001testing. One, two, three. We're up and running. All right. We had some technical difficulties last night, guys. Good evening, everyone. We would like to call the business session for school board um on August 5th into order. Madam Chair, >> Madame Clerk, >> Madam Clerk, >> you've been promoted. >> I decline. >> Mr. Persal >> here. >> Miss Ricard >> here. >> Mr. Farooq >> present. >> Mr. Hedgeped >> here. >> Miss Rizzy >> here. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed. Miss Burke. Mr. Jafari >> here. >> Miss Fernandez >> here. We have a quorum. >> Wonderful. At this time, we would ask for um the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence to be led by Miss Rizzy. If you would grab your microphone and turn the microphone on. All right. I pledge allegiance. And now we'll
002have our translation services announcement. Good evening. On behalf of the language justice team, we welcome you. If you need interpretation from English to Spanish, please come see me. I will be 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 will now make this announcement in Spanish. Gracias. Thank you. >> Thank you. So now um we receive a motion to approve the minutes of April 28th, June 17th, July 7th, 2025 school board meeting. Madam Chair, I move to app for the minutes of the April 28th, 2025, June 17th, 2025, and July 7, 2025 school board meeting. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Jafari and seconded by Mr. Ricard. Madam clerk, >> Mr.
003Pible, >> yes. >> Mr. Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> Miss Burke, Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. Next up, the adoption of the agenda. >> Madam Chair, I move that we adopt the agenda for the August 5th, 2025 school board meeting. Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Percal and seconded by Miss Rizzy. Madam clerk, >> Mr. Pel, >> yes. >> Miss Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rzzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, Miss Burke, >> Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Next up, we'll have announcements. >> Mr. Hitchbath.
004Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh earlier today, uh a few of my colleagues and I, we had to have we were able to have lunch, uh with the new teachers, uh at the new teacher academy. Um it was being held at Hugenot High School. And so, uh that was a really awesome experience. And so, I just wanted to thank uh Kim Jones and Rodney Robinson and uh their team for orchestrating that. And I'm wishing all of our new teachers uh the most successful first year. Um it's the mo to me, you know, I'm biased, but the most noble profession that one can one can undertake. Uh uh couple other uh announcements. Uh, Hugenot High School wants uh me to share that their open house uh for freshman and new students is going to be on Tuesday
005the 12th of August uh from 5:30 to 7:30. Um they're also right now distributing Chromebooks to all the students. And so that's happening tomorrow from 1 to 4 and then Thursday from 9 to 4 at door 20. and that's in in the rear of the school, not to conflict with the the teacher uh academy. Uh Brown Middle School asked uh to share that their sixth grade orientation is on Thursday. Um and it's divided between two. So that if your last name is A to to J, it's 10 to 12. If your last name is K to Z, it's 1:30 to 3:30. WTover Hills is having their welcome back bash on the 14th of it's also a Thursday from 4 to 6 and Southampton is also having their open house that same day also from 4
006to 6. That's it Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Rizzy. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Um, so this Sunday, August 10th, there is a back to school giveaway and community health fair at Ephesus 7th Day Adventist Church which is located at 3700 the intern pipe. Um, there will be haircuts, hair stylists, all kinds of giveaways and prizes and so the entire community is invited. So I want to go ahead and make that announcement. And then I'm sharing this I'm guessing with Mr. Farooq. There is on August 8th from 5 to 7 I believe that's Friday. Um it is called what is it? I can't understand my handwriting here but it's a it's a Brook Road Block Party and it involves Henderson John Marshall and the Richmond Career Education and Employment Academy. Um it's
007from 5 to 7 August 8th and they're going to be doing Chromebook distributions and giving out schedules and having all kinds of like other you know services. I believe haircuts also will be out there and school supply giveaways. So um please come out. Thanks. >> Thank you Mr. Jafari and then Mr. Ricard. >> Thanks Madam Chair. Uh on the way in uh I was able to stop by one of the national night out events within the district. There are a number of them going on. So I did just want to uh first of all thank all of the different community organizations irrespective of what district you're in uh for for coming out yearly and annually and doing something that brings the community together in that kind of spirit. I also want to encourage you while
