Jun 02, 2021 Board Meeting

SEVEN

[00:00:01]

ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING FOLKS.

[1A. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence - School Board Chairman]

EVERYBODY PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

PLEASURE.

OKAY.

OUR FIRST

[1B. Accept or Modify the Agenda - School Board]

I WOULD MOVE.

WE ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED TO SAVE ME SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES

[1C. Community Participation]

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IS A TIME AND TENANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO GIVE INPUT ON RELEVANT SCHOOL ISSUES AND NOT INTENDED TO BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD, AS THIS MAY BE THE FIRST TIME THE BOARD HAS HEARD THIS INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES OR ANY COMMENT BY THE BOARD AT THIS TIME, BUT BE ASSURED THAT ANY CONCERNS WILL BE REVIEWED.

PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME ON THE SHEET AT THE PODIUM.

STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES, PLEASE.

ANYONE LIKE TO COME? JAKE? GOOD EVENING.

CHAIRMAN CHAIR, CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS, VICE CHAIRMAN BOWERS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD THIS EVENING.

MY NAME IS JEANNIE AND CLARK.

I'M A PARENT OF A WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO IS ALSO AN ACTIVE ATHLETE PLAYING TWO VARSITY SPORTS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL.

I COME TO YOU TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN AND SEEK YOUR SUPPORT IN ADVOCATING YOUR POSITION AS OUR SCHOOL BOARD LEADERSHIP TO MOVE FORWARD AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE THE MASKING REQUIREMENTS ON OUR CHILDREN WHILE UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHICH OVERSEES K-12.

I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE LIMITED AUTHORITY.

HOWEVER, I BESEECH YOU AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO EXERCISE YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY TO UNMASK OUR KIDS.

I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, DEVELOPMENTAL NEGATIVE IMPACT THIS HAS HAD ON OUR KIDS.

AND I'VE ALSO DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE TO RESPONSIBLY REVIEW THE SCIENCE AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US AS PARENTS REGARDING THE RISK AND BENEFITS OF MASKING OUR KIDS.

GIVEN THE CURRENT LOW RATE OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION, WHICH TODAY, AS STATED ON THE LORD FAIRFAX HEALTH DISTRICT WEBSITE IS 2.6% OF THE LOCAL POPULATION AND THE NEAR 100% SURVIVABILITY RATE OF CHILDREN WHO BECOME INFECTED WITH COVID.

IT SEEMS AN UNDUE HARDSHIP TO CONTINUE THIS RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENT ON OUR KIDS, THE MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SOCIAL IMPACT ON KIDS WEARING MASKS HAVE FAR GREATER SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ADVERSE HEALTH IMPACTS ON OUR KIDS.

SO I FIRMLY ADVOCATE FOR THE REMOVAL OF REQUIREMENTS TO WEAR MASKS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO ATTEND MORE IN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I ALSO SUPPORT PARENTS WHO STILL WISH FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO WEAR MASKS AND RESPECTFULLY SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS OF CHOICE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

HOWEVER, THE POINT IS IT SHOULD BE A CHOICE MADE BY THE FAMILY, NOT A MANDATE FOR FAMILIES BY GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU MS. COURT.

ANYONE ELSE? GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS I HAVE AS A PARENT OF A SENIOR AND A FRESHMAN.

UM, THIS YEAR'S HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE THAT NOBODY PREDICTED AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD TEACHERS AND THE COACHES, THE ONES THAT HAVE SHOWED UP EACH DAY, THE ONES THAT WELCOME STUDENTS BACK IN SPITE OF ALL THE ADDED CHALLENGES.

WE KNOW THAT MOST VULNERABLE, THE MOST VULNERABLE TO SERIOUS COVID-19 INFECTIONS ARE THE ELDERLY.

YET WE CONTINUE TO PUNISH THE LEAST VULNERABLE POPULATION WITH OUR MITIGATION

[00:05:01]

KIDS NOT ONLY HAVE TO WEAR A MASK ALL DAY.

THEY ALSO CAN'T HUG AND THEY CAN'T TALK IN THE HALLWAYS OR EVEN ENJOY LUNCH WITHOUT PLEXIGLASS SEPARATING THEM RENDERING AND IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER.

IT IS THIS LACK OF BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL INTERACTION THAT IS BEING FORCED UPON OUR CHILDREN THAT IS LEADING TO AN INCREASED FEELINGS OF ISOLATION, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION.

SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN.

AND THIS IS NOT A NEW STATISTIC, BUT THE 90% INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH VISITS AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS THE COLORADO SUN PAPER REPORTS.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS ARE FULL WITH MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS AND PARENTS ARE SENDING THEIR KIDS OUT OF STATE FOR CARE.

A PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH STATE OF EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED A QUOTE FROM DR.

BRUMBAUGH.

THERE IS OUR KIDS HAVE RUN OUT OF RESILIENCE.

THEIR TANK IS EMPTY AND I'M SORRY THAT, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE WERE FEELING AS CAREGIVERS AND DR.

JEN GLOVER, DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAINING AT HOSPITAL COLORADO SAID THIS, MY CONCERN IS WHAT THE INFLUX OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE SEEING AND THE DEMAND ON THE SYSTEM.

KIDS WILL NOT GET THE TREATMENT THEY NEED, AND THEY WILL HAVE CHRONIC MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR YEARS, THAT WILL IMPACT THEIR OPPORTUNITIES IN LIFE.

IT'S NOT ONLY MASS THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR KIDS' MENTAL HEALTH AND MITIGATION PLAYS A HUGE ROLE AS WELL.

THE CURRENT CDC GUIDELINES STATE THAT AFTER A COVID-19 EXPOSURE, QUARANTINE CAN END AFTER 10 DAYS, IF NO SYMPTOMS DEVELOP YET, OUR SCHOOL GUIDELINES ARE STILL MANDATING 14 DAYS WITH OR WITHOUT A COVID TEST OR SYMPTOMS. THIS DEVIATION SEEMS SMALL, BUT THAT CAN MEAN THE STUDENT IS MISSING AN IMPORTANT TEST OR A MUCH ANTICIPATED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.

