School Board Meeting: December 17, 2024

001Good evening I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Newport News school board for Tuesday December 17th 2024 on behalf of the members of the school board and Dr Mitchell I welcome each of you present this evening and those who are watching on TV and online a quorum is present to transact the business of the school division we will begin tonight's meeting with the invocation and pledge to the flag here to do the honors are two students from Booker T Washington Middle School Eleanor Bennett and rayan Nelson first Eleanor will come forward and deliver the invocation she will be followed by rayan who will come forward and deliver the pledge Eleanor will you please come forward and tell us a little a little bit about yourself before you get started hello there

002uh my name is Eleanor Bennett I'm an eighth grader at Booker T Washington Middle School and um I love um theater I'm in the cast uh this year and I want to be a lawyer and go to William and Mary or Amherst uh and I also do dance wow great I was just gonna ask do you have a poem for us or oh yeah sorry I thought you were gonna I got you um those directions were a little confusing I apologize I'm going to be reading Amanda Gorman's in this place an American lyric well a selection of it it's a pretty long poem I'm going to be starting from I believe it's line 66 uh Tyrant big poet okay tyrants fear the poet now that we know it we can't blow it we owe it

003to show it not slow it although it hurts to although it hurts to sew it when the world skirts below it hope we must bestow it like a like a wick in the poet so that it can grow lit bringing with it stories to rewrite the story of a Texas City depleted but not defeated a history written that need not be repeated a nation composed but not yet completed there's a poem in this place a poem in every America in America a poet a poet in every American who rewrites this nation who tells a story worth of being told in this minnow of an earth to bre to breathe hope into a palest of time a poet in every American who sees that our poem penned doesn't mean our poems end there's a place where

004this poem dwells it is here it is now in the Yellow song of Don's Bell where where we write an American lyric we are just beginning to tell that was wonderful [Applause] and now we'll have our delivering of the Pledge of Allegiance if you would come up and tell us a little bit about yourself hello I'm rayan Nelson I'm in sixth grade for Booker T Washington my favorite hobbies are basketball and drama after school and I would like to be an entrepreneur when I grow up and I want to go to Howard University in college DC wonderful thank you all right I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indiv with liberty and justice all thank you thank

005you this is why we're up here students like you all it is such a joy thank you for coming and spending time with us today and sharing your talents do you have family members or School members that you'd like to introduce go ahead all I had a suspicion they were all yes and Eleanor you have support too don't you yes this is my mom oh hey Mom parents and grandparents thank you for bringing us your best we do appreciate it the next item on tonight's agenda is School Board recognition so Dr Mitchell will you please join me at the podium abolutely good evening I have the honor of presenting this mon Schoolboard recognitions our first honores earned a top award in this year's Virginia School Board Association student video contest which the vsba hosts annually

006this year students across the state were invited to enter the contest and submit a 30- second video showcasing the power of kindness in three categories random acts of kindness kindness in mental health and kindness in sports students in the Telecommunications y'all bear with me tonight students in the Telecommunications second year television production class I might need some help this evening recorded edited and submitted a video thank you in the kindness and sports category and captured first place the winning videos were announced during vba's annual convention opening session last month in Williamsburg and we're showcase for the audience of educational leaders I'm going get through this one please join us in recognizing the winners for the kindness and sports video Antonio Boyd he [Applause] present Donovan Crowder Antonio [Applause] aan [Applause] Hooper Sher [Applause] Brown miles

007[Applause] mompoint Trayvon Christian [Applause] good Trevor [Applause] foote Bishop [Applause] Dunn edric Jones [Applause] Joshua [Applause] Ray and we'd also like to recognize program supervisor Ray [Applause] Price and instructor Carl [Applause] Daniels telecom's video Features Sports- casters calling a track meet where one Runner accidentally trips another coming around the track quickly followed by the next Runner sacrificing his third place finish to stop and help his Fallen opponent the winners were selected from among 28 entries submitted from across the state so again we wish these young people congratulations one more round of [Applause] applause we're going to take a quick picture if you join some fun at the podium [Applause] and while they're making their way back to the to the seats um their high school principals or administrative teams are joining us tonight um from

008Denbigh um I think I saw Yes Dr Adria struers I think she's out in the back and from Heritage Dr lling Hunter and from Woodside Dr Mary Hardesty and other members of the administration thank you for joining [Applause] us okay my colleague going to present the next onor reath good evening the Heritage the Heritage High School boys volleyball team earned the 2024 Virginia High School league region 3A boys volleyball championship the team finished with a record a major record please join us in recognizing the team first team All Region jayen [Applause] Alexander first team All Region San Antonio G gett [Applause] Hyman Antoine Garrett [Applause] Hyman first team All Region region Player of the Year Marcus [Applause] doer first team All Region Isaac Ward pton [Applause] Isaiah Alman daero [Applause] Dillard Stephen [Applause] Hager honorable

009mention all region Jeremiah gums [Applause] God second team All Region Tyrell [Applause] Shelton honorable mention all region ner [Applause] Bradshaw head coach and region Coach of the Year Nehemiah Carter all right and we'd also like the assistant coaches to come forward assistant coach Olivia Smalls she present and assistant coach Andrea Jackson congratulations joining the team this evening are members of their family would you please stand as well as the principal of Heritage High School Dr erling Hunter [Applause] thank you [Applause] thank you we have a lot to celebrate this evening okay the Menchville High School golf team captured the 2024 Virginia High School league region 5B Golf Championship please join us in congratulating the following players Thomas [Applause] aan okay Paul gear [Applause] thank you David Ellington Connor Manning Ethan [Applause] SLE Armando maland denado

010Maldonado and head co coach Scott Mor [Applause] arti this year marks Menchville golf team's third straight 5B region championship title and their fifth straight State appearance so that is great in addition Thomas aan won the 5B Regional in individual title it was his third Regional Title in a row so we'd like to congratulate the team one more time but joining the team this evening are members of their family and Menchville principal Jason holler so would you please stand great congratulations [Applause] oh we have another Menchville team to celebrate tonight the Menchville High School girls volleyball team earn the 2024 Virginia High School league region 5B girls volleyball championship so please join us in congratulating first team All Region Lillian Abbott Kendall [Applause] Gaskins Emily Eng [Applause] Le first team All Region and second Team all

011state class five Caroline [Applause] Clemens claa Smith Anastasia [Applause] Chappelle Ava Carter [Applause] areli vquez second team All Region Jordan [Applause] holder second team All Region Cameron oh let's go eslon I apologize first team All Region and Regional Player of the Year Cameron [Applause] KY Olivia Hart First Team all region Emma [Applause] Wade Tanya Henson [Applause] and we'd like to recognize our coaches as well head coach and region Coach of the Year Lorenzo pentes and assistant coach Nikki Wade the menro girls volleyball team went undefeated in the peninsula District so congratulations [Applause] and again joining members of the team this evening are members of their families and principal Jason holler [Applause] that's incredible gee we just learned that some of the players also play basketball so very talented great okay next are some clean School

012awards we're very proud of our staff our custodians are the caretakers of our schools and offices they ensure that our buildings and the surrounding grounds are safe and clean our dedicated custodians ensure that repairs and maintenance are routinely addressed and they work tirelessly to ensure the success of athletic events student performances meetings and special events in a school they play an even greater role for they along with their other dedicated to support staff members are the key elements of a successful educational environment as they contribute to the health safety attitude and pride of our students each summer the custodial Services Department conducts its annual cleanest School campaign School custodial teams are invited to participate in the contest to earn the cleanest School designation a team of Supervisors from PL Services visits each participating school and

013work site and randomly evaluates several classrooms hallways offices and public spaces they survey the areas expecting them to be dust free with shiny floors clean carpet pristine glass and no apparent maintenance problems after results are tabulated the award winners are announced and this evening we are recognizing the recipients of our cleanest School award awards for 2024 at the Early Childhood Center level the team at Watkins earned top honors so Watkins Early Childhood custodia staff is as follows Miss Loretta [Applause] Ward Brent Carpenter and Spencer Hicks [Applause] in the elementary school category the BC Charles team earned the top honor please join us in congratulating Lee custodian Pamela [Applause] Lucas Latoya Frank and Jermain M Hatter fatter I'm sorry at the middle school level the hines team earned recognition lead custodian Janet Hall Douglas [Applause] Jones

014and Monica rer the team from High School earned top honors in the high school category lead custodian Darnell [Applause] Mackey Connie [Applause] Johnson torian Chapman [Applause] darl [Applause] West Demetrius [Applause] Nelson Ernest Bond Antoine Lewis Robert Hicks Marquita Johnson and that rounds out the war [Applause] team among our alternative locations the governor's Health Sciences Academy SL Gatewood team took top honors with Lee custodian Diane [Applause] picket Shena [Applause] Allen and Dante [Applause] Clanton our custodians keep their schools safe and clean and they are an important part of the team that supports and assists our students and staff every day thank you for your commitment and congratulations on this well deserved [Applause] recognition so joining these dedicated employees this evening our members or their families and PR friends if you would please stand there are principals

