DCPS School Board Meeting - December 16, 2025

001Our meeting will now come to order and I will entertain a motion to reconvene into open session and adopt certification of close session. >> Second. Whereas the Denwitty County School Board has convened a closed session on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and whereas paragraph 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this school board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Denwitty County School Board hereby certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge, only such business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the school board. Dr. Ela J. Pearson, District 1, >> I certify. >>

002Dwayne G. Walker, District 2, >> I certify. >> Barbara T. Pitman, District 3, >> I certify. >> Mary M. Benjamin, District 4, >> I certify. >> Jason L. Brown the second district 5 >> has certified. >> All have certified madam chair. >> Thank you. Are there any will you please join us now in the pledge of allegiance led by the >> preschool. And which school are they from Miss Rainey? >> From Sunnyside and Denwy Elementary. >> Sunnyside and Denwy Elementary preschoolers. They >> are cute. To the flag of the United States of America. America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. And you may be seated. Good job. >> Are there any amendments? >> There are no amendments to the

003agenda tonight, Madam Chair. >> Well, then I will entertain a motion. Madam chair, I move that we accept the amendments. Accept the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second that we accept the agenda as a as it is. All those in favor use usual voting sign. I >> any nays hearing? None. So we're moved into close session report. >> Madam chair, I move that we approve the personnel list as presented. >> Second. It has been moved and second that we accept the personnel report as presented. All those in favor use the usual sign. I >> I any nays hearing? None. The personnel report is accepted. >> Student matters. Madame Chair, I move that we uphold the recommendation of the administration and expel student number E-125-1 because they pose a threat

004to the health and safety of staff and students. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second that we accept the recommendation of administration and expel student number E-125-1. All those in favor use the usual sign. >> I >> and a nays. >> One extension. >> One ex abstension. Madame chair, I move that we uphold the recommendation of the administration and expel student number E-125-2 because they pose a threat to the health safety of the staff and the students. >> You've heard the motion. Um coming >> second then second it all those in favor use the usual sign >> I >> any extensions >> one extension and madam chair I move that we approve the request of parents for students number-125-1 and student number reel-125-2 and their request for exemption from compulsory attendance for religious

005exemption. >> Second. >> It is moved and second that we accept the parents um request to release students number 12-25-1 and 2 from compulsory compulsory education. All those in favor use the usual sign. I >> any abstensions hearing? None >> recognitions. >> Okay, we're going to start this evening with our preschool students. Miss Robinson Williams. >> Good afternoon everyone. >> Good afternoon. >> Today we would like to recognize two of our Denwitty County Public School preschool classrooms that are VQB5 qualified. Those schools are Denwritty Elementary School and Sunnyside Elementary School. VQV5 qualified is a designation measuring teacher child interactions and the use of quality curriculum for more than 11,300 classrooms. Both of our schools have received the highest recognition which is the excellence honor roll. Only 101 sites statewide out of 3,293 sites earned that

006designation. In October, Virginia launched three VQB5 honor roles to recognize early childhood sites. They were excellence honor role which is the top performing um infant infant toddler quality honor role which is top performance in infant and toddler classrooms and improvement honor role which covers yearover-year performance and gains in the school year. [crying] We would like to thank our Denwitty County Public Schools preschool team members. Penny Brooks, program administrator. Tenanisha Bland, early learning specialist. Danielle Hawkins, principal of Sunnyside Elementary. Melanise E and Tanisha S. teacher team at Sunnyside Elementary. Leanne Adams, principal at Denwitty Elementary, and Rebecca Z and Wanda C, teacher teams at Denwitty Elementary. I think our preschool team members and a few preschoolers are here to give us a special treat tonight. Okay. [applause] Ho ho ho. We're off to the north. If

007you want to ride a sleigh and see the reindeer fly away to see 4 3 2 1 [applause] >> Christmas lights are flashing on those lights on it's time for singing la. inside of me just like a Christmas tree. [applause] [cheering] >> Great job everyone. Next we'll have our school spotlight. And this month we will have Mrs. K. Bailey with our Dewity High School highlight. Good evening board members, schoolboard clerk, and of course our wonderful student representatives. Does this work for me? Um I'm very proud to stand before you as the principal of Don High School tonight. Um, I will say I was I'm well aware of the time limit [snorts] and I'm also going to apologize because you're asking me to stand before you and talk about the generals and give me a time

008limit. But I know that Dr. Clay will keep me on my way. That's the music of exiting exiting off the stage like in the Oscars. I think that I think that's that wasn't planned. [laughter] But well played. [gasps] >> There we go. >> So I would like to start. Dwey High School's counseling team maintains a laser focus on [snorts] meeting our students individual needs, supporting academic progress, and guiding post-secondary planning. A key strength to our program is unique student centered model that intentionally pairs an assistant principal and a school counselor with each grade level, ensuring consistent coordinated support throughout a student's high school experience. And as I continue reading, we have members of our team here um tonight if if they're able to come forward. This model was first implemented with the class of 2027

009at the start of their ninth grade year. It's been led by Miss Martin and when originally me, it's still me. Um, since that level has grown, the class now of 2028 is supported under the leadership of Mr. Gregory and Miss Allen. >> Are you sounding um they um they two partnered when their cohort entered in the ninth grade again this year. The class of 2029 benefits from the collaborative work of Dr. Gibbs, soon to be Mr. Swan and Miss Winfield um currently um with our current class of 2029. Additionally, the same concept of intentional support was extended to the this year's graduating class of 2026, which began their sophomore year, which has been led by Miss Tuck and most recently joining the work this year, um another school counselor is Mr. Anderson. [snorts] So, I

010I do want to recognize some of the team that's here. Um, and as I've transitioned into a new role, Miss Sims um will join Miss Martin and I in supporting the class of 2027 to ensure the continuity and stability of the students. This collaborative model strengthens communication, builds relationships with students and families, and allows our team to proactively address academic, social, emotional, and post-secondary needs. To deepen the understanding of the impact of this approach, I am more than proud, and I apologize if I'm emotionally proud, um, of Miss Erica Smith. She's a member of the class of 2027 and she will share how this alignment um has supported our school positively and influenced this culture there as well. So, Miss Erica Smith. [applause] Well, good evening members of the school board, administrators, and guests. My

011name is Erica Smith. As she said, I'm here today speaking behalf on the highlight of the importance of counselors and administrators who move up with us as we progress through our school years. From a student perspective, consistency matters more than people often realize. When counselors and administrators stay in the same class, they don't just know our names, they know our stories. They've seen our growth, our struggles, and the moments that shape us into who we are. When adults move up with us, trust builds naturally. Students feel safer asking for help because we're not starting from zero every year. We don't have to reexlain who we are, what we've been through, or what support we need. That familiarity creates a place where students are more open, honest, and willing to seek guidance. This system also allows

012counselors and administrators to notice changes sooner. They recognize when a student is acting differently or struggling academically or emotionally because they already know what the normal looks like for those students. That leads to earlier support and better outcomes. Compared to systems where counselors are assigned alphabetically or change every year, the difference is very significant. While those systems may be efficient, they can feel impersonal to students. Rebuilding relationships annually can be exhausting and some students simply stop reaching out because it feels easier to stay silent than to start over. When counselors and administrators stay with the same grade level, students and staff can grow together. Communication improves, expectations are clearer, and students are more confident for advocating for themselves. It becomes a partnership rather than a transaction. Speaking personally, having Miss Bailey as my administrator and

013principal and Miss Martin as my counselor since 9th grade year, it has really made a lasting difference in my life as a student. Early on, we've had heart-to-he heart honest conversations about the direct direction that I wanted to go in my future and the changes that I hope to make for myself. because they stayed with me year after year. They didn't just hear my goals, they watched me work towards them. Through challenges and transitions, they've constantly checked in, held me accountable, and reminded me of my potential. Even during times when I was away from school, they made sure that I still felt connected, supported, and encouraged. Now, as an 11th grader back in the building, that same support and trust continues, and it has played a major role in my confidence, motivation, and growth. That

