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>> The time is 07:00:05PM, in this, too, that 4/9/2026 regular meeting of the Fairfax County School board will come to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence and a performance of the national
anthem by the Whitman Middle School Symphonic Arch Orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Oval.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag. ♪
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>> And we have one more round of applause for amazing kiddos.
>> Ms. Lady has submitted a request to attend tonight's meeting remotely due to a personal conflict. Has she is a professional commitment and
is located in Winter Park, Florida. I have perform an initial review of mislaid request and have found it to be in compliance with the school board's remote participation resolution. And I have approve there request
misleading. She's not on it. Okay. We will circle back and she joins us. On behalf of the school board. I would like to welcome city of Fairfax School
board member Derrick Healthy. Thank you for joining us tonight. If you would like to review a copy of the meeting agenda, please see the back of the auditorium to obtain
copies of any items are supporting materials being presented tonight. Please reference the QR code on the agenda or visit WWW Dot Fcps studied you slash board docs.
Tonight's meeting is being broadcast on Cox Channel. 99, Verizon Channel 11 and is live streamed on YouTube and other Web site at Www Dot Fcps Edu
slash live stream. Tonight's meeting is also being broadcast in Spanish on YouTube at YouTube at DOT com
slash at Fcps en Espanol. And I understand that Ms. Lady has joined us. So I will ask that you please. We see you. Can you please check your audio?
♪ I now ask board members who are physically present to vote on the following. All those in favor of confirming the chairs approval of ladies request.
Mr. Fresh Mister McDaniel, this mayor and Mr. McElveen St. John-Cunning Mistick said Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon and myself. All those opposed
Dr. Anderson. clerks, please read the vote. >> The vote is 10. One of the motion carries. Thank you.
>> Agenda item, 3.0 3 Arab American Heritage Month proclamation icon Dr. Anderson
for a proclamation. As April is the time to celebrate Arab American heritage and culture and pay tribute to the
country. Contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic speaking Americans. >> This year's theme, many voices, one community underscores the idea that diversity is not a weakness,
but a strength, one that enriches American society defense. Our collective story and honors our differences while affirming our while
affirming our unity. And whereas nearly 4 million Americans trace their roots to an Arab country. Arab-American tale from 22 Arab nations. And
and our diverse ethnically religiously politically and artistically. And whereas for centuries AB Americans have made valuable contributions to
every aspect of American society and medicine law, business education, technology government military service culture and
invented many groundbreaking innovations to include television transmission. An LCD screens. The Waffle Cone. Emotion, recognition
technology, the iPod and the iPhone surgical developments, including the concept behind coronary bypass surgery, an Internet security advances such as the digital signature
standard. And whereas since migrating to America, people of Arab descent have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and
friends. While also setting find examples as model citizens and public servants. An heir of Americans have also enriched our society by
sharing and the American spirit that make that make our nation free and prosperous. And whereas the celebration of Arab American ancestry and
cultural heritage, educate our fellow Americans and couches bias misconception harmful stereotyping and shared abuses by other ethnic groups. Arab American Heritage Month is an
opportunity to celebrate the great pride and vibrancy of the over 100,000 Arab Americans in Virginia was abilities and contributions. Strengthen Virginia's economy,
diverse culture, and communities. And whereas Fairfax County Public Schools believes and fostering an inclusive community that
empowers all students and families, Arab American Heritage Month for presents an opportunity to explore and appreciate the diversity that strengthens our community through a classroom activities
and educational programs. We aim to enrich our students, understanding and appreciation of Arab American heritage. Now, therefore, be it resolved
that the Fairfax County school board here by proclaims April as Arab American Heritage Month and officially recognizes the contributions Arab Americans have made to
our society. We encourage a celebration of this collective ingenuity creativity cultures and traditions of Arab Americans and encourage participation participation
and educational events honoring their contributions. Thank you. Doctor Anderson is their second. Thank you. John counting. I will call for a
vote. All those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel and this mayor and Maccoll mean Mr. St. John-Cunning Ms. Dixit. >> Mr. Dan Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon
Dr. Anderson, Ms. Lady and myself, that is unanimous for all board members. Congratulations.
>> Agenda item, 3.0 4 school Librarian Appreciation Month proclamation icon Mr. Dan and for a proclamation. >> Whereas April is recognized nationally as school library month, a time to celebrate the
essential role that school librarians and library services staff play in supporting student achievement and fostering a love of reading and learning. And whereas school librarians in Fairfax County, Public Schools are highly trained
instructional partners who design and deliver engaging learning experiences that strengthen that or C research and critical thinking skills for all students and whereas fcps librarians and library services, staff, beaten
support, innovative programs that promote equitable access to diverse resources, digital tools and emerging technologies, ensuring that all students can locate, evaluate and use information
effectively in an increasingly complex world. And whereas school libraries provide welcoming inclusive environments that encourage curiosity, creativity and student voice providing access to materials that reflect the
diversity of our community and brought in students understanding of different perspectives and cultures. And whereas Fcps Library services staff Kerry, high-quality collections, support
instructional initiatives, advance digital citizenship and ensure that library programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of students and educators. And whereas school librarians foster a
lifelong love of reading by guiding students to discover books that inspire challenge and engage them supporting both academic success and personal growth. And whereas
the contributions of scps librarians and library services staff strengthen our schools and communities by promoting literacy, innovation and equitable access to knowledge for every student. Now, therefore, be it resolved
that the Fairfax County school board here by proclaims April 2026. as school Library Appreciation Month and expresses its highest commendation for the dedication expertise and
impact of school, librarians and library services staff. We encourage the Fairfax County community to recognize and celebrate the final contributions of school. A variance and to engage with their school libraries throughout the year. Thank
you, Mr. Gannon is their second. >> Ms. Thank you. I will call for a vote. All those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel
mayor and Mr. McElveen missing John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Dan and Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, Lady and myself,
congratulations. That's unanimous. >> Agenda item, 3.0 5 months
of the military child proclamation. >> Whereas April is the month of the military child. This designation was established by
former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger in 1986. >> To acknowledge and honor our youngest military heroes and the significant role they play in our communities.
Whereas in the 2020 16 for the month of the military. Is military children and youth straight. And every story and
shines a light on the everyday courage of military children. Their stories filled with resilience and up, add up the Levy and quiet strength
demonstrates the powerful character they build while growing up in a world defined by service and sacrifice and was Virginia is home to over
77,000 military connected school-age students more than any other state in the nation. Fairfax County, Public Schools proudly supports around 13,500
military connected. The youth and families. And wear a mask. Our military connected students find a wealth of life experiences to our schools.
Military families relocate frequently leading their children to change schools in support Netflix with each move. The students know first hand what it feels like to be
the new kid and know how welcoming how he welcoming attitude can help. Every new student. And whereas military connected children overcome
many challenges and have unique experiences as a result of their parents assignments at duty stations around the world. And whereas Fcps honored to protest participate
in the Purple Star designation program. The 96 Fcps Purple Star schools are recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Council
on Interstate Compact on educational Opportunity for military children for actively supporting military connected students and their families. And we remain dedicated to
ensuring all schools earned the Purple Star designation by the 2026 2027 school year. And whereas on April 15th Fcps
will celebrate Purple update. Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army Queen Marine Corps read and Coast Guard, Navy Air Force and
Space Force Blue. We encourage everyone to wear purple to celebrate our military connected students next Wednesday. Therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax
County School board celebrates April as the month of the military child in recognition of military connected students for their heroism, character
sacrifices and continued resilience. This month provides a powerful opportunity to raise awareness and build support for these children. And therefore, be it
further resolved that the Fairfax County School board extends appreciation for the service of all children for military families and encourages everyone to wear purple throughout the month to
celebrate our military connected students and families. Is their second goal. Army Thank you, Doctor Anderson. >> I will call for a vote. All
those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel, Mister Mayor, Mr. Mckelvie missing John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Dunne, Mr. Danon, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson.
And Lady and myself. And that's unanimous. >> I would like welcome all those here in support of the
month of military child proclamation to please join the board for a photo in front
of dice. >> I would like to welcome our school librarians and all those here in support of the school Librarian Appreciation Month Proclamation to please
join the board for a photo at the front of the diocese. I
would like to welcome all those here in support of the Arab American Heritage Month Proclamation to please join the board for a photo at the
front of the diocese. Jerry Anderson. That's our last
picture. >> Agenda item, 3.0, 0, 6, annual recognition of National Board certified teachers. Good
evening and welcome honorees and guests. We are pleased to recognize that recognize those Fairfax County public school educators who have have earned a renewed national board
certification for the 26 27 school year. It is my great honor on behalf of the Fairfax County School board to recognize our national board certified teachers for their dedication and contributions
to the education of our students. And now I would like to introduce our division Superintendent Dr Michelle Rhee, thank you, Chair Anderson. And good evening. I would like to congratulate
each of you. >> On achieving were renewing your national board certification National Board certification is a rigorous and prestigious achievement.
And we are proud to be here to honor your commitment to excellence as educators to you. Our 2026 honorees. You are part of an elite group of education professionals who
can say they have achieved national board certification. Over the last 24 years, over 500 teachers in Fairfax County avert a national board
certification as educators. You are 10 of the 215 currently teaching in classrooms and serving in leadership positions across Fairfax County, Public
Schools. National Board, certification bodies. Everything we hope to see in our teachers, this group of educators says demonstrated their commitment to high
quality instruction, equitable practices, family engagement, collaboration and self-reflection on a national level. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the students,
staff and families of Fcps. And now I would like to welcome 2 of our instructors from the National Board Certification course. along
and say Evers to read the names of our honorees. Good
evening. At this time recognize teachers who have achieved their initial national board certification. >> We invite you to use the QR code that's up there to access
the digital program for more information about each of honorees. Honorees. Then your name is called. Please stand. We'll make a sex enough from
Twin Middle school. Additionally, we would like to honor Stacy per critic from Make Forest Elementary School who is recognized for achieving National board
certification but was unable to join us today. Thank you. Please join me recognizing the accomplishments of on a far new national board certified
teachers. Congratulations to all of them. You can't please be seated. And then I'm headed over to save right now. The
following national board teachers have renewed their certificates honorees when your name is called, please stand to be recognized remain standing until all honorees are called.
>> Kerry Cleary, Saratoga Elementary School. Kathleen Gannon Cardinal Forest Elementary School.
Additionally, we would like to honor the following individuals who are being recognized for renewing their national board certification but were unable to attend this evening. Jennifer Caudle
Haycock Elementary school. Kristen Gallagher, Lake Braddock, Secondary school. Allison Pops. Ali Stone Middle
School. Kristopher Ro Solar Bucknell Elementary school. Suzanne Road occur. Providence
Elementary School. Catherine Williams, Fairfax, High School. Congratulations to our
renewed national board, certified teachers and staff.
At this time. We would like to invite the school board and leadership team to come to the dias for a photo with the new and renewed national board certified teachers. >> We will take to Fed is the first with all honorees and
the second with all newly certified honorees.
And now if we could do photo with just
our newly honored honoree. >> On behalf of the Fairfax County school board, I want to congratulate this year's National Board certified teachers. They are to be
commended for their dedication to the excellent instruction in helping students achieve success. Let's give them one more round of applause.
Please. Agenda item. 4.0 one community participation. The next order of business is community participation. We welcome all community members who are here and those who signed up to speak this
evening. Additional information about signing up to provide comments as school board, regular business meetings and public hearings can be found on the school board website at Www Dot Fcps
you backslash board the school board. During the sign-up process. Community members acknowledge that they were informed of the school board's exit to expectations for
proper decorum. When providing comments, these expectations are also available online and with the printed agenda, meeting materials in the back of the room. We ask audience members to be respectful of one another shouting an
outburst will not be tolerated. Please hold your applause until the conclusion of a speaker's remarks. Audience members may not join speakers at the podium and should remain in their seats, including one recording video
or taking pictures. We're grateful to those who have come to speak to us today. And thank you for your cooperation. School board members will be listening but not responding. Madam I'm sorry. Madam Clerk. Please
call the first speaker. Did I get a promotion? Anthony
Lampkin. All right. Well, thank you so much having I'm here representing my 2 children.
>> At Wolf Trap Elementary and my very hardworking wife who takes care for most of the time. And I'm here to to discuss the school calendar.
I'm not going to reiterate the problem statement. I think everyone probably in the room knows what that is. But I will reference a Reddit post from a couple of weeks ago titled No,
You Want Crazy. Fcps has the Bush school calendar. And I think that sums up my remarks mostly on the problem statement. One here, though,
is to support MS latest news led all. >> Aiming >> for a very driven approach and how to solve the problem. I know that there are measures
later tonight that folks will be voting on in terms of trying to tweak some days here and then to improve the school calendar next year. It's a very important step, but it's nowhere near enough. We need a
very common sense calland all and we needed an objective by which we can all collectively work together to get that right now, I believe are at about 50% of the school
calendar has a full 5 school count a week. And if we all agree on an objective higher than that, with be 70%, 75%. I believe we have the collective
was an experience talents in this room as well as maybe some pragmatic review, all best practice that will allow loss to get there. And certainly from my standpoint
and and friends as well at the school, you have some very supportive parents. We would love to work with you on this to make sure that we have a very common sense and driven
approach to improving the current fragmented school. Qantas, a thank you very much for having me and listening.
And here to support is needed. >> Julie Corell. Hello. My
name is Julie Curl. Before we get started, I would like to to know that I'm a graduate. I'm a teacher and the parent of a rising kindergartner. And when I teach my class, I asked my students, put their laptops
down when I speak. I'd like you to do the same. Everybody. Please. Just exactly the type
of problem the classroom teachers have with want one devices we asked we asked and some of you don't comply. And we become the police of the devices in the classroom. It
takes a part-time takes of our energy. I'm still asking for some of you to put your laptops down. And you're not doing it. Imagine you're 12. Imagine you're 8. This is a
real problem. We're all a part of it. We all need to be the solution for it. I'm here on behalf of an advocacy group for parents and teachers
called Fcps parents, intentional use of technology. I am the canary in the coal mine here telling you we have major problem when it comes her one-on-one devices. We do. If nobody has told you that
before from the teacher standpoint, it's because they fear retribution. I do not. I'm here because I have a kindergarten student who is starting next Kindergarten
orientation tomorrow. I'm so nervous about it because I have worked very hard to keep an iPad out of his hands because I know that image that this type of device can cause and he will be issued one next
year by Fairfax County, Public Schools. I'm asking you for opt out option for families who do not want this technology in their children's hands. Myself Ocon to mostly
screen-free classroom because you see the difficulty that hadn't just asking for members to put their device away. It's almost impossible for teachers to do so. These form a committee to study this issue.
And in the meantime, offer an opt-out for families. We are desperate for it. Thank you.
And the trailer. It hola. Andy Traver. Emily Van der Hoff. Go
ahead. Good evening, Doctor Reed and members of the school work. My name is and teacher to And I'm here to talk tonight about the current
calendar. So our current calendars drifting toward a year-round model without the strategic breaks necessary to make it work. It's time to return to a post-Labor start in this time. And by 31st.
>> Virginia law mandates 990 hours. Not 180 days. Let's harness the extra hours to instead maximize the counter that prioritizes a longer summer that can be utilized in ways that support our students. First, a longer
summers and economic engine that supports Virginia's tourism and allows our high schoolers and educators who need extra income to work seasonal jobs to support their families. Second, we need regional coordination across Nova educators, working one
district in live in another. The chances that their students off when they have school as high cars. Instructional disruption across the district's, please consider coming together with districts to coordinate future
counters together, fragments weeks, our financial burden for families and hurt our most vulnerable. So any consistency to thrive. When we break through team, we break the learning extending the school year does not increase test scores enough to justify it.
We continue to retest students who feel well as for their entire academic career, but really teach them systemic strategies for how to take tests when we began es S*****, CT testing in April, released them 6 to 8 weeks later. It's
hard to come and students to actually. Conan on their learning. Instead, consolidate testing in May as much as possible this year. Some of CPS students are going to graduate on June. 1st. So
their finals begin once AP IB tests or dime giving underclassman their finals with them. If students pass everything for the year done for the summer, if not bring them back and use those next 2 weeks to remediate them. So they have smaller class sizes
with staff that no longer have to worry about seniors or students with past so they can focus more attention to the students that need it. Most for families to opt in. You could host enrichment camps like SAT prep college
application seminars. Staff are not meeting to partner with other educators and outside groups to promote other enrichment opportunities. A similar scenario to play out in K 8 pastor, a small summers on feel yes. mediate for up to 2
weeks and retest. We don't need a longer here. We need a smarter one. Thank you for your time. And leave and a
half. Good evening. Doctor Reed and members of the board. My name is Emily Van Der Hoff and I'm the president Cft. I'm here to speak to the 3
calendar motions before the board tonight. >> I believe that families NFC that fcps staff share common goals both providing consistency and structure for students and also providing
the highest quality of education possible. While these 3 motions deprive that consistency. Our concern is that it comes at the cost of giving staff the time they need to do the critical planning and collaboration allows us to provide a
world-class education to students. Both families and staff of point out that converting Indigenous Peoples Day and Veterans Day to instructional days does not address the childcare. Need that families have raised given that many parents
already have a holiday on these days. Staff of also concerned that it would come a lack of respect for military connected and families. In addition as people staff also raised concern about how removing elementary early releases would roll back
efforts ride planning parity across school levels. If these early releases are taken away, will comparable planning time for elementary teachers be provided. Elementary staff have their own criticisms of how the early releases are
currently structured. But this is due to the logistical and staffing challenges related to the child care component. And the limited time for date planning and collaboration due to the number of meetings and other responsibilities during this time as the FT would love
to engage in a broader discussion with fcps on how to find solutions that address the valid concerns raised by families about the desire for consistency while also ensuring staff have the time they need to provide high
quality instruction. Thank you. Pristina cash. Christina
Kish, president of Justice High School rowing boosters mom to my rower and snacked lady to the rest of the team. >> Thank you for this opportunity speak. Really, really quickly. I'm here to
ask Fcps to please provide transportation for rowing team to Clinton River. As a clutch sports, the rowing teams, our by by the Fcps and Vhsl rules.
But we don't have the resources from the county. This lack of resources, especially widens, the equity gap for justice for the only title one high school in the
county. Approximately 75% of our students are economically disadvantaged with free and reduced lunch program. Support. This year's pay $690 a day to rent. Really not
great pass. That's almost $28,000 for this season. Just to get the kids to practice. We have to charge $990 in dues, which is very common for the schools and really
prohibitive for a lot of our families. Our equipment is old and failing. That means fewer rovers on the water. If you're a coach is on the water. Just families do not have the
ability with the cars or their work schedules to car pool, even though we know that some of the other schools and teams do. I were further away from the river than a lot of other
teams. It's 45 minutes down on a good day and back as Growing parent from a more affluent school and that much closer to their practice river told me Rowling is a sport for those
with means. We want to change this reality for justice students. We really do. And we want to rowing team to reflect this incredibly rich and diverse community that we
have. We want every student justice that wants to row to be able to grow. I look forward to working with you on a solution for this and I get
time to thank everybody. The principal, Dr Garvey at the entire athletic staff, Mason supervisor diminished our
generous donors and >> Alyssa Coleman.
