001Good evening. Good evening. Like to welcome you all to the March 27th regular monthly meeting of the Forceman City School Board. Ask please stand now briefly for a moment of silence. You may be seated. At this time, we do have some special guests that Dr. Bracy will introduce and bring forward. Thank you, Chairman Patillo. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. There we go. I know everybody's excited to be here this evening. Uh first I would like to um recognize Church Middle School. Uh they are the school that will be spotlighted uh this month. They will be bringing us the pledge of allegiance as well as the statement. Um we have two students that will be participating and we have Rehea Goff who will be um bringing us the pledge
002of allegiance and Jeremiah Moore who will read the school statement. And if the two of you will come down uh to the podium and as you come I will read the bios from you. Um and our interim principal Dr. Brooks are you where are you sir? Yeah you can you can come up here as well. All right first I will read the bio for Rehea Goff. Rehea is an eighth grader at Churchland Middle School where she's active in many activities. She's an honorroll student and she's a member of the National Junior Honor Society as well as the morning announcement team. She also takes part in service projects. Earlier this earlier this month, she read to second graders for ReadAcross America. Her career goal after high school is to graduate from either Harvard or Stanford with
003a degree in criminal justice and then go to law school and move on to become a criminal defense lawyer. Her parents are are here tonight and they are Danielle and Chris Horn. If you all are present, please stand so we can recognize you. Thank you. Now, Jeremiah is also an eighth grade eighth grade student at Churchill Middle School. A straight A a straight A student. Jeremiah is both a member of a member and president of the National Junior Honor Society. In fact, he just had the honor of leading the NJHS induction ceremony at the school. Looking ahead, Jeremiah has many aspirations. Law, public service, and even the possibility of running for president of the United States. Yeah. But his collegiate goals are to attend Howard University. Now, can Jeremiah's family stand and be recognized? I
004didn't get the names ahead of time, but if you all will please stand. All right. From the back. Uh parents, um feel free to come up front so you can get a better picture and a better view if you would like. Yep. We don't mind at all. And Dr. Brooks, after they finish, I will give you an opportunity to say a few words as well. Okay. All right. So once the parents get in place, Ray, I'll let you take over once everybody's situated. Okay, Rya. Yeah, take it. Okay. Um, okay. Um, I pledge allegiance. Oh. Oh, please stand. Okay. Um, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Oh, please sit. Thank you,
005Reya. Uh Jeremiah, we're ready for the school statement. Good evening, chairperson, Dr. Patillo, Superintendent Dr. Bracie, members of the school board, and our community. On behalf of our interim principal, Dr. Brooks, I am proud to stand before you tonight to share this remarkable achievements of Churchill Middle School. This year, our scholars and staff have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, the art, school, student engagement, and community involvement. You will notice the academic term scholar. We changed from students to scholars in July to embark on our journey this school year. Academically, we are thrilled to report that 242 stu scholars earned honoral status during the second quarter and 78 were inducted into the prestigious National Junior Honor Society. Our commitment to improving attendance is paying off. 113 scholars are actively participating in our attendance recovery program and
006we are proud to be below the 15% chronic absentism rate. Beyond academics, our truckabuck initiative has been a tremendous success encouraging positive behavior in Houston student engagement. We recently hosted our PBIS staff versus students basketball game in their favorite truck store which has contributed to the increase in dis disciplinary referrals in both seventh and eighth grades. Additionally, we are proud to share that Miss Perry Wallace was named middle school teacher of the year, a reflection of exceptional dedication on our educators. In athletics, our scholars continue to shine. We are the middle school football and wrestling champions, and both girls and boys basketball team claimed their regular season district titles last week. Our school basketball earned an impressive second place finish, showcasing their academic proess. Our coral and band departments continue to make us proud, earning
007numerous awards in competition across the Hampton Roads area. The their talent and dedication even received outstanding nominations at a high school event at Western Branch High School. Further highlighting the exceptional artistry of our scholars. We are equally proud of the social emotional growth within our school. Our scholars reported an increased sense of connection with students and more students than ever say they can identify a trusted adult in the building. A testament to our commitment to fostering a supportive environment, our National Junior Honor Society students also extended their impact beyond our walls by participating in recent ReadAcross America with Churchland Academy students. Our middle school counseling department recently earned the National Counseling Designation for the American School Counseling Association, a well-deserved recognation recognition of their outstanding support for our scholars. Finally, we continue to enhance our
008communication with families with increased visibility on X and Parent Square. We share our story with the community through weekly updates and regular engagements. At Churchill Middle School, we don't just educate students, we cultivate scholars. We are proud of our progress, but more importantly, we are excited about the future. Thank you for your time and continued support of our scholars and their success. Together, we are building a brighter tomorrow. Go truckers. Mr. Brooks, good evening. Uh, school board and, uh, Dr. Batillo, uh, Dr. Bracy, cabinet members, and, uh, everybody who's here today. Uh, thank you'all for letting us be privileged today to come speak to y'all. Um, very, very excited. Church and Middle School. We're doing a lot of good work over there. Um, excuse me for sweating. I just came back. We our girls just
009won the the middle school championship game. So, uh they just won. So, yeah. So, say it's been a busy day. We uh we had a middle school championship today. Earlier today, our scholars participated at Hickory High School and all our all 66 of our scholars scored superior in their choir performance this afternoon. So, uh today's been a busy day at Church and Middle. So, we're excited. We're we're going to keep grinding to keep, you know, making Portzman proud and we are definitely appreciative of inviting us tonight and we look forward to continued work. Thank y'all. Thank you so much. Uh Jeremiah and Ray, if you can hold for one moment, uh Dr. Cotton has a presentation for you. He he he ran he said he wanted to be president. out of your busy schedules. Thank
010you, Doc, for being here. But we just appreciate you on the night. I looked into your gift bag and I'm going to have to ask if I can have one for you all, but I do not have this gift, but I want to give this to you on behalf of the school board. Thank you for all that you're doing in your classes, your school, city, and I just want to we want to bless you tonight. Say thank you. All right, [Applause] board members. I thank you all so much. Agenda item 3.5 is a school board mission statement. Dr. Manhattan. The mission of the portal public school division is to engage all students in learning that will foster academic excellence and responsible citizenship. Thank you, sir. Agenda item 3.6 is roll call attendance. Madam clerk, Miss
