jabari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. And before we adopt the amend the agenda, I believe there's an amendment. >> Mr. Pipal. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I move to amend the agenda to include item 6.07 receive for action fit for kids safe routes to school resolution and adopt the agenda as amended. Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Perl and seconded by Mr. Hedgepath. Madame Clerk, >> yes. >> Mr. Pival, yes. Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammad, >> yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari, >>
005yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Um, I'd also like to make the public aware that this particular item um that they want to follow along, the document has been placed under new business 7.01. Just for your awareness, moving right along now, we have um one of the the best parts of our evening. We have our student representatives. Um Mr. Cameron. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am thrilled to introduce two of our students this evening. First is Treasure Brown. Treasure is a current sophomore at Richmond High School for the Arts where she excels both inside and outside the classroom. She's an active member of FCCLA, proudly representing her school at events and conferences. Outside of school, Treasure showcases her entrepreneurial spirit by doing hair in her spare time, proving that age is
006never a barrier to ambition. With an outstanding 4.5 GPA, Treasure is dedicated to her academic success and already has set her sights on attending an H.B.CU CU with Howard University at the top of her list. She plans to stay involved throughout high school using opportunities like FCCLA to strengthen her leadership skills, build her resume, and prepare for her future. Treasure doesn't let being young stop her from chasing opportunities that will help her grow. With her drive, determination, and vision for success, her potential is truly unlimited, and it's clear that she is on a path to go far. Please join me in welcoming Treasure Brown. Good evening in school board superintendent and RPS community. First, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. This past summer, I had the honor of
007attending the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. I competed in a STAR event, which stands for students taking action with recognition. My category was promote and pepize FCCLA, where I highlighted the ways our school spreads awareness about FCTLA and the major event we hosted each year. At the event, students get to interact with trade schools, entrepreneurships, college and representatives and people from different career clusters and pathways. It gives us chance to gain better insight into college careers and entrepreneurship while also showcasing the importance of FCCLA. Presenting this project in front of judges really helped me strengthen my public speaking skills and boosted my confidence. This trip also gave me many personal firsts. I took my very first flight and I even rode my very first roller coaster
008which helped me overcome my fear of fight flight heights. I enjoyed trading pens, networking with people from all over the country and doing challenges that allowed me to build friendships. Some of my favorite memories included Aquatica Universal Studios and watching the fireworks at night. I also had a special bonding time with Miss Hans and Cortavius, our FCCLA president, who couldn't be here tonight because of work. And when I finally got to put on the red jacket, it gave me such a sense of pride and reminded me that I am part of something bigger than myself. While I am very grateful for that opportunity, I also want to take a moment and share concerns that I believe affect students at our school. First, the bathroom are not always clear. with basic supplies which makes it difficult
009for students throughout the day. Second, the time limit we are given to get to class can be challenging when the hallways are always crowded. It often feels rushed and stress stressful. Third, many students feel feel there hasn't been enough transparency about the new building updates. We are excited about what's coming, but we would love to be more informed about the progress and what to expect. Finally, I think students need more district support and helping us. Again, exposure to opportunities like FCCLA Nationals and being fully prepared for them. For example, the Red Blazers are a requirement at Nationals, but they are very important. My partner and I had to fund raise to make sure we could both have one. I am proud we made it happen, but I also know that without the support, other students
010may not get the same chance. Despite these challenges, my experience at FCCA Nationals show me how powerful this organization is for students like me. That's why I will continue to be a member and why I'm committed to promoting FCCLA so more of my peers can join, get involved, and gain the same kind of skills, experience, and exposure that I have been blessed to have. Thank you again for allowing me to share both my experiences and my thoughts tonight. Thank you so much, Treasure. And the red jacket looks fabulous. We are also joined by Taia Barrett, who is a senior at Richmond High School for the Arts, where she is also an FCCLA member and participated in the inaugural year of the Bulldog Girls Flag Football Team. Ta recently co-authored an ebook on how to become
011a travel nurse and hopes to have it published by the end of the year. In her spare time, Taia serves as a crew member in the fast food industry where she utilizes her customer service skills and work ethic. Her ability to balance work and school has been incredible. She is always willing to embrace the new opportunities that will help her grow professionally and personally. Upon graduation, Taia plans to pursue a degree in nursing at an H.B.CU with a long-term goal of becoming a travel nurse. Please join me in welcoming Ta Barrett. Good evening everybody. I want to thank the school board for inviting me speech speak and for recognizing me and my hard work. My name is Tisha Barrett and I'm a senior and a proud FCCLA member. Last year, I had a chance to
012compete at the Virginia FCLA state conference where I got to practice my public speaking skills and network with other FCLA chapters in Virginia. Though I placed third place during states, I am grateful for the chance to compete again. I feel like FCLA is a great program that helps students to grow by challenging themselves out their comfort zone. You can join as early as sixth grade as long as you have taken or enrolled in a family and consumer science. One of my concerns I have with the district is the lack of support for the students to prepare properly for life after high school. And an easy solution will be incorporating a study period for seniors where they have desired time for college or career preparation and it structured time for a for seniors to focus on
