School Board Meeting, March 10, 2026

001Good evening. My name is Kathleen Brown,  chair of the Virginia Beach School Board,   and I call this meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Madame Clerk, would you please announce the   role? Thank you, Madam Chair. President in  the school board chamber or Chair Brown,   Vice Chair Williams, Mr. Bowensteel,  Mr. Kalen, Mr. Co Pepper, Mr. Cummings,   Miss Dwire, Miss Felton, Dr. Green, Miss  Melnik, and Miss Rogers. Thank you. Please   join me in a moment of silence followed by  the pledge of allegiance as you are able. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the  United States of America and to the republic   for which it stands, one nation under God,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, there are no awards this evening  and we are now on to the adoption of   the agenda. Are there any

002modifications  to the agenda as presented? Seeing none,   I call for the motion to approve the  agenda as presented. Moved by Dr. Green,   seconded by Miss Dwire. Any discussion? Seeing  none, I call for the vote to approve the agenda. So, Madam Chair, we have 11 eyes. The  motion to pass for the adoption of   the agenda as presented. Thank you, Dr.  Robertson. Do you have any recognitions   this evening? I do. Uh we're uh pleased to  uh introduce you tonight to Michelle Clark,   formerly an administrative assistant at  Ocean Lakes High School, who is now the   next coordinator of adult academic programs  at the Adult Learning Center. Congratulations, And I see you have some guests. I do have  some guests. My husband Jake Clark who's a   teacher in the division. My sons Ann and Aiden  Clark both product of

003the division and at first   um Harmon my new boss director with adult  learning center director Leslie my principal   ocean lakes and my administrative team  at Ocean Lakes. That's impressive. Well, I I know Jay well. We taught in at Tallwood  and when he was coaching there for a long time,   so I know he does a lot of things  for the division. We appreciate you   and looking forward to your success. Thank you. Okay. There are two sets of meeting  minutes tonight for approval. Are   there any modifications to the February 17th, 2026  special schoolboard meeting minutes as presented?   Seeing none, I call for a motion to approve the  February 17th minutes as presented. Moved by Miss   Dwire, seconded Oh, moved by Mr. Kalen, seconded  by Miss Dwire. Any discussion? Seeing none,   I call for the votes to approve

004the  February 17th meeting minutes. So,   Madam Chair, we have 11 eyes. The motion  to pass for the approval of the February   17th meeting minutes. Thank you. We are now on  to the February 24th, 2026 regular schoolboard   meeting minutes. Are there any modification  to those minutes as presented? Seeing none,   I call for a motion to approve the February 24th  minutes as presented. Moved by Mr. Bowensteel,   seconded by Miss Dwire. Any discussion? Seeing and  I call for the vote on the February 24th meeting   minutes. So, Madam Chair, we have 11 eyes. the  motion to pass for the approval of the February   24th meeting minutes. Thank you. Okay, we are  now on to the public hearing and public comments   portion of the agenda. Um the public hear the  board will now hear both the public hearing on the  

005fiscal year 2627 school operating budget in fiscal  year 2627 through fiscal year 20 3132 capital   improvement program as well as public comments  on matters relevant to prek through 12 public   education in Virginia Beach in the business of the  schoolboard and the school division from citizens   and delegations who signed up with the schoolboard  clerk prior afternoon today. The purpose of the   public comment section is for the school board to  offer an orderly form to receive public comments   during the schoolboard meeting. I call upon all  speakers and all persons in the chambers to be   civil in discussion and decorum. Whatever views  you wish to express, the school board wants to   hear from you and to ensure that all viewpoints  and perspectives are heard. The best way to do   this is for all of us to strive for

006civility and  respect. Madame clerk, could you please introduce   the first speaker? Thank you. Our speaker for  the public hearing on the budget is Heather Cyp. Good evening, Chairman Brown, Vice Chair  Williams, members of the school board,   and Dr. Robertson. My name is Heather Cyp, and  I am president of the Virginia Beach Education   Association. I'm here this evening to  speak on the budget. When I looked at   the agenda packet uploaded to the schoolboard  website, I was pleased to see you are finally   being presented with options that address the  step disparity on the unified scale. However,   what was presented to you during workshop  session was different from the three options   in the public's version of the agenda packet. I'm  going to share some of that information with you   as part of it touches on what Chair Brown

007asked  about. The first option for consideration posted   in the public agenda packet fully fixes the  step disparity, bringing the unified scale in   line with the instructional scale at 1.5%  between all steps. What it does not do is   increase the base pay, which will be a detriment  to recruitment. The cost associated was $5,878,319 above what is currently budgeted for wages.  This would give a range of 0 to 8.77% raise   which per crystal pate is not an option  with the state mandating a minimum 2% for   SOQ positions. I understand why option three  wasn't presented as it is the least favorable   consideration. It does not give an increase  to base and only adjusted 0 to 14 to 1.25%.   I understand you are bound by the constraints of  funding formulas and this option gives a1,124,6   surplus back to the

008division to use elsewhere.  However, it does the least to give staff what   they truly deserve in compensation.  Eliminating any percentage increase   to the base pay while only adjusting step 0  to 14 to 1.25% is insulting. It would also   not be as acceptable as the raised range was  0 to 5.08% 08% which does not meet the state   requirements of 2%. The second option posted  in the public agenda packet was different from   what you guys were presented still increasing  the base pay 2.5% and beginning to address the   step disparity by increasing step0 to 14 to  1.25%. This has an associated cost of 5,16,579 above the current budget and gives a 2.25 to  7.44% 44% raise range, meeting the state's   requirement for SOQ positions. The increase  in base pay will help with recruitment and   the adjustment to the

009steps shows a good faith  effort towards fully fixing the step disparity.   A public commitment by this school board to  finish addressing the step disparity within   the next two budget cycles would go even further  to showing that you truly value your staff. The   other proposed increases to staff will benefit  the division's recruitment and retention efforts.   Increasing the educational allowances  for advanced degrees so they exceed our   neighboring divisions is a smart move. As  is ensuring there's no longer a disparity   between the instructional staff and other staff  holding the same level of degree. One's job title   should not dictate the level of allowance for  holding a master's or doctorate. Thank you. So, Madam Chair, we're going to move on to our uh   public comments. Our first is a  student speaker, Zakai Vasquez. And you can pull that  microphone

010down if you need to. My name is Zakai and I'm here to talk to you about  virtual Virginia. I found out last week that my   middle school plan is going to be different  now and I don't like that. I don't understand   why this needs to change. I feel like there are  many reasons why it should stay the same. I've   been to private school, been homeschooled,  and I've gone to public school. Fifth grade   at Parkway Elementary was actually one of the  best times of my life. It's not that I don't   want to be in school. It's that the environment  stresses me out. Being in school during the day   is overwhelming for me to me because of how  many kids are there and how much time I have   to be there. I'm there to learn and I

011care  about learning. I just want to do my work   and keep going. I don't need all day to do that.  I have anxiety and think differently sometimes.   Virtual allows me to learn at a different pace  without feeling stressed out about what kids are   doing or how they are treating one another  or being disrespectful. By being virtual,   I still get to be a Lancer and participate in  school activities. That allows me to be around   my peers, and it helps me stay connected.  For two years, I've done weightlifting and   conditioning. Last year, I was in the debate  team, and this year, I was on the Scholastic   Bowl team. I even earned a coaches award for  that. I did the spelling bee and participated   in the park cleanup. I have used the library,  met with my school counselor

012when I needed to,   and was able to attend the seventh grade event at  the convention center a few weeks ago. I am proud   to be a ver Virginia Beach student. I'll answer,  please do not let them take that away from me.   Not all kids learn the same way, and not all kids  families can homeschool. Some kids just don't like   being in school environment for learning, and  I don't think we should be forced to be there.   Learning is something every kid needs and  something that everyone does differently.   Since being physically at school is not something  I'm comfortable with, by eliminating this program,   I feel forced to be homeschooled for my last  year of middle school, which I was really   looking forward to being my best year of middle  school. Now I won't get to do all

013the things I   was looking forward to. Part of me feels like I'm  being punished for someone who has the anxiety   and thinks differently. As a virtual student, I'm  able to do all the things other students are doing   without the stress and being around things that  make me feel uncomfortable, like the longer days,   the environment, and the crowd of people. I  respectfully ask that you please help them   reconsider taking this program away from middle  schoolers and keeping it as an option. Thank you. Our next speakers are Carrie Dop, Stacy Seville,  speaker three cancelled, and then Susan Wallen. Good evening. I'm here tonight regarding  the district's decision to discontinue   virtual Virginia with live instruction and  the associated case managers supporting   these students and move to another virtual  platform that does not offer live instruction.   Virtual learning may

014be discussed as a  convenience, but for some families, it is a basic   access to free and appropriate public education.  It is stability and for the first time in years,   it's su success. I see now exemplary performance  in challenging classes and confidence continues   to grow. The impact of this decision has not been  fully considered because no one asked the parents   for input. We received an email on Tuesday with  the expectation to decide by Friday without robust   information. When a school division removes  an entire placement option like live virtual   instruction, it limits the ability of IEP teams  to make those decisions now and in the future.   Virtual with live instruction and virtual without  are vastly different delivery models. Parents can   spend many years advocating to have access to a  public education that works for their children.   The

015right mix of support that has been working for  us is virtual Virginia. All these pieces working   together have provided something we were searching  for. An environment that works for them. Real   engagement, real support, and real progress. Will  you embody your values to empower every learner,   value differences, and provide each student with  what they need to succeed? I respectfully ask   the board, pause this decision pending further  review, more feedback for parents, and special   education advisory committee input. Thank you  for your time and commitment to supporting   and empowering all students. Our next speaker is  Stacy Seville, Susan Wallen, and then Cody Connor. Stacy is actually at the emergency room with  her son, so she couldn't come, but she did send   a letter if someone can. Nope. Okay. I'm sorry. I  wish I could, but our bylaws don't

016allow for it. I   figured I'd at least say it. Okay. I'm Susan Wall  and then I'm the next speaker. Um, is there one   more speaker in between them? Okay. All right.  Good evening. My name is Susan Wallen and I'm   the parent of an eighth grade student currently  enrolled in Virtual Virginia through Corporate   Landing Middle School and a courtappointed special  advocate for the city of Virginia Beach. The   recent announcement that BBCPS plans to move to  the Virginia Beach digital campus, which would   eliminate synchronous virtual instruction, is  deeply concerning for our family and many others.   I understand that part of the division's long-term  goal may be to encourage more students to return   to in-person learning, and I respect that goal.  For some families, however, virtual education is   not simply a preference. It's a valuable tool that  allows

017their child to access school successfully.   Speaking only for my family, I would absolutely  love for my eighth grader to go back to in-person   education and thrive there like his brother is  doing at Ocean Lakes, but that's not currently   an option for him. He has been successful for the  last three years at Virtual Virginia. Since the   widespread virtual learning during COVID,  there's been significant research on what   works in online education and what doesn't work.  Studies consistently show that teacher presence   and real-time interaction are critical drivers of  student engagement. Synchronous instruction where   students can interact with teachers and peers,  ask questions, and receive immediate feedback   significantly improves emotional, behavioral,  and cognitive engagement in online classrooms.   Even as adults, while we may learn something  from a TED talk or a podcast, we get much more   education out of

