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Good evening. I would like to call to

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order the regular meeting of the Newport

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News School Board for Tuesday, September

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15, 2026.

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On behalf of the members of the school

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board and Dr. Mitchell, I welcome each

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of you present this evening and those

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who are watching on TV and online. We

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will begin tonight's meeting with the

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invocation and pledge to the flag. Here

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to do the honors is our school board

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representative, Cameron Smith.

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Good evening, Madam Chair, Madame Vice

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Chair, Superintendent Mitchell, members

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of the board, audience members, and

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viewers at home. As I spent time with my

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classmates during these first few weeks

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of school, I've been struck by the

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common emotion of excitement and desire

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for what's to come after graduation. And

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while no one can deny the allure of the

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many pathways we'll take following the

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end of our time in high school, I find

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it equally important to value the

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privilege that we have now to share with

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each other at school. So for tonight's

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invocation, I will share a poem on the

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significance of living in the moment

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written by Patricia Fleming entitled

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Each Moment is is precious. Live in the

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moment, just take it all in. Pay

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attention to everything right there and

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right then. Don't let your mind wander

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to what's coming next. Cherish this

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moment and give it your best. Don't let

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tomorrow make you rush through today or

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too many great moments will just go to

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waste. And the person you're with and

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that moment you share, give them all of

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your focus. Be totally there. Laugh till

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it hurts. Let the tears drop. Fill up

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each moment with all that you've got.

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Don't miss the details. The lesson is

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there. Don't get complacent. Stay sharp

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and aware. It can take but a moment to

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change your life's path. And once it

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ticks by, there is no going back. In

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just 60 seconds, you may make a new

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friend, find your true love, or see a

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life start or end. You become who you

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are in those moments you live. And the

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growth's not in taking, but in how much

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you give. Life is just moments so

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precious and few. Whether valued or

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squandered, it's all up to you. And now

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I invite you to all stand as we recite

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the pledge of allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. You may now be seated.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, Cameron. Very nice.

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The next item on Next agenda is school

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board recognitions. Dr. Mitchell, please

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join me at the podium.

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This evening, we have the honor of

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welcoming our new alternate student

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representative to the school board,

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Holton Bailey. Mr. Bailey is a senior at

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an achievable dream high school. He

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brings a number of community building

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skills to this new position of alternate

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student representative and is an active

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leader in both school and community

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organizations. Mr. Bailey, please come

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forward to receive your oath of

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commitment and your family members are

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welcome to join.

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I didn't see her over there. Okay.

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Thank you.

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Mr. Bailey, as school board chairwoman,

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I have the honor and privilege of

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leading your oath of commitment. Please

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raise your right hand.

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Please repeat after me. I, Holton

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Bailey, do solemnly affirm

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I, Holton Bailey, do solemnly affirm

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that I will support the mission of

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Newport News public schools. I will

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support the mission of public schools.

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And I will faithfully perform my duties

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as the alternate student representative

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to the school board.

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Whenever I will attend meetings and

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participate

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I will serve as the co-f facilitator to

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the superintendent students advisory

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group on education

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yes I will serve as co- facilitator to

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the superintendent

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I will serve as co- facilitator to the

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superintendent

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student advisory group on education

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student advisory group on education

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I will contribute to schoolboard discuss

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discussion.

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I will contribute to school board

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discussions.

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I will strive to fulfill

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responsibilities of this position while

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excelling in my studies.

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I will strive to

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fulfill

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responsibilities

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of this position while excelling in my

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studies.

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of this position while excelling in my

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studies

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according to the best of my abilities.

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according to the best of my abilities.

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Mr. Bailey, congratulations and welcome

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to the school board.

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Would you like to offer a few comments?

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Good evening everyone.

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As she said before, my name is Hton

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Bailey. I am a senior at Achievable

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Dream High and I'm very excited to be

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the first one in this position, this new

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position. I'm ready to test out the

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waters of this position just to see what

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we can improve on and what the person

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after me may be able to do. I also am

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thankful for this position. You know, my

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principal here, Miss Hudges, she really

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did push me to apply not just for this

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position, but just to become student

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representative, and I did. And

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fortunately, I was able to take on this

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position. I'm here to advocate for my

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students. As soon as this announcement

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came out saying that I got the position,

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I had a whole bunch of students at

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school telling me, you know,

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congratulations, telling me to go

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represent for the students and that's

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what I plan to do. I am one who will

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speak. I will I won't be quiet. I am one

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I am one to hear the students as I'm

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with them every day. I know what they

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want and I know how to put it into

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professional words so that the members

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of this board can hear them loud and

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clear. So, I'm very thankful to get this

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position.

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Okay.

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Thank you and congratulations again. We

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look forward to working with you. And at

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this time, we're going to take a short

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break so that our presenters and guests

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and their families may leave if they

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wish to do so. You are certainly welcome

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to stay. So stand we will stand in

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recess briefly. Thank you.

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The next item on tonight's agenda is

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school board. Excuse me. During our

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regular meetings, we provide time for

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the public to address the school board.

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These opportunities are scheduled in the

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early part of our agenda and towards the

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end of the meeting. As advertised,

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citizens may submit comments via email

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up to 30 minutes prior to our meeting

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time to be included in the official

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meeting record.

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For those of you joining us in person,

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the board considers this an opportunity

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to listen to your comments. Please

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understand that we will consider your

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concerns. We ask that you comply with

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our threeminut time limit. As you begin

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your comments, a green light will come

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on. A yellow light signals that you have

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30 seconds remaining and a red light and

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beep indicates that your time is up. I

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understand we may have a group or two

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that like would like to come up as a

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group, but we're going to ask you in the

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essence of safety, please do not do

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that. If you would like to recognize the

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people that are with you, they can stand

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and you are welcome to do so. As your

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name is called, please come forward.

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George Jordan and she will be followed

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by Tammy.

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Thank you.

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As stated, my name is George. I've been

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driving for 22 years for Newport News

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public schools and my question to you is

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aren't we in a bus driver shortage? So

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why are we limiting our drivers or shall

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I say our seasoned drivers by giving the

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new drivers more hours than our seasoned

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drivers?

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Last I heard,

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rent for one bedroom was $1,900.

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So, if you're limiting your seasoned

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drivers that's been here for 20, 15, 30

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years

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to $1,900 a month or $2,000 a month,

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they're not making their bills, let

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alone paying their rent.

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You're losing drivers.

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Workplace chaos, constant reactive and

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false urgency, lack of clear direction,

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poor communication, shift in priorities,

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cultural and impro interpersonal

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toxicity,

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unhealthy dynamics,

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lack of

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workplace

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ethics and manipulation and intimidation

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in the workplace. disorganization and

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leadership

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and creating widespread confusion.

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That's why you have a rapid turnover.

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Therefore, workers are leaving and

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scrambling when doing runs.

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Cronyism

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granting jobs to special favors to

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friends or close friends or personal

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allies.

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retaliation,

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workplace retaliation.

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Please don't speak up for yourself.

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Please don't stand up for your rights or

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talk about misconduct cuz you will be

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retaliated on. And we probably will have

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more drivers here tonight and more

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assistants, but they didn't want to get

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retaliated on. So, I would like to thank

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everybody, all the drivers and

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assistants that did show up tonight.

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A lot of drivers and assistants don't

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show up or are scared to because of lack

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of leadership,

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lack of management. So in short, I would

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say you don't have a bus driver

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shortage. You have a management,

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supervisor, and leadership problem.

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And Miss Tammy will be followed by Ivana

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Jones.

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Good evening. I am Tamara Brown. Tammy

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superintendent and members of the school

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board. I stand here tonight as a proud

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Newport News bus driver representing the

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dedicated team that ensures our students

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to get to school safely every day. We

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are here tonight because we value our

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partnership with the Newport News public

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schools. We want to work with you to

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solve the severe driver shortage that is

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currently straining our system. Where

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vacancy rates have honored near 30%,

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those of us behind the wheel are glad to

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step up, stretch routes, and keep the

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city moving. But to sustain this

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partnership, we urgently need the board

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to fulfill its commitments to us. Right

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now, the financial pressure on all of

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our drivers is immediate and real. We

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are already midway through September and

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we are facing a critical gap in our

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compensation. First, we urgently need

276
00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:11,266
clarity on the 4% salary rates

277
00:16:09,734 --> 00:16:14,767
authorized through the state budget

278
00:16:11,266 --> 00:16:17,100
compromise. This division promised this

279
00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:19,567
increase and yet our contracts have not

280
00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:21,166
been updated. We cannot afford to wait

281
00:16:19,567 --> 00:16:24,300
any longer for the paperwork to match

282
00:16:21,166 --> 00:16:25,900
the promise. Second, our drivers are

283
00:16:24,300 --> 00:16:28,867
anxiously waiting for the promise

284
00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:32,133
retention bonus. This bonus isn't just a

285
00:16:28,867 --> 00:16:34,934
line item. It is a vital buffer for our

286
00:16:32,133 --> 00:16:37,266
families right now. Working together

287
00:16:34,934 --> 00:16:39,033
means taking care of our people on the

288
00:16:37,266 --> 00:16:42,066
front lines. And the delay in these

289
00:16:39,033 --> 00:16:44,467
funds is hurting our team morale when we

290
00:16:42,066 --> 00:16:46,233
need it most. We want to help Newport

291
00:16:44,467 --> 00:16:48,700
News Public Schools remain competitive

292
00:16:46,233 --> 00:16:51,033
and strong. And to do that, we

293
00:16:48,700 --> 00:16:54,000
collaboratively ask the board for

294
00:16:51,033 --> 00:16:56,700
immediate action tonight. Issue a

295
00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:59,433
definitive timeline for when our updated

296
00:16:56,700 --> 00:17:02,367
contracts reflecting the 4% raise will

297
00:16:59,433 --> 00:17:04,934
be signed and implemented. Provide a

298
00:17:02,367 --> 00:17:07,834
specific urgent date for when the

299
00:17:04,934 --> 00:17:11,667
overdue retention bonuses will be paid

300
00:17:07,834 --> 00:17:13,734
out. Establish a collaborative dialogue

301
00:17:11,667 --> 00:17:16,066
between driver representatives and

302
00:17:13,734 --> 00:17:18,300
administration to review base

303
00:17:16,066 --> 00:17:20,467
compensation moving forward. And we are

304
00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:23,100
fully committed to all of our students

305
00:17:20,467 --> 00:17:26,066
and this city. We ask that you match the

306
00:17:23,100 --> 00:17:28,300
commitment by urgently honoring these

307
00:17:26,066 --> 00:17:31,467
agreements. Thank you.

308
00:17:28,300 --> 00:17:31,467
Thank you,

309
00:17:32,533 --> 00:17:38,734
Miss Ivana Jones. And she will be

310
00:17:34,533 --> 00:17:38,734
followed by Dr. James Graves.

311
00:17:40,867 --> 00:17:44,467
Schoolboard members, more and more

312
00:17:42,467 --> 00:17:46,367
citizens of Newport News are bringing

313
00:17:44,467 --> 00:17:48,300
serious concerns to your attention about

314
00:17:46,367 --> 00:17:50,634
what is happening within our school

315
00:17:48,300 --> 00:17:52,533
system. I hope you are listening. I hope

316
00:17:50,634 --> 00:17:54,233
you are taking heed, taking notes, and

317
00:17:52,533 --> 00:17:57,100
most importantly preparing to take

318
00:17:54,233 --> 00:18:00,066
actions to the address the concerns

319
00:17:57,100 --> 00:18:02,467
being brought to you before you by the

320
00:18:00,066 --> 00:18:04,233
people you were elected to represent.

321
00:18:02,467 --> 00:18:06,634
But I also want to make something very

322
00:18:04,233 --> 00:18:08,467
clear. Being elected to a term does not

323
00:18:06,634 --> 00:18:11,033
mean that accountability disappears

324
00:18:08,467 --> 00:18:13,433
until the next election. Virginia law

325
00:18:11,033 --> 00:18:15,567
provides a process through with an

326
00:18:13,433 --> 00:18:18,367
elected official may be subject to a

327
00:18:15,567 --> 00:18:21,266
petition for removal through the courts.

328
00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:24,133
That process requires a petition signed

329
00:18:21,266 --> 00:18:26,867
by registered voters equal to 10% of the

330
00:18:24,133 --> 00:18:29,433
votes cast in the last election for that

331
00:18:26,867 --> 00:18:31,834
particular office. And the petition must

332
00:18:29,433 --> 00:18:33,900
be based on grounds established by law.

333
00:18:31,834 --> 00:18:36,467
So if citizens believe that an elected

334
00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:38,867
representative is failing to fulfill the

335
00:18:36,467 --> 00:18:41,567
duties of the office, there are lawful

336
00:18:38,867 --> 00:18:43,734
avenues for accountability beyond simply

337
00:18:41,567 --> 00:18:45,333
waiting for the next election. You were

338
00:18:43,734 --> 00:18:47,166
elected to represent the people of

339
00:18:45,333 --> 00:18:49,166
Newport News, not to ignore them,

340
00:18:47,166 --> 00:18:51,667
dismiss their concerns, or allow their

341
00:18:49,166 --> 00:18:53,500
voices to go unanswered. We are paying

342
00:18:51,667 --> 00:18:55,567
attention. We are documenting what is

343
00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:57,734
happening. We are learning our rights,

344
00:18:55,567 --> 00:19:00,066
learning the law, and using appropriate

345
00:18:57,734 --> 00:19:01,734
channels available to us. We are asking

346
00:19:00,066 --> 00:19:03,667
you to do your jobs, listen to the

347
00:19:01,734 --> 00:19:05,333
people, and address the issues being

348
00:19:03,667 --> 00:19:07,433
brought before you because

349
00:19:05,333 --> 00:19:09,667
accountability matters, representation

350
00:19:07,433 --> 00:19:11,567
matters, and the voices of Newport News

351
00:19:09,667 --> 00:19:13,033
families matter. Thank you for your time

352
00:19:11,567 --> 00:19:15,333
this evening. and we look forward to

353
00:19:13,033 --> 00:19:17,667
continuing to advocate for our children,

354
00:19:15,333 --> 00:19:20,700
our families, and our community and to

355
00:19:17,667 --> 00:19:22,233
working toward a better Newport News.

356
00:19:20,700 --> 00:19:24,934
Thank you,

357
00:19:22,233 --> 00:19:28,900
Dr. James Graves. And he will be

358
00:19:24,934 --> 00:19:28,900
followed by Adena Rivera.

359
00:19:32,634 --> 00:19:39,500
Put on my reading glasses. Good evening,

360
00:19:36,867 --> 00:19:41,333
Dr. Mitchell, board, Dr. Best, Vice

361
00:19:39,500 --> 00:19:43,500
Chair, Miss Alger, and members of the

362
00:19:41,333 --> 00:19:45,166
school board. Thank you for placing the

363
00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:47,667
resolution establish a collective

364
00:19:45,166 --> 00:19:50,233
bargaining study group on tonight's

365
00:19:47,667 --> 00:19:52,467
action agenda. I also want to thank you

366
00:19:50,233 --> 00:19:54,533
for revising the resolution to state the

367
00:19:52,467 --> 00:19:56,066
study group shall include

368
00:19:54,533 --> 00:19:58,066
representatives from employee

369
00:19:56,066 --> 00:20:01,033
associations

370
00:19:58,066 --> 00:20:02,700
rather than may include. It is important

371
00:20:01,033 --> 00:20:04,233
that employees and representatives have

372
00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:06,867
a meaningful seat at the table

373
00:20:04,233 --> 00:20:09,900
throughout the process and we appreciate

374
00:20:06,867 --> 00:20:12,233
the board making that change. There is

375
00:20:09,900 --> 00:20:14,700
one recommendation VA and NEA would

376
00:20:12,233 --> 00:20:16,867
still like the board to consider. The

377
00:20:14,700 --> 00:20:19,900
study group shall be charged with

378
00:20:16,867 --> 00:20:21,667
developing a resolution authorizing

379
00:20:19,900 --> 00:20:23,166
collective bargaining for school board's

380
00:20:21,667 --> 00:20:25,100
consideration.

381
00:20:23,166 --> 00:20:27,433
Studying collective bargaining without

382
00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:30,066
an untimely developing and collective

383
00:20:27,433 --> 00:20:32,367
bargaining resolution will leave Newport

384
00:20:30,066 --> 00:20:35,567
News employees no closer to having an

385
00:20:32,367 --> 00:20:38,000
opportunity to e to elect a bargaining

386
00:20:35,567 --> 00:20:39,667
representative and negotiate a union

387
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:42,233
contract.

388
00:20:39,667 --> 00:20:43,900
Once the study group completed its work,

389
00:20:42,233 --> 00:20:46,233
the board will still have to undertake

390
00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:48,634
the policy writing process. It makes

391
00:20:46,233 --> 00:20:50,533
more sense to include that work as part

392
00:20:48,634 --> 00:20:52,066
of the study group's charge from the

393
00:20:50,533 --> 00:20:54,300
beginning.

394
00:20:52,066 --> 00:20:56,467
Newu City Council provides a useful

395
00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:57,900
example. Last July, city council

396
00:20:56,467 --> 00:21:00,066
authorized collective bargaining for

397
00:20:57,900 --> 00:21:02,867
firefighters, police officers, and other

398
00:21:00,066 --> 00:21:04,700
city employees. The city's collective

399
00:21:02,867 --> 00:21:06,467
bargaining task force was followed by an

400
00:21:04,700 --> 00:21:08,467
ordinance establishing collective

401
00:21:06,467 --> 00:21:10,867
bargaining. The work performed by

402
00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:14,233
teachers and other News employees is

403
00:21:10,867 --> 00:21:18,300
very bit as important to our community

404
00:21:14,233 --> 00:21:20,066
as the work performed by city employees.

405
00:21:18,300 --> 00:21:21,734
City leaders ultimately gave the

406
00:21:20,066 --> 00:21:24,767
employees the opportunity to have

407
00:21:21,734 --> 00:21:26,066
collective bargaining rights and school

408
00:21:24,767 --> 00:21:28,300
employees deserve the same

409
00:21:26,066 --> 00:21:30,300
consideration. I also encouraged the

410
00:21:28,300 --> 00:21:32,934
board to establish a reasonable timeline

411
00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:35,100
for this work. According to the new city

412
00:21:32,934 --> 00:21:37,166
council's online records, city

413
00:21:35,100 --> 00:21:39,266
collective bargaining task force

414
00:21:37,166 --> 00:21:42,000
completed this work in approximately six

415
00:21:39,266 --> 00:21:43,567
months instead of a year. We should not

416
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,266
have to take a whole year for something

417
00:21:43,567 --> 00:21:47,567
that's already been established with the

418
00:21:45,266 --> 00:21:49,500
city. If the city was able to complete

419
00:21:47,567 --> 00:21:51,166
the process in six months, we believe

420
00:21:49,500 --> 00:21:53,266
it's reasonable to ask the school board

421
00:21:51,166 --> 00:21:55,100
to do the same.

422
00:21:53,266 --> 00:21:57,567
City council has already established a

423
00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:58,934
framework for studying implementing

424
00:21:57,567 --> 00:22:01,266
collective bargaining for public

425
00:21:58,934 --> 00:22:02,934
employees. We respectfully ask the

426
00:22:01,266 --> 00:22:05,266
school board to build on that work,

427
00:22:02,934 --> 00:22:07,567
include employee repres represent

428
00:22:05,266 --> 00:22:09,166
representation at every stage, and

429
00:22:07,567 --> 00:22:10,700
ensure that the study group's work

430
00:22:09,166 --> 00:22:12,367
results is a collective bargain

431
00:22:10,700 --> 00:22:14,367
resolution for the board's

432
00:22:12,367 --> 00:22:16,533
consideration.

433
00:22:14,367 --> 00:22:18,066
News employees deserve the opportunity

434
00:22:16,533 --> 00:22:20,000
to have a voice in our working

435
00:22:18,066 --> 00:22:22,233
conditions and to be able to negotiate

436
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:24,367
collectively for the benefit of our

437
00:22:22,233 --> 00:22:25,734
students and schools.

438
00:22:24,367 --> 00:22:29,433
There's a whole lot of bus drivers out

439
00:22:25,734 --> 00:22:31,166
here today for some reason. Something is

440
00:22:29,433 --> 00:22:34,000
going on.

441
00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:36,000
Please take heed to that. Something is

442
00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:38,133
going on because normally we don't have

443
00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:40,066
that many bus drivers out here. Probably

444
00:22:38,133 --> 00:22:42,367
about one or two. But a whole lot of

445
00:22:40,066 --> 00:22:46,367
them out here today. So, I encourage you

446
00:22:42,367 --> 00:22:48,634
to please listen, please investigate,

447
00:22:46,367 --> 00:22:51,266
and please make a change. Find out

448
00:22:48,634 --> 00:22:52,533
what's going on. I beg of you. Thank

449
00:22:51,266 --> 00:22:55,700
you.

450
00:22:52,533 --> 00:22:55,700
Thank you,

451
00:22:56,700 --> 00:23:03,367
Mr. Dina Rivera. And she will be

452
00:22:58,934 --> 00:23:03,367
followed by Aaron Woodard.

