The Richmonder Launches, City Council Recesses, and City School Board Meeting Efficiencies
Cheers RVA!
Today will be sunny, hot, with a high of 86 and a low of 54 in the evening.
the juice:
The Richmonder launched today:
The Richmonder is an online news outlet whose mission is to bring Richmond together through storytelling that spotlights the best of our community, while keeping a watchful eye on those in power.
The non-profit promises to be independent and vigilant, intends to write no columns or opinion articles until after the election, and to keep its reporting free for everyone.
The site does plan to provide expanded content for paying subscribers, and will depend on the reader-based plus donations business model.
I expect the Richmonder to provide a fresh perspective on news in our city.
the pulp:
Pro-Palestine protesters disrupted last night’s City Council Meeting, Samuel Parker from the RTD reports. While a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza was not on the agenda, the public comment period was overshadowed by emotional appeals from both sides of the conflict. Council went into recess and several attendees were escorted out by security.
The first of Cycling VA’s series of races at Forest Hill Park is tonight at 6 pm, via RVA Hub. The 45-minute race is typically won in 10-11 laps on a one-mile course.
the juice:
The Richmond City School Board met yesterday evening for their bi-weekly public meeting.
Student Voice
The student representative of the month, a senior at Maggie Walker, addressed the board regarding her experience going to RPS elementary and middle schools and then transitioning to the specialty school of Maggie Walker.
She stated many other students who had come from RPS schools felt they lagged behind the students who had transferred from other districts.
The senior suggested implementing a mentorship program for new high school students at Maggie Walker.
Superintendent Jason Kamras echoed the sentiment for mentorship for all students in RPS transitioning from middle to high school.
Public Comments
The Public Comment section was brief with only three total speakers, including two union members.
The vice president of REA, Anne Forrester, spoke on behalf of the union emphasizing gains in the recent ASL continuing contracts, but continued to urge for providing “not just what students deserve, but what they are legally entitled to.”
A representative from LiUNA, a union representing RPS’s transportation workers, noted that while at the last meeting Kamras declared the contracts of bus drivers would not change, an official memo was requested to assuage transportation employee fears of a sudden change in payment.
Dream RPS: A Five-year Plan
After the public comment section the board moved on to what Councilmember Elizabeth Doerr said should be the “meat of the meeting”: presentation and discussion of the 3rd draft of the Dream RPS vision, a five-year plan for the future of RPS.
Included in the 3rd draft was presentation of some of the baseline metrics of the 3 “big” and 7 other “key” goals of the five-year vision:
24 accredited schools (out of 40 schools)
Graduation Rate 78%
Teacher Retention: 79%
Chronic Absenteeism: 18%
The board suggested minor adjustments including adding trauma training and support not only for students but teachers as well.
Renaming Richmond Alternative School
The next point of action was the renaming of the Richmond Alternative School.
At the last meeting, over 45 minutes was spent discussing the issue, with the follow-up being a student and staff survey of the school.
Of the 60 students and staff who participated in the survey, the votes were split relatively evenly, but with the “Richmond Success Academy” garnering the most votes, the official name change passed unanimously.
RPS Sports
A tennis revitalization program to refurbish current courts and add pickle ball courts was discussed, but the board decided to not move forward with the program.
However, multiple boardmembers mentioned the need for proper resources and staff to implement all VHSL sports at RPS, as outlined in the current draft of the strategic plan.
The transfer of land from RPS to Parks and Recreation at a portion of Westover Hills Elementary property was discussed and passed unanimously.
The board emphasized the importance of RPS working closely with Parks and Rec, so fields and green space are optimally utilized.
Efficient Meetings
After receiving presentation of the proposed 2025-2026 calendar, the topic of limiting debate discussion per person, per item, to 3 minutes rather than the current 6 minutes was entertained.
The theme of streamlining and improving efficiency in board meetings, which often last 5 hours, was repeated throughout the evening.
Boardmembers offered a number of suggestions, with the structure of the meeting a point of emphasis.
Doerr suggested questions on items on the board business section of the agenda should be addressed prior to the public session.
Ultimately the board voted 4-3 (Doerr abstained and Dr. Harris-Muhammed was not in attendance) to limit debate to 3 minutes per person per item.
Dissenting voters suggested the vote should have been tabled to after the upcoming school board election.
Phone-free Education Updates
An update by the Care and Safety Department focused on some of the issues not previously considered regarding the new cell phone ban policy.
Statewide guidance is expected to be updated this week, and the final policy by the school board needs to be approved prior to January 1, 2025.
Unforeseen issues included:
Elementary students needing phones to navigate getting home after school
Teletranslation for LEAP (formerly ESL) students
Glucose monitoring via a personal device
While the policy is certainly not without controversy and disagreement, boardmembers noted many of the positive experiences teachers as well as students are sharing regarding a phone-free learning experience.
the vibe:
A misty morning shot of Pony Pasture from reddit yesterday.
Have a mystical day RVA!
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