018an interactive discussion. This  interaction is especially important for students   with neurodedevelopmental differences. These  learners rely on structure, routine, and immediate   feedback to remain engaged in academic work. The  level of a student's executive functioning plays   a major role in their ability ability to learn  asynchronously just as it affects whether adults   are successful in remote work environments. This  platform change also raises important questions   about accessibility. Removing synchronous  instruction entirely may unintentionally remove   a critical support on which some students rely. I  respectfully ask the board to reconsider this move   to VBDC. At a minimum, please consider preserving  a synchronous option, whether through continued   access to virtual Virginia or live instruction  within the vig Virginia Beach digital campus.   From my understanding through the conversations  this week, the decision was not made by the school   board. So, I hope that

019the board will consider  these three questions when evaluating this change.   First, what research or evidence did the district  rely on when deciding to eliminate synchronous   virtual instruction? Similarly, was an impact  analysis conducted on how a fully asynchronous   model will affect students with disabilities or  executive functioning challenges? And finally,   how will the district ensure equitable access to  instruction for neurode divergent students who   rely on structure and live teacher interaction?  When decisions affect how students access their   education, is critical that we ensure those  decisions truly serve all students. Thank you   for your time. Thank you. And if you want to  leave her letter with the attorney right here,   I'll have the clerk scan it into the  board. Oh, okay. Do you want to email   it to us? That'd be great. Thank you. Our next  speaker is Cody

020Connor and then Betty Spencer. What to say? What to say after uh watching  you carve more of my children's rights away? You know, when I was growing up, I went to seven  different elementary schools, three different   middle schools, and five different high schools.  So, after I had to move my family around a bit   during the first couple years of COVID, when we  moved here, I promised my kids we would stay. I   wanted them to have long-term friends, roots. I  wanted them to have the things that I didn't. I   want them to have more. More stability, more  opportunity, more freedom, above all else,   more freedom. But we're failing there. My kids  are growing up in a world that is less free than   the world I grew up in. And you don't have to  take my word

021for it. There's people that track   these things, organizations. You know what? We're  currently ranked on the Human Freedom Index. Land   of the Free is ranked 15th. And that's actually  high. the the Freedom Foundation has us ranked   in like the 50some and the academic freedom index  we're ranked like 85th. We've been rapidly losing   academic freedom in the last few years that I've  been here protesting near poor decisions. Academic   freedom in our country has been rapidly  disappearing. It only takes but a single   generation for freedom to be lost. I think it was  Reagan that said that. You guys ever think about   that? about whether or not the decisions you're  making are making us and our children more or less   free. Because you should. You should be thinking  about it more than anything else, more than costs,   more

022than right or left or blue or red, cuz it's  bigger than any of that. The most important thing   to you should be whether or not you are making  our society, our children, our country, our   future more free. And I know you're scared. I've  sat here and listened for three and a half years   about how terrified you are of trans kids and  books and diversity. But people that are willing   to trade away their freedom for safety will  eventually find themselves neither free or safe. The greatness of a nation isn't measured  by its wealth or its military might.   The true greatness of a nation  is measured only by the freedom   of its people. Please remember  that and make good decisions. Our next speaker is Betty Spencer. Good evening, Chair Brown, Vice Chair  Williams, Superintendent Robertson,   members of

023the school board, faculty staff,  parents, students, and community members. Um,   thank you for this opportunity to speak this  evening. My name is Dr. Betty Spencer. I am   a concerned citizen of District 10. I am also a  graduate of Virginia Beach public schools and my   and a parent of a 2023 graduate of Princess Anne's  IB um academy. I would also like to acknowledge um   well after reviewing the recruitment and retention  funding considerations to enhance compensation   and educational benefits uh presentation. It is  clear that the division is continuing to examine   the important strategies to strengthen recruitment  and retention across our workforce. And for that,   I would like to acknowledge the Department of  Human Resources for the work that went into   preparing this presentation and outlining these  funding considerations. Competitive compensation   plays a critical role in the in

024that effort.  Over the past four years, Virginia Beach has   made meaningful progress increasing salaries  by more than 26.6%. That effort matters and   reflects a commitment to supporting our workforce.  However, region regional comparisons show that our   work is not yet done. Um, currently entry level  uh teacher salaries in Virginia Beach rank last   among the seven cities with neighboring divisions  offering between two and 8% more. The unified   pay scale considerations presented, including  adjustments to entry-level pay and the proposed   step differentials uh between steps one and 14  reflect an effort to address both recruitment   and salary compensation. These differences  affect both recruitment and retention. Um,   new teachers entering the profession must consider  whether they can afford to live in the city and   in the communities that they work. At the same  time, experienced educators look across the region  

025and they see compensation structures that may  influence their career um decisions. The funding   considerations presented, including adjustments  to the unified pay scale, part-time rates,   educational allowances, professional development  reimbursement, and additional duty supplements,   represent thoughtful efforts to strengthen  division's overall compensation structure.   These investments help strengthen workforce  stability, ensure our schools can maintain the   experienced educators and staff who support  student learning every day. It is also   important to recognize that these divisions, these  discussions exist within the broader relationship   between the school board's uh recommended budget  and the funding allocations made by the Virginia   City Council, Virginia Beach City Council. The  school board identifies the needs of the division   while the city council ultimately determines  the level of funding that makes these priorities   possible. Continued collaboration between these  two bodies will be essential if we are to rem  

026remain competitive in recruiting and retaining  the talented educators and staff who support our   students every day. Thank you. And that is time  and madam chair that was our last speaker for this   evening. Okay. Thank you. We are now on to the  PRC recommendations and we welcome Cammy Lenetti,   schoolboard attorney. Good evening, Madam  Chair, vice chair, schoolboard members, and Dr.   Robertson. I'm Cammy Lenetti, the schoolboard  attorney, and on behalf of the policy review   committee, I will be bringing you recommendations  from the policy review committee's March 4th,   2026 meeting. There are only four that we're going  to cover tonight. The first three are bylaws,   which will have to go on to the action agenda if  you're ready to go to the next meeting. and one is   one policy. The first is bylaw 136 which is open  meetings,

027closed meetings, electronic meetings,   and remote location meetings, participation  meetings. There are no proposed changes to this   bylaw that we are simply monitoring for the 5-year  review. Are there any questions about this bylaw?   Hearing no questions about this bylaw, we'll move  on to 137, which is the annual organizational   meeting. Again, after reviewing this, we are  making not making any recommendations for changes.   This is simply coming up for the five-year  review. Are there any questions about bylaw 137,   the annual organizational meeting? Hearing no  qu I'm sorry, vice chair, I'm sorry. I just me   wanted to clarify bylaw 136, isn't it? Isn't that  for Aren't we supposed to do that annually? Yes.   I'm sorry. This one is our bylaw that we review  that one every single year. That's why it's got   a 25 and 26. That's true. There

028was a change made  to the Freedom Information Act a number of years   ago. Then we do have to check that every year.  That one's every year and the other one's the   fiveyear. Okay. Thank you. All right. Hearing  no questions on 137. We'll move on to appendix   C. Appendix C is at the end you have three  appendixes to your bylaws on there. And because   we were looking at some issues that needed to  be corrected on there, we are going to make   some recommended amendments. So under section A4  which is posting to the committee web page under   section B we're now going to read school board  standing committee meetings may be broadcast   or done electronically unless circumstances  exist that do not allow for this. Then we   will be removing out the next couple sentences  and we will

029have a new sentence that will say   student discipline committee meetings will not  be broadcast or done electronically for public   viewing but may be otherwise recorded. As you've  known this past year we started broadcasting some   of our meetings for committees. So we wanted to  recognize that for student discipline committees.   You have roughly six of those a six of those a  month on there because it's almost all done in   closed. The only thing you would be doing in  open session would be to read in a closed and   read the decision. So we determined that that  would not be necessary to broadcast under four sorry four sorry number five electronic meetings  for remote participation. The final sentence we   just needed to correct the um the verbiage there  unless now read opportunities to participate in a   meeting that has

030been changed. And then moving  on to six, public access to meetings. We write   a clarification and we will add a final sentence  that will read, "Public comment is not taken at   committee meetings unless required by the school  board." It's not been your practice to take those,   but occasionally we do have ad hoc committees  where we're getting information on certain   specific topics. So we added that section  to reflect that. Moving on to section B,   which is meeting agendas and meeting minutes.  We will clarify uh under meeting minutes will   now be n numbered as number two. We will add  a section A under this. We'll be addressing   student discipline committees and it will  read student discipline committees are not   required to maintain meeting minutes or have the  committee members approve such minutes. However,   student discipline committee meeting

031agendas  close session certification decision to the   committee should be retained for the for  each meeting. Notice the student discipline   committee meetings will be available to the  public. However, agendas and agenda materials   will not be made available that reflects your  current procedures on there because of the   nature involving students and confidentiality.  We generally don't put that information out to   the public. Moving on to section C, this is annual  election of chair. And again, this is chair of the   committees. We did have some issues earlier this  year, so we wanted to clarify. Under number one,   annual election of committee chair. will read  at the first meeting in the new fiscal year or   at the first meeting when all committee members  are present. That happens with student discipline   because there are three of you have to three of 

032you on those committees and sometimes we've had   situations where we could not get all three of  you together at the first meeting which could   have been um July or August. Sometimes it was  September. So we want to clarify that that's   what when that would happen. If you go down  further into the paragraph under the paragraph   that starts with if the former committee if the  former chair is not on the committee in the new   year the senior most schoolboard member on the  committee we would strike out or the schoolboard   chair in an ex official cassie will conduct the  meeting until a new chair is elected. Then we   would add a new sentence. If there is no senior  most schoolboard member on the committee or the   seniormost schoolboard member is not available  then the schoolboard chair designate

033will conduct   the meeting until a new chair is elected. So we  thought that would clarify an issue we had raised   earlier this year. There was a minor addition  on section two just some clarifications. Other   than that there are no further recommendations for  this appendix. Are there any questions about those   amendments? There are Miss Rogers. Hi. Um so under  4B under the schoolboard standing committee may be   um broadcast or electronically blah blah blah.  At the very end it says student discipline   committee meetings will not be broadcast or  done electronically for public viewing but   may be otherwise recorded. Um, should we not  add by the school division? Because I would   hate to be in a discipline committee meeting  and have a parent think that because this says   this that they're able to record. Does that make  sense?

034That I understand your clarification. That   would be something Mrs. um means technically they  probably could if it's their own meeting on there,   but there might be other individuals in the room  that we don't want recordings. That would be a   clarification. That's just my concern. Is that  something you want to make draft and send back?   something new. Um, well, yeah, that seems like  a very reasonable addition to make it I mean,   it's already being recorded by M. Turbo, obviously  it, but to make sure that people can't bring their   for the public's purposes. When you're in close  session, we actually tape record what's happening   in the room. So, there is a record of it instead  of a transcript. It functions as a transcript.   That becomes the official record. So, right,  I'm fine with all that. I just

035want to make   sure that we don't have this out there and that  it's not misunderstood that we allow recordings   by anyone else. Does that makes That's why I  say when you when it says recorded by the school   board or the school division or you know Yes.  So I would I would um say just add um viewing   that may be otherwise recorded by the school  division. That's that's it. Thank you for that   suggestion. And does does anyone object to that  addition at all? Okay. So, if we could just add   that clarify that just wanted to make sure. Thank  you. Okay, Miss Melnik. Okay. Under 2C, a school   board member's ability to remotely participate  due to a temporary or permanent disability. I'm   sorry. Which are we on bylaw 136? 2C. Um, it's  still under D, remote location

036participation in   meetings. And then it's under you're under bylaw  136, not not appendix, correct? Or not? Yeah, you're on our previous. Yeah, you're not. Okay.  All right. So, Oh, it is. I missed that. Yeah,   we're on 13. So, then 136. Oh, were you  talking 13 bylaw 136? Is that what you're   talking about? Or are you talking about appendex?  Appendix C right here. Appendix C is up here. Oh,   we already Oh, I'm sorry. Well, there is a  five electronic means remote participation.   I I was following that and I I thought I should  have asked but you didn't go as far into it. So,   can I go back? So, we want to do 136. Okay. Okay.  Thank you. The pages aren't numbered. Yeah. But   it is the third page C. A schoolboard member's  ability to remotely participate.

