SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING Sept. 14, 2020 at 6:30 P.M

DRAFT

SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING Sept. 14, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. PUBLIC MEETING ROOM

PRESENT: Ann C. Coker, Bermuda District; Ryan M. Harter, Matoaca District; Kathryn S. Haines, Midlothian District; Dorothy L. Heffron, Vice Chair, Clover Hill District; Debbie G. Bailey, Chair, Dale District; Mervin B. Daugherty, Ed.D., Superintendent; Dr. Thomas Taylor, Deputy Superintendent; Dr. Sharon Pope, Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Lisa High, Chief of Schools; Bob Meister, Chief Financial Officer; Josh Davis, Chief Operations Officer; Wendell Roberts, School Board Attorney; Stephanie Frick, Assistant School Board Attorney; Tim Bullis, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement; Dr. Kimberly Hough, Executive Director of Human Resources and Talent Management; Dr. Joseph Tylus, Executive Director of Constituent Services; Brian Jones, Executive Director of Technology; Shawn Smith, Director of Government, Policy, and Media Relations; Dr. Morgan Debusk-Lane, Coordinator of Research and Evaluation; Nick Oyler, Coordinator of Student Health Services; and, Robert McDaniel, School Board Clerk.

A. MEETING OPENING

Mrs. Bailey called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.

Mr. Harter provided the invocation.

Mrs. Haines led the pledge of allegiance.

B. CONSENT AGENDA

● Agenda Adoption ● Approval of the Minutes ○ Aug. 11, 2020 Board Retreat ○ Aug. 11, 2020 Business Meeting ○ Aug. 25, 2020 Work Session ● Memo #101-20: Revisions to School Board Governance Handbook ● Memo #102-20: FY2021 - Acceptance of New Grants

● Memo #103-20: FY2021 Grant - Claude Moore Scholars ● Memo #104-20: Recommended Personnel Actions ● Memo #105-20: Appointment of Members to Advisory Committees ● Memo #106-20: Approval of Revisions to the Audit and Finance Committee Bylaws ● Memo #107-20: Approval of Revisions to the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee Bylaws ● Memo #108-20: Approval of Additional Budget Appropriation for Human Resources in FY2021

Mr. Harter moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, and the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heffron.

Mr. McDaniel called the roll on the motion.

Vote: AYE - Coker, Harter, Haines, Heffron, Bailey NAY - None

The motion was approved.

Dr. Daugherty announced the following administrative appointments: ● Jennifer Andrews, Principal of Greenfield Elementary ● Elizabeth Baber, Principal of Matoaca High ● Monique Booth, Director of Elementary School Leadership - Title I ● Scott Carson, Director of Construction ● Sheryl Doswell, Principal of Falling Creek Middle ● Arianne Hayes, Principal of Chalkley Elementary ● Michael-Jon Rodney, Principal of Providence Middle ● Natasha Wade, Principal of Salem Church Elementary ● Dr. Amanda Voelker, Principal of James River High

C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens were given the opportunity to submit their comments via an online form. 127 total comments were received and distributed to the School Board prior to the start of the business meeting. These comments are attached as Appendix A.

Citizens were also given the opportunity to address the Board in person. The following speakers did so:

2 ● Karen Badman, a CCPS parent, expressed disappointment in the School Board and shared her concerns regarding the Chesterfield Education Association.

● Dan Waidelich, a CCPS teacher, shared his concerns regarding the fact that CCPS ties digital identity to a person’s legal name, discussing how this negatively affects transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive students.

● Kate Flinn, a Midlothian District resident, shared her concerns regarding the Career and Technical Education program.

D. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

1. Project Restart Update

Dr. Taylor introduced the presentation.

Mr. Oyler provided the Board with an update from the CCPS Health Committee, recommending that Cohort #1 return to face-to-face instruction based on the most recent data. That return would begin on Sept. 29.

Dr. Taylor discussed the plan for a phased return to in-person instruction.

Discussion centered around the VDH community transmission metric and recent increases in the COVID-19 data.

Mrs. Bailey expressed her excitement at the return of Cohort #1.

Mr. Jones provided the Board with a technology update and a debrief on the login issues that occurred on the first day of school.

Discussion topics included: the Chromebook ordering timeline; Google Meet platform security; the potential to engage with a technology consultant; the lessons learned from the previous week’s challenges; tech monitoring practices; Chromebook replacement practices; tech funding; plans for future investments in technology; and, the call center.

In response to Board questions, Mr. Jones stated that additional funding would not have addressed the tech challenges that occurred the previous week and that the expansion of RapidIdentity capacity did not cost additional dollars.

3 Dr. Taylor reiterated the Health Committee’s recommendation to return Cohort #1 to in-person instruction and shared next steps in the process.

2. Annual Strategic Plan Update

Dr. Debusk-Lane provided the Board with its annual update on the Imagine Tomorrow strategic plan.

E. ACTION ITEMS

1. Memo #109-20: FY2021 - Appropriation of Federal CARES Act Funding

Mr. Meister presented Memo #109-20, recommending that the School Board accept $28,072,000 in appropriated Federal CARES Act funding.

Mrs. Heffron moved to adopt Memo #109-20 as presented, and the motion was seconded by Mrs. Coker.

Mr. McDaniel called the roll on the motion.

Vote: AYE - Coker, Harter, Haines, Heffron, Bailey NAY - None

The motion was approved.

F. ITEMS FOR BOARD REVIEW

Mr. McDaniel presented the following items to the Board for review: ● Magisterial District Improvement Funds - FY2021 ● FY2020 - June - Preliminary Expenditures vs. Appropriations (Unaudited) ● FY2021 - July - Expenditures vs. Appropriations ● Board Committee Reports ● PreK Update: May Budget Amendment and June 2020 Report ● Draft FY2022 Budget Calendar

G. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

4 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens were given the opportunity to submit their comments via an online form. 127 total comments were received and distributed to the School Board prior to the start of the business meeting. These comments are attached as Appendix A.

Citizens were also given the opportunity to address the Board in person. The following speakers did so:

● Annette Ruzicka, a CCPS parent, asked that middle and high school students be provided their own CCPS email addresses.

● Carolyn Schallmo, a CCPS parent, shared her concerns regarding the School Board’s relationship with the Chesterfield Education Association. She also expressed concern regarding equity in the virtual learning environment.

● Rick Pilgrim discussed a building at 2500 Turner Rd. that he believed the school division could use.

● Reginald Stinson discussed a building at 2500 Turner Rd. that he believed the school division could use.

● Sonia Smith, CEA President, praised the adaptability of the school division, its teachers, and its staff.

H. SUPERINTENDENT’S REMARKS

Dr. Daugherty thanked Food Services for their work distributing meals during the pandemic. He thanked the Operations Department for their efforts in preparing the school buildings for the return of students. He also thanked the Human Resources Department and the Tech Call Center staff for their efforts.

He discussed the previous week’s challenges and the school division’s response. He also responded to Ms. Flinn’s comments regarding the Ford NGL program, stating that CCPS has no relation to Ford NGL and adding that the CTE program is a very important part of the school division.

Dr. Daugherty stated that he was excited to start bringing students back to the buildings but that the community needed to understand that the division had to follow health and safety guidelines with regard to bringing back additional students.

5 I. ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND SCHOOL BOARD COMMENTS

Mrs. Bailey announced that the School Board would hold a work session at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29.

J. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Harter moved to adjourn the meeting.

Mr. McDaniel called the roll on the motion.

Vote: AYE - Coker, Harter, Haines, Heffron, Bailey NAY - None

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

______Debbie G. Bailey, Chair

______Robert W. McDaniel, Clerk

6 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Comment Period FIRST NAME LAST NAME MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS

Agenda Items Jessica Romero Midlothian I am writing to urge you to allow elementary school students to return to in person schooling. Teachers and administrators are trying their best, but young children cannot learn in front of a computer screen all day (not to mention the widespread technology problems the county is having). Every day the children are at home is another day they are falling further behind, and becoming more and more disengaged from school. For the sake of their emotional and educational well-being, they need to be back in school with their peers.

Agenda Items Samantha Janney Midlothian Sadly, watching what has happened with virtual schooling this first week, it's clear that schools can't simply 'flip a switch' and go virtual. There is a reason online schools spend years teaching, training, and setting up their schedules for an actual learning environment. Between the tech issues and kids crying in front of computers longing for the days of being in class, I would say this has not been entirely successful. Please, listen to your community, a community that is all but begging you to open these schools - it's time. Masks, social distancing, and even parental waivers should make this all possible - why are we dragging our feet here in Chesterfield? We can see the same data as you, and clearly our county is in good shape.

If you stick with your current schedule, our secondary kids won't see a classroom for two months. Please reconsider the cohorts, please let our secondary students start phasing in with Cohort 2: 6, half of 7, 9, 10, then Cohort 3: second half of 7, 8, 11, 12. These kids are not in the same buildings as elementary, why are you making them wait so long? It's time to prove you are taking their education more seriously than outside political groups like CEA. Please. And thank you.

Agenda Items Carrie Love Matoaca OPEN THE SCHOOLS! This ﬁrst week was a disaster.

Agenda Items Joan Furr Bermuda Virtual classes are not working. We can get into canvas to see assignments that need to be completed but google meets is not working. If they can get into google meet, it freezes up, is spotty, gives error messages. We have tried it on the chrome book and also on the student’s personal laptop which is new and powerful. It is not our internet because they can get into Canvas, do a search, or go to diﬀerent sites, but they cannot get into a Class meet with the teacher! For high school students taking high level classes, this is especially unacceptable. I feel sorry for the k-2 students just starting their public school journey! These students need to be back in school and until then they need a virtual system that works!

Agenda Items Melissa Leonard Clover Hill “I hate school” - my kindergartener “Ahhh it keeps freezing mom! This is annoying.” - my 3rd grader

Just 2 of the many negative, frustrating comments from our week. My 2 children were blessed with amazing teachers, however, these kids need to be in school. The way things are going now IS NOT SCHOOL in the least. The county has failed the children and are currently setting up the new schoolers for failure since THIS is what is forming their opinions.

Agenda Items Joanne Pena Bermuda Good evening to all, I am respectfully requesting we advance the cohorts and allow our children back in school. As you know on 9/8 the entire server crashed. My 5th grader could not log into school until 11 am. Thankfully, I took off work and was home to assist with the technical difficulties. On 9/9, I returned to work and my daughter called 3 times with technical difficulties. She was unable to log onto Lexia or Dreambox, as required by her teacher. In addition, she could not get back into class after her lunch period. On 9/10, we had similar issues and her teacher was kind enough to text me about the frustration. I had to leave work EARLY to go home and help. I can only imagine the children who are at a disadvantage without assistance. One teacher is working from home and stopped class to care for a child. Her main teacher is amazing and is trying her best to keep the children engaged but she would like her students back in the classroom. My high school student is only receiving about 30 minutes of virtual instruction per class. One teacher stopped class to let her dogs out! We tried virtual learning and it's not working. You have your survey answers, our numbers are down, we need our children back in the classroom. Thank you for your consideration, Joanne Peña

Non-Agenda Items Kelley Harlow Bermuda My 6 year old had two meltdowns during class today and can not stay focused sitting in front of a screen all day. This is not working at all. He needs constant help from me navigating all the websites and meets.