015Miss Amy Gulick Oria Robinson Taylor Lisa gatz Daniel and Tiffany Thompson at Warwick High School would you please [Applause] stand we would like to also acknowledge Sharon Sharon boy custodial services supervisor and Mr Wade Beverly executive director of Plant Services [Applause] I'm good right here yeah okay [Applause] welcome thank you oh we haven't finished yet we more recognitions to come we have a very special recognition one more one more thank you we have a lot to celebrate this evening our next recognition is a resolution of recognition in honor of Schoolboard member Marvin Harris who dedicated service to the school board and our city whose dedicated service to the school board and our city ends on December 31st Mr Harris would you please come [Applause] forward the school board has a token of appreciation and a

016resolution for Mr Harris the resolution reads Newport News school board resolution of recognition honoring Marvin L Harris whereas the Newport News school board a duly elected body is charged with establishing and maintaining a system of public schools within the City of Newport News and whereas the Newport News school board's operational goals are to develop policies and promote student achievement and the wise management of resources and where as the members of the Newport News school board whole an office of shared power and responsibility and whereas Marvin L Harris was elected by his constituents to serve on the Newport News school board beginning July 1st 2016 and was subsequently reelected to serve another term beginning July 1st of 20120 and whereas Mr Harris made meaningful contributions to Schoolboard discussion on topics of great significance to students staff

017members and the community and whereas Mr Harris served on the facilities planning committee the Career and Technical education Advisory board and the New Horizon's Regional Education Center board during his tenure contributing his expertise and Leadership and whereas Mr Harris devoted himself to furthering the mission of ensuring that all students graduate college career and citizen ready by championing the advancement of all students while also serving as a passionate advocate for his community and now there for be it resolved that Newport News school the Newport News school board expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to Marvin L Harris for his dedicated service to our students families and the citizens of Newport News and wish him the best and continued success in his future endeavors and now be it resolved further resolved that a copy of this resolution

018be spread across the minutes of this meeting for all to acknowledge in witness thereof we have here unto set our hands this 17th day of December 202020 I'm sorry 2024 and it is signed by the school board and the superintendent so thank you Mr Harris [Applause] come you we will now take a 9 minute break so that our honores and their families may leave if they desire to do so but during this time our viewing audience will be able to enjoy this month's Schoolboard Spotlight and we ask that our student athletes remain to take additional photos so the meeting will resume following the spotlight segment thank you [Music] a thousand young ladies from across Newport News Public Schools came together to empower their student voice build social and emotional well-being and gain the skills needed

019to grow into global leaders the fifth annual more than a princess conference was a two-day weekend event hosted at Woodside High School the event was organized by the nnps youth development team and sponsored by BayPort Credit Union ladies from all three division-wide student Le empowerment initiatives were invited to participate with elementary students from Blossom the bloom program for middle school and flourish members in high school the event kicked off on Friday evening with an empowerment rally packed full of dancing music fashion and fun the evening celebrated and encouraged a boss attitude which stands for bold original strong and special on Saturday morning the conference narrowed its focus to the middle and high school groups during a morning presentation adult mentors and student leaders discussed impactful and relevant topics such as being aware of social media's

020influence on mental health and body image and how to create positive personal branding by dressing for success and seizing positive opportunities when they arise before and after lunch the ladies had a chance to visit several empowerment workshops and an activities Fair presented by Community Partners and local leaders through these engaging discussions and fun activities the middle and high school students learned important Life skills reinforced positive affirmations gained interview skills explored financial literacy and learned how to build healthy relationships more than a princess conference was a positive empowering experience for all involved as students gained the skills needed to serve and Lead their school community and the world beyond our high schools continually offer College and Career options for students to explore after graduate uation Woodside High School hosted a College and Career Expo for their

021Juniors and seniors organized by the College and Career specialist and the Woodside counseling department 400 students spoke with representatives from several universities military branches and local businesses offering current and seasonal jobs to high school students for the seventh year this annual Expo provided Woodside students with the information and resources to pursue excellent beyond their high school years and for the third year Menchville High School hosted their Mega onsite College and Career night the evening event was open to all students in Newport News with over 300 students and parents attending organized by menil's Guidance Department the massive event offered College exploration on-site acceptance seasonal and long-term career opportunities and financial aid support with over 50 College and Career representatives and attendants students and families had a wealth of resources to explore during the event over 60

022students interviewed with the 14 colleges offering on-site acceptance and over 50 acceptance offers were extended to seniors that very evening a student athlete from Menchville High School continues to impact the cross country community in a big way Luke Gere passed away in 2020 from a rare form of cancer at the age of 16 Luke was a passionate Runner who loved his Menchville cross country team and since his passing the nonprofit Foundation created in his honor Luke's Legacy has made great strides to support student athletes at minville with scholarships and new uniforms but this fall season Luke's Legacy expanded their impact by offering a VHSL approved Last Chance Invitational to all Runners which took place in late October at Newport News Park Luke's Legacy partnered with Menchville High School and Newport News public schools to give

023Runners one more chance to qualify for the upcoming Regional and state meets 130 Runners attended the inaugural race representing 10 schools from Newport News Hampton Roads and as far as Richmond a caring team of volunteers coaches and Runners created a wonderful Invitational full of excitement and energy it also gave Luke's friends teammates and coaches a chance to come together to honor Luke's Legacy as it continues to bless Runners and student athletes in amazing ways Newport News Public Schools invited students and families to tour all of the specialized learning environments available during a magnet and Specialty program preview the the evening event took place at Gildersleeve Middle School with magnet and Specialty programs sharing their unique curriculums and career Centric learning opportunities as families explored the range of possibilities they were able to talk directly with

024highly trained Educators many of whom have worked in the career Fields they now teach they were also able to interact with students currently enrolled in each program and enjoyed Hands-On activities and engaging demonstrations located at schools and learning sites across Newport News students are welcome to apply to any magnet and Specialty program that interests them once accepted Transportation will be provided giving students access to a focused curriculum that serves their interests and career goals the week before Thanksgiving Ivy Baptist Church hosted their annual Thanksgiving Community dinner at Heritage High School for 15 years Ivy Baptist has been sharing love hope and compassion by not only feeding bodies but by nurturing hearts and souls as well through this festive tradition all were welcome to attend with over 670 people joining in Fellowship Ivy's volunteers and staff

025really cooked up a storm lovingly preparing and serving over 960 warm meals this year Heritage students who participate in youth volunteer Corp family career and Community leaders of America student ambassadors and SCA all lent a helping hand by volunteering their time during the dinner and a dozen Community Partners shared valuable resources for families and individuals to utilize pastor Kevin Swan and a thankful School Board expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers students and staff who gave a community much to be thankful for this season [Music] month's School Board Spotlight during our regular meetings we provide time for the public to address the school board these opportunities are scheduled in the early part of our agenda and towards the end of the meeting as advertised Citizens May submit comments via email up to 30 minutes prior

026to our meeting time to be included in the official meeting record for those of you joining us in person the board considers this an opportunity to listen to your comments please understand that we will consider your concerns we ask that you comply with our three minute time limit as you begin your comments a green light will come on a yellow light signals you have 30 seconds remaining and a red light and beep indicates your time is up as your name is called please come forward I will be doing them in sets of three to see if we can move along and get us captured in 30 minutes Reverend Natalie Chamberlain will be first Sharon Martin and Dale Minon will be second and Jackie Batterson will be third hello good evening I'm Reverend Natalie Chamberlain my

027pronouns are she and her I'm part of a broad Coalition of citizens who have been attending these meetings for over a year now we support the equality and the respectful treatment of all the children including trans and other lgbtqia plus youth in the district tonight I'm here as Pastor Natalie it's the season of Advent Christmas and epiphany from conversations I've had with some of you I feel certain that most if not all of you will be celebrating this season I find it ironic that a body of people some of whom have publicly stated that their Christian faith informs their work on this board would not make this a season of acting in the name and likeness of Christ by that I mean why are you not caring most especially for the most vulnerable of your

028students I'm not advocating a religion-based approach to education I'm I'm asking why since you've claimed a religious Faith you're not protecting the Strand students in your care as we continue to look at the uncertainties of the year ahead I pray that in this season of Christmas that you find time to reflect and to be present with the people you love most and that that time will give you the strength and the peace to to do what it is you've been called to do and to do it in a way that treats all people with the kind of respect that comes with being Children of the Living God Merry Christmas Sharon Martin and Dale Ming mingleton good evening good evening chair person sir's laws Vice chair West members of the school board and superintendent Dr Mitchell