011here. Mrs. here. Dr. Cotton present. Mr. Pat here. Missain present. Mess here. Miss here. Dr. Walker here. Dr. Patello present. Thank you so much. Agenda item 3.7 is consideration of the agenda for March 27, 2025. I entertain a motion at this time. Motion made by Miss Boon. Second by Miss Futrell. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, roll call vote. Madam clerk, Miss Atinson, yes. Mrs. Yes. Dr. Cox, yes. Mrs. Petrell, yes. Mrs. Maxwang, yes. Mrs. Yes. Mrs. Miss, yes. Dr. Walker, yes. Dr. Patillo, yes. It's unanimous. Thank you so much. Agenda item 4.1, one of my favorite moments of the school board meeting, our student representative report, Mr. Peterson. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Dr. Bracie. Dr. Pillo school board members and I appreciate you for letting me talk today. I'm honored to speak
012for you today. First, I'd like to acknowledge the assignment and anticipation among our students as we approach graduation. I know I'm really excited. Graduation in June. I'm ready to get out of here. as well as as we get closer and closer to the end of the school year, I would like to report that our students have had shown a high level of satisfaction for this year's school year overall despite all the changes that's going on in the world as well as well as in Portsouth. Uh, one notable shift I've seen this year talking to students at the various high schools is a reduction in negative negativity within students. They started to be become more friendly and more positive towards each other. if walking in their classrooms and during the lunch in the cafeteria, you see
013more students engaging and more like friendliness among it. And it's way I feel like it's building a way better environment for our school system. Another thing I like to um recognize is the improvement in sportsmanship. You know, there's been a lot of things in sports going on as well as we just heard with Churchland Middle School, their sports is doing as well. As well as what our high schools sports shift has been a very high thing that students, teachers, and faculty have been pushing no matter what. Overall, I feel like our students are just having a great experience in school right now. I haven't personally heard any troubles from students. I ask them every day, send out emails, nobody talking to me. But we we'll get better than that. Um, I'd like to thank you
014your for your time and continued support. That concludes my brief. Thank you so much, sir. Board members, you have any questions? A comment, Dr. Cotton, you got to call me. I don't email. Well, all right. Yes, sir. Any given time, you can call me, but thank you for all that you do. Yes, sir. Thank you so much. Agenda item 5.1 is a student recognition. I ask at this time if Mr. Caleb Cotton can come forward tonight. We are thrilled to celebrate Caleb Cotton, a freshman at Churchland High School, who served as a page for the House of Delegates in the 2024 General Assembly session and was selected this year by Speaker Don Scott to return as the head page for the 2025 General Assembly session. While he was working fulltime in Richmond as head page,
015Caleb maintained a a honor role in school. And this is especially impressive as he also was participating in dual enrollment through his through this partnership with Tidewater Community College. He is on track to graduate high school with an associate of arts degree in social sciences. Caleb is a well-rounded student. He is a member of the church robotics team and also serves as a youth instructor at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church. We [Applause] are Mount Karma must be in the house. We are certainly proud of Caleb. And I'll ask his father, board member Cotton, and mother Lkesha to join me as I present the certificate. [Applause] And it reads, "Certificate of achievement presented to Caleb Alexander Cotton." In recognition of Caleb being selected as head page for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly while enroman High School
016is signed by Dr. Cardell Patillo, board chairman, Dr. Eli Bracie, division superintendent. Congratulations. Congratulations. [Applause] I'll now ask Miss Twimman would join me at the podium, our division Y athletic director for agenda item 5.2, the Manor, the Manor High School girls indoor 4x200 meter relay state champs. [Applause] Good evening, Dr. Patillo, chair, Miss Atkinson, vice chair, esteemed members of the board, and Dr. Bracie, division superintendent. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. I am honored to stand before you to recognize the achievements of four outstanding young women who have recently become state champions in indoor track. These athletes have shown exceptional dedication, perseverance, and teamwork throughout the season. Their hard work and commitment have led them to this incredible achievement, and we are immensely proud of their success. Please join me in congratulating
017these student athletes. If any coaches, athletic directors, or principles are present, you may come up for pictures after the names are called. May I present at this time for Manor High School the 2025 Virginia High School League class 4 girls 4x200 meter relay state champions Jazaria Armstrong Yome Aim [Music] Trinity Desense and Adriana Map. Thank you to their coaches, athletic director, principal, parents, and supporters who have played a crucial role in their journey. Congratulations to our state champions. We are incredibly proud of you. [Applause] See that's how you tell. She fast too. The coach is one of the Dr. Dr. Patilla. Somebody send it to me. I know Facebook. Agenda item 5.3. Churchland High School boys 4 by 400 relay team Adidas National Track [Applause] Champ and before we call the uh church and team,
018I forgot to mention to the uh the Manor High School uh state champions, you will be called back when your state championship rings come in. Yes. Yes. Yes. The game rings on time. All right. As Dr. Patillo said, we're also excited to highlight another incredible track achievement coming from the division. The Churchland High School boys 4x4 for meter relay team. Just won first place at the 2025 Adidas National Indoor Track and Field Championships. [Music] This event was held over the weekend in Virginia Beach and the Churchland team took first place in the National Elite Division. Tonight with us are the four members of this awardwinning team. At this time, I'd like to call forward Kik Young. Okay. Now, now Shoemake, Jeremiah Folk, [Applause] and Jonathan Cherry. All right. Okay. Medals, the coaches want to [Applause]
019Yeah. Nice and close. Nice and close. Oh yeah, they did. They did. One, two, three. [Applause] We do get the recognition. [Applause] Oh, I ask now if if Mr. King would join me here at the podium. Agenda item 5.4. We're celebrating We're celebrating the 50 years of service recognition for Miss Peggy Wilson and Miss Iris Faulk. Mr. King. Uh good evening, school board chair Dr. Patillo, Vice Chair Atinson, uh members of the school board, Dr. Bracy, and guests in the room. Thank you all for being here tonight. It's an honor to stand before you uh as we recognize two of our amazing uh bus drivers, Miss Peggy Wilson and Miss Iris Faulk, who are celebrating 50 years, over 50 years of service. Um Y [Applause] Go. If you all can join us at the front.
