WEBVTT

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Good evening.

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Welcome to the October 9th, 2025 School Board meeting.

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This meeting is now in session without Objection.

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School Board member Zaria Tapia Hadley will participate

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virtually using Microsoft Teams due to personal reasons.

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At this time, I would like to welcome the Arlington Career

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Center Space Force, J-R-O-T-C, cadet Corps,

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who will present the colors.

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Please stand.

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Color guard, oh, hope.

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Present colors.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag

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of the United States of America,

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and to the republic for which it stands,

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one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty.

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The injustice for all order colors.

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Color guard.

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Good evening again. Uh, this evening, I just wanted

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to remind everyone that October is

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bullying prevention month.

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A time to educate and raise awareness about bullying.

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It is also a time as always, to reinforce the culture

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of kindness, respect,

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and belonging that our students, staff, families,

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and community members deserve.

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As we recognize national Bullying Prevention Month,

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we are reminded of our shared responsibility to foster safe,

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welcoming and inclusive schools for every student.

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We do have a student performance this evening, um,

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but we are going to skip ahead slightly in our agenda

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and then return, uh,

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to the student performance in a few minutes.

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So we are now at consent.

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May I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda?

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I move to adopt the consent agenda.

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Is there a second? Second.

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Thank you. Ms. Mercado, will you please call the roll?

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All in favor? Please say yes. Those opposed say no.

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Ms. Clark? Yes. Ms. Cera? Yes. Ms. Turner? Yes. Ms.

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Tapia Hadley. Yes. Ms. Seker Sutton?

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Yes. Motion passes. Five to zero.

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Thank you. I would like to announce that under consent,

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the school board approved new appointments in various

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positions at Arlington Public Schools

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as displayed on this slide to those, uh, new members

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of our community, we are so happy that you chose

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to work in Arlington Public Schools.

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We have every confidence

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that you will be terrific members of our team.

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Welcome to a PS.

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In addition, the school board approved the Dominion Energy's

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right of way agreement required for the installation

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and maintenance of electrical infrastructure

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for the Grace Hopper Center.

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We are now at the announcements portion of our agenda.

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The school board will hold the following meetings.

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October 15th,

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policy subcommittee meeting 8:30 AM Board conference room.

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October 23rd, closed meeting 5:30 PM Board conference room.

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October 23rd, school board meeting 7:00 PM boardroom.

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I want to remind our community

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to participate in the advisory committee working group

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survey through October 15th.

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This feedback will help shape the recommendations

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that the school board would cons will consider in December

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on proposed changes to our advisory groups, ensuring

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that we provide robust opportunities for community input

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as we advance the goals of our strategic plan.

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Any proposed changes to the school board advisory groups

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will take effect in the 20 26 27 school year.

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To learn more about the working group

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and the opportunities for engagement,

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please visit the school board advisory committee working

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group page on the a PS website Board members.

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Do you have any announcements, Ms. Cair? Oh, okay.

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Okay. Ms. Clark.

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Uh, I was able to visit some

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of my liaison schools in the last couple weeks.

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Um, so at Kenmore, I enjoyed meeting, um, their principal,

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Mr. McBride and his team,

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where I learned more about their

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community and their student needs.

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I appreciated hearing directly from his team about

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how they're supporting the whole child concept

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for their students, addressing both their academic

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and social emotional needs.

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I was able to tour Taylor with, uh, their principal,

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Ms. Lynch and their PTA President Ms. Sims.

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And while there I was able to see, uh, one

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of my former teachers, Ms.

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Hide, um, who was my teacher her first year at Taylor,

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and we're excited

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to celebrate her 40th year in a PS this year.

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And I was able to tour Montessori with Miss Genova

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and was able to, um, you know, during the tour

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of the school, I met some of the educators

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and librarians there.

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And it was great to see all of the learning happening.

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We were, we were there during the prime time

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of the school day, and I just also wanna take a moment

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to share that the school recently faced a very sudden loss

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of a beloved teacher, and we're all thinking of them.

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Um, and I will be meeting with the rest

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of my liaison schools in the coming weeks.

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Thank you, Ms. Cera.

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Thank you very much. Um, I have an announcement,

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two announcements from my liaison schools.

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One is, uh, from our friends at integration station.

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Um, if we take our cue from the Michael's Arts

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and Craft store, we know

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that we should begin thinking about

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Halloween back in August.

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So, um, I feel I am not too early

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to share some Halloween plans from our

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friends at integration station.

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Um, they're excited to begin preparing

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for their Halloween parade, and it includes trick

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or treating that will happen at the Langston Community

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Center and with the students

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and staff at the Langston

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Continuation Program in the same building.

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So if you happen to be a community member

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who uses the community center, you might see some, uh,

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really spectacular costumes on October 31st.

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The other announcement is from Campbell Elementary.

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Many of you know that Campbell is one

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of our option programs.

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And, uh, the instructional program at Campbell is, uh,

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is part of the National Expeditionary Learning

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or el, uh, program, which emphasizes among other things, uh,

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pro project based learning, um, across grade levels.

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Um, as part of that commitment, they are doing expeditions

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or expeditionary learning projects this fall,

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and those are underway each year.

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Teachers at Campbell create, um, themed expeditions, um,

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that integrate English Language Arts and other content.

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Students then use the theme

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and project-based learning to become experts.

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Subject matter experts in different topics.

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Kindergartners will study weather first graders,

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the human body, second graders, migratory birds,

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animal adaptations are the subject.

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And third grade, fourth is Jamestown

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because of our Virginia history, uh, unit.

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And then in fifth grade, they're looking at

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current ocean issues.

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Um, so I was really excited

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to hear about the project-based learning opportunities

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that are underway at Campbell. Thank you.

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Thank you. And, uh, Ms. Tapia Hadley.

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Thank you. Yes. I hope everyone's had a great, uh, back

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to school and enjoying parent teacher conferences.

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Um, I, like my colleagues have been very pleased to visit.

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I've hit each one of my leads on schools at this point,

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going on to the round two of visits, um, with our schools

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and principals, and also now teeing up my PTA visits.

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So for those who are PTA presidents to my leaves on schools,

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I'll be reaching out, uh, individually to you.

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Looking forward to that.

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I think generally what we've, what I've seen is, um,

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are the, the principals have been happy with the support.

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I think that has been provided by a PS in terms of staffing.

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Um, our, as has been already reported by the superintendent,

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our staffing is, is,

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is pretty much almost a hundred percent, um,

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especially some high need roles

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that have been filled at some schools recently,

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particularly in special education.

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They've been happy about that.

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I heard from liber library

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and library assistants, librarians and library assistants.

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Happy that we have been able to maintain, um, those roles.

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So again, just thank you for everything everyone is doing.

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The main announcement I have is comes from, uh, one

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of my schools, but I believe this,

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this applies across the system.

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Um, they are in the process each the school against

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and is in the process of nominating students

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for George Mason's early identification program.

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The EIP. Um, this is a program that's open to all students

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in the county who qualify.

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This is for students who will be the first in their family

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to graduate from college in the us.

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So if you are interested in applying

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or in having your student apply, um,

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please contact your school.

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There is a EIP nomination form online that is due

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by the end of October, October 31st.

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So please, uh, parents, families, reach out to your schools.

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Papa George Mason.

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George Mason.

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Thank you.

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Thank you. Um, no announcements. No. Okay.

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So, um, I Now are we ready? Okay.

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We are now gonna move to our student performance.

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Um, I have the great pleasure this evening

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to introduce the Wakefield High School Orchestra under the

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outstanding direction of Ms.

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Emily Kiros Rodriguez.

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The Wakefield Chamber Orchestra earned an excellent rating

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at district assessment, a shining example of the talent,

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discipline, and creativity of our students.

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Through countless hours of rehearsal, collaboration,

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and dedication, these musicians bring to life the power

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of music to inspire, unite, and uplift us all.

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Recruited from Brazil, we are deeply grateful to Ms.

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Car Rodriguez for her leadership

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and commitment to cultivating not only musical excellence,

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but also the confidence

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and teamwork that will serve

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these students throughout their lives.

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Ms. Rod, Ms. Car Rodriguez is in her second year

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as the orchestra director at Wakefield High School

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and Gunston Middle School.

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Tonight. The Wakefield Orchestra is proud

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to honor our students' heritage by performing a diverse,

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culturally responsive repertoire

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that celebrates the richness of our school identities,

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board members and superintendent,

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please join me in the audience

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to enjoy this special performance.

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And everyone please join me in welcoming the

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Wakefield High School Orchestra.

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Here or back there

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it is.

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Gonna get two and then one,

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two in the front and then one in the back.

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It's okay.

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Good

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Evening Hall. Before

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we do our final piece, I need to make a correction

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because I am very proud for Puerto Rican

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and half Peruvian as well.

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I had to say. Okay.

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Okay. So thank you, uh,

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to the Wakefield Orchestra for joining us this evening.

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That was wonderful. Uh, we always appreciate the opportunity

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to, uh, showcase the performance talents of our students,

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which serves as a reminder of the intrinsic value

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of the arts in all of our lives.

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We will, uh, let me get back to my place here.

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We will now move to the superintendent's announcements.

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Thank you, Madam Chair, if we can bring this up.

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Wonderful. Uh, good evening.

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Uh, before we begin our regular announcements,

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as I've been doing the last couple of meetings, I wanted

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to take a moment to provide an update on the litigation

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with the US Department of Education related to Title ix.

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Um, the district court, as we know,

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did dismiss our first case on jurisdictional grounds,

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but affirm that the grim case, which upholds student access

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to bathroom matching gender identity,

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is protected under Title IX

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and remains the law of the circuit.

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We are currently appealing the district's jurisdictional

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ruling and asking the court to send the case back

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to the district, uh, to reverse the US Department

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of Education's high risk designation so

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that our federal funds are not jeopardized in terms

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of supporting our students and staff.

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Given the urgent nature of this matter

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and the irreparable harm

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that's been potentially placed on our students

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and families, we look forward

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to the course Swift decision on this issue

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and the ultimate removal of our high risk designation.

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The appeals process is continuing

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and will continue over the next few weeks

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with the Fourth Circuit, and we will keep you updated

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as those proceedings continue.

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Um, this evening's monitoring report is coming from the

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school and community relations team,

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and it's gonna be focused on volunteer partnership.

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And so we thought tonight we would have our video connected

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to one very outstanding way that I effort,

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that I'm very proud of, that our team has put forth

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to recruit more volunteers

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to help students with their love of reading.

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And you'll see many of us with our little buttons

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that we're wearing as well tonight.

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So let's take a look at this awesome new effort

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and initiative underway from the school

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and community relations team.

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Oh, no, I cannot go swimming.

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00:28:39.985 --> 00:28:42.405
Now. Poff in Boston is going to be one

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of the schools in Arlington

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00:28:43.685 --> 00:28:45.725
that is gonna host the Reader's Rise Program.

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It's a new program in Arlington

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that invites volunteers in the community

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to join our students in supporting their reading skills.

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Our Reader's Rise volunteers will be working at three

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of our elementary schools

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to start Long Branch Barrett and Hoffman Boston.

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The kids really like the small group

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or individual attention,

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and it's something that even the best classroom teacher just

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doesn't have the time to do.

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But I can float around in the classroom.

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It's a win-win situation for everybody, I think.

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Okay, so there's the period.

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So let's stop and let Ben lead on page two

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00:29:21.845 --> 00:29:23.205
and we'll go around this way.

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00:29:24.395 --> 00:29:26.085
He's in here one to two afternoons a week,

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00:29:26.385 --> 00:29:29.805
and he pulls reading groups during small group time.

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00:29:30.225 --> 00:29:31.965
He works with the kids during phonics,

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00:29:31.965 --> 00:29:33.085
especially our students who

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00:29:33.085 --> 00:29:34.245
don't know all their letter sounds.

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It's important to be a good reader

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because you need to read stuff when you're adult.

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And if, if you don't know how to read when you're an adult,

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then it'll be harder.

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And it's so fun to read chapter books

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because you learn new words.

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I like reading because we can like learn more

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00:29:53.585 --> 00:29:55.165
and be smart and stuff.

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It's difficult in our community with a lot

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00:30:00.045 --> 00:30:01.045
of English language learners

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00:30:01.185 --> 00:30:04.085
to give them enough one-on-one time really practicing

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00:30:04.085 --> 00:30:06.245
reading enough decodables being read to.

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And so I think that the more volunteers we have,

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00:30:08.745 --> 00:30:10.525
the more opportunities the students

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00:30:10.525 --> 00:30:11.645
will be able to gain from it.

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00:30:12.345 --> 00:30:15.445
If Mr. Graham wasn't here, the teacher will have to do

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00:30:15.965 --> 00:30:19.405
a lot of work and we couldn't do it by ourselves.

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00:30:20.465 --> 00:30:21.725
We could use more volunteers

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00:30:21.905 --> 00:30:24.645
for the more adults there are in the classroom, um,

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00:30:24.865 --> 00:30:26.925
who are enthusiastic about learning

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00:30:26.945 --> 00:30:28.405
and working with children, the better.

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00:30:29.005 --> 00:30:31.085
I think that it's a great thing because the more parent

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00:30:31.085 --> 00:30:33.205
volunteers we have, the more community volunteers we have,

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00:30:33.205 --> 00:30:34.245
the more involvement it is.

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So I think that this program is a great way

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00:30:36.405 --> 00:30:38.685
to get everyone involved and see how important education is.

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00:30:43.015 --> 00:30:44.085
Hello everyone.

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00:30:44.705 --> 00:30:47.925
It is so great to see so many people

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00:30:48.545 --> 00:30:49.845
to celebrate the milestone

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00:30:49.905 --> 00:30:52.605
for the Arlington Community High School.

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00:30:52.695 --> 00:30:54.765
Again, another round of applause here. We're

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00:30:57.665 --> 00:30:58.925
To the students and teachers.

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00:30:59.385 --> 00:31:02.405
May this be a catalyst for learning, inspiration and op

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00:31:02.405 --> 00:31:04.365
and opportunity at Amazon.

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00:31:04.365 --> 00:31:05.725
It's always been about partnerships

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00:31:06.145 --> 00:31:07.725
by virtue of co-locating.

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00:31:07.785 --> 00:31:11.685
The high school with Amazon is really a representation of

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00:31:11.955 --> 00:31:15.645
that deep commitment, not only to Arlington County,

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00:31:15.705 --> 00:31:17.725
but to the, the education system as well.

347
00:31:18.185 --> 00:31:20.645
And, uh, arrival of the high school is going to be awesome.

348
00:31:21.835 --> 00:31:23.645
This home is more than just a building.

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00:31:24.275 --> 00:31:26.445
It's a place where our students can feel stability,

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00:31:26.915 --> 00:31:28.205
belonging, and pride.

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00:31:28.865 --> 00:31:31.005
It is a place where we can deepen our roots,

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00:31:31.805 --> 00:31:32.925
strengthen our programs,

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00:31:33.025 --> 00:31:36.565
and build lasting partnerships with Amazon and this amazing

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00:31:36.705 --> 00:31:39.045
and thriving business and education community.

355
00:31:40.365 --> 00:31:42.605
Together we are creating opportunities that extend

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00:31:42.625 --> 00:31:43.685
beyond the classroom

357
00:31:43.745 --> 00:31:47.125
and connect learning to the community, linking students

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00:31:47.185 --> 00:31:51.805
to internships, mentorships, and real world career pathways.

359
00:31:52.565 --> 00:31:53.685
I feel like it's really big

360
00:31:53.685 --> 00:31:57.685
because it's just like opening doors to our futures.

361
00:31:58.345 --> 00:31:59.445
It meant a lot to me.

362
00:31:59.945 --> 00:32:02.525
Um, coming here, I didn't really have a lot.

363
00:32:02.685 --> 00:32:04.805
I didn't know anybody and I really did not have

364
00:32:04.805 --> 00:32:05.845
any high hopes for myself.

365
00:32:06.425 --> 00:32:09.605
But this school really made me see things

366
00:32:09.605 --> 00:32:10.925
through a different perspective.

367
00:32:11.625 --> 00:32:13.885
Um, they helped me stay on top of everything.

368
00:32:13.885 --> 00:32:15.245
They talked to me politely

369
00:32:15.245 --> 00:32:16.805
and made sure they were always there for me.

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00:32:17.395 --> 00:32:19.765
It's a really big thing that's happened to us

371
00:32:19.905 --> 00:32:22.285
and Amazon's a really big company, so we're really glad

372
00:32:22.285 --> 00:32:23.485
to be a part of that community.

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00:32:23.745 --> 00:32:24.845
You didn't just give us a school,

374
00:32:24.985 --> 00:32:26.405
you gave us a place to dream.

375
00:32:27.185 --> 00:32:28.525
I'm so extremely grateful

376
00:32:28.525 --> 00:32:29.605
and honored to be here today

377
00:32:29.605 --> 00:32:31.565
to celebrate the unveiling of our new home.

378
00:32:31.985 --> 00:32:33.485
I'm looking forward for our new beginning

379
00:32:33.485 --> 00:32:34.765
to Arlington Community High School.

380
00:32:34.765 --> 00:32:36.245
And once again, thank you guys so much.

381
00:32:38.335 --> 00:32:41.205
3, 2, 1,

382
00:32:42.235 --> 00:32:43.725
Move that bus.

383
00:32:56.465 --> 00:32:58.685
And tonight you'll learn a little bit more about our

384
00:32:58.685 --> 00:33:01.365
Readers rights program and some other things that our school

385
00:33:01.365 --> 00:33:03.325
and community relations team is working on this year.

386
00:33:03.705 --> 00:33:05.285
And thank you to all of our volunteers

387
00:33:05.305 --> 00:33:08.565
and partners as we're continuing to build more connections

388
00:33:08.565 --> 00:33:10.965
because truly we cannot do this work alone.

389
00:33:10.965 --> 00:33:12.685
And we're very appreciative of all

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00:33:12.705 --> 00:33:14.365
who have contributed to our success.

391
00:33:14.365 --> 00:33:18.565
Here in a PS Our official September 30th count is in

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00:33:18.625 --> 00:33:23.085
and it is 27,589 students across all grade levels.

393
00:33:23.755 --> 00:33:26.125
When we compare that number to last school year,

394
00:33:26.225 --> 00:33:28.685
we do see some shifts across our grade bands.

395
00:33:29.255 --> 00:33:32.805
pre-K enrollment increased from last to 914 students,

396
00:33:32.805 --> 00:33:35.085
which is 43 more students.

397
00:33:35.145 --> 00:33:37.005
In last year, an increase

398
00:33:37.005 --> 00:33:40.725
of nearly 5% in pre-K middle school also grew

399
00:33:40.725 --> 00:33:45.685
with 6,205 students up 124 from the last year

400
00:33:45.825 --> 00:33:48.525
or just over 2% at the same time.

401
00:33:48.525 --> 00:33:49.725
Though our elementary

402
00:33:49.725 --> 00:33:51.925
and high school enrollments declined from last year,

403
00:33:52.655 --> 00:33:56.245
elementary students have 12,270 students

404
00:33:56.755 --> 00:33:59.085
down 330 from last year.

405
00:33:59.315 --> 00:34:01.405
Primarily we saw a lot of that in kindergarten

406
00:34:01.745 --> 00:34:04.085
or about 2.6% decline.

407
00:34:04.545 --> 00:34:06.845
And high school students have 8,200 students,

408
00:34:06.845 --> 00:34:10.005
which is 148 fewer than last year

409
00:34:10.145 --> 00:34:12.525
or about a 1.8% decline.

410
00:34:13.155 --> 00:34:17.285
Overall. A PS enrollment decreased by 311 students,

411
00:34:17.655 --> 00:34:21.605
which was a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.

412
00:34:22.185 --> 00:34:24.845
And as we talked about during our budget, um, process,

413
00:34:25.115 --> 00:34:27.125
that we would be monitoring our enrollment

414
00:34:27.345 --> 00:34:30.725
and if we saw any increases, obviously we would need

415
00:34:30.725 --> 00:34:31.805
to provide additional staff.

416
00:34:32.145 --> 00:34:34.325
And if we saw any decreases, we would need

417
00:34:34.325 --> 00:34:36.645
to look at our staffing levels and adjust them

418
00:34:36.645 --> 00:34:39.085
accordingly so that there were no classes

419
00:34:39.275 --> 00:34:43.525
that were well over or well under our class size limits.

420
00:34:43.985 --> 00:34:45.005
As a result of the fact

421
00:34:45.005 --> 00:34:48.885
that we have 311 less students than last year,

422
00:34:49.265 --> 00:34:52.405
and less than we had budgeted for, we reduced

423
00:34:52.965 --> 00:34:56.125
17.52 full-time positions from our budget,

424
00:34:56.595 --> 00:35:00.085
resulting in a cost savings of about, uh, $2 million.

425
00:35:01.865 --> 00:35:03.645
As you might have seen in my weekly update,

426
00:35:03.705 --> 00:35:05.885
we are sharing some of the ways a PS is working

427
00:35:05.905 --> 00:35:08.245
to support those in our community

428
00:35:08.425 --> 00:35:10.165
who are affected by the government shutdown.

429
00:35:10.905 --> 00:35:12.885
On this slide, you see that we are working

430
00:35:12.905 --> 00:35:16.125
to support all families with consistent meals for students

431
00:35:16.765 --> 00:35:18.365
offering rolling opportunities for free

432
00:35:18.365 --> 00:35:22.165
or reduced meal applications, mental health services support

433
00:35:22.165 --> 00:35:25.365
with extended day, and a link to our county resources.

434
00:35:25.785 --> 00:35:26.885
We also wanna flag

435
00:35:26.885 --> 00:35:30.205
that our website includes details on two upcoming job fairs

436
00:35:30.585 --> 00:35:32.765
for substitutes and classroom assistance.

437
00:35:32.905 --> 00:35:34.405
Should anyone's employment change

438
00:35:34.465 --> 00:35:36.165
or if you know someone that would just like to come work

439
00:35:36.165 --> 00:35:37.845
for us and support our schools,

440
00:35:38.185 --> 00:35:41.045
that's coming up on October 23rd

441
00:35:41.225 --> 00:35:43.085
and another one on October 30th.

442
00:35:43.135 --> 00:35:44.925
Those are both virtual job fairs,

443
00:35:45.285 --> 00:35:48.725
focusing primarily on substitute and classroom assistance.

444
00:35:49.505 --> 00:35:51.205
We understand this is a stressful time

445
00:35:51.225 --> 00:35:52.725
and we hope for a quick resolution,

446
00:35:52.985 --> 00:35:54.805
but we here in a PS are here to work

447
00:35:54.805 --> 00:35:56.405
with our families and support them.

448
00:35:56.625 --> 00:35:59.325
And I know everyone in our Arlington community is here

449
00:35:59.325 --> 00:36:01.085
to support their neighbors who are going

450
00:36:01.085 --> 00:36:02.085
through this difficult moment.

451
00:36:03.625 --> 00:36:06.245
The, the, uh, federal Impact Aid survey is now open.

452
00:36:06.245 --> 00:36:07.725
This is something we do every year.

453
00:36:07.725 --> 00:36:09.485
It's available online through Parent View.

454
00:36:09.485 --> 00:36:11.325
This program provides important funding

455
00:36:11.345 --> 00:36:12.525
to our school system,

456
00:36:12.985 --> 00:36:15.725
and it's for any families that are connected

457
00:36:15.725 --> 00:36:17.445
to federally federal students.

458
00:36:17.935 --> 00:36:20.205
Every family is required to complete this survey

459
00:36:20.305 --> 00:36:22.365
to determine if we receive potential funding.

460
00:36:22.865 --> 00:36:25.885
By completing it, you will help a PS secure federal dollars

461
00:36:26.115 --> 00:36:28.445
that directly support our learning in our classrooms.

462
00:36:28.745 --> 00:36:30.325
So we're once again asking for your help

463
00:36:30.825 --> 00:36:32.165
to identify military

464
00:36:33.185 --> 00:36:35.285
and federally connected families in Arlington.

465
00:36:35.595 --> 00:36:38.005
This includes families living on military bases,

466
00:36:38.005 --> 00:36:39.725
those employed on federal property

467
00:36:40.025 --> 00:36:42.205
or working with a government or in the military.

468
00:36:42.975 --> 00:36:44.885
Completing the survey is quick and simple.

469
00:36:45.785 --> 00:36:46.965
You log into parent view,

470
00:36:47.095 --> 00:36:49.525
click the impact parent aid packet link,

471
00:36:49.665 --> 00:36:52.045
and then select the Federal Impact Aid survey

472
00:36:52.045 --> 00:36:53.325
button on the bottom of the page.

473
00:36:53.785 --> 00:36:55.565
If you have more than one student, you only need

474
00:36:55.565 --> 00:36:57.325
to complete it once for all of your students

475
00:36:57.785 --> 00:36:59.885
and you know you're finished when you reach the final page

476
00:36:59.885 --> 00:37:02.085
and see that green check marking on

477
00:37:02.265 --> 00:37:03.365
the fact that it's complete.

478
00:37:03.665 --> 00:37:04.725
If you need any assistance,

479
00:37:04.725 --> 00:37:06.085
please reach out to your school for support.

480
00:37:06.465 --> 00:37:10.605
But in our time of budget resources, every dollar counts

481
00:37:10.825 --> 00:37:14.165
and this is opportunity for us to receive funding, um,

482
00:37:14.165 --> 00:37:16.285
related to federally connected students.

483
00:37:17.485 --> 00:37:19.285
I wanna make sure, make the community aware

484
00:37:19.285 --> 00:37:21.365
that we have just issued our new RFP

485
00:37:21.365 --> 00:37:23.765
for the next healthcare benefits contract with a PS.

486
00:37:24.105 --> 00:37:26.445
The current contract with CareFirst expires

487
00:37:26.445 --> 00:37:27.725
in December, 2026.

488
00:37:28.305 --> 00:37:30.085
The current RFP was informed

489
00:37:30.105 --> 00:37:32.805
by staff input received at the end of the last school year.

490
00:37:33.105 --> 00:37:35.165
And you can see on this slide the full calendar.

491
00:37:35.585 --> 00:37:36.725
Uh, for the next steps.

492
00:37:36.825 --> 00:37:38.405
We will continue to be transparent

493
00:37:38.425 --> 00:37:39.645
and keep everyone informed.

494
00:37:40.135 --> 00:37:42.245
Again, the RFP was issued yesterday.

495
00:37:42.705 --> 00:37:44.685
Uh, the proposals will be due the end of November,

496
00:37:45.105 --> 00:37:47.405
and then from the end of November through January

497
00:37:47.705 --> 00:37:50.765
or February, our advisory committee working

498
00:37:50.765 --> 00:37:53.525
with our consultant will evaluate all the proposals,

499
00:37:53.875 --> 00:37:57.725
vote on them, and make recommendations so that a, um,

500
00:37:58.305 --> 00:37:59.605
the individual proposals

501
00:37:59.605 --> 00:38:02.085
that are accepted can be negotiated

502
00:38:02.515 --> 00:38:04.125
from February through June.

503
00:38:04.465 --> 00:38:07.845
And then in June, we will be able to notify all employees

504
00:38:08.225 --> 00:38:10.605
of the new contract or contracts

505
00:38:11.045 --> 00:38:13.365
'cause it could be more than one that are issued

506
00:38:13.465 --> 00:38:16.285
to the companies that win the RFP.

507
00:38:16.865 --> 00:38:19.485
And then as a result of that, we would have open enrollment,

508
00:38:19.485 --> 00:38:20.485
which is a year from now.

509
00:38:20.905 --> 00:38:24.645
And current healthcare contract opportunities

510
00:38:24.745 --> 00:38:27.925
for you would then begin in January of 2027.

511
00:38:28.865 --> 00:38:31.165
So this is an update we'll continue to provide,

512
00:38:31.165 --> 00:38:33.925
but I want everyone to know the RFP has gone out

513
00:38:33.925 --> 00:38:38.365
and it's official as of yesterday, very proud, uh,

514
00:38:38.365 --> 00:38:41.085
under the direction of, uh, director Aaron Queen,

515
00:38:41.085 --> 00:38:42.925
that we are continuing, uh, something

516
00:38:42.925 --> 00:38:46.285
that he began when he came to a PS, our third annual Safety

517
00:38:46.305 --> 00:38:47.685
and Emergency Management week,

518
00:38:47.895 --> 00:38:49.005
which will be taking place

519
00:38:49.005 --> 00:38:50.965
October 27th through November 1st.

520
00:38:51.865 --> 00:38:54.205
Um, this is an opportunity for the community

521
00:38:54.225 --> 00:38:56.485
to learn more about our approach to school safety

522
00:38:56.865 --> 00:38:59.805
and for staff to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

523
00:39:00.425 --> 00:39:02.685
We will, that we be sending a variety

524
00:39:02.705 --> 00:39:05.885
of community messages on safety about gun violence,

525
00:39:05.985 --> 00:39:08.525
the dangers of drinking and driving and other safety issues.

526
00:39:08.855 --> 00:39:11.125
We'll also be testing various security

527
00:39:11.145 --> 00:39:13.485
and communication systems that we have

528
00:39:13.705 --> 00:39:14.965
and conducting drills

529
00:39:15.145 --> 00:39:17.365
to assist in our emergency response and recovery.

530
00:39:17.785 --> 00:39:20.925
And I encourage everyone to engage in the planned activities

531
00:39:20.925 --> 00:39:24.245
to help build your awareness of how a PS together working

532
00:39:24.245 --> 00:39:27.005
with you can keep you, your students

533
00:39:27.345 --> 00:39:30.565
and each other as staff safe throughout this time.

534
00:39:31.025 --> 00:39:32.765
In addition, we'll take this opportunity

535
00:39:32.785 --> 00:39:36.205
to inform our community about our approach to making sure

536
00:39:36.205 --> 00:39:38.005
that you know what you should do in the event

537
00:39:38.005 --> 00:39:39.125
of various emergencies.

538
00:39:39.185 --> 00:39:41.765
So stay tuned that week. A lot will come.

539
00:39:41.925 --> 00:39:44.325
A lot of information and be engaged as much as possible.

540
00:39:45.845 --> 00:39:49.645
I just concluded, uh, my fall visits visiting all schools.

541
00:39:49.845 --> 00:39:52.485
A quick repa recap of all that I've been able to do.

542
00:39:52.515 --> 00:39:54.165
It's uplifting to see the great learning

543
00:39:54.265 --> 00:39:57.325
and support students had, um, helping, you know,

544
00:39:57.325 --> 00:39:58.605
really just talk to teachers,

545
00:39:58.605 --> 00:40:00.365
visit classrooms, talk to parents.

546
00:40:00.745 --> 00:40:02.525
Uh, and I enjoy the beginning of their visits.

547
00:40:02.725 --> 00:40:04.925
'cause I often, as when I visit principals, will take me

548
00:40:04.925 --> 00:40:08.005
to the school, the classrooms of teachers

549
00:40:08.065 --> 00:40:09.845
who are brand new to a PS.

550
00:40:10.225 --> 00:40:12.365
Uh, so you can see here a variety of pictures

551
00:40:12.365 --> 00:40:14.365
that I got engaged in in the visits there.

552
00:40:14.705 --> 00:40:16.285
Here's some more elementary visits.

553
00:40:16.825 --> 00:40:19.085
Uh, had the opportunity to meet against so many staff

554
00:40:19.115 --> 00:40:22.445
with sometimes in collaboration meetings, visiting, uh,

555
00:40:22.515 --> 00:40:25.205
read alouds, got to read to some students, uh,

556
00:40:25.205 --> 00:40:27.765
and really engage with a lot of times asking me question

557
00:40:27.785 --> 00:40:30.165
and answers, talking about goals

558
00:40:30.185 --> 00:40:32.045
and aspirations students might have,

559
00:40:32.625 --> 00:40:35.325
and thinking about all the work that they're doing, um,

560
00:40:35.425 --> 00:40:37.445
in their current class and what they hope to do.

