Hampton City Schools - Hampton School Board Meeting - September 3, 2025

001[Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Good evening everyone. I call the Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 meeting of the Hampton City School Board to order. Miss Sharon, will you please call the role? >> Miss Alfonsa >> here. >> Dr. Banks Gray >> here. >> Miss Cherry >> here. >> Mr. Kilgore >> here. >> Mr. Samuels >> present. >> Dr. Woodhouse >> here. >> Dr. Mason >> here. Let the record reflect that all board members are present and accounted for. The first item on tonight's agenda is the approval of Caleb Lucas and Sage Holden as the student representatives for the Hampton City School Board and Ava Turner as the alternate student representative for the 2025 2026 academic year. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chair, I move for the approval of Caleb

002Lucas and Sage Holden as the student representatives and Ava Tanner as the alternative student representative to the school board for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved and uh by Mr. Fona and seconded by Miss Cherry that we approve the said names as student reps for the 2025 2026 school year. Any discussion? Miss Charbano, you please call for the vote. >> Miss Alfanja, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore, >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >> I. Motion carries. And at this time, I will introduce each one of them to you individually and ask them to come up and say something about themselves. All right. So, we have Mr. Caleb Lucas from

003Feebas High School. [Applause] Good afternoon everybody. My name is Kale Blucas. I am a senior at Feebas High School in the Academy of the College Experience uh on the associate of social science pathway. And uh a little bit about me, I'm currently serving as drum major of the phenomenal marching fandoms at Feebas High School. Uh I'm currently an academy ambassador for the Academy of the College Experience. Um, I am I've just been elected as the Virginia uh Youth and Government Model General Assembly Attorney General. Um, and I am a member of the National Honor Society at Feebas High School. >> Next, we have Sage Holden from Bethl High School. [Applause] Hello, my name is Sage Holden. I am a junior at Bethl High School, the Academy of Law and Public Safety in the Law and

004Legal Legal Studies pathway. Outside of school, I am in the Hampton Youth Commission and served as the vice chair last year. I am also a part of the Academy of Law and Public Safety's Representative Board and a lead ambassador for the Academy of Law and Public Safety. [Applause] And our student alternate is Ava Tanner from Bethl High School. >> Good afternoon everybody. My name is Ava Tanner and I am a proud Bruin of the Bethl High School. I am in the academy of law and public safety in the law and legal studies pathway. I am a lead ambassador for my academy and also on the student advisory board. I am president of the youth and government club and I am president of a nonprofit called the alternative world changers incorporated. [Applause] I think I need

005you on this side. Stand on this side of the microphone. Did I move them to the right side? All right. All right. So, at this time, it is my distinct pleasure to swear you in. If I can have you raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. >> I a >> do solemnly affirm. do solemnly affirm >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia >> and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia >> and the constit Oh, excuse me. And that I will faithfully and impartially >> And that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge the duties incumbent upon me >> as a school board student representative >>

006for Hampton City Schools. for Hampton City Schools. >> According to the best of my ability. >> Congratulations and welcome. [Music] All right. At this time, I would like to recognize the parents of Caleb Lucas, Sage Holden, or Ava Tanner. If you're present, will you please stand? And I do want to also recognize the administrators from Feebas High School and Bethl High School. If you're here um supporting your students, please stand. >> All right. So, at this time, I will turn the meeting over to Caleb Lucas for the opening. Uh thank you, Dr. Mason. Uh today, leading us in our pledge, we have Justice South, a third grade student at Mary T. Christian Elementary School. So, if you all would please stand for our pledge. >> I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United

007States of America and to the republic of which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Awesome. Thank you, Justice. And uh we learned that you have something to prepare for us. >> Um yes. >> Awesome. Floor is yours. >> Hi everyone. My name is Justice and I'm a third grader at MGC. I am a champion and I believe in myself and my ability to learn. I will stay focused, work hard, and do my best each day. With 2020 vision, I see my goals clearly and reach for them proudly. I will be kind, respectful, and responsible. I am a leader, a thinker, and a doer. Every day is a chance to grow because I am achieving success with 2020 vision. [Applause] The favorite quote of my words of my

008mom. I can't should never be part of your vocabulary. Instead, you should say I will try until I can. >> Awesome, Justice. Thank you. I think those are words that we could all strive to live by. So, we just have a few questions for for you. Um, can you tell us what school you attend one more time? >> Mary T. Christian. >> Awesome. And, uh, what are some things that you like to do outside of school? >> Uh, I usually like to play with my friends and then just go high on the swings. >> Yes. I love that. Uh, what are what is your favorite subject right now? >> Math and reading. >> Awesome. And one last uh question. Um, let's see. >> What do you do? Do you know what you want to be

009when you grow up? >> Um, I want to be the president and I want to work at the White House. >> Awesome. And from the way that you spoke, I believe that you would do a fantastic job. >> Thank you. >> U, one more thing before you go. Um, can you tell us who's here with you today? And, uh, when you say their name, would you all please stand? >> Um, Mr. McDow. >> Dr. O, Miss Muhamad, >> Miss Mushwick, and Miss South. >> Awesome. D Justice, who who is Miss South to you? >> Um, apparently she is um she is a reading teacher at my school. >> Okay. >> And >> yes, my mom Awesome. [Applause] Thank you, Justice. You can take a seat now. Thank you. [Applause] >> Justice. >> Awesome job, Justice.

010Any comments from board members? All right. Any comments from board members in regards to Justice? I do want to say Justice, thank you so much. And to the reading teacher who brought him here, thank you so much for for sh for for sharing justice with us tonight. We greatly appreciate it. All right, let's give Justin and his reading teacher and his staff a hand, y'all. All right, moving right along. The next item on the agenda is the adoption of tonight's agenda. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chair, move approval of the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved by Mr. Kilgore and seconded by Mr. Fan that we approve tonight's agenda as presented. Any discussion? Miss Charbano, will you please call for the vote? >> Sorry. Miss Alanja >> I

011>> Miss Cherry >> I >> Dr. Banks Gray >> I >> Mr. Samuels >> I >> Mr. Kilgore >> I >> Dr. Woodhouse >> I >> Dr. Mason >> I motion carries Mr. Samuels I came from that end this time I hear it down this way. All right. So, we're going to move along with item number two, recognitions. And we're going to start with Miss Pard, Dr. Barau, and Dr. Harris for introduction of our newly hired and promoted administrators. >> Good evening, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson Aja, school board members, Superintendent Dr. Haynes, and members of the Hampton community. It is our distinct pleasure to be before you this evening to introduce the newly hired and promoted administrators. At this time, I'd like for all of the elementary administrators to come to the podium with

012me. starting with Mr. Damian Collins, principal, Brian Elementary. Mr. Rousan Holmes, principal, Burbank Elementary. Miss Mallalerie Reynolds, principal, Cooper Elementary, Magnet School for Technology. Mr. Michael Kelly, principal, Phillips Elementary. Miss Mallerie Henshaw, coordinator of early childhood education, Motton Early Childhood Center. Miss Nicole Lewis, assistant principal, Aberdine Elementary. Miss Sarah Hammond, assistant principal, Brian Elementary. Miss Jennifer Carter, assistant principal, Burbank Elementary. Miss Jillian Raldi, assistant principal, Patrick Elementary. Dr. Tanita Doer, assistant principal, Phillips Elementary. Miss Alexis Jones, assistant principal, Smith Elementary. And not joining us this evening due to a previous commitment, Mrs. Mary Branchling, principal of Smith Elementary. Let's give these administrators a round of applause. gonna turn the mic over to Miss Pard to introduce the secondary administrators. >> Okay, before you all return to your seats, I'm going to ask that the board

013please come forward so that the new administrators can shake your hands and then if you would remain in place for the secondary and central office administrators. Nice to meet you. Thank you. >> Nice to meet you. >> Welcome to your new position. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Top webcam security cover. >> It is now my pleasure to introduce our new secondary administrators. if you would join me at the podium as they are coming. We do have two who are unable to be with us this evening, but I would like to recognize Dr. Jared Monroe, the new principal at Eton Fundamental Middle School, and also Mr. Travis Riddick, the academy principal at Hampton. Hi, there are unable to be with us, but we are so pleased to have with us, and I'm going to

014ask that as I introduce you, you go up and shake hands if that's okay. Dr. Heidi Brzinski, principal at Jones Magnet Middle School. >> Dr. Derek Savage, assistant principal, Terrant Middle School. And last, but certainly not least, a new face to Hampton City Schools, Mr. Lou Radford, Academy Principal, Kickotan High School. At this time, I will be introducing all central office administrators newly appointed. First, we have Miss Mary Hollifffield, who is the elementary English language arts curriculum leader. We have Miss April Fry who is the newly appointed assistant director of special education. [Applause] We have Miss Sarah Nuome, assistant director of human resources. We have Miss Angie Rabby, interim coordinator of psychological services. who is unable to join us this evening, as well as Miss Sharon Slater, assistant director of human resources, who was also

