Coraggio Consulting
Loudoun County School Board, 4th Tuesday School Board Meeting, Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Place: Loudoun County Public Schools / School Board meeting (see BoardDocs / LCPS-TV)
Length: 5h 38m (video)
Official meeting video (Vimeo / LCPS-TV): https://player.vimeo.com/video/968760770?rel=0
BoardDocs (School Board): https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/Public

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 2026-10-18. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:01:04] let's see. Good afternoon. I called to order this June 25th, 2024 Loudoun County School Board

[00:02:11] Meeting. Our first item of the agenda is item 1.2. I have been notified that Ms. LaBelle would like to remotely participate in tonight's school board meeting. Ms. LaBelle, please state your location and whether this is a medical or personal matter. I'm at my home in Lovetsville and this is a medical matter.

[00:02:34] Thank you, Ms. LaBelle. Is anyone present with you at this location? If so, please state their names. My husband, Michael Seidelman, is in the house on the other side of the house. So I'm alone here. Therefore, I will entertain a motion that Ms. LaBelle's request to participate remotely be granted.

[00:02:55] I move that Ms. LaBelle's be granted permission to participate remotely. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. Second. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. We have a motion by Ms. Donoghue to approve Ms. LaBelle's request to participate remotely for a medical exemption.

[00:03:14] And we have a second by Ms. Chernoff. It has been properly moved and seconded to approve Ms. LaBelle's remote participation. At this time, we will take an electronic vote. Clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Clerk, please close and display the vote.

[00:03:38] The motion passes 5-0 with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffi, Chair Mansfield, and Ms. LaBelle absent for the vote.

[00:03:54] Welcome to the meeting, Ms. LaBelle. Thank you very much. At this time, we will start with item 2.1, Disclosures. I will start. As a member of the Loudoun County School Board, I make the following disclosure to the school board and to the general public in connection with an item on tonight's agenda regarding the budget and or health insurance and related benefits and any other discussion that may include or affect benefits for LCPS employees.

[00:04:23] Specifically, as a school board member, I am eligible to receive health insurance and related benefits as an LCPS employee. These benefits, however, affect thousands of employees well in excess of the statutory three employees whose interests may also be affected and of which I am included.

[00:04:40] I can and will participate fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. This disclosure will be reflected in the public records of the clerk of the school board for five years. Ms. Donahue. Thank you, Chair Chandler. As a member of the Loudoun County School Board, I make the following disclosure to the school board and to the general public in connection with the item on tonight's agenda regarding employee salaries, the budget, and or health insurance, and any other discussion that may include or affect salary and benefits for LCPS employees.

[00:05:11] Specifically, my spouse, my minor children, and I are enrolled in LCPS health insurance that may be affected by any potential changes to employee salaries, the budget, and or health insurance. Additionally, my sister-in-law is an LCPS employee who does not reside with me and is not dependent on me.

[00:05:27] These subjects include thousands of employees, well in excess of the statutory three employees whose interests may be affected, of which my spouse, sibling spouse, and I am included. I can and will participate fairly objectively and in the public interest. This disclosure will be reflected in the public records of the clerk of the school board for five years.

[00:05:46] Thank you, Ms. Donohue. Ms. LaBelle? As a member of the Loudoun County School Board, I make the following disclosure to the school board and to the general public in connection with the item on tonight's agenda regarding the budget and or health insurance and related benefits in any other discussion that may include or affect benefits for LCPS employees.

[00:06:09] Specifically, as a school board member, I am eligible to receive health insurance and related benefits as an LCPS employee. These benefits, however, affect thousands of employees well in excess of the statutory three employees whose interest may also be affected, of which I am included.

[00:06:29] I can and will participate fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. This disclosure will be reflected in the public records of the clerk of the school board for five years. Thank you, Ms. LeBell. I'm Ms. Chernoff. Thank you, Chair Chandler.

[00:06:46] As a member of the Loudoun County School Board, I make the following disclosure to the school board and to the general public in connection with the item on tonight's agenda regarding the budget and or health insurance and related benefits and any other discussion that may include or affect benefits for LCPS employees. Specifically, as a school board member, I am eligible to receive health insurance and related benefits as an LCPS employee.

[00:07:06] These benefits, however, affect thousands of employees while in the excess of the statutory three employees whose interests may also be affected, of which I am included. I can and will participate fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. This disclosure will be reflected in the public records of the clerk of the school board for five years.

[00:07:23] Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. We will now move on to Agenda Item 3, Approval of the Consent Agenda. Board members, are there any changes to be made to the consent agenda? Seeing none, I will now entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda.

[00:07:43] Thank you. Dr. Deans. I so move to accept the consent agenda. Thank you. I second. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. We have a motion by Dr. Deans to approve the consent agenda seconded by Ms. Chernoff.

[00:08:08] It has been properly moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda. At this time, we will take an electronic vote. Clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. - Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote.

[00:08:26] - Yes. - Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously of all members present with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffi, and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote.

[00:08:47] At this time, we'll move into our work session. Item 4.1, the Legislative Audit and Policy Committee Fiscal Year 25 Audit Plan, presented by Mr. Ahmaud Woods, the Auditor General.

[00:09:26] - Good afternoon, Chair Chandler, members of the board. Tonight, I am providing you with the approved fiscal year 25 annual audit plan. The plan is pretty straightforward. They're in consequential order in how we will perform the audits.

[00:09:45] And I am willing to take any questions if you have any. Thank you, Mr. Woods. Are there any questions or comments from the committee? Ms. Chernoff. I just wanted to thank you for your work on this and for getting us all up to speed. And I just wanted to make the other board members aware in case they didn't listen to the committee meeting that, like Mr. Woods mentioned, we were not just deciding which audits we were adding into this year.

[00:10:12] We were also affirming the ones that were already approved and ongoing. And we also were able to shuffle the order. And one of the things that we moved further down to the bottom is the security pass and ID badging audit because in the end of year funds, we approved for those to be updated.

[00:10:28] And so we felt that auditing that before we update them would be foolish. So I want to thank you for clarifying that for us as we did get that question. So just wanted to say that. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. Are there any other comments or questions?

[00:10:45] Seeing no further comments or questions, I will note this item was unanimously approved by the Legislative Audit and Policy Committee at its last meeting. According to the Charter of the Office of the Auditor General, no additional action by the board is necessary.

[00:11:03] at this time we will move on to item number five closed meeting dr. Deans do you have a motion I do I move that we would go into closed session at this time second thank you so much it has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board go into the closed session is there any discussion

[00:11:38] seeing none dr. Deans I move that the Lawton County School Board recess this public meeting and enter into a closed meeting pursuant to 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia for the following: discussion and consideration of a student matter that would involve the disclosure of information contained in a scholastic record as authorized by section 2.2-3711 of the Code of

[00:12:15] Virginia. Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body and briefings by staff members pertaining to Loughton County Circuit Court matter CL 22-2964 where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigation litigating posture of the public body and require the provision of legal advice by such counsel

[00:12:47] as authorized by Sections 2.2-3711A7 and 2.2-3711A8 of the Code of Virginia. Discussion or consideration of the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body as authorized by section 2.2-3711-A3 of the Code of Virginia. Thank you, Dr. Deans. And I'll reiterate, Dr. Deans made the

[00:13:26] motion, which was seconded by Ms. Donahue, so it has been properly moved and seconded, that the Loudoun County School Board go into closed session. I will ask one more time if there's any discussion. Thank you. Clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the

[00:13:59] vote. The motion passes six to zero with no members opposed and no members abstaining with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffy, and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. The board is now

[00:14:22] in closed session. The board is now coming out of the closed session. Dr.

[01:26:57] Deans, do you have a motion? Thank you, Dr. Spence. Let's see. There's Ms. LaBelle, can we confirm that you're back with us? I can't hear you. I'm here. Hooray. Thank you so much. All right. The board is now coming out of closed session i can confirm that all board members are back together and dr deans do you

[01:27:33] have the motion i do i move that the closed meeting be adjourned that the lawton county school board reconvene its public meeting and that the minutes of the public meeting reflect that no formal action was taken in the closed meeting thank you dr deans um is there any i have a motion by dr deans do i have a second second second thank you um dr rasheed i have a second by

[01:28:12] dr rasheed is there any discussion seeing no discussion clerk please open the vote board members please record your vote miss labelle please state your vote clerk please close and display the vote oh no miss labelle um please state your vote i can't hear you i'm sorry yes

[01:28:47] thank you okay how to figure out which way that was all right clerk please close and display the the vote. That motion passes 6-0 with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffy, and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. Dr. Deans, do we have another motion? Yes, I move that the following resolution certifying the closed meeting be adopted and reflected in the minutes of this public meeting, whereas the

[01:29:25] Loughton County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and whereas 2.2-3712D of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the school board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law.

[01:29:54] Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Loudoun County 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 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 Loudoun County School Board.

[01:30:27] Thank you, Dr. Deans. I have a motion by Dr. Deans. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, we will take an electronic vote. Clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle.

[01:30:53] Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes six to zero with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffy, and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote.

[01:31:09] With that, Dr. Deans, I will ask for one final motion. Yes, it didn't come through yet.

[01:31:56] Attorney. Oh, Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen. Oh. Yes, Dr. Deans. I move that the board authorize the execution of documents necessary and appropriate pertaining to the student matter as considered and discussed in our closed meeting.

[01:32:35] Second. Thank you, Dr. Deans. I also heard a second by Ms. Donahue.

[01:32:54] Thank you, Ms. Donahue. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes six to zero with Mrs. Griffiths, Vice Chair Estreffi, and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote.

[01:33:23] At this time, we will continue on with item 6.1 and recess for dinner. The board will reconvene at 6.30. The board is now in recess.

[02:02:04] We came out and had a public vote on one part.

[02:02:25] Good evening.

[02:02:43] Good evening, everyone. The board is coming out of recess at this time. The next item on our agenda is item 8.1, the Pledge of Allegiance. Tonight, we have our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by the VHSL Spring student-athletes from Broad Run, Freedom, Independence, John Champ, Loudoun Valley, Riverside, and Woodgrove High Schools.

[02:03:12] These teams or individuals are being recognized this evening for their outstanding achievement in a VHSL state championship in their sports or activities during the spring sports season. Thank you for being here. I will note we will not have the national anthem tonight, as this is the last school board meeting before recess.

[02:03:40] At this time, I will ask everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[02:03:51] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, honor God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

[02:04:16] We are going to go back to an item from earlier on our agenda, and I will ask Mrs. Griffiths to please make her disclosure. Thank you, Madam Chair. As a member of the Loudoun County School Board, I make the following disclosure to the school board and to the general public in connection with the item on tonight's agenda regarding the budget and or health insurance and related benefits and any other discussion that may include or affect benefits for LCPS employees.

[02:04:43] Specifically, as a school board member, I am eligible to receive health insurance and related benefits as an LCPS employee. These benefits, however, affect thousands of employees well in excess of the statutory three employees whose interests may also be affected, of which I am included.

[02:05:00] I can and will participate fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. This disclosure will be reflected in the public records of the clerk of the school board for five years. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Griffiths. The next item on the agenda is student and staff recognitions.

[02:05:15] We will start with item 9.1, Office of the Superintendent, recognition of Megan Tucker, a Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year. Tonight, we are happy to welcome back Delegate Atusa Reeser, Virginia District 27, to present this recognition on behalf of the House of Delegates.

[02:05:35] The floor is yours. Thank you, Madam Chair, board members, Dr. Spence. It is my distinct pleasure tonight to offer to you House Resolution No. 338, commending Megan Tucker as follows. Whereas Megan Tucker, an esteemed educator at Hillsborough Charter Academy in Loudoun County, was named the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2023.

[02:06:03] And whereas, named for Scott Crossfield, the renowned pilot and aerospace researcher, Megan Tucker became the 36th recipient of this prestigious award, which was established to recognize teachers for remarkable achievements in aerospace education.

[02:06:19] And whereas Megan Tucker was a foundational member of the faculty of Hillsborough Charter Academy, a Loudoun County public charter school founded in 2016 to emphasize science, technology, art, and mathematics, also known as STEAM, education and project-based learning and whereas megan tucker serves as esteemed teacher dean of curriculum and instructional facilitator for technology at hillsborough charter academy where she has developed myriad special programs for the benefit of students in conjunction with prominent aerospace organizations including the national aeronautics and space administration

[02:06:55] the air and space forces association the afa and the civil air patrol the cap and whereas megan Tucker works tirelessly to create a learning environment that will ignite her students curiosity in STEAM and aerospace subjects, cultivate their knowledge and understanding, and motivate them to achieve successes both in and out of the classroom. And whereas Megan Tucker has helped to train and mentor her colleagues in STEAM and aerospace concepts throughout teaching workshops and by contributing to the development of new curriculum both locally and nationally. And whereas Megan Tucker has also received Teacher of the Year

[02:07:31] honors from the National AFA and the National CAP, and received a presidential award for excellence in mathematics and science teaching from the White House, and a Foundation Educator Achievement Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. And whereas Megan Tucker epitomizes the highest values virtues of the education profession through her unwavering dedication to her students and fellow educators, earning the praise and and admiration of all Virginians.

[02:08:02] Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Delegates that Megan Tucker hereby be commended for being named the 2023 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and be it resolved further that the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Megan Tucker as an expression of the House of Delegates' appreciation for her efforts to educate and inspire students of the Commonwealth.

[02:08:30] It is my distinct pleasure to offer that commendation to Ms. Tucker here tonight.

[02:08:51] Thank you, Delia Reaser, and congratulations and thank you so much, Ms. Tucker, for your hard work. I will ask patience from the room as we are going to take a series of photos with each of this item and the next two items.

[02:09:06] I'll come down and join you and ask the school board members to please stand for the photo.

[02:10:24] We will move on to item 9. 2, Department of School Leadership, Middle School Intramural 7-on-7 Soccer Recognition, presented by Derek Ferry, Assistant Director of Athletics and Extracurricular Activities. Good evening, Madam Chair, Dr. Spence, members of the school board.

[02:10:54] In the 2023-2024 school year, LCPS began a middle school pilot intramural sports program at Harper Park, River Bend, Seneca Ridge, and Smarts Mill. Each quarter, LCPS offers a different sport for students to participate in after school.

[02:11:11] The fourth quarter and last quarter of the school year was the 7-on-7 soccer tournament. LCPS had over 370 participants in 7-on-7 soccer at the four middle schools. Tonight, we honor the team champion for the 7-on-7 soccer.

[02:11:28] LCPS did host the middle school intramural soccer tournament at Heritage High School on Saturday, June 1st. The top two teams from each participating middle school competed for the LCPS championship. The team champion and team runner-up hails from Seneca Ridge Middle School.

[02:11:46] The champion, the Seneca Ridge House A, was victorious, won nothing, over the Seneca Ridge Los Chamos. If I can now have the Seneca Ridge House A team come up, please.

[02:13:20] Good evening again, Madam Chair, Dr. Spence, and members of the school board. tonight presents an opportunity to extend our heartfelt recognition to the outstanding individuals and team from LCPS who exemplified excellence by clinching a state championship in either VHL athletics or activities. Their unwavering commitment and relentless dedication and tireless efforts have accumulated in our remarkable achievement this past spring. LCPS has

[02:13:54] 15 student athletes this spring who captured a vhl individual state championship in athletics first with first starting with broad run high school tarik bin lakadam who triumphed in the vhl class four outdoor track and track and field championship in the 1600 meter by clocking an impressive time of 14 minutes i'm sorry four minutes 13 seconds 13.29 seconds sorry about that Our next person hails from Broad Run High School.

[02:14:31] It's Lexi Rotudaru, who won the VHL Class 4 Tennis Single Champions. Next is Broad Run's Lexi and Izzy Rotudaru, who won the VHL Class 4 Tennis Doubles Championship.

[02:14:50] Just a reminder, if you are in attendance, you can come forward. Next, we have Independence High School, Hannah Rillo, who won the VHL Class 5 State Outdoor Track and Field High Jump Championship by jumping 5 feet 8 inches.

[02:15:11] Next, from Independence High School, we have Warren Thomas, who won the VHL Class 5 State Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the 100-meter hurdles by clocking a time of 14.04 seconds.

[02:15:38] Next, we have Independence's 4x100 meter relay team comprised of Annika Pomerumba, Hannah Relio, Lindsay Masternack, and Lauren Thomas, who won the VHL Class 5 state championship by clocking a time of 47. 49 seconds.