453
00:23:05,900 --> 00:23:11,033
Good evening, members of the board. I

454
00:23:08,133 --> 00:23:13,734
come to you only as a parent to speak to

455
00:23:11,033 --> 00:23:15,900
you about the JBP policy change. I stand

456
00:23:13,734 --> 00:23:18,367
by my previous arguments where I stated

457
00:23:15,900 --> 00:23:21,033
the previous policy version was a happy

458
00:23:18,367 --> 00:23:23,100
medium for everyone. It maintained the

459
00:23:21,033 --> 00:23:25,033
family unit and trust between parents

460
00:23:23,100 --> 00:23:26,934
and the school system by leaving the

461
00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:29,567
final decision for our children to

462
00:23:26,934 --> 00:23:32,367
socially transition or not up to each

463
00:23:29,567 --> 00:23:34,133
child's parent. Each family had the

464
00:23:32,367 --> 00:23:35,834
right and authority to make the decision

465
00:23:34,133 --> 00:23:38,367
that they were most comfortable with

466
00:23:35,834 --> 00:23:40,233
together. You have violated the right by

467
00:23:38,367 --> 00:23:43,033
taking the final decision away from the

468
00:23:40,233 --> 00:23:45,500
parents with the new policy version. We

469
00:23:43,033 --> 00:23:48,300
still have the authority. I know you may

470
00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:50,133
think that we don't, but we are the ones

471
00:23:48,300 --> 00:23:53,033
who put you on that board and we can

472
00:23:50,133 --> 00:23:54,867
vote to take you off. The previous

473
00:23:53,033 --> 00:23:56,700
policy version allowed the use of

474
00:23:54,867 --> 00:23:58,300
facilities of the opposite sex as long

475
00:23:56,700 --> 00:24:00,367
as the child was diagnosed with gender

476
00:23:58,300 --> 00:24:02,867
dysphoria by a medical professional.

477
00:24:00,367 --> 00:24:04,867
Whether you want to believe it or not,

478
00:24:02,867 --> 00:24:06,934
there are people who will pretend to

479
00:24:04,867 --> 00:24:09,433
identify as the opposite gender because

480
00:24:06,934 --> 00:24:11,033
they have ill intentions.

481
00:24:09,433 --> 00:24:13,567
This is not to say that every trans

482
00:24:11,033 --> 00:24:16,467
child has ill intentions. This is not an

483
00:24:13,567 --> 00:24:19,033
attack on trans children or saying that

484
00:24:16,467 --> 00:24:21,033
they do not exist. This is about

485
00:24:19,033 --> 00:24:22,634
maintaining a safe environment for every

486
00:24:21,033 --> 00:24:24,233
student because sooner or later this

487
00:24:22,634 --> 00:24:25,834
policy will cause someone to go into

488
00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:28,066
another gender's restroom or locker room

489
00:24:25,834 --> 00:24:29,834
and someone will get hurt.

490
00:24:28,066 --> 00:24:31,567
The new policy says that students can

491
00:24:29,834 --> 00:24:33,266
use the facilities for the gender they

492
00:24:31,567 --> 00:24:35,500
identify as. It also says some

493
00:24:33,266 --> 00:24:37,500
transgender students may want to access

494
00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:40,066
may want access to these facilities

495
00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:42,300
while others may want alternatives for

496
00:24:40,066 --> 00:24:44,133
more privacy. It says that schools will

497
00:24:42,300 --> 00:24:46,066
take steps to designate gender inclusive

498
00:24:44,133 --> 00:24:47,500
or single-use restrooms. It also says

499
00:24:46,066 --> 00:24:49,734
that if you have this kind of access

500
00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:52,367
that it should be available to all

501
00:24:49,734 --> 00:24:54,700
students. I just want to reiterate the

502
00:24:52,367 --> 00:24:56,367
use of all students. So if a biological

503
00:24:54,700 --> 00:24:57,734
female is uncomfortable with sharing a

504
00:24:56,367 --> 00:24:59,900
locker room or restroom with a

505
00:24:57,734 --> 00:25:02,300
biological male who identifies as a

506
00:24:59,900 --> 00:25:04,634
female, then make sure all students

507
00:25:02,300 --> 00:25:07,166
actually means that. According to this

508
00:25:04,634 --> 00:25:09,433
policy, she must be allowed access to a

509
00:25:07,166 --> 00:25:12,000
private area just as the transgender

510
00:25:09,433 --> 00:25:14,634
child would be. Every single one of

511
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:16,300
them, even if there's more than one. If

512
00:25:14,634 --> 00:25:17,667
a girl says no, that she will not change

513
00:25:16,300 --> 00:25:19,900
in front of a boy, it is her right to

514
00:25:17,667 --> 00:25:21,734
call a biological male a boy, even if he

515
00:25:19,900 --> 00:25:24,467
identifies as a female. because we have

516
00:25:21,734 --> 00:25:27,100
freedom of speech in this country and

517
00:25:24,467 --> 00:25:30,934
she doesn't have to agree with it or use

518
00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:34,233
words that she does not agree with. This

519
00:25:30,934 --> 00:25:37,333
difficulty includes any

520
00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:38,934
sorry she should be offered the private

521
00:25:37,333 --> 00:25:40,700
space without any difficulty and this

522
00:25:38,934 --> 00:25:42,367
difficulty includes any hostility that

523
00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:44,367
might come from her exercising her right

524
00:25:42,367 --> 00:25:46,066
to say no. You have taken away the

525
00:25:44,367 --> 00:25:48,066
parents rights to say no with regards to

526
00:25:46,066 --> 00:25:49,734
our children. We will we we will not

527
00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:52,066
allow you to take it away from our

528
00:25:49,734 --> 00:25:54,533
children, especially our daughters.

529
00:25:52,066 --> 00:25:56,634
Thank you.

530
00:25:54,533 --> 00:25:58,867
Thank you,

531
00:25:56,634 --> 00:26:00,700
Mr. Aaron Woodard.

532
00:25:58,867 --> 00:26:02,133
And he will be followed by Mr. Francis

533
00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:04,000
Jacobs.

534
00:26:02,133 --> 00:26:05,567
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of

535
00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,433
the board. Uh my name is Aaron Woodard.

536
00:26:05,567 --> 00:26:08,934
I'm the president of the International

537
00:26:07,433 --> 00:26:10,934
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, uh

538
00:26:08,934 --> 00:26:14,934
located here in Newport, News, Virginia.

539
00:26:10,934 --> 00:26:17,033
Um, but I'm also a parent of two amazing

540
00:26:14,934 --> 00:26:20,533
young men who graduated from Warwick High

541
00:26:17,033 --> 00:26:23,500
School in the uh IB program. Um, so

542
00:26:20,533 --> 00:26:25,166
that's primarily why I'm here.

543
00:26:23,500 --> 00:26:26,634
These two amazing young men, one of them

544
00:26:25,166 --> 00:26:29,567
just graduated from William and Mary.

545
00:26:26,634 --> 00:26:32,634
The other one is a junior at ODU uh

546
00:26:29,567 --> 00:26:34,700
pursuing mechanical engineering. They

547
00:26:32,634 --> 00:26:36,367
were able to achieve that for a couple

548
00:26:34,700 --> 00:26:39,667
of different reasons.

549
00:26:36,367 --> 00:26:41,100
One is because of the amazing teachers,

550
00:26:39,667 --> 00:26:43,100
bus drivers that were there, picked them

551
00:26:41,100 --> 00:26:45,333
up in the morning,

552
00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:46,934
administrative staff

553
00:26:45,333 --> 00:26:48,533
that helped them in their educational

554
00:26:46,934 --> 00:26:51,333
path and to achieve the goals that they

555
00:26:48,533 --> 00:26:52,533
set out for theirel. The other reason is

556
00:26:51,333 --> 00:26:54,133
because they grew up in a union

557
00:26:52,533 --> 00:26:56,467
household.

558
00:26:54,133 --> 00:26:59,433
I'm able to send them to college. I'm

559
00:26:56,467 --> 00:27:00,634
able to do things to help them achieve

560
00:26:59,433 --> 00:27:02,233
the goals that they've set for their

561
00:27:00,634 --> 00:27:04,367
life and that these teachers and bus

562
00:27:02,233 --> 00:27:07,734
drivers and everybody associated has

563
00:27:04,367 --> 00:27:11,166
helped set them up for. I encourage the

564
00:27:07,734 --> 00:27:12,867
board um to to pass this resolution,

565
00:27:11,166 --> 00:27:14,867
create a task force because I've seen

566
00:27:12,867 --> 00:27:17,734
the impact it can have in somebody's

567
00:27:14,867 --> 00:27:20,000
life personally. Um and I'd also like to

568
00:27:17,734 --> 00:27:21,834
once again thank everybody that helped

569
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,667
my kids become the young men that they

570
00:27:21,834 --> 00:27:26,467
are today. So, thank you.

571
00:27:23,667 --> 00:27:28,634
Thank you.

572
00:27:26,467 --> 00:27:30,934
Mr. Jacobs will be followed by Miss

573
00:27:28,634 --> 00:27:33,166
Chalet Jones.

574
00:27:30,934 --> 00:27:36,467
Thank you. Um, good evening school board

575
00:27:33,166 --> 00:27:39,567
members and um, superintendent. This is

576
00:27:36,467 --> 00:27:44,066
my first time coming here to speak and

577
00:27:39,567 --> 00:27:46,934
um I was on my own minding my business

578
00:27:44,066 --> 00:27:51,500
and these dignified

579
00:27:46,934 --> 00:27:55,433
bus drivers um came to me to complain

580
00:27:51,500 --> 00:27:57,900
that their voices have not been heard

581
00:27:55,433 --> 00:28:00,700
and I want to commend the schoolboard

582
00:27:57,900 --> 00:28:04,934
members for the great works you guys are

583
00:28:00,700 --> 00:28:08,367
doing and it will not go unnoticed. Dr.

584
00:28:04,934 --> 00:28:10,634
Best I have so much regard you know for

585
00:28:08,367 --> 00:28:15,166
your leadership and the entire board

586
00:28:10,634 --> 00:28:19,667
members I'm here today to appeal to your

587
00:28:15,166 --> 00:28:22,767
hearts to listen to the concern of these

588
00:28:19,667 --> 00:28:26,133
bus drivers for them to come here in

589
00:28:22,767 --> 00:28:29,900
group signifies that they are deeply

590
00:28:26,133 --> 00:28:33,567
hurt and I I I can't do anything other

591
00:28:29,900 --> 00:28:36,233
than to speak and to appeal

592
00:28:33,567 --> 00:28:39,667
after this meeting. I would like to

593
00:28:36,233 --> 00:28:41,166
encourage us to make decisions with

594
00:28:39,667 --> 00:28:45,500
these

595
00:28:41,166 --> 00:28:48,367
uh uh truck uh bus drivers in mind. They

596
00:28:45,500 --> 00:28:50,700
are the tools, the equipments that we

597
00:28:48,367 --> 00:28:54,066
use to service

598
00:28:50,700 --> 00:28:56,133
our children and if the tools and the

599
00:28:54,066 --> 00:28:59,834
equipments are not properly taken care

600
00:28:56,133 --> 00:29:03,100
of, it will reflect negatively on our

601
00:28:59,834 --> 00:29:06,000
kids and also on our administration.

602
00:29:03,100 --> 00:29:09,500
When we go home tonight, I want us to

603
00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:13,333
just listen to every word that they have

604
00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:16,467
said to us. Let it play in our mind. Let

605
00:29:13,333 --> 00:29:19,433
it play in our dreams. And when we sit

606
00:29:16,467 --> 00:29:23,266
down to make those policies, let's ask

607
00:29:19,433 --> 00:29:25,734
ourself, does the policy reflect the

608
00:29:23,266 --> 00:29:28,934
things that are on their mind? My name

609
00:29:25,734 --> 00:29:32,533
is Francis Jacobson. Please listen to

610
00:29:28,934 --> 00:29:34,934
them because when we do our kids will be

611
00:29:32,533 --> 00:29:36,767
happy. The parents as well will be

612
00:29:34,934 --> 00:29:40,033
happy. Thank you.

613
00:29:36,767 --> 00:29:40,033
Thank you.

614
00:29:40,934 --> 00:29:48,433
Mr. Shay Jones will be followed by

615
00:29:44,300 --> 00:29:48,433
Miss Pam Brown.

616
00:29:51,033 --> 00:29:54,934
Good evening members of the school

617
00:29:53,100 --> 00:29:56,700
board. I am a Newport News public school bus

618
00:29:54,934 --> 00:29:59,567
driver. I'm a resident of Newport News

619
00:29:56,700 --> 00:30:01,900
as well. My daughter attends a magnet

620
00:29:59,567 --> 00:30:04,233
school. I'm here tonight to voice my

621
00:30:01,900 --> 00:30:06,533
strong opposion to any proposals that

622
00:30:04,233 --> 00:30:09,500
would reduce or eliminate transportation

623
00:30:06,533 --> 00:30:11,333
for a magnet and specialty programs. You

624
00:30:09,500 --> 00:30:13,734
are all being told that a driver

625
00:30:11,333 --> 00:30:17,834
shortage makes makes cross town magnet

626
00:30:13,734 --> 00:30:20,066
routes unused sorry unsustainable.

627
00:30:17,834 --> 00:30:22,934
However, we must call we must call this

628
00:30:20,066 --> 00:30:24,634
what it really is a manufacturer crisis.

629
00:30:22,934 --> 00:30:26,233
The narrative of a bus driver shortage

630
00:30:24,634 --> 00:30:28,934
falls apart when you look at our current

631
00:30:26,233 --> 00:30:30,767
operation management where the

632
00:30:28,934 --> 00:30:32,634
operation supervisor is actively trying

633
00:30:30,767 --> 00:30:36,066
to limit bus drivers to a maximum of

634
00:30:32,634 --> 00:30:37,433
32.5 hours on a contract. You cannot

635
00:30:36,066 --> 00:30:39,900
claim you don't have enough drivers

636
00:30:37,433 --> 00:30:42,367
while simultaneously rationing the hours

637
00:30:39,900 --> 00:30:44,467
of the willing qualified staff already

638
00:30:42,367 --> 00:30:46,233
employed. We have successfully

639
00:30:44,467 --> 00:30:48,934
transported students across the city for

640
00:30:46,233 --> 00:30:50,867
magnet program for years. The sudden

641
00:30:48,934 --> 00:30:52,300
illability to do so is a failure of

642
00:30:50,867 --> 00:30:54,367
operational strategy and labor

643
00:30:52,300 --> 00:30:56,700
management, not an absolute lack of

644
00:30:54,367 --> 00:30:58,133
human resources. Furthermore, we must

645
00:30:56,700 --> 00:31:00,634
look into this history of why these

646
00:30:58,133 --> 00:31:04,767
routes exist. News operates under a

647
00:31:00,634 --> 00:31:07,266
historic 1971 federal disegration law

648
00:31:04,767 --> 00:31:08,934
order. When our magnet system was built,

649
00:31:07,266 --> 00:31:11,667
these programs were deliberately chosen

650
00:31:08,934 --> 00:31:13,834
as a vehicle for integration. They were

651
00:31:11,667 --> 00:31:15,567
designed to maintain a healthy racial

652
00:31:13,834 --> 00:31:18,367
balance and ensure that a child's zip

653
00:31:15,567 --> 00:31:20,634
code did not dictate the quality of

654
00:31:18,367 --> 00:31:22,934
their education. Magnet school only

655
00:31:20,634 --> 00:31:25,166
works as a tool for equality if everyone

656
00:31:22,934 --> 00:31:26,634
can get to them. If you eliminate or

657
00:31:25,166 --> 00:31:31,166
severely restrict school bus

658
00:31:26,634 --> 00:31:32,767
transportation, you are effective

659
00:31:31,166 --> 00:31:35,266
effectively turning magnet schools into

660
00:31:32,767 --> 00:31:36,467
exclusive academics accessible only to

661
00:31:35,266 --> 00:31:38,233
families that have the wealth or

662
00:31:36,467 --> 00:31:40,233
flexibility work schedule to drive their

663
00:31:38,233 --> 00:31:41,900
children across town every single day.

664
00:31:40,233 --> 00:31:43,333
Working-class families and parents in

665
00:31:41,900 --> 00:31:45,834
the southern and central parts of our

666
00:31:43,333 --> 00:31:47,333
city will be disappointedly locked out.

667
00:31:45,834 --> 00:31:49,166
By dismantling transportation that

668
00:31:47,333 --> 00:31:51,734
supports magnet programs, the district

669
00:31:49,166 --> 00:31:55,834
risk reversing decades of progress

670
00:31:51,734 --> 00:31:57,500
and triggering de facto re-segregation

671
00:31:55,834 --> 00:31:59,100
in our schools. I urge the board to

672
00:31:57,500 --> 00:32:00,533
reject these transportation cuts,

673
00:31:59,100 --> 00:32:02,533
investigate the contract hour

674
00:32:00,533 --> 00:32:04,300
restrictions currently placing caps on

675
00:32:02,533 --> 00:32:06,467
our drivers and honor honor your

676
00:32:04,300 --> 00:32:09,500
historical and legal obligations to

677
00:32:06,467 --> 00:32:12,300
equity. Thank you.

678
00:32:09,500 --> 00:32:14,066
I believe that's Tamara Brown and she

679
00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:17,066
will be followed by Kashandanda White

680
00:32:14,066 --> 00:32:17,066
Miselle.

681
00:32:24,233 --> 00:32:28,867
Oh, that was Tamara. I'm sorry, Miss

682
00:32:26,133 --> 00:32:28,867
Cashonda White.

683
00:32:37,667 --> 00:32:42,300
Good evening, members of the board. I am

684
00:32:39,900 --> 00:32:44,467
here tonight to bring to your attention

685
00:32:42,300 --> 00:32:47,100
a serious breakdown in financial

686
00:32:44,467 --> 00:32:50,367
accountability, a breach of employee

687
00:32:47,100 --> 00:32:51,900
safety and active workplace retaliation

688
00:32:50,367 --> 00:32:53,500
occurring within the operations

689
00:32:51,900 --> 00:32:56,634
department of transportation Newport

690
00:32:53,500 --> 00:32:58,867
News public schools. I possess physical

691
00:32:56,634 --> 00:33:01,567
photograph evidence providing that the

692
00:32:58,867 --> 00:33:04,467
current operation supervisor

693
00:33:01,567 --> 00:33:06,767
manually arched time card to pay an

694
00:33:04,467 --> 00:33:09,500
employee for 10 hours of work that they

695
00:33:06,767 --> 00:33:13,033
did not perform. This is a direct

696
00:33:09,500 --> 00:33:15,266
misappropriations of public funds. I

697
00:33:13,033 --> 00:33:17,500
followed proper procedure and reported

698
00:33:15,266 --> 00:33:19,433
this fraud directly to human resources

699
00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:21,900
providing them with the photographic

700
00:33:19,433 --> 00:33:24,700
proof rather than investigating the

701
00:33:21,900 --> 00:33:27,166
misuse of public funds. HR closed the

702
00:33:24,700 --> 00:33:30,300
case, returned it to the supervisor

703
00:33:27,166 --> 00:33:32,634
director to handle internally. HR has

704
00:33:30,300 --> 00:33:36,000
informed the supervisor that I was the

705
00:33:32,634 --> 00:33:38,133
whistleblower. Because HR has exposed my

706
00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:40,367
identity, I am now facing aggressive

707
00:33:38,133 --> 00:33:42,467
retaliation. The operation supervisor

708
00:33:40,367 --> 00:33:44,533
has made verbal threats statements

709
00:33:42,467 --> 00:33:46,767
regarding our holiday pay, stating that

710
00:33:44,533 --> 00:33:49,100
under her watch, holiday pay will be

711
00:33:46,767 --> 00:33:52,066
stripped. Furthermore, whenever I

712
00:33:49,100 --> 00:33:55,166
contact HR regarding payroll questions,

713
00:33:52,066 --> 00:33:59,033
they block me. They send me right back

714
00:33:55,166 --> 00:34:01,033
to the director of transportation.

715
00:33:59,033 --> 00:34:04,367
I was issued a write up by the shop

716
00:34:01,033 --> 00:34:06,767
supervisor who works with our operations

717
00:34:04,367 --> 00:34:09,900
supervisor for an infraction I had

718
00:34:06,767 --> 00:34:11,834
absolutely no knowledge of. This is a

719
00:34:09,900 --> 00:34:14,000
transparent attempt to target my

720
00:34:11,834 --> 00:34:16,767
employment because I spoke up. Virginia

721
00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:19,667
law strickens strictly protects public

722
00:34:16,767 --> 00:34:22,767
employees who report fraud

723
00:34:19,667 --> 00:34:24,767
from this exact type of retaliation

724
00:34:22,767 --> 00:34:28,233
because the administration has failed to

725
00:34:24,767 --> 00:34:30,634
protect public fraud and has actively

726
00:34:28,233 --> 00:34:33,033
endangered my position by doing the

727
00:34:30,634 --> 00:34:35,333
right thing. I am passing a formal

728
00:34:33,033 --> 00:34:37,734
letter to the board tonight which I

729
00:34:35,333 --> 00:34:41,033
already have. I urge you to launch an

730
00:34:37,734 --> 00:34:43,100
independent external audit for the

731
00:34:41,033 --> 00:34:45,333
department financial records to

732
00:34:43,100 --> 00:34:47,333
investigate immediately to enforce the

733
00:34:45,333 --> 00:34:49,100
state's whistleblower protection. Thank

734
00:34:47,333 --> 00:34:52,333
you and y'all have a great evening.

735
00:34:49,100 --> 00:34:52,333
Thank you.

736
00:34:53,500 --> 00:34:59,934
Miss Lisa Lloyd will be followed by Miss

737
00:34:56,634 --> 00:34:59,934
Jackie Batters.