015unable to join us this evening. At this time, I'm going to turn the mic over to Miss Goral. Right. >> Good evening, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson Aana, school board members, Superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes, and our HCS community. Before Miss Cherry actually steps to the microphone to assist with tonight's recognitions, we have a special presentation to share with you to welcome everyone back to the new school year. Next slide. So, >> welcome, welcome, >> welcome, as you heard Missa say. So on August 15th, more than 3,000 Hampton City School staff members gathered at the Boo Williams Sportslex for our third annual celebration of excellence back to school kickoff. Officially launching our 2526 school year hosted once again by Dr. Kim Richardson and Miss Heather Peterson. The event featured greetings from school board chair Dr. Richard

016Mason and vice chair Stephanie Jackson Afanja along with superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes, who celebrated record graduation and dropout rates and encouraged its staff to move forward united as one community, one transformation. Our keynote speaker, Michael Bonner and nationally recognized educator and author inspired the crowd with his powerful message of positivity, purpose, and reimagining what's possible in education. The morning also included a spirited mascot race that keeps growing each year. more and more mascots come on, friendly competitions, and recognition of our teachers and support employees of the year, topped off with cheers, smiles, and plenty of school spirit. It was an unforgettable kickoff to the new school year. So, let's take a look at the highlights. >> Welcome to the 2025 2026 school year. >> I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride. Your commitment to our

017students, our schools, and this community makes a lasting impact. >> Who you are as an individual bleeds into that school system. [Music] This journey has been extraordinary and it is because of the passion, dedication, and heart that each of you brings to our division every single day. That was That was a big race. These incredible team members exemplify skill, dedication, and expertise in their work. >> Here's to an extraordinary 2526 school year. >> As you can see, we had a good time. before we advance to the next slide. Um, so each school year we as a school division, we create a back tochool video, a welcome video to share with our families and staff before the start of the year. This year's video showcased our work around Master Plan 2.0 in K12 learning. To keep

018things fun, we added a playful little twist inspired by a popular Gummy Bear commercial, complete with our very own Kid Voices. So, let's take a look. >> Welcome. Welcome. Career fairs are the best. I want to be a fireman putting out fire. I want to be a physical therapist cuz I can help people fix their benjy putts. I want to be a teacher when I grow up. Cuz teachers get to talk all day and nobody says sh to them. >> When we make a plan, we see who we can be. >> Can I be the CEO? I've got my boss's voice down. >> We haven't even decided what we're selling yet. Chill, boss man. >> How about bookmarks? I mean, we all read. >> Yes. That's fire. I call marketing. Posters, flyers, maybe even a

019jingle with a dance move. >> I'll handle the money. Already organized my Halloween candy by value. >> Cool, cool, cool. >> Just making sure. I'm still the boss, right? >> Leaning into my future, one blueprint at a time. >> I helped produce a podcast today. Nailed the audio. Super clean. I whipped up a full meal for our community partners. Pretty sure I crushed it. Chef's kiss. Nurse mode activated. No passing out. Total win. >> Welcome back, Hampton City Schools. >> Excuse me. This year, we will continue to grow, to dream, and to prepare every student for a future they can see and truly believe in. Our promise to our students, families, and community is that every student will graduate as a portrait of a Hampton graduate. From our youngest learners taking their first steps in

020school to the seniors preparing for their final year, every student belongs here. They are capable. Their future begins today. Here's to an incredible year of learning, growth, and success. As we live out our mantra, one community, one transformation, excellence with intentionality. I'm ready to go be me. >> I'm ready to go be me. Let's go. >> All our voice actors. So, something a little different this year, but we wanted to do a spin on our master plan 2.0 and our signature experiences and that K12 learning. Um, on Monday, this past last Monday, August 25th, we officially welcomed students back for the start of the 2526 school year. It was a wonderful day across Hampton City Schools filled with excitement and lots of smiles. Here's a look at our first day. From the early morning sendoff

021at the transportation lot, which you all were there with us, to schools across the division greeting students as they walked through the doors. >> There you go. [Music] Happy >> happy birthday. [Music] >> Welcome back. [Music] Back to the home of everyday. [Music] Woo! Welcome to the school. Yay! [Music] Check it. [Music] Welcome back. >> So, we made sure in the video we absolutely captured that we were all at the bus lot in the dark. And for the listening audience, I will let them know that Miss Cherry beat most of the schoolboard members there before 5:30 a.m. >> to the point where I looked across the parking lot and said, "Is that Miss Cherry?" >> Point of order. Miss Cherry spent the night. I just want to >> She may She may. Um, another piece

022that you saw in the video is um the where they were doing the pictures with the DJ. That was at Aberdeen. This week is an exciting time for Hampton. >> Dr. Oliver, she's all excited over there. Um, but that was their kiss and drop for their kindergarten students. So, that was a special place for whenever the, you know, those new parents dropping off their kindergarten students and having those those moments. They had a kiss and drop and that was the DJ and their picture moment so that they could drop them and let them walk in the door without them. So, I wanted to point that out before Dr. Oliver hits play because she's really excited over there. So, this past Thursday, August 28th, we launched our first episode of season 3 of our Hampton City's

023podcast, HCS Talks. We've been building on the success of season 1 and two with 85 episodes already recorded between season 1 and season 2 and nearly 9,000 downloads. Our podcast continues to reach listeners not only across the United States, but around the world with audiences in places such as Singapore, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Brazil, and many more. Each episode is designed to educate, inform, and engage our community and beyond. Topics spotlight education, our students, teachers, support staff, parents, programs, and initiatives, community partnerships, and much more. and new episodes drop almost every Thursday throughout the school year and are available on all major podcast platforms. So without further ado, Dr. Oliver, would you hit play? >> City schools and we welcomed back over 19,000 students for the new school

024year. So I thought it would be fitting to stop by a few of our schools and sit down with several of our students. Do you have a goal for yourself as a fifth grader this year? >> Yes. >> What is it? >> To stay out of drama. to stay out of drama. >> Yes. Did >> your parents talk to you about staying out of drama? Trinity. >> Yes. >> Oh, it does. That's great advice, Elijah. >> Enjoy while it lasts and embrace it for real. Cuz you Yeah. >> Enjoy it while it lasts and embrace it because it flies by quick. >> It most certainly does. >> Yeah. It's like literally yesterday I was in sixth grade and now today I'm in eighth grade and it's like I didn't expect it to go by that

025fast. >> Listen to learn more about Hampton City Schools. New episodes of HCS Talks drop on Thursdays. Subscribe and listen to HCS Talks. HCS Talks is a Hampton City Schools production. >> You can move to the next slide. >> This week is an exciting. >> This week is an >> You know, hired help. No, [Music] >> you're doing a great job, Dr. Oliver. All right. So, Miss Robin Ruth, she was unable to join us tonight, but we want to extend a huge thank you to the exceptional team who helped make the celebration of excellence event a huge success. From our planning committee to those who assisted the day before, including several airmen from Joint Base Langley Eustace Ground Transportation under the 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron. This air squad helped stuff over 3,000 lunch bags and

026we are truly grateful. A special thank you as well to our outstanding MC's, Dr. Kim Richardson and Heather Peterson, and to everyone who lent a hand the day of the event. We also can't forget our very spirited pep squad and our game masters, our transportation supervisors and dispatchers who managed that traffic flow, and our bus drivers who transported more than 3,000 staff members to and from the sportslex. And a very special thank you goes to Ashley Hall for their tremendous her tremendous efforts behind the scenes. I'd also like to recognize Mr. Andy Foley and the entire Peg TV staff for their creativity and hard work on our back to school videos and our podcast. Under Mr. Foley's leadership, the entire team captured the excitement and energy of this new school year. And then you can

027go ahead to the next slide. There's no video, don't worry. All right. So, ladies and gentlemen of the board, as you can see from this photo of Dr. Mason and me on the screen, we are really excited about the year ahead. So to end the presentation, we have even more exciting news to share with you. We are proud to announce that Hampton City Schools has been named to the fourth list of America's best instate employers 2025, presented in partnership with Statista, a global leader in data and industry analysis. The award was announced on August 19th and can be viewed on the Forbes website. Hampton City Schools is only one, again, only one of four public school divisions throughout Virginia to be earned this distinction alongside Henriiko County Public Schools, Prince William County Public Schools, and

028Lowden County Public Schools. Yes, absolutely. This recognition, America's best in state employers 2025, is based on an independent survey of more than 160,000 US employees working for organizations with at least 500 employees. Over 2 million evaluations were considered combined direct employee feedback with recommendations from peers, family members, and individuals working in the same industry. So, it's important to note this is not something we applied for. This was based on our employee feedback that they sought. So this recognition underscores that Hampton City Schools continues to set the standard for workplace excellence, employee satisfaction, and student success both regionally and statewide. I think that deserves another huge round of applause. >> And Dr. Mason, that concludes our back to school presentation. Miss Cherry can proceed to the microphone. >> All right. Thank you so much. That is