>> Hi, my name is Alyssa Coleman and I am the parent. girl development tree. First of all, I want to thank the board for listening to families and looking into solutions to the calendar year
that's proposed for next school year. However, many parents and I feel that the current recommendations are missing the root of the problem, which is the widening gap between the school
calendar and the reality of working families. October 12th and November. 11th are federal holidays when many parents are already off unable to care for their children, replacing these with school days will be
Ving other days when parents are working off cousins, families to juggle. The upcoming school year spans roughly 42 weeks and a
statistical analysis shows that 43% of those weeks are interrupted by holiday CE teacher. Workdays early dismissals. That number will go up because I haven't been
able to factor in the 8. The proposed early release Wednesday is for elementary schools which haven't scheduled yet. When I ran those numbers for this year, it's a 65% of weeks
interrupted for elementary schoolers. This poor schedule cause is a constant struggle, struggle for both families and students for nearly half the years. Children are not in school for a five-day week for
working parents. This means expensive child care. We're stressful. Juggling most weeks of the year. Finally, we must consider the long-term impact on our students. I've heard from neighbors and friends
that their children find college, exhausting because they aren't used to a 5 day academic week. Well, Fairfax excels academically. This fragmented schedule, pair
prepare, fails to prepare students for the stamina and the work ethic required in the professional world. In a region to find the 2 working parent households. We need a schedule that reflects our community's needs. I think the
board superintendent and the community to have a hard conversation but reducing the number of teacher workdays early dismissals for non federal holidays. Thank you creating a schedule that
prepares art. To less to Riggs. To Leicester Please
play the video submitted by Stephanie Lundquist >> good evening Censullo proclamations so much. Try this one. Where is about 50%
of students from low-income households are feeling there as well as we are result to improve their academic outcomes. There are about 74,000 students labeled economically disadvantaged in Fcps. According to the
Virginia Department of Education Data last economic here, 42% field or in English So wells 95% fielding was writing 41% field math. 46%
field science and 70% feel history. More favorable student to teacher ratios would improve academic outcomes. But you cut 275 teaching positions. Meanwhile,
you've spent over 12 million dollars on lawyers this year. That's equivalent to 120 teachers and counting and some of your contracts. You've selected the most expensive
law firms in the country such as McGuire Woods in King and Spalding offering to pay their lawyers up to $1850 per hour. On the other hand, including
benefits teachers make about $65 per hour. Dre told public that Fcps hired McGuire Woods to conduct independent investigation regarding the alleged sexual assault in
Fairfax, High School. contract states and I quote the investigation has been undertaken for the purpose of providing legal advice to fcps. And that doesn't sound
very independent. In addition to shift in legal fees to teachers as DPS should have a less erratic calendar to improve academic outcomes. Half of our school, are find a weeks like this one. A 3 day
school week for no apparent reason directly after spring break. Aside from the learning disruption for some low-income families to pay for more child. Here is regressive in an equitable. You claim to
believe in the concept of equity. But what about the children from low-income households? Where's their proclamation? What are you
doing for them? Thank you. While Nicole Woodward signed up to provide a pre-recorded video, she could not one. >> Please play the video testimony submitted by
Kimberly Adams. >> Good evening, Doctor. Reed Chair Anderson and members of the board. I'm Kimberly Adams speaking tonight as an individual to ensure our school calendar for flex of
the needs of our community. Present fcps staff member previous participant in numerous calendar committee meetings and apparent. I urge you to consider 6 priorities.
Re establish the true calendar committee. We need a collaborative group including staff students, religious leaders and Union Partners to align our schedules surrounding divisions and
include everyone's priorities. Maintain religious holiday observances, including major religious holidays, protect students and staff from academic conflicts and the stigma of requesting time off.
This was built on community consensus and must remain. Honor federal holidays. We should keep Veterans Day is a holiday and consider restoring Indigenous Peoples Day to a full day off for everyone
rather than just a staff development day. Prioritize well-being for over 5 day weeks. Well, consistency is valuable. occasional four-day week provide staff and students, the essential mental
and physical breaks needed for healthy school, life balance. Starting one week before Labor Day. The current 2 weeks early start was only a temporary fix for specific year. It was
never intended to be the permanent standard and should be adjusted re evaluate inclement weather days building in over 10 snow days is often unnecessary. We
should label the final days of the year as makeup days and remove them once our hourly requirements are met to allow for earlier summer break. Finally, I would encourage you to listen closely to the
community and offer room for public discussion. At least one full year in advance of any proposed changes. Thank you for your time.
>> Cherrie Anderson, that was our last public speaker. Thank you. Madam Chair. Can be a night country agenda item. 5.0 one student Representative
matters. Icon. This become. Good afternoon. Members of the board. I want to begin by addressing the growing number of non instructional days in colander and the impact they're having on students, teachers and families.
>> As a senior, I definitely appreciate the days off talking to my peers elicited the same response. In fact, I was made into those advocate for even starting conversation about maybe decreasing our current amount of 40's off in
order for increase instructional time and longer. Summers, increasing frequency of early there. Early release stays. Unscheduled trip tunes is beginning to affect the consistency of instruction in a meaningful way at the
elementary level alone. There are 13 early release days and across all levels. The just these disruptions make it more difficult for teachers to maintain pacing and continuity in their curriculum beyond academics is also creates a
real child. Families. Many parents cannot easily adjust schedules or find child care during these early release days, which adds an additional layer of stress out of the classroom. The compromise that we had last year was also in structural issue on the sta's
students and teachers are present. But instructional instruction is intentional limited so that students observing the holiday do not fall behind. While this approach is rooted inclusivity, respect, it often resulted in a full day where
little to no during took place over time. These lost instructional opportunities added up at the same time removing these holidays. Holidays entirely is not a simple or necessarily fair solution. Fairfax County
Public Schools serves an incredibly diverse population and our calendar should continue to reflect and honor that ever. City and limiting these accommodations could create the perception that some religious legends are
cultural practices are being prioritized over others, which would go against the values of diversity and equity inclusion that the division strives uphold. This presents a complex challenge. However, it is also opportunity. I believe
that the board can work towards a more balanced approach. One that Pratt Priortize instructional time. We'll respecting diversity of our student body. This could mean rethinking how these these are structured rather than simply adding or removing
them. So we are not unintentionally sacrificing meaningful, meaningful learning time. I also want to bring back attention to an issue. Does increasing not relevant. Our schools, the lack of clear framework for soon operate accounts, particularly those that are
present school communities without these without clear guidance students are left to navigate complex complex situations. So just handling controversy your spine to create criticism 18 managing
sensitive information on their own. This not only creates risk for the students involved. Also for the broader community in the division's public image, I believe there's strong need for proper practive division-wide framework that clearly
outlines expectations in a way that is understandable and accessible to students. This framework should also provide guidance on how to spot a complex, a crisis in online setting as well as establish transparency around who's
responsible for counts and how they're managed. Right now, the system is large, largely reactive. Action is often only taken after an issue arrives by putting clear structures in place ahead of the time ahead of time that sarin are. We can
prevent many of the situations are happening in the first place. Ultimately, this is about both accountability and support. Student leaders want to represent their school well, but they need the tools and clarity to do so effectively by establishing
clear expectations and safeguards. We can empower students also protecting the integrity of our schools division as a Thank you. Thank
you. Miss McComb. >> Agenda item. 6.0 1 action item certification, a closed meeting, compliance in order to comply with Section 2.2 Dash, 3, 7, 1, 2 d of the code
of Virginia. It's necessary for the board to certify that since the Fairfax County school board convened a closed meeting on April 9th 2026. to the best of each member's knowledge. Only public business matters lawfully
exempted from open meeting requirements and only such public business matters as identified in the motion convening the closed meeting heard discussed are considered by the board during the closed
meeting. Joy, have a motion. Mr. Mckelvie and I have a second Mr. Fresh. All those in favor, Mr. Fresh Mister McDaniel Aaron Mr. McElveen
missing John-Cunning. Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, Lady and myself, all those opposed. All those
abstaining mystics. It. The clerk, please read the vote. 11 when the motion carries. Thank you. Agenda item, 6.0 2
action item. Confirmation of action taken in closed. Economist are fresh or emotion. >> I move to deny the school reassignment appeal of a student who is charged with a crime in the community and to
confirm the disciplinary decision of the division superintendent, is there a second. Thank St. John-Cunning. All those in favor, Mr. Freshman strict Daniel. Mr. McElveen St.
John-Cunning, Mr. Dan and Mr. Dunne. Mr. Moon. Dr. Anderson, Ms. Lady and myself, all those opposed all those abstaining, this mayor and Ms. Dixit. Well, the clerk, please read
the vote. 10 0 to the motion carries. Icon Ms. St. John-Cunning from ocean. >> I move to deny the school reassignment appeal of a student who brought nicotine
entrance on to the school property with the intent to distribute, sell them at school and to confirm the disciplinary decision of the division superintendent is their second second. Thank you, Mr. McDaniel, all those
in favor, Mr. Fresh Mister McDaniel mayor and Mr. McElveen. >> St. John-Cunning, Mr. Dan and Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, Ms. Lady and myself, all those opposed all those
abstaining mystics. It. a quick, please read vote. >> 11, 0, one. The motion carries. Thank you. Economists are Dr. Anderson, for a
motion. >> I move to a man to the The school reassignment appeal of a student who assaulted another student on school grounds resulting in serious bodily injury to the division superintendent for further
consideration based on the discussion in the closed meeting thank you, Mr. Man, all those in favor. >> Mister, Fresh, Mr. McDaniel
Ms. Mr. McElveen same time coming, Mr. Dan and Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, misleading and myself. All those opposed all those abstaining. Ms. Dixit with a
click fees or the vote. >> 11, 0, 1, The motion carries. Thank you. I call on Dr. Anderson from Ocean. >> I move to expel the student who committed a serious offense and violation of
school board policy by being convicted of one count of possession. What transportation of a firearm by persons under the age of 18 one count unlawfully handling
a firearm. So as to endangering so as to endanger the life limb or property of another, is there a second second? Thank you, Mr. Annan, all those in favor.
>> Mr. Fresh mister s mayor and Mr. McElveen St. John-Cunning and Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, misleading and myself of those
opposed all standing mystics. It. more time. The clerk received a vote 11, 0, one. The motion carries. Thank you.
This action item 6.0 3. Motion to amend school calendar regarding indigenous. We'll stay. Icon banned from ocean. >> I move that the Fairfax County school board direct the
superintendent to designate Indigenous Peoples Day as the standard instructional day for students and staff for the 2026 27 school year and all subsequent years and to create and implement a district-wide
indigenous Peoples Day observance curriculum, focus on the history, sovereignty in contributions past and present of local indigenous peoples. And especially first Americans. It's their second second. Thank you, Mr. Coming
mismanaging like to speak your motion. In response to overwhelming input from parents seeking improvements to the fragmented student school year calendar. I'm taking actions toward initial
relief in the next school year to reduce calendar disruptions. Students need more 5 day school weeks. This is not the ideal approach, but it is where we all find ourselves. The ideal approach
is that the school board has policies that clearly direct the super intended to operate. The schools, providing ample time for planning by all at the same time, the superintendent also can approach the board with
solutions when there are challenges to be addressed in real time outside of the policy review of 5 years, neither of the above have happened satisfaction at this
time as the next school year draws ever nearer. My goal is to offer solutions with the least disruption possible for students, families and educators starting this fall. If this and Veterans Day
changes are adopted, there will be 2 more full five-day school week in the 1st quarter of the next school year. This will help children regulate to the instructional schedule at the start of the year. Setting them up for success. Then the
board and the superintendent must finish the needed work to remedy the situation. Adopt a clear policy. The board and revisit the out your calendars beginning with school year.
27. 28, the superintendent. Michael is governance committee chairs to have a calendar policy finalized as soon as possible next month in May. So the superintendent can return to the board with revised calendars for approval
soon after. Regarding Indigenous Peoples Day in particular, I will be transparent and say that I debated and discussed this option much before bringing it forward. I realize that some families may have plans are ready for the state as this is
customarily a three-day weekend as a soccer mom, myself, I am aware that sports tournaments can occur on this fall three-day weekend. However, this is a way to add
another 5 day school week at the outset of the year without massively rearranging the calendar. Also, I consider the 66,000 students. We have who can receive free or reduced meals. And another day in
school will help their minds and their tummies. Ultimately, I decided to propose it to have the conversation with the board publicly this evening, which happens to be the last day of this three-day school
week. Mr. McLean, just speak to mission for your second. Thank you so I think it's important too. Contextualize
what we're doing tonight in history. So pre 2022, I would this system. >> Had a sit had a way to
involve the community in building the calendar and it was called our calendar committee. We heard from the speaker tonight who is longtime member of the calendar committee and for many years that worked because
it's a way to funnel the opinions and views of the community into the work of this board, which was Dot the calendar. But by the time I
return to the status and 2024 the calendar committee was nowhere to be seen. In fact, remember with Dr. Anderson, we are in a cab. And a national
conference we're talking about this. you know, I turned to her and I said, what we can just refer that to the calendar committee and staff that was with us in that
vehicle said, well, there is no calendar committee anymore. There is a counter committee. It's a staff but it does not reflect our community and our
values. And so what has happened in the intervening years is that this board has delegated to the superintendent and staff the ability to determine a
three-year count under. I do not know the intentions of the prior board, but I don't think that their intentions were too in perpetuity. Remove the
board from the counter process. Tonight. I think we're doing what we can with what we have and frankly, we
are working too correct. The hot mess that is now scalding our community that was left to this current board. The solutions before us are not perfect. In a perfect world, I
would not be supporting this motion before us, but we're doing what we can with what we have right now. With that we're having to turn to
federal holidays. And in this case, too, Indigenous Peoples Day. So I am second miss. I am supporting this in a perfect world that would not be supporting this. I think there
are many as the community has made very clear, many other solutions that would make this calendar better. So this isn't perfect. This is a bad solution to that problem. We
need to do more. And I look to the this board to provide leadership in the coming to do more to address counter calamity. And I know that with
some later motions tonight, we'll have that opportunity to once again as we have in the past survey that community get community voices in this
process that has been. calamitous. Thank Mr. Dunne. Thank you. I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues to
bring forward multiple motions this evening to address the calendar for next year. >> I think it's important to start with the calendar. Did
not deteriorate because any one individual or any one school board, this is a trend over 20 years as my newsletter showed. So it's a confluence of multiple decisions,
multiple policies that all together work against the interests of families and students and academic outcomes. Just today I
received an e-mail from a mother explaining that her child with special needs because of the fragmented school calendar, at least in part, now receives homebound instruction because the
counter was too disruptive to enable her child to maintain education environment in a school setting, depriving that's out of access to friends and all the benefits
from being around your peers. I've also received hundreds of e-mails from my constituents and county residents explaining that they are facing financial burdens,
logistical difficulties. And to the point where people are considering giving up their jobs and their careers solely because of the school counter. Now, when I was growing up when any of us in this room
are growing up, the school calendar was not something you thought about. It was not something that tormented and traumatized our parents, but it's gotten to the point where
families have expressed in explicit terms that the school calendar is the most important issue and their families lives. And that is unacceptable. It's unconscionable at a time when
so many families are facing economic difficulties, anxiety about the job market with the advent of AI federal layoffs and so forth. We need to build a support, the quality of life in this county. We already
have an affordability crisis. We need to make sure that we're designing government services to be convenient and easy for people to live and thrive in this county. So that is the context within which I
view this school calendar discussion. We do have the longest school year and the DMV region and nationally with comparable school districts. We have the shortest summer. If the lowest percentage of
five-day weeks and this important to understand its structural. It's not it's not because of snow days. Our extreme weather events. It's not because of the incredibly large number of special
elections, the fraud, our colleague to the board. And because this is a long-term trend that we need to fix it. And I know that together we can tonight is the beginning,
but it's not the end. I will be working with my colleagues in the coming weeks to bring additional motions that will seek to address the calendar holistic and comprehensive fix
because our job is to set broad policy parameters and then to delegate to the superintendent and her operational focus to develop counters to present was for
approval. >> Thank you, Madam Chair and Spur or just kind the motions. This evening because as Mister
Dunn's t to death. He gives us good first opportunity to discuss in public. What he should ever to Terrell
leading? School calendars down there and staff members. >> With that what I'm about to say he goes to both first
motion and the the motion. motion being stay. I am going to stick with it. current
policy and recreations. Unless the Bulldogs changes primacy shoot, putting conditions changes, regulations. should
couple decision. That's how I view it. Regulation 13. 44.13.
Indigenous people stay Harlem. This too, you know, resignation. So, you know, as much yes, much we need to
prove light 5, 4, should be weeks. I support that and I am willing to work. We'd like awnings to done going forward 2 to figure out whole best
best to provide more 5 for east for charities. I wish that family members bot for particular motion, the motion
I'm looking at 2026 2020 7 school calendar. For the month. Cooper of October. That is the only day and we are
cause one that particular week not to be. Instruction. The week. So month, it's a much better than other months on
their minds. goes into emotion, but stay things, much worse for them for the month of November. So with that said, and so again, I'm gonna
stick with current policy and regulations until our board for discussion with the community feedback. He's trying to change the promise to make I thank you for
putting up this motion because this set in important conversation we should have
had from 20 yards. Ms. Dixit. Thank you to my colleagues to bring this motion and also highlighting the of the have heard from the community about
meeting the 5 days work week. >> School week. should be a looks work week. So anyways, I wanted to say that I like this
idea in the spin it. And of course, it's going to help a lot of our students and the community and the families. But I am very hesitant to take federal holidays away from
people who have fuller either working in federal government are working in any state government, local governments because lot of these holidays are under federal law. Hunter
does follow and there are a lot families in Fairfax County, which are connected with federal government in some ways and they're off that
day. So I would like to find other days. And then think there is possibility of having other days to be open. They're they're closed right now. Are obviously this board. This
board did not vote for calendar, right? So open to discussing this with the community and I agree that should be discussed with with
all the stakeholders. It cannot be just the board that making decision for, you know, for that, for the students and the families. So open to it. I
know Pham some middle school and high school students like that break in between because of their workload and sports and other things. But there are a lot of kindergartners
are younger students elementary grade, which obviously the families. don't like that. They want those kids in school. So I like to,
you support overall, this calendar of situation and help in the end as a pattern. That was a bit. before I got on the board and as eye can see and feel as as as a parent still
right. So I will work with my colleagues and we'll definitely support something else but not taking federal. It we I be supporting this
motion. Thank you. Mr. Fresh. Appreciate the potential is a a this is kind of like a stopgap measure. And I think
the fact that it is front loaded in the school year makes it more palatable. Despite the drawbacks on the federal holidays front and
perhaps the work of the board on the out your calendar, the policy and the out years calendar can remediate that issue in the out your calendars. So wow, you know, I
would never choose to start with federal holidays. I think this is a a bridge to this process for us and, you know,
the last time the board voted on the calendar, I voted against it. And my argument at the time was that the alternative had that that end
up passing had fewer 5 day school weeks than the the approach that I preferred. People remember that that time will remember it was like yellow calendars and purple
calendars and blue calendars green calendars that read calendars. It was very difficult to keep it all straight. And so as we begin this conversation around the
process going forward. I think what interests me the most is like, what is my responsibility as a board member? So in addition to working on the policy with my colleagues. Ie to
understand that the calendar discussion is not divorced from the rest of the work of the board. When we ask for new programs when we ask for a new approach to literacy
instruction or math instruction as every watching a lot of BBC at maths instruction those things require professional development and training. And
so we have to be, you know, thoughtful as we pick this work up and look to the counters in the out years about what impact we have on the calendar for the votes that we have throughout the
year that I are not at least on their face, anything to do with the calendar because then what we're doing is if we're removing opportunities for professional development or
early release, days planning time. We're squeezing educators from both ends right? We're putting more on them while at the same time taking away the space they need to thrive in the things that we're challenging them to
step up to, you know, the the first round of early release stays was instigated by the governor's legislation or the General Assembly's legislation literacy instruction. We were
a year ahead of them, but it was put on us and it opened an opportunity for us to have planning time for elementary school educators who did not
have that time and it didn't cost us money. To provide time outside of the school day will cost a school system already struggling financially. A
significant amount of money. So we have to be thoughtful about the levers that we pull in this conversation in the months ahead. As we talk about the next 3 school years that, you know, if we want, I'm just gonna finish my thought.
probably not going to speak to this for any of the other motions, but if we want but say a later start date. But we also want an earlier and date, but we don't want to sacrifice the long winter. And we also
want that week off for spring break. We can't have it all. So we have to be conscious of that fact that this is really about priorities that we set
as we have this conversation. So I appreciate the effort to get us to a point where we can at least make some modest improvements. There will be other improvements. Some of the holidays we typically have will be off next year because
they're in the weekend. So more five-day weeks that way. But this is just a starting point to to get us into the conversation with some modest improvements, I'll be voting for this motion and the
Veterans Day motion as well. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Van. Thank you very much. recognize that this is one of those difficult thorny issues, that there's no
perfect solution that exists. >> And it's something that, you know, it's it's a complex logic puzzle. >> And my worry and >> full I've not fully result.