738
00:35:03,033 --> 00:35:07,500
Good evening, superintendent and members

739
00:35:04,934 --> 00:35:10,233
of the school board. My name is Lisa

740
00:35:07,500 --> 00:35:13,266
Lord and I am speaking on behalf of my

741
00:35:10,233 --> 00:35:15,433
daughter Kashonda White, a community

742
00:35:13,266 --> 00:35:18,066
stakeholder in the Newport News Public

743
00:35:15,433 --> 00:35:20,867
Schools District. I'm standing before

744
00:35:18,066 --> 00:35:23,100
you tonight to formally bring to your

745
00:35:20,867 --> 00:35:25,333
attention a severe breakdown and

746
00:35:23,100 --> 00:35:28,233
administrative procedure regarding a

747
00:35:25,333 --> 00:35:32,634
level three non-employee discrimination

748
00:35:28,233 --> 00:35:35,567
complaint. On July the 27th, 2026,

749
00:35:32,634 --> 00:35:38,467
I officially submitted a formal level

750
00:35:35,567 --> 00:35:40,634
three appeal to the superintendent under

751
00:35:38,467 --> 00:35:43,500
federal civil rights guidelines,

752
00:35:40,634 --> 00:35:47,166
including title number six and section

753
00:35:43,500 --> 00:35:50,467
504 compliance as well as the district's

754
00:35:47,166 --> 00:35:52,934
own published grievance policies. The

755
00:35:50,467 --> 00:35:56,700
administration is required to provide a

756
00:35:52,934 --> 00:35:59,734
prompt, equitable, and timely resolution

757
00:35:56,700 --> 00:36:03,734
to discrimination complaints. As of

758
00:35:59,734 --> 00:36:05,667
tonight, September the 15th, 2026,

759
00:36:03,734 --> 00:36:09,033
over a month has passed, and the

760
00:36:05,667 --> 00:36:12,634
superintendent has maintained absolute

761
00:36:09,033 --> 00:36:15,500
silence. I have received no ruling, no

762
00:36:12,634 --> 00:36:18,367
explanation, and no response.

763
00:36:15,500 --> 00:36:21,433
Administrative silence is not a

764
00:36:18,367 --> 00:36:24,867
resolution. Stalling a discrimination

765
00:36:21,433 --> 00:36:27,734
complaint does not make it go away. It

766
00:36:24,867 --> 00:36:31,567
actively denies citizens the procedural

767
00:36:27,734 --> 00:36:35,266
rights guaranteed to them by law and by

768
00:36:31,567 --> 00:36:37,433
this district's own policies.

769
00:36:35,266 --> 00:36:40,233
Because the administrative chain has

770
00:36:37,433 --> 00:36:43,166
broken down at the superintendence

771
00:36:40,233 --> 00:36:45,266
level. I'm bypassing the silence and

772
00:36:43,166 --> 00:36:50,000
bringing this directly to the school

773
00:36:45,266 --> 00:36:52,934
board which is the level four authority.

774
00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:55,333
I'm not here to add the private

775
00:36:52,934 --> 00:36:58,233
sensitive details of the underlying

776
00:36:55,333 --> 00:37:01,734
discrimination in a public form. I'm

777
00:36:58,233 --> 00:37:05,900
here to hold the leadership of this

778
00:37:01,734 --> 00:37:09,266
district accountable to its own rules.

779
00:37:05,900 --> 00:37:11,734
I request two things tonight. First,

780
00:37:09,266 --> 00:37:14,767
that the school board clerk officially

781
00:37:11,734 --> 00:37:18,300
logs this public statement into the

782
00:37:14,767 --> 00:37:21,100
meeting minutes as a formal escalation

783
00:37:18,300 --> 00:37:23,500
to level four. second that a

784
00:37:21,100 --> 00:37:27,667
representative from the board contacts

785
00:37:23,500 --> 00:37:31,100
me by the end of this week to establish

786
00:37:27,667 --> 00:37:34,000
a clear timeline for reviewing her

787
00:37:31,100 --> 00:37:37,033
appeal. Thank you for the time and I

788
00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:40,133
look forward to your prompt response

789
00:37:37,033 --> 00:37:43,900
respectfully my daughter Kashonda White

790
00:37:40,133 --> 00:37:47,233
read by her mother Lisa Lord. Thank you.

791
00:37:43,900 --> 00:37:47,233
Thank you.

792
00:37:48,867 --> 00:37:55,667
Miss Jackie Batterson will be followed

793
00:37:53,567 --> 00:37:58,667
by Miss Kayla

794
00:37:55,667 --> 00:37:58,667
Seer.

795
00:38:00,767 --> 00:38:05,433
My name is Jackie Batterson. I am a

796
00:38:03,166 --> 00:38:07,900
resident of Newport News and a member of

797
00:38:05,433 --> 00:38:10,000
the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of

798
00:38:07,900 --> 00:38:13,734
the Peninsula.

799
00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:16,467
On August 20th, 2026, the Human Rights

800
00:38:13,734 --> 00:38:20,700
Campaign Foundation published an

801
00:38:16,467 --> 00:38:22,767
analysis of 2.45 million responses to

802
00:38:20,700 --> 00:38:25,166
the  Census Bureau's

803
00:38:22,767 --> 00:38:28,233
Household Plus survey

804
00:38:25,166 --> 00:38:30,867
collected between July 2021 and

805
00:38:28,233 --> 00:38:33,734
September 2024.

806
00:38:30,867 --> 00:38:38,634
They concluded that 12% of young

807
00:38:33,734 --> 00:38:41,166
American adults identify as LGBTQ plus,

808
00:38:38,634 --> 00:38:45,333
the highest figure any major survey

809
00:38:41,166 --> 00:38:48,700
produced. It also found that 2.34%

810
00:38:45,333 --> 00:38:50,367
of young American adults identify as

811
00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:54,133
transgender.

812
00:38:50,367 --> 00:38:58,934
Nearly one in three adults under 25 now

813
00:38:54,133 --> 00:39:02,700
identify as LGBTQ plus, making up more

814
00:38:58,934 --> 00:39:06,233
than 10% of the adult population in 40

815
00:39:02,700 --> 00:39:10,133
states in the District of Columbia.

816
00:39:06,233 --> 00:39:12,467
Unfortunately, in 2025-26,

817
00:39:10,133 --> 00:39:15,033
the numbers might look different due to

818
00:39:12,467 --> 00:39:16,767
the extreme attacks from the Trump

819
00:39:15,033 --> 00:39:18,533
administration.

820
00:39:16,767 --> 00:39:21,033
Since that time, the Trump

821
00:39:18,533 --> 00:39:23,900
administration has dismantled the

822
00:39:21,033 --> 00:39:26,533
federal data collection.

823
00:39:23,900 --> 00:39:30,700
Due to the hatred perpetuated by the

824
00:39:26,533 --> 00:39:34,300
Trump administration and others, 36% of

825
00:39:30,700 --> 00:39:37,667
LGBTQ plus young people considered

826
00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:40,467
attempting suicide in this past year,

827
00:39:37,667 --> 00:39:43,900
including 40% of transgender and

828
00:39:40,467 --> 00:39:46,533
non-binary young people. The Trevor

829
00:39:43,900 --> 00:39:48,634
Project last year served more than

830
00:39:46,533 --> 00:39:51,900
390,000

831
00:39:48,634 --> 00:39:55,333
crisis contacts by phone, chat, and

832
00:39:51,900 --> 00:39:57,900
text. None of this would be necessary if

833
00:39:55,333 --> 00:40:01,433
the continued hate and prejudice would

834
00:39:57,900 --> 00:40:03,667
be stopped by those perpetuating it.

835
00:40:01,433 --> 00:40:06,467
There are a group of people who spend

836
00:40:03,667 --> 00:40:09,433
their time stoking hatred toward

837
00:40:06,467 --> 00:40:11,734
children and young people. They do this

838
00:40:09,433 --> 00:40:14,767
under the guise of protecting them. But

839
00:40:11,734 --> 00:40:18,233
that is not true. They just want to

840
00:40:14,767 --> 00:40:21,166
control their children and our children.

841
00:40:18,233 --> 00:40:23,500
These same people love the Constitution

842
00:40:21,166 --> 00:40:26,533
right up and till it protects someone

843
00:40:23,500 --> 00:40:28,634
they don't like. Stop using our

844
00:40:26,533 --> 00:40:31,834
transgender children as political

845
00:40:28,634 --> 00:40:34,934
footballs. Stop trying to regulate their

846
00:40:31,834 --> 00:40:38,367
bodies. They have the same fundamental

847
00:40:34,934 --> 00:40:40,367
human rights as everyone in this room.

848
00:40:38,367 --> 00:40:42,700
I say this to the school board member

849
00:40:40,367 --> 00:40:45,834
who has aligned themselves with the

850
00:40:42,700 --> 00:40:48,000
anti-trans protesters. You have made

851
00:40:45,834 --> 00:40:50,233
your opinions perfectly clear on

852
00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:52,634
multiple occasions.

853
00:40:50,233 --> 00:40:55,333
School board members cannot effectively

854
00:40:52,634 --> 00:40:57,500
advocate for the well-being of all

855
00:40:55,333 --> 00:41:00,767
children while publicly displaying

856
00:40:57,500 --> 00:41:03,333
contempt for some of them. Your actions

857
00:41:00,767 --> 00:41:06,567
speak for themselves.

858
00:41:03,333 --> 00:41:06,567
Thank you.

859
00:41:15,333 --> 00:41:18,934
Good evening. My name is Cooper and I

860
00:41:17,166 --> 00:41:20,867
have some concerns about discipline and

861
00:41:18,934 --> 00:41:22,533
I want to share my experience. My son

862
00:41:20,867 --> 00:41:24,000
attends Warwick High School and in April of

863
00:41:22,533 --> 00:41:25,266
this year he was suspended and removed

864
00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:27,333
from school for the remainder of the

865
00:41:25,266 --> 00:41:28,767
school year for a weapons violation. I

866
00:41:27,333 --> 00:41:30,367
received the suspension notice but I did

867
00:41:28,767 --> 00:41:31,900
not receive written appeal procedures as

868
00:41:30,367 --> 00:41:34,233
the student handbook states and this is

869
00:41:31,900 --> 00:41:36,233
after I even made a request um to the

870
00:41:34,233 --> 00:41:37,734
administrator. A week after my son's

871
00:41:36,233 --> 00:41:39,166
suspension, an MDR meeting was held,

872
00:41:37,734 --> 00:41:41,433
which is required due to him receiving

873
00:41:39,166 --> 00:41:42,767
special education services. At the time

874
00:41:41,433 --> 00:41:44,934
of this meeting, I was unaware that a

875
00:41:42,767 --> 00:41:46,533
threat threat assessment was completed.

876
00:41:44,934 --> 00:41:47,900
I was told last Friday by the special

877
00:41:46,533 --> 00:41:49,500
education supervisor the threat

878
00:41:47,900 --> 00:41:51,500
assessment is not considered relevant

879
00:41:49,500 --> 00:41:53,433
information. The team outside of the

880
00:41:51,500 --> 00:41:54,767
parent outside of the parent can use the

881
00:41:53,433 --> 00:41:56,700
information in the threat assessment to

882
00:41:54,767 --> 00:41:58,000
understand student behaviors, but they

883
00:41:56,700 --> 00:42:00,133
do not have to share this information

884
00:41:58,000 --> 00:42:01,500
with parents. In May, my son had a

885
00:42:00,133 --> 00:42:03,033
hearing with at the office of student

886
00:42:01,500 --> 00:42:04,700
conduct. The hearing officer informed me

887
00:42:03,033 --> 00:42:06,700
that Warick has its own set of rules

888
00:42:04,700 --> 00:42:08,233
outside of the student handbook that is

889
00:42:06,700 --> 00:42:09,834
used for student discipline and that my

890
00:42:08,233 --> 00:42:11,900
son could have received as little as 5

891
00:42:09,834 --> 00:42:13,266
days out of school suspension. When I

892
00:42:11,900 --> 00:42:14,934
requested a copy of the suspension

893
00:42:13,266 --> 00:42:16,367
packet to review during the hearing, I

894
00:42:14,934 --> 00:42:18,233
was denied and told by the hearing

895
00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:19,900
officer that it was considered school

896
00:42:18,233 --> 00:42:22,300
property and I would need an attorney to

897
00:42:19,900 --> 00:42:24,000
access the records. I was accused by her

898
00:42:22,300 --> 00:42:25,500
assistant of violating my son's rights

899
00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,266
by not allowing him to speak at the

900
00:42:25,500 --> 00:42:28,467
hearing. and she and the assistant also

901
00:42:27,266 --> 00:42:30,300
shared with me that there would be no

902
00:42:28,467 --> 00:42:31,667
need to appeal her decision to the

903
00:42:30,300 --> 00:42:33,100
school board because my evidence would

904
00:42:31,667 --> 00:42:35,166
not be considered if my son did not

905
00:42:33,100 --> 00:42:36,700
speak. Due to their behaviors and

906
00:42:35,166 --> 00:42:38,300
comments, I made a formal complaint and

907
00:42:36,700 --> 00:42:39,734
requested an investigation by the

908
00:42:38,300 --> 00:42:42,133
superintendent to review the video

909
00:42:39,734 --> 00:42:43,266
footage and audio. After making a foyer

910
00:42:42,133 --> 00:42:44,767
request last month, I learned an

911
00:42:43,266 --> 00:42:46,467
investigation never happened and the

912
00:42:44,767 --> 00:42:48,767
camera in the room for disciplinary

913
00:42:46,467 --> 00:42:50,000
hearings does not record. Two weeks

914
00:42:48,767 --> 00:42:51,433
before the appeal hearing with the

915
00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:54,066
school board, I sent a furer request to

916
00:42:51,433 --> 00:42:55,900
the registar for disciplinary records.

917
00:42:54,066 --> 00:42:57,734
I was only given a disciplinary profile

918
00:42:55,900 --> 00:42:59,333
sheet. After the registar spoke with the

919
00:42:57,734 --> 00:43:00,767
assistant principal of operations, I was

920
00:42:59,333 --> 00:43:02,767
told the information I was looking for

921
00:43:00,767 --> 00:43:04,066
didn't exist. Yet, I received the

922
00:43:02,767 --> 00:43:05,567
suspension packet which included the

923
00:43:04,066 --> 00:43:06,934
threat assessment 20 minutes before my

924
00:43:05,567 --> 00:43:08,867
son's appeal hearing with the school

925
00:43:06,934 --> 00:43:10,467
board. The threat assessment is not

926
00:43:08,867 --> 00:43:11,834
credible. I saw my son was listed as a

927
00:43:10,467 --> 00:43:13,567
high-risisk threat and I was listed as

928
00:43:11,834 --> 00:43:15,166
an influence. Two people on the threat

929
00:43:13,567 --> 00:43:17,033
assessment team I reported prior to my

930
00:43:15,166 --> 00:43:18,767
son's suspension for unprofessional

931
00:43:17,033 --> 00:43:20,700
behavior and another person has criminal

932
00:43:18,767 --> 00:43:22,133
convictions. The threat assessment was

933
00:43:20,700 --> 00:43:23,734
completed before video evidence was

934
00:43:22,133 --> 00:43:25,266
viewed and the basis for determination

935
00:43:23,734 --> 00:43:26,533
used against my son doesn't match the

936
00:43:25,266 --> 00:43:29,166
statement the school security guard

937
00:43:26,533 --> 00:43:31,100
provided. I feel my son and I were I

938
00:43:29,166 --> 00:43:32,367
feel my son and I were retaliated for

939
00:43:31,100 --> 00:43:34,233
complaints I made against warwick's

940
00:43:32,367 --> 00:43:36,000
leadership and complaints I made against

941
00:43:34,233 --> 00:43:37,667
IEP team members for failing to

942
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:39,834
implement my son's IEP calling out

943
00:43:37,667 --> 00:43:41,500
predeterminations and requesting a

944
00:43:39,834 --> 00:43:43,100
former case manager's removal after

945
00:43:41,500 --> 00:43:46,066
video evidence showed she lied about an

946
00:43:43,100 --> 00:43:49,300
incident my son reported. Thank you.

947
00:43:46,066 --> 00:43:49,300
Thank you.

948
00:43:51,567 --> 00:43:55,500
Thank you for your comments and thoughts

949
00:43:53,333 --> 00:43:58,767
this evening. We will now move on to

950
00:43:55,500 --> 00:44:00,533
section three, the consent agenda. Board

951
00:43:58,767 --> 00:44:03,100
members, you have received the consent

952
00:44:00,533 --> 00:44:05,100
agenda in your packet. At this time, may

953
00:44:03,100 --> 00:44:06,066
I have a motion to approve the consent

954
00:44:05,100 --> 00:44:08,533
agenda?

955
00:44:06,066 --> 00:44:11,533
I move to approve the consent agenda as

956
00:44:08,533 --> 00:44:11,533
presented.

957
00:44:11,834 --> 00:44:15,567
It's been moved and second that we

958
00:44:13,333 --> 00:44:19,667
approve the consent agenda as presented.

959
00:44:15,567 --> 00:44:21,900
Any questions, remarks? Miss Buffalo,

960
00:44:19,667 --> 00:44:23,667
please call the roll.

961
00:44:21,900 --> 00:44:24,233
Aman,

962
00:44:23,667 --> 00:44:24,634
Brown,

963
00:44:24,233 --> 00:44:25,433
for.

964
00:44:24,634 --> 00:44:25,834
Harris,

965
00:44:25,433 --> 00:44:26,700
for.

966
00:44:25,834 --> 00:44:27,667
Hunter,

967
00:44:26,700 --> 00:44:28,300
Surles Law,

968
00:44:27,667 --> 00:44:28,934
for.

969
00:44:28,300 --> 00:44:29,433
Alger,

970
00:44:28,934 --> 00:44:30,000
for.

971
00:44:29,433 --> 00:44:30,367
Best

972
00:44:30,000 --> 00:44:32,634
for.

973
00:44:30,367 --> 00:44:35,734
Motion passes 7-0.

974
00:44:32,634 --> 00:44:39,500
Thank you. We will move to section four,

975
00:44:35,734 --> 00:44:42,533
action items 4.01, the collective

976
00:44:39,500 --> 00:44:44,867
bargaining resolution. And I do have a

977
00:44:42,533 --> 00:44:47,333
comment.

978
00:44:44,867 --> 00:44:50,133
I have received a couple of calls and

979
00:44:47,333 --> 00:44:52,300
texts and emails regarding

980
00:44:50,133 --> 00:44:53,834
the um collective bar bargaining

981
00:44:52,300 --> 00:44:56,634
resolution and there seems to be some

982
00:44:53,834 --> 00:44:58,233
confusion that we're voting tonight on

983
00:44:56,634 --> 00:44:59,500
actual collective bargaining. And so

984
00:44:58,233 --> 00:45:02,066
that's why I'm going to make this um

985
00:44:59,500 --> 00:45:04,634
statement. So I would like I would

986
00:45:02,066 --> 00:45:06,467
emphasize that this resolution is about

987
00:45:04,634 --> 00:45:09,567
learning, listening, and preparing the

988
00:45:06,467 --> 00:45:11,500
board to make an informed decision.

989
00:45:09,567 --> 00:45:12,934
This resolution does not commit Newport

990
00:45:11,500 --> 00:45:14,934
News School Board to collective

991
00:45:12,934 --> 00:45:16,934
bargaining. Rather, it creates an

992
00:45:14,934 --> 00:45:20,467
opportunity for us to study the issue

993
00:45:16,934 --> 00:45:21,900
carefully, objectively, and responsibly.

994
00:45:20,467 --> 00:45:23,734
As a school board, one of our

995
00:45:21,900 --> 00:45:25,333
responsibilities is to make informed

996
00:45:23,734 --> 00:45:27,500
decisions that are in the best interest

997
00:45:25,333 --> 00:45:29,500
of our students, our employees, and our

998
00:45:27,500 --> 00:45:32,066
families and the school division as a

999
00:45:29,500 --> 00:45:34,533
whole. This requires us to understand

1000
00:45:32,066 --> 00:45:36,934
all sides of an issue before determining

1001
00:45:34,533 --> 00:45:38,867
what, if any, action should be taken.

1002
00:45:36,934 --> 00:45:41,333
Tonight, we are not making that final

1003
00:45:38,867 --> 00:45:43,333
decision. We are simply saying that this

1004
00:45:41,333 --> 00:45:45,734
issue deserves thoughtful study,

1005
00:45:43,333 --> 00:45:47,734
meaningful dialogue, transparency, and

1006
00:45:45,734 --> 00:45:49,500
due diligence.

1007
00:45:47,734 --> 00:45:51,900
Most importantly, I want our employees

1008
00:45:49,500 --> 00:45:54,233
to know that their voices matter. Our

1009
00:45:51,900 --> 00:45:56,533
teachers, support staff, administrators,

1010
00:45:54,233 --> 00:45:59,100
and other employees are essential to the

1011
00:45:56,533 --> 00:46:00,934
success of our schools. Creating a study

1012
00:45:59,100 --> 00:46:05,634
group allows us to hear directly from

1013
00:46:00,934 --> 00:46:05,634
those who are closest to the work.

1014
00:46:06,233 --> 00:46:11,934
May I have a motion to approve the

1015
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:11,934
collective bargaining resolution?

1016
00:46:14,533 --> 00:46:17,266
It's been moved and second that we

1017
00:46:15,900 --> 00:46:21,100
approve the collecting bargaining

1018
00:46:17,266 --> 00:46:22,066
resolution. Questions, comments?

