WMLCPS 11/17/25 School Board Meeting

001like to call our meeting to order. Is there a motion for our board to reconvene into open session? >> All right. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Minor. Good. >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose say no. >> Good evening everyone. We thank you for taking time to join us, whether in person or remotely. During our meeting, I'd like to ask each board member to state his or her name when making a motion or when speaking. At this time, I'm going to ask each board member to verbally indicate their presence when I call their name. Mrs. Rosemary Mayan, >> present. >> Mrs. Rebecca Miner, >> present. >> Mrs. Amy Richards, >> Dr. Daniel Wallace, >> present. and I am Ralph Fallon. Uh I would like at this

002time to recognize two special individuals. Uh Supervisor Ingram, thank you so much for joining us and we appreciate uh uh everything that you're doing to work collaboratively with the school system. So thank you very much. And Miss Iris Lane, it is so former board member and very active in the community and we're very nice to have very nice to have you with us. [clears throat] So, thank you. Okay. At this time, I need a motion to verify that our close session was conducted in accordance with the Code of Virginia section 2.2-3712, paragraph D, and that only matters exempted from open meeting requirements and only matters identified in the motion to go into close session were discussed. Is there such a motion? >> Daniel Wallace. So moved. Is there a second? >> A rich second. >>

003Okay. >> Miss Mayan, how do you vote? >> I >> Miss Miner >> I. [clears throat] >> Mrs. Richards, >> I. >> Dr. Wallace, >> I. >> Chair votes I. And the close session has been verified. At this time, if there are no objections, I would like to ask Miss Rosemary Mayan to lead us in prayer. >> Let us pray. Dear heavenly father, as we come together today for our schoolboard meeting, I ask that you guide and direct us in our discussions and preparations that our decisions may be in the best interests of our children and pleasing in your sight. I pray for all community members, not only those within West Mullen County, but in the state, country, and world as we navigate to live in this world with others and overcome the pressures and

004complications of the day. There are many today who are cold and hungry, Lord, both in body and in spirit. I pray that you will lay your hands upon them and bring them nourishment, warmth, comfort, and peace. Help us to find that place within each of us that reaches out to others to bridge gaps and biases. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, and love those who seem unlovable. Let your light shine in each of us as we touch the lives of others in our everyday activities. I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. [clears throat] Thank you, Mr. Mayan. [snorts] At this time, let's stand and honor our country by reciting the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which

005it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. is our volunteer to read our statement of vision and our statement of mission. [clears throat] >> I will. The vision to provide an exemplary learning environment that empowers all students to find their voices and make meaningful contributions to the world. Our mission together we will nurture the unlimited potential of all students through inclusion authentic learning experiences. >> Okay. Thank you so much, Mr. Richards. Do we have any suggested additions or changes to our agenda this evening? >> Okay. Hearing none, our agenda is approved by unanimous consent. Uh, next we have student and staff attendance recognition for October. Miss Rice. >> Yes, sir. Good evening, everyone. We will start with student attendance. This month at Copel Elementary School, the average daily attendance was

00694.85%. [snorts] At Washington District Elementary, 93.92%. Montrust Middle School 93.64% and West Morland High School 92.21%. So winning this month for student attendance is Copel Elementary. [applause] >> Sorry. [laughter] [clears throat] Congratulations. >> Yeah, congratulations to COPEL. [applause] >> And now for staff attendance, beginning again with Copel Elementary School. The average daily staff attendance for October, Copel Elementary, 92.48%. Washington District Elementary 87.19%. Montros Middle School 94.37% and West Morland High School 90.87%. So our winner for staff attendance is Montros Middle School. [applause] I think we have to borrow Miss Angel's trophy for the photo op. [laughter] close enough to read it. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Congratulations to Montro. [applause] >> Okay. Next, we have our character trait honores for the month of October. Mr. McConville. >> Yes. You'd like to invite the

007principles forward um celebrating responsibility this month. Good evening. Um, for Copa Elementary, our student of the month for October is first grader Aubrey Phelps in Miss Wood's class. Aubrey um or Miss Wood said that Aubrey is such a responsible and dependable student. She comes to class prepared and always takes great care of her belongings and our classroom materials. She follows directions, uses kind and polite words, and is a wonderful ro role model for her classmates. Aubrey helps keep our classroom neat and organized, participates eagerly in activities, and works so well with others. She takes pride in her work and shows great ownership of her learning. I'm so proud of her efforts and positive attitude every day. >> It doesn't look like she's here. [applause] [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Good evening. I'm representing

008Dr. Repass and Miss Calhoun this evening. And the Washington District student of the month for October is Carson Bland and from Miss Bet's fourth grade class. Carson is easily one of the most responsible students in our school. He is dependable and reliable, getting his work done and always following the rules. He is trustworthy and conscientious of his actions at all times. Carson is also an amazing big brother who always looks out for his little sister. Carson sets the example of responsibility for other students. Congratulations Carson Bland Crab Student of the Month for October. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Hey, how are you? [laughter] >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. I'm Janet Garland, the principal at Montra Middle School. There's no greater honor than to present an award to a student. Our student [clears

009throat] of the month is Ila Pard. Ila is a responsible student who cares about her performance in school and strives to always do well. She's extremely conscientious about completing her assignments and ask questions about her assignments to make sure she's completing them correctly. She exhibits responsibility by always coming to school prepared with her materials and ready to learn. When she is absent from school, she is always sure to ask about any of her missing work. She participates in class frequently, ask questions, and discusses her own opinions about topics in civics class, showing that she also takes responsibility for her own learning. Her involvement and engagement in the classroom shows her desire to learn and her determination to succeed. Congratulations, [applause] >> [clears throat] [laughter] >> Oh my goodness. [laughter] Cheese. [applause] >> Hi, my name

010is Michael Bathgate, principal at Westborne High School. WH student of the month for October goes to Kayn Reeds, grade 12, nominated by Miss. Kayn consist consistently demonstrates responsibility through her reliability, maturity, and strong sense of accountability. She takes ownership of her actions, meets deadlines without reminders, and always comes prepared for class. Her strong time management and organizational skills allow her to balance academic work with extracurricular commitments successfully. Kayla is dependable and can be trusted to complete t any task thoroughly and on time whether it's working independently or in a group. She follows through on commitments and sets a positive example for her peers. WH student of the month for October for responsibility goes out to Caitlyn Reeves. [applause] Congratulations. >> Thanks. [applause] Congratulations to all of our students that are being recognized. Uh we appreciate

011their accomplishments and we also have to recognize parents uh teachers and administrators because uh it takes all. So thank you so much. Uh, next I'm very pleased to welcome a new organization that is already in the process of occupying occupying W&L High School, our hearts in motion. If you'd like to come forward, please. We're very pleased to have you. Hello. >> Hi. I'm Annie and this is Sarah. We're from Hearts of Motion. Um and we are beyond thrilled to be in um the W the old um former WNL um building and um we're going to get tell you a little bit about our programs [snorts] tonight that we have. Um just a quick history about us. Um, we opened our first dance studio in September of 2017 um at the old Lerty shops um down

012in Route 3. Our original name was the Time to Dance Studio. It was um opened in honor in memory of my um sister-in-law who had passed away. And this was um our original our original space. And um we ended up closing in May of 2019 due to CO restrictions. We reopened again in October 2022 um in Montros and at this location we've been able to offer dance classes, art classes, guitar lessons. We did have an activity center that the first year, but we closed it uh due to the building uh conditions just weren't weren't the best. And we were there until the end of October when um Matt Ingram so graciously came and found us and asked if we would be interested in um moving into the former high school and we started packing right

013away. [laughter] >> And so we just want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone in West Morland County that made it possible. Definitely Matt. Um I kept praying. I said, "God, whatever I'm supposed to do, the person has to come find me." And he just popped in one day. [clears throat] I was like, "Okay, well, it's it's a sign." And um he works Yes. the rest is the street. And um thank you Kathy for taking the time to get with us as well. I mean, I know you all are so busy with school, so it's just been it's been wonderful you all taking the time to get us in there. And Matt um brought his students from the um Ron Neck Tech Center, cleaned the whole library, the classroom, the ceiling tiles. I mean,

014it was if you would have seen it. Did you have a before picture? >> No, I did not. >> I [laughter] wish I wish we had a before picture, but they worked so hard. And um it's just it's it's been amazing. And every kid that's come in the past two weeks, they're just like, "Whoa, it's so big." And as a former school teacher, it's just exciting to I feel like I'm back in school again. So I love it. So [clears throat] thank you all so much. >> I would like to give any board member an opportunity to make any comments >> if they would like to and they can do it. Yeah. And they can do it anytime. >> Okay. Okay. We uh we do offer a variety of affordable dance classes in very like