037So, just to   remove I I just want to know how much subjectivity  is involved in this. So, um, so a schoolboard   member can participate remotely as long as it  doesn't create an unreasonable hardship for   the school board or the committee to administer,  does not unreasonably interfere with the school   boards or the committee's ability to conduct its  business, the school board member can clearly be   heard, etc. So, who decides when it becomes a  hardship? So I'm thinking back some years ago,   we had a board member who had a life serving a  lifesaving surgery and missed I believe she was   out six weeks. So when where is that line? I think  it comes to the school board itself. When somebody   asks participate remotely, they're supposed  to inform the chair at that point if you have   a disagreement

038on there. And the way it came up  when we first looked at this was what if someone   were to come in and say I never want to come to  schoolboard. I'm never coming in. I'm gonna pro   remotely. I'm going to say that I am disabled and  I cannot come in and so I will never in my four   years on the school board show up and that then  interferes with some of your ability to get work   done. So we were thinking in those circumstances  you would be able to make a decision. Also,   you could be participating from somewhere where we  cannot get the transmission through appropriately.   You're continuously going to that location and  with the public cannot hear you. We can't get that   information. You're cutting in and out on us. So  that would come to

039the full board for discussion.   Correct. When you asked to participate remotely  at that point somebody would have to make an   objection as to why they did not think the remote  participation was appropriate and those might be   some of the conditions. Okay. My other question  is um participating for a personal reason and it   specifies that during the meeting the specific  nature of the personal matter and the remote   location from from which the schoolboard member  is participating. We do that but I I thought I   have heard people say I'm participating remotely  from wherever but then they say for for a person   for personal reasons they should be stating the  nature but I've heard some work work on that there   they can state personal reason personal reasons  can't be used I just wanted to clarify that so   correct

040differentiating from a medical situation  which has unlimited amount and you do not have to   specify with the medical situation where you're  from on there if personal reason should be giving   some explanation or you can put it in written.  You can send it to the chair and it can be kept   written and then the chair would read that. They  should you normally the clerk somebody will ask   you where you are. You have to because it's person  you have to say where you are in the reason. So   you should say for work reasons or personally I'm  on vacation. Yeah, I'm I'm fine with all of this.   It's just I wanted I wanted that clarification.  But sometimes people participate remotely and   they're out of town and not everybody wants the  general public to know that they're out of

041town   just for safety reasons. Um and unfortunately that  is a free information requirement. You have to for   personal reason you have to state where you're  participating from. Okay. So, if somebody's out   of town and they don't want people to know,  the public to know that they're not at home,   that their home is potentially vulnerable, um  it would be better just not to participate. That seems to be a conversation we would have  in close session with your legal counsel as to   how you would handle that. I'm not trying to be  difficult. I It just, you know, not everybody   wants people to know that they're not at home.  Not everybody Facebook posts everything they   do. So you know one of the reasons you see this  sometimes in the food if you have a number of   people gone

042they might be in a location they might  be at a convention somewhere and that goes to the   amount of people where you are is it open is it  available coming in I you know we don't normally   have a lot of you at one time but there are those  situations that free information is trying to   say if you all let's say um you know in Las Vegas  for a convention you want to know you want to say   we're all here then the public would have reason  to know that and go to see them make sure you all   are weren't all together in the same room in which  case that meeting might then have to be open for   free information purposes. Okay. I just thought  it was a fair question just because you know not being home,

043right? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.  And actually kind of to piggyback on that   um specific nature of personal matter is  that specific required under FOIA or just   the location because I mean the nature  of your personal matter because if it's   question if it's not really personal but  you should probably say I'm at work I'm on   vacation something that matter you don't need  to say I'm here attending a funeral for my my   um brother-in-law something to that degree but you  should be expect They have to reason why. I mean,   how would how would you designate that then? How  would you say it? Personal. Would you just say   that's personal? A personal matter out of town for  a family event or something of that nature. Now,   the other choice is you can put it in writing  and submit

044it to the clerk or to the chair and   it can be kept in the record that way. Okay.  So, you're then you wouldn't Yeah. Okay. You   would say personal matter of the nature is in  there. However, free information they would be   allowed to to foy and get it from us, but we could  keep that documented in that matter. So, then you   might be back. You'd be back by then. Okay. Great.  Okay. So, all right. Thank you. I So, I think we   were on C. You had finished reading C. Um, just  I think that takes us to our last one, which is   policy 259. Well, just let me make sure that  nobody else has any C questions. Okay. I don't   know. Am I still in C? We're on C now. We we had  she had read

045C and there was a couple of questions   related to appendix C and I just wanted to make  sure there was no additional questions before   we move on to policy. Okay. Miss Melnik, would  this also be about public as access to meetings? Um about public comment is not taken at  committee meetings unless required by   the school board. Correct. And that's been  your procedure. you don't normally do public   um comments because you don't build in the time  for that. However, I was thinking in circumstances   um on a ad hoc committee sometime we had one like  in Jericho Road that might be something where   they wanted to hear the input from the public but  that would be in the call or the designation for   that ad hoc committee there. So I could see an ad  hoc committee might

046pulse but that's not typical.   You don't generally take public comments with  Okay. And I but unless unless we decide it's   necessary, we can do it. I I ask because  at GSA and CEP, we do take public comment.   And so I just wanted to make sure that we  still have that ability. If a need arises,   you would designate that in the either the call  the purpose for the committee or the school board   might direct a committee to take comments. Okay.  How you would handle that. Perfect. Thank you. All right, we're going to move on to policy 259.  This is in your administrative section. This is   currently titled as outside legal counsel, and  we're proposing that you change the title to   outside legal counsel, payment of employees,  legal fees, and settlement authority. Legal   fees has already been

047in there, but we wanted to  clarify in the settlement authority. So, under A,   which is employment of outside legal counsel,  one is authority to employ outside legal counsel   in subsection A. And we'd like to add a there  are some minor grammatical changes in there,   but we'd like to add a final sentence that would  read outside counsel retained by the school   board's insurance carrier to represent the school  board or its officials, employees, agents do not   require schoolboard approval. And that's because  it's that's generally been through your insurance   carrier. They designate they hire the attorneys  they designate. So we don't approve that. You   that's just that's nothing new. That's just um  designating what's happening there. clarification   in B has a minor um addition clarifying instead  of his or her we were going to put the school   board

048member. We would add a C for the paragraph  starting with notwithstanding. Couple grammatical   changes there. Then you would move on to a D. We  would add D which would be retention and payment   of outside legal counsel for those employees  who contracts require allow for its retention   and payment will be done in accordance with the  contract terms. There are at least two employees   that's superintendent myself who have separate  contacts with provisions on legal counsel. So   we just recognize that there. Then you would  take number what's currently paragraph D and   make that E. Then we go down to section two  which is selection criteria. I'm proposing   removing section C. That was a requirement the  city attorney's office used to have when we were   still city attorney's office that it had to be  a local office. That's not

049always the best value   for you. we have outside council that we use from  other areas such as Richmond are more efficient,   more cost effective. So, I'm proposing we take  that out which would then reumber um a couple of   the paragraphs down there. You do have um referral  to the city on there and we're going to take out   reference to the city and to council members.  That's hearkens back to the time when we were   still the city attorney's office was representing  the school division. Under section three,   which is direction and reporting a it would  be outside council shall work at the direction   of the school board or the school board's dy  authorized designate. The schoolboard's in-house   legal council is authorized to work with outside  legal counsel regarding routine matters and will   communicate with the school board

050regarding the  status of the legal matter. When the schoolboard's   in-house council has a conflict with legal  matter or is the subject of the legal matter,   the schoolboard chair will be the direct contact  for the outside legal counsel when we strike out   the rest of the paragraph. There are minor  change uh grammatical changes go throughout   the section B. Then we're proposing adding  a section C. And we want to clarify and this   has come up a couple times that you the schooler  may not be fully aware when we we have a lot of   minor issues that your risk manager handles and  risk managers has some settlement authority. We   want to clarify this in the the policy. So we are  proposing adding a section C settlement authority.   The school division's risk manager or the  chief financial officer are

051authorized   to settle negligence, personal injury,  workers compensation claims, contract,   intellectual property, and other legal claims  against the school board, the school division,   or its employees, officers, or agents under the  circumstances set forth below. It would be one,   settlement authority does not exceed $50,000. the  schoolboard's insurance carry and the sorry two   the schoolboard's insurance carry and the school  board's in-house legal counsel or outside legal   counsel assigned to the matter have reviewed and  concur concurred regarding the settlement offer   and three the school board and the superintendent  received notice of the settlement within a   reasonable period of time after the settlement is  accepted. You have a lot of very small claims. We   have buses occasionally hit a car, hit something  on their minor contract issues, things that your   risk manager handles which within his discretion.  We thought this

052would be more efficient that we   clarify here that your risk manager is able  to handle that. So that's our recommendation   to codify the procedure. After that there are no  further Yes, ma'am. Okay. So I see before that the   settlement amount that we authorized was $20,000  and that is going up to $50,000 and it seems like   it's quite a quite a jump. What is the rationale  behind that specific number? I think it's an older   figure that was put in there a number of years ago  and not the point I have the discretion to do that   on there. What we were looking at when we there  are a lot of claims that you don't necessarily   see but that we go over on a quarterly basis with  our insurance car with the risk manager. There's   small issues. It

053seems small but a car accident  cost a little bit more when you hit something   uh and there workers compensation. You may work  a deal out and something minor like that. So we   thought $50,000 well it yes it's a large amount  of money. It is not in the litigation world a very   large settlement. This would be a very small  amount. I mean I I guess and I don't think it   needs to necessarily be written into policy but  I think it'd be nice if you know maybe quarterly   maybe semiannually if maybe the board can get  a report of what what those are just so that we   have a grasp on what that is. That would not be  a problem. We actually meet quarterly with the   um insurance carrier and we have a list of the  litigation and

054we go back and forth on that. So,   we could certainly show you what that is and then  would show you with this with these settlements.   We would come to you and report to you when it  was settled. But there is a list of this what I'll   call small litigation matters that we regularly  review. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cummings. Yeah,   I was just going to echo similar comments that our  chair made. Uh I noted that you said a lot. So,   my next follow-up question will always be how  many are in that bucket? So, I think the quarterly   board reports or six-month reports will probably  satisfy my question as well. So, and that's not   a problem. We have a normal procedure for that.  We could certainly show you what that is. Okay.   Thank you. We are now