AND ANY PARENT AND TEACHER KNOWS THAT HAS A MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STUDENTS DOING VIRTUAL ONLY BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO FACE ALL THE CHANGES AT SCHOOL.

THEY ARE STRESSED ABOUT WEARING A MASK ALL DAY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GET SCOLDED FOR TALKING OR TOUCHING EACH OTHER.

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SIT BEHIND PLEXIGLASS TO EAT LUNCH.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE THEY HAVE THE PLAGUE.

I UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNOR'S EOS DICTATE SCHOOL PROCEDURES, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME DEVIATION RECENTLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, MOLLY SPEARMAN SAYS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

THE STATE FACE COVERING POLICY FOR SCHOOLS CANCELED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SCHOOL BUS REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS NOW FEDERAL GAP, WHICH IS NOW DICTATED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN SUMMARY, I'M AWARE THAT SOME THINGS ARE ULTIMATELY OUT OF YOUR CONTROL, BUT I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO KEEP OUR GUIDELINES FOR MITIGATION CURRENT, ALLOWING A SYMPTOM-FREE STUDENT TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER 10 DAYS AND LIFTING THE MASS REQUIREMENT AND ALLOWING IT TO BE OPTIONAL WOULD BE A STEP TOWARD NORMALCY THAT OUR KIDS DESPERATELY NEED.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

MA'AM EXCUSE ME.

I D I DIDN'T CATCH YOUR NAME.

I'M SORRY.

OH, BRANCH CENTER AND JENNER.

THANK YOU.

I'M SORRY.

I WAS JUST LIKE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK GOOD EVENING? UH, MY NAME IS JEFF JENNER.

I ALSO HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

IT'S VERY HARD TO FOLLOW THOSE TWO LADIES.

I DO NOT HAVE A PREPARED SPEECH AND I REALIZED I'M SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER DRESSED.

SO I APOLOGIZE.

I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH, UH, I FEEL SIMILAR WITH THE MASK MANDATES.

I FEEL, UM, THAT WITH THE MANDATES IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED A PART OF SCHOOL THAT I THINK IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENCES, MATHEMATICS, ATHLETICS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE PART OF THE SYSTEM, BUT THE ONE THING THAT'S NOT GRADED OR QUANTIFIED, BUT IS MASSIVELY IMPORTANT AS WELL AS SOCIAL INTERACTION.

WE ALL GREW UP WITH THAT.

UH, WE NEVER HAD THAT TAKEN AWAY FROM US THE WAY THESE KIDS HAVE IN THE PAST YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF DOWN TO THE MASS MANDATES AND THE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

UM, I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE SCIENCE OF IT ALL BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OPINION ON THAT.

BUT I DO THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE TAKE A HARD LOOK AT GETTING OUR SKIT, OUR KIDS BACK TO SOME NORMAL SENSE OF GOING TO SCHOOL AND THE INTERACTION SCHOOL, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT PART OF THE ELEMENTARY HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, EVEN COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE IS A CRITICAL PART OF EVERY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THAT'S REALLY THE THING THAT'S BEING SACRIFICED WITH THESE MASS MANDATES WITH THESE SOCIAL DISTANCING, UM, POLICIES EVEN, WHEREAS AT WORK, UH, WE HAD THE SIMILAR POLICIES FOR SO LONG.

I WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

UM, WE'RE BACK TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY NOW THAT MY KIDS DON'T GET TO ENJOY.

AND IT HAS BEEN A HUGE BURDEN LIFTED AND IT'S, IT FEELS LIKE THINGS ARE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE, EXCEPT FOR OUR KIDS.

UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. SHATTER, ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK,

[00:10:01]

[2. Consent Agenda]

MR. CHAIR, I'LL RECOMMEND THAT WE ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT

[3A. Report on a Recent Ressie Jeffries Elementary School Fundraiser - Mr. Hopple]

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET US SHARE A HEARTWARMING STORY WITH YOU.

I'M NINA HELMUT, ALONG WITH MATT, HOPPEL THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM OF JEFFERY'S.

SO EVERY MORNING AT RESI JEFFRIES, UH, WE HAVE A JAGUAR HERE.

UH, WE ACT, WE ASK OUR JAGUARS TO ACT, UH, AND IT'S KIND OF EASY TO SAY IT.

EVERY MORNING WE GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE 560 OF OUR STUDENTS.

THEY HAD EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE.

WE ASK OUR STUDENTS TO BE RESPECTFUL.

THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

AND THAT ONE RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE, THEY CARING ABOUT EACH OTHER.

AS I SAID, IT'S EASY TO SAY IT.

AND OUR COMMUNITY REALLY CAME TOGETHER FOR A SPECIAL, SPECIAL FRIEND OF OURS, A FIRST-GRADER MASON LANG LIST.

AND WE DID A LITTLE POINT DRIVE FOR HIM, AND I THINK THE RESULTS ARE GONNA SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

UH, BUT WE KIND OF REALLY PROVED THAT WE'RE, WE'RE KIND OF PRACTICING WHAT WE'RE PREACHING HERE AT REST, THE JEFFRIES.

SO MASON RIDER, LANELESS, HE'S A FIRST GRADER AT RESI JEFFREY'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HE'S EIGHT YEARS OLD.

HE LOVES LEGOS AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY.

UM, THERE'S PICTURE OF MASON AT OUR EVENT THAT WE HAD, UM, PEP RALLY AND, UH, FOR SOS.

AND THEN WE DID THIS ALL OUTSIDE AND, UM, THEN WE HAD A FAMILY COME JOIN US TO CELEBRATE MASON AND HE WANTED TO COME AND, AND THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE FUNDRAISER.

