RPS Law Enforcement Policy Revision, an Alarm Test, and an Update on the People's Budget
Cheers RVA!
Today will be cloudy with a high of 40, a low of 33 and occasional rain possible, with the chance of precipitation increasing into the evening. The fluctuation of temperature is expected to continue with another winter storm likely to approach next week, although we could see more warm afternoons this weekend.
the juice:
At Tuesday’s biweekly meeting the Richmond School Board approved a revision to its Relations with Law Enforcement Policy which added protocols for how to handle immigration enforcement at schools.
The policy states:
The School Board finds that access to a school site by immigration law enforcement agents, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other agents working with or for federal immigration agencies, substantially disrupts the learning environment and any such request for access should be immediately referred to the Superintendent or their designee.
Hundreds of students were absent from schools across the region on Monday as part of “A Day without Immigrants” nationwide protest.
One school in RPS had 496 students absent, while another school had roughly 200 children absent.
Henrico County Public Schools reported 12% of its 52k students were absent on Monday, and data from Hanover County Public Schools indicates there were significantly more students absent (~1k v ~1.5k) this past Monday than the previous Monday, via Fox Richmond.
the pulp:
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk of the 2300 block Chamberlayne Avenue on Tuesday, via WTVR. The crash occurred around 11:00 am when a vehicle traveling south went off the road, struck a man and then a structure and parked car. Police are still investigating the incident.
VCU will conduct a full test of their emergency alert system at noon today, including outdoor sirens and a lockdown of several academic facilities and the Medical Center. The emergency department will remain accessible and operational.
the dive:
The Richmond People’s Budget support staff are preparing a “Get Out the Vote” campaign to encourage residents to decide how $3 million will be spent in the city’s first participatory budgeting process.
The nearly 2k submissions have been mostly narrowed down to the final 15-30 ideas in each district and ballots will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Many submissions focus on traffic and pedestrian safety, park and neighborhood beautification, and bus shelters.
Voting will be available online and in-person, and those who wish to host a voting day at a business, place of worship or community event are encouraged to contact the PB directly via info@rvapb.org.
Read the full update here.
the vibe:
Have a concatenative day RVA!
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