October 13, 2022 School Board Meeting Update

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone is doing well and you enjoyed your fall break. I wanted to update everyone on the results of last evening's School Board meeting.

1. Mr. Glenwood Burley presented a $5,000 donation to the Central Elementary School Archery Team.

2. Mr. Sam Patel, Developer of the Madison Heights Town Center requested an easement through ACPS property next to Monelison Middle School for road access onto the adjoining property. The School Board provided time during public comment from citizens on Daniel's Drive to address the board with their concerns. Mr. Sam Patel and Mr. Trent Warner were also present to answer questions from the board. The board approved the easement through our property. We anticipate road construction taking place during the summer and improved traffic flow in front of MMS once the project is complete.

3. Administrative Services
We discussed the ACHS addition/renovations and showed the board a short video depicting the new food court and auditorium.
We discussed concerns with the increase in fuel and energy costs and how the costs may impact the budget.
Dr. Hoden informed the board of the upcoming Lockdown and earthquake Drills. We will be sending notifications to parents regarding the drills this afternoon.
Dr. Hoden updated the board on the SRO grant - two SRO's have been hired and are going through the training process.
4. Instruction
Dr. Norman and Mr. Neighbors shared an update on accountability and the accreditation status of the schools in the division. The board understands the impact of the pandemic. We are using the accreditation information as baseline data. I will be speaking with the faculty and staff of each school in the division in the coming weeks to discuss our accreditation status and our plans to move forward. The board stated that they appreciated all of the work that our faculty and staff has been doing throughout the pandemic.
5. Human Resources
The board approved up to five days of Emergency Paid Sick Leave during the 2022-23 school year for employees who test positive for Covid-19. This will be retroactive to the beginning of the school year. Please contact HR if you have any questions.
Differentiation between Hybrid and Non-Hybrid Plan employees regarding the accumulation of sick leave. The board gave consensus to update the regulation to cap hybrid plan employees sick leave at 90 days. This change was made due to the short-term disability that is built into the Hybrid plan where they can receive up to 125 days of leave at 60% of their salary and offset the difference with their available sick leave. Please contact HR if you have any questions.
The board gave consensus to eliminate the 15/20 day regulation for classified/support staff. This eliminates the current regulation that requires the termination of classified/support staff if they are absent 15 consecutive days or a total of 20 days in a contract year after exhausting all leave.
Transfer of Sick Leave for newly hired classified/support staff. Newly hired classified/support staff can transfer up to 90 days of sick leave into the division from their previous VRS employer. This change will be retroactive to the start of the 2022-23 school year.
6. Superintendent Matters
I updated the board on the Superintendent's Advisory Council meeting and the Diversity Committee meeting.
I requested the board approve a resolution to honor the service of Mr. Edgar Fitzgerald who served on the board from 1963 to 1974.
We have had two of the staff appreciation tailgates. The next tailgate is scheduled for October 21 (Homecoming). This tailgate is for ACHS and AEC staff and families. However, anyone who was not able to attend one of the previous tailgates are welcome to attend.
I discussed the VDOE Monitoring Review meeting with the Office of School Quality and the Bridging the Gap Pilot with the VDOE. I will share more information with staff on these meetings when I speak at the school faculty meetings.
Library Media/Sexually Explicit Content. The Code of Virginia requires we have a policy regarding sexually explicit materials by January 1, 2023. We have formed a committee and are developing policy to be in compliance with state code and the VDOE Model Policy. The code and model policy requires us to list on our division and school websites all instructional materials that meet the definition of sexually explicit as defined in the Code of Virginia. We will present a final draft to the board in November and hope to have approval of the policy in December.

Have a great weekend.

William
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William Wells
Superintendent
Amherst County Public Schools