013life after graduation. We can ensure that leave high school not only with a diploma but also with a clear direction for their future. And a special thank you to Miss Ferson, Miss Hines, Miss Brandon for unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement. Your dedication has helped us grow, push past challenge, and become the best version of ourselves. We are truly grateful for everything you have for us into. Through FCLA, I gained the lead leadership skills, confidence, and opportunities that allow me to truly maximize my potential and prepare for my future success. Thank y'all. >> Thank you so much to both Ta and Treasure. Can we take a picture with you all to celebrate you all? All right, let's all come on down. Before we move forward, I just want to give a huge shout out to uh
014Miss Hines Whitmore. Um she during the summer, you know, a lot of times we we know a lot of things, but it's really we have to tap into the power of our people. and she sent us an email letting us know about the experience and um and she also gave us the presentation deck to kind of highlight uh what went on and it was just we were so blown away and you know we we reached out to uh Superintendent Cameron said we have to have them come and and represent and tell us about their experience. So major shout out to you and your team for all that you're doing to invest into our scholars. Thank you. And now we'll move on to 2.02 Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. We are
015trying something a little bit different this school year. I'm going to ask for everybody's indulgence. We think we have the tech worked out. It's a little complicated, but um if anything doesn't work quite as expected, we appreciate your grace and understanding. And with that, here it goes. We got one more. Uh, I do want to just take this moment to thank Chep, Alyssa, the entire communications team. This takes a lot of work to do, but I think it is well worth it. testing again. Okay. Are we moving on to 2.03? Okay. And now we're going to move on to 2.03, recognition of attendance awareness month. But I wanted to give a shout out to Cardinal Elementary, all the scholars that did a phenomenal job with that video. That was a pleasant surprise. Great job. That
016was phenomenal. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a win. >> It's a win. >> Yes. We love it. >> Picture with our coordinators. Let's know who helped make all this happen. Danielle, do you mind coming up and just saying a word and then or um we'll come down and take a quick picture, but let's have Dr. Green Bell just say a quick word. >> Thank you, Mr. Cameas and members of the school board. We have with us some members um who do a lot in terms of our chronic absenteeism. It is attendance awareness month. Um, and so our coordinators lead our family liaison across the district in making sure that all of our students get to school on time. >> Picture time. >> Let's do it. All right, that was really exciting. Thank you all
017so much for your efforts. It was a pleasant surprise to see that. And now we're going to move right along to 3.01 announcements. Miss Ricard, Mr. Hedgepath, Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, just as a further um comment on attendance awareness month, I wanted to thank Miss Jackson and the engagement team um for their um welcome back week at Carver Elementary. They did an incredible job bringing out churches and fraternities and VCU and VU and the VCUPD and Netsy was there. Um, Katherine Jordan, our second district council person was there as well and it was just a really great way to welcome our scholars back. and Miss Jackson had an outfit that matched each group every day and I was very jealous of that. Um, and I just really want to thank them.
018It was a great great way to welcome our scholars. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hitchpath. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll concur with Miss Ricard that the the first week and u all the activities that that uh happened were were excellent and were really fun and it was uh uh a lot of fun to be able to to recognize and and welcome our our community back to the schools. Just two quick announcements. one that the uh fourth district uh council member Abibacher and I will be uh co-hosting a a meeting of the fourth district at Hugenat High School on September 17th at 6 o'clock to 7:30. Council member Abubakr normally feeds us pretty well. So I would encourage you to come to that uh that meeting where she and I will dialogue with
019the residents of the fourth. And then the second is uh the first of the fourth district parent teacher advisory council uh meetings will occur on September 25th at Southampton Elementary School uh from 5:30 to 6:30. >> Thank you, Miss B. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm leaving something. First of all, Night Out, which we had in August. I think it was August the 10. I don't know whether I announced this at the last meeting or not. Um, Richmond Public Schools was well represented there, including um Franklin Military Academy. That's the last time we had a meeting. I was a little late getting here. Okay, I remember. Anyway, I was presented with a check for $1,000 from um folks in the east end in support of our seventh district schools. What? Yeah. So, I'm very pleased
020with that and Mr. Cooper already has a check. I know where it's going to go. Second item is Garland Avenue Baptist Church, as we all know, hosted um a Richmond public schools day this past not this past Sunday, Sunday before last. Gen Avenue Baptist Church is located in the north side and the church of our former and deceased superintendent Dr. Lucille M. Brown. So, educators were in the house. Mrs. Rzzy and I attended and I was very proud. Armstrong High School football team. They had the big school bus and all. So, a shout out to transportation on being there on a Sunday. And we also had Richton Public Schools speech team which I didn't know we had a speech team. So, they were excellent. Most of them I think were from Richmond High School of
021the Arts and there were a couple from Armstrong as well. Okay. All right. But it was a delightful day. The um um pastor is the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Smith who is a retired superintendent of Hampton Public Schools and he sent his regards to you Mr. Cameras. And Miss Dian Bacon was the coordinator, the former organist and music teacher from uh Mary Munford Elementary School. Okay. And my next item is this past Friday night. Got that. Mr. Hedgepath, did you want to say it? Bless your heart. Um, beautiful, beautiful turnout. Thank you to our engagement office for setting up a beautiful spread. And um, Dr. Danielle Green was there, Alyssa Schwitz was there, I hope I said your name right, and Mr. Solomon Jefferson was there as well. And Don Paige, Mrs. Paige, our former um
022school board chair, did the honors of of gracing Mr. Coach Mcy, Richard MCI. I never knew his first name until last night. I mean that night because everybody always said Coach McI. But it was a great turnout. I think it was a sellout. Dr. Massa was awesome at Hugenat High School, but that field has been stadium has been renamed in coach um the coach's honor and it was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful evening. Thank you so very much. Dr. Stephanie Ramsey did take great pictures and shared that as well. And my last item is um September 27th, please put this on your calendar, the East End Festival. This will be our eighth annual East End Festival. It is sponsored. Our main sponsor is Bons of Kors and anyone else that wants to contribute. It is free.
