Coraggio Consulting
Chesterfield County School Board Business Meeting, Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Place: Chesterfield County School Board, Virginia
Length: 1h 27m (video)
Official meeting video (Swagit): https://chesterfieldschoolsva.new.swagit.com/videos/395904
Official minutes (BoardDocs, on the Sep 8, 2026 agenda for approval): https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/chesterfield/Board.nsf/pfiles/DXHNQA610070/$file/DRAFT%20MINUTES%20-%202026.08.11%20Business%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 2026-10-23. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:00:02] Good evening. I'd like to call the August 11th, 2026 School Board Business Meeting to order. Before we begin this meeting, I'd like to thank everyone for attending this evening and remind the audience that comments to this board may only be made at the podium during the public comment period.

[00:00:21] Comments from the audience are prohibited and 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 business meeting in an orderly fashion.

[00:00:41] We will now have an invocation by Mr. Pronto, followed by the flag salute led by Dr. Darby. Before tonight's invocation, we would like to take a moment to honor and remember two students and two members of our CCPS family who have recently passed away.

[00:00:58] Following these remembrances, we ask that you join us in observing a moment of silence in their memory. We pause to remember Aubrey Green, also known as Breezy. Although his time at Midlothian High School was brief, Breezy made meaningful connections with faculty and fellow students who will deeply miss him.

[00:01:19] An entrepreneur at heart, Breezy had even started his own lemonade stand, reflecting his bright spirit and personality. His impact was evident in the kindness and condolences shared by classmates following his passing. We pause to remember Will Schaefer, a student who attended Midlothian High School during his ninth grade year and continued his education through CCPS Online during his 10th grade year.

[00:01:45] Will is remembered as a quiet and kind young man whose gentle nature left an impression on those who knew him. We pause to honor the memory of a deeply valued member of our CCPS family, Mrs. Elanda Boyd, who began her dedicated career with us in 1998.

[00:02:04] Over nearly three decades of service, Mrs. Boyd supported our schools in numerous capacities, brilliantly anchoring the vital work between our district and our custodial vendors. In her most recent role, she spent countless hours molding, mentoring, and enriching the lives of everyone she encountered.

[00:02:23] Though she was quiet, soft-spoken, and a woman of few words, her input and influence spoke volumes. Mrs. Boyd truly exemplified the high standards required to both lead and support, taking immense pride in her team, her schools, and in being a woman of excellence.

[00:02:41] Upon her desk, her decorative plaque still shines as a testament to her spirit. Act like a lady, think like a boss. That simple phrase perfectly reflected the strength, grace, and determination she brought to work every single day.

[00:02:57] While we continue to mourn her passing, we are profoundly grateful for the unsung daily impact she had on our students and staff. Her legacy remains a guiding light for our district. At this time, please join me in a moment of silence to honor the life of Mrs. Boyd.

[00:03:17] Carol Hermsen dedicated her career to serving students and families through school transportation, beginning with the city of Newport News before continuing with Chesterfield County Public Schools. From 1991 until her retirement in 2011, she proudly served as a special needs school bus driver.

[00:03:39] Her last assigned bus was bus 225, where her patience, kindness, and compassion touched the lives of countless students and families. Carol had a special passion for Special Olympics and found great joy in supporting the athletes and celebrating their achievements.

[00:03:57] Her legacy of service, compassion, and dedication will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Please join me in a moment of silence for those we have lost. Heavenly Father, we come to you this evening as we are excited to start a new school year in just a few weeks.

[00:04:23] Father, we thank you for those who have gone before us and have paid the way of excellence in their work. The students that have gone before us, Father, that have left lasting impact. We lift them up to you and we pray for their families. Father, as we focus on the 26th, 27th school year, we ask that you go before us, that you would be with this board in the decisions that it makes, that we would work collaboratively and effectively and efficiently for our community, for our teachers, for our staff.

[00:04:58] Lord, that you're with our bus drivers in the over 9 million miles that they will drive this year, that you're with our cafeteria workers as they provide the nutrition that is very much needed to sustain our kids during the school day. We pray for our teachers who pour themselves into the daily educating of our students.

[00:05:20] We thank you for the administration and staff in front office. We thank you for our custodians who work diligently to clean our schools and to ensure that our children and our teachers come to a school that is clean and presentable and sets the expectation for the high education.

[00:05:40] Father, thank you for the opportunity to be in Chesterfield County. Thank you for the opportunity to send our kids to school. Lord, we ask that you're with us and in this meeting, and we ask all of these things. In your Son, Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[00:05:58] Please join us at this time in the Pledge of Allegiance. The flag of the United States of America, thanks to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[00:06:24] The consent agenda includes agenda adoption, approval of the minutes,

[00:06:37] June 2nd, 2026 work session, June 2nd, 2026 business meeting, memo number 091-26 recommended personnel actions, memo number 092-26 acceptance of new grants, memo number 093-26 acceptance of donations, memo number 094-26 review and approval of FY 2027 tuition rates for non-resident students, Memo number 095-26, approval of the local plan for the education of the gifted.

[00:07:15] Memo number 096-26, approval of the adjustments to student fee schedule for the 26-27 school year. Memo number 097-26, appointment of members to school board advisory committees.

[00:07:32] Are there any additions or corrections to the consent agenda? Madam Chair, there are no additions or corrections to the consent agenda. Are there any requests from a school board member to separate an item from the consent agenda for discussion and individual action?

[00:07:49] Hearing none, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Madam Clerk, would you please call roll on the motion? Anne Coker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters.

[00:08:05] Aye. Stephen Pronto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. The motion carries. Mr. Smith, would you please announce our new administrators? At this time, I've got to ask Elaine Gold and Whitney Wells-Cornfield to come forward.

[00:08:23] Madam Chair, board members, with your action this evening, you've made three administrative appointments.

[00:08:44] The first one, John Palco, could not be here this evening, but John was approved as Director of Finance and Payroll, effective July 13, 2026. John most recently served as a financial reporting analyst for Chesterfield County. Elaine Gold, a familiar face, has returned and has been approved as the Director of Special Education, effective July 27, 2026.

[00:09:04] Elaine previously served as the Director of Special Education for the school division. And Whitney Wells Corfield was approved as the Principal of Wells Elementary School, effective August 12, 2026. She recently served as Assistant Principal of Providence Elementary School. Please join in congratulating these administrators.

[00:09:20] Next on the agenda are awards and recognitions. We'll begin with the recognition of student success presented by Mr. Smith. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[00:09:36] At this time, if I could ask Karina and Johnica Sanders to come forward this time.

[00:09:50] On the afternoon of May 19, Curse Elementary 5th grader Karina, who is now a rising 6th grader, acted quickly to keep everyone on her bus safe.

[00:10:10] At Karina's bus stop, bus driver Johnica Sanders radioed the Area 4 Transportation Office to say she was not feeling well, then suddenly stopped responding to the office's reply on the radio. Realizing that something was wrong, Karina picked up the radio to talk with the Transpiration Office. The office called for EMS, the driver received medical assistance, and Karina's quick actions made a difference for everyone.

[00:10:31] In fact, Karina was so calm and collected that Transpiration employees on the radio at first thought she was an adult. Thank you, Karina, for staying calm and acting bravely in such a difficult situation. Let me say a few words because you are amazing.

