001[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Why are you [Music] name. My name is Kathleen Brown, chair of the Virginia Beach School Board, and I call this meeting to order at 6 PM on November 10th, 2025. Madame Clerk, would you please announce the role? Thank you, Madam Chair. President in the school board chamber are Chair Brown, Vice Chair Williams, Mr. Bowensteel, Mr. Kalen, Mr. Cummings, Miss Dwire, Miss Felton, Dr. Green, Miss Melnik, and Miss Rogers. All right. Thank you. At this time, please join me for a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance as you are able. 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. All right. Now we will begin our um student
002employee and public awards and recognitions. All right. I apologize for putting my paper on the bottom of my pile, but um this evening the school board has the pleasure of recognizing students and staff for their achievements. I will be reading the first place brand FCC LA at home competition, Jasmine Gonzalez from Salem High School. Our recognition this evening is for the first place winner of the brand FCCLA at home competition. Please welcome and give a warm round of applause to Jasmine Gonzalez of Salem High School. [Applause] Jasmine is a sophomore at Salem. She participated in the family career and community leaders of America contest at the Virginia State Fair. She completed against about a hund about 100 ninth and tth graders from across Virginia in making a product using recycled material that showcases the FCCLA.
003Her winning entry used magazine pages to create flowers grouped into the state into the shape of the state of Virginia. Jasmine teacher says she is a stellar student. All right. Who consistently gives her all achieves top grades and is always part of the solution. Huge congratulations, Jasmine. We are very, very proud of you. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Our next recognition this evening is for recipients of the impact leadership award. Will those recipients please come forward? The Impact Award is given by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The organization's mission is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans and to promote patriotism. The Impact Leadership Award was rec was created through a partnership between the military order of the Purple Heart Department of Virginia and the Virginia Department of
004Education. It is designed to recognize high school students in purple star schools who demonstrate exceptional peer leadership and service to military connected students. Impact stands for initiative, motivation, preparation, accountability, character, and teamwork. And these students embody those qualities. The award highlights how peer-to-peer support programs build stronger, more connected school communities. This year's recipients represent the inaugural class of the Impact Leadership Award, marking the first time this recognition has been presented in the Commonwealth. The recipients are Ricardo Gerardi, Isabella Schulzy, Lily Schweitzer, Ricardo is a junior at Lanstown High, Isabella is a junior at Salem High, and Lily is a senior at Bayside High. Congratulations students. We are so proud of you. Our next recognition this evening is for a school receiving pers purple star designation for the first time. Please welcome Miss Terry Rizzle of
005Point of View Elementary School. The Virginia Department of Education Purple Star Designation is awarded to military friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation's military. The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact for Military Children recognized Virginia Purple Star Schools for their excellence in supporting military connected children and their families. Thank you, Miss Terry Rizzle Rizzle, principal of Point View Elementary, for all you do to support our military families. And in addition, I'm not done. Y'all just started clapping too soon. In addition to point of view, Virginia Beach City Public Schools had 37 schools earn the Purple Star designation this year for the second time or the third time. We have a total of 66 schools that have earned their Purple Star
006designation. This is a visible demonstration of the division's commitment to supporting our students whose loved ones protect our freedom. Congratulations, Miss Razel. We are proud of you. This concludes the school board recognition for this evening. Okay, we are now to the adoption of the agenda. We do have a couple of things. Um the first one is the motion that was mentioned in the workshop uh related to appointing Miss Rogers as a substitute for the VSBA d delegate assembly. Uh that will be 15 C. Um and then I had two requests uh for consent items to be moved. The first one was 14C uh behavioral and mental health supports for students year 2 outcome evaluation request. That'll be 15D. And then um legislative proposal number three from the VSBA delegate assembly proposal was also asked to
007be moved to action by a board member. Are there any other requests for modification to the agenda as presented? Mr. Cummings. Uh thank you, Chair. Um, I emailed the board about 36 hours ago, uh, a resolution I was hoping to get passed and added to our agenda for action. And so I wanted to make a motion to amend the agenda to include the resolution acknowledging the advisory referendum results in support of adopting the 101 district voting system for the school board of the city of Virginia Beach. as now action on as item 15e under F under action. And the reason I I took time to draft this resolution if we could just hold on. Do we have a second on that um motion? I'll second that. Okay. So motion made um by Mr. Cummings, seconded
008by Miss Melnik. Go ahead. Yep. Thank you so much. Um, the reason I took time to draft this motion and submit it to the board is um, you know, I think it's important as an elected body that we show the unity behind the will of the majority of our governing structure that elects us. And I was really touched actually by what our mayor had to say. I took his words to heart and hoping to stand in unity with his call to action that we had a ref where he said we had a referendum. We heard from the people and my hope is that it will pass unanimously now as we reported on the news. Uh that's what really took to me to you know draft this resolution is that I wanted to you know as
009we are all elected by the uh future 101 system to showcase some unity within uh support of that referendum. And so the main crux which I will read uh the other parts of the resolution we've given we could read later if it's adopted to action is now now therefore be resolved by the school board of the city of Virginia Beach. The school board of the city of Virginia Beach hereby accepts the preliminary results of the referendum question held on November 4th, 2025 for the referendum to change the city charter to a 10-1 system. That the school board records this outcome as an endorsement of the 10-1 structure for the city and school board elections and anticipates and encourages the necessary legislative steps to permanently amend the city charter accordingly. that the school board extends its
010sincere gratitude to all election officials, poll workers, volunteers, voters for their participation and that this resolution be entered into official minutes and records of the school board of of Virginia Beach. So, every person up here has a copy of the resolution um that I provided to you upon my arrival at 4 p.m. Um but I really wanted to, you know, stand in what the mayor called for his uh I think for his case to listen to people. Um, and so that's kind of why my rationale was behind submitting the resolution. Any discussion? Okay. Um, Miss Rogers. Um, I just wanted to support what Mr. Cummings is saying. I think it's important that we recognize the will of the people. Whether or not um, everyone agrees with what happened, it is the will of the people
011and that we as a body should support the will of our city. Vice Chair Williams. Um, yes, Chair. Are we voting on the your changes you're moving around and the additional item by Mr. Cummings or are we just voting on the additional item first? Um I presume that the other items are unanimous based on the fact that there was no push back on that in the um workshop and uh consent can always be moved to action by any board member. Okay. So we're just voting on Mr. Cummings um motion. Okay. Um Miss Lady, was this presented to you for legal sufficiency beforehand? I saw it this morning. I wasn't asked to reddraft it or anything. I think I gave a suggestion one or two the words, but um I don't see anything necessarily wrong with
012it the way it's drafted. Okay. Okay. Well, I do appreciate my um colleagues um efforts in this. Um I want to let everybody know that a no vote doesn't mean I'm not going to listen to the to the public. The people have voted and it's quite clear what system we're going to. The school board has nothing to do with the making that happen. the city council now will make that happen with work work with our legislators. But I will not be supporting this because I think it's political and and I don't think it has anything to do with school board because it's not under our authority at all. Thank you, Miss Dwire. It Yeah, I was confused when I saw it because it was already voted on. Um and I don't even know if the
013vote has been certified yet. It's so early. Um, but I guess my concern is it says codify. I don't think we have that jurisdiction or power to codify this. Dr. Green, thank you. Um, as a governing body for the school division, uh, this is how as Mr. come and stated that we are each elected also from the perspective of us being a part of a school division that we govern where we do teach civics and about a democracy. Um I think it's important that we show our students that we have accepted what a voting system that will be in place for Virginia Beach for not only just city council but for city uh school board. So I will be supporting Mr. Cumins motion. Mr. Bowensteale. Yes. I also agree with Mrs. Reigns and M. Drier
014that I don't really see the relatively in this uh motion. I will not be supporting it. However, I do support the fact that the people voted 10 to one yes on that and that's I agree, you know, I go forward with that and I accept that vote. Um, I just have a couple comments. I wanted to start by saying I fully recognize and respect the results of the 101 referendum. The voters have spoken. I anticipate city council will now ask the general assembly to modify the city charter accordingly. I expect that change will occur and I respect both the process and the outcome. It is important to note the school board has no authority over this process. That responsibility lies with city council and the general assembly. My position has been consistent on this from
015the beginning. During my campaign, the Princess Independent Princess and Independent asked, "Should the school board take a more active role than it has in the past in coming discussions about our local voting system following the recent appeals court decision in Holloway versus Virginia Beach?" My answer was no. The school board has no authority over the city charter or a judge's decision. the school board should not utilize their legal resources or time intended for education for this matter and should focus on academics for every student. I've held that view in practice uh when asked in May whether I thought the board should consider helping fund the city's education campaign on voting options. I referenced the same exact answer. Um this is a city council matter, not a schoolboard one. Simply put, we don't have jurisdiction here.
016I reiterate I respect the will of the voters and the process underway, but our focus remain my focus will remain where it belongs on educating every student in Virginia Beach. So, I appreciate it, but I'm going to vote now. Um, and I don't see any more comments, so I call for the vote on Mr. Cummings motion. So, Madam Chair, we have five eyes and we have five nazs. And I'm going to defer to legal counsel. Pursuant to the statuto authority, you're going to have to pass this to your next meeting for a vote for a vote on the motion to add it to the agenda. Correct. Yes. Because we vote as all right. That's that's going to be an interesting one. I'll ask you to make that motion again next meeting. Um All right. And
017now we have the motion to approve the agenda as presented and modified um with the two consent items and the one VSBA item. Um oh moved by Miss Dwire, seconded by Miss Melnik. Any discussion? Seeing none, I call for the vote to approve the agenda as presented and modified. So, Madam Chair, we have nine eyes's and one nay. The motion did pass for the adoption of the agenda as presented and modified. All right. Thank you. We are Sorry, I got a little bit turned around. Um, Dr. Robertson, we look forward to your um recognitions and report if you have one. Yes, I do. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, tonight we're pleased to introduce you and recognize two new appointees. First is Julie Hawks, currently an assistant principal at New Town Elementary School, and we're pleased
018you've approved our recommendation her for her to be the next employee relations specialist in the Department of Human Resources. Congratulations. And I see you have some guests. All right. Very good. Thank congratulations. Next up, we have Emily Hitzman. uh currently assistant principal at Corporal Landon Middle School. We're pleased you've accepted our recommendation for her to be the next human resources specialist in the department of human resources. And I see you have some guests. Congratulations. Thank you, Madam Chair. That that concludes my recognitions. Great. Thank you. So, we are now on to the approval of meeting minutes. I call for a motion to approve the October 28th, 2025 minutes as presented. Moved by Miss Dwire, seconded by Dr. Green. Any discussion? Seeing none, I call for the votes to approve the October 28th, 2025 meeting minutes.
019So, Madam Chair, we have nine eyes and one abstension. So, the motion did pass for the approval of the October 28th meeting minutes. Thank you. All right, we are now on to public comment portion of our agenda and we will hear public comments on matters related to prek through 12 public education in Virginia Beach in the business of the school board and the school division from citizens and delegations who signed up with the schoolboard clerk prior to noon today. The purpose for 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
020and to ensure that all viewpoints and perspectives are heard. The best way to do this is for all of us to strive for civility and respect. Madame clerk, would you please introduce the first speaker? Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to note that speaker number five on the uh public comment the not student uh Cody Connor had to cancel this evening. So our first we'll start with our uh student speakers. We have Gilly Mallis, Rosita Mallalis, and then Amelia Gimnes. Vote for option one. Okay. Thank you. Say thank you. Thank you. [Applause] And that microphone will lower a little bit if it helps. Okay, never mind. Good job. [Applause] steady pick. Um um I love the DLI program because it taught me how to find new ways of thinking and helps me understand others.
021I also think we should have a DLI middle school. So that way I can learn of my friends that have been with me since kindergarten. Since we've been together for a long time, it would be nice to be together while facing a new school. Another reason we should have a DLI program is because a large branch of my family speak Spanish. And it's important for me and my culture to continue learning Spanish. There are kids in my class who speak Spanish and help the English speakers learn Spanish while the English speakers help them learn English. Please find a home for our program. [Applause] Our next speaker is Ella Einhorn, Sophia Shuck, and then Emma Naggle. Hello, my name's Ella and I want to keep the Spanish immersion program because a lot of my friends um
022speak Spanish and I think it's nice to learn two languages because it's really fun and we can and we can always speak Spanish. [Applause] Hello, I'm Sophia and I go to school at WT Cook Elementary in third grade in the DI program. And I think we should have the DI program because we learn a new language and we can really and we meet really cool people and we get to know their cultures. So please keep the DOI program. [Applause] Stand up. If you didn't understand me, then you should go on to do. So, you can do that, too. Our next speakers will be Alberto Malis, Bailey Malis, and then Diane Musk. I want to say you're short. I know I look way older. Um, yeah. Good evening. Uh, today's vote is an important one, which
023is why I decided to leave my sweater behind and dress up for you today. Now, on a serious note, I'm here tonight asking you to please vote in favor of the new recommendation and to remember what you told us when you were seeking our votes that you would listen to parents value our voices and include us in decisions that affect our children. When I was 8 years old, I moved from El Salvador to Long Island, New York. I was I started third grade not knowing a word of English. From day one, I was bullied for for sounding funny, for looking different, and for not adapting fast enough. I sat by myself on the bus and ate alone for weeks. Having no friends as a child, is hard. It's confusing. It's lonely, and it's emotionally sickening.
