[0:05] Good evening.

[0:10] Could we all please stand for a moment of silence followed by

[0:12] the pledge of allegiance?

[0:38] Okay.

[0:41] Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll?

[0:44] Yes, ma'am.

[0:46] Chair Spall? Present. Vice chair Jones? Here.

[0:51] Missus Siebert?

[0:53] Missus Stevens? Present. Missus Brescia? Present.

[0:58] Miss Brown? Here.

[1:00] Miss Miles? Here. Thank you. Madam chair, we have a quorum.

[1:04] Great.

[1:04] Doctor Newman, are there any additions or deletions to the agenda?

[1:08] No, ma'am. Okay.

[1:11] Chair, I move that the school board of the city of Manassas approve

[1:14] the public meeting agenda as presented.

[1:17] Second.

[1:20] I have a motion by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Ms. Doctor.

[1:24] Jones,

[1:26] that we approve the public agenda.

[1:28] Any discussion?

[1:30] All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

[1:34] It's a six o vote.

[1:39] We will move to board committee reports.

[1:44] Anybody have a board committee report?

[1:46] Chair, I do.

[1:47] Great. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:49] The policy committee meeting will be tomorrow, Wednesday,

[1:52] June twenty fourth at three PM at central office.

[1:56] The VSBA has issued approximately sixty policy updates,

[2:00] several of which require board approval by the end of July.

[2:03] During last week's retreat,

[2:05] we discussed creating a more user friendly approach to

[2:07] presenting policy updates to the public, one that is clear,

[2:10] accessible, and easy to understand.

[2:13] At tomorrow's committee meeting,

[2:14] we'll begin brainstorming practical strategies to improve

[2:17] implement this improved format.

[2:20] Thank you much. Any other reports?

[2:25] Okay.

[2:27] The next item is the consent agenda.

[2:29] These items are considered routine and may be approved by

[2:31] a single motion unless a board member requests an item to be

[2:34] removed for a separate discussion.

[2:36] Can I get a motion?

[2:38] Chair, I move that the school board of the city of Manassas approve

[2:41] the consent meeting the consent agenda as presented.

[2:45] I

[2:47] have a motion by miss Stevens,

[2:48] seconded by miss Brescia that the school board of the city of

[2:50] Manassas approve the consent agenda as presented.

[2:53] Is there any discussion?

[2:55] All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

[2:59] That is also a six o motion, miss Garza.

[3:03] We'll now move to discussion as agenda.

[3:08] Oh, I sure did. I'm sorry. Okay.

[3:12] At this time, we welcome members of the public who wish to speak about

[3:15] services, policies, and affairs of the city of Manassas public schools.

[3:20] Because we have an agenda to complete,

[3:22] we ask that comments be limited to three minutes.

[3:24] We appreciate the time you've taken to be here,

[3:26] and we treat public comments as a public hearing and do not

[3:29] engage in conversation with speakers.

[3:31] The lack of an immediate response to your comments

[3:33] should not be taken as a lack of interest or concern.

[3:36] Please be respectful when presenting your comments.

[3:38] Do we have anyone signed up? Okay.

[3:43] Anybody want to speak? Okay.

[3:46] Great.

[3:48] Now we're going to move on to the discussion agenda,

[3:51] and the first item is accountability.

[3:54] Doctor.

[3:54] Jennifer Casada, executive director of accountability and finance,

[3:58] will present an update on the process and timeline for the

[4:01] development of our new strategic plan.

[4:05] Thank you, doctor Casada.

[4:08] On.

[4:11] Alba, it's not.

[4:15] I

[4:16] can tell you when too if you want.

[4:18] I'll start.

[4:20] Good evening, chair Spall, vice chair Jones,

[4:22] school board members, and doctor Newman.

[4:23] Tonight, I will be providing an update on the process and timeline for

[4:26] the development of the new strategic plan to the school

[4:29] board and the public.

[4:32] We're gonna switch.

[4:40] Alright.

[4:41] The purpose of tonight's presentation is to provide the

[4:43] board and the public with an update on the process MCPS is

[4:45] using to develop the new strategic plan,

[4:47] which will launch next July, so July of twenty twenty seven,

[4:50] and cover fiscal years twenty eight through thirty two.

[4:53] I'll cover the process we're using and some themes that have

[4:55] emerged thus far.

