School Board Meeting - November 24, 2025

001I call to order the York County regular school board meeting for November 24th, 2025. Good evening and welcome to tonight's school board meeting. As we come together before the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to extend my warm warmest wishes for a wonderful and welldeserved Thanksgiving break. I hope the days ahead offer each of you time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy people and traditions that you cherish most. And with that, I'd like to now share the York County School Board mission or excuse me, York County School Division mission statement. The mission of the York County School Division is to ensure every student is valued, supported, and challenged through learning experiences which prepare them for a successful future. Would you now join me in a moment of silence? Now I will share some information about our pledge leader,

002Caroline Legoitz, a second grader from Waller Mill Elementary School. Waller Mill Elementary is proud to have Caroline Legowitz representing our school this evening as the pledge leader. Caroline is an exceptional student who demonstrates curiosity, kindness, and perseverance each day. She loves attending Waller Mill because it's a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. Her teachers help her feel better when she makes an error and encourage her to keep trying. She enjoys that every classroom has its own theme, making learning fun and helping students extend knowledge. Caroline's teacher shares that she is a great leader, helpful to both adults and peers, and consistently models star student behaviors. She values her friendships, and appreciates her teachers as positive role models. Outside of school, Caroline cares for many her many pets, a cat, a snake, three

003fish, nine baby snails and four adult snails. She enjoys art, family time, and celebrating birthdays with her dad's delicious salmon and buttered noodles. Yum. >> We are so proud of Caroline's bright spirit and love of learning. Please stand as Caroline leads us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We will now recognize our seniors of the month for each school. When your name is announced, please stand along with your family members while we hear about your accomplishments. The first school we will hear about is Brutin High School. And Mr. Schaefer will tell us about their senior of the month. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin. Meline Huard. Go

004ahead and stand up and everyone else. Yep. Oh, we are excited to recognize Maline Hover as Brutin High School's November's senior of the month. Swimming has been a defining part of Madeline's life. She has competed at the state and national levels in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and New York, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and excellence. As a three-year varsity swimmer for Brutin High School, she has earned the title uh of ninetime state champion. Yeah, Meline's leadership is equally impressive. She has served as the secretary historian for the class of 2026, secretary of the National Honor Society, facilitating communication and connecting members with uh service opportunities. She's a founder of the French club uh French honor society promoting academic excellence in cultural engagement. She's a swim coach for Queens Lake Community Swim Team. Uh that's been since 2019.

005And she transitioned from a volunteer to a paid coach and was recognized by the board of directors for outstanding volunteer service lifeguard at Queens Lake Community Pool. That's from 2023 to now. Certified by the American Red Cross and life-saving techniques, CPR and first aid. a dream catcher says if she's not busy enough, uh therapeutic writing program, she sponsors and exercises ponies to support therapy for children with special needs and at risk youth youth. Uh volunteer oyster gardener with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. She's done that for eight years now. Contributes to the environmental uh conservation efforts. She's going to attend George Mason and swim there, no surprise, in the fall. Congratulations, Maline. >> Grafton High School's uh senior of the month, Austin Radar, will join us next month. He is participating in a powderpuff game this

006evening. So, now we will hear uh from Tab High School um representative uh for uh excuse me, Miss Fairman, who will tell us about Tab High School senior of the month. Thank you, Miss Goodwin. We are thrilled to recognize Anley Asbury. and if she and her family could stand. As TAB High School's November's senior of the month, Aninsley is a shining example of what it means to be a scholar, athlete, leader, and community servant. With a GPA of 4.4285, Aninsley has shown a love of learning. Anley is a dynamic leader and athlete. She has earned a four-year varsity letter in cheerleading, serving as captain her senior year and was recognized with the outstanding school cheerleader award and the UCA All-American Award. Her dedication extends to coaching where she mentors younger athletes through Fame Allstars Central

007and the YMCA YMCA First Tolf demonstrating maturity and patience. Aninsley's leadership is equally evident in her extracurricular involvement. She is a National Honor Society member, Beta Club secretary, FBLA vice president, and founder and president of the pingpong club. Her involvement in National Honor Society, DECA, FBLA, Beta Club, Key Club, and FCA reflects her commitment to service, leadership, and personal growth. Anley Lynn Asbury is kind and compassionate towards others. She is a role model whose dedication, leadership, and involvement inspire those around her. We are proud to honor her as our senior of the month. Congratulations, Anley. Okay. And I will, excuse me, I will tell you about the senior of the month for York High School. Would Victoria Shaltya and her family please stand? York High School is thrilled to honor Victoria Victoria Shaltya as our

008senior of the month. Victoria is an outstanding individual whose dedication and achievements set a remarkable example for her peers. As a prominent member of the IB program, she exemplifies academic excellence and a commitment to learning. Victoria is also York High School's color guard section leader and has excelled with leading and mentoring her color guard teammates. Furthermore, Victoria is extremely well-liked by our teachers as her positive spirit and genuine respect for others create a warm and welcoming environment for all. Outside of school, Victoria is an avid crocheter and working towards the next higher belt color in martial arts, which are both activities that are a testament to her diverse capabilities and willingness to take on new challenges. With a bright future ahead, Victoria exemplifies hard work and leadership, which make her a role model for peers

009and the community alike. We are proud to honor her as senior of the month and can't wait to see all the great things that she will achieve in the future. Congratulations. Okay, we will now have our student service awards and our volunteer awards. So, Dr. Carol is making his way down and I will ask Miss Sher Vandergrip, Waller Mill Elementary principal, to step forward and remain down front while information is shared for both the student service award recipient and the volunteer of the month for Waller Mill at elementary school. The student service award recipient for Waller Mill is Louisa Hoffman. Mr. Schaefer will share about Louisa as she comes to the front. Thank you. Waller Mill Elementary is proud to recognize Louisa Hoffman for her outstanding service and leadership. During the week, Louisa can often

010be found after school participating in custodial walk with Mr. Todd. She enjoys walking and talking with him while her mother is working and she says it takes a while because they visit every classroom and office discussing the tasks that they will complete together. Mr. Todd shares that Louis is an incredibly intelligent and a true embodiment of the human spirit. The kind of child who restores one's faith in mankind. Her teacher describes Louise as the best classroom helper, assisting with breakfast orders each morning and knowing exactly who needs what and how many. She also showed great kindness by helping a new student from Korea learn his way around and feel welcome in class. Louisa's compassion, reliability, and positive spirit make her a shining example of service and leadership. Wallermill is so very proud of her. Congratulations.

011[Applause] The volunteer of the month for Waller Mill is Mr. Charlie Williams. Mr. Schaefer will share some information about Mr. Williams as he comes up. >> All right. Waler Mill Elementary is proud to recognize Mr. Charlie Williams, affectionately known as uh by our students as Mr. C, for his exceptional volunteer service and dedication to our school community. Mr. Williams is a visionary, motivator, and stand steadfast believer in the potential of every student. Through his mentorship, students learn that entrepreneurship is not just about creating products. It's about identifying problems worth solving, building character and community, and making a positive difference in the world. With patience, kindness, and passion, Mr. Williams nurtures creativity, encourages innovation, and teaches students to view challenges as opportunities for growth. He inspires curiosity and confidence while teaching foundational entrepreneurial skills through his

012five C's. critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and citizenship. Students and parents alike praises praise his program for fostering teamwork, purpose, and a true growth mindset. Mr. Williams exemplifies what it means to teach and serve with heart and vision. Waller Mill is deeply grateful for Mr. Williams lasting impact and continued commitment to our students. Thank you, Mr. C. [Applause] OKAY, I WILL now ask Miss Armore Michael, Yorktown Middle School principal, to step forward and remain upfront while information is shared for both the student service award recipient and the volunteer of the month for Yorktown Middle School. The student service award recipient this month for Yorktown Middle School is Hi Ya Singh. I will share some I will share information about Haya Hiya excuse me as she comes up front. Hi is a dedicated ambassador, representative, volunteer

013and role model who actively contributes to her school and community. As a committed member of the National Junior Honor Society, Student Council Association, and a Falcon Ambassador, she consistently offers reliable support at school events both during and beyond school hours. You can find Hiya supporting the school in the Soore Store and helping to lead Virginia tiered systems of support events. Beyond her school involvement, HiA extends her compassion globally through at MIA Care Charities, a humanitarian nonprofit focused on empowering today's youth. Her passion for STEM fuels her commitment to community service where she applies her research talents to meaningful causes. A regular science fair participant, Hiya has earned local and regional recognition from organization, excuse me, organizations such as HRSD and AWWA for her innovative projects addressing the water crisis in space. Hi's unwavering dedication not