015a variety of styles including tap, jazz, hiphop, ballet, many, many more, acro. We offer creative movement, tumble time, and race that move to our tiniest little dancers. These classes help get them used to being in a dance studio and what it means to be in dance classes. We have fundamental dance classes to learn technique fundamentals and classes that work on stage presence. Our goal, our main goal in these classes is to build friendships, keep them moving, have fun building confidence and learning new skills. On Tuesdays, we do have an amazing art class right there at the end with Miss Elizabeth. She has art classes for ages six to 10 and she's filling up fast. Um hoping to add more for some of our younger and older kids. And this is our current team right [clears

016throat] now. Um myself and Sarah and pictures of our daughters because you know this is all it is it's all about the kids and this is just something that we've been able to do for them. Um our current um our current director is Elise Beckham. Um, do you have she she went to Penn State >> Penn State. >> She's from Pennsylvania like so many around here, but she didn't come here to [laughter] change. Um, she came down and her husband um is actually from Montros and they were going to move back to Pennsylvania, but then I was able to help find my husband got her husband a job and um we got her to stay and she has been absolutely wonderful. I mean, she can walk she can walk to WNL, too. So, it's it's

017just been really nice to see her um do so much. And our girls, we have Miss Julie, Miss Gracie, and Miss Hannah um who have been with us for several years now. It's Miss Elizabeth in the corner. And then we're so lucky to have some junior teachers right now, Nessa, Aaliyah, and Isabella. Um that's kind of how we all started in the beginning. When I first opened, we just had two seniors in high school that taught the classes. Kind of going through a the mentor mentee type thing. um and just all the kids working together in different age groups. It's just it's a lot of fun and we would like to offer more things um in the future than just than just dance as well. We do have a recital in May at the close

018of each season. West Morland High School has been our primary location and thank you for allowing us to go there. Um they're usually at the end of May, beginning of June each year and everybody is welcome to attend. >> Yes. And we just we're so appreciative for like I said the high school the past three years. Um you know, Mr. Mr. Ricky has taken us under wing as [laughter] well. >> Now he knows we're down here. So I I'm just we're just grateful for all employees all around and just um we look forward to offering more and even getting, you know, more students to come in and help as well. Are there other organizations close to you all where you all would be able to do competitions eventually? >> We do do competitions. >> Okay.

019So maybe WL would be a good location for future competitions. Bring them here. >> Yeah, that would be awesome. We had never even thought of that. So that would be great. >> I like it. >> Any other questions or comments for members? >> Yep. Well, we are excited as well. Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Okay, we're going to maintain our excitement. We have another organization that is very interested uh and we've had discussions about moving into the annex at WNL High School. Uh so this transition day support services. So at this time if you'd like to uh tell us what you would like to about your organization and plans. >> Yes sir. >> My name is Josh. I'm with transitions. I'm going to be passing out some um power

020>> I'll share with you. Members of the board, um my [clears throat] name is Rashid Williams and I want to thank you for the opportunity to come here and present before you today. I represent transition today support services and we're going to take the next few minutes to introduce ourselves. Uh I am joined today by our director of operations, Miss Joselyn Key. And Jocelyn's been with us now for about two years now. And my mother sends her regards. She apologizes that she couldn't make it today. But um she sends her regards and she's anxiously waiting on a uh a debrief once this is [laughter] over. Um just by way of introduction, uh Transition Day Support Services is a family-owned operation. Uh we opened our doors in 2007 and [clears throat] it is a family-owned operation

021that's co-owned by myself, my mother, and our grandfather, Colonel retired Chris W. Stevens. Um he is 98 years old. >> He is a retired Army colonel and he quite literally is still actively engaged in the day-to-day operations of the business. So I'm going have to give him a call as well. [laughter] We first opened our doors in Richmond, Virginia. Um, we opened our doors in 2007. We didn't fully begin operations from a licensing standpoint until 2009. At our peak, we operated two facilities simultaneously. We had a day support program in Richmond, Virginia, and we also had a program in Warsaw, Virginia. During the pandemic, we shut down operations for a period of time. And from there, during the latter portion of the pandemic, we concentrated our operations in Warsaw, Virginia, and reallocated the resources in

022Richmond, Virginia, and refocused into the Northern Neck. Currently, we operate one full-time day support program in Warsaw, Virginia. And as of a few months ago, approximately six months at this point, we also opened a community engagement program in Tapahana, Virginia. And so we offer two different services under our license and we're licensed by Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Human Services. Uh we offer the day support program and we also offer community engagement programs. So what you'll see is a bifurcated offering of services of the same company. [clears throat] So go to the next slide. Our mission at transitions day support services is that at transitions we envision a community where everyone is empowered to thrive. Our mission is to provide in individuals with developmental disabilities the resources, support, and opportunities they need to lead

023fulfilling and productive lives. [clears throat] Next slide. Our next page is just a breakdown of transition day support services by the numbers. And really, this is more of a demographic demonstration of where we are essentially. Um I broke it down into group day support program and also into the community engagement program. Under our group day support program, we currently employ a total of eight people. In our community engagement program in Tapahanic, we currently employ three people. Our total number of participants and by participants I mean students, people who come to us for services in our group day program. We have a total number of 25 participants and in our community engagement program right now we have 14 participants with an outsized waiting list. Um how many people do we have on our weight list right

024about now? >> Six. Okay. So from a logistical standpoint we could be at 20 fairly soon. So as it stands right now, we give provide services to a total number of almost 40 people specific to West Morland County. Right now we have a total of three participants in our group day program from West Morland County right now. And in our community engagement program, we have a total of three people in that program as well. Um, how many employees do we have from West Morland County? zero. At this point, um I'm highlighting numbers three and four in this slide because in particular those two demographics we hope increase those numbers by our participation in this program and bringing it to West Morland County. We would like to see our ability to serve members of West Morland

025County at a much higher rate and have them travel less further away for those services by bringing the service closer to them. And so that's our goal and that's ultimately why we want to come to West Morland County and bring our ability to serve those in developmentally disabled community within West Morland County here so that we can be closer to those services. Um, from a dem demographic standpoint, that's where we stand. So, at this point, if uh any members of the school board have any questions of us, we're we're happy to to answer. >> Okay. Any questions or comments from anyone? >> Needed. I can't even begin to tell you what this means to have have you guys closer. um the amount of money we've spent over the years for how many years now um

026having to send them into Richmond under Fredericksburg to know that that would be right here and in our community and working with our citizens and help to incorporate them into our communities is huge is huge. So I recognize that >> we know that some work needs to be done before you can actually begin services here. Do you have a target date that you would like to begin operations in West L County? >> Ideally, we'd like to get in there by February of 2026. Um, [clears throat] you know, we talked a little bit in our previous meeting about just the structural challenges, but I I think many of those structural challenges can really be done in a matter of months. Um, so yeah, we'd like to get in there as soon as possible. So, I'm I'm

027targeting February. Um, After this meeting, we're going to work with Matt in terms of logistics uh manpower to just get in there and see what needs to be done. But that's that's our target date. >> Any other uh questions? >> Do you have any brochures about um services that are provided? >> Not only do we have brochures, we have quite a few um takeaways from you all. So, uh I'm not going to waste any time. I do I do want to just add something just to add to how we get our participants. Um we partner with the community service board middle peninsula northern neck um behavioral health now. Um so that's how we get our referrals as well as families who find us on Facebook which if you guys don't follow us on Facebook please

028follow us on Facebook um and our website. Um, and then we also we're trying to bridge the gap um to the high schools because we're we're realizing a lot of our folks who age out at 22 don't always even know the services available to them if they aren't connected to the community service board. So, um, that's how we get our votes. >> Anyone else? Miss Rice, >> we're we are excited to have you all uh so close here in the community and our director of special education and our director of student services are both here in the audience. Um they are eager to hear how they can collaborate with you all with uh our high school students who are aging out. >> Okay. Yes. And just to be clear too, this is adults, so it's

02918 and up um with and it's a waiver service, so it's funded to Medicaid. Um so yeah, so um just wanted to make sure that was clear. >> Yes. Okay. Well, again, we are we are very excited. >> Thank you, sir. >> And and look forward to when you actually start operations. So, >> do you have a question? >> Yes. [laughter] >> Iris is asking what kind of activities do we do? Um, our main focus is to be integrated in the community. So, volunteering opportunities, leisure opportunities like bowling, which bowling is a huge hit. Um, we also encourage our folks to be independent. like we have a cooking club that just started um you know within our gay support program where the individuals are able to um lead that you know I want to I