029that is um >> impressive that you you snuck that one in on us. We >> I did. It was very exciting. We're going to share all that news tomorrow with a press release. It'll be on our website. We'll send it out to staff members, principles. We're asking tomorrow principles will get an email asking to put it on their mares. We've got little um signatures to put on our emails. We're very excited. >> Awesome. Awesome. And I would like to say it was it's an exciting morning. Um, thankful to everyone who had a hand in our our first day of school activities and and getting up at o dark 30 in the morning is certainly not an easy feat and it was so great to see Miss Cherry first thing in the morning, but kudos to

030transportation. I see Mr. Will sitting back there. You guys do that every day. Every day. So, thank you all very much for that, Miss G. All right. So, we're proud tonight to celebrate the achievements of an outstanding student athlete, a member of our transportation department, the food nutrition services department, and our 2526 teachers of the year. So, we're going to start with Jamar Osafo, a junior at Feebas High School. We were unable to recognize Jamar in July with our other two state champions. So, we're excited to have him here this evening with us. Would you join me down front by the podium? [Applause] The Virginia High School League's Class 4 state track meet was held back in June, right before the end of the school year. Jamar earned his first individual state championship title for

031the 300 meter hurdle with a time of 38.07 seconds. [Applause] Miss Cherry, I'm gonna hand it over to you. >> Jamar, come on up here. Pumpkin, >> you know, I heard that's your first state championship title. >> I don't It's my third one. >> It's your third one. That was your first what? >> Individual one. >> Indiv. Explain that, Pumpkin. >> Um, that was my first individual title. I also have two state titles with Kickotan High School. Mhm. Awesome. Okay. Something tells me you're going to have another individual title as well. Um I'm going to present you with a certificate on behalf of our chair, Dr. Mason, vice chair, um Miss Jackson Alan, Hampton School Board Superintendent. We're also very proud of you and I'm honored to give you this certificate as well as a

032cohen. The certificate reads certificate of achievement from the Hampton City School Board. Congratulations. Proudly presented to Jamal Osifo, Feebas High School 300 meter hurdles 24205 Virginia High School lead class 4 state champion. Let's have another round of applause. The certificate is for you and that coin is for you as well. Now before you go to your seat, is Mr. Mlin here? Paul Mlin, is your coach here? Mr. Mlin, please stand and be recognized. See you sitting back there. You I know you're proud. Yes, we want you to be recognized as well as and I I always have to do this. Mr. Richard Fortune, who heads up our athletic program for the entire school division. Mr. fortunate you have set the standard for us so high that when we do these recognitions we're not shocked because

033we have people right here like Jamar who always make us proud I mean even look at the way he's dressed right let's hear it for him I'll tell you looks so good pumping now if there are any parents family members special guests administrators additional coaches or teachers in the audience who are here supporting Jamar please stand and be recognized. Support is important. That is awesome. Thank you so much. And congratulations again for bringing home a state championship and making us look good. Okay, you can take your seat. Darn it. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> All right, for our next recognition, I'm going to ask Tim Colin from the HCS Transportation Department to join me up front at the podium. Well, you know he's coming up here for something. Let's hear some applause. There you go,

034Mr. Colin. >> You want to come right down here first? Oh, >> well, you know, hey, see, that's why they call them the driving force. You see, I love it. >> Well, and Mr. Colin, from everything I've heard from Mr. Wills. He does not like this attention whatsoever and was could not believe he was being invited to a school board meeting. But you're going to find out why in just a moment. >> We'll find out. >> So, Mr. Colin won the Virginia Best School Bus Technician Competition in Richmond, Virginia at the 2025 Joint Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference and the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation. He earned first among 21 other mechanics, which is quite an achievement. Let's give him a huge round of applause. So, a little bit about the competition. The first portion

035of the competition consisted of a 50 question written exam administered and score by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. In the second half, technicians rotated through two practical bus stations. One involving diagnostic troubleshooting on a non-starting school bus and another focused on completing part of the Virginia Department of Education's 45day school bus safety inspection. And if I'm remembering correctly, Mr. Darren Wills, our director of transportation, shared that the bus that Mr. Collin had to work on was not even the same brand of bus that we have here at Hampton City Schools. Wow. So, it's almost like if you're used to working at a Honda dealership and then you got to work on a Chevy, you got to adjust real quick. And Tim here earned the highest overall score among all of the competitors. So,

036let's give him a huge round of applause. Have some cheerleaders. >> Oh yeah. Come on, Mr. Cullen. Okay. Now, I know you're shy, or at least they said you were. Okay. But before I present you with the certificate, on a Cohen, I want to share what our Hampton City Schools transportation director, Darren Wills, said about you and your achievement. Has he told you? >> Just told me he's proud of me. >> Uhhuh. Well, he said a little bit more, Pumpkin. In fact, I want Mr. Wills, who leads such a fantastic group of people, to stand while I read what you said about Mr. Mr. Cullen, Mr. Wills, please stand. Yes, stand. Okay, this is what he said. I've been attending the VAPT conference for over 26 years, and this is the first time Hampton City

037Schools has placed first. [Music] >> Tim competed against top mechanics from multiple districts under tight time constraints and came out on top. We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated and talented team of mechanics here at Hampton City Schools. Congratulations, Mr. Collins. Great words, Mr. Wills. Okie dokie. This certificate reads, "Certificate of achievement from the Hampton City School Board. Congratulations. Proudly presented to Tim Cullen. Virginia best school bus." And look, it did not say Virginia good school bus. It didn't say Virginia better school bus. This says Virginia best school bus technician award. Congratulations. And here's a special coin for you as well. Now, while I was honored to present that certificate and that coin, I know and I can hear there are many people here supporting Mr. Cullen. So with all the family people,

038additional guests, administrators, all of those in the audience support Mr. Cullen, please stand and let us hear. >> Thank you so much again. Congratulations. And we're so proud of you being part of that driving force. Thank you. And Miss Cherry, it's important to note they are this excited at 5:00 a.m. >> as they are at 7:15 p.m. I've been >> I know we saw it. I couldn't believe it. Yes. >> Just as excited at 5:00 a.m. All right. For our next recognition, I'd like to call Miss Edwina Forest of the Hampton City Schools Food Nutrition Services Department and her members of her team to the podium. Come on, all of y'all. This is your award. All right, we have everybody slowly coming. So, as many of you may have already seen on social media because

039VSBA posted this information as well and on our HCS website, our Hampton City Schools schools food and nutrition services department under the leadership of Miss Edwina Forest recently received the 2025 Virginia School Boards Association Foodforthought award in the category of afterchool meal programs. The award was presented during the 40th annual VSBA conference on education that was held in Short Pump, Virginia on July 25th. Hampton City Schools launched its after-school meals program through the Food Nutrition Services Department to address the growing need for student nourishment during afterchool hours. Recognizing that the time between lunch and dismissal is too long, especially for students staying for enrichment activities, the division created this program to support student wellness and equity. Miss Forest, you and your team, could you please join me on stage? [Applause] We are so proud of

040all of you. You take your time, Pumpkin. Listen. Um, our chair, Dr. Mason, our vice chair, Miss Stephanie Jackson Aana, and I along with our student rep, Caleb Lucas. We were there when this award was presented at Short Pump at VSBA. And it's so interesting, Miss Gore, because we were seated with some people from Virginia Beach, and they said to us while we were trying to cut through that chicken that was I wish we had yours, but okay. They said to us, um, we're here because we're getting an award. And I looked at Mr. AJ and I said, look, let me tell you something. Wait till they see this. So, we were so proud when they called up us called us up to present this award. And I'm going to read it. Okay. Come on

041over here, P. Okay. VSBA or 2025 food forthought award Hampton City Schools after school meal programs above 10,000 and1 congratulations also this certificate of achievement from the school board says congratulations proudly presented to food and nutrition services Virginia school boards association food forthought award 2025. So, you got that, too. And you've got to have this lucky coin that keeps you um keeps me lucky. >> Keeps you lucky, but also keeps you cooking good stuff. >> Okay. So, that's your coin. This is the best food service team ever. Let's give them another round of applause. >> And if you could move over, I'm gonna get a picture of everyone. >> Oh, okay. >> All right. Everybody smile. >> Now, for those in the audience who are here to support our outstanding food service department, please stand