014only advances important scientific work, but also inspires and educates others to serve their communities. She leads by example, encouraging her peers to offer a helping hand and make a positive impact with purpose and heart. Congratulations. [Applause] The volunteer of the month for Yorktown Middle School is Miss Shelley Tolbert. Miss Tolbert, would you please join Dr. Carol and Miss Michael up front while I share some information about you. Shelley Tolbert has been instrumental to the success of the York Middle School football team this season. From the very start, she stepped up to serve as the team mom, quickly becoming an invaluable part of the team's support system. In this role, Shelley streamlined communication with families, ensuring timely and accurate updates that kept everyone connected and informed. Beyond communication, Shelley took the lead in coordinating pregame and

015halftime snacks, often going above and beyond to make sure treats arrived on time and fueled the players. She also spearheaded the organization of the end of season banquet, collaborating closely with the cheer team to create a memorable celebration for all. On the sideline, Shelley is our most vocal supporter, offering enthusiastic encouragement and insightful narration during game film reviews. Always ready to step in wherever needed, she even filled in for the cheer coach during an emergency, demonstrating her dedication and flexibility. Shelley's positive energy, kindness, and generosity make her a beloved figure among players, coaches, and families alike. Her commitment and spirit have truly made a difference in our school community. Congratulations, [Applause] Congratulations to all our award recipients this evening. Um, we will now have our York Foundation for Public Education presentation and Mr. Schaefer will

016explain that. >> I'd like to invite Mr. Joe Donatelli, uh, York Foundation for Public Education member to step forward and assist Dr. Carol as he presents gifts to each of our award recipients. Please come up when you hear your name called. Congratulations to Caroline Legoick, a second grader from Waller Mill Elementary School for reciting the pledge of allegiance at tonight's schoolboard meeting. We'd also uh like to recognize tonight's student awards uh recipients, Louisa Hoffman from Waller Miller Elementary School. [Applause] and Yia Singh from Yorktown Middle School. There you go. We also congratulate our seniors of the month for this month. Maline Hubard from Brutin High School [Applause] and Austin Raider from Grafton High School will join us next month. But then we move on to a Aninsley Ashberry from Asbury from Tab High School [Applause]

017and Victoria Schulta from York High School. [Applause] Special gifts from Cookie Text and Edible Tweet are being presented on behalf of the York Foundation for Public Education in partnership with their donor Gene Fioa of Cookie Text and Edible Tweet. A Sweet Frog gift card is also being donated by Derek Mahan from uh Sweet Frog. Join me in congratulating all our award recipients. [Applause] We will now take a short break so that we can um talk to our award recipients. >> Yep. Sorry. Sorry. What? Don't go anywhere. Sorry. got a little ahead of myself. We had accent on academics. I apologize. >> Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin. Gave me time to get back up here. Okay, board members, for tonight's accent on academics, we're excited to spotlight from lab to shore, diving into aquaculture with VIMS. York

018High School will share how students are taking on realworld scientific research, tracking oyster growth, exploring local ecosystems, and learning both in the classroom and out in the field. Thanks to the DODIA grant and our partnership with VIMS. And I believe uh Mr. McQuillin's gonna kick this off. >> I will. I'm between you all and a break. I apologize. Uh good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board, Dr. Carol. I'm Aaron McQuillin, principal at York High School. Tonight, we are pleased to present From Lab to shore, diving into aquaculture with VIMS, highlighting how our students are engaging in hands-on inquirybased learning through unique partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. This collaboration allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real world environmental challenges, explore career pathways in marine environmental sciences, and contribute to authentic research

019experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom. At York High School, the aquaculture program supports the division strategic priority of future ready graduates by engaging students in meaningful hands-on learning that connects directly to real world environmental science. In partnership with VIMS, students gain authentic research experiences that foster curiosity, collaboration, and problem solving. Through this work, students see how scientific learning extends beyond the classroom, preparing them to apply their knowledge and skills in ways that positively impact their community and the environment. The aquaculture program also reflects the future ready graduate focus areas of education of engaging educational experiences in college and career readiness. Through the division's partnership with the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Military Connected Academic and Support Programs Grant, York High School students collaborate with VIM scientists to conduct real marine research and

020explore environmental and maritime STEM careers. These experiences connect students classroom learning to future pathways in science and technology, helping them build confidence, skills, and awareness needed to thrive as future ready graduates. Joining us to share more about the program and hands-on experiences that our students are conducting is Miss Amber Lamonte, York High School science teacher and program facilitator for our partnership with VIMS. >> Good evening. I'm Amber Lamonte, science teacher at York High School and the facilitator of our aquaculture program. I'm excited to share with you how our students have been engaging in learning hands-on research, learning about oyster harvesting and the ecosystem of our York River. Throughout the year, students participate in two classroom outreach experiences led by Captain Matthew the students program coordinator at BIMS. During these sessions, they are introduced to aquaculture

021practices, oyster harvesting methods, and the important terminology and concepts of our local waterways. In addition to the classroom experiences, students take part in two field experiences, one in the fall and one in the spring. In the fall, students visit VIMS to conduct a water-based work where they measure oysters and plant them. In the spring, they return to measure those order oysters and assess growth uh and determine their level of market value. Um students also participate in singing activities in the York River, allowing them to investigate other aquatic species and explore the broader ecosystem. Throughout the program, students develop research skills, gain scientific knowledge, and see firsthand how classroom learning connects with real world environmental problems and STEM careers. Next, we invite you to take a closer look at the VIM's aquaculture program in action. The

022video demonstrates how our partnership with VIMS brings aquaculture and local ecosystems to life, helping students build the skills and knowledge that support future future success in STEM and environmental careers. [Music] So the program that we are doing for the students is for them to have opportunities to come to VIMS and for us to come to them to introduce aquaculture as a career path. >> So my students have been really excited to do out of the classroom opportunities. Uh they've been really excited with the connection with the community. So, they're always curious about the bay because they live on the bay, but they can't see through the bay for the water quality. So, getting to get in the bay and see the actual critters have sparked their curiosity. I've always loved the ocean and all the

023creatures that are in it. I love hearing about all the things that happen in the ocean. Um, I'm excited about the VIN program and I'm excited to hear a lot about the oysters and seeing the process. Well, growing up, you learn that the ocean is makes up majority of Earth and it's there's so much that we don't already know like that's in the water and creatures and just like learning about different things in the water. So, I think when my school offered a marine biology class, I was very interested in taking the class to kind of learn a little bit more about it. This is a really good partnership for the students um because it gives them this hands-on experience that they necessarily don't get at their classroom. So they can come out to VIMS

024and they can actually get their hands dirty and they're doing this year-long experiment that it's very difficult to replicate in a you know classroom. I think it's different when you're seeing things off a slideshow versus actually coming out here and actually touching the thing. For me it's how I learn so well. It's why I like DP biology so much. I'm really much more of a hands-on person. The most rewarding honestly has to be the fact that the students get to see the variety of real life scientists. So they can actually envision themselves. Oh, I could do that in the future. I could do that. >> I would like to study for uh MEES, the marine and environmental sciences and work with prevention for my future. So I feel like studying through BIMS and marine biology

025will help me achieve this goal. So it is really good experience for their future career if they're interested in marine science or if they're interested in aquaculture and it is very good for our local communities because it keeps people here. Um so if they're interested in you know living or you know growing their career in York County or in the surrounding counties they can possibly see theirel see themselves at as a career at VIMS or at a local shellfish hatchery. It is now my pleasure to introduce two of our York High students, Stephanie Weber and Aaron Batterton, who will share more about their experiences with our partnership with VIMS and the aquaculture program. [Music] Good evening. My name is Stephanie Weber and I'm excited to share my experience with the VIMS aquaculture program. During the

026classroom visits from Vim staff, we learned all about oysters and their habitats in the York River. We explored how oysters grow, what they need to survive, and why they are important to our environment. Collaborating with my classmates on experiments and projects allowed us to apply problem solving and critical thinking skills in meaningful ways. Learning directly from marine science professionals not only deepened my understanding of aquaculture but also inspired me to consider future STEM career opportunities and the impact we can make in environmental stewardship. Hello, my name is Aaron Batterson and I'm excited to share my experiences with VIM's aquaculture program. During our field work at VIMS, we collaborated in the lab to measure oysters before planting them in the fall and again in the spring to track their growth. These hands-on activities gave us the