014kind of relationship is only possible when administrators and counselors move up with students. It allows them to support us by not just who where we are, but who we are becoming. On behalf of the students, I really want to thank the counselors and administrators for committing to relationships and not just roles. Your consistency helps us succeed not only in school but in life. Thank you for your time and listening to the student perspective. [applause] So I don't know why you all need me to talk at all. Um thank you Erica. And I I will say on behalf of you know the entire school, we have truly and I said it on here, we have the best school counseling team in America and they are paired with the best administration in America. Um I've never worked

015with a group that had such huge hearts and are guiding the work in that manner. So um thank you very much. Also want to recognize Miss Pride that is here in the room. Oh, right there. um she's joined our team now and it keeps all the things put together. Um it's a lot of the moving parts in her role. So I appreciate her being a part of our team as well. Great. >> Thank you. [applause] If anyone has set a timer, but moving on. Um, also at Dewey High School, we are proud of the transition opportunities we provide all students as we prepare [snorts] for graduation. This year, we have two students that are participating in project search program at Fort Lee and they have already had their first three internships with employment services in

016place to support job placement after completion. One of our students, Braden Frasier, will speak to you about his experience at Project Search. And I would also want to welcome his Project Search teacher. Yeah, I say she got to come up too. Go on. And Miss Moore, if you could come up as well. [applause] [clears throat] Yes. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. My name is Brandon Frasier. I gradu I am I attend project search at Fort Lane. Our first internship was at Mac gym. What I have learned about myself starting project and attending project shirts. I like being busy cleaning working by myself. My keeps me focused. Social skills I'm learning. Less is more. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. May I just add Thank you, Braden. You all I truly um want

017to thank you all for the partnership that you have with Project Search. If you do not know, it's partnered with Prince George County and Colonial Heights. >> And we thank you. >> [applause] >> And and that's not all. Um so thank you Miss Jones too for leading that. I did want to invite Miss Moore up to just speak on a couple of other um great things that are happening in the world of transition. >> Sure. >> And I'm going to put my glasses on because I'm blind and cannot see. Hi, good afternoon. Thank you for having us. And again, I can't say enough about Project Search and what I've learned. And I can tell you I'm part of a statewide leadership academy this year. Um, and when I attend and I get to tell them

018what our students have the opportunity to do through Project Search, they're all very impressed. Um, because everybody doesn't have this opportunity. So, we're pretty lucky. Um some other things that we're doing as far as transition goes, um we do have um a couple independent living classes um going on and we are doing some real world um community experiences by having them um budget, plan, budget and go to the grocery store to shop for items and then come back and prepare those meals. So um those have been very productive um activities. We currently have six students that are engaged in a work-based learning with our custodial service um that we partner with um and they are consistently receiving positive feedback on how well they work. Um they do equal work um with their supervisor and they're

019doing quite well. Um looking ahead, I have 11 students who are going to participate in our education for employment course next semester. um they'll be going out into our community and getting some work experience in the community as well as coming back to the classroom to work on some of those soft employment skills, self- advocacy skills. Um we're very fortunate in that we've secured some additional outside agencies. They're going to be coming into our school building to work with them that will also hopefully provide them with some summer internship opportunities. So, um that's what we have going on and I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> SO, ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT that we had recently, I told you there was a lot. Um, we got we are so fortunate to have the substitutes that

020support our building. Um, we we ask our teachers to be there every day, but there is time where life happens and you have to um call on a substitute. So, our substitutes um play a vital role in supporting the learning and ensuring continuity in our school community. Today we want to highlight one of our longest standing substitutes. Miss Rhodess, if you could come forward. [applause] >> And so on the the 21st, we were able to support all of our subs that were in the building that day with goodies and gift bags and all those things. But um Miss Rhodess is truly an impactful substitute that we have at Denwy High School. And I it says on the slide that when I did a little bit of research, she's been supporting I know at the middle

021school and at the high school since 2007 >> and elementary school >> and the elementary school she [laughter] at all levels. Um, more importantly, so Miss Rhodess has a strong presence in the building and her students know her well. More importantly, they know that she cares about them, values them, and will hold them accountable. Miss Roads builds positive relationships while maintaining high expectations, and they know that if she needs to call me or Mr. Gregory, [laughter] but she never has to. [snorts] Um, she creates an environment where students feel supported and respected. So, I [snorts] just wanted to take this moment, Miss Rhodess, to say we're grateful for you and your dedication to our school community and your continued commitment to our students and their success. So, this is a pen that's a high five.

022If it's it's golden because the high fives with her are golden because when we need her, she's there. And some flowers. Of course, they're school colors [laughter] >> for you. Thank you. >> [applause and cheering] [laughter] >> I promise I'm almost done. Okay. And then lastly, I think um social media plays a vital role in how we tell our story um and all the success that's happening at Dewony High School. And what a better way to do it than allowing our students to lead the work. One of their first accomplishments was winning the districtwide um attendance competition. So if Dr. Walker's here, I want just wanted to remind her of that that we came in first place. Um we have a little rivalry. It's all friendly. Since then, their focus has been highlighting on students,

023clubs, and athletic programs. also while showcasing the incredible work of our dedicated staff. I would like tonight and and both of the students you see there are also involved in everything else at school. So they couldn't be with here with us tonight. Um but I want to give a special thank you. I know she does not I would call her up here but she loves to not be there but she's more than welcome to stand beside me. Um to our innovation specialist Miss Rakes. Um [snorts] her leadership and support have been we CAN [applause] her leadership and support has been essential. Um she sets a powerful expectation through her dedication, creativity and commitment [clears throat] to elevating student voice and excellence at DHS. So we are grateful for her leadership and her guidance and the

024success of of our students in social media. So if you follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, all of that are student generated posts. So, and last but not least, there's a Oh, no. But wait, there's more. I swear this is the last slide. Um, I wanted to have a few more pieces of what we're bragging about because I knew I my time was limited. We've had a huge increase in our ASCAD participation. Last school year, the entirety of last school year, we had 65 students participate in the test. This year, so far alone, we had 70 express interest and 50 actually tested. So, I know we are going to more than beat our record from last year. Government Day participation, we had a huge increase. Last year, we had one session with government day

025and 17 students participated. So far this year, we had 30 students attend and we have a spring session scheduled in March. [snorts] And what I love, love, love, and these folks are here that are attached to all this work too. Miss Clary, um, Miss Clary, uh, is [snorts] our work-based learning experiences. Last school year in its entirety, we had 84 students placed in work-based learning experiences. first semester, we've already beat that with 85 student placements. So, that is definitely worth clapping and bragging about. [applause] So, I I do want to say we have a little gift for you if um there are some other pieces here that we're you of course you only have so much time and so much you want to show, but we're so proud of our industry day. We had Fallowine

026um where the cake wars and folks come and judge of course our our undefeated unstoppable Scholastic Bull team. We had our teachers for tomorrow at Longwood. Our English classes for producing their own reading. Oh, thank you for viewing. Um [snorts] that's my cue. No. Um, but as you I know this is the holiday spirit, but we did get a little gift for you all to remember to always show your general's spirit. So, in your very school colored themed bags, there is some Denwi gear that of course has been um produced and all of that within our school store um that we recently dedicated to to our founder. So, um all of the pieces and parts that come out of that are all student generated. Um, so that was another token for you as well. Now

027you can cue the music, [laughter] but thank you so much. Um, I I appreciate the time and I do understand I can be a little long-winded, but um, we're incredibly proud at the high school of our staff and our students and our community. They always support us and we appreciate your support as well. So, thank you. Thank you, [applause] >> Madam Chair. I just want to make two announcements, two quick announcements. So, in good um housekeeping fashion, in the absence of my boss, when we have guests in the loan, we like to make them feel welcome. So, Madam Chair, I would be remissed if I didn't bring to your attention that there is a wonderful group of ladies here um today in red that is here to support you for the December chapter meeting. I

028know they will um be meeting with you later, but these ladies, if you would please stand in red. For those present and those viewing online, these ladies are the ladies of Petersburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, of which our very own, Madame Chair, Mrs. Mary Benjamin is a member of. Thank you ladies for coming today and we'll take photos later. Okay. All right. Lastly, Dr. Clay and Madame Chair, um I would like to wish all of our DCPS families, all of our great DCPS staff a wonderful holiday season, a great um winter break as well in which we will start next week. Okay, have a good one. >> Thank you. [applause] Um, I would like to say one thing. Thank you to all the preschoolers. You are really great and you're really

029learning and I just love the way you just it was so cute. So, thank you so much. And thank you to all the parents who are here who came out today to to support the little ones. and also all the staff and a very thank you to my chapter, my sororities sisters who came out. We have some brand new members who we just took in last week and will the brand new members stand up because they have to leave in a little while because they have some unfinished business. And those are our brand NEW [applause] Thank you. And you can see some of them belong to belong to us and we and we're looking for great work from you. So you may be seated. Thank you so much. And now you may take some pictures.