020I want to to to robe you in your jacket. [Applause] Wow. So, yes, they're celebrating 50 years of service all with uh Portzouth public schools and all with the transportation department. So, an amazing accomplishment. Um you know I can tell you uh uh you know both women show up to work each and every day uh ready to do the job of transporting our students safely and um there is no amount of of of gratitude that we can we can show you all for just being there for our students showing up each and every day and uh just driving that bus safely. So we appreciate your service. We wish you many more years of great health and and great miles on the road ladies. as well. We also have uh beautiful plaques. It says happy 50
021years of service, a half of century of dedication, leadership and remarkable contributions. Your journey is a beacon of inspiration for all of us. Congratulations on reaching this milestone. Congratulations. [Applause] Hold it. We take a picture right out here. Y'all join us right in front. Give me a hold of these. [Applause] Thank you, sir. Oh yeah, them jackets on the list. Agenda item 5.5. Okay. At our meeting last month, we had two very special recognitions scheduled. However, as you all know, due to the snow, we had to make that meeting virtual. We moved these recognitions to this meeting as we wanted to make sure they were honored in person. I want to begin with an acknowledgement of a shocking loss to our PPS family, specifically to all of us as board members. Miss Kathy Chamberlain served
022as a division's clerk of the board where she was responsible for many of our day-to-day operations, including organizing our meetings, keeping and publishing the minutes, and keeping us in line with all of our events, engagements, and deadlines. Sadly, Miss Chamblas passed away in January. To say she was a valued asset to each of us is an understatement. She was a consmate professional and tireless worker throughout the 28-year career here in Porson Public Schools. with her presence. While her presence would be greatly missed, we are grateful for the time we had working alongside her and for the influence she had on our division. Tonight, we are joined by several members of Miss Shameless's family, including her mother, Doris Bill, her son, Nicholas Shamblas, and her sisters Janet Hardy and Joyce Brown. Would you please stand to
023be recognized? [Applause] Now I will ask her son Nicholas to come to the desk for a special presentation. As he comes forward, I'd like to read the inscription on the plaque we have for her. In honor and In honor and memory of Kathy El Chamblas, her dedication and professionalism led to invaluable contributions to the ports of public school board throughout her 28-year career. Her integrity and commitment left a lasting impact on our school division and will be finally remembered by all. to her family. I want to say thank you for sharing her with us over these years and know that we are carrying each of you in our hearts as you navigate this loss. And I will say it's difficult to work with someone for 10 years and not miss them when they gone. She
024was more than just a board clerk. She was also a mother figure to me personally. Her favorite words would be, "Come and sign my stuff and don't make me beat you." So, thank you to her son Nicholas, her mother and sisters. She's truly going to be missed and will be forever in our hearts. Thank you. [Applause] I now have one more uh special presentation. And this one was too important to do virtually. Last September, Education Week published an article on turnover and school superintendent, noting that one in five or 20% of the nation's 500 largest school districts replaced their superintendents on the 2023 24 academic year. The year prior, JG Consulting Group used 2023 statistical data to determine that annual turnover rate for superintendent was within the range of 14 to 16%. And specifically, the
025average tenure of an urban superintendent is just three years. Last month though, our own superintendent Dr. Eli Bracy thei celebrated his 10th anniversary here in Porson public schools. 10 years. Not only is that unprecedented in today's K12 environment, it is also a testament to the dedication and devotion Dr. Bracie has shown time and time again to our students, our staff members, and our community. As board chair, I'm honored that he keeps choosing our division to share his wealth of experiences and leadership. As such, I have a special presentation I would like to make at this time. The plaque reads, "Celebrating 10 years of service and honor Dr. Eli Bracie III with heartfelt appreciation for a decade of dedication, excellence, and commitment to Porson Public Schools. your hard work, loyalty, and service to lead this division
026with distinction. Thank you, Dr. Bracie. And we hope that you stay another 10 years with us. I won't be here 10 years, but I hope you stay another 10 years with us. Let's give him a hand. Perfect. Perfect. All right. One, two, three. [Applause] Agenda items 6.1 and point to a public comment for non-aggenda and board agenda items. Madam clerk, do we have any speakers? Thank you. Good evening, Miss Hatcher. Good evening. All right. Good evening, everyone. My name is Dr. Kendra Robinson and I am the CEO and founder of the community outreach coalition. I'm also a proud product of the comm um of Portsouth public schools and on behalf of the community outreach coalition I would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support. Your partnership has been instrumental in allowing us the
027privilege of serving 500 middle and high school students providing them with academic support and exposure to college and career opportunities. And 90 of those students are currently participating in our reset remediation program at the three middle schools which helps which helps bridge academic gaps and ensure they are prepared for standardized testing. Federal grants are a significant source of our funding and with potential funding cuts on the horizons, it has been more important for our students to have their voices heard. That is why it was crucial for us to take 30 students to the state capital last month where we met with speaker of the house Don Scott and other delegates to share their personal stories and advocate for computer continued support of educational programs. Just last week, we took two students from ICorham High School
028to the National Capital where they spoke with representatives at the Senate about the importance of these programs in their lives and in the community. These experiences are not just about advocacy. They're about empowering our youth and showing them that their voices matter and we are incredibly grateful for your support. And I have one of our students here today to share how these programs have impacted her journey in Portsouth public schools. So thank you again for allowing the community outreach coalition the opportunity to collaborate and help guidance students providing them with a clear pathway to their success. Good evening school board members. My oh, sorry. My name is Christina Hatcher and I am a sophomore at Icy Norham High School and the Community Outreach Coalition's TRIO program has had a huge impact on my life. I
029started TRIO through the reset program which helped me get extra help after school. I then joined Talent Search where college tours expanded my future goals. Now I am an intern with the community outreach coalition. I recently went to the state capital on February 7th and got the opportunity to speak with Speaker of the House Don Scott and other delegates. Then on March 18th and 19th, just last week, I got the chance to go to the nation's capital, Washington DC, and speak with some of our local senators, legislative representatives. TRIO isn't just a program. It's a path to success. By continuing to support TRIO, you're investing in students futures. Your support helps change lives, and I'm grateful to be proof of that. Thank you. Thank Thank you so much, Miss Hatcher and Dr. Robinson. And I'm