UM, THE NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MASON.

HE'S GOING TO JUST SPEAK TO YOU FOR A MOMENT.

HI, I HAVE A FAILURE RATE AND THERE'S NO CURE FOR IT, SO I REALLY NEED TO CARE FOR IT.

HI, MY NAME'S MAY SAY I HAVE A FAILURE AND THERE'S NO CURE FOR IT.

SO, SO I GUESS MASON'S ONE OF OUR FIRST GRADERS HE'S ACTUALLY BEEN WITH US FOR THREE YEARS.

UH THAT'S THAT'S AS LONG AS NINA AND I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER DOWN AT RESI JEFFERY'S, UH, HE'S BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THIS KERATOSIS CONGENTA, AS HE SAID, IT'S A VERY RARE DISEASE.

THAT KIND OF ATTACKS IS HIS BLOOD CELLS AND IT KIND OF LIMITS HIS LIFE'S ACTIVITIES.

SO A FEW WEEKS AGO HE NEEDED TO GO TO A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA AND GET AN EVALUATION FOR A LIVER TRANSPLANT, WHICH IS VERY RARE FOR SOMEONE DIAGNOSED WITH THIS DERRICK HOUSE'S AGENDA.

SO NINA AND I, WE GOT TOGETHER AND SAID, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

SO WE CHALLENGED OUR STUDENTS TO DO A LITTLE POINT DRIVE.

WE TOLD THE KIDS, WHOEVER DONATED THE MOST MONEY IS GOING TO GET THE PIE, ANYONE IN THE FACE IN OUR SCHOOL, WHOEVER COMES IN SECOND PLACE THAT GETS BY ME, THIRD PLACE GETS THE TIE MRS. HELMET.

AND I'M NOT SURE IT CAME.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, BUT WE JUST WANTED TO KIND OF SHARE JUST HOW SUCCESSFUL IT WAS.

WE HAD FOUR CLASSROOMS THAT RAISED OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

WOW.

A THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM RAISED OVER $2,000.

HONESTLY, WE THOUGHT WE WOULD RAISE MAYBE TWO, $3,000 DOING A TRUANT, A CHANGE THAT WE HAD 37 DONORS WHO DONATED OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS.

SO NINA AND I SAID, THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN ONLY HAVE THREE PODS.

SO WE WENT TO MARTIN BOTTLE WITH GRAIN, UH, AND YOU'LL SEE ON THE NEXT SLIDE, THERE'S QUITE A FEW, UH, FACE COVERINGS WITH, WITH PRAYING.

UH, BUT I MEAN, JUST OUR STAFF ALONE RAISED OVER $2,000 AND IT'S JUST, I THINK SOMETIMES THESE STORIES REALLY DON'T GET OUT.

I WAS THINKING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT SOL SCORES AND WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS, YOU KNOW, THE ACADEMICS, BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT REALLY, I FEEL LIKE BRINGS OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

AND WE STILL HAVE MONEY.

WE DID THIS TWO WEEKS AGO AND THERE'S STILL PEOPLE SENDING IN CHECKS AND STILL DOING IT AND NOT, UH, NOT ONLY OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE THAT HAVE THAT, UM, HAVE REACHED OUT TO US THAT ARE NEW TO THE AREA, SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER AND HAVE BROUGHT MONEY TO THE SCHOOL FOR MASON.

SO IT'S, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE LIVE.

AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE ONE STORY.

WE HAVE A TEACHER MRS. TROWBRIDGE, A FIFTH GRADE TEACHER, TWO OF HER CHILDREN GO TO OUR SCHOOL FIRST AND A THIRD GRADER AND THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING.

SO TUESDAY NIGHT, UH, THEY DECIDED TO MAKE SOME COOKIES, SOME BROWNIES AND MUFFINS.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE TEACHERS THERE ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THEY WENT AROUND WITH A BAIT BAR AND SOLD ABOUT $150

[00:15:01]

SO IT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL.

AND THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PICTURES THAT YOU'LL SEE, THERE'S THIS HELMET AND A GOODBYE IN HER FACE BY MY GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO SHE WON AND THAT'S WHO SHE CHOSE TO.

THAT'S MASON UP THERE IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER.

I TOOK TWO IN THE FACE AND THEY, THEY KNOCKED ME RIGHT OVER AND JUST SOME OTHER PICTURES.

I TRIED TO AVOID IT WITH THE, UH, THE SHOWER CAP AND THE FACE SHIELD, BUT THEY MADE ME TAKE IT OFF.

SO OVERALL, LIKE I SAID, WE WERE TRYING TO RAISE MAYBE TWO, THREE ABOUT THREE TO $3,000 FOR, YOU KNOW, THE MEDICAL COSTS AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK AND TAKE MASON UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST TO SOME OF THESE, UH, PROCEDURES AND EVALUATIONS AND WOW.

WOW.

WOW.

THAT'S PHENOMENAL.

YEAH, THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

UH, JUST A QUICK QUESTION.

DID IT GO HAVE THE TEST? UM, SO HE'S WAITING FOR HIS RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION RIGHT NOW.

SO THEY'RE, THEY, UM, THE NEXT STEP IS FOR THEM TO GO BACK TO CHOP CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA.

AND, UM, WE, UM, MOM TEXTED ME TODAY AND SAID THAT THEY'RE A STEP CLOSER TO BEING PUT ON THE LIST.

SO THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKLY FOR THEM.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR, TOO.

YES.

THANK YOU.

I MEAN, THAT, THAT REALLY IS TOUCHING TO ME.

I MEAN, THAT'S WOW.

WE SAID THAT WAS KIND OF, OR WE HAD EVERY STUDENT OUTSIDE, WE DO AN SOL PEP RALLY.

TYPICALLY WE NORMALLY DO IT IN THE GYM.

OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.

SO WE TOOK THEM ALL OUTSIDE.