[02:16:05] Next, we have Ty Blair from Loudoun Valley High School who won the VHL Class 4 State Outdoor Championship in the 3,200 meters by clocking a time of 8 minutes 57. 68 seconds, setting a new state record by almost 10 seconds. Next, we have Riverside's Aria Ibizibe won the VHL Class 5 State Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the shot put with a throw of 40 feet 10 inches.

[02:16:36] Next, we have Riverside's Thomas Ray, who won the VHL Class 5 State Outdoor Championship in the 800 meteors by clocking a time of 1 minute 56.47 seconds.

[02:16:58] Next, we have Riverside's Ricky Hote and Arush Riajandala, who won the VHL Class 5's Tennis Doubles State Championship. Next from Riverside High School, we have Mariana Tonnelly and Maddie Tran, who won the VHL Class 5 Tennis Doubles this past year.

[02:17:36] Next from Stonebridge High School, Andira O'Neill, who won the Class 5 Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.10 seconds. Next from Tuscarora High School, Alyssa Kerrigan, who won the VHL Class 4 Outdoor Track and Field Championship in both a high jump and triple jump.

[02:18:06] She jumped 5 feet 8.5 inches to break her own state meet record from last year and followed up with a jump of 38 feet 9.25 inches in the triple jump. Next, we have Woodgrove's Connor Salmon, who won the VHL Class 4 State Championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.44 seconds.

[02:18:38] And our last individual state champion hails from Woodgrove High School, Prescott Knoll, who won the VHL Class 4 State Outdoor Championship in the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute 55.0 seconds.

[02:18:57] Thank you, Mr. Ferry. I just would like to extend the offer again if there are any students who are just recognized in the presentation. If you're here in the audience, please come up for the photo.

[02:19:26] Now on to our 2023-2024 Spring VHL Team Champions, where LCPS had seven teams capture the VHL state title.

[02:20:09] Our first team being recognized tonight is Broad Runs Girls Tennis Team, which captured the VHL Class 4 state champion. Our next team being recognized tonight is the Freedom High School Girls Soccer Team, which captured the VHL Class 6 State Championship.

[02:20:34] Our next team being recognized tonight is the John Champ Girls Soccer Team, which captured the VHL Class 4 State Championship. Our next team being recognized tonight is the Riverside High School Boys Tennis Team, which captured the VHL Class 5 State Championship.

[02:21:04] Our next team being recognized tonight is the Riverside Boys Lacrosse team, which captured the VHL Class 5 State Championship.

[02:21:28] Our next team also hails from Riverside High School and captured the VHL Class 5 State Championship in softball.

[02:21:49] And our last team to be recognized tonight for VHL Athletics is the Woodgrove High School Girls Softball team, which captured the VHL Class 4 State Championship. Champ, go right in front of them.

[02:22:19] Go in front of them. We'll have the guys in the back. Guys, if you guys can slide up and we'll put the guys behind you. They're a little taller.

[02:23:18] Now the VHL Activities, LCPS, had two individuals and four team state champions.

[02:23:55] First from Broad Run High School, Mariam Imran won the VHL Class 4 Debate Championship in the category of Student Congress.

[02:24:13] Next, Freedom High School won the VHL Esports Team Championship in the category of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Next, we have Independence High School, who won the VHL Class 5 State Debate Team Championship.

[02:24:43] Next, from Rockridge High School, Novata Mohan, who won the VHL Class 4 Debate Championship in the category of Lincoln Douglas. And our next team is Rockridge High School, who won the VHL Esports State Championship for Leagues of Legends.

[02:25:31] And our final recognition tonight is the winner of the 2023-2024 National Guard Cup, presented by the Virginia Army National Guard to Rockridge High School for earning the highest point total in the VHL Class 4 activities.

[02:25:51] Thank you.

[02:26:56] Thank you, students and families. It's so nice to close out the school year with such a happy event and to be able to recognize so many successes in LCPS. And with that, we'll move on to item 10.1, the superintendent's report, presented by Dr. Aaron Spence.

[02:27:12] Thank you, Madam Chair, and good evening, members of the board. Tonight, I'm very happy to bring you some additional good news from around the school division. We'll start with the moment that educators absolutely love, and that's graduation. So as you all know, over the past several weeks, LCPS celebrated the graduation of 6,758 seniors in the class of 2024.

[02:27:35] Based on their senior surveys, 74% plan to attend a four-year college, with 15% planning to attend a two-year college. 7% of our graduates plan to enter the workforce, the military, or trade school, and 3% are considering a gap year. We're very proud of our graduates and very proud of being able to celebrate their achievements.

[02:27:52] so congratulations to the graduating class of 2024. - Absolutely. - Next, I'm pleased to announce that Rebecca Pierce has been named as the next principal of Ashburn Elementary School.

[02:28:11] Since 2020, Ms. Pierce has been the assistant principal at Sanders Corner Elementary and was previously the assistant principal at Liberty Elementary. Ms. Pierce began her teaching career with LCPS in 2004 at Hillside Elementary. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in educational administration from Shenandoah University.

[02:28:32] We welcome Ms. Pierce to her new role, and I believe she is here tonight. If you could stand up so we could recognize you. - That's me, there she is.

[02:28:48] - Next, Discovery Elementary School partnered with the Loudoun Freedom Center to support fourth grade students' deep dive into Loudoun County's history. Earlier this school year, the students visited the Coton Plantation, which is located near Lansdowne. Following this trip, students immersed themselves in the thorough examination of documents, many of which were primary sources.

[02:29:08] And this deep dive led to the awareness of the history of the enslaved at Coton Plantation. The students then shared their findings during a capstone project showcase. While fostering advanced literary skills for all students, their culminating projects also highlighted their curiosity and active experience in historical inquiry and analysis.

[02:29:28] Next, pleased to note that LCPS's Safe Routes to School program organized a bike distribution event at Leesburg Elementary School may which connected 19 leesburg elementary school students with a refurbished bike these bikes were part of a series of bike distribution events organized by the lcps safe routes to school program and involved several community partners family liaisons contacted and connected with students who could benefit from a bicycle the safe routes to school team worked with maverick bikes a local bike shop that collects and refurbishes used bikes to source appropriately sized bikes for for these students.

[02:30:01] Doug Landau of Abrams and Landau Law Firm donated helmets and supported the distribution. And Lisa Campbell of Bike Loudon helped ensure that the students felt confident on their new bikes. We know these bikes will help these students stay connected in their communities this summer and get to school when school resumes in August.

[02:30:19] I'm also pleased to note that four LCPS students represented the school division at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, which is the largest pre-college STEM competition in the world. This was in May in Los Angeles, California, and three of our four students won awards for their work.

[02:30:35] The award winners are Sheytena Gunawardana, a senior at Broad Run High School, who won second place in Patent and Trademark Office Society Special Award, and third place in the Engineering Technology, Statics, and Dynamics category.

[02:30:51] Dia Ghosh, a senior at the Academies of Loudoun and Riverside High School, won second place in the Serving Society Through Science Special Award, and Rehan Heder, a junior at Freedom High School, won third place in the biochemistry category.

[02:31:07] Abigay Goel, a senior at the Academies of Loudoun and Riverside High School, also represented LCPS in the robotics and intelligent machines category. So we wanna give a shout out and congratulations to all of these International Science Fair participants.

[02:31:27] I'm also pleased to announce that two Loudoun County Public School students have been named 2024 US Presidential Scholars. These students are among the 161 students from around the country and two of the six from Virginia who were selected for this honor.

[02:31:44] The students are Shriya Yalamancheli, Academies of Loudoun and Rockridge High School student who has been named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar and Raga Kodeli, Briar Woods High School student, also named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.

[02:32:00] The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars annually selects scholars based on academic success, excellence in the arts and in technical education through essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership. Congratulations to Shria and Raga on their achievements.

[02:32:22] Today, I was happy to be able to attend the First Responder Cookout Appreciation Event held at Heritage High School. This annual event pays tribute to first responders across the county who answer the call to protect and serve our community. LCPS hosts this event along with the Loudoun First Responsor Foundation and the Loudoun Education Foundation.

[02:32:42] And the day serves as a reminder of these incredible individuals who put their lives on the line to protect our students and staff every single day. School resource officers and other representatives from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the Leesburg Police Department, Purcellville Police Department, and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue gathered in the Heritage High School lunchroom, which was decorated in red, white, and blue, which was the theme, and also included over 300 cupcakes displayed in the shape of an American flag. Heritage High School's principal, Jeff Adams, and assistant principal, Ross Armstrong, LCPS computer science supervisor, Nick Rosetta, computer science facilitators, and other community

[02:33:18] volunteers gathered, prepared, and served more than 600 hot dogs and hamburgers for more than 125 officers, firefighters, EMTs, and even support canines in attendance. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to them for the work they do every day to keep our communities and our schools safe. Also pleased to note that the Mobile Health Clinic continues to celebrate its first year of service. Since August 2023, the clinic has provided health care services to 146 LCPS students in the

[02:33:54] Sterling Park community. The goal of the Mobile Clinic is to provide students with school entrance physicals, and basic health care services to enable their enrollment in school. The clinic also connects families with other community-based medical or dental services throughout our Loudoun community, and it's made possible through a partnership with Inova, as well as grants initially from community schools development and implementation grant from the Virginia Department of Education, and for the coming fiscal year, from grants from 100 Women Strong and Amazon Web Services, which have already been secured. The mobile health clinic brings health care directly to students most in need and connects them with a permanent medical home

[02:34:31] through inova cares clinics or health works for northern virginia by receiving these free required school physicals right here in their own community our students can begin school on time healthy and connected to a medical home for further care the mobile clinic is now preparing for enrollment season for the next school year by offering nine clinics in july and nine more in august we also want to highlight that the spotlighting heroes in education or shine program wrapped up its inaugural year in june shine is a joint lcps and loudon education foundation initiative to recognize lcps staff members who go above and beyond in support of our students during its

[02:35:09] first year members of our lcps communities submitted 530 nominations for our lcps staff each month between november and may one of those nominated was selected for a special recognition including a gift coordinated by the Loudoun Education Foundation. Some of the recipients were surprised and others knew the presentation was planned, but each event was a joyful celebration of the individual and their commitment to our LCPS community.

[02:35:34] All nominees were informed of their nomination and many were celebrated in their schools and offices. Several remarked at how touched and proud they were that their efforts had been recognized, and we recognize that programs like this generate great energy and celebrate everything that makes LCPS a superior learning and working environment.

[02:35:54] And then finally, LCPS renewed its COSIN Trusted Learning Environment Seal. This recognition is awarded to those school systems that implement specific privacy requirements and demonstrate through policies and practices that they have a holistic program established to protect students' personal information.

[02:36:10] Recipients of the TLE seal are required to commit to continuously improving their privacy program and must demonstrate that commitment by recertifying every two years. Many thanks to our Department of Digital Innovation for championing this process. And, Madam Chair, that concludes my report.

[02:36:26] Thank you so much, Dr. Spence. We'll now move on to item 11, public comment. Thank you for engaging with the school board through the public comment process. The school board welcomes comments from Loudoun County residents and believes that strong community engagement and outreach are important components of a successful school system.

[02:36:46] Speakers must limit comments to the time allotted. Based on the number of speakers and the agenda this evening, all speakers have been allotted one minute each for public comment. Please be advised that speakers who miss their time slot will not be called at a later time. All audience members shall maintain civility, decorum, and respect for the functioning and dignity of the school board at all times.

[02:37:09] Please remain seated unless arriving, departing, speaking at the podium, or during a break. Violations of civility, decorum, and respect include shouting, heckling, jeering, applause, or other noise which disrupts or delays the meeting, obstructing speakers from being able to see the school board and vice versa, interrupting speakers, attempting to speak when not called to do so by the chair, and approaching a speaker or otherwise attempting to intimidate, disparage, or distract a speaker, staff member, or other meeting attendees.

[02:37:43] Speakers should refrain from vulgarity, obscenities, defamation, profanity, or other like breaches of respect. Nor may speakers target, criticize, or attack individual students and or individual division employees during public comment.

[02:38:00] Speakers should communicate those concerns to their school principal or an appropriate school official. The school board requests that comments on an individual student or employee-related matter not be shared at public meetings where the disclosure could violate applicable confidentiality requirements.

[02:38:19] Speakers should face the dais and direct their comments to the school board. Per policy 2520, members of the school board will not answer questions or respond directly to the public during the public comment period. Violations of decorum or civility by any meeting attendee may result in the chair directing staff to remove the attendee from the remainder of the meeting.

[02:38:41] Repeated or persistent violations of decorum or civility by the audience may result in, on the decision of the chair, public comment being tabled until a later point in the meeting's agenda, limiting the number of attendees in the meeting room during public comment for safety reasons, or public comment period ending for the evening.

[02:39:02] Copies of materials for school board members should be given to the public information officer in the media box at the back of the boardroom before the start of the meeting. Please provide 12 copies of the materials. Under no circumstances may a speaker approach the dais. The public is reminded that access to the school board meetings is available through LCPS-TV on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43.

[02:39:27] The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on the website. We look forward to hearing your comments. We will start with virtual public comment. The first speaker will be PJ Cunningham.

[02:40:16] PJ, your mic is unmuted.

[02:40:29] Thank you. We'll move on to our in-person speakers. Our first speaker is Sandy Sullivan, who will be followed by Daryl Dawson.

[02:40:51] 1,034 days ago. Make today the day to really move forward with collective bargaining. This process for Loudoun educators to gain collective bargaining began two years, nine months, four weeks, and six days ago.

[02:41:10] 1,034 days ago. Suspend the rules, adopt the resolution, and let your employees vote on collective bargaining. School board members, it's time. It's time for a collective bargaining resolution that respects the work our educators do day in and day out and supports our students.

[02:41:28] School board members, it's time. Thank you. Daryl Dawson, followed by K.A. Suspend the rules and pass the collective bargaining resolution tonight.

[02:41:44] Trust the work that you have tasked the LANP committee with. who unanimously passed the resolution just last week. As you just heard Sandy say over a thousand days ago, we as educators began the collective bargaining campaign. We were the first in NOVA, and we're still not across the line.

[02:42:01] Today is the day. Every other county in NOVA has passed a resolution, but not here in Loudoun, not yet. So make today the day. The time has come for you to do your job as elected officials and allow LCPS employees to vote on collective bargaining.

[02:42:16] Let's not waste another minute. Suspend the rules, pass collective bargaining tonight. Thank you. The next speaker is Ka, followed by Meredith Ray. Good evening. So I'm here to mention an incident that happened on June 15th at the Stonebridge High School graduation that unfortunately has really affected us.

[02:42:36] My daughter, like all her classmates, eagerly stood to receive her diploma and moved on to shake hands with all the faculty that were standing there. She shook hands with everyone except the last person. That person is Loudoun County Public School board member Deanna Griffith.

[02:42:51] Ms. Griffith not only refused to shake her hand, but also gestured her to keep moving. My daughter immediately texted me expressing her shock. She felt hurt, humiliated, and discriminated against and for simply what we believe she was wearing a kufia at the time. And that is completely unacceptable.

[02:43:09] It undermines the very foundation of equality and justice. And when it happens in a setting meant to uplift and celebrate, it sends the message but some are less deserving of respect and acknowledgement and a message that is false and damaging. And for that, I ask Ms. Griffith to reflect on her actions and understand the harm she has caused to my daughter and to my family and take steps to make public amends.

[02:43:33] Our next speaker is Meredith Ray, who will be followed by Laura Larson. Dina, you refused to shake the hand of a graduating student simply because she wore a stole with Palestinian colors and symbolism that you didn't approve of. Do you hear how stupid that sounds. Instead of offering a congratulatory handshake, the student was discriminated against on a stage in front of all of her classmates, friends, and family members. This behavior is a disgrace to our community. We have seen

[02:44:10] multiple camera angles of what you did. This is not your personal platform to impose your biases. This is a public institution and you are a public servant. You represent everyone in this district, not just the people who look like you, think like you, or share your narrow-minded views. Your job is to support, uplift, and celebrate the achievements of all students regardless of their background, beliefs, or heritage. You owe that student a public apology. You have no right to discriminate against students because of your own prejudices. You have no right to diminish their achievements because they don't fit your narrow view

[02:44:46] of the world. You may think you can brush this off. Thank you. Our next speaker is is Laura Larson, followed by Zaina Hutchinson.

[02:45:04] - Hello, I'm a parent of two LCPS graduates, one of whom is about to start a senior year of college studying elementary education. He hopes to have a career with LCPS and will begin student teaching this fall. I'm asking that you trust the work and the decision you tasked the LAMP committee with, suspend the rules, and vote today to affirm the collective bargaining resolution.