Agenda Items Melissa Casey Clover Hill While this week has been relatively “easy” for my children technology-wise, this is no way to learn. Our 2nd and 4th grader both participated in summer recovery of learning- if not for that, they would be struggling to navigate canvas, google drive, RapidIdentity, etc. They’re chromebooks have been slow (Lexia and dreambox nearly impossible), when switching tabs to do independent work it kicks them off their google meets many times. They are self motivated and people pleasers and want to make their teachers happy, but the amount time the teachers spent repeating themselves to wait for other to catch up is overwhelming. They can’t possibly build relationships this way. They can’t teach new concepts this way. I know this is the first week, and it’s a learning curve, but our kids deserve more. And so do the teachers. My son’s teacher should cry because she can’t remember which google drive folder a file is in. They shouldn’t get upset when they can’t hear a student speaking. Please let our children return to the classroom, they need to be with their teachers. They need to see their friends. They need to be learning science and social studies. My CBG student can’t possibly delve into subjects like he did last year. He earned the right to a more hands on, team work curriculum and he cannot get it virtually. Our teachers want to teach in person and our students want to learn in person. Thank you.

Agenda Items Jennifer McKennen Matoaca Please expedite the cohorts return to the classroom. This week has been proof that full virtual cannot work, especially for our youngest learners. Please do not make my 6 year old suﬀer through 5-6 more weeks of this. This isn’t school. This isn’t learning. Please allow cohort 2 to return back at the same time as cohort 1. The young ones need a classroom!!

Agenda Items Danielle Clover Hill Virtual learning has been an absolute disaster for this week. Not only have I myself lost confidence that an education is actually taking place but my children have as well. The meeting times for elementary school are entirely too short. Most of their day is spent independently doing work which only means one thing, they can not manage independently while nothing is loading properly, links do not work, sessions time out, and security does not allow links to work. This has been not only frustrating to myself but my boys as well. At least twice this first week alone has left us all in tears at one time or another. My children want to be back in school and are willing to do what it takes to follow guidelines. I do not feel cohorts should be implemented while other districts have all their children 4-5 days per week without incident. Let our children get back into the classes and those who wish to keep their children home can choose to do so. We moved here for the school district. We moved here for an education. IT alone is failing this. Teachers do no have enough time slotted for children to learn anything. By the time we log into a meeting and get settled time is up.this is the furthest thing from an education. Please allow the choice to send our kids and have an actual first day of school.

Non-Agenda Items Heather Sullivan Bermuda My child is a senior in the cosmetology program. Not opening schools may impact her future. This is unacceptable. My child has been physically ill almost daily since the decision to go virtual was announced. I’m begging you to at least give parents an option!!!!

Agenda Items Timothea Moore Bermuda With daycares, preschools and private schools functioning normally five days a week in Chesterfield County. Why are we denying our children the same access to an in person education? They have the same transmission rates, positivity rate, cases per 100k, hospitalizations and so on. How is it that only the public school children in Chesterfield County have to adhere to a public health board and these health metrics? How is it safe for the private schools, daycares and preschools? If it is size, we have three new schools we could utilize along with the old schools and mobile classrooms.

Agenda Items Stacy Pearman Midlothian Please consider letting the students in SD special education classes return as soon as possible. While the teachers are doing their best to manage learning remotely, it is not eﬀective. My child, and many others like him, are schedule driven and remaining out of school this long has caused signiﬁcant regression. I was a parent on the fence about letting my children return to the physical school, even if it were allowed, but after serious consideration, it will be more detrimental for him not to return.

Agenda Items Mary Beth Daniels Bermuda Please use the CARES Act funds to be able to accommodate children full time in school. Putting up dividers, tape on the ﬂoor. Make going back to school a priority! Require teachers and school workers to be more careful personally so not to pic up the virus. That's the issue. Adults are not being careful. I've been careful and didn't get it. Come on! My daughter NEEDS the social interaction. She has an IEP for speech and has not had any speech classes since the spring and we can tell. My son misses all of his friends and also needs the social interaction. They both tell me daily "when can we go back to school? I'll wear a mask. Please. I don't like online school. I don't know my teacher and can't see my friends. I miss my friends. " It's heartbreaking as a mom. Plus i can't aﬀord full time daycare much longer. It's a mortgage payment! Please open schools!! My children's mental health is at stake here. Those that decided to homeschool or take their kids out will probably make up the smaller classes that are needed. By the way, how many children transferred out of school??? Please publish exact numbers. Thank you.

Non-Agenda Items Stephanie Amos Clover Hill As expected, my Level 2 SOL learner can not be properly supported in a virtual environment. She needs to be back in school with Cohort 1. The ﬁrst week has been the most stressful of our lives. Lack of technological preparedness is unexcusable, but again predictable. Please do what is right for our children! We also know what needs to take place to get everyone back to school 5 days a week.

Agenda Items Mary Walters Midlothian my daughter's IEP is NOT being followed because we are in the virtual setting. She MUST go back to in school education for her to have ANY meaningful learning experience. She currently just sits in front of her monitor and spaces out for essentially 8 hours a day, unless I am right there to keep her on track, and as an ESSENTIAL WORKER that is not possible. Her Chromebook doesn't even produce SOUND so i have had to provide my own laptop while I wait for IT to contact me. She cannot meet her goals in this capacity and will fall further behind her peers. THIS MUST STOP. PLEASE!!

Agenda Items Anonymous Anonymous Midlothian Virtual kindergarten isn't working for the students. It's too much computer time for the kids. Developmentally, they are not able to handle it. Can we reduce the time to 1 or 2 hours daily?

Agenda Items Brandi F Matoaca This has been the most frustrating week of school. I have 2 third graders, one is SPED. They have both said they want to go back to school. The ﬁrst day we spent almost 2 hours trying to get into the system. Once in, everything just clocked all day. None of the application in Clever would open. Day 2 we tried their personal chromebooks, same issues. They are bored, they get up and walk away. On day three we ﬁnally had to give them our personal laptops for them to be able to open anything. My SPED child gets no services until after 1pm. That is crazy. Kids, young kids are done in the afternoon. I have missed time from my fulltime job, my husband has missed time from his fulltime job in order to sit with our boys to help them navigate this "virtual" school. If Chesapeake City schools can send back K through 3rd grade in 2 weeks for face to face for 5 days. I don't understand why CCPS can not. Especially since we have always had lower numbers than Tidewater.

Agenda Items Sara Tostenson Matoaca Please allow our children to all return to school and forgo the cohort plan. I have three children in elementary, middle, and high school. They are all desperate to return to in person learning and the idea that they can't all go at the same time is ludicrous. Why should middle and high schools sit empty while the elementary kids go back??? This is not learning - it is technology management with a thousand interruptions, glitches, etc. SO MUCH WASTED TIME. Not enough instructional time or SOCIAL time that these kids need. Staring at a screen for 5 hours a day is not learning. Other local school systems, private schools, and daycares have all made it work. And if the county wants the children wearing masks and they work SO WELL, why can't they go back now? Stop making excuses and failing our kids. Give families the choice of going back in person, full time.

Agenda Items Elaine Bowling Midlothian Epic fail this week- 1. Classes couldn’t be held! What buffoonery is this? To say “we didn’t know” and “we couldn’t test”- don’t you know the county makeup of your citizens- how many in IT who knew that was a lie? 2. Classes are wide open to hackers- what does Risk Management think of THIS? You put buzzer locks at school doors yet VIRTUAL SCHOOL IS WIDE OPEN?? 3. I betting it was really hard for teachers to engage an entire classroom virtually. It’s only 30 minutes but I know not all teachers gave that courtesy to students on the very first week of school. 4. Chrome book issues- AGAIN. 5. Kids DO NOT LIKE VIRTUAL SCHOOL! So School Board, really? Is this really about “when it’s safe”? Or will you again show your liberal colors and wait until the election is over like LA County and RPS? Shame on you for allowing public education to be politicized by the NEA fawned over by the CEA President. Allowing CCPS students to be political pawns is beneath the office you were elected to hold. Do your jobs. Do not be led by the nose by Merv Daugherty nor abscond your responsibility to a quickly-put together Health Panel. Your liberal stubbornness is showing through your thin excuses and moving “only when it’s safe” targets. These kids need to be back in school 5 DAYS A WEEK!

Agenda Items Lana Lance Matoaca As a working mother of three kids, one in each level of school I feel that none of my kids are getting near the level of instruction that they would in the classroom. My high school spends hours of his school days on “breaks” can’t focus when he’s at home and can turn his camera oﬀ and basically do whatever while being considered in class. My middle schooler has had constant issues with systems and meetings missed social interactions and my elementary student has cried every single day this week. These kids are being failed every single day be CCPs.

Agenda Items Laura Cope Clover Hill CCPS is doing the kids a great disservice through this nonsensical virtual learning. The district wasn’t prepared and, once again, our kids are having to pay for it. Let the parents sign waivers to have their kids attend in- person school. It boggles my mind that more than 80% of families want in-person instruction and the school board voted against it. Then these untenable health metrics were set up. We may as well cancel in-person learning forever is that’s what you’re looking to meet. I implore you to listen to your taxpayers.

Agenda Items Kristin Gatti Matoaca Our children need to be in school. I have four, and I’m doing the best I can to help them connect during the school day, but I work from home. They are mostly fending for themselves. I feel for their teachers, who are trying so hard to keep their attention. My youngest (first grade) has been attending a private day care all week and, being with other kids again, she’s absolutely blossomed. I can’t stress enough that the isolation and screen time is not good for our kids. From what I hear from my teacher friends, teaching virtually is not going well. I could understand continuing this if COVID were dangerous to young people, but it’s not. Statistics show that the average teacher isn’t even old enough to be at risk of hospitalization due to COVID. Chesterfield kids are going to camps, playing sports, having play dates, going to stores and restaurants, flying in planes, and having sleepovers. What evidence are you waiting for? Send them back to school before real harm is done.

Agenda Items Taryn Brennan Matoaca We appreciate all the hard work from all of the feathers and staﬀ this ﬁrst week. It cannot be easy with all of the challenges they faced with the technology etc. My kids are desperately in need of going back to school for face to face learning. They need to be with their peers and their teachers. They need to be able to focus and communicate properly while they engage in learning. Both boys were excited for their new teachers and excited for the new school year but we’re more than underwhelmed when it came to how it plays out in a google meet. For everyone’s mental health they need to go back to school in person 5 days a week. Especially my middle schooler. Thank you.

Agenda Items Anya Keen Clover Hill My son who is in third grade is beginning to show signs of anxiety(trouble falling asleep and actually staying asleep at night and cries due to frustration) and none of this started until this week. He is so worried that he won't be able to complete assignments. I also work with 9 other schools and the non universal format on Canvas is killing us!!! It is ridiculous that some schools have literally 10 clicks just to join resource. The 27 kids I am helping are becoming frustrated due to not being able to navigate between the various sites. Virtual learning in theory due to covid sounds great but it is destroying these kids in far too many areas!

Agenda Items Shelly Simon Matoaca Reflecting on the first week of virtual school....yeah, no. My poor child has had tears, frustration and totally despises it. He has begged to go back to school. He misses the teachers, friends and staff. He misses just interacting with other human beings. This is just not right. Our children need to be in school. The benefit clearly out weighs the risk in my opinion. Young children need the social interaction as much as the in person instruction. I wish private school was in my budget. Our children are going to fall behind drastically. This is not the teachers fault, they are struggling to provide for our children too..it just makes me sad. We have to live our lives, let our children grow and develop and we cannot do it while in a bubble. There are so many things in this world that are dangerous to us but we go on living. Covid is not leaving anytime soon, the flu and the common cold hold risks to many people but still we go on. We need our children to have the opportunity to return to school full time. Their future depends on it.