I want to vote. I my colleagues. I'm not fully resolve one because I want to hear the discussion tonight camp and so forth. I did have a few questions for the summit, had an effect people to ask that, know, there's a range of factors that we need
to consider, right? We're talking about student learning. Well, this morning loss over having a longer summer, whether its impact of having those shorten weeks that we've all seen of a parent of 2 kids and different pyramids at different early
release schedules. You know, childcare costs, student meals, absentee rates, respect to the diverse communities and are in Fairfax that, you know,
if it for the first time years, but had their holidays recognized at a bit planning and development times for teachers, Cornish with neighboring counties, teacher and community input on all the
above. Plus, the collective bargaining implications right? And so again, I really appreciate the suggestions proposals. I wish I could just repeat everything that my colleague Mr. Moon said about
wanting to look at this holistically from a policy perspective. I am able that's questions. can use a planned
planned five-day weeks. Were there last year? I the current your insight, current year. In the current year, yes, the
current year we had 23 plan 5 school day weeks. Is that including the 2 are the 23 minus the 2? >> Special elections. We had
25 originally planned. That should have been 25 five-day weeks. But for special elections brought a standard. 23. Okay. And then looking ahead to next year, how many five-day we 24 five-day week
scheduled next Okay. I know the state law states that the school we need to have at least 180 instructional days or 990 in search ours. Where we as far as that goes for
next year. Well, for next year. clarify we've had 280 days every year, least. And we also build in additional
buffer of days for weather or inclement circumstances. So even with the if you will, challenging year we've had this year with weather and elections and so forth. We
still have the equivalent of the day and a half above the minimum 180 remaining this year. So next year we have the
180 plus the 10 that we build and it's a buffer. Okay. then I asked this is a as a child to use to receive free and reduced price meals for students who rely on school meals. What options are there
when school is not in session, whether it's a feather federal holiday or car. >> Our own. >> So one of the things that happened this year as we had several inclement days, inclement weather days in a
row, we actually did provide meals at different locations for the one day, a federal holiday on one day school closures. There are no meals for the early release planning. We do send meals
home with children on those days. >> Probably talk more later. again, really appreciate the comments tonight about wanting
to work towards a solution on this and looking forward. I'm looking forward to having for the discussion. Dr. Anderson. >> Thank you. I do want to
thank my colleague Miss Maren and Mister Mcilvaine for bringing this up and to really spur the conversation that started really to germinate last fall last fall, we had a family. We had it community
member that came to meeting to talk about the calendar. And that was the first time we're really started to bubble. And then it just continued to increase. And there's a lot of
discussion around this. We're at a place where we're just trying to salvage something for next year. And I've said this before and I'll say it again. I was a teacher for
several years back in the day when lesson plans were in a book. That book came for five-day planning. And that's what we plan for as teachers. We plan for a five-day
instruction. You know, you had your things on Monday and on Friday, you would have you small quiz. And that is still largely where instruction is in terms of planning out your
week. hard to have this conversation this week given that our students and by the way, my children love this, they will hate everything that I'm about to say.
>> They had spring break last week. They came back. Yes, they came back this week. Monday was off. Tomorrow is off. I have to think we must
be able to do better than this. And again, this is me realizing as a teacher and as a former principal, and I said this during a town hall, we need the professional development days for a lot of
reasons that I'll speak about a little bit later. We need to all and we need to be able to have kids to have consistency. This cannot be our best
effort. This is just cannot I refuse to believe that these motions tonight it is an effort to do something for
next year, just so we could salvage a little bit more because going from 23 weeks to 24 weeks of 5 full-day instruction. It's not enough.
And so I will be supporting this motion. And I will be speaking a little bit more to some of my other rationale with the other motions to come. So thank you both of you
for bringing this to us. Thank you, Doctor. Anderson, going to take a quick turn. >> I remember watching the discussion in February 2023. And I had just announced that
I was gonna run for school board. And I definitely was question my life decisions at that moment. Just based on the discussion at the time. But what clearly came through that discussion was the purpose of
the 3 your calendar. Is that absolutely we did not want to find ourselves in this duty every year where we were constantly dealing with all of the nitty-gritty issues every year. So I am all in favor of
us. Figuring out a cyclical way that we can have the counter discussions that we need to have and still maintain the three-year cycle. So my concern with Indigenous
Peoples Day specifically is that I believe that the federal holidays are the times that we likely already have support for parents. If the
day is off, then kiddos are already at home with parents. I understand fully that that is not every parent I get it. I totally understand as someone who very rarely gets a
day off, I totally get it but what I will say is right now that is a school planning day, which means that is a training opportunity for teachers. So we have taken advantage of a
federal holiday where most parents, not all, but most parents potentially have the day off and we're using that day as the school planning time. And my concern with
taking that away is where does that school planning go? So where does the where did the training opportunities go? In addition to also being a heavy sports parent. I fully understand that we will have a
significant number of students absent that Monday because of already planned tournaments that people have already bought into for next year. So for that reason, I agree with my colleague that I will be
following the policy on this and on the 3rd motion just to make sure that we can go ahead and then I am open to having those discussions of my colleagues about how we can shape the policy for the
future. So I see Mister Dunne for go back. >> Of the 3 motions. This this
is the most difficult for me because historically I have done the research, as you might expect, Fcps has never recognized Columbus Day with at least within the past 20
years as as a school day. And so this would be a change with kids being in school. And so for that reason I think we do
want to get to more five-day weeks, but we do have to take account of to some of the factors that my colleagues have mentioned. But one of the things I wanted to to drawn is
that the superintendent said we're at 23 or 24 weeks. That's only if you're disregarding early release days. If you actually consider an early release day as not
making a five-day week say of 5 days of school, but when the days is and early release day, we're actually at a much lower percentage were. 15 the 44
weeks or 34% just one-third of the weeks and elementary school and many of our permits, including of Mount Vernon, South County, West Potomac, Centerville
Chantilly Fairfax Justice Open Robinson, Westfield. That's a lot of high school parents for elementary schools and they have one-third of weeks being 5. The school
leaks. If you include early release, stays and others, 43% or 19 out of 44 weeks. I think that's very concerning. And I'll talk about this some more when we have the next motion.
Not but I just want to put that data out there because I think it's an important point that we need to know the impacts is having on our families. My wife works at a preschool and one of her
teachers didn't show up one day and kept her kids home. Why? Because our calendar is a rainbow hue of colors and it's impossible for anyone looking at it. Intuitively to
decipher, which is the day off, which is a student planning day. We need to make it easy and not make it so you need degree in higher Cliff fix to figure out when to send
your kid to school. Mr. Just come just the top. I really hope my friends, Piers, are not listening to this. When I say that I want more 5 instructional weeks. I like this motion Burr. I think
right now it's being used. >> Broader representation of the excess of days of this year when it's a little bit different because it is a federal holiday. If you have to look at each of the holidays and early release individually, so you can make
a decision. I know it's hard to not just just take a when we can get it with the state, but I don't think making a federal holiday standard structural they would be beneficial for staff or students since the inconveniences already saw for
the parents. If I could do, I would not support this motion as much. It kills me to say this and I'm happy. We're starting a conversation about the calendar committee and this is a question for Doctor Reed anybody who can answer it since there wasn't a calendar
committee since 2020 to find correct. How are the decisions about these religious holidays being added being made? What was the process?
>> The was provided as a board directive in November of 23 that Andy Murray did a number of facets of the calendar, including the holiday list.
Thank you, miss. Become. This man for go back. In terms 3 minutes or 2 minutes. Take up incredibly to thank you. So, you know, started my career in
the Government and these are my thoughts about federal observance is at this point in time, OK, our federal related workforce has been dismantled.
So anecdotally, I'm unsure of how many people are beholden to the federal calendar. I have one friend who's now a substitute teacher in preschool. I have another friend took a job at a law firm. I have a couple friends who are probably moving out of
the year because they both got laid off from state. So I don't think again, at this time that we could just say, well, overall federally connected. by the way, I was a board member who changed Columbus Day to Indigenous
Peoples Day. That is how much I care about the intention of that day. And keeping us today on for learning my husband works for a private business. He is not off on Columbus Day Norton or Veterans or Indigenous Peoples Day you
know, I just want to say that there's times to change. again, this is at the start of the school year. Now, again, I said this was the one I was most tentative about. But I think saying, well, this is a federal holiday that meant
something different a year and a half ago and also would it be the worst thing if a parent had a day to themselves, if you know, with their child in school like I'm just saying things change. And we know
that parents are stressed, but I do respect that our staff are scheduled for the professional development. So I will advocate much more hardly for the Veterans Day motion a
little bit later. Thank you. Okay. Seeing no others are going to go ahead take a vote for the motion that is on the screen. All those in favor. Mr. Fresh mayor and Mr.
McElveen. Dr. Anderson. And I can seamlessly. All those opposed. Mr. McDaniel, St.
John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Dan, in Mr. Moon. And myself and mislead. Not opposed. And
Ms. Lady. All those abstaining, Mr. Dunne. clerk, please read the vote. 4, 7,
one. The motion fails. Agenda item. 6.0 4 action item motion to amend school calendar regarding early release days.
>> Icon Mr. Dunne from Ocean. >> I moved to direct the superintendent to schedule no more than 4 early release days per school year. Is there a
second? Thank you, Mr. Perrin, Mr. Dunne, would you like to speak your motion? For many years? Fairfax County Public
Schools had what was known as early release Mondays and there are 30 of them per year. And in the 2004, 2006 time frame, there was a study done
by the Fairfax County government and it found that Fairfax County had the largest number of latch key kids in the entire country. 30,000.
That means children who every day because of early release days went. And there was no adult present to care for them. It found that there were
children and second grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade and so forth. And there was no one to care for them. That was a major impetus to get rid of early
release Mondays to make sure that children were cared for. And we're in the constant presence of adults. This year. We have 12. 12, early release
days at the elementary school level. We essentially have reverted to almost 50% of the early release Monday's that were abolished several years
ago. We have provided this year and last year, child care onsite its schools. And what we've seen from the data is that low-income children are particularly affected with
large numbers up to a 3rd of students, a particular schools, especially those that are majority low income staying on site. Now that has resulted in the league. Theresa Facts for training
objectives that are the whole purpose of early release days. Next year it's been proposed or stated that there will be no child care onsite. We're going to send the kids home.
From a moral perspective from a public safety perspective from a child care perspective, I cannot support early release
days when we're reverting. To sending tens of thousands of kids home with no adult to care for them at a time when there's a lot of scary stuff happening in our society. I
also think that we have to take cognizant of the fact that the early release days that are not even listed really on the calendar have never been considered or approved by the school board.
We've talked often about the three-year counter. This is the last of the 3 years it was approved back in 2023. Didn't have these early release days either last year or this year
and there's been no motion, no effort brought to the school board at any time in last 3 years to add early release stays to the school counter. So from my perspective as a
lawyer, these aren't approved. They're an approved and they should not be allowed. Moreover, the stories I have heard from parents, hundreds and hundreds 100's of parents
almost 1000. Is heartbreaking. The impact that these days, the chaos that spring into lives is unacceptable. This is costing them thousands of dollars and childcare,
logistics are mind numbing and for single parents and those in the military, the burdens are extraordinary. We have to listen to their stories and I will be sharing those e-mails
with my colleagues. Thank you. >> If the elementary school early release days are caps at 4 by the board tonight, this will already create a less fractured counter for the
whole of the next year in future years. So my action steps are informed by continuous parent input. That elementary school early release stays and otherwise. Fragmented instructional schedule are difficult on kids
and families outdated and misaligned school board policies about students. Instructional schedule and the lack of action by the superintendent and board as a whole to address parent requests. I fully support
educators, especially elementary, great educators having the time needed and deserved for instructional planning and professional development. I have champions this since I first elected to office in 2020 and Sally had to lay it aside as we dealt
with COVID, I recognize a long-time disparity for this time as compared to secondary grade levels. The early release stays institute in. 24. 25 were in response to new state mandated professional
development for educators to implement the science of reading to ensure students are reading and literacy on grade level because kids aren't literate by 3rd grade. It is much harder for them to be successful in school and life. I supported that plan. And
from what I heard from the community, then they support it, too, because they want to support their teachers. But that good grace extended by the community has been taken advantage of. I believe that
the superintendent can find solutions to provide educators with this time. Just not as early release stays to students that burden families and disorient students. I join many parents even favoring
more time for elementary educators. If the scheduling reduces interrupting 5 full instructional weeks and does not rely on early release as the method suggestions include
adding a whole day to already existing student holiday rather than several early release days and further on the current guidelines used by the superintendent for board discussion in 2023, not a
directive. We did not vote on that. There shall be no more than for early release stays annually. This is not been followed. So this is actually our policy in. It's not really policy, but that is what the
superintendent is using as the go-to as to what type of early release stays. That is an important for me for this decision. The point is to codify as a board policy and it directed to not have more than for early release days
because it's clear that the situation has gone untenable. However, it is the superintendent's job to operate. The school division and the school board's job to hold her accountable for doing
so. Thank you as mayor Dr. Anderson. Thank Notes. addition to what was shared, I
want to offer some context. I wanted to understand better. >> What the Mason District community felt about early release stays because it's great to hear anecdotal stories, but it's really
better to have a collective voice just understand were critical mass lie. And so I I sent a survey only about early release days and within days
there were hundreds and hundreds of people who completed it. And we ended up in the neighborhood of 225 people before it closed. And these were the findings. 81%
said the early release stays where burdensome. 81% said they were too frequent. 59%
said if we were to have if we needed, if we must have early release stays, could there be on Fridays? >> The reason why raise this is because of this dovetails with what I hear from principles. If these days one
Fridays. It's just going to be a long weekend. That's going to be a lost instruction. That means my chronic absenteeism rate that I am working so hard
to get down. Is going to increase because it is now considered a three-day weekend. I've always taken issue because I don't think it's clear 2 parents that
early release stays for all types are not on the calendar, such as the elementary Wednesdays, the PS A T days for high schoolers. Plus so many other days for high
schoolers because of testing, etc. I have a big believer that our teachers need to have regular opportunities for professional development. I've said this yesterday. I said it
last year, ICE that I'm saying it today and I will say it tomorrow. When we have. Let's take the commanders. They don't do all their coaching in
July and then our hands off of the rest of the year. It has to be continuous. And I believe the same thing needs to happen without teachers. It just has to be more
strategically placed as it is right now. It is untenable. I also had a question for some reason. I can't find that day peace. That asked parents, what is it that your kids are
doing and how engaging it is? Lots of them for our reporting that it is that they're in the cafeteria for 3 hours in front
of a screen. This is not the ideal position. And I think we have some really good smart people on the staff with that. Help us think of something better. So I will be
supporting this plan. Even saying this is not working because colleagues take this time as maybe to have an appointment. Principal say this is not working because
they're trying to manage the kids that remain because I don't believe we have to provide opportunity for those kids to state schools because their parents are not able to pick them up to receive them
at home. I will stop there, but I will be supporting this motion and I hope we all can. Mr. Dan? Thank you very much.
>> I want I appreciate my colleague Dr. Anderson talking about the timing for this training, right? Because that what folks recognize it's not a matter of just putting all these training and professional development
beginning of the year. And your comment strategic placement that was very testing because again at more questions for Dr. Read here again as a parent of 2 kids in different permits, a different
early release schedules. What is the best alternative in your mind to the current situation where we had these 3 hours early release days, putting aside the quarter and
days early release 2, 3, hour they've released period time with best option alternative in your mind or some other alternatives. We could consider. No, I think I would have to take that back to the
team. >> I know one of the reasons are several reasons that led us to current early release. Several of those clearly around the required literacy
training that the Commonwealth. Expected. And we really didn't intend for it to be a forever strategy. We were
hoping as we roll out a new mask, basil, at some point that that would be sort of the last time because we want to make sure that our staff really, I think have that
opportunity on regular cadence to meet as groups and review new materials. We haven't had a math, diesel curriculum and several decades. why Bickley
Literacy, one as well. The other thing from a budget standpoint, we didn't have a budget to provide training outside the school day because we have to logically
compensate staff for that. And in a really difficult budget time, we didn't have those funds to do that. Additionally, we had a long discussion around. If you take
teachers out of the classroom during the day, then we have substitutes in the classroom and we weren't sure that that was our best next move either instruction, Ali, although we
appreciate all our substitutes. So if you're substitute out there, we do appreciate your efforts. But we know it's not the same as the classroom teacher in the classroom. So to answer that question, I think, you know, I would need to go back to the
team, really have a conversation about. Where you would place professional development once the school year gets started. Obviously before the school year. And at
the end. But there aren't a lot of options. Honestly. In the middle of the school year that aren't going to require time either out of the classroom or outside the
classroom, right? I mean, it's fairly finite set of options. But I think, you know, we would take it back and obviously have that conversation. >> As former substitute teacher, I won't take offense
to your comments if we do vote tonight to to enact this constraint. And again, I want to preface that. I recognize this is a very difficult logic puzzle with no perfect solution. And I'm very wary of
adding new constraints without having broader discussion and encompasses everything else recognizing on balance the acute issue of the challenges of the current calendar. But if we do it with things look like next year, as far as that
are big enough teachers, especially at the elementary level that don't have enough time for planning and development. are you able to make with the current 30 we've given you are able to make additional changes such as you
know, consolidating those some of those early release days into a single day. >> What I mean, I think if the motion passes, obviously we go
back even pre the early release we were able to standardize the what I would call. Bargain. Collect planning time for elementary
staff. I think when we're looking at rolling out, for example, the new literacy materials, we felt like a bit more than that standard amount of planning time was necessary
and particular for the required training. So I think that we would have to make sure that we had the agreed upon contractual elementary planning time occurring within
the day. However, I don't want to confuse planning time with professional development right? Our elementary educators educators work really hard and they need that
individual planning time to. That's not structured or directed. And that's separate from, if you will. A school planning day where a principal. Has professional development. Perhaps they want
to be providing or I think very few hours during the year that the division has an opportunity to provide professional development on certain topics. But the actual independent planning time we
would, of course, need to make sure was provided. appreciate that. >> rep of this. I want to my
colleagues again for bringing As Mary said, range of very hel information we've had long conversations, Mr. Don't appreciate all the work that you and your staff have done. Looking back it at the current year previous years. Appreciate work that my has
done to McDaniel. Staff. It done. But can future years and again, appreciate discussion tonight. Thank you.
>> I like to kinds again, Mike Leake still who brought this motion and put a lot of hard work into even though I did not get an opportunity to discuss this one on one. But I
like to share their this motion is that are destructive because it's kind considers on schools, not just send them entry. School. And there's a you know, there's end of the
year high school's usually have like for you these days and putting such strict motion. I think he's gonna district are schools to function and and it's at thing
is going back more than what we're seeing right now. Our teachers work or a hot in our schools and salaries they get
and not affordability shoes. This is some if that if that I would start support the staff staff here and saved one some additional time really make
for them. So I have done that discussions. I've not engaged be Dr Reid all like FCPA staff to have that conversation. I think it's more in depth and
not information you need at this point. I hesitate putting a motion right like this is going to restrict the school year for next year. Maybe we
should have this deep in current the conversation talking with calendar. This I did not know the Band-Aid So I I like to comprehensive deep into it resolve anything on
issues. We are having. But I do agree that are leading. may cause to me shows that Florida families and many of you can find another. The jurors all
that so, but but I want the in Dallas and supportive of fire. Teachers will full may need that sign and really have to look out for them. Thank you
so much. Mr. McCAbe. So back in 2014, Mr. Men and I were sitting in the State S when we made. >> The decision to move away
from have to Monday's. And that was a generational. Lifetime. Changing decision, right? Something that never been done in the system and we
said we would never go back. We are also promise that same night that we would have world language in every elementary school. We would expand ttt
time on on Mondays so that teachers would have planning time. We would send our students to wear language class to their other tdt time activities. And that never
happened. So there's there's a pattern here and I'll get to that in a minute. There's a lot of things. We are promise that did not happen right?
That fast forward to 2 years ago when we were sold early releases. It was something the principals wanted. So we did it. As a temporary solution.
At their request. But as we have seen and he's not been a temporary solution, we were all. So it's it's been stated promised to that we would have planned activities on those
days. We've partnered with the Boys and Girls Club. We would partner with the YMCA would partner with all these groups to get. Folks in our elementary schools to work with the students and have
enrichment activities that that did not happen. So when I speak to elementary school parents today and I am one and we have others that the stance, the biggest complaint that I hear is these early
release days. And let me be clear. I want our staff to have their planning time. I think everyone at this table wants him to, but we have to do that in a way. That we have
over many years, which is not. Putting the onus 100 parents to find care. Random days of the week. And I disagree Dr.
Anderson on this. I think we should be looking at Friday's. I've told the superintendent for several years we should be looking at Friday's for these days because that's when it's most convenient to folks. So
at my question for the makers of this motion is and I'm supportive of this motion. But when we say for days, how does that apply across the system
had a entry, middle and high school. Dana. Thank you. What we see over the last 20 years is that the average number of days at all levels.