[02:45:27] Everyone is eager to begin the real work, so I hope we can start the year off fresh and catch up to our neighboring districts. Educators should have the same rights to have their voice heard as the firefighters and county workers have so that LCPS can continue to be the employer of choice.

[02:45:43] Our educators are our most valuable asset. Let's give them a true voice. Thank you. Thank you. Next is Zaina Hutchinson, followed by Kyle Nathanson. - Hi, thank you. Deanna Griffith made it quite clear that she only represents some, not all, of the students in our district.

[02:46:04] I do not trust her to make responsible decisions on behalf of my kids, who are both Stonebridge students and Palestinian. It took mere seconds for a grown woman to dehumanize and other a child celebrating her academic success. Mere seconds to inflict lasting emotional pain.

[02:46:22] Mere seconds to show her anti-Palestinian racism and bias against our community and our children, mere seconds for the person supposedly representing the interest of all students in our district to undermine the credibility and integrity of the positions you all hold.

[02:46:40] To you, Ms. Griffith, wherever she is, it may be a few seconds of an ego trip or a gotcha moment because you may think the seat gives you authority and power, but ma'am, neither the seat you're sitting in nor you standing on the stage, where you stand on the stage during graduation gives you automatic credibility and integrity.

[02:46:58] This will require some serious soul searching. Thank you. Kyle Nathanson followed by Natasha Hashmi. Hello. My name is Kyle Nathanson. I'm a lifelong Loudoun resident and an educator.

[02:47:16] And I'm here to advocate that we suspend the rules and pass the proposed collective bargaining resolution. Tonight is our chance to show that our educators that we care, that we have every intent to stand by them and to do what is right. Church, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William all have collective bargaining resolutions, so why don't we? Let's join that list. Let's not stay in the past. Let's move on to the future, a future that is quite obvious in every other county neighboring us. LA&P approved it unanimously. LA supports it. The majority of educators support it. Let's get this

[02:47:53] done. Let's get this done tonight, today, for all of our educators, for our county. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, we have Natasha Hashmi, followed by James Russell. James Russell, followed by Miriam Imram.

[02:48:21] Hello, thank you for your time. My name is James Russell. I was a student in Loudoun County Public Schools, K-12, as were all my siblings. Both my parents have. One does, one used to work in the school system. I learned to love the world because of the school system.

[02:48:46] The event that my friends have referenced has disturbed me quite a bit of this young woman being denied a handshake when she had earned it. If I am to believe it is an easy mistake to make, then I am to believe it is an easy mistake to fix.

[02:49:11] High school graduation is the beginning of adulthood, and everyone is warranted equal dignity in that event. Thank you for your time, and I'd like to say I support collective bargaining of the teachers. We should have done that years ago.

[02:49:26] Thank you for your time. Thank you, Maryam Imram, followed by Lauren Valentine. Please refrain from anything that would detract from the decorum of our ceremony as we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates.

[02:49:43] This is a line from my school broad runs graduation program. The outlined request was honored at my graduation, but today I'm here to speak for those who were wronged at theirs later that day. Ashburn School Board Representative Miss Deanna Griffiths refused to shake the hands of multiple students wearing stoles bearing the Palestinian flag and kufaya design at the Stonebridge High School graduation, dismissively swatting them along instead.

[02:50:07] I and many others found this behavior appalling and inappropriate. This was supposed to be a celebratory moment for these students, but was instead turned into an awkward one. One of the ideals of our country is freedom of expression, something that was undermined at the Stonebridge graduation.

[02:50:24] Ms. Griffiths, as an LCPS equity ambassador of three years and one of your constituents, I'm disappointed. Our community elected you, and when we did, we expected that we would be treated with respect. We ask that you apologize to these individuals and afford us basic decency in the future. Thank you. Lauren Valentine, followed by Jan Merker.

[02:50:47] I'm Lauren Valentine. I have two kids in LCPS schools, including a rising second grader who has type 1 diabetes. For the past two years, I've advocated for LCPS to adopt an FDA-approved CGM follow-up on school devices to alert staff to connectivity issues and high or low blood sugar levels.

[02:51:04] This app is crucial for our children's safety and well-being and helps teachers focus on teaching. Until recently, LCPS resisted incorporating CGM monitoring into their diabetes management policy. However, last Thursday, student services said they would start using CGM follow-ups in the upcoming school year prior to policy.

[02:51:22] This decision aligns with the U.S. Department of Justice's 2020 stance for monitoring CGM alerts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I applaud LCPS for working to set a precedent for other school districts and to modify policies so our T1D students can safely access their education.

[02:51:38] I'm confident that this will be in place on the first day of school because of what was stated last week. Thank you to student services and board members for recognizing the importance of CGM follow-ups because, to quote Ms. Richardson, it's what's right for our children, so that's what we'll do. Thank you. Jan Merker, followed by Daniel Brubaker.

[02:51:58] My son's fifth grade year was Hillsborough Elementary's last year as a traditional elementary school. It was a wonderful school with a low-income population of 14%. Now, Hillsborough Charter Academy has a low-income population of zero.

[02:52:17] They don't serve poor kids anymore. HCA also has a documented history of failing to serve some children with special needs. I would suggest that if you are achieving those stellar test scores by creating or allowing barriers to low-income and special needs kids, you're doing it wrong. The school's current president is a noted anti-equity activist whose organization led an unsuccessful lawsuit to end equity admissions at Thomas Jefferson High School.

[02:52:51] It is an amazing school. Ms. Tucker, who is honored tonight, is a gem, but I strongly believe that students of all incomes, backgrounds, and abilities deserve access to her excellence. Thank you. Daniel Brubaker, followed by Brenda Bangson.

[02:53:13] LCPS accounts for about two-thirds of the entire Loudoun County budget. Two-thirds. Unionizing Loudoun County public schools will cost the taxpayers more money, it will harm the kids, and it will create a negative environment between parts of LCPS that ought to be working together.

[02:53:35] A lot of things that I could say, but I just wanted to read to you something from the memorandum that was sent by Ann Donahue just on May 28th. I found something interesting in it. It says, employees signed cards in person and virtually over the computer.

[02:53:52] The physical cards were not themselves available to be reviewed. However, the JCCB, the board reviewing it, reviewed the language through LEA's digital card portal, which LEA members conveyed was identical to the language used on the physical cards.

[02:54:08] There were also questions raised about employees who may no longer support collective bargaining or may not support LEA as their exclusive bargaining representative. LEA stated that it has been contacted by a small number. Thank you. Who is doing this and why are we letting them go? Brenda Bengson, followed by Sarah Hussain-Bazar.

[02:54:30] Lakota educator Dorothy LeBeau says, When we approach teaching with one worldview, absent diverse perspectives, classrooms can become places that breed misinformation.

[02:54:47] How can we accept multiple points of view and spot misinformation? In the Phantom Tollbooth, Milo tries to see the world as adults do. His feet rise, but he quickly falls, learning he'd rather view things as a child.

[02:55:04] Everyone needs a point of view, but it's hard to see in others. An example, to an ant, a bucket of water looks like an ocean, while a fish sees it as a home. Hearing other viewpoints doesn't diminish our own.

[02:55:21] Enough loud and time has been bided, misinformation dismissed, and multiple viewpoints heard. Please vote in favor of collective bargaining. Thank you. Sarah Hussain-Bazar, followed by Brendan Kerr.

[02:55:38] Today, I want to talk about the kofi, a powerful symbol deeply rooted in Palestinian history and identity.

[02:55:54] In recent times, especially among the youth, wearing the kofi has become a statement of solidarity with Palestine. It represents a struggle for freedom, justice, and human rights in the face of oppression and occupation. People of all ages wear the kofi to demonstrate the commitment to peace and justice, echoing global calls for solidarity with Palestine.

[02:56:13] It transcends borders and cultures becoming a symbol of resistance against injustice everywhere. The bold black stripes on the edges symbolize the historical trade routes that used to go through Palestine. The fishnet-like design represents the Palestinian ties to the Mediterranean Sea.

[02:56:31] And the curvy lines resemble olive trees for Palestinians. In conclusion, the kofi is not just a garment. It's a symbol of resilience, unity, and solidarity with Palestine's quest for justice and freedom. I hope now the school board understands what a kofi is.

[02:56:46] So next time when you see your students wearing one, you do not discriminate against them. Thank you. Thank you. Brandon, pardon me. Please refrain from any further expression. Thank you.

[02:57:03] Brandon Kerr, followed by Todd Fielding. Good evening. My name is Brandon Kerr. I'm an LEA member, a high school math teacher, and a Loudoun resident. I'd like to thank this board for the work that has been done to provide for a fair collective bargaining resolution. It's been a difficult process, and I appreciate the efforts of all those involved.

[02:57:19] All this to say, I ask that the board vote to suspend the rules tonight to vote on the resolution. We began collecting cards in 2021 to trigger a vote by the school board on enacting a resolution. Despite the roadblocks that were put in our way, we submitted cards signed by over 50% of licensed staff on January 27, 2023.

[02:57:37] The law required the school board to vote on a resolution within 120 days. In other words, by May 27. Instead, the previous board elected to pass a resolution, to pass a resolution eventually, maybe December, apparently not. Clearly, the intent of the law was to avoid the exact situation we found ourselves in this year, one of endless stalling and union-busting.

[02:57:57] While this board is not responsible for the actions of the previous board, this board has also had 175 days to work on the language. We have been made to wait long enough. Our cards were submitted 515 days ago. Don't make us wait another 49 days. Thank you. Todd Fielding, followed by Shee Von Fleet.

[02:58:18] Thank you all for your continued service. In Loudoun County, our dedicated educators shape the future of our community every day, yet they face challenges that undermine their ability to educate our children effectively. Collective bargaining empowers teachers and educators, all educators, by giving them a voice in decisions that impact their work conditions, salaries, and the quality of education.

[02:58:43] When educators can negotiate collectively, they secure fair treatment, ensuring that our schools attract and retain top talent. By supporting collective bargaining, we invest in our educators, our students, and in the future of Loudoun County. Please suspend the rules and do the right thing. It's been just too long. Thank you.

[02:59:03] Thank you. Shi Von Fleet, followed by Suba Baig. One of the basic differences between authoritarian and a free societies is that whether the people have control over their government. Unlike the communist China where I grew up, the United States have check and balance to safeguard the power and those who govern are to be answerable to the

[02:59:35] people. In communist China, the party is the government, but in the United States, political parties are not to use their power of government for partisan purposes. I'm here today to oppose the unionization of Loudoun County Public Schools. We should not give the power belonging to the people to any non-governmental organizations to be used against the interests of the people.

[03:00:06] I ask you to say no to Loudoun Education Association to keep the citizens power In the hands of the citizens. Thank you. Suba, Beg, Saba, thank you. Followed by Rasha S.

[03:00:23] The Loudoun School Board mission statement is to, quote, work closely with students, families, and the community to provide a superior education, safe schools, and a climate to promote intellectual growth into individual initiative, mutual respect, and personal responsibility for productive citizenship, end quote.

[03:00:44] Ms. Dana Griffiths, you refuse to shake the hand of a graduating student at Stonebridge High School because she was wearing a stole representing the Palestinian keffiyeh similar to mine. Ms. Griffiths, this is blatant racism and bigotry. You were elected as a public servant to represent all of the people in Ashburn, my district.

[03:01:01] You were elected to fulfill the mission of promoting mutual respect, and yet you refused to shake the hand of a student who was wearing a Palestinian stole. Instead of being on stage that day uplifting the students at one of the most important milestones of their life, you gave your biases a platform and that is completely unacceptable.

[03:01:18] This is blatant disrespect, the opposite of what you were elected to do. You owe this student and her family a public apology. And as part of the LCPS mission, you are supposed to promote personal responsibility. Rasha S. followed by K.A. Deanna, you have received over 300 emails about your refusal to shake the hand of a student wearing a stole similar to this one.

[03:01:49] All of those emails asked you for a public apology. Instead of offering that apology, you tried to discredit the student and disseminate lies, saying the video was edited and that you did actually shake her hand. Instead of taking accountability for ruining the student's graduation day like an adult would, you decided to make it worse.

[03:02:09] This student is now doubting herself and her courage. We know that you did this to more than one student, and I am so proud of this student for standing up to your bigotry. You still have time. Offer a public apology. Meet with the student and her family.

[03:02:24] As a school board member, you represent all of your district. Your biases have no place on that dais or any other place where you are acting in an official capacity. That is what you signed up for when you ran for that position. If you are not capable of representing everyone, then you need to step down.

[03:02:40] Thank you. Be an adult, offer a public apology. Followed by Ann Miller.

[03:02:54] Discrimination. Discrimination is a word which describes the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability. It also describes the actions of Ms. Griffith at Stonebridge High School's graduation.

[03:03:10] Choosing not to shake the hands of a student who has worked 12 years of their life to be standing where they are solely because of your prejudices against what she was wearing or what she believes in directly falls under the definition of discrimination. I am graduating next year, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about whether my representative will acknowledge my hard-earned accomplishment because I will have April Chandler there to support me no matter what I believe in.

[03:03:36] Thank you. Vote for collective bargaining. Anne Miller, followed by Jeremy Wright.

[03:03:51] Why the initiative to silence dissenting opinions? Why the need to provide cover for Dr. Spence? What happened to transparency? I urge this school board to not allow this school system to apply or participate in the FCC Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.

[03:04:12] do not allow our children to be guinea pigs. In 2020, the Consortium for School Networking and the Superintendents Association named Dr. Spence the Empower Ed Digital Superintendent of the Year, sponsored by ClassLink.

[03:04:28] In the last year, these organizations have come out in full support of the FCC's school cybersecurity program. WJLTV reported Dr. Spence has attended these organization conferences this year. On June 6th, the FCC approved the school's cybersecurity program.

[03:04:44] On June 13th, the LCPS public information officer filed a complaint against WJL-TV reporter exposing Spence's connections to these tech ed stakeholders. Is LCPS trying to get the FCC to provide...

[03:05:00] Jeremy Wright, followed by Katie Hudson. Katie Hudson, followed by Lisa Levy.

[03:05:20] Hello, school board members. My name is Katie Hudson, and I am the theater teacher at Broad Run High School. This is my third time addressing you regarding the critical issue of theater storage, following numerous emails from myself and my community. Firstly, I wanted to express my gratitude for passing item 13.01 from May 28th school board meeting, which aimed to address storage issues for both theater and band.

[03:05:42] However, it has come to our attention the intended use of the new storage units have been communicated to principals as primarily for non-conditioned music storage, marching band, with no clear priority given to theater. These units, while large, also are not climate control, making them unstable for storing theater essentials such as lumber, costumes, props, or lighting equipment due to potential damage.

[03:06:01] Conversations with my band teacher reveal that they also might only utilize half of the space, as items like color guard flags and instruments also require climate control. Over my four years of advocating for equitable spaces, I noticed one recurring issue. Facilities management at the county level does not adequately consult the teachers who will use these spaces daily.

[03:06:18] Teachers are the ones who are the stakeholders and know how to use the spaces effectively for the needs of the school. This lack of communication leads to ineffective implementation. Thank you. Thank you. Lisa Levy, followed by Tracy Lane. Good evening.

[03:06:39] I'm Lisa Levy, and I have just finished my 33rd year of teaching in the classroom. Teaching is my career and my life's work. Student use of their phones and devices have become a detriment to learning and a great hardship to teachers.

[03:06:56] Imagine how difficult it might be to get a class back on task after a student receives a phone call from their mom reminding them of an appointment. The loss of educational time from phone interruptions is astonishing. I have been ignored and scoffed at by students when they are asked to put away their devices. There is no recourse. High school personal device policies must be all or nothing district-wide at the high school level. No cell phones, no personal computers or phone watches in use in the building during instructional time.

[03:07:36] Thank you. Thank you. Tracy Lane, followed by Margaret Malo Mansfield. Hi, I'm Tracy Lane. I teach at Loudoun County High School.

[03:07:52] I just finished my 18th year of teaching, and I've been reflecting on it, watching all these students get these awards and teachers get recognized, and it's with awe that I'm sitting here watching all of this. This year has probably been one of the toughest years for me personally, but professionally, my students, they did fantastic.

[03:08:12] It made me, I mean, it was just wonderful. And watching all of these kids, you know, achieve what they're achieving and knowing that it's educators like me that have made that happen. I was at the L.A. and P. meeting last week, and I was so grateful to see that we finally, finally got the collective bargaining resolution out of the committee.