027opportunity to see firsthand our work in the classroom translated to real world science. One of the most memorable parts was putting on waiters and planting oysters in the York River. We also participated in singing activities to study other species in the river which helped us to understand the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. Engaging in this kind of collaborative field-based research has been critical for my learning. It allowed me to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and observational skills in ways that aren't possible in the traditional classroom. Most importantly, it helped me to see how STEM STEM concepts connect to careers in marine and environmental sciences, making work feel meaningful and relevant to the world around us. Before we conclude our presentation, I'd like to recognize two staff members from VIMS who are joining us in the audience

028this evening. Dr. Sarah Nus, education coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay National Eststerine Research Reserve in Virginia and Captain Matthew the student programs coordinator at VIMS. Captain Theer was featured on our video, so he is our star resident. We applaud the work that these two individuals have done in helping us bring aquaculture experiences to our York High students. At this time, we welcome your thoughts and questions. >> I'd just like to say thank you to the staff at VIMS uh for helping with this this uh class and the project and and everything. But I do have a question for the students since taking the class. Have you tried to grow oysters? >> No, but it definitely helped us be more aware of how fast oysters come and go in the river and the effects of taking

029them in and out in it. >> Okay. I I'll just tell you, I wish I had had this class when I was in high school because I tried one time to grow them and um I failed the first time. So So if I'd have had the class, maybe I'd have succeeded the first time anyway. But uh good good job and excellent presentation. Thank you. >> Yeah. I have a question for the students as well. What was your biggest aha moment when you started taking the course that you learned something that you had no clue about before? Um, I mean, my biggest moment when we got to tour those facilities, like we're told since elementary school, yeah, we live on the Chesapeake Bay, but we don't really get to learn exactly what that means until we

030have classes like marine science and we get to have these programs where we go to these facilities. I mean, we got to see from oysters going from this small to giant and it it's it's really interactive and it teaches you a lot. So, what do you guys think us as a York County citizen can do to help Chesig Bay? What did you learn out of the class that simple people can do that? >> Um, if you are going to consume oysters or something like that, putting like their shells back in the river uh provides more habitat for the oysters to attach to and um helps bring back what we took out of it. Thank you. >> Did this class um spur any interest in maybe um a career or a job or maybe even getting

031waterfront property someday and having an oyster bed of your own in your backyard. Um getting to see this program and professionals firsthand has really sparked my interest in going into a biology field in the future and uh studying that in college. >> Yeah. Um, I mean it's kind of the same for me. I I was already interested in STEM, but just get getting to see the impact that they're having on these ecosystems, it makes you want to be a part of that and make a difference. >> One thing, you guys are such a great ambassadors of this program and I appreciate you guys coming here and sharing this. It's just it's truly a really great experience for me. Um, do you guys encourage younger generations in your school sharing this program? Because I I think

032we need more kids attending this class. >> Most definitely. It really ties you back to um being a part of our community, especially because we're right on the water. It really like brings you back to um your community and really understanding the ecosystem around you. >> Well, I just want to say good job. Thank you. It's that's a great program and especially thank you to VIMS for partnering with us. Um I agree. I think if you live around here on the water, it's almost like something you should do just so you know more about the area that you're living in. So maybe we can encourage more high school students to take that class. Um any other questions from the board, comments? Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Okay, now we will take a short

033break to talk to everybody. Thank you. Okay, we will now reconvene the meeting. We do not have any unfinished business this evening. So, we'll move right into presentations and board members will now give you updates on the committees that they're a part of. We'll start with um Mr. Richardson. >> Turn my mic on here. So, um I did have the WHRO meeting uh October 15th. Um and it was a a normal meeting where they did the board of directors report, CEO reports and the annual impact statements and educational services report. But the most interesting presentation was the uh sale 250 uh which you can find on the internet through WHRO. Uh it's going to be pretty interesting next year with the sale 250. Um, it's the annual, it's the birthday of of America and it's

034going to bring 60 international ships to Norolk for America's birthday next year on the 250th anniversary next summer. Uh, there's some good articles on this. The event will run 10 days starting June 12th of 2026 with tall ships moving through ports in the Chesapeake Bay and including one of the ports that it's going to stop at is here in Yorktown. Um, 60 vessels from 20 countries. Uh some of those countries are Germany, Peru, Romania, Sweden, and Malaysia. And um they're they're going to stop right here in Yorktown. So that's what's uh really interesting about that. But um good good presentation. A lot of neat uh interesting information on that. So that's my report. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Um next we'll have Mr. Piovich. >> Yes, we had a meeting uh for the CTE

035on uh October 28th. We discuss uh we actually introduced a new class of the students coming on and we have six students this year on a on a board which we think it's very good to get perspective on on a students involvement uh in a CT classes they brought so much uh to the meeting they were they came prepared uh with their ideas they asked the right questions and I think we're going to have a really really strong year with them today. I mean this this year uh we went over the federal monitoring self assessment that's that went through got all checked off. Uh we done the CT annual performance report uh and right now I'll notify you guys with the next meeting. I don't know I didn't have the that uh date on my

036schedule. Uh New Horizons we met on October 28th. So it was the same date meeting. uh we approved the strategic plan. We went over the emergency management plan which is kind of kind of looks like what we done already so you guys are familiar with it and they implemented the same thing. Uh we went through the programs of studies for 2526 got all that updated so it's live on the board docs and actually on their website for parents to see it. Um, as far as the enrollment, we got the update on enrollments from our students. Uh, for the CT program, we have 306 students from York County attending out of thousand students that are enrolled. In the government school of science, we have for the 11th grade, we have 49 uh students out of 95

037slots. And then in senior year, we have 43 students out of 85. And also for the center of autism, we have 14 of our students attending. So, uh, that that's what I have. >> Thank you very much. Um, we'll now hear from Mr. Schaefer. >> Let's see. The York Foundation for Public Education, they met last Thursday. I believe Dr. Carol was in attendance. And uh we're looking for more ways to make money for the foundation. Uh thinking of uh a little bit outside the box, maybe tapping into the local businesses. Uh, but what I'd like to do is we've gotten one uh new trustee and I'd like I'd really like to see some uh uh community members become a trustee with the uh York Foundation because it it would be an excellent uh opportunity to

038see how things work and how uh the public can and engage with and help education. And I'd also like to invite any retired teachers that have gotten uh grants before from York Foundation for Public Education because you know how how good they are and how much it helps uh the the the good work that the York Foundation does and so I'd like to invite uh any retired teachers to take place in that. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, Miss Fairman, >> thank you. Uh, special ed advisory committee met on October 21st and it was um a meeting that was packed with incredible information. Uh, we had a wonderful presentation on uh what is the Virginia Literacy Act and how it affects um the special ed students uh literacy screening in Virginia. Uh

039the state seak presentation was by Stephanie Hoover who is very well-versed in uh what's needed not only here in York County but coming down from the state. Really appreciated her information and um there was quite a bit there um analyzing data determining different action of what's going down. There's a lot of work being done uh especially with that vows packet with the literacy act. um they're working on uh addressing student discipline. There was also information about DAR, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and information on that and the PATC I believe will be in the minutes that I was told will be posted on the committee um site for board docs. And then kind of a mini meeting um Congressman Rob Whitman actually came down and uh we had an update with him,

040Mrs. Goodwin along with Dr. Carol um and a few others from um administration staff regarding the Bethl Manor Elementary request for the federal military dollars to build a larger gymnasium suitable for classes and enlarge the cafeter also joint base Langley Eustace and that's the focus uh for the military community both in the school as well as the community and wanted to say that we greatly appreciate Congressman Whitman's attention and help with this project in going forward to help the the students at Bethl Manor Elementary. And the other thing I did was I attended um schoolboard member alliance training. >> Miss Fairman, this is committee updates. This isn't matters by board members, right? This is committee updates. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. Um the committee update that I will uh share is Gak. I sit on

041the gifted education advisory board committee. Uh the last meeting was November 12th and uh we have 110 uh first grade students or excuse me now we have 110 students that um tested in October and we just had their eligibility meetings and uh to determine who's actually going to get into this um to get into the gifted program. and those students will start after Thanksgiving. Um, three members of our gifted education staff recently attended the Virginia Association for the Gifted Conference in Virginia Beach and uh we also have a first grade screening that's in full swing as the gifted ed staff is working to complete the testing of all first graders across the division. Um tests are going to be shipped out for scoring in December after all makeup sessions are complete and then the results

042will be returned in January. Our second and third grade extend students um are going to go on a field trip or have probably some have been on a field trip. Um they traveled to Riverides College of Health Sciences to participate in stations that mirror real life work that medical students typically complete. Um, let's see, what else do we have? Um, we also have, um, at this time of year, 10th graders who are starting to consider applying for the New Horizon Governor's School for Science and Technology. Um, this is an academic program that is offers advanced math and science classes for students as they complete other coursework through their designated high schools. Um, and then, um, just as an update from our co-curricular teams, our first Lego League teams from Mount Vernon Elementary School and Tab