561
00:40:37.905 --> 00:40:40.365
So, really excited to have visited so many

562
00:40:40.385 --> 00:40:41.525
of our classrooms.

563
00:40:42.305 --> 00:40:46.565
Um, and now that I've concluded my visits to all of my, um,

564
00:40:47.465 --> 00:40:50.125
all the schools, I will begin my substituting

565
00:40:50.125 --> 00:40:52.805
and I start actually tomorrow substituting in a high school

566
00:40:52.805 --> 00:40:55.485
Spanish class, uh, which I was at one point.

567
00:40:55.505 --> 00:40:57.645
So I'm looking forward to subbing tomorrow,

568
00:40:57.785 --> 00:41:00.725
all day from nine to three in, uh, at a high school, uh,

569
00:41:01.005 --> 00:41:02.165
teaching Spanish for the day.

570
00:41:03.045 --> 00:41:04.525
I wanna conclude my announcements

571
00:41:04.525 --> 00:41:05.925
as always with the bright spot.

572
00:41:06.145 --> 00:41:10.005
And my bright spot tonight is really, uh, about a team

573
00:41:10.005 --> 00:41:13.285
of teachers at one school that has worked really above

574
00:41:13.285 --> 00:41:16.285
and beyond to make sure that our most need students

575
00:41:16.285 --> 00:41:18.245
with the highest needs are given the best

576
00:41:18.245 --> 00:41:19.285
support that's possible.

577
00:41:19.285 --> 00:41:22.045
And this is the outstanding staff at Campbell Elementary.

578
00:41:22.595 --> 00:41:27.485
They serve our students with such dedication and support.

579
00:41:28.115 --> 00:41:30.405
They are interlude teachers, assistants

580
00:41:30.405 --> 00:41:34.045
and therapists that support students in K five with behavior

581
00:41:34.065 --> 00:41:35.605
and social emotional needs.

582
00:41:36.065 --> 00:41:38.525
The teachers teach students in multiple grade levels.

583
00:41:38.635 --> 00:41:41.885
They routinely problem solve to meet individual needs

584
00:41:41.885 --> 00:41:43.125
of students with challenges.

585
00:41:43.435 --> 00:41:45.685
They've worked together. This team has been together

586
00:41:45.705 --> 00:41:48.285
for several years and they have a tight partnership,

587
00:41:48.425 --> 00:41:50.845
highly qualified, going above and beyond.

588
00:41:51.225 --> 00:41:53.885
And they're just doing exemplary job to meet the needs

589
00:41:53.885 --> 00:41:56.325
of our students and all, not just at Campbell

590
00:41:56.325 --> 00:41:58.725
because they serve students from all of a PS.

591
00:41:59.225 --> 00:42:01.285
Um, and, you know, I ha we also have an initiative

592
00:42:01.285 --> 00:42:04.725
where we do a PS Allstar where we nominate one employee

593
00:42:04.785 --> 00:42:06.605
and we brought, we gotta nomination one

594
00:42:06.605 --> 00:42:07.805
to nominate this whole team.

595
00:42:08.345 --> 00:42:11.365
And since All Stars is about individuals, I thought instead

596
00:42:11.365 --> 00:42:13.365
of doing Allstar, let me have this as a bright spot

597
00:42:13.435 --> 00:42:16.765
because they were nominated as an entire team of working

598
00:42:16.825 --> 00:42:17.885
and supporting our students.

599
00:42:17.985 --> 00:42:20.045
So thank you to the interlude team at Campbell

600
00:42:20.505 --> 00:42:23.605
for not just supporting Campbell, but for supporting a PS

601
00:42:23.825 --> 00:42:26.605
and showing improving that all students have

602
00:42:27.105 --> 00:42:29.405
and deserve quality education.

603
00:42:29.625 --> 00:42:31.285
And we'll get that here in a PS

604
00:42:31.315 --> 00:42:33.885
because of the outstanding individuals we

605
00:42:33.885 --> 00:42:35.045
see here in this team.

606
00:42:35.345 --> 00:42:38.045
And I know there are so many other examples like this across

607
00:42:38.045 --> 00:42:40.765
other schools, but they were nominated for an all star

608
00:42:40.765 --> 00:42:42.565
and I turned it into a bright spot as one team.

609
00:42:42.945 --> 00:42:45.005
So with that, thank you, uh, Madam Chair.

610
00:42:45.005 --> 00:42:46.445
I'll turn it back to you for any questions

611
00:42:46.585 --> 00:42:47.845
or, or comments. Sha

612
00:42:47.845 --> 00:42:48.845
Thank you Dr. Ron. Uh,

613
00:42:48.845 --> 00:42:50.885
board colleagues. Uh, yes, Ms.

614
00:42:51.115 --> 00:42:53.525
Gura, I have a few questions

615
00:42:53.545 --> 00:42:55.005
and now you can, I'll stop at two

616
00:42:55.025 --> 00:42:58.005
and then if you need to come back to me a clarifying point,

617
00:42:58.105 --> 00:43:00.005
um, I'm so pleased that you, uh,

618
00:43:00.065 --> 00:43:01.845
you noted the interlude program at Campbell.

619
00:43:02.405 --> 00:43:04.965
I just wanna, I wanna refresh my memory

620
00:43:05.025 --> 00:43:06.125
and remind folks, I,

621
00:43:06.205 --> 00:43:07.365
I think we have an interlude site at

622
00:43:07.365 --> 00:43:08.485
Nottingham Elementary. We

623
00:43:08.485 --> 00:43:10.805
Did start one this year at Nottingham Elementary. Yes.

624
00:43:10.805 --> 00:43:12.205
Great. Yeah, so two places across

625
00:43:12.345 --> 00:43:13.525
the county where that's a new one.

626
00:43:13.525 --> 00:43:16.085
These students in this population can get really, uh,

627
00:43:16.085 --> 00:43:17.125
really excellent support.

628
00:43:17.405 --> 00:43:18.525
Absolutely. Absolutely. Um,

629
00:43:19.005 --> 00:43:21.685
I had a question about the healthcare.

630
00:43:21.685 --> 00:43:23.085
This is a clarifying question Sure.

631
00:43:23.085 --> 00:43:24.885
About the healthcare process, just to make sure

632
00:43:24.885 --> 00:43:26.045
that everybody's crystal clear.

633
00:43:26.785 --> 00:43:29.165
Um, the way I understand it,

634
00:43:29.945 --> 00:43:33.325
during open enrollment next fall, one

635
00:43:33.325 --> 00:43:34.765
or more new providers

636
00:43:34.905 --> 00:43:38.085
of health insurance will be offering their

637
00:43:38.535 --> 00:43:39.965
plans to our employees.

638
00:43:40.105 --> 00:43:42.445
Yes. Which will then go into effect in January

639
00:43:42.865 --> 00:43:44.725
of 2027. That is

640
00:43:44.725 --> 00:43:45.725
Correct. Okay,

641
00:43:45.725 --> 00:43:47.445
great. Just wanted to confirm that.

642
00:43:47.505 --> 00:43:48.685
Let me ask one more question then.

643
00:43:48.685 --> 00:43:50.125
Yeah. All of our current contract,

644
00:43:50.125 --> 00:43:52.005
which is CareFirst, ends next December.

645
00:43:52.145 --> 00:43:54.645
Gotcha. So next open enrollment would be individuals

646
00:43:54.885 --> 00:43:56.805
choosing, uh, whoever is awarded.

647
00:43:56.825 --> 00:43:58.485
Uh, could be one, could be two, could be three,

648
00:43:58.485 --> 00:43:59.645
could variety of Okay.

649
00:43:59.655 --> 00:44:01.605
Plans, whoever is awarded the process

650
00:44:01.755 --> 00:44:04.085
that people would have those options to look at at that time

651
00:44:04.625 --> 00:44:05.725
to make a decision for

652
00:44:05.725 --> 00:44:08.285
who would be their provider in January of 27.

653
00:44:08.615 --> 00:44:11.205
Thank you. I saw a new contract awarded next December

654
00:44:11.305 --> 00:44:13.325
and that was a little confusing for me, so thank you

655
00:44:13.345 --> 00:44:14.765
for clarifying that.

656
00:44:15.185 --> 00:44:16.885
Um, and then, uh, one more quick question.

657
00:44:16.885 --> 00:44:19.485
The Federal Impact Aid, I'm glad you mentioned the survey

658
00:44:19.995 --> 00:44:22.085
that it's important for all our families to fill out.

659
00:44:22.145 --> 00:44:24.285
Can you give us a quick reminder of how much,

660
00:44:24.285 --> 00:44:25.925
like what's the magnitude of funding

661
00:44:25.925 --> 00:44:27.685
that our school division might see?

662
00:44:27.705 --> 00:44:29.645
Mr. Hawkin, do you have that? What

663
00:44:29.645 --> 00:44:30.645
We see this depending on this, this year

664
00:44:30.785 --> 00:44:32.405
and that can be a follow up if we need it to be.

665
00:44:33.045 --> 00:44:34.565
I think, I think last year was our

666
00:44:34.565 --> 00:44:35.725
first year with Impact Aid.

667
00:44:35.805 --> 00:44:37.885
I think we, uh, received roughly a hundred

668
00:44:38.125 --> 00:44:39.245
thousand dollars in federal revenue.

669
00:44:40.545 --> 00:44:41.805
That's great. Thank you so much.

670
00:44:41.945 --> 00:44:43.285
You can come back to me if other people

671
00:44:43.285 --> 00:44:44.405
have questions. Okay.

672
00:44:45.215 --> 00:44:47.845
Thank you. Um, no questions. Okay. Ms. Turner,

673
00:44:49.105 --> 00:44:52.965
Um, Dr. Duran, could you speak to, um, what standard

674
00:44:53.545 --> 00:44:58.205
was applied, if any, to um, the, the classroom efforts?

675
00:44:58.545 --> 00:45:01.325
Yes. With respect to right sizing or

676
00:45:01.505 --> 00:45:04.805
So our human resources team at daily working with Office

677
00:45:04.825 --> 00:45:08.085
of School support, looking at class sizes

678
00:45:08.085 --> 00:45:10.085
that were in the moment and looked at

679
00:45:10.085 --> 00:45:12.965
how many teachers were available at each grade, consulted

680
00:45:12.965 --> 00:45:16.525
with principals at the time to determine one, if we had

681
00:45:17.045 --> 00:45:20.245
a small number of students, how many teachers did we have?

682
00:45:20.265 --> 00:45:21.765
And then if we were to remove one,

683
00:45:21.795 --> 00:45:23.085
what would the class sizes be?

684
00:45:23.545 --> 00:45:26.805
And so they looked at it at a case by case, school by school

685
00:45:26.865 --> 00:45:28.085
to determine that one.

686
00:45:28.585 --> 00:45:29.685
We had sufficient staff.

687
00:45:29.685 --> 00:45:31.605
There weren't any over, and there were a couple actually

688
00:45:31.605 --> 00:45:32.725
that had over and we needed to provide

689
00:45:32.725 --> 00:45:33.765
them additional staffing.

690
00:45:34.105 --> 00:45:35.445
And then there were some that were under,

691
00:45:35.465 --> 00:45:38.005
and the under would be anyone that's significantly lower.

692
00:45:38.305 --> 00:45:41.125
We wanted to leave some room in case students did enroll.

693
00:45:41.125 --> 00:45:42.325
So we don't want it to be too tight.

694
00:45:42.585 --> 00:45:43.805
It was our first year doing it

695
00:45:43.805 --> 00:45:45.525
and so we're gonna continue to refine that process,

696
00:45:45.585 --> 00:45:48.205
but it was really trying to make sure there was sufficient

697
00:45:48.205 --> 00:45:50.605
room in case students enrolled this year,

698
00:45:50.665 --> 00:45:53.845
but not a significant number that if we reduce

699
00:45:53.845 --> 00:45:56.925
that one position, there could still be opportunities for

700
00:45:57.115 --> 00:45:59.125
that same window to have be in place. Okay.

701
00:45:59.125 --> 00:46:01.205
That, that makes sense. Are we going to, um,

702
00:46:02.185 --> 00:46:04.245
put in place a standard approach to that?

703
00:46:04.385 --> 00:46:05.405
Yes, we're working on that.

704
00:46:05.405 --> 00:46:07.125
There's actually a team who's debriefing

705
00:46:07.155 --> 00:46:10.725
what we did this year in terms of communications and, and,

706
00:46:10.785 --> 00:46:11.845
and standards

707
00:46:11.845 --> 00:46:13.605
and all of that to put a better process in place.

708
00:46:13.635 --> 00:46:15.445
Okay. And, and so in terms of standard,

709
00:46:15.625 --> 00:46:17.805
if it could include a number Sure, absolutely.

710
00:46:17.805 --> 00:46:19.125
And or a range, right, A range.

711
00:46:19.225 --> 00:46:21.045
And that'll definitely be a range. A range is appropriate.

712
00:46:21.045 --> 00:46:22.045
Range would definitely be range. Um,

713
00:46:22.265 --> 00:46:24.765
and to the extent we can have that as we approach the budget

714
00:46:25.355 --> 00:46:27.685
Discussions, we will definitely present that as part

715
00:46:27.685 --> 00:46:29.965
of the budget process, that range of what it looks like so

716
00:46:29.965 --> 00:46:31.325
that we can work through that.

717
00:46:31.555 --> 00:46:35.325
Yeah. Thank you. Um, I missed tap

718
00:46:35.345 --> 00:46:37.045
and I have, okay,

719
00:46:37.145 --> 00:46:38.685
so I just wanted to make one quick comment.

720
00:46:38.865 --> 00:46:42.765
Um, because I just for, just for interest's sake,

721
00:46:42.885 --> 00:46:45.045
I was in Colorado earlier this week for a meeting

722
00:46:45.045 --> 00:46:47.965
of the Western interstate Compact for higher education

723
00:46:48.305 --> 00:46:51.725
and they presented data, um, for colleges

724
00:46:51.725 --> 00:46:54.805
and universities that indicate a decline in college

725
00:46:54.805 --> 00:46:56.005
enrollments in future years

726
00:46:56.225 --> 00:46:57.685
for traditional aged college students.

727
00:46:57.705 --> 00:47:00.525
And I did the math in my head as I was sitting there knowing

728
00:47:00.525 --> 00:47:03.925
that our younger grades are seeing, um, lower enrollments

729
00:47:03.945 --> 00:47:06.925
and I informed them that their data appears to align

730
00:47:06.925 --> 00:47:09.045
with ours and that they are correct in their,

731
00:47:09.425 --> 00:47:10.845
in their assessment of the data.

732
00:47:11.065 --> 00:47:13.725
Um, but anyway, um, Ms. Cera, one more.

733
00:47:14.165 --> 00:47:16.845
I have two more very quick questions. Alright.

734
00:47:17.345 --> 00:47:21.325
Um, so a quick question, um, about it sort of follows on Ms.

735
00:47:21.325 --> 00:47:23.005
Turner's question about our right sizing

736
00:47:23.025 --> 00:47:24.645
of club classes and staffing.

737
00:47:25.035 --> 00:47:27.885
When we did our budget exercise for FY 26

738
00:47:28.385 --> 00:47:30.405
and we were looking, trying to identify areas

739
00:47:30.405 --> 00:47:33.205
of cost savings, we anticipated

740
00:47:33.345 --> 00:47:36.765
or hypothesized that this exercise of optimizing staffing

741
00:47:36.765 --> 00:47:38.485
and class sizes could yield as much

742
00:47:38.545 --> 00:47:40.205
as $5 million in savings.

743
00:47:40.755 --> 00:47:41.765
What I see here is

744
00:47:41.765 --> 00:47:44.445
that in reality we realized about $2 million.

745
00:47:44.545 --> 00:47:47.245
So I may be oversimplifying this exercise,

746
00:47:47.265 --> 00:47:50.325
but my question is, if we didn't quite hit

747
00:47:50.325 --> 00:47:53.565
what we built into the budget as an estimated cost savings,

748
00:47:54.075 --> 00:47:58.085
there's roughly $3 million at play and is that correct

749
00:47:58.145 --> 00:47:59.205
or am I open partially

750
00:47:59.205 --> 00:48:00.565
Correct to making follow up with some more?

751
00:48:00.585 --> 00:48:02.925
But this was the, the 2 million resulted in what we did

752
00:48:02.985 --> 00:48:05.205
during the summer and towards the end of right size,

753
00:48:05.225 --> 00:48:08.205
we had already had budgeted differently from the beginning.

754
00:48:08.345 --> 00:48:11.565
So there is additional dollar amount beyond the 2 million

755
00:48:11.565 --> 00:48:12.765
that was part of the right sizing.

756
00:48:12.955 --> 00:48:15.605
Okay. Because when we provided, um, FTEs

757
00:48:15.605 --> 00:48:17.365
and funding to schools initially,

758
00:48:17.425 --> 00:48:19.205
we rightsize some of it at that point.

759
00:48:19.515 --> 00:48:21.125
This is at a second layer of that. Okay.

760
00:48:21.225 --> 00:48:22.885
If we could get we work

761
00:48:22.885 --> 00:48:25.165
and get you a, if the board could get sort of the total soup

762
00:48:25.165 --> 00:48:27.165
to nuts savings, we realized I think

763
00:48:27.165 --> 00:48:29.485
for my colleagues doing the budget next year, that would be

764
00:48:29.805 --> 00:48:31.605
Probably Mr. Hawkins and I had already discussed

765
00:48:31.605 --> 00:48:33.405
that when we were in the budget, um,

766
00:48:33.655 --> 00:48:35.245
phase when we were presenting about this,

767
00:48:35.425 --> 00:48:36.485
we would be sharing that number.

768
00:48:36.485 --> 00:48:38.765
Great. Tonight was just the number solely connected

769
00:48:38.765 --> 00:48:40.285
to the right sizing during the summer

770
00:48:40.785 --> 00:48:42.645
and the first, you know, 10 days of school.

771
00:48:42.895 --> 00:48:43.925
Understood. Thank you.

772
00:48:44.065 --> 00:48:45.245
The last quick question is,

773
00:48:45.245 --> 00:48:48.845
because I got an email about this just today, I am reminded,

774
00:48:49.085 --> 00:48:51.525
I think that we are gonna begin recruiting, um,

775
00:48:51.525 --> 00:48:52.765
volunteers from the community

776
00:48:52.765 --> 00:48:54.765
for our early childhood working group, um,

777
00:48:54.785 --> 00:48:55.885
as early as tomorrow.

778
00:48:56.925 --> 00:48:57.925
I think Dr. Mann, what is the

779
00:48:57.925 --> 00:48:58.765
date for that? I don't remember.

780
00:48:59.165 --> 00:49:00.525
I just wanted someone to be able

781
00:49:00.525 --> 00:49:02.045
to speak very quickly to that

782
00:49:02.105 --> 00:49:03.105
Dr. Man can speak to that.

783
00:49:03.105 --> 00:49:03.445
I

784
00:49:03.445 --> 00:49:05.805
Wanna this working.

785
00:49:06.015 --> 00:49:09.325
Hello? Can you hear me?

786
00:49:09.865 --> 00:49:12.525
Not really. Right Dr. Crawford's.

787
00:49:14.595 --> 00:49:15.595
That sounds like it's working.

788
00:49:15.615 --> 00:49:19.525
There you go. Move this one out way. Yes, Ms.

789
00:49:19.675 --> 00:49:20.965
Gera, I, I believe you're right.

790
00:49:21.125 --> 00:49:23.725
I want to make sure I have the right starting date,

791
00:49:23.745 --> 00:49:26.045
but yes, that we are gonna start announcing that

792
00:49:26.045 --> 00:49:27.365
and we'll be working with, um,

793
00:49:27.395 --> 00:49:29.765
community relations on getting that information out.

794
00:49:30.965 --> 00:49:32.925
Terrific. So folks can start looking for that, uh,

795
00:49:32.925 --> 00:49:34.405
this week or next I think it sounds like.

796
00:49:34.465 --> 00:49:36.285
Yep. Thank you so much. That's it.

797
00:49:38.915 --> 00:49:41.805
Alright. Thank you. Thank you Dr. Drum.

798
00:49:42.545 --> 00:49:44.685
Uh, we are now at public comment on

799
00:49:44.685 --> 00:49:45.965
agenda and non agenda items.

800
00:49:46.105 --> 00:49:48.365
Before we begin, I'm gonna read some of the guidelines

801
00:49:48.385 --> 00:49:50.725
for public comment because they're important to reiterate.

802
00:49:51.465 --> 00:49:53.765
The Arlington School Board welcomes public comment at most

803
00:49:53.765 --> 00:49:55.525
regular meetings and at public hearings.

804
00:49:56.105 --> 00:49:57.285
The school board expects

805
00:49:57.285 --> 00:49:58.565
that each speaker will be

806
00:49:58.565 --> 00:50:00.285
courteous modeling for our students.

807
00:50:00.465 --> 00:50:03.125
How one can respectfully disagree with others' views.

808
00:50:03.715 --> 00:50:05.645
Each speaker may speak for up to two minutes.

809
00:50:06.145 --> 00:50:08.365
The clerk will start the timer when the speaker begins.

810
00:50:08.425 --> 00:50:09.725
And speakers should conclude their

811
00:50:09.725 --> 00:50:10.885
remarks when the buzzer sounds.

812
00:50:11.305 --> 00:50:12.725
Please be sure to state your name

813
00:50:12.725 --> 00:50:14.725
and the topic you will speak about when you begin.

814
00:50:15.385 --> 00:50:17.365
We want each speaker to be fully heard.

815
00:50:17.705 --> 00:50:18.885
We also want each speaker

816
00:50:18.945 --> 00:50:21.245
to receive their full two minutes of time to speak.

817
00:50:21.665 --> 00:50:23.565
We therefore request that audience members

818
00:50:24.075 --> 00:50:27.165
display silent signs of support such as jazz,

819
00:50:27.165 --> 00:50:28.965
hands rather than applause.

820
00:50:29.955 --> 00:50:32.005
Speaker substitutions are not permitted.

821
00:50:32.365 --> 00:50:34.565
A speaker may not yield their time to another individual

822
00:50:34.585 --> 00:50:35.885
before or during their remarks.

823
00:50:36.745 --> 00:50:38.285
The school board encourages speakers

824
00:50:38.285 --> 00:50:39.885
to also provide their comments in writing.

825
00:50:39.885 --> 00:50:41.165
Please email written comments

826
00:50:41.225 --> 00:50:45.085
to school board at APS va, us Ms.

827
00:50:45.475 --> 00:50:47.405
Medo, uh, please announce the speakers.

828
00:50:47.945 --> 00:50:50.405
Yes. Would all my speakers please line up by Ms. Mejia?

829
00:50:50.915 --> 00:50:55.765
Josh fo, Jackie Rickke, Liz Hines, Trisha Lan,

830
00:50:56.075 --> 00:50:58.685
Belinda Fo and first speaker Josh fo

831
00:51:12.295 --> 00:51:13.975
I what First in a while.

832
00:51:17.885 --> 00:51:20.775
Good evening. My speech was gonna be different tonight.

833
00:51:21.095 --> 00:51:22.255
I might not have spoken at all.

834
00:51:22.895 --> 00:51:24.095
Ensuring slots for employees

835
00:51:24.095 --> 00:51:26.855
who were gonna see their health insurance go up over 40%,

836
00:51:27.165 --> 00:51:28.415
literally hundreds.

837
00:51:28.415 --> 00:51:31.735
Were going to pay thousands more. It would've broken them.

838
00:51:32.445 --> 00:51:33.855
Fear and disgust reigned.

839
00:51:33.855 --> 00:51:35.615
When two weeks ago a rate sheet went out

840
00:51:35.755 --> 00:51:38.975
to employees like Kaiser 2.0 was about

841
00:51:38.975 --> 00:51:42.055
to befall them days later after the damage had been done

842
00:51:42.235 --> 00:51:45.455
and amended more palatable rate sheet complete

843
00:51:45.495 --> 00:51:47.935
with a failed threat hit our inboxes.

844
00:51:48.775 --> 00:51:50.775
I know who an A PS is responsible

845
00:51:50.775 --> 00:51:53.175
for fixing the dumpster fires that we create,

846
00:51:53.715 --> 00:51:56.495
but who is charged with preventing these repeated

847
00:51:56.675 --> 00:51:58.015
self-inflicted wounds?

848
00:51:58.355 --> 00:52:02.455
Our Chief Humanity officer. This wouldn't be a new position.

849
00:52:02.795 --> 00:52:05.535
Rather, someone in this room needs

850
00:52:05.535 --> 00:52:09.935
to adopt the title Chief Humanity Officer who will step up.

851
00:52:10.835 --> 00:52:12.575
My next few speeches will focus on

852
00:52:12.575 --> 00:52:14.015
alternative paths for success.

853
00:52:14.285 --> 00:52:17.015
That is a community some dismisses for not some

854
00:52:17.035 --> 00:52:18.335
for someone else, not my kid.

855
00:52:18.685 --> 00:52:19.695
Next time Nova.

856
00:52:19.795 --> 00:52:22.495
But tonight, Langston a small program for those

857
00:52:22.655 --> 00:52:25.095
who need a reset or a faster exit from high school.

858
00:52:25.405 --> 00:52:27.775
Over the years, I've suggested it to many families

859
00:52:27.775 --> 00:52:29.975
and often the reaction is not for my kid.

860
00:52:30.545 --> 00:52:32.495
Those who go don't regret it.

861
00:52:32.715 --> 00:52:35.255
One, reach out to me last week to thank me again.

862
00:52:35.855 --> 00:52:38.735
I truly love Langston and its partner at A CHS.

863
00:52:39.135 --> 00:52:42.495
I hope this board and the community changes the narrative

864
00:52:42.555 --> 00:52:45.175
and continues to support this life-changing program.

865
00:52:45.835 --> 00:52:48.415
And last, as we move through the CIP process,

866
00:52:48.935 --> 00:52:51.055
I hope this board is willing to make tough choices,

867
00:52:52.015 --> 00:52:53.895
recognizing the political reality has changed

868
00:52:54.155 --> 00:52:56.895
and we won't need any more seats anytime soon.

869
00:52:57.325 --> 00:53:01.095
What we need is functional HVAC in every building.

870
00:53:02.075 --> 00:53:05.295
WLS has failed twice this week with the classrooms going

871
00:53:05.315 --> 00:53:09.175
as high as 86 degrees with no hope of an early release.

872
00:53:09.635 --> 00:53:12.855
Before we expand for an unknown future, we need

873
00:53:12.855 --> 00:53:15.015
to focus on the infrastructure we have now.

874
00:53:15.075 --> 00:53:17.135
And Dr. Duran, when you sub tomorrow,

875
00:53:17.495 --> 00:53:19.455
I hope it is in a comfortable classroom.

876
00:53:19.905 --> 00:53:23.135
Thank you. Thank you

877
00:53:23.135 --> 00:53:24.415
for your comments. Next speaker please.

878
00:53:24.555 --> 00:53:25.645
Jackie Rickke.

879
00:53:31.415 --> 00:53:34.085
Hello, is this on? Yes. Okay.

880
00:53:34.315 --> 00:53:35.845
Good evening, members of the board.

881
00:53:35.935 --> 00:53:38.485
Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you tonight.

882
00:53:38.485 --> 00:53:39.645
My name is Jackie Rickke

883
00:53:39.865 --> 00:53:41.085
and I have three children going

884
00:53:41.085 --> 00:53:42.645
through a PS schools right now

885
00:53:42.745 --> 00:53:44.725
and another one joining them next year.

886
00:53:45.385 --> 00:53:47.525
I'm here to share our family's experience

887
00:53:47.525 --> 00:53:49.605
with our twice exceptional child who started

888
00:53:49.635 --> 00:53:51.925
with an exceptional program at Little Beginnings.

889
00:53:52.275 --> 00:53:54.365
Went to our neighborhood school through third grade

890
00:53:54.465 --> 00:53:56.405
and ended his elementary school career

891
00:53:56.505 --> 00:53:57.645
at Campbell Elementary.

892
00:53:58.075 --> 00:53:59.885
More specifically, the Interlude program

893
00:54:00.695 --> 00:54:02.085
being twice exceptional.

894
00:54:02.345 --> 00:54:05.485
Our son is bright, curious, and gifted in math.

895
00:54:05.945 --> 00:54:07.405
He also has a DHD

896
00:54:07.865 --> 00:54:11.765
and struggles with impulsivity traits that have at times,

897
00:54:12.585 --> 00:54:15.165
uh, made traditional classrooms challenging.

898
00:54:15.825 --> 00:54:17.885
He started at Campbell at the beginning of fourth grade.

899
00:54:18.705 --> 00:54:21.045
Uh, he arrived to interlude

900
00:54:21.135 --> 00:54:23.565
after the earliest years of elementary school.

901
00:54:23.715 --> 00:54:26.005
Were extremely draining for our family.

902
00:54:26.785 --> 00:54:29.405
We would have nearly daily calls from our neighborhood

903
00:54:29.405 --> 00:54:32.925
school because of his poor sometimes unsafe behavior

904
00:54:33.435 --> 00:54:36.045
requiring my husband or me to leave work to pick him up.

905
00:54:36.625 --> 00:54:38.605
It felt like our family was isolated

906
00:54:39.435 --> 00:54:41.365
despite the best intentions of some

907
00:54:41.365 --> 00:54:42.605
of his wonderful teachers.

908
00:54:43.465 --> 00:54:45.885
We still have scars from those years.

909
00:54:46.625 --> 00:54:47.885
That's why I'm here this evening.

910
00:54:48.475 --> 00:54:50.485
Interlude was a blessing for our family.

911
00:54:50.865 --> 00:54:53.045
We are so grateful for Arlington County

912
00:54:53.385 --> 00:54:56.045
and that it has a program like Interlude

913
00:54:56.045 --> 00:54:58.045
and a school like Campbell that understands

914
00:54:58.045 --> 00:54:59.725
and embraces students like him.

915
00:55:00.265 --> 00:55:03.725
He was able to access supports, designed to help him

916
00:55:04.245 --> 00:55:07.645
increase his regulation, make more positive relationships

917
00:55:07.825 --> 00:55:10.365
and mainstream academically into the

918
00:55:10.365 --> 00:55:11.605
general classroom settings.

919
00:55:12.345 --> 00:55:14.885
The design of interlude offered him significant social

920
00:55:14.885 --> 00:55:17.725
emotional supports, consistent consequences

921
00:55:18.305 --> 00:55:19.565
and counseling sessions.

922
00:55:20.065 --> 00:55:23.445
His fantastic teachers tapped into the strengths rather than

923
00:55:23.765 --> 00:55:25.205
focusing solely on his challenges.

924
00:55:25.825 --> 00:55:28.245
And the communication with our family was just right.

925
00:55:28.985 --> 00:55:31.165
The broader Campbell community gave him the space

926
00:55:31.185 --> 00:55:33.245
to move the chance to lead,

927
00:55:33.945 --> 00:55:36.925
and were big believers in early intervention.

928
00:55:37.295 --> 00:55:39.685
Thank you. Thank you so much

929
00:55:39.705 --> 00:55:41.605
for your comments this evening. Next

930
00:55:41.605 --> 00:55:42.605
Speaker please. Liz

931
00:55:42.605 --> 00:55:43.465
Hines.

932
00:55:50.795 --> 00:55:53.245
Okay, uh, good evening.

933
00:55:53.425 --> 00:55:56.005
Uh, members of the board and our fellow community members.