029I am Sharon Martin with oldo National Bank but also the chair of the Newport News Education Foundation board I'm sure you have already heard but in case you haven't I'm here to let you know that the Newport News Education Foundation is the recipient of the 2024 accelerating change together act which is a grant in the amount of $500,000 [Applause] the grant is funded by BayPort Credit Union Ferguson Virginia Natural Gas and Newport new ship Builders the grant is paid out over two years to support the new teachers Institute that is managed by your very own Dr Angela Rhett this grant will assist the Newport News Public School Division and giving them the ability to continue to grow our own teach teachers as you all know hiring and retaining teachers continues to be an ongoing challenge

030not only for Newport News Public Schools but Across the Nation this grant will not solve the problem but it will help to minimize the loss of great teachers December 10th was a very exciting day for Newport News Education Foundation and Newport News Public Schools we were told that the committee wanted to visit Watkins Early Childhood Center and see the new teacher Institute program an operation we met them there expecting to to discuss the program but instead we were given a big check for a half a million we should have known something was up when the ACT committee said they were bringing cameras there are many people who contributed to helping us receive the grant especially Dr Angela Rhett and her incredible team Elizabeth Jackson our former grant writer and now manager of grants for the

031City of Newport News did a great job in completing the necessary documentation to promote the program to the ACT committee Dale mingleton our executive director also did a great job in helping promote the grant thank you to Dr Mitchell Dr Dr West and Newport News education board of directors that attended the event and to our board in general for all the work that they do to support the schools thank you to the ACT committee BayPort Credit Union Ferguson Virginia Natural Gas and Newport new ship builders for choosing the Newport News Education Foundation as their second recipient of this prestigious Grant we look forward to additional partnership opportunities with Newport News public schools to support our students teachers and families thank you and I will just say on behalf of the board thank you so much

032for being part of the solution we appreciate you we have Jackie Batterson after Jackie we'll have Jim Batterson and then Dorothy Kelly and then Jennifer leatherbury good evening my name is Jackie Batterson and I'm a resident of Newport News if you have been paying attention to what is happening in this country right now including our state you are aware that the lgbtqia plus community and in particular the trans Community is under attack these are our children neighbors friends the person who takes your order at a restaurant the person who checks you out at the grocery and as a professional nurse for 46 years I can assure you that the nurse who cared for you in the hospital and possibly saved your life is part of this community the Newport News school system does not have

033to be a participant in the travesty that is occurring the Trevor Project reports that feeling accepted by an adult the odds of a young person attempting suicide are significantly lowered by more than 40% this is where this school system can help these students by allowing open communication between School Employees and students I'm going to read a poem by L rafala and I am dedicating it to the lgbtqia student and staff of the school system I think it's Brave that you get up in the morning even if your soul is weary and your bones ache for a rest I think it's Brave that you keep on living even if you don't know how anymore I think it's Brave that you push away the waves rolling in every day and you decide to fight yet again I

034know there are days when you feel like giving up but I think it is brave that you never do thank you thank you Jim Batterson previous board chair for Newport News Public Schools thank you so for the past several months I've visited and brought you information uh lastly the um report from uh the CDC um um which talks about trans versus CIS students and uh the issues the trans students have they're two to five times more likely to attempt suicide two to five times more likely um to be bullied at school in uh not have stable housing and so forth so they're these are all self-identified transgender students or or students who question their gender so um in in the very restrictive definition of transgender student that came out of Richmond that this board adopted

035in its procedure uh does not take care of those kids and so I have taken the liberty of uh doctoring up the procedure J um uh BP and uh and so if you'll just go through it with me quickly tonight these are some changes you can make that would take care of the some 400 estimated kids in Newport News who are not being served um under the current definition so if you go down to paragraph H transgender is a self-identifying term that's what you've always had oh and and and things that I've um removed uh deleted or have a strike through and things I've added or underlined in traditional form of policy changes so um I instead of having one definition of a transgender student I've added a second subparagraph for the transgender child who

036is a Newport News public school student who self-identifies uh in in his gender different from the sex assigned at birth so this will take care of all those children who are not in the over 18 not in the emancipated minor and whose parents didn't ask you to make a change for them so it's a new category the next page I've added the transgender child to paragraph one um in paragraph two uh that business goes away and we say School Division Personnel should refer to each student using the name and pronouns that that student prefers I mean the state is dictating in a very anglophilic way Anglo Centric way what names can be used to a school division here in Newport News which has over, 1600 ESL students different cultures different languages different names in the

037next paragraph um we also have that the pronouns should be used as should be the students preference and then the rest of it is I read it and I'm a student of policy from Mr wall and and I wasn't a very good student I'm afraid but as I read it um it looks to me like teachers do not have to report to parents any conversations they have with students and if that's the case I hope it will remain that way that teachers and adults in the schools can serve as as help and Aid in in an adult sounding boards for our children who may not have that help at home thank you very much thank you Dorothy Kelly hi I'm Dorothy Kelly I am a resident and a parent here in Newport News City Schools

038I have one child who graduated and I have another one who is going through middle school right now all of you at some point have had at least one email from me possibly several um and I'm really frustrated because I'm watching my student my son not have access to class time that is productive and learning and when his teacher a very bright energetic enthusiastic and inspired young man tries to schedule time outside of the Bell to help his students get the instructional time he doesn't get to give them during the school day very very frequently he has to cancel because of lack of Transportation or coordination for facilities my student attends Huntington middle school he's in the Band program when he was in sixth grade Newport New City Schools did not have a Bann instructor

039for him he missed an entire year of instruction because there was no teacher available they tried to use one of the high school teachers who had a conflict uh a conflict in scheduling and wasn't able to do it and so they put my son in choir instead of in band he didn't get that year of Education he got a different subject similar but not the same they had a teacher for him last year they have a teacher for him this year but the amount of instructional time that he gets in a classroom is extremely limited because of the time it takes for young students to get an instrument out put it together set themselves up and get ready to receive instruction and then when you consider how much time it takes for them to then

040disassemble their instruments put them away and store them properly because many of them are rented or borrowed instruments and not their own the amount of time left in the every other day of instruction that they get is minimalistic so when Mr Dorian black schedules practice after school and then there's no place for him to hold his practice or no transportation for the students due to other events and other things it is extremely frustrating and on that note I would like to invite every single one of you and everyone in the audience to come out to Huntington which is their campus is shared by Heritage come out to Huntington middle school and watch the band concert tomorrow and see what the lack of instruction has done for these students despite Mr Black's efforts we have Jennifer

041leatherbury and then Connor Collins Ivon be and Eric I think this is Burton I think that's a you hi Jennifer hello good evening school board members and Dr Mitchell thank you for your continued service to our city schools uh my name is Jennifer leatherberry I'm a resident of Newport News and a mother of a fifth grader at one of the Newport News elementary schools um I would like to request that the school board explained to the teachers students and parents why the city purchased a brand new curriculum for this school year and forced it on the schools shortly before the beginning of the school year from my understanding the curriculum that the district already had was developed by the teachers of the district and thousands of hours were spent making sure it would mean were

042deemed not accurate um but by the time they took the test they were told to skip questions just because the district said so in the words of my daughter uh my daughter received an advanced score on her SOL last year in Reading in fourth grade but currently has a D in reading this quarter this is the case for the majority of her classmates and students throughout the district it is causing them to be discouraged and uninterested in learning the math curriculum seems to focus more on teaching students how to use a calculator than actually knowing math skills anything done in elementary school should not require the use of a calculator in my opinion but I often have to use one to help my daughter with her math homework some of the worksheets provided by the

043district for both Math and Science have either been wrong or way above skill level of a fifth grader my husband who is an engineer had to help our daughter with equations on an assignment because they wanted the students to use math skills they had not learned yet I've tried to find something online to see how much This Disaster has cost the taxpayers of Newport News but was not successful however it seems that buying this awful curriculum has caused the district to be unable to afford to give staff a holiday bonus this year thank you honor Collins hello good evening hello Madam chair Madame Vice chair Dr Mitchell members of the board my name is Conor Collins I am a 10-year teacher here at Newport News Public Schools member of the Newport News Education Association and

044chairperson of our organizing to bargain committee I'm here today to give you an update on our collective bargaining campaign here in Newport News Public Schools as we close out the calendar year for 2024 Newport News Public Schools is approaching 50% plus one majority of employees who have signed a card asking for collective bargaining rights we have multiple sites from Early Childhood Elementary Middle High School transportation custodial staff uh nutrition as well as Plant Services that have well over the majority approaching 70% and in some schools 80% of their employees have signed a card asking for collective bargaining rights having collective bargaining is something that makes newport News Public Schools attractive to the area we would be the first School Division in Hampton Roads to grant us the right to uh Contract to negotiate our contract