>> After average all levels start average for high school and middle school level is 3.5, 5. 3.5 5 is less than 4
in general. Middle and high school doesn't need many early release days. How they're used is up to the operational discretion of the superintendent. There have
been generally no more than 6 at the elementary school level since the abolition of early release Monday's until they were brought back 18 months
ago for this year and the year before. So for is a reasonable number within the parameters of the last 2 years. start of the last 10 years and is a
reasonable compromise, too provide enough? Early release days that can be used for end of quarter other purposes planning time, but not so many
that it is burning in causing inconveniences to our families. >> I didn't get an answer Mr.
That repeat the question. can get more specific elementary middle high. What does it look like? For this year? For the what we're saying in this motion, which is I or days for
early release days at the elementary level for early release days at the middle school level for early release stays at the high school level. >> All levels of school would be for under this motion as
currently constructed. >> Think and I asked the superintendent, how how would you operation allies spent?
Thank I enact really, >> For a middle and 4 at high school to be is? I mean, that's how I would operation allies Mr. McLean, currently,
I think believe we have 3 that covered quarter grading. >> And then the 4th, I don't know that. You know, we would probably try to find that. But I would obviously work within
those guidelines. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Daniel, Sir. I have another technical question for
the whoever wants to answer the question for maker the motion, I presume that if the motion passes, the intentional be be implemented in the fall
of 26, 27. >> That has written the motion would apply to next school year. 26 27. I've gone back and forth on this And I think
through this and I think the discussion tonight is solidified. I'm gonna stand on I just don't have enough information. I don't know that for us right on the Four's wrong. You know, the data shows middle school and high
school is, you know, for us kind of seems to be a sweet spot. I have significant concerns at the elementary level. That right now are not.
Clear enough for me to be able to vote up and down. So I'll be abstaining on this motion.
>> Thank you. I'm sure I'm going put motion. I am not going be people on the That could be an has already stated. And according to the
2014, why the board me? That decision, which has been really he. The Bullard. Former Blues have not been able to
make that decision for decades. difficult. We work closely with putting content. About the was able to make
that happen. And able to provide. The stamp writing time. When teachers concerned
routine. Monday afternoon. Now, again. That has been gradually. taken away becomes
with. Increase in number. WWE says. So than John. Now we newsy what we try to come expect in 2014. That's pretty
unfortunate. And or so. For shooting, the puck and the news. I was not on the So I finally got to what happened back in 2020 3 and the last
time the board prior ballooned publicly voted on on the calendar motions and on up to York and under with a the new Year. Or so past the follow-on
motion at the time. To bring back. Putting policy and to devise regulation with the community in. On that before.
Useful. Troops. When you going forward. Why do you have on website for next 20 years? As an expert wheels can
>> Having never approved by the school. That's a country only to the motion passed by
2023. I wasn't on the board at the time. So I remember until very recently trying to find the wreck or happened. has to
be rectified. And I'm glad that we're having this discussion, one that we that we to be in doing this. 12 days. All new releases this
week, too many. That's way too many. And I am willing to support full days even though so my my my comments me feeling that and maybe too
strict, however, we used to be able to do this with the 40's. The John-Cunning. Mr. Mean,
don't think anybody will fall 2 for not remembering when you want to.
>> Thank you for asking the question about if this applies to all school left grade levels elementary. High school
and middle school because that that really has solidified my decision. Dr Reid. What would the impact be for professional
development for teachers. If we restrict early release, stays. At all levels, particularly elementary. This
evening. I'm not sure I'm able answer that directly. I think that obviously the professional development would occur. >> For elementary staff in a different way than it has this
year. And last. I don't know that it would affect or impact the middle and high school because they're not traditionally using early release for professional
development. They're using the staff planning days. Do you foresee that there would be a financial impact? There can't
be a we haven't budgeted for that for next year. And where even with what we have budgeted for. Still looking at a 44 million dollar gap. So I don't think we'll be adding.
Budget dollars buy planning time outside today or sometime during the day for that. As someone that did work in men and on a tree schools and did
see the struggle in terms of planning time for teachers and the juggling. And did see the promise of. Some extra courses
being added so that teachers could get that and that not happening. A promise that was made by a superintendent that didn't stay her full term. I
understand what a burden it is for teachers. I understand how hard it is. I know that we had a collective bargaining agreement and teachers are
supposed to or to their contract. And I'm here to tell you that we're really lucky that they don't. probably I'm not saying the right thing here probably will get in trouble because they go above
and beyond and worth way past those contract hours, even without fairly with the states. I can't imagine. The stress that our teachers will
feel. And the stress that will cause to are students. I also can't imagine the impact it will have they don't have the adequate professional development that they need and
the impact that that will have on our students. And we're saying let to 4 days. All
across the board. And if the state for the federal government comes down with something else that we have to do the way we did I feel this motion is too
restrictive. Because I do know the work that goes on and look, I worked in schools for 26 years. I was not an educator. I could never do what they do. They are
amazing. They go above and beyond and they are there all the time. I happened to be there a lot. And I happened to be there in the evenings a lot because the family liaison that some families could meet me. I cannot tell you how full
that building was beyond contract hours. Early release gives them at least some breathing room to get some of the work and that they have. I
can't support this mission. I have to support our teachers. >> So I have a lot of points to make one. I certainly
understand the decision made under Dr Garza to get rid of early release stays. But I'll also tell you. We're getting a higher percentage of the budget from the Board of Supervisors at that time and
planning time was not the issue that it is today. Also, we are facing staffing issues upcoming. One of the things in the budget is to reinstate Archie's and especially
department chairs of the elementary level to one 0.5. And as doctor, just stated, we're 44 million dollars short of what we need. But I'm not going for what the board did
last year, which was to require teachers to give up to one point out teachers, elementary principles to give up a one point out to make those people. Full time because we lost a lot of steam teachers in that we lost a
behavior specialist. We lost some emerging that we lost some counselors in that we really crippled some of our people. So I can't do then because if we have more
specials, we have more plenty time for elementary teachers. We don't need terms early release. Also when it comes to early release, I think we need to pay attention like at the end of the year for high School of exam days. Once I
take my examined first period, why would you make me go to first period for 3 for 3 more days? Okay. So there's early release days because he did to exam today. I think we have to
pay attention a greater do. I've never been an elementary, but I entry grades or do you like? >> 2 weeks before the last day of school. I'm not saying they're not doing things that are itching. But we're having
a dialogue about a lot of different things. And I'll tell you, as an employee who had to live with what the board voted on the first time with the calendar became all
days and we have all these days off. Nobody talked to employees like nobody to the poison to account. We watched our summer disappear. And then we watch the ability to to
present new instruction or provide assessments disappear because we had so observations days. Having said that, we're diverse school system. We have a diverse believes cultures and religions and no one is
above the other. I think we have remain sensitive to that. You know, and in talking about tell teacher use these days, I think it's first of this question, Doctor e it's my
memory that we as a board did vote to approve for huge during early stages that corrected. We vote to say yes, we didn't necessarily say a number, but didn't we vote to say yes, you Early states.
>> And I don't know that we didn't Ms. Lady. I know we discussed but I can't recall if we actually voted or not voted. >> I felt like we did also, I think that someone earlier today said that next year, if
we had early release stays, there would be no child care. Has there been discussion that if we get early release next year, there will be no child care? >> No, that was the committee recommendation. But I think
that what I shared with the committee is that I wouldn't be comfortable moving forward with the recommendation that did not include childcare as we have done. >> Thank you. I just sometimes
I just hear things come. From people in discussions that we have. And I'm like, it doesn't. It's not the same as my memory. So that's an
important thing. You know, the other thing is I will say this that the early release stays at the end of the quarter are different amount of time in the early early stays for elementary, whatever we do,
they have to be the same I also would say that I don't think we need really stay at the end of the 1st quarter. The 3rd quarter, however, the 2nd quarter because of middle schools and the number of
semester courses and the need for them to create new seating charts for, you know, 150 kids. It's time-consuming addition doing great. So I would advocate that that state really, really scary.
important thing I want to say is that the sort of that is your time? I'm happy to pay and go back. >> I misspoke in the home eating. Can I just finish? Go ahead. And we have several people on the list, but I
absolutely. But you want to go back give you more time. >> I am going to take a very quick turn myself. been really conflicted about this one because I don't I definitely
hear the community input in terms of wanting, but really I'm only hearing from elementary parents and so. I am concerned because when we
started opening of the conversation into. The Ps 80 days in the SAT days and things like that that are going on. I have I have some questions. So the first
question is how many days are we talking about at the end of the year for high school for exams and how many days is it an early release for sat, I
believe is just one day for Dean and Ps 80. But so currently, I believe middle and high school have 3 early release stays for grading.
>> And then have in a phone, a friend here >> does somebody know the number of days for Finals on missed the help us out here on high school finals and PSA
today. Amanda. >> PS A T is an early release. So there's one day for PS A T there isn't one early release at the end end of the year for all schools. And I think I'm going to ask Dr City if he can
weigh in on finals high school level and SAT day. And that's the last week of the calendar
for high schools. >> I'd have to. I'd have to triple check. >> We'll get back to you on that. But it's the total days
currently 4 high school is more than 4. So we would be paring back somewhere in that. >> So it could upend potentially mean that kids one for middle school really, too.
It could potentially mean that kids that would normally have the ability to come home and work on setting for a next the next exam or something like that wouldn't actually have the time to do that or they
would be doing it in school with teachers that are trying to actively grade the exams that were taken that morning. The other concern that I have is right now we only have 4
early release stays at the elementary level without daycare, like without childcare provided. So without the ability and could you to speak a little bit about what else is being done on those
days? Some of our kiddos. >> You know, I understand there are different elementary schools. We have 141 and they all have a different percentage or number of
students that are choosing to stay on those days. And in some schools, I mean, we've done clubs. There's tutoring and some schools, other large group activities depends on
the weather as well. Rather their indoor outdoor. We have partnered with different groups. So it's really just a wide variety. There's a continuum of opportunities
right now. That's occurring during those times. >> And some students are receiving instruction. Is that correct? Yes, Ma'm. Okay. In
addition at the same time that this all came on, that was the budget crunch that actually we lost classroom monitors, which some schools we're effectively using to take the place of one of the subtleties that was happening during the school
day, which increased planning time. So we've got all of these factors coming in at the same moment. And I am I just don't have enough information to be able to make the decision because I definitely
hear from my constituents and I definitely here from, you know, teachers and just looking at it. But I also because I haven't heard any of the high school or middle
school student or parents weigh in because no one talked about the fact that this would include their early release days that are traditionally, I mean, ever since I was a kid
30 years ago in high school, certainly we have the same things happen. So because those were not explicitly explain. I did not realize that this would all be inclusive. So this one's going
to be a tough one. So to figure out where to land. We're going to go to go backs and we're gonna certain Mr. Gunn. Thank you. I just want
to start to the extent my colleagues perceive that the scope of the motion needs to be adjusted. >> That's what That's what the amendment process is for. And I welcome their amendments. If you have amendments to or if
you have amendments to the level of school elementary, middle high school. I welcome that. And would welcome the opportunity to collaborate.
First I have found in my 2 and a half years that that Fcps is too self-referential and solar and its practices. It doesn't compare to other schools necessarily outside the way
the guide certainly doesn't compare to national Piers early release days. I went to schools in 5 different Never had a single early to my knowledge and I've gone back
and looked. Doctor Reed, you've been superintendent and other school districts across the country. You know, of many these superintendents across the country. Our early release days, the predominant form of
providing planning time too elementary school teachers. Thank you for the question. Mr. Down. I think that I don't know if I could say it's the predominant form. >> I do know there are a
number of divisions. I've served in and many colleagues, honestly, ours were more often a late start. We did the Cleveland hours. But before the school day, so there was
usually one day a week where school started later for a particular grade band that was working on a particular special project. But I don't I've also seen early release.
I don't think they're uncommon that. You know, I think we have to do what we think is best for the for context. Our families for sure.
>> And when when there isn't late start for early release, what is the what are some of the options that you've seen in other school districts? Because you do your national expert on public education.
Well, thank you, Mr. Dunne, I think the options are full days, that people have in the calendar. >> This week we had a school planning day was one of the reasons why we're not in
school. So I think the school planning days are marked throughout the year. Teacher work work throughout the year. Grading time is marked throughout the year. Those
really common characteristics of the school calendar. I think that many school calendars. You know, we're just very varied across the nation. Honestly, we were
having a discussion recently. There are a number of school divisions that have moved to four-day weeks because of either budget or in some more remote areas for staff
retention purposes. There are other divisions ago year round and take, you know, days off around different quarters. So I think the calendar has
become an interesting flex tool. If if that makes any sense, they're also because of building circumstances am and pm types of work. And then
there's the option to pay staff for outside the school day. Coursework or weekends. But again, that requires
better funding. And as you know, with RJ Lark funding reports here in Virginia that those funds aren't necessarily as available here is they are in other states, but it's not
uncommon in other states too. Provide funding outside the school day for staff to engage in professional development. We just at this point really don't have that option. I
believe Alexander, there's a modified school calendar and a couple other places in Virginia where, you know, they'll have, you know, for each quarter in each quarter is equally. >> Equal length between
quarters. You'll have a little break vacation for families and students but built in to those breaks is time for for student planning. And so that's another option that we heard during the virtual town
hall that Mr. Dr. Anderson, I held on Tuesday night and I think there's a lot of examples that their best practices lessons learned that we shouldn't be laser focused
on early release is as a binary. This is the only tool in the tool box. There are many tools in the tool box and I think if we adopt a restriction on the number of
early release days, there are other things that we can look to to achieve our goal of providing sufficient planning time.
>> pair. If what I just realized while listening is correct and I am embarrassed not only for myself but for the board. In the guidelines,
which I don't know if the public available, but it's what the superintendent is using pre 2023 discussion with the board. It says, quote, There shall be no more than 4 early release days per school
year parentheses now designated for all quarter ends. Well, that is exactly what is printed on the published calendar. I want adopt account they published
calendar. All the stuff that's happening. It's happening without any policy without any regulation. So I'm left to
wonder if we vote tonight to say no more than for early release stays in that already. What is happening? What's the
problem that we're trying to decide but how to get the superintendent to not schedule more early release stays. And although I don't want to brainstorm because the nugget of this is the policy has to
exist. I will say if you want to bring solutions, how about it's no more than for early release days. Division-wide and if a school like a high school news release early as they already do without any regulation or policy
governing, if they do and if a pyramid needs you something they do or whatever else it is that the superintendent puts into regulation. And I've heard from plenty of high school parents with students
who have dysregulation they're scared. They're at their wits end. So I can send you my spreadsheet with over 100 different comments that I received. If not more than my
staff is categorized and themes. I have all the themes I have the themes from the comments. I have the themes from discussion about this 2023 attendance data that is
defunct. The goal here is to make it clear that we want something different. But I honestly don't know what that move is. Now. Because we already have a calendar with for early release, stays on
it. So perhaps Amendment amendment gets me to say, you know, these are division-wide. And anything else. I mean, guys, this is. I'm really sums
right now. Dr. Anderson. Thank you. I apologize. There's something going on with my years. So if you already said this, my apologies. But I
>> not hearing very well at all. Right now, something a sudden mentioned earlier regarding your proposals for next year's early release
elementary days that they would be without childcare supports at the schools. I have not brought that to the
board or for a public discussion. >> I shared with you in a Friday letter that the committee, we have an early release committee made up of parents and staff. Recommended
that that be the case tonight shared with the committee that I could not bring that forward and we would need to continue to provide care for students during that time. Thank you.
>> Can you also share just kind of looking ahead the next couple of years? What is your thinking regarding these early release stays for elementary? >> So as I shared earlier, I
think we began these really limited monthly. Early planning days for elementary because of the required literacy, professional development. The hours of
which far exceeded the hours are staff had to complete. And I appreciated the board's consideration at that time that our staff needed that extra time and our elementary
educators, elementary principal, strongly supported that need this year is year 2 of benchmark. And we continue that work because staff found a very valuable that time and
our intent was to run it through the math. Basil adoption as well, because that's going to be a brand new mask. Basil curriculum with math textbooks and workbooks
for the first time in a long time. That being said that was my initial thinking was getting us through those 2 really significant curricular
moves for elementary staff and it would provide that extra time for individual teachers and also grade levels of staff to be able to familiarize themselves with a very
different type of curriculum that we've used in quite a while. Thank you. I remember attending the parent meetings that you held before before we
started this, there were 2, 1, was a gate house and I was there with Mr. McElveen. >> And what was shared with parents at the time is that this is for year for us to meet the literacy requirements
and that they would be limited at that point. There were 7. How many do we have this year and how many a proposed for next year? >> We had and what we had a
couple this year. They were intended to be monthly this year, although I don't think we did one in December. >> And I would have to go back and I'm sure time is adding it
up for me. But it was intended to be monthly without December. that was what we have. That would have been 9 Ryan. I think so. Well, it
could. It could have been 9 for just these early Billy State. And I think they're in the problem. Actually, I'm not sure if we did we we do on at
all. So I want to confirm that form lady. We did not vote on. This is not what a board decision. >> But it was of what recognition that we need to do something because the state had the literacy work that needed to be done. The hours
were too many. Then we could we could afford. So it was a place where we will resign to make this happen and it seemed reasonable at the time. My concern right now is we're
leaving it in place for math. I see a space where we're going to leave it in place for social studies as we adopt other cure a cure lot. So it will continue to stretch and
it has grown from 7 tonigh to something else. Moving it from Wednesdays to Fridays, which will I've already shared this earlier. It will impact
absenteeism rates at all schools in a way that I don't think we would like. I am really worried about that creep without public discussion. Public feedback
and public. Votes by the board because it is based on the calendar for which we are responsible. I do want to clarify it was actually 8 this
year because I did cancel April because we ended up with the April 21st election. >> And our principals and educators were fabulous. Uncompromising on making that
a half day for planning. So we were able to not have it scheduled in April. So that I believe we had 8. Then
finally. Was that my time? Ms. Lady for go back. >> Thank If you know what I
was beginning to say was and despite all the conversation and thank you for the clarity around, I knew we had a conversation about really stays and the need for him. But I didn't realize we didn't formally vote to. Thank you
for that clarification. And, you know, in an ideal world, you know, I don't want extra early release stays for elementary. You know, for the
reasons that we know stated. But what I don't know is what's going to happen with our budget. What's going to happen with specials? What's going to happen with planning time? And I just don't feel like I have enough information
to support the motion as written. I think we keep using the word planning and I think we have to realize that these are this is also PD time. This is not just planning time for teachers. This is learning new
curriculum. This is collaborating within teams too, determine how they're execute and implement the curriculum. Good thing I want to say is the the SAT and PS A
T J that isn't a gift to our community. We provide the SAT at no charge no charge. To our seniors in October. It's a
school day they have public to. They have transportation from us to get to school. We pay for it. It's it's access. If we were to eliminate that doing that activity, that
would take us backward in time. And I believe the only students that are not encumbered and I'm not sure if we still bring them in and do something is it is our 9th graders and perhaps communication be better around
that. But the PS A T. And 10th 11th and then the SAT for 12th graders. That's a gift to our community because it's it's a it's college access. So I would never want touch that.
You know, interesting that you mention Dre, that other places you work, where they stated the PD work on the early and instead of an early release to a late start. And I remember
for years we did a late start of Friday's fur seal tease the whole system shifted now. I was in high school level. I didn't really pay attention to what's going on elementary middle. So I'm not sure if it was just a high school thing,
but that was an extra hour of planning, if you will, our PD or collaborative teamwork. Time that we got every Friday and I don't know. Maybe that's the maybe that's a different
path for the future because people might have more time to make accommodations in the morning. I don't know. But I agree that we have to be nimble and think outside the box around the best approach to what we're trying to
accomplish thing I have is your time. >> Missed and Mr. Gannon.
really throw the Pier basin years. What reading this is saying release days is there something better to having a late start day versus an area, the release states? The reason
we do are they really stays here for since late start. >> I think here the might be really challenging to do late
start. For a particular grade level. In the middle of I don't know. You know, I haven't looked at it because different communities have
different appetites for different possibilities. So I would have to go back and take a look at them. Are Dan tense it just to be clear how many early release stays over the
king at forward next school year? Well, in a public as we actually scheduled 8 this year. So we didn't we had 2 months that we didn't have. And because of the cancellation April, we
actually were 7 actually this year. So I think we would plan 8 again next year and so that was the thing sure. Does that
include the quarterly and dates for plus? I don't believe. And as those quartered, the 4 for the year, we're really intended as my understanding to be a quarter
and which is what how they were designated. And that was for K 12, end of quarter grading. They weren't for any kind of professional development or collaborative
planning. Those were really about, you know, working on a grading. And get hesitation again. Remember saying that this is is what I shared the
beginning >> I recognize this is a very difficult logic puzzle and I'm very hesitant to follow this kind of quick process where we're going trend Russia, few
constraints on to that. Decision-making writes, I'd love the idea my colleagues talked about having get been studying the community involvement in the counter committee, looking at that
data holistically. I'm really hesitant to to to impose this constraint, especially after talking to entry teachers last couple days and the value of
this. And curious if if we were just change from say 4 to 8 the station for the we have to be that for quarterly and therefore that that the air but how difficult would that
be for you to impose you've got the 12 now discussing 4 is 8 happy, medium or career? Would give recommendation on that again? Putting on the spot here?