024Trying to master English, a language full of silent letters, strange sounds, and words that mean more than words that mean more than one thing, was already hard enough. But I had still had to learn math, science, geography, and everything else. It was overwhelming. It was isolating. And it was scary. The only time I felt like I belonged was during my ESL class. That one hour a day when I could finally be uh finally understand and be understood. That's why this important, this program means so much to me. The Spanish speaking children are in our two uh Y dear life classrooms at Cook and Bayside are living a very different experience than I did. They're not limited to one hour of belonging. They are understood, supported, and celebrated all day long. They don't have to choose
025between learning and being themselves. And this isn't just about the Spanish- speaking students. The English speaking children in the same in these same classrooms are gaining just as much examples provided previously. Um, research shows that students in dual language programs outperform their peers academically over time, develop stronger focus and problem solving skills, and grow into adults who are more open-minded and adaptable. In these classrooms, English speakers aren't just learning another language. They're learning another way to understand people. This vote doesn't affect me personally. I already speak two languages, and that skill has benefited me my entire adult life. It also won't affect anyone in this administration who is most likely going to retire in the next decade or two, but it will affect the five, six, seven, and eight year olds sitting in our classrooms
026right now. For them, this decision will echo for the rest of their lives. So, please consider who will you rather stand by, the children or the adults. So, as you prepare to vote today, I ask that you remember the values printed on every Virginia City public school email signature. Put students first. Seek growth. Be open to change. Do great work together. Value differences. Option one is the only choice that honors those values and the choice that honors your promise to families like mine. Thank you. Our next speaker is Bali Malis, Diane Musk, and then Erica Beard. Good evening. My name is Bailey Males and I'm the parent of children in the DI program at Cook Elementary. When we enrolled, the program was clearly explained to us, its goals, structure, and benefits. I learned about it
027through the website, handouts, school staff, and the interview process. The research supporting DLI through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is well documented and accessible to all parents. I truly appreciate that this board recognizes the important role parents play in our schools. Our passion for this program comes from understanding it deeply and trusting the vision behind it. But over the past month, the process and discussions surrounding the future of the DI program have been confusing for parents. Many of us have felt left out and uncertain about what's happening. As a result, we've begun to lose confidence in the transparency and decision-making process guiding something so meaningful to our children. The DLA program's mission is clear. To provide students with rigorous academics in a bilingual, multicultural, and empowering environment from kindergarten through 8th
028grade. My hope tonight is that you will vote to continue the program through 8th grade for all students, even if that means consolidating to one middle school. Looking forward, I ask that you consider forming an ad hoc committee where DI parents can work with the administration andor board to problem solve together. We have ideas from creative fundraising to teacher recruitment strategies and we want to be a part of the solution. Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support of the dual language immersion program and the families it serves. [Applause] Our next speaker is Diane Muscoach, Erica Beard, and then Christine Ragsdale. Good evening. I think I need to take DLI to understand what she said. That sounds like a fabulous program. Um, a new day for religious liberty. The Kennedy versus Brimton
029School District Supreme Court case in 2022 delivered a significant legal decision addressing the intersection of religious freedom and the establishment clause in public schools. This decision has broad implications for religious expression in public settings, particularly with within education. President Bill Clinton issued Executive Order 13198 in August 1997 entitled Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace. And President Trump issued Executive Order 13798 released in May 2017 prompting free speech and religious liberty. Both directives underscore the US government's commitment to protecting religious expression. Neither of these two executive orders have ever been challenged. The key is avoiding coercion. No one should ever feel pressured to pray or perceive that there would be an intrinsic favor found by participating in religious expression or prayer. This is exactly why a school chaplain is the perfect person to
030bring faith to bring God, faith, and prayer back into our schools. Within the school, chaplain are well identified with insignia, clothing, and in some cases, badges. If a teacher or student chooses of their own free will to speak with the chaplain, they know what to expect. No surprises or claims of coercion will confront them. People who speak with a chaplain understand that the chaplain might pray for them or possibly ask them if they'd like to participate. They will know the role of a chaplain because of school announcements and explanations in the school manual. There is no co coercion. The only benefit of speaking with or praying with a school chaplain would be receiving spiritual care. And that fact is widely known by all. It is perfectly it's a perfectly legal way to bring God, faith,
031and prayer back into education. A chaplain offers real life solutions grounded in faith. A school chaplain becomes a part of a team which shapes the overall culture of the school. Each person plays a unique role. However, a school chaplain both supports others no matter their background or their beliefs and leads them as well. Chaplain weave relationships together, creating a tapestry of unity through connection. The school chaplain serves as a cornerstone of the school's spiritual and emotional foundation. Until next time, think about changing the hearts of people one person at a time, starting at a young age, like kindergarten. Valuing every child is our shared responsibility. Thank you. Our next speaker is Erica Beard, Christine uh Ragdale, and then Drew Derky. Good evening, chairperson, members of the school board, and superintendent. My name is Erikica Beard,
032and I proudly serve the students and families of Virginia City Public Schools. I'm here tonight just not just for myself, but for every bus driver up before sunrise, every cafeteria worker serving meals with a smile, every custodian um keeping our school safe and clean, every aid guiding our children, every counselor, nurse, teacher, and staff member who gives their heart to this division. every single day. I'm here because we deserve a voice and that voice comes through collective bargaining. Collective bargaining isn't isn't about um conflict. It's about connection. It's about bringing the people who make our schools work to the same table with those who make the decisions. It's about fairness, dignity, um and respect for the for the work that keeps our schools thriving. Right now, too many of us are stretched thin. We're doing
033more with less, filling in gaps and making personal sacrifices to meet the needs of our students because we care. But care alone doesn't pay the bills. Care alone doesn't fix the staffing crisis. Care alone doesn't replace the voices that have been ignored for far too long. Collective bargaining says, "We see you. We hear you. And your experience matters." It creates space for solutions with employees, not to employees. It lets those on the front lines help shape policies that make our school stronger. When workers have a say, morale goes up, turnover goes down, and students benefit. That's the kind of partnership that builds a legacy of ex excellence, not just for today, but for generations of students to come. It's time for Virginia Beach City Public Schools to join the other divisions across the Commonwealth that
034already give their their employees a voice at the table. We shouldn't be the last to act when fairness and collaboration are what our staff and students deserve. We lift up when we lift up the people who serve our schools, we lift up the entire community. So tonight, as you review the legislative agenda, I'm asking um you to support collective bargaining for the bus drivers who keep our students safe, for the teachers shaping futures, for the custodians, cafeteria staff, nurses, aids, and every person who makes the division what it is. Do it because we deserve a voice. Do it because our students deserve a system where educators and support staff are respected, valued, and heard. Let's make Virginia Beach a model of what partnership looks like. Where fairness means action, where fairness means making a change
035for the better, where fairness means everyone has a seat at the table, and where all voices are heard and considered. Thank you. Our next speaker is Christine Ragdale, Drew Derky, and then Theia Serino. Members of the board, I'm standing here tonight not just as a parent of a DLI student at Allenton Elementary, but as someone who has benefited firsthand from the school system and chose to come back because I wanted my kids to have the same great start I did. You already know the incredible benefits of a DLI program by now. And yes, I get it. There are costs like staffing and transportation involved, but we have to find a way to keep the program going and consolidate it at VBMS. First, from a practical economic perspective, a positive public education experience is a direct
036investment right back into our local economy and students and post-secary education with post-secary education simply do better. Higher job prospects, better incomes, and better health. Regarding staffing, I understand there's a budget, but there are lowcost things we can do today. Recruitment shouldn't just be an HR job. It needs to be year round and a priority for all of us. We should be partnering with more colleges and universities, not just the local ones, and incentivizing these DI positions. There needs to be better communication about open roles across the district to find internal candidates first. Teachers are the most important asset we have in this program. We need to offer more flexible and fair pathways for getting lentures and visas. And I also support the need to form a DI action committee with teachers and parents represented.
037Parent engagement is crucial for supporting our teachers in staying informed. Our students deserve their parents advocating for their education. Speaking of which, we noticed about $2 million in grants when we checked the budget. How is that money being allocated? The DI committee could help find more grants and share valuable resources like a DI playbook I found on the VDOE website. We can start there with the playbook. Let's work together to preserve the vital opportunity for our children. Thank you. Our next speaker is Drew Derky, Thailand, and then Aaron Stick. Good evening. I didn't think I'd be nervous. I'm much more impressed with our younger speakers now and look forward to everything they do in the future. Uh my name is Drew Derky. I am Virginia Beach City Public Schools through and through. I went to
038Providence Elementary. I went to Kimville Middle. I went to Kimville High School. My mother was a Virginia Beach City Public Schools teacher for 20 years. Um I I have moved away and I've come back with my wife and family and we are raising a first grader and a third grader in the DLI program at Allenton. They and their classmates are excelling. I'm here tonight to not ask not only ask you to preserve this program, but to expand it. Others have stated more clearly than I can, but really there's only been one option presented here because discontinuing the program is not an option. I believe expanding it is actually the most prudent path forward. I appreciate the issues that have been brought to attention regarding staffing and classes and subjects that are designated as DLI. I
039don't want to discount those and I think we should actively solution for those. I believe that rather than considering the considering collapsing the DLI program, we should instead be figuring out how to solve those issues and make the program bigger and better. The cost of the program has been brought up several times and I want to address that head on. From what I can tell, the cost of the current program, not the collapsed one that is being proposed, is less than 0.05% of the total school system budget. I don't want to discount that and I recognize that being financially smart is important, but the return from the investment, the return on investment from the DLI program is astronomical. I think about it like a dinner plate, something I know we all want to get to
040soon. You've got your protein. It's the star of the show and it attracts the most attention. This is the academics and the day-to-day management of the school system and deserves the attention it gets. You've got your carbs. My daughter prefers mac and cheese. These are the operations of the buses and the transportation. the cost of energy and electricity. There are the afterchool activities like the clubs and athletics and and maybe that's the dessert, right? And then you have these smaller but very important items like the DLI program. These are your vegetables. They often time don't get the love and attention that they deserve and instead are just the last thought about. Throw some broccoli on the plate, throw some peas and carrots. In reality though, vegetables provide you some of the most uh important nutrients
041your body needs and helps you get stronger more quickly. Appreciating vegetables allows you to expand your pallet. They provide new perspectives and they support an overall healthier body and system. Let's expand the DLI program. Let's put more broccoli on our plate. Please don't ignore your vegetables. Our next speaker is the Yerino Aaron Stick and then Kathleen Ltonville. I'm speaking today on behalf of my children who are in kindergarten and second grade in the DLI program at Cook Elementary. A former president said, "American leadership and national security rest on our commitment to educate and prepare our youth for active engagement in the international community." Even though this remark was made in 2001, the sentiment remains the same. Fostering a bilingual citizenry bolsters national security, workforce readiness, and global competitiveness. If we want our students to continue
042to serve in leadership positions, it needs language acquisition needs to start earlier than high school. The American public's deficiency in foreign languages and cultures makes our students less competitive in the global marketplace. China introduces a second language in their school systems by age 8 with many students learning their third and fourth languages by high school. Europe, Japan, India and parts of South America follow a similar model. The reality is our students will be competing in the global marketplace with multilingual competitors and we are at a severe disadvantage remaining monolingual. This is not just a resource for students bound for higher education. This is for anyone entering the workplace. In 2024, 14.3 million visitors came to Virginia Beach, spending 2.6 billion dollars, accounting for over 42% of all expenditures in Virginia Beach and 19% of all
043jobs in the city. Hospitality and tourism industries in Virginia Beach benefit from bilingual employees, make us a vest, a vacation destination. Our return on this investment is far greater than the cost. Supporting DLI is a smart investment in American competitiveness. This is also an opportunity for school choice. This is about giving families the freedom to pick the educational path that benefits their children. DI programs are held accountable by outcomes, not ideology. These programs only survive when they work. Parents keep enrolling their children because the results speak for themselves. DLI students consistently score as well or better than their peers in reading, math, and graduation rates. That's evidence of a program delivering measurable results-based education. Attributing the decision to discontinue the program solely to staffing challenges misses the broader issue. A Virginia state report from the
044advisory board on teacher education and lensure found elementary education remains the most in demand field in V um in education. followed by special ed and middle school instruction with health and PE top adding being recently added to the list. Virginia Beach public schools continues to face staffing difficulties across the entire system suggesting that the DLI vote is less about limited personnel and more about how the division chooses to set its priorities. Thank you for your time tonight. I appreciate it. Our next speaker is Aaron Stick, Kathleen Lville, and then Jennifer. Good evening, members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight regarding the dual language immersion program. I wanted to start by saying that given the options, I strongly prefer consolidation and option one. I have two kids in the program and
045I know firsthand the benefits of bilingual education and the positive impact the program has on students. My daughter Abby was part of the initial group that started at Allenton Elementary School and continued to Great Neack and then moved on to Cox High School. My children are seven years apart in grades. Um, so I'm a little shocked that the program has moved so quickly from a growth path to this discussion. Over the past decade, I've seen incredible leadership from Miss Garin and Mr. Quinn and excellent educators like Senora Warham and Senor Oto. But I've also seen what happens when leadership does not support the program. Today, my son Harrison is in fourth grade at Allen and isn't thriving in the program. This middle school's decision feels abrupt and unsettling. Families like mine have made long-term commitments