045with you the members of the board School divisions that have collective bargaining have better working conditions for their employees have more uh collaborative leadership have higher teacher retention have improved classroom instruction and so performance and have improved school safety all through the collaborative work between the collective bargaining team which would be Newport News Education Association and the board of Newport News Public Schools I am confident that nnps will be the first in the region to have a collective bargaining um resolution passed due to our collaborative working conditions between yourselves and the Newport News Education Association we've seen that Williamsburg James City County has attempted but unfortunately they were not able to get that passed but Newport News Public Schools will be the leader in Hampton Roads again and setting the stage for collective bargaining not

046just for the region the state and the nation as a whole thank you Ivon good day good evening school board members and Dr Mitchell my name is Ivon Bia I am a um excuse me I'm an assistant on the bus school bus I was a driver for 20 plus years I'm a veteran my grandmother and all that stuff right there but I'm up up here talk about why when when I was um when I had to get off the scool bus and become an assistant I was here in June and I talked about this same thing I have not got anything resolved I have not seen policies that say that when you become unable to do your job at hand and you have to step down which I don't think is step down because the

047bus driver and Aid work hand in hand they both are important jobs you see what I'm saying um taking getting $5 taken from my pay erased all my all my raises that I had in those 20 plus years driving a AC driving a bus with no AC with with 110 degrees when a heat index with children being routing on the bus with parents cussing you out the whole thing that comes along with it and people might say well that's your job that's your job I understand my job I love driving my driving the drive but when I couldn't do it any longer to get $5 taken from my pay it's like a slap in the face that's $600 a month that's that's just the base the base we are we are guaranteed is 30 hours

048a week that's what we are guaranteed from that base right there that in 10 months that's $6,000 in three years that's $188,000 if I was to do the 40 plus that's $24,000 taken from me but then turn around and we get a raise of 3% that's 70 cents for me so you take $5 from me and not just me other drivers and give me 70 cents as a what and then you wonder why there's no drivers yes we understand our job the job is not hard because if the job is hard you wouldn't have people working 40 and 30 and 25 15 years doing this job it's the stuff that come along with it drivers are looked down upon by everybody no one likes a school bus driver you like when we take the kids

049away they don't like them when we bring them back but we're we're as a collective group they're tired you got drivers driving three and four runs out of one school before used to be you drive one school you drive one um um run out of high school one out of middle and one out of your Elementary now it's two and three out of one school then you so for so you get to when you get to the middle school I mean the elementary school them babies are there till almost dark because they don't have any drivers the drivers are not robots the drivers are not lazy the drivers are not being put everybody talks about the teachers and we love our teachers but no one's talking about the drivers you know what I'm saying and

050we feel we feel like we don't we don't matter to not just not just the the public but to our own uh Workforce to our own people thank you thank [Applause] you Eric Burton and after Eric will be Gabrielle Marquez Reverend Michael Bernett and Charles Jones hello good afternoon I'm coming up here today as an employee of newport News public school system I am a key driver for the school system working Transportation I'm also on the executive board for the noort News public no I'm sorry newport news uh Education Association I'm up here talking today about the cell phone policy that's coming up uh the current one that's coming up that has been proposed as Bell to Bell one issue that we have been dealing with recently is deal with cell phones with FaceTiming and

051live streaming of video onto social media or other platforms the current policy in there states that you cannot record any video or audio of other students or staff on property and then post it on to anywhere but when you have parents that are asking their child to live stream video and audio from events or on school buses it's negating our safety practices and our safety procedures that we have in place that prevent parents from knowing who the other student may be in altercation so then that student now is getting targeted at bus stops when they get off so now we're not just driving the school buses now we're having be security guards on these school buses to stop these kids from getting jumped or getting beat up by parents or gang members we just had

052a situation where we had a bus driver call in say hey I'm going to take this kid to their house I need to know what their address is because they are on the phone with a gain and they said they got weapons at the bus stop and they had to take this child home in order to revent this student from getting jumped and this is happening on a daily basis mostly on our Middle School and High School levels but it is happening all the time and it's increasing the FaceTiming and live streaming on Discord is increasing quite a bit and they're using this as a getar around of our current policy because the current policy does not State anything about live streaming and the States you cannot record and post thank [Applause] you Gabriel Marquez

053yes uh good evening to the board and to The Honorable chair Ms Surles law my name is Gabriel Marquez uh though I'm sure many of you know me by now uh I'm speaking on behalf of the Tidewater chapter of the DSA this evening of which I am a co-chair I'm here to speak in solidarity with the lgbtq community and all other oppressed minorities around the world I have no eloquent words to say or statistics to site as others have already expertly stated I like to just remind the the board that citizens are so greatly concerned about policy JB and procedure jbp which is unfairly targets the trans community and humbly ask that the board prioritize addressing our Collective concerns each month that passes with no resolution means another month of abuse that some of the

054most marginalized members of our community must endure I've said it once and I'll say it again what we have right now in our schools is a system of segregation and it's one that can only get worse if we don't act now especially with the current social political climate thank you all for your consideration in your time thank [Applause] you Reverend Michael Bernett thank you madam chair Madame Vice chair Dr Mitchell members of the board it's good to see you again I know I haven't been here in a few months my name is Reverend Michael burnette and I'm here on behalf of concerned Souls spanning the Spectrum of human expression and in the interest of students and staff in Newport News Public Schools whose Humanity safety and Liberty are jeopardized by policy jbp as it currently

055stands we've been having this conversation for over a year now we've heard from concerned parties largely on two discernible sides and largely advocating for either the wholesale adoption of the new Governor's model policies as we have or a wholesale roll back to the previous administration's policies now I understand the concern of parents who feel that the previous policies shut them out of their children's lives I understand the concern of Educators who feel they might be being asked to go against their conscience by being forced to refer to students by names which they've never heard but I maintain my position that the current model policies swing the pendulum too far in the other direction violating the privacy of students and in fact equally stifling the freedom of freedom of expression of our Educators by effectively forbidding

056them from using students chosen names and pronouns where they were previously required to and here I speak specifically on Section 3 subsection D paragraphs 3 and four I recognize that this pendulums motion is a symptom of the over politicization of our Civic institutions I know this is the nature of them proverbial beasts and I wish it were not so I'm not here to Garner victory for any particular political party organization I'm not here on behalf of any ideology and so I don't think a wholesale roll back of jbp to the previous administrations model policies is necessary or even the most helpful course of action but I do think some modifications to the existing policy are in order like Jim I have set before you a more complete proposal for revision you've probably seen this before

057it's my understanding that that's been before you in your email inbox since about September I can only hope that these revisions have been under your consideration during this time and that they have not been dismissed obviously I don't have the time to go through them all in the 47 seconds I have remaining but at the very least let me emphasize that the deletion of Section 3 subsection a paragraphs 3 and 4 as well as Section 3 subsection D paragraphs 2 through 7 would serve best to reduce har without infringing upon parental rights I do think there is a compromise to be had here I hope you carefully mindfully and prayerfully consider these proposed revisions as a means not only of making peace among opposed factions of your citizenry but more importantly as a means of

058safeguarding both the well-being and Liberty of your students and your staff thank you [Applause] Charles Jones good afternoon my name is Charles Jones I'm a bus I'm a bus driver with uh new for news my concern is mistreatment of bus drivers when I say mistreat mistreatment there are several of them you pay be short you uh we uh be on the job more than we get paid we can't go and do any thing that we want to do because we got to stay on the property to wait to do our job you got people coming in from outside with just driving experience some of us have left and come back and have experience that is not recognized when back in Co when Co was here newport news came up with a solution to keep the

059drivers they raised the price of BU and of your hourly pay at that time I was denied my experience but they went to other cities and brought people in had them over what I was making that that is one of my main concerns the other one is when I work I expect to get my pay when payday is due not a month later I've been short of my pay several times but I had to wait a month to get that money back if I got it back this is what I wanted to address to you all and I appreciate y'all listening to what I had to say thank you thank [Applause] you so I want to thank everyone for uh sharing their comments and thoughts this evening we will have another comment section at the

060end of tonight's meeting uh we'll move on now to section three the consent agenda which includes 3.01 minutes from the special meeting November 19 2024 3.02 minutes from the regular meeting November 19th 2024 3.03 Financial reports including the revenue and expense reports for November 2024 Child Nutrition reports for November 3.04 the Personnel report 3.05 the emergency student relocation and reunification 3.06 budget transfer 3.07 donation agreement USA and Newport News public schools at this time can we have a motion to approve the consent agenda Madam chair I move to approve the consent agenda as presented do I have a second second thank you Mr Harris any discussion okay Madam clerk please call the roll for for my mic wasn't on Brown for Harris for Hunter for alger for surles law for motion passes 7-0 thank you

061we will now move to section for we have action items this evening 4.01 proposed legislative fy2 legislative program Dr Mitchell thank you very much Madam chair if you recall last month Pat Finneran came before you to present the proposed legislative plan he is here today in the event that you um have any questions I know you've had the opportunity to review if you have any questions for Mr Finneran he is here at this time board members are there any questions before we proceed okay do I have a motion Madam chair I move to approve the proposed fy2 legislative program as presented and do I have a second second thank you Mr Harris any discussion oh re thank you I'm sorry no problem no problem thank you I just want to say um you know although