934
00:55:56.745 --> 00:55:59.245
I'm a parent of an elementary and middle school kids,

935
00:55:59.305 --> 00:56:01.165
and I'm a former a PS grad myself.

936
00:56:01.825 --> 00:56:04.125
Uh, and I've spent the last decade researching public

937
00:56:04.125 --> 00:56:06.125
discourse and communications tactics,

938
00:56:06.125 --> 00:56:07.965
especially on legacy and social media.

939
00:56:08.885 --> 00:56:10.405
I was alarmed to hear the mention

940
00:56:10.465 --> 00:56:12.885
of AI at my child's elementary school

941
00:56:13.025 --> 00:56:14.125
and at the middle school.

942
00:56:14.385 --> 00:56:16.685
Um, at the beginning of this year and

943
00:56:16.685 --> 00:56:19.045
after yesterday's learning session, I continue

944
00:56:19.045 --> 00:56:22.125
to find myself increasingly concerned about the speed at

945
00:56:22.125 --> 00:56:24.445
which we are planning to adopt generative AI

946
00:56:25.015 --> 00:56:27.605
after a single year of exploration and staff testing.

947
00:56:28.085 --> 00:56:31.245
I am not a catastrophe, nor do I adhe,

948
00:56:31.305 --> 00:56:32.605
but I do adhere to the notion

949
00:56:32.605 --> 00:56:34.645
that while technology itself is neither good

950
00:56:34.645 --> 00:56:36.685
nor bad, it is also never neutral.

951
00:56:36.975 --> 00:56:40.365
Generative AI is not appropriate for K through 12.

952
00:56:40.625 --> 00:56:42.725
Uh, learning. The explosion

953
00:56:42.725 --> 00:56:45.845
of these tools has taken place over the last 18 months,

954
00:56:46.145 --> 00:56:49.485
and we don't yet know the long-term impacts stories about

955
00:56:49.485 --> 00:56:52.645
the harms of this tech across art, politics, the job market

956
00:56:53.065 --> 00:56:55.765
and our climate, especially in Virginia, are easy to find.

957
00:56:56.385 --> 00:57:00.165
And in the last year, MIT released a troubling study about

958
00:57:00.265 --> 00:57:03.365
gen AI's negative impact on critical thinking and cognition.

959
00:57:03.905 --> 00:57:06.485
And their are countless stories, news stories about

960
00:57:06.585 --> 00:57:09.325
how generative AI chatbots are harming youth mental

961
00:57:09.325 --> 00:57:11.165
health at the same time.

962
00:57:11.305 --> 00:57:13.525
Oh, not to mention the fact that the qual that the product

963
00:57:13.585 --> 00:57:16.285
and the outputs are poor, including a report with false

964
00:57:16.345 --> 00:57:20.565
and flawed citations produced by the new staff at the NIH

965
00:57:21.385 --> 00:57:23.685
at, uh, at the same time, there have been plenty

966
00:57:23.685 --> 00:57:26.285
of interesting education research about how the act

967
00:57:26.285 --> 00:57:29.605
of writing, editing, and rewriting is thinking

968
00:57:29.625 --> 00:57:32.485
and how handwriting something we don't teach at a PS anymore

969
00:57:32.785 --> 00:57:35.765
has positive long-term impacts on learning and memory.

970
00:57:36.545 --> 00:57:38.085
Why if these new

971
00:57:38.145 --> 00:57:40.925
and very bad data points have emerged in the past year,

972
00:57:41.305 --> 00:57:43.445
are we moving ahead, uh, with,

973
00:57:43.445 --> 00:57:44.765
with this rollout for students?

974
00:57:45.425 --> 00:57:47.925
We still don't give calculators, uh,

975
00:57:48.015 --> 00:57:50.245
until they understand the foundations of mathematics.

976
00:57:50.705 --> 00:57:52.965
Why would we give them AI tools when they are just

977
00:57:52.965 --> 00:57:54.725
developing critical thinking skills?

978
00:57:55.215 --> 00:57:57.245
Thank you. I will be back on this issue

979
00:57:57.355 --> 00:57:58.565
soon. I appreciate your time.

980
00:57:58.935 --> 00:58:01.405
Thank you for coming this evening. Next speaker, please.

981
00:58:01.825 --> 00:58:02.845
Tricia Scanlon.

982
00:58:09.995 --> 00:58:13.965
Good evening, everybody. Um, my name is Tricia Scanlon.

983
00:58:14.285 --> 00:58:17.085
I am the Hoffman Boston PTA President.

984
00:58:17.825 --> 00:58:22.525
Um, I am speaking on behalf of the saga

985
00:58:22.525 --> 00:58:24.125
of construction at Hoffman Boston,

986
00:58:24.305 --> 00:58:27.245
but most specifically the HVAC

987
00:58:27.345 --> 00:58:30.845
and Roofing project that is in the process of kicking Hoff.

988
00:58:31.305 --> 00:58:33.645
Um, my biggest concern as a parent,

989
00:58:34.185 --> 00:58:38.165
and I am such a rally of Hoffman Boston, the entire

990
00:58:38.795 --> 00:58:41.605
community teachers, uh, I'm kind

991
00:58:41.605 --> 00:58:43.445
of a corn ball when it does come to

992
00:58:43.545 --> 00:58:45.565
how well they've enveloped my child.

993
00:58:46.265 --> 00:58:50.605
So it is also my job to speak loudly when needed that

994
00:58:51.225 --> 00:58:54.725
in today's climate, everybody's tightening their wallets.

995
00:58:55.385 --> 00:58:57.965
Dr. Duran was just speaking about all

996
00:58:57.965 --> 00:59:00.565
of the services a PS is offering to parents

997
00:59:00.635 --> 00:59:02.965
that are in those dire straits.

998
00:59:03.465 --> 00:59:06.045
Um, we are also in that position where

999
00:59:06.145 --> 00:59:08.765
as we're tightening our wallets, I implore you

1000
00:59:08.765 --> 00:59:12.245
to make sure you do not tighten the wallets on our project.

1001
00:59:12.825 --> 00:59:17.805
Um, Hoffman Boston Elementary School was back in the day,

1002
00:59:18.325 --> 00:59:21.605
a ver well, it was a, a high school

1003
00:59:21.825 --> 00:59:24.725
and it was developed in the 1940s.

1004
00:59:25.465 --> 00:59:28.605
Um, think of how much things have changed in 1940

1005
00:59:29.065 --> 00:59:32.685
for one segregation, which is why that was the high school.

1006
00:59:33.225 --> 00:59:36.285
Um, but I bring this to you that our school, our diversity,

1007
00:59:36.665 --> 00:59:38.125
our cultures are rich.

1008
00:59:38.865 --> 00:59:41.125
We have such a strong base of community

1009
00:59:41.145 --> 00:59:43.365
and I would like to see that reflected in our school.

1010
00:59:43.745 --> 00:59:46.325
Our tiles and our floors don't match in color.

1011
00:59:46.545 --> 00:59:48.125
Our walls are all different colors.

1012
00:59:48.705 --> 00:59:50.925
So I make sure that as you tighten budgets

1013
00:59:51.065 --> 00:59:54.085
and things do change, as money does get shifted,

1014
00:59:54.105 --> 00:59:56.405
please do not take that away from this project

1015
00:59:56.985 --> 01:00:00.165
and give our community the TLC that it needs

1016
01:00:00.225 --> 01:00:02.125
and something we can really be proud of.

1017
01:00:02.455 --> 01:00:03.485
Thank you for your time.

1018
01:00:04.335 --> 01:00:05.965
Thank you for your comments this evening.

1019
01:00:06.235 --> 01:00:09.405
Next speaker please, and the last speaker, Belinda Fo.

1020
01:00:13.785 --> 01:00:15.485
Hi, my name is Belinda Fobe

1021
01:00:15.505 --> 01:00:17.765
and I'm from Hoffman, Boston Elementary School.

1022
01:00:18.005 --> 01:00:20.925
I was a parent and now I'm a teacher there at that school.

1023
01:00:21.795 --> 01:00:23.765
Last spring, my colleagues at Hoffman Boston

1024
01:00:23.865 --> 01:00:26.605
and I were told of upcoming renovations to our building.

1025
01:00:27.025 --> 01:00:29.965
We were so excited. These renovations are gonna fix all

1026
01:00:29.965 --> 01:00:31.965
of the HVAC problems we've had in the past,

1027
01:00:32.345 --> 01:00:34.845
and they're gonna make our school building more energy

1028
01:00:35.285 --> 01:00:37.245
efficient and our tiles are gonna match.

1029
01:00:37.345 --> 01:00:38.845
Our school's gonna look beautiful.

1030
01:00:39.465 --> 01:00:42.325
Um, work on phase one was supposed to begin last summer.

1031
01:00:42.705 --> 01:00:44.205
Um, so we packed up all our things

1032
01:00:44.225 --> 01:00:45.525
and waited and it didn't happen.

1033
01:00:45.995 --> 01:00:47.885
Imagine our surprise when we turned to fall

1034
01:00:47.905 --> 01:00:49.205
and found out that work wasn't done.

1035
01:00:49.885 --> 01:00:51.965
A few weeks later, later the AC broke.

1036
01:00:52.665 --> 01:00:55.725
It was a warm day and the rooms were unbearable.

1037
01:00:56.275 --> 01:01:00.765
Imagine the smell of a bunch of stinky fifth graders in a,

1038
01:01:00.785 --> 01:01:02.325
in a room with no air conditioning.

1039
01:01:03.145 --> 01:01:04.285
Um, and the worst part

1040
01:01:04.285 --> 01:01:07.085
of it is a PS had no estimation of when it was gonna be fixed.

1041
01:01:07.545 --> 01:01:11.245
So the next day my students needed to take the NWE MAP test

1042
01:01:11.265 --> 01:01:12.565
and I had to make the decision,

1043
01:01:13.155 --> 01:01:15.005
take it in a room without air conditioning,

1044
01:01:15.185 --> 01:01:17.325
or make them take it in an auditorium.

1045
01:01:18.965 --> 01:01:19.965
I chose the auditorium

1046
01:01:19.965 --> 01:01:21.285
and I hope that was the right decision.

1047
01:01:21.935 --> 01:01:24.725
After we finished our testing, other classes joined us.

1048
01:01:25.225 --> 01:01:26.285
Um, by the end of the day,

1049
01:01:26.285 --> 01:01:28.725
there were three classes packed into an auditorium

1050
01:01:29.585 --> 01:01:32.605
and other, another three classes packed into the game

1051
01:01:32.605 --> 01:01:33.725
room in the Carver Center.

1052
01:01:34.155 --> 01:01:35.685
None of these spaces are conducive

1053
01:01:35.685 --> 01:01:37.485
for learning, but that's what we had.

1054
01:01:38.945 --> 01:01:41.685
Um, this will happen again unless we fix the problem.

1055
01:01:41.905 --> 01:01:44.285
As the CIP looms closer, I'm afraid

1056
01:01:44.285 --> 01:01:46.685
that our school's HVAC project will be on the bottom

1057
01:01:46.705 --> 01:01:49.125
of the list, but children at Hoffman Boston

1058
01:01:49.515 --> 01:01:50.685
need this project to be done.

1059
01:01:50.955 --> 01:01:54.205
They're not asking for a slide or a fancy facelift.

1060
01:01:54.785 --> 01:01:57.365
Please do not let this project be another lie

1061
01:01:57.365 --> 01:01:59.165
that the Arlington Public Schools has told us.

1062
01:02:02.695 --> 01:02:07.605
Thank you. And that's, that's all on our speakers.

1063
01:02:07.605 --> 01:02:10.405
Okay. Sorry. Um, thank you to all of our speakers, um,

1064
01:02:10.425 --> 01:02:11.445
for your comments this evening.

1065
01:02:11.505 --> 01:02:13.925
We appreciate that you took the time to join us this evening

1066
01:02:14.265 --> 01:02:15.765
and share your perspectives with us.

1067
01:02:16.265 --> 01:02:17.605
Uh, we will work the superintendent

1068
01:02:17.625 --> 01:02:20.085
to coordinate any necessary follow up to these questions

1069
01:02:20.085 --> 01:02:21.525
and concerns over the coming week.

1070
01:02:22.225 --> 01:02:23.565
The sign up to speak form

1071
01:02:23.565 --> 01:02:26.285
for the October 23rd school board meeting will be posted

1072
01:02:26.285 --> 01:02:27.765
between October 17th

1073
01:02:27.825 --> 01:02:29.845
and October 22nd at 4:00 PM

1074
01:02:32.785 --> 01:02:34.365
We are now at monitoring items,

1075
01:02:35.345 --> 01:02:39.285
and tonight we have one monitoring item highlighting

1076
01:02:40.505 --> 01:02:43.485
the, the strategic plan priority student, family

1077
01:02:43.545 --> 01:02:46.285
and Community partnerships with a focus on the volunteers

1078
01:02:46.385 --> 01:02:47.525
and community partnerships.

1079
01:02:48.225 --> 01:02:49.765
Dr. Deron, will you please introduce the

1080
01:02:49.765 --> 01:02:51.205
staff who will present this item? Yes.

1081
01:02:51.205 --> 01:02:52.445
Thank you. Madam Chair.

1082
01:02:53.035 --> 01:02:55.325
Catherine Ashby, our Assistant Superintendent of school

1083
01:02:55.325 --> 01:02:57.205
and Community Relations will be presenting this item.

1084
01:02:57.265 --> 01:02:59.365
And she has members of her team here that allow her

1085
01:02:59.365 --> 01:03:01.085
to introduce, um, and thank her

1086
01:03:01.145 --> 01:03:04.045
and her team for again, the work that's being done

1087
01:03:04.105 --> 01:03:07.565
to develop those volunteer opportunities for our students

1088
01:03:07.625 --> 01:03:09.445
and the partnerships that benefit above

1089
01:03:09.445 --> 01:03:12.365
and beyond the work that we can do within our four walls.

1090
01:03:12.905 --> 01:03:15.085
We need support and we're getting that support.

1091
01:03:15.185 --> 01:03:17.485
And thank you to the team who's here. And Ms.

1092
01:03:17.725 --> 01:03:19.005
Ashby will share a little bit more information

1093
01:03:19.005 --> 01:03:20.045
about what's happening in that area.

1094
01:03:21.555 --> 01:03:23.615
Thanks for having us. Um, good evening.

1095
01:03:23.615 --> 01:03:27.415
Superintendent Dr. Duran school board members appreciate the

1096
01:03:27.415 --> 01:03:29.815
opportunity to present about partnerships and volunteers.

1097
01:03:29.875 --> 01:03:31.615
Our team is really excited about this work.

1098
01:03:32.435 --> 01:03:35.575
Um, and you'll see that this report reflects, um, the work

1099
01:03:35.575 --> 01:03:38.375
of a newly formed team within school and community relations

1100
01:03:38.875 --> 01:03:41.095
and also across the academics department.

1101
01:03:41.155 --> 01:03:42.935
We recently restructured our team.

1102
01:03:43.515 --> 01:03:45.935
We now have dual se Carillo, who's serving

1103
01:03:45.995 --> 01:03:47.375
as the supervisor of this work.

1104
01:03:47.385 --> 01:03:48.455
Thank you for being here.

1105
01:03:49.075 --> 01:03:51.935
Um, working collaboration with Don Smith, who is our manager

1106
01:03:51.995 --> 01:03:54.535
of volunteers, partnerships, and special events.

1107
01:03:55.175 --> 01:03:57.415
I would also like to introduce Frank Bellavia,

1108
01:03:57.585 --> 01:03:59.175
who's our director of Communications,

1109
01:03:59.235 --> 01:04:01.055
and he has taken a strong leadership role

1110
01:04:01.435 --> 01:04:02.855
to help guide this work as well.

1111
01:04:03.395 --> 01:04:05.295
We also have Chris Martini here.

1112
01:04:05.715 --> 01:04:07.215
The academics partner has been

1113
01:04:07.975 --> 01:04:10.695
academics team has been an amazing partner in this work.

1114
01:04:11.475 --> 01:04:13.495
So thank you, um, to our director of,

1115
01:04:13.715 --> 01:04:16.415
of technical education, Chris Martini

1116
01:04:16.595 --> 01:04:19.735
and Pam Nka, who's not here, um, is the coordinator

1117
01:04:19.735 --> 01:04:21.455
for work-based learning and she's been

1118
01:04:21.455 --> 01:04:22.815
instrumental in this work.

1119
01:04:23.035 --> 01:04:24.375
So thank you to everyone.

1120
01:04:24.915 --> 01:04:28.895
And I must also thank Zaria Tapia Hadley, um,

1121
01:04:29.915 --> 01:04:33.215
who was just instrumental in helping guide our presentation.

1122
01:04:33.355 --> 01:04:36.215
So thank you, um, to Ms. Tapia Hadley for that.

1123
01:04:37.035 --> 01:04:40.095
Um, I think you will see, um, through this work

1124
01:04:40.165 --> 01:04:41.895
that we have overcome a lot of barriers

1125
01:04:41.925 --> 01:04:44.655
that previously existed between academics and school

1126
01:04:44.655 --> 01:04:47.215
and community relations in really executing this work.

1127
01:04:49.725 --> 01:04:52.335
Okay. So with that, the goal of our presentation is

1128
01:04:52.355 --> 01:04:55.255
to share progress towards our strategic plan goal,

1129
01:04:55.425 --> 01:04:57.855
which is really to strengthen community partnerships

1130
01:04:58.005 --> 01:05:00.135
that specifically support student success.

1131
01:05:00.585 --> 01:05:03.295
We'll review the work completed over the past year,

1132
01:05:03.295 --> 01:05:05.815
and there has been a lot of it as well as our path forward

1133
01:05:06.155 --> 01:05:08.775
and share data that we gathered through our outreach

1134
01:05:08.835 --> 01:05:11.895
to schools, um, and some bright spots and opportunities.

1135
01:05:15.085 --> 01:05:16.615
This, um, is a reminder

1136
01:05:16.715 --> 01:05:19.685
of our five focus areas and our ascent.

1137
01:05:19.945 --> 01:05:21.965
Um, as we take flight this school year.

1138
01:05:22.505 --> 01:05:26.405
Um, the partnerships bucket is

1139
01:05:26.405 --> 01:05:29.565
what we're focused on tonight, and that really does support

1140
01:05:29.665 --> 01:05:32.765
and affect every other aspect of the strategic plan

1141
01:05:32.765 --> 01:05:34.125
because we cannot do this alone.

1142
01:05:34.545 --> 01:05:36.725
We really do rely on our partners

1143
01:05:36.725 --> 01:05:39.165
and volunteers in every single aspect from

1144
01:05:39.175 --> 01:05:40.925
operations to student success.

1145
01:05:41.405 --> 01:05:42.565
I think you saw that in the video.

1146
01:05:43.145 --> 01:05:45.685
So we're excited about the efforts underway

1147
01:05:45.685 --> 01:05:47.925
and the work that we're heading towards in this area.

1148
01:05:48.305 --> 01:05:49.645
So that's the focus this evening.

1149
01:05:51.295 --> 01:05:52.835
And this is just a reminder

1150
01:05:53.215 --> 01:05:55.235
of our strategic plan focus area.

1151
01:05:55.575 --> 01:05:56.715
The strategic plan

1152
01:05:56.935 --> 01:05:59.475
for partnerships is broken down into three areas.

1153
01:05:59.815 --> 01:06:03.195
One focused on students, one on family engagement,

1154
01:06:03.455 --> 01:06:04.795
and the other on community.

1155
01:06:04.895 --> 01:06:07.195
And our presentation tonight is really focused on

1156
01:06:07.195 --> 01:06:08.235
that community piece

1157
01:06:08.575 --> 01:06:11.355
and how we're engaging not only individuals,

1158
01:06:11.415 --> 01:06:13.555
but businesses to support our students.

1159
01:06:14.295 --> 01:06:17.075
Um, so in terms of our performance objective,

1160
01:06:17.175 --> 01:06:20.155
how this is all about how we will create

1161
01:06:20.255 --> 01:06:23.155
and revamp our structure for forming partnerships,

1162
01:06:23.595 --> 01:06:25.075
maintaining them, and ensuring

1163
01:06:25.075 --> 01:06:27.195
that they are meeting all other aspects of the plan.

1164
01:06:27.415 --> 01:06:30.595
And the way we're measuring that over time is the percent,

1165
01:06:30.665 --> 01:06:33.595
it's not the number of partnerships that we have,

1166
01:06:33.785 --> 01:06:36.475
it's really more about the percentage of those partnerships

1167
01:06:36.475 --> 01:06:38.795
that are deeply affecting our students

1168
01:06:38.975 --> 01:06:41.275
and that are aligned with our strategic plan goals.

1169
01:06:41.895 --> 01:06:44.115
Um, also the percentage of partners,

1170
01:06:44.415 --> 01:06:46.315
and this is something we are still working towards

1171
01:06:46.705 --> 01:06:49.755
that really report, um, it's clear

1172
01:06:50.135 --> 01:06:51.595
and they understand how to partner

1173
01:06:51.775 --> 01:06:53.835
and that it's mutually beneficial.

1174
01:06:57.855 --> 01:07:01.115
And this is just a snapshot of the strategies that, um,

1175
01:07:01.745 --> 01:07:04.795
that we are engaging in to, to complete this work.

1176
01:07:05.225 --> 01:07:07.035
It's about creating a new structure

1177
01:07:07.095 --> 01:07:10.075
and process, clear entry points, um,

1178
01:07:10.135 --> 01:07:12.315
and making sure that we're maintaining partnerships

1179
01:07:12.315 --> 01:07:14.795
that truly support career exploration

1180
01:07:14.795 --> 01:07:17.715
and work-based learning, um, opportunities for our students.

1181
01:07:18.295 --> 01:07:22.115
And also that there's a way that we can evaluate and measure

1182
01:07:22.295 --> 01:07:23.635
and engage with our partners.

1183
01:07:26.215 --> 01:07:29.395
So with those strategies in mind, we embarked on work

1184
01:07:29.585 --> 01:07:33.035
with the, you may recall we had a working group, uh,

1185
01:07:33.195 --> 01:07:35.955
a work session on partnerships at the start of last year.

1186
01:07:36.425 --> 01:07:39.315
From that session, we embarked on a partnership working

1187
01:07:39.315 --> 01:07:43.395
group with a cross section of community members staff, um,

1188
01:07:43.395 --> 01:07:46.555
and included principles, business leaders, chamber

1189
01:07:46.615 --> 01:07:50.795
of commerce members, also, um, youth advocacy organizations.

1190
01:07:51.335 --> 01:07:53.435
And I also wanna thank Kathleen Clark

1191
01:07:53.495 --> 01:07:55.075
for being our school board liaison.

1192
01:07:55.535 --> 01:07:58.475
Um, in that work, we met throughout the year from October

1193
01:07:58.475 --> 01:08:00.115
through April on a monthly basis

1194
01:08:00.335 --> 01:08:01.995
and accomplished a lot of work.

1195
01:08:02.735 --> 01:08:05.475
Um, our focus was to analyze our current process,

1196
01:08:05.975 --> 01:08:07.275
to gather their feedback.

1197
01:08:07.495 --> 01:08:10.035
So these are current and prospective partners as well

1198
01:08:10.035 --> 01:08:12.995
as our principles really did provide valuable input.

1199
01:08:13.415 --> 01:08:15.765
We did a comparative analysis across

1200
01:08:16.665 --> 01:08:18.445
not only local jurisdictions,

1201
01:08:18.445 --> 01:08:20.165
but across the country in terms of

1202
01:08:20.165 --> 01:08:22.725
what are the best practices, what could we do better?

1203
01:08:22.825 --> 01:08:24.125
And we looked at that as a group

1204
01:08:24.705 --> 01:08:28.045
and then we developed new structures, definitions, forms

1205
01:08:28.185 --> 01:08:29.925
and processes, and shared that with a group

1206
01:08:29.945 --> 01:08:30.965
and got their feedback.

1207
01:08:32.945 --> 01:08:35.285
And you'll see in the appendix of this presentation,

1208
01:08:35.305 --> 01:08:37.965
the list of all the dedicated members of our group.

1209
01:08:38.535 --> 01:08:40.645
Again, really a huge shout out to everyone

1210
01:08:40.645 --> 01:08:42.405
who de devoted their time to this effort.

1211
01:08:45.305 --> 01:08:47.725
So, um, the work of the group from October

1212
01:08:47.745 --> 01:08:51.125
to April really led to a lot of work that our team was able

1213
01:08:51.125 --> 01:08:53.445
to accomplish from May to August.

1214
01:08:53.905 --> 01:08:56.485
So I just wanted to highlight what we've done to date

1215
01:08:56.905 --> 01:08:58.205
and you'll see some of that work.

1216
01:08:58.395 --> 01:09:00.285
Also in the appendix of the presentation,

1217
01:09:00.945 --> 01:09:03.565
we restructured our department just knowing

1218
01:09:03.865 --> 01:09:05.245
how big this task is

1219
01:09:05.305 --> 01:09:07.605
and hearing from the schools how much support is needed.

1220
01:09:08.065 --> 01:09:09.445
We restructured the school

1221
01:09:09.465 --> 01:09:11.085
and community relations department.

1222
01:09:11.305 --> 01:09:14.525
We created new standard operating procedures with academics

1223
01:09:14.525 --> 01:09:16.125
and across multiple departments.

1224
01:09:16.665 --> 01:09:19.925
And we developed a new form, new legal agreement

1225
01:09:20.195 --> 01:09:21.765
that all partners will sign.

1226
01:09:21.945 --> 01:09:24.365
So there's consistency across schools and departments.

1227
01:09:25.145 --> 01:09:27.765
Um, we also conducted

1228
01:09:27.945 --> 01:09:30.365
and began a, a partnership inventory.

1229
01:09:30.505 --> 01:09:33.165
We realized we really didn't know our current assets

1230
01:09:33.305 --> 01:09:34.405
or have a full picture

1231
01:09:34.505 --> 01:09:37.205
of our current partners across the system.

1232
01:09:37.625 --> 01:09:40.525
So worked across all schools to conduct that inventory.

1233
01:09:41.985 --> 01:09:43.965
You will also see a draft assessment tool

1234
01:09:43.965 --> 01:09:45.925
and rubric for evaluating partnerships

1235
01:09:45.925 --> 01:09:47.525
that is currently in development.

1236
01:09:47.725 --> 01:09:50.605
And we're seeking feedback, um, to finalize that.

1237
01:09:50.665 --> 01:09:52.725
So that that's a tool that we will, um,

1238
01:09:53.135 --> 01:09:54.405
share with all partners.

1239
01:09:56.945 --> 01:09:58.125
And I just wanna share some

1240
01:09:58.125 --> 01:10:00.525
of the data from our needs assessment.

1241
01:10:00.745 --> 01:10:03.805
So we conducted a survey in June and July.

1242
01:10:04.625 --> 01:10:07.325
Um, just to understand, we,

1243
01:10:07.345 --> 01:10:09.765
we can't form solid partnerships if we don't know

1244
01:10:09.795 --> 01:10:11.485
what our schools actually need.

1245
01:10:12.265 --> 01:10:14.245
So we went to the mall with a survey

1246
01:10:14.425 --> 01:10:16.725
and we met with over 20 schools we heard from

1247
01:10:16.725 --> 01:10:17.805
38 of the schools.

1248
01:10:18.505 --> 01:10:22.205
And, um, we learned in terms of volunteers,

1249
01:10:22.265 --> 01:10:25.285
and again, volunteers are individuals who are unpaid,

1250
01:10:25.285 --> 01:10:28.125
who regularly offer their services and time to our schools.

1251
01:10:28.825 --> 01:10:32.005
Um, that 5% of schools don't actively utilize.

1252
01:10:32.215 --> 01:10:34.405
Volunteers would like to but don't

1253
01:10:34.405 --> 01:10:36.885
because it can be a challenge to manage them.

1254
01:10:37.545 --> 01:10:40.325
And also all of them need volunteers

1255
01:10:40.505 --> 01:10:41.845
and identified key areas.

1256
01:10:42.605 --> 01:10:44.925
A lot of the areas they identified were related

1257
01:10:44.925 --> 01:10:46.525
to facilities and beautification

1258
01:10:46.545 --> 01:10:49.205
and sustainability projects as well

1259
01:10:49.205 --> 01:10:51.005
as academic support or mentoring.

1260
01:10:53.425 --> 01:10:56.205
We also surveyed them on partnerships

1261
01:10:56.425 --> 01:10:59.245
and again, partners are defined as businesses, nonprofits,

1262
01:10:59.245 --> 01:11:02.525
or organizations who collaborate with school, a school

1263
01:11:02.905 --> 01:11:06.205
or multiple schools, um, to provide student services

1264
01:11:06.505 --> 01:11:08.525
and other, um, resources.

1265
01:11:09.665 --> 01:11:13.725
We learned, and it's not exactly 30%,

1266
01:11:13.905 --> 01:11:16.085
but 30% in the survey reported,

1267
01:11:16.085 --> 01:11:19.045
they have currently no partners now

1268
01:11:19.045 --> 01:11:20.685
that we've redefined and talked with them.

1269
01:11:20.805 --> 01:11:23.765
I believe it's a little bit, um, more positive than that.

1270
01:11:24.065 --> 01:11:25.325
But we did identify some

1271
01:11:25.325 --> 01:11:26.805
that truly do not have any partners.

1272
01:11:27.345 --> 01:11:30.965
Um, we also talked with them about an adopt a school model.

1273
01:11:31.455 --> 01:11:34.085
Would they like more partners if there were more structure?

1274
01:11:34.985 --> 01:11:39.485
Nearly all of them would benefit from a, a program like that

1275
01:11:39.585 --> 01:11:43.645
and showed interest, um, specifically in the area

1276
01:11:43.665 --> 01:11:47.325
of mentoring and after school programs, um, as well as

1277
01:11:48.325 --> 01:11:50.365
programs targeting low income

1278
01:11:50.585 --> 01:11:52.085
or non-English speaking students.

1279
01:11:52.145 --> 01:11:53.845
So that's the feedback that we received.

1280
01:11:56.515 --> 01:11:59.205
This slide just shows a snapshot of where we are today.

1281
01:11:59.265 --> 01:12:01.285
We also looked at where are we.

1282
01:12:01.465 --> 01:12:05.045
So in our assessment of schools, we found that, um,

1283
01:12:05.505 --> 01:12:09.325
we have 70 active community partnerships across

1284
01:12:09.325 --> 01:12:10.565
70% of schools.

1285
01:12:11.465 --> 01:12:13.685
Um, so we have begun our inventory

1286
01:12:13.865 --> 01:12:16.365
and our directory that will be posted and shared.

1287
01:12:17.025 --> 01:12:21.565
Um, I also wanna, um, have a share, a huge thank you

1288
01:12:21.565 --> 01:12:25.205
to Alicia Zika on my team who took on, um, managing

1289
01:12:25.345 --> 01:12:27.245
and screening all of the volunteer

1290
01:12:27.245 --> 01:12:28.605
applications that we received.

1291
01:12:28.625 --> 01:12:32.765
She screened over 4,000 volunteer applications when we, um,

1292
01:12:33.745 --> 01:12:36.725
we, we reduced our volunteer and partner liaisons.

1293
01:12:36.785 --> 01:12:38.365
So we have a lot

1294
01:12:38.365 --> 01:12:40.485
of interest in volunteering from the community.

1295
01:12:40.585 --> 01:12:44.365
So you can see that we approved over 4,000 between July 1st

1296
01:12:44.465 --> 01:12:45.885
and June 30th.

1297
01:12:46.385 --> 01:12:49.925
We have currently over 11,000 total volunteers

1298
01:12:49.925 --> 01:12:51.165
that are active in the system.