>> Well, the 4 are uniquely. I don't think we want to it. One of the fundamental responsibilities of our staff or the communication of
progress to parents and that process of upgrading. And, you know, reviewing assessments is really. >> I think sacrosanct at those quarter moment. So I don't think we want every purpose. Those 4. So I think that if we
look at other ways, I don't know that I have an optimal number. I think any number probably be helpful. But you know, I think we had planned
8. And that's again with I first read this. I thought good. We've had 7 this year going down for good and realizing there's out to the court of the end dates. And so
that's I'm kind of struggling here considering amending this. coming a bit further. >> Go from there. >> Yeah, I want be really clear. Bees may be. That the 4 are completely separate from
the early planning elementary planning days. Seeing no others. We're going to go ahead and take a vote.
>> Mr. Manager can make can make them in place. State your amendment. Cream and 4 to 8 and the retaining everything
else. Is there a second? I second. Mr. Mayor. Sometimes would you like to speak to
motion. Again, thinking through and I a I'm wary of making these additional constraints. I would. I would a parent having listened to a lot of individuals. I
recognize that we do need to to and my colleague Dr Anderson's point. I'm wary of of this prolonging without official guidance and the same time I'm wary of vines additional constraints. My
hope is that I studying the difference here with 8, it gives us a little more balance. It could still be 4 release days. But I think the language of tune are no more
than number. That helps give us a bit of flexibility. Mr. Men are doing to speech or second. Thank Thank Thank you, And for willingness to make an amendment.
>> tiniest that that is going be for brand-new school her. We have or heard from many,
many parents. outcry over and over We be if you do not anything. Number WVU the next
year. Would you proceed? The power and screens? LeCompte Cleary. I get teacher leading
planning time. We will should get. When comes. Problems we have with. On approved.
Calendar for the next year. So thank you. If the motion was not going to pass, I was going up not support next and. With
that compromise, I want to be able I would be able to support next years.
>> So I visited Arlington Public schools earlier this week to see their superintendent host a panel in AI. And I got to catch up with a colleague on that board and said, hey, tell me what you do, your policy. She says, well, we have a staffer with
the superintendent employees who is part legislative, manager and part policy director and it works at the well oiled machine with the term she used. And there's a counter for policy
development. And once there are changes, the superintendent sent it to the board. The board puts it out for a month of public comment. The board adjust as needed and it's published. This is why
this experience is the epitome of what happens when the board doesn't do its most critical function. Aside from keep the superintendent accountable, it's to manage policies. I
have been. Researching reaching out to members of this board since I first raised this at least March 17th at the governance committee meeting. And I am surprise one month in surprise. I'm hearing for the
first time in weeks what people think despite e-mails and texts and hearing people change their minds. This is not respectful of the
community. Should not be creating policy and decisions about people's schedules on a whim. The superintendent has provided us with 0 data
tonight. No budgetary implications. It takes courage to do this kind of thing. And
I am. Fairfax County kids deserve better and their parents deserve better. I'm
not even sure what it is that I'm proposing now because the superintendent has so poorly executed. Whatever is that she is running her to school division by. But I'm not even
sure what it is. I'm trying to do. What I'm trying to do is help parents and help kids. And this motion. Does not help
kids. You can not change the school division on a win. I do not support this motion. I do not support the way this board approaches its work was going to talk about that more in the
Veteran's Day motion and it will save it for that. Mystic's. It. I thank you for
the amendment of Didn't miss the moon. I actually had a question about the high schoolers who'll actually come home party for AP exam days and also far.
>> Any finals would that restrict them if you just put forward to 8 because, you know, there is exam day then, you know, they're they're
really just come home at 12 or something. >> I think that if we had 8 days for high school, we would
have to look at the current 4 for quarter grating the PSC to see that we would have to go back Ms. Dixit and find out how many early release stays are occurring now for Finals
or AP exams and get back to you on that. I'm not sure if 8 would cover all the current half-day releases at high school at this time.
>> Kate thought having a son just graduated c** just 2024 high school item number lot of days when you know the would come home because of the exam
days or AP exams specially and some students, 6, 7 or 8 babies and like my son did that. So I'm not like I don't want him to makes it through the school in, you all day long. If done that his exam
just because of it school board with the policy there >> I giving many number 2. >> High schoolers right now. I
am not very comfortable with that. Maybe Eve. It would have been better. If you talked about as more land to the community, just doing a little outreach is like my saying
they're not listening to our community. There. >> I haven't heard this from my community. I have not heard much from my community saying that having a problem that this so I wonder maybe need to
out beach, do a better outreach to them. And I can, you know, maybe have more informed decisions based on that. >> at the moment, I'm not
comfortable that 9 high schoolers have much more. Are you visas? Do we just use the Dr. Anderson. Thank you. I was
just hoping for some clarification from the sedan and is it the 8 days is that for elementary to be inclusive of the >> 4 and quarter early
releases and then additional 4 for instructional purposes. >> I I would want to specify what those days will be used for heard mention about
earlier about the court of the and AIDS, maybe not as useful and certain quarters as another. So I'm more comfortable that. This language is because look at
broader and gives the superintendent the discussion a little more discretion to be able to play this as needed answer the question. >> I think it does, but it also raises another question and I can't think of the number of early release stays.
Let's say middle schoolers have currently outside of the 4 the floor and of quarters. I know high school. It happens because of the assessment. But
crux of the issue that I know has been raised to me has been around the elementary school. So I was hoping that this motion would be limited to the elementary schools because it
would be for regular. And then the 4 more just to provide some flexibility. So I would love that to be an amendment because that seems to be where
the crux of the issue is. So would you be open to me amending your amendment? I guess I can. Because on the
floor, can I add elementary? >> She could do a second-degree amendment because it's an original. It's a nor'easter on the mat. I'm
sorry. I. >> He says you can begin amendment. OK, I would just just response of the night. My one has taken was I've heard from other colleagues about the importance of the high
school level of some of those are point of order. again, point order. And Madam Chair, take your point. All speakers have to recognized by the chair. Thank you.
>> Dr. Anderson, would you like Mr? Danon to finish what he was saying. Yes, I'd Lee here. So this is struggling here. So, yes, please, Mr.
>> Fried my Robert's rules of Order. When I get home tonight, my hesitation again, goes back to not providing constraints on this intended
to do She believes is best writes, I I specifically did not mention limiting 2 elementary schools and partially because of the logistics. We've got secondary schools. We've got 6 to 8
middle schools and so forth. Nothing here would preclude the cemetery from releasing a calendar that would have just for the early release stays at a high school and making other
changes as needed. that's kept a broad, I guess what I was when I was trying to convey is I don't think there's a middle school problem to be resolved here. They may not even need 8 days. And I can't even think
of my own kid coming home early of 8 days. I think big issue. >> Has been at elementary. Yeah. So that's why I thought next Honan at the elementary level because they have 12
this year. That's an issue. So that's why I was going with that. I would like to make that amendment.
>> so I I misspoke. parliamentarian did clarify for me that the issue that we would have with you adding elementary school to the issue is that the amendment, current amendment on the screen is
reserved to the days adding elementary school with. Affected because that is speaking to something that isn't related to the days when could do is vote on this
amendment and then do a Second Amendment that would add elementary school to the motion point of order. State. Your point.
>> Perhaps the parliamentarian clarify if the secondary amendment. Is to change the language from 8 days early release. 8 days early release
for elementary school and 4 days early run early release for middle and high school. That's still a secondary amendment.
>> The language was inserting. If the anymore. It's a change. It from early early release days for elementary school and 8 for early release stays for
middle and high schools. I believe that would be in order, but it has just the other way around is what I think Dr. Anderson is getting it. >> It is the other way around because I want to okay, guys,
I think we're going to take a brief break. Everybody cannot figure out what the path forward here And then you come back and that this is the work of the board to delivery, not
to adjourn when it gets tough. >> Thank you. As
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Anderson for secondary amendment. >> I move to strike the
amendment. entirety and replace it to read as follows. >> That the school board directed superintendent to
schedule no more than 4 early release. OK, it's moving. by
striking. >> I move to strike the amendment entirety and replace it to read as follows by striking out for early release days and inserting the phrase
8 early release stays for elementary school students in its place. their second second. Mr. >> Dr. Anderson, Joy to speak to your secondary amendment.
Yes, briefly, because I think a lot of this has been said the focus and a lot of the advocacy that I have received has been focused at the elementary level because right now we have for Division-wide
early release stays and then we have the 7, 8, 9 additional days for elementary. That is the burden that I'm hoping we could find some way to reduce.
If we have a total of 8 at the elementary level, it will still include the for Division-wide days and for additional days for instructional and professional
development purposes, it is a reduction. It may not be where we want to be, but it's definitely better than where we are currently. And it will also publicly give
superintendent the boards okay to continue with these dates because as today we have not voted upon them at all. Mr. Dan, would you like to speak
to second? >> Yes, 50. I want to with this again, heard from range of elementary school teachers who's spoken and different sides of this right. But the
one thing that comes out is the inequity between their planning time and the high school playing time. And my hope with this amendment is to guarantee As we talked about earlier, little more strategically placed time for
development Dre I stand, ready to help with whatever we can to make sure teachers get the planning time and that they the and the development time that they need. thank >> I'm going to ask everyone
to turn off their lights and only put your lights back on if you would like to speak to the secondary amendment. Mr. Dunne.
>> Thank 2 things I'd like to just clarify that this year, fiscal year, 2020 5.26. There is an elementary school level,
12 early release days. There's 8 that have been referenced by the superintendent, but that is on top of for that applies to all schools. So it's 12 in
total. >> So this amendment is positive and achieving a one-third reduction and early release days. >> Long term, I believe the number of early release day
should be. >> Further reduced because this provides essentially a transition year to achieving a new normal in the year after
27. 28 and subsequent years. I also wanted to clarify because there's been much discussion of early release stays at the high school level and so-called safety days. Ps 80
days finals and such all of the motions that have been brought tonight are about the published school calendar that is in rainbow hues for different kinds of days. Staff
development days, days off early release days on the high school counter, which I've done back to verify. There are 4 there are for early release days that are noted on school
calendar for this year for the high school level. And you can go to any high school in the county and verified for yourself because every high school publishes the calendar for fcps any of these other
days that are so-called for final exams cities. Those are not the noted on the school calendar. So they're outside the scope of these motions because the only thing these
motions are doing is at focus on the school calendar. It's similar to if you have at the elementary school level, a school-wide field trip may go. The Air and Space Museum has
Bucknell Elementary. Just did you come back? You probably have parents pick up the kids right? That's not an early release day on the school calendar. That's one school, a
particular circumstance similar a particular school may have final exams on different days. Another high schools middle schools. There's a lot of variation across Fcps. Should there be
probably not. But there is. we have been focusing the bringing motions tonight and the public school calendar, the one that as of now, but maybe in an hour or so has not
been presented to school board for approval has not been approved by the school board, even though the next 2 years are published. I consider those draft because the school board under state law sets the
school calendar. Thank you. Mr. Rick, to you. I can add. I know a plus 4 is 12. I just want to make sure I knew
exactly what I this amendment accomplishes. >> We're sticking with for early release, secondary
middle and high school. >> Are you requesting I am I'm looking for an answer hold on stop, please or you may or you
requesting 8 and a response from any particular board member. >> I would just like to know if that is in fact true. And whoever can answer the question can answer the question. >> I would be glad to answer the question. Hold on. Dr.
Anderson. had thank you. This motion is only speaking to elementary. It is not talking about what happens at the high school. What happens at the middle school? It only to
address the elementary experience. >> So we're going offer rise up to 8. Is that in addition
to the published 4. So it's a total. >> I'm going to be recognized to be able to answer. Go ahead, Doctor Anderson, 8
total. It is not going to be a plus one more. It's going to be 8 inclusive of the 4 that our Division Y and for more. >> So at the elementary school level, they will get the
Division-wide 4 plus up to 4 extra. Yes. Okay. Thank you. I'm abstaining. Mr. Moon.
Thank you. I'm glad Forward seems to be coming closer. To a compromise. I could you will, because we have voted and this one yet. I've been
doing this work food work. For 23 years. We don't always get everything you want. You I'm going to make a compromise
listening. Different perspectives colleagues. At the same time we're hearing from. Crispy keeps. The district from parts the
community. I think that this is good faith To let community know that we have heard knowledge, and we have we have to do something about number
WB, DC's for anyone to school and we have a fallen opportunities because I am willing to support. beast on the final motions ask you about not only for the next
use Khan and her not. Directing. She pointed to the combat with the recommendations for boards consideration for. Future use
canned. or sulking that come his committee would finish each work in time for get
lucky on that Mr. Mckelvie. I like to thank Mr. Dan Miss under Dr. Anderson, for their
work on this it was looking a bit like clown show earlier. But I'm glad that we had to break and had the opportunity to work through this and given
that this is an improvement, I will be supporting it. It's not the degree to which it hoped but Mr. Minns point. We have to compromise some time and I think we'll have and
opportunity later this year to make further progress. I think community wants no less from
us. Lady. >> it on. I'm struggling here. Cause. I find fascinating that
were hurting and just entry. And, you know, I'm listening to my colleagues say that he's that that we're only looking at the exact calendar, which designate does not mention
exam. They are the releases are sat. But currently, if you look at the counter, doesn't designate the elementary early releases either. And so I'm just struggling because it's I get this. And then that's going to say those are limited
to 8. But I'm just not sure what it means for mean middle schools, correct? I think they need early release at the end of the first semester because the number semester courses in the teachers need to be doing
seating charts that more time in just one work day because you have to do grades and they have to do seating charts there might be a little bit of that. The high school level. I never understood their early
release at the end of the first 3rd quarters. So you know what I'm toying with? This is my question is to the maker of the motion or to
Doctor Reed. If no more than a development re. Were in place. That doesn't mean that 4 of them would have to have to do
anything with early releases at other levels. Correct. >> I think that we're going to have to ask the makers of the motion for that clarification.
Dr. Anderson. I'm so sorry, Ken, the question be repeated. >> The question is that you're going to say no more than 8 early release stays in elementary. But the
superintendent to terms of to operation allies that and none of those days have anything to do with the end of the quarter where there might early release and high school or middle school. I read that
that's fine. She get operations lies the 8 things anyway. She sees fit. It is my assumption. Go ahead. Doctor
Anderson. It is my assumption that. >> 4 of those 8 days would be for early call for early release as we division-wide because all 3 levels have those early release stays.
>> For that, that's the case. not going to have a matter of staying because I don't read it that way. I don't see elementary need to the end of the quarter as being the same. And I definitely do. And in
prophetic to parents, I want to work across the aisle, but I don't I think stated repeatedly this evening, the needs elementary are different
than the needs that medal in our different that means in high school and a fit them all in the same box for early release maybe not the best nimble way of accomplishing what needs to be accomplished.
The one thing I would want to put amendment is that release stays will all be 3 hours. There will be some that are too. There will be some that are $0.3 a matter. What level you're child has an early release. It's the same about
ours. But basically I'm not sure that. >> We can do what we need to do with new math. >> You know, curriculum. And
limiting their release days to 44 I just would want all 8 to be something superintendent designate. So thank you.
>> May I say one more thing you I can put county go back. Yes. I'm gonna take brief turn here. Well, I understand the intention of the second-degree
amendment. Unfortunately, I'm not gonna be able to support it. Because I'm told that she Antilles. Final exam schedule
from 2025 and unfortunately, the way this reads, the senior exam schedule would not be able to happen in the same way that the upperclassmen exam schedule happened because there are 4 different days for
everybody just because of the way seniors happen. The other thing is that we can't get into determining how many hours because exams often get out at noon. And so that's for
earlier than everything. And so I think that we need to have a level of trust related to the educational professionals that have done this work for years that have
created a schedule that works for individual age groups. I understand that there's consternation related to what's going on at the elementary level, but I would really and have appreciated a
motion. From the beginning that actually went to the heart of the issue and actually gave the superintendent the direction necessary because I think
that's why we're here. Imploring my colleagues 2 be cautious of the way we are speaking about the executives that work for us partially
because it's our responsibility to create the policies that are in front of us. And from my understanding this was brought to governance in November of 2023 and with the candidates can't.
>> So here we are. So I just want to make sure that we continue forward. >> In in a manner that's going to be the most beneficial to everyone. And unfortunately,
I'm not gonna be able to support this I still believe in abstaining on the main motion. I I'm far happier with it. With 8 early release days is just if we're going to set
an arbitrary guideline here, then are we talking about individual kids? Are we talking about the entire school? I mean, we just don't have enough information to be able to make this decision. And I really just don't think
it's beneficial for us to get into the weeds on this. This is a extremely operational issue. If we want to address the issue related to early release stays for elementary
school and we should do that. But otherwise, I don't want to undo the work that the divisions already done. So we're going to. Go ahead and
go to miss McCown in and then we have to go backs. >> asked a few clarifying questions. I also support what Ms. Lady was saying about when we have the early release
stays, keeping them consistent of either 2 or 3 hours picking one sticking with it to make it the most simple for parents. What I'm understanding from this amendment is that it moved from for early release stays.
And this is talking about across the division to a more specific. Amendment. 4 just elementary school. So this would not impact final exam.
So would not impact as a TPS. 80 days. That was my question. Thank you. Mr. Dunne.
>> Thank Unfortunately, on the screen we can only see amendment and then followed by amendment. So I just want to read if the secondary amendment is approved in the amendment is approved, it would read as follows. I move to direct the superintendent
to schedule no more than 8 early release days for elementary school students per school year. That would be the language in its entirety. So
there would be no impact on middle schools. No impact on high school. So the concerns that have been raised about those schools PSA few days and high schools, final vans. And that's a few days are moved because the secondary
amendment, an amendment hear that. And as has been noted by almost everyone, the concerns that have been raised have been primarily focused at the elementary school level. So perhaps the original motion
and I will gladly take the blame should have focused exclusively at the elementary school level. I appreciate the amendments for fixing that. But I I don't think that the school calendar is an
operational issue. Respectfully, it is by state law. It reads the school board shall set the school calendar. That is the opening of the legislation that has been buying for many years. So it's
a school board policy matter and we have not approved the calendar for next year or the year after. I know there's a follow-on motion to accomplish that. This address is one of the most dire issues that's
been raised by families and to disregard the many concerns financial logistical in otherwise requiring students with special needs to be educated home because the school counter. Disrupts their
learning that imposes undue burdens on families causing people to abandon their careers and all the income, all of the crib and opportunities. It's unthinkable to not take some
measure, at least on a transit transition basis let you respond to those concerns that have been raised its causing permanent is causing trauma. We need to make this county a great place to live and keep
it a great place to live for all of our families and all of our students. Thank you. Dr.
Anderson, to do want to go back. just I wanted to be here. I've not spoken on this motion at all. >> I'm sorry. Mr. Percent did not see your light all the way down end. I'll try go to Mr.