062I I do agree with much of what's in it there are a couple there are a few things I'm not sure I agree with but I do think on the odds there's more in it that I I agree with than not so I'll be voting for it thank you any others all right please call the roll aman for best for Brown for Harris for Hunter for alger for Surles law for motion passes 7-0 thank you and now we'll move on to 4.0 02 we have new and revised policies I know Dr Mitchell we are going to have a a recap of one particular policy for the evening yes we are if you recall last month Miss Tracy Brooks came before you to present the proposed jcib cell phone policy Miss Brooks is here tonight to

063give you a update and a recap thank you so much Miss Brooks thank you good evening Madame chairman Madam Vice chairman members of the board and Dr Mitchell at your November school board meeting I shared a new policy proposal that we developed in response to the governor's executive order for cell phone free education across the state over the past for weeks we received comments through our public comment notice and our survey of parents and staff most of whom were in support of the new policy being proposed so for a quick review our draft policy restricts the use of cell phones and personal communication devices such as Apple watches from Bell to Bell as defined in the state guidelines which means from the time the first bell rings at the start of the school day to

064begin instructional time until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the academic day Bell to Bell includes the time between Class periods and in most cases lunch as well but we are proposing an exception to allow high school students to use their devices during during lunch which is different from the state Guidance the new policy also requires students to keep cell phones and personal electronic devices in their backpacks and not carried on the student person like in the student pocket or worn on the student's wrist in the case of smart smart watches or around the student's neck for headphones or earbuds the policy continues to allow students to use their cell phones before and after the instructional day now as I just mentioned we are recommending that high school students be allowed to use

065their cell phones and other devices during the lunch period in response to input from senior staff principals students and the division-wide survey in support of developing students digital citizenship for example our career ready students may have rules about specific times for cell phone use in their future workplaces and this will prepare them for learning how to plan accordingly allowing cell phone use at lunch also provides an opportunity for high school students who are currently working to connect to their jobs if needed and on a personal note it allows students the opportunity to manage their responsibilities from doctor's appointments to last minute arrangements to care for a sibling and while our high school administrators believe that we currently have adequate coverage for our lunch periods if lunchtime is included in the bell-to-bell time period they anticipate

066the need for additional staff and high school cafeterias for monitoring purposes and enforcement issues regarding the number of referrals that may occur if cell phones are no longer allowed so in summary the new cell phone policy proposal before you for Action this evening prohibits students from using their cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the instructional day with one exception and that's for high school students who may use their cell phones during the lunch period it allows students to use their cell phones before and after the instructional day and it requires students to store their devices in their back packs and not on their person so this concludes my comments this evening thank you thank you board members do we have any questions after this update um yes I think I would just like

067to ask if we had any feedback besides the the board meeting any feedback from community members on the proposed self in policy and if that you have a general idea of what that was yes we had um there are I guess two or three themes that emerged uh cell phone use should from the survey um most of our respondents said that they should be allowed in schools for the following reasons for emergencies that may arise in school for communication after school and for the ride to and from school they also uh Express support that cell phones should be turned off and the students backpack during the instructional day and there was also support for cell phone use at lunch and most of whom said at the high school level other comments or questions yeah Al

068yes um I just um in terms of the procedures uh that will be something that is handled obviously by the school by the district division that's right by the superintendent's office and so one of the things that I I feel strongly about is making sure that um that guidelines are definitely explicit um regarding the use and the consequences um that are applied and especially with consistency and the other part to that um making sure that as the administration that we do the heavy lifting as far as the communication piece um simply because this is not this is a Newport News uh cell phone policy that we're discussing um and making sure that it applies to every school with no exception thank you so I just wanted to provide that uh uh feedback I I definitely

069um feel that it's you know I support it and I also want to add to the list another reason um because I I really thought deeply about this um with everything that you know the experiences that Heritage Menchville and richneck went through in terms of the trauma cell phones are uh a direct line of communication you know we know when it comes to safety um and they also have the potential to alert authorities uh when something is seen or heard and especially with at the high school level for the kids to have access during lunch period uh there are many positives I I I believe to that thank you definitely make note well I think um we do have several policies that we're going to vote on this evening um this one I have it

070in a block but I'm going to remove it from the block and do this particular um policy individual okay so if I can get a motion Madam chair prior to you making that motion if I can also add and um commend our staff our teachers have done a great job we have been moving in this Direction all year and I will say that um if you've had the opportunity to visit our high schools in particular and I see Mr Brown shaking his head because we were together at Heritage yesterday you do not see cell phones um our teachers have been supported by Administration we had a teacher from Denbigh High School to email Miss Brooks to talk about the fact that her administrators had really taken the heavy lifting for them and that students grades

071had increased their engagement had increased as well so I just want to commend not only the students but the administrators in each of our high schools have really that have really done a very nice job in um assisting um us with moving this um expectation along okay thank you for that addition so do we have a motion for jcib student cell phone use yes move to approve on policy jcib student cell phone use okay do I have a second second thank you Miss Aman any discussion Mr Brown just make a administrative comment first I think or at least in the agenda it's listed as J IB I'm sorry you're right it's jci my apologies or you have the motion said J the motion said jci and it's listed as J IB oh I have it

072here as jci so is that a Typo Miss Brooks it should be ji j i CB thank you okay and then and then my comment is uh I won't because we have lots of things to vote on tonight so I won't belabor this particular topic really appreciate all the work that's gone into uh the development of this policy and the operational work that has gone to into supporting the policy before it's even implemented as was mentioned you can already see a real difference in the schools um and and the kids for the most part the students are reacting very positively to not having their cell phones I think they logically can understand the reasons why um it was detrimental to their education um and so in light of that I think this it's a great

073policy except for the one sentence that says with the exception of lunchtime and that's my reason for being it against it um is that you know it's it's great why don't we just go all the way but you know you're almost there all right any other comments the same sure um I have some hesitation I had some hesitation on that as well but I also um you know in hearing how the administration and the high school leadership you came together and talked about pros and cons and you know how the Staffing would work and also the feedback from the community being in support of this as much as um you know on the one side would love to track the recommendation completely I think for our division we've thought through it to see what's practically

074going to work and if it doesn't we can always revisit this um but I'm going to support it because I want to support what the administration and the school leadership teams have thought through and also the community's feedback on this issue thank you very much any other comments please call the roll aman for best for Brown against Harris for Hunter for alger for Surles law for motion passes 6-1 thank you right our next set of policies are policies that support Newport News Public Schools best practices do do I have a motion for these two policies yes Madam chair I move to approve policy ABD drug free schools and policy ihdg home instruction do I have a second second thank you miss alger any discussion um Madam chair I'll just make the one commentary that in

075in relation to we talk about scope creep and keeping the main thing the main thing I think that as a division and as a board we should really be focused pretty much solely on education and what I see in ADB is a creeping of focus on what is the role of law enforcement as opposed to a focus on education I think it's the it's law enforcement's role to determine uh if someone has broken the law by being intoxicated in some manner or form and there's child protect Services Etc there's various agencies that take care of these additional Community concerns and that we as a School Division if we get sucked into multiple Community concerns then we look up and we're wondering how how is it that we're unable to move nimbly onto education so for

076those reasons I think that um ADB has the wrong Focus for us okay any other comments please call the roll aman for best brown against Harris for Hunter for alger for surles law for motion passes 6-1 thank you next we'll have a set of policies related to foundations and basic commitments we have seven policies in this category Madam chair I move to approve policy AA School Division legal status policy AB the people and their School Division policy AA service animals and school facilities ADC tobacco and nicotine Vapor Products free schools add safe schools a sexual misconduct and abusing and abuse affecting students and AF comprehensive plan thank you do I have a second second thank you Miss Aman any discussion okay please call the roll aman for best for brown for Harris for Hunter for

077alger for Surles law for motion passes 7-0 thank you the next set of policies are those in foundations and basic commitments chapter and they're related to the development of the school's division new strategic plan 2030 there are for policies in this block do I have a motion yes Madam chair I move to approve policy a D educational philosophy School Division Mission and Vis vision statements policy ADA School Division goals and objectives policy a effective schools and policy AE accountability commitment to accomplishment okay do I have a second second thank you Mr Harris any conversation Madam chair yes in relation to this set of policies U what I would suggest or offer up is that as once we adopt our uh strategic plan 2030 that that would be the right time to review these policies uh

078and to see which ones are most relevant or what types of changes we would want to make to these policies I think that adopting them tonight is premature and for those who would say well we can go back and reopt no we can't because on the motion on the floor we'll delete policy AE so there won't be a chance to go back and redo this and so I just think it's uh in our better interest to work on our strategic plan first and then come back and adopt this set of revisions to the set of policies uh as it relates to our strategic plan okay thank you Mr Brown any other comments so this is regarding policy AE so it it states that proposed to delete policies since information is contained in other policies is