055on to the local special  education annual plan application and report for   VDOE. And we welcome Dr. for Ronnie Meyers do  executive director of programs for exceptional   children and I I did get a um email from the SEAK  chair and so I don't know if you want to share   that as well. Sure. Um Megan Ashburn SEAK chair  usually accompanies me for this um part of the   presentation and she unfortunately had a family  situation that she has to take care of. So she is   not here. So, she actually sent an email. Copied  uh Miss Brown on that as well. So, when I get to   the end where she usually speaks, I will read her  email. Okay. Good evening, Chairwoman Brown, Vice   Chairwoman Weboard Members, and Dr. Robertson.  I am Ronnie Myers Dob, the executive director   of programs

056for exceptional children. I am here  this evening to provide information pertaining to   the division special education annual plan part  B flowthrough application and report which is   often referred to as the annual plan application.  Tonight's presentation is an annual requirement to   inform you of how we intend to spend allocated  federal funds based on the uh requirements   outlined in the application. The annual plan  application serves as a formal agreement between   the local school board and the Virginia Department  of Education for implementing federal and state   laws and regulations governing special education.  Local educational Oops. Ah, sorry. Local   educational agencies are required to submit this  application each year according to the federal   provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities  Education Act of 2004 as well as state regulations   governing special education program for children's  with disability. Uh prior to this

057submission to   VDOE, each school division must review its annual  plan application with its local special education   advisory committee, also known as SEAK, and  submit it to the local school board for approval.   And as I shared, Megan is not here with us  tonight. The annual review is critical because   the dispersement of federal funds appropriated  for the education of children with disabilities is   contingent upon the approval of the plan and its  components. A portion of the application includes   certification of adherence to a list of asurances  delineated by Virginia Department of Education   which ensures the school division has developed  policies and pro procedures for the provision   of special education and related services which  are consistent with the policies and procedures   that VDOE has established in accordance with  IDEIDA and its federal implementing regulations.   Assurances such as those listed

058on this slide  are examples of actions required to maintain   compliance with federal and state regulations.  The terms free appropriate public education and   individualized education program are often heard  in the field of special education. These two com   concepts are specific to each student qualifying  for special education services. As each student's   IEP is developed and reviewed by the IEP team,  determination is made about the supports and   services needed to ensure access to the general  curriculum and to the maximum extent appropriate   the student being educated with peers without  disabilities in the least restrictive environment.   In addition, the school division has policies and  procedures designed to prevent overidentification   or disproportionate representation by race  and ethnicity of children with disabilities. In addition to the statement of asurances,  the annual plan application requires school   divisions to submit information about select  special

059education programs and expenditures.   One required component is information about  the division's jail education program or J.   State regulations mandate that special education  services be provided to incarcerated youth with   disabilities who are in our local jail,  the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.   Such services are delivered according to the  students IEPs by special education teachers.   An inter agency agreement is in place  to address staffing and security issues.   Maintenance of effort ore is the requirement of  each school division to spend at least the same   amount of local or local plus state funds  in the delivery of special education and   related services as spent in the year the  division last met maintenance of effort. Two additional components are listed on this  slide. Proportionate set aside or PSA is the   requirement for each local school division to  set aside a specific

060federal dollar amount to   be used for children with disabilities who are  homeschooled or parentally placed in private   schools within our jurisdiction. Each year,  our division hosts the required collaborative   consultation session with participating Virginia  Beach private schools to determine how best to   use the federal set aside funds. Funds may be  used for direct services, consultative services,   equipment or materials. Direct services will be  used for the provision of speech and language   services due to the strong linkage between  speech and language skills and overall literacy.   The annual plan application also requires a  recap of the division's use of its federal   funds for the prior fiscal year as well  as our anticipated expenditures for the   upcoming fiscal year. The division uses the  federal funds for the intended purposes of   the grant including expenditures for  personnel, materials and equipment and  

061professional development opportunities  with most funds used for personnel. So this slide breaks down our annual plans  projected budgets for 2627 part B section 611   and 619 grant funds. VDOE has not yet released  official allocations by locality for next year   and divisions are asked to prepare a budget based  on level funding within the school current year.   Our recommended budget is summarized in this  chart. These funds represent less than 12 % of   the division's special education funding. Part B  section 611 flowth through also known as title 6B   will continue to support personnel and benefits  and professional development. There is a change   with this. There are 9.5 positions that have been  removed from this application. They are 5.5 social   workers, three behavior intervention specialists  and one behavior intervention specialist TA. And   that is because again we have to

062do level funding  and with the increase in salary and health costs,   the grant is not able to sustain the same amount  of allocations as it has in the past. Part B,   section 619, early childhood special education,  also known as preschool incentive grant,   will also continue to support current personnel,  benefits, material supplies, and professional   development for early childhood special education  teachers. Indirect costs for both were calculated   at the current rate of 2.4% and full details  are located within the annual plan application. So, as noted earlier, each school division must  review its special education annual plan part   B flowthrough application with SEAK prior to  submission of the plan to the school board and   sub subsequently VDOE. On February 26, the  annual plan was shared with the CAX policy   review subcommittee and then on March 9th, it  was

063shared at Cak's regular scheduled meeting.   So, um, Megan did send an an email saying that  she was sorry she was not able to make it to the   schoolboard meeting. Again, her mom is having  some health issues and she needed to attend   to that. She takes her seak responsibilities  very seriously, but sometimes she's stretched   then and she said to please forgive her  absence. Um, she shares that I presented   the budget to the CAC and that they supported  it. The only question they came up with was if   the 9.5 positions will be maintained next year  through another funding source. So at this point   in time I will take any questions. Miss Melnik,  that's my question too. So what is the impact with that reduction? So, um, social workers  obviously are part of the eligibility process   and then

064your behavior intervention specialists  and the behavior inter intervention specialist TA   support general educators and special educators  and working through some of those interfering   behaviors that some students exhibit. So, um,  when we were in the development of this process,   we did communicate with um, Mr. Jameson about  that because all of those positions are actually   under his office and they are longstanding within  this grant application from historical structure   when some of those groups actually were a part  of OPEC. So I do know that he has been having   some communication about I like to hear that  because our I mean so the public knows our special   education numbers have grown exponentially.  Correct. And that's a little concerning. That's   that's a significant reduction in staff. And so I  really that brings me great pause. So on the other   side,

065this is my other question. You mentioned the  local jail education program. So you're talking   about the correction facility, Virginia Beach's  correction facility, not the juvenile detention   center. Okay. Correct. Do how many students do  we have there now? It varies. I mean we could   have six, we can have 11, we can have three.  Okay. So, that grant we have one instructional   specialist and then we have some part-time staff  when needed. All right. So, basically supports the   one instructional specialist. Dr. Green, thank  you. And you've answered part you probably knew   I was going to ask you about the 9.5 sign. So, my  question may be um or it may be more of a comment   and Dr. Robertson may be able to answer some of  it. We are required by law the time peri frame for   completing student

066evaluation. So if you're short  social workers who have to go out to the commute   to a home and get social history as well as some  other things that that would be significantly   impacted. So I guess Dr. Robertson my question  and you may not be able to answer it right now.   I'm sure there's a plan in place as to how we are  going to fund those positions, especially those   social workers because they are so crucial as we  all know to the eligibility process. Yeah. So,   the plan right now is to take a look at some of  our other title grants and how we allocate the   funds from those grants to see if we can fold some  of those positions into those grants. and what we   can't fold into those positions. I'm gonna have  to come back

067to the board and make a case that   because of the nature and you just described with  the social workers, we may need to add them to the   operating budget. I know that's some not something  we want to do and so what we cannot take care of   through the other title grants I'll probably be  coming back to the board, right? And and you will   have no choice because I mean that's a federal  mandate. And then I would assume for the behavior   specialists, they're built into the IEPs to so  how how is that working in terms of what support   they will provide or not be able to provide.  So they're not built they're not they don't   provide a service through the IEP. Okay. They  support our general educators and our special   educators and coming up with the

068plan behavior  intervention plans. Okay. All right. Thank you. Miss Rogers. So, I don't think I'm going to  put you on the hot seat. I think I'm going   to put Dr. Robertson on the hot seat.  Sorry. Okay. Um, but I'm been told,   and maybe you can correct me if I'm wrong,  that we are one of four cities that the   military designates if you have a student with  special education needs, if you need to be um,   you know, live somewhere and you have a student  with special education needs, we are one of four   cities. That's correct. I don't know if we're  one of four, but we're definitely one of those   cities. Okay. Correct. So, my question then is  more budget related. What kind of supports do we   get from the military and the federal government  for taking

069those students? Because we do have an   increase in special education students and  that is in part because we are one of those   designated cities by the military. So, are  we getting funding for that from the federal   government and if not can we chase that? Miss  P, do you want to talk about the funding piece?   I think I would have to double check because  it on the military connected we usually did get   grant money, federal money for that, right? But  that's for all military children, correct? So,   Oh, okay. Um, there is a string of funds related  to federal impact aid we get from the Department   of Defense defense specifically for military  connected students with severe disabilities.   It's a very small population of students and we  work very closely with uh Dr. Myers Dob's office   to report

070on that information to the federal  government so we can get additional funds to   support those students. So we are getting funding  for that at the moment. Correct. We do receive   that annually based on what we report. That's what  I was wondering because someone had asked me do we   get funding for that and I said I have no idea.  So that's why I was asking and I don't know if   there's any else that we could ask them for under  that same vein but you know no because it is tied   to the information we report annually in our total  impact aid application for the division based   on the number of special education students we  report in that collection of federally connected   students. It determines whether or not we're  eligible to receive that funding and then they   contact

071us to say, "Hey, you're eligible. Please  submit an application with required information so   that you can receive these additional funds." Got  it. Thank you. You're welcome, Mr. Cummings. Yeah,   I'm going to probably repeat some of the things  that my colleague said. So, may just maybe some   more thoughts and not a question, but that 9.5  number is important to me as well. And so I'd be   open open to seeing how additional funds might be  able to be utilized um as where you were talking   about our wish list and whatnot be utilized for  helping, you know, support those staff. I was on   a recent school visit and I got to hear firsthand  how important our social workers are um and for   supporting our schools and supporting our students  and how much they're utilized and I can't imagine  

072and how they're already stretched thin across  multiple schools. And I think those folks have   extremely extremely good job that they're doing  with our kids. Um, and that it's important to to   go beyond the social worker appreciation month  and show that we, you know, have boots on the   ground to address student needs. Um, I know it's  important for my district as well as I have talked   about that this about this specifically within my  district. And so I just wanted to close out just   my thoughts that, you know, I had a recent school  visit and I I like to reference my visits a little   bit because it takes, you know, the theory into  practice and I got to see um observe firsthand a a   major major win in the special ed classroom and I  know that these

073folks work extremely hard for our   students and whenever you're in their spaces, you  see them dedicated on the you know on the ground   to in the chairs to helping these children find  education, helping them learn and that they're   not just building accessibility that they're  building opportunity for these kids. And so when   I read through, you know, the grant application,  you know, this one particular moment came to my   mind of where I got to observe a kid like bright  smile winning in life. And the whole building was   excited about this. They were talking about in  the hall. They brought us into the classroom to   see this observation, to see what was going on  because they were very excited. So, I do applaud   the the work that you do for creating opportunity  for these for these kids