[00:10:57] You are a hero. And you need to know that you were so kind. You recognized a situation, you've stepped up, you weren't afraid, and you took control. And people thought you were an adult. That's amazing. You were so calm. I know a lot of adults that would not have been that calm.

[00:11:14] So congratulations on just being you. And I hope you remember this moment because you did something really incredible. And we're very proud of you. Next up, we have a recognition of the stock market game.

[00:11:44] if I could ask Silver Creek Middle and Metro High School representatives to come forward at this time.

[00:12:04] Two teams from Cheshire County Public Schools made a lot of money in the stock market game. In the annual game organized by Virginia Council on Economic Education, student teams compete for awards by investing $100,000 in a virtual portfolio across 10 weeks.

[00:12:28] John Randall coaches the team at Silver Creek Middle. Team members earn a 23.6% profit, placing first in Virginia for middle school teams this spring. Their portfolio is valued at close to $130,000. Paul Klein coaches the team at Manchester High. Team members earned a 39.8% profit, beating out more than 1,000 teams across Virginia.

[00:12:48] Their final portfolio was valued at close to $135,000, making them the top high school team and overall top team. Put these investment accomplishments in perspective. The Dow Jones Industrial Average returned only a 1.8% return, and the S&P 500 earned only a 5% return during the same period.

[00:13:07] Please join in congratulating these two teams. to both of these teams. I think we all know who to go to for investment advice moving forward.

[00:13:23] I heard a difference of 18% between what the market was doing and what your students were able to pull off. So I am curious if you are willing, as the student up here representing all the other five students, what is one thing you learned through this experience?

[00:13:43] As long as you stick with it and just keep on letting it ride. You should win. That's really it. Just let it go. Just let it go. Just got to believe, pretty much.

[00:14:02] Would you like to add anything? Well, thank you, and congratulations. That is sound and investing advice for someone.

[00:14:21] Next up, I'm going to ask the Matoka High School softball team to come forward this time. The Matoka High School softball team won the VHSL Class 5 State Championship, the first girls' team to win a state title in the school's 63-year history.

[00:14:55] Coaches are head coach Scott Driscoll and assistant coaches Denise Baniel, Berkeley Driscoll, and Sam Denny. Please join me in congratulating the Motoka High School softball team. Now, coach, in here, there's a little something there to hand out.

[00:15:15] I'll let you decide that one. Thank you. So the first time in school history, y'all brought home the state championship. That's outstanding. Congratulations. I'm sure you've heard that enough, right? Congratulations. But it should never get old, right? Because you've accomplished something that the ones that came before you have not accomplished.

[00:15:35] And, Coach, not to put you on the spot there, but you've been teaching for how long? 35 years. It took a while. It took a while. You obviously have a very talented group here that you knew coming into the season you had a shot, right?

[00:15:52] You knew you had a shot. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Kaylee Hodges. Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia for softball. Not once, but twice. And if I did my homework, and please correct me if I'm wrong, you pitched four shutouts total?

[00:16:19] Well, that's what the stat says. So many, you lost count. That's what the stat says. I was just so impressed. I was impressed with the entire team. You know, the stars get the spotlight, right? But without everyone contributing and doing their own thing in the way that you all can, you don't advance very far, right?

[00:16:38] It takes the entire group. And so, you know, just on behalf of the school board, congratulations. And I also understand small world, small world. So I'm sitting on my couch last night on Facebook, right? And a buddy of mine by the name of Mike Goad, Mike is now a board of supervisor out in Flaavana.

[00:16:59] And so he posted, well, I'll tell you what caught my attention, was the Matulka football helmet. And I thought, well, they're practicing. What is Mike doing? So I read what Mike wrote. And he said that there's a fundraiser going on because y'all won the state championship, which I knew, but you were raising needing $6,500, I think, roughly, $6,300 to be able to get your rings that you so rightfully deserve.

[00:17:26] And so I said, I know someone who can fix that real quick. So I reached out to Dr. Baber. Dr. Baber then got me in touch with Coach. Coach called me and I said, hey, Coach, we will take care of that. So you're going to have your rings. Now, I don't know how quick they're going to come, but we made sure that we got the paperwork over to Coach this morning because you should not go a day longer without being able to walk around without those rings on.

[00:17:56] So does anybody want to talk about a highlight of the season besides winning the state championship, which I get that's the pinnacle, right? But is there anything that happened to you that you were just like, wow, if this didn't happen, I'm not sure we would have gone further. Coach?

[00:18:14] All right, Coach, I'll put you on the spot. i'm sorry everybody everybody's everybody we have a great pitcher however we were down one and nothing in the bottom of seven with batters number six seven eight nine coming up that's not not an ideal situation but guess what six seven eight nine did what they got to do got us to the top of the order who who made it who who uh the first the leadoff the leadoff uh got the first run in to tie it up we had to tie it up first all right then the second time and then the second

[00:18:53] batter got up. Ms. Raven, she is right there, the smallest one up here. Hits on the second pitch, hits the ball over the left fielder's head, bottom of the fence, ball game. And it was cool. That lets you know it's not a one-person game. The whole team. And that inning, sorry Hodges, you didn't have nothing to do with it. But that shows you what a team is made of everybody everybody contributes and that's what that's what we did for the final for

[00:19:31] the championship game and it was a nice little celebration afterwards well again we're all very proud of you you brought a lot of pride back with you to the metoca district uh to chesco county

[00:19:43] public schools you are all fantastic we thank you congratulations and uh best at wisely uh next up

[00:20:27] we have a recognition for clitoral high school i think i come forward this time this is for the debate in National Guard Cup. So for this recognition, we have it almost in two parts.

[00:20:51] The first part, Clever Hill High School won the VHSL Class 5 State Championship in debate. Sharp thinking, poised delivery, and dedicated preparation earned the school top honors. The title reflects countless hours of research, practice, and teamwork. Throughout the competition, team members demonstrated the ability to build compelling arguments, think on their feet, and communicate with confidence.

[00:21:12] Their coach is Hunter Clark. And the second part, for outstanding success in VHSL academic activities, Clover Hill High School won the 25-26 National Guard Cup presented by the Virginia Army National Guard. This is Clover Hill's fourth cup, having also won in 24-25, 21-22, and 2015-2016. The VHSL League annually awards the cup to recognize year-long success in academic activities. A point system determines the winner based on overall performance in VHSL state championships throughout the school year. Clover Hill High School earned 350 points to win the Cup for the VHL Class 5.

[00:21:47] Clover Hill High students earn points in magazine, online news, yearbook, debate, and film festival. Please join me congratulating Clover Hill High School. Congratulations, Clover Hill.

[00:22:03] It's great to see you up here again. I love both of these recognitions because it shows the collective effort of lots of staff and lots of students and lots of hours, I'm sure, of practicing and working and writing and revising. And so I appreciate y'all's work on this and the many staff that you also represent by being up here.

[00:22:24] Are there any fun student success stories that you could share with us from this year of leading up to this big award? This is Dan's third time being recognized by the school board in the last year, just for what it's worth.

[00:22:41] And we scored the most points of any high school in the state in any division. Hi, everybody. First shout-out to the debate kids. I had nothing to do with that. Come on up. If you were a student at Clover Hill, why are you not up here right now?