046based on continuity, and sudden changes create uncertainty for our children's educational path. Communication is my greatest concern. When the program launched, we received detailed presentations. Our children were interviewed and were videoed. The data was shared regularly, often tied to Department of Defense grants. Military supports were the pillars of this effort. Contrast that with today, and the only notice of change came through a survey. A survey is not communication, it's data collection. The silence now combined with frequent references to program fidelity raises a serious question. How will fidelity be maintained at the middle school level? especially at the middle school level when merging two-way and one-way communication models. How is staffing risk being mitigated to prevent an ongoing risk and what accountability has been determined to make sure that we do have hiring addressed for the
047middle school level? I think a few other parents have raised bringing together an advisory committee. other parts of in other areas we have parent advisory committees, technical education, gifted education. I think DI has enough parent interest for us to start talking about how do we bring in an advisory committee. It would allow for ongoing dialogue, a little bit of accountability. It could allow for interested parents to bring ideas, maybe help out a little bit. Um, but it could allow us to align on what a success path could be. it could allow us to talk about this valuable program and allow us to communicate. I respectfully request a clear timeline and public review of this transition. My son will be once again the first group going to a new incarnation of this program. I would like
048it communicated through our home school. I would like a DLI parent advisory committee and evidence of program fidelity, staffing and growth plans. And that is time before the program takes effect. Our next speaker is Kathleen Londonville, Jennifer, and then Christine Voit. Uh, good afternoon. I'm here in support of continuing the DLI program in the middle school. I have a first grader and a third grader at Cook Elementary. Um, my son Grayson specifically wanted me to let you guys know um and to relay how much he loves learning a second language. Um, and that has his his classmates have become more like family for him. And I can attest to how much both of my children love going to school. Um, seeing their Spanish progress has been an incredible experience. Um, becoming bilingual is such an
049invaluable skill that will set these kids up for a future success. I do worry that losing the program in the middle school level will hinder and stall their learning and all the progress that they have made. As a parent, I feel that we have been left out of this decision-making process and I feel there has been a lack of transparency regarding a pretty major decision regarding our kids. Um before we go from a proposed four middle schools to zero middle schools, I ask that you please support at least trying um to support the program in at least one. Um you have a community of parents who strongly believe in this program and are incredibly dedicated to it and I think you can see that here tonight. Um I feel that given the chance we could
050come up with some really creative solutions to some very real and challenging problems that we are facing. I do not think we have exhausted all options and avenues at this point. So before we completely dismantle the DLI middle school, um let's get creative. Let's get parent involvement. We want this. Our kids want this. And I have seen the dedication of so many of the teachers in this program as well. Um these kids have worked so hard and they deserve your support. Thank you. Our next speaker is Jennifer, Christine Voit, and then Amanda Hinard. Hello. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I'm here because I have a child in a two-way Spanish immersion program and I hope to have another incoming kindergartener enter the program next year. Um, and frankly, I'm worried about the
051future of this program. My child only spoke English until the first day of kindergarten. Um, and now she can speak, read, and write in both languages. Um, an additional piece that I didn't realize, her access accent is impeccable, and whenever I try to speak Spanish, she tells me, "Mom, you're saying it wrong." So, as you saw from these students today, um, they're truly learning in a really impactful way. Um, every teacher that my child has had has been absolutely incredible. Um, every single one of them, I'm confident that they love her, that they love all their students, and that they love their job. This past week, I got to sit across from my child's current joyful teacher in here um about what she's doing, and I just about cried um because I was so thankful
052for the incredible education that my daughter's receiving here in Virginia Beach public schools and specifically in the dual language immersion program. So, I've been following this discussion for about the past three meetings. Um and before this uh I just I didn't understand that the survey meant that the program was in danger the program as we expected it to be. Um and I am just a little bit worried that the change to the middle school program could lead to changing of the elementary school programs that we all love so much. Um and as you've heard, there's tons of research to support these programs. Um the last meeting I was just so discouraged watching because it felt like um it was a another budget conversation or a problem to be solved as quickly as possible rather than
053how this should be viewed which is how can we best continue and expand this highly valuable program. Um and I've been involved in Virginia Beach Virginia Beach City Public Schools for long enough that I have seen on a number of occasions that if a program is valued um it is possible to both fund and staff it. and I have full confidence in that. Um, so I'm asking you guys to vote for the best option at this point, which is option one, the the um single site at Virginia Beach Middle School. Um, DI has incredible value both as a tool to help students be future ready, which is a buzzword that we use uh nowadays a lot. Um, but also I think that DI has the potential to make Virginia Beach Public Schools a district where
054people want to come live and teach or come back to to live and teach. And um the VDO's website, like someone else mentioned, has a lot of information. I noticed that all the um the five other largest districts in Virginia also have DI programs. So I think that that's something we should be definitely um continuing if not expanding. Um I think this could also be a strong recruiting and retainment tool for teachers. Um so in conclusion, um please hear us parents. A lot of you guys voted uh or ran for election based on parent. So please hear us. Thank you. Our next speaker is Christine Voy, Amanda Ihorn and then Heather Site. Good evening, Chair Brown, members of the board, Superintendent Robertson. My name is Chrissy Voit and I'm a physical education teacher assistant at
055Cook Elementary School, as well as a parent of two DI students, a fourth grader and a first grader. I'm here tonight because my role at Cook provides me a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how profoundly the DLI program changes the academic and personal trajectories of our students, especially our English language learners. In case you didn't know, upwards of onethird of Ko Elementary students are Hispanic or Latino descent. Every day, I get to observe Koch Elementary students and their interactions during PE. I've watched English language learners grow from shy, uncertain kindergarteners into confident, bilingual students who proudly switch between English and Spanish with ease. They help one another. They translate for parents. They lead classroom discussions. I've seen parents who once felt disconnected from their children's education become active participants because the program values their language
056and their culture. their home language, something that once made them feel different, becomes their strength. And you may ask why we would need to further this bilingualis bilingualism if they are already so proficient. The discontinuation of our DI program will mean all of those years of building literacy and confidence in two languages will start to fade. Without immersion practice, students will lose the language skills they've worked so hard to gain. Families who once felt deeply connected to the school community will feel that bond weaken. And those students who once saw their bilingualism as a gift will start to feel like it no longer matters. We can't let that progress stall when they reach middle school. We owe them more than that. In a few conversations with board members, I've been told one of the main
057issues is cost. Expanding our dual language immersion program into middle school means investing our tax dollars into successful academic model proven by our exemplary stamp testing results. This model consistently narrows achievement gaps, strengthens community ties, and prepares students to succeed in a multilingual world. I cannot think of a better investment. Virginia Beach has always been a leader in innovation and equity. Expanding dual language immersion into middle school isn't just about language. It's about keeping our promise to these students. It's about continuity, confidence, and honoring the incredible growth that they've already achieved. It's about highlighting a data supported approach to education which will serve as an example to other Virginia Beach Elementary Schools who are interested in future DI programs. Thank you. Our next speaker is Amanda Ihorn, Heather Cip, and then Dariana Trinidad. Hi, my
058father was a member of the PTA for over 18 years. He served as president for more than five and he sat on the Isisle of White school um county school board for six. Many of those years, not one of his five children were even in the public school system. Why do I mention this? Because I understand the kinds of decisions you have to make. Some are easy, but many are not. And yet, every decision my father made was guided by one simple question. What's best for the kids? He believed that every choice should move our schools and our world towards something better. He's part of my inspiration tonight as I urge you to vote for option one. Our future depends on these bilingual, culturally rich children, on their ability to bridge worlds to connect communities
059and lead us forward. Thank you. Our next speaker is Heather Cip, Dariana Trinidad, and then Jean Trinidad. Good evening, Chair Brown, Vice Chair Williams, members of the school board, Dr. Robertson. Um, German is my superpower. It is my I learned it through immersion language. And I'm glad you get to see the faces of why, as you ask us to remember our why all the time, why this program is so important. These children deserve the moon and the stars. Plain and simple. You need to listen to the parents. You need to listen to the children from the mouths of babes. Truly, this program means so much. A seat at the table. It's what your parents are asking for. It's what your employees are asking for in different ways, but they both want it. In the next
06012 months, that's going to be coming from the recommendation. When you look at this DI program, you need to truly do the work. listen to the families, seek their guidance, the support they so desperately want to give and making this program the best program it can be. I will tell you that yes, in the majority of the countries of the world, they start learning a different language, not their mother language, at age five. By the time they're in what we call middle school, they're speaking three languages. By the time they're in high school, they're picking up their fourth and fifth. Our children cannot compete on the global scale if we do not give them what they need at a young age. The older you get, the harder it is to learn another language. Their brains
061are prime at the elementary and the middle school language levels for picking up these languages. You need to continue that with them. and especially in Spanish. There are so many native and heritage speakers in our country that if our students do not have this immersion opportunity, they will not be able to compete. our students who speak German, French, Latin, even though I don't know they really speak Latin, um, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, we're able to compete with less language because it's not something that is as central to our culture, culture, connections, communication, communities. We need to make sure we're doing what's right. a seat at the table. A seat at the table for our parents on ad hoc committees. A seat at the table for your employees through collective bargaining. Thank you. Our next speaker
062is Dariana Trinidad. Then Jean Trinidad. Good evening. My name is Dariana Trinidad. I'm the parent of Dario Trinidad, a student at Sale Middle School. I'm here tonight because my son was wrongfully accused of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Assistant principal Andrew [ __ ] has security search Dario and search his um belongings. Nothing was found. No sub no substance, no order, no sign of use. He was then sent to the nurse who said he was impaired because his eyes were red and he struggled to touch his nose with his finger. However, Dario is autistic and those reactions red eyes from over stimulation and difficulty with coordination are common symptoms of disability, especially when he stressed or anxious. I explained to assistant principal how his disability can affect the ability for Dario to take this
063test. He stated that the nurse said it were not, which contradicts the information from Dario's developmental pediatrician. Immediately after this incident, I took Dario for a toxicology test and he came back negative for drugs or alcohol or any other substance. His developmental pediatrician also wrote a detailed letter explaining that what the school observed was fully consistent with his autism, not drug use. Despite the medical evidence and Dario's 504 plan, the school suspended him and recommended for exposion. Our hearing November 5th, the hearing officer ignored all the evidence that shows my son is innocent and still proceeded with disciplinary action. This situation has been deeply distressing for Dario. He did nothing wrong and yet he's being punished for characterist characteristic of his disability. I'm asking the board to please review this case and clear his record
064of any substance related discipline and ensure that all staff including nurses and administrators receive proper training on how autism can affect coordination and physical appearance. Darios deserve understanding not punishment. I hope this experience leads to greater awareness and this doesn't happen to another family. Thank you for your time. Our next speaker is Jean Trinidad. Good evening. My name is Jin Trinidad. I'm Dario's dad. My wife explained uh my son was accused of using drugs and alcohol. with documentation stating that there was not under the substance. The school still proceeded with disciplinary actions. A hearing officer decided that they can go back to school if he goes to uh to a suic class even with the data that my son was not being under the influence. They treated my son that he was guilty. He didn't
065do nothing. We provided my son. We provided the school with all the data saying that my son was not under the influence. We sent everything. They cancelled the MDR meeting just to my son will fail. The school didn't protect my son. They target him. They know his special needs. They know his rights. They know the truth. And I would not stand by that. My son reputation and emotional well-being are destroyed because of poor Josman and bias. I'm requesting that this boy take action, my son record be clear immediately, and that this situation be fully investigated. I'm I'm also calling for training and accountability so no other student ever be treated the way my son was. Our children deserve a school that protect and support them. Not one that rush to punishment without proof. Thank you
066for your time. But more important, I hope you hear you're here. And madam chair, that was our last speaker for this evening. Thank you. We will now move on to the PRC recommendations and we welcome Cammy Lenetti, school board attorney. Good evening, Madam Chair, vice chair, schoolboard members, and Dr. Robertson. I'm Cammy Lynetti, the school board attorney. On behalf of the policy review committee, I'll be re bringing you recommendations from the policy review committee's October 29th, 2025 meeting. There are three policies we'll be viewing tonight. The first is policy 323 which is under our business and non-instructional operations. It is sale exchange lease school properties. The only recommend change recommended changes from policy 323 would be in section B where the numbers currently reads 5,000. The departments are requesting to be moved to 10,000. And
067also in section E having to do with disposal, they're asking that the property value go from 5,000 to 10,000. And those are the only recommended changes. Are there any questions about policy 323? Hearing no questions on policy 323, we'll move on to policy 531. 531 is a long policy and we're only going to be asking you to look at an addition that we are recommending to the end of the policy. It comes as a new section L. So this would be policy. This policy amendment would read L designation of race or ethnicity. This comes from a a code of Virginia's U statute 22.14-2. This has been recommended by a citizen for us to look at to the PRC. Would like the addition to the um our own policy and regulations for versus what the state