043Middle will soon participate in a regional tournament in Newport News on December 6th. And I will have more updates um, when we meet after the new year. Okay. All right. We're going to now move on to comments of citizens. Um this evening you have two opportunities to speak. One for general comments and the other for a public forum regarding the goals and objectives for the fiscal year 27 capital improvements and operating budget before I open for public comments. I'll share some remarks. The school board provides public comment periods for the public to comment on matters related to the business or duties of the school board and school division. Schoolboard policy KDBDH governs these public comment periods. I would encourage citizens to review this policy prior to speaking before the board. Briefly, the school board expects

044speakers to refrain from any speech or conduct that is a clear violation of the law, such as abusive or threatening language that incites criminal behavior that creates an actual disruption to the meeting. We ask that speakers direct their comments to the school board and not to members of the audience. Violations of schoolboard policy KDBDH may result in a warning or termination of a speaker's time by ch by the chair. This sanction is immediately appealable to the whole board at the speaker's option. Each speaker may speak for up to three minutes. Speakers will present their comments at the podium. A timer is visible to speakers from the podium and speakers should conclude the remarks when the red light comes on. The timer will begin after you state your name and district or area of residents. I

045now open the participate the public participation for comments of citizens. Our first speaker this evening is I say this right? Tiana Antoni Anton antonitis. Did I say the last name right? >> Antonitis. Yes. >> Okay. It's actually kind of difficult to do because y'all had a whole bunch of happiness happen here. So, I'm really sorry to be bringing this to y'all's attention. Um, but my name is Tiana Antonitis. I'm here. I don't know exactly which district it's in, but specifically Grafton Middle School. Um, I'm standing before you this evening to bring to your attention a persistent and deeply concerning issue at Grafton Middle School involving the implementation or lack thereof of my daughter's section 504 accommodations. In May of last year, I formally requested a 504 meeting to determine eligibility based on my daughter's severe

046allergies to dairy, eggs, and banana. She will go into anaphylactic shock. I met with the now former 504 coordinator, a teacher representative, and a member of the school board who met us um via Zoom. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a clear, enforceable accommodation plan that would allow her to safely enroll in the fax class. At the conclusion of that meeting, I was confident that a workable plan was in place. The accommodations were clearly stated and agreed upon. However, from the very first class, it became apparent that the 504 plan was not being followed. I attempted to resolve this informally with the teacher, but the conversation was unproductive. I then emailed the current 504 director and copied the principal, assistant principal, and the classroom teacher. A subsequent meeting with Miss Swanson, Miss Murphy,

047Mr. Bartley, and a schoolboard representative resulted in us being told that the agreed upon accommodations were impossible to implement. The most concerning reinterpretation was the claim that the accommodation of I will be supplying her own ingredients to use in class meant that she would prepare the recipe at home and merely eat it alongside her peers at school. No reasonable interpretation of that statement supports such a such a conclusion. We were told that recipes were pre-planned, no substitutions could be made, and therefore nothing could be done. the discussion was effectively shut down. In a later meeting with Miss Anthony, my daughter, and myself, we raised escalating concerns because um despite previously being told accommodations could not be implemented, Miss Murphy informed my daughter only hours after that meeting that another class was doing a fully vegan

048recipe. At that meeting, we were reassured that meaningful adjustments could be made. Yet again, no action followed. We were also told in that meeting that Miss Swanson had gone into Miss Anony's office in tears because she felt so badly for my daughter. I failed to understand the relevance of this to the school's legal obligation to implement a federal accommodation plan. A reoccurring theme has emerged in my conversations with administration. Emotional responses from staff I'm sorry that threw me off. Um, emotional responses from staff are used to conclude the matter rather than address the underlining non-compliance. In my most recent email exchange with Miss Anthony, Miss Murphy, Mr. Bartley, um, Miss Holsteader, and Dr. Carol, I highlighted a very serious incident. After I declined to sign a waiver drafted specifically for my daughter's situation, Miss Murphy

049proceeded to choose a recipe containing every single allergen that poses a potentially life-threatening I'm sorry. Can I continue? No, unfortunately. [Music] >> Yeah, we'll we'll we'll follow up with you. >> I was told, by the way, not to attend these meetings by administration. >> Okay. Our next speaker is Pam Pusho. Good evening. My name is Pam Pushau, District 4. Every meeting begins with the pledge of allegiance that ends with a lie. Liberty and justice for all. Liberty and justice are for some, not all. Our schools teach students that bullying and violence are unacceptable. Yet, this board, as well as many in the county, support a president who is a bully and orders unwarranted acts of violence. A president is supposed to be a role model. If Donald Trump is being held up as a role

050model, all I can say is, "God help us all." As ICE shows up in communities, they are conducting raids in the Williamsburg area. Students begin to stay home rather than risk abduction, even when they are only guilty of looking or sounding Hispanic, and are US citizens. They are afraid of separation from family, placed in hell holes with no access to lawyers or family because no one knows where they are. They fear their family members may end up in foreign prison with a life sentence for committing civil violations. Trump relishes the terror and fiscal harm ICE is inflicting on our communities. Trump bullies anyone who disagrees with him or is a Democrat. He rails against judges who do not rule in his favor. He uses derogatory language for journalists who ask hard questions. He threatens the

051safety of anyone who is not loyal to him and encourages his MAGA followers to act. The main reason school shooters attack the school they attend is because of constant bullying. But Trump teaches is teaching our children that his own abhorentt actions are praiseworthy. Where is the justice for all if a student is part of the LGBTQ community, is not Christian, is non-white, or is an immigrant. Trump says diversity and inclusion are a form of discrimination. And this board agrees. We teach our children to respect law enforcement, but Trump pardon the January 6th insurrectionists who physically attacked law enforcement officers. They learn if you are loyal to Trump or offer a bribe, your illegal acts will be rewarded. Last September, I was putting up political yard signs. Two boys on bikes about 12 or 13 years

052old stopped by. One asked if I had a Harris sign last year and said he did not like Harris. I asked why. He said he did not like her standing up for gay people. I said one day they would grow up, most likely marry, and have children. I asked what they would do if their child told them they were gay. One boy said he would put that child in a foster home. I then asked if either of them told their parents they were gay, what would happen. The same boy said his parents hated gays. That explained a lot. His parents are teaching him to hate. When parents show respect for a pathological, lying, bigoted, misogynistic, malignant, narcissistic, sociopath, and psychopath and teach their children that hatred and berating of others is okay. The parents are

053guilty of child abuse. Anyone who teaches discrimination is guilty of abuse. Anyone who fails to stand up for those who are bullied is just as guilty as the perpetrators. Liberty and justice for all should be our goal, not something to tear down. We are a diverse nation, and that is our strength. Have a good Thanksgiving. >> Thank you. >> All right. Our next speaker is Denille Francis. Good evening, Dr. Carol. Board. Thank you all for all you do for public education. I hope you all are looking forward to a good holiday. Um, my name is Denille Francis, District 2. Our community deserves to have schools that instill pride and belonging in all our students. McGrder Elementary School is named for Confederate General McGrder. Most known for treason against the United States, ordering the murder, destruction,

054and burning of the city of Hampton rather than joining the Union. He enslaved people, he represents oppression. To repeat the words of Mr. Sam Ray from our local um NAACP education committee. It's time for York County to live up to the values the division committed to and rename the school. Federal court case findings stated that black students in schools named after Confederate figures, turns children into mobile billboards for messages they did not choose. It forces children to build identities tied to persons who fought to harm and enslave their ancestors. This fails to value, support, or prepare our students for a successful future. Students deserve to attend schools that honor their worth, the possibility of their future, and not tie them to a painful past. Mr. Samuel Yuri has spoken in the past that this is

055a simple act renaming Mudor Elementary School about writing a social, moral, ethical wrong heralding treason. Once we know better, we're tasked with doing better. In honor of the life of Alice Wong, National Disability Justice Advocate and author who recently passed away, and in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is next week, I quote, "When what's broken becomes visible and we get clearer about our values, roles, and community, we're tasked with asking what's really being revealed about ourselves and our shared values and our story. York County's story is still being written and the question will really be, is York County about including, valuing, nurturing the learning, identity, and mental health of all of our students? Because if so, it requires that we rename McGrder Elementary School. Thank you. >> Thank you. >>