Fresh and then we will go back for go back for Dr. Anderson. >> 2 quick points. Unlikely to staying on motion itself. When we get there. Regardless of if it's human or not, I'll
probably support the amendment because they think it's an improvement. Secondarily, I will the question of whether something is operational is always a balance right? The
calendar state code language does say that. It also says that we hire the teachers and I'm just not sitting here sitting in for interviews with teachers to hire them. So when we do get to the policy work that we're all looking forward
to in the weeks ahead we'll have to talk about what that balances so. You know, there are benefits and disadvantages to everything that we decide
as a board. And there's you know, for every. Operational thing that we take on you
know, that takes some autonomy away from superintendents how we Superintendent has a great deal to do with the types of people we can attract, cetera. So state coaches, a lot of
things the board is responsible for. And many of those things we delegate to the superintendent. So I think we're more than capable of the board today to develop a
policy that speaks to our role in approving calendars and what and the work that we will require of the superintendent to help inform that decision
making. Dr. Anderson. >> Thank you. Just hoping to reiterate some points and to clarify. The 8 total days I
shared. And my answer to Ms. Lady that I assume it will comprise of the year end because that has to happen because it typically has happened. We've spent quite a bit of time talking about
their purpose. Grading report caused a cetera. I would not imagine that the with those would go away. I assume I'm not directing the totality.
The focus is to reduce the number of days that elementary students have early release, whether they're on this calendar or not on the calendar.
>> That is the focus. It is not to touch what's happening at middle schools at this time. It is not to touch what's happening at high schools at this time. Those are not part of the conversation for this
amendment. It is just what is happening at elementary school. And it is an assumption at the year end the quarter end early release days would be included. But it is
not a direction that they be included, perhaps the superintendent says, you know what, we don't need those at all. But given the conversation that I heard earlier regarding their purpose and objectives, I
would not imagine that would be the case. Seeing no others. >> can it go ahead and vote on the secondary amendment. Which
is on the screen or will be shortly. All those in favor of the secondary Amendment, Mr. Fresh. Mr. McElveen. Mr.
Danon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson and Ms. Lady. All those opposed Aaron. All those abstaining. Mister McDaniel
St. John-Cunning Ms. Dixit in myself. The clerk, please read the vote. >> 7, 1, for the motion
carries the amend Amendment as amended. So now. We have to go back and vote on the
amendment. Correct? Seeing no lights. Thank goodness. ahead vote the amended amendment.
All those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McElveen, Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson.
>> I can't see misplayed E. My hands down. Okay. Thank you. All. Those opposed Aaron. All
those abstaining, Mr. McDaniel as St. John-Cunning. Ms. Dixit and myself, Lady had vote. I
have standing okay the clerk. Please read the vote. 6, 1, 5,
the motion carries okay. Now we're back to the main motion. So we are going to vote on the amended mean motion. That is
now on the screen. All those in favor. Mr. McElveen, Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon Dr.
Anderson. All those abs, all those opposed Aaron. All those abstaining. Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel St. John-Cunning Ms.
Dixit. And myself, Lady. How do you how do you vote? The
clerk? Please read the vote. 5, 1, 6, the motion carries. So abstentions. Don't.
>> Count as a negative vote. tensions count as if there was no vote. So it's technically it would be like a 5, 1, vote. So that's why the motion carries, even though there are
6 abstentions. Thank you. >> Agenda item, 6.0 5 action item motion motion to amend School calendar regarding Veterans Day. Colin Dr.
Anderson, for Action. I move that the Fairfax County School board directed superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for students and staff. >> For the 26 27 school year
and all subsequent years and to create and implement a district-wide Veterans Day observance curriculum designed to appropriately instruct students and engage community members and observing the meaning of this day.Is there
a second by second? Thank you. As Mayor Dr. Anderson, would you like to speak your motion? Yes, I would like to think this is going to be easy. That's what I would like to
think because we have policy that says exactly that. >> I implore you all to pull a policy. 33 80. >> Section 4, a Veterans Day
observance. >> Although a federal holiday, Fairfax County Public School does not include Veterans Day as a school holiday school
personnel shall follow the calendar of religious and cultural observances regarding Veterans Day and shall provide students with instructional activities that honor veterans and recognize the role of the
military, America and American democracy. >> This is essentially correcting a policy that we have not been observing and are not in compliance with. That's what this is. Point
blank. However, I will also say this. These following jurisdictions have school on Veterans Day. Loudon County
right next door. Montgomery County across the water, Richmond, Roanoke, Houston. We compare ourselves to them because they're large all of
these doors, just actions have school on Veterans Day. 3rd point, I'm a veteran. When I worked in Loudon County for 10 years, we had school in
Veterans Day with the expectation of inactivity has described here as already described in the policy. And because I'm a veteran, we kind of put a special And now back
in now, activities. It was such a proud day for these kids to walk down whatever space we were using. Weather was a multi purpose room. What the gym with their bed when
parents to be highlighted in in service honored and recognized. And of course, after was there was cake. So that was always great. This is not this is a thing that we
have not been doing. It's policy. We need to do it. And it gets us in additional 5 day week. What I heard the other
day in terms of town hall that some families said, well, it's a day that veterans can travel. Looks at her out. It doesn't always follow weekend. Sometimes it's in the move.
The we it's been all over the place because I pulled it for the last 10 years. It's been every day of the week, but most importantly, policy says it should have school. This is
just going back and honoring our policy. This man rejects speech or second. Being in
school for Veterans Day will be a day on for learning and observing this holiday, which is already part of the SPS culture. My own kids have. >> Dunne events at their schools on this day on Wall,
not Veterans Day, but another day that week in the past veterans have told me they already see the commitment to honoring this observance in our community. And I think my colleague Dr. Anderson, for
bringing this motion and for her service as a veteran to this nation. So as I said earlier, it's common for businesses and offices to be open for this federal holiday. Leaving parents seeking child care while they work this
midweek day off on Wednesday, November. 11th 2026. This year is unlikely to hinder families. Travel plans as would be more likely for those Monday or Friday. Holidays. And again, our current policy.
33, 80 directs that students should be in school on Veterans Day. This is an oversight by the superintendent that is ready for a remedy and it's a major cause for concern. A superintendent who is not
implementing school board, I believe had a little bit more time correct. Thank you. I do think is a major cause for concern to have a superintendent who is not implementing school board
policy. both take this opportunity to share from the governance committee side since I know there was a question of me having time on the agenda later this evening for committee updates or just go ahead and say as governance
committee chair, you know, we have an updated draft, the counter policy. It was posted on March 17 for that meeting and the committee agreed to for the work. So I was dismayed to hear today from the superintendent that her
staff has done no work on the counter policy at all. And while the expectation wasn't to bring back content for the next governance meeting, which is this Tuesday, I certainly
would think that for the importance of this topic and the level of input we've received that certainly some work would be done by the best staff to have something ready as soon as possible for the
governance committee. So we do have that draft policy that combines 6 policies together all except for one is out of compliance. Goes back to 2011
that we have our policies that haven't been reviewed. So again, I said before I'm eager to get this policy done in May and also to see how what was
passed by the board tonight will be woven into that policy and able to be kept and perhaps okay get some more data on the decisions the board has made tonight and how that impacts our budget and
staff time. So again, I'm committed to getting the counter policy updated in May for board approval because this is what the superintendent needs to then to any further work on
updating the policy. Thank you. Mr. Dunne. Thank you. Just to build on the comments of my colleagues.
>> Under regulation, 1, 3, 4, 4, 1, 3, which was approved in 2021 by the school board. It states that the Friday after
Thanksgiving is given as a holiday in lieu of Veterans Day. So the reason we have a Friday after Thanksgiving as a
school holiday is an honor of Veterans Day. Next year is Veterans Day is on a Wednesday in the middle of the week. And for that reason, I strongly support this motion existing
policy is to have school on Veterans Day. It's a day when my children were in school. All 3 of them when veterans would come in and talk about share, their stories talk you
know, the sacrifices made by brave soldiers and that influenced all 3 of my children to pursue military careers. So I strongly support making sure that we have one more full week that we act
consistent with school policy and that we maintain as a school holiday the Friday after Thanksgiving maximize family time vacations which are long centered around that
important national holiday. Thank you. Mr. McCAbe. So if a question for the superintendent Mr, Smith, can
you identify what >> happened here? Because Veterans Day he's always been a perennial debate and it's come to the calendar conversation and I find it hard to believe that it would
just kind of fall off without discussions. So was there a year? Was there a decision by the prior boards, too? Observe? It are what happened?
Yes, sir. That was part of the November 2023. Guidance provided by the prior board was that Veterans Day would become a. >> The holiday. >> Okay. And so what happened
is we just failed to update the regulations will the policy draft is actually sitting on governance committee agenda on board docks now even for November. 23.
>> The red line updates. They just weren't acted on. Got it. Okay. Well, that's very helpful. Well, I mean, I will join the chorus saying that Veterans Day has always been
one of the most meaningful days of the school year. Having attended events and and numerous schools, not every school has always done it. And that's an issue that we have to correct in over the years.
We've tried to make sure that every school observes Veterans Day and some form, whether it's throughout an assembly are. Just in the curriculum in
general. But weve mandated that in the past. So I I assume that's on the books somewhere. And I hope that as this. Amendment here for this
motion here says that we will have a curriculum designed appropriately for this. So grateful to those for bringing this forward and look forward
to returning to press pass to CPS practice. Mr. McDaniel. There's language in the motion that talks about development of a curriculum to be
implemented. District-wide. >> So it's a question for staff is is there already a curriculum or is this going to be a new initiative and a new endeavor? That staff has to
take on to implement? >> Thank you, Mr. McDaniel. It's my understanding. We did a little bit of research on this Every Our K 12 Social
studies team provides resources to support schools and recognizing veterans contributions and the role of the military and our American democracy. This is in
alignment with our policy. 33, 80.3 and schools have flexibility in how they organize these materials. But the Veterans Day one, 80 dock does offer planning ideas and
resources. And since Veterans Day is also included in the Virginia history and social sciences to wells for Grades K 2. We had additional supports
and those guys because we actually don't start well as to grade 3 but all schools share documentation of their activities ranging from classroom lessons to school.
Late events through communications assistant principals and department chairs already. I guess the question is. >> Does that satisfy request of this motion or are we going to have to go back and
redevelop something? >> I hope that it would satisfy this motion, but it. I would expect that it would satisfy this motion. All
right. Thank you. Ms. Dixit. >> So I like the spirit of this motion again, trying to get more 5 days of, you know,
school days, 5 weeks 5 days, a week. But I do not want to take a veteran days Just honored to be introduced. guard this right. I would we have to align ourselves with
the federal holiday is moving forward. our. That's what I'm hearing from my community. definitely this is an honor. My federal government to our
veterans and and and other governments believe so I love to find other opportunities to get to that goal. But we are all trying to do it as a
board. But I want to engage the community more island in case the staff staff more so in that reason I'm not going to support this motion and the Pride Board who actually to we
have 3 members here and at I don't know what I didn't follow that. But give this Veterans Day holiday. So thankful to those people who
want to for this last time. Mr. Gunn. Just briefly again. But everything else is brought up tonight. I appreciate. >> Everything. The
consideration and the brainstorming so forth my my one concern was warning. This is just want to jump ahead of the good work that the governance committee is doing. Looking this holistically and
for the 3rd or 4th time tonight, I'm not against. This change, but not as in this way. I would much rather see a
broader discussion, the work of the conference committee work issue going down the road Counter Committee. So again, appreciate that. The sentiment here at not opposed to in future as part of broader
discussion. Missing 2 and counting. >> I do want to acknowledge and thank my colleagues for
bringing all of I think is important conversation. I think consideration should be given to increase our 5 school weeks to celebrate our diverse
community and respect the religious beliefs and to honor the need to professional development and planning time for teachers that comply with our collective bargaining commitment. I'm going to say that I struggled with these
missions for a variety of reasons. And I just happened to be out a lot in the community this week and I reached out to such a wide variety of parents, students,
teachers, principals and community members and got incredible feedback. That was one on one, you know, just.
You know, face to face some of the concerns and reasons are for a ticket late, particularly today by speakers to especially this federal holiday. I agree with one of my colleagues at said that
this is like a puzzle. I think it's a Rubik's Cube that has many nuances and I have never been able to figure out a Rubik's Cube. And so all of
this should be considered and not fixed with a bad solution for that problem. I just don't think that's we should work. As for this final motion, I did struggle with this for a
lot of reasons. I happened to be a proud person of the military family, my father and served in the Navy. My grandfather received the equivalent of a Purple Heart
when he was wounded in action during World War. One and his grandfather was a union soldier the Civil War. Not to mention all my cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, the
Coast Guard installations. It's in my district and even though Fort Belvoir doesn't sit in my district, 2 entrances to. >> nowhere to sit in my
district. So I am also currently proudly representing 60% of a Purple Star schools. We support military students and families. Tonight I read celebration for the military
child. And most of us are wearing purple today show support. The irony of us eliminating days today. Today
is not lost on me. I do realize our current policy their current practice. And for that reason, I love staying tonight in hopes that we can move forward and take the time to receive community feedback and fairly in
creatively as one of my board member said, come up with workable solutions to balance all of these competing priorities. And I'm telling you, these are all good competing priorities. We have to balance them. I'm looking
forward to coming up with some creative solutions. Mr. Man. >> Thank you year. As I said.
Indigenous Peoples I'm going to stick to what I want policies and then nations used to. And that's which means
that. On to next those ponds to the nation's achieved. We need to abide by what he had. On Tabor. Qaeda lines. He have
never been given to to put end in public. I have not being able to find them anyway. The board floating to keep that to
superintendent given up calendar. I was not on the so I don't need to get pretty what the From January one to
That I return for the board town has He published will go on new guidelines to be given to superintendent and I cannot
find people for And then the years, if you want know, go find bull fight. Andy, even the governance committee was
nothing. You don't do public Not public, said nonpublic City. How would be unique? If
you look at 26 27 count and November. You look at the number. First 2 days in
November. Days off for students. If a announced the remains as a holiday, that's a
40. It's only one week. week November, we 5 full days. Decode them following the we only 2 days of school. We need
Over my 23 years. 20 use in the prior board. We debate becomes the shoe or we'll see. You need Most the times mostly
came down in chief. What kind of a calendar we want to give collections for truck shun.
It's not that we want disrespect. That's when snow. We go to schools. Students have been many schools have programs send them me, honor
that and I enjoy to the mic icon. And still to come to go, game and some of it with the students in STEM. Bottom line
for my vote. Ease. To comply with existing policies and make. >> take a quick turn here.
this one particularly hard for me. My husband, retired from the military and 2019. My
oldest was 9 and my youngest was. And I have been with him since the day he commissions so it is not lost on me. The
irony that tonight is the night that we would do this. However. I agree that we need to fix it in the policy. I also agree. Our community is
split on this. We have veterans that want nothing more than have their kids in school so that they can come in and show what it means to be a veteran. And then we have
other veterans that 100% one. To have the opportunity to be able to take their children to their units, to be able to show them what it is to be a military member. And I think
that we have a solution here that we could fix in the policy or the regulation is that this could be an O J. This is a cultural observance
and 100% could have this be day that would just allow for no new no new or no assessments to happen. I do think that we need to talk days in terms of the overall
the overarching policy related to how they're utilized. I have listened to my colleague from Chantilly are from we
from Dranesville that has talked quite a bit about the concerns related to instruction that is limited on those days. So I do think something else that we can we can look at. But I think that that's the solution here. So I
will be in favor of this only because I do understand that it is in the policy and I would like to make sure that we look at that moving forward. I do absolutely think
that whatever survey we end up doing related to calendar needs to include this that we can get the broader picture of what's going on. Okay. So we're going to go to Mister
Conan. Good joined the chorus of saying that. I think our main priority should be on our policy. I think aligning ourselves with federal holidays office important, far written policy currently
contradicts that. >> If we were to change the policy to reflect align with federal holidays, I would support this motion. Right now. This motion is to from that. We're standing by Werner policy. If I could vote, I would support this motion. I
do think that this Polish policy should be looked at again as as governance is still working on it. And I really like Anderson's I give a note so they can yes. Dr.
Anderson, for go back. >> Just very briefly. I know we had this conversation really, really quickly governance the last time with Dr Reid and you and I had a conversation, I think even
before that meeting or maybe was after. Regarding your thinking about this. This was not. At least not conversation. I do want to say words. I don't put words in
your mouth, but this was not one of ideas that gave you consternation. This was one that you said you could bring that forward. But you wanted
to let us figure it out. Is that accurate? I'm sorry.
asking me. Yes. obviously. >> This is a complex topic. So if the board approves that we're going to have Veterans Day be a school day. Of course, we're gonna make
Veterans Day of school Yes, that's correct. OK, that wasn't exactly what I asked. But it's fine. >> The other thing that I wanted to add is essentially what Anderson said.
>> If we have families who want to have their children participate in other things to go out into their place of work. They should be allowed to do that. They should have the opportunity to do so. But I will tell you from having
done this for so many years, these kids are so proud to have their families. >> Come to the school in uniform and be introduced, buy
them. >> My mom, my dad, my aunt, my grandfather. >> Multiple generations come when you have. >> The opportunities for them to come and be celebrated. It
is. So it can be. So amazing. I don't know what it's been like in Fairfax, but I know what it's been like in the schools that I have work. It has been a zing staff members
wear their uniforms at the school that day. They so choose. It's such a moment. And we can get that. It is not
a just it's not a diminishing. Idea to the service of those individuals. It is an honor and recognition to their service. And kids. They love
it. When other kids see how great their parents I and that's what they get when we have them. in schools on that day in to participate in something again, I've always
done little bit a lot because I'm particularly partial to this, but it can be really, really awesome for a lot of
our kids. Mr. Dunne. >> So our existing regulations require Veterans Day to be a school day. A student
instructional day. And currently on the published calendars which have not been approved by the school board to date. It's not a student instructional day. So this
motion is simply intended to ensure conformity with existing regulations. The only other way to achieve conformity is to bring a noncompliance in the L which I
don't think it's necessary because this where was informal guidelines, but they're in red line. Those guidelines were never approved by the school board and those guidelines because they're in
draft, as has been stated by multiple speakers, including the superintendent, do not take precedence over a published officially adopted regulation following
published, adopted and officially approved policy. So just as a legal matter, we have to follow existing policy to do other wise is severe us outside the law. And if we
want to change policy, we can. But that would have to be for a future school year. And lest want to tinker with next year. And I think generally been elected to do that. So that's
that's where I stand then. Besides, as I mentioned, it's in the middle of the week. It's a Wednesday for Monday. Friday. might be a different conversation. But in the middle of the week, it's
maximally disruptive. Thank you. >> I'm gonna take it to second. Go back and just request that we actually put a
designate or insists that actually identifies retired families. Because I will tell you that my children are often excluded from military events because of the fact that that
their father is retired instead of actually being and active duty service member. So that is just something that I'm gonna put out there. That is a common problem that I've heard from from different
parents is that they don't know is that those kids don't always get included. So just putting it out there so seeing no others were going to go ahead and take a vote for the
motion that's on the screen. All those in favor. Mr. Fresh this mayor and MS Mr. McElveen. Mr. Done, Mr. Moon
Dr. Anderson and myself. All those opposed. Ms. Dixit. All those I'm in favor. Okay. Miss lady is in favor and all those
abstaining. Mr. Mckelvie or I'm sorry, Mr. McDaniel St. John-Cunning and Mr. Danon.
clerk. Please read the phone. 8, 1, 3, the motion carries. Everybody. Please turn their lights on. I call on Mister
McDaniel for follow-on motion. >> I I move. The school board approved the school year 2026. 2027 calendar as amended by the outcomes of motions. 6.0
3, 6.0 4, 6, points or a 5. Is there a second? I second. Thank Mark. Set. Mr. McCAnn, you would you like to speak
chair? briefly, this is a housekeeping move more than anything. There's been some commentary tonight about the need for the board to vote on the calendar. So in order to button up the conversation on that in my next follow-on motion will handle next 2
years moving approval of the calendar as has been amended. Ms. Dixit. Would you like to speak to second? >> Miss Mayor. >> Can we please receive a
copy of the calendar? We're being asked to approve. >> This mayor and I believe
that we are well. Mr. McDaniel G like to speak to the intention. pretty simple to me. end of the 26 27 calendar
with those 3 motions and this motion will approve the calendar as amended with those 3 motions. >> Well, in the past, when the board is that around calendar, we voted on the calendar in
front of us. Given all of the confusion that ensued. I want to vote on the calendar that I expected to be. I only saw this motion yesterday. So I
don't know what the plan is, but I want to see the counter. I'm gonna vote on. Point of
order. That's not a point of order. >> So continue my turn. currently. We've had votes taken without presentations.