008we still have a number of hours of daylight left to get out and check out those within your community and around your where you reside. Thanks, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Miss Ricard. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, just a few announcements. Um, for those of you who have seen, the Richmond Ed Fund has started their 804 campaign for literacy. And um at the Fox ribbon cutting tomorrow, we'll be collecting new and gently used books. In support of that, I also just wanted to shout out the grounds crew from the city that's been doing incredible work at all our schools. Um I drove by the tech center yesterday, which had been looking kind of rough and it was beautiful. They had trimmed all the bushes and and mowed the grass and I just appreciate that
009care. And then just wanted to shout out a few open houses in district 2. Carvers will be on the 13th from 1 to 6 and Dogwood and Fox will be on the 14th from 4 to 6 at their respective schools. >> Thank you, Mr. P. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, just an announcement. I've been working with one of my constituents who reached out about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. If uh if you're not familiar with how the Dolly Parton Library works, uh it's for children ages zero through five and it you sign up for it and is absolutely no charge. You'll receive a book in the mail every month. So, it's absolutely fantastic. We are trying to get it into RPS for the preschools. Uh we're trying to get literature in so that when
010you sign up for uh for pre kindergarten you can enroll in that. We're also trying by next year to get automatic enrollment. Excuse me. The state of Tennessee has automatic enrollment. It's an absolutely fantastic program and I encourage everyone if you've not heard of it, look into it. If you have heard of it and you have a child or know of a child, you're a caregiver or know of a caregiver with child ages 0 to five, please sign up. It's uh it will help us when they get into kindergarten. So self- serving. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. All right. Just a few announcements I'd like to share as well. Had the pleasure of um uh speaking um the welcome this morning at the new teacher orientation at Hugenat. And um just want to
011give a shout out to the team um for just the display uh the I mean the decorations, the balloons, it was so welcoming and inviting. The new uh teachers were fired up and um it was just a phenomenal display of um commitment from our um the staff who put everything together. So I just want to shout them out. It's super exciting to to be a part of that and to be able to share. Um, also I want to make an announcement for Reed who will have their back to school night on September 4th. So mark your calendars if you are part of uh the Reed community. Um, and um, I will not be there tomorrow for the ribbon cutting for Fox, but I did get an opportunity to do a walkthrough last week, and I
012would encourage all those that can to please go tomorrow. You're going to be blown away by the amount of work that was put into their efforts. Um, and so, uh, I will be there in spirit, but I'm very proud of the work that they've done there. And um last but certainly not least, some of you may recall um around this time last year, uh the school board connected with uh Senator Hashmi and the delegation to talk about how we could partner and um just reimagine how we can uh find out the needs that we need for our schools uh with whether it be through funding or just thinking outside the box. And we will have that meeting again this year. It will be on the same night um September 4th from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
013here at city hall. It is a public meeting. All are welcome and we hope you can make it um out to um be a part of that conversation. There's nothing else. We will continue at this time. We'll move forward to public information. Madame clerk, if you could share the guidelines. 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. The school board will listen to comments but will not respond during the public information period. Persons appearing before the school board will not be allowed to one campaign for public office, two promote private business ventures, or three, use profanity or vulgar language. If a community member's comments during
014the 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 the policy will result in the forfeite of the remaining time that has been allotted to the speaker. Committee members may express their writing, excuse me, 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'll call forth our pre-registered speakers. if you come up, we'll call you to at a time. Um there'll be
015a clipboard for you to initial or sign your name and once you move forward, if you could turn on the mic and um speak out your name clearly to us and then you'll be able to begin. Um we have first up Dr. Latrice Younger. Um next we have uh Dennis Mallerie. Good to see you again. if you could just pass that back to um Mr. Mallerie. Thank you so much. Good evening, Chair Fernandez, Vice Chair Persal, Superintendent Camis, and members of the school board. My name is Dr. Latrice Younger and I have the honor of serving as the principal of Dogwood Middle School. And I'm here tonight to just express heartfelt gratitude on behalf of our entire school community, especially to the Dominion Energy for the incredible support that they've shown over the past few