056All right. All right. I now close the participation for public or excuse me, I now close the public participation for comments of citizens. Um, we do not have any comments on the other topics. So, I will move on to financial matters. Uh, Mr. Richardson will discuss financial matters. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, instructional related expenditures, uh, they totaled $484,350 and included payments to, and we had three different groups. We made payments to contracted speech, uh, language pathologist. They were Ammeris Healthcare staffing 16,700 and AMN Healthcare for 23,100 and Beautiful Minds Therapy for 14,900. And then Bloomsberry Publishing, we paid out 10,200 for curriculum materials. Capstone, 21,600 for digital learning platform for K through 2 grade. College of William and Mary 14,150 for CERN Principal Academy. Kristen Smith, 16,000 for professional development for title

057one teachers. Discover Education, 39,500 for teacher resources. Emily Haynes LLC 45,100 for sign language interpreters and ODU Research Foundation 47,400 for DODIA maritime and world language grant support. Plan B Academy 50,600 for CSA tuition. Proare Therapy 21,800 for contracted nursing and speech language services. Riverside Insights 20,800 for cognit cognitive abilities testing and instructional instructional materials. School links 48,300 for digital platform to support academic and career planning. The Fasian Center 54,400 for again for uh CSA tuition. Worldbook 10,300 for worldbook online renewal. So payments for technology related items total approximately $357,400 and included payments to CDW for uh which was 27 $279,100 and that was replacement for projectors, computers, miscellaneous computer supplies. Cox Communications 19,100 for divisionwide internet services, e-ate 11,200 for -ate consulting services and shik communications 2,700 for wiring services throughout the division. uh

058VA business systems 45,300 for divisionwide copier fleet and payments for administration totaled approximately $123,100 and included payments to VRSA which was $102,200 and that was for workman's comp billings and peninsula foot officials 20,900 for Grafton and Brutin hive football and payments for operations and maintenance total 19 $918,600 and included payments to uh Cinta Centas uh 29,400 for fire system inspections. Dominion Power 220,800 for utilities. Granger for 23,400 for custodial maintenance supplies. HRSD for utilities 31,700. Mid-Atlantic Installers 25,100 for fire security system replacement. Republic Services for solid waste disposal services, that amount was $11,500. Riverside Hospital for quarterly athletic trainer services was $75,000. Riverside Paper, 34,900 for custodial and bathroom supplies. And the Treasure of York County, we paid $466,800 to cover grounds maintenance, extra duty deputies, video services, and fuel cost and utilities. Payments related

059to nutrition totaled approximately $655,500 and included payments to Gold Creek Foods for $21,400 for USDA foods. Sedexo $625,700 uh for food service operations and the Matthews Group, $8,400 for Bethl Manor walk-in refrigerator. Payments related to CIP projects totaled approximately $1,233,000 and included payments to Centennial contractors $290,970 and that was renovations for the Tab High, the York Middle Auditorium, the York High bathroom and athletic storage rooms. Uh mobile lease was $ 38,800 for the learning cottages. RM RRMM Architects 557,600 for the Tab High project and Shik Communications 232, $800 and that was for the uh Tab High and York High uh Valcom system replacement. The Matthews Group was $3,550 uh for replacement of the Atorium seating for the York High School and ZBZ and Associates $19,350 for Mount Mount Vernon Elementary HVAC project and significant changes

060related to the operating budget and for the October revenue. State revenue for October 2025 is at about $32 million higher than October of 24. And this increase is primarily driven by higher student enrollment, additional at risk and special educational funding, and expanded funding for support positions. For expenditures, the operating expenditures for this year is approximately 2 million more than the previous year. And the difference is primarily driven by increases in compensation, in health premiums, and additional positions that were added in this year's operating budget. Uh significant changes relating to the fruit food service budget. There were none. Uh, consideration for approval of resolution 252-69 requires the board's approval authorizing procurements of more than $100,000 and change orders greater than $50,000. And there are four items on this resolution totaling $374,000, the details of which can

061be viewed on board docs. Madame chair, I now move to approve the financial matters as listed. >> And I have a second. >> I will second. Any discuss? >> Yes. Actually, I have a couple of things that I would just like to add. Um, as Mr. Richardson was mentioning the the power bill from Dominion, it just uh I've been watching those numbers every every month. Um, for example, uh, we've been I mean, you can see it in Bordox as well. For Tab High School, we spent on a in July $24,000 in electricity in August 25,000. In September, $20,000 in comparison in comparison to Grafton Complex, which is two schools altogether. In July, we spent 29,000 in August 28,000 and then September 20. >> But as you guys know, Brutin and TAB are somewhat similar. >>

062Yeah. >> Footprints. and Brutin in July was $12,000. In August was 15,000 and in September was 11,000. That's almost half of the cost to power the entire school. Uh as you guys know, like we're looking into the plans of Tab High School renovation. Uh and I really honestly because my background in construction, we need to kind of explore that more further into geothermal uh option because I think right now this is our opportunity if we can pull it out of the budget somehow to come up with it. Uh it would it would be a huge help uh in a in a long run because Brutin has uh Dr. Carol Brutin has geothermal as well. I understand. Um for also another thing, the seafford is one of our newest uh additions with geothermal. Their monthly bill

063on electricity is $5,000. >> Huge difference. >> I agree with you. Um um Mr. Pike, um since I've been on the board, that has been the most expensive school for electricity. And that's something we have discussed in years past before y'all have come on the board. Uh that's been our most expensive school. And we had thought with some renovations, with new windows, with new thing, doing different things that it would help, but it has not helped. U don't know where the energy loss is going, but it's not it hasn't improved. It has not improved. >> Um >> I do have a question with Tab High since I live nearby and drive by it in the evenings. >> The lights for the parking area are exponentially brighter than they ever used to be. Now I'm assuming

064is that LEDs? It's a new LED. >> Okay. So I know those pull less energy less >> but it is also it's almost like daylight brighter than daylight there which I know affects some of the people who live nearby. >> Um do we have to have it that bright there? Those lights right as you said LED so it does coh cast brighter light but down there are rules about going up as far as uh affecting nighttime uh lighting and also uh those are owned by Dominion and they're the ones that replace those lights u gosh within the last year. Uh we can look into whether uh we want to run them less time, but I think we're complying with all all local ordinances >> safety and security. >> It's a big issue. >> Yeah, I

065definitely understand that it needs to be lit. It's just very bright compared to what it used to be. >> Another thing, sorry about this. Like Dr. as I remember like there's legislation I'm not sure did they pass it in a law maybe Melon can help with uh audits on energy that we might be have to heating and cooling our buildings even when we're not in the schools. Mhm. >> Yes. That's our understanding of the new legislation that passed this summer. >> Uh that it the the key is that we have to keep the humidity down to a certain amount. And in the summer when you're not if we're running setbacks, which we do to save money, the humidity is going to rise. And so if we are going to be able to hit those numbers,

066it's going to mean running air condition and basically empty buildings, which will just be wasteful, but it's going to run up our electrical cost. definitely going to want geothermal then. >> But I also want to thank you for raising this. This is something that we talked to the board of supervisors about last spring when we talked about if we were going to use geothermal or not because we found it to be much more uh economical. And uh and just one point of clarification, we didn't add uh we didn't start geothermal at Seafford with the renovation. We actually added to it because of the new wink because we've had a great track record with it. Regarding the geothermal, um do we have any say preliminary reports of if we go geothermal, it will reduce it by

067x amount or percentage, >> right? We'd have to take another look at that. Uh we when we talked to the board in in the spring, we were having an estimate of $2.5 million that would be extra to have the geothermal. And um we were we were uh assuming a 2% raise in electrical costs year-toear. Uh and so we were projecting a 9 to 14year payback for that. But you've got to remember that geothermal then will last decades past uh just one air conditioning renovation that we do every 20 to 25 years. Uh one additional thought is that you know a year ago nobody was talking about uh AI data centers and what's what kind of demand that's going to have on the electric grid. And so electrical expense is only going to rise and at

068a much faster pace than we were talking about even what nine months ago. And so therefore I think that our estimates of 9 to 14 years would come down from there significantly. And on top of that, the latest uh estimate that we have is 1.7 additional to go with geothermal. So therefore, you're talking about a quicker payback, too. Haven't done the math yet, but we might be looking at something like four to sevenyear payback. And I think that that's something that we definitely want to keep it in uh as at least an option when we go to bid to see if that's something we can do to save our operating budget down the road. And also during the reg uh renovation of tab high we we scrapped the solar power option at this point because