068code said. The recommendation was to add it to our section on school records being that's the most likely place someone would look having to do with their records. And the recommendation would be to add a section L that would read designation of race or ethnicity. No student or parent shall be required to disclose information related to the student's race or ethnicity unless one the student or student's parent is given an option to designate other for the student's race or ethnicity or two such disclosure is required by federal law and then the code section would be added 22.14-2 designation race and ethnicity. We felt it was mo best located in section section policy 3 miss policy 531 which is school records and the recommendation of PRC's to add that subsection Miss Rogers um I have a
069quick question designation of race or ethnicity um I guess my question is should we not then be adding gender under the same that parents should be able to designate other this statute only addresses race and ethnicity. So the requirement was to add to the policy what is the state statute. Okay. And again we are giving the parents the option of other for their race. I think that we should go back and look at giving the parents the same option for gender as it should be their option. Again, you have a separate policy having to deal with where that happens to recom that. That would be something you'd have to ask back to PRC. We were asked specifically to address the statute, including the statute. Great. I will make sure that I ask for that. Um,
070Miss Lenetti, can you repeat that code that that requires that designation, please? 22.14-2 designation of race or ethnicity. It's in the legal references. Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to um confirm that and I don't see any other questions. I will move us not questions on 531. This will move us to policy 759 under community relations. This is relations with employment career agencies employment counseling placement services. There are no recommended changes. This is simply to fall under our five-year review. Last time it was looked at in 2020 and we are not recommending any changes. Any questions on policy 759? Hearing no questions on policy 729. That would be the end of the PRC recommendations. I will notice Miss Ranger point out that we will be doing our PRC meeting before the November 25th meeting. An
071unusual time period, but because of the holidays, it will be right before our next regularly scheduled schoolboard meeting directly before that. Thank you. We are now on to textbook adoption, elementary math, and we welcome Dr. Lena Kelly, executive director face of elementary teaching and learning. Good evening. Good evening, Chair Brown, Vice Chair Williams, school board, and Dr. Robertson. My name is Lorina Kelly, and I am the executive director of elementary teaching and learning. Joining me this evening is Johanna Ortiz, elementary math coordinator. This evening, we'll be sharing information regarding the elementary math textbook adoption for kindergarten through fifth grade. We'll share a recommendation for implementation in 2026, fall 2026. Before I begin, we would like to take a moment to thank our elementary math team as well as the textbook adoption committee for dedicating their
072time for a thorough analysis of all the textbooks to bring to you tonight the recommendation for the best textbook for our students and teachers. We will begin by highlighting the process that the team followed beginning with the review of all state approved core textbooks for grades K through five and ending with the recommendation this evening as illustrated on this slide. As you can see, once the team reviewed all approved textbooks, the textbook committee selected the top three which have been available in the school administration building lobby, the central library library, and all elementary schools. Administrators, coaches, and teachers have taken time to review and provide input. Additionally, information was shared through a call to action and we're proud to share that collectively we have received approximately 400 responses. The selection committee reviewed a summary of
073the responses, determined the top two choices and a final recommendation. Tonight, I will share their recommendation and request your approval. The top two textbooks are Huftton Mifflin Hardcourt, HMH Virginia into Math and Kdum Virginia Math. Taking a closer look at these resources here, we highlight that both textbooks provide digital and print materials for teachers and students. This means that both will provide physical teacher editions and electronic access as well as print and digital resources for students. Both provide consumables that will be replenished throughout the life of the contract. To help differentiate between the two programs, this slide also highlights some of the characteristics that are unique to each textbook and that were highlighted by the public and committee comments. HMH Virginia into math provided a colorful, visually appealing experience for teachers and students. It includes
074a variety of resources beyond the teacher and student editions. It includes things such as flip charts, project cards, math games, and math readers. Kdum Virginia math is most strongly aligned to our standards of learning. It was noted as easy to navigate and integrate to support small group lessons and independent tasks. One of the administrators who reviewed the textbooks emphasized that Kdum's student materials were a strong addition and more coste effective than printing, paper, and ink usage at the individual school level. You can see why these were selected as the top two. I will now share the estimated implementation cost for a six-year contract for HMH Virginia in the initial implementation cost is 5,836,498.75. This includes teacher additions at no cost for every 25 student editions as well as free shipping. The contract will cover the
075initial enrollment for the life of the contract. Please note that we've also added a column for potential additional costs in the event that we have an increase in enrollment, added a class, or additional teacher materials are needed. I will now share the estimated implementation cost for a six-year contract for KDUM. The initial implementation cost is 5,490,26.70. This also includes teacher additions at no cost for every 25 students students additions as well as free shipping. This contract will cover the initial enrollment for the life of the contract. And we've also added a column for potential additional costs as stated on the previous slide. In the event that we have an increase in enrollment, new classes added, or additional teacher materials needed. I will pause and explain the rising cost of textbooks. The textbook prices are set
076and published on the Virginia Department of Education website. For the current textbook that was implemented in the 2019 school year, we paid approximately 3.8 million for six years. As you can see, the top two now range from 5.4 to 5.8 million. That's a difference of just under 2 million from the last adoption to this one. I will now share information from the responses. As we shared previously, approximately 400 responses were submitted from teachers and community members over the 30 days that the books were displayed. Every elementary school had physical copies and digital access to the textbook materials during the eval evaluation period. Math specialists and administrators encouraged all teachers to spend time deeply exploring each option. Additionally, displays were available here in our library and at in our lobby and at the central library. Stakeholders
077were provided the opportunity to rate four categories: educational significance, support, usability, and navigation and layout. Educational significance, support, and usability were rated on a three-point scale, while navigation and layout was rated on a four-point scale. Based on the responses, KDO received higher ratings in all four categories included on the survey. As you can see by the highlighted numbers on the screen, this slide captures some of the comments provided by stakeholders for KDUm, the highest rated textbook in all categories. I'll prov I'll pause and provide you a moment to read the screen. Based on the committee members recommendations as well as teacher and community input, we are recommending Kdum Virginia math for elementary textbook adoption for a term of six years. This textbook had the highest ratings and is approximately 346,000 less than the other textbook
078that we shared this evening. Thank you for your consideration of the committee's recommendation. We will join you again on November 25th when this recommendation will be on the consent agenda. Johanna Ortiz and I are here if you have any questions. Miss Rogers, thank you so much um for thisformational presentation. My only well have a couple questions. The six-year implementation, is that just an estimate or are we planning on this for six years? We're planning on this for six years and then after that we're going to look at something else or typically it it'll depend on the Virginia standards of learning an approved textbook list from the Virginia Department of Education. Okay. My other question is about the differences. Uh under the HMH you guys have resourceri and under the kdum there isn't resourceri. So my
079question then would be what resources um would KDUm need to have supplemented that are available with HMH that KDUm doesn't provide. That's something the teachers would need. Um just because the potential for costs I'm I'm looking at the greater if you need more resources. Yes. Type deal. um based on their information and I can also ask uh Miss Ortiz if she wants to add but I will say that the teachers uh looked at both very thoroughly and while they both have resources sometimes it's about streamlining and you hear that a lot from our teachers. So, KDUm came across as having what was necessary to provide teachers um the opportunity to implement the small groupoup independent tasks and the consumables were more aligned and more teacher friendly than all of the resources that were provided in
080HMH to put together for instruction. Right. And Okay. But HMH usually comes with differentiated um resources. Does KDUm provide that? Yes. Yes. Um both programs come with the differentiated options. Um we did receive a lot of feedback about HMH being the current literacy program, right? Coming with supplements and we actually had a lot of feedback from teachers that they were afraid to have more materials and too much materials. Okay. So in math we already provide manipulatives um for teachers which is essential to teaching elementary math. Um we have a pretty robust curriculum that has whole group and small groupoup lessons. So when we were looking at a textbook, we were looking at a little bit of a different lens than say what literacy went through last year and that we have pretty good lessons already
081written. And so basically what they were looking for is something to supplement the student editions and some other activities and lessons for teachers as well that could go a little bit beyond what's already there. So KDUm is not going to totally replace what we're already doing. It's going to supplement what we're doing. It's going to enhance what we have. Yes, that's what I needed to hear. Thank you so much, Miss Melnik. So that I so I had the honor and pleasure of working for Miss Ortiz at Christopher Farms Elementary School. So my question was for you. Do you concur with this recommendation? You you were extraordinary. So well, thank you. And still are clearly. Absolutely. We are really excited to add this to our curriculum. Um we're very proud of the curriculum that we have
082here and we know the teachers utilize it. We've got a lot of the data. We did really well in consideration with the state when it came to the SOS last year with new standards and so a lot of the feedback we got from teachers was don't change a lot of things. We just need something to supplement and this would be the perfect supplement for that. Okay. Yeah. And and the uh rating was significant. It was like a full point. It was. Yeah. They were very excited to see something that was really aligned. So perfect. Thank you, Mr. Cummings. Yeah. Thank you so much for sharing information about um our math textbooks and definitely something I'm continuing to learn more and more about. Help me understand. You mentioned these are the two books that we went
083with. Um and they're somewhat in in the similar price range. Like what are the outliers for these textbooks? You know, I heard you say that one of them cost like or last last year around is like 3 point something million. Like what are the outliers? Like what does a lowcost curriculum book look like? What does kind of like a high cost one look like as well? Just if you I don't know if you have that on the top of your head with your review what you looked at or Well, you can Are they all in this range? But we they're all pretty much around the same rate, right? Like um Dr. Kelly said, they um they post those rates online. When they did the state um textbook adoption committee, in order for them to be
084approved, they had to provide prices for all of the districts. So really what comes is what the what the vendor wants to sell and what their additional pieces are. So like when Miss Rogers asks about the additional resources and those types of things, you know, it's like who has the flashier package, that kind of thing. They can add in things like that. Um but they can't change the cost of that particular textbook. Yeah. I was just kind of curious about it. I went to while you were talking, I did a little Dr. Google of checking up on the like what the state website said and it is interesting just doing a quick comparison of like all the different text well there's like nine or I don't I hope I'm on the right page because I
085just looked at there's about nine or 10 different books on there and how the kiddum book stood out to me because it had adequate in all the categories compared to some of the other c some of the other options on here um where you know some needed more research or somewhere limited you know Kinnum stood out to me as seeming like it met met what looks like the mark. So what unpack one of the most important things we look for is the alignment to the standards of learning and that's what one of the things that the teachers that came across in the committee and the teacher responses and we wanted to highlight because that's the most important thing. We don't want a a program that looks good but doesn't align and support our students in
086the learning that they need based on our standards of learning. So that's why this is the program that we think is the best. It's best aligned and it's going to provide our students with practice that they need for our standards. Cool. Um I can also give you a little bit of background knowledge. So last year the state was kind of in limbo because initially in elementary the only textbook they approved was KDUm because of alignment issues. And so then a lot of the textbook companies pushed back to the state and said this isn't really fair. And so then they provided some supplements to show the alignment piece. And so that's how more of them were added. But that that document you looked at that shows what is adequate and what isn't. You can see that
087the reason KDUm was approved the first time and the only one is that they were best aligned. They do um generate their learning experiences through AI. So they worked very closely to make sure that um they were using the Virginia SOS whereas the other companies are nationwide and they are you know more aligned to common core and then we kind of have to fit to meet the common core. we have to piece meal things together in order to meet those standards because we don't follow common core. Yeah, thank you for helping me just understand a little more. It was interesting, you know, hearing what you had to say, but also just looking up the information and looking at the the resources the state provided. So, thank you so much. You're welcome. So, it says uh
088digital print teacher and student editions. How many um print student editions do we anticipate the division will receive as part of this? We do it based on enrollment. So every student receives their consumable text. Okay. So right now our estimated enrollment is around 28,000 because this this is a K through five implementation. So at the end of the six years there will be nothing left then. Correct. at the end of the six years, we either go into another textbook adoption or we extend this contract. Okay. All right. I just wanted to make sure um that I had that understanding and I'm happy that there's uh print editions. You know, it differentiates a lot of students learn differently, especially in in math. Um, I know some of my older kids have actually mentioned that the online
089thing can kind of be a lot in in the math world there. So, I'm happy about that. So, thank you very much. Um, also, what do you mean by AI learning experiences? Can you elaborate on that a little more since it's K through five? Sure. So um there's a there's a collective group of mathematicians out there that create this program that basically they embark on illustrative mathematics and that's a free open resource that companies can use and so a lot of the textbook companies now actually pull their lessons from there but Kdum used AI to kind of generate some of to put them all together to align to the so they were able to kind of put their product together a lot faster and kind of tweak it to meet the needs of the state
090versus other textbook companies which already have their pacing and their units already aligned. Ken was a little bit more fluent with that. Okay. So, we're not talking about just to confirm AI in K through five. No, no, no. They've used AI to help compile and create this and I just wanted to make sure that the public's aware of that. Yep. No AI and K5. All right. Thank you. Oh, Mr. Cummings. So just to follow up on that question, what is the do they talk about what the validation process is of how they of making sure that the AI generated the right content? So that's where I'm saying they pull from illustrative mathematics which has already gone through that whole process. It's another open uh education resource that most textbook companies, if you kind of dig