[4:56] I will discuss the components that currently exist in our

[4:58] plan and what will be included in the structure of the new plan.

[5:01] I will conclude by sharing the timeline and next steps.

[5:04] It's an important to note at the outset outset that MCPS

[5:06] will be maintaining the same architectural metaphor with

[5:09] student academic success supported by pillars.

[5:12] At the outset of the development process,

[5:14] we engaged a strategic plan steering committee.

[5:17] This committee is a representative group from

[5:18] across all schools and central office.

[5:20] The group was brought together first in December of twenty twenty five.

[5:24] In December, the group reviewed the existing MCPS vision and mission

[5:26] statements and identified a set of potential core values that

[5:29] have been considered by additional groups.

[5:31] This spring, they provided input into key components and potential

[5:34] structure after reviewing examples from other school divisions.

[5:37] This group will continue to review drafts and provide input

[5:40] throughout the fall.

[5:42] This spring was phase one of the development process.

[5:45] Over the course of the spring,

[5:46] we collected data from a variety of stakeholder groups.

[5:48] I met with principals and assistant principals during

[5:50] their respective regular meetings.

[5:52] We met with multiple central office departments,

[5:54] and we discussed the strategic plan at cabinet meetings.

[5:57] Also held teacher and school based support staff focus groups.

[6:01] The invitations to these focus groups were provided through

[6:03] principals to all staff.

[6:04] These sessions were extremely helpful in the development of the new plan.

[6:08] Each group reviewed the vision and mission statements and

[6:10] provided feedback.

[6:11] Each group also looked at one or more pillars to provide

[6:13] insights and meaningful sorry,

[6:15] insights into potential indicators of success or

[6:17] success metrics.

[6:18] Finally, each group identified barriers to success for more students.

[6:23] As the school board members know,

[6:25] I provided an update on this process at last week's school board retreat.

[6:28] In addition, school board members reviewed and provided input in division

[6:31] and mission statements.

[6:32] School board members also engaged in an activity aimed at

[6:34] narrowing and defining a set of core values for MCPS.

[6:38] Across all groups so far, some key themes have emerged.

[6:41] Overall, there is support for maintaining the structural

[6:43] concepts and pillars.

[6:45] Later in the presentation,

[6:46] I will discuss how the new iteration of the plan will go

[6:48] deeper with each pillar.

[6:50] One theme that has emerged is that the culture of caring

[6:52] pillar needs a new name to focus on climate and

[6:54] environment as well as to be more inclusive of staff.

[6:57] Consensus is that this this strategic plan has given M. P.

[7:00] S. A better common framework and language than in the past.

[7:03] A big theme is that consistency and alignment are critical to

[7:06] the success of the plan.

[7:07] This means consistency with the implementation of strategic

[7:10] priorities, consistency across schools,

[7:12] and consistency in alignment among departments and between

[7:15] departments and schools.

[7:17] Another theme is that clearer objectives and metrics for

[7:19] success are needed.

[7:20] I will discuss what this will look like later in the presentation.

[7:22] And finally, a universal theme is that the language in the plan needs to

[7:25] be more accessible to the community.

[7:27] It's free of jargon as possible and be as clear and concise as possible.

[7:32] As I mentioned earlier,

[7:34] all groups with which we've worked have provided input into

[7:37] the vision and mission statement.

[7:38] Initial feedback on both is that they are too wordy and redundant.

[7:41] In particular, feedback on the mission statement is that it is

[7:44] confusing and convoluted.

[7:45] For the vision statement,

[7:46] interest in broadening the vision to be about all

[7:48] students, not just graduates with shared.

[7:50] Of course, the goal is to get all students to graduate,

[7:52] but the vision is about what we would want to create for all

[7:55] our students along that journey.

[7:57] As I shared, the school board provided input into the vision and mission

[7:59] statements at their retreat.

[8:01] This input along with the input previously gathered will be

[8:03] used to generate drafts for revision new vision and mission statements.

[8:06] Over the summer, the school board will review and provide further input on

[8:09] these draft vision and mission statements as well as core

[8:12] value statements.

[8:12] These drafts from the school board will be shared with the

[8:14] community for input during the fall.

[8:18] The new plan will identify will I'm sorry.

[8:20] Will include a set of identified core values written

[8:23] into value statements.

[8:24] These values will be another way initiatives, efforts,

[8:26] successes can be linked to the strategic plan.