079that correct okay so it hasn't been deleted it's just been transferred right am I correct say that was my understanding is that it was transferred into other well if the motion is successful it'll be deleted but it's deleted because it's been transferred into other policies embedded in other words so basically a redundancy is the way I understood it is that it's more of a redundant policy um that's how I read into it and I just wanted to clarify that just to make sure is it embedded in other policies is basically what the okay in quick question are there notes on which other policies that's embedded in do you by any chance have that you guys discuss that in policy committee yeah that it would be embedded in another policy but I can't tell you right

080off okay all right any further comments please call the roll aman again best for brown against Harris for Hunter for alger for Surles law for motion carries 52 and our last set for this evening are policies related to Education Agency relations we have six policies in this block do I have a motion yes Madam chair I move to approve inove policies lb relations with other schools School divisions and agencies policy LC local Charter Schools policy LD relations with colleges and universities policy LF relations with education research agencies policy LH relations with education accreditation agencies and policy Li professional visitors and observers hey do I have a second second thank you Mr Harris any discussion Madam clerk please call the roll aman for best for Brown for Harris for Hunter for alger for Surles law for

081motion passes 7 0 okay thank you so much uh thank you to the policy team and their fearless leader and uh and to the board for reading your pets it's very important for us to be able to have these conversations okay we are at 5.04 the attendance report 5.05 the membership report I think I'm skipping I'm skipping the presentations I'm sorry I knew that I knew they were there I've got the right in front message I'm sorry wh really so we will move on to section five reports and information and we have 5.01 first whro presentation Dr Mitchell would you please introduce our visitor thank you so very much Madam chair tonight we have Mr Bert Schmidt and Mr Elmer Stewart from whro they were gonna come to us today to talk about information regarding

082the annual impact statement and I do want to share to our audience a as well as our viewing public in the event that you are not aware whro is a public media organization that provides radio television and online content for Eastern Virginia and North Eastern North Carolina tons of resources for educators students and families thank you madam chair Dr Mitchell members of the board my name is Bert Schmidt I'm the president and CEO of whro with me is Elmer Stewart my vice president of education so if you have hard question questions I got backup um I come to you as as uh Dr Mitchell said because you're one one of the 21 School divisions that literally own the license to whro we're the only Media company in the entire country owned by collaboration of K12

083school divisions we come together regularly and we do things as a group rather than doing them 21 different times there thereby saving taxpayers money and improving the services for all of our students throughout the region we provide you annually with this report it's customized to the the division I'm not going to go through it now because what I've got is something better we're whro we've got a video that we're going to show you so with that cue we'll play the video C1 School divisions this distinctive ownership model places education at the heart of our mission of our work our team of Educators is committed to offering students teachers and families Innovative free highquality programs and services one key service that whro offers is media VA Virginia's leading digital content repository with nearly 100,000 free top

084quality instructional resources media VA provides Educators and students with videos interactive tools games lesson plans images and more this platform is designed to enhance personalized learning and make classroom experiences more engaging for our youngest Learners whro offers exciting educational activities to spark their imagination our three education Vans visit elementary schools with programs tailored to Virginia's standards of learning covering literacy numeracy scientific investigation and Technology we also support parents and caregivers ensuring children are prepared for kindergarten and set up for success in their early school years for secondary Educators whro provides a catalog of 27 award-winning customizable online courses and digital resources these media so aligned courses are designed to integrate seamlessly with various Learning Management Systems they offer flexibility for face to face flipped Blended and fully online teaching environments enriching lessons with engaging content

085at whro we celebrate student achievements through competitions that showcase their talents the great computer challenge for example gathers school teams from across the region at Old Dominion University to tackle real world technology problems another highlight is our regional spelling bee where Middle School Champions compete at whro studio for a chance to advance to the scripps National Spelling be the local competition is recorded and aired on whro each April elementary students also have an opportunity to shine through our PBS Kids writers contest this competition invites Young Writers to craft and illustrate their original stories fostering creativity and critical thinking our student Advisory Board reflects our commitment to student engagement this group of high school students offers feedback on whro's content and has opportunities to create their own influencing our online courses and media VA resources we're

086equally devoted to supporting Educators through our professional development programs our workshops and training sessions provide teachers with Cutting Edge strategies and tools empowering them to inspire and guide their students effectively visit wh's education web page to learn more about about how these amazing free materials programs and resources can benefit you at whro public media we're proud to partner with our local school divisions and the Virginia Department of Education to shape the future of Education one student at a time that's more fun than listening to me um as school board members you care about how the taxpayers monies are being spent on page 14 of the report summarizes that report that that funding you spent last year with whro $92,000 you received Savings in value of $530,000 that's over five to one return on your investment

087we hope you're happy with that and I'm happy to take any questions I guess board members yes yeah awesome question that was a good very interesting video I like that's one to have a break from freeing PowerPoints um one quick question on sort of the use by Educators you know teachers in the different divisions or in our division you know is that are they accessing it is there could they access it you know is there anything we can do if there's additional benefit to people the trick is to take this video and share it with your teachers that's really why it was built because we we've been hearing from superintendent saying you know we talk regularly with the superintendents they know what we're doing but then has to get down ultimately to the to the

088user which is the teacher and the student so the link the superintendent's office has the link um you can share it however you want you've got access to it it's on our website so if teachers see this as well then they're going to be aware of all the services available and then they can pick and choose what's appropriate for them I just I just want to make a comment I I want to thank you and the entire organization for the work I've seen it uh grow over the years and it's been excellent um and I just hope that teachers are taking advantage you know of it across um really across all divisions because um I know there's a lot of work put into this yeah and usage is customizing the report like we get into

089some details yeah yeah thank you okay thank you very much have a wonderful holiday great new year thanks take care okay we have one more report so it's letting I'm letting them depart if they need to so we have 5.02 um FY 2526 new course proposal Dr Mitchell who do we have with us uh this evening we do have Mr Daryl pancratz he is our executive director for teaching and learning um tonight as you know he's going to come before you to talk about our course proposals every year we look to add additional courses um this is the time of year because we need to be prepared and ready for our students as they begin to select courses believe it or not for next year um uh in in terms of this particular course this

090will help us come in line with our surrounding districts our other districts already have either a course exactly the same as this course or one that is uh dual credit so again this would help us come in line with the the U other divisions in the surrounding area all right well good evening Madame chair Surles Law Vice chair Dr Terry best Schoolboard members and Dr Mitchell tonight I will share course proposals for your review and approval for the 2526 school year this evening we will look at a new course proposal a revision of course titles and the next steps that we plan to take the new course being proposed is advanced placement at African-American studies this interdisciplinary course examines the diversity of African-American experiences through direct encounters with varied sources or varied sources students will

091explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the Contemporary moment the course does not have any prerequisites and it is recommended for 11th or 12th grade students and would be a year-long course the advanced Placement African-American studies course would cost approximately $112,000 to include hard copy text for each student as well as digital access the intention would be to offer the course at all of our high schools in the division in addition to the new course proposal there are two course name revisions currently chemistry and physics 1 are listed as general chemistry and General Physics one the word General gives the perception of a course that is not at the standard level of instruction the name change to chemistry and physics 1 will be in alignment with

092the course name from the Virginia Department of Education finally we are working towards a complete revision of our course guide to develop a comprehensive and dynamic program of studies the first step in the process is a comprehensive review we'll thoroughly examine our current course offerings objectives and outcomes this will help us identify gaps redundancies and opportunities for improvement next we'll actively involve stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives their insights will ensure that the program reflects the shared goals and the values of our community while addressing the unique challenges and aspirations of our Learners we will streamline the structure of the course guide simplifying the layout and organization will make it easier for students and families to Navigate Clear Pathways and concise information will will enhance usability and empowerer our students to make informed choices about their

093education we are also committed to expanding Advanced learning opportunities the new program of studies will include updated information about our magnet and Specialty programs dual enrollment opportunities advanced placement opportunities as well as Pathways for specific student interests to to ensure success of the new program of studies will provide a comprehensive guidance for implementation this will include training for educators clear communication strategies and ongoing support lastly we'll emphasize academic and career planning through enhanced counseling services and tools students will have the resources they need to set goals explore interest and plan their pathway this will prepare them not only for academic success but also for Meaningful careers and lifelong learning in summary the revision of our course guide including each of the points previously mentioned will create a program of studies that meets the needs of

094our students and our community thank you for the opportunity to share these proposals and I'm ready for any questions you may have board members do you have any questions at this time thank you all right thank you we appreciate we're at 5.03 revised policies Dr Mitchell thank you again Madam chair tonight we do not have a formal presentation but the reviewed and revised policies that are currently a report item this evening are posted on board docs for your review all of the policies except for one are from policy chapter K on school Community Home relations which supports the school board's philosophical belief that the education of students is best served through the Cooperative efforts of students families School Division staff and community members most of the revisions that the policy committee made were minor edits

