001The time is 7:31 p.m. and this July 10th, 2025 regular meeting of the Fairfax County School Board will come to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence and a performance of the national anthem by Juliet Pasco, a Mountain Vernon High School student. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Say [Music] by the dawn early light what so proudly we held. At the twilight last [Music] stripes and bright stars through the fight or the ramparts we watched were so gallently streams bursting in gave proof through the night that Our flag was still there. Does that star spangled yet [Music] or the land [Music] of the free [Music] and the home of the [Applause] Get another round of applause for our incredibly talented student. Agenda item 1.02, announcements. Due
002to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to adjust our meeting agenda tonight as the board cannot take official actions unless we have a quorum, which is in our case seven school board members attending in person. Mr. McDaniel is on route and will provide us with the necessary quorum. But in the meantime, we will be going to the beginning of the meeting with an agenda items that do not require quorum to be present. We thank you for your patience and understanding. In accordance with Virginia code, the Fairfax County School Board has completed Superintendent Michelle Reed's annual summitive performance evaluation for the 202425 school year. The summary has been posted on board docs for public viewing as per the board's strategic governance manual. I want to take a moment to welcome our new student uh representative, Faith Mcconen.
003Welcome. Miss McConen is a rising senior at South County High School and is serving on the board as the student representative from July 1st to June 30th, 2026. Uh to learn more about her, please visit the schoolboard member web page on the FCPS website, fcps.edu/schoolboard. If you would like to review a copy of the meeting agenda, please see the back of the auditorium. To obtain copies of any items or supporting materials being presented tonight, please reference the QR code on the agenda or visit fcps.edu/boards. Tonight's meeting is being broadcast on channel 99 and livereamed on YouTube and our website at fcps.edu/livestream. Tonight's meeting is also being broadcast in Spanish on YouTube at youtube.comfcps espanol. The Fairfax County School Board would like to welcome our new uh now like to welcome our former student representative and
004uh would like to welcome you. Sorry, words. We would like to welcome the presence of our former student school board member, Miss Sant. Stand up. This is going to happen every time you come to a meeting now, so get comfortable. Agenda item 2.01, community participation. The next order of business is community participation. We welcome all community members who are here and those who signed up to speak this evening. Additional information about signing up to provide comments at schoolboard regular business meetings and public hearings can be found on the schoolboard website fcps.edu/schoolboard. During the sign up process, community members acknowledge that they were informed of the schoolboard's expectations for proper decorum when providing comments. These expectations are also available online and with the printed agenda and meeting materials in the back of the room. We ask
005audience members to be respectful of one another. Shouting and outbursts will not be tolerated. Please hold your applause until the conclusion of a speaker's remarks. Audience members may not join speakers at the podium and should remain at their seats, including when recording video or taking photos. We're grateful to those who have come to speak to us today and thank you for your cooperation. Schoolboard members will be listening but not responding. Madame clerk, please call our speaker, Megan Sant. Good evening everyone and hello again. I wanted to take this time to congratulate Faith and talk a little about how I met her. Um, and I'm so excited to see what you do as the new student representative. So, I first met Faith through the Superintendent Advisory Council when I worked on the goal two focus group
006that spent the year meeting with subject matter experts and doing research on the stratey strategies to improve chronic absenteeism in schools. and Faith was our co-chair and she went above and beyond to make sure that everyone was included in that conversation that we dig deeper that we asked the questions that we connected with other schools for data points and think thought critically about the impact of our work. I then got to work with her on the student leadership development program and she made our work session so much more productive by asking questions, getting other students involved and helping to refine the topics that we considered and passed. Faith, you are such a force to be reckoned with, and I'm so beyond proud to pass the baton to you, and I can't wait to see everything
007that you'll bring to this space. Always remember to stay true to yourself and the students you represent, even when times get hard. You're going to make such an impact. And please know that I'll be cheering you on from wherever I am. I am so always always in your corner and I'm so proud of you. So, congratulations and good luck. [Applause] Chair Fish, that was our last public speaker. All right, moving right along. Agenda item 3.01, student representative matters. For the first time, I call in Miss Mc uh McConen. Good evening. My name is Faith Mcconen. I'm a rising senior at South County High School, and I'm beyond honored to be here today. Thank you to Superintendent's advisory council for entrusting me with this position and to Megan Swant for her guidance and support as I
008transition into this role. When I think of this position, I think of the slogan, nothing about us without us. For a school system to properly serve its constituents, it must include the voice of those it serves. Students deserve someone who not only understands their experience, but who's committed to representing their concerns, ideas, and aspirations. Someone who doesn't listen, doesn't just listen, but amplifies. Policies that impact students should never be made without our input. As a student representative, it's my responsibility to ensure our perspectives are heard and generally considered. Adults may bring experience and structure, but students bring insight into what it's like to navigate the policies being made. Whether it's grade and reform, disciplinary practices, mental health resources, even how we use our phones in class. We're living these realities every day. A student representative
009bridges the gap between decision makers and the student body, ensuring that every conversation at the board includes the people most affected by it. Through my two years in the superintendent's advisory council, I've come to deeply appreciate how districts operate, how school districts operate, and how powerful advocacy can be. Watching policy changes like grading reform take shape, and knowing that student voices were part of that process has fueled my desire to keep pushing for thoughtful, inclusive change. This year, I've set three key priorities for my time in this role. First, I'm committed to reducing disproportionate discipline in our schools. Discipline practices must be fair, restorative, and equitable so that every student feels seen, supported, and given the opportunity to grow from mistakes and not defined by them. Second, I would like to elevate student policy, student
010voice and policy decisions, not just through my position, but by building stronger channels for students across the county to be heard. That includes spotlighting voices that are often left out of the conversation. And third, I will work closely with leadership and student stakeholders to support the implementation of the revised grading and self grading and cell phone policies. These changes reflect years of student input and my goal is to make sure they're rolled out in a way that works for everyone for students, teachers, and schools. I would also like to take a moment to talk about the student advis community, the student community advisory committee. This year, we received 180 applications, an incredible show of student interest and engagement. The review process is currently underway and interviews will begin next week. We plan to announce selected
011students in August and I can't wait to begin working with such a motivated and diverse group of leaders from across FCPS. Finally, I'm honored to be working alongside these dedicated members of the board. I deeply admire the passion each of you brings to your work, and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with you throughout the year. I don't take this position lightly, and I know I carry the voices of more than 180,000 students with me. And I'm committed to doing everything I can to represent them with purpose, heart, and with integrity. Thank you again for this position, and I'm very excited for what lies ahead. [Applause] Agenda item four, superintendent matters. I call on Dr. Reid for Superintendent Matters. Thank you, Chairman Fresh. It's uh summer and uh I hope everybody's summer got off
012to a great start. The Fourth of July uh weekend certainly was a beautiful weekend and the weather uh held out until of course the last couple days. Um, want to call out uh all the staff that worked valiantly this morning with the power outages uh from the storm last evening and um the Anenddale Terrace and Anenddale High School programs. Uh staff really worked hard to continue to provide um quality experiences to our young people. Uh today uh during our uh ESY the week prior, I did have a chance to visit the Canterbury Woods uh summer learners and principal Christy McGee. Um we had well actually um she's the ESY site administrator. So we had uh visits to the fifth and sixth grade classrooms um as well as other uh second grade classrooms. And then our
013final stop was at preschool uh where we uh enjoyed uh working with the students who were there during the summer. And it's exciting to see uh the extra effort our students and staff are taking this summer. Uh tomorrow I'm going to have a chance to go out to Graham Road and Anaddale High School as well as Liberty uh middle school to look at our algebra and credit recovery program. So can't wait to do a little algebra tomorrow. A reminder to the community that our Boundary Explore Tools survey and commenting feature closes Friday, July 18th at five o'clock, which I believe is next Friday. So, take one last look and next week is um your last opportunity to comment on this iteration of the draft plans. Uh next week's an exciting week. Uh we're going to
014be having our leadership kickoff on Tuesday, which is hard to believe the kickoff for next year. Um and then um Wednesday and Thursday uh will be uh professional development for all school-based administrators. So just a lot of excitement, Chairman Fresh. Uh I also want to just add a sobering note tonight as we uh continue to hear about uh federal funding freezes that um may be impacting programs. I know that we've got um a number of our title programs we're looking at and we'll be able to share more of the impact uh next week and um we're hopeful that the freeze will be unfrozen or that the freeze will thaw uh and that the monies will continue to come because the programs are so very important. But I'll be providing an update next week. So, thank
015you chairman FR. Thank you, Dr. Reed. would certainly be a shame for the students who benefit from those programs to to go without. Um, and who said summer was a dull time for public education? It's very busy, very busy work. Uh, at this time, we're going to take a recess uh for a little bit while we wait on our final colleague to join us. Uh, but they should be here momentarily. So, we will return to the deis in just a few minutes. [Music] Board members, please return to your seats. Our seventh has landed. Board members, please return to your seats. Agenda item 5.01, school board virtual participation approvals. Miss Marin has submitted a written request to attend tonight's meeting virtually due to personal reasons as she's at a professional development uh conflict in Scottsdale, Arizona.