1019
00:46:21,100 --> 00:46:23,834
Mr. Brown,

1020
00:46:22,066 --> 00:46:26,000
chair, I'll make a comment just in terms

1021
00:46:23,834 --> 00:46:28,533
of the composition of the group. I think

1022
00:46:26,000 --> 00:46:30,467
it's really critically important that we

1023
00:46:28,533 --> 00:46:32,700
do uh at least uh whether we can

1024
00:46:30,467 --> 00:46:35,433
guarantee it or not but extend uh

1025
00:46:32,700 --> 00:46:37,900
invitation to members of council uh city

1026
00:46:35,433 --> 00:46:39,433
council to be a part of the group uh

1027
00:46:37,900 --> 00:46:41,500
because at least uh in studying the

1028
00:46:39,433 --> 00:46:43,834
issue what we've talked about the

1029
00:46:41,500 --> 00:46:45,667
last couple years uh at least on my end

1030
00:46:43,834 --> 00:46:47,166
that has been the um the biggest

1031
00:46:45,667 --> 00:46:48,767
stumbling block in the end if we're

1032
00:46:47,166 --> 00:46:50,000
really seriously going to study the

1033
00:46:48,767 --> 00:46:51,166
issue and figure it out I we have to

1034
00:46:50,000 --> 00:46:53,166
figure out the funding mechanism the

1035
00:46:51,166 --> 00:46:54,634
funding formula how we're going to to do

1036
00:46:53,166 --> 00:46:57,266
that and I think that we can't do that

1037
00:46:54,634 --> 00:46:58,934
without a member of council being a part

1038
00:46:57,266 --> 00:47:02,133
of the study group.

1039
00:46:58,934 --> 00:47:06,166
Thank you, Mr. Brown.

1040
00:47:02,133 --> 00:47:06,166
Mr. I'm sorry, Miss Aman.

1041
00:47:08,533 --> 00:47:12,467
Um I, you know, I've been doing a fair

1042
00:47:10,133 --> 00:47:13,834
amount looking and seeing how these

1043
00:47:12,467 --> 00:47:15,900
collective bargaining agreements have

1044
00:47:13,834 --> 00:47:18,133
been implemented in areas across the

1045
00:47:15,900 --> 00:47:19,734
state that have seen it, particularly

1046
00:47:18,133 --> 00:47:21,667
with school divisions because we're in a

1047
00:47:19,734 --> 00:47:24,367
slightly different position than say

1048
00:47:21,667 --> 00:47:26,300
city councils. We don't generate our own

1049
00:47:24,367 --> 00:47:29,734
funs. So, you know, as we've seen, even

1050
00:47:26,300 --> 00:47:31,333
with the 4% raise and bonuses, when

1051
00:47:29,734 --> 00:47:33,667
things come up from the legislature, we

1052
00:47:31,333 --> 00:47:35,734
don't anticipate. We sometimes can't

1053
00:47:33,667 --> 00:47:37,567
fulfill them even if we want to, unless

1054
00:47:35,734 --> 00:47:40,700
until the city appropriates additional

1055
00:47:37,567 --> 00:47:42,133
funds for us. And I've seen a handful of

1056
00:47:40,700 --> 00:47:44,367
them, particularly in Northern Virginia,

1057
00:47:42,133 --> 00:47:48,066
very well resourced

1058
00:47:44,367 --> 00:47:49,900
um districts and localities, end up in a

1059
00:47:48,066 --> 00:47:53,100
mudslinging contest between the school

1060
00:47:49,900 --> 00:47:56,066
boards and the um the councils or boards

1061
00:47:53,100 --> 00:47:59,166
of supervisors. Um, so my big concern

1062
00:47:56,066 --> 00:48:00,533
regardless of what we do, um, is sort of

1063
00:47:59,166 --> 00:48:02,767
how that's going to work if we haven't

1064
00:48:00,533 --> 00:48:04,533
been a if we've seen a lot of challenges

1065
00:48:02,767 --> 00:48:07,667
in some of the other divisions that have

1066
00:48:04,533 --> 00:48:11,033
been doing it for a little while.

1067
00:48:07,667 --> 00:48:12,934
Thank you, Miss A. Mr. Hunter.

1068
00:48:11,033 --> 00:48:14,700
Is there anyone else?

1069
00:48:12,934 --> 00:48:16,367
Yeah, I just want to make a statement.

1070
00:48:14,700 --> 00:48:19,333
And I I feel like this is a great

1071
00:48:16,367 --> 00:48:23,333
opportunity to build relationships and

1072
00:48:19,333 --> 00:48:28,000
really on focus on the needs uh in terms

1073
00:48:23,333 --> 00:48:30,867
of of staff um as a division and also to

1074
00:48:28,000 --> 00:48:34,000
make sure that whatever we decide that

1075
00:48:30,867 --> 00:48:36,467
we are always working towards what's

1076
00:48:34,000 --> 00:48:38,367
best not only for our staff but for our

1077
00:48:36,467 --> 00:48:40,533
children. So, I want families to know

1078
00:48:38,367 --> 00:48:44,133
that and for everyone out there to

1079
00:48:40,533 --> 00:48:47,100
understand that uh at the end of the day

1080
00:48:44,133 --> 00:48:49,033
uh we are serving kids. Thank you.

1081
00:48:47,100 --> 00:48:52,867
Thank you. I have a question. I'm sorry,

1082
00:48:49,033 --> 00:48:54,767
Mr. Oswall. No, you go ahead.

1083
00:48:52,867 --> 00:48:57,100
I would just say that I'm really looking

1084
00:48:54,767 --> 00:48:59,433
forward to this time together for our

1085
00:48:57,100 --> 00:49:02,367
community. It's going to definitely be

1086
00:48:59,433 --> 00:49:04,233
relationship building. Um, it's going to

1087
00:49:02,367 --> 00:49:06,767
be an opportunity for us to really

1088
00:49:04,233 --> 00:49:10,133
understand the resources that we have,

1089
00:49:06,767 --> 00:49:11,734
the resources that we need. Um, and I

1090
00:49:10,133 --> 00:49:13,433
think the thing that is going to be one

1091
00:49:11,734 --> 00:49:16,533
of the biggest issues here is we're

1092
00:49:13,433 --> 00:49:19,333
going to learn what we don't know. Um,

1093
00:49:16,533 --> 00:49:21,333
and I know that I'm relying on those who

1094
00:49:19,333 --> 00:49:24,467
are going to be collectively around this

1095
00:49:21,333 --> 00:49:26,533
table to help us get there and to help

1096
00:49:24,467 --> 00:49:27,834
us make a very, very informed decision

1097
00:49:26,533 --> 00:49:29,667
that's going to be the best thing for

1098
00:49:27,834 --> 00:49:32,634
our community.

1099
00:49:29,667 --> 00:49:36,467
Thank you. I have a question for our

1100
00:49:32,634 --> 00:49:39,734
attorney. Would doing something like

1101
00:49:36,467 --> 00:49:42,133
adding a city council member to this

1102
00:49:39,734 --> 00:49:43,500
group, if we were to approve this

1103
00:49:42,133 --> 00:49:45,333
resolution tonight, would we be

1104
00:49:43,500 --> 00:49:48,767
procluded from doing that or would that

1105
00:49:45,333 --> 00:49:50,934
have to be would it have to be

1106
00:49:48,767 --> 00:49:54,533
uh changed tonight? Yeah, Len Wall could

1107
00:49:50,934 --> 00:49:56,467
certainly um chime in on this, but

1108
00:49:54,533 --> 00:49:58,467
number three

1109
00:49:56,467 --> 00:50:00,767
um which of the of the proposed

1110
00:49:58,467 --> 00:50:02,300
resolution um item three says that the

1111
00:50:00,767 --> 00:50:03,567
study group shall consist of nine

1112
00:50:02,300 --> 00:50:05,333
members and shall include

1113
00:50:03,567 --> 00:50:06,634
representatives of employee

1114
00:50:05,333 --> 00:50:09,166
associations, schoolboard

1115
00:50:06,634 --> 00:50:11,266
representatives, and other stakeholders.

1116
00:50:09,166 --> 00:50:14,767
So, if a member of council wanted to be

1117
00:50:11,266 --> 00:50:16,467
on um the study group, I don't see how

1118
00:50:14,767 --> 00:50:18,000
why they would be procluded from that

1119
00:50:16,467 --> 00:50:20,700
because technically they're a

1120
00:50:18,000 --> 00:50:22,700
stakeholder in that council does, you

1121
00:50:20,700 --> 00:50:24,634
know, is going to be funding your

1122
00:50:22,700 --> 00:50:26,000
decision. So, um I don't I don't think

1123
00:50:24,634 --> 00:50:26,767
it would be precluded.

1124
00:50:26,000 --> 00:50:27,834
Okay.

1125
00:50:26,767 --> 00:50:29,734
With the language here.

1126
00:50:27,834 --> 00:50:30,533
That was my thinking. I just wanted to

1127
00:50:29,734 --> 00:50:31,166
make sure.

1128
00:50:30,533 --> 00:50:32,700
Thank you.

1129
00:50:31,166 --> 00:50:36,533
Thank you. Thank you.

1130
00:50:32,700 --> 00:50:39,433
Any other questions?

1131
00:50:36,533 --> 00:50:40,767
Can Miss Buffalo call the role? Aman

1132
00:50:39,433 --> 00:50:41,433
against

1133
00:50:40,767 --> 00:50:42,300
Brown

1134
00:50:41,433 --> 00:50:42,934
for

1135
00:50:42,300 --> 00:50:43,500
Harris

1136
00:50:42,934 --> 00:50:44,133
for

1137
00:50:43,500 --> 00:50:44,700
Hunter

1138
00:50:44,133 --> 00:50:45,667
for

1139
00:50:44,700 --> 00:50:46,133
Surles law

1140
00:50:45,667 --> 00:50:46,767
for

1141
00:50:46,133 --> 00:50:47,266
Alger

1142
00:50:46,767 --> 00:50:47,834
for

1143
00:50:47,266 --> 00:50:48,300
best

1144
00:50:47,834 --> 00:50:50,533
for

1145
00:50:48,300 --> 00:50:53,166
motion carries 6-1

1146
00:50:50,533 --> 00:50:55,500
thank you we will move to section five

1147
00:50:53,166 --> 00:50:57,433
reports and information

1148
00:50:55,500 --> 00:51:00,233
Dr. Mitchell.

1149
00:50:57,433 --> 00:51:02,300
Thank you so much, Madame Chair. This

1150
00:51:00,233 --> 00:51:05,033
evening, we are pleased to provide an

1151
00:51:02,300 --> 00:51:07,900
update on the Maritime Engineering and

1152
00:51:05,033 --> 00:51:11,433
Environmental Studies Academy, otherwise

1153
00:51:07,900 --> 00:51:14,133
known as MEESA . MEESA represents the type

1154
00:51:11,433 --> 00:51:17,667
of opportunity we want to continue

1155
00:51:14,133 --> 00:51:19,900
expanding for our students. rigorous,

1156
00:51:17,667 --> 00:51:22,867
relevant learning that connects the

1157
00:51:19,900 --> 00:51:24,934
classroom to college, industry, and high

1158
00:51:22,867 --> 00:51:27,333
demand careers that are right here in

1159
00:51:24,934 --> 00:51:30,066
Hampton Roads. Through our partnership

1160
00:51:27,333 --> 00:51:32,700
with Old Dominion University and our

1161
00:51:30,066 --> 00:51:35,433
regional in industry partners, students

1162
00:51:32,700 --> 00:51:38,000
are gaining meaningful experiences,

1163
00:51:35,433 --> 00:51:41,033
credentials, college credit, and

1164
00:51:38,000 --> 00:51:43,500
exposure to career pathways that are

1165
00:51:41,033 --> 00:51:45,567
important to the future of this region.

1166
00:51:43,500 --> 00:51:47,834
Tonight you will hear more about the

1167
00:51:45,567 --> 00:51:49,834
progress of the program but more

1168
00:51:47,834 --> 00:51:52,367
importantly you will hear directly from

1169
00:51:49,834 --> 00:51:55,266
one of the students about the impact of

1170
00:51:52,367 --> 00:51:58,867
the MEESA experience. So at this time I

1171
00:51:55,266 --> 00:52:00,767
am pleased to ask Miss Terza James who

1172
00:51:58,867 --> 00:52:05,133
is our program administrator to come to

1173
00:52:00,767 --> 00:52:05,133
the podium to begin the presentation.

1174
00:52:06,634 --> 00:52:11,333
Good evening madame chair best vice

1175
00:52:09,033 --> 00:52:13,333
chair and members of the board and Dr.

1176
00:52:11,333 --> 00:52:15,333
Mitchell. My name is Tisa James and I'm

1177
00:52:13,333 --> 00:52:17,100
the program administrator for MEESA , the

1178
00:52:15,333 --> 00:52:19,266
Maritime Engineering and Environmental

1179
00:52:17,100 --> 00:52:20,867
Studies Academy. It is a pleasure to be

1180
00:52:19,266 --> 00:52:23,100
here this evening to share an update on

1181
00:52:20,867 --> 00:52:24,634
the MEESA program and how this work is

1182
00:52:23,100 --> 00:52:29,300
helping prepare students to be

1183
00:52:24,634 --> 00:52:29,300
community, college, and career ready.

1184
00:52:34,233 --> 00:52:38,867
Back one. There you go.

1185
00:52:37,033 --> 00:52:41,100
Nissa is grounded in the larger vision

1186
00:52:38,867 --> 00:52:43,033
of Elevate 2030. The strategic plan

1187
00:52:41,100 --> 00:52:44,700
calls for us to expand advanced learning

1188
00:52:43,033 --> 00:52:47,100
opportunities to prepare students for

1189
00:52:44,700 --> 00:52:49,333
high demand careers and deepen the civic

1190
00:52:47,100 --> 00:52:50,700
and business partnerships. MEESA brings

1191
00:52:49,333 --> 00:52:52,867
these priorities together through

1192
00:52:50,700 --> 00:52:54,300
rigorous real world learning experience.

1193
00:52:52,867 --> 00:52:56,700
Tonight, I will briefly share what the

1194
00:52:54,300 --> 00:52:58,367
program is, what makes it distinctive,

1195
00:52:56,700 --> 00:53:01,934
what students experience, and where

1196
00:52:58,367 --> 00:53:01,934
we're headed next.

1197
00:53:02,066 --> 00:53:06,467
MEESA is a two-year half-day academy for

1198
00:53:04,467 --> 00:53:08,467
11th and 12th grade students. Its

1199
00:53:06,467 --> 00:53:10,533
academic design joins two pathways that

1200
00:53:08,467 --> 00:53:12,233
are often taught separately. In

1201
00:53:10,533 --> 00:53:14,767
engineering, students learn to define

1202
00:53:12,233 --> 00:53:16,934
problems, design solutions, and test and

1203
00:53:14,767 --> 00:53:19,166
build and improve upon them. In global

1204
00:53:16,934 --> 00:53:20,634
logistics, they learn how people, cargo,

1205
00:53:19,166 --> 00:53:22,700
information, technology, and

1206
00:53:20,634 --> 00:53:25,834
infrastructure work together to move

1207
00:53:22,700 --> 00:53:27,734
goods safely and efficiently. The

1208
00:53:25,834 --> 00:53:29,567
maritime engineering and sustainability

1209
00:53:27,734 --> 00:53:32,300
focus is what threads these ideas

1210
00:53:29,567 --> 00:53:35,166
together. MEESA 's location and maritime

1211
00:53:32,300 --> 00:53:36,767
focus are intentional. Newport News sits

1212
00:53:35,166 --> 00:53:39,433
at the center of the broader Hampton

1213
00:53:36,767 --> 00:53:42,300
Roads maritime economy, an ecosystem

1214
00:53:39,433 --> 00:53:44,467
shaped by ship building, ports, defense,

1215
00:53:42,300 --> 00:53:46,767
offshore, and alternative entry um

1216
00:53:44,467 --> 00:53:48,467
energy and related industries. By

1217
00:53:46,767 --> 00:53:50,367
learning with this environment, Newport

1218
00:53:48,467 --> 00:53:52,000
News public school students can see

1219
00:53:50,367 --> 00:53:53,567
where they belong and how they can

1220
00:53:52,000 --> 00:53:55,734
contribute and how the opportunities

1221
00:53:53,567 --> 00:53:59,367
they have are available to for them to

1222
00:53:55,734 --> 00:53:59,367
learn here at home.

1223
00:53:59,900 --> 00:54:03,567
MEESA is also distinctive because it is a

1224
00:54:01,900 --> 00:54:05,266
college partnership lab school created

1225
00:54:03,567 --> 00:54:07,500
between Newport News public schools and

1226
00:54:05,266 --> 00:54:09,433
Old Dominion University.

1227
00:54:07,500 --> 00:54:12,133
This partnership is extended to expand

1228
00:54:09,433 --> 00:54:14,634
what students and teachers can access.

1229
00:54:12,133 --> 00:54:16,634
Old Dominion faculty can contribute to

1230
00:54:14,634 --> 00:54:18,700
the subject matter expertise, guest

1231
00:54:16,634 --> 00:54:20,934
instruction, case studies, academic

1232
00:54:18,700 --> 00:54:23,567
resources connecting to emerging

1233
00:54:20,934 --> 00:54:25,333
research and careers. A dedicated Old

1234
00:54:23,567 --> 00:54:27,033
Dominion University program manager

1235
00:54:25,333 --> 00:54:28,767
supports the coordination among the

1236
00:54:27,033 --> 00:54:31,166
university, the school division, and the

1237
00:54:28,767 --> 00:54:32,867
external partners. And finally, the

1238
00:54:31,166 --> 00:54:35,100
partnership also creates a clearer

1239
00:54:32,867 --> 00:54:36,867
bridge to college. Successful MEESA

1240
00:54:35,100 --> 00:54:41,500
completion supports automatic admission

1241
00:54:36,867 --> 00:54:43,500
to ODU and six undergraduate credits.

1242
00:54:41,500 --> 00:54:45,433
This chart shows how MEESA is in

1243
00:54:43,500 --> 00:54:47,500
intentionally structured as a two-year

1244
00:54:45,433 --> 00:54:49,734
progression rather than a collection of

1245
00:54:47,500 --> 00:54:51,500
separate courses. Reading from left to

1246
00:54:49,734 --> 00:54:53,166
right, the first column identifies the

1247
00:54:51,500 --> 00:54:55,433
foundational learning students complete

1248
00:54:53,166 --> 00:54:56,700
in the 11th grade. The second column

1249
00:54:55,433 --> 00:54:58,533
shows how their learning continues

1250
00:54:56,700 --> 00:55:00,634
through deeper analysis and application

1251
00:54:58,533 --> 00:55:02,133
in 12th grade. The final column

1252
00:55:00,634 --> 00:55:03,333
highlights the credentials and college

1253
00:55:02,133 --> 00:55:05,567
credit that result from their

1254
00:55:03,333 --> 00:55:07,433
progression. Our seniors deepen their

1255
00:55:05,567 --> 00:55:09,266
engineering and logistics learning

1256
00:55:07,433 --> 00:55:11,266
connected to a capstone and a paid

1257
00:55:09,266 --> 00:55:12,767
internship and demonstrate what they can

1258
00:55:11,266 --> 00:55:15,100
do through industry credentials and

1259
00:55:12,767 --> 00:55:16,767
college level outcomes. The AutoCAD

1260
00:55:15,100 --> 00:55:19,734
certification is tied to the engineering

1261
00:55:16,767 --> 00:55:21,667
pathway. The MSSC certification

1262
00:55:19,734 --> 00:55:23,567
logistics associate and a certified

1263
00:55:21,667 --> 00:55:25,667
logistics technician credentials are

1264
00:55:23,567 --> 00:55:27,266
tied to the logistics.

1265
00:55:25,667 --> 00:55:30,000
The most important point is that these

1266
00:55:27,266 --> 00:55:31,500
are not isolated courses. The research

1267
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:33,100
and design and systems thinking and

1268
00:55:31,500 --> 00:55:34,934
workplace readiness and professional

1269
00:55:33,100 --> 00:55:37,934
communication run through the full

1270
00:55:34,934 --> 00:55:37,934
experience.

1271
00:55:38,133 --> 00:55:42,133
This learning experience at MEESA is

1272
00:55:40,066 --> 00:55:43,567
deliberately active and authentic.

1273
00:55:42,133 --> 00:55:45,333
Students learn beyond the traditional

1274
00:55:43,567 --> 00:55:47,433
classroom through field experiences,

1275
00:55:45,333 --> 00:55:49,033
university and industry engagement, and

1276
00:55:47,433 --> 00:55:51,166
projects that resemble the work of

1277
00:55:49,033 --> 00:55:53,567
engineers, logistics professionals,

1278
00:55:51,166 --> 00:55:55,266
researchers, and technical teams. Last

1279
00:55:53,567 --> 00:55:57,500
year, students built a minibboat,

1280
00:55:55,266 --> 00:55:58,867
developed cargo and ERP workflows that

1281
00:55:57,500 --> 00:56:00,233
learned recognition through the

1282
00:55:58,867 --> 00:56:02,367
Congressional App Challenge through

1283
00:56:00,233 --> 00:56:04,300
Virginia's third congressional district.