SCOTLAND BAND CAME OVER, SCOTLAND CHEERLEADERS, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF GOT EVERYONE EXCITED FOR OUR THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE SOL.

AND THEN MASON WAS KIND OF OUR GUEST OF HONOR THAT DAY.

SO IT WAS PRETTY COOL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO.

YEP.

YEP.

ALL RIGHT.

NEXT UP, THAT KIND OF CHOKED ME UP IS, UH, SUPERINTENDENTS

[3B. Superintendent]

DR.

BALLENGER, PLEASE.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

YOU KNOW, I GO BACK TO, I'M RECEIVING AN EMAIL FROM MR. HOPPO AND SAYING WE WOULD LIKE TO HELP OUT A STUDENT AND A, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? SO I GOT WITH ROBIN, I KNOW ROB GOT WITH, WITH MATT AND, AND THEN I KNOW THE TWO OF THEM JUST, JUST TOOK IT AND RAN WITH IT.

SO I APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, THAT THEY TRULY CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, THEY TRULY CARE.

AND SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR DOING WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE EVER.

I SEE JEFFREY'S, UH, COVID UPDATE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ONE ACTIVE STUDENT CASE AND A 10 QUARANTINED ACTIVE STAFF CASES, ZERO AND QUARANTINED TOO.

SO OUR NUMBERS ARE, ARE GETTING DOWN A LITTLE LOWER.

A LOT OF THAT AGAIN IS, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, UM, AND VALLEY HILLS COLLABORATION TO, FOR VACCINE CLINICS FOR OUR STAFF, FOR OUR STUDENTS.

UM, I CHECKED WITH, UM, LORD FAIRFAX HEALTH DEPARTMENT, UH, EARLIER TODAY AND ON OUR MA AT OUR MAY 5TH CLINIC, WE HAD 266 INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE 16 AND OVER COME IN TO GET VACCINATED AT OUR MAY 26TH CLINIC AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAD 414, 12 AND OLDER COME IN AND GET VACCINATED AT THAT CLINIC.

SO WE WILL HAVE ONE MORE VACCINATION CLINIC, UM, BECAUSE AT THAT MAY 26, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST FOR THE 12 AND OVER.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND, AND BEING, GETTING OUT THERE.

AND, AND FOR, FOR US AS A DIVISION, WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING REALLY GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE GOING IN AND GETTING VACCINATED AND STUDENTS ACTUALLY BEING VACCINATED.

I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WERE IN LINE GETTING A VACCINE AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THAT ALSO HELPS TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOW NUMBERS.

SO I KNOW ALSO MR. WELLS, HE'S BEEN AT BOTH OF THOSE CLINICS.

AND, UM, I ACTUALLY TOOK MY DAUGHTER THERE AT THIS LAST CLINIC AND MR. WELLS ACTUALLY GOT THE, UH, GIVE HER, HER, HER VACCINE.

SO, UM, YOU KNOW, I, YOU KNOW, AS A PARENT THAT HELPS ME WITH, UM, A LITTLE SENSE OF SECURITY, UH, EXECUTIVE ORDER STILL WE, UM, YEAH, 79 WENT INTO EFFECT ON MAY 28TH.

UH, STUDENTS MUST STILL WEAR A MASK.

ANYBODY MUST WEAR A MASK ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR ON A BUS.

UH, WE DID MODIFY OUR MITIGATION PLANS FOR THE MASS BREAKS

[00:20:01]

UM, AS LONG AS THEY'RE OUTSIDE AND WE CAN MAINTAIN DISTANCE AND WE'RE, WE'RE ALLOWING THOSE MASKS TO COME OFF.

UH, BUT STILL AS FAR AS, AS EXIT OF ORDER 79, THAT THAT HAS NOT CHANGED FOR US.

SO LOOKING AT GRADUATING, SO WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER 79, WE, IT KIND OF NOW LIFTS THE MANDATE ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN COME IN TO THE GRADUATION.

SO NOW WE'RE GOING BACK TO HAVE BASICALLY JUST A NORMAL GRADUATION.

SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO HAND OUT TICKETS.

UH, THE, YOU KNOW, OUR CAPACITY IS, IS THERE, ALTHOUGH MASKS ARE REQUIRED, UM, AS FAR AS THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED.

AND, UM, SO WE WILL HAVE A NORMAL GRADUATION.

I KNOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOLS AND THEY'RE GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT.

AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO GIVE UPDATES.

GRADUATIONS ARE SET EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, UM, FOR WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, 10 O'CLOCK FOR SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT IS ON JUNE 12TH, THE BACCALAUREATE, JUNE 10TH AT SKYLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL STARTING AT SEVEN O'CLOCK.

WE HAVE A BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE, WHITE COAT AND CNA PINNING CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, THAT'S TOMORROW EVENING AT SIX 30 AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE AN ENGINEERING SHOWCASE THAT WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 10TH AT SIX O'CLOCK AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.

UM, THE ROTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY AT 12 O'CLOCK AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

OUR ARCHITECT PROPOSALS FOR LF K AND BLUE RIDGE TECH ARE DUE FRIDAY AT TWO O'CLOCK.

AND YOU KNOW, THOSE, WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THOSE, UH, CARES FUNDS TO REPLACE THE HPAC.

WE, AS YOU GUYS ARE AWARE, WE HONORED OUR RETIREES TONIGHT, UH, WITH A DINNER AND THE COLLECTIVE YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE RETIRED FOR THE RETIREES IN THE CLASS OF 2021 WAS 519 COMBINED YEARS OF SERVICE.

THAT IS A, THAT IS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE THAT IS LEAVING US THIS NEXT YEAR.

UM, ALSO AS EVERYBODY IS AWARE, UM, MRS. SHEPHERD WILL NO LONGER BE WITH US AS SHE WAS APPOINTED THE SUPERINTENDENT AT SHENANDOAH LAST THURSDAY.