[8:28] Currently, the plan has a set of belief statements.

[8:31] A few of these will remain,

[8:32] but a set of easily recognizable core values will

[8:35] help the plan become infused into everyday efforts.

[8:37] To identify the the values, we followed this process.

[8:40] First, the steering committee brainstormed and identified a

[8:43] large set of potential values.

[8:44] Multiple groups have narrowed the list through sorting and

[8:46] ranking exercises.

[8:48] The list will be further narrowed this summer,

[8:50] and a set of value statements will be written.

[8:52] The school board will review this set of value statements

[8:54] and provide feedback.

[8:55] Surveys will be conducted in the fall with stakeholder

[8:57] groups, including staff, students, parents,

[8:59] and community that will include ranking of these values.

[9:02] And then the final set of core values will be included in the

[9:04] new strategic plan.

[9:07] Strategic plans tend to have some common key components.

[9:10] They may have different names and look different if you look

[9:12] at different plans,

[9:13] but this table shows how those key components, what they are,

[9:15] and whether they exist in the current MCPS plan.

[9:18] Vision and mission, our current plan has these,

[9:20] and they will be revised for the new plan as we've discussed already tonight.

[9:23] Core values, our current plan does not have identified core values.

[9:26] We have belief statements.

[9:27] The next plan will have a set of core values as we've already discussed.

[9:31] Goals. Our current plan has aspirational targets.

[9:34] We will have these in the new plan as well.

[9:36] Key components and goal areas. These are our pillars.

[9:38] We will continue having the pillars in our next plan,

[9:40] but the names may change slightly.

[9:43] Strategies.

[9:43] We have strategic priorities by pillar in our current plan.

[9:46] The new plan will have enhanced specificity for strategies

[9:49] under each one.

[9:50] And performance indicators and metrics,

[9:52] our current plan does not have identified performance

[9:54] indicators spelled out for the pillars and strategies.

[9:57] The new plan will have this added layer which will help us

[9:59] in tracking progress.

[10:02] So this slide shows the general hierarchical structure for the new plan.

[10:06] So vision, mission, and values.

[10:08] This section of the plan will include the vision and mission

[10:10] statements and the set of core values, which as I said,

[10:12] will be infused throughout the pillar sections as well.

[10:15] Student academic success,

[10:16] this section will include goals and aspirational targets at the macro level.

[10:20] We'll also include information about our aligned systems and

[10:22] define operational strategies that support all of the pillars.

[10:26] And then each pillar will have a goal statement,

[10:28] strategic priorities with supporting strategies,

[10:31] and performance metrics,

[10:32] tentatively being called building blocks to support the

[10:35] architecture metaphor.

[10:36] In order to make the plan more transparent and accessible to the community,

[10:39] we're gonna be developing an interactive strategic plan website.

[10:42] We'll be able to highlight efforts and initiatives under each pillar.

[10:45] We're also gonna be developing a strategic plan document that

[10:48] will be parallel and structured to the budget and CIP documents,

[10:51] as well as communication flyers that will be public facing.

[10:54] Graphics will be updated and modernized, so stay tuned.

[10:58] Okay.

[10:59] This slide shows the timeline and next steps for the

[11:01] development of the plan.

[11:02] And although they go in order, some of it is is iterative.

[11:05] So over the summer, as I've said,

[11:07] we're gonna build an initial draft of the structure based on

[11:09] the input received thus far.

[11:11] The steering committee and school board will provide input

[11:13] and feedback on the draft.

[11:15] Specific strategies and performance indicators are

[11:18] gonna be developed for each pillar.

[11:19] Surveys and focus groups will be conducted in the fall with

[11:22] stakeholders, staff, students, parents, and community.

[11:25] The school board will be engaged throughout the fall at work sessions,

[11:28] and then a draft will be finalized by the cabinet in

[11:30] late fall, early winter.

[11:31] The goal is to present the plan to the board in January of

[11:34] twenty twenty seven.

[11:35] We then need to hold a public hearing and then have the

[11:38] school board approve the new plan in early February twenty

[11:40] twenty seven to coincide with the next budget cycle.

[11:45] Thank you for your time this evening.

[11:48] Thank you, doctor Susada.

[11:49] That was a thorough explanation both last week and tonight.