1284
00:56:02,367 --> 00:56:05,834
They studied naval architecture and

1285
00:56:04,300 --> 00:56:07,734
propulsion. They used robotics and

1286
00:56:05,834 --> 00:56:10,066
marine technology. They presented their

1287
00:56:07,734 --> 00:56:11,834
thinking to professional audiences. The

1288
00:56:10,066 --> 00:56:13,333
Port Futures Expo asked them to bring

1289
00:56:11,834 --> 00:56:15,433
multiple disciplines together and to

1290
00:56:13,333 --> 00:56:17,266
defend their decisions. These

1291
00:56:15,433 --> 00:56:18,767
experiences made the academic contact

1292
00:56:17,266 --> 00:56:20,533
more meaningful because students could

1293
00:56:18,767 --> 00:56:22,233
see not only where their knowledge goes,

1294
00:56:20,533 --> 00:56:24,233
but why precision matters. How

1295
00:56:22,233 --> 00:56:27,333
professionals collaborate across a

1296
00:56:24,233 --> 00:56:28,634
complex system. Those experiences are

1297
00:56:27,333 --> 00:56:32,367
best understood through the students

1298
00:56:28,634 --> 00:56:34,367
who've lived them. Last year, MEESA gave

1299
00:56:32,367 --> 00:56:37,166
its inaugural cohort opportunities to

1300
00:56:34,367 --> 00:56:38,934
investigate the maritime industry,

1301
00:56:37,166 --> 00:56:41,033
to complete hands-on engineering and

1302
00:56:38,934 --> 00:56:43,333
logistics projects, to use professional

1303
00:56:41,033 --> 00:56:45,100
tools, to present to outside audiences,

1304
00:56:43,333 --> 00:56:47,333
and to begin building relationships with

1305
00:56:45,100 --> 00:56:49,567
industry. I would like to now introduce

1306
00:56:47,333 --> 00:56:51,033
Cameron Erenss, a senior at Woodside

1307
00:56:49,567 --> 00:56:53,100
High School and a member of AMIS's

1308
00:56:51,033 --> 00:56:54,700
inaugural senior class. Cameron also

1309
00:56:53,100 --> 00:56:56,767
began an internship with the Virginia

1310
00:56:54,700 --> 00:56:58,367
Maritime Association this summer.

1311
00:56:56,767 --> 00:57:00,467
Cameron will share how those experiences

1312
00:56:58,367 --> 00:57:02,533
have contributed to his growth, expanded

1313
00:57:00,467 --> 00:57:05,767
his perspective, and changed how he sees

1314
00:57:02,533 --> 00:57:05,767
his future.

1315
00:57:16,133 --> 00:57:19,900
Good evening. My name is Cameron Ers. I

1316
00:57:18,233 --> 00:57:21,734
am a senior at Woodside High School and

1317
00:57:19,900 --> 00:57:24,233
a member of the inaugural senior class

1318
00:57:21,734 --> 00:57:26,300
at MEESA . Last year at MEESA , I had the

1319
00:57:24,233 --> 00:57:28,300
opportunity to design and build my own

1320
00:57:26,300 --> 00:57:31,567
hydroponic system while learning how

1321
00:57:28,300 --> 00:57:33,734
engineering and logistical worlds

1322
00:57:31,567 --> 00:57:35,500
connect to the maritime industry. I

1323
00:57:33,734 --> 00:57:37,166
especially valued the tren the

1324
00:57:35,500 --> 00:57:42,100
constraints I was presented with because

1325
00:57:37,166 --> 00:57:42,100
they introduced a new and unique

1326
00:57:42,133 --> 00:57:46,300
outlook under the challenge I was given.

1327
00:57:44,367 --> 00:57:48,533
This summer, I began an internship with

1328
00:57:46,300 --> 00:57:51,266
the Virginia Maritime Association, where

1329
00:57:48,533 --> 00:57:53,100
I learned how the company Gen Edge uses

1330
00:57:51,266 --> 00:57:55,667
computer aided design welding machines

1331
00:57:53,100 --> 00:57:57,333
to assist their employees. That

1332
00:57:55,667 --> 00:57:59,266
opportunity helped me connect what I

1333
00:57:57,333 --> 00:58:00,867
learned at MEESA to the people and

1334
00:57:59,266 --> 00:58:03,567
organizations working within the

1335
00:58:00,867 --> 00:58:05,567
industry. MEESA has helped me grow by

1336
00:58:03,567 --> 00:58:08,133
improving my sense of technical skills

1337
00:58:05,567 --> 00:58:09,900
and professionalism in my everyday life.

1338
00:58:08,133 --> 00:58:11,500
It also showed me that my leadership

1339
00:58:09,900 --> 00:58:14,133
skills have grown with every challenge

1340
00:58:11,500 --> 00:58:16,300
that I come across. As I look ahead, I

1341
00:58:14,133 --> 00:58:19,166
now aim to be a future senior reactor

1342
00:58:16,300 --> 00:58:23,233
operator of a of a nuclear power plant.

1343
00:58:19,166 --> 00:58:23,233
Thank you. Wow.

1344
00:58:33,900 --> 00:58:37,834
This year, our next steps include

1345
00:58:36,066 --> 00:58:40,066
deepening the high-quality workbased

1346
00:58:37,834 --> 00:58:41,433
learning through senior paid internships

1347
00:58:40,066 --> 00:58:43,266
aligned with students interests and

1348
00:58:41,433 --> 00:58:45,166
pathways, increasing the enrollment so

1349
00:58:43,266 --> 00:58:47,166
that more students can take part in the

1350
00:58:45,166 --> 00:58:49,166
opportunities that are offered at MEESA .

1351
00:58:47,166 --> 00:58:51,100
We are expanding our recruiting to begin

1352
00:58:49,166 --> 00:58:53,100
developing student interest in grades 8

1353
00:58:51,100 --> 00:58:55,834
through 10 uh through counselor

1354
00:58:53,100 --> 00:58:58,066
engagement, clear family communication,

1355
00:58:55,834 --> 00:59:00,066
school visits, student stories, and the

1356
00:58:58,066 --> 00:59:02,533
visible evidence of what MEESA students

1357
00:59:00,066 --> 00:59:04,300
can gain. Our goal is straightforward to

1358
00:59:02,533 --> 00:59:06,300
connect Newport News students to the

1359
00:59:04,300 --> 00:59:08,767
advanced learning, industry credentials,

1360
00:59:06,300 --> 00:59:10,867
college access, and high demand careers

1361
00:59:08,767 --> 00:59:12,467
right here in our region. MEESA is still

1362
00:59:10,867 --> 00:59:14,467
growing, but the purpose is already

1363
00:59:12,467 --> 00:59:16,367
clear. turning our regional assets into

1364
00:59:14,467 --> 00:59:18,233
expanded possibilities, preparing

1365
00:59:16,367 --> 00:59:20,300
students to set sail toward their future

1366
00:59:18,233 --> 00:59:22,133
skills with the skills, confidence, and

1367
00:59:20,300 --> 00:59:26,233
connections they need while remainly

1368
00:59:22,133 --> 00:59:28,000
firmly anchored in Newport News.

1369
00:59:26,233 --> 00:59:29,567
MEESA is creating a rigorous pathway that

1370
00:59:28,000 --> 00:59:31,100
connects more Newport News students to

1371
00:59:29,567 --> 00:59:32,934
advanced learning, college credit,

1372
00:59:31,100 --> 00:59:34,934
industry credentials, and high demand

1373
00:59:32,934 --> 00:59:36,634
careers within our region. Thank you for

1374
00:59:34,934 --> 00:59:38,533
the opportunity to share our program's

1375
00:59:36,634 --> 00:59:40,700
progress, and our next steps. I'm happy

1376
00:59:38,533 --> 00:59:43,100
to answer any questions.

1377
00:59:40,700 --> 00:59:44,533
Great. wonderful presentation. Any

1378
00:59:43,100 --> 00:59:46,066
questions?

1379
00:59:44,533 --> 00:59:49,900
I'm gonna let somebody else go first,

1380
00:59:46,066 --> 00:59:51,033
Mr. Brown. Anybody else?

1381
00:59:49,900 --> 00:59:53,033
All right, Miss Aean.

1382
00:59:51,033 --> 00:59:54,533
Sure. Um, thank you for all the

1383
00:59:53,033 --> 00:59:56,233
information. I have lots of questions,

1384
00:59:54,533 --> 00:59:57,734
but I won't ask them all today because

1385
00:59:56,233 --> 01:00:00,533
it's very exciting.

1386
00:59:57,734 --> 01:00:03,734
Um, so the I just wanted to better

1387
01:00:00,533 --> 01:00:06,066
understand the tracks, if you will. Do

1388
01:00:03,734 --> 01:00:08,367
students pick one of the three or do

1389
01:00:06,066 --> 01:00:10,767
they get exposed to all three tracks?

1390
01:00:08,367 --> 01:00:13,333
They they do them all. So all the

1391
01:00:10,767 --> 01:00:15,567
classes are integrated 11th goes to 12th

1392
01:00:13,333 --> 01:00:17,033
and then at the end the credentials are

1393
01:00:15,567 --> 01:00:19,266
the result of those two years.

1394
01:00:17,033 --> 01:00:21,834
So will they all get like AutoCAD and

1395
01:00:19,266 --> 01:00:24,834
the MSSC certified? Okay, that's super

1396
01:00:21,834 --> 01:00:24,834
cool.

1397
01:00:26,767 --> 01:00:31,667
Mr. Law,

1398
01:00:28,000 --> 01:00:33,033
um I'm I'm bought in. I'm sold. Uh in

1399
01:00:31,667 --> 01:00:34,767
fact, I think we're going to take a

1400
01:00:33,033 --> 01:00:37,500
couple of students at the lab and really

1401
01:00:34,767 --> 01:00:41,266
excited about that. Um, one of the

1402
01:00:37,500 --> 01:00:44,000
things that I want to at least in this

1403
01:00:41,266 --> 01:00:47,166
forum be able to get the answer to so

1404
01:00:44,000 --> 01:00:50,767
others can hear. Are we having these

1405
01:00:47,166 --> 01:00:52,367
opportunities uh through MEESA just for

1406
01:00:50,767 --> 01:00:56,233
college

1407
01:00:52,367 --> 01:00:59,166
bound students or CTE students as well?

1408
01:00:56,233 --> 01:01:00,934
All the courses are CTE. Um, and the

1409
01:00:59,166 --> 01:01:02,767
goal of the program is one of the three

1410
01:01:00,934 --> 01:01:04,700
E. So if they would be employed,

1411
01:01:02,767 --> 01:01:09,000
enrolled or enlisted, we would consider

1412
01:01:04,700 --> 01:01:09,000
that a successful outcome for visa.

1413
01:01:10,767 --> 01:01:14,700
Mr. Brown,

1414
01:01:11,734 --> 01:01:16,934
what comes to mind is our community

1415
01:01:14,700 --> 01:01:19,166
program

1416
01:01:16,934 --> 01:01:20,300
uh CNU has partnered with us through the

1417
01:01:19,166 --> 01:01:23,500
community captains and it looks like

1418
01:01:20,300 --> 01:01:27,333
here this is a partnership with ODU. Uh

1419
01:01:23,500 --> 01:01:30,467
is there any vision or thoughts about uh

1420
01:01:27,333 --> 01:01:35,433
this being an ODU type of a preparation

1421
01:01:30,467 --> 01:01:36,867
for uh get students having um like with

1422
01:01:35,433 --> 01:01:39,033
our community captain program preferred

1423
01:01:36,867 --> 01:01:40,300
acceptance at ODU with them getting this

1424
01:01:39,033 --> 01:01:41,333
kind of college credit or going into

1425
01:01:40,300 --> 01:01:43,433
ODU's engineering program.

1426
01:01:41,333 --> 01:01:45,834
Every MEESA graduate with a minimum GPA

1427
01:01:43,433 --> 01:01:46,700
of 2.5 has guaranteed acceptance to ODU

1428
01:01:45,834 --> 01:01:48,533
along with the credit.

1429
01:01:46,700 --> 01:01:49,900
Oh, okay.

1430
01:01:48,533 --> 01:01:51,834
And they will already have expanded

1431
01:01:49,900 --> 01:01:53,433
their um connections. And so they will

1432
01:01:51,834 --> 01:01:55,500
have worked with current students, with

1433
01:01:53,433 --> 01:01:57,734
professors, and so it'll it'll kind of

1434
01:01:55,500 --> 01:01:58,934
be like, you know, feeling like they're

1435
01:01:57,734 --> 01:01:59,900
they're at home already.

1436
01:01:58,934 --> 01:02:01,900
All right.

1437
01:01:59,900 --> 01:02:02,533
They they identify as ODU students

1438
01:02:01,900 --> 01:02:02,867
already.

1439
01:02:02,533 --> 01:02:03,333
Cool.

1440
01:02:02,867 --> 01:02:04,700
All right.

1441
01:02:03,333 --> 01:02:05,734
Okay.

1442
01:02:04,700 --> 01:02:06,767
All right.

1443
01:02:05,734 --> 01:02:09,500
Amen.

1444
01:02:06,767 --> 01:02:12,133
Um to the end of like trying to develop

1445
01:02:09,500 --> 01:02:14,467
partnerships, are there any thoughts on

1446
01:02:12,133 --> 01:02:16,133
working with be it the the Navy or the

1447
01:02:14,467 --> 01:02:17,500
merchant marine, any of our connections

1448
01:02:16,133 --> 01:02:20,700
with the different branches of the

1449
01:02:17,500 --> 01:02:21,166
military that might connect to maritime?

1450
01:02:20,700 --> 01:02:23,433
Um

1451
01:02:21,166 --> 01:02:25,734
we have already had um last year we had

1452
01:02:23,433 --> 01:02:27,834
Coast Guard um and in the school as

1453
01:02:25,734 --> 01:02:30,300
guest speakers and did some work with

1454
01:02:27,834 --> 01:02:31,567
them. There is um they want to have us

1455
01:02:30,300 --> 01:02:33,500
out like at one of their training

1456
01:02:31,567 --> 01:02:35,567
facilities and definitely through STEM

1457
01:02:33,500 --> 01:02:37,500
through the Navy. Um so we definitely

1458
01:02:35,567 --> 01:02:41,667
would like to actually strengthen that

1459
01:02:37,500 --> 01:02:44,133
connection with the military. Yes.

1460
01:02:41,667 --> 01:02:47,667
Okay. I do think one thing that we

1461
01:02:44,133 --> 01:02:50,066
should clarify is that the students when

1462
01:02:47,667 --> 01:02:53,033
they do the internship are paid

1463
01:02:50,066 --> 01:02:55,734
but the local don't pay that. Okay.

1464
01:02:53,033 --> 01:02:59,734
So that the program provides that

1465
01:02:55,734 --> 01:03:04,066
stipend for the students

1466
01:02:59,734 --> 01:03:04,934
even for private employers or

1467
01:03:04,066 --> 01:03:07,100
go ahead

1468
01:03:04,934 --> 01:03:08,533
Cameron. Um I just wanted to ask could

1469
01:03:07,100 --> 01:03:09,900
you kind of talk about the application

1470
01:03:08,533 --> 01:03:12,233
process a little bit because with it

1471
01:03:09,900 --> 01:03:13,567
starting in 11th grade it's unlike our

1472
01:03:12,233 --> 01:03:14,700
normal magnet programs where it's all

1473
01:03:13,567 --> 01:03:15,834
high school. So could you just kind of

1474
01:03:14,700 --> 01:03:19,033
discuss that a little bit?

1475
01:03:15,834 --> 01:03:20,767
Right. So the students can apply um that

1476
01:03:19,033 --> 01:03:22,133
as they're rising juniors so in their

1477
01:03:20,767 --> 01:03:24,533
end of their sophomore year they can

1478
01:03:22,133 --> 01:03:27,500
apply. It is a lottery system. So we do

1479
01:03:24,533 --> 01:03:28,767
not have um restrictions for GPA or

1480
01:03:27,500 --> 01:03:30,467
anything like that. So the application

1481
01:03:28,767 --> 01:03:33,100
process is really just to enter into the

1482
01:03:30,467 --> 01:03:35,433
lottery once we have achieved um more

1483
01:03:33,100 --> 01:03:37,100
than the slot the 50 slots. we would run

1484
01:03:35,433 --> 01:03:40,934
the lottery but anytime we have less

1485
01:03:37,100 --> 01:03:44,000
than 50 slots is guaranteed admission.

1486
01:03:40,934 --> 01:03:46,533
Thank you. So I guess I'll do the final

1487
01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:49,500
remark. So when this program was brought

1488
01:03:46,533 --> 01:03:51,500
to the board a couple of years ago there

1489
01:03:49,500 --> 01:03:54,367
was a lot going on in the division. So I

1490
01:03:51,500 --> 01:03:56,934
was like, "One more thing." And so

1491
01:03:54,367 --> 01:03:59,433
anyway, when I went to visit though the

1492
01:03:56,934 --> 01:04:01,500
site and the students and just was

1493
01:03:59,433 --> 01:04:03,667
immersed in the program, I was

1494
01:04:01,500 --> 01:04:06,367
thoroughly just sold on it and

1495
01:04:03,667 --> 01:04:09,567
thoroughly impressed. And and what I

1496
01:04:06,367 --> 01:04:12,066
like about it is all of the students are

1497
01:04:09,567 --> 01:04:13,834
very active and involved and able to

1498
01:04:12,066 --> 01:04:16,000
articulate what it is that they're

1499
01:04:13,834 --> 01:04:18,066
doing. You can just go to anyone and

1500
01:04:16,000 --> 01:04:20,533
they're excited about it. And every time

1501
01:04:18,066 --> 01:04:22,700
I go, I learn something. So, I was

1502
01:04:20,533 --> 01:04:24,700
learning about hydroponic

1503
01:04:22,700 --> 01:04:26,300
plants and and I'm a cruise. I like to

1504
01:04:24,700 --> 01:04:28,767
take cruises and and they were sharing

1505
01:04:26,300 --> 01:04:31,433
with me how they grow these plants on

1506
01:04:28,767 --> 01:04:33,433
ships with using water and not soil. And

1507
01:04:31,433 --> 01:04:36,634
it made me go and do a little more

1508
01:04:33,433 --> 01:04:39,900
research. And so then just the jobs that

1509
01:04:36,634 --> 01:04:42,367
they can um get as a result of that

1510
01:04:39,900 --> 01:04:44,700
they're exposed to even as a result of

1511
01:04:42,367 --> 01:04:46,233
participating in this program. And so I

1512
01:04:44,700 --> 01:04:48,533
encourage board members if you have not

1513
01:04:46,233 --> 01:04:50,233
been there, please go and especially

1514
01:04:48,533 --> 01:04:52,867
when we get the invitation to the open

1515
01:04:50,233 --> 01:04:55,266
house, please go because you will be

1516
01:04:52,867 --> 01:04:56,867
thoroughly amazed at what these kids can

1517
01:04:55,266 --> 01:04:59,834
do and what what they what they talk

1518
01:04:56,867 --> 01:05:01,734
about. So you are doing a great job and

1519
01:04:59,834 --> 01:05:03,266
and I'm also a little extra excited

1520
01:05:01,734 --> 01:05:06,767
because I have a nephew in the program

1521
01:05:03,266 --> 01:05:09,033
as well. So So good job and and thank

1522
01:05:06,767 --> 01:05:11,667
you. And you're gonna be making some

1523
01:05:09,033 --> 01:05:11,667
money there.

1524
01:05:13,100 --> 01:05:18,567
But you did a great job. Thank you.

1525
01:05:15,033 --> 01:05:18,567
Thank you so much.

1526
01:05:24,133 --> 01:05:27,133
And

1527
01:05:29,433 --> 01:05:35,500
thank you. We will move to section five.

1528
01:05:33,266 --> 01:05:38,533
Oh, I'm sorry.

1529
01:05:35,500 --> 01:05:41,567
Thank you. We will move on to continue

1530
01:05:38,533 --> 01:05:44,300
with presentations. No, no, I'm sorry.

1531
01:05:41,567 --> 01:05:46,634
We did. We're on to our 10day membership

1532
01:05:44,300 --> 01:05:48,300
report. Board members, you've received a

1533
01:05:46,634 --> 01:05:50,934
copy of this report. Are there any

1534
01:05:48,300 --> 01:05:53,433
questions?

1535
01:05:50,934 --> 01:05:56,533
Nope. All right. Moving on. You've

1536
01:05:53,433 --> 01:05:58,233
received 5.03, the construction report.

1537
01:05:56,533 --> 01:06:01,233
Board members, do you have any

1538
01:05:58,233 --> 01:06:01,233
questions?

1539
01:06:01,667 --> 01:06:06,634
And hearing none, we will move on to

1540
01:06:04,000 --> 01:06:08,233
item 5.04. 04 comments by the

1541
01:06:06,634 --> 01:06:10,367
superintendent. Dr. Mitchell.

1542
01:06:08,233 --> 01:06:12,133
Thank you so much, Madam Chair. As we

1543
01:06:10,367 --> 01:06:14,634
close tonight, I want to provide an

1544
01:06:12,133 --> 01:06:17,900
update regarding an administrative move

1545
01:06:14,634 --> 01:06:19,900
for Mr. Terry Finan. He is currently the

1546
01:06:17,900 --> 01:06:23,033
assistant principal at Heritage High

1547
01:06:19,900 --> 01:06:25,333
School. Mr. Fineran will now lead

1548
01:06:23,033 --> 01:06:28,133
Enterprise Academy as a program

1549
01:06:25,333 --> 01:06:31,333
administrator and we are really excited

1550
01:06:28,133 --> 01:06:34,000
about this opportunity for him. And I

1551
01:06:31,333 --> 01:06:36,367
want to say to Mr. Finner, I know you

1552
01:06:34,000 --> 01:06:38,700
will do a great job in leading our

1553
01:06:36,367 --> 01:06:40,233
students and staff at Enterprise

1554
01:06:38,700 --> 01:06:43,500
Academy.