016All those in favor of approving Miss Marin's request, Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Anderson, Miss Seismarheiser, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, and myself. That is unanimous. Miss Marin, can you test your microphone and camera? Hello. Good evening. Hi. We can hear you. Miss St. John Cunning has submitted a written request to attend tonight's meeting virtually due to personal reasons as she is uh traveling and has a conflict. She's located in San Miguel de Alende Mexico. All those in favor of approving Miss St. John Cunning's request. Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Anderson, Miss Eismore, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, and myself. That is unanimous. Miss St. John Cunning, can you test your microphone and camera? My camera is on and I hope you can hear me. We can. Thank you. Agenda item 5.02, 02 2025 Virginia School Board
017Association Business Honoral Proclamation. I call on Miss Seismarheiser for a proclamation. looking. Whereas an excellent public school system is vital to the quality of life in Fairfax County and fundamental to preserving a strong democratic society now and in the future. Whereas public schools and local businesses are an integral part of this community. And whereas the economic health of our community, state, and nation depends on a strong public school system. And whereas collaboration between local public schools and local businesses and community organizations strengthens schools and the business community alike by providing a well-trained, healthy, and highly educated workforce. And whereas many Fairfax County local businesses play a crucial role in our schools in many varied ways, including supporting schools with inind or financial contributions, donating to scholarship programs, supporting both curricular and extracurricular activities, offering internship
018opportunities, volunteering in our schools, and sponsoring field trips. And whereas the Virginia School Boards Association Business Honoral allows local school boards to recognize and express their gratitude to local businesses for their support and vital contributions, especially as schools face increasingly budget uncertainty. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County School Board hereby names Edufeturo, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Patient First to the 2025 Virginia School Board Association's business honor role, showing appreciation for each entity's ongoing support of Fairfax County Public Schools. Your work has sustained our community in focusing on the goal of providing the best public schools and education that we can for every child who attends them. Is there a second? I second. Miss Anderson. I'll call for the vote. All those in favor, Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Anderson, Miss Seismore,
019Heiser, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, Miss St. John Cunning, Miss Marin, and myself, that is unanimous. Congratulations. Agenda item 5.03, honoring 2025 outstanding Fairfax County Public School employees proclamation. I call on Miss Anderson for a proclamation. Whereas the outstanding elementary new teacher award recognizing an elementary teacher who is within their first three years of teaching and demonstrates outstanding performance and superior instructional skills was awarded to Andrea Edmonson. Turn off your mic third grade teacher Little Run Elementary School. And whereas the outstanding secondary new teacher award recognizing a secondary teacher who was within their first three years of teaching and demonstrates outstanding performance and superior instructional skills was awarded to Emiline Andrea Maya or I'm sorry Mahia um multilingual learners teachers justice high school and whereas the outstanding new principal award recognizing a distinguished educator and extraordinary
020leader who is within their first three years as principal was awarded to Justin Simmons, South County Middle School. And whereas the outstanding school-based operational employee award recognizing a school-based operational employee who has made unique and exceptional contributions to FCPS was awarded to Liliana Alfro, building supervisor 3 Falls Church High School. And whereas out the outstanding new non-school-based operational employee award recognizing a non-school-based operational employee who has made unique and exceptional contributions to FCPS was awarded to Daniel J. Mathan Plumber Supervisor Facilities Services and Capital Programs Office. And whereas the outstanding school-based professional employee award recognizing operational and/or non-institution instructional school-based employee who serves in a curriculum support or student support capacity and has made unique and exceptional contributions to FCPS was re awarded to Raquel A. Joiner special education department chairwander road schools. And whereas
021the outstanding non-school-based professional employee award recognizing a nonchoolbased operational employee who demonstrates commitment, fosters cooperative relationships, and has made unique and except and exceptional contributions to FCPS was awarded to Deborah March. John Lewis um leadership program manager, Department of Instructional Services. And whereas the outstanding school-based leader award recognizing a school-based leader who demonstrates outstanding leadership and strengthens the learning environment through their work was awarded to Dominic A. Williams, assistant principal, Union Mill Elementary School. And whereas the non the outstanding non-school-based leader award recognizing a non-school-based leader who demonstrates outstanding leadership and strengthens the learning environment through their work was awarded to Jay Noako, executive director, professional learning, department of strategy, planning and learning. And whereas the outstanding elementary teacher award recognizing an elementary teacher who demonstrates dedication, commitment, and the ability to propel students to
022high levels of success was awarded to Jason B. Ericson, physical education teacher, Dogwood, Dogwood Elementary School. And whereas the outstanding secondary teacher award recognizing a secondary teacher who demonstrates dedication, commitment, and the ability to propel students to high levels of success was awarded to Andrew W. Sherock, band director at Glasgow Middle School. And whereas the outstanding principal award rec recognizing an innovative and highly effective administrator whose vision inspires and guides staff, students in the in the community to help lead their school experience or school to excellence was awarded by Georgina I at Fairfax High School. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County School Board congratulates and extends its highest commendation to winners of the 2025 outstanding employee awards as exceptional employees who create and demonstrate the the best instructional and support practices. Is
023there a second? Second. All those in favor? Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Anderson, Miss Eismerheiser, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, Miss Marin, Miss St. John Cunning, and myself. That is unanimous. Congratulations. The motion passes. Congrats. [Applause] I would like to welcome the school-based outstanding FCPS employees and invite their families, administrators, colleagues, and all those in support of the 2025 outstanding FCPS employees proclamation to join the board for a photo at the front of the deis. After the photo, the guests and staff will depart the deis area and we'll take the next picture. I would like to welcome the non-school-based outstanding FCPS employees and invite their families, administrators, colleagues, and all those in support of the 2025 outstanding FCPS employees proclamation to please join the board for a photo at the front of the dis I would
024like to invite Edu edu name to the VSBA business honor role their leadership and supporters of the proclamation to please join the board for a photo at the front of the Yes. I would like to invite Navy Federal Credit Union named to the VSBA business honoral their leadership and supporters of the proclamation to please join the board for a photo at the front of the dis. I would like to invite patient first named to the VSBA business honor role, their leadership and supporters of the proclamation to please join the board for a photo at the front of the dis. All right. Agenda 5.04, annual schoolboard organizational arrangements. As the outgoing chair, I will take a moment to provide some brief remarks. So, as I conclude my time as chair, I've been reflecting on what we've
025accomplished together. It's been an honor to serve in this role, and I'm grateful for the trust you twice placed in me as we onboarded our new colleagues and our returning colleagues and got to work on behalf of our students, educators, and staff. I'm especially thankful to Superintendent Reid and division leadership for their dedication and partnership, the clerks and Providence district team for their invaluable assistance and to Miss Melanie Marin and Miss Sandy Anderson who served aly as vice chairs during my tenure for their steady leadership throughout our collaborative work together. When I stepped into this role, I believed we could make our work more transparent and impactful and together I think we have. Over the past 18 months, we've made our committee meetings more accessible to the public by recording and streaming them online for
026the first time ever. We've also added new layers of transparency to one of our most important duties as school board members by posting a summary of the superintendent's annual evaluation online. These changes make our work easier to follow and accountability stronger and more impactful. We've also made our meetings more efficient because, as Miss Anderson often reminds us, a public meeting that stretches past 10 p.m. is not very public at all. We've streamlined our agendas, restrained ourselves from speaking on items like proclamations, adopted a 48 hour rule for most motions, allowing everyone on the board and the public time to engage and learn more. We've ensured greater fidelity to meetings run by Robert's rules of order. And the result, our meetings are regularly shorter than they have been in recent memory. But we haven't just improved
027how we work. We've also delivered on the substance as well. We approved the first collective bargaining contract in the history of Fairfax County Public Schools, finally giving our teachers and staff a seat at the table. We completed a comprehensive review of the school boundary policy for the first time in half a century. We updated our grading policy to enhance rigor and bring greater consistency across the division. Many of the academic indicators we monitor to ensure student success are trending in the right direction. We've also made significant progress on our joint environmental task force goals, putting more electric buses on the road, substantially expanding the number of schools with solar power, and initiating plans for net zero school construction projects. These types of conservation efforts save us millions of dollars every year that can be reinvested
028in student success. And after years of work, we are finally on the verge of acquiring a Western High School site, a cost-saving investment in our future that will serve generations for of students for years to come. And we've done it all while standing firm on our values. Our commitment to excellence, equity, and opportunity has never wavered, even in the face of unprecedented attacks on public education from Washington and Richmond. We've worked hard to ensure our schools remain a place where students feel safe, supported, and included, where they can walk the halls of our schools free from the burdens of the outside world and focus on what really matters most, their education. This work has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it. I am proud of what we've accomplished together and I
029look forward to sitting at the end of the deis as we meet the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you all. [Applause] All right, the moment I've all been waiting for. The next order of business is agenda item 2.05, the annual organization motion. Section 22.1-76 of the Code of Virginia specifies at the annual organizational meeting, a school board shall elect one of its members to serve as chairman and may elect one of its members to serve as vice chairman, both for a one-year term, and shall also approve other appointments and designations of responsibility necessary for board operations during the year. I will now call on Dr. Reid to conduct the selection process for the school board chair for the next year. Dr. Reed. Thank you, Mr. Fish. At this time, I will open the floor to
030nominations for chair of the Fairfax County School Board. I nominate Sandy Anderson for chair of the board. Is there a second? Second the nomination. Sandy Anderson has been nominated as chair. Are there any other nominations? Hearing no other nominations, the motion before the board is to elect Sandy Anderson as chair of the Fairfax County School Board. I'll call on those members who nominated Miss Anderson for comments first. Miss Dixit, would you like to speak to your nomination? Yes, I would. First, I would like to thank Chair Fresh for his dedication, time, and steady leadership in this role. Being chair is no small task. requires navigating complex decision, balancing multiple priorities and supporting a diverse group all while helping the agenda moving forward. He did all this with grace and patience and I'm especially grateful the
031way he welcomed new members like me helping us feel included and confident in our roles. Thank you. I'm honored to nominate Sandy Anderson for the chair position. She brings a proven record of strong leadership, thoughtful communication, and collaborative spirit. She is strategic, approachable, and deeply committed to creating a space where all members can thrive. Her dedication to ensure positive outcomes for students has been clear in everything she does. Always advocating with both compassion and purpose. These quality make her exceptionally well suited to take on this challenging but very important role. Mr. Moon, would you like to speak to your second? Yes, Dr. Reed. I'm happy to second the nomination for Sandy Anderson as the next chair of the Fairfax County a school board. Since she joined the board as the Springfield District representative last year,