023Um it's for the schools, all of the schools in the East End to include the sixth and seventh district schools. And what we do is to support the arts. Richmond Symphony is performance performing Saxmo Gates. It was on the um RPS direct, but I haven't seen it lately. So, I hope we can get that back on because we usually it's all free. We invite parents, invite the community out, and we're starting out with our children. The Richmond public schools all city band. I don't want to go down the whole list, but it's a awesome awesome evening of the arts to include music to include dance to include painting and other exhibits. and we have hundreds of vendors that we ask people to support so that we can raise money to continue to support the arts
024in the um east end of the city of Richmond. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss RZY and Miss Mr. Jafari. >> Oh, sorry. Thank you. Say that. >> Thanks, Madam Chair. Uh a couple of announcements. Um, I wanted to give a shout out to the schools in the eighth district uh for the warm welcome that I received uh when arriving and the walkthroughs and I share with my colleagues about the cohesiveness for such youngsters, preschoolers and head starters. Um it it really resonated just how much RPS is really impacting them and what we're doing really to make things move smoothly. It was a very smooth opening day and opening week for that matter. Okay, moving along. Those in the uh 8th district over in the 17th Street and Ingram Avenue areas, I just
025want to assure you that uh we are working uh with the superintendent to resolve any of the the student walking issues and transportation issues that we're having over there. So, I just wanted you to know that. And finally, I too was able to attend the school renaming, the school grounds or field renaming last Friday. And and I I really uh as I looked at it, you know, when I came through Walker, I I played for Canonball Cooper and Coach McI kind of came in as I was exiting. So I really didn't get to meet him in that regard. But you know, I wanted to share something that I think was a lot of people really don't know about him. A lot of people know that he did send a lot of people on uh his
026athletes on to colleges. But we look at the progress and the successes that we are really only now really getting heard in the media. But I want you to know that RPS has been on the cutting edge really since the mid 90s when they first uh came up with the concept of safety resource officers. uh Coach Mcy or Chief McY or Deputy Chief Mcy as he was known then. He was a part of the process that really laid the groundwork for what our current security system looks like today. And not only that, I owe him a debt of gratitude because a lot of people don't know that uh he was one of the individuals who cast the vote for myself and Jasper Kitro to become the very first safety resource officers ever hired by Richmond
027public schools. And so a lot of people don't they don't really know that part about coach MCI but when he talks he not only talks football but he knows security as well. >> Thank you madam chair. >> Of course that was awesome story. Thank you for sharing that. >> And please forgive me for not stating your name but we would try to find him when it was time to take pictures. He was on the field. He was on the field and how we pictured him is because he had on this big cowboy hat. All right. So if I don't know whether you're a cowboy fans but fan but I still I still >> recovering cowboy fans. >> Okay. All right. Okay. But we were looking for remember I had to take pictures and say where
028is it? >> Oh that thank you both for sharing. Miss Rzzy. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Uh I just want to say that I like enjoyed visiting all the schools that I represent. Yeah, the first week went by smooth. People actually love the staggered start. I got a lot of people saying that they enjoy it. They thought that worked really well. Um, and I am going to try to make it to all of the back to school nights starting with Louisis Harrison Jones's tomorrow at 400 pm. Um, also Mr. Hedgepath and I enjoy welcoming the kindergarteners um at Patrick Henry last week. So yeah, that was a lot. So, uh, yeah, just a shout out to everyone. The first week, um, the first couple of weeks have been awesome. >> Thank you, Mr. Baroo. >>
029Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd also like to say that the stagger start, from my view as a parent, has been a huge success. As the parent of a new sixth grader in RPS, the stagger start really helped him get familiar with the school which was very new to him and he got a chance to get his routine down before all the other kids showed up. And so he felt really good about it and actually the other day said this is rare for people who have like you know middle school age kids. He said he really likes his life so I'll take that victory. I'll just make a few quick announcements. One is that um I will be at the um Battery Park Civic Association meeting. That's for the neighborhoods in and around Barton Heights in
030the third district. Next Tuesday, September 9th, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Avenue Library. The next day, September 10th, we have our AI task force meeting at Noral School at 5:30 p.m. And uh Mcclenny Elementary, which is the former Guiner Park, is having its first parent teacher organization interest meeting September 17th, Thursday, September 17th at 4M at Mlenny Elementary. So that's it for me. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. I just have a couple of announcements if there there's no one else who'd like to share. Um u I had the pleasure of partnering with Council One and Cole Jones um on August 26 for a community input meeting. Um this meeting was uh surrounding some of the development um that is happening within the 9th district. There's a an amazing um apartment complex that's
031going to offer three bedroomedroom and four bedroomedroom uh town homes that are very affordable. Um they also have um committed to having 58 uh stipens for those who um u may have some challenges. And so they'll have the same access as those that will be paying full price. Um what I really loved about the conversation that took place is that um they're really trying to target first responders, teachers, um EMS workers, um and those that are really contributing to the community. And um hopefully we'll be able to give them the first right of refusal. And so they're going to make sure that that information is is sent out and I will certainly send it out to to you all um because obviously we want our teachers to to you know be within sometimes walking distance,