1299
01:12:51.305 --> 01:12:54.045
And again, once you're active, it's a three year.

1300
01:12:54.705 --> 01:12:57.365
Um, you're, you're approved for three years once you've gone

1301
01:12:57.365 --> 01:12:58.365
through our safety checks.

1302
01:12:58.825 --> 01:13:03.405
Um, but only 1600 plus signed into schools

1303
01:13:03.505 --> 01:13:04.845
to actually volunteer.

1304
01:13:05.425 --> 01:13:08.725
And that's the big gap that we are working towards with some

1305
01:13:08.725 --> 01:13:12.005
of our current efforts to, we have all of these approved,

1306
01:13:12.475 --> 01:13:16.845
most of which are doing an event, a chaperoning experience,

1307
01:13:16.865 --> 01:13:18.165
and then probably not coming back.

1308
01:13:18.705 --> 01:13:22.205
So how can we better match the opportunities is one

1309
01:13:22.205 --> 01:13:23.925
of the challenge that we're looking at.

1310
01:13:27.345 --> 01:13:29.925
And I do wanna take a few moments, uh, two slides

1311
01:13:29.985 --> 01:13:31.965
to highlight the work of academics.

1312
01:13:32.075 --> 01:13:35.165
They do incredibly work, incredible work working

1313
01:13:35.165 --> 01:13:37.165
with the schools, especially at the secondary level,

1314
01:13:37.185 --> 01:13:40.965
but really across all grades, um, to match businesses

1315
01:13:41.435 --> 01:13:45.005
with students to ensure they have enriching, um,

1316
01:13:45.235 --> 01:13:46.685
externships, internships,

1317
01:13:46.705 --> 01:13:49.205
and clear career exploration opportunities.

1318
01:13:49.865 --> 01:13:53.045
So this slide just shows a breakdown of current placements,

1319
01:13:53.495 --> 01:13:55.405
where students are placed in what areas.

1320
01:13:55.645 --> 01:13:56.845
A lot focused on finance

1321
01:13:57.345 --> 01:14:00.605
and All students represented in the data on the slide are

1322
01:14:00.845 --> 01:14:03.445
expected to complete 100 hours of work-based learning

1323
01:14:03.445 --> 01:14:07.245
between July, 2025 and June, 2026.

1324
01:14:07.665 --> 01:14:09.485
So they're organized by career cluster,

1325
01:14:10.265 --> 01:14:14.045
and these exclude one-time activities such as job shadowing.

1326
01:14:14.045 --> 01:14:16.605
These are more dedicated long-term opportunities.

1327
01:14:19.815 --> 01:14:21.995
Um, and this slide shows a look ahead.

1328
01:14:22.175 --> 01:14:24.115
So approximately 50%

1329
01:14:24.415 --> 01:14:27.315
of our current 11th graders have completed a career interest

1330
01:14:27.315 --> 01:14:31.035
inventory, and you can see where their interest lies.

1331
01:14:31.095 --> 01:14:34.435
So we clearly need a lot in the health science area.

1332
01:14:35.135 --> 01:14:38.795
Um, the chart, um, is organized by career cluster

1333
01:14:38.855 --> 01:14:42.195
and helps us anticipate which areas students are likely

1334
01:14:42.215 --> 01:14:44.355
to seek work-based learning experiences in.

1335
01:14:44.855 --> 01:14:46.515
So, um, it's important to note

1336
01:14:46.515 --> 01:14:48.835
that their interests fluctuate year to year.

1337
01:14:49.215 --> 01:14:51.755
So industries hosting students will vary.

1338
01:14:55.775 --> 01:14:58.155
And that leads me to some bright spots.

1339
01:14:58.415 --> 01:15:02.595
I'm gonna bring Don Smith up to share two

1340
01:15:03.165 --> 01:15:04.715
brief bright spots in our work.

1341
01:15:06.285 --> 01:15:08.355
Thank You. Our first, uh,

1342
01:15:08.355 --> 01:15:10.275
bright spot is a new tracking system

1343
01:15:10.275 --> 01:15:11.835
that we have called School Links.

1344
01:15:12.095 --> 01:15:14.235
School Links did replace Naviance,

1345
01:15:14.815 --> 01:15:17.315
and it's an online, uh, platform for college

1346
01:15:17.495 --> 01:15:19.315
and career readiness.

1347
01:15:19.655 --> 01:15:23.315
Um, it allows our partnership team to track our partners

1348
01:15:23.335 --> 01:15:25.675
who provide work-based learning opportunities,

1349
01:15:26.135 --> 01:15:27.315
but it's also twofold

1350
01:15:27.345 --> 01:15:30.875
because it allows me to post volunteer opportunities

1351
01:15:31.295 --> 01:15:32.355
for high school students.

1352
01:15:32.775 --> 01:15:34.355
Uh, I was recently contacted

1353
01:15:34.355 --> 01:15:37.515
by the Arlington County Civic Federation, as well

1354
01:15:37.515 --> 01:15:39.395
as the Columbia Pike Partnership,

1355
01:15:39.615 --> 01:15:41.595
and they were both looking for support

1356
01:15:41.655 --> 01:15:42.795
for high school students.

1357
01:15:43.335 --> 01:15:45.595
So I post the opportunity in school links,

1358
01:15:45.855 --> 01:15:47.835
the students apply and they can have,

1359
01:15:47.865 --> 01:15:49.835
they can get work-based learning credits

1360
01:15:49.895 --> 01:15:51.395
or community service hours.

1361
01:15:56.215 --> 01:15:58.795
The second bright spot is Readers Rise.

1362
01:15:59.415 --> 01:16:03.395
Um, it is modeled after everybody wins DC Power Readers,

1363
01:16:03.735 --> 01:16:07.275
and they actually partner with Innovation Elementary School.

1364
01:16:07.695 --> 01:16:10.915
We heard great things from Ms. Peters about the program,

1365
01:16:11.375 --> 01:16:15.915
and so we modeled Readers Rise after that in mid-August.

1366
01:16:16.295 --> 01:16:19.155
Um, we met with the Department of Academics for the planning

1367
01:16:19.255 --> 01:16:20.875
and development stages of it.

1368
01:16:21.215 --> 01:16:24.955
Carrie Hirsh and Sarah Cruz were very instrumental in

1369
01:16:24.955 --> 01:16:27.595
getting readers ride off the ground, so thank you to them.

1370
01:16:28.415 --> 01:16:31.075
And then in September we did volunteer recruitment.

1371
01:16:31.375 --> 01:16:34.755
We actually put out a volunteer interest form across all

1372
01:16:34.755 --> 01:16:37.355
of our social media platforms, as well as on the website.

1373
01:16:37.895 --> 01:16:42.675
And we got over 190 interest forms within two weeks,

1374
01:16:43.285 --> 01:16:44.915
which was clearly amazing.

1375
01:16:45.415 --> 01:16:48.115
Um, now we're at the point we're on onboarding all

1376
01:16:48.115 --> 01:16:50.275
of those volunteers, which means they have

1377
01:16:50.275 --> 01:16:52.795
to complete the volunteer application as well

1378
01:16:52.815 --> 01:16:54.315
as take the Safe Schools training.

1379
01:16:54.815 --> 01:16:57.115
The Department of Academics also does a

1380
01:16:57.235 --> 01:16:58.555
training with the mentors.

1381
01:16:59.175 --> 01:17:01.155
Um, the first training was last week,

1382
01:17:01.185 --> 01:17:03.995
last Friday we had about 35 people who attended,

1383
01:17:04.415 --> 01:17:06.475
and we have one tomorrow, which is virtually.

1384
01:17:06.895 --> 01:17:11.125
And, um, we have about 50 people registered, uh, for that.

1385
01:17:11.785 --> 01:17:15.045
Um, the program will actually launch October the 21st.

1386
01:17:15.065 --> 01:17:17.045
That's when we'll be in our first school.

1387
01:17:17.585 --> 01:17:21.325
And the, uh, mentors will need to get a button when they,

1388
01:17:21.795 --> 01:17:23.245
when they, uh, meet their student.

1389
01:17:23.865 --> 01:17:28.325
And in February we'll do a mid-year review and support.

1390
01:17:29.545 --> 01:17:33.405
Um, NMA will, uh, close out the program and review it

1391
01:17:33.585 --> 01:17:35.445
and hopefully be in more schools next year.

1392
01:17:39.575 --> 01:17:41.245
Thank you, Dawn. And I just wanna add

1393
01:17:41.245 --> 01:17:42.805
that we had such a huge interest.

1394
01:17:42.825 --> 01:17:44.805
We will not turn a single volunteer away,

1395
01:17:45.505 --> 01:17:49.005
so we may be expanding to more schools this year, um,

1396
01:17:49.005 --> 01:17:51.045
depending on the turnout for our second training.

1397
01:17:51.105 --> 01:17:53.525
So the training is, did I interrupt

1398
01:17:53.525 --> 01:17:54.525
You? No, I have one more thing

1399
01:17:54.525 --> 01:17:54.805
to say.

1400
01:17:54.805 --> 01:17:58.005
Totally forgot myself, Catherine Ashby, Frank Bella,

1401
01:17:58.385 --> 01:17:59.965
and we'll all be mentors

1402
01:18:00.025 --> 01:18:02.005
for the reason why Readers Rise program.

1403
01:18:03.145 --> 01:18:05.685
Yes, we wanna do it ourselves to see how,

1404
01:18:05.905 --> 01:18:07.605
how this, how this goes.

1405
01:18:07.705 --> 01:18:10.605
But we will pro likely be expanding to additional schools

1406
01:18:11.115 --> 01:18:12.845
this fall as well.

1407
01:18:15.715 --> 01:18:17.045
That brings me to opportunities.

1408
01:18:17.305 --> 01:18:20.085
We, we've done a lot of work. We've learned a lot this year.

1409
01:18:20.085 --> 01:18:21.205
We have a lot more to do.

1410
01:18:21.665 --> 01:18:25.525
So as we did our, um, assessment of schools,

1411
01:18:25.785 --> 01:18:30.085
we neglected to also survey central departments.

1412
01:18:30.305 --> 01:18:32.325
We have a lot of partnerships who work

1413
01:18:32.325 --> 01:18:34.685
with the sustainability liaisons.

1414
01:18:35.045 --> 01:18:38.845
A lot of partners who work with DEI, a lot of part, um,

1415
01:18:38.965 --> 01:18:40.845
partners who work across centrally.

1416
01:18:41.025 --> 01:18:45.485
So we are currently, um, surveying those departments so

1417
01:18:45.485 --> 01:18:46.925
that we can complete our assessment

1418
01:18:47.105 --> 01:18:49.405
and get a full picture of division-wide partners

1419
01:18:49.425 --> 01:18:51.045
and publish that very soon.

1420
01:18:51.585 --> 01:18:52.965
Um, we also need to create

1421
01:18:52.985 --> 01:18:54.965
and maintain a more robust matching system.

1422
01:18:55.305 --> 01:18:58.365
So currently you will see six

1423
01:18:58.465 --> 01:19:01.405
to 10 opportunities on our website that are published

1424
01:19:01.405 --> 01:19:04.565
by schools that have needs for math support, others.

1425
01:19:05.425 --> 01:19:08.885
But we are working on a more robust system to match.

1426
01:19:08.905 --> 01:19:10.605
And we now know the needs of every school.

1427
01:19:11.105 --> 01:19:12.885
We know their barriers to volunteers.

1428
01:19:12.905 --> 01:19:16.045
So we are working to bring that together, um, with a tool

1429
01:19:16.115 --> 01:19:17.805
that will allow us to better match

1430
01:19:18.025 --> 01:19:22.365
and more efficiently match that, um, those volunteers

1431
01:19:22.425 --> 01:19:23.885
to needs, um,

1432
01:19:24.285 --> 01:19:26.285
building a stronger connection with businesses.

1433
01:19:26.545 --> 01:19:28.565
So the next big thing

1434
01:19:28.635 --> 01:19:31.285
that I'm excited about is the Adopt a School model,

1435
01:19:31.675 --> 01:19:34.805
because Reader's Rise showed us the individual interest,

1436
01:19:35.225 --> 01:19:37.965
but also many organizations came

1437
01:19:37.985 --> 01:19:40.085
and said, I'd like, we would like to do this.

1438
01:19:40.785 --> 01:19:45.725
Um, how can we do this? I think this Adopt a school model.

1439
01:19:45.745 --> 01:19:47.485
We also talked to some of them about it.

1440
01:19:47.485 --> 01:19:48.685
There's a lot of excitement.

1441
01:19:48.785 --> 01:19:51.885
So I think this is a, going to create a structure to bring

1442
01:19:52.705 --> 01:19:54.845
larger groups, businesses,

1443
01:19:55.295 --> 01:19:57.325
nonprofits on board to support us.

1444
01:19:58.185 --> 01:20:00.405
Um, also donations hub.

1445
01:20:00.585 --> 01:20:03.525
We noticed a lot of school divisions have a very clear

1446
01:20:03.875 --> 01:20:07.565
donations center on their websites for making it easier

1447
01:20:07.825 --> 01:20:11.245
for businesses and nonprofits to donate backpacks

1448
01:20:11.345 --> 01:20:12.485
or monetary support.

1449
01:20:12.545 --> 01:20:15.365
So we're working through that and also on the policies.

1450
01:20:16.825 --> 01:20:19.125
So our path forward, I talked through a lot of

1451
01:20:19.125 --> 01:20:20.165
that within opportunities.

1452
01:20:20.425 --> 01:20:22.925
But a few things that we're really excited about is

1453
01:20:22.945 --> 01:20:25.085
to finalize the partnership inventory.

1454
01:20:25.225 --> 01:20:27.325
So when you go on our website, you can see

1455
01:20:27.825 --> 01:20:30.325
who are the current partners and who are they supporting.

1456
01:20:30.785 --> 01:20:33.645
So we're, I would say about 70% finished with that.

1457
01:20:33.785 --> 01:20:38.045
So, um, that will be complete and published by March.

1458
01:20:38.625 --> 01:20:40.325
Um, launching the Adopt a School Model.

1459
01:20:40.605 --> 01:20:42.885
I believe it'll be in early spring, February,

1460
01:20:43.255 --> 01:20:44.925
March timeframe.

1461
01:20:45.385 --> 01:20:46.805
So we look forward to doing that.

1462
01:20:47.425 --> 01:20:49.325
And then really assessing readers.

1463
01:20:49.325 --> 01:20:51.605
Rise, you know, this is three schools right now,

1464
01:20:51.905 --> 01:20:55.445
but we've now got a model that works so far.

1465
01:20:55.825 --> 01:20:57.285
So we're gonna see how this goes.

1466
01:20:57.825 --> 01:21:00.805
And then we know there's interest in math, in stem,

1467
01:21:01.305 --> 01:21:03.165
in some sustainability partnerships

1468
01:21:03.185 --> 01:21:04.845
and also beautification for schools.

1469
01:21:05.265 --> 01:21:07.005
So looking to replicate the model.

1470
01:21:07.465 --> 01:21:09.285
So doing that in the spring as well.

1471
01:21:09.825 --> 01:21:12.725
And then also finalizing our outreach plan so

1472
01:21:12.725 --> 01:21:14.085
that we are staying in touch with

1473
01:21:14.185 --> 01:21:17.645
and connecting with these partners, giving them, having,

1474
01:21:17.675 --> 01:21:19.685
helping them see the mutual benefit.

1475
01:21:20.665 --> 01:21:24.325
And going back to an annual recognition program.

1476
01:21:25.025 --> 01:21:27.125
We used to do annual recognition events.

1477
01:21:27.745 --> 01:21:30.165
So we are looking forward to doing that

1478
01:21:30.265 --> 01:21:32.045
as the next phase of this in the spring.

1479
01:21:33.265 --> 01:21:35.485
And that concludes my report.

1480
01:21:35.605 --> 01:21:37.325
I look forward to your questions. Thank

1481
01:21:37.325 --> 01:21:38.325
You Ms. Ashby and the

1482
01:21:38.325 --> 01:21:39.805
team for this great presentation.

1483
01:21:39.965 --> 01:21:43.045
I also want to add, I recently met with Kate Bates, the, um,

1484
01:21:43.235 --> 01:21:44.565
president of Chamber of Commerce,

1485
01:21:44.665 --> 01:21:46.765
and she's very excited about what she can do to the,

1486
01:21:46.785 --> 01:21:49.125
to the chamber to support the Adopter School program.

1487
01:21:49.265 --> 01:21:51.045
So we're very excited about the partnership that,

1488
01:21:51.145 --> 01:21:52.645
and I wanna thank Ms. Bates publicly.

1489
01:21:52.645 --> 01:21:54.805
They've been also a key part, I know, um,

1490
01:21:55.065 --> 01:21:57.205
of the work based partnerships that we have

1491
01:21:57.205 --> 01:21:58.325
for our students and helping us.

1492
01:21:58.505 --> 01:21:59.965
So just wanna give them a shout out too.

1493
01:22:00.215 --> 01:22:02.005
Thank you, uh, Madam Chair Turner for question.

1494
01:22:03.175 --> 01:22:05.445
Thank you so much. And I am, um, gonna jump straight

1495
01:22:05.465 --> 01:22:08.325
to Ms, uh, Tapia Hadley since she was the school board's

1496
01:22:08.325 --> 01:22:09.685
liaison to this presentation.

1497
01:22:11.575 --> 01:22:13.725
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, well, first of all,

1498
01:22:13.725 --> 01:22:15.045
I just wanna thank the entire staff.

1499
01:22:15.505 --> 01:22:17.885
Uh, this is, uh, a very thorough report

1500
01:22:17.885 --> 01:22:19.565
and I know all the work that went into

1501
01:22:19.565 --> 01:22:22.325
and my colleague Kathleen Clark for really teeing this up.

1502
01:22:22.905 --> 01:22:25.285
Um, I think this report recognizes,

1503
01:22:26.045 --> 01:22:27.045
I really don't have questions.

1504
01:22:27.125 --> 01:22:29.045
I just wanted to share a comment and thank you.

1505
01:22:29.205 --> 01:22:32.325
I think the report recognizes two important issues that, um,

1506
01:22:32.445 --> 01:22:35.005
I had the opportunity to discuss with the team, which is,

1507
01:22:35.365 --> 01:22:37.605
first, the importance of having an inventory

1508
01:22:37.705 --> 01:22:38.885
of existing partnerships

1509
01:22:38.885 --> 01:22:42.565
and tracking the impact of our partnerships, as well

1510
01:22:42.565 --> 01:22:45.085
as having metrics, um, for the, for these relationships.

1511
01:22:45.665 --> 01:22:49.005
And second, for volunteers clarifying our classification

1512
01:22:49.005 --> 01:22:50.765
system and also establishing a better way

1513
01:22:50.765 --> 01:22:52.565
to match needs at schools

1514
01:22:52.755 --> 01:22:56.245
with our rich volunteer population in Arlington and in a PS.

1515
01:22:56.625 --> 01:22:58.205
Um, this is particularly important

1516
01:22:58.345 --> 01:22:59.885
as we're seeing student needs change.

1517
01:23:00.175 --> 01:23:01.965
Volunteers can be a crucial part

1518
01:23:01.965 --> 01:23:03.805
of expanding capacity at schools

1519
01:23:03.905 --> 01:23:05.685
and supporting our faculty and staff.

1520
01:23:06.305 --> 01:23:09.325
Um, so I am very excited about continuing to work with Ms.

1521
01:23:09.565 --> 01:23:11.365
Ashby. Ms. Carillo, who I know is yes,

1522
01:23:11.445 --> 01:23:13.845
a very trusted leader in Arlington for a long time.

1523
01:23:13.945 --> 01:23:15.765
And the entire team, uh,

1524
01:23:15.765 --> 01:23:17.525
through the next important steps in the fall.

1525
01:23:18.065 --> 01:23:19.885
Um, for me, the highlights, uh,

1526
01:23:19.885 --> 01:23:22.205
for the next steps are the finalizing the partnership

1527
01:23:22.205 --> 01:23:24.645
inventory, um, through the department survey,

1528
01:23:25.175 --> 01:23:27.485
finalizing our assessment tool and rubric,

1529
01:23:27.985 --> 01:23:30.645
and of course, reviewing and updating our, our partnership

1530
01:23:30.645 --> 01:23:32.725
and volunteer policies and pips.

1531
01:23:33.305 --> 01:23:36.285
So grateful for all your work. Thank you. Thank you.

1532
01:23:37.625 --> 01:23:40.285
Um, thank you Ms. Dvia Hadley. So let's, um, Ms. Get

1533
01:23:42.205 --> 01:23:43.485
A couple quick, uh, comments.

1534
01:23:43.585 --> 01:23:46.525
And then a question I, uh, wanted to, uh, plus one

1535
01:23:46.525 --> 01:23:48.005
what my colleague, uh, Ms.

1536
01:23:48.015 --> 01:23:49.085
Tapia Hadley just said.

1537
01:23:49.465 --> 01:23:51.645
Um, I'm remembering my first, uh,

1538
01:23:51.745 --> 01:23:54.245
my first year on the board in the spring of 2022.

1539
01:23:54.245 --> 01:23:56.525
It was the first full year that we were back after COVID.

1540
01:23:56.665 --> 01:23:59.725
And I was at a staff meeting at Innovation Elementary

1541
01:23:59.725 --> 01:24:01.165
School, one of my liaison schools,

1542
01:24:01.225 --> 01:24:02.405
and I asked the team there

1543
01:24:02.955 --> 01:24:04.085
what they were seeing in their

1544
01:24:04.085 --> 01:24:05.485
classrooms and what their needs were.

1545
01:24:05.505 --> 01:24:08.405
And at that time, the needs were pretty acute.

1546
01:24:08.985 --> 01:24:12.285
Um, and, uh, what I heard from classroom teachers was,

1547
01:24:12.285 --> 01:24:14.925
we need hands, we need more hands in our classroom.

1548
01:24:15.665 --> 01:24:20.245
Um, and I, uh, I suspect that, uh, the level of need

1549
01:24:20.245 --> 01:24:22.645
and the kinds of needs may have changed a little bit since

1550
01:24:22.665 --> 01:24:23.885
spring of 2022,

1551
01:24:23.905 --> 01:24:25.005
but I feel like the need

1552
01:24:25.025 --> 01:24:27.485
of we need hands is probably still accurate

1553
01:24:27.505 --> 01:24:28.605
in a lot of our schools.

1554
01:24:29.385 --> 01:24:30.685
Um, I'm really pleased to hear

1555
01:24:30.685 --> 01:24:32.725
that we're gonna have an Adopt a School program.

1556
01:24:33.325 --> 01:24:36.245
I think one of my questions about the, uh, the reading, uh,

1557
01:24:36.245 --> 01:24:38.285
the new reading effort was whether, uh,

1558
01:24:38.605 --> 01:24:41.725
businesses could sort of batch enroll, um, volunteers.

1559
01:24:41.825 --> 01:24:44.445
So I'm, I'm pleased to hear that that's under, um,

1560
01:24:44.655 --> 01:24:45.845
under consideration.

1561
01:24:46.025 --> 01:24:48.765
And then the other thing that occurred to me as I listened

1562
01:24:48.765 --> 01:24:51.165
to you was thinking about the 30% of schools

1563
01:24:51.165 --> 01:24:53.685
that said they didn't have a robust volunteer base.

1564
01:24:53.825 --> 01:24:57.365
And, um, I am really mindful that, um, in some

1565
01:24:57.365 --> 01:25:00.885
of our school communities, um, parents who form, um,

1566
01:25:00.905 --> 01:25:02.805
you know, the, a a a bulk

1567
01:25:02.865 --> 01:25:06.405
of volunteers in any school community, um, parents in some

1568
01:25:06.405 --> 01:25:08.405
of our school communities don't have the kinds of jobs

1569
01:25:08.475 --> 01:25:10.725
that give them the privilege where they have the flexibility

1570
01:25:10.785 --> 01:25:13.965
to come in during a school day, um, and other schools do.

1571
01:25:14.505 --> 01:25:16.645
Um, and I suspect that for some of our schools

1572
01:25:16.645 --> 01:25:18.965
that have said they don't have a robust volunteer base,

1573
01:25:18.965 --> 01:25:20.205
that is probably the case.

1574
01:25:20.825 --> 01:25:25.125
Um, I would encourage parents to think about the, uh,

1575
01:25:25.125 --> 01:25:27.365
opportunity to volunteer in schools other than

1576
01:25:27.365 --> 01:25:28.445
your child's own school.

1577
01:25:28.585 --> 01:25:30.325
And the use cases for that, that I can think

1578
01:25:30.325 --> 01:25:31.965
of are my own case.

1579
01:25:32.115 --> 01:25:34.045
When my kids reached adolescents,

1580
01:25:34.085 --> 01:25:36.245
I think they wished mightily I would volunteer in other

1581
01:25:36.245 --> 01:25:37.765
places besides their own school.

1582
01:25:38.185 --> 01:25:40.565
So I think, you know, there are kids that would be happy in

1583
01:25:40.565 --> 01:25:43.045
that, in that case, um, not just my own,

1584
01:25:43.385 --> 01:25:45.885
but also where parents have specialized expertise.

1585
01:25:45.985 --> 01:25:49.045
And I'm mindful when I was Swanson's liaison last year,

1586
01:25:49.145 --> 01:25:51.645
and when I went to career day listening to a parent

1587
01:25:51.845 --> 01:25:54.205
who was a marine scientist at Swanson, talk about

1588
01:25:54.205 --> 01:25:55.205
what she did for a living.

1589
01:25:55.545 --> 01:25:57.685
And I'm thinking about the fifth graders at Campbell

1590
01:25:57.875 --> 01:26:00.965
that are about to embark on an exemplary project on current

1591
01:26:00.975 --> 01:26:04.605
ocean issues and how cool it would be if we had a system

1592
01:26:04.675 --> 01:26:07.525
that allowed a school to identify a really discrete need,

1593
01:26:07.675 --> 01:26:09.125
like current ocean issues

1594
01:26:09.625 --> 01:26:12.245
and have a parent in our community be able to raise a hand

1595
01:26:12.305 --> 01:26:14.285
or just a community member to raise a hand

1596
01:26:14.285 --> 01:26:15.685
and say, I know something about that.

1597
01:26:15.745 --> 01:26:18.165
And that would be my dream about a matching

1598
01:26:18.165 --> 01:26:19.285
system that we can work towards.

1599
01:26:19.665 --> 01:26:21.725
The question that I would like to ask,

1600
01:26:21.905 --> 01:26:23.565
and then we can come back because I have a couple others,

1601
01:26:23.665 --> 01:26:25.045
but the question I would like

1602
01:26:25.045 --> 01:26:27.165
to ask is about sustainability criteria.

1603
01:26:27.385 --> 01:26:29.925
And I'm thinking about beautification projects,

1604
01:26:30.025 --> 01:26:32.765
and I'm channeling my kids' elementary school principal

1605
01:26:33.105 --> 01:26:35.885
who said to our PTA, please do not plant gardens,

1606
01:26:36.225 --> 01:26:38.685
and you all will leave and no one else will want

1607
01:26:38.685 --> 01:26:39.725
to upkeep a garden.

1608
01:26:39.865 --> 01:26:42.645
And the garden will just become a weed infested plot

1609
01:26:42.645 --> 01:26:45.005
where we can't have open space where kids can play.

1610
01:26:45.665 --> 01:26:47.445
So my question is,

1611
01:26:47.705 --> 01:26:50.285
as you did the working group think about this issue

1612
01:26:50.285 --> 01:26:53.205
of sustainability, that's a really specific case,

1613
01:26:53.205 --> 01:26:55.445
but more broadly, like what is the thinking about

1614
01:26:55.445 --> 01:26:58.965
how sustainable a volunteer initiative needs to be?

1615
01:26:59.465 --> 01:27:01.565
And that may be a broader question

1616
01:27:01.565 --> 01:27:02.645
than we have time for tonight.

1617
01:27:04.065 --> 01:27:05.125
We did think about that.

1618
01:27:05.125 --> 01:27:06.605
That's one of the main challenges,

1619
01:27:06.605 --> 01:27:09.165
particularly in our meeting with principals.

1620
01:27:09.355 --> 01:27:10.965
That is one of the main barriers.

1621
01:27:11.355 --> 01:27:14.725
They will have a lawn service come, then they don't exactly

1622
01:27:14.725 --> 01:27:17.725
what you said, that that was repeated over and over again.

1623
01:27:18.505 --> 01:27:21.565
And that's part of what we thought about the Adopt a School,

1624
01:27:21.635 --> 01:27:24.685
because some of them said, actually, now I have a partner.

1625
01:27:24.775 --> 01:27:27.285
There are a few that comes monthly

1626
01:27:27.825 --> 01:27:29.725
and we have a consistent agreement.

1627
01:27:30.505 --> 01:27:33.765
So it's different than having a group of parents

1628
01:27:33.765 --> 01:27:36.325
that come plant something and then don't come back.

1629
01:27:36.705 --> 01:27:38.365
So we did talk about it.

1630
01:27:38.865 --> 01:27:41.165
I'm not sure we have a perfect solution to that yet,

1631
01:27:41.505 --> 01:27:43.925
but I think the Adopt a School could be one

1632
01:27:44.055 --> 01:27:45.325
route to doing that.

1633
01:27:45.585 --> 01:27:48.085
Um, having an anchored group

1634
01:27:48.115 --> 01:27:49.965
that carries their services through the year,

1635
01:27:50.525 --> 01:27:51.685
I think that sounds really smart.

1636
01:27:51.685 --> 01:27:52.285
Yeah. Thank you.

1637
01:27:56.605 --> 01:28:01.545
Ms. Clark. Uh, just, um,

1638
01:28:01.905 --> 01:28:05.545
a comment, I, I mean, obviously last, um, spring, I was able

1639
01:28:05.645 --> 01:28:08.425
to, um, participate in some of the meetings

1640
01:28:08.525 --> 01:28:11.785
and enjoyed listening to the, how the team worked through

1641
01:28:12.315 --> 01:28:14.985
these challenges of how do we,

1642
01:28:15.445 --> 01:28:20.065
how do we take our volunteer base and, um, and,

1643
01:28:20.125 --> 01:28:22.185
and get them involved and engaged.

1644
01:28:22.385 --> 01:28:23.905
I think that's actually one

1645
01:28:23.905 --> 01:28:25.745
of the greatest things about living here in Arlington,

1646
01:28:26.285 --> 01:28:28.825
is the number of people that really believe in giving back.

1647
01:28:29.845 --> 01:28:34.635
Um, and, and, and that it speaks so much to our values.

1648
01:28:35.535 --> 01:28:39.675
Um, my question is, can you remind everyone again, uh, how

1649
01:28:39.815 --> 01:28:41.595
to get involved and engaged?

1650
01:28:41.795 --> 01:28:42.795
I think it's mm-hmm.

1651
01:28:42.875 --> 01:28:43.915
It's on one of the slides,

1652
01:28:44.015 --> 01:28:46.795
but can, can you just, in case people are tuning in now,

1653
01:28:47.425 --> 01:28:49.915
just reiterate how we, how they can get involved

1654
01:28:50.135 --> 01:28:54.395
and the steps, because I know that there is, um, uh,

1655
01:28:54.795 --> 01:28:56.355
a check involved there too.

1656
01:28:56.355 --> 01:28:59.115
Yes. Yes. You mean for volunteering or partnerships?

1657
01:28:59.255 --> 01:29:02.045
Or both? Volunteering, yeah. Okay. So we do have a volunteer

1658
01:29:02.045 --> 01:29:05.445
landing page on our website that's very easy to find.