030want to be part of a cooking club. How do I do that? And then we just help you know help that make help make that possible for them. [laughter] >> Sorry this brings back memories. Yeah, we we understand. So, >> um some [clears throat] what are some of the types of developmental um disabilities that your participants have? >> Yeah, so intellectual disabilities um like autism and cerebal palsy and things like that. So, we support a wide variety of people. Um some people may be non-verbal or verbal. Um some people use adaptive equipment, some don't. So, it really does just vary. Um and like I said, a lot of our folks are just coming straight out of high school. um aging out at 22 or if they choose not to do the extended school year at

03118 and looking for something to do. And what we found is sometimes it's like the person could be like 45 and never even known that they had services available to them. So we're able to get them around, you know, other people. They're able to make friends and have socialization and community integration. >> I love your program. [laughter] My daughter was handicapped with cereal policy. And so, um, there were no services like yours here >> while she was alive. And it wasn't until she moved to Matthews County and moved into the Brambles that she finally had day support services. And I realized I knew before how significant and important they were, but if it was no more than those adults get together and paint each other's nails or do each other's hair or go down and

032play bingo at the senior center or whatever. >> Um just the camaraderie these these adults get um because it was so different because there for a while when she left school she essentially was at my home. Yep. every day with no one, no social activity. So, this is just huge for our community. >> Yes. >> Huge. >> So, thank thank you again. [applause] >> Okay. Next, we have Virginia College Application Week. I'm Stephanie register and I want you all to know I won't be speaking anymore. I'll be like this. [laughter] No PowerPoint, no videos. So this is Mrs. Katherine Jackson. She's our one and only professional school counselor at West Men High [laughter] School. And then we have Miss Gracie Hill, a senior at West Morland High School. Miss Kirsten Ferg, another senior, another senior

033high school. >> Also, Gracie is um senior class president and president of National Honor Society. And Kirsten is secretary of National Honor Society and vice president of student council. >> And they're going to talk to you. Virginia College. [laughter] [laughter] >> Okay. So on October 20th to October 24th is Virginia Application Week. It provides a fantastic opportunity for students and underresourced Virginia high schools to receive support and guidance as they apply to postsecary institutions. We want to make sure that all students have the chance to pursue a higher education. All seniors were scheduled time had a scheduled time every day to work on college applications and anything else that would help them in their postsecary goals. with their help of their school counselor and our pathways advisor, Miss Oagara, who helped a lot, our RCC

034navigator and our grass adviser and our registar. Okay, so there were three application waiverss which was a huge thing for us because applications take a lot of money. So um >> okay so the students who participated in college application week were entered in a raffle to win a prize. So the amount of colleges that you applied for each day were the amount of tickets with your name on it that were into the raffle. And we had prizes like a snack box and a wall water bottle Lego a Bluetooth speaker, a power bank, and our grand prize was beat headphones. >> We also had the opportunity to do an on-site admission. I was one of the four students who got accepted that day. Um, >> all right. >> Pretty nice. [laughter] So, you know, it makes

035acceptance. >> Okay. This is BAC Rao. Um, we had a college fair during college application week. We had 35 participants from colleges, trades, trade schools, and military that joined us. And here are some of the students walking around during the college. 692 applications were submitted that week and we saved $17,870. >> All right. >> Wow. >> Okay. Here are some of the universities that students apply to from our school. This is a very small percent of them. Um, but all good colleges. >> Okay. Virginia Common Application [clears throat] Week helped me apply to 20 different schools. Um, I originally wasn't going to start applying probably until the final like final deadline. So, Vall was a good thing that allowed me to get those applications done. Um I know my peers also took the opportunity to

036um use this week to get stuff done and Miss Jackson and Miss um Miss P all made it a environment where we could work. So that was very nice. They would have students who were being um like productive. They had them um you know go back to class. So it was pretty nice. and my students took this opportunity and it was productive and informative and very essential. >> As someone who has always had the aspiration of attending college and furthering my education, Virginia application week gave me the tools to achieve my goal. Not only did VC call provide guidance to my counselors, but it also gave me the confidence and push I needed to face my college to-do list. After this week, I had only more motivated and excited to apply not just to colleges

037but also scholarships. During this week, we're also given application fee waivers, which we talked about earlier, for all Virginia colleges. As previously mentioned, this saved families and students a tremendous amount of money. For me specifically, this not only reduced my parents stress level, but mine as well. With this opportunity, I was able to apply for colleges and that I wasn't sure that I was going to get in, but wanted a shot anyway. Um, without the worry of flooding my parents with expenses, I applied to universities that I may not had much interest in, but why not? Overall, Virginia Application Week encourages students educational journeys, alleviates financial stress, and allows more freedom when applying. Any [applause] board member have any questions? >> I just want to say that I attended the the day that the um

038universities college I was in a picture. Yes. >> Yeah, you were in a picture. [laughter] >> Um it was Yeah. >> Like you didn't have to go back to that. [laughter] >> Um I had a wonderful time. I I really did. and seeing how many schools were there um to talk to our students and everything and um um alumni of Shando University, they were there. That was so exciting. Um but I just really enjoyed the interaction and the excitement that the students had to have conversations with the schools. >> Yeah, they make it fun, especially with the friends of the competition. >> Oh, you should have seen the guys that were all about doing the Marines. Was it Marines? join the pull bar. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Oh, and we would like to let you

039all know that um NHS and um SEA are hosting a food drive through >> December 12th for um donations. >> If y'all want to donate, that would be great. >> Where would you like us to drop our donations? So you can drop it off and give it to me or the home rooms are having a competition so you can support your favorite home room as well. >> The home room that brings food is getting an ice cream party. [laughter] >> Mr. Life is home room. >> I was going to say, do I get which [laughter] one that is? >> I sent it out to the teachers and he was the first one. He's like, I have 24 kids. So [laughter] >> make sure she has enough ice cream. you have the number of students who

040were accepted that >> um so the acceptances because they kind of roll in um and it depends on the schools. I know we've had at least I think 50 acceptances so far but the schools give acceptances at different rates because some of them apply like regular decision rolling admissions early decision and all that. So, some of them won't find out until like March, but um I think we've had at least 50 so far, but we do write our acceptances when they let us know on the windows of the counseling office. So, come stop by and you can see it grow as the year goes on. >> So, looking at the list of universities there, um Harvard, Brown, and Yale were there. >> Yeah. So, >> so did they wave fees? >> No, we didn't. >>

041Okay. I was just curious fees. [laughter] Um but um a lot of our students already qualify for fee waiverss and Common App does this really cool thing where they'll give you fee wavers for everything on their program. Um but for Virginia College Application Week when we have for the schools that we have codes for even our students that >> don't aren't eligible for regular fee waiverss they can use those codes that week. >> Okay. just that that just jumped out at me. It's like what? >> You just took the opportunity to apply. >> Okay. >> Were there any schools that you didn't think you could get into, but you wanted to try and so that was a good reason to try? >> Yeah, they were a good fit actually. And it was the bigger universities

042that I like that that I wanted to apply to. I'm not going to get it. That had the highest like fee waiver like I mean fee price like $85 for this one, $85 for that one. It's like what's the point of applying to this? Like I'm just wasting money at that point. But with the fee waver, it's like might as well do it. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions from anyone? >> In a way, uh outstanding presentation. >> Uh and thank thank you for Can I ask one more question? Well, I have you here since I know you're president of the I was at the National Honor Society induction the other night. And so, how many were there >> that got inducted? >> There's 32 of y'all. >> 16. It was a big group. A

043really big group. >> It was one of our biggest >> So, I was just really proud of you. I just wanted to say that. >> Oh, thank you. >> I was in the show. [laughter] It was cool to watch another group go through. >> So, Miss Payne, Miss Jackson, again, thank you very much. It's always so nice to have students participate in our board meetings and you did a great job. >> Thank you for having us. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Okay, next we have the Eagle Invitational UAV drone competition. >> Lightfoot. Yeah, I just want to say I'm I'm Jay Lightoot and Dylan made me promise not to talk. [laughter] >> Hello schoolboard. My name is Dylan Fernandez. I'm a sophomore at Westborn High School. >> My name is Richard. I'm also a sophomore