091into their um where they're getting their lessons from, it's from that. That is like an NCTM certified website that has a bunch of teacher generated and um you know, higher ed mathematician generated lessons. So, it's not like just making it up. They're pulling from a resource that's highly reliable. All right. All right. Thank you. Okay. We are now on to legislative agenda and we welcome Joel Andress, legislative consultants. Hello. Good evening. Uh Mrs. Brown, school board members, Dr. Arbison. I was listening to that discussion and I was thinking we have come a long way since I have to bring in like the old uh paper grocery bag to cover your textbooks to protect them from your ear. So, it's been it's been a long time since we had to do that. Um so, good evening
092again. It is good to see you all. Um uh I'll uh talk through our proposed legislative agenda on I believe for uh um information tonight. And I think there's a just a couple of of quick highlights before we start talking about some of the specifics in the uh legislative agenda. Um coming into this long session starting here on um I'm sorry that's actually a mistake starting January 13th. It is a late start to the general assembly session um this year. Uh and is a full 60 days. Uh so it is a year where we actually adopt a new bianual budget. Um, as you all know from last week's results, we have a new governor, which we would had uh anyway, a new lieutenant governor, which we would have had anyway, and also a new attorney
093general, and also a lot of new members in the House of Delegates. There was 17 new members elected in the House of Delegates. Uh, so we have a a pretty big class, certainly not the biggest class we've had in recent years, uh, but a lot of new faces coming to Richmond in January. um part of this new banial budget. You know, I think we've been talking a little bit about some budget restraints that we've seen on the horizon for the last couple years. Those still remain. Um one of those two two of those biggest drivers of that is uh Medicaid reforcast um which is going to eat up a lot of state resources and then uh also the um rebenchmarking which we do every single year for um K12. Uh, Governor Yncan will introduce his
094budget um on December 17th, which is uh kind of the last thing he does before uh leaving um office in January. So, we would expect that on December 17th. Um so, probably a lot more information to come between now and then, but those are a couple things that we're looking at heading into the uh session beginning uh January of 26. Uh so I will talk through um all the items on our legislative agenda. I think you will see um many of them uh probably sound familiar. Um a few things that have shifted based upon some progress we've made over the last couple of years. Um but a lot of things that we've been certainly working on and remain priorities for the school division. Um as I just mentioned, this is a rebenchmarking year. Uh and
095so this is the time where uh the general assembly will update the cost of rebenchmarking um based upon changes, student enrollment, local composite index uh and then they will reforcast the cost to uh provide public education in Virginia. We don't have those numbers yet. Uh my understanding is that they will be presented at the state board meeting in December. Uh but the numbers that we've seen sort of preliminary are somewhere in the range of about a billion dollars over the banium which is certainly not the lowest but certainly not the highest that we've seen. I've not seen any new local composite index numbers yet but those again will be released I believe uh next month. Um so the first item on the agenda is making sure that we fully support um all of uh the
096full funding of rebenchmarking. Um sometimes we have seen particularly in tight budget years where um sometimes changes are made uh probably most notably uh was the support cap that was put in place back in 2008 and it took us a very long time to get that undone. So that is uh probably one of our top priorities for this session is working on rebenchmarking again teacher salaries uh increase as well as recruitment and retention efforts. Um I school divisions across the Commonwealth continue to see challenges hiring and retaining teachers. So that remains a top priority for us. This is not just in uh terms of straight teacher salaries but also making sure that we are not overburdening our teachers um with extra activities on the classroom that are mandated by by the state. Um moving on
097from that increase behavioral and mental health uh services. Um this has been a priority of the of you all for uh several years now. We have seen additional um movement on this front particularly with the JARK report that came out in 2023. They have started to put additional money certainly into uh more supports for students. Uh look forward to working with uh members on on that. Um with that said, one of those challenges that we see is with special education. Uh over this past year, uh the joint I'm sorry, the commission on youth had a special subcommittee uh that studied not necessarily all of special ed, but really focused on dispute resolution. So, we're expecting a number of recommendations coming out of that work this year. Um most of that, um based upon the conversations
098we've had at the legislative committee and with uh Miss Lenetti, um seem to be pretty much in line with with many of our priorities and where we want to go. But again, making sure that we are not putting extra burdens on school divisions uh for special education and that the state continues to fund what they need to fund with special education. As you all know, putting together the budget, special ed is a significant portion of of what you all have to do. Um next would be dedicated uh funding for capital improvements. Um again, as you all know from a budget standpoint, that is certainly a a crunch for everyone. um and making sure that the seeing that the state can can come in and start making some additional assistance from a capital improvement standpoint. Um
099candidly, we all know that that number is very big. The state has done pieces of that over the years. Um they have helped with some um special loans, those types of efforts, but again there's still a lot more to be done in that space. um slightly new but certainly consistent with what we have been talking about last um several years is the regional recovery school. Um you all have done a great job of getting that set up and I know that's been a lot of hard work. Um, one of the things that we did uniquely here in Hampton Roads that is different than how other recovery schools were established in the state is that it is a true regional recovery school where we created partnerships with Chesapeake and Portsmith and others to create a regional
100school. Uh, well, one of the challenges that we discovered is that uh a a regional a school does not necessarily include recovery schools. And so while we have authorization in the budget which will expire on July 1 for the regional recovery school, we want to make sure that authorization continues on just by making a quick uh code clarification. Um again, this is not asking for additional funding for the recovery school. Um I believe that is uh pretty well covered through opioid debatement funds and other sources. So this is just making sure that the authorization continues on um uh going forward post July 1. Um, moving on, uh, school bus driver shortage. This has been on our legislative agenda for, um, a couple of years now. Um, something that we continue to to struggle with, I
101believe. Um, as you all know, part of this is also a federal issue having to do with uh, CDLs and how those um, work. uh because if you drive a school bus, you have to have a full CDL which unfortunately nor we don't control nor does the state and so that is working continue to work with our federal delegation on on that. Um eliminate uh or fund unfunded mandates. Um I we have continued to list around $44 million of unfunded mandates. We have over the last um couple of years worked with the school health services committee to study really specifically some of those mandates that either have been out there or even proposed specifically around services dealing with student health. Uh for example, the uh STO school health services committee this past year did a
102deep dive into diabetes uh of how schools should treat studentu students with diabetes and um we expect to see legislation on that that I think will probably be better than what was proposed last year. But again, this is a great example of how we're able to work through the proper channels to at least prohibit or or stop um additional unfunded mandates. that will be a continued uh effort on our part, not only to try to um keep those from coming around or uh looking at ones that we can start either funding or or um uh to check me off the list. And then the last item on the agenda is assessment reform. Uh you all probably recall at the uh last session we had some significant so assessment reform that was really around um structuring
103how assessments are delivered in schools in in Virginia. And while we I think agree with much of the intent and what they were trying to accomplish, it came with a number of logistical challenges on that. And so, uh, one of those things I think we need to look at very closely this session is fixing some of those technical components of that legislation from testing windows to making sure that we don't inadvertently prohibit AP or IP test at the end of the year, which was all technical, or um, as we look at how changes to the assessment reform last year would impact any potential new so contracts. Um, as I think we've talked about a little bit, the state is reprocuring the so contract and that will come online here in the next couple years. So,
104we want to make sure that any changes that we make to how SOS are administered are closely aligned to to the new contract and how the new contract will be implemented. So, that is kind of high level. I think you all have the agenda in in front of you. Um, but I will pause there to see if you have any uh questions or if I can answer anything for you. Dr. Green. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Andress. And I want um for our view and public to know that we do have a legislative committee um which I serve as chair and the other members are Mrs. Dire Dwire and Miss Rogers as well. And prior to us getting to this point where Mr. Andress is presenting the proposed legislative agenda. We did start a
105process where we have solicited input um from our other colleagues um to to get feedback as well. And so with that being said, um this is the proposed agenda that we are bringing for forth for your consideration. Vice Chair Williams. Yes. Thank you, Dr. green and and committee members and thank you Mr. Andrews. It's always nice to hear from you. Um all right, so my suggestion well I guess I'll I'll kind of ask first or or state that I was really surprised there wasn't anything a stance on collective bargaining. I know that VSBA has historically been against um collective bar bargaining and I know a few years ago many of us attended the VSBA workshop I mean the conference in Williamsburg which they had a whole workshop dedicated to that. I attended it. Um many
106schools were there, many school divisions were there that had gone down that road and not one said anything positive about it. In fact they said it was very very very very expensive. one um place had to hire I think they said 12 additional lawyers to handle all of it. Um it did not help with morale. It did not help the lower paid um positions and it was very divisive and expensive. So I'm assuming the SBA has not changed their stance. Is that a correct assumption? Uh, no. I don't believe the SBA has changed their stance on on um expanding collective bargaining beyond I I think they're opposed to it before, but certainly expanding any uh new authorization for collective bargaining. Okay. Um I would like to add that um if possible um to our um
107legislative agenda. I think that's very important. Um so that's one suggestion that I would have. And then the other with the um recovery school, I appreciate um the addition to that obviously with the Chesterfield, the first recovery school. Do you know how um many years that funding um became possible for that through the legislature? I will have to go back and double check. They first um much like us and other recovery schools got startup funds and once the program was up and running they they did end up requesting and receiving ongoing support from the state for that. Um I can go back and look exactly on the timeline. Okay. My my suggestion for that too would look to see exactly how many years they did and if they got extra funding for three years that
108I would like that added in there as well. Um so I guess Dr. Green, if you could advise or um Joel, if you could advise how um to get these added. Um do you want me to write something up and add it and then we vote on it or chair Brown? What what is your advice about doing that? Thank you. So, I would think that you would need to work with Joel Andress and legal to get a motion because I think it's most fair and right of the process to have a motion and put it to a vote instead of um just having it brought forward. Okay. I'll be I'll be I'll I'll be doing that just to give my um colleagues a heads up. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Rogers. Yes. Um on the motion
109for collective bargaining um the legislative committee did discuss that we had um discussed it with Mr. Andrews with Mrs. Lenetti and we were advised that we did not take a position for the last couple of years and and so we chose to not add it this year. I believe the legislative committee is the only standing committee that has um a minority partisan a majority of the minority partisan members on it. We already ruled two to one to not take this up and we did just hear you all discuss that the resolution made by Mr. Cummings was not in our jurisdiction yet somehow now this is coming to the full board agenda. So, I don't really understand why we are asked to make these decisions within our committee only to be told that those decisions don't
110really matter. Um, as far as the comments about collective bargaining, I have been a teacher in a state that had collective bargaining. I can tell you that the morale was not low, that the pay was not poor, and that it did benefit uh staff to be able to have a seat at the table, especially when they were asked to do things that they were uncomfortable with or that they needed um support with. Um it was a tool that they were able to use to have support when needed. So again, um I just I we made a decision at the legislative committee and I'm just not sure why that's not being respected. Dr. Green, thank you. Um as Mrs. Rogers indicated, we did have this discussion um at the committee. Um, so we did follow the
111processes and I hope that the recommendation of the agenda that we have brought forth will be honored based on what has been presented this evening. Miss Felton, thank you Chair Brown. Um, thank you Mr. Anderson. Good to see you again as well. uh just to make a uh a statement or a correction on there is no maybe nobody said it but I thought I heard one someone said that there is no uh division doing this so I'm looking at in 2020 in Northern Virginia Fairfax uh Prince George County they all went into effect with state using collecting bargaining and is working successfully if if I'm not mistakenly they have moved forward with that with that entity miss I believe there are some school divisions in in the Commonwealth that have under the current statute entered
112into collective bargaining agreements. I I don't know much about those other than that they have done that. So I don't know if I can say what is happening on on on the on the ground there. Mr. Cummings. Yeah, thank you so much for sharing. I have a couple questions. um and then I'll put some comments on collective bargaining. But my first question is around workforce development um and advocating for funds at the state level for that. I don't know if that's something that we discussed or was part of a normal legislative docket or not. Um, but I know that's an area that the board is passionate about and I would hope that that continues to be a budget priority, I guess, from the state level as well. So, I mean, I'm not sure how it
113fits into this document um or if it needs to fit into the document, but that was just my first reaction as I was reading through um the legislative agenda. And then my just followup question thoughts on collective bargaining. You know, I've researched this topic and I mean, I think we're all on record about how we feel about this topic as well, but the national research, I don't know if that necessarily supports the claim that I heard up on the dis because I read research that says, you know, supports teachers retention, teacher happiness, teacher sense of belonging, all those variety of things. So, you know, I'd love to see a more thorough in-depth presentation um before the school board is asked to take a stance on this uh uh agenda item, but also, you know, I
114think um every time I've been hired a job, I've tried to negotiate my salary. I think a lot of folks have tried negotiating their salary. I think it's within reason as you work at a place to try to negotiate what you get beyond the scope of how that's such an antagonistic idea, but um I would I'm not really sure why we would even need that on this legislative agenda. Miss Dwire. So, I made the recommendation at the last legislative uh committee meeting to add collective bargaining and present it to the board for a vote. Um, and it was based on things that I was reading about collective bargaining. And I remember specifically a couple of things that Cammy had presented about uh several school systems, several school divisions that it was like a train wreck.
