Coraggio Consulting
Chesterfield County School Board Special Meeting, Friday, October 31, 2025

Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Place: Chesterfield County School Board, Virginia
Length: 13m (video)
Official meeting video (Swagit): https://chesterfieldschoolsva.new.swagit.com/videos/359579
Official minutes (BoardDocs, on the Nov 12, 2025 agenda for approval): https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/pfiles/DN7J6Q4BAF5B/$file/DRAFT%20MINUTES%20-%202025.10.31%20Special%20Meeting.pdf

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-24. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:00:03] Good afternoon everyone. We will begin this afternoon's meeting with a closed session which will be held in the public meeting room's conference room. Madam Clerk, would you please announce the items to be discussed therein? It is my understanding that the school board desires to enter into closed session in accordance with section 2.2-3711.A of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and specifically under subsection 1, the discussion of the appointment of specific public officers.

[00:00:32] Members of the board, you've just heard the items requested to be discussed in closed session. Do I have a motion in that regard? Make a motion to enter into closed session. Is there a second? Second. Madam Clerk, would you please call roll on the motion? Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Paranto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens.

[00:00:48] Aye. Ann Coker. Aye. We are now in closed session. Do I have a motion to reconvene in open session? I make a motion to reconvene in open session. Is there a second? Second. The board is now in open session. Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution certifying the closed session?

[00:01:07] Now, therefore, be it resolved that the school board hereby certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge, one, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and two, only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the school board.

[00:01:31] There is a motion to adopt the resolution. I make a motion to adopt the resolution. Is there a second? Second. Madam Clerk, would you please call roll on the motion? Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Pronto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. Ann Coker. Aye.

[00:01:47] The motion carries. Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to call the October 31st, 2025 school board special meeting to order. Before we begin the meeting this afternoon, I'd like to thank everyone for attending and remind the audience that comments to the board may only be made at the podium during the public comment period. Comments from the audience are prohibited and are in violation of section 18.2-415 of the Code of Virginia, Disorderly Conduct in Public Places, and School Board Policy 6141. I appreciate everyone's patience and understanding so that we can conduct the special

[00:02:24] meeting in an orderly fashion. Now we will have an invocation by Mr. Paranto, followed by Flag Salute, led by Mrs. Chatters. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you this afternoon with thankful hearts, acknowledging that every good and perfect thing comes from you. Lord, we thank you for the privilege of serving the students, teachers, staff, and families of Churchfield County, and for trusting us with the responsibility of shaping the future through education. Father, as this board meets to select an interim representative for the Clover Hill

[00:03:01] District, we ask for your divine wisdom and guidance. Lead us, Lord, to make decisions that honor you and reflect integrity, humility, and discernment. Help us to seek not what is politically expedient but what is right and just in your eyes and the best for the children we serve in a time of tension and division we ask for your hand of peace to rest upon this board and upon our community grant us hearts that listen more than we speak spirits that reconcile rather than resist

[00:03:34] and may we focus on the greater purpose you have called us to fulfill remind us that our unity and strength come from you alone bless every student who walks our halls every teacher who pours their heart into their classroom, and every staff member who serves faithfully behind the scenes.

[00:03:56] May all that we do this afternoon and in every decision ahead bring honor to your name and good to those we serve. I ask this in the precious name and powerful name of your Son and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. For the United States and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[00:04:30] The consent agenda this afternoon includes the adoption of the agenda. Are there any additions or corrections to the consent agenda? Madam Chair, there are no additions or corrections to the consent agenda.

[00:04:48] Are there any requests from a school board member to separate an item from the consent agenda for discussion and individual action? Hearing none, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. I make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.

[00:05:05] Is there a second? Second. Madam Clerk, would you please call roll on the motion? Dominique Chatter, aye. Stephen Pronto, aye. Lisa Hudgens, aye. Ann Coker, aye. The motion carries. And next we have action items. So today's action item is to appoint a school board candidate for the Clover Hill District.

[00:05:29] So members of the board, may I have a motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Jenna Darby as the interim representative for the Clover Hill District on the Chesterfield County School Board. This appointment will fill the upcoming vacancy beginning January 1st, 2026, and will remain in effect until a special election is held to select a representative who will serve the remainder of the term, which concludes on December 31st, 2027.

[00:06:00] So moved. Is there a second? Second. Board members, is there any discussion? Mrs. Chatters. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say to the Clover Hill District, thank you for all of the candidates that submitted that chose the opportunity to try to step up and serve their district.

[00:06:21] It was a tough process, a fast process, as we maneuvered to try to make the best decision for the community. I am grateful that we have chosen an educator to serve since that is the skill set that Clover Hill voted for.