044at high school. >> And our presentation is on Eco Invitational, which is a UAB/ drone competition introduction. We'll tell you more about it. We'll talk specifics and goals, tell you what you need help from you guys, and encourage you, friends and family to come along and watch this drum competition. >> So, what is the Eagle Invitational? It is a drum competition hosted at the West Mor High School gym by the UAV plus drum class. It will be on a Wednesday, December 10th from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> 6 a.m. >> It's 6:00 p.m. at all. Trust me, [laughter] [clears throat] >> I'm 600 p.m. to 8 p.m. We are inviting 6 to seven schools. M there will be a max of four or five teams per school. We creating the concept of regional drone/

045UAV competition for for all competitors involved. Why are we hosting this event? Our region does not have a drone competition. You want to get to know other schools who does this. Okay, Flash, you have qualified for the state competition in spring. We have nothing to notice until then >> and to raise money for the state competition in the spring. >> So, our team competitors will have local teams, mostly local teams, will showcase their UAV/ drum skills in a throwing competition that will be hosting the gym. The competition format will be single elimination tournament leading to a final four showdown for three trophies, one for first, one for second, and one for third. I fly drones event enabled state fair competition. There will be two obstacle course arenas for this contest and I fly drones are

046going to be the official scorekeeper accurate scoring provided by I fly drones expert team they are a fly drone I fly drone is a company located in Richmond they mostly are do drone activities. The most recent thing that they have hosted that I remember was we when I when we did our last competition at the state fair, they hosted that event. They were ones who kept score check and everything. So, ticket cost for per per participant during the event. It'll cost $10 for per participant, which will be $20 per team. And it will be $8 for the spectators that come to watch the event. It will be $7 profit with $1 going to goof fans the people who we using for tickets. We will have a website for them soon. >> We based the spectators

047prices off the volleyball prices for when they last did their event. Angelos's Italian restaurant sponsoring pizza for the competitors. >> Nice. >> Delicious pizza. [laughter] >> Competitors will enjoy pizza served by Angelos at the event. Community support. Angelo's sponsorship highlights local business involvement in supporting school events. Um the schools are going to be here a bit like hours early before the event. So they have something to eat before an actual competition starts. >> Also some of them may be coming from a while away like maybe an hour or two away. So we do not know if they were hungry. We just private pizza just in case they are hungry. So help we need from the school. We if you could we would like for you to sponsor our for sponsor for our drinks, our cups,

048plates, and the ice for our competitors to not be thirsty. We'd also like to help with sponsors to raise $500 in total to pay for the cost of our flight drones. We have currently two sponsors. How much? >> Each. Uh, another thing we would like for you all, possibly y'all [laughter] to come and bring your friends and family. >> And for last lastly, we'd also like for y'all to spread the word of competition. Let me worry about that. [laughter] >> Done. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Yeah. Any >> Thank you all for watching. >> Do you all have any questions? >> Cups, plates, etc. How many people are we looking at? >> So for spect not not spectators, >> the competitors. >> Yeah. 50. We are looking to have in total 50

049competitors. >> Okay. >> A couple couple things. Um uh for concessions for the spectators. Uh is that something that you're going to do for fundraising or be able to do that? >> Is there a captive audience? Just suggestion. >> I mean you've got but we also have the machines there. I mean we thought we were going to rely on the machines there. I mean what's your thought Mr. bad. But there's one thing we haven't really talked we keep talking about. What do you think? >> We can ask for help. We do it for our basketball games. Our metric, we're guessing maybe a hundred spectators. We've never done this before, so we don't really know. We're 100. So that's kind of what we're >> um then one other question and I don't know if you even

050know this. Uh we have um for instance our um academic team. Okay. That's a VHSL sponsored competition. Okay. And you know we get standings for that, right? Um is this something where VHSL has expressed any interest in this? And if not yet, is that something that we can lobby for? Because it seems like it's a it's a good type of competition. >> I I'm not sure if there's any anything in BS VHL. Um we are affiliated with Skills USA. So the state fair competition with Skills USA. So Skills USA has agreed to endorse it. It's not a formal Skills USA competition, but anybody who comes can get Skills USA points. Okay. The state director, Mr. Kolinsky, is associated with Skills USA, and the state director for Skills USA is going to come to see what

051we do. So, they'll be there. So, there is a Skills USA umbrella. Uh, that'll that'll be there, too. So, that's there's a there's a tie there, but I'm not so sure about the state. >> Just just a thought. >> No, no. I I agree. I think in the long term I think that's a good plan but you know and this came about and they haven't really mentioned it when we were coming back from the state fair we were told hey now you can go to the states when the state competition they said it in May okay what's between now and May so we said let's do something so idea here we go >> when they said that they have they're as far away as Lynchburg right >> yes we have a couple teams coming from

052Lynchburg and Norfol Hampton area right now um >> yeah so just a couple hours really work is a lot more than just a couple [laughter] hours. Um, yeah, you're talking about four hours probably from Lynchburg. So, >> so what kinds of things do you all make the drones do during competition? >> Well, during the competition, we'll have some courses set up during it, which will be net off so that if something does happen, they not spectators during it. And we'll have uh Coursewise, it'll be couple. It'll be rings that will fly through. There'll also be a landing pad that will be in like a vertical tube that we have to land in. And then we'll take back off. >> There may there will be ping pong balls that you'll have to knock off little towers

053and hopefully not crash. >> And also a tunnel that you'll have to go through after The setup's not finished. >> Cool. >> Well, and the other thing we need to do is we need to call out Chris Evans over there in the corner. He's done an excellent job of supporting us from CTE standpoint. So, a lot of the equipment, the drones we've had, this is the first year we've had a drone program. So, he's done a really, really good job of helping us and allowing us to buy weird things like the tunnels you crawl through and some of the other things along the way. The hula hoops. So, glad you didn't ask me what those are for. [laughter] >> I've learned to quit asking questions. And for the vertical land, they will stop the timer

054and once you lift off, the timer will run will run again. So, we wasn't sure of this during the state fair because we never done it before. >> So, when you land, it will stop the timer where you're at. When you lift off, it will continue your timer until you finish the entire course. Well, and the other thing I'll mention is a guy who runs iFly drones, he's retired twice, and he does this as a hobby. So, when I called him and talked to him, he was very excited about some of the stuff we're looking at doing. We're going to do two arenas back toback, which he's not done before, uh, just so we can stage and fly, so it moves a lot faster. So, there's a lot of new stuff we're doing. And I

055talked to him about how much he would charge. And he said, "Look, you'll just cover my cost for 500 bucks. They're coming from Richmond. He's bringing this team for $500." He's like a steal. He's like, "Yeah, this is great. I want I want to encourage more people." So, he's really making us a deal. He's excited about coming and doing this with us. So, I think it'll be good all the way around. >> And did you say where you're setting the course up? >> Uh, they will be set up as a gym probably on the basketball court. >> Yeah. And they'll be back the arrange will be back to back. >> I just want to >> I get to go down at least once a week or twice every two weeks and talk to them about

056different things. So this year it's I've been involved with CTE class as well and their CIS class as well as the so I get excited. >> Yeah. >> Any other comments, questions from New York? You did a great job. Thank both of you and Mr. Lightfoot. Thank you. [applause] >> Okay. Next we have public comment. Miss Rice, do we have any public comments that were submitted prior to our meeting? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Do we have any public comments from anyone present? >> Yes, sir. Mr. Anger. Uh, yes. Uh, and, uh, I will read our requirements, which we do for everyone. Uh, obviously, we would like for you to state your name and your topic. Uh, we know we can find your contact information, so we're not too concerned about that. And also we

057we do typically ask that public comments be limited to three minutes and uh so given that you can proceed. >> All right. My name is Matt Ingram, a West Mullen County resident. Um topics are a couple entities that are going into the old high school and talk about student empowerment. I'll start with student empowerment first. Uh it's great to see student engagement like that and studentled presentations. Uh, in case some of y'all don't know, but I I'm oneif employed by West Morland County School System. I teach at the Northern Egg Tech Center. So, when programs are talking about CTE and Skills USA, I get excited. I also get excited when I saw uh Nashville Auto Diesel on there and the apprentichip school on there as colleges uh postsecary education that these students are getting exposed

058to because that's a big part of my life. It's a very passionate part of my life. So, thank you uh to West Morland County for seeing that and and and seeing the big picture that you know there are options out there that these students can go and be successful in career ready day one. So, thank you for what you do with that. Uh thank you for uh taking the time um for the presentations from Hearts in Motion and from Transitional Day Service. Uh hopefully we can get uh work together. Uh we did have students come up there and help. Uh it start it start started with the boys and girls love uh getting that getting those students involved with uh working on that building. Uh we require community service hours for our graduates and I