115Could you elaborate on that? My discussion with the other council, school attorneys have done this is that it's expensive. It's very expensive to implement. You do have to hire a law firm that specializes in addition to your legal counsel. So that will not be a cheap expense and you do have to fi hire a staff to manage this. It is not something human resources can take on themselves because of the requirements that will be involved in it. Um that that is something you have to so you have to set aside the money for the specialist to do this. Generally what I know from Prince William County you're talking about five to 10 people have to be added on a staff to do that. They did took them about a year or two working with outside
116counsel for several million dollars in legal fees and the cost to run that is roughly about 10 million. That's just administrative cost. As to how well it's working, I do know that things did not go the way they thought they expect to do. I'm not saying all there are other school divisions that have implemented tend to be smaller school divisions. I don't know overall how they're working. I just know what it takes to pull this off. It is not a cheap endeavor to do. It will take time and planning to be able to do it and it will take several years to implement. It also has a lot of restrictions. You're talking about salaries. It has a lot of restrictions on what you can and cannot bargain for. You need to look at that closely.
117There was they were working on the legislation in the general assembly last year and there are some problems with that legislation, but because Virginia has very strict rules on our budgeting, you would not be able to negotiate salaries and things in the way you might do in another state because you are limited to the budget that you have and balance budgets on it. So, it does have some restrictions to it. If this is something the school board's looking at, you are going to have to very closely monitor the legislation that is currently in that went in last year because there are some very serious concerns about whether it's appropriately drafted or not. I can't speak to how well it's working of the school divisions. I can tell you it would very expensive and timeconuming to
118implement. Thank you, Cammy. Yeah, my head's spinning after that. Uh simply well put, we just can't afford it. Miss Melnik. Okay. So, I served on the legislative committee for a number of years and we never put this on our legislative agenda. We had topics that were really important or you know almost the same thing we've been fighting for for a long time. Um, but what I think is really odd is that I'm sitting with the group of people who vote every year to not be part of VSBA, but now we're going to use VSBA's stance on collective bargaining because they're against it. And so I'm just a little torn by that. I think the legislative committee has discussed this. There are two people that maybe otherwise would have voted for collective bargaining, but they realize
119that right now for this legislative agenda that the most important things came forward. And I don't see anything wrong with this. I see what I do see though are families that are sitting out in this audience who are waiting to hear about another topic. I think the current legislative agenda is fine. Bring it forward. I think this is very political, clearly very political and I think it's unnecessary. I think everyone's had the chance that's in quue to speak. Um, I have a question for you. Is the state mandating collective bargaining an unfunded mandate? Um, I'm probably not the best one to answer that question, but I think based upon Miss Lenetti's comments, it there could be significant cost associated with it. I still believe you will have the choice to do it, but um if
120they do implement it, the cost is very the administrative cost is very significant and there's no funding available for that would have to come out of your budget. So, correct me if I'm wrong. Um legislation was on the governor's desk last year to require collective bargaining in localities. So, and it was vetoed. Correct. I'll have to go back and look at the specifics of that legislation. If I remember correctly, it it changed the current process which has a school board and locality all in sort of agreement on on how that would happen. Uh so I will have to go back and get the details of exactly what that one said. I can't remember off the top of my head. Okay. I and I'll I'll do some research as well, but I I seem to recall
121that it was on a desk and it was vetoed and therefore it's relevant. Um we are actually discussing our legislative ask uh to the general assembly. I think at a bare minimum um retaining our local authority um is something that we should consider and I would hope that um and I know that city council unanimously actually requested to retain the local authority in their legislative agenda as well. Um I do think it's relevant. We don't have taxing authority. Um so I don't think it's an inappropriate discussion by any means. Um and Miss Felton. Thank you, Chair Brown. And I will not beat the horse and miss my colleague Miss Mil spoke some of the things I was going to speak as well. Uh it is um it is surprising that when you don't want to
122belong to or you don't participate with the VSBA, but you uh conveniently use what they do in that action in order to uphold what you believe in. And I know this sort of kind of put you in a a quaint place, uh, Mr. Anderson, but it's just that, um, I was on the legislative committee as well. I remember vividly sitting a Zoom meeting in 2020 and listening to Alton, Virginia talking about the process of going through um, collective bargaining. And you're correct, Miss Lynetti, it was tedious and it was long and they called in a lot of lawyers. But I'd like to piggyback on what Mr. [ __ ] has said as well. I think you know it's worth it is worth looking at or worth looking at what all Virginia did, Prince George County did, Fairfax
123Virginia as well. It's information that I would like to see and I say to my colleague as well. But um VBA has given a lot of legislative very good information when it comes to school board. They have supported school boards and a lot of things and a lot of things that they they might have done I did not like. But when I I go back to what my colleague said, it's always convenient when you are trying to uphold what you don't like or what you don't want to move forward, you use VSBA um uh standards and what they're saying that they don't um choose to do. And again, thank you. Appreciate all the work that you do. Mr. Cummings. Yeah. Thank you so much again. And so since I did hear comments about affordability, I
124mean implement there are always implementation costs, but I'm sitting here thinking about the churn rate of our, you know, five-year teachers and the expense that goes with re, you know, recruiting, starting people over. And so you can't just look at an implementation cost. You have to do costbenefit analysis of a longevity of of a of a potential policy. I mean, if it costs money to implement, but down the road saves money through retention, you know, I think that's the lens. If we're making a fiscal um decision about this, you can't just look at the sticker price up front. You have to look at the longevity of the policy in action. So, I just wanted to provide that comment um as well. And having read the research on collective bargaining outside, you know, if you Google
125it, NEA or not NEA, if you Google collective bargaining and outcomes, you know, first couple re resources are, you know, you see the the the NEA sites, but then you go down, you see the peer-reviewed, you know, resources that come out from, you know, college journals and, you know, there is a variety of research. Um but the common theme that I saw within this topic is you know employee satisfaction, employee retention and those are all things that I feel our board has thought about how do we solve this problem and so if there's evidence towards a medium to solving a problem I tend to lean towards lean in towards that um direction. So, I mean, I I would encourage folks to look at the peer-reviewed data, you know, click past the articles that confirm our
126own biases for both sides and look, you know, for those journals and see, you know, what information it says. I know it's there's a variety of pieces on it. Um, you know, get a somewhat balanced opinion, but, you know, I do think the overwhelming evidence does support the benefits of collective bargaining. Miss Dwire So yeah, let's stay on the non-biased track here. Um, my decision was based on what I read. Maybe you could give me the information. Miss Dwire, if you could make sure to direct her comments, so maybe my colleagues could pass on that information to me because I haven't read anything like that. And honestly, I value Cam's opinion and Joel's and um I just think that based on our current financial climate, uh it's taking a risk that we just shouldn't take
127right now. Miss Rogers, thank you. Um Mr. Andros, we discussed this in the legislative committee and we talked about, just correct me if I'm wrong, we talked about whether or not we had a stance on this in the past. Correct. Uh, yes, ma'am. I believe we did. Yep. And what was the result of that discussion? Uh, I don't believe we have today taken a stance on this particular issue. Now, thank you. And so that is why it was voted 2 to1 to not add it to the legislative agenda. I unfortunately um apologize that right now we're laying bare to the public how partisan this board actually is that we are discussing something that's already been discussed decided to not be put on the legislative agenda yet earlier there was something that we did request to
128be discussed and it was decided that was not under our jurisdiction. So my apologies to the families that are sitting here waiting for the other um decisions that need to be made. Um, it's just very telling that the partisanship of this board is what is ruling and not the decisions that have already been made. Thank you, Vice Chair Williams. Um, let me clarify. It seems like truths are being twisted up here, but a committee just because I disagree with a committee's recommendation does not mean I don't respect that committee nor honor that. I can't count how many times as policy review committee chair I have brought policies to this board and they have been um voted against or tweaked or sent back. So a committee does not make the final recommendation. It comes for a
129vote and we have the right to make such suggestions. Also I can't count how many times I have voted for this board to join VSBA. So when you point fingers please make sure you have the accurate um information. I have been to many VSBA um workshops. I have presented there and I have voted to join there. Also um voted to have other options such as the SBAMA also. So just wanted to clarify a few things. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. This will be on action at our next meeting. Have a great night. Thank you. All right. We are now on to um the middle school dual language immersion considerations and um this is u kind of unusual that we have a presentation but there's a recommendation and there were some questions. So,
130um, in order to get that presentation on the floor, I will need a motion in a second on the administrative recommendation, um, for approval. And I will read that. Um, that recommendation is based on available staffing and student interest to fully implement the Spanish immersion program at each grade level with fidelity. administration recommends continuing the DLI middle school program in one location at Virginia Beach Middle School effective for the 2728 school year. Current fifth through 7th grade DLI students will not experience a change in programming or location. Is there a motion on that recommendation and a second? Oh, it's not up. There we go. Okay. moved by Mr. Callen, seconded by Miss Dwire. Um, and I will welcome Dr. Crystal Lewis Wilkerson, director of office of K through 12 and gifted programs at this time.