[00:22:56] It's just not my thing. Come on. Well, congratulations. How did it feel? It feels amazing. Unfortunately, the other team members and my coach were not able to be here because they were out of town.

[00:23:17] But I like to say thank you so much for their effort and give a big thanks to Mr. Clark, my debate coach, and the other members who are there at States who are Jasmine, Andrew, and Lily. Thank you so much for being an amazing team and for working on so many speeches and having so many sleepless nights, especially I feel like collectively as a team, we worked super hard to get to this point and being state champions in 2026 means a lot to me, especially as I was a state champion in 11th grade and 12th grade of my high school years.

[00:23:58] I'm editor-in-chief of our paper, The Cavalier Chronicle, and this year I would, it was really successful. I'm so proud of my entire staff, and highlight of my year was definitely getting to do that print issue that we got to do. That was the first print issue we got to do since COVID, and so that took a lot of time and energy, but having something tangible like that was really rewarding, and I'm just really grateful for all the opportunities that journalism has given me.

[00:24:31] So I've been up here before. I'm Dan Wadelick. I'm the advisor for the magazine. We should find out if we have another trophy class in October at the media championships, and I think it's going to be our third in a row. We're good at what we do, because in these programs, there are sports, there are specialty centers, we have math side.

[00:24:55] Clover Hill is an amazing school. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. I love my coworkers, but this is what we do. Our publications programs, our magazine, our debate. I don't think people know that we're quiet. That's not why I'm talking about it, But, like, we're a powerhouse in this.

[00:25:11] And I would love it to talk to other teachers around the county. Let's get some competition going. But speaking of competition, I do have a stat for the board. The only school in Virginia that has more wins than the National Guard Cup is called Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology.

[00:25:29] We can give TJ a run for their money. I think we're going to do it. So, I don't know. More good things to come. This is awesome. Students are great. All of mine have graduated, so it's just me. Well, congratulations again, and I'm so glad that you all were here to also be recognized.

[00:25:50] Thank you. Congratulations. Next up, we'll do a recognition for Matoka High School and the Cleanest School of the Year Award.

[00:26:32] Custodial staff members gathered in June for their annual expo. The event is a time for them to come together to finish the previous school year and start preparing for the next one. Award presentations were a highlight of this year's expo. The Cleanest School of the Year Award went to Matoka High School.

[00:26:48] Employees of the Matoka High Casodo team are Building Operations Supervisor, Jarrell Edwards, Dave Porter's Desmond Field, Valerie Jones, Demetrius Richardson, and George Massenburg. Excel Manager is Alicia Cordero. While not present this evening, Kenneth Jackson of Robius Middle won the Dave Porter of the Year Award.

[00:27:05] Please join congratulating these team members.

[00:27:26] So, Dee, Val, everyone, just congratulations. This is just, you know, people may not think, right, of the cleanliness of a school. They just expect it when they send their kids or when they come to visit or whatever it might be.

[00:27:44] And I don't know enough times if we pause to recognize the passion, the dedication, and the drive that goes into an individual to take such great pride and care because that's your home. Yeah, you have a home, right? But this is your home. These are where the kids that you are investing your time, talent in are coming to learn and you are providing a clean environment for them to enter into in all aspects and so i'm not surprised representing metoica that metoica high school is getting this award i'm just saying you know all the other high schools they gotta

[00:28:20] play catch up and go ahead let them try to get you it's not going to go over very well but challenge but um i would just like you know should have brought your trophy with you but but the opportunity to represent metoica is one thing but more importantly to represent your ideal of providing for our kids and our teachers and staff and administrators on a daily basis.

[00:28:47] I visit multiple schools throughout the year, and I have always enjoyed going to Matolica High School. So I am not surprised at all. When I walk there, my shoes squeak as I'm walking down the hallway, okay? And that's a credit to a lot of different folks who play a very integral part.

[00:29:03] So on behalf of the Chesterfield County School Board, congratulations, very well earned. And is there anything you'd like to tell us about why you do what you do? What is your motivation? Go ahead. I know you've been dying. Well, I don't like to talk, but I don't look at my job as a job.

[00:29:21] I look at it as a career because I'm not going nowhere. I'm going to retire from Chesterfield. I'm 41 years old. I love you, Dr. Murray. He hired me. I was up under the contractors, and he hired me as a day porter. And I'm not leaving Matoka. I was going to go to Westgate, but I think I'm going to stay with Matoka. The West, Westridge.

[00:29:38] The new high school. No, I'm going to stay with Matoka. Good evening. Just to piggyback for what she said, I'll speak to every school that's in this county when it comes to day porters.

[00:29:55] They're the Unsung Haveros. I did it for 14 years and I'm the BOS, but definitely they were out. I couldn't do it about them. Kudos to every last one of them that's in this county. They don't get appraised enough. The low pay, I mean, kudos.

[00:30:12] Just kudos to the day porters. Kudos. Yes, ma'am. Hi, I'm Heather Graves. I am here representing Excel Management Services. Unfortunately, my colleague Alvin White couldn't be here today, but I just wanted to say thank you for the recognition, and we really appreciate, you know, working with Chesterfield County Schools.

[00:30:31] It's been great. Thank you. If I could ask our friends at the Chesterfield County Prevention Services to come forward at this time.

[00:31:09] Tonight, we recognize Chesterfield County Prevention Services, an incredible partner for many years. Prevention Services is much more than a community resource. They are true thought partners and collaborators Working alongside the school system's family and community engagement team, mental health support services on initiatives like Coffee and Conversation and Face Forward Films while supporting students, families, and staff members throughout our schools.

[00:31:37] From parent consultations and mental health support to suicide awareness and prevention programming, Chesterfield County Prevention Services consistently shows up with compassion, expertise, and genuine commitment to helping our community. We're grateful for the difference they make in the lives of students and families. Please show me congratulating Chesterfield County Prevention Services.

[00:31:55] We just want to say thank you on behalf of the board for helping us be a partner and being part of the tribe that takes care of this 67,000 children village that you're supporting.

[00:32:14] And we couldn't do this without you. And I appreciate all the work and the special services that you're offering to all of our students and our parents, especially the parent consultations and the awareness level that you're providing to have those tough conversations with our children. You're making it easier for them, and I appreciate that. can you tell us the best part about your job thank you so much i love prevention services i have been here for a decade we truly value our partnership with chesterfield county public schools and supporting families it is a great joy in getting to work with the students with the

[00:32:49] parents just with everybody you have a great teams and counseling and administration that allow our support. And BASE has been an incredible partnership as well. So thank you. Thank you so much. One more hand. Our next recognition is for our departing school board advisory committee

[00:33:22] members, if they could come forward at this time. Advisory committees established by Chush County School Board are one way that community members connect local schools. Advisory committee members are appointed from each of the county's five managerial districts and include parents, teachers, staff members, students, and other community members interested in helping the school division achieve its mission and vision.