1555
01:06:40,233 --> 01:06:46,367
And as you know, I um prepare my

1556
01:06:43,500 --> 01:06:48,867
comments in advance. So, I was not aware

1557
01:06:46,367 --> 01:06:50,634
that we would have bus drivers coming

1558
01:06:48,867 --> 01:06:52,700
tonight. And please know bus drivers

1559
01:06:50,634 --> 01:06:55,166
that we do appreciate it when you come

1560
01:06:52,700 --> 01:06:58,300
and let us know what your concerns are.

1561
01:06:55,166 --> 01:07:00,934
Um but I had already incorporated you in

1562
01:06:58,300 --> 01:07:03,900
my comments for tonight. So, I want to

1563
01:07:00,934 --> 01:07:06,133
start off by thanking our students, our

1564
01:07:03,900 --> 01:07:08,300
staff, and our families for their hard

1565
01:07:06,133 --> 01:07:10,700
work and their partnership. The

1566
01:07:08,300 --> 01:07:13,667
increased academic results from last

1567
01:07:10,700 --> 01:07:16,533
school year that we are now seeing

1568
01:07:13,667 --> 01:07:18,367
reflect the collective effort and we are

1569
01:07:16,533 --> 01:07:21,100
very proud of the progress that our

1570
01:07:18,367 --> 01:07:23,433
students are making. To our parents,

1571
01:07:21,100 --> 01:07:25,433
thank you for trusting us because it is

1572
01:07:23,433 --> 01:07:27,834
an honor to partner with you in

1573
01:07:25,433 --> 01:07:30,934
educating your children, but it's also

1574
01:07:27,834 --> 01:07:34,000
an honor to transport them safely to and

1575
01:07:30,934 --> 01:07:37,667
from school every day. I am asking

1576
01:07:34,000 --> 01:07:40,533
families to please review uh remind

1577
01:07:37,667 --> 01:07:43,900
their students of the expectations for

1578
01:07:40,533 --> 01:07:46,300
appropriate behavior on school buses.

1579
01:07:43,900 --> 01:07:49,567
You as parents can review those

1580
01:07:46,300 --> 01:07:52,133
expectations on page 16 in the students

1581
01:07:49,567 --> 01:07:54,533
rights and responsibilities handbook

1582
01:07:52,133 --> 01:07:57,033
because we do thank our bus drivers.

1583
01:07:54,533 --> 01:07:58,867
They are patient, they are committed and

1584
01:07:57,033 --> 01:08:01,333
they care about your students and they

1585
01:07:58,867 --> 01:08:03,500
demonstrate that every single day as

1586
01:08:01,333 --> 01:08:06,367
they transport them safely. So again,

1587
01:08:03,500 --> 01:08:08,467
parents, please review the expectations.

1588
01:08:06,367 --> 01:08:11,166
If we expect students to behave in

1589
01:08:08,467 --> 01:08:13,567
school, we expect students to behave on

1590
01:08:11,166 --> 01:08:16,133
the bus. So, please support our bus

1591
01:08:13,567 --> 01:08:18,467
drivers. So, thank you. And parents,

1592
01:08:16,133 --> 01:08:20,634
let's continue to work together to

1593
01:08:18,467 --> 01:08:23,734
elevate, empower, and move our school

1594
01:08:20,634 --> 01:08:27,433
division forward. Also, moving forward,

1595
01:08:23,734 --> 01:08:30,233
we have some upcoming events um that we

1596
01:08:27,433 --> 01:08:32,867
want to share with you. September 22nd,

1597
01:08:30,233 --> 01:08:36,233
we have our high school back to school

1598
01:08:32,867 --> 01:08:39,500
night. September 23rd,

1599
01:08:36,233 --> 01:08:42,867
um we have middle school back to school

1600
01:08:39,500 --> 01:08:44,767
night. And then September 24th, we have

1601
01:08:42,867 --> 01:08:47,266
elementary school back to school night.

1602
01:08:44,767 --> 01:08:50,066
And you can see the times on the screen.

1603
01:08:47,266 --> 01:08:52,767
And then Friday, October 16th, schools

1604
01:08:50,066 --> 01:08:54,700
are closed for students. It's a half-day

1605
01:08:52,767 --> 01:08:57,567
professional development in the morning

1606
01:08:54,700 --> 01:09:00,133
for our teachers and family conferences

1607
01:08:57,567 --> 01:09:01,900
in the afternoon and they will also be

1608
01:09:00,133 --> 01:09:03,567
held throughout the week. Thank you,

1609
01:09:01,900 --> 01:09:06,000
Madam Chair.

1610
01:09:03,567 --> 01:09:08,300
Thank you, Dr. Mitchell. We will now

1611
01:09:06,000 --> 01:09:10,533
move on to item six, another opportunity

1612
01:09:08,300 --> 01:09:14,233
to hear from the public. And we do have

1613
01:09:10,533 --> 01:09:17,433
some additional cards.

1614
01:09:14,233 --> 01:09:21,300
Mr. David Brakman and he will be followed

1615
01:09:17,433 --> 01:09:21,300
by Miss Ivon Bethea.

1616
01:09:25,734 --> 01:09:31,734
Good evening, Dr. Mitchell and members

1617
01:09:28,066 --> 01:09:34,066
of the board. I'm David Brakman. He/ him a

1618
01:09:31,734 --> 01:09:36,700
resident of Newport News and a proud and

1619
01:09:34,066 --> 01:09:39,567
grateful product of its public schools.

1620
01:09:36,700 --> 01:09:41,667
I'm here in support of NEA's Red for Ed

1621
01:09:39,567 --> 01:09:44,133
campaign for collective bargaining.

1622
01:09:41,667 --> 01:09:46,467
Thank you for passing a resolution to

1623
01:09:44,133 --> 01:09:48,533
study the matter and for accepting some

1624
01:09:46,467 --> 01:09:50,133
of our feedback from the last meeting in

1625
01:09:48,533 --> 01:09:52,367
committing to including union

1626
01:09:50,133 --> 01:09:55,500
representation in the study group.

1627
01:09:52,367 --> 01:09:57,500
However, I remain disappointed in its 12

1628
01:09:55,500 --> 01:10:01,033
month time frame as compared to

1629
01:09:57,500 --> 01:10:03,500
council's six months time frame and also

1630
01:10:01,033 --> 01:10:06,233
that it was not amended to commit the

1631
01:10:03,500 --> 01:10:08,767
group to recommending an implementation

1632
01:10:06,233 --> 01:10:10,934
of collective bargaining. The heroes who

1633
01:10:08,767 --> 01:10:12,867
work here to bring our kids to school,

1634
01:10:10,934 --> 01:10:15,166
to teach them, and to keep them safe

1635
01:10:12,867 --> 01:10:17,667
deserve a seat at the table. Uh with the

1636
01:10:15,166 --> 01:10:19,500
resolution passed as is, I continue to

1637
01:10:17,667 --> 01:10:21,900
urge the board for promptness and

1638
01:10:19,500 --> 01:10:24,066
conviction in selecting and then

1639
01:10:21,900 --> 01:10:26,300
implementing a framework for putting our

1640
01:10:24,066 --> 01:10:28,700
money where our mouth is to provide

1641
01:10:26,300 --> 01:10:29,834
whatever educators need to show up. Thank

1642
01:10:28,700 --> 01:10:31,900
you.

1643
01:10:29,834 --> 01:10:34,300
Thank you,

1644
01:10:31,900 --> 01:10:38,033
Mr. Ivon Bethea. And she'll be followed by

1645
01:10:34,300 --> 01:10:38,033
Miss Tama Gatlin.

1646
01:10:42,000 --> 01:10:46,700
Good evening, school board members. My

1647
01:10:43,500 --> 01:10:48,634
name is Ivon Bethea. Um, I stopped

1648
01:10:46,700 --> 01:10:50,533
coming to the school board meetings a

1649
01:10:48,634 --> 01:10:52,867
long time ago because this is like a re

1650
01:10:50,533 --> 01:10:56,767
rinse and repeat of things that's going

1651
01:10:52,867 --> 01:10:59,033
on over at transportation. Um,

1652
01:10:56,767 --> 01:11:02,233
let me just tell you, I started in 98. I

1653
01:10:59,033 --> 01:11:04,700
came from the military. I went to HRT. I

1654
01:11:02,233 --> 01:11:07,166
came here. I've never had to keep a eye

1655
01:11:04,700 --> 01:11:08,700
on my paycheck. I've never had to write

1656
01:11:07,166 --> 01:11:10,700
the time down and then go back and

1657
01:11:08,700 --> 01:11:12,634
check. And sometimes you look and the

1658
01:11:10,700 --> 01:11:14,700
thing says zero after working eight and

1659
01:11:12,634 --> 01:11:16,300
a half hours. The computer they have on

1660
01:11:14,700 --> 01:11:18,467
the bus, you go and check it in and it

1661
01:11:16,300 --> 01:11:20,934
says zero. I never had to go back and

1662
01:11:18,467 --> 01:11:23,333
fuss about my money. I'm not dyslexic. I

1663
01:11:20,934 --> 01:11:25,100
don't I don't transpose numbers. I've

1664
01:11:23,333 --> 01:11:26,634
been doing it since I was in the a tech

1665
01:11:25,100 --> 01:11:29,333
sergeant in the military in our Air

1666
01:11:26,634 --> 01:11:31,266
Force. Okay, let me tell you how petty

1667
01:11:29,333 --> 01:11:33,100
when I started in 1998. I haven't

1668
01:11:31,266 --> 01:11:36,300
forgotten it. They set a tone with me

1669
01:11:33,100 --> 01:11:39,567
with transportation. I put a plastic

1670
01:11:36,300 --> 01:11:42,000
food lion bag trash can in my liner in

1671
01:11:39,567 --> 01:11:44,000
my trash can. I got wrote up for that

1672
01:11:42,000 --> 01:11:46,934
because it's supposed to been clear.

1673
01:11:44,000 --> 01:11:50,300
Okay, that's how petty it is over there.

1674
01:11:46,934 --> 01:11:51,734
Okay, retaliation is real. It's real.

1675
01:11:50,300 --> 01:11:53,033
And these kids on these buses, you're

1676
01:11:51,734 --> 01:11:54,634
telling these parents, "Oh, tell your

1677
01:11:53,033 --> 01:11:55,900
kids to behave." The parents don't

1678
01:11:54,634 --> 01:11:57,734
behave.

1679
01:11:55,900 --> 01:11:58,934
The parents do not behave. The parents

1680
01:11:57,734 --> 01:12:00,533
will tell the kids, "You ain't got to

1681
01:11:58,934 --> 01:12:02,233
listen to them. I'm an assistant now

1682
01:12:00,533 --> 01:12:03,567
because I start having panic attacks on

1683
01:12:02,233 --> 01:12:05,100
the on the bus because of something

1684
01:12:03,567 --> 01:12:07,266
happened in the military. Now I'm an

1685
01:12:05,100 --> 01:12:09,567
assistant. And and this pay scale that

1686
01:12:07,266 --> 01:12:12,066
they have for that is if you've been

1687
01:12:09,567 --> 01:12:13,500
driving so many years, if a driver comes

1688
01:12:12,066 --> 01:12:15,433
up and they've been driving 30 plus

1689
01:12:13,500 --> 01:12:18,367
years, 20 plus years, there's a scale

1690
01:12:15,433 --> 01:12:20,000
the HR has that deducts you say, "Oh,

1691
01:12:18,367 --> 01:12:22,533
you're not doing the same job." But why

1692
01:12:20,000 --> 01:12:24,867
does my pay stay the same? I couldn't do

1693
01:12:22,533 --> 01:12:27,433
the same job at HRT. I had to stop

1694
01:12:24,867 --> 01:12:30,367
working, but my pay stayed the same.

1695
01:12:27,433 --> 01:12:32,467
They deducted almost $5 from my pay. My

1696
01:12:30,367 --> 01:12:34,634
bills don't go down. There is actual

1697
01:12:32,467 --> 01:12:37,433
scale that they are using for these

1698
01:12:34,634 --> 01:12:38,867
drivers. It's a it's a it's a deterrent.

1699
01:12:37,433 --> 01:12:41,033
These drivers are these drivers are

1700
01:12:38,867 --> 01:12:42,867
driving sick. They're driving tired.

1701
01:12:41,033 --> 01:12:44,767
They're driving on medication.

1702
01:12:42,867 --> 01:12:46,367
I'm asking some of y'all to come. You

1703
01:12:44,767 --> 01:12:48,133
want to visit other places? Visit the

1704
01:12:46,367 --> 01:12:50,533
school buses. Get on the buses. Dress

1705
01:12:48,133 --> 01:12:52,767
down. Come and and ride with these these

1706
01:12:50,533 --> 01:12:54,233
bus drivers. You got some bus drivers

1707
01:12:52,767 --> 01:12:56,233
that don't need assistants on the bus,

1708
01:12:54,233 --> 01:12:58,000
but the bus is so bad they have to have

1709
01:12:56,233 --> 01:12:59,333
an assistant on the bus. And I'm going

1710
01:12:58,000 --> 01:13:02,300
to tell you something. Two years ago, we

1711
01:12:59,333 --> 01:13:04,066
didn't have 175 drivers down. Now we do.

1712
01:13:02,300 --> 01:13:06,133
If bus drivers like me and assistants

1713
01:13:04,066 --> 01:13:08,233
like me talk to my friends and family,

1714
01:13:06,133 --> 01:13:09,734
we all talk to the community. You're not

1715
01:13:08,233 --> 01:13:11,433
going to get no bus drivers in here

1716
01:13:09,734 --> 01:13:12,934
until you make the situation right where

1717
01:13:11,433 --> 01:13:15,033
we are right now.

1718
01:13:12,934 --> 01:13:17,033
That's all I'm saying. It's not It's not

1719
01:13:15,033 --> 01:13:19,100
no joke. It's not a hard job because

1720
01:13:17,033 --> 01:13:20,533
we're trained. We're professionals. But

1721
01:13:19,100 --> 01:13:22,133
when you get this dirt that we getting

1722
01:13:20,533 --> 01:13:23,900
on top of us, you think you doing good

1723
01:13:22,133 --> 01:13:25,500
for the community and go back to your

1724
01:13:23,900 --> 01:13:27,266
job and you hearing, "Oh, y'all tired,

1725
01:13:25,500 --> 01:13:29,500
y'all lazy, y'all don't want to work.

1726
01:13:27,266 --> 01:13:32,133
Come to work sick." And then you get an

1727
01:13:29,500 --> 01:13:34,533
addable for coming to work sick. That's

1728
01:13:32,133 --> 01:13:36,367
not right. And retaliation is real. I'm

1729
01:13:34,533 --> 01:13:38,533
telling you, it's real. And if y'all

1730
01:13:36,367 --> 01:13:41,333
don't do something about it, this place

1731
01:13:38,533 --> 01:13:43,900
is going to go virtual. I'm telling you.

1732
01:13:41,333 --> 01:13:45,100
Because around October time, if y'all

1733
01:13:43,900 --> 01:13:47,834
trying if they trying to hold on to that

1734
01:13:45,100 --> 01:13:52,266
doggone bonus until October, you won't

1735
01:13:47,834 --> 01:13:52,266
have no drivers. Thank you.

1736
01:13:55,667 --> 01:14:00,300
Was Miss Day,

1737
01:13:58,233 --> 01:14:03,333
Miss Tamika Gatlin, and she will be

1738
01:14:00,300 --> 01:14:05,033
followed by Miss Kiana Gates.

1739
01:14:03,333 --> 01:14:06,700
Good evening, school board members and

1740
01:14:05,033 --> 01:14:08,133
superintendent. I am here tonight

1741
01:14:06,700 --> 01:14:10,233
because employees and transportation

1742
01:14:08,133 --> 01:14:12,133
department need help. Our concern is

1743
01:14:10,233 --> 01:14:15,433
about the amount of authority and

1744
01:14:12,133 --> 01:14:18,700
control that has been concentrated under

1745
01:14:15,433 --> 01:14:20,233
our current operation supervisor. She

1746
01:14:18,700 --> 01:14:22,367
has served in several positions in

1747
01:14:20,233 --> 01:14:24,133
transportation scheduling manager. She

1748
01:14:22,367 --> 01:14:26,867
had responsibilities involving bus

1749
01:14:24,133 --> 01:14:28,700
driver assistant pay. Special needs

1750
01:14:26,867 --> 01:14:30,634
supervisor. She continues to have

1751
01:14:28,700 --> 01:14:32,467
involvement with our pay. Now as

1752
01:14:30,634 --> 01:14:36,233
operation supervisor, she continues to

1753
01:14:32,467 --> 01:14:39,166
exercise significant control over our

1754
01:14:36,233 --> 01:14:40,934
payroll and related compensations. We

1755
01:14:39,166 --> 01:14:42,467
currently do not have a dedicated

1756
01:14:40,934 --> 01:14:44,700
payroll specialist within

1757
01:14:42,467 --> 01:14:46,367
transportation. Our operation supervisor

1758
01:14:44,700 --> 01:14:48,066
has access to our contracts,

1759
01:14:46,367 --> 01:14:50,066
compensation information, hours, and

1760
01:14:48,066 --> 01:14:53,033
other payroll related information. And

1761
01:14:50,066 --> 01:14:54,533
when I started, we had our own payroll

1762
01:14:53,033 --> 01:14:56,233
department. We did not have any

1763
01:14:54,533 --> 01:14:57,900
supervisor knew how much I made per

1764
01:14:56,233 --> 01:15:02,367
hour. I don't need everybody knowing how

1765
01:14:57,900 --> 01:15:04,934
much I make then. But this goes beyond

1766
01:15:02,367 --> 01:15:06,934
payroll. Experienced supervisors are

1767
01:15:04,934 --> 01:15:09,166
being micromanaged. decisions they make

1768
01:15:06,934 --> 01:15:11,333
can be changed or overwritten. Employees

1769
01:15:09,166 --> 01:15:13,500
are left asking, "What authority do our

1770
01:15:11,333 --> 01:15:15,266
supervisors actually have if virtually

1771
01:15:13,500 --> 01:15:17,033
everything has to be approved by one

1772
01:15:15,266 --> 01:15:18,467
person?" And mind you, they are going by

1773
01:15:17,033 --> 01:15:20,867
the policy that has been written

1774
01:15:18,467 --> 01:15:22,133
already, not what has been. Let's add

1775
01:15:20,867 --> 01:15:25,567
this in because that's what I want to

1776
01:15:22,133 --> 01:15:27,900
do. So, we previously had a handbook

1777
01:15:25,567 --> 01:15:30,634
committee. That process has no longer um

1778
01:15:27,900 --> 01:15:32,233
it's no longer operating as it once did.

1779
01:15:30,634 --> 01:15:34,066
We are concerned that significant

1780
01:15:32,233 --> 01:15:35,734
handbook provisions can be now added,

1781
01:15:34,066 --> 01:15:38,066
removed, or changed without meaningful

1782
01:15:35,734 --> 01:15:40,367
employee involvement. We are also being

1783
01:15:38,066 --> 01:15:42,634
told about changes involving overtime,

1784
01:15:40,367 --> 01:15:44,634
holiday compensation, and our ability to

1785
01:15:42,634 --> 01:15:46,233
accept additional work. For example,

1786
01:15:44,634 --> 01:15:48,467
drivers are restricted from certain

1787
01:15:46,233 --> 01:15:50,066
combinations of assignments. If we are

1788
01:15:48,467 --> 01:15:52,467
athletic drivers, we cannot have a

1789
01:15:50,066 --> 01:15:53,667
midday, which is the all day midday

1790
01:15:52,467 --> 01:15:56,467
because we are athletic drivers.

1791
01:15:53,667 --> 01:15:57,834
Sometimes our athletics are not u five

1792
01:15:56,467 --> 01:15:59,033
hours in the evening. It's just might be

1793
01:15:57,834 --> 01:16:01,333
taking them home. So, that's just an

1794
01:15:59,033 --> 01:16:02,533
hour. So, we are missed over for a field

1795
01:16:01,333 --> 01:16:04,634
trip, a full day field trip, that's

1796
01:16:02,533 --> 01:16:06,467
extra hours we can have on our check.

1797
01:16:04,634 --> 01:16:08,066
Those decisions affects people's

1798
01:16:06,467 --> 01:16:11,500
livelihoods. So, to break that down,

1799
01:16:08,066 --> 01:16:14,367
approximately if I made $33.19 per hour

1800
01:16:11,500 --> 01:16:17,500
at 32.5 hour contract spread across our

1801
01:16:14,367 --> 01:16:20,367
current 11month structure, our amount is

1802
01:16:17,500 --> 01:16:24,000
approximately $3,530

1803
01:16:20,367 --> 01:16:27,166
in gross monthly pay based on 106 hours

1804
01:16:24,000 --> 01:16:28,934
per month. That is before taxes. That's

1805
01:16:27,166 --> 01:16:30,533
ins before insurance, retirement,

1806
01:16:28,934 --> 01:16:32,233
housing, utilities, transportation,

1807
01:16:30,533 --> 01:16:34,133
food, and everything else that takes

1808
01:16:32,233 --> 01:16:36,066
support in a household. We are not

1809
01:16:34,133 --> 01:16:37,667
asking to work illegally or unsafeely.

1810
01:16:36,066 --> 01:16:39,100
We're asking why employees are being

1811
01:16:37,667 --> 01:16:43,266
prevented from accepting otherwise

1812
01:16:39,100 --> 01:16:45,166
available work with um within safety and

1813
01:16:43,266 --> 01:16:47,166
legal requirements. But my biggest

1814
01:16:45,166 --> 01:16:48,867
concern tonight is accountability. When

1815
01:16:47,166 --> 01:16:50,767
employees attempt to concerns about the

1816
01:16:48,867 --> 01:16:53,834
operation um supervisor, we are often

1817
01:16:50,767 --> 01:16:55,567
sent directly back to her. How can

1818
01:16:53,834 --> 01:16:57,333
employees receive independent review of

1819
01:16:55,567 --> 01:16:59,033
our complaint when we are sent back to

1820
01:16:57,333 --> 01:17:01,166
the same individual whose decisions are

1821
01:16:59,033 --> 01:17:02,533
we are questioning? So tonight I'm

1822
01:17:01,166 --> 01:17:05,734
asking this board not to simply just

1823
01:17:02,533 --> 01:17:06,867
send complaint back to transportation.