032I have had the opportunity to closely observe her work as a schoolboard colleague and also a vice chair. When she invited when she invited me to second nomination, the first word that came out of her was collaborative. She wanted the board to be more collab collaborative in doing its work. Board members may not always agree on issues and bring diverse viewpoints and approaches to the work of the board. I believe Miss Anderson is the best suited to lead the board at this point in time. Having served as the chairman for a number of times, I know chair's work is not easy. I'm sure that you know that, Mr. Anderson. But even fully knowing that, I want to thank you for stepping up to do that hard work. Good luck to you. Are there any other
033board members who may wish to speak, Mr. FR? Thank you. Uh Sandy Anderson has served aly as vice chair for the past year and I often joke that she has an opinion on every font and every formatting choice for any document you can imagine. But the truth is that that attention to detail reflects something much deeper. Her commitment to doing what's right the right way with care and intention in every meeting, every policy discussion, every decision. Sandy zeros in on what matters, making sure our students remain at the center of our work. Her thoughtful leadership, sharp eye on the fine print, and tireless advocacy for public education make her uniquely suited to lead this school board in the year ahead. I've seen it firsthand, and I know she will lead with both conviction and compassion,
034and I'm proud to vote for her as our next school board chair. Miss Marin, would you like to comment? I would. Can you all hear me? Good. Okay, you can hear me. Yes. Yes, ma'am. Okay, great. Um, well, first I do want to thank Mr. Fritzed length of service shephering the new uh well the current board in and uh with a ton of dedication and when you listed all the accomplishments, there has been a lot done and and strengthened. So, thank you. Uh to Miss Anderson, thank you for continuing to facilitate the work of the board. Um you know what you're getting into, so that's really a a good thing. And you know, I appreciate having a thought partner in you to really think about the big the big picture things and how we can
035be most effective and also down to the little things like an Oxford comma. But uh so I am here at this conference that actually focuses on school board governance and one of the things and I was just looking through the agenda for this this weekend um it talks about how when school boards are um most effective that's when our students get their greatest benefits. So, one of the things I'm reading, it says, "By clarifying the foundational elements of the board's work through having explicit roles, responsibilities, governance, and onboarding, school boards can truly be equipped to drive systemic change. So, I know that we have so many passions, all of us, but I think that, you know, Miss Anderson, this is such a a huge historic moment and an opportunity for us to figure out how
036this board can lead and really elevate ourselves um from a lot of details that can bring us astray. So, I I hope that we can do that work and again, thank you for stepping up to um be at the helm of our of our flat board of 12 individual people, which is a huge task in and of itself. So, thank you. Are there any other board members who wish to speak? Miss Lady, I'll be brief. I think my colleagues have summarized Miss Anderson's skill set uh quite well. Um I just want to share that uh you know, from my perspective um I've really enjoyed um actually I'll go back to the first time I met Miss Anderson and she came to my kickoff and I didn't know who she was and I never went to
037her kickoff. So, uh, that tells you a little bit about how to be a politician. She's a little better than me, I think. But, um, but since being, uh, coming on the board, um, great respect for her past experiences in higher education, current work that she was doing writing curriculum in the STEM world, um, for K12 and just all the work and her attention to detail, I think it's been highlighted effectively. So, um, I think she will lead us, uh, beautifully. Um, we both agree collaboration is the best way forward. I appreciate my colleague Miss Marin's comments uh in relation to the work that she's doing right now for professional development. So just very excited to uh see Miss Anderson step into the role as chair and working alongside her. Thank you. If there are
038no other comments, then we'll proceed with the vote, which requires a majority of votes from those board members present and voting. The motion before the board is that Sandy Anderson be elected chair of the Fairfax County School Board. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by raising your hand and saying I. So that would be Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Anderson, Mr. Fris, Miss Seismoreheiser, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, Miss St. John Cunning, and Miss Marin. I believe that's unanimous. At this time, I'm pleased to introduce the chair of the Fairfax County School Board, Miss Sandy Anderson. [Applause] I won't take up much of our time tonight because we have much work to do. Um, thank you to all my colleagues for their kind words. I It It's always makes you feel good to
039have people recognize the work that you do. Um, I've learned so much over my last year in the in my position as vice chair and I am extremely grateful to the board for giving me the opportunity to learn more in this new position. Um, I can't thank Mr. Fish enough for his patience and mentorship throughout the last year. I ask a lot of questions. Um, I would also like to thank Dr. Reid for your steady leadership and thoughtful approach to this work always. Um, as Mr. Fresh noted, we have accomplished so much in our short time on the board together and I am thrilled to be able to continue this work with all of you. So, thank you very much. At this time, I will open the floor to nominations for vice chair of the
040Fairfax County School Board. I nominate Robin Lady for vice chair. It's Mercy. Oh, sorry. It's okay. Sorry, my my mic. I nominate uh Robin Lady to be vice chair. Thank you, Miss St. John Cunning. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Miss Seismore. Um Robin Lady has been nominated for vice chair. Are there other nominations hearing? Hearing no other nominations, the motion for before the board is to elect Robin Lady as the vice chair of the Fairfax County School Board. I'll first call on those who nominated Miss Lady for comments. Miss St. John Cunning. Um, thank you. uh for when I first came on the board um as a first-time school board member, I was really excited when I met Robin Lady because I was glad to have a colleague that had something in common
041with me since both of us have worked in FCPS for over 25 years and we were both motivated to be on the school board to continue serving our FCPS community. In the almost two years that we've served together, I have come to see the dedication and commitment Miss Lady puts into this work. It is informed by her years of experience working with students, families, and community. Miss Lady's north star is to see all FCPS students reach their fullest potential and she understands how that looks different for each student and that's a really important distinction um that I admire. However, it doesn't stop there. Her experience also means she knows how important every FCPS staff member is and how valuable their work is. She understands how significant it is to create a positive school culture where
042staff members can show up to do their best work so our students can succeed. Aside from her experience in FCPS, Miss Lady has served on various boards as a board member and a board leader. To that end, she has worked diligently to create a cooperative culture among schoolboard members as well as with the leadership team. And this is a little known fact because she's very humble. But this April, the PTOAC and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling presented Miss Lady with their highest honor, the Aperson Award presented to a member of their organization whose career embodies the ideals of providing extraordinary service to students. Some of the words used in that recognition apply to the work this lady does on this board and I will use them. Quote, "Perhaps what stands out most about this
043person is their deep dedication to lifting others. They have supported colleagues around the desk, generously sharing wisdom, support, and encouragement. They have been a guiding light for many, always willing to lend an ear, offer advice, and help navigate challenges big or small. I admire that's end quote. And I admire Miss Lady's ability to listen to others, coalesce information, and then bring us together. Miss Lady also continues to per to pursue professional development opportunities on her own dying and then generously shares all of this information and knowledge with this board so that it will inform and help us make the best decisions for the division. I could go on and on, but I do have a time limit. Suffice it to say, it is a privilege for me to sit beside Miss Lady and work with
044a true champion for FCPS teachers, staff, and above all students. Um, I will add here that I cannot say enough about her integrity and the ability to build trust. So, it is really my distinct honor to nominate my colleague and friend to be vice chair for the Fairfax County School Board for the 2025 2026 school year. Thank you, Miss St. John Cunning. Miss Seismarer, would you like to speak to your second? Yes, thank you. I would. And, um, if I may indulge, Miss Lady, before I start, I'd like to say a couple words to our outgoing chair, Mr. Fr. Um, having served myself both as chair and vice chair, I know how incredibly difficult and challenging this role is. And for Mr. Fish to serve for 18 months of a role that takes a lot
045out of you in 12 months is really admirable. And I just wanted to say a minute of thank you for your calm, your collaboration, your humor, and having come on the board with you together in January 2020, just three months before a hundredyear global crisis, and being able to navigate that with you. Um, and then watching you lead us into a new board has been an honor and I just want to thank you. So, Miss Lady, I have the privilege of also seconding your nomination and I'm thrilled about this. While you are newer to the board, you had decades of public service coming into here and work in public education and your list of leadership within your schools as well as in other boards in the community is very impressive. not just starting your career
046as a secondary counselor in 1995, serving that in Thomas Jefferson and the recipient of the director of student services award in 2015, the rising star program award and the president which shows a lot of faith from your colleagues of the PTOIC and Chesapeake Association. And funnily enough, Miss St. John Connie and I had the exact same quote that we were going to share from your award. So, I'm not going to share it, but I did have it written here as well. I just wanted to speak also that I've seen you as leading the governance committee this year lead with grace and flexibility and really working hard to make sure the voices were heard and that our work moved forward. So, thank you for stepping up into this very difficult role. It is as I said
047having served in both these roles quite a challenge and um thank you for the time you're going to be spending the hours and hours and hours and phone calls that you'll be taking and the dedication that you are showing to us and the school system by stepping up. So, thank you. Miss Dixit, I would love to support Miss Lady. And when I think of Miss Lady, I think of 27 years in FCPS. And it's like um I guess this will I'll I'll take it with me for a long time. And and thank you for reminding that always. But uh in seriousness, I have a lot to learn from you and uh you know, you've been working in the school system. the insight you have for somebody like me who is being a parent but not
048being inside the school system. It's been a game changer for me and uh and you are very clear on your your perspectives uh a very non-political political person um something I kind of relate to to as well. So I would love to work with you work aside you beside you and hopefully we'll have a great year ahead. Thank you Mr. Fresh. Thank you. Um, long before either of us served on the board, Robin Lady and I were friends. Uh, and from the moment I met her, her passion for students and their academic success has been clear. Uh, and that passion hasn't faded one bit since her retirement from FCPS or her election to this board. She brings a keen understanding of how our schools operate on a day-to-day basis, grounded in her decades of experience
049working in them. Robin knows what it takes to support our educators and our staff so that every student has what they need to thrive. I know she'll bring that same commitment, insight, and energy to this new role. Uh, and I am incredibly proud to support her as our school board's next vice chair and not just because she did have a slice of the pie made tonight. So, congratulations, Miss Marin. Hi, thank you. Um, yeah, there's no doubt, uh, Miss Lady, that Miss Lady knows the ins and outs of many parts of how our, you know, our system works. And, you know, her view as a former longtime staff member is I always find valuable. I do uh I do want to take this opportunity though to really pivot back to the work, you know, on
050the school board, which is to manage the school board's work. And um as much as each of us likes to be passionate and content experts at some things, this work of leading the board is about setting us up to do the most important things that only the 12 of us in this entire county can do. And um I saw how uh the new vice chair to be uh forthcoming managed the governance committee. And so I think that that was a great sort of trial experience to see the challenges, the opportunities, things to do um and really elevate that now because it's we really have to, you know, again figure out how to work effectively and um it's not just about our passion for the content and the the results. It's about how we get there