SO WITH CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. SHEPHERD AND HER NEW ENDEAVOR, AND THAT REALLY SUMS IT UP FOR ME TONIGHT.

SORRY.

ALL RIGHT.

I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THIS LIST HERE.

THANK YOU, DR.

BOUNDARY,

[3C. School Board]

UH, I JUST WANT TO SAY I ENJOYED THE, UH, EVENT THIS EVENING, UM, THAT WE HAD FOR THE RETIREES THAT IS A LOT OF YEARS EXPERIENCE AND, UM, IT'S GONNA BE A CHALLENGE I BELIEVE TO GET THAT BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

UM, BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE FOLKS THAT RETIRED AND, UM, UH, WE'RE STEM ALL THE GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE THAT THEY CAN MUSTER UP.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MS. BAUER.

UH, THE SAME HERE, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE THAT'S RETIRING.

I KNOW IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE.

UH, YOU'RE GIVING UP PART OF YOUR IDENTITY AND, UM, MANY YEARS OF WORKING FOR THE SCHOOLS AND, UH, I JUST WISH EVERYONE WELL IN THE FUTURE AND ENJOY WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING.

UM, WHEN ALSO CONGRATULATE MRS. SHEPHERD FOR HER APPOINTMENT TO SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OF CHANDELLE COUNTY, A GREAT GAME FOR THEM.

GREAT LOSS FOR US.

I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU.

UH, YOU'RE FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU.

AND I ALSO WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT I WILL NOT BE SEEKING A FOURTH TERM ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

MY TERM IS UP IN DECEMBER AND I'VE HAD THREE GREAT TERMS, 12 YEARS AND, UM, IT'S TIME FOR SOME NEW BLOOD.

SO THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, DR.

PENCE.

UM, MORE OF THE SAME.

I ENJOY HER RETIREMENT CEREMONY THIS EVENING.

I ENJOYED SEEING, UM, SEVERAL OF THE TEACHERS AND STAFF MEMBERS THAT I RECOGNIZED FROM MY TIME IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM.

UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY A MORE NORMAL ALL

[00:25:01]

SEE YOU GUYS DID AN AWESOME JOB, UM, HELPING ME SON.

I LOVE STORIES LIKE THAT.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

UM, AND CONGRATULATIONS, MR. WELLS.

I STARTED OFF, I GUESS, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GRADUATES.

UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'LL MEET AGAIN BEFORE THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES.

AND SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM.

THEY HAVE WORKED EXCEEDINGLY HARD FOR 12 YEARS THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF OR THE LAST TWO SCHOOL YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN WHAT YOU HAD ANTICIPATED IN WHAT YOU EXPECTED, BUT YOU MET IT, UM, THAT MOVES DOWN TO THE TEACHERS AND THE STAFF.

UM, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AREN'T WHAT YOU HAVE EXPECTED.

AND, UH, YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB AS WELL.

UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. SHEPHERD, SHE'S DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB HERE.

SHE'S BUILT SEVERAL SCHOOLS, RENOVATED A COUPLE OF MORE, AND, UM, SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, BUT, UH, SHENANDOAH COUNTY WILL BE ALL THE BETTER FOR HER.

UH, JUST, JUST DON'T KEEP THEIR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN REAL GOOD SHAPE, SKIMP ON THE FUNDS DOWN THERE.

UM, AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE, TO THE RETIREES.

UH, IT'S, IT IS 519 YEARS.

UM, THAT IS A LOT OF, UM, STUDENTS TALK AND A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT'S, THAT'S LEAVING US.

AND, UH, THE, THE OTHER FOLKS, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS RIGHT NOW, UM, IN, IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND, UM, THOSE WILL BE MET WITH THE SAME CHALLENGES.

PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WE'RE MOVING INTO NEW CHALLENGES AND THEY'LL DO A GREAT JOB.

UM, I KEEP GOING BACK TO A FORMER CEO I HAD, AND ONE OF HIS CHARLIE ISMS WAS NOBODY LIKES, OR THERE'S ONLY ONE GROUP THAT LIKES CHANGES AND THAT'S FOUR MONTH OLD BABIES AND THEY CRY THE WHOLE TIME IT'S HAPPENING.

SO JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING COMES WITH THAT, A FEW HICCUPS ALONG THE WAY.

THAT'S IT.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MR. WELLS, WHAT AN ACT TO FOLLOW, UH, FIRST OF ALL, RESI JEFFERS, MR. MR. HOPPER, MS. HELMET, THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING THE LEADERS YOU ARE, AND, AND YOU, YOU PROVE THAT TONIGHT AND, AND IT'S VERY TOUCHING TO SEE THAT THE COMMUNITY REACHED OUT TO YOU GUYS AND HOPEFULLY MASON WILL BE OKAY.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST TOUGH.

I MEAN, HE'S EIGHT, SO JUST THAT'S, THAT'S TOUGH.

THE RETIREES, IT WAS VERY NEAT TO SEE TONIGHT SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE WAS A HANDFUL IN THERE THAT TAUGHT ME AND I WAS LIKE, WOW.

WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, THEY'D BEEN THERE FOR 48 YEARS, I WAS LIKE, LET'S SEE, MAN.

OH MY GOODNESS.

YOU KNOW, AND, UH, AND THAT'S, THAT'S REALLY NICE.

UH, AS MR. WELLS SAYS 519 YEARS, THAT IS A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

AND HOPEFULLY THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND THEM FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT WILL CARRY THAT KNOWLEDGE FORWARD.

AND I'M SURE THEY WILL.

UH, MS. SHEPHERD IS BITTERSWEET.

YOU'RE ALWAYS SO WELL-PREPARED AND KEEP US STRAIGHT, SHOOT US STRAIGHT AND JUST TELL US HOW IT IS.

YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED.

YOU REALLY WILL, BUT THANK GOODNESS FOR SHANDO COUNTY THERE.