1659
01:29:06.065 --> 01:29:07.885
Um, you simply need

1660
01:29:07.885 --> 01:29:10.965
to basically complete the volunteer application

1661
01:29:11.225 --> 01:29:14.005
and you can select one school or multiple schools

1662
01:29:14.625 --> 01:29:16.565
and then complete a Safe School's training.

1663
01:29:16.625 --> 01:29:19.005
And then you receive a badge, a certificate

1664
01:29:19.005 --> 01:29:20.685
of completion within days, so

1665
01:29:20.685 --> 01:29:24.005
that you are then a verified volunteer from there.

1666
01:29:24.985 --> 01:29:28.085
That's where our process has previously ended.

1667
01:29:29.635 --> 01:29:31.925
However, connecting with the school,

1668
01:29:32.275 --> 01:29:35.805
knowing the needs there, usually we get a volunteer request.

1669
01:29:36.355 --> 01:29:39.205
It's either to chaperone or

1670
01:29:39.205 --> 01:29:41.405
because the school is having a specific event

1671
01:29:41.505 --> 01:29:43.965
or has a need that they are already matched with.

1672
01:29:44.825 --> 01:29:48.125
So that's, it's a very simple process.

1673
01:29:48.125 --> 01:29:49.565
However, it is two steps.

1674
01:29:49.835 --> 01:29:51.965
Some people get stuck on the Safe Schools training,

1675
01:29:52.185 --> 01:29:54.325
but we are moving our volunteers through.

1676
01:29:58.125 --> 01:30:02.155
Okay. Uh, thank you for this,

1677
01:30:02.185 --> 01:30:04.395
this was a very robust presentation.

1678
01:30:04.895 --> 01:30:05.955
I'm sure somebody told you

1679
01:30:05.955 --> 01:30:07.675
to say Standard operating procedures,

1680
01:30:07.735 --> 01:30:09.315
so I I thank you for that.

1681
01:30:10.135 --> 01:30:13.595
Um, I have a question that is related to Reader's Rise.

1682
01:30:14.055 --> 01:30:18.635
Um, it's my general understanding that, um, programs similar

1683
01:30:18.775 --> 01:30:20.835
to that, like Reed with me in California,

1684
01:30:21.095 --> 01:30:23.795
and the one you named in DC had been brought

1685
01:30:23.795 --> 01:30:27.155
to our attention by community members a couple of years ago,

1686
01:30:27.575 --> 01:30:28.635
and we've worked it through

1687
01:30:28.655 --> 01:30:30.235
and we're rolling it out, and that's excellent.

1688
01:30:30.635 --> 01:30:32.835
I wonder how, um, the efforts

1689
01:30:35.225 --> 01:30:37.675
with the working group and the structure

1690
01:30:38.095 --> 01:30:40.915
and the standard operating procedures, um,

1691
01:30:41.125 --> 01:30:45.715
might help us take ideas from our community and vet them

1692
01:30:45.715 --> 01:30:49.475
and implement them on a faster track if appropriate.

1693
01:30:49.585 --> 01:30:53.475
Because we certainly have lots of, um, highly educated,

1694
01:30:54.735 --> 01:30:57.275
you know, people who want to contribute,

1695
01:30:57.295 --> 01:31:00.355
who have specialized expertise, who have, you know, um,

1696
01:31:00.795 --> 01:31:02.275
interest in, in giving back.

1697
01:31:02.295 --> 01:31:04.195
And we see some of them come to public comment

1698
01:31:04.335 --> 01:31:05.795
and say, if I can help in any way,

1699
01:31:05.855 --> 01:31:07.635
or I have this idea, or you guys should do this.

1700
01:31:07.735 --> 01:31:11.715
And so I wonder if we have a portion of the new processes

1701
01:31:11.975 --> 01:31:16.875
or, or standards that are going to help us, um, take ideas

1702
01:31:17.415 --> 01:31:19.075
and see if they are worth running with

1703
01:31:19.135 --> 01:31:20.715
and then run with them more quickly.

1704
01:31:22.175 --> 01:31:23.755
Yes, and I'm glad you said that

1705
01:31:23.755 --> 01:31:25.355
because that's true that the idea

1706
01:31:25.375 --> 01:31:28.605
for the reading program came from.

1707
01:31:28.805 --> 01:31:32.075
I believe I'm for, I would like to give her credit,

1708
01:31:32.575 --> 01:31:35.595
I'm forgetting her name, but yes, Sheila Kelly.

1709
01:31:35.895 --> 01:31:38.195
Yes. Um, and we let her know when this was launching.

1710
01:31:38.195 --> 01:31:39.915
She was thrilled. So we do get a lot

1711
01:31:39.915 --> 01:31:41.115
of ideas from the community,

1712
01:31:41.575 --> 01:31:43.555
and this happened to align with exactly

1713
01:31:43.625 --> 01:31:45.035
what we were working towards.

1714
01:31:45.375 --> 01:31:47.275
So yes, we want more of that.

1715
01:31:47.775 --> 01:31:52.675
And we now have a, um, shared part of the issue is

1716
01:31:52.675 --> 01:31:56.075
that if you had an idea previously, who to go to,

1717
01:31:56.295 --> 01:31:59.205
so now we have, if you have an idea, please go

1718
01:31:59.205 --> 01:32:01.565
to partnerships at APS va us

1719
01:32:01.995 --> 01:32:04.685
because that will go to myself, to our team,

1720
01:32:04.865 --> 01:32:06.005
to the academics teams

1721
01:32:06.065 --> 01:32:08.285
that's also pairing students with opportunities.

1722
01:32:08.745 --> 01:32:10.965
And we have now a standard operating procedure

1723
01:32:11.025 --> 01:32:12.245
for reviewing these ideas

1724
01:32:12.905 --> 01:32:15.005
and weekly discussing how that's happening.

1725
01:32:15.005 --> 01:32:16.205
That was not happening before.

1726
01:32:16.745 --> 01:32:19.045
So that in itself should fast track.

1727
01:32:19.365 --> 01:32:22.245
I think also now that we have more structure in place

1728
01:32:22.665 --> 01:32:26.045
for evaluating and onboarding, especially

1729
01:32:26.045 --> 01:32:27.605
through this program, we will be able

1730
01:32:27.605 --> 01:32:29.085
to fast track more opportunities.

1731
01:32:29.665 --> 01:32:31.405
So if you're a community member listening

1732
01:32:31.405 --> 01:32:34.205
and you have a great idea, please do email us a partnerships

1733
01:32:34.205 --> 01:32:35.765
at APS va us

1734
01:32:36.355 --> 01:32:38.965
because just from this program, we've gotten a lot

1735
01:32:38.965 --> 01:32:40.205
of other ideas already.

1736
01:32:40.705 --> 01:32:43.685
Um, you know, afterschool mentoring

1737
01:32:43.825 --> 01:32:45.885
and other organizations coming forward.

1738
01:32:46.435 --> 01:32:49.045
Even everybody wins DC would now like to expand

1739
01:32:49.045 --> 01:32:50.125
to other Arlington schools.

1740
01:32:50.185 --> 01:32:53.765
So it's something that, um, builds momentum as we go.

1741
01:32:55.005 --> 01:32:56.245
I hope that answers your question,

1742
01:32:56.345 --> 01:33:00.015
but yes. Um,

1743
01:33:00.755 --> 01:33:01.895
Is Ms. Tapia Hadley

1744
01:33:02.215 --> 01:33:03.215
Questions? I mean, what are we doing? Are

1745
01:33:03.215 --> 01:33:03.695
we doing two?

1746
01:33:03.695 --> 01:33:04.895
Because I only got one. Oh,

1747
01:33:04.895 --> 01:33:05.935
Would you like to do another question?

1748
01:33:06.125 --> 01:33:07.125
Okay, go for it.

1749
01:33:09.315 --> 01:33:10.375
Um, switching gears.

1750
01:33:11.595 --> 01:33:16.535
So I had some questions about, um, I think one

1751
01:33:16.535 --> 01:33:18.615
of the bright spots that Ms. Smith identified.

1752
01:33:18.675 --> 01:33:22.325
I'm not sure it's a question for, for her necessarily, um,

1753
01:33:22.425 --> 01:33:25.445
on the work-based learning placements

1754
01:33:26.305 --> 01:33:29.205
and the data in the slides at like 11 and 12.

1755
01:33:29.425 --> 01:33:31.765
Mm-hmm. So, um,

1756
01:33:33.625 --> 01:33:35.885
what's the Venn diagram like, or the overlap

1757
01:33:35.885 --> 01:33:38.645
or the coordination between these sorts of efforts

1758
01:33:38.705 --> 01:33:39.805
and what we are supposed

1759
01:33:39.805 --> 01:33:43.005
to be doing within CTE within the Office of Academics,

1760
01:33:43.465 --> 01:33:46.565
and how is that, like, is it, is this sort

1761
01:33:46.565 --> 01:33:48.525
of appropriately placed with partnerships

1762
01:33:48.525 --> 01:33:51.925
or is it appropriately placed under CTE

1763
01:33:52.025 --> 01:33:53.765
or we should continue both.

1764
01:33:53.945 --> 01:33:56.765
Or how, how should that work? And I guess, how does it work?

1765
01:33:58.115 --> 01:33:59.245
Martini, would you like to answer?

1766
01:34:01.625 --> 01:34:05.125
Um, it is, I believe, appropriately placed in career

1767
01:34:05.125 --> 01:34:07.405
and technical education when you start looking at the three

1768
01:34:07.625 --> 01:34:10.525
E's and how we'll be, um, evaluated.

1769
01:34:11.025 --> 01:34:13.325
Um, it is, those are all connected with career

1770
01:34:13.325 --> 01:34:14.565
and technical education.

1771
01:34:15.025 --> 01:34:18.725
Uh, the other component that, um, is going to be in place is

1772
01:34:18.725 --> 01:34:20.605
that a student to get the credit

1773
01:34:20.745 --> 01:34:22.805
for the work-based learning opportunity, they have

1774
01:34:22.805 --> 01:34:25.365
to be enrolled in a career and technical education class.

1775
01:34:26.305 --> 01:34:28.725
So as we're starting to work through that

1776
01:34:29.185 --> 01:34:31.045
and looking at what that's going to mean

1777
01:34:31.585 --> 01:34:34.565
and putting in classes that, um, the,

1778
01:34:34.745 --> 01:34:38.085
the VDOE is looking at specific classes that kind

1779
01:34:38.085 --> 01:34:39.485
of take clusters.

1780
01:34:39.825 --> 01:34:43.365
So if a student, I'm gonna use an example of culinary arts.

1781
01:34:43.365 --> 01:34:46.405
If a student goes through all the culinary arts classes

1782
01:34:46.585 --> 01:34:48.485
and then is able to go out as a senior

1783
01:34:48.705 --> 01:34:52.605
and do an internship, um, there will be

1784
01:34:53.245 --> 01:34:55.725
a fax kind of general class

1785
01:34:55.835 --> 01:34:58.230
that they can take the one credit class, it is a career

1786
01:34:58.230 --> 01:35:00.125
and technical class in that cluster,

1787
01:35:00.945 --> 01:35:02.645
and then be able to have the credit

1788
01:35:02.955 --> 01:35:05.165
that they are doing the work-based learning

1789
01:35:05.165 --> 01:35:06.605
opportunity out in the field.

1790
01:35:07.345 --> 01:35:10.245
And so there is a good connection with that, I think, um,

1791
01:35:10.675 --> 01:35:12.925
that with the work that we've done with school

1792
01:35:12.925 --> 01:35:16.725
and community relations, I think we've been able to, uh,

1793
01:35:16.835 --> 01:35:20.805
formalize a lot of the documentation, uh, also determining,

1794
01:35:21.265 --> 01:35:22.685
um, what forms

1795
01:35:22.825 --> 01:35:25.525
and legal requirements we need for each

1796
01:35:25.525 --> 01:35:27.805
of the different types of, um,

1797
01:35:28.175 --> 01:35:30.365
work-based learning opportunities and partnerships.

1798
01:35:32.845 --> 01:35:34.045
I guess I'm asking in part

1799
01:35:34.045 --> 01:35:36.685
because everything you've described Ms.

1800
01:35:36.965 --> 01:35:38.605
Ashby is, um, I mean, it's a lot,

1801
01:35:38.695 --> 01:35:40.645
there is a lot that can be done.

1802
01:35:40.645 --> 01:35:43.085
There's a lot of silos or buckets to it.

1803
01:35:43.185 --> 01:35:45.885
And I, I'm just asking, is this something where it's sort

1804
01:35:45.885 --> 01:35:47.805
of supportive right now and then it will be sort

1805
01:35:47.805 --> 01:35:50.285
of shifted back over to academics?

1806
01:35:50.305 --> 01:35:52.405
Or am I just misunderstanding?

1807
01:35:54.445 --> 01:35:57.125
I see it as being an ongoing partnership between the two

1808
01:35:57.125 --> 01:35:58.605
that isn't going to stop.

1809
01:35:58.795 --> 01:36:01.325
Like we have to have constant

1810
01:36:01.565 --> 01:36:02.645
communication for this to work.

1811
01:36:02.745 --> 01:36:04.365
Mm-hmm. So we're not one department,

1812
01:36:04.985 --> 01:36:06.405
but I, through this process

1813
01:36:06.495 --> 01:36:09.365
where we were previously operating completely separately,

1814
01:36:09.455 --> 01:36:11.805
we've come together, we have

1815
01:36:12.365 --> 01:36:14.085
standard operating procedures together,

1816
01:36:14.855 --> 01:36:16.525
we're still forming some of those.

1817
01:36:16.905 --> 01:36:21.445
Um, but we, um, I think that was one

1818
01:36:21.445 --> 01:36:23.245
of the most positive outcomes

1819
01:36:23.345 --> 01:36:25.245
of the entire working group experience

1820
01:36:25.245 --> 01:36:26.445
because we worked through that together.

1821
01:36:26.905 --> 01:36:30.045
And so now I think what, what we heard

1822
01:36:30.045 --> 01:36:34.045
during the strategic plan process was we have no clue who

1823
01:36:34.045 --> 01:36:35.805
to contact what's going on over there.

1824
01:36:36.605 --> 01:36:39.045
I mean, that wasn't, that was some of the feedback.

1825
01:36:39.905 --> 01:36:41.245
And I think that was partially

1826
01:36:41.245 --> 01:36:44.005
because of our different, um, areas.

1827
01:36:44.505 --> 01:36:46.285
So now we've come together to one.

1828
01:36:46.665 --> 01:36:49.165
So I think it, do you have anything

1829
01:36:49.305 --> 01:36:50.605
to, do you have anything to add?

1830
01:36:51.025 --> 01:36:53.245
No, I would agree. I think it's been a great partnership

1831
01:36:53.305 --> 01:36:55.205
and I think having a central location,

1832
01:36:55.205 --> 01:36:57.925
because, you know, we can't capture everything in current

1833
01:36:57.925 --> 01:36:59.725
and technical on businesses.

1834
01:36:59.965 --> 01:37:01.365
I mean, we try to, but right.

1835
01:37:01.545 --> 01:37:05.125
If we have that central location where st where businesses,

1836
01:37:05.275 --> 01:37:07.045
community members can go ahead

1837
01:37:07.225 --> 01:37:10.885
and, um, want to become a partner, become a partner,

1838
01:37:11.035 --> 01:37:14.765
that gives us one place where we can send people so that

1839
01:37:15.075 --> 01:37:16.485
that process can start.

1840
01:37:16.545 --> 01:37:19.685
And I think we did a number of things to look at what does

1841
01:37:19.685 --> 01:37:22.325
that process look like as we go, as they go through that.

1842
01:37:22.705 --> 01:37:25.045
And I think we tried to streamline that so

1843
01:37:25.045 --> 01:37:28.725
that it would move to the place that it needed to go quickly

1844
01:37:29.265 --> 01:37:31.965
as opposed to kind of falling into a black hole

1845
01:37:31.985 --> 01:37:35.605
and then taking, you know, additional time to see, you know,

1846
01:37:35.625 --> 01:37:37.045
to get to where it needed to be.

1847
01:37:38.475 --> 01:37:40.525
I'll just add one more thing. It's also prevented us from

1848
01:37:40.735 --> 01:37:43.485
contacting the same partner multiple times

1849
01:37:43.675 --> 01:37:44.765
from different departments.

1850
01:37:45.145 --> 01:37:49.165
So we now have, are in the process of a point of contact

1851
01:37:49.345 --> 01:37:50.485
for each department.

1852
01:37:50.555 --> 01:37:52.805
Like we both work with Amazon, for example,

1853
01:37:52.985 --> 01:37:55.365
on different things, but they have a point of contact.

1854
01:37:56.505 --> 01:37:58.245
So it's simple things,

1855
01:37:58.305 --> 01:38:02.005
but it takes a while to get to that level of organization.

1856
01:38:03.435 --> 01:38:05.125
Okay. I think Ms. RA has a follow up

1857
01:38:05.285 --> 01:38:06.285
Question. Yeah.

1858
01:38:06.285 --> 01:38:07.085
My follow up question,

1859
01:38:07.085 --> 01:38:08.605
and this I think is also from Mr.

1860
01:38:08.795 --> 01:38:12.805
Martini. Um, one of the things that, uh, really has stuck

1861
01:38:12.805 --> 01:38:14.525
with me, there's a presentation you gave,

1862
01:38:14.525 --> 01:38:17.565
it may be two years ago now, about work, work-based learning

1863
01:38:17.565 --> 01:38:18.765
or work-based education.

1864
01:38:19.265 --> 01:38:21.405
And you had a graphic where you described sort of level

1865
01:38:21.405 --> 01:38:23.765
of intensity, everything from job shadowing, sort

1866
01:38:23.765 --> 01:38:26.965
of on a light touch thing all the way to apprenticeships,

1867
01:38:26.965 --> 01:38:28.885
which would be the most sort of intensive, heavy duty.

1868
01:38:29.545 --> 01:38:32.165
Um, and I'm curious about the apprenticeship piece.

1869
01:38:32.745 --> 01:38:33.965
Um, in part,

1870
01:38:33.965 --> 01:38:37.525
because earlier today I was on a, for my day job life,

1871
01:38:38.125 --> 01:38:39.885
I was on a call with a foundation

1872
01:38:40.115 --> 01:38:42.525
that is really interested in funding apprenticeships

1873
01:38:42.665 --> 01:38:47.405
and sees apprenticeships as a, um, a way to increase sort

1874
01:38:47.405 --> 01:38:49.445
of the relevance and engagement for students

1875
01:38:49.615 --> 01:38:52.285
where traditional classroom settings are not

1876
01:38:52.285 --> 01:38:53.765
necessarily providing that.

1877
01:38:54.425 --> 01:38:57.365
Um, I know that we have colleagues on the county board

1878
01:38:57.365 --> 01:38:59.205
that are keen on the idea of apprenticeships

1879
01:38:59.225 --> 01:39:01.645
and think about it in terms of workforce development.

1880
01:39:02.285 --> 01:39:04.885
I think the Virginia Department of Labor has some support

1881
01:39:05.145 --> 01:39:07.765
around part apprenticeships specifically.

1882
01:39:08.245 --> 01:39:11.125
I guess the question is, where are we with apprenticeships,

1883
01:39:11.385 --> 01:39:15.645
um, and what kinds of support are needed, um, from the board

1884
01:39:15.645 --> 01:39:17.125
and others, like what would be needed

1885
01:39:17.185 --> 01:39:20.405
to really amplify our efforts in the apprenticeship area?

1886
01:39:22.665 --> 01:39:24.725
We are moving forward with the apprenticeship

1887
01:39:24.985 --> 01:39:27.565
and like you said, there's many, um, opportunities

1888
01:39:27.865 --> 01:39:29.525
and there seems to be more opportunities

1889
01:39:29.665 --> 01:39:30.685
now that they're coming up.

1890
01:39:31.225 --> 01:39:35.725
Um, we've, uh, put in a grant to, um, with a,

1891
01:39:36.195 --> 01:39:40.205
another partner to, um, work on apprenticeships

1892
01:39:40.235 --> 01:39:41.605
that are in the trades.

1893
01:39:42.025 --> 01:39:44.445
Um, we are also looking at, you know, we've also worked

1894
01:39:44.445 --> 01:39:46.245
with Amazon, with theirs as well,

1895
01:39:46.245 --> 01:39:49.085
and we're re refining that a little bit better as well.

1896
01:39:49.745 --> 01:39:52.525
Um, we are also looking at, um,

1897
01:39:53.865 --> 01:39:56.125
we are looking at doing things with our teachers

1898
01:39:56.125 --> 01:39:57.645
for tomorrow program, right.

1899
01:39:57.665 --> 01:39:58.885
So that we can build our own.

1900
01:39:59.225 --> 01:40:00.685
So I think we are looking at that.

1901
01:40:01.125 --> 01:40:03.485
I think, um, if, I think the help

1902
01:40:03.485 --> 01:40:05.805
that we would need is if you are hearing

1903
01:40:05.905 --> 01:40:08.565
or seeing some opportunities that maybe we're not seeing.

1904
01:40:09.105 --> 01:40:10.645
Uh, and if you have contacts

1905
01:40:10.645 --> 01:40:12.285
that are interested in those apprenticeships,

1906
01:40:12.355 --> 01:40:13.445
we'd love to talk to them.

1907
01:40:13.505 --> 01:40:16.005
Apprenticeship has to go through the Department of labor.

1908
01:40:16.545 --> 01:40:19.245
Um, and, and you know, so, so making

1909
01:40:19.355 --> 01:40:21.645
that process isn't a quick process.

1910
01:40:21.945 --> 01:40:23.885
So if there is interest, it does take time

1911
01:40:23.905 --> 01:40:26.965
and it would be great to, to, to have those, um,

1912
01:40:27.185 --> 01:40:28.685
or get that support, right.

1913
01:40:28.745 --> 01:40:31.765
For those, if you have businesses that are interested in

1914
01:40:31.765 --> 01:40:32.925
that or other con

1915
01:40:32.945 --> 01:40:36.245
or other places, um, that are showing an interest, I think

1916
01:40:36.245 --> 01:40:38.245
that would be helpful to bring that to our attention so

1917
01:40:38.245 --> 01:40:41.285
that we could reach out, uh, and then help build that.

1918
01:40:41.945 --> 01:40:45.965
Um, we also know that, you know, by starting small with our,

1919
01:40:46.225 --> 01:40:49.685
um, um, students doing job shadowing, right?

1920
01:40:49.785 --> 01:40:51.965
And we're getting, and we get businesses involved,

1921
01:40:51.985 --> 01:40:54.765
and then they can start seeing maybe with an internship

1922
01:40:54.945 --> 01:40:57.925
and how well our students are doing for them, then

1923
01:40:57.925 --> 01:41:00.045
that starts to build the momentum of, Hey,

1924
01:41:00.045 --> 01:41:02.605
have you thought about, um, an apprenticeship?

1925
01:41:02.885 --> 01:41:05.245
I mean, I'll use an example of the automotive industry.

1926
01:41:05.245 --> 01:41:07.925
We've been having students go out many, many years

1927
01:41:08.025 --> 01:41:10.165
for this summer, for a summer internship

1928
01:41:10.385 --> 01:41:11.445
of about eight weeks.

1929
01:41:12.025 --> 01:41:13.525
You know, can we start turning some

1930
01:41:13.525 --> 01:41:15.005
of those into an apprenticeship?

1931
01:41:15.465 --> 01:41:17.405
Um, and, and it's looking at some of the things

1932
01:41:17.405 --> 01:41:19.045
that we're already doing, but then other

1933
01:41:19.045 --> 01:41:20.165
opportunities that are out there.

1934
01:41:20.865 --> 01:41:25.085
Thank you so much. Any more

1935
01:41:25.085 --> 01:41:26.245
follow ups on that topic?

1936
01:41:26.585 --> 01:41:30.725
No. Okay. Um, so I wanted

1937
01:41:30.725 --> 01:41:34.125
to just ask about, um, sort of the balance between, um,

1938
01:41:34.395 --> 01:41:36.685
schools and, and central office,

1939
01:41:36.685 --> 01:41:38.405
because I know from the perspective of school,

1940
01:41:38.405 --> 01:41:39.965
there's often advantages to sort

1941
01:41:39.965 --> 01:41:42.125
of managing partnerships locally.

1942
01:41:42.705 --> 01:41:45.485
Um, and then also advantages to having, you know,

1943
01:41:45.485 --> 01:41:46.605
the support of the central office.

1944
01:41:46.625 --> 01:41:48.685
So I'm curious, curious about sort of how you're approaching

1945
01:41:48.685 --> 01:41:50.125
that balance and,

1946
01:41:50.225 --> 01:41:53.485
and what happens, what still happens at the school level

1947
01:41:53.505 --> 01:41:55.485
and what is ha what is handled at the,

1948
01:41:55.825 --> 01:41:57.045
at the central office level?

1949
01:41:58.155 --> 01:41:59.445
That is a great question.

1950
01:41:59.985 --> 01:42:03.685
Um, we are working through that, what we talked

1951
01:42:03.685 --> 01:42:05.005
to each principal about.

1952
01:42:05.315 --> 01:42:06.805
They, they welcomed the support.

1953
01:42:06.855 --> 01:42:10.325
First of all, it's an area they want more support.

1954
01:42:10.745 --> 01:42:14.925
Um, I was a little concerned there might be a little bit

1955
01:42:14.925 --> 01:42:17.125
of protection of partners they already have.

1956
01:42:17.665 --> 01:42:19.245
Uh, so there are partnerships

1957
01:42:19.245 --> 01:42:21.445
where they're pretty much managing them on their own,

1958
01:42:21.985 --> 01:42:23.565
but they welcome the opportunity

1959
01:42:23.625 --> 01:42:26.285
to make sure we have a standard process for tracking them

1960
01:42:26.425 --> 01:42:27.525
and recognizing them

1961
01:42:27.665 --> 01:42:29.645
and making sure they are centrally managed.

1962
01:42:29.745 --> 01:42:31.285
In terms of feedback, there was

1963
01:42:31.925 --> 01:42:33.205
absolutely no resistance to that.

1964
01:42:33.905 --> 01:42:36.605
We are not going to try to interfere with any partnerships

1965
01:42:36.605 --> 01:42:38.045
that they have that are operating.

1966
01:42:38.465 --> 01:42:41.445
But we did hear a lot of feedback on specific areas where

1967
01:42:42.405 --> 01:42:43.845
a principal could use more support,

1968
01:42:44.195 --> 01:42:46.245
finding a partner in this area.

1969
01:42:46.425 --> 01:42:47.685
That's where we will be helpful,

1970
01:42:48.065 --> 01:42:51.805
but we have no intention of meddling in a partnership

1971
01:42:51.825 --> 01:42:55.125
that's humming along really well, other than

1972
01:42:56.055 --> 01:42:58.965
let's have them sign this agreement, put them in our system

1973
01:42:59.185 --> 01:43:03.485
so that we can evaluate how it's going and recognize them.

1974
01:43:04.915 --> 01:43:05.965
That makes sense. Thank you.

1975
01:43:06.105 --> 01:43:08.725
Um, and then I think this is sort of a related question,

1976
01:43:08.745 --> 01:43:12.815
but, um, a a lot of times volunteers

1977
01:43:13.345 --> 01:43:16.015
especially, and then also sometimes partners come in

1978
01:43:16.015 --> 01:43:17.815
through PTAs, um,

1979
01:43:17.915 --> 01:43:20.495
or, you know, where the, the partnership is sort of

1980
01:43:20.495 --> 01:43:23.375
with the PTA or be starts with the PTA

1981
01:43:23.375 --> 01:43:25.015
and becomes, you know, part of the school

1982
01:43:25.015 --> 01:43:26.935
or the volunteers come in through the PTA

1983
01:43:26.935 --> 01:43:28.815
and become part of the volunteer base.

1984
01:43:29.475 --> 01:43:32.095
So I'm just curious if, uh, if the working group discussed

1985
01:43:32.095 --> 01:43:33.575
that, it looked like the working group did not

1986
01:43:33.845 --> 01:43:35.295
have PTA representation.

1987
01:43:35.595 --> 01:43:37.375
Um, and so I was curious about that topic

1988
01:43:37.435 --> 01:43:41.295
and whether you've been engaging with like the C-C-P-T-A

1989
01:43:41.295 --> 01:43:42.375
around what you've put in place

1990
01:43:42.395 --> 01:43:43.495
and what you're going to be doing,

1991
01:43:43.675 --> 01:43:47.015
or, um, sort of how that loop

1992
01:43:47.525 --> 01:43:49.095
gets closed out a little bit.

1993
01:43:49.925 --> 01:43:51.685
That is another excellent question. You're right.

1994
01:43:51.745 --> 01:43:55.685
We did not have, am I correct? We did not have, we did not.

1995
01:43:56.225 --> 01:43:58.805
Um, I think that's something that

1996
01:43:58.825 --> 01:44:01.885
As a former PTA president who managed a partnership

1997
01:44:01.905 --> 01:44:05.325
and volunteers and all of the stuff, I, I am well aware

1998
01:44:05.325 --> 01:44:08.845
that it's a, I mean, PTAs would probably be very grateful,

1999
01:44:08.845 --> 01:44:10.405
but they have to know what to do.

2000
01:44:10.865 --> 01:44:13.765
And I think you've just identified a very important gap

2001
01:44:13.835 --> 01:44:16.565
that we probably need to, that we definitely need

2002
01:44:16.565 --> 01:44:18.125
to address in our next step.

2003
01:44:18.785 --> 01:44:21.365
Um, no, I mean, I, I do find that very helpful.

2004
01:44:21.465 --> 01:44:22.805
We, we talk with PTAs,

2005
01:44:22.805 --> 01:44:24.485
but we have not shared with them,

2006
01:44:24.485 --> 01:44:26.125
here's our model, here's what we're doing.

2007
01:44:26.925 --> 01:44:29.325
I think we need to do that in this very next phase.

2008
01:44:29.455 --> 01:44:31.965
We've started doing that with different partners.

2009
01:44:32.185 --> 01:44:36.685
So we sat down with apa, we sat down with, um, true ground,

2010
01:44:36.785 --> 01:44:40.725
we sat down with, um, a few,

2011
01:44:41.155 --> 01:44:42.405
several partners.

2012
01:44:42.665 --> 01:44:46.445
Um, and I think we should do the same with the C-C-P-T-A.

2013
01:44:46.555 --> 01:44:47.885
Yeah, that's great. So probably go

2014
01:44:47.885 --> 01:44:50.485
to the next C-C-P-T-A meeting and have this conversation

2015
01:44:50.545 --> 01:44:51.965
and maybe schedule some other time.

2016
01:44:52.235 --> 01:44:53.285
Yeah, yeah. Good

2017
01:44:54.025 --> 01:44:55.205
Follow up. Quick

2018
01:44:55.205 --> 01:44:56.205
Follow up on that. And

2019
01:44:56.205 --> 01:44:59.565
I think a more specific request from PTAs

2020
01:44:59.565 --> 01:45:02.045
and other entities that either partner with the PTA

2021
01:45:02.045 --> 01:45:06.005
or partner directly with schools, um, is a question around,

2022
01:45:06.145 --> 01:45:08.005
um, sort of legal liability.

2023
01:45:08.065 --> 01:45:12.045
And it's a follow up for a PS centrally as a resource

2024
01:45:12.045 --> 01:45:14.765
that I think would be helpful to schools and to PTAs.

2025
01:45:15.465 --> 01:45:17.965
Um, PTAs will often make arrangements

2026
01:45:17.985 --> 01:45:20.205
for groups like Bari or others to come in to do.