030going to assume that uh India Hatcher, she she's your daughter. All right. Great job. Excellent. Uh agenda item 7.1 to 7.9 is consent agenda items. I entertain a motion at this time. Motion made by Miss Boon, second by Miss Futrell. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, madam clerk. Yes. Yes. Miss Wayne, yes. Miss, yes. Miss, yes. Dr. Walker, yes. Dr. Patillo, yes. Thank you. Agenda item 8.1 is the monthly report for curriculum instruction. Dr. Dice. Good evening, Chairman Patillo, Vice Chair Atinson, school board members, and Dr. Bracie. I have with me this evening our two social studies leaders um who uh are are coordinators of uh elementary social studies, Miss Jackabowski, and our coordinator of um secondary social studies, Miss Tro. And they're going to provide you with some information about all the great things
031that they've been doing with teachers and students this year to um increase achievement. So, I welcome them to the podium. I can't do two things at once. Okay. Good evening, school board. Chair Patillo, Vice Chair Atinson, members of the school board, and Dr. Bracie. I am Carla Jacabowski. I'm the elementary social studies coordinator and I'm here with my colleague Chris Chro, the secondary social studies coordinator. We are pleased to be with our Portsouth community tonight to share some of the highlights of the year and our plan for continued success. Last year, we committed to growth and developing literacy and historical thinking skills. We continue to seek ways to improve opportunities and learning experiences that promote history, geography, and civics education while also developing students literacy skills and making meaningful connections to our world. This year,
032our professional development offerings have focused on enhancing literacy, historical thinking skills to empower educators and fostering critical analysis and engagement in their classrooms. These sessions have provided strategies for integrating primary and secondary sources to support historical inquiry, enabling students to analyze evidence, evaluate perspectives, and construct arguments. Literacy sessions have explored the integration of literacy strategies within social studies instruction, equipping teachers with tools to build con students content knowledge and analytical skills simultaneously. These professional development initiatives aim to strengthen teachers capacity to cultivate thoughtful, informed, and articulate learners. In order to make these meaningful connections, students are provided with many opportunities in collaboration with organizations throughout the Commonwealth. This year, one of these opportunities was part of the Virginia 250 celebration and in partnership with History Alive. Students were able to experience learning about James Lafayette,
033see a reenactment of the battle at Scots Creek, and learn about life for women, African-Americans, and children during the Revolutionary War. It is my pleasure to share this video with you highlighting this special day and why experience such as these are important for our students. We are here at City Park for American Revolutionary War reenactments. Our students will get to go through various stations and learn about different aspects of the American Revolution and they'll get to experience a battle reenactment. Um, this is all part of the Virginia 250 celebration which is honoring um the celebration of the American Revolution anniversary. So, we've partnered with History Live to make this happen for our students today. My favorite station was the the lady that taught us about our clothes and what the people used to wear back
034then in the 1700s and the 1800s because I love I love learning about clothes. Well, the event is a rededication of the pyramid monument that D constructed uh in in 1924. The first the the centennial celebration and now we're of course in the bicesentennial celebration of the marquee deaf return to Portsmouth in 1824. And he returned to Portsouth as part of a national tour of America. When he came in 1824, the marquee de Lafayette, one of the things that was done for him was in reenactment of the Battle of Scots Creek. When I saw the battle reenactment, I liked um that the fact that like they all had like different colors or positions that they were in. And when they gave out orders, they were like, "Station one, go to this position. Station two go
035here." And instead of like just like learning about it like you know and reading about it, I actually got to see like sort of somewhat what it was. Part of what our history curriculum is is to make connections with the past and present and also to understand different perspectives from different groups of people and then um analyze history when they get to this unit and still have a deeper understanding and prior knowledge of what it was like during that time period. This out here today um it helped me learn more than I um learned at school because Some of this stuff we haven't heard before, but even if we didn't heard, the people still told us about it. So that helped us out. Our partnership with Portzman public schools has been very important because education
036is a very important component of this national tour in in um 2024 and and of course public schools been a big part of that. We're really hoping that this will um spark more activities like this for the kids and more opportunities for them to participate in living history because that's so much more engaging than a textbook. All right. Okay. As you can see, students got to experience history and develop a deeper understanding of what life was like so many years ago. We have also partnered with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the American Civil War Museum, and the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation to bring hands-on experiences rich in primary sources and artifacts to our classrooms this year. Our goal is to have students think like historians, develop the skills to analyze and evaluate information. Our
037students have also participated in interactive activities such as the Virginia floor map outreach presented by our program specialists in partnership with our TRTS. They've also experienced the giant globe resource which is pictured there and participated in a mock election across the school division. Our K2 students voted for the best cookie and our three through six students voted for local and national officials to engage in the voting process. Secondary students are also participating in learning experiences that extend their thinking. The pictures here include a visit by the general registar and director of elections for the city of Portsouth. Miss Arbal met with each government class at all three high schools with opportunities to pre-register and she led a discussion on the importance of practicing our civic responsibilities. She also spoke to the history of voting rights
038and shared a literacy test that was meant to limit the African-American vote. Students at the secondary level also engaged in mock elections as a celebration of their voice in a civic community. In this set of pictures, you see students engaged in activities to better understand topics of study in the world around them. Eighth grade students at Waters Middle School participated in a field trip to the Portsmith City Courthouse to explore the workings of the judicial branch at the local level. Students at Churchland Middle participated in a mock elect or mock assembly line to better understand the demands placed on workers during the industrial age. And several pictures here of Black History Month from IC Norm highlight both the pride and celebration of heritage and unity. Even the library displayed a rich history and encourage more