042and be recognized. There you go. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you again, Miss Forest, for leading such an outstanding team. We appreciate it. All right. So, our final recognition this evening, it is our pleasure to recognize our 2025 2026 HCS elementary, middle, high, and overall teachers of the year. And before I call them up, let me provide some background. So, this past spring, we recognized our individual school teachers of the year and 12 finalists. You all remember our lovely banquet that we had. These finalists participated in an interview process with the division level teacher of the year selection committee and a team visited their classrooms to observe their teaching practices. At our celebration of excellence back to school kickoff event on August 15th, we ended the event by announcing our 2025 2026 HCS elementary, middle,

043and high school teachers of the year as well as our overall HCS teacher of the year in front of over 3,000 of their colleagues and honor them with the their plaques and a banner. So, congratulations. As I call your name, please come up to the podium. We've got Miss Stacy an FY, our HCS middle school teacher of the year. [Applause] We have Miss Ashley Winfield, our HCS high school teacher of the year. And we have Miss Shante Jackson who is our HCS elementary school teacher of the year and our divisionwide HCS teacher of the year. So candidates for the teacher of the year are considered based on the following criteria. Concern for each student, ability to inspire learning and all students of all backgrounds and abilities. The ability and willingness to devote time and energy

044to activities that result in improved instruction for children. The ability to work effectively with the community. The desire to keep a breast of current educational theories and practices. The ability and willingness to make contributions to the field of education. The ability to create and implement innovative educational practices and respected and admired by their students, parents, and colleagues. So, these exceptional educators here tonight in front of us have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and teaching and a passion for inspiring their students. Let's give them a big round of applause. >> And would you three please join me on stage? Okay, before we get into the good stuff, I want to just share some information about these ladies. Miss Stacy Anne Facy, raise your hand because you're on camera. Okay. Miss Stacy Anne Facy, our Hampton City

045Schools middle school teacher of the year, is a language arts teacher at Lindsay Middle School. Miss Facy calls Boston her hometown and has 20 years of experience in the field of education with two in Hampton City Schools. Miss Facy said one of her most impactful experiences as a teacher was publishing books featuring her students writings. Instead of just expressing to them verbally about the importance of literacy, she was able to model this very vital message to them. As a result, her scholars saw themselves as authors and they took pride in their assignments, especially in their writing. Thus, their self-esteem improved and their grades improved significantly. Mr. Hicks, Sheree Hicks, the principal of Lind Lindsay Middle School, had some things to say about you, Miss Facy. Okay, Mr. Hicks, are you here? Need you to stand.

046Okay, you need to see who's talking about you. Okay. Mr. Share Hicks, principal of Lindsay Middle School, said, "We are so proud of the success of Miss Facy. Her classroom becomes a place where scholars would not only learn but also become better versions of themselves. She prides herself on establishing high expectations, not only for her scholars, but for herself as well. Hampton City Schools and Lindsay are grateful for all that she has done and will do for our scholars. She believes in our creed, which is challenge accepted, and Hampton City School's mission of every child, every day, whatever it takes. Let's give Miss Facy a a round of applause as we recognize her as the 2025 26 Hampton City Schools Middle School teacher of the year. We're going to present you with some flowers. And

047if you get to her that schoolboard coin as well, that's okay. Let's have another round of applause. Okay. Next, we have Miss Ashley Winfield. She's our high school teacher of the year for Hampton City Schools. Miss Winfield is a language arts teacher as well at Feebas High School whose hometown is Hampton, Virginia. She has over 14 years of experience with seven, half of them in Hampton City Schools. Miss Winfield said that one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching for her is seeing her students grow into confident, prepared individuals. Whether guiding seniors through career exploration or ensuring they graduate employed, enlisted in the military, or enrolled in a trade or higher education. She takes pride in her success. Mr. David Kley, Mr. Kley, let me tell you what he said about you. She's so excited.

048Okay. The principal of FEAS High School, Mr. Kley said, "The Falcony staff and administration are beyond proud of Ashley Winfield and her recognition as Hampton City Schools High School teacher of the year. Ashley Winfield epitomizes Feebas High School's purpose of greatness every day in every way. All right, let's have another hand for Miss Winfield. [Applause] >> Flowers for you. >> Oh, yeah. And did you get your coin? Did you get her co Okay. All righty. All right. I can tell you're a go-getter. You went over there and got your flowers. Okay. Now moving on, last but certainly not least is our final honore, Miss Shante Jackson. Miss Jackson, our 2025 2026 Hampton City Schools elementary teacher of the year and is also our divisionwide for the whole thing teacher of the year. Miss Jackson, a

049first grade teacher at Basset Elementary School, is from Augusta, Georgia. You and James Brown. Okay. and has seven years of experience, four of which have been with Hampton City Schools. Miss Jackson's dedication to setting high expectations for her students and empowering them to strive for excellence is truly inspiring. Miss Jackson says that what she loves most about teaching is helping students learn to read. She said there is nothing more rewarding than seeing all the skills she has taught, letter sounds, blending, heart words, finally come together as they began reading independently. The moment when a student realizes they can read a book on their own, she says, is truly magical. Their confidence grows and they start to see themselves as real readers. She loves watching their excitement as they decode new words and understand stories, opening

050up a whole new world for them. She says that helping students develop a love for reading is at the heart of what she does and seeing their progress makes every challenge worthwhile. Let's hear it. Let's hear it for our Hampton City Schools number one teacher of the year, Dr. Rohan Cumberbatch Smith. Oh, I'm gonna make him stand up. Don't even say it. Uh, come back Smith. Oh, he's already standing. I like that. Alrighty. Say it. Miss Jackson carries her childlike spirit and energy into her classroom, working to make learning interesting, fun, and relevant for her students. This is reflected in the physical environment, her high expectations, her enrichment activities, her consistent communication with parents, and her life love lifelong love of learning and personal professional growth. We are more than proud, he says, and excited

051to have her represent Hampton City Schools as teacher of the year. Let's give Miss Shante Jackson another round of applause as we recognize her not only for elementary school teacher of the year, but also for the divisionwide teacher of the year. >> Congratulations. >> We want to congratulate these top educators. But before you return to your seats, we'd like to recognize all family members, any special guests who are in the audience, your administrators, your colleagues, those who have your back. Please stand and be recognized. Thank you. See, we want to thank you for being here tonight because we know what it takes to be a teacher. You know what it takes to be a teacher. And for the members of the families, we want to thank you from our heart for putting up with what

052you have to put up with so that they can make our students the best students in the state of Virginia. Thank you again. And thank you guys. You all can be seated. I know you don't want to go, but you got to go on. Okay. Now watch that. Okay. Please know how much we appreciate all of you all and everything you do for those teachers as well. >> I couldn't say it any better. Chair Mason, that concludes our recognitions for this evening. >> Thank you very much. I tell you, let's give Miss Cherry a round of applause. Nobody. >> She is absolutely the best when it comes to recognitions. Um, but any any comments from board members in regards to any of the recognitions? >> I just don't know how you cannot be excited. >>

053Listen, >> when you you know, when you think about other school divisions across this state and right here in our own um 757 area, nobody has what we have and and there's no way you cannot be excited for all the wonderful things going on in Hampton City Schools. Thank you, Mr. Superintendent, for your leadership and administrative team. and thank those teachers for all they do. >> Yes. Thank you. Especially thank you to our teachers. When we look at the the low turnover rate that we had this year and the and the record number of teachers returning to Hampton City Schools, I'm truly shocked and excited about the Forbes recognition, but that also lines up with what's going on in Hampton City Schools. And so I want to thank the the teachers and the staff members

054and everyone who pours into our kids every day. Thank you all for for making Hampton City Schools a great place to be and a great place to work. All right, so moving right along. The next item on our agenda is the consent agenda 3.01, personnel report 25-13. What's the pleasure of the board? >> I move that we uh approve consent agenda 3.0 on personnel report number 25-13. >> Second. >> All right, it's been properly moved by Mr. Samuels and seconded by Miss Afan that we approve tonight's consent agenda. Any discussion, >> Miss Sharon, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss Aja, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore, >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >>

055I motion carries. Item number four, superintendent and staff reports. I will now turn it over to Dr. Haynes. Thank you, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson Lefanja, members of the board in the Hampton community. For our first presentation, Mr. James Bailey, security supervisor for Hampton City Schools, and Master Patrolman Brian Thirsten, school resource officer, will provide an overview of the role of school resource officers in Hampton City Schools. They will also highlight some of the security measures currently in place across Hampton City Schools facilities. Good evening, Chairman Mason, Vice Chairman Jackson Aana, school board members, Dr. Haynes. It's my pleasure to introduce to you Master Patrolman Brian Thirstston, school resource officer with the Hampton Police Division. Officer Thirstston plays a key role in keeping our school safe in building strong relationships with our students and staff.