032driving distance. It's it's a beautiful layout. Um, but just it was a really great conversation and so I wanted to give um my um my partner um again uh Nicole Jones, Councilwoman of the 9inth District um a major shout out for all the efforts that she's putting um forth for the 9th. Um, I also want to um recognize um on the 28th we had our education collective um with um Mayor Avoula along with city council and um many of our schoolboard colleagues were there to have a very great conversation um at Mayount Foundation just surrounding um budgetary um obligation s and really talking about it from a collaborative respect perspective. We came away with a lot of amazing ideas um that we believe we'll be able to implement to just kind of raise the alarm
033of the needs um for RPS um as our children um truly deserve the best that we can offer them. Um, I also like to make everyone aware of the the meeting of the general assembly Richmond delegation and the Richmond school board that will take place September 5th. Um, the time is from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. That's going to be in the communities in schools hub room um at 100 Everett Street number two Richmond, Virginia 23224. This is a reconvening. We did this same um com courageous conversation last year and it's really around the same um uh messaging as what we did with the collective is really just talking about how we can be strategic and have a discussion on policy and budgetary outcomes impacting the city of Richmond schools and planning our collective agenda
034for the 2026 session. So, it is open to the public and all are welcome. Um, last but certainly not least, I would like to make those aware from the RED community, sorry, from the Reed community that there will be um their Wait, I just messed up my notes. Hold on, let me go back. Sorry guys, it's a lot on my Their back to school night is going to be um tomorrow night from 4 to 6. And then I also just want to extend a warm welcome. I too was able to um to go into the ninth district and really um connect with um the schools. I want to give a warm welcome to we have two new principles in the ninth district. We have principal Smith who is um at Red Elementary School and we
035also have um Principal Blunt who is at River City. Um and I was also accompanied by delegate Mike Jones to welcome the children for the first um and second day of school. And so I want to give a major shout out to him along with those from Liberation Church who convened to welcome them um and a rally formed. So it was a really great um start and um there was a lot of great energy and all of the six schools in the ninth are off to a great start. So, thank you. All right. Now, moving right along to public information. At this time, we'll ask um Miss Richardson if she could give us the guidelines, please. Conduct of speakers. Speakers shall state their full legal name prior to addressing the school board. Speakers will address
036the school board as a whole rather than individual schoolboard members. the division superintendent, school board attorney, clerk, or any other staff member. The school board will listen to comments but will not respond during the public information period. Persons appearing before the board will not be allowed to one, campaign for public office, two 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. It is important that all committee members who wish to participate in the public information period abide by the guidelines set forth in this policy. Refusal to abide by the policy result in the forfeite of the remaining time that has been allotted to
037the 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 school board platform board docs. Thank you. At this time I'll ask for the pre-registered speakers to come up and sign the clipboard before um coming to the microphone. We have Dr. Paul Bond and after that we have Dennis Harvey. Good evening. My name is Dr. Carl Vine. I'm the founder of Jumpstart to nonprofit located here in the city. I was here at the July school board meeting discussing the repurposing of Thompson. So, thank you again for your time and thoughtful engagement around Thompson. I respect the VPC's recommendation to refurbish and share the desire to see this
038site serve Richmond families. At the same time, I remain committed to working with the VPC and others to explore a broader community-based solution, one that reflects long-term sustainability and neighborhood impact. As someone who's led schools like Armstrong, Chandler, Elcart and have seen firsthand how Armstrong, Kennedy, Chandler, East End/ Middle Amen Middle School, Noral, Clark Springs, and Community High have closed, reopened, repurposed, and still underutilized. That cycle drains resources and erodess trust. Instead of repeating that pattern, we propose a new path. Surplus designation paired with adaptive reuse. Thompson can become a hub for adult education, workforce development, and second chance programming. Built on partnership and proven demand. We also recognize the urgent overcrowding south of the river. Districtwide solutions like boundary adjustments, modular classrooms, and satellite campuses can help that. Thompson can be part of that
039solution, not just physically, but symbolically. Let's build forward together with transparency, creativity, and shared purpose. And I end with this. I have friends and associates that says, "Man, you're crazy. Why you going to go up there and ask them to surplus the school so that you can use?" They're not going to. But I can share this much. I sat here tonight and I've heard stories. I know coach. I know Earl B. We were principal together. Know Sha Muhammed. She was my algebra teach. I know Miss Blunt just became principal of River City. She was my administrative assistant at Armstrong. So I see how things can happen. You build, you work together, and you show that things can be done. I have a principle that was placed in me. 30 seconds. >> I call it the
040Hugh 6 principle. It's H U6. Says tough situations don't last. Tough people do. So when going through, keep your shoulders high. H chin up you and stay vertical like hands on a clock at six. Because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So just as I've taught that to everyone that I come run into, I seek to operate that through our nonprofit which we have housed over 500 >> time >> in our time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Dennis Harvey. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Dennis Harvey and I'm a 1966 graduate of Armstrong High School. And I looked around in the audience when I first came in. I might be the oldest guy in the in the room and I'm proud of that. Uh, a little bit about my little