[00:33:59] The Chush County School Board wishes to thank those who have fully completed their terms of service on the board's various advisory committees. CCPS Audit and Finance Committee, Dr. Lauren Mallory, Dale District, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee, Carrie Langford, Cloverhill District, Nathaniel Stell, Cloverhill District, Justin Walker, Matoaka District, Roxanne Schofield, Midlothian District, Gifted Education Advisory Committee, Sarah Simmons, Matoaka District, Dr. Maya Johnson, Counseling Coordinator at Tomsdale High School, Evelyn Gale, student representative. From the School Health Advisory Board, Joshua Pearman, Bermuda District, Tremaine Jones, Bermuda District, Mariah Deardorff,

[00:34:37] Dale District, Jeffrey Su, wellness expert, student wellness, Emerson Haley, student representative. And from the Special Education Advisory Committee, Jennifer McMinn, Bermuda District, and Kathy Mary Price, Matoka District. Please join me in thanking and congratulating these advisory committee members. Thank you isn't enough to say to you guys for all of the time and the hours that you volunteered to be a part of our advisory committees. We couldn't do and have the

[00:35:11] ideas that you bring to the table without your input. So thank you for all of that. Thank you for your dedication to CCPS. And thank you to your families who also gave up that time of your time so you could participate in the advisory committees for the school board.

[00:35:30] We really appreciate it. If you'd like to say your name and what committee you were on and what led you to be a part of that committee. I'm Jennifer McMahon, and I'm Bermuda District, and I was on the Special Education Advisory Committee, and I came in in the middle of COVID when we were looking for new members to this advisory committee, and I've enjoyed every bit of it.

[00:35:55] Hi, I'm Justin Walker. I was the chair of the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee for, it turns out, five years, and I aged out, it seems. They said, no thanks, you can't come back again. I leave with two emotions.

[00:36:11] The first is gratitude. The board, for those of you all who don't know, there is not only the board's support for these committees, these citizen committees, But every citizen committee is sponsored by a board member who lends yet another three to four hours a month of their time to attending those committee meetings.

[00:36:31] Also to Elke for helping us keep everything organized. My second emotion is a little bit of regret. I feel like environmental stewardship has done some things to influence the conversation over the last few years. I also feel like there's still a lot of meat on the bone. And I look forward to continuing the conversation to try to find ways to address deferred maintenance and capital needs in our district that will help reduce our environmental impact and make our schools a little better for our citizens.

[00:36:56] Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Tremaine Jones, and I had the privilege of representing the Bermuda District for the School Health Advisory Board. I would like to just take a moment to recognize our chair, Ms. Lisa Hudgens.

[00:37:11] Lisa, thank you for your fresh, new, open perspective. And as Ann asked us to do, what led me to the School Health Advisory Board was simply understanding the important voice that parents have so I know there's just not parents watching us in here but they're parents out in the field your voice matters school health and safety mattered the most to me and I'm just looking forward to collaborating even more in a different

[00:37:45] my term was three years but I'm looking forward to future opportunities to share a fresh perspective from a parent with a child with special needs. So thank you again to the Chesterfield County Public Schools for trusting me with this appointment and allowing me to represent parents all across the county. So God bless all of you, and I look forward to working with you all again soon. Okay, tough act to follow. Carrie Langford, I served on Environmental Stewardship

[00:38:24] from the clover hill district um what got me involved is really just i feel like involvement begets um ignorance and when you get frustrated sometimes with government or schools or situations i think the best thing you can do is to get involved and see kind of the back side of how things come to be um i enjoyed my time environmental stewardship is something i was passionate about um i hope that i will have an opportunity to serve on more advisory boards because i'd like to learn as much as I can so I appreciated the opportunity and thank you for the recognition thank you again

[00:39:03] all right all right thank you and congratulations to all of tonight's honorees next we have public

[00:39:51] comment for this evening citizens were given the option of submitting their comments online or in person comments submitted via the online form were sent to the board prior to the start of tonight's meeting posted to the board doc site and will be included in full as an addendum to the meeting minutes in-person comments will be summarized by the board clerk and included in the official meeting minutes documents submitted along with in-person comments will upon requests be distributed to the board but not included as part of the board's official minutes madam clerk

[00:40:27] would you please announce this evening's in-person speakers madam chair we have five speakers this evening they are hannah rosenberger ariel green adam barry amber roads and rob hamill each speaker will have four minutes to address the board there's a timer set up on top of the podium that will turn green when you begin speaking yellow when you have 30 seconds remaining and red when your time has expired as a reminder no personal belongings other than a cell phone and speaker notes are allowed at the podium please ensure all materials are organized before approaching the podium. Your speaking time will begin as soon as you arrive at the podium so you should be prepared

[00:41:04] to begin your remarks immediately. Please note that comments equivalent to campaigning for any public office are in violation of school board policy 1110 are prohibited. May we have Hannah Rosenberger. Good evening chair and members of the school board. My name is Hannah Rosenberger and I am a program manager with Girls on the Run Greater Richmond. I'm here tonight to share our appreciation for your continued commitment to supporting the whole child, not just academic

[00:41:43] success, but also emotional and social well-being. We are grateful to partner with schools across Chesterfield and we truly value the trust that you place in us for your students. In Chesterfield County Public Schools, we know that your mission is ignite passion and all through authentic and captivating experiences. And we see this mission come to life in ways in the ways that you invest in programs and partnerships that help students feel seen, supported, and connected inside and outside of the classroom. And that is exactly where Girls on the Run fits in. Girls on the Run is an after-school program for girls in grades three through eight that uses a research-based

[00:42:22] curriculum to build social-emotional skills through movement, conversation, and connection. Over 10 weeks, with the mentorship of trained volunteer coaches, many of whom are teachers, parents, and community members, girls grow in areas such as confidence, emotion management, healthy relationship building, and decision making. Each season ends with a celebratory 5K.

[00:42:44] It's not a competition. It's about a new mindset and motion to cross the finish line and realizing I can do hard things. Across Chesterfield County alone, we are seeing the impact firsthand. Since 2021, Girls on the Run has been able to serve over 1,400 girls in Chesterfield.

[00:43:02] The 2025-2026 school year alone, 560 girls were served across 33 schools with support from 125 volunteer coaches, and we're just as excited for the 2026-2027 school year impact. And during our spring 2026 season, 92% of participants report increased confidence after completing the program, and 95% of caregivers report that their child is more confident and more physically active as a result of the program.

[00:43:30] but the numbers only tell part of this story i wanted to share a quick win from our 2026 spring 5k one of our long-standing goader teams at trick elementary won the she soars award for their community impact project the community impact project is part of our girls on the run curriculum which focuses on empowering girls to make a difference in the world around them and the she soars award honors jody enoch who brought girls on the run to chesterfield county jody passed away in 2024, believes a legacy of kindness and a lasting impact on generations of Girls on the Run

[00:44:05] participants and coaches. We continue to celebrate Jodi's life with our She Soars Award for the Community Impact Project, which carries on her ideas of sharing kindness, enjoying nature, and celebrating others. At Trick Elementary chose to make encouraging posters and signs to cheer on the students from their school who participated in the Special Olympics Little Feet Meet. The girls worked together to design and make posters to celebrate their classmates. They hung them outside of the classrooms of student athletes going to the meet, and they sent encouraging goater cheer along with all of the students. This is a great example of what we hear from coaches and teachers

[00:44:43] again and again. These small moments don't stay small. They carry into classrooms, hallways, and homes. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in making this possible for students across our region. As you continue investing in the well-being of the whole child, we hope that you'll help bring girls on the run to even more students so every girl has the chance to grow in confidence, connection, and resilience. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued dedication to the students of Chesterfield County. Thank you, Hannah. May we have Arielle Green?