051methodically and using our, you know, taxpayer resources as best as possible. So I will be um at your side, Miss Lady, and thank you for stepping up. Thank you, Miss Mayor. Mr. McDaniel, thank you. Um, and I I apologize for being late. I started my morning to the sound of birds chirping in Park City, Utah, and it was literally planes, trains, and automobiles today to get here. So, I just caught my breath. Uh, congratulations to Chair Anderson. I know you're going to do a fantastic job. Um but for the 2B I suspect vice chair lady um I always know that if someone says anything about master schedule I will see her hand shoot up or if someone says anything about Chantilly I will see her hand shoot up. I can set my clock by it
052or Marshall or T. Well those are the big two. Um, but what I most admire about Miss Lady is her passion for our 40,000 employees. And I can always depend that if maybe I don't see something that impacts employees, I know that she will. And having that experience is invaluable to her role and what she does. And I always know that if I have a question about how things actually go on in our in our uh schools with whatever it happens to be, um I can pick up the phone and call Robin and and get the answer and get an honest straightforward uh very candid at times assessment of things which I appreciate cander. So happy to support the nomination. Seeing no other um comments, then we'll proceed with the vote, which requires a majority
053of votes from the board members present in voting. The motion before the board is that Robin Lady be of elected vice chair of the Fairfax County School Board. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by raising your hand and saying I. Miss Dixit, Mr. McDaniel, Mr. FR, Miss Seismore, Mr. Moon, Miss Lady, Miss St. John Cunning, and Miss Marin, and myself. That is unanimous for all members present. At this time, I'm pleased to introduce the chair, the vice chair of the Fairfax County School Board, Miss Robin Lady. Um, congratulations again. The board is going to take a very brief recess to just Oh, I'm so sorry. Yes. Can we have some brief remarks by our new vice chair? Thank you. Um, thank you colleagues for your kind remarks regarding my leadership and work
054with the board. Uh, I'm deeply honored and truly humbled by your nomination and election to serve as vice chair of the Ferris County Public School Board for the coming year. Your trust and confidence in me mean a great deal to me. As many of you know, my journey with FPS began long before my time on this board. I had the privilege of serving our students and community as a school counselor and later as a director of student services. These experiences, coupled with my prior service on various boards, as chair of numerous committees, as a president of two associations, have instilled in me a profound understanding of the dedication required for effective leadership and governance. I'm a strategic thinker, a lifelong learner, and a committed listener. My passion for education is unwavering and I truly believe
055in uplifting the incredible work of FCPS as the best public school system in the United States. In every decision we face, I consistently ask myself three fundamental questions. How will this impact our students? How will this impact our faculty and staff? And how will this impact our families? These questions serve as my compass, ensuring that our focus remains squarely on the well-being and success of our entire school community. I celebrate the collective gifts that each of my fellow board members brings to this table. It is a genuine pleasure to collaborate with all of you and with the exceptional leadership team of FCPS. Together, we strive to ensure that we provide the best possible education to every single student in our charge. To my colleagues on the board, thank you for your incredible support and encouragement
056as I step into this new role. The work of this board is immensely important, incredibly detail- oriented, and demands excellent communication. I promise to do my very best to serve this board and the entire school system with the dedication and integrity. I also ask for your grace when I inevitably make a mistake and I promise to extend that same grace to each of you. I look forward to serving alongside Miss Anderson and working even more closely with all of you in the coming year. Again, I'm incredibly honored and humbled and I thank you for this nomination and election this evening. Thank you. Congratulations again, Miss Lady. The board will now take a very brief recess to resituate ourselves so nobody run away. The board will now reconvene. I now call on Miss Lady for a
057motion. Strap yourselves in. This is a long one. The school board authorize organizational arrangements and appointments as follows. I move that the school board authorize organizational arrangements and appointments as follows. One, designate the 2025 school calendar of regular business meetings which are typically held on Thursdays as well as close sessions and work sessions. The board's calendar of meeting dates will be based on the school year and will be published in July as detailed in attachment A of the agenda item. Special meetings, board committee work sessions and other special functions will also be scheduled. Liaons and committees will be organized to support the board's work. If needed, committees of three board members consider student disciplinary cases in closed meetings. Number two, set the salary of the board members at 48,000 per year and that of the
058board chair at 50,000 and reimburse all board members for travel expenses in the in the in the conduct of official business, including attendance at meetings at the same rate as employees of the board. Compensate the student representative for attendance and participations at public meetings commiserate with the current minimum wage. The student representative shall also be reimbursed with the approval of the school board chair for expenses included while on the school board business. Four, appoint Marty Smith to serve as the superintendent's design to attend any meeting of the school board that the superintendent cannot attend. Five, appoint Christina Setlo as clerk of the school board and Kevin Jackson and Janet Brown as deputy clerks of the school board, each with a cor cooperative certainty bond as required by the code of Virginia. Six, appoint deputy clerks
059of the school board for the limited purpose of signing titles to school division vehicles and counter signing payment warrants as detailed in attachment B of the agenda item. Seven, appoint agents and deputy agents of the school board to examine, approve, and order payment of financial obligations of the school board and to approve dispersements made from all petty cash funds as detailed in attachment B of the agenda item. Eight. appoint agents and deputy agents of the school board to examine, approve, and order payment only in connection with the Educational Employees Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County ER ERFC as detailed in attachment B of the agenda item nine. Authorized the chair and clerk to sign all legal documents for the board other than those requiring the signature of some other officer or officers and authorized the
060vice chair to sign in the absence of unavailability of the chair and the deputy clerks in the absence of unavailability of the clerk. 10. authorized Marty Smith, chief of staff, to execute official documents, including those related to state, federal, and impact aid requiring the superintendent signature and those related to the Virginia Department of Education reports, documents, requisitions, and other official correspondence in the absence of unavailability of the division superintendent effective through July 31, 2026. 11. retained the following outside law firms as assigned and managed by the office of division counsel. The firm of Huntton, Andrew, Kurt to provide general legal advice and litigation services. The firm of Blankenship and Keith to provide general legal and special education advice and litigation services. The firm of Franklin and Proipic to provide workers compensation services. The firm of
061Michael E. Kenny PLC to provide general legal advice and litigation services. the firm of SANS Anderson to provide general legal advice and litigation services and such other firms as are determined to be necessary from time to time. 12. appoint two additional impartial hearing officers, Nancy Reeves and Ross Holden, pursuant to V Virginia Code and 22.1-311B. Upon a timely request for hearing pursuant to Virginia Code 22.1-309 and as required by the Virginia code, the school board will refer such hearing to either an impartial hearing officer or a three-member factf finding panel based upon the preference of the employee requesting the hearing. Is there a second? Mr. Fr. Um, Miss Lady, would you like to speak to your motion? No, thank you. Mr. Fresh, would you like to speak to your second? Just for a few No,
062no, I'm not. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing no other board members that wish to speak, I will call for the vote. The motion is before us on the screen. All those in favor, Miss Dixit, Mr. FR, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Lady, Miss Eismerheiser, and myself. Those opposed? Oh, I'm sorry. And Miss Marin and Miss St. John Cunning were in the affirmative. and those abstaining. Mr. Moon. Madame Clerk, will you read the vote? So, we're 8001. The motion carries. Thank you. Agenda item 6.01 performance review emergency superintendent succession EL2 monitoring report. Each year, this school board assesses the superintendent in part on the basis of the school division's reasonable progress towards achieving the 2023 to 2030 strategic plan goals in adherence to a set of 13 executive limitations found on pages 14 through 31 of the school
063board of the board's strategic governance manual. The superintendent provides annual monitoring reports to the board for each executive limitation. The board then votes on whether or not the provided report is in compliance or or if corrective action is necessary. I call on Dr. Reid for a monitoring report on executive limitation 2 emergency superintendent succession. Good evening uh Chair Anderson and members of the board and the public. Uh tonight I'll be presenting executive limitation number two which addresses the emergency superintendent succession here in Fairfax County. Um, at this point, just a reminder for those watching that uh the emergency superintendent succession uh executive limitation is critical and it does um direct that I shall not fail to designate um one other at least one other executive staff member as acting superintendent, excuse me, who is familiar
064with the board's governance process and issues of current concern and who would be capable of assuming the superintendent responsibilities uh should I become unexpectedly unavailable. So, at the time of this report, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, I've gathered uh information and evidence that I believe supports compliance with the board's uh expectations associated with this topic. So, I want to clarify that in the event that there was some sudden reason that I've lost the capacity to serve, um, that I have designated Chief of Staff Marty Smith to assume these responsibilities. Consistent with this designation, you have voted on the annual schoolboard organizational arrangements, which also include a recommendation to appoint Chief of Staff Marty Smith to serve as a superintendent's designate and attend any meeting in my place should I be unable
065to attend. Um, one of the things uh that's important for the board and community to know is that our chief of staff, Marty Smith, works uh very collaboratively with our senior leadership team to address issues and emergencies that occur. Uh, I've been uh very clear with Mr. Smith on board policies, regulations, and the governance manual, as well as clarifying executive limitations and goal expectations. And Mr. Smith is very familiar with our division strategic plan as well as the priorities for the division. At this time, uh, Madam Chair, this concludes the summary of the monitoring report for executive limitation 2, and I'm happy to take any questions should the board have any. I call on Miss Lady for a motion. I move that the school board finds the superintendent is in compliance with executive limitation number
066two, emergency superintendent succession. I further move that the school board approve the monitoring report based on the superintendent's reasonable interpretation of e executive limitation number two. Emergency superintendent succession as outlined in the strategic governance manual. Is there a second? I second. Miss lady, would you like to speak to your motion? Uh actually, you know, I I think this is pretty uh you know, straightforward and and self-explanatory, but I I do thank the superintendent for her hard work and the team she has around her. Thank you. Miss St. John Cunning, would you like to speak to your second? Just very briefly, I think the superintendent has done a great job of putting an excellent leadership team together. Um, and just knowing that that leadership team is there, uh, should anything ever happen, we know that they
067could keep things running because she has had a very steady hand in putting them together and guiding them. Um, so I'm happy to second this motion. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Moon, just one quick question. Uh, Dr. read uh as an attorney when I used to practice there are you know sometimes I had to ask client a pretty uncomfortable questions such as what if neither of you is of your lumber ever thought about that not recently um but uh I suppose that's possible but one of the things that we're generally careful about is we're not on vacation at the same time. So, we look at our calendars for the year. Um, and one of us is always going to be available by phone, text, or email um 247. I mean, I I suggest that for you