041bit more about my background. Um, I'm one of the few people maybe in this room that attended a Rosenwall school. My school, my parents helped build and that was in Halifax County, North Carolina. I lived on a farm. We worked um had to do farm chores before school and walking to school two miles and um stayed in North Carolina schools until fifth grade. Moved from a working farm to Church Hills East End and was the second group of black students to attend Fairmount Elementary School. And from then on, it's been a big change. And I really want to thank Richmond public schools uh for the education that I received at Armstrong and our illustrious principal, Mr. George Peterson. I think Mr. George Peterson had a massive heart attack at a Richmond public school meeting. >>
04230 seconds. Uh, and I want to let you know that I support the Kennedy students on having their name placed on the Armstrong building on Cool Lane. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that history? I heard the word schools were birthed. Maggie Walker High School was birthed when Armstrong High School was overcrowded in 1939. 38 I believe. Kennedy was birthed in 68. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, Mr. Harvey. That is your time. >> All right. >> We appreciate you coming and speaking with us tonight. is okay. I need to I want us to acknowledge Mr. Harvey. He is a renowned historian. He is a well-known author. M and he also has written books on the Maggie Walker Armstrong classic of which he and Dr. Howard Hopkins have continued that mission for years. But
043this gentleman who also is a um a gardener, correct? Yeah. Yeah. But he has done so much for so many. We're delighted you're here this evening. I didn't want the opportunity to pass because he's been so supportive of RPS on so many levels and he's well known. And if you are the oldest man in the room or person in the room, thank you. That makes me feel good. Thank you for sharing that background, Miss Bert. Thank you. At this time, we do have time um for those that are in um the audience for public comment. Is there anybody else that would like to come up and share a comment? This is the time. No takers. All right. Mrs. St. back. It's like, you know, bada bing, bada boom. Um, it's a lot. I know that
044I'm at the point where you all are talking about the calendar for next year. I think it'd be great if you all are going to survey people to ask them about this format because I just think it's really difficult for the public to stay informed. um yesterday and I uh you know still catching up with the meeting from yesterday but you also talked about the dreams for RPS um metrics and I think it's really good to have things uh to to measure but one of the things I guess I was concerned about was on page 15 for compensation um it mentions that the measures for success are going to be looking at uh the step zero for teacher salary uh retention rate of teachers with zero to three years of experience and percent of staff
045who respond favorably to satisfaction surveys is um about salary and benefits. Y'all did that evergreen solution study a while back and one of the things from that study is that it showed that we were behind in terms of like our more experience. So I think that um >> having metrics like that are great but I I think or I hope that there's some opportunity to have some input maybe changing some of these. Also uh la last thing um sometimes listening to these u things on YouTube is difficult. Maybe it's because people like me who don't know how to use the mic, but uh maybe like a better mic would be better, too. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else that would like to share public comment? >> Good evening. I mess class
046in 1977. We are the last class Armstrong Peterson as upper principal. He retired in June of our freshman year. I'm opposed to any name change of the Kennedy building of cool lane away from Armstrong High School. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to share public comment? >> All right, we'll transition on to 5.01 receive for action Head Start report. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, Mr. Cameron, and the members of the board. Uh in your packets, you have the July 2025 head start report with all the components including the links that will give you the policy council minute minutes and the financial statement for July 2025. But I will also would like to update the board on the waiver for disabilities transportation was approved by the office of head start affected immediately. The en
047the funded enrollment for Headstar is 614 including 513 for Richmond and 136 for Petersburg and early Headstar remains in stat intact 56 56 slots. The budgets remain uh unchanged for the year 2025 but will transition to the new funded enrollment budget effected August 1st 2026. We submit the PI which is the program enrollment program information report on August 282. Um I personally met with all the partners directors and I gave them an update on their staff credentials and they'll come in federal review and the RAN review um to be prepared and gave them the number slap the number slots that they have. they will have per sites systems are in place for the RAM and the uh federal review um to be ready for those um we will be working in a budget modification with
048finance and myself for the next few months and and last minute update on enrollment as of today in including a sect and enroll for his story we have 434 out of the 513 15 and early start we have 47 out of the 56. So our goal is to be fully enrolled by the end of this month. Any questions? >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you so much for the report. The board received communication um probably a week or so ago, but I was catching up on emails a little later, so I apologize, but spoke to um over a million dollars that were left that was left from being unspent. Can you explain to the board one, how can we support, how can we help um support the policy council so we