We've had motions voted on without being read. I will not vote on a calendar until I see it. So when it is presented, I
will vote on it. That is part of this process. So whenever the superintendent can get that to the board, we can go ahead and vote on In my
opinion. Dr. Anderson. >> Thank you. I think sentiment kind of answered my question because I want to be sure that the calendar that we are voting upon was inclusive
of the changes that would just made tonight. There were a couple and I too I'm having some. Hesitation about voting
on a calendar that has that is not clean. And so my wondering is could we just delay this until the next meeting so we can have a clean calendar with the changes that are that were
made tonight. Remake until accomplish the same thing. But just a little bit later with that, the would that not be amenable little. I don't see a reason to be candid.
>> Would you like to ready time to recognize? Absolutely Mr. Reid and no one not amenable. I don't see the point. >> We need to get this done tonight because we've had conversations about the community has consternation and another 2 week delay.
>> He's more consternation. to get this done tonight.
>> school board is responsible for setting the school board counter. It's been mentioned by my colleagues that early releases are not the noted on the public school board
counter believe that was one of my colleagues comments. So without knowing the dates of the up to 8 early release days at the elementary school
level. I'm not sure that we even know what the calendar it is. We're voting on. So I would submit that the motion
raised is it's improper because we don't know what the calendar is. We have to know a budget to vote on the budget. We have to know a calendar to vote on the calendar at this
point. Back to read. Do you know which 8 days of the school year, the early release days will be for elementary schools. >> No, sir, I couldn't tell
you which 8 days I can tell you 4 of them, they would be the end of the quarter days. So the middle and high school for I can give you and the elementary for friend of
quarter. But where we would slide the remaining 4. I don't know that this evening that, you know, as part of a a larger conversation with HR
and our associations. >> Dre, how long will it take you to determine when those additional for early release stays at the elementary school level? What what dates that you would recommend to the
school board? We wouldn't likely recommend those to laughter. We actually had an approved calendar because those would be part of the staff planning day teacher, workday conversation. That's a much broader conversation.
>> Because >> the >> elementary early release don't occur within a vacuum. And as if that makes sense, there braided together with
school planning days and teacher workdays. So that would usually that's a conversation that happens after the calendar is set. So generally I'm going to defer
to Mister Solomon about when that group HazMat crews were tending to do it multiple years out. So protecting this coming year, Mr. Solomon, you
normally wait till we have the calendar and then we kind of put all those pieces together. You have roughly I think a 16 member group that does that. >> That's exactly right. Was representatives across our
professional learning Department or equity office, cetera, review all of the relevant factors and to make sure that when replacing those early release stays as professional learning days and the staff development and
planning to is that they're placed appropriately and that they dovetail well with each other. So all of our elementary, middle and high winds are working well. So now that we have this additional information about The
direction that the board would like to go as it relates to an example in this motion Veterans Day, this will give us an opportunity to go back and look at all of our work calendars. Readjust and then make that determination in
terms of where the early release station fall. >> Dre to all of the early release days. The official calendar early release days are published on the high
school calendar and the middle school calendar. And could be published certainly on the elementary school counselor. Can they? >> Well, I mentioned that the 4 quarter days could be for
sure. The other 4 that. Only the elementary will be having would be the 4 I can't give you tonight, right? >> But one to determine those those can be included on the published counter, correct?
Yes, Sir. I would just submit to my colleagues that until we know what those days are, I don't know how we can vote to approve something unless the motion is rephrase. Remove the
reference to the early release motion and to specify that essentially we're delegating to the superintendent to come up with a calendar that we will. ratify by some further
act that a later date. Mr. Fresh. >> 2 quick things. One when we were discussing the other 2 amendments that I supported. I
looked at the calendar to make assessments of what those days we're going to do. Secondarily, I have no problem approving this calendar tonight. And when the
superintendent comes back with the insertion of the 4 days, which by the way, during that conversation, my assumption based on the conversation was that we knew with the 4 days we're going to be in that the superintendent has some discretion about figuring out
the optimal place to place those 4 days. And while I didn't support the motion, I supported the amendment because of that flexibility.
So I have no problem voting for. The calendar here because already assumed based on the motions we passed what this would look like on the calendar. But I've been looking at for planning next
year I would have no problem with us approving. Additional days down the road. If that's something that the board wants
to move forward with. >> I want to give us certainty to community. And should be tonight. The 26 27 school year
can endure. Many families rely upon and approved Ken and have already made I don't want to
follow delayed. do I have a conference. Is putting content having had her view our discussion debate tonight? In
a timely manner. Putting back to us what our recommendations we be. As 2. How are Sure full
levy stays should be the 2 scores. His father what he's up there with amend emotions. We got I feel comfortable, you
know, hopefully approving people for the the kind for the next.
>> Take a quick turn. My hands up. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Yes, thank Becoming I want to make to Dr. Reid is.
>> In the past. early release stays for elementary were done pyramid or by region props. I know my colleague mentioned earlier in this discussion of
the current amendment. That those could be denoted on this calendar that actually was on the screen a second ago. But if they're going to be different 5 pyramids and they wouldn't be denoted because
they haven't been in the past because they're different. Region to region. Is that correct? I mean, is possible we could do them all the same time?
>> You're correct. Ms Lady. And really isn't possible to do them on the exact same date because of transportation and keeping within our budget. So we do have for the division's
elementary's on one day and half. On the next week. So I think that. is very likely by we haven't put it on the full
on division calendar that's posted. But rather it sent out by pyramid. That's correct. >> All right. So for that reason, I agree with my colleague. I think we could vote on this because we understand the amendments in
terms of Veterans Day, we understand it's no more than 8 early release days. There's been discussion about whether this really, really station moved from a Wednesday. I
mean, I think that those are discussions that can still take place. I don't think the impact actually the calendar that was posted and the change that we've talked about tonight. So for that reason, I am able to support us tonight.
Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Lady. >> I'm going take a Does the
board approve all of the early release days for high schoolers related to their exam schedules? So I don't see that this is any different. We're not really. We are not
approving every early release that's going across the county because things are happening at different different times. And oftentimes it's important to do what works for that
particular school. So I am. With leaving the superintendent. We are giving the superintendent leave to go ahead and figure out which for days work for in which portions of the division and I
have full faith that she will come up with a solution to the problem that we have provided her. The other thing that I feel strongly about getting this is because MS St.
John-Cunning and I were audience members and the webinar that happened the other night. And one of the things that was repeatedly said is that further changes we're likely going to happen
related to the result of the cab of the policy. And I would be loath to actually change the 26 27 calendar again after the policies set later this year. So I think it is
essential for us to go ahead and lock this and now and understand that anything that happens in the policy will move forward with calendars that haven't been approved yet. So I am in full favor of
this so we're going to Dr. Anderson, for go back. Thank you. I appreciate the discussion that has taken place regarding approving this
and I appreciate what Mr. Mullen has said. >> About parents needing to know as soon as possible. And I know that was a point when
we discuss this back in. 21. 22 23 and what I appreciate the spirit of this. I'm not going to be able to support this motion at this time because I do think we need to have a clean calendar for our community to have clarity in
terms of what is it that's going to be happening. Mr. Men. Okay. Seeing no others.
We're going to go ahead and take a vote for the follow-on motion that is on the screen. All those in favor. Mister, Fresh, Mr. McDaniel missing
John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne. >> Mr. Moon. Ms. Lady and
myself, all those opposed. Mr. McElveen, Mr. Dunne Dr. Anderson. I believe that all of us. For the clerk, please read the vote. 8 for the
motion carries. Thank you. I call on Mister McDaniel for a follow-on motion. >> I knew that the school board directed superintendent to bring her recommended
calendars for us. Why 2027? 2028. that's why 2020 2029 July 9th. 2026 regular meeting of the Fairfax County School board traction. Is there a
second? Misty john-cunning, Mr. McDaniel, you like to speak your motion? just quickly, again, another housekeeping item to lock in some certainty of when the
next 2 school. Your calendars are going to be brought to by the superintendent for more action, which is July 9th 2026. Mr. Engine coming. Would
you like to speak your second? >> Yes, and a lot of my conversations that I had this week, there was a really interesting conversation that was brought up by someone. That's it. You I really kind of didn't care about the
calendar. And unfortunately, my wife and I split. And so the fact that we had that 3, your calendar was really helpful when we went to the
judge and I had a and are and we were discussing custody and it was there. So that was an implication. I would have never even imagined. And so there are so many reasons that
having that calendar. That the calendars important for families, some of which we can't even fathom. So that is one of the reasons that I
think that we should do that. Mr. Fresh. I actually the question for the motion maker. So if you come next week,
please when he returns. Thank you. Dr. Anderson. >> I'd like to amend the
follow the follow-on motion in entirety by replacing it with I move that the school board direct the division superintendent to recommended calendars for S y 27. 28. And
that's why 28 29 to incorporate comprehensive community engagement. That includes but not limited to in-person feedback and electronic surveys. And Alex trying surveys to the July 9th
2026 regular meeting to the Fairfax County School Board action. It's their second second. Thank you, Mr. Crean. >> Dr. Anderson, would you like to speak to amendment? >> Yes, it There a couple of
things here that I really appreciated that were brought forward, which is why the board is going to continue to fulfill its duties of approving the calendar. So I'm very much in support of that
doing it and batches again that the community has really been appreciative of knowing what their plan was going to be for more than one year at a time. The only thing that I'm
asking for is to incorporate community engagement because we've all have done different things to hear from folks. We need to do it a little bit more structured. I'm happy to do another survey from my
community on the calendar. But I'd rather not do that whether it be division-wide rather than just Mason district. specific and night purposefully you some words like and cooperate,
comprehensive community engagement because I realize the timetable. This is 2 months away, 3 months away. But we are still Fairfax County, a very division with lots of resources. But it is still 3 months away. We are
not. I am not expecting. As I talked to you earlier, Dre, I do not believe this is a space where we're going to do a pyramid meeting to talk about the calendar. No. I believe that this makes sense to
incorporate and whatever in-person meetings you have that are coming up, whether it be community conversations, staff communicate, conversations, family groups,
and other groups. I think that's a great way to get feedback discussion as well as what most people can have access to, which is an electronic opportunity to give
feedback through a survey which I know we have plenty and I'm hoping we could tweak them a little bit to get that out and really supporting
family liaisons and others to support families to give their feedback. We should not have calendars it and just turned out here and year out without
having community feedback input to it. We need that because right now what we're receiving at least what I'm receiving are all of these anecdotes that need to be
compiled in a way for me to be representative of my community. We all need that information. And I'm hoping that you all can be supportive of collecting feedback from
our community. What I shared back here, I think in December. That I always hear again. I think every couple of
years as we are moving towards a structured calendar policy, it's one going to be one of my advocacy points for the policy that we stop. We pause we take stock. We hear from the
community that is live in experiencing this calendar. How is it going? And we use that to inform the decisions that we are making. So this is
and ask for information not in a way that I'm hoping he's not going to be crippling because they do realize everybody's plate is full. It is not going to be additional meetings, but
it is going to be a digital ask that's going to be the new thing. And then whatever meetings that. Doctor Reed and her staff already have that
are on the books. Mr. my community like speech or second. I see this is a way of getting back to normal right? >> Re incorporating community
voice in this process which has been missing for the past 4 years or so. So although this this falls short of, but I would have liked to see which adding community voice
back to our calendar committee. It does get us to the point regulates are serving our community. Just this week. We have in the past. So this is a positive step forward. And look forward
to seeing the results Mr. Fresh. Thank you. 2 things. One on the subject of engagement.
>> I have had for my entire time on the board heartburn over the idea that we call it community engagement and that it is anything other than informative. And it's certainly not instructive right? You could get 10,000
families representing the entire school division with no scientific waiting to based you know, demographics or what proportion of the school
division might share their views. What have you? And so what you end up with is, you know, we used to get these in our by the way, staff works incredibly hard to get these responses right? And so but we
would get these the surveys that said, like 80% of students feel safe. OK, those responses, students and they are subset of which groups in
which schools and which areas in which regions. And so people tend to weaponize the data in the engagement surveys and it's not necessarily scientifically sound right? It
is informative, not instructive. And so my hope is that as we continue to do engagement that we will do more to make the engagement
reporting instructive. More than informative. I want to know when we by the way, 15,000 families is a huge sample size to work with. For something that could be
scientifically instructive. Most people would. Dream of having that kind of a sample size to work with. So that's one thing. Otherwise, it's all
anecdotes. Some anecdotes are heavier in one area another. Second. Is that a question for Dr? Read it. My big fear in engagement on this subject in particular, let alone doing it
every single year. And I'm not saying opposed to it. But this is the fear. If we don't do this properly is that we will continue to ask people what they X, Y or Z. And may not be able to deliver on elements of
that in conjunction with other elements of that. And so we will continually disappoint people who think that. Well, I keep telling you that I want this, but maybe that's not
possible. How do we make sure that when we are engaging the community that we are also setting realistic expectations about what's possible based on choices. People make great. Everything is a choice. But
they way one thing against another right. A longer summer means, you know, less time here. You know, how do we make sure that in the messaging around the engagement? That
people are watching in clear eyed about what it's possible. Yeah, I think that's going to be tricky and we're going to have to look at the survey tool.
>> we're gonna have a pretty quick turnaround. To look at the data. So we're not going be able to have much that will be open ended. But you're right. I mean, they're a
finite number of days and finite number of hours within that to jaisol. It's a it will be tricky. I think, draft a survey that's going to
provide. If you will, that instructive feedback. So appreciate the sentiment. Well, and, you know, a lot of stuff can be conflicting. And so I'm supportive of the
motion to have because I think it's important you know, and perhaps all make a goal of the year had working with colleagues to find a way to better support staff.
>> So the recent the research we get back on the engagement can be looked at in a scientific way. That tells us X percent of families feel a certain way and that we're not just saying X percent of
families who responded feel a certain way. You know, you can apply strong rigor to that kind of assessment feel reasonably certain that what
you're getting is accurate. Mr. McDaniel. >> I just want to say thank Dr. Anderson, for bringing you. You know, based on the
conversation of of the level of communication and one of my biggest concerns with these motions tonight was that there was not time to do that. Community engagement. So this fixes that and we can put in place is a regular cadence.
Ideally going forward. This agent County. >> yes, I also want to thank Doctor Anderson for bringing this. I mean, I was family engagement region. engagement
is really important my issue is with the word comprehensive because that looks different in different ways. And there's a 2 period that express that
you recognize that and appreciate that. You know. And willing to. Look at what we get in our surveys, which we all know our problematic in
terms of who response to them or not. And this is something that I think we could start looking at further down the road as we're developing policy and and thinking about how we may be look at the
calendar committee or something so that we codified this in a better way. But I think that. Listening to our families is important. And
this is this is one of those issues where there are so many competing priorities. We are not going to be able to please everyone. I think we're going
try to come to the best solution for our students and our families and our staff. So thank you for bringing this motion Dr. Anderson.
>> Thank you. Madam chair, on the inclined to support this motion. But I have a couple questions to the motion and Lucent companies, commissioner, as companies committee is current. Just you
and are you speaking to the amendment? Are you speaking to the main motion? Couple? it's Dr. Anderson. I'm going to ask
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Why? Tonight? I continue anyway. The point I'm trying to ahead us, the coming of committees
working on. Kind of the policy. I haven't seen yet, but I'm sure that they would finish this one quickly in time. That includes any. You
need to on the guidelines for superintendent incorporate in. Coming up, the recomendations before board for consideration and approval. If you look at
our current policy, any change changes Guidelines. I am enemy
C I'm going to be Monday's The guy didn't show the Bison appropriate. Gonna change? Is really the holidays? Okay. Scribbled shows some recent comments and suggestions from
the school community and modification the school year calendar. under consideration. Spend a school. You tend one
set of guidelines. And the owner to every year in consistent manner. So what I'm trying to say we reckon the superintendent. To get
community input, engage the community. I hope do not to Pre-K. Guidelines.
Consolidated with the heat. To do guy the line include for community engagement, along with the West to putting can. We are directing
superintendent to engage the community too pretty us. Recommendations from people who through Asian. And 29. Both them should go to get the
pending. Thank you, Mr. Seeing no others Ms. Lady. Sorry. Thank Thank you. So I'm you
know, I thanks, doctor Anderson and That could mean for bringing this. And I believe 100% community engagement. But here's my question. We've done things a
lot since I've been on this board that of all community engagement and it's been my experience. Sometimes that win. People's individuals, communities. Are not all in
agreement. What follows is abstentions on boats. raising this because my sense is we're going to find out which is what's been happening in my
e-mail. Is that everyone is advocating for. Their religious holiday or their cultural observant states. I
completely understand support that. I guess. I'm not. I'm not really making a question. I'm trying sort of. Hopefully
create an expectation. That when we do all this work and we hear back, hopefully it's instructive. That everyone on
the board. Do what's right in the in terms of voting for a just. I may I be articulating
myself, but I just seen situations where like I don't rainsville like I can't on every vote. I can't make every single one of my constituents happy. But there are
situations of a diocese were have to make a choice. And I make choices based on what I think is best for students and for learning and for our kids
and for the majority of mind of the people I represent. So I hope that we get back to destructive and I hope my colleagues will, you know, sit with that, evaluate it and
then come prepared to cast a vote. understand they can't please, everybody. Thank you.
Dr. Anderson, want to go back. >> Yeah, just very quickly. I think I got a little bit confused regarding the comments abstaining from a
vote is a choice. It's not a mandatory activity to choice that a member makes for whatever the reason, you know, I could have abstained from
the boundary vote because my community was not happy. But I look it holistically and saw that they were more that benefit of Fairfax County and voted to support it because of
that. It is always a choice. What as to whether or not you're going to abstain. I raley abstained. I vote no, because that's my position. I
don't see be abstention as a fallback. It's I use that really when I don't have enough information to really make a decision. And that's been I can only point to one time when we're doing the cip
when Mister. Gordon was looking for some information for me. So that's just how I approach it. So I I'm not sure if the community engagement results will push anyone into
an abstention category. I don't think it should. If you I don't think it should, but I'm hoping that we are still not going to shy away from the
community engagement because the results may not be what we're hoping for. Because we need to include out people. We talk about voice being a part
of what we do in Fairfax County and we have not had that voice and the calendar for the past several years. So hopefully we could return to that as the practice do. I think it needs to happen every
year. I do not. But it needs that we need to pause at least a couple of every couple of years and take stock and asked people how is this thing working for you so we can make the right moves in a
comprehensive structured way rather than me polling the Mason District or you polling whatever district you represent in order to bring
forward. Their concerns. Thank you, Director Anderson, seeing no others were going to go ahead and vote on the amendment.
>> That is on the screen. All those in favor. Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel, this mayor and Mr Maccoll mean St. John-Cunning Ms. Dixit. Mr. Dan and Mister
Dunne, Mister Moon Dr. Anderson. And myself. Misleading. Can you verbalize or vote? >> Yes, I'm voting for the motion. That is unanimous.
Okay. So now we're back to the main follow-on motion as amended. Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. I had 2
questions for the maker of the motion. Is the point to have the 27 28 2029 calendars approved before the next school year begins. So
approved. Before the school year begins. That's question for the motion maker. From the language of the motion that
says July 9th of 2026. >> And I believe the next school year begins after that. >> OK, thank you. so if so, is the plan to approve them at
the following week at the July 16th meeting? The language of the motion says. The superintendent will bring her recommended calendars to the July 9th meeting. So that
means that's the first time the public seeing them and we're going to deliberate on them. >> I would defer to the chair
on the scheduling of the mechanics, but the way the motion language reason has to come back by the July 9th meeting. >> The walking through the timeline. This is how I see it. The board has to act
swiftly to give clear direction of the superintendent policy. So that's gonna happen immediately. As soon as we can. Governor discussing this on Tuesday, April 14th, I did just sent another e-mail about
it and it was posted on the March 17th meeting as well. Now has the November of 2023 version posted as well. So those are both on the March
April 14th agenda. So governments had planned to discuss it, not only in April 14th, but also April 25th 20st. And that would be the earliest if we wanted any feedback from the Super 10 and
that would be the earliest the upcoming regular meetings after April 21st, our May 7th may 21st June 11th and then June 25th. July 9th. Is the
meeting in the motion. So when would we post this publicly to hear the superintendent present it. Then we need to deliberate. Give our community
time to comment and get that feedback and then act. So I don't think July 9th that we don't leave us one week. For having a discussion publicly about the counter 4. We turn
around and vote for it. So I just want to understand that that's mine is is that I'm expressing this because I don't think the motion the
dates is accurate and I'm trying to clarify the motion says the superintendent will bring her recommended calendars. It does not say the board will act on them. And art, where does? For actions
are older or okay? Well, then that is not usually how we do things. Usually the superintendent presents something. Then we have a space for it. And then we
return. To vote on it. So if that's going to happen here, that leaves one week for us to gather input from the community in the middle of July. And I don't think that's a good plan. So I would
advocate that it comes to us sooner. So that we have time to listen to the community. And give ourselves that time.