[03:08:34] I am asking you to make this year my best year instead of the struggles remembering the struggles and please vote to suspend the rules vote for our collective bargaining resolution please let us start next year on track thank you margaret malo mansfield i'm sorry if i mispronounced that um followed by yolanda lemon hi there i'm maggie mansfield i've served 10 of my 25 years as a teacher at selley elementary school in sterling park we have an amazing sterling community that has fought hard to ensure that our students

[03:09:12] have equitability with their peers including an equitable campus and access to resources go team parkview redo that being said don't our teachers deserve the same when i opened their recruitment flyer and saw a signing bonus for new teachers my heart sunk shame on lcps for not seeing how that might make us feel veteran teachers like me who choose to be in sterling to serve our community's most vulnerable students we have kids in crisis every day you cannot imagine the situations our sped teachers ias and counselors go through all day these students and our staff deserve consistency. The last week of school the question I hear the most from students is are you

[03:09:48] going to be here next year? I am speaking today for those handful of us that say yes we will be here. You must vote for collective bargaining. That is what's best for students and it's what's best for teachers. Thank you so much. Thank you. Yolanda Lemon followed by Jane Jackson. Good evening. I'm a teacher in LCPS. I have been following the district's collective bargaining issues very closely. I speak as one of many teachers and staff who oppose collective bargaining. I would like to ask

[03:10:27] the board to think of the consequences of collective bargaining on all teachers. It was brought to my knowledge some time ago that only a select number of teachers were targeted to get the signatures needed to proceed with collective bargaining agreements. I was not contact, I was not contacted for a signature, nor was a host of other educators informed of this process. So it is greatly disappointing to me to think the board will try to pass collective bargaining without informing all those who will be directly affected, and that includes our teachers.

[03:11:06] I leave you with this message as I shared with the last board. Please protect the children. Thank you. Jane Jackson followed by Rashid Lemon. Hello and thank you for me for allowing me to be here tonight. I'm here as a grandparent. I have three grandkids. They've all gone through the Loudoun County system. I live here because I think it takes a village to raise children and I think

[03:11:41] it would take it takes the LEA and the union to educate our kids and keep our kids at the top of your minds in the school system. I'm particularly moved that the union is fighting for social justice and racial equity, and that is important to me, and I'm sure it is important to all of you.

[03:12:08] Again, thank you for letting me be here. Thank you. Rasheed Lemon, followed by Abby Platt. Good evening. My name is Rasheed Lemon, and I stand before you as a deeply concerned citizen and the husband of a teacher.

[03:12:28] Unionizing LCPS is nothing short of collusion between the board and the LEA. Let's not mince words, this is about control. Obviously, certain members of the board have clearly been making decisions hand in hand with the LEA, aiming to steer our young people in their desired direction. Unionizing would be an absolute travesty not only for our students but for our dedicated teachers as well.

[03:12:49] The LEA would become a proxy government, a shadow administration, wielding power without accountability, showing zero genuine care for our children's futures. You were elected to lead, not to hand over your responsibilities to union theory that has historically demoralized teachers and crippling school systems nationwide for its own self-serving purposes.

[03:13:11] Unionizing is not about improving education, it's about consolidating power. This decision will not be just misguided, it will be catastrophic. Thank you. Abby Platt, followed by Anna Parker. I attended the P&L committee meeting last week with the intent to speak publicly, to speak to a policy designed to squelch my First Amendment right to free speech, both publicly and privately.

[03:13:45] I should have been allowed to participate. The policy governing public participation has not been changed, and yet the committee made certain that I would not be allowed to speak. Brendan Carr, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission, responded publicly to an attempt to shut down a local news reporter with a bogus FCC complaint by saying the following.

[03:14:03] Loudoun County Public Schools has a history of sweeping misconduct under the rug and keeping parents in the dark. Now they want the FCC to censor a news station for shining a light on their activities. I am a no, and the FCC should dismiss this filing without delay. This board would do well to focus on the education of children and stop with the incessant attempt to control the narrative.

[03:14:24] Thank you. Anna Parker, followed by Brandon Michon. Hi, my name is Anna Parker, and I'm a current LCPS student and a graduate of HCA. While I was there, I learned so much from their engaging STEAM Center curriculum.

[03:14:43] Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated faculty there, I have had academic success and I have learned to have more resilience to bounce back when I fail. There are many changes that need to happen to allow HCA to reach its full potential. For example, the teacher's lounge is the guidance counselor's office, the STEAM room is the storage room, and the stage is the music room.

[03:15:02] These innovative teachers need facilities with adequate space so scholars can thrive. HCA is impressive to other people within the county, so much so that there is a wait list of nearly 400 people. A CIP, as well as the portable classrooms from Banneker Elementary, are critically needed at the school. I encourage you all to vote for the future of HCA, and I would also like to add that I have trouble with social skills and disabilities, but I feel a part of the community at HCA, and I love the school.

[03:15:32] I hope you all vote for it. Thank you. Thank you. Brandon Michon, followed by Carrie Michon. Carrie Mishon, followed by Howard Hempinus.

[03:15:48] I apologize for any... Thank you. After a special grand jury and indictments, I had hoped you as a new board and a new superintendent would improve transparency, but no, that has not happened.

[03:16:04] Instead, you have expanded the communications department to be a public relations group for the superintendent. It has nothing to do with transparency. It just has to do with controlling the narrative. Your PR team complains about things and yet doesn't share things like what's happening at Parkview High School or the safety of our children or any of those kinds of things.

[03:16:27] You have, so, and hello, if a school board member wants to talk about how they voted, they have a right as an elected official to do that. You guys report to us, not the superintendent.

[03:16:43] we have a right to know what our taxpayers are being used for. Why don't, with an underfunded, underappreciated theater program, why doesn't money get spent on the children instead of admin? Howard Hempenius, followed by Andrea Weiskopf.

[03:17:03] My name is Howard Hempenius for the third time tonight. This is Loudoun resident, taxpayer, and father of children that graduated from Loudoun County Public Schools.

[03:17:19] I'm asking you to reject collective bargaining unionization of public schools in Loudoun County. Collective bargaining inserts an unaccountable organization into the education of our children. Public school unions serve themselves.

[03:17:36] They limit teachers' voices and ability to interact directly with management. They also redirect tax dollars to pay for political agendas. Collective bargaining will increase your costs, the superintendent's costs, the cost to this board inevitably, and that will reflect in higher county taxes inevitably.

[03:18:06] Collective bargaining will also create an adversarial environment and limit the ability of parents and citizens to it. Thank you. Andrea Weiskopf. You can hold committee meetings without me. You can make policies without me. But you cannot carry out your mission without me. You cannot educate students without me. You cannot inspire

[03:18:40] students without me you cannot empower students without me i am your bridge to empowered students i am here for all students whether they be lgbtq or a graduating palestinian american senior be there for me empower me with collective bargaining black lives matter thank you thank you all for coming out today and providing your public comment board members at this time we will

[03:19:14] take a short recess and reconvene at 8 p. m.

[03:31:44] The board is back from recess. We will now move on to our action items starting with 12.01 from the Finance and Operations Committee for the authorization for school board chair to sign land development and or easement documents related to Banneker Elementary School presented by Mr. Kevin Lewis, our Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Lewis. Yes, thank you chair Chandler so this is a process that we've done a number of times and we generally take this through the Finance Committee and so what we

[03:32:24] were doing is gearing up to have multiple projects documents easements applications access agreements those types of things that were done and the board gives us blanket approval to have the chair sign those when they come in so we don't to bring the whole item to the board and you see in the item we've done this a number of times over the past several years of Watson Mountain Henrietta Lacks Thompson and others. This is the first time we're presented to the full board because as I mentioned, we generally we take it through the finance committee. So we I'm happy to take any questions.

[03:33:02] Pardon me. I do really just want to make a point of clarification. Many of these finance and operations items are coming before the full board without being presented in the finance and operations committee. This is a situation that has been outside the control of the committee for various reasons and at the last meeting we were not able to make quorum, but these items are operationally very important for the ease of the division and the continued ability of the division to do business over the course of the summer.

[03:33:38] And with that I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Sure enough? I move that the Loudoun County School Board authorize the school board chair to sign all site land development documents easements required to be executed by the school board for the delivery of the Banneker Elementary School renovation and addition when such documents have been approved as to form by division council do I have a second second thank you miss Donahue it has been properly moved and

[03:34:17] seconded that the school the Loudoun County School Board authorized the school board chair to sign all site land development documents easements required to be executed by the school board for the delivery of the Banneker Elementary school renovation and addition when such documents have been approved as to form by division council is there any discussion seeing none clerk please open the vote board members please record your

[03:34:47] vote miss labelle will you please state your vote yes clerk please close and display the vote the motion passes unanimously with seven members present vice chair astreffy and chair mansfield absent for the vote. We will now move on to item 12.02 from the Finance and Operations Committee

[03:35:24] on the fiscal year 24 supplemental request for self-insurance funds presented by Ms. Sharon Willoughby, Chief Financial Officer. You have the floor, Ms. Willoughby. Thank you. Back in April as part of the third quarter financial review, we indicated that the health self-insurance fund and the short-term disability self-insurance fund were both projected to have cost in excess of the budget and that a budget supplemental request would be brought to the school board.

[03:35:50] Specifically, we are looking to increase the budget by $12 million for the health self insurance fund with the funding source to come from the existing fund balance. And then another $160,000 increase to the short term disability fund with the funding source to be a transfer out of the school operating fund.

[03:36:06] The drivers for the increase are associated with claims cost and as one example, we are seeing an increase year over year of over 14 percent in our pharmacy cost so this is a year in cleanup to ensure that we have the proper budget authority for these two funds thank you miss willoughby i will now entertain a motion and sure enough i move that the loudon county school board approve a supplemental budget increase of 12 million is that right 12 million

[03:36:42] 12 million for the health self-insurance just had to process it insurance fund and use the fund balance in the same amount. Further, that the Loudoun County School Board recommends a supplemental budget increase of $160,000 to the short-term disability fund. I have a motion by Ms. Chernoff. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board approve a supplemental budget increase of $12 million for the health self-insurance fund and use a fund balance in the same amount. Further, that the Loudoun County School Board recommends a supplemental

[03:37:18] budget increase of $160,000 to the short-term disability fund. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with the seven members present, Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. We will now

[03:37:57] move on to item 12.3 the finance and operations committee milk and related items renewal presented by miss sharon willoughby miss willoughby the floor is yours thank you this is one of several contract items related to the school nutrition program specifically this is a contract renewal it's the third of four renewals for milk and related items to the dairy made dairy vendor and the estimated value of this contract will be 2.1 million dollars to be paid out of the school

[03:38:28] nutrition fund thank you miss willoughby i will now entertain a motion oh miss donahue thank you chair chandler i move that the loudon county school board award ifb number i21331 milk and dairy related items to dairy made dairy for the period of august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025 thank you miss donahue i have a motion by miss donahue do i have a second oh thank you mrs griffiths

[03:38:59] it has been properly moved and seconded that the loudon county school board awards ifb number one two or i two one three three one milk related and related items to dairy made dairy for the period of august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025 is there any discussion seeing no discussion clerk please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote.

[03:39:37] Yes. Clerk, please close the vote and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously of all seven members present. Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote.

[03:39:56] Next, we will move on to item 12.04, the Finance and Operations Committee, RFP, number R22283, Property and Casualty Insurance Program Renewal, presented by Ms. Sharon Willoughby, chief financial officer ms willoughby again the floor is yours thank you so this item is to renew the property and casualty insurance with vacorp this is the third renewal option for this contract and this is the insurance for our buildings our vehicle as well as our liability insurance for the upcoming year thank you ms willoughby i will now entertain a motion ms donahue thank you chair

[03:40:36] chandler i move the valaudan county school board renews rfp number r22283 property and casualty insurance program effective july 1st 2024 through june 30th 2025 to va corp thank you i have a motion by miss donahue do i have a second second thank you dr rasheed it has been properly moved and seconded that the loudon county school board renews rfp number r22283 property and casualty insurance program effective july 1st 2024 through july 30th 2025 to va corp is there any discussion Seeing none, clerk, please open the vote.

[03:41:14] Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with seven members present.

[03:41:36] Chair Mansfield and Vice Chair Estreffy absent for the vote. We will now move on to item 12.05 from the Finance and Operations Committee on the Fresh Produce Renewal, presented by Ms. Sharon Willoughby. You have the floor, Ms. Willoughby. Thank you. This is the third of four renewals with Keeney Produce and Gourmet to provide produce for the school nutrition program for the upcoming school year.

[03:42:01] Thank you, Ms. Willoughby. I will now entertain a motion. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. Thank you, Chair Chandler. I move that the Leighton County School Board awards RFP number R23261 Fresh Produce, effective August 1st, 2024 through July 31st, 2025.

[03:42:21] Thank you. I have a motion by Ms. Donahue. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board renew RFP number R23261 fresh produce effective August 1st, 2024 through July 31st, 2025.

[03:42:42] Is there any discussion? Seeing none, clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, could you please state your vote? Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote.

[03:43:00] The motion passes unanimously with all seven board members present. Chair Mansfield and Vice Chair Estreffi absent for the vote. We will now move on to item 12.6 from the Finance and Operations Committee for Ice Cream Renewal.

[03:43:21] Ms. Willoughby, the floor is yours. Thank you. So this is the first of four renewals with Garber's Ice Cream for one of our most popular items to provide ice cream for the upcoming school year. Thank you, Ms. Willoughby. I will now entertain a motion.

[03:43:37] Dr. Rasheed. Thank you. I move that the Loudoun County School Board renew RFP R23263 Ice Cream to Garber's Ice Cream. company inc from august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025 second thank you i have a motion by dr rasheed seconded by miss donahue it has been properly moved and seconded that the loudon county school board renews rfp number r23263 ice cream to garber's ice cream company inc from august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025. is there any discussion seeing none board members please record

[03:44:13] your vote i'm sorry clerk please open the vote board members please record your vote miss labelle please state your vote yes definitely ice cream clerk please close and display the vote the motion passes unanimously with all seven members present vice chair astreffy and chair mansfield absent for the vote we will now move on to item 12.7 from the finance and operations committee for the lease and purchase financing of vehicles and equipment presented by miss sharon

[03:44:49] willoughby thank you ms willoughby the floor is yours thank you so during the fy25 budget process the school board included in the budget a 10 million dollar lease purchase to finance the purchase of vehicles and technology equipment so this is putting that into place so it's a 10 million dollar lease with td equipment finance they have offered an interest rate of 4.05 percent the funds will be used to purchase vehicles except not buses and then technology equipment such as laptops and servers and such. Thank you Ms.

[03:45:29] Willoughby. I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Donahue. Thank you Chair Chandler. I move that the Loudoun County School Board adopt the resolution approving a lease with an option to purchase an agreement not to exceed ten million dollars with TD Equipment Finance Inc. for the purchase of vehicles and equipment for technology. The school board adoption is subject to the approval of all lease and purchase financing documents by retained bond council and division council. Thank you. I have a motion by Ms. Donahue. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed.

[03:46:03] It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board adopt the resolution approving a lease with an option to purchase an agreement not to exceed $10 million with TD Equipment Finance, Inc. for the purchase of vehicles and equipment for technology. This school board adoption is subject to the approval of all lease purchase financing documents by retained bond counsel and division counsel. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion. Clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote.

[03:46:41] Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with all seven board members present, Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. We will now move on to 12.8 from the finance and operations committee for groceries renewal miss willoughby again the floor is yours thank you so this is the second of four renewals with cisco usa to provide groceries basically all the other food items that we would need for the school nutrition program some examples

[03:47:19] would be pizza spaghetti popcorn chicken and again this would be funded out of the school nutrition fund. Thank you, Ms. Willoughby. I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Chernoff? I move that the Loudoun County School Board renews RFP number R23267 groceries to Cisco USA 3 LLC effective from August 1st, 2024 through July 31st, 2025. Thank you. I have a motion by Ms.