074and I hope that we could   figure out as a board how to ensure that we  have these the appropriate staff for for this   population. Vice Chair Williams, um yes, as as you  have prepared us in the budget workshop for things   that may come in case we get more money, what  is the dollar um amount that we're talking about   ballpark figure 9.5 positions? Do you remember?  A little over a million. Yeah, a little over a   million. Okay. All right. Okay. And then also, I'm  sorry Miss Aspurn couldn't be here. She does take   her role very seriously and she does a great job  and we we appreciate you, Megan. That's a whole   committee as well. Miss Melnik. So, the House and  Senate budgets both include additional funding for   special education. If that is approved, will that  render

075this conversation moot or is this different   money? I think it's different money. Okay.  So, it won't it won't matter. Okay. Thank you. Okay. I don't see any additional questions.  Thank you. And I just wanted to, you know,   do shout outs to the special education  advisory committee. I am a liaison to   that and I can attest that Miss Ashburn  takes her role very seriously and as do   all the members of the committee and also  um they have vacancies if anyone wants to   apply. Um we are now on to special elections  and we welcome Tommy Shadic, director of   security and emergency management. Good evening  everybody. I have stuff. Give me one second. excuse me for two presentations  this evening and I'm the back   half of the information so we're almost there evening chairwin Brown vice chair Williams

076board  members and Dr. Robertson. My name is Tommy Shack.   I'm the director of the Office of Security and  Emergency Management. Uh this even provide a   school board with a brief overview of the upcoming  special elections that we have on March 17th and   April 21st and I'll go over the update to the  curfew ordinance uh here in Virginia Beach. So   I believe first to Regina is special elections.  Thank you, ma'am. Just checking and we're off.   The city of Virginia Beach Vot registration  and elections office has set March 17th as   the voting date to fill the vacancy in the 98th  Virginia House District created by the passing of   delegate Barry Knight. The special election  will only be held in voting precincts found   in the Virginia 98th House District. Early voting  for this upcoming special election began on

077March   6. City of Virginia Beach voter registration and  elections office as authorized by city ordinance   10-1 has identified the following 13 schools  that will serve as polling locations for the   special election and they are on the screen right  now with their accompanying precinct numbers. Good. All right. So, our plan BBCPS intends  to continue in-person education for all   students and staff at all 13 school polling  locations. The Department of School Leadership,   the Department of Communications and  Community Engagement, and the Office   of Security Emergency Management have  already taken the following proactive   measures to ensure a safe and secure learning  environment during this special election event.   We provided information and guidance to our  school principles. Conducted site assessments with   principles to ensure separate voter entrances.  Prepared messaging for families and school staff.   Review traffic safety and emergency operation 

078plans. Scheduled additional security staff to   monitor the polling locations and coordinate  with the Virginia Beach Police Department. on April 21st. The super Virginia Beach Voter  Registration Elections Office has set April   21st as the voting date for the proposed Virginia  constitutional amendment that seeks to adopt new   congressional districts. This special election is  being held in all polling precincts throughout the   Commonwealth of Virginia. Early voting for this  proposed amendment change began on March 6. Say   Virginia Beachwood Registration Elections Office  as authorized by city ordinance 10-1 identified   the following 58 schools that will serve as  polling locations for the special election.   standby for a lot of schools and sorry for  the small font. So those are your 58 schools   being used for April 21st. Our intentions due  to the large expected voter turnout and the   considerable number of

079school polling locations.  VBCPS recommends transitioning to synchronous   learning for all schools during the special  election on April 21st. Synchronous learning is   instruction that occurs in real time with teachers  in their classrooms and students at home engaging   simultaneously through the live virtual platforms  like Google Meet. Any questions from the board   about March 17th or April 21st and our intentions?  Miss Rogers. So, this would not be for you,   Mr. Shadic. Thank you for the presentation. I  appreciate it. But my question is really for   Dr. Robertson. Why are we not doing asynchronous  and synchronous instead? Just out of curiosity.   Yeah. So, we would we our default on inclement  weather days is to go to asynchronous after a day   because teachers haven't had the chance to prepare  synchronous lessons. But with this much notice,   we can absolutely absolutely have

080teachers  prepare for synchronous learning sessions to   be delivered on that day. All right? Because  my concern is that with synchronous learning,   you are then requiring parents and caregivers  to be there to ensure that the students are   getting on and are staying on their Chromebooks  and are, you know, doing all of the things as a   school day. So my concern is more for our parents  who have to work are are you know and and with   asynchronous learning if a student can't get on  their Chromebook at a certain time parents aren't   available they can do that then at a different  time and especially this being a voting day will   that then impact their ability to go vote as  well. So those are just my questions that I'm   concerned with when we're doing synchronous  versus asynchronous if if

081that makes sense. Mr. Callum, I'm curious. An April election is  exceedingly unusual. Yes, sir. And so I hope   you're right, but my curiosity is why do you  expect such a large turnout? It's a statewide   election, sir. It's a single issue on the ballot.  It's just one issue, but it it affects the entire   Commonwealth. And so for our lens, it's mostly  about the number of schools being located that   are using those polling sites. Um that limits  our support. So that's why we're recommending   that we do either synchronous or asynchronous  learning at those sites. But you're not aware of   any information that suggests that the turnout  will be large. You're just assuming? Um well,   my position in my office is to assess data and  talk to the election board and talk and look at   the data we

082have. And so looking at the number of  ads, looking at the community, looking at social   media seems to be a very uh topic that's going to  drive voters to the polls. Um and so based on that   assessment and talking with the election officials  of Virginia Beach, they expect it to be a large   turnout as well. I met with Christine Lewis um  and Donald Jordan who are on the election commit,   their board of electors for here in Virginia  Beach, and they also expect the same thing. So   based on those conversations and what we're seeing  uh on social media and the news, my expectation   we'll have a large turnout, much more so than the  March 17th election. Well, due to the seriousness   of the subject matter that surrounds the election  itself, I I hope you're right, but

083uh I was just   curious as to the expectation, but again, I I I  do hope you're very right. Yes, sir. Mr. Cummings.   Yeah. My questions are more about the the  asynchronous or sorry, the synchronous learning   day. Um, and just help me understand, you know,  what's the walkthrough and communication plan? I   know we're probably still in the midst of figuring  out um, but what's that communication plan going   to look like to parents, the community? Do we have  designated Wi-Fi places encouraging folks, you   know, to go to somewhere or I assume maybe like  library, things like that? Yeah. Yeah. So, we've   we've done this type of work before and so there  are locations throughout the cities that that kids   can access uh Wi-Fi if they don't have that. Mr.  Den and his connections has a really good

084idea   of what areas of our city would be impacted, but  the message would be uh with board approval of our   recommendation uh would go out right after spring  break to give everybody plenty of time to prepare   uh teachers to talk to their students. um  field any questions for this particular plan. Mr. Co Pepper, I guess I have a similar question to my colleague  here. Um it's no small thing for us to do a   uh synchronous or asynchronous learning day  here uh somewhat off the cuff. Obviously,   there's a little bit of time to plan, but uh  but for a lot of families that means taking a   day off of work, which is not insignificant. So,  I guess I'm trying to just understand what where   the precedent is here for this because obviously  for the national election,

085the November election,   uh we plan for that way ahead of time and that's a  uh that's a day off of school. Uh so, we can deal   with that. But like we normally don't close school  for primaries, do we not presidential primaries?   We haven't done that in the past. Yeah. Um and and  those are citywide. you know, the March 17th one,   that's that's unique that we only have a small  area of the city that's got the got the vote.   Normally, it is citywide. So, I guess I'm trying  to understand what the difference is here. So,   my assessment in our office based on the uh  conversations with the election officials in   Virginia Beach and that is to Mr. Call's  point, it's a an issue that has incited   passion in the Commonwealth um based on the  the congestion

086districts being reszoned. Um,   you know, having voting population come into our  schools during arrival dismissal throughout the   day is is logistical challenging from logistic  standpoint. Having those people in our buildings,   having voters come in starting around 6:00 a.m.  all the way through parks and wreck, all the way   through our education process. But we've done  this before, though. We have sir um to so my my   assessment recommendation was that we go to either  async or synchronous education to avoid logistical   concerns of having that voting population um  this is a a unique election um on the on the   property I don't think you're wrong about that but  that's not unique within the last few years well   forgive me my assessment is the issue that's being  decided on April 21st um based on the the passion   of of

087of the issue itself I may have to ask you  afterwards why why you're coming to that because   If you don't want to say it now, I'll talk to you  afterwards. Sure. Okay. Vice Chair Williams. Yeah,   that was kind of my question because I know when  certain primary Yeah. the presidential primaries,   we didn't do that. So, in the small like on  the planned school operations for March 17th,   you're going to conduct site assessments  to ensure separate voter entrances,   schedule additional security staff. So is so  basically you have it covered for March because   it's a small number and are you saying we don't  have the resources to ensure that type of separate   entrances and security staff to monitor ma'am  at these 58 schools yeah on the March 17th plan   oh so my team which is the two

088coordinators  myself and about four security officers in   addition to the layer of already existing  security in the school will be focusing on   those 13 schools throughout the election period.  So, we'll be monitoring those polls throughout   the day. Once we expand to uh to 58 schools,  it lessens our ability to have that kind of   uh just patrolling ability to patrol all those  schools on that one day. Um our office is,   you know, comparatively smaller to other other  offices. We're well staffed. I'm fine with that.   But for this day, um we're good. But we  have only three of us in the coordinator   and director's level and only four of our our oim  security officers that can also act as additional   layers for our in-house security. Once we expand  to 58, our ability to keep an eye on

089all these   polling locations is diminished and the city  doesn't provide anything for those for voting.   I I can't even I mean how many hundreds of times  have I voted? Are there police I mean are they   city people? They they supply civilian employees  to help uh put the machines up. Oh, yeah. Yeah.   Right. As far as security, but as security, you  know, the Virginia Beach Police Department has our   SRO program and as a former police officer and  a sergeant, what we would do on election days,   we'd assign our patrol officers with, you know,  parallel duties that day. But if we get a busy   day where officers are working accidents or  other cases, they can get pushed away to other   places. So I can't guarantee that we have the  coverage of 58 schools citywide with SRO and  

090precinct officers. Well, I mean obviously safety  is paramount, but also face toface instruction,   the kids in the building with their teacher  for, you know, multiple reasons that that we   all know is is very important and is a pri is  a priority as well. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Dr. Green. Thank you. And and Mr. Shadock, thank  you for um your presentation. I'm going to come at   this from having been the building administrator  at Plaza Annex that served as a precinct. So   colleagues, it's either feast or phantom. You you  have no way of knowing what the voter turnout is   going to be. You know, you everyone knows to have  an umbrella when it rains, but being precautionary   to carry one if it's going to rain. And so in  this case, my point is we need to do

091diligence   and be prepared for whatever. And I when I was  at Plaza and we didn't even have students just   the comingings all day redirecting people to  the right entrance making sure people are not   wandering through the building. Um Dr. Robertson  you've been there too with some of this. I mean   it changes the entire structure of your day. I was  in a building of adults. We did not do PD. I mean,   it really because we were 12-mon employees, so  we had to be at work. So, to have to do this   with kids, oh no. Um, the safety concern, there  are so many variables to this. It looks easy uh   from the outside, but even looking at what we're  doing on, you know, March um 17th, you know, kudos   to those schools that are going to I