016weeks. Um, since starting on July 1st, I've witnessed time, talent, and financial generosity uh for our students, and we know that they will return to this school year with a building that feels brand new, clean, neat, freshly painted, and free of outdated lockers. These improvements go far beyond aesthetics. They really do help communicate to our scholars that they are worthy of beauty, care, and excellence. This transformation was only possible because so many people came together in service of our students. Dominion Energy stepped in as a strong and generous partner. Board member Ricard showed up not just in word but in action. She volunteered her time Saturdays alongside faithful volunteers. Uh Miss Katherine Baird helped to organize and coordinate the many volunteers who gave their time and hearts to this effort. And then Miss Brandy Barksdale,
017our PTA president, really ensured that our volunteers were fed, had drinks, uh especially on a very blazing Saturday morning um last month. So together, our community reminded us that when we come together with purpose, great things will happen for the Wolfpack. And as we open our doors to our scholars this fall, we do so with renewed pride, energy, and deep gratitude. And I am going to especially plug in since I have more time, our rock. The block is from 4:00 to 6:30. Um, we do invite our families and community to come out. You will receive schedules. You'll get tours of the building. Um, and there will be lots of food and fun. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. As Mr. Mallalerie comes up, we'll ask Mariah White and Patricia Hunter Jordan to also come
018and sign the clipboard. Thank you. Prior to that meeting, I was asked to submit a written letter containing that name change for Dr. to present to you because it was suggested that we stood a better chance of getting it approved versus the name change to Armstrong Kennedy Jaguars that the alumni was in favor of which was no reflection attended on Dr. Bell who was only abiding by what was submitted to him. During that June meeting, you suggested that a representative from each school, Armstrong Wildcats, Kennedy Cougars, and Armstrong Kennedy Jaguars make their presentation at the next meeting in June so that more input will be be presented. Well, that suggestion sparked an enormous interest from the Kennedy alumni that decided maybe we should ask for what we unfortunately didn't have the chance to ask for
019back in 2004. Therefore, we truly apologize for the confusing name change request and hope that you will understand our reason for why it happened. During the July meeting, board member Cheryl Burke made a comment about finding a win-win situation, which brings me here today. A survey was done conducted among the alumni which asked if they prefer having the name Armstrong Kennedy with no changes done or take the risk of requesting the name AK Jaguars which could create a strong possibility of being denied and we are left with nothing at all. The majority of the alumni agreed that anything is better than nothing at all. The survey resulted in 98% of the alumni agreeing in favor of the name Armstrong Kennedy with no other changes done. Therefore, the alumni is withdrawing the previous name change requesting
020of AK Jaguars and proceed with the request to name the school Armstrong Kennedy with no other changes done. All we want is the name Kennedy back on the building so that when people drive or walk by the school, questions will be asked and answered about the name Kennedy. And that's is when our history and legacy >> will continue for generations to come. I think it's safe to say that it will cost much less than 75 to $100,000 to change the name to Armstrong Kennedy Jaguar. In closing, we feel this will be a win-win solution on both sides. We ask that the school board give us back the respect that was not shown to us and the dignity that was taken away from us 21 years ago. Thank you for your time and patience. >> Thank
021you Mariah White. >> Thank you madam chair. Uh good evening school board and must cameras on behalf of Zeta FBA incorporated myself representing Alpha Zeta the Richmond chapter I would like to sincerely thank Solomon Jefferson Dr. the bell, RPS counselors and teachers and anyone who wrote a letter for our scholarship recipient. Alpha Fazeta uh gave 13 RPS students scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Those names will be forward to Solomon Jefferson in case he just want to post them out. I am asking for your continued support in identifying and encouraging students who qualify and benefit from these available scholarships. Not just one year, every year. I am on the committee for the scholarships. So, I do recommend RPS because this is a Richmond chapter. But also, I heard something earlier, the ribbon cutting. And y'all
022know that I am smiling. The foxes are back on handover and I would like to thank my colleagues. I know a couple of them are missing um former colleagues on the school board who supported my resolutions, my persistence and my votes to rebuild William Fox Elementary. >> 30 seconds. >> And those who said schools can't build schools, thank again. It was a little challenging, but we stayed the course. Thank you. Richmond First Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. James Somerville, pastor, Miss Dana Fox, who's no longer here. Joan Blasau, who was the construction manager, who's no longer here. Must cameras for your weekly community meetings that we had. They were on task. Miss Jacobs, who >> time >> orchestrated everything. I'll see y'all tomorrow. >> Thank you. As uh Miss Patricia Jordan uh comes up, we'd also
