Summary of 11/9/2023 School Board Meeting
Consent agenda unanimously approved
Approved a number of new hires
Approved APS to join a lawsuit against social media companies
Approved School Board advisory committee appointments
Approved deeds of easement re: property issues at Cardinal Elementary School and Kenmore Middle School
Every Student Counts video is on Arlington Tech
Dr. Durán stated that APS was acting strongly against antisemitism and Islamaphobia, and working with teachers on how to discuss the conflict in Israel/Gaza.
Dr. Durán announced APS’ winter weather procedures for this school year
Up to 13 snow days; afterwards, we will then have to transition to distance learning
Extended Day will close when schools close on Early Release Days
Decisions are announced by 6 pm the day before when possible; if necessary due to an uncertain weather forecast, the decision will be made as of 5 am
Public comment (14 total)
1 speaker on CIP direction, supporting Phase 2 of Career Center campus
1 speaker who is a guidance counselor at Nottingham about a number of issues APS is doing well
1 speaker on APS requesting more money from the County for budget purposes
2 speakers about the increase in spending on Syphax employees vs. teachers
1 speaker on CIP direction, criticizing MPSA placement in Career Center
3 speakers on Family Life Education
3 speakers on Family Life Education, including keeping option for gender separate classes and concerns with removing both abstinence and the recommendation for marriage as “recommended by VA code” (cited VA code)
1 speaker about the rise of antisemitism at APS schools
1 speaker on employee health insurance changes
Monitoring Item – Facilities and Operations Update
APS is working on consolidating technology services, and implementing enterprise-wide modernization of various IT systems
APS reviewed its various construction projects
APS reviewed its transportation operations
APS said the Career Center is on schedule and on budget
APS staff said they’re not talking about reducing bus service, even though only 59% eligible for the bus take the bus
Action Item – School Board Legislative Package
Legislative package was unanimously approved
Information Items
Reviewed the current CIP projects that will continue under the proposed CIP direction
Reviewed CIP’s new project, which include a feasibility study to renovate existing facilities, future phases of the Career Center, a feasibility study of school bus electrification and other items
For FY 2026-2032, each year is limited to $25M bond issuance (but subject to adjustment between now and CIP adoption in discussions with the County)
Reviewed by School Board every 7 years per VA law
According to staff:
Added provisions per VA law changes
“2 parents, both school nurses, and SHAB (School Health Advisory Board) opposed taking away the suggestion of gender-separate classes and wanted them reinstated. APS does teach sensitive topics in smaller, self-selected groups rather than to the full class in 4th and 5th grade, however teachers do not assign those groups by gender.”
Added language regarding benefits, challenges and responsibilities of “long-term relationships” (i.e., other than marriage)
Removed “out-of-date provisions, like gender separate classes”;
“policy currently does not require gender separate classes” and according to staff “classes were stopped being used APS-wide a few years ago.”
ES and MS summer school will focus on project-based learning with the theme of engineering.
Summer school is offered for:
English Language Learners at the secondary level to increase language skills
Credit recovery for secondary students (one course)
Extended School Year to serve SWD
ES and MS students who are in Reading or Math to strengthen their academic skills
Virtual summer courses offered too.
Significant decrease in % who start vs. finished summer school, continuing a trend from prior years.
Summer school is also used for those teachers interested in becoming principals and assistant principals to get experience in such roles.
Mary Kadera asked for APS to create metrics to actually measure academic effectiveness from summer school.
Reid Goldstein raised reports of inconsistent staffing, but APS did not have data on that issue.
Reid Goldstein raised the issue that the teachers surveys for K-6 showed only 50% of teachers who responded found the curriculum engaging for students.
APS staff presented the proposed MS and HS Program of Studies
MS
MSs will offer intensified English, Science and Social Studies for 6th grade
MSs will offer Disciplinary Literacy and Structured Literacy in place of Reading Grade 6 and Reading Strategy
MS English Learners will be in regular English, Math, Science and Social Studies with “scaffolding”, along with English Language Development courses
HS
HS English Learners will be in regular classes for core subject courses with “scaffolding”, along with English Language Development courses
APS is making a number of course additions and other revisions
Dr. Durán said the changes to English Language Learners course is consistent with all other NOVA school districts