030You're going to take some pictures and and um parents and go out with Miss Robinson. Robinson Williams. >> It's okay. It's okay. [laughter] >> All right. Can we have Sunnyside if you would please come out? Sunnyside and Dwy Elementary preschool families. I know you have another engagement as well. I'll be on site until the end of the meeting. So, I'll take your photo. Miss Anna Bradley. Miss Anna, >> did you want to say you can say something before the before our new members leave? You can say it now. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. >> Uh thank you on behalf of the Petersburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. We always love coming to Denwitty. Uh we provide scholarships to high school students. We read monthly at the elementary schools. Uh we provide

031a mentoring program for young girls called growing and empowering myself individ uh and myself successfully. Uh our acronym for that is gyms and we love coming out to do voter registration and this year uh we had a delightful time at the Petersburg versus Denwitty football game and Denwitty was victorious on that occasion. So, uh, I should tell you we serve seven different school districts. So, we see quite a lot of activity. And as we prepare for the general assembly, please know that uh, education issues are top of mind for us there. And so, we thank you. We wish you merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Feliz Na'vi, and other seasonal greetings. And if we could at this point take a moment of personal privilege and ask uh uh Mary Benjamin if you would please come forward. We

032would your Petersburg alumni chapter members want you to know how proud we are of you and how much we love you. We thank you for setting a high bar and holding our feet to the task in terms of educational development and our work not only with Denwitty but with all students. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank everybody for coming [laughter] and don't [clears throat] you all be late for your meeting. >> I want to give this to you. She's my chapter specialist. I wanted to show >> Oh, thank you so much. Thank you. [applause] >> Very quickly. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you everybody for coming. No phone. >> Okay. Thank you so much for coming and thank you for thinking about me.

033It's nothing like being thought about and and by people who you see and you work with. Don't be late for your meeting, young lady. Get there on time. I'll hear about it. >> So, we're going to reconvene. Uh, where did we stop? Dr. CL >> expendure >> consent agenda expense expenditure report. Madam Chair, I move that we approve the expenditure reports that have been presented today. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second that we accept the expenditure reports as presented. All those in favor use the usual sign. >> I in extens abstensions hearing none. >> Madam chair, I move that we approve the minutes of the November 11th, 2025 school board meeting. [snorts] >> Second. It has been moved and second that we approve the minutes of the November 11th, 2025 meeting. All

034those in favor use the usual sign. >> I hear any nays hearing? None. Board matters. Dr. Clay, >> good afternoon. Um, I stand before you this afternoon um for your approval for a new partnership with Tutor Ed by University instructors. Um so this is a service that many school divisions across the state of Virginia uh are using with the all-in initiative and all-in funding. Um basically tutor ed provides they do the hiring and training for tutors um that can be used in the school system to assist students who need some extra support. um for the contract before you today um Demity Middle School in Southerntherland Elementary uh would be using this service. They we we have been paying tutors in schools for a little background knowledge. Um but some schools have had a harder time

035than others hiring tutors. Um so these are two schools, one of high need based on data and the student population. um but also just are having a hard time acquiring tutors on their own. So, this is a service that can assist with that. Again, many other school divisions across the state have been using them for a while. This is just our first um opportunity to do that. So, we would use all-in funding. We do have all-in funding that will end in June of 2026. So that funding provided by the state of Virginia can be used for this initiative. Uh we did not we used cooperative procurement because other school divisions have already um done this. We didn't have to do the bidding process that would normally be required. So again, all-in funding would be utilized

036um the middle school in Southerntherland for a total cost of $282,000 and um $282,14. Um University Tutors does provide data on their services um to show increase in student so scores across the state. So 93% of students who attended 26 or more sessions increased their uh so score in math. 77% of students who attended 26 or more sessions increase their so in reading. Um so there's data to back that this does work uh for students and again they do all the hiring and training and kind of take take that leg work away from us. Do you have any questions? Is this an online service? >> No, it's in person. So, it it is in person. They it'll be inerson tutoring >> and so they will come here to our buildings. And >> that's correct. Um

037university instructors takes care of all the background check. It's very thorough. And again, just everything that normally our HR department would have to do, they're taking all of that on. >> When do they do it? >> It'll be during the school day. So, just like the current tutors that we're hiring with local funding or all-in funding uh work during the school day, the the school principal with their leadership team kind of works out that schedule. They are not pulled from core instruction. Um so, they work that out just like any current tutors we have in other school buildings. >> Yeah, I I see university instructors that's local from all surrounding or is it one of of the uh tutors coming from Um, these will be local tutors, so they hire within a 30 mile radius.

038>> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And they've already started the recruiting process pending your approval this evening. We've talked to them kind of on and off just because time is of the essence. So, um, they are ready, uh, if you do choose to approve this evening, uh, they are ready to begin the process. Do did you already say if there's some other communities using this group? >> Yes. And across Virginia, several other school systems are using them. That is why we did not have to go through the bidding process. Uh we were able to use cooperative procurement. I believe and Christie, was it handover or Henriiko? Um >> I don't remember, but I know that there have been multiple divisions. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> You had mentioned that the research they showed

039was that after 26 sessions, the students had increased their score. >> Yes. >> Are are students that are meeting with tutors currently meeting with them for that many sessions or >> it would probably our current tutors are locally hired, right? So, we we've never used this um company before or this service, but they would certainly get in more than 26 sessions because these tutors would be here five days a week. They would work um the same hours as a pair of professional or a teacher works. So, certainly we would be be able to get in that many sessions. I would think >> it seems like it should work if they're in it should work well with them being there for a number of hours and the days per week. That is our hope. >> Definitely.

040>> You need board approval? >> Yes, we need board approval. >> One one quick question. >> Yes, sir. >> You just referenced the fact that we currently have locally hired tutors. What happens to them? >> So, these are two schools that have struggled to get tutors. So, the middle school has not been able to hire a tutor. So, some of our other schools have been able to hire tutors. We're still using all-in funding for that. So, they will continue to work in those schools. any of our locally hired tutors will still get >> Absolutely. >> Got you. Okay. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> This one just gives us extra. >> This gives us extra. >> But that's until that funding goes up. >> That is Yes, that is until that funding goes up. Um which

041is June 2026. And and then just in general because that's how we've been paying even our locally hired tutors for the past three years. Uh we were have to work out a plan of how do we locally fund tutoring. So we are working on that >> and that was a all in was a state initiative. >> It was >> Yes. >> Yeah. And we haven't heard that but it is a state it was a state initiative. Yes. >> Madam chair I move that we um enter into an agreement with tutor ed by the university instructors all in tutoring. Second. >> It has been moved and second that we enter into an agreement with uh tutor ed by university instruction. All in tutoring. All those in favor use the usual sign. >> I hearing any nays.