023ask for Mrs. Definia, I'm sorry if I pronounced your name. Delphinia Rooks and Deborah Taylor if you could come up and sign the clipboard. Thank you, Miss Jordan. How are you? Good evening. My name is Patricia Hunter Jordan. I am no longer a resident of but I am a resident of Hanover County now but graduated from the mighty Armstrong High School, the mighty mighty Wildcats and graduated in 1968. We are here to simply say we are against any name change for our Armstrong High School. Uh we hear that yes, people have given $3,000 in the last year. If you go back to our Wildcat and Dragon football games, well, they bought in about $40,000 each for many years that came to the city of Richmond. We don't dissuade uh Kennedy having any part in that
024in recognition. But you see, Armstrong's been here for many years. From 1876 until now, we have graduated many, many famous people. We look at Maxi Robinson. We look at the first black governor of the state of Virginia, Douglas L. Wilder. We look at Miss Maggie Lini Lena Walker who graduated from Armstrong High School. So yes, we have an excellent uh reputation for graduating the best, keeping the best, and we still want the best. I do have some suggestions of ways that we can continue to recognize Kennedy with a wall and the current school that would be specifically designated for Kennedy, but the name Armstrong must remain. Thank you so much. I've given copies of this to the clerk for each of you. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Miss Delphinia Brooks present. If
025not have Deborah Taylor, Andrea Seed Mayor Meyer. Okay, last final call. We'll move right along. Diane Walker. >> Good evening. It is a pleasure to see you, Superintendent Cameron, and distinguished school board members. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you today regarding a possible name change for Armstrong High School. I uh my appearance here tonight is intentional. It was for the moment, but very intentional. That's the blue and orange earrings, cheerleader earrings. uh the orange shirt and my classmates, former classmates, former Armstrong Wildcats here. I my my level was here. My tension level was here because I did not want to see two schools cash it out and be upset with each other. That rivalry should not happen. It should not have happened years ago and 2025 is not the year to try to
026uh correct things mistakes that ha that happened in the past. But I heard uh my friend Mr. Mallalerie talking and my tension level has dropped. My position may not sit well with some people in the audience, some of my fellow Wildcats, but I believe that there is no victory in erasing either school's history. >> 30 seconds. >> I believe that the name should change to Armstrong Kennedy. We should preserve the legacy, the history, the contributions of both schools. We should keep Orange and Blue. we should keep the Wildcat mascot as Mallalerie has said that his group has reconsidered. So, I'm here to say that's my position. I think that's the win-win situation where both schools are recognized where Armstrong carries the lead >> based on its >> Thank you. >> history. Thank you for allowing
027me to speak. >> Thank you, >> Madam Cler. How much time do we have left for public comment? 17 minutes. >> Wonderful. At this time, if you are in the audience and would like to share remarks, please come forward, sign the clipboard, and state your name. We'll try and get as many people as possible. We'd love to hear from you this evening. I'm not sure where the clipboard went to. There we are. particularly appreciated Dennis. I'm tense Mitchell Liberty. I emailed you yesterday. Um there's so much to say about the 18 years I was there. Uh but I absolutely agree that we should put the Kennedy name uh back on the building. I I want the histories to remain. My problem is with the amount of money that it would cost and what uh I
028I would like for us to avoid spending money on all of this as much as we can. I'd really rather that money go to the awesome the Armstrong Leadership Program that is helping so many young kids. That would make more sense to me. Um, since I've been involved with this discussion, people have been coming to me and asking me, well, why did the name change happen? And there's there's no real good answer as to why it happened, but I know that my Kennedy kids felt very disrespected by that, that their heritage was taken away. And I'll make this real short because Paula Williams, who was an a 1984 graduate, you may have seen her comment in the newspaper that instead of erasing the history of either building, how about merging and rising up the history
029of both? >> My class fought for the merger of Armstrong and Kennedy so that nobody's history would be erased. That's it. Thank you. >> Good evening. Did you already sign the clipboard? >> Yes, she has it. >> Wonderful. >> My name is Sheila Anderson. Yes, I'm alumni of Armstrong High School. Now my problem is when they decided to tear down the old Armstrong, they waited like a year before they let anyone know which was in the making for five years. You only had two black high schools in Richmond, which was Magga Walker and Armstrong. They turned Magga Walker into a governor school. Now they talking about it would cost this and it would cost that. If the school people keep up with the buildings as far as maintenance, Armstrong should have never been torn down.