059tell you those students of mine last year really just took to it like a fish to water and went above and beyond. Worked on weekends to try to get ready for the Boys and Girls Club. I had students drove from different localities all the way from Clarrett uh all the way over here to West Mullen County [snorts] and all the way up from uh closer parts to Lancaster to get here to help West Morland County get this Boys and Girls Club going. So, just wanted to say shout out to the students. We had students come up a couple weeks ago uh to help clean up for the space where Hearts and Emotions are going to be. And uh everything goes good, y'all give me a thumbs up. We're going to be there tomorrow uh to

060start working on that annex building. >> So, just thank you for everything you do. Thank you for the consideration. I know y'all don't get this enough um as public officials, but thank [snorts] you for donating and giving your time to the your community. So, thank you. [applause] >> Do we have anyone else for public comments? Okay, at this time our public comment is closed. Next, we have our consent agenda for personnel appointments and resignations. You have copies of board minutes from the October 20 regular session and also the November 6 school board retreat. And you have copies of the school division bills and school nutrition bills. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Daniel Wallace. So moved. >> Second. >> Rosemary Mayan second. Miss Mayan, how do you vote? >> I. >>

061Mrs. Miner, >> I. >> Mrs. Richards, >> hi. >> Dr. Wallace, >> hi. >> Chair votes I. And the consent agenda is approved. >> Okay. Next, uh, we have our action items, donations, and school gifts. Miss Rice. >> Yes, sir. Uh, we have received quite a few donations this month from individuals and organizations in the community. Copel Elementary School received from Stratford Harbor Smile Makers clothes, shoes, and personal hygiene items valued at $125. And from the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program, uh received winter coats valued at $650. At Washington District Elementary School, the Ligins family donated school supplies valued at $100. Paul's Supermarket gave six pumpkins for the pre-K class valued at $60. The Saunders family gave clothes for the clinic valued at $150. The Viviier's family gave a harvest festival decor valued

062at $100. Colonial Beach Food Lion gave eight cakes for the Harvest Festival valued at $57. Katie Hut, one of our teachers, gave tattoos, temporary tattoos for [laughter] the for the harvest festival. Sorry, Dr. Wallace, valued at $5. Uh, Miss Dedra Bruno, another teacher, gave Dum Dum suckers and spiders for the harvest festival, valued at $30. Donna Clark gave tattoos, candy and spiders for the festival, valued at $25. The Steel Family gave candy for the harvest festival, $10. Britney [snorts] Hayes, another teacher, candy for the harvest festival, $10. Wendlesson Apparado, another teacher, uh, gave candy for the harvest carnival, $10. Carla Kenetti, another teacher, uh, gave candy valued at $10. And Patricia Ooa also gave candy for Harvest Festival valued at $15. Alicia Wilson gave McDonald's toys for the harvest festival valued at $20. Anna Small

063made a PTO monetary donation valued at $100. Garner's Produce gave 70 pumpkins valued at $210. And moving to Montrust Middle School, uh, Miss Amanda Jet gave student incentives for English project-based learning valued at $30. Artha Jones gave student incentives for the same English project-based learning valued at $12. An anonymous donor gave incentives for teachers valued at $20. And the Tapahanic Food Lion gave incentives for family night valued at $40. So we present all of these donations to the board for acceptance and gratitude to all those who donated. Okay. >> Thank you. In accordance with our policy KH, is there a motion to approve the donations as presented? >> Second, Rebecca. >> Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. I heard all eyes. So that means no one opposed. >> Okay. Next, Miss

064Rice, you have a budget resolution to present. >> Yes, sir. Uh, we have some additional funds that have come into, uh, the school division or available to the school division, and we have a resolution for the West Morland County uh, board of supervisors to appropriate the new state and federal grant funds to our FY2526 budget. Uh the state grant funds consist of uh funds for jobs for Virginia graduates and the recently uh received school security equipment grant. Federal funds consist of some title 1A 103A school improvement grant funds, title 2A funds, and title 5B rural and lowincome dollars. Uh specifically jobs for Virginia graduates. The grant amount uh received is $30,000. School improvement grant funds $20,000. Uh for title 2A, uh our appropriation came in a little higher than what we had budgeted. So $5,740.91.

065Our rural and lowincome funds uh award is $54,5244. and the school security equipment grant that you heard about last month, that's $240,000. So the total state appropriation is $270,000. Total federal appropriation 79793.35 for a grand total appropriation of new dollars u from grant funds to the school division $349,793.35. So, with board approval of the resolution, we'll then send this resolution over to the county office for approval by the board of supervisors. >> Anyone have any questions for Miss Rice? >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve the budget resolution as presented by Miss Rice? >> So, moved by Mayor Mayan. >> Is there a second? >> Richard second. >> Mrs. Mayan, how do you vote? >> I. >> Mrs. Miner, >> I. >> Mrs. Richards, >> I. >> Dr. Wallace. >> I chair votes I

066and the budget resolution is approved as presented. Thank you very much. All good news. >> Yes, we like getting additional revenue. >> Okay. Uh next action is want a break for 12 month employees. >> Yes, sir. Um as we request every year uh we are requesting uh some additional time off for 12 month employees during the winter break. So, uh, policy GCBDR6 gives, uh, 12-month employees New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas off without using leave. Following board policy, our 12-month employees would be required to work December 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th, and January 2nd. We are requesting of the board that we be permitted to close all the schools, all offices for the duration of the holiday break and allow our 12-month employees to be off for

067the entire break without using leave. So, including those additional 5 days, so long as uh the employees make up the time that they're missing for those five days during the remainder of the 2526 school year. Any questions for Miss Rice? >> Anyone? >> Just a comment that and we know that they already work well more than that. Yes. Anyway, this just gives them a chance to recoup some of the extra time. That's good. >> So, is there a motion to approve the winter break for 12 month employees as presented by Miss Rice? >> So, move for second. >> Second. Daniel Wallace. >> Any discussion? >> Mm. How do you vote? >> I >> Mrs. Bonner. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Richards. Hi. >> Dr. Wallace. >> Hi. the chair of Ozai and the winter break for

06812 month employees is approved. >> Thank you so much. [laughter] >> And the crowd says, "Thank you." >> Yeah. >> So, next we uh have our VSBA legislative priorities, Miss Rice. And uh this isn't really an action item, but I do think we need to get a board concurrence at least so that our delegate to the dele delegate assembly at the Virginia School Board Association convention knows how to vote. So Miss Rice, >> thank you. >> Yes, sir. So it's it's listed as a discussion uh so that you all can discuss and and give some guidance to Miss Richards on the will of the board. um development of legislative positions by the Virginia School Board Association. All position statements of BSBA uh are approved by the delegate assembly at the annual convention. So coming up

069uh next week, the assembly is composed of one person from each member school board chosen as the official spokesperson for the board. So you all selected as our delegate uh Miss Amy Richards for this year and her alternate delegate is Miss Rebecca Miner. Uh so the process I need to look down here because it's too tiny for me up there. Um each spring uh legislative positions committee uh seeks suggestions from local boards. And you're familiar with that because our board has submitted suggestions for legislative positions in various years. Local boards submit proposed amendments, deletions, and new positions to the legislative positions committee. That committee then meets and reviews all the uh suggestions. Positions are recommended out of that committee and those are presented to the board of directors. So, not everything makes it out of

070committee, but um those that are favorable make it out of committee to the board of directors for approval. And then those are distributed to each school board and the delegate assembly. And then we, this is the step we're on in the fall, the delegate assembly meets to adopt or reject proposed amendments and any new positions. And then once those are officially adopted at the delegate assembly, u they become part of the legislative positions of the VSBA and they remain in effect until uh that is revised and they are deleted or officially approved. So there are quite a few standing legislative positions and you all have access to the handbook. Um I won't cover all of those but u specifically you're welcome. um they're broken out into uh these categories and the number you see in

071parenthesis is the number of adopted uh existing legislative positions of the BSBA in each of these categories. So you can see there are quite a few and then they continue uh into these categories. So overall there are 12 categories of legislative position uh with quite a few and you see a big one there is state mandates and budgeting. So there are proposed amendments and new positions that u Miss Richards will be voting on on behalf of the board at this year's delegate assembly. Um there are only three though this year. It's a small number. So, there's a pro proposed amendment to legislative priority 1.7, and that's just adding a paragraph to the position on assessment reform and accountability reform that the VSBA supports legislation to provide school divisions with a minimum of one full academic

072year to prepare for and implement any major policy changes that affect curriculum, instruction, assessment, or accountability systems. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, uh I think a big part of that, as Miss Miner said, the cut scores uh being implemented immediately was a concern when this was submitted. Um and the cut scores now will be implemented over a phased in period, but uh VSBA would include this amendment to apply to any future uh changes that DOE uh would like to make um to reinforce that we need time to prepare for any transitions. So, it would be good on this one to hear from board members and also Miss Richards if you have any questions and also Miss Mon because you are the alternate just in case. >> No, I just think that that's valuable, you know, for

073us to have all been burning, hey, we're going to make this transition this year that all of a sudden our students have to have this new pass rate >> without any time to prepare the teachers for that. as long as well as the students to meet this new goal. It's a work in progress. You have to attain step-by-step goals in that. So, >> it's kind of crazy that this even has to be st. Okay. But it is what it is. So, I mean, absolutely. I would support it. >> Yep. I think it's critical because uh it's likely to happen again. >> Well, this doesn't mean that they're going to abide by it. We're just saying that's >> Oh. Oh, I agree. I agree. [laughter] >> I know. >> This is what we want. >> Yeah.