042>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Sub are you doing substitute pay rate? >> That would be me. >> Okay. Um, good afternoon, Madame Chair, members of the board, and our student representatives. Uh, I stand here today to bring to your attention that, uh, we, um, are requesting your approval for a substitute rate increase to our daily rates. Um, as some may know, the minimum wage is increasing effective January the 1st. And as a result of that, we had to look at all of our compensation to determine what areas may need to be lifted to be in compliance with the new minimum wage rate. Um, currently the minimum wage rate is 1241 and in January it'll be going to 1277. Um when we took a look the areas that are impacted were our daily substitute rates

043um primarily those that are the par substitute pair professionals and teachers that are in the classroom. So um our recommendation for you you all's consideration today is to change our daily rate uh from $95 to $100 if they have no degree or an associates degree. and to change the rate for a bachelor's degree from 110 to 125 and then to change our clerical rate from $95 to $105. Uh it would be our aspiration for us to be able to make some additional changes um once we go through our budget process to look at the other substitute rates that we offer for um long term long-term substitutes as well. Um but in the immediate moment, these are the areas where we would need to make a change so that we can be consistent with the upcoming

044minimum wage rate. >> Are there any questions or concerns? >> She needs a motion for that. >> Madam Chair, I'll move that we approve the rate increase for substitute teachers. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second that we approve the substitute rate for increase for um substitutes for 2026. All those in favor use the usual sign. I >> I naz hearing none. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Madam Secretary. Is there any new business? >> There is no new business tonight, Madam Chair. >> Okay, no new business. Superintendent reports. So the first is a maintenance update from Mr. Hawkins. I'm probably loud enough. Uh some backstory here. I was meeting with Mr. Walters about a month ago and uh he was just asking some general questions and it more along was the lines

045of how was the shot the maintenance department going? You know, how's the morale? How's the work we're getting done? And I told him I couldn't have been happier. And he he said, "Well, you know, you want to brag about them." I said, "Of course I do. They're great." >> And so he said he was going to make that happen for me. So that's what I'm here to do today. Um I want to talk about the accomplishments of my department and that group of wonderfully windburned individuals sitting [snorts] on that wall over there. >> Don't worry, mine is just pictures. Okay. PDF just >> you can do it for me. >> I'll do it for you. >> All right. So, one of the things that I felt that we needed to to fix was just the

046way we ourselves and outsiders viewed our school division. And with the high school being our flagship, I felt like we needed to make the appearance that get better. We had a ton of lights out uh this fall. We went and rented a lift and we've replaced every single one, front, side, and back. Um, that that has made a huge improvement. We've made sure we've replaced all the wall packs in the front. Everything is operational. Um, that that was a a very large undertaking, but it's it's made a vast improvement on the way our school looks. [snorts] Uh, we did the same thing on the inside of the school. We replaced every single lamp on the auxiliary gym. The the main gym had already been done. That's a couple of my new guys there. uh in

047the lift. They went up and replaced and we made to shut the gym down for a couple days, but that is incredibly brighter now. Uh we made improvements to the football field, to the concession stand, the press box, the ticket booth, all the above. We put in new wall packs, new LEDs, new light bulbs, so you can actually see what's going on there. Uh Mr. Walters has managed to get us some uh security cameras for the for the stadium, so now you can actually see everything that goes on down there. Uh, it's incredibly safer. It's just a more It's just a better experience altogether. [snorts] All right, this is a this is a big one. Uh, our emergency lighting was it was not good. So, just this fall, we have managed to change every single

048out emergency light bulb exit light, I'm sorry, at Deity High School, Dewey Elementary, Southernland, Midway, Sunnyside, Southside did not need them. And just this end of last week, we managed to finish doing them for historic Southside. Uh so we have just a few left at Deity Middle School and we will have complete uh the the fire inspector will be happy with us. Now um that's our uh Southernland Southernland Elementary School. They got all new lights this fall and the auditorium at Dewity Middle School was completely reled so that you could actually see in there. Few numbers here to go over. Uh lighting. I don't think people realize just how much those guys have to go through to keep those buildings up, whether it's the the Roven electricians or the guys that are stationed at the

049buildings. But they replaced over 1,200 light bulbs since just May. And that doesn't include cuz this was done almost I made this almost a month ago. Uh we've probably replaced another 50 to 100 since then. Um it's a lot of work that goes into keeping these buildings lit so kids can see. Uh part of me reason for me being here too is to kind of help people understand just what we do. It's not just basic stuff. This is this is one of my two of my electricians here troubleshooting the electrical problems on the bleachers at Middle School because they wouldn't come in. it wouldn't retract and extract. Uh they managed to figure it out pretty quickly. We had to crawl under the bleachers to do it, but it was done and it hasn't had a

050problem since. So, great job there. We also had problems with comfort levels for teachers and students in a few of our high school classrooms where they had large glass walls and they just couldn't keep the temperature regulated where we needed to get them. So we my electric electricians came in and installed heaters, mounted them on the wall, ran the wire, ran the conduit all the way. Um those classrooms now I understand are quite comfy. Folks might not realize it, but my guys also take care of the road signs, the flashing lights when schools uh in and out. We've been dealing with issues at Midway that we've almost got taken care of. We fixed them at Sudland. We fixed them at Southside. And we're working to replace all of them so we can control them from

051the office. All right. We folks might not realize it, but my plumbers actually in in fully install water fountains. It's not something we have to call a contractor out to do. Those were some bottle filling stations that were installed at the football stadium or at the fieldhouse uh for the the football team decided to go a different route with how they were hydrating their players. So that that's what we installed for them in-house. [snorts] We had a uh a pretty good size domestic hot water leak at the high school. Again, in-house plumbers came in and fixed that. Now, it might look like it's relatively simple, but that is an extremely complicated fix with just that little bit of pipe there was four figures worth of copper. It's money goes into keeping a a building up

052and running. So, uh, as far as painting goes, we people don't realize, but painting plays more than just the looks of a wall. One example we have here with the aesthetics of painting. We we've almost gotten through all the schools where we painted the front doors to make them welcome and appealing to parents when they come in, uh, you got Neil there redoing the baseball field dugout. And then we've got the middle school and Sunnyside front doors there just to make things more welcoming when people come in. This one we're very proud of uh paint when it comes to safety. If you look really hard at those pictures, you can see that there is some reflective glass beads mixed into that. We added those in so that headlights would reflect better off those curbs and

053uh crosswalks so that parents can see in the dark, parents can see in rain. It just keeps everybody much much safer all the way around, which is obviously our goal, keeping kids safe. And then we've got prevention. Uh if anybody has ever tried to run a beer it's not the easiest thing to do. And my guys went around this year this fall and they reccococked every single classroom sink in all of the elementary schools and the upper schools. And just that 50 cent to a dollar be to caulk probably in preventative fashion is is saving anywhere from $300 to $1,200 per classroom of keeping it from getting water damage seeping in behind it. So that that was something we were really proud of doing preventatively. Uh building automation that is a huge undertaking. Uh my

054HVAC guys they partner with a contractor and they have to take care of eight very old aging buildings that uh it is not an easy task to keep them up but we do our absolute best and it's I don't know a better way to explain it other than it's a task but we get it. We're getting it there. Uh, all right. So, my my HVAC mechanic, we've gotten a lot of new equipment this year. We've had six new bowlers go in. Dwey Elementary School got two new ones. Dwey Middle School's got two and Midway got two. And, uh, Gary has overseen the install of those top to bottom. U,, we've got some very nice equipment in there, which we're very much looking forward to keeping the buildings warm in the in the future. We had

055a lot of carpentry work we had to do. We made some new walls at historic. Uh we had to build a new wall at the middle school because of a boiler leak. It's just stuff that people don't quite realize that we do in house that it takes a lot of skilled craftsman that I have over there to actually get this stuff done. Uh we assembled 450 to 500 desks this summer. Um playgrounds, ramps, stuff that goes on behind the scenes that people just don't want people don't generally realize that I wanted to bring to the forefront today. tree work. People like, "Why you cut the trees?" Well, they were destroying the the underground drains beneath and causing foundation problems, but that's an undertaking, and that was done in-house. The guys did a great job. We