[03:47:44] Chernoff, seconded by Ms. Donahue. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun county school board renew rfp number r23267 groceries to cisco usa 3 llc effective from august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025 is there any discussion seeing none clerk please open the vote board members please record your vote miss labelle please state your vote yes clerk please close and display the vote the motion passes unanimously with all seven board members present

[03:48:23] vice chair estruffy and chair mansfield absent for the vote we will now move on to item 12.9 from the finance and operations committee for the ifb number one two four three three two cafeteria paper supplies again miss pardon me miss donahue oh i was going to make a motion miss willoughby the floor is yours i appreciate your enthusiasm this item is related to the The supplies that are needed to prepare and serve the food in the school nutrition program in April

[03:49:01] The procurement team issued an art an IFB for this item We had 10 vendors respond to the solicitation and staff's recommendation is to award the contract to Riverside paper supply Thank you, Miss Willoughby. I will now entertain a motion. Miss Donahue. Thank you chair Chandler I move that the Loudoun County School Board awards

[03:49:27] I have a motion by Ms. Donahue. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. I have a second by Dr. Rasheed. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board awards IFB number I-2-4-3-3-2 cafeteria paper supplies to riverside paper supply effective august 1st 2024 through july 31st 2025 is there any discussion seeing none clerk please open the vote board members please record your

[03:50:06] vote miss labelle please state your vote yes clerk please close and display the vote this motion passes unanimously with all seven board members present vice chair astreffy and chair mansfield are absent for the vote with that we will now move on to item 12.10 student behavior and Accountability Committee, Review Policy 8,655, Student Personal Device Use, presented by Ms.

[03:50:38] Carrie LaBelle, Chair, Student Behavior and Accountability Committee, and I believe Erin Smith, Chief Technology Officer. Ms. LaBelle, the floor is yours. Thank you, Madam Chair. When we met the last time for Student Accountability, we looked at the cell phone policy and brought it forward for action today.

[03:51:04] Mr. Smith, if you would like to update any changes that we made and explain that for us, that would be very welcome. Thank you. Happy to do so. So tonight, Policy 8655, Student Personal Device Use, is being brought as an action item.

[03:51:21] It was reviewed as an information item. There were no changes made since it was brought as an information item in the red line version that is in BoardDocs tonight. The policy clarifies when student personal devices can and cannot be used during the school day with the goal of providing consistent practices and expectations for our staff and students.

[03:51:38] One important note is that this policy only applies to student personal devices and does not apply to any technology or device issued by LCPS to support student learning. There's also not the intent of this policy to interfere with any personal technology that supports a medical need or those included as part of official documentation such as IEPs and 504s.

[03:51:56] The policy outlines practices at each school level. Elementary school students are not permitted to use personal devices while at school. Middle school students must store their devices in their lockers for the day and are only allowed to use them before or after school. And high school students, as the policy is written now, must keep devices silenced in a way in a backpack or classroom cubby during instructional times.

[03:52:15] But devices could be used with clear communications from administration during non-instructional times. Policy was presented at the Student Behavior and Accountability Committee on April 22nd and posted for feedback. Significant feedback was received.

[03:52:30] We received over 400 Let's Talk submissions and also feedback from MSAC and SEAC and other various sources. The policy was introduced, as I said, as an information item at the June 11th meeting. And based on that feedback, we did make some changes between what was presented at SBAC and what was brought to the board.

[03:52:51] Parents requested that students be allowed to wear smartwatches. This language, some parents mentioned using this tech to track their child's locations, Also for physical fitness, step tracking, those type of things. Also, it can be difficult to determine what is and what is not a smartwatch these days.

[03:53:07] So lines 20 through 24 were added to allow this technology as long as it is not a distraction in the classroom. There was consistent feedback that high school students and devices should be separated in the classroom during instructional time. So the language in lines 37 and 38 were changed to state that high school students must keep their devices in their backpacks or in a classroom cubby off of their person.

[03:53:26] Requests for clarifications on disciplinary practices were associated with the policy. We received a lot of feedback on that topic. Language was added in line 61 to 63 to clarify where these practices are already outlined, including in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, the Code of Conduct, and Policy 8210, Student Discipline.

[03:53:47] The committee did make one change, a reference in line 72 of the red line version. High school teachers who would like students to utilize personal devices for instruction must consult with, and the committee added, and get approval from school administration. The policy was approved at 3-0.

[03:54:05] Again, staff hope that the policy can be approved tonight at the school board meeting so we can begin a wide range of communication plan about this change that our students, staff, and parents can be made aware before they return in the fall. And with that, I'm happy to take any questions. - Thank you.

[03:54:21] Thank you both Ms. LaBelle and Mr. Smith. I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Chernoff. - I move that the Loudoun County School Board approves Revised Policy 8655, Student Personal Device Use.

[03:54:41] I have a motion by Ms. Chernoff. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. Mrs. Griffiths, thank you for your second. I have a second by Mrs. Griffiths. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board approves Revised Policy 8655, Student Personal Device Use.

[03:55:01] We'll now open the floor for discussion and questions, and I'll start with my discussion. Right before the end of the school year, a teacher who I respect a great deal shared this experience with me. While this teacher was team teaching, a student was presenting, and the lesson was very engaging.

[03:55:23] Of the 15 students in the class, and this was at the secondary level, I believe in high school, nine of the students in the lesson were on their phones, completely disengaged, and most had their AirPods in their ears.

[03:55:39] So it's not as if the students were checking texts or looking up the meaning of a word. They were actively not listening and may have even been watching something on their phones. This issue is a complete disrespect. It shows a great deal of apathy, not just toward the teachers and the peer, their peers in the classroom, but also towards their grades, given that it was a graded assignment.

[03:56:03] And this is very socially isolating. I hear from this teacher that students are not happy to work in groups like they used to be. I definitely appreciate the efforts that the staff put into getting this policy ready for next year.

[03:56:20] I do still wish that it were more stringent and that we had a more consistent concrete plan for where the devices would be stored. I understand that each school has their own challenges in terms of some schools have lockers, some schools don't.

[03:56:36] Some schools allow backpacks in class, some schools don't. I understand there are things that we're going to have to do in the beginning on a case-by-case basis. I definitely have appreciated over the last few weeks hearing from the staff and the committee that we will have the ability to make adjustments as we see what works over the course of implementing this policy at the beginning of the year next year.

[03:56:58] I would like to acknowledge and ask the community to please work together to make this policy successful. It will take all of us. It will take parents. It will take teachers. It will take principals to support our students through this change.

[03:57:14] It might not be easy, but I believe the results will be well worth the effort. With that, I will open the floor to questions and comments. Ms. Donahue? Thank you, Chair Chandler. I would like to follow up your comments with a proposed amendment.

[03:57:31] And I am proposing this amendment because I had the opportunity to speak with some high school students in one of the schools that is already practicing some of these similar measures to keep cell phones out of the classroom during instructional time.

[03:57:48] And the feedback from the students that I had the opportunity to speak with was very positive and encouraging, that the students appreciated the way in which having the devices out of the classroom allowed everyone to be more engaged and more focused on the learning and more connected with each other.

[03:58:08] And when asked what maybe was not working with the policy, their feedback was if the devices are allowed to be in a student's pocket or backpack, other students have a hard time restraining themselves from checking it if it's within reach, which I understand because as an adult I struggle with that also.

[03:58:31] And for that reason, I am proposing a change that would take out the reference to backpack in the policy. So my proposal is for the red line version on line 36 of the red line version. I would suggest replacing the current language with the following sentence.

[03:58:52] High school students must place personal technology devices in a classroom storage location, not on their person or immediately accessible and must ensure the devices are silenced during instructional time. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. Mrs. Griffiths, do you have a question? Yes, I'm sorry. Can you repeat what line that was? Yes, it's line 36 on the red line version or line 32 on the clean version. It's section 2 sub C on the first page. Thank you. Thank

[03:59:29] you, Ms. Donahue. Thank you, Mrs. Griffiths. Do we have a second? A second. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. Mr. Allen, do we have to vote on the base motion first or do we vote on the amendment? Thank you, Madam Chair. You would vote on the amendment first? Excuse me. May I ask a question? Oh, sure, Ms. LaVelle. Will we have a discussion or comment on Ms.

[04:00:01] Donahue's amendment? Absolutely. Would you like to start with discussion? Well, my concern is that if we take them and have them put them in a secure, is it a secure location you were speaking about, Ms. Dunahue? No, Ms. LaBelle, I did not say anything about a secure location. I said in a classroom storage location. Problem becomes if that area that you're having the students put

[04:00:36] them in isn't secure i know a lot of teachers were using at one time like the shoe pockets you know you'd use for shoes but you'd hang them on the wall as students went out and retrieved their personal phones sometimes they grab an extra one as they went out the door and that became very very problematic so it has to be someplace where the teacher can monitor who's taking what so that becomes a very big concern for me. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle. Dr. Rasheed, one of my concerns is,

[04:01:15] and I mean, of course, I think it's a great idea what Ms. Donahue said. The concern I have, and some constituents had said about that, is the parents are wanting, some of the parents are wanting their kids to kind of get access to the phone at the end of the day to just kind of call them up and say, you know, pick me up in so-and-so place, like just for in case for emergencies.

[04:01:36] So I am a little, I'm kind of in deep thought about Ms. Donahue's proposal. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. Ms. Chernoff? I appreciate the conversation.

[04:01:52] I think, I mean, in my understanding, and Ms. Donahue and I were able to go together to one of the schools, and I've spoken with three others and different groups. I think by specifying that it's classroom storage, that that would potentially eliminate, Because the language that Ms. Donahue just proposed says devices in a classroom storage location.

[04:02:12] So that would indicate that they would grab it on their way out. So they would have access to it at the end of the day. I actually, I agree with Ms. Donahue. I think that this language within the backpack or nearby is a little bit problematic. I was going to also suggest a similar amendment.

[04:02:30] I will hold back now because she has done that. But I'm really, the feedback that I've gotten is that this isn't tight enough, which did surprise me. And I understand about people taking phones and different things. But I think, like Ms. Chandler said, we're going to have to work together.

[04:02:46] This is a work in progress. This is something new, and change can be hard. But I think the bigger benefit here and the bigger goal is that kids are not tempted away from the valuable instruction that is happening in the classroom and that they can be fully connected to focusing on their academics and the learning.

[04:03:05] And I think that that's really the goal. So I will be supporting this amendment, but I just wanted to offer additional perspective. Thank you. Dr. Deans? I think in our committee we talked about this would be just a starting point and that the policy may be amended, as Ms. Donahue has shared already, or tightened up as time goes on.

[04:03:32] And I think that the fact that the amendment is to have it in a classroom-secured location is acceptable to having it away from the child, away from the student, the young lady and the young man.

[04:03:54] So I think that as we said in committee, this is a policy that may be evolving. And so, therefore, I think that as a member of the committee, I think it's okay that we can start with this first amendment as we have it tonight and move forward depending on our observations come August.

[04:04:19] Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, we have an amendment on the floor to the original base motion. Ms. Donahue, would you please read your amendment again? Certainly, Chair Chandler.

[04:04:36] On the clean version of the policy at line 32 or the red line version of the policy at line 37, both of which are section A to sub C on the first page.

[04:04:51] my proposal is high school students must place personal technology devices in a classroom storage location not on their person or immediately accessible and must ensure the devices are silenced during instructional time thank you the amendment has been properly moved and seconded with that clerk please open the vote board members please record your vote Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote.

[04:05:27] Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The amendment passes unanimously with all seven board members present voting yes. Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote.

[04:05:46] With that, we'll return to the base motion, which is also properly moved and seconded, that the Loudoun County School Board approves the revised policy 8655, student personal device use. Is there any need for any more discussion or questions?

[04:06:06] No. With that, clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote.

[04:06:28] The motion passes with six school board members voting yes and Dr. Deans voting no. Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. Oh, yes. Oh, I'm sorry.

[04:06:46] No? Okay. um thank you for that clarification uh with that we will move on um to item 1211 department of business and financial services fiscal year 25 budget supplemental resulting from the fiscal year 25 final fiscal year 25 state adopted budget presented by ms sharon willoughby our chief financial officer this supplemental budget request is an information item at the june 11th school board meeting this request is submitted to increase the school operating fund budget by

[04:07:25] two million seventy eight thousand and twelve dollars to align lcps's fy25 budget with the funding appropriated to lcps in the final fy25 state budget if approved by the school board this evening the supplemental budget request will be transmitted to the county board of supervisors for their consideration and action thank you ms willoughby i'll now entertain a motion Ms. Chernoff?

[04:07:54] I move that the Loudoun County School Board requests the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors appropriate $2,078,012 to the school operating fund with funding from appropriated state revenues. Thank you.

[04:08:10] I have a motion by Ms. Chernoff. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. I have a second by Ms. Donahue. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board requests that the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors appropriate two million seventy eight thousand and twelve dollars to the school operating fund with funding from the appropriate state revenues is there any discussion i'm seeing no discussion clerk please open the vote board members please record your vote miss labelle please state your

[04:08:45] vote yes clerk please close and display the vote this motion passes with six members voting yes and Mrs. Griffiths voting no, Vice Chair Estreffi, and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote.

[04:09:11] We will now move on to item 12.12, Specialized Programs and Centers Committee, the Hillsborough Charter Academy Application and Renewal Agreement with Dr. Rasheed Chair, Specialized Programs and Centers Committee, and Dr. Ashley Ellis, Chief Academic Officer, presenting.

[04:09:30] Thank you, Madam Chair. So you did see this item at your last meeting. Staff does, however, have an update that I wanted to provide you that's also written in board docs. On Friday, June 14th, after your last meeting, staff and division council met with the HCA board chair and another board representative to discuss an updated recommendation regarding HCA's request to be considered in the CIP.

[04:09:56] I did want to point your attention to the updated staff recommendations that includes language that we agreed upon with the board chair with the HCA board chair at that meeting and it is specific to section 3.3 facility requirements we agreed to add the recommended sentence and I'm going to read it for you for the record to the extent HCA has requests for capital improvement projects to be considered for inclusion in the school board's capital improvement program or CIP HCA shall follow all applicable and relevant timelines however the school

[04:10:31] board is not obligated to include any such projects in its CIP this updated language is being proposed to address HCA's request for language that addresses its potential to have improvement projects considered for inclusion in the CIP without obligating the school board to such projects without knowing the scope and magnitude of those projects first and I did want to point out one more additional change and that is section 37.3 and you'll note that we are recommending based on division councils feedback changes to the indemnification

[04:11:07] clause and that is updated as well and those are the only updates I have we're happy to answer any questions thank you dr. Ellis I will now entertain a motion miss sure enough I move that the Loudoun County School Board review approve and sign the charter school renewal agreement between Loudoun County School board and the hillsborough charter academy as recommended by the special programs and centers committee and including the june 20th 2024 staff recommended changes excuse me i'd like to make a motion on the motion oh um miss labelle if you'll just let us get through the base motion we'll be

[04:11:44] happy to entertain that in just a moment um okay thank you we haven't had any discussion so i wonder absolutely we will definitely have discussion um do i have a second second thank you miss donahue it has been properly moved and seconded that the loudon county school board review approve and sign the charter school renewal agreement between the loudon county school board and the hillsborough charter academy as recommended by the special programs and centers committee and including the 20 june 20 24 staff recommended changes with that is there any

[04:12:19] discussion yes i'd like to amend and add something miss labelle the floor is yours thank you i would like to add to the following section 29.1 of the proposal charter renewal agreement that the school board will commit to completing an improvement and expansion of the charter school's facility by the first day of the instructional year 2031-32 to ensure that the charter school has the following

[04:12:54] elements in addition to its current facility. Permanent facilities for museum instruction art instruction, STEAM-based learning and teacher training and STEAM-based instruction, permanent facilities for counseling and intervention services, a gymnasium, permanent facilities for faculty, workspace, and lunch area, and ensure ADA compliance for primary school building, grounds, and future facilities. The school board may accomplish this by any

[04:13:25] necessary means including but not limited to the use of CIP and may make all required improvements on a timeline of its choosing so that it's accomplished no later than the first day of instruction in 30-31-32. In addition, I move to add this, that the school board will complete no later than July 2025, all necessary studies for undertaking an improvement and expansion of the charter school's facilities, and the school shall use those studies to develop a proposal

[04:14:05] to be considered for the 2027-2032 CIP budget and publicly present the proposal at the appropriate time. The school board is not obligated to include the charter school's improvement and expansion in the final approved CIP budget. The school board shall collaborate with the charter school board of directors in developing these studies and proposals. So what I'm saying is these things can

[04:14:38] be done between now and 20, 20, 32. It can be done on a tiered platform. It could be a little bit each year that year and it would be completed at that time i also suggest that they use the um other other things uh where am i thinking the the the portables there's the word being taken away

[04:15:12] from banneker and waterford and rather than use them at this time um as storage facilities take them and put them up so that hillsborough will have those uh access to them to use as changes are being made within the school itself does anybody do i need to repeat anything well thank you miss labelle thank you um is there a second for miss labelle's amendment thank you mrs griffiths

[04:15:50] uh with the amendment on the floor we are open to discussion ms shurnoff uh thank you miss labelle this did come to my attention as well this afternoon so I know it's in the 11th hour so I'm actually not apt to support something because I haven't wrapped my full mind around it but I do have a couple of questions for staff in relation to these amendments so the first is how do you I mean I under like I'm it's very clear that HCA has some needs and that they want those needs met

[04:16:29] And I'm really, really grateful to staff for working with the board at HCA to find language that would allow for us at the appropriate time to assess whether those needs are a priority or not and not to preclude us from that ability. So that's step one. I appreciate that.