074But the pain that we would have to endure. >> Yeah. >> Had they not done a face >> would have been pretty bad, I think. >> So, it sounds like to me that all of our board members support this. Yes. >> Is that what I hear? >> Yes. >> That work for you and his riches? >> Absolutely. Just like the federal government, you know, you have to grandfather clause and work your way into things. It's not a hard stop. You shall >> right. All righty. >> Okay. All right. The next amendment is to legislative position 3.3, enrollment cap for virtual Virginia. Um, and you can see I've I've excerpted a little bit out of the position. And what's new is the underlined wording. So, Virginia school divisions continue to face drastic budget cuts and at

075both the state and local levels and federal a and are faced with the possibility of eliminating classes. It used to say especially advanced placement courses and that has been changed to say including advanced placement courses, dual enrollment, and other similar courses. Virtual Virginia has an overall cap on the number of students in the Commonwealth who can enroll in its online courses at no cost to localities. Um, that's the wording that has been added, at no cost to localities. The enrollment cap in virtual Virginia should be increased from its present capacity to accommodate more students to participate, including in advanced courses, in a cost-effective manner that may not be offered in school divisions without qualified staffing. So, it it goes to the cost of Virtual Virginia, but also why we access Virtual Virginia classes. We don't

076have staffing to offer everything. >> And I know one of our goals is to increase the number of courses that we can offer >> and I think this is critical for us to be able to do that. >> Other board members. >> Yeah, I do have a question. I would even offer maybe a suggestion that M. Richards can you bring this as a as an amendment to it, but we list um you know AP dual enrollment and other similar courses that other similar courses you know I'm thinking are we talking CTE um certifications things like that and if so I would recommend that we actually call those out explicitly >> um and and I would agree with that >> an idea of what that precise verbiage might might need to be that would um make

077it very clear that when we say other similar courses that's the kind of thing that we also want to include. >> So would you like to back I know you mentioned CTE >> CTE um certifications. >> Yeah >> or or work workplace ready you know >> they go to either you know they're going on to further education in college or work work placement >> such things CTE and Okay. >> But and I apologize that I don't know the exact verbiage, but I I feel like that should be explicitly captured in there because some people might just think, oh, it's just those, you know, higher academic things of AP and dual enrollment. It's like, no, this applies to some of those other um additional classes that that we may not have all of the um the

078workforce and the staffing to teach adequately without something like virtual Virginia. >> And and I think typically um when one person stands up and suggest an amendment, usually there are other individuals that support that. Yeah. based on my experience is that >> that that's that's been my experience as well. And as far as the process, what they'll do is they will they will just say, "Does anyone want to remove any of these from the global vote?" Okay? Because normally the I mean, it's rare that they have only three, but normally they'll just say, "Okay, here's the, you know, 15 items that we're going to vote on. Does anyone want to pull one out for discussion?" And then you say, "Yeah, let's pull this one." and then just say we'd like to expand that to include

079and then maybe we as a board right now can come up with some verbiage that might be appropriate to add so it's not just because I think it'll be viewed as limited to that if we we don't even though it says and other similar courses it's [clears throat] it might overly constrain it >> and I was I guess we're kind of lucky tonight in that all right so since I have Matthew here I'm going to use you >> so you You talk about workforce development or career ready. >> Yeah. I like career readiness. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Forces. >> And I was going to say, do we have does Virtual Virginia currently use have any of those >> offerings? Education. >> Okay. Yes. >> So there you go. Um Yeah. So career readiness is definitely

080a some key words you'd want to put in there. >> Yeah. So, Miss Richards, okay, the verbiage we may want to add and you could just put this as a friendly amendment and then they can, you know, discuss it amongst themselves, but um career readiness and workforce development. >> Workforce development or workforce training. >> Workforce training. Okay. Just inserted after in dual enrollment. I mean, but they can still keep the other similar courses, but it I I'd like it to expand that just a little bit. >> Okay. [snorts] to get them to think outside of the academic box. >> You will have to get up and go to a microphone to express this after you've said, "I'd like to pull this out of the discussion." >> I'm comfortable. [laughter] >> See, I just don't want

081to throw you to the wolves. It's kind of intimidating. >> I might even bring in. [laughter] >> Okay. Anything else on this one? And are all board members Okay. And Miss Rice, I say board members, but uh governance team members are >> okay with the suggested change. >> Okay, I think we're good. >> Okay, last one. This one's a new uh position and that is uh the VSBA supports removing chronic absenteeism as an indicator in the accountability and accreditation models used to rate public schools. [clears throat] I for me and I've had a conversation um with other school board members about this, but we can strive to do all that we can to address chronic abi absenteeism. However, we cannot put ourselves in the place of a parental role or combat situations that we just

082cannot address on our own as a school board or school division. There are circumstances beyond our ability that is affecting our student population. Um and for it to count against the work that is happening and that we're trying to achieve um it's just this can be very much a detriment to what we are doing and can [clears throat] be you know an X on our score or whatever when we're trying to address the absenteeism but we're also trying to meet the the individuals, the students, the families where they are and what their real needs are and there's only so much that we can do. >> This reminds me of the 100% thing. [snorts] Just throw it in there and if you don't meet it, then you're a bad school and I'm sick of hearing that.

083>> I I'm sorry. Go ahead, Dr. Williams. Well, I I was just going to say, you know, I I fully support this. >> Notwithstanding though, yes, we will still continue to work on this. We just don't feel like it's, you know, it's something we want to be judging and painting all of our students >> with a stigma that is outside of their control. >> In a way, Miss Mon, you stated that very well. Well, just say you're a problem child when you can't control your circumstances >> and you can't control what's going on and you know and our job is to do our best to reach their needs to our ability >> and we're going to do that >> to support them and encourage them. Yeah, I certainly well I agree with this >> and

084the way it is now I I think all the things that we have that make our school system great may not be recognized with that being an indicator in terms of accreditation. I mean I feel that way. So if it went away, it would be a real plus. >> I do want to add with what Dr. Wal Wallace was saying is that we do have a way of um working towards this goal. I think that um trying to figure out how we get back up um whether that's the court system or whatever is needed um for certain situations. There definitely can be ways of improving upon the ways in which we're trying to work through the system of that. That makes sense. But >> and based on discussions we've had, I think we would need

085court system assistance in being able to better address chronic absenteeism. Miss Rice. >> Okay. >> Miss Richards, uh, you okay? I think I heard uh all the board members uh really agree with that. So yes, if you >> and I need to I can't think of one positive thing that will come out of leaving that in there >> and operate. All right. Um Miss Rice, anything else to add? >> No, that's all. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh I do want to thank uh Miss Richards. Thank you so much for being willing to serve as a delegate. Uh it's typically about a two-hour session and it it also means you likely to miss two of the breakout sessions and that's that's a real negative of doing this. >> That's why we have a team. But I >>

086Yeah, but that is why we have a team. And Miss Mon, thank you so much for agreeing to be the alternate because you always have to be prepared as the alternate. So, thank you very much for that. Okay. Next, uh Miss Rice, GSBA policy update. >> Yes, sir. Um this is unusual because there's only one one policy um >> and it is uh home instruction homeschool policy and you all saw the memo that came out from the VSBA explaining uh the why of this policy. There there have been questions about uh how much information school divisions may release to the state and to others uh for students whose parents have opted to homeschool either based on religious exemption or straight home instruction. Uh so the policy the SBA has reviewed the policy. They've determined their