049will not continue to have any money left on the table? Um and then two, how is that communication being filtered to the policy council? Are they told earlier that this money is being left on the table or what what does that look like? what like this has happened multiple times and I know they were asking over time why are we not being told much sooner that there's money left on the table to spend. So where is that disconnect um because it's like making a rush to spend down over a million dollars in 30 days or 45 days. So the million point something that that you're referring that was now left on the table that is the one point something that the office of head start has decided even though that they decreased the fundamental enrollment
050to leave that money into the program and that's why we have to now do a budget modification to the determine how we're going to spend the money in the next in this coming year. Uh and the money that was left is money that is already obligated. So and we have 90 days after the um July 31st of this year to liquidate that money. So the policy council is being informed and every policy council meeting where are we with the obligated money with the liquidated money and um we are projecting there's not going to be money left any other questions >> thank you madam chair and and just to clarify Dr. Harris Muhammed there there were over the past years in total I believe over that was over years. So Dr. Mohammed's concern is valid doing
051has been discussed policy council what we can do to help spend that down especially in the last 90 days. Um could you uh Mr. Taylor Cruz comment a little bit more on the enrollment. So you gave us an underenrolled number but from the last meeting I recall that we had some in the pipeline. Um, you said you you you hope to be at full enrollment by the end of the month. Could you elaborate a little bit on what that means for the board? >> Yes, because at this point we only need 79 to be fully enrolling head start. Um, and those applications we're working very closely with BPI and we are collaborating with BPI. So we're working as a team and everybody is doing placement. Uh, BPI is doing placements in Head Start. So everybody's
052working together to make sure that we are fully enrolled by the end of the month. Um because in the office of historic enrollment during summer doesn't count. So they will look into our enrollment numbers starting in September. Those are the numbers that we report in October. >> Follow. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, if if you were to put a percent confidence level on converting those pre-enrollments or enrollments into actual enrollments, >> I'm very confident that we going to reach at least a 97%. And we out of the woods. >> Any other questions? >> I just have one. Could we get a I know that we there was some um discussion around trans the transportation component. >> Yes. And um is that already underway? Where are we with that process? Just kind of curious to see
053how it's working out if you are. >> Yes, bus services started already. So for Robert Taylor, Oak Row, Fairfax, and the 18 on the first day of school. So yes, there has been a little bumps on the road because we know transportation for the first time partners, but transportation is in route. um the there's only one bus that is um doing transportation for the both of so um they not going to add an additional uh route to that bus but yes they they are providing transportation to the partners and thank you for that >> yes thank you so much Mr. for um he assured us that he would make it happen and and his team has made it happen and I know that's going to be huge. >> Yes. >> For to ensure that those
054enrollment numbers and those um you know dayby day that those numbers remain high. So really excited to see that. >> Um I know this might be an ambitious question and I hate to put you on the spot if you can't answer it. um understanding now that we do have transportation in place and that we do feel that we will be able to maintain the 97% that is required. Do you think that there's any possibility that there could be reconsideration for this time next year, if we can show that with the transportation component, um, that we've been able to secure essentially what I'm hoping to be overenrollment and and perhaps receive some of the funding back. I know that's a very loaded question and if you can answer it, but it's just something I'm just curious
055to understand. Uh typically um Head Start um when they reduce your numbers, they allocate those funds to another grantee or another program. But um there's there are times when Headstar opens what they call initiatives that you can apply when they have a surplus of money. You can apply and you can apply for additional slots. So if they open that of course I will I will um advocate to apply for additional slots. >> Mr. P and I think I saw somebody else's no Mr. P. >> Thank you Madam Chair. You just made me think of another question. Um, so currently with the the last resolution that came down, it was a 101 seat reduction and you were talking about doing budget analysis and revamping of the budget. Do does Head Start know does does RPSS start
056do we know yet if we are anticipating a further seat reduction with the budget reform like a scope reduction or do we think we'll stay at the 101 seat reduction with the budget? We will stay with that reduction. Now they're going to monitor our enrollment for the next six months. So if we don't meet enrollment in the next six months, yes. And then they will put us again in an enrollment initiative and we will restart the process. Uh which I'm not looking forward to that. Uh but at that process they going to monitor enrollment for the next six months starting October 7. >> Okay. Just a followup. um with I assume this year we don't have an issue with the with the reduction because the dollar reduction will be next year. >> But the last
057time that this board went through a scope reduction, it had to do with budget constraints. >> So I I I'm assuming, so please correct me, that we'll be okay this year without any further seat reduction. >> Yes. And the next year we're going to have to really look into that budget because it's true. We will be tight. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. If a partner applies or go through the process to serve as a community partner, how long is that process? Can you speak to how that does that look? And if you're not really familiar, could the board get information on >> Yes. If a partner wants to be become a partner for the Head Start program, there is a process. Um, they have to be licensed.