1824
01:17:05,734 --> 01:17:09,900
Thank you.

1825
01:17:06,867 --> 01:17:12,000
Thank you.

1826
01:17:09,900 --> 01:17:15,767
Miss Tiana Gates will be followed by

1827
01:17:12,000 --> 01:17:15,767
Miss Natalia Brown.

1828
01:17:19,433 --> 01:17:23,900
Good afternoon. My name is Kiona Gates

1829
01:17:21,734 --> 01:17:26,700
and I have four children that attend

1830
01:17:23,900 --> 01:17:29,667
Newport News public schools. Um the

1831
01:17:26,700 --> 01:17:31,433
first, he's five, he goes to Sanford. He

1832
01:17:29,667 --> 01:17:33,567
um is enrolled in the before and after

1833
01:17:31,433 --> 01:17:36,300
school program. So he has a bus that

1834
01:17:33,567 --> 01:17:39,333
takes him to another site in the morning

1835
01:17:36,300 --> 01:17:41,433
and then um or takes him to school from

1836
01:17:39,333 --> 01:17:43,333
that site and then takes him to another

1837
01:17:41,433 --> 01:17:45,834
site in the afternoon. I have my

1838
01:17:43,333 --> 01:17:47,166
10-year-old who's at Deer Park and his

1839
01:17:45,834 --> 01:17:49,266
before and after school program is

1840
01:17:47,166 --> 01:17:51,500
located on site so he doesn't need a

1841
01:17:49,266 --> 01:17:53,667
bus. Now, my two oldest children,

1842
01:17:51,500 --> 01:17:56,934
they're um 10th and 11th grade at

1843
01:17:53,667 --> 01:18:01,100
Woodside. Um we recently had to move in

1844
01:17:56,934 --> 01:18:05,333
with my parents and um so their bus stop

1845
01:18:01,100 --> 01:18:07,100
is a longer walk, way longer compared to

1846
01:18:05,333 --> 01:18:10,000
like

1847
01:18:07,100 --> 01:18:13,266
um 1 minute or less where we lived at

1848
01:18:10,000 --> 01:18:14,700
before. Now it's 12 minutes and they are

1849
01:18:13,266 --> 01:18:16,300
both in the magnet program. I'm trying

1850
01:18:14,700 --> 01:18:19,166
to keep them stable in the same school.

1851
01:18:16,300 --> 01:18:22,767
They're doing good. But um I brought

1852
01:18:19,166 --> 01:18:24,300
this issue up on August 21st first. It

1853
01:18:22,767 --> 01:18:26,767
started with me contacting

1854
01:18:24,300 --> 01:18:30,066
transportation and they told me that I

1855
01:18:26,767 --> 01:18:33,900
had to contact their school so that they

1856
01:18:30,066 --> 01:18:37,100
could initiate some kind of um bus stop

1857
01:18:33,900 --> 01:18:41,433
location change or whatever. And so when

1858
01:18:37,100 --> 01:18:44,634
I um I emailed I contacted the school

1859
01:18:41,433 --> 01:18:47,500
and they said no that wasn't right that

1860
01:18:44,634 --> 01:18:49,500
I had to contact transportation. So

1861
01:18:47,500 --> 01:18:51,333
anyways I sent an email cuz I like to

1862
01:18:49,500 --> 01:18:53,433
get everything in writing so there's no

1863
01:18:51,333 --> 01:18:55,567
room for misinterpretation.

1864
01:18:53,433 --> 01:18:57,834
Um and it still hasn't been resolved to

1865
01:18:55,567 --> 01:19:00,533
this day. Most recently I came here

1866
01:18:57,834 --> 01:19:02,300
Friday on my day off and I spoke to a

1867
01:19:00,533 --> 01:19:05,166
lady in the front. I can't remember her

1868
01:19:02,300 --> 01:19:09,166
name, but she gave me a Miss Angela

1869
01:19:05,166 --> 01:19:14,934
Cider's information. Um, I emailed her

1870
01:19:09,166 --> 01:19:17,033
and um, Mr. Fairheart on Sunday and, you

1871
01:19:14,934 --> 01:19:18,867
know, I gave them some time to respond.

1872
01:19:17,033 --> 01:19:20,467
Today, as of this afternoon, I did a

1873
01:19:18,867 --> 01:19:22,533
follow-up. I didn't hear anything back.

1874
01:19:20,467 --> 01:19:24,300
So, I figured my next best step was to

1875
01:19:22,533 --> 01:19:26,700
just come here. So, the reason why this

1876
01:19:24,300 --> 01:19:28,233
is an issue is because, yes, I know

1877
01:19:26,700 --> 01:19:30,000
they're older. They're teenagers, but

1878
01:19:28,233 --> 01:19:32,300
they're still my babies. It's dark

1879
01:19:30,000 --> 01:19:34,000
outside in the morning and we have some

1880
01:19:32,300 --> 01:19:36,066
kind of wild fox running around that

1881
01:19:34,000 --> 01:19:38,367
animal control won't do anything about

1882
01:19:36,066 --> 01:19:40,467
and I drive them to the bus stop right

1883
01:19:38,367 --> 01:19:42,767
now because it's a 12-minute walk and

1884
01:19:40,467 --> 01:19:44,634
it's very dark. But obviously I'm about

1885
01:19:42,767 --> 01:19:46,700
to have a baby next month. So I won't be

1886
01:19:44,634 --> 01:19:49,433
able to do that in the morning. Um my

1887
01:19:46,700 --> 01:19:53,433
mom does pick them up in the afternoon

1888
01:19:49,433 --> 01:19:55,266
but she's going to be um she is going to

1889
01:19:53,433 --> 01:19:57,734
be helping me with the baby and she gets

1890
01:19:55,266 --> 01:20:00,066
migraines. She's a disabled vet, so I

1891
01:19:57,734 --> 01:20:03,667
really don't want to put that on her.

1892
01:20:00,066 --> 01:20:06,233
Um, so I am asking that their bus stop

1893
01:20:03,667 --> 01:20:09,567
be their bus stop location be changed,

1894
01:20:06,233 --> 01:20:12,300
made a little closer. Um, even just

1895
01:20:09,567 --> 01:20:15,033
having the six minute walk, half of that

1896
01:20:12,300 --> 01:20:16,867
would be um better and I would know,

1897
01:20:15,033 --> 01:20:19,033
okay, my babies are getting to the bus

1898
01:20:16,867 --> 01:20:20,133
stop safely. Like I said, I don't care

1899
01:20:19,033 --> 01:20:22,066
that they're in high school. They're

1900
01:20:20,133 --> 01:20:24,634
still my children, and their safety is a

1901
01:20:22,066 --> 01:20:26,233
priority. So, and for somebody to just

1902
01:20:24,634 --> 01:20:29,467
respond

1903
01:20:26,233 --> 01:20:29,467
Thank you.

1904
01:20:34,867 --> 01:20:39,166
We will now Oh, I'm sorry. You have one

1905
01:20:37,734 --> 01:20:43,266
more. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. Go ahead.

1906
01:20:39,166 --> 01:20:46,767
Sorry. Hello. My name is Nata Brown. Um,

1907
01:20:43,266 --> 01:20:48,867
I was not intending on speaking today. I

1908
01:20:46,767 --> 01:20:51,834
was this is my first meeting and I

1909
01:20:48,867 --> 01:20:54,000
wanted to come and network and learn

1910
01:20:51,834 --> 01:20:55,734
about what was going on in my community

1911
01:20:54,000 --> 01:20:59,100
with my school district that my children

1912
01:20:55,734 --> 01:21:02,233
are in. And everything that I have

1913
01:20:59,100 --> 01:21:05,166
learned here has completely matched my

1914
01:21:02,233 --> 01:21:08,300
experience and disheartened me because

1915
01:21:05,166 --> 01:21:11,033
it has been atrocious. The communication

1916
01:21:08,300 --> 01:21:12,300
that I have had the past year that my

1917
01:21:11,033 --> 01:21:14,367
children have been in the school,

1918
01:21:12,300 --> 01:21:17,033
including the beginning of this year,

1919
01:21:14,367 --> 01:21:20,634
has been non-existent. The only way that

1920
01:21:17,033 --> 01:21:23,100
I am able to get things done is with

1921
01:21:20,634 --> 01:21:24,634
threats of escalation or actual

1922
01:21:23,100 --> 01:21:27,100
escalation.

1923
01:21:24,634 --> 01:21:30,133
It's happening to your employees and

1924
01:21:27,100 --> 01:21:31,834
it's happening to the parents.

1925
01:21:30,133 --> 01:21:34,867
That is not the way a school district

1926
01:21:31,834 --> 01:21:37,567
should be run. That is not the way that

1927
01:21:34,867 --> 01:21:40,233
children are taken care of. Hearing that

1928
01:21:37,567 --> 01:21:42,700
there are administrators lying to

1929
01:21:40,233 --> 01:21:45,333
employees and parents and feeling that

1930
01:21:42,700 --> 01:21:47,333
on our end, how can we trust that the

1931
01:21:45,333 --> 01:21:49,900
district is taking care of our students

1932
01:21:47,333 --> 01:21:53,567
and keeping them safe if the adults that

1933
01:21:49,900 --> 01:21:56,700
are charged with that task are not safe?

1934
01:21:53,567 --> 01:22:01,166
If they're not trusted, a trusted adult

1935
01:21:56,700 --> 01:22:04,133
has integrity. And if I as a parent am

1936
01:22:01,166 --> 01:22:06,700
feeling that, your employees are feeling

1937
01:22:04,133 --> 01:22:08,300
that, the students are feeling that. And

1938
01:22:06,700 --> 01:22:12,300
that's not a proper educational

1939
01:22:08,300 --> 01:22:14,700
environment. So with that being said, I

1940
01:22:12,300 --> 01:22:16,700
urge this district to look at how you're

1941
01:22:14,700 --> 01:22:18,700
communicating with your staff, your

1942
01:22:16,700 --> 01:22:22,533
parents, your students, because we're

1943
01:22:18,700 --> 01:22:25,834
all feeling the lack of it. and it it's

1944
01:22:22,533 --> 01:22:28,934
not the way to engage in your community

1945
01:22:25,834 --> 01:22:30,634
and have successful relationships.

1946
01:22:28,934 --> 01:22:33,867
That's all I have to say.

1947
01:22:30,634 --> 01:22:33,867
Thank you.

1948
01:22:35,100 --> 01:22:39,333
We will now move to matters by the

1949
01:22:37,266 --> 01:22:41,166
school board and we will begin with our

1950
01:22:39,333 --> 01:22:43,667
student representative.

1951
01:22:41,166 --> 01:22:44,934
Uh thank you madam chair. I guess the

1952
01:22:43,667 --> 01:22:46,467
first thing I want to say, I'll be the

1953
01:22:44,934 --> 01:22:49,033
first person to say the first few weeks

1954
01:22:46,467 --> 01:22:51,734
of school, most crazy, most hectic time

1955
01:22:49,033 --> 01:22:53,734
time ever. But I'm really glad to see

1956
01:22:51,734 --> 01:22:55,567
that you all are still here. And even

1957
01:22:53,734 --> 01:22:57,033
when we face these hectic times, I'll

1958
01:22:55,567 --> 01:22:59,033
kind of echo what Miss Alger was saying

1959
01:22:57,033 --> 01:23:00,066
earlier. We face these hectic times in

1960
01:22:59,033 --> 01:23:02,133
the first few weeks of school, but yet

1961
01:23:00,066 --> 01:23:03,834
we still all make time to be here and to

1962
01:23:02,133 --> 01:23:05,100
address our concerns. And what's at the

1963
01:23:03,834 --> 01:23:06,533
heart of our concerns, no matter what

1964
01:23:05,100 --> 01:23:08,367
they are, is our students. And I really

1965
01:23:06,533 --> 01:23:10,133
want to make sure that we focus on that.

1966
01:23:08,367 --> 01:23:11,900
Um, I also want to give a big

1967
01:23:10,133 --> 01:23:13,900
congratulations to Hopton on taking his

1968
01:23:11,900 --> 01:23:15,433
oath. Um, I've served on stage with

1969
01:23:13,900 --> 01:23:17,166
Hopton these past years and I've gotten

1970
01:23:15,433 --> 01:23:19,266
to know him fairly well, but the one

1971
01:23:17,166 --> 01:23:20,634
thing that I know for certain is that

1972
01:23:19,266 --> 01:23:22,767
he's going to do a great job in this

1973
01:23:20,634 --> 01:23:24,533
role and I can't wait to work with him

1974
01:23:22,767 --> 01:23:26,300
um, in SAGE and then also addressing

1975
01:23:24,533 --> 01:23:29,033
matters by the board and discussing them

1976
01:23:26,300 --> 01:23:30,867
on a student to student basis. Um,

1977
01:23:29,033 --> 01:23:32,467
speaking of SAGE, the student advisory

1978
01:23:30,867 --> 01:23:34,467
group on education is now accepting

1979
01:23:32,467 --> 01:23:36,000
applications. They're available with the

1980
01:23:34,467 --> 01:23:37,667
student support specialists within each

1981
01:23:36,000 --> 01:23:40,133
high school and applications are due

1982
01:23:37,667 --> 01:23:41,900
Wednesday, September 23rd. And I want to

1983
01:23:40,133 --> 01:23:44,233
invite all students who are interested

1984
01:23:41,900 --> 01:23:47,266
in applying, feel free do so. It's a

1985
01:23:44,233 --> 01:23:49,033
great time. I love it. Um, I also want

1986
01:23:47,266 --> 01:23:51,500
to share this past weekend I had the

1987
01:23:49,033 --> 01:23:53,500
honor to attend an event, the Peninsula

1988
01:23:51,500 --> 01:23:54,767
Walk for Compassion. It was hosted by

1989
01:23:53,500 --> 01:23:56,233
the Youth Volunteer Corp of Hampton

1990
01:23:54,767 --> 01:23:58,867
Roads and I found that it was a really

1991
01:23:56,233 --> 01:24:01,266
excellent opportunity to honor the um

1992
01:23:58,867 --> 01:24:02,767
lives lost during 911.

1993
01:24:01,266 --> 01:24:04,300
And beyond just the event being

1994
01:24:02,767 --> 01:24:06,066
wonderful, the organization, the Youth

1995
01:24:04,300 --> 01:24:07,900
Volunteer Corps, is really truly such a

1996
01:24:06,066 --> 01:24:09,333
wonderful organization. I've had the

1997
01:24:07,900 --> 01:24:11,500
honor to work with them for many years

1998
01:24:09,333 --> 01:24:12,867
now, and I would encourage you all to

1999
01:24:11,500 --> 01:24:15,333
look into it because they provide so

2000
01:24:12,867 --> 01:24:16,700
many opportunities um for students all

2001
01:24:15,333 --> 01:24:18,233
across Hampton Roads, but specifically

2002
01:24:16,700 --> 01:24:19,500
in Newport News through the service

2003
01:24:18,233 --> 01:24:21,100
through Steam program. It's really just

2004
01:24:19,500 --> 01:24:23,033
a wonderful organization and I really

2005
01:24:21,100 --> 01:24:25,266
want you all to be able to look into it

2006
01:24:23,033 --> 01:24:27,667
and see how amazing they are. And

2007
01:24:25,266 --> 01:24:29,266
lastly, um on a light note, I'm excited

2008
01:24:27,667 --> 01:24:31,166
for the Demi Day parade this weekend. I

2009
01:24:29,266 --> 01:24:34,333
hope to see you all there. It'll be a

2010
01:24:31,166 --> 01:24:34,333
great time.

2011
01:24:34,767 --> 01:24:39,367
Thank you, Mr. Hunter.

2012
01:24:39,667 --> 01:24:43,834
Mr. Brown,

2013
01:24:42,233 --> 01:24:45,567
I'll make up.

2014
01:24:43,834 --> 01:24:49,100
You don't have to.

2015
01:24:45,567 --> 01:24:52,700
I know. I know. But I but I'd like to

2016
01:24:49,100 --> 01:24:55,834
uh No, I I won't take a lot of time this

2017
01:24:52,700 --> 01:24:58,133
evening. A couple of announcements that

2018
01:24:55,834 --> 01:24:59,567
community as we've talked a lot about

2019
01:24:58,133 --> 01:25:02,133
our transportation that's been something

2020
01:24:59,567 --> 01:25:04,767
on uh top of mind for the board uh for

2021
01:25:02,133 --> 01:25:07,266
the last you know year uh or more uh

2022
01:25:04,767 --> 01:25:09,033
actually multiple years uh has been a

2023
01:25:07,266 --> 01:25:11,100
top of mind where the board is

2024
01:25:09,033 --> 01:25:12,767
undertaking our efficiency study uh and

2025
01:25:11,100 --> 01:25:15,500
looking at all of our routes and all of

2026
01:25:12,767 --> 01:25:18,634
our zones. There is going to be uh

2027
01:25:15,500 --> 01:25:21,500
September 29th at Warick High School 6

2028
01:25:18,634 --> 01:25:24,133
to 8:00 PM community session to uh

2029
01:25:21,500 --> 01:25:26,467
review our transportation, our uh you

2030
01:25:24,133 --> 01:25:29,734
facilities and and our the use of our

2031
01:25:26,467 --> 01:25:31,266
facilities uh on September 29th. If you

2032
01:25:29,734 --> 01:25:32,867
can't make that one, there's also one as

2033
01:25:31,266 --> 01:25:35,734
well September 30th right at Woodside

2034
01:25:32,867 --> 01:25:37,100
High School, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Uh

2035
01:25:35,734 --> 01:25:39,333
that'll be in the north uh district

2036
01:25:37,100 --> 01:25:42,367
area. And then as well uh October the

2037
01:25:39,333 --> 01:25:44,233
1st uh at Heritage High School 6-8 PM.

2038
01:25:42,367 --> 01:25:46,467
So each one of these 6:00 to 8 PM. So

2039
01:25:44,233 --> 01:25:49,433
please uh I just implore the community

2040
01:25:46,467 --> 01:25:50,867
to uh make your voice heard because this

2041
01:25:49,433 --> 01:25:53,266
is where we're taking this additional

2042
01:25:50,867 --> 01:25:54,700
time this year uh to do this efficiency

2043
01:25:53,266 --> 01:25:56,066
study. Look at all of our facilities.

2044
01:25:54,700 --> 01:25:57,500
Look at our transportation. Look at all

2045
01:25:56,066 --> 01:25:59,500
of our zones for all of our schools.

2046
01:25:57,500 --> 01:26:01,834
Look at how we're doing transportation

2047
01:25:59,500 --> 01:26:03,433
uh through the uh the entire division.

2048
01:26:01,834 --> 01:26:04,867
And uh these are the opportunities to

2049
01:26:03,433 --> 01:26:06,634
have your voice heard and actually to

2050
01:26:04,867 --> 01:26:08,367
hear what the study is about, what the

2051
01:26:06,634 --> 01:26:10,300
what they've discovered and what the

2052
01:26:08,367 --> 01:26:12,300
analysis is showing. So I hope that you

2053
01:26:10,300 --> 01:26:14,367
are able to uh take advantage of those

2054
01:26:12,300 --> 01:26:17,834
dates and uh and to come out to those

2055
01:26:14,367 --> 01:26:19,033
events and as well this week uh tomorrow

2056
01:26:17,834 --> 01:26:20,300
actually be going to the legislative

2057
01:26:19,033 --> 01:26:21,734
advocacy conference for the Virginia

2058
01:26:20,300 --> 01:26:23,266
School Board Association. Looking

2059
01:26:21,734 --> 01:26:25,433
forward to learning about the session

2060
01:26:23,266 --> 01:26:28,000
that's coming up just as we learned uh

2061
01:26:25,433 --> 01:26:29,667
you know things affect us, right? We we

2062
01:26:28,000 --> 01:26:31,100
talked about you know so hey one of the

2063
01:26:29,667 --> 01:26:32,934
things came up tonight. Where's the pay?

2064
01:26:31,100 --> 01:26:35,100
Well, when the general assembly doesn't

2065
01:26:32,934 --> 01:26:36,700
pass their budget and then when the

2066
01:26:35,100 --> 01:26:38,300
budget is held up and then when the

2067
01:26:36,700 --> 01:26:39,734
school board can't has to vote on the

2068
01:26:38,300 --> 01:26:40,867
budget twice and we haven't had the

2069
01:26:39,734 --> 01:26:42,233
budget approved and the city council

2070
01:26:40,867 --> 01:26:43,900
hasn't appropriated the money for the

2071
01:26:42,233 --> 01:26:45,500
budget yet, then there's your money.