056His presence reflects the outstanding partnership between Hampton City Schools and the Hampton Police Division. In collaboration rooted in trust, communication, and shared commitment to our school uh excuse me, commitment to our school community, we are grateful for Officer Thirsten's service and proud to have him in here this evening. Officer Thirstston will provide information about the Hampton Police Division School Resource Officer Unit. And at the conclusion of his presentation, I'll provide a list of some of the safety measures that Hampton City Schools currently utilizes to ensure a safe and nurturing school environment. At this time, please join me in welcoming Officer Brian Thirstston. [Applause] >> Good evening, everyone. How are you? >> Good evening. >> Good. Good. Uh Dr. Bowling, you'll have to forgive me. I might go quick at a couple points. It's going to

057be some quick clicks. Uh this evening, I just want to touch base with everybody real quick, give you a brief overview, uh some introductions of our unit, some of our areas of responsibility as the police officers that are assigned to work in Hampton City Schools. Uh the law enforcement and schools partnership, touch on ourou that we have between the police division and Hampton City Schools real quick. Uh and then also that's kind of our uh our shining moments of the programs that the school resource officers participate in. So this this here shares the it's the SRO triad. This is is what the state uh believes as well as what we believe is the appropriate relationships for police officers to operate within schools. You see, there's three key areas. The law enforcement officer, the law rellated

058educator, and the role model mentor. Uh obviously, each of us play different roles when we come into the schools depending on the circumstances or the situation that we find ourselves in. Uh ultimately the the white circle in the middle of the little diagram there is what we're all here for is the student success. We want to do everything we can to support the students of Hampton City Schools not only in the buildings but you'll see as we progress into some of the later slides where I talk about some of the programs that we participate in. And those programs are what what we truly enjoy is the opportunity we have to interact with our students in Hampton. So, the law enforcement educator. Um, two key photos here. You see, it's real easy to talk about these

059two folks in these two photos because they're two of my favorite people. Uh, on the left hand side there is Officer Bertram. He is the school resource officer at Hampton High School. He's seated in the back of the room if anybody would like to speak to him. Uh, and then also Officer Felman on the right there. Uh, she's relatively new to the school resource officer unit. She you see her there with her K9 partner Lex. Uh we're going to talk a little bit about what Learning with Lex is, a new program that began this year with Hampton City Schools. But the key to both of these photos here is it shows, you know, our students and our young people the human side of a police officer. A lot of times in the community, they may

060not have those types of interactions. It may be, you know, in a time of crisis. It may be in a time of some type of an act of violence or whatever may occur in the community. So to come into the school setting, allow our students that opportunity to see us in a different light. See us that we are human too and that we want to do everything we can to support them. Part of that support comes through the education. Um there's various programs, like I said, I don't want to steal my own thunder from the end here, but we there is a curriculum through the state attorney general's office called Virginia Rules that we participate in. It is it is so based. We can follow along with the SOS that the students are learning in

061their classrooms. But it also approves some uh some approved guidelines and presentations that we can provide to the students. Internet safety, stranger danger maybe for the little kids, you know, what to do if you get pulled over by the police. That's key for a new driver that they understand the appropriate interactions with law enforcement and those types of situations. The role model mentor, this is the most rewarding for us working in the schools. Uh the interactions that you see that we get to have with our kids. Um, some more of my favorite people. The photograph on the left, uh, was master police officer Dy. Used to be the school resource officer at Bethl High School. Uh, he teaches our police academy now, but you see the interactions that he had with the young people when

062he was at Bethl High School. Those are the relationships that we as police officers working in these schools strive for every day. Uh, on the photo the photograph on the right hand side there is Officer Edelman. She is now the school resource officer at Bethl High School. Um she this is with her students at Andrews prek through eight. Uh again the little kids we want to get in with them at the youngest level so they can create that positive interaction and pro positive uh influence from a police officer. And then the law enforcement officer. This is not a real traffic stop that occurred at any of our schools. But again, this is officer Dye going through interactions with his students and expressing to them and explaining to them what do I do if I've been

063stopped by the police? What what type of information should I provide to them? The law enforcement officer too is also our responsibility in the schools. This is where the safety aspect comes into it. How do we keep our kids safe? What is our responsibility in the building? ultimately as the sole police officer in our high schools and middle schools, the the officer's responsibility then becomes to really be the the kind of night and shining armor, if you will, the one that responds to the crisis, the one that calls for emergency services, additional support, whatever they may need. That is that is the safety aspect associated to what we do. So, the law enforcement and schools partnership uh not too long ago, I don't have the exact year, but the Commonwealth of Virginia actually defined the

064relationship of SRO's and the school divisions that they serve. Uh the administrative code of Virginia listed there defines what that should look like. That defines the requirement to be a school resource officer in the Commonwealth. uh you have to have you see at the bottom there a minimum of two years certified as a law enforcement officer in the state of Virginia as well as the completion of mandatory training school resource officer training put on by Virginia DCJS. This ensures that even through our competitive process in Hampton to where we select our school resource officers that we have the best fit possible. They're in it for the right reasons. Yes, we work Monday through Friday. We're home at night and off most weekends. However, our response to these students, they then become our children. The phone

065rings all hours of the day and night. The the weekends are not weekends because there's school events that we may be there to participate in. So, understanding that process of selection, which is also kind of guided through the state, guided through the state provides the the code there provides that that real clarity as to what the expectation is. Uh in the middle there, you see that we employ uh full-time police officers at all four of of our high schools as well as all eight of our middle schools as well as our alternative education site. Uh each elementary school has an assigned officer that regularly checks in. Uh I myself went around to the majority of our elementary schools over the last uh week and a half and our officers are in these elementary schools. Sometimes

066the little ones are the escape from some of the bigger ones, but you know, we always try to find that opportunity to get out and interact with our different kids of all ages. So, the the memorandum of understanding uh was drafted several years ago between Hampton City Schools and the police division. This clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the police officer in each building as well as the relationship with the administrator, uh dissemination of information, different things of that nature. Obviously understanding that we follow the same guidelines as any school employee with furpa. We we do not just blindly disseminate any students information to anyone. Thisou expresses very clearly what the expectation of the school division is for us. And when we adhere to that to to the tea, um the the purpose of

067that is is to protect the kids. We're not just there for their safety, but we're also there to protect their rights and their abilities to function and be in a safe place while they're in Hampton City Schools. That's important to us. Also, understanding what the law says about providing that information to outside parties and things of that nature. Um, it also goes in depth a little bit more as to what the school resource officers will and won't do and the interactions with the students. Obviously, administrators deal with administrative things. If something arises to the level of a violation of law, the administrators have great working relationships with all of our our SRO's, and they know immediately to kind of tag in each other depending on what the circumstances are at hand. So, like I said,

068the programs, this is this is where we really enjoy what we get to do and interacting with our kids every day. So, Virginia rules, it's from the Attorney General's office in Virginia. When I tell you I could go in and pull up a lesson plan, say about internet safety that I want to go teach to a group of second graders. It gives me a pretest. It gives me a PowerPoint. It gives me a post test. Everything I need to go in and provide the exact same experience for Miss Smith's class. I could go proide provide to Miss Jones class. So, all of our students would receive the same type of information. uh keep the peace program uh is instructed by some of our school resource officers. It is actually a court-ordered program that is a

069deferment to further criminal proceedings for some of our students that are in the juvenile justice system. We try to defer everything possible when we go through the process if we have any type of violation of law with one of our students. Keep the peace is is a great program for that. Uh operation prom uh it is a program that all four high school school resource officers do every year. talk about the dangers of drunk driving, uh, being, you know, curfew violations, whatever it could be associated to that. Um, the is the significance of that interaction for a lot of high school students sticks with them, so they're going to make good decisions on them on prom night. Learning with Lex uh, and young men of distinction. So, these are our newest programs. Uh, I wish

070officer Felman could have been here with me tonight and her partner Lex. We will try to get her back here another time to introduce you all if you've not yet met her. Uh my wife is actually a title one reading interventionist at Craft Elementary School. She partnered with uh Officer Felman to come up with a program of how we can get kids that may struggle a little bit with reading to to read a little bit better, give them a little bit more motivation. The students at CRAFT now have the opportunity to read to Lex. So, learning with Lex is a program they started at Craft. Been very successful, very wellliked by everybody. Um, again, another person that is not here that I wish could have been here is Officer Carter from Terrar Middle School. He

071has created a young men's group called the Young Men of Distinction. It is how to tie a tie. It's how to change a flat tire. It's how to do gardening. It's life skills for these young men that he has spearheaded and it is incredible. Um, I cannot rave enough about him also because in my career I was his lead academy instructor and I claim that I taught him everything he knows. That may not be the case one way or the other, but this group is is truly uh something that he has taken on full steam ahead and has been excellent. Um, additionally, high school and middle school sports. Uh, our school resource officers support all high school football games, basketball games, any other events we may need. We also cover all middle school sports uh