058Um then they have to have the the permission from the fire department. They have to have everything uh completed. That made them a full licensed daycare. So they can submit um an application saying that they are interested in becoming partners. Um we do visits, we check the site, we see we we see if the site is appropriate for which ages. um in which group and where is the location if it is in the need based on the community assessment and then if everything works out so and then we can submit that proposal to headstart because and then also to the board and policy council for approval and then to the office of headstar if if they approve that we partner with that with a daycare. How long does that process take to communicate with an
059interesting or potential partner? >> It it it depends. It depends on um how fast we do the visits, how fast we do the monitoring, if they have USDA because that's a requirement. If they don't have USDA, they will never be able to uh partner with Head Start. So, it depends where that um daycare is at. if they are have the USDA the licensing and everything the process will be faster. >> You're welcome. Any other questions? >> Thank you. So I guess we need to get a motion at this point. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> I move to approve the Head Start program reports, minutes, and financial statements presented by the administration. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Dr. here. Miss Muhammad and seconded by Miss Burke. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Perl, >> yes. >> Mr.
060Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgep, >> yes. >> Mr. Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> yes. >> Miss Burke, >> yes. >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Mr. Fernandez, >> yes. Motion pass. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. Good to see you up here. >> All right. Next up, we have the consent agenda. There's no concerns. Can I get a motion? >> I move that we accept the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Dr. Harris Muhammad and seconded by Mr. Hedgepath. Madame Clerk. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> My apologies. Mr. Pival. Yes. >> Mr. Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farooq. Yes, >> Mr. Hedgepath. >> Yes, >> Miss Rizzy. >> Yes, >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes, >> Miss Burr. >>
061Yes, >> Mr. Jafari. >> Yes, >> Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Moving right along to 7.01. New business. Miss Rizzy, Dr. Harris Muhammed. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. There are two things. Um, one is I'd like um I think a couple of meetings ago, we were told that we get some updated data on exactly what schools had PTAs and which don't. So, I would like to just request that. Um, also we talked about creating a communications committee. I would like to have that discussion brought up at a future meeting. >> Thank you. Um the second one is actually on the October agenda. So I'll be reaching out to both you and Miss Ricard for your thoughts with that. Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Thank you. Can the school board receive an update
062and detailed outline of the Richmond High School for Arts Advisory Council? Who's on the council? What does the council do? The advisory council um how were they chosen? Um, if is it possible for the school board to receive that information um for a future meeting or email? You know, I would like for it to be on the agenda so the public can hear how the Richmond High School for the Arts Advisory Council was chosen. Also, um I received a couple of calls and and I just want to leave with apologizing because I am um responding to a lot of information much later. And so this is one of the things that I received as a concern for several um individuals in the community that um the advisory council is not diverse. Um I don't know
063because I don't know who's on advisory council. um and that it it has been discussion. I don't know cuz I haven't attended so I don't know what the discussion is but it was shared with me that the discussion is um turning into a application status for students once the school is finished. And I assured them that this board has never discussed the Richmond High School for the Arts turning into an application status school or program. Um, so that was that's a concern um that was given to me, sent to me. Um, and just want to be able to address it with transparency. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Miss Burke. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I was just reflecting as Dr. Harris promised just stated about Richmond High School the Arts. This came up
064a lot at the last game at Hugenat comparing the football field at Hugenot in comparison to what's expected at Richmond High School for the arts and it was a conversation. I'm not aware of this. So I would like to see an update regarding what type of field whether it will be um turf or whether it will be ground dirt. So hopefully it will be turf because that was what was in the original plan. But I was asked on several occasions about that during that event um this past Friday. And the second item was um River City. I meant to mention this earlier um regarding the backup of traffic and a couple of the buses are overcrowded because of um and I have the notes in the parents that's calling just to share and you may
065have already addressed it. I don't know, Mr. superintendent, but um there was concern about and we do know Southside is bursting at the seams. So, and my last item is um I know we this came up at the last yesterday for Armstrong. Um the the process and it's stated on a to be addressed at a upcoming meeting, I believe. Can you give us an idea when because Yeah, it needs to be stated publicly. Thank you. >> Yes. Um, thank you for um, raising that. Um, the Armstrong survey is going out to students and families this month and that's why we delayed the um, final conversations conversation surrounding that because there were several folks who understandably would like to get the information in the heartbeat of the school. Um, and then from there we will have
066it on the agenda. It's already on the agenda for October for us to have that renaming discussion. So, thank you for raising that >> follow up. >> Yes. >> So, the survey um can we see the survey beforehand or Thank you. Thank you very much, >> Dr. Harris Muhammed and then Mr. um Hedgepath. >> Thank you, Mr. Hedgepath. Um, I mentioned this yesterday, but I don't want to get it I don't want it to become lost in the sauce. If if the school board can have information on the number of employees that's qualified for a local license and then what is our process awarding those local license and I want I would like for that and I think it is value in discussing that publicly. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hitchb. >> Thank you,
067Madam Chair. U as I stated yesterday and a number of other folks did too was uh pleased with the progress that we've made with city council the other day and so I would uh request that we uh and maybe this belongs in the legislative committee to start but I I think that there needs to be a formal discussion and exploration of our legislative priorities beyond um so much of the work that that I know Mr. Stanley does and appreciative of of that. Uh but I I would like to see advocacy leadership here on on the DES as well. So if a discussion point can be made at some point about how we're advocating at the state level um and what that message would be and also how we're collaborating with our uh our partners at