2072
01:26:43,900 --> 01:26:47,266
That's that's where the money went for

2073
01:26:45,500 --> 01:26:48,700
the bonuses and the raises why that we

2074
01:26:47,266 --> 01:26:51,266
don't have the money yet and we're we're

2075
01:26:48,700 --> 01:26:53,333
waiting on that. So, uh working with our

2076
01:26:51,266 --> 01:26:56,233
legislature legislators and making sure

2077
01:26:53,333 --> 01:26:58,000
that um uh because the public doesn't

2078
01:26:56,233 --> 01:26:59,900
necessarily understand or hear that, but

2079
01:26:58,000 --> 01:27:02,233
making sure that they hear that. uh when

2080
01:26:59,900 --> 01:27:04,066
I uh talk to them in the sessions uh

2081
01:27:02,233 --> 01:27:05,834
this year, I'm going to be be imploring

2082
01:27:04,066 --> 01:27:07,667
them that uh you know it does affect us

2083
01:27:05,834 --> 01:27:08,934
locally uh that they really need to do

2084
01:27:07,667 --> 01:27:11,166
their job and do their job on time

2085
01:27:08,934 --> 01:27:12,934
because the budgets have to go on time

2086
01:27:11,166 --> 01:27:15,100
or or the bonus pays and the and the

2087
01:27:12,934 --> 01:27:18,066
escalation pays don't don't happen. Uh

2088
01:27:15,100 --> 01:27:20,133
so that work is important. And then uh

2089
01:27:18,066 --> 01:27:22,467
as well we've it's election season.

2090
01:27:20,133 --> 01:27:23,834
There's going to be an election uh on

2091
01:27:22,467 --> 01:27:26,467
the ballot this year and I hope that

2092
01:27:23,834 --> 01:27:27,567
folks uh uh are in support of it. We're

2093
01:27:26,467 --> 01:27:30,700
going to have our opportunity to do with

2094
01:27:27,567 --> 01:27:33,433
a 1% uh sales tax for real estate. And

2095
01:27:30,700 --> 01:27:35,166
that 1% sales tax that funds our schools

2096
01:27:33,433 --> 01:27:36,934
uh in terms of our construction. It's a

2097
01:27:35,166 --> 01:27:38,767
critical need for us to be able to

2098
01:27:36,934 --> 01:27:40,300
actually fund school construction. We

2099
01:27:38,767 --> 01:27:42,233
haven't been able to really build new

2100
01:27:40,300 --> 01:27:44,133
schools in a long time. And this is an

2101
01:27:42,233 --> 01:27:46,533
opportunity to fund that. That's on the

2102
01:27:44,133 --> 01:27:49,433
ballot. It's taken

2103
01:27:46,533 --> 01:27:50,533
about six years to do that effort um and

2104
01:27:49,433 --> 01:27:52,000
get that on the ballot. So, I really

2105
01:27:50,533 --> 01:27:53,667
want to implore people that it's

2106
01:27:52,000 --> 01:27:55,567
important for you to educate yourself on

2107
01:27:53,667 --> 01:27:58,000
that. look at what that 1% retail sales

2108
01:27:55,567 --> 01:27:59,433
tax offers us. Uh it's a lock box for

2109
01:27:58,000 --> 01:28:01,266
school construction and I hope that

2110
01:27:59,433 --> 01:28:04,233
people support that. And then beyond

2111
01:28:01,266 --> 01:28:05,567
that um that election Oh yeah. No, I

2112
01:28:04,233 --> 01:28:07,433
still got two more minutes. Beyond that

2113
01:28:05,567 --> 01:28:09,500
beyond that election, Mr. Beyond that

2114
01:28:07,433 --> 01:28:12,000
election, uh I'm going to let you I'm

2115
01:28:09,500 --> 01:28:13,734
going let uh this board know uh that uh

2116
01:28:12,000 --> 01:28:15,033
this November during the V Virginia

2117
01:28:13,734 --> 01:28:17,033
School Board Association annual

2118
01:28:15,033 --> 01:28:18,467
convention, I'll be up for election for

2119
01:28:17,033 --> 01:28:20,867
the president of the Virginia School

2120
01:28:18,467 --> 01:28:22,867
Board Association. So informing this

2121
01:28:20,867 --> 01:28:25,867
board that I have been nominated uh for

2122
01:28:22,867 --> 01:28:25,867
that.

2123
01:28:27,333 --> 01:28:30,700
So now you all have been publicly

2124
01:28:28,700 --> 01:28:32,467
notified that I have been uh uh

2125
01:28:30,700 --> 01:28:34,133
nominated for that position and I'll be

2126
01:28:32,467 --> 01:28:36,934
up for election at that at the

2127
01:28:34,133 --> 01:28:39,433
convention in November uh this year. And

2128
01:28:36,934 --> 01:28:40,767
so I'll and lastly with the Denbigh uh

2129
01:28:39,433 --> 01:28:43,100
community day parade, I'm excited about

2130
01:28:40,767 --> 01:28:45,433
that this weekend. Uh excited to see

2131
01:28:43,100 --> 01:28:48,133
hopefully see all of you out there. to

2132
01:28:45,433 --> 01:28:49,667
the young man um who was angry with me

2133
01:28:48,133 --> 01:28:51,667
last weekend at the Southeast Community

2134
01:28:49,667 --> 01:28:54,066
Day parade because I ran out of candy at

2135
01:28:51,667 --> 01:28:57,166
the end. He screamed at me, "Where's my

2136
01:28:54,066 --> 01:28:58,867
candy?" And I told him, "I got you. I

2137
01:28:57,166 --> 01:29:00,634
have I got extra candy. I will have

2138
01:28:58,867 --> 01:29:03,266
candy for you." I told him, "See you

2139
01:29:00,634 --> 01:29:05,567
this weekend. I got you on on candy. I

2140
01:29:03,266 --> 01:29:06,700
will have extra candy for you. And I'm

2141
01:29:05,567 --> 01:29:08,867
I'm loading up. I'll have plenty of

2142
01:29:06,700 --> 01:29:10,000
candy to uh to toss to you uh as we go

2143
01:29:08,867 --> 01:29:11,734
through the Denbigh Day parade." So, I'll

2144
01:29:10,000 --> 01:29:13,100
see you this weekend. And I hope you all

2145
01:29:11,734 --> 01:29:16,233
have a wonderful weekend.

2146
01:29:13,100 --> 01:29:17,667
Thank you, Mr. Brown. Mr. Oaw.

2147
01:29:16,233 --> 01:29:20,300
Okay. So now, oh, now you got something.

2148
01:29:17,667 --> 01:29:21,500
No, no, no. His his time is up.

2149
01:29:20,300 --> 01:29:22,934
Go ahead, Mr. Hunter.

2150
01:29:21,500 --> 01:29:25,567
I just want to make a correction with

2151
01:29:22,934 --> 01:29:27,667
something Mr. Brown said. It's not real

2152
01:29:25,567 --> 01:29:30,000
estate taxes.

2153
01:29:27,667 --> 01:29:32,634
It says sales taxes.

2154
01:29:30,000 --> 01:29:34,634
Okay.

2155
01:29:32,634 --> 01:29:36,767
Thank you.

2156
01:29:34,634 --> 01:29:39,166
I was going to say that.

2157
01:29:36,767 --> 01:29:42,300
Everybody else got

2158
01:29:39,166 --> 01:29:44,367
Exactly. Exactly.

2159
01:29:42,300 --> 01:29:47,266
Well, I I think the one thing that I'd

2160
01:29:44,367 --> 01:29:49,567
like to just um say is I'm just really

2161
01:29:47,266 --> 01:29:52,533
thrilled by the smooth start to school

2162
01:29:49,567 --> 01:29:55,900
that we've had. Um we had the joy of

2163
01:29:52,533 --> 01:30:00,000
hanging out with uh Dr. Mitchell and Dr.

2164
01:29:55,900 --> 01:30:02,934
Rogers and doing 42 schools. I think I

2165
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:06,367
missed three of those. Um and it was

2166
01:30:02,934 --> 01:30:08,767
just it was just exciting to see our

2167
01:30:06,367 --> 01:30:11,900
students back in the buildings. um our

2168
01:30:08,767 --> 01:30:14,700
teachers excited, our administrators

2169
01:30:11,900 --> 01:30:17,900
orchestrating. Um

2170
01:30:14,700 --> 01:30:20,467
I got a lot of calls this year and it

2171
01:30:17,900 --> 01:30:23,734
they weren't negative, they were really

2172
01:30:20,467 --> 01:30:28,133
positive calls and I think so my heart

2173
01:30:23,734 --> 01:30:29,900
is dismayed that our bus drivers had to

2174
01:30:28,133 --> 01:30:32,934
come tonight.

2175
01:30:29,900 --> 01:30:36,634
Um so we've got to figure this out. We

2176
01:30:32,934 --> 01:30:40,700
hear you. Um and what I will say is

2177
01:30:36,634 --> 01:30:43,834
this. uh your professionalism

2178
01:30:40,700 --> 01:30:45,667
um exceeds your frustration and I really

2179
01:30:43,834 --> 01:30:49,333
do appreciate that because the calls

2180
01:30:45,667 --> 01:30:52,700
that I got were like, "Wow, the buses

2181
01:30:49,333 --> 01:30:55,500
were on time. They um are laying the

2182
01:30:52,700 --> 01:30:57,500
rules down. Uh, I know we've had some

2183
01:30:55,500 --> 01:30:59,333
changes and we have to move bus stops

2184
01:30:57,500 --> 01:31:01,333
around and we still, you know, we're

2185
01:30:59,333 --> 01:31:04,634
getting some of the calls from parents

2186
01:31:01,333 --> 01:31:06,700
of I wish my um bus stop was a little

2187
01:31:04,634 --> 01:31:09,500
bit closer, but they've been all

2188
01:31:06,700 --> 01:31:11,433
positive. So, hearing you all this

2189
01:31:09,500 --> 01:31:14,233
evening was important for us. So, thank

2190
01:31:11,433 --> 01:31:16,066
you for coming.

2191
01:31:14,233 --> 01:31:17,166
Thank you, Miss

2192
01:31:16,066 --> 01:31:20,700
Aman.

2193
01:31:17,166 --> 01:31:22,367
Sure. Just a couple things. one, if

2194
01:31:20,700 --> 01:31:24,367
anyone wants to sort of see how our

2195
01:31:22,367 --> 01:31:27,033
capital has or hasn't been funded over

2196
01:31:24,367 --> 01:31:29,266
recent years, a good place to get extra

2197
01:31:27,033 --> 01:31:30,700
information when you've looked at the

2198
01:31:29,266 --> 01:31:32,367
watch the meetings or come to the

2199
01:31:30,700 --> 01:31:34,066
meetings is to actually go to the

2200
01:31:32,367 --> 01:31:35,433
Newport News public schools website, go

2201
01:31:34,066 --> 01:31:37,433
to leadership and school board and

2202
01:31:35,433 --> 01:31:39,333
you'll see a link for school board

2203
01:31:37,433 --> 01:31:42,233
meeting agendas. That will take you to

2204
01:31:39,333 --> 01:31:44,934
another site and you'll see um handouts

2205
01:31:42,233 --> 01:31:47,333
or presentations. So earlier this

2206
01:31:44,934 --> 01:31:49,734
evening, our working session was a

2207
01:31:47,333 --> 01:31:53,734
presentation of the next round of our

2208
01:31:49,734 --> 01:31:56,533
capital funding request to city council

2209
01:31:53,734 --> 01:31:58,300
regardless of the sales tax. Um, but you

2210
01:31:56,533 --> 01:32:00,634
can see in that presentation is a great

2211
01:31:58,300 --> 01:32:02,467
history of how we've been you've done

2212
01:32:00,634 --> 01:32:04,934
our research seen what's going to need

2213
01:32:02,467 --> 01:32:06,367
to be done when and requested over the

2214
01:32:04,934 --> 01:32:08,467
years and what has and hasn't been

2215
01:32:06,367 --> 01:32:10,634
approved. So I think it's it's um

2216
01:32:08,467 --> 01:32:12,300
instructive to see you know what we've

2217
01:32:10,634 --> 01:32:15,033
known we've needed to do and where we

2218
01:32:12,300 --> 01:32:17,266
are now. Um, so that's just a great

2219
01:32:15,033 --> 01:32:19,834
resource for information. And then I'll

2220
01:32:17,266 --> 01:32:21,667
just as a fellow parent, we're all back

2221
01:32:19,834 --> 01:32:23,266
in school. Encourage all parents kind of

2222
01:32:21,667 --> 01:32:24,934
keep up with your kids on parent view.

2223
01:32:23,266 --> 01:32:27,100
It's a good way to keep things from

2224
01:32:24,934 --> 01:32:28,700
getting too far away um when it's hard

2225
01:32:27,100 --> 01:32:30,467
to get the grades back. I'm a big

2226
01:32:28,700 --> 01:32:31,900
believer and as my kids get older, I try

2227
01:32:30,467 --> 01:32:34,767
to let them do more and more on their

2228
01:32:31,900 --> 01:32:36,767
own, but a little less frequently, a

2229
01:32:34,767 --> 01:32:38,934
little bit of a a check. So, it's it's

2230
01:32:36,767 --> 01:32:40,367
kind of a great way. And if um you're

2231
01:32:38,934 --> 01:32:42,634
wondering what you can do to help our

2232
01:32:40,367 --> 01:32:44,867
schools do better as a parent, you get

2233
01:32:42,634 --> 01:32:47,433
involved with the local PTA, call the

2234
01:32:44,867 --> 01:32:49,100
principal, have him or her connect you.

2235
01:32:47,433 --> 01:32:50,467
You would be shocked at how few people

2236
01:32:49,100 --> 01:32:53,166
get involved in that. And even just

2237
01:32:50,467 --> 01:32:54,934
moral support can mean the world to um

2238
01:32:53,166 --> 01:32:58,300
to a school and its leadership and its

2239
01:32:54,934 --> 01:33:03,066
employees and teachers and staff. So,

2240
01:32:58,300 --> 01:33:03,066
thank you, Miss Harris.

2241
01:33:03,100 --> 01:33:08,634
Everything has been said. Just wanted to

2242
01:33:05,500 --> 01:33:11,900
um thank uh everyone for coming out to

2243
01:33:08,634 --> 01:33:14,133
the uh Southeast Day parade. That was a

2244
01:33:11,900 --> 01:33:15,834
great time and seeing all of the school

2245
01:33:14,133 --> 01:33:20,066
um representation out there. I think

2246
01:33:15,834 --> 01:33:21,834
there were 100 plus uh parade numbers

2247
01:33:20,066 --> 01:33:24,066
that I saw that were given out for

2248
01:33:21,834 --> 01:33:26,133
different groups um and organizations

2249
01:33:24,066 --> 01:33:28,367
that came out. Um and also looking

2250
01:33:26,133 --> 01:33:31,166
forward to the Denbigh Day parade, my side

2251
01:33:28,367 --> 01:33:34,934
of town. Uh so I have to get through all

2252
01:33:31,166 --> 01:33:37,100
the traffic. Um, but I I wanted to um uh

2253
01:33:34,934 --> 01:33:40,533
with with my colleague uh uh Miss

2254
01:33:37,100 --> 01:33:44,133
Surles law uh also commend our drivers are

2255
01:33:40,533 --> 01:33:47,667
our our for coming out and and um using

2256
01:33:44,133 --> 01:33:50,300
your voice and um just want to say keep

2257
01:33:47,667 --> 01:33:52,867
showing up until you don't have to. Um

2258
01:33:50,300 --> 01:33:56,367
definitely respect um what you all do. I

2259
01:33:52,867 --> 01:33:58,300
have two students myself that attend um

2260
01:33:56,367 --> 01:34:00,767
Newport News public schools. So they're

2261
01:33:58,300 --> 01:34:03,166
on those buses. Um they're on that those

2262
01:34:00,767 --> 01:34:05,667
athletic buses. They both play sports.

2263
01:34:03,166 --> 01:34:07,500
Um so they interface with with drivers.

2264
01:34:05,667 --> 01:34:10,000
We need you because I live in Norfol and

2265
01:34:07,500 --> 01:34:14,000
it took me five hours to get home. Um

2266
01:34:10,000 --> 01:34:16,767
yesterday. Um yes, I work in Norfol. Oh

2267
01:34:14,000 --> 01:34:18,867
yes, I work I work in Norfolk.

2268
01:34:16,767 --> 01:34:22,467
Yes.

2269
01:34:18,867 --> 01:34:25,734
Yes. Um so uh thanks for taking my son

2270
01:34:22,467 --> 01:34:30,000
home from basketball practice. Um so

2271
01:34:25,734 --> 01:34:33,233
yeah, that's all that I have.

2272
01:34:30,000 --> 01:34:33,233
Miss Alger,

2273
01:34:33,500 --> 01:34:39,033
mine is quite simple. Holton, uh, Mr.

2274
01:34:36,634 --> 01:34:42,467
Bailey, congratulations. Thank you so

2275
01:34:39,033 --> 01:34:44,233
much, uh, for choosing to serve. Uh, I

2276
01:34:42,467 --> 01:34:47,834
think that's really big. And, uh,

2277
01:34:44,233 --> 01:34:50,300
Cameron, thank you as well. Um, and for

2278
01:34:47,834 --> 01:34:53,567
our bus drivers, uh, I know it takes

2279
01:34:50,300 --> 01:34:57,500
courage, um, you know, to to say

2280
01:34:53,567 --> 01:35:00,233
something. Um, please know that you, you

2281
01:34:57,500 --> 01:35:03,433
know, we always listen in terms of

2282
01:35:00,233 --> 01:35:05,834
hearing out, uh, you know, what's going

2283
01:35:03,433 --> 01:35:08,467
on. At the same time, let's continue to

2284
01:35:05,834 --> 01:35:10,934
work on building relationships. Uh, this

2285
01:35:08,467 --> 01:35:13,834
is something that I continue to to talk

2286
01:35:10,934 --> 01:35:16,133
about. Um, because with change comes

2287
01:35:13,834 --> 01:35:18,133
that building of relationships. And I

2288
01:35:16,133 --> 01:35:21,100
will say this, I went out to the

2289
01:35:18,133 --> 01:35:23,100
schools, asked intentionally, you know,

2290
01:35:21,100 --> 01:35:25,433
how did it go in terms of the first week

2291
01:35:23,100 --> 01:35:28,934
with the buses and I must say that it

2292
01:35:25,433 --> 01:35:32,066
was quite positive. So, thank you.

2293
01:35:28,934 --> 01:35:34,934
Thank you. And so, I'm going to end with

2294
01:35:32,066 --> 01:35:37,834
a little bit of history. say, so on this

2295
01:35:34,934 --> 01:35:39,567
day um in 1963,

2296
01:35:37,834 --> 01:35:42,133
there was a church that was bombed in

2297
01:35:39,567 --> 01:35:45,433
Birmingham, Alabama, and four little

2298
01:35:42,133 --> 01:35:48,300
black girls were killed and 22 um

2299
01:35:45,433 --> 01:35:50,634
members of that church were injured. And

2300
01:35:48,300 --> 01:35:53,033
if you recall, at that time in the

2301
01:35:50,634 --> 01:35:56,000
country, there was quite a bit going on.

2302
01:35:53,033 --> 01:35:59,100
Um struggle for civil rights, a lot of

2303
01:35:56,000 --> 01:36:02,066
um divisiveness, and just just quite a

2304
01:35:59,100 --> 01:36:04,634
bit going on. And if we think about

2305
01:36:02,066 --> 01:36:08,233
where we are today, there's quite a bit

2306
01:36:04,634 --> 01:36:11,266
going on. But in spite of that, because

2307
01:36:08,233 --> 01:36:14,533
people continue to take advantage of the

2308
01:36:11,266 --> 01:36:17,033
rights that are um provided to them in

2309
01:36:14,533 --> 01:36:18,934
um our constitutional amendments. And so

2310
01:36:17,033 --> 01:36:21,900
we can speak up such as like the bus

2311
01:36:18,934 --> 01:36:23,734
drivers did today. We can be um we can

2312
01:36:21,900 --> 01:36:26,467
agree to disagree and we can be

2313
01:36:23,734 --> 01:36:28,934
courteous to one another.

2314
01:36:26,467 --> 01:36:31,266
And although we have troubles in this

2315
01:36:28,934 --> 01:36:33,266
country, I still say it's the greatest

2316
01:36:31,266 --> 01:36:36,000
country in the world. I I I believe

2317
01:36:33,266 --> 01:36:38,300
that. And so I'm just going to ask us to

2318
01:36:36,000 --> 01:36:40,700
continue to work together, to continue

2319
01:36:38,300 --> 01:36:43,433
to stand up what it is for you um

2320
01:36:40,700 --> 01:36:46,233
believe in in a respectful way and just

2321
01:36:43,433 --> 01:36:50,300
be extra nice because this political um

2322
01:36:46,233 --> 01:36:52,934
season is just not getting pretty. And

2323
01:36:50,300 --> 01:36:54,634
so for tonight though um it's it's all

2324
01:36:52,934 --> 01:36:57,033
about the children. It's all about the

2325
01:36:54,634 --> 01:36:58,700
children. And in 1963,

2326
01:36:57,033 --> 01:37:01,900
um, four little black girls gave their

2327
01:36:58,700 --> 01:37:03,900
lives, um, fighting so for the struggle

2328
01:37:01,900 --> 01:37:05,500
of civil rights. So for those of us that

2329
01:37:03,900 --> 01:37:07,333
still have our children with us, our

2330
01:37:05,500 --> 01:37:09,567
parents with us, just hug them a little

2331
01:37:07,333 --> 01:37:12,133
closer and just value the things that

2332
01:37:09,567 --> 01:37:14,300
are um, important in our community and

2333
01:37:12,133 --> 01:37:16,066
educating and and making our children

2334
01:37:14,300 --> 01:37:18,000
better so we can continue to make this

2335
01:37:16,066 --> 01:37:20,867
country better is is what it's all

2336
01:37:18,000 --> 01:37:24,266
about. So with that being said, this

2337
01:37:20,867 --> 01:37:24,266
meeting is adjourned.