030Now, as far as Kennedy, Armstrong, AK, whatever it is, I'm against it because we have struggled and it should be a history in reference like that. People don't even know they go to Magga Walker Government School. They don't even know the history about the teams. And like Miss Hunter said, they bought in thousands of dollars. thousands of dollars. And far as the name change, part of the alumni and Armstrong associates, they never heard of it. They was not notified or nothing. So, y'all think about it. Read the history up on it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Have you signed the clipboard? Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> Didn't know have a chance to speak so I'm very grateful. Hello everyone. My name is my Taylor. Greetings to school board members and superintendent
031cameras. Um I come before you as the representative of Liona Local 804 overseeing the well not overseeing but um organizing for the transportation department and it is the collective bargaining agreement that comes before you tonight and I graciously ask that you all approve it. This has been a couple of years in the process and we look forward to a tremendous collaboration with the school division and the transportation department. So, thank you for your consideration and goodbye. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Marilyn Joner and I'm here on behalf of Armstrong as a alumni and I would like to suggest that since you all are suggesting that Armstrong and Kennedy still be combined. My my suggestion is that we return Kennedy school back to Kennedy and that Armstrong School be relocated. not really
032relocated, but they used the building where the original Armstrong statue is on Lee Street. Turn that facility or that institution over to us as Armstrong so that we can continue to preserve our legacy. That that name will not go away and that maybe also that we can get the other surrounding counties to help redo that school like they did Maggie Walker. So that's my suggestion as far as keeping Armstrong legacy preserved. Thank you. >> Madame clerk, how much time do we have remaining? 12 minutes. Good evening. I wasn't prepared to speak but bit short. U my name is Teresa Cwley. I am a product of Richmond public schools and I also taught in Richmond public schools. I spent 40 years as an educator with Richmond. Um I know the importance of a name and I
033hope you all do too. When I think about the name Armstrong, um I always teach my children to re research, especially as a librarian, and they wondered where did the name come from. And so I told them the name came from Samuel Armstrong. Um he was a leader with the um colored troops during the war. Um he was um instrumental in founding Hampton Institute. He worked with the Booker T. Washington. So that's a true legacy especially for a school in a community and especially for African-American students. So I hope that you will take into consideration this wonderful history and how important a name is. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. If there's no other speakers, we'll transition and close public information and move to external reports. 4.01 receive quarterly financial report from Patrick
034Henry School of Arts and Science. Good evening. For those of you that haven't had a chance to meet personally yet, my name is quarterly financial update. Also, previous question. and other. So for the financial update, apologies notice a correction that needs to be made instead of $191,30. That number should be $78. All the other numbers are correct. us 192,694 I mean and 383 account for a total of 100 sorry that is that is the total 501 that $118,159 that restricted funds and we have 1,633,929 unrestricted net assets. Total restricted and non-restricted assets 1,752,788. That is That is the summary of the boring numbers. Good evening everyone to school board members and to our superintendent Mr. Hammers and to those assembled. Um, I am so excited this year because we have had a lot of growth
035and we are very, very excited about what we're doing to increase our student achievement this year. I'd first like to say we increased our proficiency in reading and math overall and for each targeted reporting category by 10% or more. So, thank you Mr. cameras for the challenge and we happily accept um that with a beautiful heart because each year you know we receive new students um so we have to make sure we know where they are. We meet them where they are and grow them social emotionally and academically. Last year our kindergarten and third grade had 0% high-risisk students on the vow assessment. This year we're focusing on the integrated curriculum with our new learning laboratory. Students will engage in hands-on learning activities that focus on the arts, science, literacy, and mathematics to target the
036standards of learning and beyond. And we're proud to say on August 11th, 2025, Patrick Henry will celebrate 15 years of being in the Commonwealth and supporting the teaching and learning of Richmond students. We would love for you to join us on Monday where our kindergarteners will begin school and their journey as a Mighty Oak. We'll be celebrating this occasion all year long on the 11th day of each month we are in school. We'll also continue our Friday morning meetings and we invite you to join us either in person or live stream to celebrate the hard work of our students. Thank you everyone for your support and we look forward to another successful year. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. You all have any questions for Mr. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr. Austin.
