Summary of the 5/11/23 School Board Meeting

Reid Goldstein moved that the Board adopt the consent agenda. The motion was carried unanimously. It included the certification of the Arlington Education Association to be exclusive representatives of the bargaining units of the licensed and service employees of APS.

Reid Goldstein announced the following appointments:

• Carmen Delacruz-Scales Principal at Carlin Springs Elementary.

• Carlin Jackson Principal of Gunston Middle School.

• Peter Balas as Principal of Wakefield High School.

• Helena Payne Chauvenet as Principal of Hoffman-Boston Elementary School

• Betty Sanders as Assistant Principal of Washington-Liberty High School

• Karen Herrling to the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth & Families (APCYF) School Board Advisory Committee

Superintendent’s Updates included:

• Recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week 2023

• Class of 2023 Graduations and Celebrations will be held in person and livestreamed June 9-16; promotions will be held June 14. View additional online: www.apsva.us/class-of-2023-graduation

• Provided Feedback on the Draft School Year Calendar Policy up for School Board approval later this year. The draft policy includes

• 180 instructional days every school year

• A school start date two weeks before Labor Day

• Two- week winter break

• One-week spring break before Easter

• The last day scheduled before Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19 every year

• Celebration of the diverse religious holidays APS has honored in recent years

• You can review the draft policy until May 19 online: https://www.apsva.us/engage/policies-for-revision-amendment

• Reviewed preparation for SOL Testing. The testing window is May 15 to June 9, 2023. Specific test dates will be communicated through your student's school.

• Reviewed Extended Day Registration for the 2023-24 School Year School

o   Phase 1 for Returning Students: Closed May 12

o   Phase 2: May 15 – May 26 – Open to families with a student who was registered to the 2022-23 Waitlist as of October 1, 2022, and have not been offered an enrollment slot, and currently remain on the 2022-2023 Waitlist, and their siblings.

o   Phase 3: May 30th – June 12th – Open to all families

o   Additional Information: www.apsva.us/extended-day/registration

• Announced the NAMM Foundation awarded APS with a recognition of their Best Communities for Music Education Award for the 7th consecutive year.

• Advertised the May 23 Celebration of Excellence, 5:30 PM, Washington-Liberty High School

Public Comments speakers remarked on SEL training, 2023-24 budget approval, service employee salaries, new equity grading policy, student sexual harassment.

Student Advisory Board Chair Oliver Andress and Eli Gaull presented Student Advisory Board activity and recommendations for the 2022-2023 school year.  Topics included activities around sexual harassment policy, mental health, equity and diversity, and Budget/Transportation.

Reid Goldstein moved that the Board adopt its Fiscal Year 2024 School Board Budget totaling $804,392,800.  The budget can be broken into the following:

• The School Operating Fund at a total of $675,199,146

• The Community Activities Fund at a total of $20,221,158

• The Debt Service Fund at a total of $64,881,485

• The Food and Nutrition Services Fund at a total of $13,815,415

• The Capital Projects Fund at a total of $6,576,901

• The Children’s Services Act Fund at a total of $4,975,000

• The Grants and Restricted Programs Fund at a total of $18,723,695

Ms. Kadrea offered comments that addressed the need to strengthen metrics used to measure the value of budget items in the next budget approval (academic ROI) and her concerns over drawing down reserves too quickly before final vote.

Ms. Dias-Torres raised concerns about having the resources available for the growing need for mental health services, learning loss, and housing costs. She urged the community to lobby congress and state legislators for more funding.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Jeffrey Chambers, Director Design and Construction, presented the Heights Building Phase 2 Construction Contract. The project provides improvements to building access, accessible parking, bicycle infrastructure, and athletic facilities required. Construction will begin once school is dismissed in June 2023 and will be completed in February 2025.

Staff recommended the School Board approve a new project budget of $18,930,000. A $4,550,000 increase over the previous plan approval.

To see our scorecard for the meeting, click here.