Non-Agenda Items Karen Hudgins Clover Hill We are failing our children. Virtual learning is NOT working. There is no consistency and has been creating a tremendous amount of anxiety for my 13-year old. Tears every night. Headaches by lunchtime and no breaks in between classes. 5 minutes is not enough. 30 min for lunch after 2 blocks is not enough. We have seen depression setting in and now forced to seek medical attention for her due to undo stress and disorganization. My 11- year old ADHD child can not sit in front of a computer for SIX HOURS and be expected to learn surround by 4 walls. I highly encourage you to rethink this plan!

1 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Agenda Items Megan Matoaca The teachers at my child’s school (CIT specialty center @ Matoaca) are wonderful; they are doing an amazing job! Communication has been fantastic & the level of organization is outstanding. My child had a great 1st week of school as did friends that are attending other high schools. Even friends who have elementary & middle school kids have had nothing but a positive experience, even with the tech glitch day one.

Most students we know are actually preferring this virtual format. Please consider continuing & perfecting this medium as it provides consistent & safe learning during this pandemic as opposed to changing it again to another format. It will be a disservice to move to asynchronous learning only for those that must remain virtual if the buildings open due to health issues.

You have made great choices & have avoided closings & disruptions that are occurring the majority of locations / states that have attempted back in the building learning. Counties in CT had to close after only 2 days of their attempted hybrid opening.

It is ok to let this ride. Just wanted you to know that there are more voices out there in favor of how virtual school has been set up than those demanding in building schools who may not fully understand the logistics of it all.

Thank you!

Non-Agenda Items Sarah Howell Matoaca I know there were struggles this week during virtual learning, but it has only been a couple of days for the kids and teachers. By the fourth day I felt like things were running better. Of course there are still areas for improvement. My kids got kicked out of google meetings and had trouble submitting or loading work but they were able to adjust and ﬁnd a solution. At this point virtual learning is allowing the community to stay safe while providing our kids with the education and connection they need.

Agenda Items Crystal Framkart Matoaca My special needs child is getting 1 hour a day in front of her teacher. This is not easy access to an education. She is falling further behind in her reading & math. My 9th grader is depressed from the lack of social interaction. Please put these kids back in school.

Non-Agenda Items Felicia Perry Matoaca I want to let you all know how much we are enjoying Virtual Learning. The few glitches with the system that caused a short disruption on Tuesday was not major enough to warrant all the complaints. Hats oﬀ to CCPS, the TCMS teachers and all of the other teachers across Chesterﬁeld County. They handled it with grace and parents should do the same, and teach their children likewise.

I hope that the board does not feel pressured into making a decision based on parent emotion. Do we want the kids back in school...yes!! But we do not want what’s happening in college campuses to happen with our school system. If schools are returning anytime soon, please make masks mandatory, and consequences swift and quick for not wearing masks, so that parents understand that the nonchalant attitude regarding masks will not be tolerated. We are okay with virtual learning. Our interest lies in keeping not only our family safe, but teachers, staﬀ, and other students and their families safe as well.

Agenda Items Kayla Dove Midlothian I am a ﬁrst grade teacher in the Clover Hill district, and I live in the Midlothian district. I have written to you all before and would like to provide some insight into what school has looked like from a teacher's point of view.

Let's call this situation what it is: unsustainable and ineﬃcient. Virtual schooling is borderline disastrous for the lower elementary school students.

I have students at home and in daycare with poor internet connection who are, according to the adults with them, only hearing every 5th word I say. I have a student with an IEP who struggles to participate virtually. The look on his face is heartbreaking. He has worked SO hard to get to where he is, and he is not receiving the attention and in-person reinforcement he needs to continue improving. I have students who look bored out of their minds and are telling me they don't like school. I have students telling me they want to come back to school. I have technological diﬃculties every day. The students are hurting. They want to see their friends and teachers. They need in person teaching.

Let me tell you about the environment at my school. I have never been in such a stressful and unhealthy environment. I have cried more in the last two weeks than I did during the entire quarantine and before. This is diﬃcult because this is not school. This is heartbreaking because this is not what we do as elementary school teachers. We all just want the kids back at school.

I am not afraid of COVID-19. There are willing teachers and parents, why continue to inhibit us from creating an eﬀective learning environment. Do not prolong this. I don't want to continue hearing my students tell me they need a hug, or that they want to come to school. I don't want to continue to see my colleagues suﬀer.

If October 12th is the best you can do for Cohort 2, so be it. I would take them back this week if the choice was mine. Please get my students back into school as soon as possible. Vote to reopen the schools.

Agenda Items Tyler Dove Midlothian Please reopen the schools to full time in-person learning now. A hybrid model is counterproductive as it causes children to miss school only to mingle with daycare kids from other schools. Social distancing hasn't and won't end Covid. Let the kids sit in their normal classes in their normal concentrations.

In 1933 FDR famously observed that we have nothing to fear but fear itself. In 2020 fear is presented as a virtue, and it's the children who suﬀer from this heinous inversion of FDR's observation.

But of course fear is not a virtue. Courage is. You, Chesterﬁeld school board members, are blessed to have a cohort of teachers, students, and parents who have displayed this courageous virtue. They have stated with one voice that they want to return to normal schooling now. You represent them. Please listen to them.

Agenda Items Kristal Rose Bermuda The first week of school was very challenging for every CCPS student, teacher, and staff member. I’m sure you are all aware of the issues that occurred on the first day, and I will say things did get slightly better, but not much. When my first grader logged off for resource class on Wednesday he was never able to log back on to his regular class afterwards and was very upset. It took about 15 minutes (half of the designated time for resource) every day for both of my kids to log on to their resource classes after clicking on the link. My kids are in elementary school, so only change classes for resource, but I can imagine this is a huge issue for the middle and high school students trying to switch from class to class. The most heartbreaking thing was watching my 6-year-old son and several of his classmates cry, get frustrated and upset, smack themselves in the head, and just hearing some of their comments. One child who was in tears told the teacher they didn’t have anyone there with them to help them. My son is lucky enough to have a loving parent or grandparent home with him and still wound up in tears every day. I am begging you to get these kids back in school for face to face learning with their teachers and classmates as soon as possible! Virtual learning is failing your students and teachers, who I can tell want so desperately to help these kids, but are unable to help them through a computer screen. I have seen and heard so many parents desperately seeking other options for their children’s school situation after all the failures of the first week. I worry that if you don’t get these kids back into the classroom soon you will lose even more of the student population than you already have from your initial decision of virtual learning for everyone, and CCPS will never be the wonderful school system that it once was!

Non-Agenda Items Anonymous Parent Midlothian Please remove the question regarding gender pronouns from my child's classes. It is ﬁne to be approachable such that students impacted can request speciﬁc pronoun use, but absurd to ask every child when it applies to so few. This is obviously part of a progressive political agenda which has no place in our schools.

Agenda Items Stephanie Clover Hill Our children need to be back in school. My 6th grader asked me if it was going to be like this all the time and how is he supposed to keep doing this every day. Keeping up with all the diﬀerent schedules and trying to distract younger children has taken over my day which leaves no time for anything else until after 2PM.

Agenda Items Ashley & Charles Grant Matoaca My daughter is a special needs child with currently zero accommodations. She cannot log into a computer, click between screens and apps or even trouble shoot the many technology problems that come with each day. Her attendance requires hand over hand from either working parent for her to receive any value from virtual learning and that value is more so seeing her peers on the screen. This is in no way a free (or fair) and appropriate educational option for her or other children like her. I have literally documented the MINUTES of learning and it is roughly 15% of her day, which means our jobs are jeopardized for what exactly?!

Non-Agenda Items Leanne Carroll Matoaca Dear Ryan, I have heard the teachers are asking children which pronoun they would like to be called. Although I do not have children in the public school system, I care about what and how our children are being taught because this directly shapes our culture. I strongly disagree with this ridiculous recent trend. Please watch this https://www.prageru.com/video/preferred-pronouns-or-prison/

Agenda Items Jenny Olowiany Midlothian I would like to propose that you consider changing the cohort slightly. I believe that middle school and high school should not sit empty while we begin ﬁlling the elementary schools. Each school surveys in with a certain number of children. There’s no reason in the world the older kids need to stay home until November at the earliest.

If the issue regarding this is Transportation then I strongly encourage you all to make some changes. Transportation has been a train wreck for 3+ years and it’s time to ﬁnally address that will let go people who cannot ﬁgure it out.

Please listen to your constituents. It is your job to do as we wish. Not what you think is best for us.

Agenda Items Wendy Hicks Matoaca The diﬀerent schedule used by each school and each grade has made this challenging year even more challenging for those trying to help our families and our students. If we could have start times and lunch times the same for everyone and have elementary resources at the same time in each grade, this would make it more manageable. And I cannot even imagine how a teacher, especially elementary is going to teach in person and virtually at the same time.

Non-Agenda Items Wendy Hicks Matoaca The preferred or pronoun "lesson" or "question" is absolutely ridiculous. If there is a student that would prefer to be called something else, I am sure they can let the teacher know.

Non-Agenda Items Jason Sewell Midlothian As we all know, despite heroic efforts by CCPS teachers, parents, students, and IT staff, the first week of school was intensely challenging. The various IT systems were crushed under the weight of concurrent usage in part, as was explained by an email from CCPS, due to a failure to perform robust load tests or adequate bandwidth requirement calculations prior to go-live.

But more frustrating for us as a new CCPS family, is that even when the systems were ﬁnally dialed-in to meet bandwidth demands, the hodgepodge of platforms, applications, web sites, overlapping services, and authentication providers presented an inscrutable and bewildering user experience. It became quickly apparent that the CCPS online platform was the result of years of unstructured growth-by-committee with little thought given to the student’s experience.

Many of the online apps by themselves have poor user interfaces, and when grafted together as they are, form an incomprehensible mess for students. 100% of the tears and frustration in my house this week ( and there were much of each ) was due to poor user experience.

As painful as it may be, it’s high time for CCPS to throw away their whole technology stack and start from scratch. It absolutely cannot be ﬁxed by patching, upgrading, or adding more applications, frameworks, or features. Doing so would be throwing good money after bad.

The obvious replacement contender is the Google platform ( G Suit for Education ). Google has solved the scalability, security, and usability challenges, and it provides a consistent interface for educators, students, and parents. Google provides all aspects of classroom and school management, including identity management, authentication, grading, testing, collaborative workspaces, notiﬁcation, etc. And their platform is designed to be used by the ChromeBooks already in use by CCPS students.

The CCPS technology platform is unﬁxable. The pandemic and remotely learning mandate present a once-in-a-decade chance to replace it with something that works. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you.

Agenda Items Katherine Strassel Matoaca CCPS teachers have done a fantastic job trying to work with what has to be the biggest failure in the history of our school system. Two of the most basic issues of virtual learning would be capacity and security, and yet it doesn’t appear that CCPS took even a glance at these to make sure they were where they needed to be for a successful start to the year. Teachers spent all summer learning how to turn their lesson plans into a virtual possibility. I think the IT department could have at least attempted to help make that happen!

CCPS has said in the past they expect learning to take place from day one. I have a senior at Cosby and a sophomore at the Math & Science specialty center, and I can assure you there hasn’t been much learning taking place since day one. Most of their time has been spent trying to log on, or getting something to load, or trying to ﬁgure out what they missed when your system failed them. I’ve read the posts and comments on your Facebook page. I’ve watched as you tried to say things “should be better now”. They are NOT better.