037Principal Hudson, uh I wonder if maybe you could share about uh the status of the third floor and the impact it's had on the school community. >> So, as as many of you may know, um the third floor has been longstanding priority for us as a board for Patrick Henry to be able to provide additional space for students and our teachers. that work continues and we're very very hopeful that uh before I I don't want to put a a hard deadline but very soon we can expect to see some incredible opportunities open up uh for our students. It's been very long uh a long long time coming and and there is one additional thing that I I forgot to thank. Many of you may be familiar with Gary Preston who has traditionally presented uh our
038financial statement to the board. Uh Gary's term on the board has ended. Much appreciation respect for his service. We're moving forward. Thank you to Gary. Thank you. Any other Mr. Fu? >> Uh, yes. Question for Principal Hudson. I'm very excited to hear about the increase in student outcomes. I'm curious what I know all of our schools and American education in general, we have a gap between our economically disadvantaged students and others, and I'm just curious what reflections or updates you may have on narrowing that gap. Thank you. Um, one of the things that we focus on is small groupoup instruction, target instruction. So, we spend time because we use integrated curriculum, we teach all the standards but at different times during the day. So, for instance, if a teacher is focusing on math, they will
039pull in science and they will pull in the arts. Our students will go outside, they will learn what they need to learn outside, they'll come back in, do hands-on activities. So, by focusing on the standards and then pulling our data, making sure that our students are actually getting that targeted instruction, we find that we're able to move students forward a little bit faster. Um, the other thing that we focus on is the social emotional piece. A lot of our students, just like everywhere in the city, because we're blessed to have all the babies of Richmond, so we found that if we target their social emotional learning first and their basic needs, the learning comes a little bit easier as well. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next up, we'll have board actions. Receive for
040action. Head start report. Good evening. Um, as usual, we have our regular Head Start report that um, we have for motion for acceptance, but I also wanted to give an update uh, about Head Start because, you know, we've um, reported before that we lost a million dollars. So, our appeal, we did put in the appeal. We have not heard back from the appeal as of yet um, on whether it was um, where whether we will be receiving the million dollars back or not. However, we are still hopeful. We remain hopeful about that. Um other than that we are on our way about orientation. We had orientation yesterday. We will have orientation the remainder of the week. Um so we are preparing. Orientation is for our parents. Um that is a requirement of Head Start to
041make sure our parents come in to know about Head Start and all of the things in which it um gives them. Um because Head Start is unique in many ways. And so, um, as we get up here the next few months, hopefully we'll give you just a continue to give you little snapshots about Head Start and how it remains unique, um, even with V, our other preschool program, VPI. So, um, that is it. Um, I just wanted to update you a little bit and we are ready for our motion. >> Mr. Cameron, good to see you this evening as well. >> Dr. Wiggins, because you're in this workh so deeply, I feel you may have buried the lead, which is that our application was approved. Our funding application was approved um for the full amount
042uh including the 1 million uh once we hear from the appeal. We'll find out if it is uh going to stay or they're going to take it back. But they did approve the refunding application for the full amount and the full seat count as well. Um, and so we're very grateful uh to our partners, our new partners uh out of Atlanta uh for their assistance and um we await the appeal, but that is very good news uh for the time being. So I do want to make sure the public >> absolutely. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to the board for all of the times you met and our policy council. We have a great policy council who also met many times to get the application through. We're just happy to have the support
043of our entire team um for Head Start. >> Indeed, it was a collaborative effort all around and we're extremely thrilled to hear the new news and looking forward to moving forward. Um before we take a vote, is there anything that you're here? Is there anything like share with the board? Love to hear from you. Not to put you on the spot. No pressure. >> Um like Dr. um mentioned we are doing orientation. I met with the um management team today because we received a notification for a federal review uh and also a ramp review. So we are in preparation for that. So today was my first training for the management team to get prepared for the >> Thank you, Mr. Dard. >> I just wanted to say that it was really nice at Summerfest that
044we got to meet so many of the Head Start policy council members and people who worked for Head Start and I really appreciated them coming over and introducing themselves. So we got to got to officially meet Indeed. All right. Do we have the Mr. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, just wanted to also give my appreciation to the policy council for the collaboration. Um, uh, and I move to approve the Head Start program reports, minutes, and financial statements presented by the administration. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr. Hback and seconded by Miss Rizzy. Madam Clerk, Mr. Per >> yes >> Miss Ricard >> yes >> Mr. Farooq >> yes >> Mr. Hedgepit >> yes >> Miss Rizzy >> yes >> Dr. Harris Muhammed Miss Burke >> Mr. Jafari >> yes >> Miss Fernandez