092mean that  they're going to be heightened with making sure,   you know, people are not wandering, people are  parking in the right place, not blocking buses,   and um lunchtime going out making sure you  know It's we should take this administration's   recommendation for closing on the 21st. Thank you.  Thank you, ma'am. And I do not believe that Miss   Melnik has gone yet. So, Miss Melnik and then  Mr. Rogers. Okay. So, just so the public knows,   we did not select this day and we our polling  locations for 58 schools. That's a lot of schools.   Um, so I understand the synchronous day for that  and um I think our teachers with this kind of   heads up they'll be fine. They'll it'll be okay.  Back in the day I think um all election days we   had parent teacher conferences those

093days and so  that was a different scenario. Let's hop back to   March 17th. Yes ma'am. For district 98 that small  list of schools where where will the voting take   place? Is it that in the library on those days?  No, ma'am. So, our team went um following last   week's senior staff meeting, our team went to  the sites individually. Okay. Um and part of my   uh mission to them was identify places where you  can vote that offered external access only. Okay.   Um we do not want, you know, the public wandering  through hallways during transition. We don't want   the public wandering through our cafeterias  or our libraries during the school day. Okay.   So the the mandate for me was identify locations.  Our principles had a lot of grace and were very   patient with us and when very collaborative

094and  they were fantastic with it. But the mandate was   that in the vast majority of our sites will  be in the gym in the gym where you can like   see elementary. It's where I vote. Um you can  go in the back and there's an entrance that's   separate from the school. Correct. Where voters  are kind of socialized to that of going to the   gym areas. Right. Um and so with the exception of  one school, maybe two schools, we're still using   external doors to get to the location place. Okay.  Yes. Because in most libraries, there might be an   exit into a courtyard, which is Yeah. Okay. And  to the to the credit of the election folks, they   have a list of locations where they want things  placed and they were very uh amicable to putting   it somewhere

095else to be. They understand the ask  as well. Okay. Okay. And so we communic I had a   meeting with them a month ago where I explained  to them we're probably going to push those   locations like Shaw bridge is in the library or  in the cafeteria. We have to feed kids. We can't   have in the library cafeteria. And they were very  meanable too and they were very understanding. So   okay for the 13 schools um of the 1311 are in  the gym. One's in an art room which is on the   outside of the building and one's in a band room  also on the outside of the building. Okay. This   is a much smaller election. During the general  election in November only 35,000 votes were cast.   Um this is that was a general ballot so it was  all

096the candidates on that slate. This is a single   issue single two one candidate or two candidates  for one position right and early voting started on   Friday last Friday. So for 98 my expectation  is that we'll have a low v voter turnout the   98th compared to the April 21st election and then  there'll be appropriate signage outside also right   for voters. So, like Christopher Farms, you come  into the school to get to the gym, you have to go   back and around past the um past the dumpsters  and then there's a back entrance into that. So,   they'll have that'll all be it's required by  the state and we'll have people on they set up   the night before and we'll make sure that's out  there and we'll be out there very early. Sorry,   team. Back there very early by

0975:00 a.m. to  make sure there's appropriate signage. So,   we don't The thing about the signage, it keeps  visitors from going to the front door. Correct. We   don't want voters going on our a phone and trying  to vote at the main desk. Okay. Right. So, we're   going to make sure we have our teams out there.  And for the high schools and middle schools,   they have robust security teams, right? We're  going to amplify our security at the elementary   level to give them extra support to get them where  they need to go for the voting. So, we don't want   the two to mix. So, for the elementary schools  affected, we hope for a very sunny day that day   so all the kids can play outside. Otherwise, sorry  teachers for a a day of PE in the classroom. Yes,  

098ma'am. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thanks for all  this work. Of course, Miss Rogers. Thanks. So,   for March 17th, that is affecting local districts  five and two, which is House District 98. Yes,   ma'am. And so, the location of the sites affected  are also close to here. Since I live up the   street, Mrs. Melnick lives up the street. we are  the two districts that are affected. So, I mean,   I'm very familiar with all the schools um that are  going to be affected. Um but I think for the other   election that my colleagues were concerned about,  um I did not grow up in Virginia Beach and I moved   here in 2016. Um are primaries since I've been  here, they've been at mid to end June, correct?   For presidential primaries, I'm asking because  Yes. Oh, the presidential primaries are

099in March. 2024, I believe, was June 18th, was the Republican  primary. Okay. That was that's the one I I'm not   certain of the That's what I ran. No, no, it  was in June. And so that's why I'm saying if   we had presidential primaries in June, that  would not affect our students. So if we had   all locations opened, it would not affect our  students on June 18th. We would have already   done graduation and everything would have been  done. So having all the schools open would not be   a factor. So I think that the big factor is our  students being in the buildings in April versus   in June they're not there. Yes ma'am. And so and  this is obviously a huge ask with your security   team because of the amount I always tell people  Virginia Beach is

100a very small city where people   know each other but the amount of mileage you  have to cover to get from one end to another is   incredible. So that's going to make it difficult  for y'all. On April 21st, yes, ma'am. March 17th,   it's general corridor. It's the old school.  That's that's district five, my people. So I   mean it's it's much easier to navigate that than  you know everywhere from, you know, district 6,   district 4, 8, 6, 2, 5, all of it. So, in any  event, um, so I just kind of wanted to ask about   that primary because we were talking about the  presidential primaries and that it had happened,   but we didn't have students in the building, so  that kind of makes the difference. Thank you,   ma'am. Um, and Mr. Cummings, I I just want  to

101make a comment um, first really quick. Um,   the presidential primary in 2024 was actually on  March 5th. So, our our school buildings are open   um during those presidential primaries.  Um there was just one one primary   um to my recollection at that time, but um I have  really really mixed mixed mixed feelings and part   of the reason is is that our calendar is set.  And I I understand. I just I am struggling from   an emergency standpoint when there's been special  elections for many many years and school buildings   have been used as voting precincts for many many  years and virtual learning was not an option.   Um it's really hard for me to want to change  something that families have relied on. Um I   understand the teacher preparation. Um but the  parents are also in need of preparation.

102Um you know and and I agree with my colleague  that said it isn't insignificant.   um you know, I I do worry especially about  the our underserved communities. And so,   um I I would prefer to have our students in person  whenever possible, but my my preference would also   be that if we're going to throw a scheduled early  one month in advance, hey, we're going to do a day   of school, my preference would be that it would  be um asynchronous, not synchronous learning.   so that families can still find ways to navigate  around that. Um so I I feel like my first   preference again is is still um in person because  that's where I feel like students learn best. Um I   feel like there has been ways and I do recognize  the challenges but there are also election  

103officials uh they are able to call law enforcement  um you know and we have done this before. It's not   something I mean the virtual learning came out of  COVID. So we've done it before but anyway um it's   not really a question. It's just a statement.  That's my thoughts. Mr. Cummings. Yeah. Thank   you. Um just for clarification for my own self. Is  this something that the board's going to be voting   on or Okay. When's when are we anticipating uh you  guys will be voting on this recommendation in the   next meeting? March 24th. March 24th. The March  17th. So the 17th one was not um we were telling   you what you we would intend to do. So that one  doesn't require a vote unless you guys wanted to.   But the more significant impact uh for the April 

104election uh was important and it if I may be able   to address kind of some of the the whole of the  board conversation that you're having uh because   this is exactly why this was brought in front  of the board is because the we don't take these   uh uh recommendations lightly and there's a lot  that goes into it and uh Dr. Green, you described   a lot of the challenges uh related to that and  so there's a thought of we're doing comparisons   to what's the difference between the 17th of March  and the 21st. I think Mr. Shadic um kind of helped   put it all together with it's a small number.  So when you start have to start talking about   moving one voting location which is typically  used to a gymnasium which is an external door   and you

105only have to do that on a small number  of buildings and then our security and emergency   management staff in a local small area can spread  themselves across that reduces risk. This is a   risk conversation. So when you go to that many  schools without additional security support,   risk goes up. When you put that many vehicles and  people in around our building, challenges go up   with getting parents and their kids there, with  getting buses there, with having our staff have   the ability to park. We also will have many people  on our sites that may not be allowed to be on our   sites on any given day, but they're a voter. So  now they will be allowed on our sites. We will   not be able to easily identify things that look  odd because that day will look odd

106for how many   visitors that we have at that site. So our ability  to be able to predict actions based on what we can   observe goes down. So just understand this is a  riskbalance conversation. Clearly we're going to   leave the what type of instruction over to the  instructional side of the house. But as this   relates to this recommendation is to reduce risk  for everybody in the division. That's why it's   a recommendation for whatever type of instruction  to not have students in the building on that day.   Um, I just to follow up because I think that's  also what I'm thinking about is just the the risk   assessment piece. Uh, and I I definitely hear my  colleagues perspective, you know, what what we do   for primaries and how we go about that. And then I  also hear, you

107know, anticipated turnout. Um, and   my my quick thoughts are, you know, just having  worked the polls and I know all of us have worked   polls and, you know, seeing all these folks in our  schools helping people vote, you know, I always   think like, well, where are people going to the  restroom while kids are in session? How are are   we closing that off for poll for just city staff?  Do we clip that off for citizens? Do we close that   off for people, you know, pole greeters outside?  You know, I think something like simp simplistic   like that is that could actually, as you're  saying, being an overarching problem, right? Like,   are they going to the right place? Are they going  to the teachers restroom? Are they accustom, you   know, at Ro where I vote at ROF going

108to the one  like right by the doors? Well, I know that seems   like thing. That's the type of risk that I think  about. Um, and so I appreciate you bringing in   that perspective. Uh I mean I I I don't know how  turnout will be. I haven't really honestly looked   too much beyond the you know the issue but I do I  do personally heir on the side of safety uh of our   students of our community and uh I appreciate just  this insight and the future discussion about it. All right. Thank you. Um,   we are now on to the update on the city  curfew and still meeting. Take it away. I'm going to try with the glasses this time.  The city of Virginia Beach has adjusted the   curfew for minors, moving the start time from  11:00 p.m.

109to 10 p.m. for individuals under   18. The curfew continues through 5:00 a.m. This  new curfew will go into effect on March 19th. One second. There are exceptions. This is from the city  ordinance. Any emergency errand reasonably   necessary to safeguard life, limber property.  Number two, lawful employment, including going   directly from the minor's residence to the place  of such employment or returning directly from   the place of such employment to the minor's  residence uh to and from work. Number three,   attendance at a specified engagement or  performance, attendance at a religious service,   or participation in any assembly or expressive  activity protected by the First Amendment of the   United States Constitution, provided that  the minor shall have in his possession,   written permission, including the signature,  address, and telephone number of a parent,   guardian, or other adult person having care,  custody,

110or control of such minor to attend   such activity or event. and shall return directly  to his residence upon conclusion. And the last   exception is interstate travel through beginning  or terminating in the city of Virginia Beach. Possible outcomes. A minor outpass curfew without  an exception may face the following. Be provided   a verbal warning or issue a citation. In this  case, it's a class 4 misdemeanor. Taken to a   designated pickup location. taken to a nonsecure  state certified crisis center or juvenile shelter   if deemed in the minor's best interest and or  taken to the juvenile intake division for further   processing under Virginia law. If a minor is out  after 10 p.m., several city facilities have been   identified as pickup locations for parents and  guardians throughout the city. And as a reminder,   this starts on March 19th, goes into

111effect.  And any questions at this time? Thank you,   Miss Melnik. I don't have a question and nobody  really cares about my opinion, but I'm going to   state it anyway. This is a great move on the  part of Virginia Beach. This is a great move.   I tell my adult kids, nothing good happens after  midnight. I always think about it at nearly 60. I   think nothing good happens after midnight. Um, but  I know that there has been an uptick in gun thefts   from automobiles by minors. And we learned that,  Dr. Robertson and I learned that last year when   the city was going to put out a public statement  about minors and gun thefts from automobiles. So,   I guess little PSA, lock your car doors if  you choose to leave your guns in your car,   which you shouldn't

112do. But I appreciate the  proactive nature and I think this is a win-win   for the city of Virginia Beach for our students.  Um, and all you need to do is look what happened   in the 1800 block of Atlantic Avenue this past  weekend. Um, where six were six were they minors   were shot? Well, they all weren't 21. I'll tell  you that they were all under the age of 20. They   were all under the age of 20. And so, um, kudos.  They have my full support on this one. Dr. Green,   thank you. As a former I still am a parent. I  love curfews. I even use them now. Except nights   I have schoolboard meeting. I can't stick to my  curfew for myself. So my question, Mr. Shadic,   and and Dr. Robertson may have to uh weigh in.