039research as we refuse to allow the history to be rewritten without the contributions of black and brown people. As we continue to move forward in advancing social studies instruction, the new standards of learning for history and social sciences are scheduled to be fully implemented in the year in the school year 2025 2026. We will continue to revise the local curriculum to meet the so as well as provide support for teachers. The Virginia Department of Education has released crosswalk documents which we have provided to teachers and they are housed in our curriculum platform edupplanet. The VDOE is also releasing instructional guides which we will be sharing with lead teachers as they become available to further prepare and support them. It is the goal of the office of social studies to provide support in the skills necessary
040for literacy development, understanding and interacting with the world around us, especially as it relates to history, civics and government, and geography, and the capacity to question thoughtfully and think critically. Thank you for your time this evening and everything you do to support the Portsmith community. Do you have any questions for us? Any qu any questions from board members or comments? Vice Chair Atinson. Thank you. I just wanted to say we did um ironically receive the uh history bowl invite today. So, it was perfect timing for the presentation. So, I'll be sure to send my RSVP. It's it's my test of my smarts every time I go. So, you know, I never get the Jeopardy questions right, but I get these questions right. So, thank you. Thank you so much for all you do. Thank you.
041Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. [Applause] Agenda item 9.1 is the monthly report from our superintendent, Dr. Bracy. Good evening again, Chairman Patillo, Vice Chair Atinson, members of the board. I'm excited to start my comments with some incredible news. As you may have heard, Ian Lindo, a senior at IC Norm High School, has been named Operation Homefront's 2025 military child of the year for the Coast Guard. Operation Homefront give these give these awards out each year to seven outstanding young people across the country, one representing each branch of the armed services. Specifically, these students who these are students who have excelled academically but also have served in leadership positions as well as participated in community service while facing unique challenges of military of a military family life. Ian currently is ranked first in
042his graduating class and has served as served the distinction as president of the nor of the at of the Norm National Honor Society and Key Club as well as the Golden fork Golden Fur. That's a tongue twister there. He will be heading to Washington DC next month to receive his award. We are certainly proud of Ian and his family for this great honor. We will honor him in person at our next regular meeting which will align perfectly as April is month of the military child. Moving moving towards school operations. It's that time of year again to register for our preschool program. Preschool registration is open and you can begin the application process now. As a reminder to our families, there are a number of eligibility and paperwork requirements for our preschool program. You will want
043to visit the preschool registration page on ppsk12. us for a complete list of all those requirements. Our staff is also on hand to help out at any time and you can find their contact information on the web page as well. As always, I do have a few schedule reminders for our families. As a reminder for our families, tomorrow, March 28th, is also a staff day, so there will be no school for students. Then we are just a couple of weeks away from spring break. It's a little late this year. We'll be closed Monday, April 14th through the 18th, welcoming students back on March on Monday, April 21st. So, make sure you mark your calendars. Finally, speaking of spring break, our office of title one and programs has a special spring break snacks and packs events
044coming up for our title one schools. To help encourage reading over spring break, families can stop by one of two events to pick up free books, reading activities, and even healthy snacks for over the break. There are two dates. Tuesday, April 8th from 4:00 to 5:30 at Emily Spong Center and Thursday, April 10th from 5 to 6:30 at the J Parker Rec Center. To register, you can visit us online at ppsk12. us. Chairman Patillo, I will conclude my report. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Board members have any questions? And before that, I did want to say thank you all for the surprise um uh recognition for that. I hadn't thought anything of it. That was that was what a couple of months ago now almost. But hey, but I appreciate the the vote of confidence
045and as Dr. Patello said, I thought you were going to hang in there with me for another 10. I didn't promise you 10. All right. But thank you all. Seriously, you going to be you going to be missing a few. One one thing is is definitely difficult uh for Lauren and myself to to sneak something past you. So that took a lot of effort. So thank you Lauren for your work with that as well. Uh general item 9.2 is consideration of the school board's proposed operating budget for fiscal year [Music] 2526. Um but before I entertain a motion, I will just say that uh we have uh submitted our superintendent's estimate of needs for our proposed operating budget for this year. Um, many of us know based on the city council's uh superintendent's proposed budget
046the other night, it does not cover um what's needed to fulfill our compensation study results for our entire staff. Uh so we're continuing to uh work with them and ask them to reconsider the amount given so that we can ensure that all of our staff receive their proper step increase in pay so that we can retain our staff and also attract new staff as well. Uh with that being said, I entertain a motion for our proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2526 and then we'll have a second and discussion at that time. Move for approval. Second. Motion made by Vice Chair Atinson, second by Miss Cessums. Any discussion? U Miss VR first I believe. Absolutely. Thank you chair. So, going back just to the comment that you made as far as u what our request
047was um and it not being the proposed budget coming back from council not really meeting our budget. Um so, if we could just have uh Mr. Faulk just come up just to kind of explain what that looks like to the public for us not to receive our full budget that we asked for. Good evening, Dr. Patillo, Vice Chair Atinson, members of the board, Dr. Bracie, thank you uh for um being here tonight and and reviewing our budget. Um as we heard earlier this week, as Dr. Patillo said, our budget was not funded by the fully funded by the city. Let me give a little bit of background on the revenue side of that. Um our revenue this year was uh inclusive of the total was 78,746,746. Within that 78.7 million was included a contingency for