056had some workforce development kids there. Um, but again, in-house maintenance crew did a phenomenal job taking care of that. So, the the canister on your left is what we took out of the woods at the baseball field. And the canister on the right is an attic we cleaned out of one of the elementary schools that had not been cleaned out since, I believe, the late 70s, maybe early 80s. Um, I put the hand there on purpose to wave bye-bye to it cuz we were glad to see it. Good. [laughter] All right. So, we had, those of y'all know, we had a Bowler fire in February. Uh, the guys had to, that was an undertaking. The picture on the left there is the old boiler being craned over top of Denwy on the middle school when

057the school was out. Middle there is us driving an excavator through the hallway of the school to get to the courtyard. So, there was no other way to get it there. And then us back filling some of the damage from where the boiler was. Um, obviously the boiler picture was inside, but I don't have those on the slide. We have dealt with a ton of emergencies. This right here is a sinkhole we dealt with in front of the press box at the middle school. Uh it started sinking and sinking and sunk some more. And finally we figured out what exactly it had happened and then we called in a contractor after we dug it up to find out what was going on. They did the final compaction on it to make sure it didn't happen

058again. Another emergency we had at the middle school. My guys had to we had to get down in the drop in to figure out where all our boiler water was going. We were running cameras down them, excavating, digging up till we finally found it that the leak was caused from poor craftsmanship from the 90s and it leaked. It caused a uh damage outside in. But they they tackled that task really well and we've got the school back running and the kids didn't miss time, which was the main goal there. We had a couple new contractors working for us this year. We had uh the new campus contractor that was absolute based out of Denwitty. They really once they got the hang of the the grounds layout, they came in and just were gang busters. Had

059the schools looking good. And we also had uh Ja Ja Mills Enterprises took over all our athletic fields and he had them looking he had them looking quality this year for us and I expect even better next year. We managed to restripe the middle school parking lots, refill coated them and paved the driveway in which is my understanding we've gotten quite a few compliments on that because it was it was surely needed. Um, it had it had been a while getting some preventative maintenance. So, we we've now gotten it. So, this is the only stats I've got on this. Oh, two pages. But, I I really want to draw attention to this. Uh, when I took over, I asked those guys all sitting over there to let's work together to make sure we're giving the

060school system what we need. And uh if you look on the left column there in 2024, we only did 1,261 service orders. So far this year, when I made this, as of November 21st, we had already done basically a thousand more. And we're expected to do uh if the numbers hold true from November, we're looking at doing 2572, which is a 203% increase in the amount of effort that these guys have put out to get our schools back up to where we need them to be. And of that, I cannot be more proud. So guys, I'm standing up here publicly. Great job. [applause] >> [applause] >> And the last slide there, my numbers got off. Uh just an idea the stuff that you know the with service orders when they come in and how they're

061spaced out or spread out as far as what we do. We had 135 light tickets, 275 electrical, 353 plumbing, 304 HVAC and HVAC tickets are always long. 69 painting. Those are long. Doors and hardware, moving and delivery, grounds, roof repairs, and you, as you can see on the column on the right, based on student enrollment at each school, the service orders are pretty well distributed uh in a ratio of service orders based on student population. So, uh I appreciate everybody's time. I hope this uh helps everybody kind of understand the who, what's, when, where's, and wise of what we do, and we're looking forward to continue serving you. Thank you. [applause] School performance and support framework. Dr. Clay on the way. Good evening again. Um, I'm going to give you a little review this evening

062of the new school performance uh, framework that Virginia Department of Education has put out. Um, just a reminder that this is the first year of implementation of that framework. And I feel like my days all run together, but maybe a little over a week ago um or last week actually, the Virginia Department of Education made this uh the new framework data public. So tonight, I'll be giving you a little review to remind you of the components of the framework and then we will look at our data for Denwy County Public Schools and we have a lot of celebrations. So I look forward to getting to that part of this presentation. Okay. So just a reminder that when we talk about student success, it does align with our current comprehensive plan under priority one um about

063ensuring students graduate from high school life ready. So it's bigger than just graduation. We want them to have a path the day after graduation. That's our goal. uh to develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies and to close achievement, access, and opportunity gaps. So, these are kind of our focus areas today. We're going to look at that overview, that foundation of the new framework. I describe the indexing and calculating process. Again, I presented this to you, I feel like last year at the end of the year. So, we'll just do a little review, examine each school's current performance, and then we'll talk through some next steps. of what um we are doing and our school leaders and instructional staff are doing. So there are two parts of the framework. So one is accountability. So

064we're going to get into that with the performance categories that has to do with several things. So scores, attendance, we'll break all that down. The second part is accreditation. Now when I presented to you last school year, uh this part they had not given us information about. So I'll explain that a little bit this evening. Okay. So standards of accreditation, the accreditation piece of this framework, we're used to that term accreditation, but this is totally different than what you're used to with accreditation. So currently, Dwiny County Public Schools are fully accredited under the new accreditation framework. This accreditation has to do with the standards of of accreditation. All these are written into Virginia code. So these are all the laws um that are written in there that we have to comply with. So uh every

065year we'll have to do a checklist. We did that for the first time this summer to ensure um at the central office level at each school level um that we are complying with the standards of accreditation. I will not go through all of those with you but again it's based on Virginia code. Okay. So these are the uh designations that a school system can get and individual schools can get. Again, we are fully accredited in compliance with those pieces of Virginia code. The second piece of this and I would say the little more complex piece is the accountability framework which again is brand new this year as far as implementation. Okay. So there are different pieces of the framework. mastery, growth, and readiness. And it's weighted, and we'll look at each school and how that's

066weighted differently, but basically mastery is what we're used to. It is so score results. Uh the piece that's been added there that's different is English learner progress, and we have a big celebration there. Just just hold on tight till I get to that part. So, English learner progress is under mastery. Then there's growth. We're used to growth. Elementary and middle school students for reading and math have been able to earn growth for several years. It was calculated a bit differently this year and my understanding is next school year it'll be calculated a little differently again. Okay. So this year it was about anticipated growth. Um and they used a system called um I want to say Vivox, but my all the acronyms run together in my mind right now. But basically if Amanda received a

067420 on her reading so test last year, it anticipated how much growth she should get. And so they're looking not just for a pass rate, but she should have increased 15 or 20 points. So the anticipated growth was there with this system this year >> and she's not taking the same test which is ludicrous >> and it'll be calculated differently next year because um that system that the state paid for they're no longer paying for. So we'll go back to those tables kind of the with SGAAS it'll be calculated the way it used to be um or very similar to that. Uh and then there's readiness. Chronic absenteeism falls into that for the high school graduation rate falls into that. Okay. Now each um school is weighted differently. So the elementary level mastery counts a

068little more 65%. The growth is 25% and remember that's just math and reading. And then readiness is 10% for elementary that's chronic absenteeism rate. Middle school mastery is 60%, growth is 20, readiness is 20, they add in advanced coursework there for readiness and then for the high school um mastery counts 50%. You see the readiness is a little more 35% and then graduation 15%. So these next couple of slides just break those categories down a little bit more so you can see the actual percentage that reading counts, math counts, science counts. And I won't go through um all that with you. Middle school mastery is very similar to elementary school. You have that English learner uh proficiency there. And then again for readiness, advanced coursework is added in um which we do currently have middle

069schoolers as you know taking advanced course work like algebra and things of that nature. Then the high school indicators again mastery is very similar. High school students growth is not calculated in. So for that readiness it is chronic absenteeism. And just remember that's a federal I'm going to say mandate. We have to have chronic absenteeism in the framework. There's the six-year extended uh graduation rate and then there's the 3E framework which was new this year and we'll break that down in just a moment. And then the the last piece graduation is that fouryear adjusted cohort rate. So mastery index, remember it's weighted. So we do earn more points if a student gets an advanced score basically, which is is great for us because we do have students um that we push to make those advanced