095to update and streamline the policy language Revise procedures to reflect current practices reduce redundancy or to make changes to staff position titles and departments Mrs Brooks is here tonight to answer any questions you may have along with Mrs price who was the department lead for this chapter board members do we have any questions at this time okay we're at 5.04 the attendance report 5.05 the membership report and 5.06 construction report board members you have received a copy of this report are there any questions all right hearing none we'll move on to item 5.07 comments by the superintendent Dr Mitchell good evening and thank you again Madam chair on December 10th BayPort Credit Union Ferguson Newport new ship building in Virginia Natural Gas as you heard earlier um awarded a $500,000 Grant to the Newport News

096Education Foundation to support Newport News Public Schools new teacher Institute we are very proud of our collaboration um and very excited about this opportunity on December 11th we hosted a joint event take your legislator to school and a partnership signing with Riverside College of Health Sciences at Warwick high school we invited our state legislators and local elected officials to join us for this annual event which involves a review of the school board's priority for the general assembly session this year Dr Robin Nelhuebel who is who is the president of the Riverside College of Health Sciences and I also formalized the collaboration between Riverside and the Warwick governor's Health Sciences academy by signing an official agreement afterward students in the governor's Health Sciences Academy LED attendees on a Hands-On tour of the renovated Academy's classrooms and

097Labs through the Riverside partnership Academy students will benefit from specialized clinical education support provided by Riverside faculty and Gain access to clinical experiences we do want to have say a special thank you to all who were in attendance notably our school board members um as well as Senator state senator Danny Diggs delegate Shelley Simonds delegate Chad green um Karen Owens came from Senator Mamie Locke's office and of course our Riverside Partners so it was a amazing event our students were exceptional in their presentations our fifth grade students from every Elementary School com competed in our first engineering design challenge for this school year um at Newsome Park Elementary and it was called Maze Craze that was the theme working in groups students were tasked with working as laser Optical Engineers to design and construct a

098maze that directed a laser beam to a specific Target the team from Knollwood Meadows Elementary School place first with an achievable dream Academy taking second place and a third place tie between Greenwood Elementary School and Saunders Elementary School special thank you to Jefferson lab and to our chair Lisa surles law who serves as the Science Education manager there for partnering with Newport News public schools for our engineering design Challenge and last but not least all schools and offices will be closed from December 23rd through December 3rd for our winter break Monday January the 6th is a teacher planning day and students do not report all students return to school Tuesday January the 7th and I certainly wish everyone a happy healthy and safe holiday season and that concludes my report thank you Dr Mitchell we

099will move on to item six another opportunity to hear from the public are there any additional cards other than the ones I'm holding okay we'll go with the first three we have Sandra L Pierce Joyce blow and Letta poer I think I hope I didn't mess that up Sandra Pierce hello good even good evening um I was here for me from the beginning but I've I've learned a lot here tonight and I have seen a lot that you do here the committee as a whole but it still always come back to the bus drivers I'm a bus driver 40 Years of driving a bus I started off in new at 84 I went from new new to Hampton I drove HRT I drove Church buses I'm back here again driving for new news Miss best

100you know me I love kids they are important to me they supposed to help me once I get up in age I'm 27 but it's so much going on in our school system today with our kids that I am mesmerized okay I I'm right now I'm out on workman's comp because from the beginning and I don't complain cuz I love kids and I love my job I've been hurt so many times on the school bus with no recognition or promise that I'm going to be well and doing good later on in life but everything we do in the school system goes back to the school bus drivers without us y'all have no school to uh educate teach the children can't get there they they don't have a way the education is more important for us

101to get you your students then you do recognizing Us in what we do okay I'm out now because I injured my shoulder I messed up my rotator cuff and um my department they couldn't care one way or the other about me hurting myself long as I could get to that school bus long as I can work the doctor me out on light duty I was sitting watching television all day I see they lost them before when I started out in school um driving the school bus I started driving the school bus because they had that break in between and I went to college for business education graduated went to the job and hated cuz I was closed in the school bus was important to me I went back to driving the school bus all my

102kids I went back to at school at 50 and graduated from high school Warwick high school because I was planning you know I was playing the system that's okay I got my education and got a high school diploma at 50 walk across the stage with a cap and gown felt prouder than anything else in this world and you know what my teacher told me you need to do something positive right now don't stop right here go forward do something else I went back to driving the school bus I said must be crazy I went to school for hair I cooked I do everything but I ended up always back with the school bus why because there children on that school bus that needs us just like y'all need the kids to teach and you can't

103get them there without the school bus drivers those this year it was the first year I ever seen that the the the drivers that had time in stayed home so they could get their money to retire at the end of the year we didn't have school bus drivers they we have been abused used disrespected and everything but thank thank you for coming and sharing okay but I I wanted to you to see what we need we need your help because we're not getting it at all and I appreciate you listening to me thank [Applause] you Joyce blow yes good evening sorry for my voice that's partly the reason why I'm up here um I've been driving for 20 years I suffer from allergies and Asthma the beginning of the year I tell my students every

104year I have allergies and Asthma do not spray anything on the bus this particular day they decided to spray on the bus they've been spraying but since September since time they sprayed on the bus I went home and I woke up and I did not have a voice the principal came on the bus made empty telling them that she was going to take him off the bus that never happened I wrote several referrals no referrals are in the in the computer thing that I wrote a referral I called the supervisor she told me we write a referral I did that so now I'm going to the doctor trying to get my voice back they had to go down my throat to tell me my vocal chord are swollen so or so often I'm either talking

105like this or I'm talking like that so y'all need to implement some kind of policy so they can stop spraying on the bus cuz either somebody's going to have a bad allergic reaction or asthma attack in which they're going to run into somebody's house car or even worse that's one thing the second thing is I'mma piggy back off for her with the disrespect it's so blatant it's sad I wake up in the morning almost disappointed to come to work after being there for 20 years cuz the disrespect is a slap in the face when you see new drivers come in and they treat them like they the best thing since sliced bread but you got drivers that's been here for 25 30 years and they can barely get an activity or a midday but they

106give the new drivers all all the things they want in the world that's just disrespectful and then while why is it that the kids are allowed to have so much vulgar words on the bus that they say choose your battles that I can't even have my grandson on the bus with me because he knows those words are not said in my house so he can't ride with me so I had to help his mother get a daycare provider for him but normally he rides the bus with me cuz he likes driving with his M that's pretty much all I have to say before my voice go out again [Applause] my coworkers I am you did say a little bit but it's okay I I thank you for correcting me it's no point it's no problem

107no problem at all um I'm going to piggyback off of my co co-workers and right now I also am an employee with newa news and this is my third time coming back and I'm currently right now on FMLA currently and the thing is like my drivers my coworkers are saying we're all overwork and at the end of the day we have a lot that we go through we have to take off ad doctor's appointments and everything else but when in the policies that is implemented 30 days if you miss more than 30 days you're Rel but to take your run but we have drivers that has been out sick drivers don't want cancer different ill illnesses can come back be gone two months maybe three months sometimes six months and have their run but me

108in my casee I just got some paperwork the other day yes I'm dealing with a life-term illness and now I three to for times a week I may have dizziness headaches that I may have to take off because I'm under FMLA so my thing is if it's good for one why can't be for everybody else we all have lives but when you're overworked new like she said new drivers come in give them everything but there's no seniority when it comes down to the drivers that has been there has started the foundation held the foundation down and did this from the get-go drivers has been there 20 plus I've been back here the third time like I said and this year if I would have stayed I would have had 22 years in the system but

109I have driven out of every school out of newport news everyone and what I have seen former key driver at work for seven years at the end of the day it needs to be accountability people need to have better communication the kids need to be accounted for the parents need to be accounted for their kids for the disrespect and everything else because the driver takes a lot we are the first ones they see in the morning and the last ones they go go home to with it's our face first thing in the morning and some of our runs starts before 5:30 we're here early and we leave late and at the end of the day it should be a level of respect for the bus drivers because we are the ones they see on a

110daily basis it needs to be more respect for the bus drivers [Applause] period last two I have are sham [Music] Baker and Valerie fashion so Miss B Baker is she still here you know we're kind of getting kind of late tonight okay Valerie fashion are you here yes I I thought I saw you earlier here okay good evening Dr Mitchell and school board members my name is is Valerie fashion and I'm an advocate for my grandchildren and a thousand of children in the Newport News school district first thank you for all you do and as elected officials it is your duty to make sure that all the students receive the best education so that they be they can become successful in life as a responsible adult education is the new currency for the 21st century