Mr. Fish. When I read the language of the motion, I picture that is going backwards from that day. >> That the like other things, the chair and vice chair would
work in chairs with the superintendent, 2 cadence, the work leading up to that day, including when Dr. Anderson brought the motion on the community feedback. All of those things would have to be
staged in such a way. I think we added 2 additional governance committee meetings to speed the process along for this and the technology policy
and so in my head, it worked. I'm not chair. So I'm not making that call. Thankfully. But I have every confidence that chairs with the superintendent. They can figure out going backwards
from that day with the cadences and that the superintendent and that would be happy to bring that to us in a Friday letter that lays out what that. Backtrack. It's
>> I'm going take a turn really fast and then we'll go Mr. Man, the intention here was as the board direction has been quite clearly is that it would be brought for new
business on June 25th, and it would likely be a presentation that evening, which would get plenty of time for community input. And both of these calendars are already published. At least I believe
that one of them is already published. But I believe that there's a draft of the of the second year out. I will speak to why I am in wholehearted support of this is that my
hope would be moving forward in order to maintain that three-year cadence on the calendar is that it would become part of our organizational meeting. That happens in the first meeting
in July every year. And so that way we can determine within the policy. However, we would like to state community engagement needs to occur. But this gives a clear direction
and part of the board's organizational package when we also are presenting our own calendar for the year that it makes sense to just have that be part of the cadence that we're we are. Approving the
3rd year out. And so I do believe a lion share of the work has already been done here by the calendar committee. And so I I don't think that this is impossible.
I think that the concern here is governance does need to move quickly in order to move that I believe that the clerk about to add to the annual
calendar and we were updating the board that we are planning, hoping to have a work session on the calendar policy on May 5th, which would give us plenty of time. So
then schedule it for action. And so that's the intention understanding that it was coming to the governance committee shortly. So hopefully we will be able to keep that cadence and move
quickly and also continue take community input as we go. So I think that. A lion share of the community input has already been done over many,
many years to collect what happened. And we do need to continue to engage the community. But much of that work has already been done so Mr. Moon. Thank you.
>> Thank you. As in that and I have not had a chance to get what post and the company's committees, the meeting. But I want to take a look at I
didn't know whether to UNC include and it's something I have. You mentioned the or several guidelines with the it's gonna be from from BP
before. You know, in the past in the past, I do not want I don't how this was gone in 2020 feet in the national 9. The mass port, you know,
voting on the kind respect in the years past because, you know, these discussion could take our Just think tonight, just like tonight and a lot of times we. Scheduled it work
Sessions to discuss and deliberate deacon with the can and that the work session read again. If the regular board meeting, I guess. Could you
play me to discuss work session and then Lind action needed to take To the board,
when the board feels ready. Actually vote and the talent that he was abroad to the full board actually regular guy. But, you know, as you know, but I'm sure stated that you
feel comfortable as for time and is concerned, would he come on committee? You want to call most to Don in time for the was consideration on the
policy change or a new set of guidelines. First, 2 putting continues. fine with that.
Seeing no lights. >> We're going vote on the amended follow-on motion that is on the screen. All those in favor. Mr. Fresh, Mr.
McDaniel, this Marin. As St. John-Cunning. Mr. Ms. Dixit Mr. with Mr. Danon, Mr. Dunne,
Mr. Moon Dr. Anderson, Ms. Lady and myself, that is unanimous. Agenda item. 6.0 6.
Approval of human resources. Related policies policy. 44, 25 black patients. >> For programming policy. 25 20 employee organization,
organization Recognition and Policy 40. 49, 50 sexual harassment icon, Mr. Moon for a motion. >> Thank you, Madam I move that the school to approve the following a charm policies and
to you by Zin detailed in attachments on board docks. With the lead for crook to make a technique grandma and formatting changes this policy. 44, 25. That Haitian
support programming policy. 45 20 employee organization, recreation and Ponds and employee organization recognition and policy. 49, 50
sexual harassment. Is there a second? >> Mr. Men. Would you like to speak your motion of? But I'm
sure for I thank you for movies for the consent I only know what you do. Have somebody explain. doubled in the community as to what trying to accomplish from this
policy. 45 to 23 to complete contagion. commission. Mr. Solomon.
>> It's or so policy. 45 20 relates to our employee organization recognition procedures as part of the collective bargaining process as was presented to the previous board meeting. Many
of the topics that used to be discussed with them are associations are now governed by collective bargaining have exclusive representatives
outside of those cover topics, compensation benefits, working conditions, hours, etc. Employee organizations that do have the ability to exist and of CPS. And there's a
certification or recognition process that they go through with my office. >> I think at this, you looking at this particular
polling, 45 20, it makes reference more letter. gonna
make larger. Affinity We do have number unity group organizations, groups.
>> How they team meeting? >> you know, groups. >> What do they have to go through all around the? Formal recognition by board?
>> There would not be a need for them to be re recognized. That is the philosophy section of that policy basically saying that the board as a school board as a school division, we value the input
that we get from affinity groups. We value making sure that we have that representation across or employee workforce and across our school division. So
anybody who were in at the group that is already existing would not have to go through that read recognition process. >> So those will get additional already into
different activities, include the inviting school members. To participate in activities. Those can continue. Correct?
think that's those are the questions I want have. This man would doing speech or second. No. Thank you. >> Okay. Seeing no other sir. Can go ahead and take a vote
for the motion that's on the screen. All those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. as mayor and Mr. McElveen missing John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Dan and Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon. And
myself and Lady with Dr. Anderson, away from the table. Agenda item. 6.0 7 action
item, Strategic governance manual factual errors and type of corrections icon, Mr. For sure motion. >> I move that the school
board approved the correction of factual errors and typos to the strategic governance manual as detailed in the agenda item. On board docks. Is there a second? Would you
like to speak your motion, Mr. For sure. Now the world gets to know my hobbies. So I apologize. But when I was chair, I have this dream that
I would talk to Ms, Anderson, about of a governance manual free of errors. Free of type of those. With the same pacha nation and hierarchical
enumeration throughout instead of using Roman numerals and one page and letters and numbers on another seemingly no rhyme or reason as to which version was chosen using different voices on different
pages in different sections. One day, these can all be fixed. But this is just the first step in that process. And so about 8 weeks ago was talking air and on the phone
and she said my staff has been working on some corrections to the issues in the governor's Funny, you should say that I have a hobby. I have a a.
>> my head. I kind of picture 3 steps. And it's like descending order of controversy, right? The first step is not controversial. As far as I'm concerned, it is type ozon factual errors. The
second step is also not controversial, right? It is the higher a colon tumor so that it's all consistent throughout. And then the 3rd step is the stuff that we all talk to each other about one on one. It's like I wish the
governance menu of that. This I wish that that this doesn't keep of current practice, blah, blah. So what we have in this first round, which the governance committee passed on
to the board, one or 2 meetings ago is the type corrections. And so if you scroll through and you'll find type was in corrections that are fixed, there are 2 big buckets of red tax that you'll find in the document. The
first one. And this is the biggest, a fender of errors and the governor's manual currently, it refers to the ignite Strategic plan, which was the previous strategic
plan. So the first big bucket of text in the amendments is replacing the first reference to what was in the strategic plan back in the day with what is in the strategic plan
today. And then much later in the government's Pena. There's another red section towards the end about the superintendent's evaluation. We use as a board and that's
unlike Page 90, we use the vb always guidelines for uniformed performance standards for the superintendent and until 2023, there were 7 standards and those were included in the
government's menu. When that changed, we started using the 8 standards that are currently used since 2023. But the government's menu was not updated to have all 8 standard. So the next big
bucket of red tax that you find in the governor's manual is the replacement of the 7 standards with the 8 standards so that covers what we're voting on here. There's, you
know, some common is removed. There's some double spaces after periods that are removed. There are a type of those. There are words that should have had a space between them but didn't for
some reason, probably the victim of being copied from a PDF at some point in time. Help me move one step forward on the stream of having a clean governance spaniel.
Thank you. Mr. Manage speech or second. >> Except except to say that, you know, we could use
shouldn't the chance The only thing I will say is . >> Have or my desire? Is it in
the next phase along with correct new ration throughout. I would also like to make it match are the rest of our documents. So I'll be working with Mister Fresh that to see if we can clean it up and make
it look more like us just a little bit. So seeing no others are gonna go ahead and take a vote for the motion that almost on the screen. All
those in favor. Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel mayor and Mr. McElveen Misty John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr. Mr. Moon, Ms.
Lady and myself with miss with Dr. Anderson, away from the table. Moving right along
agenda item. 7.0 1. Performance review. Protection 7 monitoring report each year. The school board assesses the superintendent in part on the
basis of the school board or school divisions, reasonable progress towards achieving the 20 23 Dash, 30 strategic plan
goals and adherence to a set of 13 executive limitations found on Page 14. 3.31 of the board's strategic governance manual. This this superintendent provides annual
monitoring efforts to the board for each executive limitation. The board then votes on whether or not the provided report is in compliance or if corrective action is needing needed. I call on Doctor Reed for monitoring for and executive
limitation. 7. >> Thank you. Madam Chair, members of the board and public this evening, I'll be presenting executive limitations. 7 which discusses
asset protection. So school board's executive limitations. 7 is listed here in text on the screen and at the time of this report to the best of my
knowledge, information and belief we have gathered information, evidence that I believe supports compliance with this board's executive limitation associated with this topic. So this evening,
be sharing some highlights. And just a reminder that the full report is linked online to board docs. There are 9 areas executive limitations. 7
indicators, 1, 3, 4, on the slide here. And indicators 5 through 9 can be seen on this slide. Well, be sharing selected indicators this evening. The entire monitoring
report again, is publicly available on for docs. So under the new or newly added information, I want share that in the fall of 2025. the board
did approve awarding a contract to proceed with a comprehensive facilities condition assessment. And the development of a framework for the renovation. Que, this will provide accurate data for
capital renewal funding projections, validate our maintenance backlog, inform the next renovation Q and future planned CAPITAL
infrastructure improvements. Further, our risk management group upgraded its software system which enhances the review processing and accessibility to information and further strengthens
communications and streamlines responses to claims that are submitted to Fcps. Also a new risk management website portal
was added to the fcps website for claims submissions which improves the receipt of claims and customer service. As part of evaluating the division
efficiency and effectiveness. Our chief of staff has done an excellent job of leading a review of operations using our Baldrige framework to identify areas for improvement. We
submitted our final application December of 2025. and we had our team of examiner's review the application as well as engage in a site visit last month. We
anticipating we anticipate receiving official feedback report next month or June, it will be May or June of this year. In November of 2025. Our
safety and Security Department established and facilitated the inaugural meeting of the continuity working group to support the development of office, specific continuity of
operations plans. Individual departments have begun preparing there, continuity of operations plans using a standard Templet that detail which critical functions and
equipment must be considered during an emergency atlas was launched in May 2025. Is a new interim that solution for Fcps
staff. It serves as a centralized hub that consolidates departments and topic information and shares essential updates to reduce
information silos. There were 14,000 active users during the last week of February 2026. And we surpassed 29,000 total year users for the month.
Weve. It's we've also strengthen our memorandum of understanding practices across the division, including the creation ongoing tracking and monitoring of Emily Hughes.
These actions include but are not limited to a completed inventory of all of our use. We've developed a central Emmel you library and content
on Atlas where staff can access template flow charts and guidance document son had a draft memo. You. The chief of staff established across departmental data governments
team this team is tasked with prioritizing developing and approving the standards and practices necessary to ensure secure, accurate and effective data use across the
organization and this team will focus on knowledge, management and communication to ensure that approved governance procedures are clearly communicated easily accessible and fully
integrated into routine practice. Within the data governance framework. We also established a responsible data use team. This team exist to ensure that fcps data
practices are aligned with legal and ethical standards. Reinforcing our commit. To student privacy. And responsible stewardship of
information. I'm going come for Trump. We continue to collaborate closely with the Virginia Department of Education and School divisions across the Commonwealth. To
advance common approaches to student data privacy. Shine a light on success is a new video series. On the next
slide. Please. That showcases unique stories highlighting the work of our schools and departments. These videos are shared in various settings and
they've been, I think, really powerful communication tools. Our Office of Communications is also developed a story tracker to provide a dated dashboard of storytelling that
we enforce the strength of our fcps brand. Madam Chair. This concludes the presentation for executive limitations. 7 asset protection. And I'm happy to take any questions along with
our team who are here. I know there's a number of members that have stayed this evening to that be supportive answering these questions. So want to thank the team. The S
a team. You want to stand up, please. So we can just recognize you and thank you for being here this evening. Miss Burton, you want to introduce them. Sure. These
are 3 of my top. >> For farmers and director of procurement Michelle Pratt, fcps comptroller seen as a lot
and error is manager Nancy pH. Thank you all for being here. Appreciate it. Economist
except for Motion. Sorry, I just want to too hot. >> I want that. The school board finds this a predicted
in compliance with its good to daisha number 7 s of protection. I further move that school board approves the monitoring that for based on the superintendent is a reasonable interpretation off
excutive limitation. Number 7 asset protection as outlined in the statue governance manual. >> It's their tech thank you, Mr. Denton. Ms. Dixit would
you like to speak to mission? I just want to all of the and a freedom in >> And the 3 ladies here. Thank you for your work and
support and in the interest of time out talk latest. Another Mr. we do speech or second?
>> I know I can't much. wanted to just extend my appreciation for the work that you all do. I know it's 11. 48 on a Thursday night it. On top of what's been a busy week in a
busy year doing this sort of thing. How to recognize that you just work. You know, people sometimes get frustrated with, you know. Headquarters and so forth that this kind of work and save us
a lot of money work makes operate better. And I recognize that you put in a lot of hours I have for teachers and our staff and our
kids to do this. I just I thank you all for work here.
Mr. Dunne. For some reason. Whenever we talk about the facilities can assessment, it's usually your midnight not
good about that. Can you just provide brief update on where we are? I see we approved it fall of 2025. just like to know whether we exercise the
option. One an option to options were built in. If that's been implemented. vendors been selected when the vendor will start work with the vendor will finish work so that then we can get on to the
development of a new renovation. Give and also have better data to compare. >> Apples to apples. All the schools in the county thing. They're athletic fields and
other associated facilities. >> So I do know that vendor was selected and that work is under way already in terms of options wanted to. I don't believe we've exercised them yet. We've locked in the
costs, but we haven't move forward with the exercising of them yet. Is that correct? Miss Burton, Mr. Gordon, yes, so but actually Mr. Learn you want to give an update on the
work that's been done so far. Yes, ma'm fall. Starting over spring break. So last week we actually the team actually got out Com is the vendors
selected started looking through assessments that we've been contracted for them to do. >> We expect them to be complete December January time frame. That process working
forward and no, no issues at this point going forward. >> And the FCA is leveraging all of the historical data that we had gathered from
recently renovated schools are missing man scant before your appointment had gathered with her team. Is that correct? >> So the purpose of the FCA's go through and facilities assessment. Look at all the
key systems within the facility. Follow general guidelines are industry standards. So it's a visual inspection. Non-intrusive nondestructive. So it's a
visual inspection. It takes into consideration the age of assets. And it also looks that were quarter history. So the answer is yes, we go back in time and look at. Stats of our facilities equipment.
>> And and option one, an option to have been costed. But is there an intention to execute those options? >> think one of the things we were reviewing is we were trying to recall what with the whole conversation was. We
were going back to looking at notes for that. But there is absolutely consideration for that. >> Because I know there had been money allocated like in 2023 and then the school board
allocated more money in 2025. And I think if our call for previous discussion from a year ago like com. It came in under what we thought it would be. >> Yes, sir. And so I mean, we
have caused it. We've locked in the cost. is a benefit to doing that. I think we're just want make sure your view of the notes and follow the direction that we believe we have. >> Okay. And if there's
obviously any confusion or anything, you'll come back to the border for consensus or something. Yes, thank you.
>> think 2 of them consult all some my questions in writing. I still want to ask you this question. Do you consider scoop with a member
senescence? sort if so, how do you protect been put in could help school members. >> Trying to make sure you get plenty of
>> And that table food menu from four-thirty to cool it late tonight. I think. >> This man. Yeah. So the
biggest thing for me, it was too big things for me in this report. One is that number 9 that annually reviewing existing leasing agreements, contracts and use. I know for
a fact this isn't being done. Because of the part, you know, the Joint Facility Review Committee work that I embarked on in July 2025. the team
tried to find use there. They weren't all, you know, recovered, there's ones created by Fcps created held by other agencies such as the county government. The Park
let let if it's just club in private sports club and 2 teens credit, they tried to obtain information. And I see that now there is path going forward. But we do not have a
clear accounting of use. How much money we spend give away. the range about a date and will use the most egregious. His 1987 you for school-age
child here sack. And I recognize that this is not all on the school division to fix, but I have not seen enough movement towards getting this
rectified. You know, you can be a tool to direct these other partners to find other solutions. The more we at. An
impasse with these partners, the worse it gets for kids. I mean, at this point, we're now using instructional dollars to pay for facilities and we have a community use program.
That's run amok. So continuing to let this fester. It's an acceptable option. And no one in elected office in this county are paid to be a leader should be fine with the status
of have a 9 million dollars in public facility. Assets are being sorted in this county. but I can't change it alone. I also think the policy work is
is incomplete, not included in this is 50 28, the system of inventory management. That's pretty essential to risk management. The data security
policy, 62, 20 data security data processing recovery and contingency planning that policy under it has not been updated in the 11 years. It's from 2015, even though we are
actively creating AI policy and the 5,000 policies dealing with finance or brought to our attention fire deputy clerk. For us to review which will be doing at the next week's governance committee meeting.
So I just, you know, overall this report it's pretty circular. I don't see the data reports. The footnotes. That would reference what is
actually happening. How user out of compliance? How much money are we losing? Because we have an M O unit only counts for million dollars and for all of our communities,
the audits we have an audit around. I think it was star started to dig in. And I said, you know, this is too much to facilities and maintenance audit report. For 24. It's
just it's very hard to understand what's happening because it's not an order of the executive limitation content. So but number 9, for sure is completely not
compliant. Mr. Dunne. Mr. Moon. Okay. Seeing no others. We will go ahead and take a vote for the motion that is on
the screen. >> All those in favor, Mr. Fresh, Mr. McDaniel, Mr. mean St. John-Cunning Ms. Dixit Mr.
Cannon, Mr. Dunne, Mr. Moon. And myself. All those oppose. Aaron. >> was 4. Okay. Ms. Lady is
affirmative. >> Dr. Anderson, away from the table. The clerk, please read the vote. 10 when the motion
carries. Annually, the board will review each executive limitation at the time of the monitoring is provided to determine if revisions are needed. Board members may offer amendments to executive
limitations that regular meetings provided they send the Final Amendment and language to the board and clerk at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to which it's beacon at which it's to be considered at this
time. No amendments have been submitted in advance of the meeting. Executive limitation Asset Protection was placed on the consent agenda for approval later in tonight's meeting to maintain the current language for the year
ahead with the consensus of the board and with the understanding that we do not have staff in the room, we're going to ask that we move academic matters to next next time. But we would lto go.
We know we have staff here so we would like to go ahead with agenda 0, 2, which is to teach plan update, conduct or eat for strategic plan. Update.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair and thanks for moving academic matters to. I think it's a given the hour and the extremely important asset that our board it is for their
breakfast. I think that it's I appreciate it this evening. I'm really excited to share our strategic plan update for April. And as a reminder to our public each month, we share an update of this work
to highlight the efforts in Fcps as we pursue our strategic plan goals. This evening, we have our director of multilingual Learner
Services, Rich polio is here. Also, Doctor Doreen Walsh, a senior manager and Karen Clive, are another senior manager in the division. So we're really grateful you're
here this evening to be part of our conversation tonight. This is part of Gold, one and the selected measure we're looking at this evening is that multilingual learners?
Meet expected growth and reclassification criteria. So as we look at the next slide. Providing yield e services is something that's important
under federal law and yield Dior Engl