070scores and teachers and students work really hard for that. So the mastery is weighted based on the students range of score. Um again, high school readiness, you have the graduation rate. And so that just kind of shows you how that is calculated for the six-year graduation rate with the applied studies diplomas. And then the other part of readiness, that 15% is the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, which captures all students who graduate on time in four years with a standard or advanced diploma. So 3E readiness and again I'm going to go through this quickly because we have talked about it before but I will gladly answer questions at the end if you have them. So there's three pieces to this. It's enrollment, it's enlistment, um and then it is employment. Okay. So with the enrollment

071piece, students who earn an associates degree, which we continue to increase the number of students who earn an associates degree and just what a great opportunity for our students. Uh they do earn a few more points. So that's 1.25 points. And then you can see um for different categories under enrollment like if they take college ready classes and things of that nature, there are some points associated with that as well as AP. employment, um, CTE completers, work-based learning, and I will tell you this one is constantly changing. I know Miss Wolfick is back there shaking her head. Um, so there are still some pieces of this that they are changing. Um, but I know Miss Wolfick and Miss Clary work very hard with our counselors and high school staff just to make sure students are

072getting what they need as far as CTE completers. The last one is enlistment. So earlier the high school in their highlights, Miss Bailey talked about the ASVAB test and how we're increasing that number. Well, that's great because students who [clears throat] take that test do earn uh one full point there. So that helps us with the 3E um score that we receive. So um all these pieces that we talked about go together and every school earns points based on the number of points. Every school in the state of Virginia earns a performance category. It's a label basically. 90 points or more is distinguished. A small percentage of schools are distinguished across the state, but there are some in every region. On track, which I mean that's where we want every school to be, right? On

073track, 80 to 89 points. The next one, off track. And I will just say the Virginia Board of Education is considering changing that wording to approaching which superintendent across the state have requested. It just is a better way to frame that. Um they're approaching being on track. And then the last category would be with 65 points or below needs intensive support. So I want you to pay attention to those points. Um and here is where we we fall and there are a lot of celebrations in this. So, Denwitty High School has earned 89.2 points, y'all. Yeah. [applause] It up. They do. You see how close they are to being distinguished? >> That is amazing. And we are so proud in many of these categories. Let me not get ahead of myself. Okay. But they're so

074close uh to being distinguished. Dewy Middle School 74.5 points. And yes, that's off track, but look how close they are to being on track. And there's some celebrations we're going to get to there later as well. So, just hold on, Dr. Walker. Dwiny Elementary with the points they have, they are on track. And there's some great uh celebrations at Denwiny Elementary School as well. Midway, yes, give them a hand. Every school deserves a hand. Uh Midway Elementary on track with 86 points, only four points from being distinguished. >> [applause] >> Southside Elementary with the points they have earned are off track but again 5.5 points from being on track and we have a big celebration for them in a moment. Sunnyside Elementary with 91.6 points distinguished [applause] and again across the state that's a small

075percentage of schools. Southerntherland Elementary 73.2 uh points off track but 6.8 eight points away from being on track and there are some celebrations there as well. So this next part I don't love this would not be the part that would be a celebration but federal accountability you know we've been through this for the past couple of years. So federal accountability there are different targets than state right and so um based on the federal accountability targets and indicators when a school is not meeting those targets there's additional things that are required additional funding is made available um and really it's about working to try to achieve those targets the Virginia Department of Education has decided that the performance label for any federally identified school will be lowered one category. Um, and that is not a mandate

076of the United States Department of Education. That's a choice that the Virginia Department of Education has made. So, we do have a few schools that are federally identified because they've not met those targets. And what this has done is lower their performance category. So, that's why on the other sheet I showed you the actual points every school has earned and what their actual performance label should be. Um but again the state has made a choice to say if you're federally identified we're bumping you down a category and so um DY Elementary, Southside Elementary and Southernland Elementary are federally identified only in the area of students with disabilities. We are making gains in many areas there but it's there there has to be a little more gain for them not to be federally identified. And so

077that is what they're working on currently. All right. So, celebrations. I think I have three slides of these. Okay. Dwiny Middle School is no longer federally identified. [applause] Again, Sunnyside is rated as distinguished. [applause] Denwin High and Midway are close, man. They're so close to the distinguished rating. >> [applause] >> This is a big one. 25 out of 33 Southside English learners showed growth on their WEDA test. [applause] Dewey Elementary increased the science pass rate from 44% to 73%. [applause] That's phenomenal. [cheering] Southerntherland reading and math overall pass rates increased. So, they're showing gains overall. >> [applause] >> And as a county, four schools showed gains in English overall pass rates. Everything can get a clap. Yes. [applause] Four schools showed gains in math overall pass rates. Four schools showed gains in science overall pass

078rates. [applause] Two elementary schools showed gains in Virginia studies overall pass rates. [applause] And this is a big one because chronic absenteeism has been a like climbing a mountain, right? But chronic absenteeism rates decreased in six out of our seven schools. [applause] And again, we said this in the beginning, but based on the accreditation piece with those standards, we're 100% accredited for that. So that's awesome. [applause] And this next one's really big. So what the department of education has done and I like we love this part is they when they release the data they have created these they call them leaderboards. So it's like a friendly competition. We love a friendly competition right? Two of our elementary schools made the region one leaderboard for elementary excellence and that was Sunnyside Elementary. They made it twice.

079So Sunnyside Elementary is on there for reading and math group. They're the ti top top five uh one of the top five elementary schools in region one. That's amazing. [applause] And then Southside Elementary is on this leaderboard for the top five English learner progress schools [applause] in region one. So we love a friendly competition and our hope and belief is that we're going to see our schools on this leaderboard next year as well. Okay. So what are the next steps? And there are a lot of things to celebrate. Like this can seem like a lot to take in and you know you can look at some of those performance labels and say well you know but we always have work to do. Uh I always like to say every school is always in continuous improvement

080because that's what we should be doing for our students right. So next steps differentiated supports for schools. Um so schools that you know are are off track they're going to get a little more support to make sure they are getting what they need. Um, each school is developing a continuous improvement plan. Most of our principles already have that done or they're working on that. Just being very intentional about looking at data and what do we need to do to move forward and um and grow our students. A continued focus on explicit aligned instruction. That was our focus last year. That is still our focus this year. Ongoing professional learning cycles. As a division, we have some overall professional learning. our principles are doing professional uh learning in their schools that are relevant to what teachers

081need. Uh I will say our director of innovation and development, Miss Betty Spires, um is redoing our February professional development uh schedule to give teachers choice into what they need to grow. Some things may be, hey, yes, you have to go to this, but some things are, hey, this is I'm going to pick this because it's what I need to grow. Um now the other the last two are about some things that are coming. So the Virginia Department of Education and the Board of Education, you know, they have approved new cut scores to be phased in next year. I do believe that is a 4-year um phased in cycle. So um we can talk about that in more detail at another time. I do believe you've maybe seen those cut scores, but that is coming

082and it has been approved. And what that means is this. So the cut score is like the minimum score to achieve a certain performance level on a standards of learning test forever that has been 400 that is changing and it's not just this change where I can say every test is going to be 410 it is based on the content area it's based on the grade level uh and so there is a document um board members if you would like me to share that with you I can that shows you kind of the breakdown of that uh I think The positive piece there is it is a phased in model. Okay. Their reasoning for that is to align with NAPE testing which is national testing and um they're also saying because the standards have changed

083to be more rigorous the cut scores need to change to be more rigorous. Again that is um wording from the department of education. The last piece, and these are things that are being considered um by the board of education now, they are getting feedback on that. They're putting some things out for feedback. So, um if you look on their website and you see that, please give them some feedback. One thing they're considering is the addition of history to the performance framework. So, history has has never um been part of how schools are held accountable or are accredited. Um, but it will probably be they're considering it now. They've talked about it at the past two board meetings and I don't think that's a bad thing. Uh, we are teaching students history. They are taking an

084so test in history. You know, that should count as part of this. Um, so that's being considered to count about 5 to 7.5% of the mastery piece of the framework. The other thing that the board is considering right now are new types of test questions. So they're again gleaning feedback. Uh they've not made final decisions, but they've talked about performance tasks. Um and they're also talking about simulation questions specifically in the area of science. Um so these are things they're looking at. I I feel like there's a lot of pieces of this that are kind of constantly changing. Um and we are trying to keep up with that. But what I will say is our teachers work really hard. um our pair professionals, our school leaders, our all of our instructional staff. These gains that