2027
01:45:20.205 --> 01:45:23.365
Enrichment or educational theater company will come in

2028
01:45:23.365 --> 01:45:24.565
either through a PTA

2029
01:45:24.565 --> 01:45:26.925
or through the, to the school directly Odyssey.

2030
01:45:26.925 --> 01:45:28.205
The mind volunteers come in.

2031
01:45:28.505 --> 01:45:31.685
And I think there has been some confusion in terms

2032
01:45:31.905 --> 01:45:35.645
of the sort of vetting process for the adults

2033
01:45:35.645 --> 01:45:38.765
that come into schools to provide those programs in terms

2034
01:45:38.765 --> 01:45:42.965
of things like background checks, and I think maybe PTAs

2035
01:45:42.965 --> 01:45:45.885
and other entities are getting different messages about

2036
01:45:45.915 --> 01:45:47.605
what their responsibility is.

2037
01:45:47.625 --> 01:45:50.325
And as a one school board member, I would say that

2038
01:45:51.085 --> 01:45:53.885
I would be leery of relying upon an outside group,

2039
01:45:53.885 --> 01:45:57.605
including a PTA, to sort of shoulder their responsibility

2040
01:45:57.605 --> 01:46:00.365
for doing that kind of background check, sort

2041
01:46:00.485 --> 01:46:01.485
of legal vetting.

2042
01:46:01.985 --> 01:46:04.285
Um, and I think it would be helpful for us to be able

2043
01:46:04.285 --> 01:46:07.605
to provide some guidance for, um, for those groups,

2044
01:46:07.605 --> 01:46:08.725
whether it's a PTA

2045
01:46:08.785 --> 01:46:12.365
or, um, you know, another entity about

2046
01:46:12.795 --> 01:46:15.125
what is APSs responsibility centrally,

2047
01:46:15.515 --> 01:46:16.805
what are they supposed to do?

2048
01:46:16.995 --> 01:46:18.725
What should they not commit to do.

2049
01:46:18.945 --> 01:46:21.125
Um, I think that would be just a follow-up request

2050
01:46:21.225 --> 01:46:22.965
of information that would be super helpful.

2051
01:46:23.735 --> 01:46:27.765
Thank you. Did you wanna add anything?

2052
01:46:28.945 --> 01:46:31.645
Did you wanna add anything? Okay.

2053
01:46:33.095 --> 01:46:37.285
Sorry. Okay. Um, any other questions? Okay.

2054
01:46:37.365 --> 01:46:39.965
I am looking Okay, Ms. Tapia. Hadley's. Good.

2055
01:46:40.065 --> 01:46:44.205
So, um, I really wanna say thank you, thank you, uh,

2056
01:46:44.225 --> 01:46:47.005
for a tremendous amount of work that has gone into this, um,

2057
01:46:47.585 --> 01:46:48.925
uh, not to the report,

2058
01:46:49.025 --> 01:46:51.925
but to all the work you've been doing, um, and the report.

2059
01:46:51.945 --> 01:46:53.685
So we are, we're really grateful, um,

2060
01:46:53.745 --> 01:46:56.045
and we're grateful for all of the volunteers

2061
01:46:56.145 --> 01:46:57.245
and all of the partners.

2062
01:46:57.385 --> 01:47:01.485
And, um, all that goes into enriching student learning

2063
01:47:01.745 --> 01:47:03.725
and, um, and strengthening our schools.

2064
01:47:04.065 --> 01:47:05.445
So thank you. Thanks to the team.

2065
01:47:09.515 --> 01:47:13.325
Okay. I think we'll take like a three minute break. Okay.

2066
01:47:13.745 --> 01:47:16.685
Uh, three minute breaks. We'll be back at, wait, wait.

2067
01:47:16.685 --> 01:47:20.085
It's about to turn. We'll be back at 8 53. Okay.

2068
01:52:16.755 --> 01:52:18.545
Presenting. Don't we do the motion?

2069
01:52:18.565 --> 01:52:21.785
And then Mary Cadra, she's coming.

2070
01:53:26.245 --> 01:53:27.685
Okay. We are now, uh, back in session.

2071
01:53:28.065 --> 01:53:29.205
Um, we are at action items

2072
01:53:29.305 --> 01:53:30.605
and tonight we have one item,

2073
01:53:30.825 --> 01:53:34.045
the school board FY 2027 budget direction.

2074
01:53:34.785 --> 01:53:37.805
Uh, we had this as information two weeks ago

2075
01:53:38.145 --> 01:53:39.365
and three weeks ago.

2076
01:53:39.925 --> 01:53:41.125
I don't remember how many weeks we are.

2077
01:53:41.465 --> 01:53:44.445
Um, and there have been, uh,

2078
01:53:44.835 --> 01:53:48.045
just three very small tweaks to the budget direction

2079
01:53:48.045 --> 01:53:50.445
that was shared for information at the last meeting.

2080
01:53:50.785 --> 01:53:53.205
Um, I am going to try

2081
01:53:53.205 --> 01:53:55.085
to find those tweaks 'cause they were very small.

2082
01:53:55.705 --> 01:53:55.925
Um,

2083
01:54:02.215 --> 01:54:03.385
They were small tweaks.

2084
01:54:04.065 --> 01:54:07.025
I think I'm gonna leave it at that. We've all read them.

2085
01:54:07.525 --> 01:54:10.185
Um, so I will, uh,

2086
01:54:11.205 --> 01:54:15.065
ask if anyone has any clarifying questions on our budget

2087
01:54:15.065 --> 01:54:16.985
direction, which I imagine we are all,

2088
01:54:17.685 --> 01:54:19.425
we are all good on our, okay.

2089
01:54:19.965 --> 01:54:22.265
And, um, so we are now ready for a motion.

2090
01:54:23.205 --> 01:54:24.825
Um, and I have a motion,

2091
01:54:26.735 --> 01:54:28.905
this is gonna be really exciting.

2092
01:54:29.105 --> 01:54:33.465
I move that the school board adopt the school board FY 2027

2093
01:54:33.465 --> 01:54:34.545
budget direction.

2094
01:54:35.165 --> 01:54:38.825
Is there a second? Second. Thank you.

2095
01:54:39.365 --> 01:54:41.985
Um, and so now I would like to find out if anyone would like

2096
01:54:41.985 --> 01:54:43.705
to comment on the motion.

2097
01:54:45.635 --> 01:54:48.855
No, no, no, no. Ms. Tapia Hadley.

2098
01:54:50.755 --> 01:54:52.815
All good. You're good. Okay.

2099
01:54:53.315 --> 01:54:55.895
Um, so I'm just gonna make a quick comment about our

2100
01:54:55.895 --> 01:54:57.215
process, um,

2101
01:54:57.995 --> 01:55:00.205
because I just wanna make sure for the community

2102
01:55:00.205 --> 01:55:04.645
that we are clear about, uh, how we do our budget direction.

2103
01:55:05.105 --> 01:55:06.565
Um, and just share that.

2104
01:55:06.585 --> 01:55:08.725
We, um, the school board

2105
01:55:08.725 --> 01:55:11.245
and cabinet came together in a retreat on July 25th,

2106
01:55:11.305 --> 01:55:13.445
at which we talked about this year's budget process,

2107
01:55:13.905 --> 01:55:15.925
and did a little bit of a level set just in terms

2108
01:55:15.925 --> 01:55:17.925
of our expectations and the planning for the year.

2109
01:55:18.505 --> 01:55:22.565
Um, in, on September 4th, the, we held a committee

2110
01:55:22.585 --> 01:55:25.645
of the whole meeting to discuss our ba our draft

2111
01:55:25.645 --> 01:55:26.725
budget direction.

2112
01:55:27.225 --> 01:55:28.765
Um, September 18th,

2113
01:55:29.025 --> 01:55:30.445
we presented the draft budget

2114
01:55:30.445 --> 01:55:31.685
direction at the school board meeting.

2115
01:55:32.105 --> 01:55:34.605
And then since then, we've considered, we've continued

2116
01:55:34.605 --> 01:55:38.125
to consider, um, some possible improvements to the document.

2117
01:55:38.145 --> 01:55:39.325
We did make a couple of changes.

2118
01:55:39.705 --> 01:55:43.085
We also received input from the budget advisory committee,

2119
01:55:43.255 --> 01:55:44.605
which was helpful not only

2120
01:55:44.705 --> 01:55:46.405
for this budget direction document,

2121
01:55:46.425 --> 01:55:48.685
but also for our overall thinking about the budget,

2122
01:55:49.105 --> 01:55:50.245
uh, for the upcoming year.

2123
01:55:50.945 --> 01:55:53.325
So, uh, this reflects sort of where we are headed.

2124
01:55:53.425 --> 01:55:56.245
And I think I will say that the best products, um,

2125
01:55:56.245 --> 01:55:58.965
emerge when we work in close collaboration with the,

2126
01:55:59.075 --> 01:56:01.285
between the school board and then the superintendent

2127
01:56:01.545 --> 01:56:02.565
and his leadership team.

2128
01:56:03.105 --> 01:56:07.045
Um, so I think, uh, we will continue to do that.

2129
01:56:07.185 --> 01:56:10.045
We will have a process this year in which we, um,

2130
01:56:10.875 --> 01:56:14.165
have the superintendent's, uh, proposed budget, um,

2131
01:56:14.645 --> 01:56:16.445
provided to the board in the community in late February,

2132
01:56:16.465 --> 01:56:18.805
and then a school board proposed budget, um,

2133
01:56:18.805 --> 01:56:20.645
coming in a little bit later in the spring.

2134
01:56:21.145 --> 01:56:22.325
Um, I think we all look forward

2135
01:56:22.345 --> 01:56:24.765
to working closely together throughout the process.

2136
01:56:25.065 --> 01:56:27.605
And we'll be checking in regularly with the superintendent

2137
01:56:27.665 --> 01:56:30.405
and his team as they work towards the proposed budget.

2138
01:56:32.805 --> 01:56:33.925
I did, I said that. Okay.

2139
01:56:34.265 --> 01:56:38.965
Um, so I think we are

2140
01:56:38.965 --> 01:56:40.005
ready for a vote.

2141
01:56:40.265 --> 01:56:42.165
Uh, Ms. Mercado, will you please call the roll

2142
01:56:44.105 --> 01:56:45.105
All in favor? Please say

2143
01:56:45.105 --> 01:56:48.565
yes. Those opposed say no. Ms. Clark? Yes. Ms.

2144
01:56:48.795 --> 01:56:53.605
Cera? Yes. Ms. Tapia Hadley. Yes. Ms. Turner? Yes. Ms.

2145
01:56:53.805 --> 01:56:56.645
Er Sutton? Yes. Motion passes. Five to zero.

2146
01:56:57.955 --> 01:56:59.285
Okay. Thank you to everyone.

2147
01:56:59.825 --> 01:57:01.885
Uh, we are now at information items,

2148
01:57:02.225 --> 01:57:03.925
and tonight we have two information items.

2149
01:57:04.505 --> 01:57:07.565
The first is the school board legislative package. Dr.

2150
01:57:07.795 --> 01:57:08.805
Will you please introduce the

2151
01:57:08.805 --> 01:57:09.925
staff who will present this item?

2152
01:57:10.145 --> 01:57:12.245
Yes. Thank you. And like your comments on the budget

2153
01:57:12.245 --> 01:57:14.525
direction, I do appreciate the opportunity that we had

2154
01:57:14.525 --> 01:57:15.685
to work closely with you

2155
01:57:15.685 --> 01:57:19.405
and Ms. Turner on the legislative, um, package and,

2156
01:57:19.405 --> 01:57:21.085
and what we're looking forward to bring forth.

2157
01:57:21.305 --> 01:57:25.285
And I want to be appreciative to, um, also the fact

2158
01:57:25.285 --> 01:57:26.445
that we've been very concise,

2159
01:57:26.445 --> 01:57:28.165
having looked at some other school systems

2160
01:57:28.165 --> 01:57:30.445
that have literally encyclopedia.

2161
01:57:30.465 --> 01:57:33.405
We want to make sure that we're being very clear on the

2162
01:57:33.405 --> 01:57:36.885
areas of focus for us and appreciate the leadership of Mr.

2163
01:57:36.885 --> 01:57:39.125
Marco. I will now turn it over to our Director

2164
01:57:39.125 --> 01:57:40.525
of Policy and Legislative Affairs.

2165
01:57:41.215 --> 01:57:45.285
Thank you. So, uh, this is the 2026 legislative package

2166
01:57:45.425 --> 01:57:46.885
for the 2026 session.

2167
01:57:47.705 --> 01:57:50.645
And, uh, you know, we, so, you know, we do this every year,

2168
01:57:50.705 --> 01:57:52.845
and we, we go through and we figure out, you know,

2169
01:57:52.845 --> 01:57:54.685
what still applies, what doesn't, what what,

2170
01:57:54.755 --> 01:57:55.765
what needs to be brought in.

2171
01:57:55.765 --> 01:57:57.405
And, and we do have a number of changes this year.

2172
01:57:57.745 --> 01:57:59.765
Uh, our first item was one we we've had

2173
01:57:59.765 --> 01:58:01.365
for a long time, but it's very important.

2174
01:58:01.525 --> 01:58:02.925
I do wanna take a moment, make sure

2175
01:58:02.925 --> 01:58:03.965
we don't just blow past it.

2176
01:58:04.425 --> 01:58:07.285
Uh, the school board represents Arlington County,

2177
01:58:07.585 --> 01:58:10.085
and you're the ones who are elected to determine how

2178
01:58:10.085 --> 01:58:13.245
to run this school division, uh, more

2179
01:58:13.245 --> 01:58:14.285
so than the general assembly.

2180
01:58:14.385 --> 01:58:16.085
And so every year there's gonna be lots

2181
01:58:16.085 --> 01:58:18.285
and lots of bills, uh, ordering us

2182
01:58:18.285 --> 01:58:19.365
to do all kinds of different things.

2183
01:58:19.875 --> 01:58:20.885
Some of them are gonna pass,

2184
01:58:20.945 --> 01:58:23.045
but we're gonna do our best to try to get it

2185
01:58:23.065 --> 01:58:24.285
to the right posture for us.

2186
01:58:24.385 --> 01:58:26.685
So, uh, but that really is a big item.

2187
01:58:26.945 --> 01:58:29.805
Um, there's gonna be probably 40 different bills

2188
01:58:29.965 --> 01:58:32.205
that fit under that, that, that specific,

2189
01:58:32.785 --> 01:58:33.885
uh, framework there.

2190
01:58:34.465 --> 01:58:36.565
Um, and one thing that,

2191
01:58:36.565 --> 01:58:38.325
that has traditionally we've put within that,

2192
01:58:38.325 --> 01:58:39.405
but I wanted to bring it out

2193
01:58:39.405 --> 01:58:41.485
and make it a separate bullet item this time,

2194
01:58:41.665 --> 01:58:42.965
is unfunded mandates.

2195
01:58:42.965 --> 01:58:45.205
We've seen this more and more. Uh, there were a lot

2196
01:58:45.205 --> 01:58:47.205
of bills like that that went in last year.

2197
01:58:47.205 --> 01:58:48.845
Some of them made it through. Uh,

2198
01:58:49.825 --> 01:58:51.445
but there's a lot of great ideas out there

2199
01:58:51.505 --> 01:58:52.805
for things that schools should be doing.

2200
01:58:52.885 --> 01:58:54.605
A lot of legislators have these ideas.

2201
01:58:54.605 --> 01:58:55.365
They bring 'em forward,

2202
01:58:55.865 --> 01:58:57.045
and they cost, and they're good ideas.

2203
01:58:57.075 --> 01:58:58.765
They cost money to do. It's in many cases

2204
01:58:58.825 --> 01:59:00.045
why we weren't doing 'em.

2205
01:59:00.145 --> 01:59:02.765
And if the state wants to order us to do them,

2206
01:59:02.865 --> 01:59:04.725
but doesn't wanna put up the money to do it,

2207
01:59:05.155 --> 01:59:07.965
then they're just making us all pay for it out of

2208
01:59:07.965 --> 01:59:10.365
what we have, which as we'll get to is not enough.

2209
01:59:11.025 --> 01:59:13.965
Um, and so there will be more,

2210
01:59:13.965 --> 01:59:15.685
there will be more bills on this this year, I'm sure.

2211
01:59:16.185 --> 01:59:19.525
Uh, I find sometimes when the General assembly increases our

2212
01:59:19.525 --> 01:59:20.805
funding more, they're more inclined

2213
01:59:20.805 --> 01:59:22.485
to do more on funding mandates, uh,

2214
01:59:22.975 --> 01:59:24.165
which I sort of understand.

2215
01:59:24.165 --> 01:59:25.725
But it's really that we're,

2216
01:59:25.775 --> 01:59:27.245
we're still short on the money we need.

2217
01:59:27.595 --> 01:59:30.245
That money only has, uh, things it's dedicated to.

2218
01:59:30.465 --> 01:59:34.125
And, uh, requiring it to go into various other places as

2219
01:59:34.675 --> 01:59:36.285
goes against what we're trying to accomplish here.

2220
01:59:36.705 --> 01:59:37.765
So we'll be fighting on that.

2221
01:59:37.825 --> 01:59:40.485
Uh, we, we did, uh, save, uh, quite a lot

2222
01:59:40.485 --> 01:59:42.485
of money last year, uh, fighting back some unfunded

2223
01:59:42.485 --> 01:59:43.725
mandates, not, there were a

2224
01:59:43.725 --> 01:59:44.805
few smaller ones that got through.

2225
01:59:45.345 --> 01:59:47.805
And we will impress on our, our delegation

2226
01:59:47.805 --> 01:59:50.485
and on everyone else, the importance of, if you really,

2227
01:59:50.485 --> 01:59:51.805
really, really want us to do something,

2228
01:59:52.345 --> 01:59:53.925
uh, you gotta pay for it.

2229
01:59:54.585 --> 01:59:57.125
And then, uh, another one, this was, uh,

2230
01:59:57.745 --> 02:00:00.005
we talked a lot about last year, uh, teacher training.

2231
02:00:00.065 --> 02:00:01.325
Uh, we've changed this one up a bit.

2232
02:00:01.705 --> 02:00:05.565
Uh, last year there was a bill that passed, um, uh,

2233
02:00:05.565 --> 02:00:09.725
ordering the Department of Education to study the, uh,

2234
02:00:09.725 --> 02:00:11.325
teacher training requirements in Virginia

2235
02:00:11.865 --> 02:00:15.685
and put together a comprehensive list of what's required,

2236
02:00:15.755 --> 02:00:17.685
what it does, what time is evolved.

2237
02:00:17.865 --> 02:00:21.445
And so that report is not out yet. It is due this fall.

2238
02:00:21.665 --> 02:00:22.965
So we're looking forward to seeing that.

2239
02:00:23.305 --> 02:00:24.445
And then hopefully it,

2240
02:00:24.445 --> 02:00:26.725
after that, we'll have a chance to go through and,

2241
02:00:26.745 --> 02:00:28.125
and bring some of these requirements down.

2242
02:00:28.705 --> 02:00:32.845
So, uh, I think everyone's eagerly anticipating, uh,

2243
02:00:32.875 --> 02:00:34.005
that report in a few weeks.

2244
02:00:35.345 --> 02:00:37.125
Um, student achievement.

2245
02:00:37.265 --> 02:00:39.845
Um, this is, uh,

2246
02:00:39.845 --> 02:00:40.885
something we've talked a lot

2247
02:00:40.885 --> 02:00:41.925
about over the last couple years.

2248
02:00:42.265 --> 02:00:43.645
Uh, our first item here,

2249
02:00:43.645 --> 02:00:45.125
this was our big priority bill last year.

2250
02:00:45.185 --> 02:00:47.005
Uh, I, I, I've talked to some delegates.

2251
02:00:47.005 --> 02:00:48.525
I know it's gonna be brought forward again this year.

2252
02:00:48.945 --> 02:00:50.885
Uh, this is native language assessments.

2253
02:00:51.385 --> 02:00:54.805
Uh, it allows certain, uh, content area SOLs

2254
02:00:54.805 --> 02:00:57.125
to be offered in, uh, in Spanish.

2255
02:00:57.785 --> 02:01:01.725
Uh, so given, given the new, uh, accountability standards,

2256
02:01:01.725 --> 02:01:03.125
this is, this is a big deal.

2257
02:01:03.265 --> 02:01:05.045
And also given, we're seeing that with cut scores

2258
02:01:05.105 --> 02:01:08.445
and, uh, with SOLs now counting towards grades in high

2259
02:01:08.445 --> 02:01:11.365
school, uh, this makes a big difference.

2260
02:01:11.365 --> 02:01:12.965
So I understand the bill's gonna be brought forward,

2261
02:01:12.965 --> 02:01:14.485
that's gonna cover math and science.

2262
02:01:14.635 --> 02:01:16.205
Last year there was a bill that was just math.

2263
02:01:16.705 --> 02:01:18.125
Got a lot of support last year.

2264
02:01:18.745 --> 02:01:21.285
Um, didn't make it through the Appropriations committees.

2265
02:01:21.385 --> 02:01:25.125
Uh, there was an unrelated issue regarding the, uh, testing,

2266
02:01:25.625 --> 02:01:28.645
uh, provider, their contract that got pushed a year.

2267
02:01:28.785 --> 02:01:30.805
Uh, we're hoping we have a better shot at it this year,

2268
02:01:31.425 --> 02:01:32.925
but that's one we'll be pushing on a lot.

2269
02:01:33.585 --> 02:01:36.245
And then, um, the overall framework, we want

2270
02:01:36.245 --> 02:01:39.725
to weight growth as heavily as mastery, uh, for elementary,

2271
02:01:39.755 --> 02:01:40.925
more closely for middle schools.

2272
02:01:40.925 --> 02:01:43.085
That one may failed on the Senate floor last year.

2273
02:01:43.085 --> 02:01:44.485
The Senate is not up for elections.

2274
02:01:44.505 --> 02:01:46.645
So, uh, we'll see what happens with that this year.

2275
02:01:46.645 --> 02:01:48.405
But I think the Board of Education, uh,

2276
02:01:49.065 --> 02:01:51.565
may have an opportunity to look at that one afterwards.

2277
02:01:51.585 --> 02:01:53.485
So, we'll, we'll continue to keep that one alive.

2278
02:01:54.545 --> 02:01:56.765
And then funding, this is a big one.

2279
02:01:56.945 --> 02:01:58.765
Um, and we've got a lot of items on this,

2280
02:01:58.785 --> 02:02:00.245
but, uh, we'll start with the JLR report.

2281
02:02:00.245 --> 02:02:01.405
We've talk about it for a couple years.

2282
02:02:02.025 --> 02:02:05.325
Um, basically the state's supposed

2283
02:02:05.325 --> 02:02:06.965
to provide 20% of our funding.

2284
02:02:07.355 --> 02:02:08.605
They have a formula that determines

2285
02:02:08.605 --> 02:02:09.645
what our funding is supposed to be.

2286
02:02:09.645 --> 02:02:11.885
It falls well short of what we're we actually have to spend.

2287
02:02:11.945 --> 02:02:13.445
And so we're, it's actually more like

2288
02:02:13.985 --> 02:02:16.525
around 14% is where it's been in the past.

2289
02:02:17.225 --> 02:02:19.125
Um, we want to get that back up to 20.

2290
02:02:19.865 --> 02:02:23.845
Now, doing that for every division in the,

2291
02:02:23.945 --> 02:02:27.045
in the Commonwealth prove to be exceptionally expensive.

2292
02:02:27.545 --> 02:02:30.165
And so that's why we haven't seen this fixed all at once.

2293
02:02:30.345 --> 02:02:31.965
Uh, every year they chip away at it.

2294
02:02:31.995 --> 02:02:33.125
Last year, they made some progress.

2295
02:02:33.125 --> 02:02:36.005
They, uh, increased funding on special education.

2296
02:02:36.195 --> 02:02:37.485
They raised the support cap.

2297
02:02:37.745 --> 02:02:39.325
So there, there've been, there's been a lot

2298
02:02:39.325 --> 02:02:41.045
of positive movement, but we need a lot more.

2299
02:02:41.465 --> 02:02:44.045
Uh, I don't know if they're gonna get all the way there this

2300
02:02:44.045 --> 02:02:47.645
year, uh, but we keep working on it, keep it alive,

2301
02:02:47.645 --> 02:02:49.685
keep talking about it, and keep finding pieces of it

2302
02:02:49.685 --> 02:02:51.165
that we can get at while they try

2303
02:02:51.165 --> 02:02:53.085
to look at us a more comprehensive way

2304
02:02:53.245 --> 02:02:54.725
to address some of these needs.

2305
02:02:55.185 --> 02:02:57.325
And so, uh, there's a number of items here.

2306
02:02:57.665 --> 02:03:00.205
All of these are really aimed at trying to get the formula

2307
02:03:00.425 --> 02:03:03.005
to what the actual cost of educating students are.

2308
02:03:03.345 --> 02:03:06.325
The JLR report showed that across Virginia, if,

2309
02:03:06.345 --> 02:03:08.685
if not every, almost every school division is spending more

2310
02:03:08.685 --> 02:03:10.285
than the formula says they should be spending.

2311
02:03:10.305 --> 02:03:11.925
So this isn't just one

2312
02:03:12.085 --> 02:03:13.725
or two wealthy divisions spending high,

2313
02:03:13.725 --> 02:03:15.605
it's everybody is spending more than, uh,

2314
02:03:16.115 --> 02:03:18.005
than the state says that they're supposed to be.

2315
02:03:18.025 --> 02:03:20.285
So obviously, the formula's not meeting the actual need.

2316
02:03:21.735 --> 02:03:24.715
Uh, and that includes the cost of competing adjustment,

2317
02:03:24.715 --> 02:03:26.515
which doesn't match the, the cost of labor.

2318
02:03:26.515 --> 02:03:28.515
In Arlington, we have probably the highest cost in the state

2319
02:03:28.515 --> 02:03:30.395
here, or at least close to them.

2320
02:03:30.815 --> 02:03:33.635
Uh, and so we need our numbers to match

2321
02:03:33.635 --> 02:03:34.755
that costs a lot more

2322
02:03:34.755 --> 02:03:35.955
to pay a teacher than it does somewhere.

2323
02:03:35.955 --> 02:03:39.875
Downstate. Other funding issues, uh, mental health, uh,

2324
02:03:39.875 --> 02:03:41.955
we wanted to highlight a few things here that would help on

2325
02:03:41.955 --> 02:03:44.635
that, including, uh, grants for telehealth, uh,

2326
02:03:44.775 --> 02:03:47.435
for mental health First Aid, uh, lowering the ratio

2327
02:03:47.455 --> 02:03:48.595
for school counselors

2328
02:03:48.975 --> 02:03:51.595
and developing specific ratios for psychologists

2329
02:03:51.595 --> 02:03:52.635
and school social workers.

2330
02:03:52.815 --> 02:03:55.595
We also want to increase funding for, uh,

2331
02:03:55.595 --> 02:03:56.875
addressing cer certain issues

2332
02:03:56.875 --> 02:03:57.955
that have been priorities here,

2333
02:03:58.015 --> 02:03:59.435
and huge priorities at the state level,

2334
02:03:59.435 --> 02:04:02.075
like chronic absenteeism, uh, social workers,

2335
02:04:02.435 --> 02:04:05.035
reducing bullying and supporting students with, uh, limited

2336
02:04:05.095 --> 02:04:06.555
or interrupted formal education.

2337
02:04:07.335 --> 02:04:09.035
Uh, two other items that, uh,

2338
02:04:09.065 --> 02:04:10.235
have come up the last couple years.

2339
02:04:10.255 --> 02:04:11.715
I'm hopeful that this may be the,

2340
02:04:11.775 --> 02:04:13.355
the last time we need to put them in here.

2341
02:04:13.535 --> 02:04:16.475
Uh, but every year, uh, since he's been in office,

2342
02:04:16.495 --> 02:04:19.795
the governor has eliminated the cap on the, uh,

2343
02:04:20.275 --> 02:04:21.715
LCI for the preschool initiative.

2344
02:04:21.895 --> 02:04:22.995
That's been a big one for us.

2345
02:04:23.095 --> 02:04:24.675
And then the hold harmless funding

2346
02:04:24.815 --> 02:04:27.635
for localities from the grocery tax, uh,

2347
02:04:28.075 --> 02:04:29.195
repeal that happened a couple years ago.

2348
02:04:29.735 --> 02:04:32.075
Um, he always takes them out.

2349
02:04:32.075 --> 02:04:33.755
The General assembly puts them back in, in the case

2350
02:04:33.755 --> 02:04:35.675
of the LCI cap, he takes it back out.

2351
02:04:35.675 --> 02:04:38.245
They put it back in. The way it works is, uh,

2352
02:04:38.785 --> 02:04:41.245
so we're in the final year of this governor's term.

2353
02:04:41.745 --> 02:04:42.965
Uh, he'll submit a budget.

2354
02:04:42.965 --> 02:04:45.765
That'll be one of his last, uh, last,

2355
02:04:45.865 --> 02:04:47.045
uh, actions as governor.

2356
02:04:47.585 --> 02:04:49.045
The new, the jail cell will take it up,

2357
02:04:49.045 --> 02:04:51.405
and then the new governor will deal

2358
02:04:51.405 --> 02:04:52.565
with what the jail cell be puts forward.

2359
02:04:52.625 --> 02:04:55.005
So my hope is that while I expect that,

2360
02:04:55.325 --> 02:04:57.045
this probably does happen again,

2361
02:04:57.305 --> 02:04:58.405
the general assembly addresses it,

2362
02:04:58.405 --> 02:05:00.365
and hopefully we don't have to keep seeing this,

2363
02:05:00.465 --> 02:05:01.725
but we shall see.

2364
02:05:02.625 --> 02:05:05.285
Um, and then the 1% sales tax that passed

2365
02:05:05.285 --> 02:05:06.405
and got vetoed last year.

2366
02:05:06.425 --> 02:05:08.285
So I think that, uh, might have a good chance.

2367
02:05:08.545 --> 02:05:10.365
Um, another evergreen issue.

2368
02:05:10.505 --> 02:05:13.245
Uh, this question of taking money from public education,

2369
02:05:13.245 --> 02:05:15.685
putting it into vouchers, tax credits, lab schools,

2370
02:05:15.685 --> 02:05:17.005
that's something we're strongly opposed to.

2371
02:05:17.315 --> 02:05:18.765
There's always legislation on this.

2372
02:05:18.765 --> 02:05:19.885
There'll be legislation on it.

2373
02:05:19.885 --> 02:05:22.525
Again, that tends to be more to a, more of a partisan issue.

2374
02:05:22.545 --> 02:05:25.245
So depending on the, uh, outcome of the election,

2375
02:05:25.255 --> 02:05:27.205
we'll see how relevant that is.

2376
02:05:27.205 --> 02:05:31.285
But there's always bills on it. And, uh, one new one, uh,

2377
02:05:31.305 --> 02:05:33.125
and this is a big issue, is federal funding.

2378
02:05:33.225 --> 02:05:35.165
Uh, something we haven't talked a lot about the last couple

2379
02:05:35.165 --> 02:05:37.205
years, but, uh, is a big issue now.

2380
02:05:37.865 --> 02:05:40.525
Um, remember a few months ago, uh,

2381
02:05:41.145 --> 02:05:43.365
the White House froze funding for, uh,

2382
02:05:43.555 --> 02:05:44.925
English language acquisition,

2383
02:05:44.925 --> 02:05:46.325
teacher development, adult education.

2384
02:05:46.555 --> 02:05:47.885
They eventually unfroze that funding.

2385
02:05:47.885 --> 02:05:50.325
Obviously, we've had our own issue with the federal funding.