[00:45:23] Good evening. My name is Arielle Green, and I wanted to speak about technology use in schools. I have three children who have all gone to Chesterfield County Public Schools since kindergarten. This year, they will be in second, sixth, and ninth grade. I've reviewed the presentation about intentional technology use that you went over earlier today, and I also spoke with John Phillips this afternoon. I'm glad to hear that CCPS is listening to our concerns and beginning to consider ways to address them. However, I do not think the presentation fully acknowledges the

[00:46:00] extent of the challenges families and teachers are experiencing, nor did it offer enough practical solutions that parents can use today. I understand that part of the division's strategic plan is for technology to support instruction and communication. That sounds great in theory, but unfortunately, the way Canvas and other online educational programs are being used in practice is often doing the opposite, reducing the quality of instruction and creating barriers to communication between teachers, students, and parents. First and foremost, Chromebooks are incredibly distracting.

[00:46:34] Most parents I know are struggling to establish healthy limits on screen time at home, and now we also have to contend with battling screen time at school. This summer, when I spoke with State Senator Van Valkenburg, who is also a high school teacher, he said he just assumes that his students aren't paying attention if their laptops are out. I think that is a fair assumption, and my older kids report that their laptops are out for about 80 to 90 percent of the school day. Even though YouTube is supposed to be blocked in our county, kids can easily bypass the lackluster safeguards and young kids already know how to access addictive online games. I know there is

[00:47:10] software that can help teachers see what kids are doing on their screens, but that creates an unrealistic burden on teachers. How can they be actively engaged in teaching a lesson if they have to police all of the Chromebooks at the same time? Additionally, there are also important educational concerns with replacing traditional learning methods with technology. Research has consistently shown that handwriting promotes stronger learning retention and comprehension than typing and clicking. Learning to spell through a click-based gamified online program is not nearly as effective as traditional teacher-led methods. Having to show math work by using a mouse on a screen

[00:47:46] is cumbersome and time-consuming. Replacing in-person interactions in class with complicated online processes for submitting homework and receiving assignment feedback in Canvas is adding unnecessary frustration for students. I believe the county should take a few concrete step this school year that would make a huge difference for students, family, and teachers.

[00:48:08] Number one, give parents meaningful opt-out options. Parents should have the ability to request that their children use paper-based materials instead of a Chromebook for appropriate assignments and classroom activities. I would like to opt my second grader out of a Chromebook in the classroom whenever technology is not essential to the lesson. Number two, bring back paper homework. Parents should be able to easily request paper homework instead of online assignments when appropriate. Writing things down encourages active engagement and can improve learning and comprehension. Paper assignments would also eliminate many of the frustrations associated with submitting work through Canvas and would allow children and parents to see teacher feedback

[00:48:48] directly on the assignment. Number three, establish clear expectations for teachers and schools around Chromebook use. CCPS should communicate to schools that Chromebooks should not be open or in use for the majority of the school day unless there is a clear instructional purpose.

[00:49:06] The county should consider establishing measurable targets for reducing unnecessary screen time. I am not opposed to technology and education. My concern is that technology has increasingly become the default rather than a tool used selectively when it adds value.

[00:49:23] I hope the school board will consider offering these tangible solutions this school year. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Ms. Green. Now we have Adam Barry. Good evening.

[00:49:48] My name is Adam Barry. I am the father of Kobe Barry, who has been here today along my other son, Lincoln, and Oates' service dog. Kobe is a student at OB Gates. I'm here tonight because I've been working with Chesterfield County Public Schools since last year to find a safe and reasonable way for Kobe to attend school with his private duty nurse and his service dog, Oates.

[00:50:09] With another school year beginning, we still do not have a resolution. Kobe has significant medical and physical needs, including serious seizure disorder. His seizures are not adequately controlled by three seizure medications alone, and rescue medications do not always stop them.

[00:50:28] Because of this, Kobe recently underwent a surgery to have a vagus nerve stimulator, or BNS, implant it. His seizure response protocol is now even more time-sensitive. When his seizures occur, a BNS magnet must be properly swiped over his chest and repeated in prescribed intervals.

[00:50:47] His rescue medications must also be administered according to specific timeline. His private duty nurses have been trained on this protocol. One of the most concerning things we have learned is that Kobe seizures can begin several minutes before they have obvious outward signs.

[00:51:04] This makes having someone with him who knows Kobe understands his seizure activity and is trained in his medical protocol extremely important. We have qualified private duty nurse for Kobe through Virginia's Medicaid waiver program. We are not asking the school division to hire this nurse.

[00:51:20] We are asking the school division to hire this nurse. We are asking for a reasonable path that allows his existing nurse to accompany him to school and provide the care she already provides out of school. There's also a practical issue.

[00:51:37] If Kobe's nurse cannot work during school hours, she does not get paid for those hours. It is extremely difficult to retain a qualified nurse if we can only offer employment before and after school. Losing that nurse doesn't affect Kobe at school. It affects his care at home and throughout the rest of his life.

[00:51:56] Having his nurse at Ovi Gates would allow his teachers and classroom staff to concentrate on what they are there to do. Educate Kobe and the other children in the classroom. Kobe also has a trained service dog, Oates, through four paws for ability, who are out at Ohio and internationally recognized as a service dog provider.

[00:52:18] Oates assists Kobe with disability-related needs, but because of Kobe's physical limitations, he requires a handler. His nurse is the logical person to serve in that role while also providing his medical care. What has been frustrating is that we have qualified people, trained resources, and a family willing to work cooperatively with the school division.

[00:52:36] I've been trying to put these pieces together since last school year, yet we are approaching another school year without a clear solution. I'm not here tonight to criticize Kobe's teachers, nurses, or the staff at OB Gates. I appreciate the people who care for and educate my son. I'm here because I believe this situation now requires the attention and assistance of the school board.

[00:52:56] I'm asking the board to help us establish a safe, workable arrangement that allows Kobe's private duty nurse to accompany him at OB Gates, providing his necessary medical care and assist as the handler for his service dog. Kobe deserves the same opportunity as every other child to attend safely, consistently, and with the supports necessary for him to succeed.

[00:53:23] Again, I've been working towards that goal since last school year. I am simply asking the school division to work with us to finally make that happen. Thank you for your time and consideration of Kobe's needs. I'm looking here tonight, and I see a lot of names that were on an email included later this week.

[00:53:39] So this may be redundant to you all, and I appreciate your response already, Ms. Chatters. but all of it received is a response and not a resolution thank you mr baird now we have amber rhodes good evening my name is amber rhodes former teacher current ccps parent and the lead of the balance project central virginia i am back on behalf of more than 1500 families who signed our

[00:54:19] petition for the intentional use of technology in chesterfield county schools first i want to thank you in june we asked and tonight the district answered two months ago intentional technology use was our phrase and tonight it was on your agenda and we showed up you listened and you responded we appreciate the effort behind your analysis the presentation said that the question wasn't whether technology was good or bad but whether it is used intentionally appropriately and in service of strong instruction we agree with this but a car is also neither good or bad and we still don't hand the keys to a five-year-old your own speak up survey says the same

[00:54:58] distraction, misuse, and screen time are real concerns, and teachers need more support. That is not the petition talking, that's your own data. This summer, the Commonwealth went further. As of July 1st, state law requires schools to instruct students on the addictive potential of computers and smart devices.