068city uh city council. >> Thank you for sharing that. Um we I had a brief conversation with um President Newil uh at the end of our um conversation the collective that we had um and we um discussed maybe thinking about a date she brought up the same um feedback in terms of being very strategic um and what I would really like to understand we don't have to do this in this forum but I do think that we should probably start um putting pen to paper and sending emails back and forth about ideas. Um because this is going to be a very um collaborative effort and we have to think about what our strategic priorities will be and align those with and see where we there are opportunities to collaborate without losing sight of what our
069main focus is as a school board. And so that's going to require some conversation. So I think we do need to flesh that out a little bit more, have some more conversations around that. So thank you, Miss Rizzy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Along with that, I do know that um Mr. Stanley has been, you know, and I haven't checked it very recently, but he has been tracking legislative um priorities, things that impact schools. He has on that website sample language that you can use legislators. So, he actually does have a good amount of information for how our communities and how we can um participate in, you know, the legislative process and uh lobby our legislators for um some of our priorities or at least to address our priorities. So, it's a pretty robust site
070that he's been keeping up. >> Absolutely. And as I shared um yesterday, I called him out by name um that we will be leaning heavily on his expertise in this process uh because he does have a framework. I think the bigger goal for us as a school board is what our two three whatever strategic priorities will be and have that um kind of tailor made in our efforts to advocate as well. So I think both could happen at the same time. Obviously, I'm one of nine and would love to hear everyone's ideas as well. Um, but really excited about the start of the conversation and and and do believe that it's going to bring some great um opportunities to fruition. Anyone else? If there's not, I just wanted to um add Can't read my hand
071right in here. So, is that what it is? Thank you. I've never heard of that, but I'll take it. Um, one of our student representatives shared concerns about um basic supplies in the bathrooms. This is um something that came up um last year and I know there's been a transition. So I definitely, you know, give grace, but I think that that's something that we should probably revisit um about um ensuring that they are fully stocked. And I'm not saying that they're not, but just because she raised that, I think that's something that we should revisit. Um, another hot topic that we've all shared in previous meetings is one that the other student representative shared about um, preparation for career pathways after graduation. And I know that we've had some talks about it, but I think
072we should be very intentional about keeping that front of mind because that is um, a topic that continues to be raised. And I think as we continue to look at it, we can um approach it um to streamline the process and make it even better than what it already is. So I'd like to add that as well. Miss Burke, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I too wrote that down and um just as everybody walked through your build, you walked through your buildings often. On the first day of school as well, Dr. Newville and I were together, I went into every bathroom out of habit, having been a principal for years. So, you inspect what you expect. However, I'm sure principles have a checklist. I'm sure that's done. Why people not putting things in place or
073what's happening, I don't know. So, um that was disappointing to hear as as well, especially this time of the year. And I'm going back to what you stated regarding um what the young lady stated about study period for seniors. That goes back to what Mr. Jefferson was talking about yesterday with the um what do you call the courses? No, not the 4x4. The the dual enrollment. Thank you. Dual enrollment. So, I would like to have added to um an agenda soon an item regarding our early college academy. I'd like to see the numbers and what support has been put in place. We talked about giving those students support so we don't lose students as we did this past year. So, um I know some schools have study halls just as a young lady from Richmond
074High School of the Arts just stated for seniors or whatever else. And also just in speaking with some of the students because you have study hall doesn't mean you're using time wisely. Okay. So that's that's Yeah. Yeah. So that's that's sometimes we need to teach our students um what to do during that period. Otherwise you're distracting others and and not using the time well. They're still children. And I also want to compliment the wellness department or whomever put that in place regarding on the parent square today regarding what's appropriate to wear at school. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Miss Parks. Thank you to your team and that has been the talk of the town not just Richmond in terms of what our students was. It was even on Ricky Smiling show this
075week. Okay. What are they wearing to school? Everybody. Thank you. I appreciate that reminder. >> Thank you. I do have one last item and I know that this is a heavy lift and I'm not really sure um how you all will address it, but I do want to say it. The young lady this evening mentioned that there were some barriers with these opportunities are great, but there is a cost associated with them. And she talked about them having to fund raise. And I just want to understand is there a is there a um consistent structure around that is because I'm hearing um sometimes like there's one of my schools they needed like a volleyball uniforms and so they were selling chocolate bars and then there's another school where they're raising individual um funds. I just
076want to make understand what that looks like from school to school and because we don't want that to be a barrier if possible if if there's a way that we can support the efforts of our scholars and not have that as a deterrence. I just want to understand that a little bit better. Alrighty. Um, moving right along. Who has close session? I move that the school board of the city of Richmond convene in close session one to discuss the performance and complaint of a compliant of a central office employee the performance evaluation of two central office employees and the hiring of potential candidates for a central office position as well as to consult with legal counsel regarding the same issues as authorized by Virginia Code 2.2-3711 A1 and A8 and two to consult with legal
077council concerning legal issues impacting school boards resolutions as authorized by Virginia code 22 period 2-3711A8 second >> been moved by Miss Burke and seconded by Miss Ricard Madame clerk >> Mr. Perival. >> Yes. >> Miss Ricard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Farooq. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rzzy. >> Yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. >> Yes. >> Miss Burke. >> Mr. Jafari. Miss Fernandez. >> Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. We are now in close. We could transition to the conference rooms.