045>> yes >> motion passes congratulations next up we have um item 5.02 2 received for approval by Ununa Local 804 collective bargaining agreement. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I am delighted, thrilled to present to you the collective bargaining agreement between RPS and Luna covering the transportation department. I want to especially uh thank Miss Chang, Miss Lee, uh many others on the RPS side, certainly the school board, uh Mr. sailor and others on the side. Um, yes, it was a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait. It is a great agreement uh that I think moves us all forward together. I'm thrilled. As you saw last night, we have 144 of 147 bus operator positions filled. I think that's in no small part due to the fabulous agreement which uh takes care of
046our transportation police. Um so just really looking forward to a new era of collaboration and um ask for your approval of this already ratified agreement by the membership of life. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Rizzie. >> Thank you Madam Chair. So I move that we approve the collective bargaining agreement between laborers international union of North America laborers local union 804 and Richmond public schools. >> It's been moved by Miss Rizzy and seconded by Mr. Jafari. But before we go to a vote I believe I did I see your hand raised or Okay. Okay. No feedback. Okay. Great. Madam clerk Mr. Pible >> definitely yes. Mr. Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepath, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, >> Miss Burke, >> Mr. Jafari, >>
047yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> absolutely. Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Congratulations. And we would also love to take you up on your offer for a tour. And so if we could have someone email myself so that we can coordinate with the board, we would love to come out and experience um everything that you all do day in and day out. Thank you so much. Congratulations again. All right, it's still sun out and we're at the sand agenda. I mean, I don't even know what to do with myself right now. Right. We do still have close session, but um do we have a motion or is I don't believe so. Anybody want to pull anything out? >> Madam Chair, I move we accept the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> It's been moved by Mr.
048Pul and seconded by Mr. Hitchpack. Madame Clerk, >> Mr. Perl, >> yes. >> Mr. Ricard, >> yes. >> Mr. Farooq, >> yes. >> Mr. Hedgepit, >> yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, Miss Berg, Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Miss Fernandez, >> yes. Motion passes. Wonderful. We'll transition to new business. Colleagues, are there any items we'd like to add for consideration? Miss Rizzy, Mr. Hedgepath, and Mr. FK. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, there are a couple that I'd like to see or if my colleagues agree. Um, one is that we consider forming a communications committee that would work to um build perhaps a standard newsletter that the school board could use um to cover and report business that takes place during schoolboard meetings and in a format that we could each then
049personalize so that we all have newsletters and we're not working so hard as individuals trying to recreate the wheel. So, I I I think that we might do well to think about this and um consider creating a communications committee. Um there there's certainly other things that board members could do to um help us with communications with our uh constituents. Um newsletters is the first one that comes to mind. Um, I also along with that um would like to see us maybe begin a conversation about the potential of looking at college um interns to help us with um some of the administrative work. You know, city council, they have paid liaison and it looks like they also have interns. We don't have any kind of support of that nature on the school board. Um last year
050I had made contact with people from the LD Douglas Wilder um the VCU L Douglas Wilder School of Government and Comm and public affairs um and they were very interested in having that discussion and we also talked about reaching out to Virginia Union um to see if there's some interest in getting interns um that could work with the school board at large. So, I mean, I think I would love to begin that conversation. And then the last thing is I'd like us to look at in the policy committee specifically at um voting. I believe it's part of policy 1-6.5. Um there's some confusion about how abstensions are counted when um not all schoolboard members are present during voting. And so I'd like to see us revisit that policy and make sure it's clarified. >> Thank
051you. I believe it was Mr. Hedgeback next and then Mr. Farooq. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I uh concur with my colleague, Miss Rzy on her u items for for new business. Um in addition, I have two other items that I'd like the board to consider. Uh, one is that earlier in the uh the calendar year, a group of us worked on establishing norms for the board. Um, and I would I I you know, we got we got really busy and and maybe have not had a chance to to revisit those, but I would like that to become a an agenda item that we can discuss and come to agreement as a body of nine um that we'll uphold uh each other and ourselves to. U so I would request that maybe that could be