2386
02:05:50.325 --> 02:05:54.205
That aside, uh, you may have heard there's some

2387
02:05:54.725 --> 02:05:56.085
conflict over funding at the federal

2388
02:05:56.085 --> 02:05:57.285
level in Congress right now.

2389
02:05:57.745 --> 02:06:00.005
Um, we'll see what happens with that.

2390
02:06:00.005 --> 02:06:03.845
But beyond, beyond that, the house actually, uh,

2391
02:06:04.905 --> 02:06:06.445
cut Title One funding by 20,

2392
02:06:06.445 --> 02:06:08.685
about 25, 20 6% in their version

2393
02:06:08.685 --> 02:06:10.485
of the appropriations bill Senate didn't.

2394
02:06:10.705 --> 02:06:11.765
So there's a lot of cuts on the

2395
02:06:11.765 --> 02:06:12.845
house side, not on the Senate side.

2396
02:06:12.845 --> 02:06:14.045
That's gonna have to work itself out.

2397
02:06:14.155 --> 02:06:16.045
Hopefully, we, we, that can be dealt

2398
02:06:16.045 --> 02:06:17.845
with at the congressional level,

2399
02:06:17.945 --> 02:06:20.085
and we won't see federal funding cuts.

2400
02:06:20.085 --> 02:06:22.765
But if we do in these areas, uh, we would hope

2401
02:06:22.765 --> 02:06:23.845
that the state could step in

2402
02:06:24.145 --> 02:06:26.285
and help backstop some of that funding loss.

2403
02:06:26.585 --> 02:06:27.605
But we,

2404
02:06:27.745 --> 02:06:29.445
we really don't know what's gonna happen there right now.

2405
02:06:29.465 --> 02:06:30.685
So just watching that closely.

2406
02:06:32.945 --> 02:06:34.525
Uh, teacher recruitment and retention.

2407
02:06:34.745 --> 02:06:37.205
So, uh, there have been bills on licensure every year.

2408
02:06:37.205 --> 02:06:39.245
There was a JAC report a couple years ago on this,

2409
02:06:39.305 --> 02:06:40.605
on some of the barriers that exist.

2410
02:06:40.745 --> 02:06:41.925
Uh, we've gotten rid of some of them.

2411
02:06:42.105 --> 02:06:44.885
Uh, there was, uh, the VCLA assessment that they got rid of.

2412
02:06:45.425 --> 02:06:46.925
Uh, we've put in a place some,

2413
02:06:46.925 --> 02:06:48.445
some better reciprocity rules.

2414
02:06:48.635 --> 02:06:49.765
There's still a lot of barriers.

2415
02:06:49.765 --> 02:06:51.325
There's still, it still comes up.

2416
02:06:51.465 --> 02:06:54.765
Um, one of the issues we found regarding reciprocity is

2417
02:06:54.765 --> 02:06:57.125
that while the, there is general reciprocity

2418
02:06:57.125 --> 02:06:59.725
for licenses from, for experienced teachers in other states,

2419
02:07:00.265 --> 02:07:02.965
uh, there are some specifics with regard to endorsements

2420
02:07:02.965 --> 02:07:05.205
where their endorsement doesn't transfer to Virginia

2421
02:07:05.265 --> 02:07:06.365
for one reason or another,

2422
02:07:06.465 --> 02:07:09.285
or someone's an administrator, they're licensed,

2423
02:07:09.285 --> 02:07:11.645
doesn't transfer to our endorsement system here.

2424
02:07:11.745 --> 02:07:15.645
So if, if there are ways we can expand on what we have

2425
02:07:15.665 --> 02:07:17.405
to make that easier, this is something that comes up

2426
02:07:17.405 --> 02:07:18.885
for us a lot where we're trying to hire teachers.

2427
02:07:18.885 --> 02:07:21.405
These are experienced teachers who've been very successful,

2428
02:07:21.405 --> 02:07:23.125
where they are, they're coming to Virginia.

2429
02:07:23.305 --> 02:07:25.005
And then we have these barriers in the way.

2430
02:07:25.185 --> 02:07:27.405
So hopefully we can make more progress on that.

2431
02:07:28.915 --> 02:07:33.255
And then, um, other critical issues, uh, obviously, uh,

2432
02:07:33.255 --> 02:07:35.405
discrimination on the basis of gender identity,

2433
02:07:35.405 --> 02:07:37.925
transgender status, gender expression, uh,

2434
02:07:38.235 --> 02:07:39.685
depending on the outcome of the election,

2435
02:07:39.685 --> 02:07:40.885
we'll see how relevant that is.

2436
02:07:40.885 --> 02:07:42.405
There will be bills on it. There always are.

2437
02:07:42.745 --> 02:07:44.925
Uh, obviously there's been a huge issue at the

2438
02:07:44.925 --> 02:07:46.165
federal level this year.

2439
02:07:46.665 --> 02:07:50.325
Uh, but, uh, we strongly support, uh, our policies

2440
02:07:50.325 --> 02:07:52.085
and our practices that protect individual rights

2441
02:07:52.085 --> 02:07:53.605
and protect students and employees.

2442
02:07:54.785 --> 02:07:57.045
And, uh, in state college tuition, uh,

2443
02:07:57.045 --> 02:07:58.685
we wanna expand universal free meals

2444
02:07:58.825 --> 02:08:00.005
at schools for all students.

2445
02:08:00.385 --> 02:08:03.085
Um, that's one that usually gets a lot of support

2446
02:08:03.085 --> 02:08:04.525
and doesn't make it through appropriations.

2447
02:08:04.585 --> 02:08:06.165
Uh, we'll see what happens on that this year.

2448
02:08:07.315 --> 02:08:09.845
Safe gun Storage. Uh, this is one that passed

2449
02:08:09.845 --> 02:08:12.045
and got vetoed, so that may have a chance.

2450
02:08:12.305 --> 02:08:14.405
Um, but this is one that, that, uh,

2451
02:08:14.495 --> 02:08:16.205
we've been talking about for a number of years.

2452
02:08:16.825 --> 02:08:19.285
And, uh, you know, we care a lot about safety at school.

2453
02:08:19.285 --> 02:08:20.765
We care about safety of our kids at home,

2454
02:08:20.765 --> 02:08:22.845
and we certainly don't want kids getting their hands

2455
02:08:22.845 --> 02:08:24.045
on guns and bringing 'em to school.

2456
02:08:24.105 --> 02:08:25.925
So safe gun storage is very important to us.

2457
02:08:26.585 --> 02:08:31.285
And then, of course, uh, any bills regarding, uh,

2458
02:08:31.515 --> 02:08:34.085
libraries, uh, classrooms, auditing that.

2459
02:08:34.085 --> 02:08:36.045
We had some legislation on that a few years ago.

2460
02:08:36.045 --> 02:08:38.365
Unfortunately, uh, there's always bills on this.

2461
02:08:38.365 --> 02:08:39.725
Another one tends to be more partisan.

2462
02:08:39.905 --> 02:08:41.325
So it depends on the outcome of the election.

2463
02:08:41.385 --> 02:08:42.965
But, uh, hopefully we won't see much on that.

2464
02:08:43.985 --> 02:08:44.965
And, uh, that's all we have.

2465
02:08:44.965 --> 02:08:45.925
So, happy to take any questions.

2466
02:08:47.895 --> 02:08:52.605
Thank you. Um, I'm gonna turn it to Ms. Turner in a moment

2467
02:08:52.785 --> 02:08:54.165
as our legislative liaison.

2468
02:08:54.385 --> 02:08:57.725
But first I'm gonna actually ask two questions.

2469
02:08:59.745 --> 02:09:04.045
Um, I, I, I, this is, this is a great

2470
02:09:04.105 --> 02:09:06.685
and thorough legislative package,

2471
02:09:07.065 --> 02:09:08.645
and for some members of our community,

2472
02:09:08.645 --> 02:09:12.645
there are things about it that can be very, um, opaque.

2473
02:09:12.745 --> 02:09:15.805
Mm-hmm. So, yes, I was thinking about the, um, the study

2474
02:09:15.945 --> 02:09:17.685
of the teacher training requirements.

2475
02:09:18.265 --> 02:09:20.525
Um, so that study will come out this fall,

2476
02:09:21.145 --> 02:09:23.805
and somebody will introduce a bill

2477
02:09:23.825 --> 02:09:26.525
or maybe more than one bill to reduce

2478
02:09:27.145 --> 02:09:28.445
the requirements, right?

2479
02:09:28.865 --> 02:09:31.725
So I think this would be a great opportunity for you, Mr.

2480
02:09:31.725 --> 02:09:33.605
Marco, to take us through the state level.

2481
02:09:33.705 --> 02:09:38.085
How does a bill become a law, um, and describe

2482
02:09:38.425 --> 02:09:40.685
and dance and describe perhaps with song

2483
02:09:40.685 --> 02:09:44.885
and dance in song, um, what will happen?

2484
02:09:45.105 --> 02:09:47.205
How will that, how would that proceed?

2485
02:09:48.115 --> 02:09:49.845
Well, I didn't prepare any songs or dances for you,

2486
02:09:49.945 --> 02:09:51.205
but I can describe it at least.

2487
02:09:51.665 --> 02:09:55.045
Uh, the, uh, so, uh,

2488
02:09:56.035 --> 02:09:57.885
bill start either the House or the Senate side.

2489
02:09:58.065 --> 02:10:01.365
Uh, everything, everything goes to subcommittee first.

2490
02:10:01.745 --> 02:10:03.565
And there's a big hearing in subcommittee.

2491
02:10:04.025 --> 02:10:06.725
Uh, people like me come in and say whether we support

2492
02:10:06.725 --> 02:10:09.685
or oppose the bill, and there's some debate discussion.

2493
02:10:09.685 --> 02:10:10.845
And then, uh, most bills

2494
02:10:10.845 --> 02:10:12.605
that fail do fail at that subcommittee level.

2495
02:10:12.715 --> 02:10:14.925
Most bills that pass there do continue on,

2496
02:10:15.305 --> 02:10:16.965
and the bills go to subcommittee, then committee.

2497
02:10:16.985 --> 02:10:20.045
And then, uh, the floor takes the majority vote to pass.

2498
02:10:20.315 --> 02:10:22.365
Most legislation on the House Senate,

2499
02:10:22.365 --> 02:10:25.445
there's a hundred delegates, and there are 40 senators.

2500
02:10:25.585 --> 02:10:27.965
So it takes 51 out of a hundred delegates

2501
02:10:27.965 --> 02:10:29.645
to pass a bill, unless someone's missing.

2502
02:10:30.225 --> 02:10:33.325
Uh, if it ties, it fails on the Senate side, uh,

2503
02:10:33.615 --> 02:10:34.725
takes either 21 votes,

2504
02:10:34.725 --> 02:10:36.285
or the Lieutenant Governor breaks a tie.

2505
02:10:36.385 --> 02:10:39.965
If it's 2020. Uh, oftentimes when a bill passes,

2506
02:10:40.225 --> 02:10:41.845
one chamber then goes to the other chamber, has

2507
02:10:41.845 --> 02:10:43.445
to get heard, a committee and subcommittee there.

2508
02:10:43.495 --> 02:10:46.445
Oftentimes it changes. Uh, there's more amendments.

2509
02:10:46.445 --> 02:10:48.725
Bills can get amended at every stage of the process.

2510
02:10:49.105 --> 02:10:52.405
So when a changes in the other side, then it comes back.

2511
02:10:52.625 --> 02:10:56.005
The first chamber has to either approve or reject it.

2512
02:10:56.305 --> 02:10:59.005
If they reject, it goes to conference committee, people have

2513
02:10:59.005 --> 02:11:01.085
to come together and negotiate some kind of compromise.

2514
02:11:01.085 --> 02:11:03.805
And then both chambers vote on that goes to the governor.

2515
02:11:03.875 --> 02:11:05.125
This all happens in a few weeks.

2516
02:11:05.145 --> 02:11:07.965
So our session in Virginia, uh, this is the long session,

2517
02:11:07.965 --> 02:11:10.045
which is 60 days, as opposed to the short session,

2518
02:11:10.045 --> 02:11:11.085
which is 45 days.

2519
02:11:11.355 --> 02:11:14.565
There's two months to do all of this. So it's a busy time.

2520
02:11:14.875 --> 02:11:16.925
There's probably the three th two

2521
02:11:16.925 --> 02:11:18.125
or 3000 bills that'll come in

2522
02:11:19.075 --> 02:11:20.085
that gets sent to the governor.

2523
02:11:20.085 --> 02:11:22.085
The governor gets about six weeks to deal with, well,

2524
02:11:22.085 --> 02:11:23.325
four weeks, I think, to deal with it.

2525
02:11:23.465 --> 02:11:27.645
And, uh, he can sign it, he can veto it, or he can amend it.

2526
02:11:28.145 --> 02:11:29.285
If he signs it it's law,

2527
02:11:29.865 --> 02:11:32.285
or actually be she, uh, next year in some way

2528
02:11:32.285 --> 02:11:34.925
or another, she, uh, will cite it and it becomes law.

2529
02:11:35.345 --> 02:11:37.165
Uh, she can veto it,

2530
02:11:37.165 --> 02:11:39.925
in which case the general assembly can override that veto

2531
02:11:39.985 --> 02:11:41.765
by two thirds vote in each chamber.

2532
02:11:42.305 --> 02:11:43.525
Uh, rarely happens. Uh,

2533
02:11:43.525 --> 02:11:44.885
we haven't had a veto override in years.

2534
02:11:44.965 --> 02:11:46.405
I, I can't remember the last time one happened.

2535
02:11:47.185 --> 02:11:49.205
Uh, and then amendments. This actually happened.

2536
02:11:49.205 --> 02:11:51.285
It's, this is an unusual facet of Virginia.

2537
02:11:52.065 --> 02:11:53.405
Uh, legislating

2538
02:11:53.405 --> 02:11:54.645
doesn't, you don't see it at the federal level.

2539
02:11:54.645 --> 02:11:55.645
You don't see it in most states.

2540
02:11:56.185 --> 02:11:58.085
But if the governor proposes amendments,

2541
02:11:58.195 --> 02:12:00.805
then the general assembly has to consider those amendments.

2542
02:12:01.145 --> 02:12:04.165
And if the amendments pass, both chambers by majority vote,

2543
02:12:04.705 --> 02:12:06.365
the amended bill becomes law.

2544
02:12:06.945 --> 02:12:10.165
If, uh, the amendments are rejected in whole

2545
02:12:10.165 --> 02:12:12.845
or in part, the bill goes back to the governor in that form,

2546
02:12:13.105 --> 02:12:15.645
she can then sign it or veto it.

2547
02:12:15.745 --> 02:12:16.925
And then that's, that's the end.

2548
02:12:16.925 --> 02:12:18.125
That usually happens around May.

2549
02:12:18.825 --> 02:12:21.005
Uh, so happy to take any questions on that.

2550
02:12:21.775 --> 02:12:22.885
Thank you. That was very helpful,

2551
02:12:22.985 --> 02:12:27.525
and I appreciate it that you, uh, switched your, um, uh,

2552
02:12:28.185 --> 02:12:30.245
bon, uh, pronoun from he.

2553
02:12:30.245 --> 02:12:34.485
Does she, um, second, uh, uh,

2554
02:12:34.635 --> 02:12:37.685
just general, um, uh, clarifying question.

2555
02:12:37.825 --> 02:12:39.605
Can you explain, because this is something

2556
02:12:39.605 --> 02:12:40.685
that we say constantly

2557
02:12:40.785 --> 02:12:42.085
and we never talk about what it means,

2558
02:12:42.185 --> 02:12:44.365
but can you, again, for the benefit of the community,

2559
02:12:44.365 --> 02:12:46.365
explain what we mean, what it means when we

2560
02:12:46.365 --> 02:12:47.605
say the support cap?

2561
02:12:49.145 --> 02:12:52.045
Uh, the support cap was, uh, well

2562
02:12:52.045 --> 02:12:55.765
and technically still is a, uh, something was brought in

2563
02:12:55.765 --> 02:12:59.565
during the Great Recession, uh, to limit

2564
02:12:59.625 --> 02:13:02.165
how much would be spent on support positions

2565
02:13:02.625 --> 02:13:03.765
in public schools.

2566
02:13:04.345 --> 02:13:06.565
Uh, it was put forward as a temporary measure.

2567
02:13:07.245 --> 02:13:08.285
'cause every 'cause, uh, the state

2568
02:13:08.285 --> 02:13:09.405
was having budget problems at the time.

2569
02:13:09.825 --> 02:13:11.925
It did not turn out to be a temporary measure.

2570
02:13:12.105 --> 02:13:14.485
Uh, and we were still living with it years and years later.

2571
02:13:14.515 --> 02:13:15.885
It's something that all schools have been fed against,

2572
02:13:16.345 --> 02:13:17.485
uh, last year.

2573
02:13:17.485 --> 02:13:19.325
They finally, they didn't eliminate it,

2574
02:13:19.325 --> 02:13:22.245
but they raised it to a much, much higher level.

2575
02:13:22.705 --> 02:13:25.205
Uh, but this is something that it, it, it essentially meant

2576
02:13:25.205 --> 02:13:28.325
that we were not recovering anything close to

2577
02:13:28.325 --> 02:13:33.205
what our cost was for paying our support positions at a PS.

2578
02:13:33.785 --> 02:13:37.045
Um, and while we're not exactly where we wanna be,

2579
02:13:37.045 --> 02:13:38.765
we're in much better shape than we were before.

2580
02:13:40.415 --> 02:13:43.805
Thank you. Um, that concludes my clarifying questions.

2581
02:13:43.835 --> 02:13:46.485
Okay. Um, Mr. Turner, do you have any comments or questions?

2582
02:13:47.225 --> 02:13:49.005
Uh, just to comment, to say thank you, Mr.

2583
02:13:49.145 --> 02:13:51.005
Markou, for tracking all of this stuff.

2584
02:13:51.105 --> 02:13:54.045
It seems like we have a lot of legislative positions, uh,

2585
02:13:54.045 --> 02:13:55.725
but there's a lot going on in the legislature.

2586
02:13:55.785 --> 02:13:59.685
So, um, very appreciative of you helping us, um,

2587
02:14:00.055 --> 02:14:02.965
prioritize our, our various, um, positions.

2588
02:14:03.165 --> 02:14:05.765
I believe Ms. Tapia Hadley has a question. Yeah. Let's

2589
02:14:05.765 --> 02:14:06.765
Go to Ms. Tapia Hadley,

2590
02:14:06.765 --> 02:14:07.805
let's go to you next.

2591
02:14:12.265 --> 02:14:14.725
You Oh, thank you. All right. You can hear me now.

2592
02:14:15.175 --> 02:14:16.925
Thank you so much. Um, first of all,

2593
02:14:17.005 --> 02:14:19.845
I just wanna thank you all for this is a well,

2594
02:14:19.845 --> 02:14:21.445
a great memo and presentation.

2595
02:14:21.595 --> 02:14:24.525
Very comprehensive and clearly a lot, a lot to take on.

2596
02:14:24.705 --> 02:14:26.805
We have a lot of issues, so appreciate it.

2597
02:14:27.225 --> 02:14:29.805
Um, I particularly wanna just double emphasize,

2598
02:14:29.805 --> 02:14:33.405
double emphasize the, the, at the end on slide 11, the,

2599
02:14:33.425 --> 02:14:34.885
the reference to gun safety

2600
02:14:35.705 --> 02:14:37.645
and our efforts to advocate for that.

2601
02:14:37.665 --> 02:14:41.885
And this follows, of course, last year the, the memo on, um,

2602
02:14:42.075 --> 02:14:43.205
combating gun violence

2603
02:14:43.205 --> 02:14:46.285
and promoting gun safety that a PS put forth

2604
02:14:46.905 --> 02:14:48.645
and is still on our website

2605
02:14:48.645 --> 02:14:50.165
with a great number of resources.

2606
02:14:50.305 --> 02:14:52.485
So as always, just wanna thank you all

2607
02:14:52.665 --> 02:14:56.365
and I'm grateful that we are doing that as a school system,

2608
02:14:56.465 --> 02:14:59.845
as a longtime member of Moms Demand and every town and

2609
02:15:00.105 --> 02:15:02.425
and gun safety advocate.

2610
02:15:03.045 --> 02:15:04.585
I'm grateful for that, and I know many

2611
02:15:04.585 --> 02:15:05.625
in our community join us.

2612
02:15:06.285 --> 02:15:09.905
Um, my question pertains to if we turn to slide three

2613
02:15:10.885 --> 02:15:12.745
and the section on, uh,

2614
02:15:12.845 --> 02:15:14.505
the Arlington School Board supporting,

2615
02:15:14.535 --> 02:15:16.465
modifying the state's accountability

2616
02:15:16.485 --> 02:15:19.585
and accreditation system, the school performance

2617
02:15:19.725 --> 02:15:22.825
and support framework to weight growth as heavily as mastery

2618
02:15:22.845 --> 02:15:23.905
for elementary schools,

2619
02:15:24.165 --> 02:15:27.305
and, um, more closely to mastery for middle schools.

2620
02:15:28.625 --> 02:15:31.265
I would like to first give a comment to briefly

2621
02:15:31.485 --> 02:15:34.465
to provide some clarity to the community as

2622
02:15:34.655 --> 02:15:36.185
what I think is part of the reason for this.

2623
02:15:36.525 --> 02:15:39.025
Um, I'd like to connect the dots between the elevated

2624
02:15:39.965 --> 02:15:43.865
cut scores for SOLs, which are coming into play together

2625
02:15:44.135 --> 02:15:47.145
with the unfunded mandates mentioned already in the

2626
02:15:47.145 --> 02:15:51.345
presentation, as well as the new upcoming tiered system

2627
02:15:51.405 --> 02:15:55.305
to classify schools that was approved by the sitting BDOE

2628
02:15:56.245 --> 02:15:58.505
and the impact that all

2629
02:15:58.505 --> 02:16:01.185
of this can potentially have on accreditation for schools.

2630
02:16:01.965 --> 02:16:04.985
Um, I believe there is an implication that SOL scores

2631
02:16:05.645 --> 02:16:09.345
are the sole source of measuring, learning and instruction.

2632
02:16:10.045 --> 02:16:12.345
Um, so first of all, I want do want to point out

2633
02:16:12.345 --> 02:16:16.625
that there is an inherent inequity present given, given that

2634
02:16:17.175 --> 02:16:19.065
SOLs are only offered in English language.

2635
02:16:19.255 --> 02:16:21.225
Therefore, essentially what it becomes is a test

2636
02:16:21.225 --> 02:16:22.385
of English language as opposed

2637
02:16:22.385 --> 02:16:24.265
to subject matter mastery in the case

2638
02:16:24.265 --> 02:16:25.505
of our immigrant population.

2639
02:16:26.085 --> 02:16:29.365
And we can all agree that a PS has high academic standards

2640
02:16:29.385 --> 02:16:32.445
and that no one is opposed to high academic standards

2641
02:16:32.445 --> 02:16:34.765
and holding ourselves accountable to ensure

2642
02:16:34.765 --> 02:16:35.965
that every child learns

2643
02:16:35.965 --> 02:16:37.965
and achieves their grade level goals.

2644
02:16:37.965 --> 02:16:40.245
However, I am curious,

2645
02:16:40.265 --> 02:16:41.965
and I would like hear the expertise, particularly

2646
02:16:41.965 --> 02:16:46.125
of Dr. Duran based on his extensive career as an educator

2647
02:16:46.145 --> 02:16:50.525
and having served on VDOE yourself, could you explain,

2648
02:16:50.945 --> 02:16:53.765
um, what the SOLs actually measure

2649
02:16:54.025 --> 02:16:56.525
and why we're taking this position in particular?

2650
02:16:57.955 --> 02:16:59.765
Sure. Couple things.

2651
02:17:00.635 --> 02:17:04.085
This particular, um, part of the legislative package

2652
02:17:04.085 --> 02:17:05.365
with regards to weight

2653
02:17:05.585 --> 02:17:09.685
and the weight of mastery versus, um, equal weight,

2654
02:17:10.265 --> 02:17:12.205
the mastery and growth of being equal,

2655
02:17:12.755 --> 02:17:15.845
this was actually done part of our work prior to the work

2656
02:17:15.845 --> 02:17:17.125
that's being done on the cut scores.

2657
02:17:17.325 --> 02:17:18.845
I do think that that point is one

2658
02:17:18.845 --> 02:17:20.285
that perhaps the board might want to consider

2659
02:17:20.285 --> 02:17:22.365
and think about, um, if they want

2660
02:17:22.365 --> 02:17:24.805
to include anything in the, in the legislative package,

2661
02:17:24.815 --> 02:17:26.925
since that's come as

2662
02:17:26.925 --> 02:17:28.485
of late in terms of some of those changes.

2663
02:17:29.065 --> 02:17:30.245
But to your initial question

2664
02:17:30.245 --> 02:17:33.605
and your point, the, uh, SOLs are intended

2665
02:17:33.705 --> 02:17:37.805
to measure the proficiency of our students on acquisition

2666
02:17:37.905 --> 02:17:39.645
of our Virginia State standards.

2667
02:17:40.265 --> 02:17:43.925
And so having served on the state board previously when

2668
02:17:43.935 --> 02:17:47.125
those scores were established in terms of cut scores

2669
02:17:47.185 --> 02:17:50.205
and for the public, a cut score is the minimum score needed

2670
02:17:50.625 --> 02:17:52.845
to pass, uh, to determine proficiency.

2671
02:17:53.965 --> 02:17:56.645
Previously, what we had done on a previous state board is

2672
02:17:56.645 --> 02:18:00.885
to look at an item by item analysis of each question related

2673
02:18:00.985 --> 02:18:02.485
to that particular content.

2674
02:18:02.705 --> 02:18:04.685
And it wasn't we on the state board looking at it.

2675
02:18:04.705 --> 02:18:06.885
It was a group of teachers who had applied

2676
02:18:06.985 --> 02:18:10.165
to serve on scoring committees, uh, from across the state.

2677
02:18:10.185 --> 02:18:12.565
It was a very representative, uh, committee.

2678
02:18:12.945 --> 02:18:15.965
And looking at each of those items by items to an analyze

2679
02:18:15.965 --> 02:18:17.525
and determine whether that question in

2680
02:18:17.525 --> 02:18:20.845
and of itself was connected to grade level content

2681
02:18:21.275 --> 02:18:23.325
that would then equate to being necessary

2682
02:18:23.385 --> 02:18:25.165
to demonstrate proficiency for

2683
02:18:25.165 --> 02:18:27.045
that particular grade and content.

2684
02:18:27.675 --> 02:18:29.965
Once that was done, then there was an aggregation

2685
02:18:29.965 --> 02:18:33.765
of all those numbers of questions that needed to be, uh,

2686
02:18:33.795 --> 02:18:36.165
that proved and showed, um, proficiency,

2687
02:18:36.705 --> 02:18:39.125
and then that was correlated to, um,

2688
02:18:39.125 --> 02:18:40.725
through a psychometrician, uh,

2689
02:18:40.725 --> 02:18:42.725
what the cut scores would be and arrange for that.

2690
02:18:43.755 --> 02:18:45.525
With that in mind, since that time,

2691
02:18:45.555 --> 02:18:48.045
then there was also some formulaic approach

2692
02:18:48.185 --> 02:18:50.965
to the accreditation model to show students

2693
02:18:50.965 --> 02:18:52.565
that actually met that cut score

2694
02:18:52.945 --> 02:18:55.645
and students who showed progress towards meeting it,

2695
02:18:55.645 --> 02:18:56.885
which is the growth measure.

2696
02:18:57.465 --> 02:19:00.005
And so the efforts that had been made in the last couple

2697
02:19:00.025 --> 02:19:04.885
of years by, um, the current state board was to change some

2698
02:19:04.885 --> 02:19:08.405
of that ratio of what was mastery and what was growth.

2699
02:19:08.945 --> 02:19:11.845
And so the board in discussion, um, the last couple

2700
02:19:11.845 --> 02:19:13.965
of years was concerned about making sure there was a good

2701
02:19:13.965 --> 02:19:17.845
balance of one to make sure we hold high rigorous standards

2702
02:19:17.845 --> 02:19:20.085
and ensure students are meeting those proficiency levels.

2703
02:19:20.665 --> 02:19:23.605
And two, where there is work done with teachers

2704
02:19:23.605 --> 02:19:26.645
that work very hard with their students towards aligning

2705
02:19:26.645 --> 02:19:28.445
their lessons, lessons to Virginia standards,

2706
02:19:28.915 --> 02:19:30.965
that they would then make sure that we show

2707
02:19:30.965 --> 02:19:32.365
and recognize growth of that.

2708
02:19:32.665 --> 02:19:34.285
And so that's what this is referencing.

2709
02:19:34.625 --> 02:19:36.685
Uh, you also commented on cut scores.

2710
02:19:36.685 --> 02:19:39.285
There have been, at the last board state board meeting,

2711
02:19:39.535 --> 02:19:43.085
there was a vote to raise the cut scores for, uh, all

2712
02:19:43.185 --> 02:19:45.885
of the, um, grades and content.

2713
02:19:46.385 --> 02:19:48.485
And the, uh, Virginia State Board of Ed

2714
02:19:48.485 --> 02:19:50.725
and the state superintendent have made it clear that

2715
02:19:50.725 --> 02:19:52.445
that was an effort to make sure

2716
02:19:52.445 --> 02:19:55.205
that we were pri applying more rigorous approach

2717
02:19:55.625 --> 02:19:58.645
to aligning, uh, the work of our assessments

2718
02:19:58.745 --> 02:20:00.565
to being more correlation to the results

2719
02:20:00.565 --> 02:20:01.765
that they were seeing on nap.

2720
02:20:02.425 --> 02:20:04.845
And that there was, uh, the feeling

2721
02:20:04.865 --> 02:20:06.005
of the current state board

2722
02:20:06.355 --> 02:20:09.845
that the NAP results were not in alignment with

2723
02:20:09.845 --> 02:20:11.325
what we were seeing in SOL results.

2724
02:20:11.345 --> 02:20:14.445
And so there was an effort to, um, there was an effort

2725
02:20:14.585 --> 02:20:16.045
to make sure that that happened.

2726
02:20:16.565 --> 02:20:18.485
A p is a national assessment that is

2727
02:20:18.725 --> 02:20:19.845
provided in all 50 states.

2728
02:20:20.065 --> 02:20:22.685
Not every student takes it as a sampling of students.

2729
02:20:22.685 --> 02:20:24.685
Approximately one to 2%

2730
02:20:24.825 --> 02:20:26.965
of the students in the Commonwealth take that.

2731
02:20:27.425 --> 02:20:30.405
And that assessment then is measured as one piece

2732
02:20:30.405 --> 02:20:31.845
and a very important piece, I will say,

2733
02:20:31.845 --> 02:20:33.205
to have a national snapshot.

2734
02:20:33.865 --> 02:20:36.565
But, um, the discussion that's been of late

2735
02:20:36.825 --> 02:20:38.045
by the current state board is that

2736
02:20:38.045 --> 02:20:41.005
that should be the driving, um, component to look at,

2737
02:20:41.345 --> 02:20:44.285
to determine whether or not we have appropriate, uh,

2738
02:20:44.285 --> 02:20:47.925
accountability and appropriate sharing of, uh, the results.

2739
02:20:48.285 --> 02:20:50.245
'cause part of accountability is for our public to know

2740
02:20:50.245 --> 02:20:51.445
how our schools are doing and

2741
02:20:51.465 --> 02:20:53.885
how aligned we are to those standards.

2742
02:20:54.145 --> 02:20:55.885
So there's a whole debate going on right now,

2743
02:20:56.105 --> 02:20:58.165
and the state board is also at their next meeting

2744
02:20:59.125 --> 02:21:01.405
considering how to implement some of those cut scores

2745
02:21:01.465 --> 02:21:04.445
and looking at some options that may, uh, do that over time.