[11:53] And, this new strategic plan promises to be really refined

[11:56] and targeted, and the addition of core values and KPIs,

[12:00] I think, is gonna be huge. Anybody else?

[12:05] Miss Brescia.

[12:07] I'm grabbing my water. Yes. Go ahead.

[12:09] So

[12:12] I just wanna be clear on the community

[12:17] opportunities because surveys were mentioned,

[12:20] but then also on that second to last slide,

[12:22] focus groups were mentioned.

[12:24] So focus groups, I'm using as a catch all phrase.

[12:26] We're gonna try and use what we've done so far.

[12:28] I'm glad you asked that question.

[12:29] The process we've tried to use is use existing structures

[12:33] where people are already coming together.

[12:35] So we have a lot of parent advisory groups,

[12:37] SEAC is an example, to be able to go to meetings like that.

[12:41] But then we also can the public hearing is another way people

[12:45] can come in person,

[12:46] but we will do targeted things for the for community members

[12:49] to be able to participate in person as well as the surveys

[12:52] are really designed to provide feedback on a draft as well as

[12:56] particularly with the core values since they're new.

[12:58] Okay.

[12:59] So most members of the general public,

[13:01] if there is someone out there in the general public who wants to weigh in,

[13:05] their best first bet and best opportunity is gonna be in the survey,

[13:08] and then their next opportunity is gonna be the And we will advertise yes.

[13:11] So we don't have dates or anything for those things set

[13:13] for the fall, but that will all be communicated out.

[13:15] But the the survey will be available to anyone who wants

[13:18] to complete it.

[13:19] There'll be various versions for staff and the community and and students.

[13:24] But that's a way that anyone can express their opinions,

[13:28] and then we'll have opportunities that will be

[13:30] advertised, for other in person opportunities.

[13:32] Gotcha. The public hearing is fairly late in the process.

[13:36] Yes.

[13:37] That's an that's a

[13:39] statutory requirement.

[13:40] So that is not that is like your last chance when you

[13:43] really see after we present the actual draft,

[13:46] then people are coming and saying, oh,

[13:47] I don't like this or oh, I really in in support of it.

[13:50] And so but that's not where you're giving the meat of your feedback.

[13:52] So this will all happen before that.

[13:54] So if if there is someone watching out there who wants to

[13:57] be engaged in the process,

[13:58] don't wait for the public hearing.

[13:59] Like, there will be surveys.

[14:00] And we will add that we will advertise those things early in the fall.

[14:03] Okay. Good. Thank you. That's it.

[14:08] Ms. Stevens? Yes. Thank you.

[14:12] You started to mention

[14:14] a website.

[14:16] Can you I know you're very early in the process,

[14:19] but can you possibly give me a little bit of Of my vision for that?

[14:23] Yes.

[14:23] Your vision for that.

[14:24] Non as a non, like, website person.

[14:26] So my vision is and from looking at lots of research

[14:29] with other places,

[14:30] so I want the strategic plan to be something that is more

[14:33] living and breathing.

[14:34] One of the reasons we like the idea of the core values and having, like,

[14:37] icons for those is we can link them across across the various

[14:40] parts of our existing website.

[14:42] But having a website where you would click on a pillar and

[14:45] you'd be able to see videos or stories about certain things,

[14:48] it allows us to highlight.

[14:49] It allows us to say provide information.

[14:51] What is a cycle that works?

[14:53] And go into those things and have it all under structure of

[14:55] the strategic plan.

[14:56] So it wouldn't just be a document, right,

[14:58] that's linked on a page.

[14:59] It would be Interactive.

[15:00] Interactive in a way where you can,

[15:03] get more information and allows us to use it to tell our story

[15:06] and, highlight things.

[15:07] So now when you envision the website,

[15:10] I wanna make sure you and I are envisioning the same thing

[15:11] because, you know,

[15:12] my brain goes Is that something you're going

[15:15] to start getting up before putting together before the

[15:18] strategic plan is approved in February?

[15:21] Is that something people can look to throughout the process

[15:24] to see how the process is going?

[15:26] Question. So some of that will occur.

[15:28] So they'll we'll set up the shell,

[15:30] but most of the interactive pieces won't come until after,

[15:33] but there will be that's where you can go and see.

[15:35] We will post versions. We will post links to the surveys.

[15:38] We will we will set start sending people there,

[15:40] but it'll really become its full thing once it's approved.

[15:43] Okay. Yep.