087policy is adequate. It checks all the boxes. it is aligned with the law despite some of the concerns uh that have been voiced but they still did a little additional uh word smithing on the policy and specifically I'm sorry Chris if you would scroll all the way to the red line part [snorts] and go to page three of the red line version. That's it. Thank you. Um, specifically what they're trying to make uh more explicit in policy is that the superintendent and the board may disclose information with written consent from the parent and only the information that the parent has said we can share that it can be shared for both students who are homeschooled through religious exemption and who are homeschooled for other reasons. They're just trying to make that a little more explicit

088within the policy so that it's not perceived as only students who are um homeschooled for religious exemption. So since it's just the one policy, I'm bringing it um for first read. You all may decide to wave first read and go ahead with adoption. But if you would like to ponder it, uh we can bring it back for action next month. I [clears throat] do want to hear from board members, but it it does seem like to me it's a fairly simple change and it would be nice in my opinion to be able to >> just do it, >> act on it >> and not have to bring it back. So given that, do I hear a motion to approve the VSBA policy update as presented by Miss Rice? >> Rich second. >> Second by Mary

089Mayan. >> Any discussion? Miss Mayan, how do you vote? >> I. >> Mrs. Richards, >> I. >> Mrs. Miner, >> I. >> Dr. Wallace, I >> The chair votes I. And the policy update is approved. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. Next, we have a heroes update. >> We have [clears throat] a team. >> They're going to support me from the audience, I think. >> Ah, okay. [laughter] Well, that's better than no support. Good evening. Uh we are excited to share that we are ready to begin our heroes program for the 2025 2026 school year. Um just as a reminder we um began Heroes at Washington District in 2015 2016 um and expanded to Copel Elementary during the 2016 2017 school year. Um it was on hiatus um during COVID and

090we reinstated it last year during the spring. Um heroes each volunteer is paired with the elementary student and they meet with the student for 30 minutes a week. Um they facilitate sessions um different activities just encouragement, mentorship and it also helps to promote um good attendance. the students really get excited about meeting with their hero every week. So, it's um very beneficial for our students and talking about the attendance. This kind of helps us because they look forward to meeting with their hero every week. Um our timeline, we've been trying to recruit um since August, really since the end of last spring, but August until the present. Um we are still looking for volunteers. Um, tomorrow we have orientation with three of our heroes. So, again, we're trying to recruit. We need more heroes. That's

091more students that um can participate in the program. And then we're going to get started our heroes who participate in orientation tomorrow. We'll be ready to begin with their um students in December. Um we have reached out to our elementary principles and school counselors and they are getting their list together and getting permission from parents to um have their child participate in the program. So we look to begin in December right before um winter break and then it'll carry on through till I think the end of April. So um please spread the word. We do have our volunteers of course go through a security process, TV screening, background checks, and they get an ID badge so that um they're official when they go into the building. Um so uh again, we have it on our

092information on Facebook. It's on our division website. Um contact myself, Leslie Steel. Um we have Carol Washington and Julie Whis um available as well if there are any questions. But please spread the word. We are looking for more more volunteers. Again, this is a great program. We [snorts] want to have as many students participate as possible. And that's all I have. >> Yes, sir. >> Oh, real quick question. Um, do you happen to have like a press release that you could >> have one for you tomorrow? >> Well, I was thinking not for me. I was thinking something that you could give Richard because >> this would be um a phen I mean this is a phenomenal program and I can't think of a better you know vehicle than the West Morland News as a

093means of >> okay >> of getting that word out there. >> I can get that together and um just include it with our flyer. Our flyer has a QR code that um folks who are interested can scan. They complete the Google form. That information comes directly to us and then we contact them, put them in um contact with our director of HR to get the security um information that we need and the background check and then we're good to go. So we'll definitely get something to um ready for more than this. >> How long is orientation session? um usually about 30 minutes to an hour. >> And you have this already on Facebook where we can go and share it out >> on Facebook on our um web page. We've been including it in the

094staff newsletters, the community newsletters. Um the elementary schools I think have been including it in their newsletters as well. [clears throat] >> And orientations here. >> Yes. >> In the boardroom. >> Where is it next door? >> In here. I'm sorry. In here. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Well, I hope uh thank you very much and thank everybody involved in the uh heroes program. It is uh it's not only important, I think in many cases is critical and uh so hopefully your presentation tonight and hopefully some in attendance and some listening uh will come forward and volunteer. >> I hope so. >> So, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Next, Miss Rice, we have facility update. >> Yes, we have an exciting facility update. >> Mr. Fallon uh had asked me to give an update

095on the Washington district project and so I am going to do that, but I also snuck in another project. Uh I knew you would like that. >> Um we have completed one of our capital projects, the Montro Middle School gym lighting. So, you remember uh we contracted with Musco Sports Lighting LLC to remove all the overhead lights that were in the gymnasium at Montros Middle. Uh we were able to use a lot of the existing electrical uh panels and wiring. And then uh they put in new 25 LED uh light fixtures to replace the 25 old lights that they took out. And everything uh does have a 10-year warranty. So, this was the design that you all saw of where they were going to place. It's just a nice grid of 25 overhead lights. Um,

096this is the before picture. You can see um a number of those overhead lights are not lit and that was not because of bulbs. They just had not worked for a really long time. Uh, and then here is the after picture. >> Wow. >> Pretty awesome. It's a pretty dramatic change in the amount of light in the gymnasium. And here's just another look at how uh well lit the gymnasium [snorts] is now with the new lights. And all 25 lights are lit, not just some of them. So that was an exciting update I wanted to share with you. And then uh the topic that I was asked to present on the Washington District security vestibule. Uh the exciting news there is today we uh advertised we published the advertisement for bids uh for uh the

097work to be done at Washington District. So the project scope includes about a thousand square feet addition uh that includes a new main office space and a new safe and secure vestibule and it also includes approximately 2500 square feet that will be renovated. uh and that's the existing administrative suite that's being uh changed around to make it more secure and the front entry common space. So the whole purpose of this project and you've heard it and heard it and heard it. It's all about enhancing school safety and security. So, this uh is an overhead look at Washington District Elementary with the front of the school being where you see um the red uh that's the current entrance area. Uh but the whole red box to the left there and I'm going to zoom in. Uh

098that will be the new main office and that's where the current courtyard is. >> Um there's also a little gap between the current opening and the right hand wall. So you see that small red box that will be enclosed and become a security checkpoint. So uh the part that sticks out is a new canopy uh so that students and visitors can be undercover while they're waiting to enter. Uh but uh students will still enter through the main doors into the building and they will still go through backpack scanner and the walkth through uh metal detectors. But our visitors now will need to be buzzed in to enter through a new main office, the big red box. Uh they will be buzzed into the new main office and their entrance will be separate from that of

099our students. So, we'll have an opportunity um to scan their driver's licenses as we do now through the Raptor system and to have them pass through uh walk through metal detector uh before they can get into the main building with the student population. >> What about the doors on the end that lead into the parking lot to the right? >> Uh the far right, those will still be student entrance. Uh, and so we will have uh the the standup metal detectors and the backpack scanner located within the vestibule now as opposed to within the main lobby. Um, so students will pass through their security checkpoint before getting all the way into the lobby as they do now. >> So the buses will be dropping the kids off there rather than over here. >> Um, correct.