048the salary increase that the state gave us last year if they did not give us that money. That amounted to $3,145$104,586 which left us with a revenue from the city of 7575,642,160. So the city took the contingency off of the original amount that they gave us last year, that 3.1 million. Uh fast forward to that. So the 70 So just the 75 thou million642160 is our base revenue from the city for this year. Their proposal the other day added another 5,736,165 to our local revenue for this year. Bringing that to a grand total of 81,378325. So it's short uh not only by the amount that we had asked for. We had asked for about 9 um $3 million in addition but also that 3.1 added to that. So looking at it now again, our total
049local revenue from the city for 2526 proposed in the city manager's budget is 81 million 378 325, which leaves us about 6.7 million short for this next year's budget based on the budget that we proposed tonight. Does that make sense? I know it was a lot of numbers. Yes, sir. Any other com any other comments? Dr. Kai. Uh, first of all, thank you, uh, Mr. Faulk for your service, for all that you do for the, uh, district. Um, I just want to really amplify this that we are in need of that extra 6.7 million because we want to stay true to what is needed in the city in regard to the needs of not just staff but of students that when we don't have these amounts that curtail what we need and sometimes I'm just
050going to say it I apologize but politics get caught up that amounts are deduct deducted from the grand total of what's needed. I I sit here with at least six or seven board members who are products of Portsma public school system that we now serve in a position that we're able to advocate for students as well as staff. We're trying to raise the bar on the night we sat here and we saw how PPS shines together. I don't only sit here as a parent. I don't only sit here as a board member but I sit here as a proud person who came through from Douglas Park to Bright Elementary Alf map which is now crowd middle water we waters and norm high school as a graduate that I can go anywhere and say in the
051world that I graduated from portal public schools we have to meet the needs of students and staff. So, I sit here as an elected official and I'm not making um my position political, however it is, that we know that public education is at at at the ledge of something that the country has not seen in years. But we really need to stand behind our students and staff to make sure that we give them opportunity as well as the resources for us to be competitive in the nation. So, I'm asking city council for that extra 6.7 million that we need for students and staff. But I just wanted to put that publicly on record and thank you Mr. Faulk for giving us the numbers and if I have any other questions or my colleagues will definitely
052but we understand all the numbers you gave. So please constituents just those who are a part of the city and to city council we really need this. Thank you Miss Miss Shoe and then Miss McWain. Thank you chair. I'm going to be very quick. I hold in my hand our proposed budget request. I'm holding it in my hand because that was a question from a couple of our council members before that they didn't have anything that they can hold in their hand. Here it is. if you have any questions is online as well so that you can comb through what you need to see in order to do what you need to do. Citizens, voters, I urge you to pay attention to how council members justify their vote and how they actually vote. We have
053all ran on public education. Okay. Uh the country right now, as board member Cotton just stated, um is in uh slight turmoil when it comes to public education. So, I really want the citizens of Portzman to pay attention as to how our council members are going to vote for what we requested, our needs, not our wants, because we want another school. We want another couple of schools actually. Um, there's a laundry list of things that we want, but we requested what we needed. So, with that being said, I do urge every citizen, every voter to pay attention to these council meetings and see how they vote and the justification as to why they are voting the way that they are voting. Thank you so much, chair. Thank you so much, Miss McWain. Thank you, Chair.
054Um, Mr. Folk, and I just want to make sure that I'm correct in my thinking because I remember we were at the meeting and you were asked about that 9 million um that you requested and you made it perfectly clear that that 9 million would cover just the teachers salary to make sure that we are um at a competitive rate because we are right now the one of the lowest if not the lowest paying for our st our educators and we not just the teachers are educator But that's only what we asked for from this city would have just covered the teachers alone. And so I say that to um so our citizens will be aware we're not asking for everything that we need as far as an increase. We're just asking for enough for
055what you put out in the meeting. Am I correct, Mr. F? So our our our request was for the total compensation study teachers and all uh employees. Okay. With the 9 million. Yes ma'am. Okay. So we want to make sure that we're understanding that. Thank you. Um Vice Chair Action come true. Thank you chair. Um, I just want to say uh to uh Councilman William Bill Moody, in a joint meeting we had, you enrollment numbers and why our numbers were declining. Um, you were ve very specific to asking that, but the reason why our numbers are declining is because it's hard for us to retain our staff. in our budget, we specifically asked for um the meat and potatoes of it is for um the compression study um number um to be fully funded. So
056I mean to answer your question and to get the results, the increase in enrollment um all works hand inand with fully funding um our needs. So, um hopefully um you will take a look at the budget and the rest of city council and decide um to fully fund our requests. Miss Futrell. Thank you, Chair. Uh so, Mr. Faulk, just back to the budget, just so everyone's aware, particularly the public, um because there is a lot of misinformation that is being passed around. um particularly uh the conversations around us um inadequately handling our budget or our funds um to the public making it appear that we have a surplus that we're just mishandling. And so I just want to be clear um with the with the numbers you see every day and the numbers you all
057have crunched in this in this book when it comes to this surplus air quote what does that look like really? Well, this budget would be it doesn't have a surplus. This budget is exactly the amounts that we would need to cover our compensation study, any statewide compensation raises that we would have to provide and any of the additional positions of which there were not many, most of those were statemandated within this budget. That's what this budget provides, right? And so even in that what what this proposed budget kind of came back from the city's office or city manager particularly um it wouldn't cover all staff. No, ma'am. Am I correct? Okay. So what would it cover? So right now we're we're thinking bigger picture. We're thinking all of our staff member because we all understand
058um which I hope any human would that all staff members are important from the beautiful bus drivers that were just here that we could all clap about get a tear about. But basically what we're hearing now coming back from city is that even our bus drivers don't deserve the raise that they are saying only teachers should get in this budget that they're sending back to us proposed right now. They they did not provide full funding for our budget, which would mean we would have to find something to if their budget stayed the same, we would have to cut something from our budget. And right now, as it looks with our budget, there is no way to cut anything that's not important. That isn't needbased. This is a need-based budget. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, sir. Dr.