085we've talked about is because of their hard work and the hard work of students. So I think in the midst of this, there are so many things uh to celebrate um with the new performance data that has come out. So I know that's a lot of information. What are your questions for me this evening? question. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> Students are adapting to the changes because seems like every year. >> Yes. and our staff is adjust adjusting. It's been challenging, but >> yes, >> absolutely. >> And I think changes are expected and that are reasonable. I just have um always hoped and struggled with the fact that they're logical and reasonable and timely. I think that >> at the beginning of this year, we were faced with some sudden >> changes that weren't phased

086in and they changed it. Thank goodness. Back to having them phased in. Yes, >> I'm glad of that. And I know the superintendent um association worked very hard on trying to >> absolutely >> to make that point. So, I'm I'm happy they've done that. >> Yes. >> And grateful for all the celebrations that we have. >> Yes, we do have a line. And I I will say Miss Robinson Williams will be putting out a press release today with those celebrations in there for the public um our staff and our families to see. It's already out. Well, she's she told me during the board meeting it may come out, so it's out there. >> Awesome. >> I'll definitely be sharing that information. And I mean, we I I would say that there's so much good work

087going on in in each of our schools and, you know, we have the right people in the right places doing the right work alongside the good work that our students are doing. I think the one thing that, you know, I'm trying to think of, um, Southside and Southerntherland were two of the schools that were listed as being approaching on track. Um, and knowing the demographics there, um, particularly at Southerntherland and then our EEL population that's at Southside, you know, I [clears throat] do wonder what >> certain communities within our community, you know, would say are the supports that they need >> uh, >> within the schools, right? you know, because I mean like I work in, you know, in EL department for Richmond and you know, I know like what goes into all of that,

088right? And certainly there's so much that's needed by um you know, English learning students and schools and so I would imagine it'd be the same case here in Denm um and then you know again knowing the demographics at Southerntherland and those are always changing because there's so much growth in the north side of the county. >> Um >> I'd imagine there's a lot of things that they probably need that we just >> uh we've tried to take for because we're trying to take account for everything since we're all learning to serve our students, but I'm certain there's some things we both >> Sure. And I just think again we're always in continuous improvement mode. So, uh I think we'll be working very closely with um the principles and the staff of those two schools to

089figure those pieces out. Um and I do appreciate what you said, Mr. Brown. It's about families, too, because sometimes it's, you know, what do families need to help support their students as well. Exactly. Okay. Well, thank you so much for your time this evening. >> Rwante, Dr. >> Actually, I appreciate Miss Clary for giving me an update about Rowanti. So, um, thank you, Miss Clary. Uh the Rwante board met December 2nd and shared a few updates as it relates to their future planned courses in engineering and manufacturing which would be a great addition for our secondary students considering the employment opportunities in our area. Furniture and equipment are starting to arrive at Rwante for the new manufacturing courses and counselors will be promoting this opportunity when scheduling starts. The goal is to have some of

090the equipment ready and set up for students that will be visiting Rowanti on their assigned opportunity day. At this moment, Dewity High School has 67 students that have signed up to attend the opportunity day on January 7th. That's awesome. And so, um, Sussex and Denwitty are assisting Prince George with advertising for a manufacturing teacher on their website as well. So, that's going to be a great opportunity for our students. Okay. BSBA conference update. Um Wayne, >> um we uh our board had the opportunity to again this year go to the um state conference, state convention for Virginia School Board Association. And um one of the benefits of that conference is the not just the networking, but they have some breakout sessions where we can get some training and um learn. So I was excited to

091attend. We we were very intentional about uh picking different sessions to go to so that we could maximize our our u growth um and knowledge. And a couple of the sessions I attended a couple of sessions that I won't spend any time talking about today. There was one about understanding the law as it relates to school boards and public schools. Another one I attended was related to the um Virginia High School League and their new rules and such. But the one that I was of particular that I found of particular interest was uh related to transportation challenges. And what I learned there, it was a packed room. They they used one of the biggest rooms there at the uh Williamsburg Lodge for that particular session. And the room was full of uh school divisions that

092are struggling with transportation as we are. And so, um I look forward to meeting with Mr. Walters at some point, talking to him about some of the things that I learned. Uh but an interesting thing, I'll just throw this out there as something for people to chew on. Um we talk often about Dimoody County and one of the things that um really creates a challenge for us in transportation is the size of our county. 57 square miles. Um I met some folks there from Augusta County, which I'm told is 971 square miles. Um, now what they don't acknowledge, they have five high schools, so that breaks the county down a little bit, but what they shared with me was that they had students that were on buses as much as three hours one way. [clears

093throat] >> Um, and of course, everyone in the room was uh reiterating that they were having uh problems finding drivers, hiring driver. That's just a I think it's a problem across the state. Um, but the folks at Augusta got really creative and um, I don't know that what they're doing could work here, but if nothing else, it inspired me to say, "Hey, let's let's all get our heads together and get creative." They're doing uh, they've put together a caravan program that um is targeting the students that live on the peripheral of their school division, school districts, so that it can shrink the bus routes. So, in other words, the kids that are on the bus the longest, they're getting them on vans with teachers or whoever that live out that way, which in turn shrinks

094the bus route and cuts down on the uh the number of bus drivers. It's just something I I don't know if it can work, but um I I I was the old expression, misery loves company. There was some comfort in knowing we're not the only ones that are dealing with this >> and getting calls all the and texts all the time. Uh but um I was inspired just to know that there are people coming up with creative solutions and I think we will. I know that there are still people struggling with this, you know, um and I see the work that the um the folks in our transportation department are doing, but I just hope folks will um be patient with us as we work through that. But I look forward to we'll meet up

095and talk about that some more. So um thank you, Madam Chair, >> and and thank you to um for for your report. There were many interesting topics that we had there and the general general sessions were just outstanding. But when Dwayne went to the one on busing, we said you take that one and we think that one now is the most pertinent one that will bring back to us that maybe some help that we can use here in Denwitti. And um some of the other session and one other session that I attended that really always resonates with me is the piece on mental health. And at our last meeting um Mr. Garn did bring us some information that we going to be getting us some help in mental health by way of a grant. So

096um and we're doing all kinds of things in the state to try to catch um these u discipline problems that may be based on a mental health issue that we can help our students. So there were really many many many um great sessions at the at the conference and also um more CTE courses getting our ch our students ready for training. So it was really a great conference. We enjoyed it and we look forward to going back again next year for more great learning. And the spring flame this year will be held in Emporia in Greenville County. So, Miss Pitman, I guess that's a change for us, isn't it? >> Yeah, we have usually do that far south, but >> yeah. So, we'll be in Emporia unless they change. >> All right. So, next we

097have um citizens comments. Madame Chair, we only had one person sign up and that's Miss Anna Bradley. And I know she's already spoken, but would you like to speak again? >> Again, just wanted to say uh thank you. And as I said, we attend about seven school board meetings in Southside Virginia. And you know, it's always instructive. uh and the maintenance department. I commend you because so many school systems have crumbling infrastructure and it seems as though you you're getting ahead of the curve and maintaining uh great buildings. We tend to think of schools as teachers and student performance and all of the other labor and support systems that go into creating a a good learning environment. So, thank you. We applaud you. >> Thank Thank you. >> And it's always great to the uh

098school boards that allow the students to have a role >> in the school system. >> Thank you. Uh board comments, board member comments. >> Um Madam Chairman, I would like for our maintenance uh head maintenance person to have his guy stand up so he can support all of them. These buildings are looking fantastic. [applause] Thank you [applause] so much. Can >> Can I make a request while they're standing? Can you introduce us to all these folks just so we can [clears throat] be with you? >> Neil Knight, he's my painter or one of my painters. Jake Pitman. He's one of my recent hires. He's a carded electrician. I stole him out of Sussex. [laughter] >> Don't so This is Curtis Hayes. He's stationed between Southside Elementary and Midway Elementary as Tech One there. He's uh