[04:16:44] I support that. But the second piece of this, I guess, is and this kind of reminds me a little bit not to bring up playgrounds again. But of our playground conversation when, Mr. Lewis, I think you were talking to us about how you go out and assess the, you know, different safety risks and the condition of the different playgrounds.

[04:17:03] So those are like cyclical. My understanding from the amendment that Ms. LaBelle just read is that they would want similar studies. I think they're using the word studies, but what I'm thinking is more of an evaluation of when those things were done. do we currently do that for our charter schools or is that something that they would be responsible for how does that work with lcps so currently the charter schools are included for consideration in the cap and so we do do and that's the capital asset preservation plan portion of the of the

[04:17:36] capital budget and that allows for certain things like small repairs and hvac unit replacement those types of things pavement that that type of thing and so those things are done and they're specifically brought to the board during the CIP process to alert the board that these things are being considered and can in in keeping with the language it's in the current contract that says they would be considered by the board and so we bring those in a highlight those and identify those and so we do that assessment for those CAP projects we we do not do a full assessment of the entire building because at this point they're they're

[04:18:13] limited to the cap. And would we be limited at any time to be able to do that if we wanted to add that in? I'm just trying to figure out timeline wise if there was additional research to be done to figure out if renovations would be appropriate. Could that be initiated by the board throughout the process? Yes. So the language that's being proposed allows for a request to be made by

[04:18:47] the charter school by HCA for the school board to consider that and so what we have said a number of times recently is the appropriate place to have this conversation is during the CIP when the board has a full understanding of all the decisions they have to make and you've seen many people come and advocate as you said for playgrounds and other things and I know the board's gotten some recent emails about some other schools so all those things would be be looked at at the same time and so you'd be making commitments based on a full awareness of all the projects that are being requested and so that's the

[04:19:21] best timeline we are going to need some more definition of what that ask is at this point and so from a staff perspective we have not seen the language that mr. Bell just proposed so we haven't had time to to evaluate that or think it through or provide any guidance to the board on that I understand thank you for those answers

[04:19:44] I think what Ms. Chernoff had mentioned at the appropriate time, I think that along with what Mr. Lewis had mentioned, that I don't want HCA to be walled off from any type of funding in the future, but we are looking for the right time to help the students that are there.

[04:20:07] Of course, again, we do look for the appropriate time. My worry is that, is there ever an appropriate time? And I think I had mentioned that to HCA. But I definitely would like to, you know, still work with them as much as we can, with as much funding as we can.

[04:20:25] So, yeah, that's just a little bit I want to share with everyone. Thank you. Thank you. Dr. Deans? While we are always looking for more pathways for our students, more choices for our students to have in terms of programming, I think siphling off money to the charter schools is a way that if we could have those programs incorporated into the current schools that we have, that

[04:20:59] we could use that money to have additional or broaden pathways for other programs for students. I just don't. It was when I asked the question about number of students in the charter schools versus in our traditional schools, I was told that there's a space in our traditional schools for all the students in the charter schools. So I don't see siphling off that money to a building.

[04:21:31] where the buildings were granted as is at any point in the CIP. I believe that it would be prudent on our part, the board's part, to channel that money toward other programs to give kids choices in a different direction than the charter school.

[04:21:56] Thank you. Mrs. Griffiths? Thank you, Madam Chair. You had mentioned at the right time for CIP, and as my colleague mentioned, Ms. Rasheed, that there never really is a good time.

[04:22:14] My concern is the deterioration of this building, and we're losing time. That's my issue. Maybe we can do this one by one. Ms. LaBelle presented several items today.

[04:22:30] maybe we can um start i mean the first one was maybe start with uh facilities of music instruction um and or art instruction and their gymnasium maybe we don't have to do it all at once but um i think money should be set aside um to tackle this as soon as possible because i i am concerned that this building is deteriorating at a at a fast rate and i don't want i don't want it to close so if we can find the money and maybe do it little by little with the

[04:23:03] amendments proposed today I say we I'm asking my colleagues to be open to that thank you thank you I'll offer my feedback now I have heard from the community and I believe that Hillsborough Charter Academy is a great school but for the record I have to state in general I am not supportive of the charter school model. It bothers me a great deal that both of our LCPS charter schools are far away from where the majority of the Loudoun population lives. We know about 85% of the

[04:23:42] population lives east of 15. Both of our schools are far from the population centers and they are far from our diverse communities. It bothers me that Hillsborough was explicitly chartered with the expressed intention of the school community covering the cost of maintaining the building.

[04:24:01] It bothers me that LCPS does not have true oversight over the school. I feel it would not be wise for LCPS or the school board to take on any more liability, given that neither LCPS nor the school board have actual oversight over charter schools.

[04:24:17] I also disagree with the comparison to Banneker Elementary School. This is not an adequate comparison, in my opinion, as Banneker is a historically significant building. And even though they are similarly sized, we also know that Banneker is located in a geographically challenging place and that closing and consolidating that school would offer a great challenge to the students who go there in terms of adding a significant commute.

[04:24:47] For those reasons, I'm not inclined to support Ms. LaBelle's amendment. I'm truly not inclined to support the motion that's on the floor, the base motion either, although I do agree that the language is preferable to what we had been presented at the last meeting.

[04:25:09] Is there any more discussion? Yes. All right, Ms. LaBelle. I would like to remind you that charter schools are supported by state legislation, that they are independent in their decision-making. Yes, the initial charter, when it came up, did say that they would be responsible for repairs.

[04:25:32] the school was supposed to fix the roof, then they did, and then they charged the charter school for it. Other things that I've noticed people saying is its location is too far away. If we were to find them another location, larger, they would be able to move there and offer it to more students, especially the 400 that are on the waiting list. I think that it is an internationally conventionally known program. We heard that when we heard praise for Megan earlier today.

[04:26:08] I think letting it fail because we don't want to support it in the CIP is a bad, bad decision. The community supports it. People want to go there. It's a lottery system. It's entirely fair about who gets chosen. Hillsborough actually takes the lottery, which is the recommended way of choosing students by the state government into different levels. They don't just hold one lottery for the whole school. They hold it for openings in each of the grade levels so that they

[04:26:45] have a wider diversity and students have more opportunity to participate. I think that we as a new board need to take a look at this charter and make it available. They're not asking to have it all done at once they're saying please you know as a gesture of good faith we've asked that you do at least one thing maybe look at some of the the uh public needs to start this program we need

[04:27:18] to have surveys we need to have um look looking at things like electricity hookups or all of those things that need to go through the board of supervisors just start with that and then work with them and come up with a list of what we could do every year for the next seven years.

[04:27:37] They're not asking for a lot of money. They're asking for a small group. Charter schools are an amazing way to provide training, not just to students, but to the teachers. They could learn how Hillsborough is having this amazing opportunity and progress made in their little bitty falling down school so please consider looking at it looking at it as a tiered um process

[04:28:11] not not all done at once but a tiered process to help get the school up and running or else find them another place where they can be more available to more students i really think that this is one of the gems in laden county public schools and we need to preserve it thank you miss labelle is there any further discussion? With that, we have an amendment to the base motion on the floor that has been properly made and seconded. Ms. LaBelle, I would ask that you read it for clarity before we vote. I'll shorten it up without having to say what the specifics are. Is that all right

[04:28:51] with everyone? Yes, please. Okay, let me find it. There we go. You know, the glasses, that's what I defined. I move to add the following to section 29.1 of the proposed charter renewal agreement.

[04:29:12] The school board will commit to completing an improvement and expansion of the charter school's facilities by the first day of instruction of 20-31-32 school year. And then it goes through and enumerates the different things they asked for. The school board may accomplish this by any means necessary, including but not limited to the use of CIP. The school board may make all required improvements on a timeline of its own choosing so that it's accomplished no later than

[04:29:43] the first day of instruction in 2031-32. The school board shall provide installed temporary classroom space equivalent to that of Waterford or Banneker schools at the charter school at the time at which those buildings are no longer necessary on campuses of those elementary schools and following completion of their improvement and expansions. So they're not asking to jump ahead.

[04:30:11] At the latest, school board commits to providing equivalent space to the charter school no later than the first day of instruction of the 2027 to 2028 school year. And then I went on to state that The board will complete no later than July 2025 all necessary studies for an undertaking, improvement, and expansion of the charter school's facilities and campuses.

[04:30:40] The school board shall use those studies to develop a proposal to be considered in the 2027-2032 CIP budget and publicly present the proposal at the appropriate time. The school board is not obligated to include the charter school's improvement and expansion in the final approved CIP budget.

[04:31:04] The school board shall collaborate with the charter school's board of directors in developing the studies and the proposal. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle, for restating your amendment. Clerk, could you please open the vote? Board members, please record your vote.

[04:31:26] Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion, the amendment fails with two school board members voting yes and Dr. Deans, Ms. Chandler, Ms. Donahue, Ms. Chernoff, and Dr. Rasheed voting no.

[04:31:54] Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote. With that, is there any further discussion on the base motion? With that, clerk, I'd like to make another amendment. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle.

[04:32:12] You're welcome to speak to your amendment. I would like to just have the school board commit as a gesture of good faith once again to going ahead and starting the studies that we're going to need to find out what's happening and what needs to happen at the school board.

[04:32:41] Is there a second? Thank you, Mrs. Griffiths. It has been properly moved and seconded, and I will ask you, Ms. LaBelle, to please restate your amendment. We will find it again.

[04:33:00] I propose that the school board use studies to develop a proposal to be considered in the 2027-2032 CIP budget and publicly present the proposal at the appropriate time.

[04:33:19] It is not obligated to include the charter schools improvement and expansion in the final CIP budget. Thank you, Ms. LaBelle. Clerk, please open the vote. School board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote.

[04:33:37] Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. Let's see. Oh, it's open. Thank you. No worries. Clerk, please close and display the vote. This amendment fails with two school board members voting yes and five voting no.

[04:34:02] The no votes include Dr. Deans, Ms. Chandler, Ms. Donahue, Ms. Chernoff, and Dr. Rasheed. Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote. With that, we will please clear the board. Is there any further discussion on the base motion?

[04:34:19] Seeing no further discussion, clerk, please open the vote. Board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote.

[04:34:37] This motion passes with six school board members present voting yes and Ms. Chandler voting no. Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote.

[04:34:56] With that, we will now move on to item 12.3, Specialized Programs and Centers Committee, Hillsborough Charter Academy, HCA, and Middleburg Community Charter School, MCCS, technology and support services annual agreement presented by dr. Rasheed specialized programs and centers committee dr. Rasheed thank you chair as always there's an annual agreement with HCA and MCCS for their technology and support services so it's I think it's due to expire or rather it's due for renewal by June 30th that's all I have nothing else to say about it thank you

[04:35:33] dr. Rasheed I will now entertain a motion sure yes I motion that the Loudoun County School Board review approve and sign the HCA and MCCS technology and support services agreement. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Thank you Ms. Donahue. I have a motion by Dr. Rashid that's seconded by Ms. Donahue. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board review approve and sign the HCA and MCCS technology and support services

[04:36:07] agreement. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Clerk please open the vote. School board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes.

[04:36:24] Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with all seven school board members present voting yes. Vice Chair Estreffy and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote. We will now move on to item 12.14, 2024-2025 Consolidated Grant Application.

[04:36:48] Dr. Ashley Ellis, Chief Academic Officer, will present. Dr. Ellis, the floor is yours. Thank you. I just have two minor updates for you since we presented this as the last meeting is an information item. There was a question around Title I funds supporting the Virginia Literacy Act and there was a reference in the application to a digital content tool that was used at one school but not supported on the VLA list of recommended supplemental resources.

[04:37:17] We have revised the consolidated application and made reference to using resources only in alignment with the Virginia Literacy Act. We've also confirmed with VDOE that they will be reviewing all consolidated grant applications to ensure alignment with the VLA across the board.

[04:37:37] The second question that came up at the last meeting was regarding the George Mason University cohort. and we have confirmed with George Mason University that their program has been revised to ensure an even tighter alignment with the guidelines provided in the Virginia Literacy Act. That language has also been included in the application and I have no further updates. Thank you Dr. Ellis.

[04:37:59] I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Donahue. Thank you Chair Chandler. I move that the Loudoun County School Board approve the 2024-2025 consolidated grant application for the Elementary and secondary education act as amended by ESSA. Thank you. I have a motion made by Ms. Donahue.

[04:38:17] Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board approved the 2024 to 2025 consolidated grant application for the elementary and secondary education act as amended by the ESSA. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, clerk, please open the vote. School board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle,

[04:38:47] please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with all school board members present voting yes. Vice Chair Estreffy and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote. With that, we will move on to our last action item of the evening. 12.15 Department of Teaching and Learning Head Start Annual Training and Report and Grant Application presented by mr neil slevin assistant superintendent of teaching and learning

[04:39:25] mr slevin the floor is yours thank you miss chandler while i have no information new information since this item was presented last board meeting as an information item this is just a reminder that the head start policy council has reviewed this application and has approved it heads the head start preschool program just completed its 31st year in loudon county head start is a federally funded comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of three and four year old children and their families living at or below the federal poverty level. The 2023-2024 Head Start annual training and report in the PY32 grant application and budget are being submitted as

[04:40:02] information items were submitted as information items at the June 11th meeting for review. In order for Aladdin County public schools to continue to receive available funds for the Head Start program is necessary for us to submit the grant application and budget by September 1st following approval by the policy council which we have and the school board review and approval which is the action item tonight. Thank you, Mr. Slevin. I will now entertain a motion. Ms. Chernoff. I move that the Loudoun County School Board review, approve, and sign the Head Start annual training

[04:40:37] and report and the Head Start grant application for funding period December 1, 2024 through November 30, 2025. Thank you. I have a motion by Ms. Chernoff. Do I have a second? Second. Oh, thank you, Dr. Rasheed, and thank you, Ms. Donnie. It has been properly moved and seconded that the Loudoun County School Board review, approve, and sign the Head Start annual training and report and the Head Start grant application for funding period December 1st, 2024 through November 30th, 2025. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, clerk, please open the vote. School

[04:41:17] board members, please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle, please state your vote. Yes. Clerk, please close and display the vote. The motion passes unanimously with Vice Chair Estreffi and Chair Mansfield absent for the vote. With that, we will move on to our information items starting with item 13.01, the joint committee of the Loudoun County School Board and Loudoun County Board of

[04:41:50] Supervisors revised rules of order and the 2024-2025 work plan. At the June 10th, 2024 meeting of the joint committee of the Loudoun County School Board and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Joint Committee. The committee voted 6-0 to recommend to both boards to approve the revised rules of order. The committee also voted 6-0 to recommend to the Board of Supervisors and the Loudoun County School Board to approve the 2024-2025 Joint Committee Work Plan as revised and adopted at the June 10th meeting. Joint Committee meeting and direct at the at the Joint Committee meeting

[04:42:29] and direct the Loudoun County School Board and the county staff to prepare Board of Supervisors school board approved items for the designated meetings unless otherwise directed this item will return to the school board for action on August 13th at our next meeting board members do you have any questions is there any interest in moving this item to consent well since it's not you man a unanimous this

[04:43:04] item will come back as an action item at the next meeting we will now move on to 13.02 human resources and talent development committee revisions to the policy 7650 licensed staff contracts presented by miss donahue thank you chair chandler hrtd policy 7650 regarding licensed staff contracts was due for its cyclical route was actually overdue for its cyclical review

[04:43:38] was presented as an information item to the hrtd committee on april 25th 2024 was approved by that committee as an action item and sent to the full board on June 20th, 2024. It was sent out for feedback in the intervening time, and there were only a few comments received back, and I will ask Ms. Boland if she has anything to highlight.

[04:44:07] Thank you, Ms. Donahue. So this policy was updated to be more current and aligned with our business practices in 2024. As Ms. Donahue stated, it was overdue for its review. The language was updated to align with LCPS titles, and the content better describes the distribution and acknowledgement of contracts using the human resource management system and other LCPS electronic tools.

[04:44:33] The last review of this policy occurred when LCPS was still using paper contracts. So as you can imagine, this necessitated many changes. of this policy, thank you. - Thank you, Ms. Bolin, thank you, Ms. Donahue.