100>> The buses are going to continue to drop off out front like they do now. It looks different because the canopy is drawn there, right? But that canopy will extend from the current front doors almost out to the bus loop. >> Well, and that's why I'm wondering why are we keeping those doors open if the kids are going to still be coming in through this way then? >> I'm sorry. Which doors are you? >> I'm talking about those doors next to the cafeteria. >> Car riders. >> Oh, down on the far right end. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Uh that's where our car riders um have been coming in temper. No, they're actually coming around to the front too. Staff is coming in uh down on that end. So all of our students uh will be coming

101in through the main entrance. >> Yeah. So I mean my my concern is that someone could try to come in on those doors at the end without going through the checkpoint. Wouldn't you want to block them and have them come in through the main checkpoint area? [clears throat] Yes, those doors are locked. Those doors are locked and will continue to be locked. So, you have to come in only. Thank you. Yes, I'm good with that. >> Yeah. So, the doors will remain uh but they they are locked and you can't enter that. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Thank you. I was having trouble with the question. >> A little confused. >> That's that's good. >> And then the upper part uh is the existing It's kind of a bluish uh that's the existing um area, >>

102admin area, uh, and the existing teacher workroom. So, that is being repurposed. And what's nice about that is the principal's office, the assistant principal's office, and the AP I mean the SRO's office are all being brought uh from deep within. >> Yeah. up to the front where they can uh see the front entrance and see the main office and see the lobby area all from uh their office spaces. >> Yep. >> So that too will greatly enhance the security. >> Um so bid timeline the advertisement for bids was published today. Um, tomorrow, beginning tomorrow, digitally formatted copies of the contract documents are going to be available, uh, starting at 10:00 a.m. from Grimman Parker. That'll be Dave Wolf and one of his colleagues, and their email addresses are included in the advertisement for bid. Um,

103also included in the advertisement for bid are uh, Ronnie Saunders email address, mine, and Miss Chadams. so that uh anybody who is interested in completing a site visit to assist them in making a bid uh can schedule an appointment to do that. Sealed bids are going to be received up until 2 p.m. on December 15th and then they will be opened uh here in this room and uh unsealed publicly, read aloud publicly on December 15th. And that's all I have. So that's our latest up >> questions, comments. >> So then we'll find out how good I estimate is. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Yes. >> That's always a good thing. >> That is when we get to find out how close the estimate is to the actual. Yes. >> But anyway, this is it. It it

104is exciting. And once this is completed, all of our schools will be secure >> as we connect them. It'll be a major accomplishment. Thank you very much. >> And part of the contract documents, it does specify that uh we need whoever wins the bid to be able to uh be positioned to start the work as soon as we dismiss school for the summer and complete it at least substantial completion uh to the point of usability before we open the next school year. So, it's a small window of time to complete the work, but that's all included in in the expectations. Okay. Any other questions or comments, Miss Rice? Okay. Miss Mayan, do you have any report from the Invenette Technical Center? >> I do. Just a second. Okay. So, right now um the horiculture and

105landscaping pro group is um having their fall fruit and nuts fundraiser. So, um, and that'll be going on till the 19th of, um, November, which is this week. Um, yeah, this is Monday, right? So, Wednesday, >> today's the 17th. Yep. >> Yeah. Time is flying by. Um, so if you all are interested, please go to the northern necktech.org website and order your fruit andor nuts um from them. And I don't I have anything else at this time right now. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Dr. Wallace, do you have anything from the Chesapeake Bay Governor School? >> And I'll I'll keep it brief because we're almost done here. U just a reminder um our own I say our own, but uh Dr. Rob Wright is um the director of the um uh Ches Bay Governor

106School doing a phenomenal job. he's really, you know, hit the ground running and he's he's doing well. Just a reminder to everyone, there are 14 divisions that are making up the the um Ches Bay Governor School. So, it's it's a pretty wide ranging um effort there and it's essentially think of it as a magnet school for um for this area. Um talking about that though is we have a capacity of somewhere around like 260 students. We're only filling about 227 of those slots right now. So there's some room um especially like at Warsaw which is where our students go. So, I I bring this up just to um let everyone know that, hey, you know, we need to, you know, get more more kids into that into that program for a couple reasons. One, it's

107a phenomenal, you know, opportunity, but also it, you know, really helps the um [clears throat] you know, keep the tuition rate down because, you know, our cost of the teachers is fixed. We we can take more students um and we actually get more state funding the more students we have. And so it actually would um bring our our costs down if we gave more students. So that's just something I I'll throw out there. You know, I don't know if we have a um a delta between how many we're sending and how many would qualify, but uh we you know, I'm trying to advocate for hey, let's send send more. Um there is an open house for anyone who's interested coming up on December 9th that's in Warsaw >> [snorts] >> um at at RCC. That's

108from 6 to 7:30 p.m. again December 9th. And um if you could get the word out so people know they can go out and do that. Unfortunately, I'll be gone. I'll be in Philadelphia. >> It's the same night as the boy technical center. >> Oh, is it? >> Yeah. 6:00 to 7. You said >> 6:00 to 7:30. Yeah, but any but if we can get that out to the students um Mr. Bathgate you know especially you know the you know the freshman and then or the middle schoolers you know doesn't hurt to at least let them know that this is an option they can they can go out there and um and just see what the program is all about. >> Well actually as fast as Pat Pew goes through the [clears throat] program we

109could probably be >> still there. [laughter] Okay. Um, but yeah, I just want to plug plug the program there. It's doing well though. >> Any questions for Dr. Wallace? >> Okay, Miss Rice, upcoming events. >> Yes, sir. Coming up this week. I said next week, but it's this week. Um, uh, we have the, uh, VSBA workshop for student schoolboard reps in Williamsburg. and Miss Bedford uh who unfortunately couldn't be here this evening um but she is attending the student uh schoolboard rep session and then the VSBA annual convention is the 19th through the 21st. We have a joint meeting with the board of supervisors on November 24th at 6:00 at the George D. English building uh to hear the bids uh or vote on a bid uh winning bids for the capital improvement financing and

110to vote on the memorandum of agreement. And then on December 10th, we have a communication forum meeting here in this room at 2:00. Uh Mr. Fallon will be representing the board. Dr. Wallace is unfortunately now not able. So if a second board member wants to accompany uh Mr. Fallon is the second board representative at at communication form. That opportunity is now open. >> Any questions for Miss Rice? >> I can attend. >> Thank you. >> All right. Great. Thank you. Okay. Next, school board member comments. Uh I would like to start out u about travel plans for the VSBA. I think typically most of us drive because of uh the convenience and sometimes some people have early bird and some aren't going to early bird. But uh I at least want to ask in case

111uh there needs to be any call. >> I'm going to early bird. Anybody that wants to buy >> you leaving Wednesday morning? >> I was going to leave Wednesday morning. >> That's what I'm playing. Yeah. Okay. >> Although you said 9:00, right? [laughter] >> Yeah. Got to leave early. Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm happy. >> Yeah. >> Well, anyway, we all know one another. So, [laughter] if anybody if anybody needs a ride, uh I'm sure somebody could find one. >> Okay. All righty. >> Yeah. [snorts] Miss Mayan, do you have any comments? I do not other than um I've had the opportunity like I said to be at the National Honor Society this week and with the kids and the CTE programs and stuff and I just want to say how proud I am of our

112kids. They're just so excited. They're, you know, there's a lot of people that want to say things sometimes, but if they could just go and see our kids in action learning, um >> it's phenomenal. Right. Well, it's not anything quite like being there or being in schools, but one of the reasons that we do try to have students participate in our board meetings is at least uh to let people know that we do have outstanding students and programs. So, okay. Thank you, Ms. Miner. >> Um I just would like to say thank you to Mr. Matt Ingram, um our board of supervisor [snorts] representative here this evening at our meeting, but just for your push and support the Boys and Girls Club, >> but also um working with us for those that are coming in

113for the WL um school. I know that you have really really pushed and the student involvement and the work that's being done and we are very grateful. >> Anything else? >> Dr. Wallace, >> nothing to add. >> Okay, Mr. Richards. >> Um, I just think it's great to see the students come here and represent their area of interest and have that opportunity to speak in front of people. I think that is huge and I would encourage more students to do that. And if we could extend it to our um athletes to have them come and talk about their sports and their wins and I think that would be great. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> I did have one more thing. >> Sure. Um, for those that were not able to be at the last

114football game, something that was really cool and I just want to say kudos to our um, band directors is that it was a game us against Richmond County and Richmond County's band is a little bit smaller in numbers and we included them in our time together as bands and they performed on the field together and I just think it was amazing and awesome and a way to just work as um you know solidarity with each other and just support. >> So >> anything else? Okay, Mrs. Rice, >> nothing to add. >> Okay. All righty. So, our next uh board meeting, uh as you've already said, uh Monday, November the 24th, uh school board work session. Uh it's a joint meeting with the board of supervisors beginning at 6 pm and on December the 15th. Uh

115I think we had something else going on on the 15th as well, didn't we? >> The holiday reception. >> Oh well. Oh no. I thought it was >> seal bins. >> Huh? >> Sail bins. >> Oh, the bid. That's what it is. >> Yeah, I knew it was something else. But anyway, our regular board meeting on December the 5th. Uh our executive close session will begin at 4 pm. That's uh out earlier than typical. Our open open session will begin at 5:00 p.m. as opposed to 6 pm. And then we'll have our holiday reception around 6 pm. It depends on how many agenda items Miss Rice puts on the agenda. Correct. No, how many you put on the agenda? [laughter] >> Maybe we'll work together and see if we can make a small agenda. So

116anyway, is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I move we adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor signify by saying I. I. We are journ.