I have a degree in Child Learning & Development, and I can’t tell you the pain I feel when I look at how this year is aﬀecting the children in this county. This isn’t learning. This isn’t developing a love of learning. CCPS is supposed to be a top notch district so how is it that you allowed so many other districts across the country to surpass you in leadership and innovation? They ﬁgured out a way to get their children back inside a classroom and they are going strong. Not only did CCPS fail to do that, but you can’t even get us up and running online.

You have failed your district. You have failed our children. However, you still have the ability to own this and correct the problems. Stop with all these plans of cohorts being spread out over the next 2 months. Throw out your plan and devise a new one. Secondary students should be allowed to go back along with primary students. There is a way to make it happen so please stop looking for reasons why we shouldn’t, and show us that you can be as innovative as these other districts have been. Thank you for your time.

Agenda Items Marilyn Dove Midlothian Please allow in person teaching as the children are suﬀering under the current on line learning. This is harmful to not only their education but to their mental health.

Agenda Items Evan Bisharat Midlothian Please allow in-person education to resume. Zero covid deaths in children! Many children are sad and lonely. They are being harmed psychologically by this endless shutdown. Being in front of a screen all day is also detrimental. Put kids ﬁrst by letting them come to school.

Agenda Items Vanesa Minnick Midlothian Hi, I am so sad on the school board for not allowing our children to be in school when this is what the majority of students and parents want! There are ZERO deaths in VA ages 0-19. We cannot even say this for the ﬂu this year. The online option is suﬃcient for the parents, teachers and students that want it and allow the ones who want to return in person to do so! This disease is not a risk for the majority of our teachers either! And the one teacher they use to support their position was actually teaching ONLINE classes/did not get it from kids!

I actually work in the hospital and this is the actual patient count from last week. Henrico Drs hospital - 4 pts with Covid Parham Drs hospital- 1 patient with it Retreat Drs hospital- 0 pts with Covid The VA hospital- also 4 pts with Covid

These are the actual facts and numbers/science. Meanwhile children’s depression and abuse is skyrocketing. We must resume in person education immediately. We are allowing fear and misinformation to guide our decisions. Our governor is a doctor and he even understands why there needs to be an in person option. Please resume schools immediately.

2 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Agenda Items Elizabeth Wall Matoaca On Friday, I sat next to my 7-year-old and watched as he struggled to raise his hand during a virtual class. He cried out in pain and I asked him what was wrong. He explained that his hand was cramping up and I realized that was the hand he had been using to move his computer mouse for hours every day all week.

Later in the day, after he had read a book on the couch for a while during independent work time, I told him it was time to come back to the computer for more online work. He groaned and said, "I have to get on the computer AGAIN? I'm sick of getting on the computer!"

On Saturday, he asked how much longer the weekend was. When I told him, his exact words were: "I don't want the weekend to end. I hate school. It's so boring. I don't get to do anything fun except sit on a chair."

This virtual "school" is not really school and it is imperative that these kids get back to real school as soon as possible. All four of my kids are suﬀering from the lack of real interaction with their peers. My two teenagers have an inordinate amount of "break time" every day between their very short classes, and they end up just getting on their phones because there is nothing else to do. My gifted ﬁfth grader is experiencing high anxiety every time he has technical problems logging onto a class meeting or turning in an assignment. Each of my kids (elementary, middle and high) gets only 2 hours of live instruction per day.

I work part-time from home but since school started, I've been unable to accomplish anything related to work. I spend the entire school day assisting my second grader and trying to keep his attention focused on the tiny computer screen in front of him.

My kids' teachers and principals have been phenomenal in doing the best they can with what they have been given, but that is the only positive thing I can say about the ﬁrst week of "virtual school." Please get our kids back in the building where they belong.

Non-Agenda Items Kyle Midlothian Please Re-open the schools for the sake of the children and also their parents! Damage is being done whether people want to admit it or not!

Agenda Items Linda Haer Matoaca PLEASE OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!

Agenda Items Terri Gerloff Midlothian We must GET our children back to school 5 DAYS a Week! Several families I know have sent their kids to private school this year. If we can’t make this happen more parents will go that route. ZERO children under the age of 18 In Virginia have died from COVID. Statistics show that they are NOT in danger. Most teachers WANT their students back in school with them. Any teacher who feels they are in an “at risk” group simply must make a choice to continue in classroom face to face learning or find an alternative route to take. Bus drivers, nurses, grocery store clerks etc., all had to go back to work or find work elsewhere. Our teachers have been treated well. They have been on full pay and benefits all this time. It’s time to get back to the work they are trained for FACE to FACE CLASSROOM LEARNING!!! Why should those few Teachers who feel they are at risk cause the whole system to shut down? I work in a medical office and I’m thankful to have a job to go to. No one owes me a salary if I feel threatened by COVID! I made a choice to work. We DO NOT owe this luxury to the teachers who are holding us back from giving our children the educational experience they need. Hanover County is back 5 days a week for those students who choose that option. We can do it too! ZERO DEATHS for children under the age of 18 In Virginia. Let’s get our kids back in school where they belong!

Non-Agenda Items Marybeth Markee Midlothian I have sent public comments to be considered for 2 of the last 3 Board meetings. I did not comment prior to the last meeting because, based on the decision made by the Board at the meeting on August 11, my understanding was that the Board would be using the three measures identiﬁed by the Health Committee to determine whether Cohort 1 could return to school in-person on 9/14/20. Since I knew that all three of these measures would be at the recommended level for a return to in-person instruction, I neither commented on nor observed the meeting on 9/25. I was disappointed and angered by the Board’s decision to delay launching Cohort 1 another two weeks based on factors NOT INCLUDED in the original Health Committee report. The reality is that a return to in-person instruction will never be without risks. There will always be questions and uncertainty and concerns. New consideration may continue to arise. However, many of the concerns and risks associated with bringing ALL of the county's students back to the classroom either are not present or are drastically minimized in bringing back Cohort 1. One of the great advantages of the Cohort plan is that the Board can take consider individually the needs of the students in each cohort, as well as the concerns associated with bringing them back to school. The majority of Cohort 1 students learn in self-contained classrooms with small class sizes. And as I have stated in previous emails to all of the Board members, there is no evidence that virtual instruction is eﬀective for students with disabilities. Their unique need to be in the classroom in order to receive adequate and individualized instruction should be discussed as a distinct measure to be decided by the School Board. Indeed, the needs of each Cohort should be considered uniquely prior to a decision to return them to the classroom. This does not need to be an all-or-nothing process. Now is the time for administrators and the Board to prioritize the long-term needs of each child in our county.

Agenda Items Ashley Henry Matoaca To the Board-

My husband and I are working (outside the home) parents with two boys--K and 2nd grade. We have placed our youngest son in a private K program due to Chesterﬁeld County not being able to provide him with a face-to- face education. This is costing $600 per month. Our 2nd grade son is attending a virtual learning program through the same Christian academy. This is costing us an additional $550 per month. Finances aside, our 2nd grade son is struggling with virtual learning just like he did in the spring. Despite being in an environment with proctors, he is still expected to navigate multiple internet tabs and work independently for a majority of the day. Friday, he stayed home with me so I could better understand his virtual learning days. He ended up crying during morning meeting because he was scared his teacher would call on him and then ended up in a corner crying again because he was frustrated with all the 'meetings.' THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. He now has 4 tests this week, all of which will be through the computer with no ability to ask questions of his teacher if he doesn't understand a question. How can you ethically grade younger students by performing tests like this?? In addition, most children K-2 (and beyond) require a great deal of active learning to fully understand concepts. I have said it before and I will say it again--children of parents who work outside the home are being severely disadvantaged through virtual learning. Please give our youngest students the ability to have a choice.

Agenda Items Melissa Duffy Matoaca While I am excited to hear cohort 1 will be starting to return to school in the hybrid model soon, I feel secondary students should phase in faster than 2 months from now. It does not make sense that middle and high schoolers could not begin the same time as cohort 2, especially as they will be in different buildings which automatically lends itself to social distancing. Furthermore, teens can tolerate mask wearing all day if needed, and understand the importance of sanitizing hands, cleaning personal spaces, respect not touching their peers etc much better than 5-7 year olds. I would like to know the results of the transportation questions on the surveys. While my children normally ride the bus, I indicated I am willing to drive them and several other neighborhood kids. Staggered start times also make returning secondary students in conjunction w elementary students possible, from a transportation stand point. As a health care worker, I am back to work and we have not had staff or patient illnesses by following CDC guidelines. This is definitely feasible in schools, as well. I would like to forecast that there will be exposures. This is inevitable. Please remember that an exposure does not equal getting ill. Those exposed can monitor symptoms and quarantine/test if symptoms arise, just as area hospitals are doing. Our CCPS students need to return to face to face instruction. Virtual learning is definitely subpar for our kids, who are suffering from watered down education as well as a litany of social interaction deficits. Thank you for your efforts to return all CCPS students to school as quickly as possible.

Agenda Items Sonia Howrd Matoaca Our kids need to be back in school. Teachers and CCPS are using our email as a way to distribute homework and an extension of tech services. My kids are in child care. I am not there to help them trouble shoot. Do not use my email as a way to distribute the information you need to get to students. It is CCPS' job to educate our children. It is ridiculous that CCPS thinks parents are sitting beside students just waiting for something to break. It's ridiculous that CCPS wants us to have the resources to print all the educational material that was once printed at the school. So, not only are you displacing the responsibility of educating our kids back onto the parents, you are now displacing the expenses of providing printed material onto the parents. Other school systems with far less resources have found a way to get students back into school. CCPS is demonstrating how poorly it is ran and just how poor it's leaders are. That would be you. The school board. The school board has failed it's community many times over.

Agenda Items Jennifer Meade Clover Hill Good evening. I wanted to reach out to you and just tell you alittle about our at home virtual learning. I have a son Isaac Meade who is in 1st Grade. The first week was full of ups and downs but my frustration doesn't have anything to do with the technical difficulties that went on. It doesn't have anything to do with the teacher either. my son has a terrific teacher this year. My frustration comes from my 6 year old son who is in tears everyday and when not in tears just completely overwhelmed and giving up. He is sitting at a computer for basically 5 hours a day! A 6 year old, a young child who has been told by teachers before this year and people in charge and even doctors that he shouldn't be watching too much tv or playing too many video games that it wasn't good for him to be sitting in front of a screen for too long. To now sitting in front of a screen for 5 hours a day with only 5 minute breaks and a 25 min lunch? I don't know who made this schedule for younger children but it is insane to think this will work for them. These children are not going to learn this way. These children need to move more and need more breaks. someone seems to think that you can take public school and put it into a home setting and that is IMPOSSIBLE. Is no one thinking about what this does to kids physiologically? I know if i'm feeling this way then there are more parents feeling this way, which means there are teachers feeling this way as well. How do you expect the teachers to do their job like this? The teachers are getting hit just as hard and don't even have a voice in this because it's their job. If you are going to continue to keep them home then the BOARD needs to CHANGE this schedule. you need to provide more breaks and longer ones. The board needs to cut down the time of how long they are in front of the screen! There needs to be a way for them to learn more hands on. SInce these kids are not in school the school is saving money. So then you need to provide material for these children to be able to learn better with hands-on things. The other way to handle this would be to send our kids BACK to school. So they can learn the way they are supposed to. So they aren't suffering on the inside and struggling in tears. These kids need to be in school. they need that face to face, hands on, social setting.