[00:55:18] In the same section that has schools teach children about tobacco, alcohol, and gambling, Virginia now teaches our kids that screens can be habit-forming and then hands them a district device your presentation today and our conversations show that we're not that far apart we're one step apart and that step is action your own next step slide already listed k-2 expectations device use during unstructured time grade band guidance for take home devices and stronger parent notification every one of those is something families asked

[00:55:52] for in june you've put our request on your own list but what's missing is a date reviewing is not deciding. Communicating existing work more clearly is not changing it. Telling us what is already in place does nothing to help the 1,500 parents who say that while these standards were in place, technology was not being used intentionally in their child's classroom.

[00:56:14] None of this becomes policy until the board votes. You also named ISTE and ASCD among the research you'll keep reviewing. Take them up on it. ASCD's own educational leadership reports, a study of 46,000 students in which grades, sleep, and social skills began to decline after just 45 minutes of screen time. That's the research that you cited. So, hold devices to the standard that Virginia already sets for everything else. We don't let a new reading program reach a child's desk without proof it works. Ask the same of a screen that's in every

[00:56:50] child's hand. One word from your presentation I'd like to gently push on is overcorrection. For our youngest learners, there is no overcorrecting towards story time, relational skills, and a pencil. With the Surgeon General and 1.8 million teachers both asking for screen-free classrooms through second grade, starting there isn't going too far, it's the floor.

[00:57:11] So tonight I'm asking for one thing, a date. Take the items already on your next step slide and give them a timeline and start with the easiest and most urgent screen-free K-2 this school year. Shared carts for required testing only. The room already spoke, the data agrees, the law names the risk.

[00:57:30] All that's left is for the board to decide when. Thank you for all of the work that you're doing every day. Thank you, Ms. Rhodes. May we have Rob Hamill. Hello, school board members, colleagues, and friends.

[00:57:55] My name is Rob Hamill, and I am the president of your Chesterfield Education Association. Hope everyone enjoyed their summer break. Like many of the folks in this room, I spent the day at our new teacher orientation. We enjoyed seeing so many new faces ready to jump into teaching in our district. CEA asked the folks who came by our table to tell us what they thought the perfect school would look like.

[00:58:15] Many people wrote that the perfect school would have strong relationships between students, staff, and administration. One person wrote that these relationships are the foundation of every school. Other people wrote about a school that had an abundance of supplies for our students to use in the classroom. Some people wrote about transparency and the need for administration to communicate clearly with their staff.

[00:58:35] Conversations I have where folks share their dreams for Chesterfield are some of the best parts of my work for the union. CEA is excited to start working with all those who contributed today. This summer, we visited the custodial and the nutrition in services. We met lots of dedicated workers who love what they do in Chesterfield, and almost all of them told us that they do not make a living wage.

[00:58:57] Over and over again, we heard, what can we do about pay? Many of our support staff cannot support themselves on their CCPS wages and must take on second jobs. We would like to see serious negotiations with the Board of Supervisors this year to increase pay for our classified employees. I heard from several of our nutrition supervisors that new hires were coming into their departments making a higher starting wage than their wages for years of service.

[00:59:21] It seems that our support staff may be in need of a salary expansion study similar to the one our teaching staff got a few years ago. I do have one simple suggestion tonight to show some respect for our transportation, custodian, and nutrition folks. Honor those workers at the beginning of the awards portion of the school board meeting instead of at the end.

[00:59:38] It would be so much more meaningful for our staff to receive their honors in front of their students and neighbors. As our friends from the Balance Project discussed tonight, guidance from the state on the use of screens in our classrooms continues to confuse us. How can we simultaneously counsel children on the addictiveness of screens and teach them to use a Chromebook? This is a complicated issue which will probably need a solution in both policy and operational practice. We ask that CCPS take the time to gather a wide variety of staff opinions on the issue of technology use, either through surveys, focus groups, or participation in an advisory committee. We would also like the data

[01:00:15] that CCPS has already collected on students' use of their Chromebooks to be utilized in the decision-making process. If we work collaboratively and with transparency, we should be able to figure out a solution that both protects and prepares our kids. As we look ahead to the next year, CEA is still determined to win collective bargaining for all our employees. We believe that a workplace with a collective bargaining agreement is fundamentally more just, as the staff has a say in their own contracts. Our support staff will want to bargain for wages.

[01:00:46] Our teachers will probably want to bargain for planning time, duty-free lunches, workload restrictions, that kind of thing. As we look to the school board elections in 2027, we will ask each member of this body whether they will grant their employees the dignity of sitting across from them at the negotiating table.

[01:01:02] Although the law did not change in the way that we had hoped, our resolve has remained equally unchanged. We are committed to making the best workplace we can, and we will make dreams come true. Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Chesterfield Education Association. Thank you, Mr. Hamill.

[01:01:19] Madam Chair, that concludes this evening's public comment. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next, we have this evening's superintendent's report from Dr. Murray. Thank you, Madam Chair. Excuse me. As we recently wrapped up another successful school year, the following video highlights just a few of the moments that made the second half of the year so meaningful across CCPS.

[01:01:45] From academic achievements and student celebrations to everyday acts of support and service, these moments reflect the growth and the teamwork that define Chesterfield County Public Schools. Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for a truly incredible year.

[01:02:05] Our Meaningful Moments video this evening celebrates student creativity and the power of community partnership. This past spring, students at Swift Creek Elementary used their imaginations to draw and write stories about monsters of their own creation.

[01:02:22] Then, through a partnership with Capital One, professional artists transformed those ideas into models, posters, and other works of art. The students did not know exactly what the artists would create, so the big reveal brought surprise and some wonderful reactions.

[01:02:41] Please enjoy. The Monster Project is a collaboration between Swift Creek Elementary School and Capital One.

[01:03:14] And Capital One has done this project historically with first, second, and third graders throughout the nation. This year, it's with us. And what happens is our kiddos draw and create monsters. Then we send them off to artists that go all throughout the nation.

[01:03:32] they then turn those kiddo renditions into posters, Lego sets, stuffies, action figures, all kinds of pieces of art that then come back to the kids for the kids to keep them. They were so excited. The first thing I got were these big bug eyes and jaws dropped.

[01:03:51] When you think of that excitement in a kid, that Christmas morning excitement, that's what I saw sitting on the carpet. They were ecstatic. The first question is, like, they're just so excited that what's coming back to them will then be their own piece of art that a professional artist created.

[01:04:13] So the first thing they did was we had a conversation about what the monster project was. And then in their classroom, they came up with a list of details. So they did a writing project in their second grade classrooms that was just about the details, like describing adjectives for a monster.

