Summary of 10/26/2023 School Board Meeting

Meeting Open: 

• Ms. Diaz-Torres opened the meeting. Williamsburg Middle School recognized for being awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award for Exemplary High-Performing Schools.

 Consent Agenda: 

• What was in the Consent Agenda? – Minutes, Personnel actions, Appointments to School Board Advisory Committees, Revisions to School Board Policy M-7 Extended Day.

• Who made the motion? – Ms. Kadera. Mr. Priddy seconds.

• What was the vote?  – Motion passes 5-0.

Announcements:

• Chair Announcements. – Upcoming meetings: Nov 3 Audit Committee meeting, Nov 8 Policy Subcommittee meeting, Nov 9 closed meeting and SB meeting.

• School Liaison announcements

• Mr. Goldstein - Key welcomed delegation of school members from Charles Co, MD to learn about their dual language program, and educators from Peru.  Randolph - in middle of coin collection to support Path Forward. Nottingham - family STEAM night on Nov. 6, Raise Craze fundraiser, sister school in Uganda.  Carlin Springs - students participating in Book it for Books 5K race. Oakridge - 11th annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 21.

• Ms. Sutton - Attended All-APS Band showcase at Wakefield with Mr. Priddy on Oct. 25.

Superintendent Announcement and Presentation:

• Every Student Counts video: Safety and Security – Prepare, Mitigations, Response, Recovery. 

• 1st annual APS Safety and Emergency Management Week taking place October 31 - November 7. Week to focus, learn more, testing systems, conduct drills, etc.

• Update on Health Benefits - open enrollment continues through Nov. 10. Two more sessions to learn more and receive help: Nov 1 2-6:30pm at Wakefield; Nov 7 2:30-6:30pm at Syphax.  Update for Retirees 65+ only, APS will continue to offer two options–(a) United Health care or (b) Kaiser

• Facility Study and Pre-CIP Update – staff presented the Facilities Condition Assessment report to the School Board during the Committee of the Whole. Report is a systemwide assessment of 41 facilities reviewing major building systems, educational spaces, and common spaces.  The proposal to use Nottingham as swim space will not be included in the 2025-2034 CIP.

• Strategic Plan Update - APS seeking feedback by Nov. 5.

• School and Department Plans for the 2023-24 SY are not posted on APS website.

• Bright Spot: Unity Day Challenge – During Bullying Prevention Month, several MS challenged one another to a contest in the spirit of unity and building community. Theme: Kindness, Inclusion and Acceptance.

Questions:

1. Ms. Sutton - asked about facilities study, what is the immediate next step? Dr. Durán asked Ms. Harber to answer -  Will be coming to the Board on Nov. 9 for CIP direction.

1. Ms. Kadera - clarified categories of facilities projects. Thanked School Safety Coordinators (SSCs). Asked for an explanation on what a table-top exercise is. Ms. Graves responded that administrators will be doing sample run throughs, reviewing procedures.

Public Comment Topics:

1. health insurance 

2. APS teacher – health insurance

3. APS bus driver – health insurance

4. APS staff - job openings 

5. APS teacher - DOT physicals

6. APS teacher – health insurance

7. Todd Truitt (APE) - intensified classes 

8. Parent - Nottingham

9. Parent - Nottingham

10. Parent - Nottingham

11. APS retiree – health insurance

Monitoring Item: None.

Action Item: None.

Information/Action Item 1: Amendment of the FY2024 Adopted Budget.

• Speaker, title, comments: Dr. Mayo - On Sept 14 the general assembly approved the budget for FY24. Expenditures increasing and need $3.4M from reserves. 

• Questions/Discussion:

• Ms. Kadera - Clarify that $2.4M was rec’d by state for All in tutoring. $1.3M was rec’d for compensation adjustment. Also because APS staffs more than minimum requirements, and APS wants to give all employees 2% raise, need more $ than state gives APS. –  Yes. 

• Mr. Goldstein - Clarify that would $1.3M be enough if only the state SOQ positions were funded? – Yes. 

• Ms. Sutton - Q on slide 6 -what is “other changes to school operating funds” in value of $1M? And then on slide 8, the value is much more? 

• Motion by Ms. Diaz-Torres to increase the budget by $8,200,300, new total of $812,593,100, which includes $3M from reserves. Ms. Kadera seconds.

• Comments: Ms. Diaz-Torres - concern about use of reserves. Calls on County Board to support APS staff.

• Ms. Kadera - concern about use of reserves as well. 

• Mr. Goldstein - doesn’t agree with having an Info and Action item combined.

Vote: 4-0 (Yes- Diaz-Torres, Kadera, Priddy; Abstain- Goldstein)

Information Item 1: Deed of Easement and Exhibit B at Cardinal ES for the County Stormwater Facility

• Speaker, title, comments: Cathy Lin, Facilities & Operations - Recommendation is to consent to deed of easement at Cardinal

• Questions/Discussion

• Mr. Goldstein - why is this being asked now? There was an easement request for the construction. This new request is for maintenance and inspection easement for the long term care of the facility. 

Information Item 2: Deed of Easement at Kenmore MS for ART Bus Shelter

• Speaker, title, comments: Cathy Lin - Recommendation is to consent to deed of easement.

• Questions/Discussion

• Mr. Priddy - asked if there is a bus stop on the other side of the street? Yes - but that serves the northbound traffic. The new stop would be serving the southbound direction.

• Mr. Goldstein - asked when this will be completed? - Spring. Asked when the iRide program will be expanded to more than just ART buses, but also include the Metrobuses as well. 

• Ms. Kadera - what is the capacity of the bus shelter, given how many students use the ART bus? - It’s a standard bus shelter but ART has added an additional bus during Kenmore dismissal so students aren’t waiting long.

Information Item 3: 2024 Legislative Package PDF and presentation

• Speaker, title, comments: Steven Marku, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs –

• Questions/Discussion:

• Ms. Sutton- Stressed the legislative package aligns with APS’ values. Q on system of accountability standards and growth measures.  Dr. Durán - our currently accountability standards are based on formula that shows students making growth, schools are given accreditation. Old way was based on certain score, line in the sand, and if students don't meet that, schools would lose accreditation. Dr. Durán wants to keep the growth measures to show kids are growing.

• Ms. Kadera - asked who will be advocating this with Richmond? Mr. Marku will be doing this. 

• Mr. Priddy - thanked Mr. Marku on the presentation being succinct. 

• Ms. Diaz-Torres - expressed support for the importance of the leg. priorities.

• New business - none.

Meeting adjourned.