Non-Agenda Items Pamela Argueta Unsure My 7th grade daughter is beyond frustrated at the technology. She can’t even get her work done during online virtual hours because the system is so slow she gets frustrated. She has to do her work in the evening when the system isn’t as bogged down. I don’t feel like my kids are going to be able to learn sitting in front of a computer screen all day especially with it being slow. My 3rd grader is ADHD and sitting in front of a computer doesn’t work well for him. My kids want to be back in school and I want them back in school where they can effectively learn. I don’t want them falling behind from this so called “virtual” learning. If other districts and private schools have figured out how to get the kids back to school, why can’t Chesterfield County figure it out? I feel like there was very poor planning when it comes to the technology. Our kids deserve better and their education shouldn’t have to suffer.

Agenda Items Jenni Thompson Clover Hill Please let our kids go back at least 1 day a week. The numbers are trending down and virtual isn’t eﬀective for more than a few weeks

Agenda Items Jill Baker Clover Hill I urge you to reconsider your phased cohorts. You need to get the high school students (and middle school) back into the buildings earlier than November 9th. There is no reason to not push these up - buildings are not being shared. It is vital to the high school students to get in person learning - especially the seniors. Based on your current plan, these seniors will not be able to be face-to-face with teachers, or counselors, until after college app deadlines (November 1st for most EA). This is unacceptable and not equitable AT ALL to our Seniors. I am asking you to all be leaders, set the goal to get ALL students back ASAP and to make it happen. Look at Powhatan - they are doing it and doing it well! Thank you.

Agenda Items Nick Monday Matoaca It is critical to get our children back in school now. Teachers ARE essential employees! Make a plan for high risk teachers & kids to be able to teach virtually, all other teachers are essential employees! Consider all of the other "essential employees" in our community that have been at work for the past 6 months at retail, home improvement, grocery stores, etc. They are in contact with hundreds of people every day. A teacher would be in contact with the same groups of kids every day. You know these teachers who claim they are not essential, are shopping at these retail locations weekly and "putting those essential retail staﬀ at risk". Very hypocritical of them. The negative impacts of virtual learning on our kids and community far outweigh the negative impacts of Covid. Teachers ARE essential employees!

Agenda Items Kathy Schmidt Midlothian Students need to be back in the classroom. Even for my high schooler and her high level classes she is frustrated with only 30 minutes of face time with her teacher. She came in tears to me last night because she does not think she will be able to do well in these classes without in school learning. In her French AP class where the only speak French, technology glitches and she can’t hear the teacher properly. Beside the academic factor, these students need to be in school for the socialization skills they need to learn. Virtual learning can not do this. Please listen to the citizens, give us the choice to return to school. Chesterﬁeld County school is failing my daughter and her right to an in school education.

Agenda Items Deb Benjamin Midlothian As frustrating as it is to school virtually...we have got to once & for all rid this virus. By continually interacting...gatherings etc...this virus will continue on! Sadly, because the board feels parental & govt pressure ...we will once again “give in.” Guess what...we will explode once again with this virus. To gather in school will put our children, teachers, staff & all families at risk again. If adults are being irresponsible by not wearing masks, planning & hosting gatherings....their kids will also carry that attitude. Even with required masks at school...they will have to eat lunch. We are heading in to cold & flu season on top of Covid. There will be coughing. Please consider so many families that have members with compromised health. The elderly. These kids/staff can be the carrier that bring it in. This should not be political. This is health & safety. Survival. It really is unfortunate that our whole country can’t come together. Enforce masks & safety. It’s not easy...but let’s rid of this once & for all. Quit the gatherings of people. Once & for all. Thank you. Praying for you all & these unfortunate pressures & times. Praying for our country. DB

Agenda Items Michele Rogers Midlothian The decision not to offer a choice of a full return to school was very upsetting and disappointing to me and my family, but I had no choice but to accept it and try to make the best of it. My kindergartener was very excited to get her own computer. I don't let her play with electronics except for the very rare long car trip. She was also happy about being in a small pod as she gets overwhelmed in large, new situations. But even that appears to be impossible to coordinate. After 3 days of "virtual" school, despite her teacher doing as great a job as could be expected, she told me she didn't want to do it anymore. "I don't want to look at the computer all day." And I don't want her to either. We made the choice to enroll her in a small pop up kindergarten class so she had children and a teacher to interact with. And no need for a mask. I'm baffled why preschoolers are allowed to be mask free but kindergarteners are not. She's got anxiety and sensory issues and cannot wear one for longer than a few minutes without going into a panic. So even if school returns to hybrid next month, which seems likely to create more problems than it will solve, she will not go back to school with CCPS. Only when school is a normal environment for kids will she return. I'm not sure how we're reading data so differently, but it's been pretty clear for awhile that young children are not transmitters of this virus and should not be treated as they are.

Agenda Items Carolyn Ferraro Matoaca After 4 days of virtual learning I can see this is not an education and not sustainable for students or teachers. I heard my daughter's teacher say 'just stay positive" in exasperation on Thursday. Your inﬂuence by the CEA, which only represents 30% of teachers, to go 100% virtual has the potential to drive the other 70% away.

My son is in CBG 4th grade at and is only receiving 1 hour of actual live teacher instruction per day. There is some time for a morning meeting and resource but the schedule only shows 30 minutes each for math and reading. I learned this week that science and social studies would be integrated in to that time so he gets 5 hours a week for 4 subjects. What kind of education is that? Can you even guarantee the VDOE hours are met? On top of that the school schedules are inconsistent around the county. Some teachers are providing more live instruction time. How is this equitable?

I know teachers and staﬀ have worked really hard and they are not to blame for this criminal situation we all have been forced into. It is inﬂuence by the CEA and CCPS's lack of leadership as to why we are here. You need to step up for everyone's mental health and future!

Agenda Items Mandy Thomas Matoaca Chesapeake’s numbers have been worse than ours. However they are starting in person next Monday FIVE DAYS A WEEK IN PERSON!! How do u explain this? How can u ensure our kids will not fall even more behind the rest of the state?

Agenda Items Mandy Thomas Matoaca When we phase the kids back into in person. Our children need 5 days a week instruction not just 2 days!!!! This is ridiculous! Explain how our kids will not fall behind!

Non-Agenda Items Cathy Robins Clover Hill Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express my concerns regarding an inequality in elementary instructional time. I am a retired Chesterfield County Public School employee. During my career I have worked in the general education classroom as well as special education and the front office. As we are all navigating these unchartered waters of virtual education I was shocked to discover such a large difference in actual teacher to student instructional time. Throughout my career I felt that our school system always prided itself in providing an equal education for all our students. In assisting in the virtual learning with my grandson and several other students in the 5th grade I have discovered that at my grandson’s school he and his classmates only receive 50 minutes a day of instructional time from their teachers. The other students that I assist attend a different school in our county but also in the 5th grade receive 2 1/2 hours of instructional time from their teachers. When I made this discovery I reached out to other schools to check their schedules and those schools also are receiving 2 1/2 hours. This is totally unacceptable! My grandson and all of the students in our county deserve the same amount of instruction time. I never thought I would witness such inequality in Chesterfield County schools. This needs to be addressed and rectified immediately. I have expressed my concern to the administration at his school and am now coming to the School Board. I would prefer for this to be corrected and not have to go publicly with this. I look forward to a timely response.

Agenda Items Carrie Watko Bermuda To say virtual learning is a disaster is an understatement. Aside from technology issues, the mental health cost on our kids is skyrocketing. Kids, including my Kindergartener, stressed & full of anxiety about learning. Our kids deserve better, you are failing them! My K student ended the week with his head down during class drained from the week. A 5yo shouldn't be expected to navigate virtual learning in his 1st experience with school! We need to be back in-person 5 days. Hybrid still has issues with only 2 days of teacher instruction. How does a 5yo doing independent work 3 days a week suﬃce as a decent education? Chesapeake City Schools are sending back K-3rd in 2 weeks in-person 5 days. Stop listening to the CEA - they are using our kids for a political game! The few they represent are not what the teachers in classrooms want. They want to be back with their students! Our kids are suﬀering - help them!

3 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Agenda Items Will OConnor Matoaca Good evening. Given the profound impact of COVID-19 on the world, the decision of this board in July to revert to virtual learning for the first 10 weeks of the school year did not surprise me. I was willing to be patient and give license to this county's educators, as they know better than I how children are best equipped to learn. That said, what has been implemented to this point and rolled out to my two students has fallen far short of what can be considered acceptable. Shortened days, added reliance upon RapidIdentity and its programs, navigation streams that require too many clicks for first and second-graders, at a minimum should be evidence enough that the benefits to this approach are outpaced by the costs. Add to it that the most important aspect of elementary school learning is socially-based, and the case for reinstating in-person, on-site learning is clear. My second-grader is a high-performing student. She is curious, bright and self-managing. Even she has expressed frustration after the first week of school. My first-grader is far less capable of managing his on-task focus. To put it bluntly, a 10-week period of virtual learning will essentially be a waste of time for him, given the current program assembled. Add to that the fact that his all-told time with an instructor present will total 2:40 daily and you come up with a clear understanding how under-served this program is by comparison to an in-class environment. Various counties in central Virginia have opened the year in person, or in a hybrid approach. It is time for Chesterfield County to be a leader in the region in education again. For these reasons, this board's only responsible choice can be to reinstate in-person learning as soon as it is logistically feasible. At a minimum, this should be no later than Week 11 of the school year.

Agenda Items Erin Day Clover Hill Hello, I had sent emails earlier on in the summer about my concerns for our children learning virtually this fall. Just as I had thought, virtual learning has been and is a complete failure. I absolutely cannot believe that you and the other school board members thought this was actually going to go over well, especially for our K-2 kids. I was planning to give this two full weeks to try and give this virtual thing a chance, and I will continue to try to do so. BUT after the two weeks, myself, along with many other parents in Chesterfield County are planning on pulling our children out and home schooling them. Trying to get them on to a class on and off every few minutes and navigating all the technical difficulties is a disaster for a 5 year old in itself. Moreover, they spend about 1 hour learning the entire time. It’s a joke. The goal during the beginning of this pandemic was to flatten the curve and take the strain off of healthcare systems. Not only have we flattened the curve but we have done a great job social distancing and mask wearing. Obviously when kids go back, numbers are going to increase. It is inevitable. It is science. Just like the flu, which killed many more people when it was first discovered but didn’t result in schools being shut down, people are going to get it. I encourage you to come sit at my child’s desk, or any child in K-2 who is struggling to learn at a computer at home. I hope you and all of the other board members take a good, long hard look in the mirror and ask yourselves if you are doing the right thing. Not for the parents, not for the CEA, not for state officials but the right thing for our children, especially K-2. I love CCPS and I love our school teachers but the decisions that have been made in the past couple of months from our upper leaders has failed our children. Their emotional, physical and mental health has been drug through the dirt. I encourage you to LISTEN to the majority of your constituents, not the CEA and let our children return to in person school.

Sincerely, Erin Day

Agenda Items Karen Zegarra Midlothian I am concerned about consequences that are being placed on our high school students due to the overwhelming amount of screen time that they are expected to participate in. Our high school students are being asked to spend all day looking at a screen for school, 5 days a week, and then additionally for homework and studying in the evenings and on weekends. I feel that sustaining this for 12 weeks will cause irreversible damage to our children in many ways. The isolation and screen time has already been devastating after only 1 week of school.