059cotton. I am a priority person and as I look at everything that the our budget accommodates. It's going to be a very hard thing and I can say this on behalf of my colleagues for us to decide what to cut but I do believe that the bulk of buff is not all of us will really push toward the increases that are need. And like I said earlier, the father student of PPS, I remember being at Douglas Park, losing what I ate for lunch in the hallway, that sex tents or janitors, custodians, whatever you choose to call them. It wasn't a teacher or principal that cleaned that up, but it was actually a janitor who came and cleaned that. I really need city council to understand as board member Shoemake said it's not a want is
060a need because there are many needs uh if not all of us we look at the budget from the state that comes to the school board we look at the budget with what we bring in as far as a city but there's no better investment than the students because if not all of us I said earlier many of us sit up here as a product of the pulse public school system and we live our lives as well as our careers to give back to the city in which we were reared. So to all of the city council members including the mayor, thank you who who blessed my son with their enrich where were enrichment. I could send my son to private school. He had scholarship offers but I wanted him to be in PPS as
061as another one of my child children were. But we really need this amount to be fully and I hate using this term these terms fully funded because it's actually a curtail of what the state give which is not enough what our students need. And I said earlier u in in close session I'm usually quiet but I cannot let this be because the city needs it which includes the staff and the students. I just really wanted that to be amplified. But thank you so much. Thank you, Chair, Dr. Bracy. Thank you. Thank you, chair. And listening at the comments from the board members, I mean, I think one thing you know that is true is that the priority is to make sure that we take care of the compression, which we promised that we would do
062um over a 2-year period. So, with that being said, if we don't receive the money, if nothing changes in the city's proposed budget, then I'm going to have to take a hard look at some existing programs and make some unpopular recommendations to the board. I don't want to have to do that. But you, as we all can hear, we know what's important. So, at that time, if it comes to that, I will come back with a with a recommendation for them to consider. And I know what I will be some of the items that I will probably have to present are are not going to be popular for us to lose them, but they we really don't have any other choice because they're putting they're putting us in a position to have to do that.
063So, I just wanted to let everybody know that that's what's going to have to happen if nothing changes with the proposed budget. Thank you, sir. And I'll just close close this out with this. Um, many times our uh colleagues try to equate um scores and assessment results with how they should fund the school division. That's why we need the compression address. Right now we have 51 university instructors covering cl cover covering classes. We have in the last two years about 73 international instructors covering classes. We still have over five I believe eight classes using proximity learning for virtual instruction because there there are no instructors. How can you equate results on assessments when you won't give us the funds we need to fairly compensate our staff? Portsman has always been known as good training ground.
064We pay you very well year one through four. You get your training, you get paid, then you leave to get paid more somewhere else. And you wonder why we have this revolving door in our school division. If you want success, take care of those who stuck with you for these these last 10, 20, 25 years that could have left, but they didn't. They deserve to be treated fairly and compensated fairly. You want results, you show us results. Yes. By giving us what we need to have the resources for our staff and for our students respectfully. Agenda item 9.3. Do we have any subcommittee? I'm sorry. We have a second. Is there any more discussion? Roll call vote. Madam clerk. Yes. Fully fund us. Thank you. Yes. We're voting on the proposed budget, so I'm going
065to say yes. Make sure you curtail that cost and fully fund us. Thank you, Mrs. Futa. Yes. Yes. Yes. Miss Max Wayne, positively. Yes. Mrs. Cess, yes. Miss May, of course. Yes. Dr. Walker, yes. Dr. Patillo, yes. Is unanimous. Thank you so much. Agenda item 9.3, subcommittee reports. Do we have any reports at this time? Dr. Walker first and then So for my subcommittee report, um I am the bo school board appointee for the special education advisory committee. Um since we've met, we've had two meetings which was on um February the 18th and March the 18th. One of their main concerns is how we can get more parents involved. So I just want to read the reasoning why we have a special um education advisory committee because for the last 22 years my passion has
066always been special education. So Virginia school divisions are required to have a special education advisory committee and the purpose of the committee is to provide an opportunity for parents and other schoolboard appointees to have a voice in the way that school divisions provide services to students with disabilities. local seat members are appointed by local school boards and the committee provides report and recommendations to their school boards. So it's so disheartening that when we go we don't have a lot of participation. So one of the main concerns that we talked about in that meeting is that how we can make it more marketable because a lot of people are saying that they don't know about it. So we have various ideas to come up with. And then lastly, one of the most important pieces is that
067Miss Battle Hardy will be here on um April the 10th um to discuss the special education plan and she's asking for all people to come and support her and I will be the first one here to support that special education plan for the 2526 school year. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Miss Futrell. Thank you, chair. So on March the 12th, uh Miss Shoemake and I uh met with Miss Jackson and Dr. Bracie uh regarding uh human resources and what amazing things um she's doing over there. So a few of the uh accomplishments and strategic initiatives that she has going on. Um and she launched the bi-weekly newsletter um which enhances communications and highlights district-wide initiatives. Um she's enhancing employee engagement. So right now they're targeting a 25% increase in positive employee perceptions of the