068to think about just in case something were to happen to both of you, God forbid, then we may have to somebody else to step in. Yes, sir. Okay. Seeing no other members that wish to speak, um I'm going to go ahead and call for a vote on the motion which is on the screen. All those in favor, Miss Dixit, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Lady, Miss Eismore Heiser, Mr. Moon, Miss Marin, and Miss St. John Cunning, and myself. That's unanimous. Agenda item 7.01, 01 policy review emergency superintendent succession EL2. The next order of business is the policy review for executive limitation 2 emergency superintendent succession. Annually, the board will review each executive limitation at the time the monitoring report is provided to determine if revisions are needed. Board members may offer amendments to executive limitations
069at our regular meeting provided that they have sent the final amended lang amended language to the board and clerk at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting which is which it is to be considered. At this time, no amendments have been submitted in advance of this meeting, but board members may provide comments on executive limitation to emergency superintendent succession before we vote on maintaining the current language for the year ahead. Um, I call on Miss Lady for a motion. I move that the school board maintains executive limitation 2, emergency superintendent succession as it is currently detailed in the strategic governance manual. Is there a second? I second. Miss Lady, thank you. Miss St. John Cunning, would you Miss Lady, would you like to speak to your motion? No, thank you. Miss St. John Cunning,
070would you like to speak to your second? No, thank you. Seeing no other board members that wish to speak, I will call on a vote on the motion which is on the screen. All those in favor, Miss Dixit, Mr. FR, Mr. McDaniel, Miss Lady, Miss St. John, Miss Seismore Heiser, Miss Moon, Mr. Moon, Miss Marin, and Miss St. John Cunning, and myself. That's unanimous. Agenda item 8.01, academic matters. I call on Dr. Reid for academic matters. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, this evening's presentation focuses on our division's work to increase English language acquisition for our multilingual learners. And these touch especially goals one and goals three of our strategic plan and our multilingual learner process is weighted 10 percentage points in the new VDOE school performance and support framework for school accreditation excuse me at
071all of our schools. So um next slide please. The English uh language development uh again is very important. Uh looks at research and how instruction uh you know effective instruction enables our multilingual students to more quickly uh exit uh sheltered classes and to become more proficient um in English more quickly. And we've certainly worked very hard um in the last year or two and particularly with new reading materials at elementary for our multilingual learners. So we're working very hard at this time uh to make sure that we are supporting in every possible way our multilingual learners. So next slide please. Um, this WEDA access exam or the WEDA access test is used currently in 41 states and territories and federal agencies. It is currently the Virginia Department of Education approved English language proficiency assessment and
072it's a comprehensive assessment that evaluates students in four critical uh domains of language and that would be reading, writing, listening and speaking. Tonight, we're going to share some preliminary data for our multilingual student proc uh progress. Uh to do that, we'd like to begin by sharing a video with you that demonstrates uh multilingual student instruction in action during an elementary benchmark express lesson. And again, a reminder, this is the first time we've had elementary um instructional materials expressly uh designed and intended for use by our multilingual learners. So, if you would go ahead and play the video, please. Our ESEL teachers have done an exceptional job this year supporting English language development through intentional alignment with the benchmark express curriculum because benchmark express parallels benchmark advance um in the gened classrooms. Our multilingual learners were
073positioned to access tier 1 more effectively. The alignment allowed our ESOL teachers to pre-teach, reinforce, support, and scaffold academic vocabulary and language structures in very meaningful content connected ways. This work is grounded in what we know from research. When English language learners receive explicit language instruction, closely tied to the grade level content, their language development accelerates and they're more successful in tier one instruction. But today we're going to focus on the verbs, right? And yesterday we talked about and well we've been talking about how verbs have different forms. So different tenses, right? So a verb can have different different forms. So one is the present, another one is the future. This one past and the other one is the future. By working collaboratively with classroom teachers, our Esau staff ensured that instruction wasn't happening in
074silos. They scaffolded text, provided language objectives, uh co-created opportunities for structured academic talk practices, all that significantly increased both receptive and productive language skills. We have put it in order. Just in case you pick [Music] all the pictures down and then all of there is a lot of cards, but it's only saying Oh, you have one. All right. way. Okay. What else? Isn't that interesting? Is it spelled the same? Yes. Yeah. Okay. Ultimately, the intentional use of Benchmark Express empowered our multilingual learners to engage more confidently in tier one instruction discussions and tasks in particular. We've seen not only improved language proficiency data, but also greater student participation and ownership in their learning. This kind of inclusive, highquality instruction truly makes a difference in closing opportunity gaps for our multilingual learners. I want you to
075tell me sentence to make using that verb. Or if you want a different verb, that's fine. But I want to practice that with you. I will try. You want to try it? Yeah. Okay. Go. I meet Anderson and the park. Okay. I love that sentence, but that sentence is in the present because you said meet. Can you try again with the past tense? I meet. You're saying I met I met Anderson and the park. That's a great sentence. Thank you. All right. So at this point I want to take just a little bit of a look um over we try to provide you with three years worth of uh data and our multilingual learner progress um continues to be a measure of students gain in gains in English language proficiency over a two-year period. So
076you can see that we have an increasing number of students that have met uh progress as well as an increasing number of students period. Um, but we've gone from 48.3% in 2023 to 57.1% um in 2025. And the Virginia percents uh continue to lag. So, we're outperforming um the Commonwealth at this time, at least last year, and we're hopeful uh that we will again this year. The data has not been posted yet. Um, but we're excited about the progress our students are making in their hard work as well as the hard work of our staff and the parents supporting our students. So, next slide. Thanks. Um, the English language development is definitely a key to academic success. Um, and I think it's important also to remember this isn't just about numbers and data. Uh, these
077percentages represent thousands and thousands of individual success stories. Um these are um students. We're now at well over 35,000 uh multilingual learners in our division and this is represents tens of thousands of experiences. So we're very excited about the progress we're making and look to accelerate that even further in the coming year. So madam chair that is academic matters this evening and if there are any questions I'm happy to answer them. Miss Seismarheiser. Thank you. And I just wanted to first say thank you for this presentation and and for you and your staff's hard work with our multilingual students. Um I know that your staff works very hard. This has been a a focus of efforts this year to really imp um help support our multilingual students or as I like to call experienc multilingual
078students because the level of effort it takes and the level the amount of experience our students bring in and the knowledge and effort to speak more than one language is pretty impressive. So, I think it's incredible um the work that our multilingual students do and the experiences that they bring to our schools. Um, a couple things I just wanted to um lift up. I want to commend you for this progress to go from 48.3% progress in 23 to 55.5% to 57.1 is pretty darn impressive. So, I just wanted to say to you, to your staff, and all of our teachers who are working hard on that, thank you for this because as we saw in data that you presented earlier this year, our multilingual students once they complete the multilingual program actually do better on
079so scores than the average of our test, I think, than many of our other subgroups. So, our multilingual services work not just for helping our multilingual students learn another language, right? English in addition to however many other languages they speak, but it also works in terms of academic achievement as evidenced by the so score. So, this is really great work. I just want to commend you and your staff for that. I do think we need to continue to work with our multilingual students to make sure they can access high level academics while still in the English learner multilingual um programming so that we don't lose their academic, you know, progress or give them the chances to develop their skills and talents even while on that. So, I think that's an area that we could continue
080to focus on, but this is really incredible work. I just wanted to to lift that up. Thank you. Yes, your staff. Yeah, thank you. I know a number of our staff are not here this evening as well that have worked very hard on this, but going from 2023 where we were actually lagging behind the Commonwealth to moving ahead. It it really underscores the effort and the focus. So, thank you, Mr. Moon. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. I better get used to saying madame chair uh you know Dr. Agreed. I thanks for the presentation. I'm also happy to see a progress that we have made, you know, since 2023. A couple of questions that I have includes, first of all, do we have any certain target goal, long-term goal, whether that 57.1, which is great, whether
081that should go all the way to certain level or or is our goal just to be above state personage? I just want to hear you. You might have presented this to us previously, but I'm just not remembering it. So, I'm I'm certain we have goals. What we want to think about is accelerating those. 57% is certainly better than 48, but it's not where we want to be. And I believe this year we've got a number of um plans in place to um provide even more acceleration. And um I know Miss Neil, do you have a sense of what our current target is based on? I believe the current target this year was 59%. So we just fell just short of that for the entire until uh until 2030. The state target though was 56%. So
082we met that target and this coming year will be 58%. So, what is our long-term goal to 2030? I just remembering it. Yeah, I'm not sure what Rich is saying because we don't have this year's data yet or if we do, it's not in the chart. Yeah, if you could if you could get back to me in writing that would be Friday. I'm again I'm happy that we are making a progress. just wanted to see whether this was the ultimate goal or or I don't want to sound unrealistic asking for a unachievable goal but I at the same time I want to school system to set very pretty pretty high pretty high goal uh to work toward uh another question that I have is a meeting multilingual progress uh my understanding is meeting means meeting
083state targets correct you know VDO set targets is the measure under this and depending upon the level of proficiency those targets might be different just for the public would you be able to explain what those are that's correct so the VDOE progress target is based on the ELP level of a student so the language proficiency level that each student starts at and their grade level so the state has established a matrix. So, for example, if you're in second grade and you're a level one, you're expected to make uh 1.0 level, you know, one level of growth each year. As you get older, when you get into grades 6 through 12, the amount of growth that you are required to make gets gets smaller based on your ELP level and your grade level. Uh thank you,
084uh Mr. Polio. I don't want to discount the work done by a VDOE. At the same time, I take a huge pride in capability of our staff in in FCPS. Do you agree with the VDOE targets? Yeah, these are just these are VDOE targets specifically. What I'm saying is do you do you do you agree with those right targets for us? Uh yes, I would believe they are the right targets for us. I think we're always striving to do better. So I think as we look at students, we want them first and foremost to meet the VDE target, but the ultimate target that we want them to make is to reach proficiency. So each year we're looking to make sure that students continue on that road toward proficiency, which in Virginia is to reach a
085compre a comprehensive score of 4.4. So we're really looking at two things every year. are students meeting the VDE benchmark and how close are they getting to proficiency? And as students get closer to proficiency, we don't want to stop that English language development. We want to continue on that to make sure that they do reach proficiency. We do not want students to languish, you know, at level three, level four. We want students to keep going to meet those to meet full proficiency. And that's where uh as was mentioned earlier, students really start to show that they can master academic content in the classroom. Thank you, Mr. P. I probably may want to send you an email as uh with a few more questions, but that's for some other time. Thank you, Miss St. John Cunning.