[04:44:50] Is there, school board members, do you have any questions? - Okay. - Is there any interest in, oh, I'm sorry, did you have a question, Ms. Griffiths? Are you sure? Oh, okay. Is there any interest from the board in moving this to consent for the next meeting?

[04:45:10] All right, thank you, that will move to consent. With that, we will move on to our next information item. This is 13.03, Human Resources and Talent Development Committee, Revisions to Policy 7724, Public Service Leave, presented by Ms. Donohue.

[04:45:31] Thank you, Chair Chandler. Policy 7724 was, again, a policy that was overdue for its cyclical review. It was the revisions were presented to the HRTD committee for information on April 25, 2024, and then presented as an action item at the June 20, 2024 committee meeting, where the committee voted to forward the revisions for consideration to the full board.

[04:45:57] Policy 7724, which is titled Public Service Leave, governs the ability of LCPS employees to take leave from the division in order to run for public office. And Ms. Boland, if you have anything to add.

[04:46:15] So the only thing I would add, thank you, Ms. Donahue, is that this policy also covers that those employees who are elected to the Loudoun County School Board are covered under policies 2110, qualifications of school board members, and 7520, non-school employment, and are ineligible to continue as LCVS employees.

[04:46:35] This policy was made available for public comment, and no comments were received. Thank you, Ms. Donahue and Ms. Bolin. School board, do you have any questions? Is there any interest in moving this item to consent for the next meeting?

[04:46:51] Mm-hmm. All right. Thank you. this item will move to consent with that we'll move on to our next information item 13.04 human resources and talent development hrtd committee revisions to policy 7730 religious accommodation miss donahue will be presenting thank you chair chandler policy 7730 is another policy that was last edited in 2017 and overdue for its cyclical review the hrtd staff presented proposed revisions

[04:47:27] as an information item at the April 25, 2024 HRTD committee meeting and then brought it back as an action item at the June 20, 2024 HRTD committee meeting wherein the committee voted to forward the proposed revisions to the full board for consideration.

[04:47:44] In the intervening time, the proposed revisions were put forward for public feedback and only two comments were received. The policy governs requests for accommodations for religious observances, and I'll ask Ms.

[04:48:06] Bowen to speak more to that. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. As stated, this policy, along with its title, is recommended for revisions. The religious accommodation leave has been updated to provide information on how to request and accommodation, who to look to for information, and the process for review of requests.

[04:48:32] As Ms. Donoghue spoke to, there was a comment received in regards to the use of the term severely held, and wanted to provide additional feedback that this phrase is part of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and as such, that phrasing was modeled after this policy.

[04:48:54] we to date did not have a process set forth in policy by which an employee could request a religious accommodation and this policy would set forth that process by which an employee could request that accommodation. Thank you. Thank you Ms. Donahue and Ms. Bolin. Is there any discussion?

[04:49:20] No. School board members would you like to see this come back for consent at the next meeting?

[04:49:44] Thank you. This item will come back as consent and we will move on to item 13. 05. HR Human Resources and Talent Development Committee revisions to policy 7910 reduction in force and deletion of policy 7920 reduction in force classified employees. Ms. Donahue will be presenting. Thank you, Chair Chandler. As you mentioned, we are actually discussing two related policies on this agenda item, both overdue for their cyclical review for HRTD. The staff proposed revisions for policy 7910 and the deletion of proposed deletion of policy 7920 were presented

[04:50:17] as information items at the April 25, 2024 HRTD committee meeting and presented for action items at the June 20, 2024 HRTD meeting. Both policies were put forward for feedback, I believe, but nothing significant was received. I'll defer to Ms. Boland shortly for that. The policy 79-20 is being proposed for deletion because it will be consolidated with policy 7910 so that there will

[04:50:56] be only one policy governing reduction in force rather than two separate policies as we had previously for licensed employees and a separate policy for non-licensed employees. And if I could ask Ms. Boland to speak to anything else. Absolutely. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. As stated, The goal that HRTD has been continuing to champion is the simplification of policies rather than having two separate policies for two different classifications of employees.

[04:51:31] We are trying to streamline that process. And as such, this is another example of that streamlining work. To do so, this would combine the two policies. It would also combine the regulations, which was where most of the comments came in.

[04:51:47] There was an ask about the regulation, and when we brought forth the information item to HRTD committee, we do not send out regulations as part of the feedback process. The regulation was combined. No language was eliminated or changed.

[04:52:05] It was provided to committee as part of the action item for them to review. And it is also included in this evening's board documents. The other comments that were received seem to be a misunderstanding as to why we were proposing a policy for deletion.

[04:52:30] But we are not proposing the deletion of the language. which we are simply proposing the combination of the two. Thank you, Ms. Donahue and Ms. Bolin. Board members, do you have any questions? Oh, Mrs. Griffiths. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[04:52:47] I think I'm looking at the right one. Policy 7910, in such an event, oh, this is line 11 and 12. In such an event, the division superintendent will determine the positions that will be reduced and eliminated.

[04:53:03] I thought in our discussions it might have been the school board that was going to make those determinations. Can you clarify for me, please? Yes, ma'am. Thank you for the question. So the school board determines whether a reduction in force will occur, and then based on the school board's decision, then the superintendent operationalizes that decision to determine which specific positions based on the criteria set forth.

[04:53:30] Thank you for the clarification. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Is there interest in bringing this item back on the consent agenda at the next meeting? Okay. Seeing that it's not unanimous, this item will come back as an action item at the next meeting.

[04:53:51] And we will move on to item 13.06, Student Services Committee New Policy 6640, Emergency First Aid, CPR, AED, and Diabetes Management trained and certified personnel. I believe this item will be presented by both Ms. Donahue and Ms. Richardson.

[04:54:10] Thank you, Chair Chandler. This is a brand new proposed policy from the Student Services Committee following up on recommendations from the VSBA. It was presented as an information item to the Student Services Committee actually a couple of different times.

[04:54:31] Most recently on May 16, 2024, and was presented as an action item on June 20, 2024. During the intervening time, the policy was put out for public feedback and there were several pieces of public feedback on the policy which are included in the board docs.

[04:54:57] The original goal of this policy was to address how many LCPS employees trained and certified in administering first aid, CPR, and AED or automated external defibrillator training would be required to be present in a school facility.

[04:55:20] However, while we were engaging with the public in our meetings about this policy, a number of concerned parents raised the question of diabetes issues and continuous glucose monitoring, which I am fortunate that I didn't know anything about before because no one in my family suffers from that condition.

[04:55:44] But based on the very serious concerns that were raised to us by a number of parents in the community, Ms. Richardson and her staff did a massive amount of work in collecting data from different school districts across the Commonwealth and all over the country and how they are dealing with similar situations.

[04:56:07] were able to create a way forward for us where we can hopefully allay the concerns that many of these parents have with regard to continuous glucose monitoring that we may find workable here in LCPS. So on a personal note, I have to say I was very pleased with how this process went, and to me, I would say it exemplified how this is supposed to work. We have an idea. The public says wait it's a good idea but we need to fix some things about it and then the staff did more work

[04:56:41] to figure out okay how can we do this um so uh so now the proposed policy which again is entirely new um is is for consideration of is before this board for its consideration and i would ask ms richardson to comment further thank you mrs donahue it was truly the pleasure of staff to work on this policy at the direction of our Student Services Committee members.

[04:57:11] Just for some background, the initiation of this policy is to make sure that we have the right amount of people trained. LCPS was already surpassing what the policy was recommending which was a minimum of two trained staff members. LCPS is proposing because we already have in place three trained staff members for first aid, CPR, AED, and diabetes management.

[04:57:36] As Mrs. Donahue has shared, there was some advocacy from our student and staff and parent communities for us to consider and take a closer look at how we are supporting our students with continuous glucose monitors. So I would like to, if you would indulge me for a bit, just to share an overview of the information that was shared within the committee so that the full board has an understanding of where we have landed at, where we have.

[04:58:03] So based on our data today as we have closed out the school year, so this is an update from what was shared at the Student Services Committee on June 20th. As of June 25th, we had a total of 439,686 health office visits across LCPS for the 23-24 school year.

[04:58:26] 16,990 of those visits pertained to insulin administration. 37,468 blood glucose checks were performed across LCPS. The committee had directed staff to have an intensive focus on looking at the needs of our elementary students.

[04:58:49] That is the primary parent population from which we heard and of course we did also have conversations about making sure that we are supporting our students with disabilities and those with other impairments with following their continuous glucose monitoring as we move forward.

[04:59:08] But at the elementary level, so it's important to know that 262,763 of the almost 440 health office visits were at the elementary school level. Of the 16,990 administration of insulin, 9,623 of those administrations were at the elementary school level with 27,327 out of the 37 plus thousand blood glucose checks being at the elementary level so you see the need for us to support our elementary schools differently

[04:59:46] as mrs. Donoghue referenced staff did look at and work with four out-of-state school systems that are currently implementing the follow me application for continuous glucose monitoring within the school setting. And then we also did work with three school divisions within the Commonwealth, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Roanoke. The consensus from all seven of those school systems is that they are supporting the following of continuous glucose monitors with the use of

[05:00:23] iPads that are maintained by their registered nurses within their health offices. The iPads do not leave the office the iPads serve as a secondary notification of when a student with a continuous glucose monitor when that alarm goes off if that student has gone below the low threshold or above the high threshold this has afforded those school divisions the opportunities for teachers to stay focused on classroom instruction not having to pause and call and call down to the office because the alarm is already sounding the nurse knows to

[05:00:58] respond we are excited as staff to be able to share that we did recommend to our committee that we pursue an investment into about 40 iPads that will be placed across about 37 of our elementary schools we currently have 205 students across LCPS with CGM's with 58 of those students being at the elementary school level impacting 37 school locations so we're going to buy the 40 iPads we're going to work with our nursing staff we have drafted a

[05:01:35] supported regulation to policy 6640 to really outline this process and training and the role of parents working with our physicians and how that will impact our diabetes medical management plans since those are what we follow and they are written by the students treating medical physician and so they would be up they would be updated to assist our health office staff with how we should be monitoring the students CGM's when in our school setting thank you thank you

[05:02:13] so much Mrs. Richardson that really was as I was able to sit in on that committee meeting last week it was really wonderful to see the effort that was put into meeting that need and I'm just happy to celebrate what we're going to be able to do this fall with that are there any questions or comments from the committee I'm sure enough and then I'll keep it short but I just also wanted to echo my thanks been following this from beginning to end and and it was a long process but necessary in order to get it right and one of the constituents in

[05:02:50] Leesburg that I've worked closely with has really struggled with a student and I can't imagine what it's like to send a kid to school and and to fear a life or death moment and I really do think that this policy is going to help ease their fears and prevent that and so from the beginning I would say what's your feedback what's your feedback and she would send me longer and every committee meeting that you guys would address it the feedback would get shorter and I called her this week and I said what what do you have for me and she said absolutely nothing they nailed it and so i just that just is rare and i think it needs to be celebrated and so i celebrate the work of the committee i celebrate the work of the staff and

[05:03:27] i celebrate the good outcomes that are to come for children's health because of this policy well done thank you mrs griffiths thank you madam chair um i i too think this is fantastic I did want to ask, and maybe you can clarify for me, EpiPens and allergic reactions.

[05:03:48] We might have training already in place. Can you just clarify for me if that's separate from this? Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Griffiths, for that question. EpiPens are covered under policy 8420, which is student medication.

[05:04:04] And so the storage, use, and administration of EpiPens is covered in that policy. Again, this was a brand new policy coming out of recommendations from the Virginia School Board Association addressing CPR, AED, and diabetes management only.

[05:04:24] Is it possible to combine or add EpiPen to this particular policy or the policy, I'm looking it up now, but the other policy you just mentioned, is it more than just allergic reactions in that policy? or can we just so the student medication policy covers a much larger breadth of medication medications that students can either self-carry or that we maintain within our health offices so that is where you'll find information about the administration and utilization of FEP pens within the school setting and nurses are trained in all of this absolutely okay all right thank you

[05:05:03] very much welcome thank you are there any further questions from the board is there any interest in moving this item to consent for the next meeting? Ms. LaBelle, I can't hear you. Ms. LaBelle.

[05:05:28] I would like to see it move forward. Would you like it on the consent agenda or would you like to see it as action? Next time we meet, actually, I'd like to vote on it now. Okay, so you're comfortable putting it on the consent agenda? I've already started, but now it can move forward and we can vote in August.

[05:05:48] Thank you. That makes it, that item will come back on the consent agenda at the next meeting and we will move on to item 1307 department of support services school board meeting calendar for fiscal year 2026 capital budgets and fall 2024 school attendance zone changes change processes this item will be presented by mr lewis thank you madam chair so tonight we bring to you a snapshot of your very busy fall and so we'll call your attention to the the chart in the in the item

[05:06:23] that identifies a number of meetings and they are related to the capital budget and also attendance zones I would just share if you if you had not noticed the pattern that mrs. Tate and her team put together for this if anything that is in is in blue is related to a CIP meeting anything in red is the attendance zone and any of the line items that are bolded a coincide with a regular school board meeting so some of those meetings will happen on nights with regular school board meetings and just know that this is also only a vote on the calendar

[05:07:00] that we'll be bringing back so it's information tonight in August it'll it'll be for action I will also note that we have added an additional work session for the CIP we fully understand that the CIP is a very large commitment by the school board and this will be this board's first trip through that so we've added a work session and started a couple of weeks earlier in the fall to make sure that board members have time to look through that and staff has time to present all the information that board members may have questions for so we will call attention that the the one attendance zone change process that's

[05:07:38] being proposed on this is we've identified Potomac Elementary is a school that's very far over capacity right now it's 105 now expected to be 132% by the the out year in the CIP so we're proposing that and so you'll see that those are the two schools that we plan to notify folks that they will be there the importance of this is to make sure we get all the notices public notices out in the public as well as the board members and everyone knows what's happening and when they can come and speak to the board and talk at the public hearings and the work sessions to see how it goes so I'm happy to take any questions you may have thank you mr. Lewis are there any questions from the

[05:08:15] board mrs. Griffiths thank you madam chair um just in case I missed it would HCA be able to be involved in this calendar as well or I don't know if you can answer that for me so this is the school boards calendar for your review and development of the CIP based on the language that was approved in the item before then this would be a part of the time when we can have those discussions and would be a part of the timeline that would the language specifically talk to about following the timeline so this establishes those timelines thank you I

[05:08:53] just wanted to clarify thank you chair Chandler and thank you mr. Lewis I just wanted to say that when we see this again I would love to have a presentation or work session or some information from you that that gives us some guidance on how the zoning process works because it is very mysterious to me absolutely and appreciate you bringing that up I know that was a question you had earlier this week we do have a standard process at the beginning the first meeting that we

[05:09:31] have will be a full explanation of the entire process and we'll lay that out and what decision points are how the maps are done how the attendance zones are done we'll provide you all the demographics within the time the attendance zone so you'll have all the information and so we'll we'll do our very best to explain that and it's always happy to meet offline and go things that don't make sense thank you any further questions all right seeing none and with Miss Donahue's request that item will come back for action at

[05:10:04] our next meeting on August 13th we will move on to item 13.8 Department of Support Services Committee abbreviated elementary school attendance zone change also presented by mr. Lewis thank you madam chair so tonight we're also presenting through policy 6530 with which governs the changing of attendance zones which does allow for an abbreviated process so in the calendar just now we looked at the the meetings and public hearings and work sessions that are required to do the full process but the policy and regulation also

[05:10:40] allow for an abbreviated process that would only apply in certain circumstances such as charter school conversion new residential development minimal overcrowding cluster alignment where those two only allowed to move less than 10% of the population and any type of emergency need this particular request from from staff recommendation is related to new residential development and you'll see in the maps attached there we have some residential developments that are underway and our goal is to try to to address some of the overcrowding that we're expecting at Madison's trust you see in the item there

[05:11:17] that it's currently sitting at 94% and projected to be at a hundred and twenty percent where a sickling Creek is right around half full so the plan is to move these neighborhoods before they're populated with students so no one's really impacted and we'll get those done and so that's the the process that we're we would like to propose to do and that is so there's two sections one is the Parkside which is in DS 0 8.4 and that's an area formerly known as Fleetwood

[05:11:51] South and DS 808.4 also includes Fleetwood North and so we're expecting to see 92 elementary students in Parkside in 91 in Fleetwood South or Fleetwood North I'm sorry and so for that reason we're we're recommended that we move those students as well and then you'll also see in DN 37 point 36 point one 7 and point 1 8 which is a the West Park at Bramilton similar things we're expecting 105 elementary school students we I will note that 70 79 of those

[05:12:29] houses have been sold already but and people are starting to move in so we want to move quickly on that is why we bring it through to you as a an abbreviated process and I believe that's really all the overview I have and I'm happy to take any questions you may have thank you mr. Lewis board members do you have any questions no no okay thank you that item will come back at our next meeting in August as an action item with that we will move on to item 13.9 the Legislative Audit and Policy Committee collective bargaining as the chair of

[05:13:07] the Legislative Audit and Policy Committee I will present this effort which we just passed unanimously out of the LAMP committee was truly a collaborative effort. The committee individually collected feedback from all the invested parties and then came back together in committee to iron out the document. We each weighed our personal values with the information we collected from all the invested parties to broker a compromise and like any good negotiation and compromise I'm sure that no one is completely happy with any part of it but it is a collaborative effort and I'm happy to bring it forward

[05:13:45] to the board I believe this effort will give teachers a stronger voice to advocate for what they need to be happy working for LCPS and to speak to the needs of our 83,000 students with that are there any questions or comments from the board dr. Rasheed I don't know if this is the appropriate time but I was I'd like to motion to suspend the rules I'd like to make this a action item today especially since there's a time sensitivity factor and especially it's long, long, long overdue. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. As Dr. Rasheed has made a motion to

[05:14:21] suspend the rules, I will note it requires a second. Second. Thank you, Ms. Donahue. And there is no debate. In order for this motion to pass, we need two-thirds of our school board members to vote. Two-thirds of seven would technically be five. So with that, clerk, please open the vote.