072that go on. Uh, one thing that I don't have listed and then I'll pass it over to Mr. Bailey, uh, is our relationship with our Hampton City Schools transportation. I wish Mr. Wills was still here because I told him earlier today when he was with me at Bethl doing the traffic that I was going to shout him out. The relationship with our transportation department is incredible. They are the best of the best. I know you all know this, but they truly are the best of the best. And our working relationship with them is second to none. They are a great partner. we work hand in hand. We have access to their bus radios where we can communicate with them if they have some type of crisis going on. Um as well as Mr. Wills has

073been a resource to me at Bethl with the construction and everything that we've done to kind of adjust that to get everybody in and out of Bethl High School. But those relationships are truly the relationships that we're we're most thankful for. Mr. Bailey, >> thank you. Officer Thirst, next slide, please. You know, ultimately, uh, our security department, um, works diligently with the police department every day to to build a a ser safe, nurturing, nurturing environment for our our students and our staff. Um, and we work around the clock. A lot of people don't realize we um receive safe school hotline calls um throughout the year that we communicate and operate with the police department after hours to ensure uh that some things that happen out in the community don't get back into the school uh

074during the daytime. So uh we work hard um in partnership with police department on that. There there are a couple other things that I just wanted to touch on. Obviously we won't go through all of them, but uh just some of the safety measures that we have in place from day to day. Um, as you approach our schools every day, uh, um, our our doors are are locked and in order to gain entry into our building, we um, uh, have guests uh, buzz into our school division so we can kind of triage who's on our property, who's supposed to be there, and welcome those guests into our building. Uh, to um, come in and we scan their ID in and uh, have them get a badge. Uh, the the system that we use is Raptor.

075It also checks for sex offenders u to ensure that we uh maintain the safe environment for any guest that comes onto our property. U we also have school threat assessment teams. So if there is a student that's in crisis uh uh we can work with the student and counselors and teachers to ensure that we're providing them with appropriate services uh and and support them. Um we also have camera systems, radios. Uh our biggest thing is our walkthrough uh metal detectors. We do scan all of our students and guests in every day uh to ensure that there's no weapons that are coming into our our schools. Um we also work with American K9 Interdiction. Um and uh we conduct routine but random K9 searches um throughout the uh the the um the school. We've also done

076a ton of drills. We've already done a whole bunch of lockdown, well some lockdown drills and fire drills already uh starting out the school year. Um Dr. B, you can scoot over one more. Um also want to um comp commend that we do have 19 new elementary school security officers that uh came on board with us in late July and we provided uh training and and certification through them through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. So we're excited to have those on board. We have one in every one of our elementary schools and over at Motton Early Childhood Center. Um we've also completed Alice train the trainer um uh course and Mr. Samuels was gracious enough to attend that train the trainer course along with uh all all the new resource officers for the police

077department this year. Uh um some of the fire marshals from the Hampton Fire Marshall's office attended the training with us too. uh and uh some of them are custodial supervisors also. And um you know last two we are in the process of uh migrating to a new safe school hotline system but we are currently still using the 7272255 uh number but we will be transitioning uh very shortly to a new number and we'll provide information to parents when that comes forward. And finally we we do have a divisionwide uh crisis incident response team. So, if we do have a critical incident, not only we are here to support our students, we're here to support our staff. And so, we have fellow um school employees that have gone through this training to help provide immediate support

078for our our staff members uh until counseling services come forward. I've attended that training uh myself. I'm a member of the CERT team and um so that that is out there too as well. So we have a lot of systems in place to ensure a safe environment for our schools and we continue to work with um various agencies to ensure that happens on a daily basis. So um with that being said, we um want to know if you have any questions for myself or uh for um Officer Thirstston. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Bailey. Any comments or questions from board members? Mr. Vander. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have any questions, per se. Um, but I just did want to say kudos for that exceptional presentation

079and thank you to Officer Thirstston. It was very informative. um learned a lot one but really what's impressive not only all of our safety protocols I mean that's very impressive in itself but this collaborative energy that I feel between HPD between HCS and all the other um shared entities that are benefit and that take part in our safety processes I think it's really positive very positive and I and I appreciate that because certainly it has an impact on the outcome for our students and that's how we get to that middle circle, that student success that you talked about in the beginning. And so I think that energy is just really good. I can feel it up here. Um and so thank you both so much for such an exceptional presentation. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair.

080>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um piggybacking on what um Miss Jackson AJ said about learning things. um when when you all did this presentation but a lengthier version at the CPAC committee meeting um which is Citizens Police Advisory Group for those who may not know there was so much good stuff up there Miss Jackson I found you. I'm telling you I was like pretending to know a lot of it because there was 15 20 other people in the room. So when this was going on about my school division, I'm sitting there like, "Yeah, but I learned so much." And one of the things you talked about was Operation Prom. And I know you couldn't go into a lot of it, but I want people to understand that you just don't give a little flyer to

081to the students who are going to go to the prom and say, "I hope you make some good decisions." Could you speak a little bit more about that? What you actually do for Operation Prom? >> Yes, ma'am. So, uh, previously I I've spent 15 of my 20 years working in the school resource officer com capacity with Hampton City Schools. Um, I'll go back to my Kickotan SRO days. Dr. Haynes was the principal at the time, but we uh we had a presentation that involved what we would call the fatal vision goggles. Um, they they operated as if you were intoxicated, but they were goggles. I had two of our star basketball players come up on the stage in the auditorium and the goal was for them to just pass a basketball to each other. Something

082as simple as that. The ball ended up halfway in the third row of the auditorium somewhere. >> But that's the reality that these kids needed to see. You watch them play basketball. You you see the passes they make. You see the shots they take. But if you're impaired or if you've made a bad decision, that that in itself is is enough to drive home that point. Um, again, make another reference to Hampton High School. Miss Pard was my principal when I worked at Hampton High School. Um, the exact same thing. There was a PowerPoint that I did for the students. It wasn't just me standing up there in front of them talking for 20 or 30 minutes. There were videos. There were real life videos of drunk driving accidents that occurred. um one young lady

083who had recorded actually while they were intoxicated in the vehicle when they had left prom and it ended fatally for two of her friends. >> So the understanding and the gravity of what the kids actually get to interact with us in those types of settings are what really drives that point home. It's more than just standing at, you know, in front of a stage and having a conversation. >> Exactly. And I'm so glad you explained that because I think it's important for people to know just how far you delve into um making sure that our students are safe. And I'm sorry um as you said, Officer Carter couldn't be here. Yes, ma'am. >> Because um I remember you talking about that um men of distinction. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And it and you mentioned maybe

084you me somebody mentioned that it's more than just learning to tie tie. the issue came up about changing a tire and someone said suppose you're with your grandmother and she can't change that tire you need to know how to change the tire so it's those kinds of things that I think are so important to our young men so I appreciate it and just want to say thank you all again >> Mr. Samuels. >> Thank you, Chamber Mason. Uh I just want to also go back to highlight the training, the Alice training that uh James Bailey um shared that I had the privilege of participating in and the opportunity not just to uh go through the process to become an Alice trainer, but also to be involved in the work that our SRO's are involved in

085the day-to-day basis in our schools and to see what they are required to do in the event that there's an incident in our building. How these individual put their own lives at risk to make sure that our staff should it ever happen in Hampton to make sure that we leave the building safe. >> So it was a privilege for me. I I I was very emotional because I had the opportunity to play a part as a active shooter >> and although I had a what are those ear guns I was crying the whole time >> and so Mr. Bailey can you just talk through what that looks like because it's a two-day training just a brief summary of what that training entails. Uh yes, we follow Alice. Uh Alice stands for alert, uh lock down,

086inform, counter, and evacuate. And it's part of our our our um evacuation process, barricading process. So if we ever have a critical incident in our school, it gives the uh teachers and students and staff multiple options uh um not just to sit in a corner and huddle down in a corner. It gives them options to be able to uh we learn how to break windows if we have to to to escape uh to barricade classrooms um and to ultimately for staff members, you know, some some countering techniques too as well. We don't offer that to our children of course, but to our our staff members that are there. So, uh we think that's very impactful. uh um you know similar to like a runhide fight that you hear from from our our federal government programs,

087but uh uh we think it's very uh uh relatable to the schools um with all the the classrooms that we have. And uh you know, we we also add um uh door prop systems um so our security and law enforcement know if there's a door that's been propped open for a certain amount of time. We've also added some safety film in certain strategic areas in our school. And so it's it's a layered approach and Alice is just one of those layers to to maintain school safety on a on a daily basis. So >> So Mr. Baylor, the next time we have that training, um it's my understanding after we talk after the training that you're going to extend invite to uh my fellow board members. >> Anyone that would like to attend? Yes, we will