086Thank you. Um and thank you for the great work for staff. um for everything that's been accomplished with our multilingual learners. Dr. Reed, um some of the funds that are right currently being frozen, um how would that impact our ability to serve our multilingual learners if those funds do not thaw? We're reviewing that right now and we're going to be meeting next week to look at that. Um it may force us to create a different model of support um you know unfortunately we're in tight budget times as you know so we're going to have to figure out um what how we're going to best utilize the funds we do have available to us to support our students. But we'll know more next week. Okay. And the other question I have in terms of um I
087know we measure multilingual students in terms of their proficiency in English but we do not conduct any testing in a separate language in terms of content. Um, so is it possible for a child to actually know the content but not be able to demonstrate that they know the content because they don't have the language proficiency? I think it absolutely is possible and we've seen that and we've actually heard from students uh particularly in mathematics that there um students have expressed concerns at times that they've been placed in lower level math courses when they actually understood the math content. So that's one of the projects Dr. Pon and his team are working on for the coming year is to make sure that we can have a better match uh for mathematics placement for our multilingual students
088uh in particular. But absolutely that's possible. So, I just really the reason I asked that question is because I know that a lot of times there's a perception that maybe our multilingual learners may be academically at a disadvantage when sometimes they're not. And it's just that they're not able to express what they do know. And I just want us to all be mindful as a community, and I know that as a school system, we are about the many strengths that our multilingual learners do bring to our community and to our buildings. Um, and that it's really something that is unique is unique to Fairfax County in terms of the variety of languages and even the variety of ways that some of our multilingual learners solve problems. I've seen them showing some of our students how
089to solve problems in a different way because they learned it in a different way. in their country. So, um I just want to stress that sometimes the ability to not proficiently express your knowledge does not necessarily demonstrate that you are an academically weak student. No, I couldn't agree more and we have students coming from all over the world uh who are multilingual. I think um most recently in terms of a conversation that we had with one of our students was Hammond Mccel or Haymon Bella, right? our time student of the year um with his science and came not speaking English uh to this country. So, not only was able to become a proficient English speaker, but an amazing young scientist and an incredible young man, right, as one of our Fairfax County High School students
090uh currently. Thank you. Thank you for all the work and to staff for all the work and for all the teachers um that are supporting our multilingual students and for all the teachers that are learning how to support multilingual learners without themselves being English as a second language um learner teacher and I I really appreci appreciate that the county is moving that way so that everyone in that classroom and in that school knows what the needs are of these students and that we're we're just supporting them and lifting them. Yeah. Thank you, Miss St. John Connie. I know that the current data is just shy of 90% of our teaching staff are working with a multilingual student. So, um, we're really excited about some of the new strategies and skills. Seeing no other comments, we're
091going to go ahead and move along. Agenda item 8.02, strategic plan update. I call on Dr. Reid for a strategic plan update. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the board. Uh, lots of excitement tonight in our strategic plan update as we take a look at goal five, leading for tomorrow's innovation. Um, this evening, I'm going to be sharing some experiences of our recent 2025 graduates. Next slide, please. So, um, next slide, please. We have provided a diploma to over 14,000 students um as of the end of this year. That is huge. That's larger than many small towns uh across this country. Uh this represents a culmination of hard work, dedication, and growth for our students, um our staff, their families, and our school communities. Uh we're really working hard to prepare our
092young people for careers and lives and opportunities that don't exist today. So um in a community and world honestly yet to be imagined. So um our graduates we feel are ready uh for what's next and equipped with the tools. So let's hear from a few of the graduates who share some experiences about their educators and programs. Madame clerk, please play the video. Goal five of the FCPS strategic plan focuses on preparing every student for the future. With strong, positive relationships and dedicated support, students feel safe, valued, empowered, and ready to grow. Every child arrives with unique interests and goals. and our role is to ensure that they have the support and opportunities to thrive on their individual path to graduation. I think when I met Miss Cox and Miss Miller and Mr. Hardy, I would
093say they were the three teachers that that changed how I viewed the school. Cuz my first year coming here, I think I had what was it? All B's and Fs or something. And then within a month, I raised it up to C's and B's. I've just known that everyone there, my teachers, my friends, my counselors, they've always been so supportive of me and the goals that I wanted to achieve and how they could help me. They care about the students. So, we know that they're paying attention and we can tell the teachers, the adults in this building, they make you to feel like you belong in this school. My teachers, my teachers, they were so make me try to like talk more, be more confident about it. But what makes Madison really a great place
094to be is basically other support. FCPS offers many pathways and opportunities from AVID and JOTC to elective courses and non-traditional programs, all designed to prepare students for the future. Thinking about it as a freshman, ever joining the military was absolutely terrifying. It wasn't until I actually joined JRTC when I realized that I could actually maybe do that. My high school experience would be different without Abby because I am an organized person, but when it comes to school, like I'm all over the place. This helped me set boundaries down for and like learning how to like divide my my schoolwork, my sports, and my my job. Avid is a great program. Um, it teaches a lot of skills that are ready for the next phase of life. anywhere from organizational tools to time management to just
095interacting and collaborating with others in the classroom. So, it really sets the students up to have the skill set they need in order to go on whether it's a community college, four-year college, military or job, they're going to have those skills they need in order to be successful. I got into yearbook because one of my teachers, uh, she was my English teacher for my junior year and she was like, "Oh, guys, try yearbook. I love to do photography. She talked to me about some scholarships to go into a convention. We went to Philadelphia and I think that was really important for me because it inspired me to keep going. Behind Leslie, behind Hector, there is a staff of people that made it possible that gave them the confidence to believe in themselves. We would be
096remiss if we didn't say that their parents have done a tremendous job as well. Our students graduate with confidence and purpose ready for college, the military, or career training thanks to dedicated staff, strong homeschool partnerships, and excellent academic programs and resources. Mountain View gave Andrew and his classmates voice on what happened to them during their school day. You the staff here built a relationship and built community around Andrew. I think that I'm a I'm the first person in my family to go to college. So, I feel like that will make my parents really proud. So, I'm attending to Ronut College to play baseball. I'm gonna study sport management. So, next year I'm entering my first year at VMI, Virginia Military Institute. And so, I'm just very excited for the next chapter in my life. I'm
097planning on uh studying criminology. Actually, when I came here, when I first came here, I wanted to be a lawyer. I still want to be a lawyer, but then I decided that I also want to be a judge. Graduation means finally finishing something I started like for four years which I'm proud of, you know, being from being a little girl to now being like an eight-year-old exceeding in life. It just means like accomplishment. I feel like I feel like means joyful to me. The strategic plan to me says that every child has the ability to do something to get to whatever it is their aspirations are. It's our job to ensure we provide the resources to get there. Opportunities not only to in school but out of school does exemplify what that's all about. excellence,
098equity, and opportunity. So, Madame Chair, congratulations again to all our 2025 graduates and their families, all 14,000 plus of them. And that concludes our July strategic plan update and we look forward to continuing to provide these monthly glimpses into the strategic planning progress. So, thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Dr. Reed. At this time, I now invite board members to ask any clarifying questions or provide comments. So, we have Miss Seismarheiser. Thank you. And you you have that Dr. Reed look because you know what's coming. Um, I appreciate this presentation. I I really want to applaud the variety of courses and options we have for our students to be able to find their path. However, and I I really do and I think it's it's incredible the things that students can explore in ourmies. Um,
099however, the I was really excited when I saw it. It was about transitioning out of FCPS. Well, we really didn't talk about our transition programs in this slide at all. We talked about what some students have sort of want to do when they leave, which is great and very interesting and sort of what they came into high school with and then staff that helped them or along the way. And again, that's great. But we didn't talk about transition in this and that took me by surprise a little bit. Um, one of the things that I I will say that I have um been advocating for many many years while here is looking at our transition programming and really looking at the fact that when did we design it and when have we holistically updated it?