[01:04:31] They brought all that information here, they did a sketch, and then a couple weeks later we did a revision. So then they took all that information, they revised it, they wrote a little story, paragraph, two paragraphs about a day in the life of their monster, did their revision, some of them completely changed them, some of them kept them the same, and then we double-checked and we sent

[01:04:52] them off. I hope that they understand that their ideas are important. Like so often our kids go

[01:05:31] from elementary school off to middle and high school and they leave that art behind and so yes that creating is important but even bigger than that it's just that their ideas are important their ideas deserve to be seen and their ideas can be bigger than they think they are. I think that's the biggest thing I want them to see from that. Thank you Dr. Murray that was pretty much

[01:06:05] the cutest thing I've ever seen. Board members is there any discussion? Nope. It looked like you were touching the button never mind okay uh you know it's late that was the best thing i've ever

[01:06:22] seen thank you so much um next we have memo number 103-26 from mr meister uh good evening madam chair members of the board uh dr murray uh 103-26 uh in front of you appropriation of series 2026a general obligation bond net premium uh in middle of july july 14th the county went

[01:06:59] market for $141 million as part of the 2022 referendum offering. The good news is we got favorable pricing on that particular sale, and it resulted in a 12, just a little bit over $12.5 million net premium. What that means, we can now take that $12.5 million and allocate it to existing projects. This particular memo in front of you allocates it to the Grange Hall Elementary project to essentially make that budget full at $62 million, pending a future referendum draw on that. But with that, I send you 103-26 for

[01:07:38] your consideration. Thank you, Mr. Meister. Board members, may I have a motion to approve memo number 103-26 as presented? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Board members, is there any discussion? Okay.

[01:07:58] There has been a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, please call roll on the motion. Ann Coker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Pronto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. The motion carries. Next, we have memo number 104-26.

[01:08:15] Mr. Meister. Madam Chair, members of the board, me again. 104-26 is the amendments to the school board's FY27 financial plan. I walked you through more of the details in this afternoon's work session, But to highlight, in late June, June 29th, the new fiscal year 27 budget was signed into law by the state.

[01:08:38] We received the calc tool. We processed the numbers, and it resulted in $15.9 million, a little bit more, in additional revenue to Chesterfield County as a result of the updated state budget. That came in the form of a few separate items that I'll quickly walk through here.

[01:08:55] The first and foremost of that is $7.1 million as part of a state salary supplement, moving their contribution to our 5% raise from 2% to 4%. That was $7.1 million. We will use that to offset local funds. Those local funds now being freed up as part of this memo will be used to allocate towards the match for the state-sponsored bonus that we've talked about, as well as about $1 million dollars to support the utilities that are seeing significant inflation. The next line item is a special education allotment of about 3.9 million. Needless to say, those funds are allocated towards

[01:09:32] the special ed department, including 24 IAs and three teachers. I think I got that right. Next one is Virginia Preschool Initiative, about 2.4 million to fully fund our preschool classrooms including the opportunity to fund title one classrooms to the tune of about eight hundred thousand dollars to better use those funds back in those title one schools and lastly about two and a half million dollars of generally more flexible funding that came through a miscellaneous sources within the state of that two and a half million I'm proposing to allocate one million toward

[01:10:09] debt service six hundred thousand towards technology and technology replacement cycles, and $900,000 to offset a one-time funding revenue item to reduce the reliance on one-time funds in the current budget. With all that said, memo 104-26 and the accompanying resolutions are in front of you for your consideration.

[01:10:32] That should relay back to what I just spoke to. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Meister. Board members, may I have a motion to approve memo number 104-26 as presented? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Board members, is there any discussion?

[01:10:50] Okay, there's been a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, please call roll on the motion. Anne Coker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Pronta. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. The motion carries. Next, we have memo number 105-26.

[01:11:07] Mr. Meister. It's me again. 105-26, Madam Chair and other members of the board, is a resolution affirming the capital improvement priorities and public accountability safeguards for dedicated school infrastructure revenue. So this is related to the one for schools referendum that is up for the community's consideration in November.

[01:11:30] The resolution before you is really looking for you to just establish requirements and affirm that you will use the funds as accounted for. With that, I will read the resolution into the record for your consideration. again, resolution affirming capital improvement priorities and public accountability safeguards for dedicated school infrastructure revenue. Whereas the Chesterfield County School Board maintains an unwavering commitment to providing safe, modern, and high-quality learning environments for more than 64,000 students across Chesterfield County. And whereas the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has requested a court order to place a 1% dedicated sales tax referendum on the

[01:12:07] November 26th general election ballot pursuant to Virginia Code Authority, and whereas state statute mandates that 100% of revenue generated from this dedicated sales tax option shall be restricted exclusively to school capital construction and renovation, and whereas economic projections demonstrate that a meaningful share of sales tax revenue in Chesterfield County is generated by non-resident visitors and commuters, thereby diversifying the capital funding base beyond county residents and property owners, and whereas the school board desires to establish clear intent, priority alignment, and public accountability mechanisms regarding the

[01:12:44] utilization of potential dedicated capital revenue. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Chesterfield County School Board hereby affirms that should the dedicated 1% sales tax revenue become available, funds shall be allocated in strict accordance with the school board's approved capital improvement plan, prioritizing capital expansion, including acceleration of construction for new elementary facilities in the Dale and Midlothian slash Clover Hill growth areas, facility modernization, including full modernization, rebuild, and expansion projects for Midlothian Middle, Matoka Middle, Thomasdale High, and Byrd High Schools, and infrastructure longevity, establishing a dedicated capital maintenance fund to execute

[01:13:22] major HVAC, roof, and other facility renewals across schools countywide on a pay-as-you-go basis be it further resolved that the school board commits to establishing a financial tracking framework including an annual public audit report and web-based capital project dashboard ensuring complete transparency and public accountability for all dedicated capital expenditures with that i'll turn it over to you madam chair for your consideration okay thank you mr meister board members may have a motion to approve number memo number 105-26 as presented So moved.

[01:13:57] Is there a second? Second. Board members, is there any discussion? Okay. There's been a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, please call roll on the motion. Ann Cooker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Pronta.

[01:14:12] Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. Motion carries. Next, we have memo number 106-26. Mr. Smith. Madam Chair, board members, Cheshire County Internal Audit recommends revisions to policy 3130 Safe Schools.

[01:14:28] School Board Policy 1200 provides that, quote, if circumstances warrant immediate action on proposed policy regulation, the School Board may suspend its rules and bring the policy regulation up for immediate adoption following first reading, end quote. Therefore, it's recommended that the School Board suspend its regular rules of policy adoption by waiving a second reading of the policy contained in this memorandum and approved following the first reading.

[01:14:49] Proposed changes have been reviewed by the School Board Attorney. I would note there's essentially three revisions that are made to this policy. The first is on the first page, just signifying the correct title for the Director of Safety and Security. At the bottom of page two, going to page three, there are revisions with regards to further articulating fire drill requirements, as well as adding a Section G, which articulates the requirements according to earthquake drills annually.

[01:15:20] Madam Chair, you have two recommended actions. Okay, thank you, Mr. Smith. Board members may have a motion for the board to suspend its rules and waive second reading. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Board members, is there any discussion?

[01:15:37] There's been a motion and a second. Madam Clerk, please call roll on the motion. Ann Cooker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Prata. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. The motion carries. Board members may have a motion to adopt the policy to become effective immediately.

[01:15:56] So moved. Is there a second? Second. board members is there any discussion there's been a motion and a second madam clerk please call roll on the motion and coker aye jennifer darby aye dominique chatters aye steven pronto aye lisa hudgens aye the motion carries next we have items for board review madam clerk would you please read the items for this evening madam chair tonight's agenda includes the following items for board review number one magisterial district improvement funds fy 2026 number two magisterial

[01:16:31] district improvement funds fy 2027 number three budget change request summary across categories may 2026 number four budget change request summary across categories june 2026 number five board committee reports number six ccps strategic plan progress review number seven fy 2026 may expenditures verse appropriations number eight fy 2026 april expenditures verse appropriations

[01:17:04] number nine fy 2026 march expenditures verse appropriation number 10 fy 2026 february expenditures versus appropriations, and number 11, FY2026, January expenditures versus appropriations.