I would like to see high schools start phasing in their students with Cohort 2. The high schools will be empty and could accommodate a phased in process starting at the same time as the elementary school phase in. Not all kids will opt to return so numbers will be substantially lower allowing for socially distancing. The high school aged children will also be more disciplined and more apt to wear a mask and leave it on throughout the day. The staggering start times of our schools should support transpiration needs and allow for all levels of schools to begin a phase in at cohort 2. Do not let these kids suﬀer in isolation and fall further behind. We have asked so much of this age group and we owe it to their futures to do our part in getting them back in school as soon as possible. Chesterﬁeld County Public Schools can support this. We just need the School Board Members to see how crucial the need is! Please activate a plan that supports the high schoolers to return to school at the same time as the elementary schools.

Agenda Items Laura CROSS Midlothian Please vote for students to go back to school. Virtual learning is not school. Technology issues, lack of parental involvement, equity issues, lack of resources are causing so many of our students to fall further and further behind. They need the resources and support from being in school. My children miss their teachers and friends and the structure and routine from an actual school day in a school building. The amount of actual teaching instruction they are able to receive is about 1.5 hours a day. This is not an education. Social studies and science are not being taught separately. This is not an education. Please allow parents the choice to send our students back!

Agenda Items Janice Blakley Bermuda Honorable members of the Chesterﬁeld County School Board:

As the grandmother of two elementary (1st and 5th grade) students, I implore you to re-open the schools to students as soon as possible.

While monitoring my grandchildren’s virtual learning two days per week, I encountered the following issues last week:

1) ﬁrst day - unable to log on. Received approximately 1 hour of discussion (no instruction) with 1st grade teacher who was unable to log in until sometime after most of the students were logged in.

2) second day - links to resources (library, etc.) did not work. Teacher had to provide correct url for students to get to resource. By that time, resource was nearly over. Very frustrating for me, not to mention my ﬁrst grader.

3) second day - unable to return to classroom instruction after leaving for resource despite rebooting and trying to rejoin over and over for an hour. Missed ﬁnal hour of math instruction. This happened to several students.

Today, 5th grader logged in as usual but there were only 4 other students logged in and no teacher. After 5 minutes of waiting for teacher, messaged teacher and was told to log in through Google meet (which is what she had already done). Second attempt - went to same area with the other 4 students. Third attempt (exact same as ﬁrst two attempts), took her to her teacher and other classmates. Unclear as to why she did not get there on the ﬁrst two attempts.

My ﬁrst grader did very well in Kindergarten and was student of the year in his class. Unfortunately, he is now extremely frustrated with virtual learning. This is just NOT the style of learning he will thrive under.

Please, please send these children back to school as soon as possible!

Thank you!

Agenda Items Lisa Garnett Midlothian 1. We are still having many technology problems. Chromebooks seem to be very slow in loading. My children can switch to home laptops, but many can not. We should be able to make the greatest impact with decreasing the gap by education, yet CCPS is failing at that with virtual learning. Canvas is very slow and not user friendly. Please continue to do better with technology for our teachers and students. 2. I am not impressed with the new selection process for MLWGS. Dividing slots by middle school and ranking there will drastically decrease the available slots at MLWGS. And the result is watering down the students accepted across the division. This does not help anyone. Please focus on making CCPS better and ﬁxing the many problems we currently have, do not create more and hinder access to specialty schools.

Non-Agenda Items Emily Purdum Midlothian Well, we tried didn't we. I tried to stay positive about online learning for the sake of my 4 kids however I knew I would not be able to manage being an assistant educator for my 8 yr old. My husband I both work outside the home and have all along this pandemic. We were fortunate enough to grab a space at a fantastic private school for her were she attends in person instruction 5 days a week and has just started her 4th week with out a Covid outbreak! We are grateful to have that option and my heart breaks for parents who simply don't have that option. My older three girls 8,10 and 12th grade have had issues connecting, issues with teachers being able to connect, issues not being able to access assignments until the end of the day etc. In short, it has been beyond frustrating and not at all what education should look like. In our house we reference this quote. " You don't practice until you get it right, you practice until you CANNOT get it wrong" CCPS didn't practice the ﬁrst day of school very well. HCPS and RPS had no news worthy issues. What's the diﬀerence? Leadership! I am urging CCPS to stand up and stop listening to a small vocal minority of teachers and stop letting Sonya Smith make decisions for you and stop failing our kids! Enough is enough!

Agenda Items Cathy Peterson Matoaca The 2 chrome books that we have been issued constantly have problems when getting on the google meets instruction with teacher. Speciﬁcally the mic goes in and out and we’re missing half of the teacher instruction. My kids have to use my computer and then it works ﬁne. This can not be sustained as I need my computer. We have cleared cookies and all memory and still doesn’t improve. If you’re going to go virtual the computers have to be much better to hold up to this. The network, rapid identity, mic, google meets and canvas issues are daily and all day! This is NOT WORKING CCPS!!!!!

Agenda Items Lindsey Murray Bermuda I have 5 children, 4 enrolled in school. Let me first start by saying my kids teachers have been amazing and I do not blame them at all. Since day one my kids can either not get logged on or once they are on they are booted out several times a day. 2 of my 4 kids have IEPs. My 3rd grader is ADHD and cannot follow one step instructions. Virtual learning has been a MAJOR challenge for her as she cannot navigate the computer well so by the time she finds where she is supposed to go the class has moved on. My 3 year old is in the pre-k program and has several medical issues so I am having to sit with him the entire time on the computer making it very difficult to assist the other kids. I have not seen where the agreed IEP has been put in motion for my 3rd grader. My 5th grader is frustrated with the whole thing but is pushing through and trying to stay positive. The one that bothers me most is my 1st grader. This child is loving, caring, and very easy going. On the 3rd day of school he came in having a meltdown. I asked him what was wrong and he said I hate this! It’s too hard! And I wish I wasn’t alive for this! Let me first say we have addressed the comment and have calmed him down. As a parent how would it make you feel to hear your 6 year old son say something like that? They are not just having their education compromised but this is affecting them mentally. Parents are frustrated. Kids are frustrated and losing interest. If I’m being completely honest I’ve gone back and forth all weekend about unenrolling them in chesterfield county public school. My oldest daughter said “Mom this is not how I thought my 5th grade year would go but I know God takes bad things and works them for good” My prayer is that you take this situation that has caused major stress and anxiety and turn it good. These kids need to be back in school.

Agenda Items Lindsay Harris Matoaca I have 5 children who all attend Chesterfield county schools. The virtual has been extremely difficult for all of us. Our first week was a disaster. I am extremely concerned about their lack of education. My children are missing their virtual meetings because of various reasons everyday. Our children need their teachers. Our children need their education. Please get them back in the classroom as soon as possible!!! Our children deserve better!!!! Please please please get them back into sports!!!! They desperately need this!!! They have gone way too long without seeing their friends, coaches, and teammates! This virus isn't going anywhere. We have to learn to live with it! Our children's mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing all depend on your decision! Give the parents a choice!

Agenda Items Cora Bermuda please consider delaying school opening until at least after the 1st 9 weeks. Thank you so much for all you do

Agenda Items Michael Dutter Bermuda I am the father of 5 students currently in CCPS (10th grade, 4th grade, 2nd grade, K and ECSE) at Enon, Scott and Dale. My youngest children are both in special education due to ADHD. Originally I did not disagree with the decision of the school board to start out the year in a virtual setting, especially given the uncertainty of the trends in COVID across the region. However, after the 1st week of school, my mind has changed especially for my youngest children in special education. Please note, this change has nothing to do with the technological challenges of the 1st day of school. Despite the wonderful eﬀorts by the special education teachers (and I mean wonderful - they have been great!), it is nearly impossible to keep the special education and Kindergarten kids engaged and without distraction while at home. In addition, with two special education children, it is nearly impossible for my wife to be on simultaneous calls with my youngest children, meaning that virtual time with the teacher is being missed, especially if one of the children is being less than cooperative. Overall, I believe the virtual school is working okay for my older children as they can work a more independently compared to my pre-K and K children, however virtual learning for special education and even kindergarteners in general is not sustainable for any length of time. I would highly encourage you to consider at least returning the special education and kindergarteners back to school as soon as possible. As it is, the special education classes are already small, so it will not be as much of a challenge to keep the kids somewhat socially distanced in the classroom. Thank you for your time.

Agenda Items Ashley Wiley Unsure I am in Chesterﬁeld County Public Schools district. We should reconsider opening in school learning due to virtual learning is complete and utter chaos. I have a Kindergartener who can not focus. He is in his own territory and is not worried about learning. Teachers spend half the time telling kids to MUTE THEIR MICS. This is ridiculous and stressful for all involved. I have been tempted to pull my son since school began.

Agenda Items Sarah Matoaca I fee that kindergarteners need to be in school because they get very bored in front of the computer. The teachers are amazing and doing everything possible to keep their attention but they are 5, and need in person instruction. I have third graders as well, and they have more patience and know how to work the computer better, so they have been ﬁne adjusting. Although, they would rather be in school.

Agenda Items Rose Durbin Matoaca If virtual learning is to continue, the elementary kids need more than an hour with their teacher a day. There has to be a way for the teachers to be in their classrooms, live streaming their lessons. My children, who have never had emotional problems in the past, are now exhibiting emotional outburst. At the very least, we need to move into a hybrid schedule. This is getting ridiculous. My children should not be dreading the school day and start crying at the thought of technology issues and not having social interaction. Enough is enough. Again, there has to be more teacher interaction.

Agenda Items TIFFANY ERBACH Dale I know that the decision to implement virtual school was a diﬃcult one, and many parents are discouraged by technical challenges presented in the ﬁrst week of school. While there have been challenges, I believe students and teachers are working through them, and I encourage you to continue virtual learning for the time being as we understand surges and outbreaks for Covid continue in our community and across the country.

I have four children in CCPS, and I am encouraged by the results I am seeing to date. Our children are learning ﬂexibility and resiliency in real time, and these are valuable lessons. Yes, we have had trouble logging in here and there and transitions have not always been as smooth as we had hoped. However: my ﬁrst grader is singing out loud, saying the pledge in a group, and jumping up and down for gym class, counting, reading and LEARNING. Her teacher has been fantastic trying to navigate and is adapting everyday.

My middle schoolers are working in groups on small projects, learning languages, and doing science projects with things around the house. Much of ﬁrst week was spent on learning how to use the technology, and as the lessons got more focused, they have shared appreciation for new content, enjoyment of working in groups, and even happiness that they are able to have live instruction for a while and then time to work on assignments and interact with others. We got a "this isn't as bad as I thought it would be" from all three of them, which is a win in my book.

My husband and I are working full time with our kids in the house. We have been able to support the technology pieces for grades 1, 6 and 8, and overall, we are pleased with the trouble shooting and adapted content we are seeing. Teachers are rising to the challenge and our kids are too. I expect we will all get better at this over the weeks to come.

I urge patience across the board and an open mind. I am hopeful the initial hiccups do not inﬂuence a desire to scrap a program that has a lot of promise and is already starting to work.

Best,

Tiﬀany Erbach

Agenda Items Michelle Lanham Midlothian Open the schools! Virtual learning is NOT working. Teachers are late to classes expecting me as a parent to have my kids in the class on time. This is total crap! This is doing nothing for anyone! Put the kids back in school!!!

Non-Agenda Items Brandie Graham Matoaca Please take into consideration the students who reside with immunocompromised relatives and how a rushed return to school could potentially aﬀect those households.

Agenda Items Stacey Grimsley Matoaca Please continue to focus on getting our children safely back in school. That should be the primary goal of the board at this time. I am hoping virtual requirements will not be long-lived.