069of the budget but it's will be able to convert easily down the road if we >> do that. >> Yes. Yes. The infrastructure would be there to convert if we wanted to do so. And there we don't know where we're going to be at that point. uh there have been a lot of uh federal incentives have been removed and that was something that we were looking forward to. There are also options where we pay for it and we've taken that out of the budget, but there might be opportunities where companies front the cost and then we do we buy our energy from them. But that's something for the back end of the project that we'll investigate as we see what how our pricing plays out. >> Thank you. All right, we have a a motion,

070a first and a second, and I think we're ready. >> A motion was made by Mr. Richardson and seconded by Mr. Schaefer to approve financial matters as listed. Mr. Richardson, >> yes. >> Mr. Schaefer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fairman, >> yes. >> Mr. Pyovich, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Goodwin, >> yes. >> The motion passed five to zero. >> All right. I will now go over the consent calendar. We have an approval of personnel actions. Approval of minutes attended by all board members. A work session on no October 27, 2025. A regular meeting on October 27th, 2025. A special meeting on November 5th, 2025. And a work session on November 10th, 2025. We have approval of donations in the amount of $1,000. Approval of proposed changes to program of studies. Approval of the FY27 student

071calendar. Approval of community schools grant funded student clubs and activities at Yorktown Middle and Queens Lake Middle Schools. Approval of a lease agreement between the York County School Board of York County, Virginia and Raider Nation Wrestling Club. Approval of consent calendar as listed. May I have a motion and a second to approve the consent calendar? >> I would like to make a motion to approve the consent calendar as listed. >> I'll second >> questions. Uh I have a couple um on let me see if I've got them in order here 11 on D uh regarding the program of studies had a question on let's see it's page 79. It's the required are they required the IB description for uh economics SL uh it's IB4206 I believe is the class number and it lists in there

072equity and global citizens and my concern is equity is same outcomes not equality and global citizens were US citizens there is no global government yes we work with other countries countries around the world, but we're not global citizens. And I wondered if this was a description required by IB or if this was something that we're putting in. >> So, Mrs. Fairman, I'll ask Dr. Skinner to come up, but you do remember that uh IB is a international program, right? >> Believe it's centered in France and so that might be a requirement, but Dr. Skinner. >> Give me just a moment if you would. >> Mrs. Barry corrects me that it's uh based in Switzerland, not France. >> Page 79. >> Yes, I'm looking at it. Um >> I really would like to confer with uh

073Dr. Keaggel, who is not here this evening. Um I will say that typically our um descriptions come from the international balor yet but I would not want to say with certainty until I conferred with her. Um so I I don't feel like I could give you a 100% accurate answer tonight on that but I can certainly provide that information to you once I can speak with her. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. That's um my concern on that one. And uh let's see the other one I had was regarding personnel actions. Could the board get reports of the exit reviews for specific reasons of why uh teachers and staff resign or leave? We we get a list of names, but it it I think it would be helpful for the board to know their reasons.

074Now, I know a lot of them are moving, you know, especially with military families, things like that. But if there's other issues that the board needs to know, >> would you deny it if they're resigning? >> Well, no, I'm not I'm not looking to resign. I'm just asking if we can have a report. >> So, Mrs. Fairman, we report on that every year. Uh I think it's in September or October. We gave a full report on that with the numbers assigned to the reasons that uh employees left. >> Okay. Sometimes we do exit interviews, but that's for nuance and that's for uh us to understand certain situations that might occur, but that would be a qualitative thing that would be something that administration would use. >> All right. Um I know I've seen the report

075with the percentages of different reasons uh along that line. Thank you. Those are my questions. >> And I would just add one thing, Mrs. Fairman, when you have questions like this so that like Dr. Skinner could be prepared for this if you'd submit those before the meeting. We'd be happy to provide >> I would I just spotted them when I was reviewing it today. >> That's okay. And uh Dr. Kaggel is watching and she refer she said that it is taken from international balorate. >> So it's a requirement of theirs. >> I don't know if they require us to use word for word but we typically try to stick to their wording because they're the ones who will award the credit and so we want to try to stay as close to their wording as

076possible. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. So, uh, approval of consent calendar is listed. I have a motion and a second. I think we're ready, Miss Howard. >> A motion was made by Mr. Pyovich and seconded by Mr. Richardson to approve the consent calendar as listed. Mr. Pyovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fairman, >> yes. >> Mr. Schaefer, >> yes. >> Mr. Richardson, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Goodwin, >> yes. The motion passed five to zero. We have an action item which is the consideration of approval of re resolution 25-71, a resolution requesting the board of supervisors to reappropriate the FY25 endofear fund balance. Dr. Carol, do you have any comments on that? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to ask Mr. Bill Bowen, chief financial officer, to come up to the podium and address

077uh our plans and to take any questions you might have. Mr. Bowen. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board, and Dr. Carol. Um, resolution 2571, this is an annual resolution for the board um to officially request the re uh the board of supervisors to reappropriate our end ofear fund balance. And through our audit, we've determined that we have $2.1 million available. Um, and how that's um broken down is that 623,000 of that is all in funding. So, three years ago, um the general assembly and governor approved all-in funding. We received a little over $3 million and we had three years to spend it. And so, this is the last year of these funds. Um and they'll be spent by June 30. 623,000 of the one of the $2.1 million will go to our operating

078fund. The remainder $1.5 million is an unobligated balance and staff has the following recommendations for that unobligated balance. um 600,000 to be used for the purchase of textbooks, 385,000 uh to be used to create a maintenance reserve account within our CIP fund. There's a number of times where we have small projects uh small issues that come up. We had a roof repair that's on here for the operations or transportation building. We also had a sewer pump that went out um at the operations complex near Bailey Field and we had an HVAC system go down at uh York Middle right at the beginning of school. And so this little fund will provide us with the the monies readily available to take care of those emergency actions. And so as I mentioned 300,000 will be transferred to

079the health insurance fund to help shore up uh that fund. 70,000 75,000 to be used for the sewer pump at the operations complex. 7,000 to repair the roof of the transportation building, 100,000 to be used to replace the white fleet vehicles. So, we have a number of vehicles, vans, trucks, um, and cars that our IT department, our maintenance department, and our food service department use. And this will help us, um, stay on or create actually a replacement schedule for that growing fleet of vehicles. And then 40,000 will be used to create a walking path from Grafton Woods neighborhoods to the Grafton complex. And so that's our plan for the $ 1.5 million unobligated balance. >> Thank you, >> Mr. B. Just one question quickly. Uh so this reserve account fund that we're going to create

080for CIP, is that something that we're going to maintain every year and how much would it be if we are maintaining every year? >> So we would like to get it up to about a half a million dollars. Um so this is the first um attempt at that. So, um, our plan would be to add a hundred several hundred,000 in the reappropriation process annually till we reach that, um, $500,000 limit and then whatever it takes to reestablish that 500,000 annually, we would ask that that be included in the reappropriation process. >> We have sp and we have spoken to the county about this and they're fully supportive of it. >> I believe it is. It's a good idea to to have this. >> Mr. going along those lines. Uh can you give a couple of

081examples of things that have happened this year that where we could have addressed it with that fund? >> The biggest one, yes, sir, is is the um middle school project um the Yorktown Middle School HBAC that went out. It was a couple hundred,000. Now, fortunately, they had it in their budget to take care of that one. uh we would not we would have preferred not to use the operating budget and to use the CIP budget or maintenance reserve budget, but with the addition of these other two projects that I mentioned with the transportation roof and the sewer pump, we did not have that in the operating budget. And so we we had asked the board previously, I think we came to you in August to ask for the the funding for that uh for those

082projects to be taken care of. So >> have a I have a question on on these. Now, I understand the 623,000 that's all in and those th that money is geared and it has to go for a specific item. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um the other 1.5 million, these are worthy causes and I understand them especially like for purchasing hard textbooks, you know, physical textbooks that you can h hold. Um, I'm concerned that is this understanding that this is quote unquote extra money that we have at the end of the year that wasn't used that were reallocating? >> Yes. So, um, we receive annual allocations and I'll use the textbooks for for textbook purchases. However, that is not near enough what it cost to replace textbooks. And so we have historically used end ofear funds

083to cover um expenses that are irregular. Um uh textbooks being one of them that come in a large uh cost. It might be $2 million for one one textbook replacement cycle for um maybe high school science or or or high school um reading in English. I'm sorry. Um something else that's irregular are big replacements of IT equipment. We have those every five to seven years on some of our major systems. And so when we when one of those years comes up uh comes up, then we ask the board to um reappropriate the end ofear funds from the previous year to cover that expense. And so that enables us. So we're not building the budget every year for those, but when they do come up, we know that we're going to have end of year funds.