THEY'RE LUCKY.

AND I HOPE THEY KNOW HOW LUCKY THEY ARE, BUT, UH, LIKE I SAID, YOU WILL BE MISSED.

THE LADY CAN BEAT UP A VENDOR ON A PRICE.

LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN AND NEVER RAISED HER VOICE.

JUST SHE'S LIKE, OH, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO ALL THAT NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DOWN THERE SHAVING MONEY ALSO, YOU KNOW, I, I HOPE YOU TAUGHT SOME OF US HERE, HOW TO DO THAT, BUT YOU'LL BE MISSED.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU ALL.

[4A. Introduction and Appointment of the Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary School Principal - Dr. Ballenger]

BOUNDARY.

MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

GOOD EVENING.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD MRS. SHAMEEKA MCDONALD AS THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF LESLIE FOX KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MRS. MACDONALD HAS A WEALTH OF EXTENT, HAS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND HAS SERVED AS A TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR DURING HER 17 YEARS IN EDUCATION WITH WARREN COUNTY.

MRS. MCDONALD IS CURRENTLY THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT LSK,

[00:30:01]

HER EXTENSIVE PREPARATION THROUGHOUT HER CAREER MAKES MRS. MACDONALD THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR THIS POSITION.

MRS. MCDONALD IS A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL AND A DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBER.

SHE IS A GRADUATE OF WARREN COUNTY AND SHE IS INVOLVED IN COMPLETING HER DOCTOR DOCTORAL DEGREE IN INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND SPEND TIME TRAVELING UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST, CHEERING ON THEIR TWO BOYS WHO PLAY AAU BASKETBALL AND WRITING POETRY WITH HER DAUGHTER, HER CHILDREN ATTEND ASMR ROADS, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SKYLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

SHE CREDITS HER PARENTS WITH HER SUCCESSES AS THEY HAVE BEEN HER BIGGEST SUPPORTER THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

SHE AND HER FAMILY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ALL LESLIE FOX KAISER STUDENTS.

AND IT IS MY PLEASURE TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD MRS. SHEMEKA MACDONALD AS PRINCIPAL.

THANK YOU, DR.

BOUNDARY, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION, MR. CHAIR.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS BECAUSE WE GRADUATED TOGETHER FROM WARREN COUNTY.

UM, SO I MOVE THAT THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MRS. TAMIKA MCDONALD AS THE PRINCIPAL AT LESLIE FOX KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2021 SECOND.

OKAY.

MR. BALLANTINE, WOULD YOU DO A ROLL CALL PLEASE? MR. CHAIR, MRS. BAUER I MR. WELLS, UH, MR. RENALDI, UH, DR.

PENCE.

OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES.

GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS.

AND THANK YOU.

I HAD TO WRITE MY SPEECH DOWN.

MR. SPERLING SAID THAT I RAMBLE AT TIMES.

SO SHE HAS TAUGHT ME TO WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING.

UM, I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE MY LEADERSHIP AT LMK THE HEART SHAPED LAWN THAT'S IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL, REPRESENTS THE ATMOSPHERE INSIDE THE LOVE, DEDICATION AND PASSION.

WE HAVE ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT WE SAY, AND WE DO.

I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY WITH OUR LITTLE CATS AND WE'LL CONTINUE OUR REPUTATION AND EMPHASIS ON KINDNESS THAT WAS INITIATED BY MRS. BERLIN.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

ALRIGHT.

[4B. Introduction and Appointment of the Warren County High School Principal - Dr. Ballenger]

DR.

BALLENGER.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

GOOD EVENING.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD, MR. , AS THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNING JULY ONE, 2021.

MR. HAS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND HAS SERVED AS A TEACHER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND PRINCIPAL DURING HIS 22 YEARS IN EDUCATION.

MR. IS CURRENTLY THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE HE HAS SERVED FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HIS EXTENSIVE PREPARATION THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER.

IT MAKES HIM THE BEST CHOICE FOR THIS POSITION.

MR. IS A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL AND A DEDICATED COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEMBER.

HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN HIS CHURCH AND AS THE VOLUNTEER BASKETBALL COACH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS, HE HAS ALSO ARRANGED FOR CHARITY DRIVES FOR CCAP AND THE HOUSE OF HOPE.

HIS DAUGHTER CURRENTLY ATTENDS WARREN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND AS A RISING FRESHMEN, HIS WIFE TEACHES AT LF K HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ALL WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND IT IS MY PLEASURE TO RECOMMEND MR. KEN KADESH FOR APPROVAL AS PRINCIPAL OF WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, DR.

BOUNDARY, DO WE HAVE AN EMOTION? I MOVED AT THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF KEN AS THE PRINCIPAL AND WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2021.

OH SECOND.

OKAY.

ROLL CALL MR. BOUNDS.

I MEAN, MR. BOUNDARY, SORRY, MR. BALLANTINE.

DR.

PENCE, MR. RINALDI, MR. WELLS.

UH, MRS. BAUER, MR. CHAIR.

AYE.

MOTION CARRIES THANK YOU.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, DR.

BALLENGER.

CONGRATULATIONS, MS. MACDONALD, YOU ARE FOLLOWING UP ONE AMAZING PRINCIPAL AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE AS WELL.

I WANTED TO THANK MY WIFE, EILEEN AND MY DAUGHTER, ABBY.

I ASKED THEIR PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION BEING A,

[00:35:01]

AND THEN OF COURSE, ABBY WILL BE WITH ME AS A FRESHMEN AND IMAGINE YOUR DAD BEING THE PRINCIPAL.

SO I'VE GOT CRACKS DOWN.

I'VE GOT MY STARE DOWN.

I'M READY.

SO IF IT'S THE SECOND ONE TO GIVE PERMISSION, AND THERE'S AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WOMAN IN THIS ROOM, AND I WOULD NOT BE STANDING AT THIS PODIUM WITHOUT HER.