052considered u sometime in the near future. Uh, also, uh, similarly into Miss Res's concerns about communicating with the public, uh, while I I think it's great that the city is not going to um, u enforce parking around the around city hall, I do think that it's incumbent upon us to get out into the community. Um there's been great desire uh from um constituents uh for us to meet outside of the the city hall and I understand that that puts a burden on um on staff um both within the host school and from central office and I am sympathetic to that. Uh however, I think that we owe it to our constituents to be out there. Uh, so I would I would respectfully request that we consider in this upcoming school year that we we entertain
053at least one meeting out into the schools. Uh, and we can discuss, of course, where that is and when that is at that point, but I would request that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Farooq. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Several months ago, this board took the step of creating new policy to to protect our RPS family and their rights when it came to immigration enforcement. And it's always our duty and our responsibility to protect members of our RPS family. So, I rise to make a suggestion that there might be more policy that we have to consider. With the increasing actions of ICE around the country, sadly we have seen dramatic and many examples of people masquerading as law enforcement. Um, in some cases this has led to the worst happening where people have lost
054their lives and in some cases it has led to people being abducted. And so I have sent some suggested policy items that I hope we can discuss in the policy committee and ultimately come to this body where we figure out how can we continue to protect the rights and safety of our RPS families by ensuring and doing our due diligence to ensure that people we might see in and around our schools, including the routes that our RPS family members take when walking to school, um that we are confirming that if there are sightings that these are actual real law enforcement and not people masquerading as law enforcement. And I think sadly that's just the world we live in. But it's our obligation to continue to protect the rights of our family members. Thank you, Madam
055Chair. >> Thank you so much, Miss Ricard. >> I just wanted to um speak in support of what Miss Rzie said about a newsletter and a communications committee. I also appreciate the ability to still personalize it for our districts and things that are going on there, but I know we've all spoken about ways to be more transparent and just be more forward facing. And I think that um a schoolboard newsletter is just a great step in that direction. And also with Mr. Hedgepath, um I agreed about the norms. We had started them, things got busy, but I think it would be a good thing for us to keep working on. Thank you, Mr. Jafari. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I wanted to circle back. I totally agree uh with collective communication from all of
056our districts where we can put in and keep the community updated about what's going on. And of course, uh circling to uh Mr. Baroo's uh observations about what's going on at the federal level and the impersonations that are going on. And I just chime in. I certainly recognize that those matters are concerning. um they're occurring and we really do need to I guess delineate more closely you know what is their role there and to make sure that anything that is observed or seen that may be out of character is reported but I would be remiss if I didn't say that uh we certainly need to walk that narrow line and uh when it comes down to ICE and those actors whether they're real or not to make sure that we don't end up with a
057situation where we infer or suggest that we want our staff to go out there or intervene or anything. Um that's just my major concern. I totally agree. Uh we all share the same sentiment about what's happening to people being basically jacked up and taken to third countries and don't even know if they'll ever be able to come back. But again, we just have to stop at the line and realize that uh our responsibility stops at the division line and we just need to make sure that we take care of our staff appropriately. And that means giving them good guidance on where we stand while also making sure that they're perfectly welcome in keeping a safe distance and videotaping whatever they need to do. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? Any last
058thoughts? All right. Are we prepared for we need to add one item on close session? Yeah, I was letting the colleagues know. Yeah. Got off the press. So, give us just um a few moments um for us to get that language together. Consider the appointment of hearing officer. This is the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, promotion, salary, disciplining or resignation of teachers, principles, assistant principles, classified employees or appointees for discussion, consideration or interview of prospective candidates for employment for teachers, principles, assistant principles, classified employees or appointees personnel acts for today as permitted by the Virginia code 2.2- 2- 3711A1 to discuss and consider the assignment performance and salary of classified employees and to consult with legal counsel regarding the same issues as authorized by Virginia code 2.23711A1 2 3711 A1 and A8 to consider the admission
059and matters concerning compulsory attendance related to student matter 2526-03 whether discussion would involve the disclosure of information contained in the scholastic record concerning a Richmond public school student as authorized by Virginia code 2.2371182 2 and to consult with legal counsel concerning legal issues impacting school boards resolutions as authorized by Virginia code 2.2 3711 a >> it's been moved by Mr. Jafari and seconded by Miss Rizzy Madame clerk >> Mr. Pible >> yes >> Miss Ricard >> yes >> Mr. Farooq >> yes >> Mr. Edge Path. >> Yes. >> Miss Rizzy, >> yes. >> Dr. Harris Muhammed, Miss Burke, Mr. Jafari, >> yes. >> Mr. Fernandez, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. We are now closed.