Agenda Items Christina Gleason Matoaca Members of the Board: Please allow Level 2 Special Education students back in the classroom. My son requires extensive support to meet his educational needs. Virtual learning does not work for him. His LRE, as stated in his IEP, is the ADP program, by nature of being in this program, he requires supports that cannot be accomplished virtually. Virtual school has been a nightmare. Accessing the course online requires too many mouse clicks and passwords that he cannot do independently. We have seen a spike in behavioral issues with my son since starting school due to the frustration of being on the computer and not being able to follow the instructions needed to simply access the course much less being able to actually learn. The hours of the school day are spent maneuvering through the website and managing behaviors instead of learning. It's quite unacceptable to make students learn virtually across the board when all students cannot learn in this manner; education is not one sized ﬁts all hence IEP's! If the YMCA can host students in the building, then my son's class (only three students) should be able to access the building as well. Make this right and give students with special needs and IEPs access to their education.

Agenda Items Tammy Bennett Midlothian Please give it at least another month before going back into buildings. Keep an eye on local colleges as there seem to be many students contacting Covid and needing to be quarantined.

Non-Agenda Items Ashley Jones Matoaca First and foremost, I want to say that the teachers have been doing a GREAT job juggling this "new" form of education. We are so grateful for their eﬀorts to make things as smooth as possible. However, my children are brand new to CCPS. They NEED to interact with other students in person. They cannot form relationships/friendships on Google Meet so they feel totally disconnected. Aside from that, my 6th grader has ADHD and multi- tasking is very diﬃcult for her. Going back and forth from the Meet to the Google Drive to the assignments, etc. several times during a class is distracting. While navigating to the assignments or notes, she totally misses whatever the teacher is saying because she cannot focus on both at the same time. In a classroom setting, she could raise her hand or her teacher would see from her expression that she needs help, etc. Even when raising her hand or using the chat in Meet, sometimes the teacher doesn't see it and my little girl ends up in tears as class progresses and she feels left behind and lost. Every day I hear, "I hate online classes. I cannot pay attention and navigate everything." This is NOT the teacher's fault, just part of online learning and its downfalls. Our children NEED to be in person! So much instructional time is wasted on this platform and students that are already feeling lonely, anxious and overwhelmed are being stretched too thin emotionally. I won't even get into the fact that things load very slowly more often than not (if they load at all). Daycares have been open since March. Gyms and YMCA camps have run in the past few months. Sports teams have been playing all summer and are currently starting up for fall. Places such as Launch Trampoline Park are open and running. Learning Centers have been established all over to accommodate working parents so students can learn remotely, yet they are in a group with other children. Students should be able to do this FROM SCHOOL! Keep the option to continue online for parents who need that option due to heath concerns, etc but give those of us not afraid of school the option to send our kids with implementation of extra precautions. Their emotional wellbeing and their education are our primary concerns. Further more, there are teachers that will (if not already) mentally break from the pressure of all of this. Not every teacher is cut out for online teaching just as every student does not learn the same way.

Agenda Items Hannah Jones Matoaca I am a student and I really wish to go back to school because I miss my friends. I also miss being in the building and meeting my teachers.

4 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Agenda Items Amy Taylor Midlothian Virtual learning has been nothing short of a DISASTER for my 13yo 7th grader. He is currently enrolled in the SOL autism program at midlo middle, while the teachers have been amazing, the stress this is causing my son is NOT worth him even attending class. I have lost my job after not being able to complete any work at all last week because I have had to walk him through every single step of this crap. Your virtual learning program is failing the families of this county!!!!!!!!!

Agenda Items Ashley Harrison Midlothian As I begin these comments at 12:18 pm on Monday, neither the Project Restart report nor the Health Committee report has been posted on Board Docs. This is unconscionable. To ask the community to comment on unavailable materials is to invite inaccurate statements, which you can then justify ignoring. This is not the standard of professionalism I expect.

Nonetheless, my comments. Given the ongoing challenges with virtual learning, most of which seem connected to the CCPS network, it is time to start the return to in person learning. Even today, both my children, and most of their class, could not access their resource class via Canvas. Only a direct typing of the meeting url worked. One child got multiple messages that she could not submit her assignment through Canvas, only resolved after waiting about 20 minutes to try again. These challenges disrupt learning and business we as parents are trying to comanage with being tech support for our kids. Enough. While from following VDH data, I see a small uptick in cases, our percent positivity remains low. Hospitals have capacity and the death rate is declining. The UVA COVID task force report for the week ending 9/11 showed a decline in transmission for our health district. The other school districts in our health district have opened to in person learning safely and successfully. I still cannot ﬁnd where VDH has made public the metric cited last meeting, on community transmission, so in order to provide transparency, that metric should not be considered. Things are safe enough to start a return with the SPED cohort, see how that works, and proceed from there. The ongoing damage to the many from the most imperfectly executed virtual learning experiment cannot be continued given the relatively small health risk and given the opening of virtually every other business, house of worship and community activity. Catch up now, CCPS, and give our kids a chance to thrive. Don’t continue to inﬂict the lifelong damage of virtual learning on our children.

Agenda Items Bethany Kohut Matoaca It is extremely frustrating that this subject is being revisited so soon. The all virtual decision was made back in August and should stand throughout the first 9 weeks as decided by the School Board. All of us have rearranged our lives to accommodate the boards decision and if the decision is amended, we will have to do the same thing all over again. If parents are given the option to transition their children back to in person learning, one of my biggest concerns is disrupting the virtual flow. I want my child to continue virtual with his same teacher five days a week so that he can build on the momentum he has with his current setup and teacher.

Agenda Items Melissa Anderson Bermuda My 3rd grader was very frustrated and expressed that he was missing out on learning time!

Agenda Items Kathy Heath Midlothian It's not that I'm mad. I'm just really disappointed in you. These are words that many parents have said to children over the years but now they need to be said to CCPS. The lack of planning and system readiness created unnecessary upset for the start of the year for kids, teachers, and parents. For a system our size, there is absolutely no excuse good enough for the litany of issues that have been experienced thus far. My kids were worried enough about meeting their teacher and classmates and about what virtual would be like, without having the first days filled with system downtime. I will most definitely give credit where it's due: our teacher and the school admin team at Watkins were ready, and they did their absolute best to make lemons into lemonade. As a parent, though, I've had enough. No more excuses, let's either create some meaningful way to educate remotely or get our kids back in the building. Stop moving the goalposts, find health metrics and stick to them, and let's make this happen.

Agenda Items Rebecca Smith Matoaca As we are all aware, the school year started oﬀ with an IT disaster of epic proportion. It was a debacle; no argument. Although the situation is improving, it's still a nightmare for both kids and parents.

I write today to ask you NOT to focus on the IT issues at tonight's meeting. I have seen comments by Board members that they want to investigate the situation and compile a thorough report. With all due respect, this feels performative and intended to ignore the REAL problem, which is returning our students to school safely.

I used to work on Capitol Hill. During this time, I learned many important lessons about politics. One thing I learned was that if we wanted to solve the problem, we solved the problem. If we did NOT want to solve the problem, we conducted “comprehensive reviews”, we drafted “thorough reports”, we formed investigative committees. In other words, we intentionally spun our wheels to *avoid* solving the problem, while convincing our constituents that we were working hard to solve the problem. Many times, this was because the problem actually beneﬁted us in some way.

Tonight, I am asking the school board to focus on returning our students to school safely. The IT issues (although real) are a distraction. It seems like a monumental (and intentional?) waste of time and resources to investigate why a problem happened, when solutions are already underway. Tonight, I am asking the school board to “stay in their lane” and allow the IT people to handle tech issues. I am asking to school board to focus on the important issue at hand, which is returning our students to school safely.

The vast majority of parents voted to have the choice to return kids to school. Our voices were ignored. Unless we plan to hide in our houses for the next 15 years, we cannot avoid this virus. People will catch Covid. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, electricians. The goal was not to completely eliminate any possible cases. The goal was to ﬂatten the curve, which we have done.

Please begin the process of returning kids to in-person instruction as soon as possible. Please do not create metrics that make an in-person return impossible. As far back as June, experts determined that contact tracing was not eﬀective in the US. At this juncture, the virus is widespread and containment is no longer an option. Having contact tracing as a metric creates a burden on CCPS that no state in the US has been successful in overcoming.

Agenda Items Illan Levy Unsure Our students are being left behind due our 100% virtual environment. Neighboring counties started in a hybrid model. The COVID record holders of NY and NJ are returning 100% in person. Survey respondents overwhelmingly wanted some form of in person instruction. If you feel the survey is dated, send another one now. If the respondents are not "distributed" then let those who care enough to spend ﬁve minutes completing a survey not be ignored.

Agenda Items Susie Silver Clover Hill You’ve failed SPED students and their families; separate buses, classes and small numbers, there’s no excuse. Chesapeake and Powhatan have everyone going back 5 days. Schools nationwide are navigating this and we have PPE and protocols in place. Allow teachers to do the jobs they were hired to do and many have asked repeatedly to be allowed to do (which doesn’t include children sobbing violently through a screen because of the complications virtual presents.) My two children needed 6 devices to get through the first week of school, the chromebooks can’t handle Canvas and other programs at the same time. It is extremely unhealthy for kids to have faces in screens and be this sedentary all day. My elementary and middle schoolers have cried now more than 5 times, you are crushing the spirits of kids who already have too much anxiety. Middle schoolers have to explain to teachers how to use Canvas, and the teachers are forgetting to record instructions-the kids are overwhelmed! I have scheduled several child therapist appointments already. Teachers working more to do virtual are more stressed, which weakens their immune systems. The kids at the Y are shouting through their screens they can’t hear their teachers because it’s too loud in daycare. Fauci and so many doctors have repeatedly stressed children under 10 aren’t vectors to adults or other children, so protect the teachers from other adults and move forward please. Large numbers of people are sitting in restaurants with no masks on to eat for hours at a time, visitors are returning to nursing homes, youth rec sports teams are playing even high contact sports. Hundreds of people at a time have been flying on planes for months, for longer hours than a typical school day, with less distancing, and are adults with higher likelihoods of transmission. If the schools in Southwest VA are pulling this off, we can too. Just because we have more students overall, doesn’t mean we have larger numbers inside classrooms or individual buildings. Shorten the school day and/or alternate weeks if you are concerned about exposure, but these kids and teachers need to be back to in person instruction. Please bring back at least some middle and high while transitioning elementary back, these can run concurrently and don’t need to be pushed to November. I wish I had chosen to homeschool instead. I trusted Chesterfield to educate my children, but like so many students, teachers, and parents, I’m just left discouraged.

Agenda Items Courtney Rogers Dale I am asking, respectfully, that you please allow the students to return to school. We have a first grader, and though we were optimistic to try virtual learning, it has been a big headache and complete disaster. Not only is navigating the computer hard for a 6 year old, but managing a google meet and trying to learn in a google meet setting is completely unrealistic. There are so many factors and distractions that happen in a google meet of 15+ first graders, that I would encourage any of you to sit in on one just to experience it. There are distractions coming from every home, daycare, learning center all preventing my first grader from focusing and getting a quality education. For whatever reason, we are unable to mute other students and are forced to sit through the distractions of the other homes. I have heard parents putting away dishes, disciplining their child, the tv, dogs barking, other kids talking, smoke detectors chirping, white noise, echoes, and much more. I can't speak for every student, but for my child, all of the chaos from virtual learning is completely deflating his love of learning. His stamina for a long learning day is short since his kindergarten year was cut short, and sitting in front of the screen for so long is like torcher to him. He needs in-person interaction. He needs a teacher in front of him, a worksheet to cut and color, a book to hold and flip pages, and friends to see and interact with. The value of in person learning is priceless, please allow our children to experience this so they can learn and grow this year. If we continue this way, our students will fall so far behind that the gap in education in our county will be so wide that students will have and extremely hard time trying to catch up. Please open the doors! Thank you for your time and consideration for back to school learning.