088continue to provide training training classes throughout the years. >> I'd like to do I'd like to do that as long as I don't get shot. Okay. >> But it is good training. It is good training. >> Miss Jerry gonna try to get away try to police car. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you all so much. I tell you as we look at um one of our strategic goals to provide a safe and nurturing environment in all of our schools. You know, it's it's you know, the work that's being done. certainly want to say thank you and Corporal Hipple, thank you for for all that you do. I see uh Mr. James back there as well. So you guys and Officer Bertram back there as well. So thank you all so much for

089what it is that you do each and every day to help us manifest that goal with our kids and in our schools. So thank you very much, [Applause] >> Dr. Haynes. Uh Mr. Chair, for our final presentation, the Dr. Michael Thornton will present the financial report for June 2025. As you all are aware, Dr. Thornton has agreed to assume the duties and responsibilities of the chief financial officer role during Mrs. Branch's temporary leave of absence. We certainly would like to thank Dr. Thornton for taking the time out of his schedule to rejoin his family here in Hampton for the next couple of year months. Thank you, Dr. Haynes. Uh it is certainly um good to be back here with you all. As I was uh listening, of course, I really was uh uh overwhelmed by

090all the positive energy and all the great things that you all have to celebrate things of substance and having traveled all over the Commonwealth working with schools through my uh day job, if you will. Uh Hampton City Schools is certainly one of the best and the brightest. Uh so I I and I don't use those kinds of accolades uh very easily but certainly congratulations on on everything you all are continuing to do on a consistent manner but as Dr. Haynes mentioned I am here u in the absence of uh your CFO who again is a shining star in this work as you know uh she gave birth to their second child so Dr. Haynes uh gave permission for me to come back. So I am again pleased to be back. So Chairman Mason and Vice

091Chair uh Jackson Afana, school board members, uh it's good to be here with you all. Uh agenda item 4.02 is your annual uh year-end preliminary unudited uh financial report of results for the past fiscal year 2425 ending June 30, 2025. This report uh was prepared by uh Miss Dorch and her team prior to her uh taking uh maternity leave. So I'll just share the numbers with you that you know become part of the uh request for reappropriation from the uh city council. So with that you have a 26 page uh report in your agenda packet. The first pages uh 1 through eight provide the summary and detail of your uh budgeted revenues versus actual revenues and expenditures for the year. And I'll share with you uh certainly that your total operating revenues received and or

092uh realized for this past fiscal year ending June 3025 total $329,662,820 representing a $362,600 uh increase over your budgeted operating revenues fund 50 of 329,329,300,200 20 your total operating expenditures and incumbrances uh for the past fiscal year uh 324,544156 representing uh under expenditure unencumbered amount of $4.7 million and in all total that's about uh 1.4% of the budget uh that went unexpended. So when you combine those two together, the excess revenue of $362,600 with the 4.756 million in unexpended uh expenditures, appropriations, you get a total of 5.12 million and that becomes the basis for your request for reappropriation. And you have several documents uh in your packet as well that provide a draft of that reappropriation uh narrative as well as a draft copy of the resolution itself. Certainly as um Miss Dorch would share

093with the board annually these are the unodudited numbers uh although the team expects that uh there will be minor could be minor adjustments to the other but nothing in a significant material way. So uh Miss Dorch and the team have been in communication with Mr. dupio over at the city and they are prepared to receive uh the board's request I believe for its October meeting or upcoming. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have. You also have in the packet your uh transfer uh report. >> All right. Any questions, comments from board members. >> Thank you very much, Dr. >> Mr. Chair. That concludes superintendent and staff reports. >> All right, that takes us to the next item on the agenda, which is deliberation. Item number five, we have 5.01, schoolboard compensation. 5.02,

094revision of schoolboard policy KQ, commercial promotional and corporate sponsorships and partnerships. Revision 5.03, Revision of Schoolboard Policy KG, Community Use of School Facilities. 5.04, 04 revision of school board policy KG-R community use of school facilities daily rental fees 5.05 revision of schoolboard policy DJ purchasing 5.06 revision of schoolboard policy GCPD dismissal of personnel 5.07 revision of schoolboard policy GCN performance evaluation 5.08 08 Revision of School Board Policy GCL, Professional Staff Development. 5.09, Revision of School Board Policy, GCG, Certified Employees, Probation and Contractual Status. 5.10 Revision of School Board Policy GCDA, Effect of Criminal Conviction or Founded Complaint of Child Abuse and Neglect. And we'll start with um 5.01. Any comments or questions regarding um school board compensation? All right. So, moving right along with the remaining policies uh policy KQ. Any questions for Dr. Oliver?

095Thank you, Dr. Oliver. All right. And so the next few pol three policies were with Miss Branch. Will Dr. Thornton be able to answer any of those questions? Any questions in regards to policy KG, KR, KGR, and DJ? All right. And the remaining policies are with well looks like Miss is they're with Miss Ruth but Miss Brown is taking U control. Any questions regarding the remaining policies under deliberation. All right. Thank you very much. All right. So we'll move those to items for action for our next meeting. It brings us to item number six. Items for action. 6.01. Minutes of the school board meeting of August the 20th, 2025. 6.02 New School board policy J A student athlete extreme heat safety and protection. 6.03 New School board policy KGD notification of school connected student overdose.

0966.04 Revision of School Board Policy KBA request and responses to inquiries under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. 6.05 Revision of School Board Policy J. O, student records. 6.06, New School Board Policy, EBBC, Opioid Antagonist. 6.07, Revision School Board Policy, JFCI, Drugs in School. 6.08, Revision School Board Policy, JP, all electronic devices, and 6.09 revision school board policy JEG, exclusions and exemptions from compulsory school attendance. And with the pleasure of the board regarding the items for action this evening, >> Mr. Chair, move approval of action item 6.01. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved by Mr. Kilgore and seconded by Miss Cherry that we approve action item 6.01. Any discussion? Miss Sharon, you please call for the vote. >> Miss I. >> Miss Cherry. >> I. >> Dr. abain. >> Mr. Sam, >> I >>

097Mr. Gilg >> I >> Dr. >> I motion carries. All right, that leaves the remaining of the items for action. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chair, I move that we take item 6.02 through 6.09 as a block. >> Second. It's been properly moved by Mr. Aanja and seconded by Mr. Samuels that we approve item 6.02 through 6.09 as a block. Any discussion? >> Miss Sharbon, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss I, >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Bates Gray. >> Hi, >> Mr. Samuels. >> I >> Mr. Kilgore. >> I >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >> I motion carries. All right, that takes us to the next item. Uh number seven, deliberation first read. We have 7.01 review of schoolboard policy LC charter schools. 7.02

098revision of schoolboard policy JCJ classroom assignments for twins. 7.03 review of schoolboard policy IG AJ driver education. And 7.04 revision of schoolboard policy IG A teaching about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. And all four of our policies on the first read tonight is with Dr. Harris. >> Yes. Policy LC, charter schools. It's the policy outlines, process, and considerations governing charter schools. With that, there are no recommended changes. Policy JCJ, it's classroom assignment for twins. It's updated to include minor language changes. Policy IG AJ, driver education curriculum and program. No recommended changes. And policy IG AG is teaching about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The policy is updated to include the VSBA uh recommended changes that explicitly outline teaching about opioid overdose prevention. >> Thank you very much. We have any questions? We'll see next meeting and we'll

099have answer >> answer those questions at the next meeting if you have any questions. All right. Thank you very much, Dr. Harris. That takes us to item number eight, hearing of any delegations or presentation of any written communications or petitions. And we have two. And so I will ask the board clerk. Miss Sharono, would you please read the protocol? >> Citizens are invited to address the school board on matters of public concern about the school division. Speaker forms are available prior to the start of the meeting. If you wish to address the school board, please complete the form and give it to the clerk by 6:45 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Each individual will have three minutes to speak. At the end of your time, you will hear a buzzer. All comments shall

100be directed to the school board. Speakers may not yield their time to another. Speakers should address the school board with the quorum on policy issues. Comments shall relate to agenda items or matters to remain to the business of duties of the school board. Speaker comments on individuals speakers comment on individuals at their own risk of violating confidentiality laws and or defaming the subjects of their comments. Neither the school board, the superintendent nor the school administration will respond publicly to any comments by speakers about individuals. Presentations of resolutions, declarations, proclamations, manifestos, awards or other similar documents not originated under the opices of the school board administrated administration is prohibited during this public comment period. The audience is asked to be respectful of all speakers. Public comments is the first pardon me. Public comments is the school

101board's opportunity to listen to listen to the speaker. Since our purpose is to hear from you, the board will not engage in dialogue with the audience or whomever is at the podium. Matters requiring a response will be directed to the superintendent for research and response. The superintendent may report back on such matters at a subsequent business meetings session as appropriate. The school board carefully considers your comments as we decide matters that are brought before us. We appreciate your attendance and your input. Thank you very much. Uh our first speaker tonight is Miss Brenda Marx, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson, board members, and Dr. Haynes. My subject tonight has been addressed by me more times than I care to count. I'd like to give Dr. Haynes credit for meeting with me yesterday. He and Dr. Kayano

102met with me after only one request. Um he has said he will address the problems and I am waiting to see. That's all I can do. The last six months have been extremely difficult to say the least. I provided you a package of six years of special education performance reports. I stopped at 2018 because that was the first time I went outside of the division to the office of civil rights for assistance. The first time the division promised to follow my daughter's IEP. You will find that commitment from this division on the last page of that package. This year, I had to go to the state of Virginia Department of Education for help. In the seven-year period in between, I've had to beg, plead, and sometimes rant and rave to get that which my daughter

103was entitled to. These reports are not very pretty to look at. They decry your every child, every day, whatever it takes motto. I'm here tonight to challenge you to issue a directive that beginning tonight, the same effort be exhausted to have Hampton City Schools meet these benchmarks set by the state as is invested in seeing the division keep its passing so scores. This bear has been poked and I promise you that I am attaching my face and my voice to this cause until you do. I will use social media. I will use news media or any other matter until it is clear to me that our children really matter to you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Marks. Our next speaker is is it Dr. Nathan? Is it Gordon? >> Golden. Okay. Dr. Nathan Golden.