AND SO I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MS. ERNESTINE, JORDAN, WHO'S BEEN PRINCIPAL OF WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SINCE THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL OPENED UP.

SHE HAS BEEN MY MENTOR, MY INSPIRATION FOR WHAT I DO EVERY DAY.

I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW I WOULD FOLLOW YOUR LEGACY, MS. JORDAN.

AND THEN I REALIZED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT I NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE YOU PROUD.

THANK YOU, MS. JORDAN.

SO THANK YOU BOARD.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

UH,

[4C. Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Superintendent to Reassign Staff - Dr. Ballenger]

BALLENGER, IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE, UH, SUPERINTENDENT TO REASSIGN TEACHERS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPALS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DIVISION, THE SCHOOL BOARD MUST ADOPT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

I RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO DO SO.

THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION IS ATTACHED.

AND SO THIS IS IN CODE.

AND TYPICALLY EVEN WITHIN, FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL WITH, IF SOMEBODY IS BEING TRANSFERRED, SAY A PRINCIPAL OR A TEACHER IS HIRED FROM ONE SCHOOL TO THE OTHER.

IT'S NOT A NEW HIRE, IT'S A TRANSFER.

AND BY CODE, WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO THIS.

NOW, THIS ALSO OPENS UP THAT IF WE NEED TO DO ANY REALIGNMENT OR ANY REORGANIZATION, IT COULD ALSO ALLOW FOR THOSE TRANSFERS TO OCCUR.

AND WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO READ THE RESOLUTION OR DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE READ IT.

THE RESOLUTION, WHEREAS SECTION 22.1 DASH TWO NINE SEVEN OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA AUTHORIZE THE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS, TO PERMIT A SUPERINTENDENT, TO REASSIGN TEACHERS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPALS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DIVISION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

AND WHEREAS THE, THE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF WARREN COUNTY WISHES TO AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS TO MAKE SUCH REASSIGNMENTS FOR THE 2122 SCHOOL YEAR.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD HEREBY AUTHORIZED THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TO REASSIGN ANY TEACHER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPAL WITHIN THE SCHOOL DIVISION FOR THE 2122 SCHOOL YEAR PROVIDED NO CHANGE IN REASSIGNMENT SHALL AFFECT THE SALARY OF SUCH TEACHER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPAL IN THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THANK YOU, DR.

BROWN, ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR.

BALLINGER SAY NONE.

DO WE HAVE ANY MOTION? UH, YES.

MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M MOVED AT THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TO REASSIGN ANY TEACHER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OR PRINCIPAL WITHIN THE SCHOOL DIVISION FOR THE 2021 DASH 22 SCHOOL SESSION.

SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES FIRST READING

[4D. First Reading - WCPS Virtual Academy Handbook and Guidelines - Dr. Ballenger]

DR.

BALLENGER.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

THANK YOU.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED SCHOOL DIVISIONS TO EVALUATE EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY METHODS.

AS PART OF THIS EVALUATION, WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR A VIRTUAL COMPONENT WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THE ATTACHED HANDBOOK OUTLINES THE PROGRAM AND REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO ATTEND WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGH THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY WILL FOCUS ON STUDENTS IN GRADES THREE THROUGH 12.

STUDENTS MUST MEET RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

AND MUST GO THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS.

CLASSES WILL BE LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS PER GRADE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL AND CLASSES AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL WILL BE BASED ON THE STUDENT NEED AND STUDENT ENROLLMENT, OUR CTE AND DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE AS WELL.

VIRTUAL STUDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM ONE OF OUR TWO HIGH SCHOOLS.

AS YOU DIG DEEPER INTO THAT HANDBOOK OR INTO THIS HANDBOOK, UM, I'LL JUST HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF AREAS.

SO TO BE ABLE TO ENROLL IN OUR ACADEMY, ONE, STUDENTS HAVE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO EARN A DIPLOMA AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THROUGHOUT AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

SO THAT MEANS IF THEY'VE BEEN A HOME INSTRUCTION STUDENT, THEN THEY WANT TO COME

[00:40:01]

IF IT'S, UM, AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

AGAIN, THAT THAT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT STORY, BUT THAT ONE GOES MAINLY FOR OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS.

UM, YOU KNOW, THEY MUST HAVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A COMPONENT TO VIRTUAL LEARNING IT'S CALLED VIRTUAL BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CONNECTION AT HOME.

UM, IF THOSE CONNECTIONS CAN NOT BE MADE, THEN YOU KNOW, THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT, YES, WE NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP WITH THAT.

IF SOMEBODY NEEDS THAT SUPPORT, UM, ACCESS TO THE PROCESSES OF EVALUATION FOR ELIGIBILITY OF SPECIAL SERVICES AND OR OTHER SYSTEM OF SUPPORT, WILLIAM WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS REQUIRED BY THE INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT AND SECTION FIVE OH FOUR OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973.

SO FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT DO HAVE, OR DO REQUIRE SOME SERVICES, WE WILL PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO THEM.

ALSO STUDENTS THAT ARE IN OUR VIRTUAL ACADEMY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE A PART OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO THEY WILL ACCESS HAVE ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL, TO THE LIBRARY, TO A TEACHER, TO CLUBS, TO ATHLETICS.

IF THEY'RE, IF THEY MEET THE VHSL REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT, UH, FIELD TRIPS, OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE IN OUR ACADEMY, THEY HAVE TO BE ENROLLED IN OUR SCHOOL OR IN ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS RECOMMENDATION FROM A TEACHER ADMINISTRATOR OR OTHER EDUCATOR.

SO THAT, THAT RECOMMENDATION IS BASICALLY SAYING THAT YES, THEY ARE A GOOD INDIVIDUAL LEARNER THAT THEY TAKE THE TIME TO GET OUT HERE.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE SELF-DRIVEN THEY'RE SELF-PACED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES THIS YEAR WITH STUDENTS AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD.