113So  nights we have school events. How is this going   to look like there's a overtime at a football  game or and we know what happens on Friday night   anyway with traffic getting out of the different  stadiums or a basketball game prom weekend ring   dance. So how does that look? Do we provide  a list to the police department or Yeah. So,   I I I provided this presentation to Leanne Turbo,  who's our director of student leadership. Um,   she had questions about ring dance and proms.  They've already been that's it's prom and ring   dance season coming up pretty soon. They often  go past this curfew date. So, we'll provide   communication and support to that office for the  student activity coordinators. Get the word out   about um to get a note from those children so  they'll have that ready.

114Um, speaking to the   Virginia Beach Police Department this afternoon, I  met with them in preparation for this meeting. Um,   and Chief Nugate mentioned this in his article.  They're seeking voluntary, you know, they're   seeking voluntary uh, compliance with this law.  And he even, Chief Nugate even stated that they're   going to give out warnings in the first phase of  this. So, if you're coming home from a basketball   game, double overtime, and you want a game,  you're driving home, an officer pulls you over   and you are from a sporting event, oftentimes the  police officer will call your mom or dad and say,   "Hey, is they do Yeah. Is William with is William  your son?" "Yes." "Do he play basketball?" "Yes,   he does. he's on his way home right now and  they'll let him go home. So with those

115situations,   um unplanned events like overtime games and  athletic events, um law enforcement will be   aware of that. And we have officers at all  of our events as well. So they're going to   be there as well. So they can communicate to  their precincts, hey, the lacrosse game went   over or soccer went over or football is going over  because there was there's traffic. And Virginia   Beach and our school division has a really good  working relationship and we'll communicate those   things to to law enforcement. As far as proms and  scheduled events like that tend to go past 10 pm,   um I feel confident in Lean Turbo seem to get that  message through student activities coordinators   to the to the parents and to the staff and the  students. You're welcome. M Miss Rogers. So, as a   parent to a

116almost 17-year-old, I don't love this.  Um, every day this week, my child is going to be   at her high school until 900 PM practicing for the  upcoming musical that she is participating in. She   cannot come home late or she will get picked up by  this. I read um on social media that there were 37   uh children that were uh told to go home this  weekend. So I I'm I'm not in love with it. And   then the other thing that's concerning to me  is that it is my understanding that during city   council this evening there was discussion amongst  our city council about whether or not the school   division should be responsible in helping enforce  this which I also do not love when students are   not participating in school events and they  are doing things even studying

117or whatever.   Um, you know, this is this is unfortunately going  to be a big lift for parents. I personally don't   want to have to write my daughter a come home  safely note anytime that she may be out past 8:00,   but that's if she's got to carry a note for me,  then that's what's going to have to happen. Um,   I think that this is going to be, you know, just  a heavy lift for some parents whose children are   especially working, especially working to support  their families. We have lots and lots of kids that   have to work to help put food on their own tables  in their households. And I think that it's it's   not great for them. And I think that instead of  making blanketed rules for all the kids to have   to abide by when

118they weren't doing something,  we should probably target the kids that are doing   something and we do it in a more targeted fashion.  And that is usually the differentiation that works   best for everyone. But I didn't pass this law. So,  I just wanted to state that um I I am concerned   that some of our students are going to be targeted  when they are doing school events that aren't big   events like a sporting event or a big event, you  know, I mean, there's tons and tons of events that   we have going on that are small that are sitebased  that are going to probably affect our students and   so that does concern me. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Cummings.  Yeah, I think my my personal opinion aside on on   this, you know, I I I would encourage my board,  fellow

119board colleagues to watch the discussion   and city council and the presentation from our  police chief. I thought it was really good uh a   couple weeks ago and is informative. You know, I'm  not a huge fan of punish the many for an actions   of few and that that approach and while I have  mixed feelings about this, my biggest concern is   how does this get communicated to our parents? You  know, we just learned about our school lunch debt   and how people are accustomed to, you know, not  having to pay. And, you know, I think at times,   you know, we see things in the news because  we're very involved citizens of Virginia Beach,   but I also wonder how much, you know, our common  parents are thinking about like curfew like, oh,   it's a football game. All right, go

120to IHOP  afterwards, get pancakes, have fun with your   friends, like 10:05, whatever. You know, I  remember I went to concerts that lasted till   11 when I was a minor. Um, drove to them all  by myself and now I guess I I this says I have   to have a note from my parent. Um, I'm just  curious how I feel like I would I'd love for   us to be very proactive in our communication  to parents um with the specifics that are,   you know, outlined here and have a very aggressive  communication strategy because I think the last   thing, you know, we want to see is, you know, our  students who are well-intentioned to hanging out,   attending our events, going places to suddenly  feeling like they can't go to them because I know   we said before that some of

121our school events do  go past 10. So, how how's that? Yeah. How's that   changing and adjusting based on this? We do have  a U communication plan. Um, it's going to uh it's   multi-pronged. So, I will include in my next two  monthly newsletters information about the curfew.   Um, Miss Livis is working with her team to provide  schools with information they can put in their   newsletters that go home to parents on a regular  basis. Uh, we continue to tag the VBPD social   media platform. Um, and so, you know, we recognize  that we want people to get the message, but let's   be clear, we need parents to be parents and they  need to to make themselves aware of what's going   on. We need our parents to talk to each other. Um  because uh you know we will not

122be enforcing this   with the Virginia Beach Police Department. This  is not our rule. And if we have a child that gets   stopped and there's an issue, parents, don't call  us. Call PD because we have nothing to share with   you. This is a police matter that's been codified  or, you know, voted on and approved by the city.   Um, and so we're going to get the message out, but  we need to do we need you to do your thing. Yep.   Thank you for sharing. And I also just wanted  to say thanks to our chair because I did ask   for an update at this from one of our meetings  because I did think it was important to start the   conversation to our community uh to start thinking  about, you know, those moments that they have now   with their

123kids with the freedoms, you know,  that they had. And it's always interesting how,   you know, cities approach problems when, you  know, Texas as a state doesn't doesn't enforce   any curfew laws for minors. And it's interesting  just to see how different folks get together,   try to solve problems. I'm not putting a positive  or negative on it, but just when I was reading it,   watching the city council meeting, which,  you know, I encouraged because it really   it was really good presentation by our  chief talking about youth violence. Um,   and it's just interesting to me to see how  their their approach was to solving, you know, a Mr. Bowensteel. Well, just for my two cents  worth, I think that changing it to 10:00 is   a mistake. I just see too much activity going on.  I think it's going

124to cause more problems in the   long run with with I mean, most children that are  under 16 are probably home or should be home. And   you have a lot of people working. the police  don't know they're coming home from work and   they're going to be pulling over people here and  there, which to me could take away from what they   really should be doing. Just my two cents. Yes,  sir. Miss Felton. Thank you, Chair Brown. Well,   um I do appreciate the uh curfew this Saturday  passed. It was I don't know what that was.   was phenomenal. And I drove at least five  young African-American male down to the   beach and I took them the long way around  so they could see the different scenery of   uh the beach and some of them had not some of them 

125had not been to the beach in the last year and he   was and he's oh my god I didn't know this existed.  really we've always had well I've always had the   conversation with my African-American males  and as I was placing them out on the street   to go to 16th Street I said at responsible I said  because I know all my police friends and I said   I would have them call me to check you all out  and they all laugh I know Hulcom I know I know   new gay and they were laughing I said but be on  your best behavior behavior. But Saturday as you   as I drove down the beach and drove down the um  uh Atlantic Avenue, it was so many young people   out there high school. I mean, you could name  them. And

126once my once my uh little crew got out,   they let me know that students was from all  over the city that was there. Unfortunately,   I've always had that conversation. Watch your  back. do what you're going to do. Even before   the co curfew came down, uh, one of my grandsons  told me, he said, "Grandma, I would just ride in   the car." And he I was in the back, but my friend  was driving. He was white, but the police officer   immediately attacked me in the back. He said,  "I didn't particularly care about how it went   down." He said, "But it was okay." I said, I said,  "Well, less said made it better on you." He said,   he said, "Did he said, but I was irritated  by it." So, I do concur with the curfew, but   I've always

127had one. I'm like, Dr. Green, we've  always had a curfew. And and now, thank God for   uh iPhone. I'm tracking you. I got you on my I'm  tracking you where you are and where you going.   It just so happened that they all left before  the shooting began and we had the conversation.   This is why when I was sitting on the park and  wreck commission, we wanted more rec centers, more   activities, more playgrounds, more uh um uh people  uh volunteering for the teams baseball activ. they they're young people and we need  to make it if we want a safe city,   we need to start doing things to allow the  city to be safe. And I still advocate and I   still talk to my city council people  about more um more uh rec centers,   more activities with

128with sports that they can  do that are community involved. I push for that   because things like this will happen. I don't  know. Uh they they said they didn't know. I   question all of them. Did you know any we didn't  know any of them, but we were just glad that we   left before the shooting start. I and I hear all  of you and what are you saying about the school?   But you know there's always been a target  on some of our students always. So with the   curfew coming there maybe we'll help maybe it  won't. But my thing is let's push more for um   rec centers and parks. I said I would prefer you  all going to a movie. I do. And they, you know,   flipper McCoy and even that little game place that  they having there,

129the one out on Independent,   they still have a little problem with that little  game place out there. Apex. Yes. Apex. They had a   flood of police was out there last weekend. I went  to see 1776 play and all he saw was the activity   there. Yes, ma'am. Good play. So, um, my thing is  I'm for the curfew, but then there's other bigger   things that we are not attending to that need to  be addressed. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Miss Dwer. Well, I'm for it because um the area that I  live in um there's been an uptick in crime. So,   um you know, some people live in different areas.  um mine specifically is having a go of it right   now and so I am definitely for it and I'm sensing  that that has a lot to do with