[15:44] And so we'll going back to what miss Brescia said,

[15:47] will this be will they'll where excuse me.

[15:49] Will there be a feature within this website where people

[15:53] can participate, maybe provide thoughts, provide comments?

[15:58] So there'll be yes.

[15:58] So when I say surveys,

[15:59] there'll be links to ways people can provide feedback

[16:02] that'll be featured on the website,

[16:03] and we'll advertise those through all the typical typical channels.

[16:07] And then once I envision this not just for the launching of

[16:10] the plan, but over the course of the five years, right,

[16:12] there'll be dashboards and progress because having these

[16:15] indicators are gonna allow us to show progress in real time

[16:18] in a variety of ways, not just, you know,

[16:20] test scores at the end of the year.

[16:21] So we'll be able to have those kind of dashboards will all be

[16:24] part of this website.

[16:26] Yeah.

[16:26] I think I think that's really great because although we we

[16:29] are using the strategic plan and we're following the

[16:32] strategic plan and we have updates to the strategic plan,

[16:35] it doesn't feel like it's a living

[16:38] artifact, so to It feels, for many people,

[16:41] like this piece of paper that you're just referring back to.

[16:44] But I think if it's built into an interactive website that

[16:47] people can see, that anyone can go to to see where we are,

[16:51] what we're doing, what the progress looks like,

[16:53] I think that's going to be very helpful to the public especially.

[16:58] That's the goal. I look forward to seeing that being developed.

[17:01] Thank you.

[17:02] Anybody else?

[17:04] Ms. Miles.

[17:06] So I noticed that you put on there that we're gonna be

[17:08] engaging during work sessions.

[17:11] Are these gonna be separate work sessions like our budget

[17:13] sessions are separate, or they're gonna be included

[17:15] during our work sessions, our normal work sessions?

[17:18] So, that is, of course,

[17:21] that is up to you.

[17:22] You have existing work session time,

[17:25] so however you prefer to to do it.

[17:28] So my goal would not be to create additional meetings for

[17:31] you, but it would be touch points,

[17:33] along the way using ideally, again,

[17:36] your existing meeting structure should the board find that acceptable.

[17:40] Okay.

[17:40] And the other question is,

[17:41] I know like miss Brescia said about the surveys,

[17:44] the focus groups, will we get updates on how those are going

[17:49] Yes. Along the way? Okay.

[17:50] That's kind of what the at the work sessions,

[17:52] you'd be getting synthesis of here's what we've heard.

[17:56] Here's where we're at.

[17:57] Here's changes that are being recommended as drafts proceed.

[18:00] Okay.

[18:02] And the public hearing is that going to be during a regular

[18:05] school board meeting,

[18:07] or is that going to be at a separate date in a separate location?

[18:10] Typically, the public hearings are scheduled as like through us

[18:14] through a school board meeting,

[18:15] it would be the in between one between when we present it just

[18:18] like we do for the budget.

[18:19] Again, that's a that's a statutory requirement that is just kind

[18:23] of a last chance effort for for comment.

[18:27] Yeah. So that would be an existing board meeting.

[18:29] In addition to that, the surveys, the focus groups,

[18:31] and the public hearing, are we will we have translators for

[18:34] our families who speak other languages?

[18:36] How will we, make sure it's equitable?

[18:39] So, any survey would be tran would exist in other languages,

[18:45] and then anything that we would do that was targeted to parents

[18:47] in the community that was in person, we would,

[18:50] I'll work with communications to make sure we have that.

[18:52] Okay.

[18:53] And especially for the public hearing,

[18:54] if there's a parent who wants to share,

[18:56] will we be able to have a translator on hand so that way

[18:59] we can understand what Yes.

[19:01] Okay. Thank you. That's all I have.

[19:03] Thanks.

[19:05] Anybody else?

[19:07] Thank you very much, Doctor. Casada. Thank you.

[19:12] I don't even know what to do. It's six nineteen.

[19:16] It's time for board member comments.

[19:19] Miss Stevens, you're up.

[19:21] Thank you.

[19:22] I think this is the first time I'm going first,

[19:24] so it's very unusual.

[19:25] I'm I'm not used to being first.

[19:28] So because I usually listen to what everyone else has to say,

[19:31] and that tells me what I still need to say,

[19:32] but being the first person to speak will get to separate.