100Um, I've said it before and I would take this opportunity to say it again. When you look at our transition programming for 18 to 22 year olds and look at the numbers that access those programs, it's probably less than 500. What are we doing for the rest in systematic programming for those who can be here till 22? What progress have we made towards that middle school early transition? I know we put some staff into place, but having a systematic middle school program to look at that four to eight year path. I know there's issues with sliders, but there's no issues with sliders up to six years to make sure I have two people I know who graduated this year from Pulley with standard diplomas and the amount of challenge not for the students but administratively
101for the families to have to advocate was significant. And it is no surprise that the two students who graduate that have very active advocate families who've been doing that for 10 to 15 years. I don't know what we can do but we need to know what we have done and I haven't seen anything of what we have done and I was really hoping there'd be something in these slides about transitioning out about what we have done to look at our transition programming. I don't know if I've I've not heard for 15 years any changes to it and it's probably longer than that. Fair point. I uh will visit with our department and uh see where we can uh provide some um how do I say some improvements for next year's slide deck. I just love
102to see some improvements for next year for transition programming and then we can talk about it in our slide deck. Yes, ma'am. Um, it's when you look at the long-term outcomes, we are doing a huge disservice by not looking at what we are doing and how to improve that on a holistic basis and it should not take very active parents of 15 years for students who could access this diploma to get it. Point taken. Thank you, M. her miss exit. Thank you Dr. Reed for the presentation. Um always nice video accompanied with your uh presentation. I I did want to like understand a bit about the equity commitment. This line we will center student voice data and use evidence to ensure each student is ready to make informed decision. How are we doing that? Is
103there any uh data point on that or anything we can share? Thank you, Miss Dixit. I believe we do. Miss Neil, do you want to share what that data point would be and we may need to amplify that in an upcoming Friday letter, but Miss Neil? Yeah. So, we recently wrapped up some initial analysis of our student experience survey and as a part of that, there were questions in there and focus groups um to look at students perceptions around readiness for post-secary. So, we can provide some additional updates in the Friday letter for the board that pull out that student voice implications. and we're going to be weaving those data points in as a part of our goal reporting this coming school year. Thank you so much. Um there is obviously data coming out that
104the um young men are not ready to go to four-year college or not getting to that um you know the vision or uh I said there it's it's different for girls and boys right so for I I just wanted to see if uh we are hearing the voices uh for the people who are probably lost um and not speaking up uh when you do focus group is it by u school level, is it by gender, how how is it? Yes. So, we did some intentional focus groups um in particular looking at our multilingual learners, our students with IEPs. It was very intentional to try and center some of those voices that may not show up in some of our strategic plan work and understanding their individual experiences. So there's some insights in the report um
105that are provided that um look at um the what what those students had to say as a part of a deeper dive into the data with them. Okay. I'd like to see that report and thank you for sharing that Dr. Reid. Yes ma'am. Thanks. Seeing no others we're going to go ahead and move forward. Um agenda item 8.03 fiscal year 2025 year end review. I call on Dr. Reed for the fiscal year 2025 year end review. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'm going to invite our chief finance officer, Miss Burden, uh to come up and share our final year end review. Miss Burton. Good evening, Chairman Anderson, members of the school board, and Dr. Reid. Um, the year- end review offers an opportunity for final revisions to fiscal 25 um and to provide carryover information
106and other revisions to the fiscal 26 approved budget. The total funds available for fiscal 25 are 87.2 million. And that amount is influenced by several factors. the actual revenue variance, which is an increase of 2.7 million, and that's made up of an increase in state revenue. Um, a decrease in federal revenue, but that decrease is just, um, we have two grant funds that support the operating fund. All the other grants are in the grant fund, um, and Carl Perkins, and any grant funds that are unspent have to be carried over. So, that's why this appears as a reduction to federal revenue. And then we do have some increases in tuition fees and other and that's largely um Thomas Jefferson tuition and city of Fairfax. The actual expenditure variance less reserves commitments and carryover um is
107a decrease of 84.5 million and that variance is primarily to do from savings from laps and turnover. Um and then we routinely carry over the outstanding uh incumbrances or obligations undelivered orders. Um we have schools project carryover schools that is the um 10% that schools automatically get to carry over at middle and high and 25% at the elementary as well as central office uh multi-year projects like textbooks FCPS on um those kinds of things. Then we have U department critical needs which is 8.9 million and that is a um a very limited amount. In previous years we did have quite a bit more funds at carryover and I think last year we allocated 26 million to departments as part of year end. Well we just don't have the funds to be able to do that
108this year and so the amount that is carried over for departments is 8.9 million. And then we have reserves of 8.6 million. Um the reserves are at 8.6 million. That number is usually 10 million. Um 2 million fuel contingency and 8 million schoolboard flexibility reserve. But the school board decided to add additional schoolboard um assistance and um funded out of the schoolboard rep uh schoolboard flexibility reserve and that totals 1.4 million. So 6.6 6 million is what the flexibility reserve is in fiscal 26 and 2 million for the fuel contingency and all of that. Then we have two items that are previously identified adjustments. the special education extended day contract 26.9 million will support um those special ed teachers daily contracts uh by 30 minutes and that of course improves retention by compensating for additional
109compliance responsibilities. Also, we'd set aside a beginning balance for not this year, but next year, fiscal 27. And 24 million is what we have available to be able to carry forward as the beginning balance. That those two items together total 50.9 million, leaving a remaining balance of 36.3. 36.3 million represents about 1% of our total budget. um that is smaller than we've had in previous years due to items that were prioritized for year end like the special ed contracts and you know of course we have had um improvement in the number of vacancies and turnover throughout fiscal 25. So the recommended adjustments for fiscal 26 year end uh amount to 36.3 million. The first item is a transfer to the health fund to replenish the health care premium stabilization reserve. Uetime transfer of 30 million
110is recommended to increase this reserve which has been reduced due to um medical claims that are higher than anticipated and increasing pharmacy claims transferred to the construction fund for major maintenance. You may recall that I think back in 2014 we budgeted 10 million every year at year I mean for maintenance projects and due to budget cuts that was funded at 6.5 million with the promise that every year at year end we would fund an additional 3.5 million to bring them back to that 10 million and so that's what this is um for it it'll help address the backlog of infrastructure maintenance again the schoolboard flexibility reserve staff assistance at 1.4 million. Um, and that will fund those those positions. And then we have two other items. Graduation ceremony. We need 8 million to support costs
111for venue rental, transportation, live stream, and other logistical expenditures. U for graduation ceremonies across 25 high schools and the other programs. And then the automated external defil I knew I was going to botch that word, but AEDs. The Yeah, defilibrators. defibrillator. Defibrillator, right? And that's 6 million and that's to comply with Virginia Senate Bill uh 817 SB 817 requiring additional AED units and climate control cabinets at all athletic venues. Then again, we have the carryover, the unspent grant funding. We already talked about the revenue that was reduced because we're carrying it over and that's mostly idea funds and then a couple hundred thousand of um new grant awards that we've just um became aware of. The other funds represent multi-year programs whose funds flow from year to year with fund balance and stabilization reserves as
112required. Um I don't usually go into those because they are multi-year. You also have um you know the fund statements at the end of the document. Um for each fund we have nine funds. Then there's the supplemental appropriation resolution whose purpose is to transmit to the county our changes our final changes to fiscal 25 um which is midyear third quarter and year end combined. Then the fiscal planning resolution represents the transfers from the operating to the other funds. And then the grants development summary provides information about fiscal 25 grants there. This um item is scheduled for action at the regular schoolboard meeting on July 17th. Thank you so much. I don't see any lights yet. However, I do have a question. Um earlier this year we voted in a an expenditure out of the schoolboard
113reserve related to the facility assessments and I don't see that reflected in the amount that is has been taken from the schoolboard reserve this year and so I just wanted to make because I know moving forward that that reserve may become extremely important. I just wanted to make sure that that money had been allocated. Um, I know that the intention was if it if it wasn't necessary to be utilized that we would put it back in the reserve. I just was hoping that we you might be able to speak to that. Yeah, the schoolboard flexibility reserve is not recurring funds that's budgeted in the budget every year. It is always one-time funds that is replenished at the end of the year. And you're absolutely right. Um, the item you mentioned was funded, but it was
114funded out of fiscal 25 schoolboard flexibility reserve. Gotcha. Thank you so much. Mr. Moon, wrong microphone. Okay, Mr. Duns. Uh uh thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh that $30 million transferring to health fund. Uh, with that $30 million, could you would you be able to tell me what the a a amount of fund will be next year in the reserve? Uh, 50. It's going to be $55 million. 55. Is that the optimal level or? No, it is not. We will have to add additional funds to the um health um the the PSR, the premium stabilization reserve um in fiscal 26 as well. At year end, if we have funds, we'll be able to do that. You know, as you know, we are self-insured, which means our uh premiums cover our claims. And when claims
115go up, then if premiums are not at the level that cover those claims, then it eats into the premiums premium stabilization reserve, which is exactly what that fund balance is for is to address the volatility that we often see in health care plans. Um, ideally we would have about 50 60 million. I'm sorry. We will have about 55 million this year, but we really need to have about 20 million more. Um, I mean, about $75 million. Is that is that is that the optimal number? Yes. And that's that's pretty much best practices. Okay. Thank you. Another question goes to uh actual expenditure variance of $347 million. Uh could you correct me if I'm wrong? That that 347 includes basically outstanding encumbered obligations of 72 and schools and project carry over of 173. Those are part