130the curfew. And   also I wanted to add that um with uh minors that  are employed, they can only work till a certain   hour. So there's no reason why they can't be  home by 10:00 as well. Yes, ma'am. Miss Melnik,   I'm sorry to speak again. I just want to I just  want to remind the viewing public this did not   come from Virginia Beach City Public Schools. We  have no power over this, right? Yes, ma'am. Um and   there's a simple fix and that is a note written  by a parent. Keep it in your car. It's just in   your car like your sunglasses, right? Just keep a  note in your car. I'm come I'm on my way home from   work. Here's my parents name. Here's my parents  number. I won't name my kid, but I had one of

131them   um drive home. It was about 11:20 and he got  pulled over. And he didn't get pulled over because   he looked like an underage driver. He got pulled  over because he was speeding. I have one of those.   And then when the police officer called, it's very  scary when a police officer calls and identifies   themselves as a Virginia Beach police officer.  And of course, you think it's something else. and   they said, "Your child was speeding. Do you know  that they're out past curfew?" And the answer was,   "Yes, and I'll take care of the other thing."  And they let him go home. But I I think that's   an important that's important. And just keep a  note in your car. I don't want people getting   too upset. There are people that work. There are  people who parents are

132going to let them go to   a 9:00 movie and come home after 11. Just write a  note, keep it in your car. Yes, ma'am. All right.   Thank you. And yes, um this was an agenda request  by um Mr. Cummings and um I I think it's important   that our community, especially since, you know,  we we're dealing with minors here in education,   that they're getting the message so that they know  what that curfew is. Um, you know, regardless of   opinion, this isn't it's not our vote. It's  the city's um the city's votes. Um, you know,   I have a recently 18-year-old and a 16-year-old.  And um you know I I have always tried to kind of   error my child's to be home by 10:00 anyhow. Uh  personally because I know that the instances of   drunk drivers becomes much

133higher statistically  speaking after 10 p.m. Um occasionally he'll go   to a movie or something and so that exception is  there. So, I do appreciate that they have given   the parents the ability to write that permission  um so that they have it. So, um thank you very   much for providing that update and I I do hope  that I mean we're not going to be enforcing it.   I know another colleague colleague mentioned  that we would help enforce it, but I I do   think that maybe we should be involved in helping  communicate uh the message so that families are   aware since we do have that um mechanism in place.  Anyhow, we are Thank you. Am I done? Now on to the consent agenda and we have religious  exemptions. Are there any objections   to the school board voting on

134the consent  agenda as presented? Moved by Mr. Co Pepper,   seconded by Mr. Cummings. All those in favor.  The voting board is open. So Madam Chair,   we have 11 eyes. The motion to pass for the  approval of the consent agenda. Thank you. We   are now on to the personnel and administrative  appointments. I call for a motion to approve the   personnel report and administrative appointments.  Moved by Miss Rogers, seconded by Mr. Kalen.   Any discussion? Seeing none, I call for  the vote on the personnel appointments. So, Madam Chair, we have 11 eyes. The  motion to pass for the approval of   the personnel report and administrative  appointment. Okay. Dr. Robertson. Yes,   Madam Chair. We're pleased that tonight you've  accepted our recommendation for Jason Mocher,   currently assistant director in building trades  and physical plant facilities at Salisbury   University to be

135the next director of maintenance  services in the office of maintenance services. Also, we're pleased you've accepted  our recommendation for Joseph Barbaro,   a security specialist for the city of Virginia  Beach, a former master police officer in the   city of Virginia Beach, and a gunner's mate in  the United States Coast Guard to be the next   coordinator of security emergency management,  the office of security emergency management. Right. Thank you. We are now on to committee  organization and board reports. Do any board   members have anything to report, Miss Melon? Okay,  it's not a committee report, but I I want to share   something with the board that tonight during  our recruitment and retention presentation. Um   I often wonder where all these pictures come from  every week, you know, in our if they're just stock   photos or random photos. And we

136I turned to the  page and I saw somebody I knew in the picture and   it's Zach Catwinkle, the theater teacher at First  Colonial High School, and I texted him at dinner,   his picture, and said, "Look, you made  it into our board documents." He said,   "I love it. Honored to be the face of teachers you  want to pay more." No, but this is what he said,   and this is why I want to tell you about this.  Have you seen the full video that came from?   It was from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools  National Board series that apparently the National   Board saw and wants to use somehow. And so, um,  he sent me the National Board Certified Teacher Yi   Certified video. I have not looked at it yet, but  Dr. Robertson, could you speak to that?

137Yeah. So,   uh, I believe it was recent. I can't I don't know  it was two weeks ago or a month ago we recognize   our national board certificate certified teachers  who go through a a very rigorous process to earn   that that acknowledgement. Um and it's it's a  it's a process and organization that ex is ex   it exists for all teachers in the country  but only a small number take advantage of   it because it's such a rigorous process. And  so evidently he's put together a video about   the process that's going to be used on their  national marketing campaign. Look at that. See,   Virginia Beach always rises to the top,  don't we? Very good. Congratulations, Vice Chair Williams. Yes. I attended the recovery  school harbor hope center board of directors   meeting last week and I'll tell you they're 

138hitting it out of the park that they're um going   beyond all expectations with that school. Um right  now there are 10 or 11 students with about three   on um takein process. Um one has graduated with  a GED and is doing quite well. The staff there,   I've been able to um meet with them. They're just  they're they're awesome. Um they did an interview   there and they also did a article that was in the  pilot um either yesterday or the day before. So   Oh, was it okay I Okay, great. Okay. So, it was ex  it's just excellent and it's just heartwarming and   and we're continuing to move forward with that  and getting the word out. Um also, I attended   the gifted advisory committee meeting and we love  to have Dr. lock it there because every time she  

139speaks she's so um encouraging and about all the  workforce development. So basically they talked   about how important CTE classes are for everyone  but especially for the gifted learner and how   he or she learns and that's that's so great for  them. Um also they put on their agenda to discuss   um accepting public comment like the governor's  school and like SEAK and like CEP and like the   school board does. And so I was glad to see  that and it looks like that's going to move   forward next time to to be able to have public  comment with that group. Um and then they shared   their school reports. They go out and actually  visit schools like we do and they have a form   and they come back and share. Um so four or five  members shared their school visits.

140So it's a it   was a very interesting and and great meeting to be  involved with. Thank you Dr. Green. Thank you. And   I'm going to dubtail on u one of Mrs. Williams's  comments since we've been joined together for a   while. Um I remember when you brought the  seed to the mental health task force for   um Harbor Hope and in yesterday's Virginia  pilot, if you have not had a chance to read it,   there's a great article um in uh the Virginia  Pilot on the status of where Harbor Hope is now.   and um great interviews, comments from uh Mr.  Clark, our uh director there, the teachers and   the ones that had the most impact, the students  uh and of course our colleague was highlighted   and her pictures in the paper as well. So if  you get a

141chance um do look at that article,   read that article in yesterday's Virginia pilot. I  just have a couple of things. Um I did attend the   special education advisory committee on Wednesday.  Um they were very curious about our vote at the   last schoolboard meeting in relationship to  policy 5-54. Um so there was a little bit of   discussion surrounding that and some questions  and so we uh did review that and um of course   what you saw here tonight that presentation.  Um, additionally, I had a colleague um, ask   me recently about our schoolboard retreat. I just  want everybody to make sure you have that on your   calendars for July 14th and 15th. Um, I'm sure  that in administrative matters here very soon,   we're going to need to start soliciting some  some ideas about what that will look like.  

142So if you have any thoughts or ideas, please  reach out to myself or vice chair Williams and   um share those so that we can make sure that we're  making sure that it's productive retreat. I think   we had a really good one um last year and I would  like to have another great retreat this year. So   um that's what I wanted to share there. And Mr.  Williams, we need to go back into close session. I move that the school board recess into close  session in accordance with the expectations to   open meetings law set forth in code of  Virginia 2.2-3711 part A paragraph 1 as   amended to deliberate on the following matters.  One, discussion, consideration, or interviews of   prospective candidates for employment, assignment,  appointment, promotion, performance to motion,   salaries, discipline, or resignation of specific  public officers, appointees

143or employees of any   public body, and evaluation of performance of  departments or schools of public institutions   of higher ed education. For such evaluation will  necessarily involve discussion of the performance   of specific individuals. Any teacher shall be  permitted to be present during a closed meeting   in which there is a discussion or consideration  of a disciplinary matter that involves the teacher   and some student and the student involved in the  matter is present provided that the teacher makes   a written request to be present to the presiding  officer of the appropriate board. Nothing in   this subdivision, however, shall be construed to  authorize a closed meeting by a local governing   body or an elected school board to discuss  compensation matters that affect the membership   of such body or board collectively. Namely, to  discuss a employee grievance number 537-8-21-25. Okay. Motion

144was made by Vice Chair  Williams. Oops. Seconded by Mr. Cummings. Mr. Cummings. Okay. Any discussion? Seeing none,  I call for the vote to go into close session. Miss Felton, how do you vote? And Milick is  not here. Dr. Green is not here. Okay. So,   Madam Chair, we have seven eyes. The motion  to pass to go into close session. Thank you. Whereas the school board of the city of Virginia  Beach has convened a closed meeting on this date   pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote  and in accordance with the provisions of   the Virginia Freedom of Information Act  and where section 2.2-3712 of the code of   Virginia requires a certification by the school  board that such closed meeting was conducted in   conformity with Virginia law. Now therefore,  it be resolved that the school board of the   city of

145Virginia Beach hereby certifies that the  that the to the best of each member's knowledge,   only public business matters lawfully exempted  from open meeting requirements by Virginia law   were discussed in the closed meeting to which  the certification applies and only such public   business matters as were identified in the motion  by which the closed meeting was convened were   heard, discussed, or considered. Motion made  by Miss Melnik. Is there a second? Second by   Mr. Ken. Any discussion? All right. Voting  board is open for certifying close session. So madam chair we have 11 eyes the motion  to pass for certification of close session.   Right. Thank you. Vice chair Williams  is going to read a motion. Um resolution   regarding employment part two grievance  employee grievance number 537-8-21-25. Whereas that on December 1st, 2025, a hearing  officer held a hearing regarding

146grievance   high school security assistant complaint that  he was not assigned the position of security   lead for the 2526 school year in retaliation for  prior discrimination complaints. At such hearing   testimony, evidence and argument were accepted  by the hearing officer. On January 5th, 2026,   the hearing officer issued findings of fact  and recommendation. And whereas on March 10th,   2026, the school board reviewed the hearing  officer's findings of fact and recommendation,   the transcript of the December 1st, 2025 hearing,  and the exhibits, and resolved that the school   board adopts the hearing officer's findings  of fact and recommendation. Further resolved   that the clerk is directed to send a copy of this  resolution to the grievant and his legal counsel,   the schoolboard attorney, the employee  relations specialist and the chief human   resource officer who is directed to place a  copy of this

147resolution and the exhibits and   grievance personal file adopted by the school  board of the city of Virginia Beach this 10th   day of March 2026. Motion made by Vice Chair  Williams, seconded by Miss Dwire. Any discussion?   Seeing none, I call for the vote on  the motion read by Vice Chair Williams. So, Madam Chair, we have six eyes and five  nazs. The motion did pass on the resolution   read by Vice Chair Williams. Right. Um before  we go, um Dr. Robertson, our we have a special   meeting next week, correct? Well, that's the  the plan right now. Okay. I just wanted to   make sure. Okay. Um and so we're going to plan  that at 4 p.m. Okay. So, I just want to make   sure that everybody has that on their calendar  before we go. It is 8:41 p.m. and

148we are joined.