AND SO FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, WE WANT THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THIS MAY BE THE PATH FOR THEM INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEM BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND SO I WROTE A RECOMMENDATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE A GOOD STUDENT AND THAT THEY'RE, THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB GOING FORWARD.

RELIABLE INTERNET, EMAIL, PHONE SERVICE, UH, DEMONSTRATES SUCCESS AS A, AS AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER COMPLY WITH ALL WCPN POLICIES, SPECIFICALLY ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL, A CURRENT GPA OF 2.5 OR HIGHER OR RECOMMENDATION BY AN ADMINISTRATOR WHEN APPLE GO ON TRACK TO GRADUATE ON TIME WITH SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE STATE STANDARD OF LEARNING.

SO OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR THE APPLICATION, BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE IN THE PART RIGHT NOW WHERE WE REALLY NEED TO START MOVING FORWARD TO R FOUR APPLICATION TO FIND OUT WHAT OUR NUMBERS ARE GONNA LOOK LIKE AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, WHAT OUR NUMBERS ARE GONNA LOOK LIKE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.

AND SO WE NEED THAT APPLICATION TO GO OUT PRETTY SOON.

SO WITH THAT, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND START PUTTING ALL THOSE PIECES TOGETHER.

WE HAVE, WE HAVE EVERYTHING SET AND NOW WE NEED TO START DROPPING THE, THE BLOCKS IN THE HOLE HERE, SO TO APPLY, ALL RIGHT, SO APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED DIGITALLY, BUT TOO, YOU APPLY FOR ALL WCPN VIRGINIA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO E WILSON MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SO WE'RE WANTING TO DESIGNATE, HE WASN'T MORRISON AS OUR VIRTUAL LEARNING SCHOOL KIND OF MAKE THAT A MAGNET SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY.

AND THERE THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS THAT WE WANT TO DO THAT.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO TAG THAT AS OUR VIRTUAL VIRTUAL HOME SCHOOL FOR OUR STUDENTS.

UM, AS FAR AS OUR SECONDARY STUDENTS, THEY WILL SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AT THEIR HOMESCHOOL OF RESIDENCY.

SO IF THEY'RE IN THE WARREN COUNTY, IT'LL EITHER BE WARREN COUNTY, MIDDLE SCHOOL OR WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, LET'S GO IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

SCOTT LET'S GO IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THERE IS A DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS.

UM, YOU KNOW, SEATS ARE LIMITED.

A COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS.

AS I STATED EARLIER, WE, WE WILL BE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ALSO AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

IF OUR, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE A CLASS.

SO THAT IS ONE THING WE LOOK AT SCHEDULING.

AND AS, AS PRINCIPALS START LOOKING AT SCHEDULES FOR THEIR TEACHERS, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE A CLASS VIRTUAL OR NOT? IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW A TEACHER, DOES A TEACHER HAVE AN OPEN BLOCK WHERE THAT TEACHER CAN NOW STEP IN AND TEACH VIRTUAL FOR THAT BLOCK INSTEAD OF HAVING ANOTHER BLOCK OR PUTTING THEM DOING SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE, WHEN WE COULD USE THEM IN THAT VIRTUAL WORLD, AND REALLY THAT'S KIND OF THE, TO HIGHLIGHT OUR, OUR HANDBOOK RIGHT NOW, THIS IS OUR FIRST READING OF THE HANDBOOK AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO UPDATE THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS PROCESS GOING SO THAT WE

[00:45:01]

UH, THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL NEED TO BRING TO THE BOARD AT OUR NEXT WORK SESSION.

THOSE FUNDS WILL BE USED, UH, TO PROVIDE THOSE FUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR CARES FUNDING TO HELP WITH, UM, THE SALARIES.

SO THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE COMPONENTS THAT WE, WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO NEED.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA ARE USING VIRTUAL VIRGINIA, BUT ALSO I THINK THAT VIRTUAL VIRGINIA DOESN'T REALLY TIE YOUR STUDENTS TO THE SCHOOL AND DOESN'T BRING THEM IN, UH, THIS IS A PERSONAL TOUCH.

THIS IS ALLOWING US TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IN EDUCATION RELATIONSHIPS IS REALLY WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

AND SO WE WANT TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR VIRTUAL STUDENTS.

SO OUR TEACHERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE DEDICATED JUST TO VIRTUAL EDUCATION.

THEY'RE GOING TO ALSO HAVE IN CLASS STUDENTS AS WELL AS, SO AT ELEMENTARY IT WAS RECOMMENDED.

SO WE BROUGHT IN TEACHERS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL AND AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, AND WE HAD MULTIPLE MEETINGS WITH THEM TO, TO REALLY KIND OF PUT FORTH THE BEST PLAN OF WHAT IT WAS, WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND SO AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, THE REOCCURRING THEME THERE WAS THAT WE WILL HAVE A DESIGNATED TEACHER THAT ALL THEY WILL TEACH IS VIRTUAL, NO HYBRID AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, IT'S ALL DESIGNATED.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THREE TEACHERS AT THE ELEMENTARY, ONE THIRD GRADE, ONE FOURTH GRADE, ONE FIFTH GRADE, BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE TO MEET ALL OF VIRGINIA, UM, SOQ AND SOA.

SO WE HAVE TO MEET ALL THOSE REQUIREMENTS, EVEN WITH THOSE VIRTUAL TEACHERS.

SO WE WILL HAVE THREE TEACHERS THAT WILL BE DESIGNATED JUST FOR THOSE CLASSES.

NOW, IF WE SEE THAT OUR NUMBERS ARE UP, YOU KNOW, COULD WE OPEN UP ANOTHER CLASS? UM, POSSIBLY, BUT RIGHT NOW WE THINK OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING TO PUT US AROUND.