099he he's our our resident muscle man. A lot of things. Uh this is Mark Temple. He's uh one of my he's my card plumber for the county. He's been with the county. Y so they can see. This is Donnie Crowder. He's a local Deny resident. I just recently hired him as an electrician as well. Um he's he's got 40 some years of electrical background. Uh Gary P, he's our HVAC technician. He's a locality guy. Also, uh he as you can imagine, he's probably pulled in more directions than anybody that we have at this point. So, he's a great asset we have here. Eric Blaha, one of our longest tenure guys here, too. He is part of electrician. Houston over up this world level road area. Um institutional knowledge wise area they probably have mostly been

100here so long a wealth of knowledge that without we couldn't perform. This is my office manager Leslie Tucker. She is the right-hand person to everybody in the shop. She makes sure that while we're out there doing the work that she's hand holding down the board for us so that these guys can do what they're best at. This Jeff Lip Trap. He's a Carter electrician. He's stationed at DY High School. He uh he he handles almost all their electrical needs there except the lifts and uh he does a fabulous job over there as well. It's Mark Mobly. He is the tech for electrician at the middle school. I would like to say that he has he performed the most overall service orders of any of the guys in the department because the middle school needed the

101most. >> All right. So I got Monty Rainey. He's one of my recent hires. He is tech one between DY Elementary School, Sunnyside Elementary and now I have signed a few days over historic so that we keep that building up as well. He is a uh Brunswick West resident and so clerk >> and he's my favorite maintenance day. SORRY. [laughter] [snorts] Most everybody knows Daryl, but [laughter] he's a Tewan at Sland Elementary. He's got the most elementary students of anybody, and he managed to keep that building functioning pretty well. >> So, uh I'm also missing uh Marquel Tucker. He's out with uh illness. Um he's a recent hire. Uh he does our general handyman stuff, locksmith stuff. Uh he's out of Brunswick and Adenity graduate. And Yes. And uh Ben, who Ben Davis, who is

102going to be retiring here soon, he is not here tonight. He is also a painter who helped with some of those uh PM painting jobs that you saw on the screen. >> Thank you. AWESOME. [applause] >> Student representatives comments. >> Who want Did I get I didn't finish there. I I would like to say that um I I compliment the high school with their presentation and the um I totally agree on the the most important thing like the student pointed out is relationships and if we can get relationships between the students and the staff between the staff and the staff, we have a fighting chance to to get where we need to go. And the other thing is on the maintenance issue, I've physically noticed how much brighter the lights are at the high school

103inside and out. And it's a safety thing and I appreciate that. And the other thing is that whenever your your caulking guys are getting ready to go and want to come and take lessons, I have a mess at my house. [laughter] So So um and um and our opportunities for our special needs students are just wonderful. and the fact that they get um on the job hands-on training and work and work space is is absolutely important for them to be able to negotiate life when after they graduate. So, I do appreciate that leadership as well. Jason, >> uh not many comments, but definitely again, thank you to all of our staff um and everyone that's playing a role in our kids' education and not only for the students, but also for the families that enter

104in and out of our schools. Uh when I was in college in Tennessee, I I worked in grounds and maintenance to pay for my education. So I definitely have a very soft spot in my heart for that. Um so thank you for all of your hard work. Um and yes, with the rest of the programs that were mentioned and all the hard work that everyone's doing and all of our schools all getting to I I want to say we what was the the phrase for it? Distinguished >> approaching approaching on track, but I I would you know argue that we're all approaching to being distinguished. Um so congratulations to you know that is already there. But then the rest of our schools that are approaching there, you've got the right people in the right place

105and you definitely have the right students in Diwity. So I think that you will see that very soon. Apart >> from that, that's all I have. I hope our students enjoy their Christmas break. >> Now, student representatives. >> Yeah, I know we all didn't get a couple days off last week, but to those of you who did, I can definitely say we had a great snow break the other day. Much needed time off. Um, it's great to see the pay increase for the substitutes. Like we've said, it's kind of hard to get them here, and I think that that will likely encourage them to come on out. And >> [snorts] >> uh, like Mr. Walker was talking about with the VSBA workshop, I really enjoyed uh, engaging with other school board members and kind of

106seeing how their district's different from ours in terms of numbers of students and um, board members and everything of that sort. Um we did get to engage in a mock school board meeting. So we got to kind of see how um parliamentary procedure is really supposed to be done and it was a great time engaging in that. And then lastly, I just huge thank you to the maintenance crew. Um Mr. Hawkins got to brag on all his guys the whole time, but I think we need to brag on him a lot too cuz without him we couldn't have had that increase. So thank you to him and everyone else. [applause] I would also like to talk about the mock meeting that we had at the um VSBA. That was it was really nice um going

107to that and seeing like how everybody's schools is [clears throat] very much different. When we did the mock meeting, I thought it was kind of ridiculous, but at the end people were like that's how things actually were. The people at the chairs were arguing and bickering and things like that. kind of made me like so grateful about all of us here and how we get along and there's so much laughter and stuff like that. And I also like to um talk about the improvements in all of our schools, not even just the high school, just all of the students and the staffs and all the achievements of everybody and how we take our education and also personal connections with teachers and students and everybody else involved. Um, I'm really grateful for that and especially the

108maintenance. I mean, the school like the vibes is just great inside and out. >> Thank you. [applause] >> We miss Dr. Weston this evening. I do believe she's watching from home. Um, and so I am honored to speak on her behalf. Um, so just several things, just such a good meeting this evening. Um, I would like to say first, Miss Benjamin, this is your last meeting presiding as board chair. Um, and you just have a heart, a servant's heart for work and and show a true care in everything you do. You truly care about every student, every staff member, every family. So, we appreciate your leadership as board chair. Now, she's not leaving us. Don't don't get it wrong. She's with us for two more years, but in January, there's a reorganization of the board.

109So we are just thankful for your leadership in this role. >> Thank you. >> OKAY. [applause] I loved Oh, go ahead, Miss Benjamin. >> I just want to say thank you and thank to you for being with us this afternoon in Dr. West's place. >> I've enjoyed it. But Dr. Weston, you're welcome back next time. [laughter] Um, >> we shouldn't bring us the food. >> No, don't bring that. Loved the presentations this evening from preschool. Well, such hard work goes into that program and again, just congratulations to Sunnyside and Denworthy Elementary for being on that excellence honor role. Uh I think everything goes back to leadership and the hard work of our instructional staff. So, we're so thankful for that high school. Personally, I just love seeing Erica up there. [clears throat] I've known Erica

110since she was in middle school and I'm so proud of the work that the high school staff has done. I mean, she I thought she worked for the school when I first saw her here this evening. like, "Oh, she's a teacher." No, that's Erica. So, um, just a testament to what you have going on there with administrators and counselors working together to move students forward. Uh, there is no better high school than Denwitty High School. Okay. >> So, and then for with the growth this evening, I just want to say that every celebration we talked about is about our staff first. So, uh, we are so thankful for every teacher, every pair of professional, every instructional staff member, every principal, assistant principal. Those gains are your gains. Um, but I think what I love, Mr.

111Hawkins, this evening that I'm reminded of is maintenance, transportation, uh, nutrition, clerical staff, office staff, staff here. Like, everybody plays a role in the success of our students. And so we are just so thankful for every single Danwitty County Public Schools staff member uh for the work you put in. We're all rowing in the same direction and I think that shows. Uh and lastly, just we hope you all enjoy winter break that you find rest, relaxation, and just make great memories with family and friends. So thank you >> and have a wonderful wonderful holiday break. And thank you to my sarity sisters for coming as uh I think it's Jennifer Hudson who said thank you for coming by just to check on little old me and I thank you. So with that is there anything

112else that we left undone? >> Madam chair I move that we journ second. >> It has been moved and second that we adjourn. All those in favor. >> Any abstensions meeting ajourn? Thank you, Dr.