111the current curriculum some of the grades using today is too rigid the curriculum is not meeting the students where they are academically one day the curriculum is going over multiplication and the next day they're doing division many fourth fifth six Etc students do not know the multiplication tables which makes it very difficult for us to teach the division exponents decimals and fractions also the tutoring program that we program that's also a rigid program one week we are on um fractions no one week we on multiplication the next week we are on exponents the children just don't know the multiplication table and you need the basics students in schools are sitting at regular tables because new news said they don't have enough desk in the system for the students to use students have no place to

112put their supplies is on top of a table lessons are being taught paperworks being given and nothing goes on with these students to study these students do not and I repeat do not know how to study parents and students never see the results of the test that they take neither the assessments that they're taking students don't know what questions they got correct and they don't know what questions they got wrong my grandson's been in school from kindergarten to grade seven I've never seen any assessment test come home that shows the question that he got right and the question that he has wrong and it's very difficult for parents and grandparents and other people to help these children Advance educationally without without them having anything to go by a lot of times parents don't even know

113what's being taught in the school it is difficult to improve your skills if you don't know the questions you got round students and parents need to see the actual test another thing that your school system sto giving out the grades everybody doesn't have a computer and a printer so the kids are walking around school just saying what they grades are if they remember where they are they don't have this paper in hand to look at their grades they don't get the paper to look at the assessment test that they took and to me that's where you're feeling you had an agenda book you used to use kids don't know how to put at all and may thank you for your time thank [Applause] you we will move uh on in the agenda to Matters by

114the school board we will begin with our student rep Mr Verde good evening everyone I just wanted to let everyone know that the second meeting of the superintendent student Advisory Group was held last week with students representing all of our high schools we have have a segment where students share what's great about my school and students from Woodside presented what was unique and special about their school they talked about their Performing Arts Magnet and how that perpetuates into all of their uh student life and activities one of our meeting topics was also on stress and student mental health which we discussed with Mrs excu and Mrs KY from the school division student support and mental healthcare services sorry I also attended the student representative session to the school board at the vsba conference in November

115and there we discussed different methods of advocacy and how we can just support what we believe in and I just wanted to share something that a few students from Fairfax County actually shared with us they in over the course of a few months managed to actually draft a bill and introduce it to the US Congress these were eight students who went from just being eight regular High School seniors and over the course of six to eight months actually managed to advocate in Congress so you can really just do whatever you uh stand up for whatever you support just by standing up and actually talking about it um Sage student are looking forward to our next meeting and um in January and thank you everyone and have a wonderful winter break I'm gonna bounce back and

116forth tonight Mr Hunter oh no comment no just want to say Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone and here to a prosperous new year thank you Mr Hunter to you as well and Mr Brown all right well I'll try to be brief but I do want to let this uh opportunity go by without uh saying goodbye to my colleague Mr Harris and I know this will be our last official board meeting together wanted to let you know personally that your um partnership and the friendship that we have shared has been has meant a lot to me uh even when it seems like I'm not listening to you which is a lot of times I will still listening to what you had to say actually have learned quite a bit from working with you and

117really going to miss you being on the board you've made a real difference I think in this division for the kids uh in the North District especially in throughout Newport News so I really appreciate um appreciate you and uh hope your family is blessed and that you enjoy retirement that teased you already you're not going to stay retired for very long I'm sure you'll be we we'll see you again soon you'll be back thank you thank Mrs aler yes I I just want to say that it's been an honor to sit here and to have worked with you um and thank you so much for all that you have done and shared and uh and for me it's been a short time but in that short time uh it's been pretty profound so thank you

118so much and uh thank you for every everything and for everyone and you know enjoy your break and um uh have a wonderful uh Christmas and enjoy your holiday with family and friends and do something that's truly meaningful and uh and push continue to push forward kindness so thank you Miss Aman sure um I will also um share a few comments um with um about working with Mr Harris I've really enjoyed it I really appreciated getting a chance to see how you bring your experience to the table and how you think through and you analyze issues and how how you're able to present um kind of the thought-provoking conclusions that you've come to so I've really enjoyed working with you and learning that from you um so I wish you the best if you aren't

119a stranger um and to everyone else I'll say merry Christmas happy Hanukkah happy New Year I enjoy the holidays and I look forward to seeing everybody in the new year thank you and Dr best okay I'll be short just a brief shout out to miss um I hope I pronounce the name about Bey be's AP government class at Heritage High School Dr Mitchell uh Mr Brown and myself had a chance to sit on their Congressional hearing panel in her AP government class and it is just amazing how much those students know and and what they have shared and how um inspiring they were so I want to commend her for a job well done and the students were just making us so so proud um as far as Mr Harris is concerned you all miss

120a lot because you don't get to sit beside him during the meetings so sometimes his language is colorful sometimes his comments are very interesting and I'll say hot M hot hot mic hot mic because I don't want something something but always the spirit of it is good it's not something bad or anything like that and and just like everybody El said I have learned so much from him from his military experience he is a man that truly values and cherishes his family and he let that be known but he also travels and enjoy life so I've learned you better get out there tojoy but I'm truly going to miss him and he kind of held it down over here but whenever he would push the chair back from the oh I'm sorry and you know

121it was going to be on so I'm going to miss you Marvin I wish you the best but we not going to be strangers so I wish you the best oh I'm sorry and happy holidays Merry Christmas and please make sure you read a book over the over the break you got a nice long so I'm changing things up just to Tad I'm gonna go next with my comments um I got the the honor to come in a little early and see attorney aman sworn in for her second term and we're really happy to have her continuing with us we don't I don't get to call her attorney aman much so I thought I'd do so tonight um I appreciate the way she has served the board um and I look forward to continuing to

122work with her and Mr Harris I did not want this day to come it was a hard one to come for me uh you have been such a support uh in my role as chair you quietly lead from behind and I really appreciate that when we have been going through some of the worst times that this board has gone through you have been available you have called to check in and you've called to make sure that we were considering all that needs to be considered you care about the students and the children and the families of Newport News public school we'll be forever grateful for you and I know that we will not lose contact so as a gesture of appreciation for serving the community uh on the Newport News public school boards I am

123going to ceremoniously pass the gavel for you to honor us with closing our meeting this evening and have the last word wow thank you thank you wow I hope this is being recorded and no the reason the reason why because uh I have two granddaughters uh 17 and 14 uh they actually was here I think 2020 when I uh when I raised my hand uh the younger one is probably going to be an attorney I mean I I see it in her right uh she they both went back ran for election they both won uh what do you call it uh the uh right right right no student president it was student they student body president of their of their prospective grades so the young one called me uh one night she said uh Grandpop

124I thought you was in charge you know it threw me off I said and I had to pause before I answered that because it was coming from a 14y old and I said well I I sort of am in charge I'm with other people you know I we I split up duties and responsibilities and I said me and uh Mr Brown we you know Co you know I want to break it down to a l we co- in charge of a district and she said well I thought the person that was in charge was the person I had the gavel at least that's what she told me so I said that is some truth so I hope uh you know she she will get a chance to see it hopefully um but no this is

125this has been a a an amazing experience um I was always told that you can tell the strength of an organization even a nation by how they treat um three um I want to say classes of people but how they treat the elderly how they treat veterans the ones that have borne the cross of defending this nation and how they treat children you don't have to look far to see if a city or organization is is is is is doing their best I'm going to keep this short because we have to go East right but personally thinking all my school board counterparts you all I have learned something from each and every one of you I look at a person's strength and I say what can I learn from that person's strength I may disagree

126with you on something but everyone has a strength and so if you focus on what the person's strength is you completely forget what the negative is and in turn it helps you out so that's the way I sort of view a leadership but uh as we you know know sit here on this night in the uh people's chamber um I'm laying down my duties and responsibilities um the weight of the average voice you know has echoed through this chamber at least I have heard for eight years I have stood beside each one of you my counterparts uh Madam superintendent your team uh and administration lack shifting roads converging toward one hopeful dream to Madam clerk um I don't know how you do it I'm not a I'm timely but I'm not that timely um you

127have recorded every Turning Page of our debates which is an outstanding um talent to have uh to the attorneys uh you have guided us uh pushed us uh toward roads that has been set straight and I want to thank you for all of your your efforts um to the staff and administration uh who breath lead life into plans your steady hands have shaped Futures and crowded hallways and in crowded spans to the parents uh who has entrusted us with their most precious can their children and to the students bright beacons this is where all of our Journeys began know that every road must have is in beneath this beautiful and glorious uh sky and here I step aside with a grateful heart and a sigh no matter where I will travel your voices will remain

128with me and Echoes of the work that we have completed in the Sun and also in the rain for every road truly truly truly has an ending yet from its close we rise carrying forth the dreams beneath God's unfolding skies I would like to or may these words bless individuals within earshot of my voice this beautiful city of ours this elderly State and the promise of a continued mission of this nation and have a great holiday and don't leave the light on thank you for all of your well wishes and love and support and with that we close thank you