131Okay. Good evening, school board chair Brown, Vice Chair Williams, school board members, and Dr. Robertson. My name is Crystal Wilkerson, director of K12 and gifted programs. I'd like to begin tonight by reviewing our previous discussions about the middle school dual language immersion program. The DLI program is highly valued and has a positive impact, but it continues to face significant staffing challenges with its current model, especially in recruiting qualified bilingual teachers. These challenges threaten the program's long-term sustainability and have already led to the elimination of 8th grade Spanish immersion civics at both the current middle schools reducing the program's integrity. While budget constraints make these challenges more difficult, they are not the primary reason for the administration's concerns about the current structure or the planned expansion to two additional middle schools. Staffing and program fidelity are
132the primary concerns. Please keep in mind the challenges on the left relate to supporting just two middle school programs right now. We are concerned that these challenges could multiply when doubling the number of middle schools in the 202728 school year. Now, let's review the two possible solutions the administration has shared to address the staffing and program fidelity issues that we face. Note the implementation year at the top of the slide, indicating no changes would occur to the previously approved structure until 2027 28. This is the year that we had planned in 2019 to add two additional middle schools. We have been clear that moving from two middle school sites to four middle school sites is not possible. Thus, we have presented two options as noted here. It should also be noted that these solutions do
133not remove any existing elementary DLI programs. If option one were implemented beginning in school year 2020728, all elementary DLI students would feed into one DLI middle school site, which would be located at Virginia Beach Middle School. Students would take an immersion Spanish class at at least and at least one core content class, most likely math or science in Spanish in grades 6 through 8. With this option, beginning in school year 2728, all DLI sixth graders would begin attending Virginia Beach Middle School when entering middle school. Option two would not include a designated middle school DLI site. Immersion Spanish 1 through3 courses would be offered to DLI students either in person or through distance learning at their zoned middle schools. To be clear with the community and school board, as with all elective course offerings, course
134availability depends on enrollment, class size, funding, and staffing. With all of the previous information considered, the collective recommendation of several administrative offices is displayed here. We recognize the educational value of this program and the deep commitment of students and families for keeping this program in some manner at the middle school level. As you are aware, offerings are always dependent on staff availability and enrollment numbers. The administration recommends discontin continuing the current DLI model at the middle schools of Great Neck and Lanstown as of the 2728 school year. DLI students currently in grades 5 through 8 may complete the existing program at Great Neck or Lanstown Middle School. This group will be the final cohort to participate in the middle school DLI program at these sites. Oops. As shared on the previous slide, as a detail
135related to the administration's recommendation, current fifth through 8th grade DLI students will not experience a change in programming or location. An update will be presented to the school board during the summer retreat. We wanted to share a couple of additional questions asked by the school board. The final few slides will share some of these questions and the accompanying responses. Question, how many current DLI teacher vacancies exist? Answer: Four vacancies exist as of nove as of November 6, 2025. Question, how many teacher vacancies exist in other Spanish courses? Answer, 2.4 vacancies exist as of November 6, 2025. I'm sorry, it used to be 2.4. Um, so it was updated. That was an update. Uh, question, how many teachers who teach Spanish or DLI are provisionally licensed? Answer. 18. Spanish or DLI teachers are provisionally licensed as
136of November the 6th. 11 are secondary and seven are elementary question. What is the total number of FTEEs which means fulltime equivalency representing a full-time position for the DLI program under the current model for elementary and middle? Answer: Elementary 27 FTE teachers. Five of these FTEEs, one per school, or additional allocations above regular allocations based on enrollment. Seven FTE assistants, five general assistants, and two kindergarten assistants. And five of these FTEES, one general assistant per school, are additional allocations. Middle school, three FTEES, two for Great Neck, and one for Lanstown. Question: Are all positions needed to operate the program? Answer: Yes. Question, do parents have to sign a contract in order for their children to participate in the DLI program? Answer: Department of Teaching and Learning does not require a formal contract for participation. Principles
137have sent letters to inform families of their child's acceptance into the program. No parent signature is required. Principles encourage families to participate in the program through grade five to help with class class projections and placements, but it is not required to promote greater consistency moving forward. Department of teaching and learning will provide a standardized acceptance letter for 2026 27 for incoming elementary DLI students. If the school board approves the administration recommendation presented tonight, the administration will provide updates on the plan to consolidate the program at Virginia Beach Middle School during the summer retreat. At this time, I invite our world languages coordinator, Kelly Arbal, to join me, and we welcome any questions that you might have at this time. Okay, Miss Melnik. Okay. I I saw a a difference that in option one and option
138two. Um option two said that the students would earn high school credit for the immersion Spanish that would would happen. Are the students not going to earn high school credit in option one? Yes, they are. They will. That's all I care about. Okay. Thank you. And since I want to make sure that we have clarity on what we're voting for, the recommendation doesn't seem to be either option one or two. It appears to be option one if we have staff and enrollment numbers met. Correct. So what you're recommending? That's always going to be the challenge is if we're able to have staffing and enrollment. And that's why we said we would come back um during the retreat is to be able to provide you that update because then we'll have um better information for you.
139But yes, that is the the recommendation for this evening. Okay. So, we're we're voting on a recommendation that if their staff and if the enrollment is met that the program will be offered at VB Metal. Correct? Yes. All right. Thank you. Yes, Miss Rogers. Um, first of all, I wanted to thank all of the staff, I'm sorry, all of the parents that I spent many hours meeting with at libraries, at coffee houses, listening to their stories. I know this is extremely important to them. Not exactly sure why we're voting on an if, um, why it changed to an if. The parents want it to be a Yes. They want to have some uh understanding of what's going to be happening next year for their students. They don't want to have to tell their students at
140the retreat. Sorry, we couldn't they couldn't get the staff. Now you don't have the school that you thought you were going to. So, I'm love to make a motion to um take that if out of the recommendation and to make it that we are voting on whether or not we should be going forward with option one. All right. Is there a second on Miss Rogers motion? I'll second that. Okay. Seconded by Mr. Cummings. All right. So, we are now discussing um and and the voting board is probably going to clear out um once our clerk enters that. We are discussing now the motion on the floor for option one. Um and I think Vice Chair Williams, were you next in line? Okay, Vice Chair Williams. Okay. So, we're discussing the motion. It is the substitute.
141Well, yeah. Okay. Is there because I don't Is this the right one, Dr. Wil Wilkerson, that we're voting on? Well, they I guess you're voting on where where's the written one that we're voting on? I want to see it. I mean, well, right now slide four, what we presented as the administration recommendation, but I don't Are you Are you voting? This is what I have for my latest and I don't see any ifs. So, I'm just a little confused. She was in her presentation. Okay. So, it's different than what we were handed today. The way she said it. Yeah, I I'm looking at the administrative administration recommendation that was at my desk today that I thought that I was voting on, but we're discussing option one right now because there's a motion and a second
142on the floor, but there's no it we're discussing to take away ifs and I don't read it anywhere in here on the one that we're voting on. There's so I don't know how we can take away something that's not there. I I'm reading something that has based on available staffing and student interest to fully implement the Spanish. So you're so you're based on Okay. So you just want to say can you repeat I don't know. Sure. Instead of based on available staffing we are just going to fully implement the Spanish immersion program at each grade level with fidelity blah blah blah. It's the based on available staffing. We're going to we're instead of giving parents a hopefully we'll be able to do it. We're going to do it. That's all. We're going to do it.
143We're going to figure it out. Okay. So, are you amending your motion then to say based on student interests to fully implement? There it is. There we go. Okay. So, if you could state your motion, Mr. Cummings, if you could agree to that um so that we can move on with that. Thank you. based on student interest to fully implement the Spanish immersion program at each grade level with fidelity administration recommend administration recommends or I make a motion to continue the DI middle school program in one location at the Virginia Beach Middle School effective for the 2728 school year. Current fifth and seventh grade DI students will not experience a change in the programming. Okay. Thank you. Um Dr. Wilkerson, I have a question on that because I kind of saw some um body language
144there. Can you um comment on that? I mean, obviously we try to do all programs on student interest, but I mean, what happens if there's one teacher? I mean, just one one teacher. I mean, that's crazy, but do we still run a program with one teacher? But can you comment on this or please your expertise? So part of the reason why we um initially wanted to work to consolidate everything into one location was because we felt like that would help to um minimize some of our staffing challenges. So of course the goal is and the reason why we're proposing this recommendation is the goal is that um we would have um fewer staffing challenges. And so that's why we wanted to come back to you in August just to kind of give you updates on
145where we are. Um and it's just another um point of consideration. This isn't um something that would start right away. We come back to you, it would start the 2728 school year. So um we are implementing some things to try and help with those staffing things. Uh we also would have a better understanding about level of commitment at that point too of those parents who was was um interested in continuing uh the program which we saw tonight. There is a strong level of commitment or so it it appears. So, um, yes, staffing. We want to continue to make sure that we have, um, our staffing in place to be able to implement the fidelity of the program. Um, that's always a concern, but we, um, we certainly hope that we minimize those concerns by having
146them in one location. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Sure. That's all I have for that. I have a comment on something else. Just a a quick procedural thing. Um, Mr. Cummings. Did you second that modification from Miss Rogers? I second it now. Okay. I just I wanted to make sure you were in agreement since you're the second. Um Mr. Cummings. Yep. Did I have the floor? Um I think yes because we're on a different motion, right? You did. Did you? Yeah. I hit my button again. I don't think you spoke on this motion. So I'm speaking on the sub on the substitute motion. Um I do have a So Dr. Robinson, aren't all programs going to be subject to staffing? Like, is that language even necessary? I think that's and I think the the language is
147what gives people anxiety. I feel like I I personally do not see the v the ration the I mean, I understand what's there, but I I think I feel like all of our programs are going to be subject to staffing no matter what. So, correct. I from my perspective when we were originally pres presented with option one and option two, I like option one. It's simple and to the point and we always and we know it's going to be subject to staffing um and whatnot. And so that's why I I second what Dr. or Miss Ms. Rogers is saying. I I'll up your academics for you, but what Miss Rogers is saying is that I will support this substitute motion because all of our programs are already going to be um substitute or all of
148our programs are going to already be subject to, you know, staffing availability. But my question, I think, Dr. Robertson is when we hear the board update at the summer retreat, is that going to come back to the board for additional action like for student interest, staffing, things like that? So if this administration recommendation, not the substitute, if this administration recommendation was accepted, what that would mean is next fall based upon available staffing and the number of students who said they want to continue the program in a single location. If both of those um statements could be fully implementable, mean meaning we had no vacancies, meaning we had enough enrollment to meet the requirements for the floor of a classroom, then the class would be on the course schedule choices that students would investigate next fall
149winter when the schedules go out. If not, there will be no DLL program at the middle school because we cannot operate the program with fidelity because of staffing andor students who cho chose that they did not want to leave Great Neck Middle School or they did not want to leave Lancetown Middle School or they did not want to take a bus from Bayside to Virginia Beach Middle School. So th this really this recommendation is is just a an an acknowledgement that we absolutely have heard the parents the program is is a great program. There is no doubt about that. Zero. But right now we have four vacancies in the program that we have right now. And uh we work diligently all year to attract and retain staff to teach in these programs. And we will
150continue to do that. And we will we like the idea tonight. There were some parents interested in in joining in the cause with us to investigate whether we they can help us uh attract qualified staff. But I would tell you that 10 years ago, we had a technology education teacher who taught wood shop in every single one of our high schools. And now I don't believe we have one. Now, unfortunately, we didn't have to go through any, you know, major ordeal like we have here because this is a really special program. But we don't offer those courses anymore because we don't have those teachers. And we have a number of other foreign language classes. We used to offer a full slate. We don't offer anymore. We don't have the teachers. And I think this is
151just an early acknowledgement. We are over a year out that we have great concerns that we're going to be able to sustain this program at the middle school level um even in a single site. But we're willing to give it a try. And that's what this recommendation is about. So I think it so just there's just a sematical difference then between the recommendation and the substitute motion. So I just lean into the language of the substitute motion um that you know our programs are always going to be subject to staffing. Um but I I do lean into the the the language being forefront that you know this is a directive that we see value and is important. And I just to add on to that, you know, I just want to say thank you to
152all the parents who showed up to our meeting to the kids, to the YouTube video that y'all sent us. So that was seven minutes long. Um I enjoyed just seeing these kids speaking Spanish. I I love my classroom visits and I thoroughly enjoy going to the middle schools with pure evidence that we built something amazing, phenomenal, and greatness. And I know it's it's this heart. It's interesting to hear us, you know, try to figure out these details. But I do know the heart behind the folks and their their heart is, you know, global immersion and seeing that our kids learn, you know, a new language and embrace the culture. And that's what I uh really stands out to me. And so that's why I will be fully supporting the substitute motion um to ensure that
153we will, you know, have this program. So, thank you so much for sharing, Mr. Kalen, it seems as though the long and the short of our discussion is that either motion will work and either motion won't work if we don't have staff. So whether I pick opt behind door number one or door number two, it still leads me to the same conclusion. So it seems as though we're just getting caught up in semantics. So I guess the conclusion that I'm reaching is either one of these motions will work for me and we just have to wait and see what happens in the world that we're operating in whether we truly have staff problems that are insurmountable. But I guess what my conclusion is is I'll vote for either one of these things because it gets