[19:34] So

[19:36] last week's retreat was an important opportunity for self

[19:39] reflection, thoughtful and sometimes difficult

[19:42] discussions, and meaningful updates across our division.

[19:45] It allowed each board member to gain a deeper understanding of

[19:48] how well our division is performing and the work being

[19:51] done to make it stronger.

[19:53] One highlight for me was the update on alternative education,

[19:57] specifically evening school and the Pathways program.

[20:00] Both have demonstrated encouraging success.

[20:03] In Pathways, two students graduated,

[20:05] representing nine percent of those enrolled.

[20:08] In evening school, which serves seventy four students,

[20:10] thirty four students graduated in May and another eighteen are

[20:13] expected to graduate by the end of July.

[20:16] These outcomes reflect our division's strong commitment to

[20:19] student success and our belief that every student deserves the

[20:23] opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve.

[20:28] Thank you. Ms. Brown?

[20:31] I would be really brief,

[20:32] but I just wanted to mention that thank you for making

[20:35] comments about the retreat.

[20:37] And today in the consent agenda, we actually approve,

[20:41] the priorities and the number one priority is to have our

[20:45] schools on track.

[20:46] And this will take investments not just from families,

[20:49] but also our whole community, and it will also take,

[20:53] city council and school board collaboration and continued dialogue.

[20:58] And tonight, to show our commitment to this priority

[21:02] in the consent agenda,

[21:04] we approve over ten million dollars in contracts and

[21:06] operational expenditures that include, technology,

[21:10] international teacher recruitment, transportation,

[21:12] maintenance, and utilities, just to mention a few.

[21:15] So we are all committed,

[21:17] and I think we're gonna be seeing some changes.

[21:20] I also like to congratulate or

[21:24] give, just a little bit of a shout

[21:27] out to students who are attending summer school session.

[21:31] I know that, in Prince William, where my employer is,

[21:34] I spent the last two days working with students who

[21:37] started their school, summer session, today.

[21:42] And, that also is a commitment for families to make

[21:46] sure that your students continue to learn and grow

[21:49] through the summer months, but it's also a huge commitment for

[21:53] teachers and staff who go above and beyond,

[21:56] to give a little bit extra to all of our families and students.

[22:00] So thank you to everyone in every district,

[22:02] particularly this district, who is doing that for all children.

[22:06] And, so I think that's all my comments for today.

[22:11] Thank you, Ms. Brown. Ms. Miles.

[22:14] Thank you. Yes.

[22:16] Last week, we, went on our school board retreat,

[22:18] and we discussed lots of things.

[22:21] We got some updates on quite a few departments,

[22:25] which was very enlightening.

[22:27] And seeing the retention rates of our teachers and how many

[22:31] teachers are excited to bring friends to our school district

[22:35] was very encouraging.

[22:36] I also enjoyed the heavy discussions that we had on our priorities,

[22:42] and I think that if you will look at our school board priorities,

[22:45] you will be very encouraged to see that we came up with three

[22:48] very sound priorities for, our school board to get behind.

[22:54] In addition, I hope everyone is able to come out to our joint session on

[22:58] Thursday so you can kind of learn a little bit more about,

[23:01] that as we present it to the city council.

[23:05] And I wanted to give a shout out to all the fathers,

[23:09] grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors,

[23:11] father figures who make a difference in the lives of our

[23:13] children and community.

[23:15] On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day and the men that show up with love,

[23:19] guidance, patience, unwavering support.

[23:21] I know that without, a strong father figure,

[23:25] my dad in my life,

[23:27] I would not be the person I am today

[23:30] From whether it's you're helping with homework,

[23:32] cheering from the sidelines, attending school events,

[23:35] or simply being a steady presence,

[23:37] fathers play an invaluable role in helping our students thrive.

[23:40] And as a school board member,

[23:41] I know that strong families and supportive adults are essential

[23:44] partners in education.

[23:46] I know it's the summertime, but,

[23:48] without those, mentors or father figures in your

[23:52] life, students sometimes go astray.

[23:55] So I really appreciate all that you're doing to invest your

[23:59] time, your wisdom, and hearts into raising the next generation.

[24:02] And I hope that you enjoyed your Father's Day.

[24:04] That's all that I have.

[24:05] Thank you.

[24:05] Thank you, Ms. Miles. Ms. Brescia.