084Um and those end ofear funds are created primarily through unfilled positions or through savings during the year through attrition from the previous year where employees at the highest part on the highest step of the grading scale on the salary scale they've retired and then we've brought people in a lower um lower step on the scale and then we've received that savings through their salary and so we generate that that savings and when we do we're going to have an end ofear fund balance. >> Right. I understand that. Uh my concern is I remember several months ago that there was kind of a crisis panic mode that we needed 500,000 extra from the county and we had the big meeting with the board of supervisors if I'm if I'm remembering right that we asked them for

085additional funds to cover everything and then we have additional funds at the end of the year. Did we really need that extra from the county? >> Yes. So that extra the additional 500,000 that we asked for was for ongoing expenses in the operating budget. So what happens with the end ofear funds they are like I said from funds that are budgeted primarily for salaries that um either we couldn't fill positions or through attrition we had that one-time savings. So those are one-time dollars that are generated at the end of the year. And so then we um asked the board to approve the expenses for one-time expenses. And so but when we asked for the additional 500,000 that was really for ongoing expenses. So there's a there's a difference between operating budget for ongoing expenses and

086then when we have an endofear fund balance that end ofear fund balance, those dollars are are for the purpose of one-time expenses. And there was no way at that time to figure out that we were going to have enough to cover that with end of year. >> So it it is not a a best practice to use onetime dollars to budget for ongoing expenses. I will tell you this is about this is less than a percent of our budget and what we have. Now $2 million is a lot of money. I I get that $1.5 million is more of the unobligated balance. That's a lot of money. However, when you're talking about a $2 million budget, that doesn't give us a lot of wiggle room for um uh for for emergencies and things like that.

087So, um I I would say that and argue that we do a great job in balancing our budget. So, to have a $1.5 million uh fund balance on a $200 million is great uh is a great thing, I think. >> So, it's hard to anticipate, you know, those those end ofear balances. We average between $600,000 and $2 million. Um, but I would never want to in take that anticipated dollars and use that as a means to balance ongoing expenses, >> right? >> And I I understand that. I just want to make sure that we're we're using taxpayer funds wisely. These are our citizens. These are our neighbors, their tax dollars and how we're using them. and to to make sure that you know we're not looking at them as cash cows that they'll just cough

088up more money year after year. >> And I just kind of like said that this like just as you said the testament of the worthy causes >> just another uh testament to Mr. Bowman and his department being very frugal about how they spend money and being very oriented to save taxpayers money. uh million and a half, you know, this goes back all to this servicing the students. Uh I mean, some of it's through the transportation through the buildings, but it's still worthy cause of like I don't see it as a waste of money at all or taxpayers money. I think it's a very responsible way of spending it. >> I think Mr. Bowen, the easiest way to explain it is the the 500,000 that Miss Fairman's talking about were reoccurring costs. These were were salaries

089that we have to make sure we have in the budget every year that the county is giving us. Uh the end of year funds are a one-time fund that we're spending right then for a bus, for example. We used to use it for buses all the time or for books or for whatever the case may be at the end of the year. Uh we don't ask the county for that except for the end of the year when it's a one-time time thing. The the budget money is the reoccurring cost that we use every year for our operating budget. And that's what the the citizens need to understand that there's operating costs and and and th those things that go into the budget that continue on and there's the one-time cost uh things that we buy.

090So, >> right, >> that's the the two different >> and that's this $1.5 million is generated from those ongoing budgeted cost >> that's left over sometimes >> and and so what we do is with that $1.5 million those funds revert back to the county. they have already reverted back to the county. >> So it's a use it or lose it kind of thing, >> right? So So this is why we have to request this is why the need for the resolution. >> Those funds went back to the county. Now the board is requesting that those funds be returned to us based on the needs that we've presented here this evening, >> which has happened every year. And uh I think that we don't really have to make a case for our frugality or good stewardship

091of the monies when you're thinking that uh we replace textbooks what once every 10 12 years >> and I remember seeing that we just this last year uh you're talking about the white fleet that we got rid of or we sold two Dodge Neons. Does anyone even remember when Dodge neons were last produced? Okay. So, I think that we get our money's worth out of everything and that we are very frugal when it comes to uh the budget. In fact, our budgets are so good that we spend $1,000 less per student in York County than neighboring Williamsburg, James City County spends. And they have less students than we do. We're in the bottom quarter of the spending per pupil in the state. So I think we're doing a pretty good job actually to get number

092one in the state as far as results and being in the bottom fourth in spending. >> And as you said, you know, you can't anticipate through the whole year the oops things that will come up that you're going to have to fix or take care of. And so it's always good to be able to have that option to draw those funds back when you need them for those things. So I think you're doing a good job in stewarding our resources. >> Thank you for answering the questions. I appreciate that. >> Okay. Are we ready to vote? >> I think we had a motion. Did we? No. >> No, we didn't. I would like to make a motion to approve the resolution. Hold on. Let me just find there. uh to approve resolution 25-71 uh which

093is resolution requesting the board of supervisor to reappropriate the funds for f uh FY25 end of year fund balance. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay, Miss Howard. >> A motion was made by Mr. Povich and seconded by Mr. Schaefer to approve resolution 25-71, a resolution requesting the board of supervisors to reappropriate the fiscal year 25 end of year balance. Mr. Pyovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fairman, >> yes. >> Mr. Schaefer, >> yes. >> Mr. Richardson, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Fairman. >> Miss Goodwin. >> I'm sorry, Mrs. Goodwin. I apologize. Motion pass five to zero. >> Okay. We do not have a policy discussion and uh we do not have a first reading. We do have a second uh reading and an action of voting tonight. Uh Dr. Carol, this

094is on general school administration. Do you have any comments? >> Yes, madam chair. There are no changes since the last reading. >> Okay. All right. Uh can I get a motion and a second to approve the revisions to policy section C, general school administration. >> I move to approve uh policy section C, general school administration. >> Second. >> Discussion. I just have a quick question. Uh in reading through this again today, making sure that I had looked at everything uh again after uh the week. Um on CBA, the qualifications and duties for the superintendent, the bottom of page 2 out of 13 to the top of page three out of 13, it looks like what was eliminated is exactly what is being put back in. And I didn't understand that. and reading the duplicate of

095it. See if I can get it. Oops. What was done was we needed to insert a section under a earlier bullet and so it just basically pushed the bullet down further. So, it is it's just changing the place of one of those bullets by adding something in between two bullets. >> Well, if if you actually read it, it it has the red with the line through that you're eliminating it and then the exact same wording is in green underneath it. >> Correct. Because it was moved down when we inserted that other green that starts with specialized student that was added in. So, it pushed we moved that one down because it went to the one above it. I think she's talking about like know as you start specialized student support position it's yeah personnel >>

096so it just changed the placement there's but in looking at it there's no there's nothing in front of that to bounce it starts out you have the bullet points. Um, and then you [Music] let's see >> that specializ support position. >> Yeah, the specialized student support positions. That's all in green added and then taking out specialized student support positions and all of that. It's identical and I extravid. >> Yeah, because up above the red it says providing for maintenance of up-to-date job descriptions for personnel for all personnel com and taking out the and and then below that is in green adding the exact same wording providing for maintenance. So you've got a bullet point there, you've got duplicates. You're leaving one and then adding in another green one. Okay. So, that's just typos change. >>

097It's just a formatting and we have one duplicate that needs to be taken out, but it's just formatting. And since we can typographical errors, we can remove on our own. So, we'll be able to take out that one sentence after >> it doesn't change the fact it's not chang. It was just looking at it. It just didn't make sense that you were taking it out and putting exact back in and then having the duplicates there. But, thank you for looking at that. and um making sure that gets changed. >> So you understand we're voting on the content. >> Yes. >> All right. Okay. A motion was made by Mr. Schaefer and seconded by Mr. Pyovich to approve the revisions to policy C general school administration. Mr. Schaefer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Richardson. >> Yes. >>

098Mr. Pyovich. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fairman. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Goodwin. >> Yes. The motion passed 5 to zero. >> Okay, we're going to move on to the report of the superintendent. Uh Dr. Carol, I will now turn that over to you. >> All right. Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin. I want to first start with highlights of my activities and that included over the last month attending student performances at Coventry, Tab High, Grafton High, and York High. Uh all all excellent experiences. Also want to highlight at Waller Mill the Math Fest. Uh Mr. Schaefer was there, saw him there. Wonderful night with students working with their families uh experiencing math logic games and it was a great partnership because ODU designed the evening in the activities and the Brutin High School math club students were

099there alongside uh our instructional staff and so it was just fantastic evening. also conducted multiple mock interviews at all four high schools and I've took took part in meetings with New Horizons and met with both of the advisory councils to the superintendent the teachers council and the non-licensed advisory and ran them through a budget simulation activity that they enjoyed and did quite well on. We might just have them come in and do the budget for us this year. Um, also today we recognized our teacher of the year, our pareducator of the year, and our support uh staff person of the year. And I want to uh recognize those people. Uh, Grafton Middle School nominated bus driver Chris Connley. And uh, he was quite surprised and had had an excellent time with him. this this morning.