116of that 347. Yes. Okay. That as well as the department critical needs, the reserves, the beginning, all of that. Right. And that leaves 87. Correct. Uh uh would you be able to tell you know us a that remaining 87 you know where those 87 maybe in coming from category wise whether they are teachers or they you know staffing or they are logistics or utilities or I want to have a sense of that. Yeah, it's a little bit of everything, but it is primarily um salary and benefits. Um I don't have that level of detail. Would you be able to give us like a big category where it doesn't have to be I don't I don't need to know every cent and diamonds going into a particular line item, but generally where that 87 is coming
117from. Yes, it is primarily salaries and benefits though and it is primarily from teacher accounts. teacher and 16,000 of our 25,000 employees are teachers and so you would expect so if you could put that into writing that would be helpful. I'll be glad to. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Oh, Miss Anderson, it looks like Miss Marin's hand is on. Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss Burton. Um, I've got Miss Marin and then Miss Dixit. Thank you. I'm back. No worries. Thanks. Thanks, Miss Burden. Um, so I'm just, you know, we're in a unique budget time and I'm wondering a few things. Um, for the superintendent, you know, are we at a point where we need to perhaps think differently how we provide how we receive this year-end information? and um
118perhaps my colleagues or the clerk if anyone could know Miss Burn off the top of your head but is it our practice to not have a work session in between the presentation and the adoption and I'm having memories of board's past talking about this um because it's a big deal um in this time especially since I don't seem to see uh what's been laid out in terms of preparing for any change in federal funding. So, I guess that's a that's a question for the superintendent is, you know, if you can recall, have we had a work session in between the presentation of the year-end, you know, proposal and the board adoption? What's your thinking given this time? Um, knowing that we had the shortfall for a local budget, the federal can be precarious. Should we
119be doing things a little bit differently at this time? So, thank you, Miss Marin. And it's my recollection since I've been in Fairfax um that we have not had a work session on the year end. Um and I see Miss Burton agreeing with that. So I think that probably we haven't and even prior to my uh being in the division. I think you raised a good point around the federal funding and the state funding and so forth. I don't know. Again, we're talking at your end about one-time dollars and not recurring funds. So, I think fundamentally we're going to need to look at our program and staffing allocations in light of our new paradigm around funding. And I don't know that we can rely on one-time funds um to support uh a new direction. I
120think these are unique funds. Um, and I think we can't always count on them. Even this year, there are fewer funds than last. Um, but I take your point, you know, in terms of how we're going to need to cobble together budgets differently. And I think it certainly warrants, you know, a close look over the course of this next fall. Great. Well, thank you. And, you know, this of course goes with that Baldridge work you've been doing. So, you know, if there's a time when we can expect to hear, you know, what a new approach might be, you know, I would be interested in that. I I think too, you know, our our chief just talked about um how things compared this year to last year. I I do think we need to have that
121memorialized here in our public documents, but also so that we can analyze them and look at the trends and see because you know again we're going to need to figure out how to plan better and so that is one thing also that when we do these year-end presentations that you know this the what's listed in Boardocks is very helpful but can we look at prior years and just like a reminder of you know what the board has done, what we've been able to carry over, what we've approved. I I'm not totally saying let's do that, but those are things that I'm thinking about now at this time um to be more informed. And then the last point I had um was that we've just got to keep highlighting that we are using our instructional operational
122dollars to pay for facilities needs because of woefully underfunded capital funding. And I believe that the 3 million now that's slated for the year end, isn't that in addition to what was it for the FY26 budget we approved? It was 21 million. Is that accurate, Miss for maintenance projects, right? I'm going to ask Ms. Wigington is um I don't have to get the exact number off the top of my head, but there's about 10 million that was approved as part of the 26 approved budgets for major maintenance specifically. And then we have some other things for like equipment um and a few other transfers that might get close to the 21 million that you're talking about, but specific for major maintenance it was 10 million. Okay. Thank you. And so I mean the bottom line
123is is that we are using the dollars allocated to instruct children to pay for dilapitated buildings and I think we really need to you know keep talking about that and you know our joint task force with the board of supervisors we can begin at any time and so that's a topic and I just wanted to elevate that. So um thank you. Yes ma'am. And I I do think you rais a good point. I think as our budgets become tighter for operating uh not utilizing those funds for capital or maintenance makes a lot of sense. Miss Dixon, thank you Miss Burden for the presentation. Um I my question is about the adult and community education fund and it says the total receipts is $8.1 million which is 1.5 million lower than the revised budget due to
124decrease in tuition of 1.6 million and the expenditure also says 1.6 million decrease from the budget. So I'm I'm not a little confused. It's like an even thing. 1.6 million decrease in tuition and then 1.6 6 million decrease in the expenditure. It's like washes off. Miss Dix, you're correct. So, there was a shortfall of 1.5 million in the tuition revenue, but since they had expenditures of that amount, it practically nets to zero. There was a small ending balance of about $30,000 in that fund. Okay, that's very interesting actually. um how how the lower enrollment actually impacts the so uh my question about this is um as we are in a tighter funding are we losing money in uh ACE program is it just funded by FCPS fully or what's the the collection on it is
125not fully funded um as a standalone we do have uh operating funds that go into the ACE fund regularly I think we have about a 300,000 match that we have to provide to the ACE fund to provide uh ESL services to the community. Um and then I think there is a standard annual transfer from the operating fund into ACE for about 600,000 on top of that. So about a million dollars overall that the school operating fund transfers to ACE every year as part of the approved budget. Yeah, that's not that bad. I was thinking we are funding uh we are like $8 million funded by no tuition tuition comes covers covers the rest of it. Thank you so much Miss Seismarhouser. Thank you and I appreciate the opportunity to speak to this and um I
126think you know every year it's really funny that I've been on the board we I don't think we've ever had a work session on the year-end budget and I think every year the question comes up around that and it's it's just interesting to hear. I do think that, you know, we've got to be careful not to conflate ongoing needs with one-time dollars too because these are just onetime dollar onetime funds and from a carryover which can change year to year as well. Um I do think though that there and we talked about this this last year as when when I was budget vice chair then became budget chair. talked about when we're entering these changed budget times where our fiscal um realities have changed at the local level. We the state is you know there's
127still issues at the state level and now we have significant uncertainty at the federal level as well which is something that's very new I think for the school system is this level of uncertainty from the federal. Um, we talked about the fact that I think our community has gotten used to, you know, not worrying as much about school funding and with the changes in the federal, I think that this is an opportunity not just to monitor what's happening, but to continue that communication with our community of there's a lot of stuff going on, right? So, people have a lot of different things that they're focused on. And I think we just need to say, look, these changes at the federal level, even though we don't know quite what they are yet, like this may be
128coming. This is what we're concerned about. Here's what's being said. We've got to continue that education, that information, right? Because we can't wait until it's done and then we're scrambling. So, I guess the question I have is what, you know, what are we doing as I know we're monitoring what's happening at the federal level. what are we doing to help our allies and our partners, including our funding partners, go no, you know, here's the what the challenges are that we're anticipating. I think it's it's good for our our board of supervisors, our state delegation who support public schools so much to also just have an understanding of some of the additional challenges we see that are potentially coming down the path. So, I think that um it's been really interesting. there's been very limited formal
129notification um of the circumstances uh particularly from the federal side. Uh we are putting together some communications for next week and as I mentioned earlier I'll be sharing more detailed information at next week's board meeting. Um we're taking a look at carryover and whatever options we have uh to maintain programming in at least some form. Uh but I agree with you. I think that uh we want to make sure that we communicate clearly and timely and accurately and these situations are quite fluid. Uh we heard today in fact about new restrictions on Head Start uh enrollment I forwarded that to um you all. uh but we have to look at it because we're getting it from the media um the information right and not from a what I would call a a trusted source in
130terms of this is actually what's going to happen. So we want to make sure as we put information out that it's accurate um and that we're thoughtful about how we're going to respond to it. But I I take your point. I it it's a unique times. I often wonder if we need to as you're hearing things from obviously vetted media sources, right, that we have someplace that we can put on our website of here are some of the things we're hear because people ask what's happening what are you worried about and I think we need to share that as we're hearing is this what we're hearing in the media we're waiting to hear from the actual you know funding sources themselves but we're preparing for these things people want to know what are we preparing
131for and what's the challenge going to be yes ma'am so I think that's important to know and I think also in terms of educating our our community on what the one-time carryover funds are, that they are one-time funds and why we're limited in how we can spend them. I think it's also important to make sure that as we're looking at it's I know we don't want to use operational funds for major maintenance, but we also have to maintain our schools. And so, I think that's something we need to talk about as well is that to maintain our schools and our HVACs, we have to dip into this bucket. And sometimes one-time funds can be used uniquely for that because an HVAC may be a one-time expenditure. So, thank you for the presentation. Thank you for
132the work. Thank you, Miss Burton. Are you sure? Yeah, I'm I'm sure this time agenda item nine, consent agenda. Our adopted rules of parliamentary procedure, Robert's rules provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the of the board by a single motion. Many items listed have gone through board review and documentation has been provided to all board members and the public in advance. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member prior to the meeting. The consent agenda items are on the screen. Is there any objection to approving the consent agenda? Hearing and seeing no objection, the consent agenda is approved. Agenda item 10, new business. The following are new business items. There will not be a vote on these items this evening, but action is
133scheduled for a future meeting. Agenda item 11, board matters. Next on the agenda is board matters. Without objection, we will skip this agenda item for this week. And this meeting will now recess at 9:45 p.m. to go into close session. And we'll reconvene um after closed. Mr. Hall The