[01:17:20] Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next, we have this evening's superintendent's remarks. Dr. Murray. Thank you, Madam Chair. Foremost, as usual, I just want to thank our speakers this evening for coming out and sharing their feedback and insights with each of us. And then I just want to say, What a way to kick off the school year with that host of recognitions, especially Carina, if that didn't warm our hearts in all the best ways and we're in the wrong business.

[01:17:50] I do want to formally welcome back all of our students, our families and staff as we officially kick off the 26-27 school year. And a big special thanks to all of our 12-month staff who have positioned the division for a great start on August the 24th when our learners come back to us and the magic begins to happen all over again in our schools and in our classrooms.

[01:18:16] As well, I want to thank our business partners and our faith partners who are welcoming back staff this week and next week and for the initiatives such as supply and backpack giveaways to our students and families. I also want to give a big shout out to Dr. Missy Hill, as mentioned by Rob just a few moments ago.

[01:18:39] Today was our new teacher induction program. She does a phenomenal job year in and year out, and today was no different. So I definitely want to celebrate her in really getting our folks not just excited about the career that's in front of them, but feeling well-resourced and even if they might not feel fully prepared about the arena they're about to enter, that they know that someone who is very prepared or someones are walking alongside them and ready to stand in and fill any gap that they may need along the way.

[01:19:20] A few recent congratulations are in order as well. You all know this. The public should, but some may not. But over the last week and a half or so, we were able to excitedly cut two ribbons, one or the first at Deep Creek Elementary, which is a brand new, our 41st elementary school.

[01:19:41] So congrats to Dr. Courtney Jones on her new tenure as kind of creating a brand new legacy in that building. So grateful to her. I also want to thank or congratulate Dr. Patrice Wilson, who got to realize, you know, a brand new Bensley, something that generations of learners walk through the old Bensley.

[01:20:07] And now the new generation gets to walk through and create something brand new in a community that deserved it so much. And then invite anybody who wants to join us next Friday morning. We'll do kind of a mini ribbon cutting at CTC at Hull where Reed and his team and John Belasa have done a phenomenal job renovating that conference center as well as the former office spaces upstairs.

[01:20:37] What that allowed us to do from a safety perspective is wall off the conference center from the school. So we've enhanced the safety and security there. But also upstairs, brand new classrooms that will allow 650 more student opportunities in various pathways, whether expansion to existing programs or brand new programs out of the ground.

[01:21:05] So I want to thank not just our facilities team, but Chad Macklin and his crew for the vision behind what that learning opportunity looks like. Also, we, a few weeks ago, got to celebrate right around 90 summer school graduates, whether they were graduating early or needed just a little extra push across the high school finish line.

[01:21:32] They accomplished what all of our other graduates did this graduation season, which was earn their high school diploma, and we wish them well as they enter that beautiful world of adulting. I also want to extend a hearty welcome to our roughly, what is it, 57 international teachers who are joining us, bringing our total up close to 130 international teachers, fully certified teachers, just expanding the diverse perspectives in our classrooms.

[01:22:08] But I would be remiss. We have many of our international teachers who are from Colombia. Colombia, of course, had a pretty significant earthquake the other day. And so as I offered a new teacher this morning, but I will extend it here forward as a charge to our community.

[01:22:27] This is that opportunity to stand in and fill a gap for folks who are who may be in need and thinking about their family back home. These folks came in a couple of suitcases and are leaving the life and the comforts of friends and family and tangible things even to come and teach our students and learn from our colleagues, but our colleagues and students from them as well.

[01:22:55] What a gift. And then finally, as I end this segment, the last few years, parents' bus routes are going live. They're out there, so please check them, but also please work with us those first several weeks.

[01:23:13] There's going to be a lot of congestion on the roads as not just all of our buses take flight, but also a bunch of folks who like to drop their kids off at school, and that kind of has a jamming effect a little bit. I would recommend throwing them on that bus.

[01:23:31] It's a service we provide for you, so put them on there. It's going to lessen the parent pickup and drop offline. And I just want to thank Calvin and his team. And that's all I have, Madam Chair. Okay, thank you, Dr. Murray.

[01:23:47] Next, we have announcements, communications, and school board comments. Ms. Chatters. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to do a couple of shout-outs. I wanted to thank the HR, Dr. Huff and her team working with Meadowbrook and Falling Creek Middle School.

[01:24:03] I know we are down to just one vacancy for a face-to-face math teacher. And I really, truly appreciate all the work that went into making sure that we provided our students with face-to-face math instruction with a person in the classroom. So I know that was labor-intensive, and I appreciate everything that went into getting that done.

[01:24:21] I want to also give a shout-out to National Night Out, those of you who didn't get a chance to do it. It was pretty fun. Managed to beat the rain a little bit, not so much. I want to thank Sergeant Horowitz for being my driver that day. And we got to get McGruff at every location.

[01:24:39] We were lucky enough to get McGruff at every location. And thank you for Dr. Murray to going to Watermark to visit my community. And they appreciated you there. They shouted you out on their Facebook page. So you made an impression with that kindergarten parent. And then finally to our speakers for public comment, the technology usage part.

[01:24:59] I empathize with what you're talking about. As a parent who had, well, I still have four children in school. Sorry, they're not gone yet. It's a rising fourth grader, rising sixth grader, rising 10th grader, and a rising 11th grader. I understand the struggle with the technology use, and I agree that we need to do a better job at balancing that.

[01:25:20] And I'm looking forward to having that conversation with the board to do something a little bit more robust on the usage rate at all the schools, elementary in particular. Because K-2 was pretty rough for my household with that.

[01:25:35] So I appreciate all the speakers who came up to speak about that. I appreciate what Ernie presented today in our step forward. And I'd like to see us do a little bit more to get us to the finish line on that. Thank you. Well, I was with the crew.

[01:25:57] You're good? Okay. Today at the new teacher, welcome, training, whatever. and it was fantastic seeing like 500 all those new some of you said 500 it seemed like a whole bunch so all these new teachers teach brand new teachers and teachers who are new to the county in this room the energy was palpable people were excited and it just got me so pumped just to have the just the privilege to be a part of this this county to be a part of this board

[01:26:36] to be a part of every person that we interact with that I interact with in this county is fantastic and it's just a privilege and honor and I just want to wish all of the teachers and the admin and the kids awesome, have your best year this year, I'm so excited for everybody and you know yay it's almost here oh okay all right there you go that's that's it okay um so the school board will hold a work session in the county public meeting room at 4 p.m on tuesday

[01:27:12] september the 8th 2026 followed by a business meeting at 6 30 if there is no further business we need a motion to adjourn so moved um madam clerk would you please call roll on the motion Ann Coker. Aye. Jennifer Darby. Aye. Dominique Chatters. Aye. Stephen Paranto. Aye. Lisa Hudgens. Aye. The motion carries. The August 11, 2026 school board business meeting is adjourned.

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