154me to the same place. Thank you, Mr. Bowensteel. Okay. I just want a little clarification. So, Mrs. the motion that Miss Rogers is presenting. That's just to vote tonight whether we accept option one or we vote against it. So the motion on the floor is in relation to slide number four. Um it's the exact same language but it removes the words available staffing and is that correct? Okay. So all the other words are the same except for available staffing and do you see that on slide four? Yep. That one right there. Mhm. on line one available staffing and um words three, four, and five would be removed. Okay. So, I'm just trying to figure out so we take that off. So, if we vote on it, what does that mean? I mean so we're technically
155we're going to vote for whether we're going to So we're voting on her motion is going to is that's what we're voting on to see if we're going to vote for the program or discontinue it tonight. Basically basically correct that is correct. Okay. I just want to say that I I like the uh administration recommendation because this way we're it's still going to be moving forward and if we take that motion then we have a chance to just stop it tonight without any further information coming in or possibility. But that's just what I have to say. Miss Dwire, ladies, I just want to apologize to you because you've been extremely insulted based on your recommendation, based on your professional capability and your extreme transparency and compassion for this program. I take your recommendation because I
156take you at your word. And just like the children and just like the the uh the parents, I uphold, I respect and honor I respect and honor you. And I'm sorry that you've been insulted in this manner because this recommendation is perfectly fine. It's why we're here. We're here because there's a shortage and we have to take a vote and you're going out of your way to be extremely fair and I don't see the problem. And so yeah, there's short we base our uh our votes on, you know, there's always going to be a shortage somewhere, but that we're not taking a vote on any other category. We're specifically voting on this one. And so I'm kind of taken a back at what the issue is here. Um, you you stated your recommendation and it
157makes clear sense to me and I also would ask for a parent advisory committee as well. I think that's really crucial. We saw a lot of compassion and passion here and we saw the fruits of your labor. The children are remarkable and so I would ask that that would be considered as well. Thank you, Miss Rogers. So, I'm going to take a little bit of liberty here. I did meet with the parents, including these lovely people here several times, many, many times. And based on all the feedback that I received in all of the meetings that I had with the parents is that there was a lack of communication which caused a lack of trust with our parents in our school division. And you can see them nodding over here that that is correct. In
158order to help build trust, I removed the part about available staffing so they don't feel like we are going to not go forward with the program and just say it's because of unavailable staffing. We want to build trust with the community. We want them to believe us when we say we want to go forward with the program. So when we take out available staffing because it's a given and we say based on student interest because obviously if we don't have student interest we can't have a program and it leaves it more in the parents hands than in ours. We are then building that trust with our parents that we will do as we are saying we are going to do because right now they don't feel we've delivered on the promises we've made for this
159program in the past. That's why I feel it's important to just take out that phrase. While we still need to have staffing, we don't need that to be a um a a a caveat in this decision. Student interest should be our caveat as to whether or not we go forward after this summer, not staffing because we will do what everything we can. It's that should be our given. And so this is a trust building with our community. And like I said, I spent a lot of time with these parents. A lot of time on Zoom, in libraries, coffee shops, restaurants. I met parents all over the place. And the biggest takeaway I got was that they don't trust the school division to deliver because already the program has changed so much. and they don't feel
160they were communicated well with. So, taking out available staffing, yes, we need staffing. I trust that you guys are going to do everything you can to get that staffing, but I feel like we give it back to the parents student interest. Do you want your child in the program? Let us know and we'll do what we can to keep this program going and build that bridge with the community. Thanks. I'm not sure it is though because we're on a different motion. I think it might be Miss Melnik's turn. Miss Melnik, what is the minimum requirement to keep the program going? That's I think the best question right now. So I that's a hard question to answer because it depends on how many students we have in the program, right? So we have to determine the
161number of students which will determine the number of sections which would just determine the number of teachers. I mean it was brought up we're estimating that it would it would be three full-time core content teachers. I meant from a student enrollment. I mean, how many kids are enrolled in the program now? I I'm sorry. I don't know. Like she's talking about Are you talking about middle in middle school? Middle school right now. Um Sorry. I mean, so let let me let me So we have I can share. So we have 157 students at Great Neck right now in grades six through eight and we have 36 in grades six through eight at um Lans Lancetown. Yeah. Okay. So it's about getting the great neck students, the kids from Allent to come to Yeah. To BB
162Middle. I mean, I think the Cook students, that's their home school anyway. And the Bayside students to commute. That's Have those conversations. Has have those conversations happened? Are we talking to the fourth grade parents right now? Yeah. So, we put out the survey, right? And so, parents said that they wanted more information. And so our this recommendation stems from wanting to consolidate at BB Middle, but also wanting to get more confirmation from parents to get a better idea of how many students would in fact enroll at BB Middle because that would allow us to plan more effectively for the number of teachers that we'll need. Okay. So, how many kids are in a core? You said you need three cores. Is that what you said? Three. So, three, one per grade level. I I guess
163what I'm looking for is what is it going to take to keep the program going if half of these students went on? Would that keep the program alive? Yeah. I I think it comes down to how many are going to be interested and we don't have that crystal ball to know two years from now how many are going to still want to be in the program or how many students will enter the program in elementary school. What I can say is when we look at this section in a middle school, some of our classes go up to 35. A lot of them do between 30 and 35. For this, the the floor would be 20. So, we're looking at 20 per floor. We have to understand that there's a balance of staffing. meaning uh as
164I explained last board meeting that you know we take all the staffing we have and we assess the interest and the needs of the students what we have in staffing and we build a schedule from there. So if you're asking how many for three sections then you're you're looking at roughly 100 students. Okay. I'm an educator by trade so I'm not in the business of failing kids. Right. Right. Hey. And so this is a really hard one for me. Um I really believe in this program. Um you know, I haven't been shy about, you know, I'm studying Spanish right now. I wish that had been available to me. Um the kids did a magnificent job. Emma came up and spoke and didn't have anything written down. She just spoke and then translated it for us.
165She said, "I've been learning this for three years and she's learning very quickly." She said, "Rabbi, I heard her." So, um, it was impressive. Um, I taught at Christopher Farms. What happens there is impressive. I asked people to go and, you know, take a look. I I I want this. I'm going to vote for this because I think this is important. Um, and the parents were right. I just returned from Italy on Saturday. I didn't think I had a single waiter that didn't speak three or four languages. French, Italian, English, Spanish. They're right. And um yeah, we're a little behind. We're a nation slightly behind. Um and I' I'd like to see this continue. Um so I'm voting yes on this. Um, and I think we're going to have 100 kids. But yeah, Dr. Green,
166then Vice Chair Williams. Thank you. Um, for the parents who don't know me, um, I retired from this school division. I've worked here for 17 years and I'm telling you all this because I'm going to use I my card from having been on both sides of the table to hopefully get this cross the finish line for you. My area of expertise and Dr. Robertson and staff can verify this has been program development and helping build programs that support student learning throughout our school division. I also used to help with scheduling and getting students in classes and we all understand that if we don't meet uh the enrollment or there may be other issues that uh you know something may not be offered but I hope we will be a little bit more optimistic and let's
167just accept Mrs. Rogers uh recommendation for we going to be optimistic and many times we have done this with other programs and you do not want me to begin listing things. Trust me, you do not. What concerns me more and and I'm getting very I'm I'm displeased with what I'm really hearing. So I'm going to call the elephant out in the room. Is this going to be the year that every acronym that begins with a D that benefits all students and help promote learning, this board or some of the members of it are going to eliminate it because they don't like it or don't see the benefit of it. And I'm going to let it rest just on that. We went through this foolishness in April. And come on, colleagues, what is it to accept
168Mrs. Rogers motion. I mean I don't understand if the classes don't make we cannot make people come but at least give it an opportunity to be successful. Great chair wings. Okay. Well okay I'm not even going to comment on that. Um, we have all said how much we think this program benefits children. I think all of us have visited classes. I have spoken about that. I think all of us have spoken to people in the audience and on the phone and have gone places. So, um I'm not sure what those previous comments were really about, but um anyway, I um I appreciate the parents coming and I really appreciate the kiddos coming. And if it was the students idea, that's great, but if it was the parents idea, that's great, too, because you're teaching your
169children to advocate for themselves and that is wonderful to do. And so, um and just to speak and and they did a great job. And so I just um kudos to everybody who participated in that. Um I've got one question and I know for some reason I'm not seeing it. Okay. So if you're this last line, current fifth through 7th grade students will not experience a change. Okay. So I'm a fifth grader in 2526 this year. I'm going to go to Lanstown. So, in sixth grade, I'm going to be at Lanstown in this program, and that's the 26 27th year, right? And then in seventh grade, I'm going to still get to stay at Lanstown, and that's the 2728 year. Well, 8th grade is the 28th 29th year, but I still get to stay at
170Lancetown. You're going to metriculate through where you current. So even though we're starting it at VB Middle, those students still get so so we'll have really three locations for one year. Correct. Okay. I just wanted to make sure because I I couldn't figure that out for those students will be able to finish out their program. Yes. Okay. All right. And um I just wanted clarification with the motion with the ifs and all that. Um I think it's great that we're going to give this a try. I think it's going to make it and I will support Miss Rogers um motion and I encourage all my colleagues to do the same thing so that we can be transparent, we can be united and we can give it the best try and if it doesn't work we
171can say we gave it the best try. So I will be supporting that as well. All right. Um so I am also going to support Miss Rogers motion. Um, I think it's a minor change. I think that the community will feel more comfortable with it. Um, I think that it eliminates some of the confusion. Um, and so I appreciate that um, minor modification to make the community um, feel more satisfied. So um, I don't see any more discussion. So with that um, Miss Rogers, we're going to vote on your motion. If you could restate uh, the motion in full, please. I would like to make a substitute motion for the administration recommendation to state based on student interest to fully implement the Spanish immersion program at each grade level with fidelity. Administration recommends continuing the
172DLI middle school program in one location at Virginia Beach Middle School effective for the 2027 2028 school year. Current 5th through 7th grade DLI students will not experience a change in programming or location. Thank you. All right. So, I call for the vote to approve Miss Rogers substitute motion. And if this passes, there won't be any other votes after that. So, Madam Chair, we have nine eyes and one nay. So, the motion made by Miss Rogers did pass. All right. Thank you. We are now on to um a motion to approve Miss Rogers as the substitute to the delegate assembly for the VSBA. Um excuse me, Madam Chair. Are we going to vote on the consent agenda? We skipped all of that. Oh my goodness. I was wondering where we were. You guys can can't
173find good help anymore. Sorry. So sorry. All right, Miss Lenetti, can I just go back to the consent agenda since you skipped it to begin with? Yes, I think you can go back to it. Okay. Um, so we are going to be voting on the consent agenda, division literacy plan, modified course proposal, algebra 2 honors, point of view elementary school, MUAU replacement and scratch cooking improvements, and delegate assembly VSBA proposal number six and number eight. Are there any objections to voting on these consent agenda items? Okay. Um, I call for the motion to approve the consent agenda. Consent agenda. Can't talk. Mr. Cummings. Uh, seconded by Miss Dwire. I call for the vote to approve the consent agenda as read. So, Madam Chair, we have nine eyes and one nay. The motion to pass for
174the approval of the consent agenda. Thank you. Um, and apparently I also failed to do the personnel report and administrative appointments. I call for a motion to approve the November 10th, 2025 personnel report. Moved by Miss Dwire, seconded by Miss Melnik. Any discussion. I call for the vote to approve the personnel report and administrative appointments as presented. So, Madam Chair, we have 10 eyes. the motion to pass ask for the approval of the November 10th personnel report. Thank you. Okay, now we're on to um I will take a motion to approve Miss Rogers as the substitute for the VSBA delegate assembly. Moved by Mr. Cummings, seconded by Miss Melnik. Any discussion? Seeing none, I call for the vote to approve Miss Rogers the substitute to the VSBA delegate assembly. So, Madam Chair, we have 10
175eyes. The motion did pass. Thank you. Um, I call for a motion to approve behavioral and mental health supports for students year 2 outcome evaluation recommendations as presented. Moved by Dr. Green, seconded by Miss Dwire. Any discussion? Seeing none, I call for the vote to approve the behavioral mental health supports for students year 2 outcome evaluation recommendations. So, Madam Chair, we have eight eyes and two nazs. The motion did pass. Thank you. Um, we are now on to the VSBA delegate assembly proposal number three. Um that is the assessment reform and accountability reform. Um I call for a motion to approve for our delegate to um go support that uh legislative proposal three at the delegate assembly at the VSBA. It's it's the VSBA. Um Mr. Callen asked for us to um move that from
176consent to action proposal number three, not but not the other two proposals. Can you read the public? Sure. Um it's legislative proposal number three, assessment reform and accountability reform. Um it's just a proposed amendment. It's Virginia's public schools are committed to delivering highquality instruction and ensuring student success. Therefore, VSBA supports legislation to provide school divisions with a minimum of one full academic year to prepare for and implement any major policy changes that affect curriculum, instruction, assessment, or accountability systems. Um, there's some other text, but it's just the edit. Um, moved by Miss Dwire, seconded by Miss Rogers. Any discussion? Yes, Miss Melnik. So, he's So that that's on there asking to remove that. There's no ask to remove it. We're voting on approving it and a school board member wants to vote against that. Oh,
177okay. Thank you for that clarification. Yes. All right. Seeing no further discussion, I call for the vote to approve VSBA legislative proposal number three. So, Madam Chair, we have seven eyes, two nazs, and one abstension. So, the motion did pass. Thank you. We are now on to committee, organization, and board reports. Do any board members have anything to report? Miss Rogers? So, I am part of the mental health task force. We are now um about to start our small groups. um really digging into helping support students and staff with mental health um and getting more information out to the community um with regard to the mental health services we have available. Mr. Bowenfield, high school football playoffs starts this Friday. Go Beach. All right. I just want to thank everyone that came today and all
178of my colleagues. It is 8:48. Do we have close session? Is 8:48 p.m. and we are now adjourned. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music]