104>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman and school board members for allowing me to speak. Um, I'm Nathan Golden. I've been a physician in Tidewater for 35 years. I come here representing uh Third Act Virginia Sierra Club and the uh League of Conservation Voters in an appeal that you um accept or at least um communicate your interest in a resolution. Um not sure of the protocol. I thought I was allowed to read the resolution when I spoke with you if with uh with your indulgence. Um I hope it was distributed to all the members. Uh I'll briefly read it. resolution supporting the adoption of solar energy systems in district facilities. Whereas the cost of rising electricity now places a continuing financial burden on the district's operating budget, diverting resources from direct education services. Whereas multiple school districts

105throughout the Commonwealth have achieved millions of dollars in cost savings by adopting solar panels. Whereas federal tax credits, grants, and incentives will offset 30% of the cost of a project if it has been initiated. >> Yes. >> Can you speak to the resolution and not read the resolution? >> Certainly. Okay. Uh the I wasn't sure if I hope it's been distributed the resolution. Uh all I'm asking the board is to consider the adoption like multiple schools in the Commonwealth have done. Most notably, Norfolk Academy has been saving hundreds of thousands of dollars a year uh at absolutely no cost to the district. Uh this not only I think really uh is an introduction to your student population uh and environmental steward uh stewardship, but it's also transformative for the school district itself at no cost.

106Um, so what I was hoping is, uh, if any of the members of the school board are so interested, uh, there is a meeting October 18th, Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m., uh, multiple people will be discussing at Norfolk Academy, uh, how to start a program at no cost to the district. every single flat roof I would think in the school district should have a solar array which could save potentially millions of dollars a year without adding uh and in fact saving the district money. So the the plea is to do the right thing now. I know the uh the hour is late and and there are many things the the board considers. I think for the future this is absolutely critical that we impart to our students and the community. And along those lines, uh,

107which I did not really go into, um, there is an issue of community resiliency. If you have a solar array, that that, uh, building can can in fact become a hub for emergency energy in the case of any type of crisis with the associated uh, uh, energy storage. So, in short, I think there's absolutely nothing to lose and a lot to gain by at least considering it. and I hope the board will will will take this under serious consideration and get back to the uh the people of Hampton. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Golden. So, moving along on the agenda, that brings us up to items for information 9.01, next meetings. Uh the next work session will be held on September 17th, 2025 at Jones Magnet Middle School right here at Nickerson Boulevard. And

108then there will be a special joint meeting on September 24th which will be at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. All right. 9.02 and other items for information. I'll start with our superintendent Dr. Haynes. Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson Lefon, members of the board. Like to first take a moment to respond to some of the concerns raised this evening by Mrs. Mark. First, I would like to certainly take the opportunity to thank her for meeting with me yesterday to also relay some of these concerns firsthand. So, I want to be clear about the purpose of the state spe special education reports. These reports are not designed to evaluate individual students, but rather to measure how well school divisions in the state as a whole are meeting requirements and improving outcomes for students with disabilities. They provide

109accountability, help guide continuous improvement and ensure compliance with the individuals with disabilities education act or IDA. Ultimately, these indicators exist to ensure that students with disabilities have the support, services, and opportunities they need to be college, career, and life ready. Here in Hampton City Schools, we provide a continuum of services designed to meet the needs of all students based on their unique circumstances. This of course aligns with our portrait of Hampton graduate which provides all students from kindergarten through grade 12 with meaningful developmentally appropriate experiences. These experiences are intentionally designed to support academic growth, social emotional development and career readiness. So if you will just let me highlight a few of the indicators referenced in these reports. For example, the preschool environment. Hampton City Schools collaborates across systems to ensure opportunities in programs such as

110VPI and we use research-based appropriate approaches like reverse mainstreaming to provide peer models for our youngest learners. So for for some indicators where it denotes that we are not meeting a state benchmark such as the percentage of two to four year olds with disabilities who attend their neighborhood schools. We are actually able to offer a learning model that many of our parents prefer. While some state targets remain areas for growth, we continue to provide programming aligned to each student's individualized education plan across the division. Uh participation and performance on state assessments regarding student achievement date data. In fiscal year 2023, Hampton City Schools exceeded the state's targets in English reading for grades four and eight with participation rates of 100% and 96.28%. Of course, this reflects steady growth compared to prior years. At the high

111school level, we also have an instructional focus on reading to close gaps between students with disabilities and their peers. teacher specialist and special education leaders are providing professional development in programs such as Lexia and in alignment with the Virginia Literacy Act. In regards to timely evaluations and services, we do however recognize there are some opportunities for growth in this area. For example, in the area of timely evaluations and services, this represents an area of challenge due to higher referral volume volumes, complex student needs and scheduling requirements. To address this, we have contracted with outside evaluators when needed, refined internal tracking systems, and provided additional training to ensure compliance with required timelines. Our eligibility tracker ensures that evaluations do not exceed the 65day limit. And our priority is always to connect students with reports or supports

112they need as quickly as possible. Graduation, dropout, and postsecary outcomes is also outlined in that report. We also proud that Hampton City Schools meets and in some areas exceeds state targets for students with disabilities pursuing higher education, competitive employment, or postsecary programs. Our 2024 cohort data, for example, reflects that students with disabilities are earning advanced standard and applied diplomas and are accessing rigorous courses of study such as dual enrollment, international balorate, the academy of the college experience and advanced placement. Additionally, it is important to note that the federal numbers related to graduation on these reports do not account for all diploma types like the state reports do. I believe it is also important to note that during the 2223 school year, Hampton City Schools underwent a rigorous federal monitoring pro prog process the core special

113education assessment. This process ensures that division like divisions like ours analyze results, implement improvements, and evaluate the impact of practices and student achievement. Finally, the V the Virginia Department of Education emphasizes that these reports are not just about procedural compliance, but about program effectiveness and student results. We recognize that there are always areas of opportunity for us. Hampton City Schools remains committed to addressing these areas systematically and intentionally while staying true to our mission of every child, every day, whatever it takes. We officially kicked off the 2526 school year last Monday, August 25th, and it was an incredible day across Hampton City Schools. The morning began bright and early at the transportation lot where our schoolboard members, division leadership team members, city council members, transportation director, Mr. Darren Wills and his staff along with representatives

114with the Hampton Police Division gathered to proudly wave off our bus drivers in attendance as they headed out for the first runs of the year. Throughout the day and into the week, we had the opportunity to visit schools across the division, celebrating with students and staff as they began the new year full of energy and excitement. A special thank you to Michael Rinker from Wavy TV 10 who broadcast it live from the transportation lot beginning at 4:30 4:30 a.m. and later reported from Aberdine Elementary School between 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. helping us share the joy of the first day with the wider Hampton Roads community. Next Tuesday, September 9th, the Hampton Council PTA will hold its first general membership meeting of the school year at 6 p.m. at Kilgore Gifted Center. This is a great

115opportunity to learn more about the important work of the PTA and how families can make a difference in their child's school experience. We encourage all families to get involved by joining their school's PTA. Your participation helps strengthen our schools and support our student success. That includes informationational items from the superintendent. Mr. Chair, >> thank you very much. Other items for information from board members? Anything from our student rep? >> I would just like to say thank you for the opportunity to return to the board as a student representative. I'm excited to get to work and uh excited for an exciting school year. >> All right. Thank you very much. Sage, >> I am grateful for the opportunity to join the board. I'm excited for what I'll be able to do on this board and the

116impact that I'll have on my peers and friends in the Hampton City Schools. >> All right. Thank you. Welcome aboard. And also welcome aboard to you down there. A I see you sitting on that side there. All right. All right. Well, no further business to be brought before this board. I declare this meeting ajourned. [Music]