[05:15:04] School board members please record your vote. Oh sure. Okay. Thank you. School board members please record your vote. Ms. LaBelle please state your vote. No. Clerk please close and display the vote. The motion fails with four school board members voting yes and Mrs. Griffiths, Ms. Chernoff, and Ms. LaBelle voting no.

[05:15:28] Vice Chair Streffi and Chair Mansfield are absent for the vote this item will return as an action item at our next meeting in August With that there is no need for the school board to return to closed session as we completed that Before did the dinner recess and we will now move on to item 15 board member comments and committee reports. We each have three minutes and we'll start with Ms.

[05:16:05] LaBelle. We had a very good meeting yesterday. We considered Ms. Donahue's request to take another look at the student speech and expression policy. We made some changes to it to honor Ms. Donahue's request. And then we actually did some cross-referencing to include different types of definitions and clarifications in the hopes that using cross-references, people will come to

[05:16:44] understand better what is being said in the document. So thank you. Thank you. Let's see. Dr. Rasheed? I do not have any updates. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Chernoff? Thank you, Chair Chandler. Since last time we didn't get to share, I just wanted to do a couple of updates from the curriculum and instruction meeting that met earlier in

[05:17:19] June. We met with the Social Science and Global Studies Department. Next year will be an SOL crosswalk year along with the other thousands of things the VDOE is rolling out. I say that in jest, but that simply means that the standards are being updated and will be fully implemented as part of the SOL testing in the 25-26 school year so teachers will have a year to familiarize their themselves with those new standards and work to incorporate them but they won't be fully accountable to them till next year as part of the rollout video e has suggested a new sequence for teaching social science that would move different topics to different years and although that is strongly recommended by the video

[05:17:58] e the prior board through committee along with feedback from stakeholders has decided to keep our current sequence here in LCPS the second part of the presentation centered on addressing controversial and sensitive content. Policy 5420 was adopted in 2022 to set guardrails for teachers and allow for community input around controversial material. The standards take students through modern-day history and it do address social movements of the times.

[05:18:23] This policy helps guide that work and how it should be done and I encourage any parent who is uneasy about the way such topics are addressed to reach out. We also had an item on technology in terms of some guidelines for technology use we've been hearing from stakeholders about concerns especially in the lower grades about too much technology use and how we're using it also how we onboard and now how we off board some of our digital programs we had an update on that and then the topic term to artificial intelligence the central office staff is working on guidelines around AI in our schools and classrooms and that thing

[05:19:01] was included in board docs there was some discussion about ai personally i was concerned about not only the screen time that kids are getting but also setting some specific guidelines around ai and the committee agreed with me to go ahead and initiate an initial process of having a ai policy in place as it relates to instruction and then additionally i just wanted to add that it has been an honor to serve these first six months and it was also an honor to attend all the end-of-year events, awards, ceremonies, and graduations. It has been an exciting end of the year. Congrats to all our graduates for all their accomplishments and happy

[05:19:40] summer to LCPS. Thank you. Ms. Donahue? Thank you, Chair Chandler. My three committees are HRTD, LANP, and Student Services. They all met last Thursday and pretty much everything we did we just talked about in the action and information items so that covered the work of my committees i would like to say i am looking forward to voting on collective bargaining in august and and then i would also like to say i also about end of year activities i had the privilege to

[05:20:18] attend seven different high school graduation ceremonies over the last couple of weeks i shook hands with approximately 2,500 graduating seniors and they were very moving experiences for me to to be part of that remarkable milestone special occasion in the lives of all of these young people and seeing the their excitement and happiness for the next chapter of their lives was just a fantastic opportunity. So I'm grateful to be sitting here to have the opportunity to

[05:20:53] work on the issues and challenges that are facing our division and also to be able to celebrate the victories where we have them. Thank you. Mrs. Griffiths? Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have any updates at this time. Thank you. Thank you. Dr. Deans? Thank you, Madam Chair.

[05:21:14] While I do not have anything concrete and or conclusive to report from the one committee that I am chair, which is the Equity Committee, I would like to clarify one of the many votes that I have participated in thus far on this school board.

[05:21:30] When we voted to move forward in the naming of the schools, I voted no because a name change does not change the hearts and minds of mankind. Both prior to and since being elected to this board, I find many hearts and minds of mankind, both within the employ of the school division and among others here in Loughton, to be ones that continue to discriminate and disregard practices that protect marginalized populations.

[05:22:01] As a result, there is much work for the Equity Committee and the anti-Loughton County community to embark upon in order to serve all students, parents, employees, and citizens to encompass diversity, equity, inclusion, and accountability and accountable ways to make us all feel welcomed.

[05:22:25] Therefore, I welcome all who have this goal of changing minds and hearts to identify and attend any and all committee meetings where they see their strengths to perpetuate the big change the LCPS and Loughton need to make for the good of all, including the students.

[05:22:49] Thank you. Like Ms. Donahue, most of the committee work that I've done this month has been reflected in this meeting, and I'm happy that we're able to come to this place. It is wonderful to really reflect on the experience of being a new school board member over the last six months.

[05:23:10] I feel like it's been an incredible learning experience for me, and without a doubt, participating in the graduations and the senior celebrations has been one of the greatest honors of this experience. As a person who's been very involved in my district for many, many years, having the opportunity to see students that I've watched grow up graduate was just a delight, and I will look forward to continuing to do that as long as I have the opportunity

[05:23:45] that said I'm also very much looking forward to recess and I will echo mission off sentiment and say I hope everyone at LCPS has a wonderful summer and we'll be excited to come back in August and get back to work of course if there's anything that you need don't hesitate to reach out because your school board members and their staff aides will be available to assist in the need that something arises with that I'll ask the school board is there any new business mission off I don't know if this is appropriate but I I wanted to

[05:24:21] make a point of order and see I know that when we voted to suspend the rules for collective bargaining it was still an information item so I wanted to ask a clarifying question if that would be allowed to mr. Allen about us being able to discuss the collective bargaining process I think the public would deserve some of the comments and some discussion and some context for why certain people may have done certain things so I'm asking if that would be appropriate for us to revisit that as an information item I'm happy to take accountability too as the chair filling in tonight I am certainly

[05:24:58] not completely aware of all the rules and I may have moved on and that time too quickly so So, although we are a little bit out of order, if anyone would like to have the ability to discuss, I would be open to that.

[05:25:16] Mr. Allen, is that within our purview of new business in this instance? If that's under those circumstances, if that's the will of the board, you can certainly revisit that information item for further discussion.

[05:25:33] Okay. Dr. Rasheed? Are we going to visit this after recess and then, as an information item, re-vote again? Well, it will come back. It is an information item. It has been presented now. We certainly could have some discussion. It will come back as an action item for a vote at the August meeting.

[05:25:55] Okay. And, again, one of the concerns I had was just the time frame. The whole point was to do it before the recess so that everyone can just get the ball rolling. Just my two cents. Thank you, Dr. Rasheed. Ms. Chernoff? If I may.

[05:26:11] I know that it has been a long road to get to this point, And I hear loud and clear from LEA and many of its members that they would have preferred us to just suspend the rules and move on with the vote immediately tonight. However, this is the first time this is coming to our full board, and they have not necessarily had the benefit of the deep dive that we on the LAMP committee have had.

[05:26:32] Additionally, LEA does not speak for all employees, but a resolution will. The committee's compromised language was voted through last Thursday, but the resolution itself was not finalized in its language until Sunday afternoon when it was posted to board docs. That was just 48 hours ago.

[05:26:49] So while there is no way that I want to minimize that for some, this has been two years, nine months, four weeks, and six days in the making, I do feel obligated to highlight that for others, it has really only been two days. I had lunch with a teacher today, and she said, where are we in collective bargaining?

[05:27:10] And I said, oh, it's an information item tonight. She said, has the resolution been reached? Has it been posted? And I said, yes. And she said, oh, I haven't seen it yet. I spent weeks working to understand the nuances of this resolution and how it would impact the division and its employees.

[05:27:25] I am hopeful that we can go over those nuances as a full board and then allow for proper feedback to receive from the community and our employees. I believe that it is our responsibility to allow for proper feedback from those who may not have been as closely involved with the resolution as I was.

[05:27:43] I understand that this is not what LEA wants, and that it will likely be said that I am stalling the process. But I do not want to confuse stalling with carrying out my responsibilities as a board member. This resolution has far-reaching implications, and for that reason needs to be reviewed by the public before a vote.

[05:27:59] It is our job to represent all stakeholders. we do lots of important work and there is a reason that it goes through committee and then to information and then to a vote by the full board the process allows time to consider the impact of our decisions i trust that process especially with something this significant additionally there have been other factors in delaying this resolution which were out of our hands we've talked about the previous board passing it to us the joint committee not concluding with consensus language and that being passed to the LAMP committee, I feel that we went above and beyond by adding extra work sessions and being committed to the dialogue to get the work through in committee.

[05:28:38] That brings us here. It sits in information. The purpose of that is to discuss amongst ourselves and then provide a window of timing for stakeholders to chime in. We do get emails from all sides, and I have received emails asking for clarifications, implications from educators and the community members who don't necessarily support collective bargaining, as well as people imploring us to suspend the rules tonight.

[05:29:01] So I don't want to rush this because of outside pressure to do so. As an elected official, I take this position and responsibility very seriously. I am a former LCPS employee, I was one six months ago, who in fact ran for office to have educator voice at the table because I felt that it was desperately needed.

[05:29:19] But my job now is to do what is best for all constituents and not allowing for adequate feedback and understanding on what will be a monumental shift in our county with the establishment of this resolution would, in my view, have been hasty. And that is why I could not support the suspension of the rules.

[05:29:36] And I appreciate you giving me the space to say that. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. Are there any board members who would like to comment on collective bargaining? Seeing no further comment. Oh, Ms. Donahue. Thank you, Chair Chandler. I wanted to comment with regard to the version of resolution of the draft resolution that is on board docs there are maybe two things that I thought we were going to change coming out of committee on page 7 line 227 this is the section that has to do with the access by the exclusive

[05:30:16] bargaining representative to LCPS facilities there is still a line here that says request submitted in accordance with section 3b 1 shall not be unreasonably denied my memory was that we had agreed in committee to remove that line and on page 18 which is the impasse section lines 692 and 693 still state following that the board may in its sole discretion choose to continue any or all of the provisions of an expired collective bargaining agreement and that again those are that is a specific

[05:30:54] sentence that I thought that we had agreed in committee to take out of the draft before sending it to the board for for final consideration and I'm flagging that I don't know what the proper procedure is now if we ask for those changes to be made before we see it for action or if I make amendments when this comes back for action in August but I wanted to just note those thank you for flagging that miss Donahue I probably would return to the meeting recording to verify that for myself mr. Allen would you like to make

[05:31:27] any comments at this time? Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe that's appropriate approach to listen to the recording on those two items. Ms. Chernoff? I also will probably be socializing some amendments and I'm happy to socialize those between now and August around some of the confusion.

[05:31:52] It was a lot of things so I would just like to state that but there was also some confusion I think about the numbers that we originally agreed on I know there was conversation in the first LAMP committee meeting when it came back to us so and there was a phrase in the agreement that talked about each group LCPS and the union bringing different items and so I'm not sure that I fully understood that so I may be revisiting that as well as there was something in

[05:32:26] the language about the authorization cards and certifying and as well miss Donahue I also had questions about what you mentioned with the line about was that about Union access that you were speaking to about request versus notice so I will also be socializing a couple of things just based on re-listening to it and trying to make sure that we did capture indeed what what was going forward so I will work with each of you to get those to you ahead of time so you can understand my thinking in that, but I wanted to make sure that you knew that that would be

[05:33:00] coming as well. Thank you for that clarification. Any further comments? Ms. LaBelle? Yes, I want to thank everyone for allowing us time to look at the proposal and do a deep dive into it, because a couple of days of just looking at it isn't enough time to really consider what it all means ask questions about it and make a good decision on it so thank you again for for giving us that time

[05:33:35] thank you miss labelle any further questions okay seeing none is there actually any new business is sure no going out with a bang all right um i just wanted to bring uh policy 2310 tonight for new business uh it's committees of the school board so as you'll remember during our retreat There were actually two proposals, if you will, informal, be it that they may, but informal.

[05:34:03] One came from Chair Mansfield about what to do in the situation when you cannot yourself chair the meeting. And so that language has been revised and added, and I just wanted to bring that to the attention of the board. And then the second piece was there was some discussion during our time together based off of Dr. Spence's post-entry report and collaboration with the board about possibly adding a committee for performance monitoring.

[05:34:32] It would be called the Performance Monitoring Committee. And I have some draft language that has been written that I would like to share as new business. And then if we could just talk about whether or not that is, if we could sort of engage in a short conversation maybe about whether or not that is where everybody's heads are at now that we've had a little bit of time to think about that.

[05:34:54] Is that, we're okay to do that during our business? I've never done this before. Thank you, Ms. Chernoff. It's appropriate to socialize that with the board members. Thank you, Mr. Allen. All right, so for the Performance Monitoring Committee proposed language, because I know there were some questions about what that would be.

[05:35:14] It says, is dedicated to enhancing student achievement and engagement by analyzing performance data such as strategic plan metrics and the achievement results to identify trends and areas for improvement. The committee develops policies and initiatives to support diverse student needs and collaborates with staff to provide targeted resources for students, schools, and programs, including those facing academic challenges.

[05:35:37] Through this work, the PMC promotes programs that foster student success and ensures transparency through regular reporting to the board and the community. And I said during our retreat, and I'll say it again, I really would implore us to support this as a board.

[05:35:52] I think that there's a lot of data out there and sometimes it gets brought in different presentations, but this would really help us to streamline that data, to have a place for it to be reviewed on a consistent basis and in a consistent way that would allow for data to be routine as part of our school board experience.

[05:36:12] And it's something that I really value. I think analyzing our achievement and especially where some of those gaps are and where our kids are is really important. So with that, I'll leave it if there's any. - Ms. Chernoff, was your goal just really to open the discussion without perhaps making a motion and having this, where would you like to see this work come back in terms of the next action items or information items?

[05:36:38] Ideally, and this is where I will probably need some guidance, but ideally I would like to get this up and running as soon as possible. So maybe socializing to see if there would be at least three board members or two others who would support this as being an information item in August.

[05:36:55] And then we could vote on it in September and get it going is kind of my hope. Thank you for that clarification. Dr. Spence, did you have anything to add? No, other than I think it's great. I appreciate it. It was obviously something I mentioned in my post-entry plan report, and I look forward to having a conversation with the board about how we can support that.

[05:37:16] Well, thank you. So in terms of socializing it, can we do a quick thumbs up in terms of willingness to bring this back if we're not actually going to? So it would come back as an information item. Right.

[05:37:37] Yeah, that's great. So I'll make a note to have policy 2310 come back for an information item. With that, is there any further new business? Seeing no further new business, the June 25th, 2024 meeting of the Loudoun County School Board is now adjourned.

[05:37:59] Thank you for your work and drive home safely. And although your work is likely to continue this week, I hope that you enjoy your recess. Thank you.

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