068work environment during quarter three. Uh they're developing a mentor mentee program, organizing team building and competitive events and implementing a district-wide employee suggestion box. Um we're also seeing districtwide job descriptions being revised um as well as districtwide training initiative. So, we're looking at customer service training, uh, policies and procedures reviews, um, FMLA and ADA compliance training, um, and then, of course, the biggest one, u, recruitment strategy. So, her and her team are definitely looking at different ways to expand the outreach, um, and some on-site recruitment events. Um, they have things going on literally throughout the whole year so that we can make sure we build in that area. Um, which is again another reason why we need that budget approved. Thank you, Dr. Cotton. Uh, I had the wonderful opportunity of sitting in a liaison
069meeting in place of the honorable uh Tamara Shoemake with uh Dr. Bracy and Dr. Patillo with uh city council members uh with city council woman Katie Bryant and city councilman Mark Hugo where we had a very indepth study of this budget proposal which was put forth. So I want the public to know that um and that was my one meeting but they are well aware of the intricate details of the need and we spoke about it so I just wanted to put that on public record. Thank you, Chair. Miss Shoe, um this is not a subcommittee report. Um chair, well, you can't give it then. I'm just kidding. Go ahead. No, but this is really quick. Um ODU is offering a Earth Day celebration, April 12th, 9:30 to 12:30. It's going to be located in
070the new chemistry building. Is free. Um if anybody wants to sign up as far as classes, they have that opportunity for you to sign up um to possibly go on a field trip there. It's a planetarian. It's it's a lot of different things that they're going to offer um within that 3-hour period. And if you want to sign up, it's www.u.educi as in science-day. So, if um any teachers want to sign up for it, um please feel free to uh go to that website and have our babies uh go ahead and and and see some of the great things that they're offering um as far as chemistry in the STEM program. Thank you, Chair. Vice Chair. Thank you, Chair. I just want to give a huge shout out to our robotics team and and wishing
071you the best as you move forward to the next level of competition. So, um we're with y'all. We support y'all and thank y'all so much for putting Porsches on the map with robotics. Thank you, Miss McWain. Thank you, chair. I just want to acknowledge that um I had the privilege of going to um Read Across America at Brighton Elementary, Douglas Park Elementary, Churchland Elementary, Park View, and I did stop um through Norm too, but I didn't read. But listen, I just want to say that we have some great intelligent students. Um very impressed by Miss Gray's class at Park View. I think it was second graders. Um, I read them a story and I mean they broke it down like a shotgun. Y'all know I'm army. Um, they broke the story down with the setting,
072the main idea, everything. I was so impressed with Miss Gay's class and um, then I went when I went to church and I had an older class and um, I thought the book was kind of boring. I'm sorry y'all, but they were so upbeat and they were encouraging me because I was like, I'm sorry y'all. I'm apologizing for the book, but uh I just want to I just want to say u I really enjoyed ReadAcross America with our students and I can't wait to read to you again. Thank you, Chair. Thank No problem, Dr. Cotton. As far as comments, uh usually we have that at the end. I would be remiss if I didn't thank this the staff of Post Public Schools. Um, as I sit here not as a board member, but as a
073proud parent. I also want to thank my colleagues as well as Dr. Bracie and his staff. Um, for my son serving two years in Richmond and even his counselor, Miss Massenberg. And I want to thank um, Senator Louise uh, El Louise Lucas, who when he decided to go on the representative side, she still called to inquire. And I definitely want to thank Don Scott for pulling him in in 2024 and then this year appointing him, us being shining together as Porssworth proud uh just from Porsch public schools of pulling him in as the head page. And I want to thank you all for celebrating not just a student student tonight, but celebrating my son. So thank you to board members as well as the uh administration staff. I thank you so much and I'm just
074ever proud. I probably go cry later as I hug my son. Thank you, Miss Cessums. Yes. So, I am on the curriculum and instruction committee and alongside Dr. Dere and her team. They had a lot of great things that they shared with us with me um with the board. They have all district reads um March 4th. Some of the things have already passed but have really um been successful. Had great turnout. They had the STEM day which is at Manor High School on March the 15th. I know some of our board members were in attendance. The fourth grade students are participating um in the Jamestown outreach. March Madness also took place on March the 22nd um at Manor High School. All city course at Churchland High School is at um on April the 1st at
0756:30. Um first grade students are currently participating in Safety Town alongside what u Mr. Bruce Leande came and talked about tonight. Um the Starbase Gayla was at Rivers Casino. That was a huge success. I was able to attend that myself. That was on March the 13th. Um the Falcony, something that I thought was very interesting is that the Faly Spanish um class was going strong and that um teachers were encouraged to be a part of this movement where they can come and learn Spanish. So that was something new that I didn't know about. Um due enrollment information session for rising uh seventh graders has already taken place on March the 13th. Um TCC graduation is coming up March May the uh 12th 2025 at 4 p.m. at ODU. Um what else do I special education
076and related services? Uh we have our financial bingo literacy march that took place um on March the 12th at 5:30 SH Clark. Also upcoming is April the 2nd which is really exciting. Um they have a community partner complete the puzzle is participating in a photo opportunity with the mayor in recognition recognition of world autism awareness day. That is going to be really nice. Um, Little Meat Feet is April the 4th, um, 2025 at Churchland High School. It is rain or shine. And that is all the updates that I have for this time. All right. Thank you so much. Any other reports or board comments? Miss Walker, Dr. Walker, I'm sorry. So, I just want to I didn't say it when I did my report, but the next seat maiden is June 17th at noon. So
077if people can put that on their calendar now, they can also go and support. And then also World Language Day for the preschool is April the 8th at Emily Span. Okay, no other comments or reports. We now consider this Minaj. Have a great evening.