[24:07] Thank you.

[24:08] Everybody is so eloquent,

[24:09] so I'm not going to belabor any points.

[24:10] But the one thing I do want to add is to publicly recognize

[24:14] and thank our clerk, Ms.

[24:15] Garza, who, she hates public recognition.

[24:19] We're going to do it anyway because you deserve it for

[24:21] handling that retreat so well,

[24:23] and especially considering all of the hurdles that came up in your way.

[24:26] Logistically, actually, a very successful retreat.

[24:30] And you give so much of yourself to us,

[24:33] and you do so much for us.

[24:34] So I just wanted to take this moment to thank you for a

[24:37] successful retreat.

[24:41] Please forgive me. Very nice.

[24:44] Thank you, miss Brescia.

[24:44] Doctor Jones.

[24:46] At the Obama presidential center opening, Obama stated, quote,

[24:50] the single most powerful word in our democracy is the word we.

[24:55] We, the people, we shall overcome. Yes.

[24:58] We can. The word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone.

[25:02] Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually try to

[25:06] improve this great nation of ours, end quote.

[25:10] The moment I heard these words,

[25:11] I knew I wanted to share the power of the word we.

[25:15] As we close out the twenty five,

[25:17] twenty six school year and move into the twenty six,

[25:19] twenty seven school year, let us intentionally use the word

[25:23] we more often.

[25:25] We reminds us that our greatest successes come through

[25:28] collaboration, shared responsibility, and collective

[25:31] responsibility.

[25:32] Many well known quotes reinforce the power of teamwork.

[25:36] John Haywood wrote, many hands make like work.

[25:40] An African proverb, if you wanna go fast, go alone.

[25:44] If you wanna go far, go together.

[25:48] Maddie Stepapuk, unity is strength.

[25:50] When there is teamwork and collaboration,

[25:53] wonderful things can be achieved.

[25:55] Helen Keller, alone we can do so little.

[25:58] Together we can do so much.

[26:00] And mother Teresa, I can do things you cannot.

[26:03] You can do things I cannot.

[26:05] Together we can do great things.

[26:07] As educators, families, students, and community

[26:10] members, we have the unique gifts and we have unique gifts

[26:13] and perspectives.

[26:15] By embracing the power of we,

[26:17] we can continue building schools and communities where

[26:20] everyone contributes and everyone succeeds.

[26:23] Together, we educate. Together, we achieve.

[26:26] Together, we make a difference.

[26:29] Thank you, vice chair. That was very nice.

[26:32] Before we adjourn,

[26:33] I'd just like to leave our community with a bit of

[26:35] encouraging news from Richmond.

[26:36] Yesterday, the general assembly has approved a budget package that

[26:39] is expected to receive final approval from the governor in

[26:42] the near future.

[26:44] While our staff is still reviewing the final details,

[26:47] and we will have more to share once the budget is officially enacted,

[26:51] The legislation contains several provisions that are

[26:53] expected to positively impact our school system.

[26:56] The Commonwealth's investment in public education reflects an

[26:59] understanding of the challenges school divisions are facing

[27:01] across Virginia from recruiting and obtaining exceptional

[27:04] educators to meeting the increasing academic, social,

[27:07] and emotional needs of students.

[27:09] We anticipate that some of those investments will benefit

[27:12] our division directly.

[27:14] I don't wanna spoil all the details tonight,

[27:15] but I'm excited about what this could mean for our students,

[27:18] our staff, and our community.

[27:19] Once the governor takes final action and our team completes

[27:22] its analysis,

[27:23] we will forward we look forward to sharing exactly how those

[27:26] changes will be reflected in MCPS.

[27:29] As always, I'm grateful for our partnership between our local

[27:31] community, our elected officials,

[27:33] and the Commonwealth as we continue working together to

[27:36] provide every student with the opportunities they deserve.

[27:39] Thank you, and have a wonderful evening. I get a motion.

[27:44] Chair, I move that the school board meeting adjourn.

[27:47] Second.

[27:50] I have a motion by miss Stevens,

[27:52] seconded by miss Brown that the school board meeting adjourn.

[27:54] Is there any discussion? All in favor?

[27:57] Aye. Any opposed? That's six o, miss Carson.

[28:01] Thank

[28:03] you, everyone.

[28:04] Congratulations. Record time.

Manassas School Board 6/23/2026

Transcript