2746
02:21:04.465 --> 02:21:07.805
So it's very nuanced and a lot to your question Ms.

2747
02:21:08.505 --> 02:21:09.525
Um, Tapia Hadley.

2748
02:21:09.745 --> 02:21:12.565
But I do wanted to share all those different levels to say

2749
02:21:13.195 --> 02:21:15.965
that yes, growth and mastery are critical,

2750
02:21:15.965 --> 02:21:17.205
and that's what this is speaking about.

2751
02:21:17.265 --> 02:21:18.885
How do we have a balance to that?

2752
02:21:19.585 --> 02:21:21.205
And then to your point about cut scores,

2753
02:21:21.205 --> 02:21:24.725
that's another issue that, um, I know many school boards,

2754
02:21:24.825 --> 02:21:27.045
uh, across the Commonwealth, uh,

2755
02:21:27.115 --> 02:21:29.285
have been discussing at their board meetings

2756
02:21:29.385 --> 02:21:30.805
and part of the legislative package.

2757
02:21:31.145 --> 02:21:32.605
And we had not, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr.

2758
02:21:32.605 --> 02:21:34.365
Marco talked deeply about that in here

2759
02:21:34.825 --> 02:21:36.405
as it is a new recent development.

2760
02:21:36.405 --> 02:21:37.525
And it may be something

2761
02:21:38.035 --> 02:21:40.405
that I would recommend the board at least have a discussion

2762
02:21:40.545 --> 02:21:43.205
on to determine whether there's any commentary

2763
02:21:43.265 --> 02:21:46.285
or any additional, uh, language that we might wanna put

2764
02:21:46.285 --> 02:21:48.685
before we vote on this on October 23rd.

2765
02:21:48.985 --> 02:21:51.565
And Mr. Marco and I could certainly work with you, Mr.

2766
02:21:51.575 --> 02:21:53.125
There on that.

2767
02:21:53.145 --> 02:21:56.325
We did share, we did with the board, uh, in our committee

2768
02:21:56.325 --> 02:21:58.485
of the whole meet meeting that we had this Tuesday,

2769
02:21:58.625 --> 02:22:00.085
we did provide an update to the board.

2770
02:22:00.465 --> 02:22:03.565
And there's a lot of information also on the Vdo e's, um,

2771
02:22:03.955 --> 02:22:06.525
website if anyone in the public is interested in seeing that

2772
02:22:06.825 --> 02:22:09.045
and the State Board of Education's website as well.

2773
02:22:09.355 --> 02:22:10.445
Very long answer, Ms. Tap,

2774
02:22:10.675 --> 02:22:13.285
hope I answered all your question, and if I didn't, please

2775
02:22:13.745 --> 02:22:14.745
Ask me.

2776
02:22:14.895 --> 02:22:16.405
Thank you, Dr. John. And I think it's

2777
02:22:16.405 --> 02:22:18.285
because that nuance is critically important

2778
02:22:18.345 --> 02:22:21.205
and I wanna make sure that our constituents understand that,

2779
02:22:21.705 --> 02:22:23.925
um, because there is a lot at stake on these

2780
02:22:23.985 --> 02:22:25.125
two very important issues.

2781
02:22:25.585 --> 02:22:27.725
And again, you mentioned the change in cut scores,

2782
02:22:27.785 --> 02:22:31.045
but this, I just wanna clarify, this does not come

2783
02:22:31.395 --> 02:22:34.405
with any guarantees of additional funding support,

2784
02:22:34.945 --> 02:22:39.805
nor is it based on criteria of specific areas that need

2785
02:22:39.805 --> 02:22:42.125
to be, to your point of like that, the way that, um,

2786
02:22:42.805 --> 02:22:46.605
educators informed the standards that were

2787
02:22:46.915 --> 02:22:49.845
that conform, basically the, the, the threshold

2788
02:22:49.865 --> 02:22:52.885
for the cut scores there is, there has, to my understanding,

2789
02:22:52.885 --> 02:22:54.965
and correct me if I'm wrong, there has not been a clear

2790
02:22:55.325 --> 02:22:58.445
argument or arguments as to specific subject matter areas

2791
02:22:58.955 --> 02:23:00.805
that are particularly deficient

2792
02:23:00.865 --> 02:23:02.165
or why they may be deficient.

2793
02:23:02.265 --> 02:23:04.005
So there's one, no argument as to

2794
02:23:04.865 --> 02:23:08.205
how this is closing any gap specifically,

2795
02:23:08.305 --> 02:23:10.965
and two, no additional funding

2796
02:23:11.825 --> 02:23:14.165
to support Correct. Additional

2797
02:23:14.165 --> 02:23:15.165
Opportunity. Yeah. Part of

2798
02:23:15.165 --> 02:23:16.525
this, there has been no additional funding.

2799
02:23:16.685 --> 02:23:20.165
I will publicly thank Senator Favola, one of our members

2800
02:23:20.165 --> 02:23:22.205
of our delegation representing Arlington

2801
02:23:22.275 --> 02:23:23.765
because she has had a bill

2802
02:23:23.765 --> 02:23:25.925
or maybe a couple bills, correct me if I'm wrong with ku.

2803
02:23:25.965 --> 02:23:28.045
I know at least one, uh, to make sure

2804
02:23:28.045 --> 02:23:31.165
that there would be funding tied to any, uh, school

2805
02:23:31.265 --> 02:23:34.605
or school division that would need additional resources

2806
02:23:34.605 --> 02:23:36.365
based on, uh, any results The Center

2807
02:23:36.385 --> 02:23:37.605
for Vola has put forth the bill.

2808
02:23:38.185 --> 02:23:40.565
Uh, last session, I'm not sure about this session.

2809
02:23:40.695 --> 02:23:42.405
We'll be doing that again. But, um,

2810
02:23:42.635 --> 02:23:45.085
this particular piece does not have funding tied to it.

2811
02:23:45.345 --> 02:23:47.085
And I will say one other big concern.

2812
02:23:47.145 --> 02:23:48.965
And, and it's not about having accountability.

2813
02:23:49.355 --> 02:23:50.645
It's something that I, I think

2814
02:23:50.645 --> 02:23:53.245
that we should perhaps even consider, um, uh, shared

2815
02:23:53.245 --> 02:23:55.685
to the school board to consider the fact

2816
02:23:55.685 --> 02:23:59.165
that when accreditation changes are made in the same year

2817
02:23:59.665 --> 02:24:02.925
of implementation, it's a real, real challenge

2818
02:24:02.985 --> 02:24:04.285
and it should not be done that way.

2819
02:24:04.585 --> 02:24:05.885
And that's what's happening right now.

2820
02:24:05.905 --> 02:24:09.365
And I think as a legislative piece, advocacy piece, at least

2821
02:24:09.365 --> 02:24:11.045
that because schools

2822
02:24:11.265 --> 02:24:14.045
and, uh, teachers, principals, our curriculum offices,

2823
02:24:14.345 --> 02:24:17.245
as we're trying to adjust to new, and we've always adjusted

2824
02:24:17.385 --> 02:24:18.525
and we should adjust to new,

2825
02:24:18.865 --> 02:24:20.965
we should constantly be looking at our standards,

2826
02:24:20.965 --> 02:24:23.725
constantly be looking at our performance constantly making

2827
02:24:23.725 --> 02:24:26.965
sure that accountability is aligned to

2828
02:24:26.965 --> 02:24:29.525
what we're actually working towards for our students.

2829
02:24:29.865 --> 02:24:32.645
And we must continue to think about it in multiple ways,

2830
02:24:32.705 --> 02:24:35.005
not just SOL, but a variety of other ways,

2831
02:24:35.005 --> 02:24:37.365
which we've talked about which this board is supportive,

2832
02:24:37.365 --> 02:24:39.405
whether it was map result, all kinds of things.

2833
02:24:39.825 --> 02:24:41.725
And we talked about in Dr. Man's presentation.

2834
02:24:41.725 --> 02:24:44.365
But one thing that I think that I would, uh, publicly share

2835
02:24:44.365 --> 02:24:46.605
with the board in terms of thinking about maybe any

2836
02:24:46.735 --> 02:24:47.925
amendments to this, is

2837
02:24:47.925 --> 02:24:50.445
to think about when those changes are brought forth in the

2838
02:24:50.445 --> 02:24:52.325
middle of the year while it's being done.

2839
02:24:53.025 --> 02:24:56.525
Uh, and it's a challenge for, for schools, for parents,

2840
02:24:56.625 --> 02:24:59.405
for teachers, et cetera, thinking also about changes

2841
02:24:59.545 --> 02:25:02.005
to perhaps even seniors if they're about to graduate.

2842
02:25:02.005 --> 02:25:03.445
You know, and then it's done in the middle of the year,

2843
02:25:03.525 --> 02:25:05.965
a variety of concerns that I would ask you

2844
02:25:05.965 --> 02:25:07.845
to consider potentially making as an amendment.

2845
02:25:08.145 --> 02:25:10.165
Um, Ms. Tapia Hadley, thank you for asking that.

2846
02:25:13.155 --> 02:25:14.285
Okay, thank you Ms. Tapia

2847
02:25:14.285 --> 02:25:15.525
Hadley, did you have any other questions?

2848
02:25:16.465 --> 02:25:17.925
No, thank you. Okay. Madam Chair,

2849
02:25:18.305 --> 02:25:20.845
Ms. Clark, do you have any questions? No, Ms. Cera,

2850
02:25:21.605 --> 02:25:22.605
I have a question and a comment.

2851
02:25:23.025 --> 02:25:25.085
Um, Ms. Tapia Hadley took one of my questions,

2852
02:25:25.085 --> 02:25:26.965
which was about making sort of the connection

2853
02:25:26.965 --> 02:25:31.005
between unfunded mandates and accountability system

2854
02:25:31.225 --> 02:25:35.125
and when schools are designated as off track or, or

2855
02:25:35.125 --> 02:25:37.325
otherwise, um, sort of a negative rating

2856
02:25:37.355 --> 02:25:40.725
that the state has not at this point identified funding

2857
02:25:40.785 --> 02:25:45.405
or dedicated support to, um, um, improve the, um,

2858
02:25:45.515 --> 02:25:47.525
improve, uh, outcomes at those schools.

2859
02:25:48.265 --> 02:25:52.365
Um, the question that I have was, um, regarding the, uh,

2860
02:25:52.525 --> 02:25:57.165
LCI cap of 0.5 for VPI, um, a lot of terminology,

2861
02:25:57.585 --> 02:25:59.405
um, that is inside baseball for that.

2862
02:25:59.505 --> 02:26:01.925
And so I'm just wondering if, uh, one

2863
02:26:01.925 --> 02:26:04.765
of our subject matter experts in the room could explain

2864
02:26:04.825 --> 02:26:06.885
for folks who are watching, what does it mean

2865
02:26:06.885 --> 02:26:09.445
that we have an LCI cap of 0.5

2866
02:26:09.625 --> 02:26:10.725
for the Virginia Preschool

2867
02:26:10.725 --> 02:26:12.085
Initiative, and why is that a problem?

2868
02:26:13.765 --> 02:26:16.325
I I can just take that. Uh, so, uh, as I mentioned

2869
02:26:16.325 --> 02:26:18.605
with a state normally provides 20%

2870
02:26:18.725 --> 02:26:19.845
of our funding where it's supposed to.

2871
02:26:20.345 --> 02:26:23.045
Um, for the Virginia Preschool Initiative, uh, a number

2872
02:26:23.045 --> 02:26:26.405
of years ago, the state put this cap effect, uh, so that

2873
02:26:27.325 --> 02:26:29.725
divisions such as ours would be motivated

2874
02:26:29.725 --> 02:26:31.165
to do the Virginia Preschool Initiative.

2875
02:26:31.265 --> 02:26:32.845
Now we support it anyway,

2876
02:26:32.845 --> 02:26:35.725
but it, it, what it, what it was put into place was so that

2877
02:26:36.685 --> 02:26:39.085
divisions that get a smaller share of money, typically

2878
02:26:39.775 --> 02:26:42.205
would have re would have enough coming from the state

2879
02:26:42.305 --> 02:26:43.525
to want to opt into it.

2880
02:26:44.225 --> 02:26:48.085
And so that 0.5 cap means that instead of being 80 20

2881
02:26:48.225 --> 02:26:51.005
for the preschool initiative, uh, we're actually 50 50.

2882
02:26:51.225 --> 02:26:53.685
If you take away that cap, it goes back to 80 20

2883
02:26:54.105 --> 02:26:56.925
and that typically is worth about $1.5 million for us.

2884
02:26:57.415 --> 02:26:58.725
Thank you. That is super helpful

2885
02:26:58.905 --> 02:27:01.245
and I can understand why that would be a concern to us.

2886
02:27:01.385 --> 02:27:02.485
Um, especially knowing

2887
02:27:02.505 --> 02:27:04.605
how important early childhood education is

2888
02:27:04.665 --> 02:27:05.805
to student success.

2889
02:27:06.465 --> 02:27:08.485
The comment that I wanted to make was, um,

2890
02:27:09.275 --> 02:27:10.885
regarding the very first bullet,

2891
02:27:10.975 --> 02:27:13.805
which is in our legislative package every single year,

2892
02:27:14.045 --> 02:27:17.525
which is reaffirming the importance of local control of, um,

2893
02:27:17.665 --> 02:27:20.765
of public education, um, which is actually in Virginia Code.

2894
02:27:20.865 --> 02:27:22.445
So we are consistent with, um,

2895
02:27:22.445 --> 02:27:24.565
longstanding tradition in our state.

2896
02:27:25.385 --> 02:27:29.685
Um, it is a wish really that I'm expressing for, um,

2897
02:27:30.545 --> 02:27:32.405
our colleagues and other school divisions

2898
02:27:32.425 --> 02:27:34.605
and for the Virginia School Boards Association.

2899
02:27:34.745 --> 02:27:36.725
And typically we try to align

2900
02:27:36.985 --> 02:27:39.765
or at least make sure our legislative position is informed

2901
02:27:39.905 --> 02:27:41.525
by what the VSBA,

2902
02:27:41.525 --> 02:27:43.485
the Virginia School Boards Association is doing.

2903
02:27:44.305 --> 02:27:45.845
Um, I had a conversation

2904
02:27:45.845 --> 02:27:48.965
with leadership at VSBA last month about our current

2905
02:27:49.405 --> 02:27:53.085
situation regarding our, um, our, uh, litigation

2906
02:27:53.105 --> 02:27:54.765
and difference of opinion with the Federal

2907
02:27:54.765 --> 02:27:55.965
Department of Education.

2908
02:27:56.625 --> 02:28:00.445
And I was hopeful that the VSBA would support our position,

2909
02:28:00.785 --> 02:28:03.685
um, which essentially is about local control.

2910
02:28:03.825 --> 02:28:07.645
And the argument that I made to, um, our friends at VSBA was

2911
02:28:07.645 --> 02:28:10.725
that they and other local school divisions should support,

2912
02:28:10.945 --> 02:28:12.685
um, the position of Arlington

2913
02:28:13.155 --> 02:28:18.085
because, uh, we were, um, we were wanting to, uh, retain

2914
02:28:18.105 --> 02:28:20.525
and defend a policy that was developed locally

2915
02:28:20.635 --> 02:28:22.205
that is legally compliant.

2916
02:28:22.665 --> 02:28:25.685
And that was, as our public comment speakers eloquently said

2917
02:28:25.685 --> 02:28:28.845
about a month ago, was developed locally by our community

2918
02:28:28.845 --> 02:28:29.925
through a very intensive

2919
02:28:30.025 --> 02:28:31.605
and transparent and thoughtful process.

2920
02:28:32.425 --> 02:28:33.645
And if VSBA

2921
02:28:33.645 --> 02:28:36.445
and other school divisions, um, value local control,

2922
02:28:36.915 --> 02:28:39.725
then they need to come to the support of

2923
02:28:40.245 --> 02:28:42.045
entities like the Arlington Public Schools,

2924
02:28:42.375 --> 02:28:44.725
which has a legally compliant, thoughtfully,

2925
02:28:44.725 --> 02:28:46.245
locally developed policy.

2926
02:28:46.945 --> 02:28:49.805
Um, and when that is endangered in one school system, then

2927
02:28:49.805 --> 02:28:51.965
that becomes a concern, should become a concern

2928
02:28:51.985 --> 02:28:53.005
for every school division

2929
02:28:53.065 --> 02:28:54.285
and every school board in the state.

2930
02:28:54.345 --> 02:28:57.525
So the public comment that I'm making right now is just

2931
02:28:57.645 --> 02:29:01.285
to respectfully ask our friends at VSBA

2932
02:29:01.345 --> 02:29:04.045
and to respectfully suggest that our other school divisions

2933
02:29:04.045 --> 02:29:06.045
as they develop their legislative positions,

2934
02:29:06.305 --> 02:29:08.725
should think about this issue of local control.

2935
02:29:08.825 --> 02:29:11.405
And irrespective of your views on gender identity,

2936
02:29:11.555 --> 02:29:12.885
this is a local control issue.

2937
02:29:13.175 --> 02:29:14.175
Thank you.

2938
02:29:19.615 --> 02:29:20.865
Okay, thank you Mr. Marco.

2939
02:29:21.205 --> 02:29:24.705
Um, the school board will act on the legislative package at

2940
02:29:24.705 --> 02:29:26.105
the October 23rd meeting.

2941
02:29:27.325 --> 02:29:29.745
Uh, the second information item is revisions

2942
02:29:29.745 --> 02:29:33.505
to school board policy, J dash 8.3 0.8

2943
02:29:34.035 --> 02:29:38.305
0.30, food and nutrition services, unpaid meal charges,

2944
02:29:38.565 --> 02:29:42.625
and new school, new school board policy, D dash 2.37,

2945
02:29:42.625 --> 02:29:46.705
financial management, other post-employment benefits fund.

2946
02:29:48.045 --> 02:29:50.705
And I believe we are returning to Mr. Marco at the podium.

2947
02:29:50.935 --> 02:29:53.145
It's my name. He hasn't go, gone anywhere. No,

2948
02:29:53.145 --> 02:29:54.145
It's my name.

2949
02:29:54.205 --> 02:29:58.985
Uh, just two, uh, two policies tonight. Uh, one new one.

2950
02:29:59.165 --> 02:30:01.505
Uh, this regards other post-employment benefits.

2951
02:30:02.085 --> 02:30:04.225
And, uh, the impetus for this, uh,

2952
02:30:04.225 --> 02:30:05.785
was several months ago when we, uh,

2953
02:30:05.785 --> 02:30:08.465
started drawing from the, the OPE fund.

2954
02:30:08.925 --> 02:30:12.065
Um, is it turns out that it in there was, there had been

2955
02:30:12.745 --> 02:30:14.985
apparently some lack of awareness of the nature of the fund.

2956
02:30:15.405 --> 02:30:18.945
And so one of the best ways to create more awareness

2957
02:30:18.965 --> 02:30:20.305
of it is to put it in policy.

2958
02:30:20.335 --> 02:30:22.745
This had not been mentioned anywhere in our policies before.

2959
02:30:23.205 --> 02:30:26.225
So we create this policy so that everybody can see

2960
02:30:26.225 --> 02:30:29.745
that it's there and know going forward, um, about it.

2961
02:30:29.805 --> 02:30:31.505
And so it's a fairly short policy.

2962
02:30:31.885 --> 02:30:35.665
All, all we say here is, um, what it's for,

2963
02:30:36.165 --> 02:30:37.185
uh, what it does.

2964
02:30:37.965 --> 02:30:39.345
And, uh, we wanna require

2965
02:30:39.345 --> 02:30:41.465
that the board be updated on the details

2966
02:30:41.465 --> 02:30:42.825
of the OPEC fund annually

2967
02:30:42.825 --> 02:30:46.505
during the final fiscal closeout report, uh, public comment.

2968
02:30:46.505 --> 02:30:48.705
There was one staff member who agreed with the policy

2969
02:30:48.735 --> 02:30:49.945
that that's all we got on that.

2970
02:30:50.165 --> 02:30:51.865
And, uh, happy to take any questions,

2971
02:30:54.905 --> 02:30:59.095
Colleagues, any questions on the OPEC policy? Oh,

2972
02:30:59.165 --> 02:31:00.165
Okay. I just wanted

2973
02:31:00.165 --> 02:31:01.535
to say, uh, thank you to Mr.

2974
02:31:01.535 --> 02:31:04.495
Marco and also to my colleague Ms. Turner, who, uh, was the

2975
02:31:05.255 --> 02:31:09.175
champion of the, uh, need for a actual policy which would,

2976
02:31:09.235 --> 02:31:10.375
uh, talk about opep.

2977
02:31:10.375 --> 02:31:11.375
Thank you.

2978
02:31:12.195 --> 02:31:14.575
And I have more suggestions for that policy.

2979
02:31:16.795 --> 02:31:19.015
So, um, Steve and I went back

2980
02:31:19.085 --> 02:31:21.245
and forth to some extent on this.

2981
02:31:21.315 --> 02:31:22.645
Basically the idea

2982
02:31:22.645 --> 02:31:25.925
that we have talked about over the past couple of years of,

2983
02:31:26.185 --> 02:31:28.925
um, following the principle of

2984
02:31:30.075 --> 02:31:32.845
ongoing revenues being used for ongoing costs,

2985
02:31:32.985 --> 02:31:34.805
one time funds for one time costs.

2986
02:31:35.345 --> 02:31:38.845
Um, it has been in budget direction, it is not in policy,

2987
02:31:39.905 --> 02:31:43.855
um, query whether it should be, but currently it is not.

2988
02:31:44.395 --> 02:31:47.375
Um, my suggestion is that we should consider adding

2989
02:31:48.645 --> 02:31:50.775
that principle to this policy

2990
02:31:51.245 --> 02:31:53.095
because I think that it is, um,

2991
02:31:53.495 --> 02:31:55.575
a little bit ambiguous what these funds are.

2992
02:31:55.965 --> 02:31:59.215
Some members of the community think that they are ongoing

2993
02:32:00.095 --> 02:32:01.415
revenues to some extent.

2994
02:32:01.755 --> 02:32:04.015
Um, I think that they are one time Mr.

2995
02:32:04.115 --> 02:32:06.255
Markou has expressed the, uh, the view

2996
02:32:06.255 --> 02:32:07.615
that maybe there's some sort of hybrid

2997
02:32:08.155 --> 02:32:10.015
and I'm sure we could make lots of arguments,

2998
02:32:10.275 --> 02:32:11.535
um, in either direction.

2999
02:32:12.155 --> 02:32:16.335
But fundamentally, I think that

3000
02:32:18.925 --> 02:32:21.455
it's important for us to clarify expectations

3001
02:32:21.995 --> 02:32:23.535
for the fund at this point in time,

3002
02:32:24.025 --> 02:32:26.135
which is the first time I think that we took steps

3003
02:32:26.155 --> 02:32:27.615
to over reimburse ourselves.

3004
02:32:28.515 --> 02:32:31.575
And the point of having a policy in the first place was

3005
02:32:31.575 --> 02:32:34.095
to make sure that future boards who may have lost sight

3006
02:32:34.095 --> 02:32:37.095
of all of the discussions that we had have to deal

3007
02:32:37.325 --> 02:32:41.695
with issues down the road when the fund may be,

3008
02:32:42.115 --> 02:32:43.975
um, much depleted.

3009
02:32:44.195 --> 02:32:48.055
It may be bigger, potentially it may have, um,

3010
02:32:48.875 --> 02:32:49.975
it may have increased.

3011
02:32:50.035 --> 02:32:53.055
And so I think, you know, part of the reason

3012
02:32:53.645 --> 02:32:56.975
that we wanted a policy in the first place was to make sure

3013
02:32:57.685 --> 02:32:59.375
that this didn't get forgotten.

3014
02:32:59.375 --> 02:33:02.295
Because I think to some extent when Opep came

3015
02:33:02.295 --> 02:33:04.495
to our attention, it was because it had been forgotten.

3016
02:33:05.075 --> 02:33:06.895
Uh, it had been established, it had been funded,

3017
02:33:06.995 --> 02:33:08.655
it had been left alone for a long time.

3018
02:33:09.355 --> 02:33:10.415
And, um,

3019
02:33:11.095 --> 02:33:13.615
I think we simply should put in place some statement

3020
02:33:13.615 --> 02:33:17.135
of intent for how we were going to treat this fund

3021
02:33:17.235 --> 02:33:18.575
and what we were gonna use it for.

3022
02:33:18.915 --> 02:33:22.895
And I think the principle of not treating it as an ongoing

3023
02:33:23.525 --> 02:33:27.055
revenue source is one that should be incorporated into

3024
02:33:27.855 --> 02:33:31.095
a policy based on how we're all thinking about it.

3025
02:33:31.215 --> 02:33:34.015
I think at this time, as we are making this decision

3026
02:33:34.075 --> 02:33:36.215
for the first time last year,

3027
02:33:36.475 --> 02:33:38.495
and we'll presumably confront it again

3028
02:33:39.465 --> 02:33:40.715
with this next budget cycle,

3029
02:33:45.155 --> 02:33:46.795
I am in agreement with my colleague.

3030
02:33:46.835 --> 02:33:48.395
I think the two things that I would like

3031
02:33:48.395 --> 02:33:50.675
to see this policy do is one, um,

3032
02:33:50.735 --> 02:33:53.315
manage expectations about the purposes of this fund.

3033
02:33:53.435 --> 02:33:55.475
I think we heard a lot of public comment, the idea

3034
02:33:55.475 --> 02:33:58.635
that we had this windfall of tens of millions of dollars

3035
02:33:58.635 --> 02:33:59.515
that we could spend on

3036
02:33:59.515 --> 02:34:01.115
virtually anything, which is not the case.

3037
02:34:01.615 --> 02:34:02.795
Um, but the second thing is

3038
02:34:02.795 --> 02:34:05.475
that the responsible future management of this fund,

3039
02:34:05.525 --> 02:34:06.875
which we had talked about,

3040
02:34:06.935 --> 02:34:08.635
but I take your point that we want

3041
02:34:08.635 --> 02:34:10.475
that memorialized for future boards.

3042
02:34:11.055 --> 02:34:13.475
Um, the way we've been treating this fund is essentially

3043
02:34:13.475 --> 02:34:14.595
like Hotel California

3044
02:34:14.605 --> 02:34:16.515
where funds checked in and they never left.

3045
02:34:17.185 --> 02:34:20.125
Um, what we would like to do, obviously is to be able

3046
02:34:20.125 --> 02:34:23.285
to pull funds down and reimburse ourselves, um,

3047
02:34:23.585 --> 02:34:27.805
for the actual costs of post employee benefits, um,

3048
02:34:27.905 --> 02:34:30.845
and to be paying in at a more modest rate than we have.

3049
02:34:31.105 --> 02:34:34.285
And the delta between those over time would reduce the

3050
02:34:34.285 --> 02:34:35.565
balance in that fund.

3051
02:34:35.985 --> 02:34:38.525
And what we have talked about as a board is the need

3052
02:34:38.545 --> 02:34:41.965
for some standard operating procedure, um,

3053
02:34:42.095 --> 02:34:45.405
where we would annually kind of check in about, um,

3054
02:34:45.595 --> 02:34:47.685
what we're putting in versus what we're taking out

3055
02:34:47.685 --> 02:34:48.925
and the overall health of the fund.

3056
02:34:48.945 --> 02:34:51.525
And so the two things I would like to see as clarifying

3057
02:34:51.525 --> 02:34:54.045
what this fund is supposed to do,

3058
02:34:54.305 --> 02:34:57.045
and then how we will responsibly manage it in an

3059
02:34:57.045 --> 02:34:58.605
annual ongoing way. Okay.

3060
02:34:58.665 --> 02:35:01.085
I'm gonna argue that those things are in the policy text.

3061
02:35:01.265 --> 02:35:03.245
So, and I'm gonna suggest that we, uh,

3062
02:35:03.515 --> 02:35:05.805
take this up at the next policy subcommittee meeting in

3063
02:35:05.805 --> 02:35:08.005
terms of the suggestions that Ms. Turner has made.

3064
02:35:08.395 --> 02:35:09.445
Okay. Okay.

3065
02:35:11.865 --> 02:35:14.965
And so then you were moving to, uh,

3066
02:35:15.865 --> 02:35:17.445
Are we, we got on on that one?

3067
02:35:18.045 --> 02:35:19.365
I have one, yes, I have one other one.

3068
02:35:20.025 --> 02:35:22.485
Uh, this is J 8 3 8 30 Food

3069
02:35:22.485 --> 02:35:24.285
and Edition services, unpaid meal charges.

3070
02:35:24.625 --> 02:35:27.525
Um, this one not fairly straightforward.

3071
02:35:27.665 --> 02:35:30.245
So, uh, there was some specific language there regarding,

3072
02:35:30.625 --> 02:35:34.965
um, uh, when we notify parents about, uh, meal debt,

3073
02:35:35.055 --> 02:35:36.725
we've changed the way that works now.

3074
02:35:36.865 --> 02:35:40.045
Uh, people get notified when the meal account itself falls

3075
02:35:40.055 --> 02:35:43.405
below $10, then again when the meal debt reaches 20.

3076
02:35:43.945 --> 02:35:45.685
And, uh, we wanna change the frequency

3077
02:35:45.685 --> 02:35:48.405
of the email riders from every day to just twice per week.

3078
02:35:48.525 --> 02:35:51.525
I think what I heard from, from you all was

3079
02:35:51.525 --> 02:35:53.125
that every day was a bit much

3080
02:35:53.625 --> 02:35:57.045
and people were, people are getting the message

3081
02:35:57.065 --> 02:35:58.405
and they don't need the email every day.

3082
02:35:58.705 --> 02:36:00.605
So we're gonna get that down to twice per week.

3083
02:36:01.225 --> 02:36:03.005
Uh, and then just one clarification.

3084
02:36:03.345 --> 02:36:05.205
Um, it had said the policy,

3085
02:36:05.385 --> 02:36:07.765
the school board will reimburse the program at

3086
02:36:07.765 --> 02:36:08.805
the end of each fiscal year.

3087
02:36:08.805 --> 02:36:10.605
We don't change that to Arlington Public Schools,

3088
02:36:10.895 --> 02:36:12.885
where mirror program, the school board votes

3089
02:36:13.065 --> 02:36:14.125
to do the reimbursement.

3090
02:36:14.145 --> 02:36:16.205
It does not come from the school board's

3091
02:36:16.205 --> 02:36:17.325
operating budget itself.

3092
02:36:17.785 --> 02:36:19.565
Uh, this actually did come up a couple years ago,

3093
02:36:19.665 --> 02:36:21.205
so we wanted to make sure we clarify that.

3094
02:36:21.785 --> 02:36:25.685
And, uh, we had, uh, one staff member agree with the policy.

3095
02:36:26.105 --> 02:36:27.765
So, any questions,

3096
02:36:29.855 --> 02:36:30.855
Colleagues? Any

3097
02:36:30.855 --> 02:36:34.245
questions on this? No. Okay.

3098
02:36:34.705 --> 02:36:37.005
Uh, the school board will act on this, these, uh,

3099
02:36:37.005 --> 02:36:39.325
items at the October 23rd meeting.

3100
02:36:39.325 --> 02:36:41.565
Thank you, Mr. Marco. We are now

3101
02:36:41.565 --> 02:36:42.725
at new business Board members.

3102
02:36:43.585 --> 02:36:47.085
Is there any new business? Seeing none.

3103
02:36:47.085 --> 02:36:48.205
This meeting is adjourned.