[00:06:39] So I am glad that we honored their wishes by selecting an educator to sit on the board. I look forward to working with you. The extensive varying experience that Dr. Darby comes to the table with is going to be fruitful for the board. So I look forward to it. Thank you.

[00:06:56] Mr. Perante. Thank you, Madam Chair. I echo my colleagues' remarks. Very impressed with the residents of Clover Hill that stepped up and put their name forth to be considered as an interim.

[00:07:14] Um, the, the backgrounds were, uh, very diverse and brought different perspectives that challenged this board, um, in reviewing the overall best fit, if I can put it that way for, for Clover Hill.

[00:07:31] And, uh, I am very, uh, honored to be a part of this board as we, uh, do select Dr. Darby to step up in this role and know that on my behalf, whatever support that I could render you as you embark on this journey, please don't hesitate to ask.

[00:07:54] And with that, I do thank the Clover Hill residents for entrusting us with this very important process that seemed very fast to go through. But I do believe that through their candidates, we have made the right decision. So thank you.

[00:08:12] Mr. Satchins? So, I echo what my colleagues have said. We did have a lot of candidates to look at, and I, too, believe that Dr. Darby, you're going to do great.

[00:08:30] We are looking forward to working with you. I think that you're going to represent your district well. And I think that you will find that we are a very well-balanced and fun board, but we take this job very seriously.

[00:08:52] And I'm looking forward to working with you. Thank you. I really couldn't say it any better than the rest of my colleagues, but 100% looking forward to working with you as well. And all of our phones are open for phone calls and support.

[00:09:13] And yes, to the Clover Hill residents and candidates that put forth their names, thank you. Thank you for your interest and your putting yourselves out there to do a very important job. So definitely appreciate all of the resumes that we received.

[00:09:30] So without further ado, there has been a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, please call the roll on the motion. Dominique Chatters. aye you'll get used to that steven pronto aye lisa hudgens aye and cooker aye the motion carries and at this time we would like to invite dr jenna darby to the podium to share a few words

[00:09:58] good afternoon chair coker members of the school board superintendent murray educators families neighbors across the clover hill district thank you for the trust you have placed in me today I am honored to accept this appointment to serve as the interim school board representative for the Clover Hill District.

[00:10:28] I recognize the importance of this moment, and I am excited that this appointment allows me to step in, listen, and work on behalf of every student, family, and staff member during this transition. With that responsibility comes a promise from me. I will earn confidence through openness, steadiness, and active listening.

[00:10:47] My family believes in public education. I have three kiddos currently enrolled in CCPS elementary, middle, and high schools, with one more entering in just a few years. My husband is also a CCPS employee, which means I will recuse myself when we discuss and vote on matters in which I have a conflict of interest.

[00:11:07] I come to this role as a former City of Richmond and CCPS reading specialist and current collegiate adjunct faculty member. My work in educational psychology, as well as in research and evaluation, has taught me to listen first, ask thoughtful questions, and use data to guide decisions.

[00:11:26] As someone who has worked inside school systems, I look forward to applying these experiences to support our school division. I am pleased to join a school board where students are at the center of every decision. We will continue to focus on providing strong instruction in literacy and mathematics, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, and supporting special education and student services that meet needs with dignity and equity.

[00:11:54] To our students, your goals and your well-being matter. To our educators and staff, thank you for your daily excellence. To our families and community members, I am ready to serve with humility and purpose. this is a moment to come together around what unites us the success of our students and the strength of our schools thank you for this opportunity starting january 1st i am ready to get to work for the clover hill district and for all of chesterfield county public schools thank you um next we have announcements communications and school board comments

[00:12:34] school board members are there any announcements or comments the school oh i'm sorry mr parante that's okay madam chair thank you uh again congratulations dr darby And also, being Halloween, I just want to wish all of our students out there this evening, please be safe, be mindful.

[00:12:56] It's a Friday evening for our older students who might be out there tonight. Please be respectful of our community and our community members. But have fun, and I know your dentist will not be happy with the amount of candy that you're going to consume. However, enjoy it, and happy Halloween.

[00:13:13] The school board will hold a work session on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, at 4 p.m. here in the public meeting room. It will be followed by a business meeting at 6.30. If there's no further business, we need a motion to adjourn.

[00:13:30] Make a motion to adjourn. Madam Clerk, would you please call roll on the motion? Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Pronto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. Ann Coker. Aye. The motion carries. The October 31st, 2025 school board special meeting is adjourned.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coraggio Consulting · aguyonx.com