100Uh Seafford uh Elementary School's PAR educator of the year, Emily Burns, was recognized. And our teacher of the year from Yorktown Elementary is April Ensley. And they had the whole school population in the cafeteria uh to to celebrate her. So, it was a wonderful uh morning. Also want to congratulate the Tab High School field hockey uh team. They won their 13th state title. Uh and we will have them in soon to recognize them here with the board. And uh also uh remind everybody that we are one of three divisions that repeated as purple star divisions. I believe that's our third time in a row. And as we look forward, uh, I've been tied up in a lot of, uh, capital things lately and look forward to getting back and and doing a round of school

101visits starting in December. And, uh, we'll start our community operating budget forums. December 2nd, Mr. Bowen and I will be at Queens Lake and December 4th at Grafton Middle. And those will be both be at 6 pm. And at this point, I'd like to continue my report by sharing some information that has come to us in the last month. And I'm asking Mr. Bowen to drive the PowerPoint uh from down at the podium. So at the end of this month, I will have been uh serving YCSD for 11 years and I was immediately aware of our academic track record of excellent performance and also that uh our county's affluence was very often given as the reason why and uh and that credit seemed to be more so the reason uh the bigger the naysayer was.

102Right. Tonight, I'd like to share some data from three different third-party agencies that reflects that superior performance, but I think adds context and a better understanding of the work of our staff combined with the support of our parents and community. So, the first one is I'll restate that the uh you know, we were number one in state from the niche rankings, right? And uh that never gets old saying that. Uh but this past month, you may have seen in the November uh digest that uh the US News and World Report rankings came out and all of our division elementary and middle schools earned top placement in those US News rankings. And in the top 25 for elementary and middle, we had three schools each. So for elementary, Tab Elementary ranked eighth in the state, Mount

103Vernon 15th, and Coventry 22nd. And then in the middle uh school top 25 uh Tab Middle was ninth, Grafton Middle 15th, and Queens Lake 24th. So, excellent u rankings from each of those. So, that's the first piece of data. Second and third, we're going to get into some scatter plots. And there's anything that makes me happy is interpreting scatter plots. So this one is from a statistical analysis posted to the website the 74. Now the 74 is a nonprofit organization that specializes in educational issues. And earlier this month it published a national statistical analysis of third grade reading performance versus expected scores based on free and reduced lunch rates. Now, this analysis reports to have n national data across 10,000 districts, 42,000 schools, and over three million students. Now, we're only going to look at

104Virginia and YCSD data because you can't compare states to states because it's based on their state testing. And the information here reflects the 2324 school year in Virginia. So, on the slide right now, if you'll go back one, sir. All right. So, right there is the Virginia data. So, every dot represents an elementary school in the state of Virginia. Um, along the bottom you see the percentage of school free and reduced lunch percentage and the vertical axis on the left post the third grade reading proficiency scale score. The red line is the expected level of performance factoring in the free and reduced lunch percentage based on a line of best fit. So statistically that's where you would expect performance to be of affluence versus performance. So we can't control for free and reduced lunch percentage

105in any given school division. So the bottom line with this one is you want to be above the red line. All right. So, we will move on to the next slide and this is the YCSD U performance. So, we've zoomed into that same graph and you find all of our elementary schools, all 10 of them. And you see the middle vertical line is the 50% free and reduced lunch line. And you can see the so proficiency ratings arranged as listed on the left and the expected scores represented again by the red line. Now what's impressive I think is the vertical rise of our schools from the expected performance and the relatively close grouping which suggests a fairly common experience between our schools and performance. Also, while we are a more affluent county, the proximity of

106most of our schools to the 50% line would indicate that our young parents aren't as affluent as the rest of the county. So, I think what this uh table shows or this graph shows is that affluence does not explain our success. We've looked at a number of school divisions. We I know a number of us have played with this and uh in this data and I've yet to find another division. I'm not saying there isn't one, but I've yet to find another division in Virginia or other states that I looked at with a similar profile of having all of their schools above the line and grouped relatively closely. Some of our typical comparators that we look at were strewn all along the line. Some had all their schools below the line and then there were

107others where in their affluent schools they were slightly above the line and in their less affluent they were below the line. So let's look at another one. This one's really colorful. Okay, this data is from a third source. This slide is from the edgenomics lab at Georgetown University and it compares 24 expenditures with FY 20 or school year 25. Now this is fourth grade reading proficiency. Now uh the colors indicate u socioeconomic level and the uh size of the circles indicates the size of each of the individual schools. there is every elementary school in the state of Virginia. Now, the intersecting lines are the state average of so proficiency versus the average uh funding level that you see across the bottom. So you see the average funding for each uh for the range there. So

108obviously the performance is desired to be above that line that horizontal performance line and good stewardship of educational dollars which we were just talking about a few minutes ago is indicated by below average funding that would be found on the left of the vertical line. That is the goal. So what we're looking for is our schools to be in the upper left quadrant of this. Now you can't tell right now. So, we're going to isolate York County schools next. So, here faded into the background are all the other Virginia schools and our 10 elementaryaries are in colors green and gold. And a new intersection of performance versus per school funding for York County schools only. The red dot or the red and black dot is the only thing that I added and it marks the

109state average scores and funding intersection shown on the previous slide. All of our schools are considerably to the left and up of the upper left quadrant indicating better performance at a lower cost. So, I share these data sets to illustrate the power of York County outcomes despite socioeconomic level or funding constraint. Combined with the data from the other analyses, I think it validates the design of our strategic plan, focusing on and allowing for adaptation to a changing context with a focus on continuous improvement. This data reflects our consistent leadership both at the stu school board office in the instruction department led by Dr. Skinner uh our school administrators working as instructional leaders. It also recognizes the instructional work of all of our teachers, the support role of all our other employees and the buyin from

110our students and parents in this community. So, here's the bottom line. It takes all of us, all of us to get these kinds of results. And as always, we commit that we will not rest on these laurels. We're committed to continuous improvement. We're not perfect, but we're continuously striving towards that ideal. I also share this data tonight because as we come to the close of collecting all of our input from our staff and community, we will soon start the process of vetting ideas for inclusion in the FY27 superintendent budget. Board members know that we will only be forwarding new budget items that are mandated or invest in our staff through compensation and training or um help our students through enhanced programming or staff positions that can advance us on improving their educational experience. I also

111plan to send out to our staff a short one question survey soon asking for efficiency ideas that are not tied to specific savings but an undetermined event amount. These types of efficiencies can't be delayed until there's harder budget times as they may take time to evaluate or uh or enact. So, I know I've gone on a little bit, but in closing, I want to thank our entire staff for these results and hope that whatever your role in the division, I hope you take away from this presentation that takes all of us to contribute to a greater cause. I also want to note for all of our stakeholders as we approach Thanksgiving later this week, how blessed we are to be in York County where we are all working for great experiences and outcomes for our

112students. I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving break, full stomachs and full hearts full of gratitude for our many blessings. Thank you, Madam Chair. This concludes superintendent's report. >> Thank you, Dr. Carol. That was outstanding. All right. At this time, um, is there anyone who wishes to speak that didn't get a chance to sign up before the meeting? Okay, thank you everyone for your input and for being here this evening. We have a work session and regular meeting here at your call your call on December 15th beginning at 4:30 p.m. We do have a close session this evening. So, can I have a board member please take uh make a motion to take us into close session? >> Sure. I move that York County School Board convene in close session pursuant to Virginia Code

113section 2.2-3711A1 2-3711A1 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for the discussion and consideration of personnel matters relating to a prospective candidate for appointment to the position of associate director of capital projects, the discipline of specific employees and the status of investigations regarding specific employees currently on administrative leave. As matters addressed in close session are confidential, no minutes or recordings are permitted. Second, >> a motion was made by Mr. Schaefer and seconded by Mr. Pyovich to approve the York County School Board to meet in close session as stated. Mr. Richardson, >> yes. >> Mr. Schaefer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fairman, >> yes. >> Mr. Pyitch, >> yes. >> Mrs. Goodwin, >> yes. >> The motion passed five to zero. You're in close session.