Agenda Items Erin McCann Bermuda The first week of online schooling has proven that despite many teachers best efforts it is NOT effective education for CCPS students. 4 hours of “instruction” time which turn into 30 mins for language arts and 30 mins for math for a total of 1 hour classroom teacher instruction. Then they break into small groups for 15-30 mins depending on needs and size of class. So in total you are getting 1 and a half hours from the 4 hours of required login. The remaining 2 hours and 30 mins is self taught learning! This is NOT an education! This is a failure for our young minds! This is not even addressing the login issues which then removes more of what little education instruction they receive from a person! Not acceptable!

Agenda Items Laura Bullock Midlothian GET OUR CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL!

Agenda Items Matt McKennen Matoaca This virtual school isn’t school and it’s failing my 1st grader miserably. Young children need face to face instruction. If my preschooler can go back to school with 11 other children in a classroom half the size of the standard elementary room, then my 1st grader should be allowed to do the same. She’s willing to wear a mask! But this virtual oﬀering. It’s a HUGE FAIL! My school loving child now hates school.

Agenda Items Erin McCann Bermuda I want to talk about the gross breach in security when the principal of the middle school sent the access codes for every class! This left every child open for security issues and safety was not the priority there! What if that list was accessed by a parent who is not allowed access to their child and now they have a door right into the child’s class, or a child abuser who now can see every child and select their next victim. How was this even the ﬁx for login issues? This is not ok! Classes were hacked and children were left exposed! How is this ok? Our children need to be back in school and safe, not that at this point I can trust that my children will be safe based on the lack of safety measures taken thus far!

Non-Agenda Items Maria Rakowsky Unsure Hello, my daughter is in Kindergarten this school year for 2020-2021. She really has a hard time staying focused on the computer while she's in class at home. She is more of hands on, learning little person who would stay focused while a teacher is being face to face with her, teaching. I had a hard time staying focused when I attended school and I struggled each day and know it's tough! I currently clean a Private Christian school who has decided to open with the pandemic and if people follow the guidelines and the custodians clean throughly, we could slow down the risk of catching this virus. Though I do fear of COVID19 for the children and teachers who have families also, but not only having to see her struggle, I've had to change my whole schedule around to make a living and keep her in school. Please give parent's and teacher a option to send their kids back for not!

Agenda Items Nick Monday Matoaca Teachers are essential staﬀ!

Kids are so honest and receptive. My neighbor who is going into 8th grade asked me what my oldest daughter, Olivia, is doing for virtual learning this year. Olivia is in 1st grade at Grange Hall. I told him everyday I take Olivia to Cosby High School where she goes into the school and instructors from the YMCA spend the day with her helping her work on the computer. I explained that once class is over she stays at Cosby High School and plays games in the gym and outside until I pick her up.

My 8th grade neighbor responded “So she can go to school with other kids and teachers but we cant? I don’t understand that.”

I didn’t want to get into politics with an eight grader but its sad that it is the only answer to explain the situation we ﬁnd ourselves in. Why are daycare and YMCA instructors essential and yet our teachers are not?

How should I reply to my 8th grade neighbor? Would he understand that the lives of private daycare employees, YMCA staﬀ, Lowes, Wegmans, and Target employees are deemed less important than the lives of public school teachers? These people are laying their lives down on the front lines in our grocery stores because they have to work to get paid. These are the same grocery stores where teachers in Chesterﬁeld shop. Have you instructed your teachers who don’t feel safe in a classroom with our children to avoid these public places for their own safety?

Teachers are essential staﬀ!

Agenda Items Miranda McLaughlin Clover Hill In-Person Instruction- As a former teacher and administrator, I understand the weight and responsibility that rests on the shoulders of our school board and CCPS leadership teams during the pandemic. I also know the hard word, dedication, long hours, and tough calls that are made every day in the classrooms and schools under “normal” circumstances. I respect and agree with the need to consider the health and safety of students, staff and faculty. I would like to ask if the same amount of time, effort, and financial resources that are being poured into metrics and data collection to determine when students can re-enter our school buildings is being spent on preparing our buildings, processes, and personnel for in-person learning? There are other school divisions of similar size and demographics in states such as Tennessee and Georgia who have had students in- person for 4 weeks now. What can we learn and apply from those divisions who are a few weeks ahead of us? The teachers, administrators, and board members that I have had the privilege of working closely with in the past, always found ways to make things happen because they are student-focused professionals. Let’s do what needs to be done to make in-person learning happen soon!

Agenda Items Nancy Midlothian The teachers are doing a great job with teaching virtually. I have a gifted student and a special ed student who are both enjoying virtual learning. I’m impressed with how engaging the teachers have been. My children appreciate the virtual lessons and they do not miss all of the distractions and behavioral issues that are in an in person classroom. Teachers are doing a great job! Thank you for keeping our students and staﬀ safe during these uncertain times.

Agenda Items Laura Smith Midlothian Good Evening Board Members, My name is Laura Smith, and I am a Midlothian district parent of four current CCPS students and one graduate. I have commented at previous Board meetings that I consider the presence of a School Nurse to be non- negotiable when considering the re-opening of school for each cohort of the student population. As I have inquired on a fairly regular basis with my school's principal, my School Board representative and Mr. Oyler, I have been assured that CCPS is recruiting and beginning to hire School Nurses for each and every school. The School Board documents for this meeting include a list of recent hires and recent separations. I counted 4 recent hires of School Nurses, but also 3 recent separations of School Nurses. My understanding is that CCPS must hire at least 15 additional school nurses in order to have a full-time nurse at each and every school. Please consider the safety of all students and staﬀ and do not bring back a cohort into a school building until ALL schools have a full time (fully trained) nurse on staﬀ. Thank you, Laura Smith

Agenda Items Elisabeth Read Midlothian Virtual school has been VERY miserable for my children. My 9th grader said “ mom , this is so terrible i am having a hard time focusing and paying attention when i am not in class. “. My 5th grader said “mom, I am getting constant headaches from looking at the computer all day and i really do not understand math online. “. Please please get these children back to in person learning. Virtual school is creating a huge void in their academic lives.

Agenda Items Kathryn Matoaca I have been extremely satisﬁed with virtual learning, apart from the initial technology issues. The teachers are doing a phenomenal job. Middle school and elementary (2nd and 5th). I hope the school board continues to keep the safety of the children and staﬀ at the forefront of decision making and keep them home until it is safe.

Agenda Items Kelly Kieling Clover Hill While the tech issues are real, they are not insurmountable and are already improving daily. Do I want my children at home in front of screens?No. But more importantly, I don't want decisions to be made about going back to school done without proper planning. What happens when a student becomes ill, what about a teacher? What are the expectations of keeping up with classes when a student is required to quarantine? Will an entire household be required to quarantine, if one child is exposed? There are a thousand questions to be answered before students are brought back. And I don't believe the data supports us safely starting the process of bringing back students.

Agenda Items Cheralyn Potts Matoaca Please wait until the numbers of infected community members are smaller before sending our children and valuable community leaders back into unsafe environments.

Agenda Items Lisa Gregory Clover Hill We need to focus on getting the kids back in school period. IT stuﬀ happened, move on, now focus on getting these kids back in school. Even if it is part time they need to go back. Stop assuming they won’t wear masks etc., they will if it is enforced!

Agenda Items Daniel Maze Midlothian I respectfully request that we direct school resources to solving the issue of getting kids back to school safely and quickly. While IT issues were disruptive, they were expected and either under control or very soon will be. I have two children in school and already after 2 weeks I see the ability to comprehend and retain the lessons have diminished tremendously. My oldest is crying and having trouble sleeping because she feels she is not learning as she has in the past. These kids notice they want to go back. I am.optimistic and supportive, but virtual learning is not setting my kids up for success. Frankly, if there is not a clear path to return for those that are willing (such as Hanover)then I will have no choice but to seek options of private shool. My property taxes are paying for in-house instruction. Without a path to return to school, the next step will be to petition for property tax relief and/or vouchers to attend private school.

Agenda Items Doug Twiddy Matoaca I have 4 kids in my house who are doing virtual learning at Alberta Smith Elementary. This whole setup is total chaos even though I have provided the best setup I could for them. Let's get to the real issue though. These kids missed the last 3 months of school last year. We were told the teachers this year would back up and catch up on that PLUS teacher the following years curriculum. That is not happening at all. Now we are letting the kids out 2 hours early every single day. Plus they only get 50 minutes with non-resource teachers each day. That's it for the whole day! There is no scenario where you can tell me you honestly think the children are getting an adequate education this year with this setup. To make it worse, my son has been having a very diﬃcult time with reading and is in a special class for reading. He does get that extra time still but it's virtual. It's not the same. AND he can't get through the daily assignments without my help. I am lucky enough to be able to work from home during this time but I still need to work if I want to pay the bills. I can't sit behind him until 1:00 helping him get through the assignments. We know this virus can be deadly. More speciﬁcally to people with other medical conditions. We also know there are many other things out there killing people at a higher rate. We need to start opening schools back up for teachers, parents, and students that want to be back in class. Let people stay virtual if they choose to. My kids want to be back in school and I want/need them to be there. I'm willing to sign a waiver for it. Please stop hiding behind fear and make the call that the majority of your residents are asking for. Enough is enough!

Agenda Items Laura Frazier Midlothian For psychological health and well being, please allow the kids, especially middle and high school ages, who know how to wear masks and stay distant, return to school at lease 2 days a week! Staring at screens all day will lead to immeasurable, long lasting health issues. In addition it will allow some relief to the technology creating a better virtual environment!! The kids need school!

5 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR SEPT. 14, 2020 SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

Agenda Items Kim Warren Midlothian I am concerned that massive changes to the MLWGS selection process are being proposed on such a rushed schedule.Changes are being suggested for the 21/22 year.Parents and teachers deserve the opportunity to comment on these changes before they are implemented. While not all students at MW come from gifted programs, admissions are intended to favor such applicants because MW is an important part of the CCPS gifted program.Gifted students require special attention.MS gifted programs prepare applicants to programs like MW obtain admission and succeed once admitted.In order to increase diversity at the HS level,focus should be on admission to the gifted programs at the MS level to ensure equality of access.CCPS has improved access by increasing the number of gifted centers but this is an ongoing process.The failure of CCPS to operate E and MS programs that properly reflect the County’s diversity cannot be entirely resolved by arbitrarily changing the HS admissions process.The Governor's school curriculum is challenging academically. To be successful,students admitted to the school should come from a program that has prepared them. E/MS school gifted programs prepare students for the rigor of the work required.Parents and students at all MS should be aware of the opportunity MW provides and do what is necessary to gain admission.Instead, demand is not the consistent across the County.This lack of information needs to be resolved.Arbitrarily sending students from MS's where demand for MW is currently low does not solve the underlying problem. Diversity and equality of access to gifted programs is extremely important.CCPS has taken steps to address the issues gifted students face.Gifted students should have access to gifted programs.It is up to CCPS to ensure that all gifted students are identified and given the appropriate opportunities.MW is a gifted school. If changes such as these are implemented, many of the students that CCPS has spent resources identifying and clustering into CBG academies will be left out of the opportunity to continue their gifted education at a gifted school.The most significant issue is that constituents, especially parents, deserve an opportunity to be heard on this issue.Making a change this significant during a pandemic is not ideal.Many are overwhelmed with emails and navigating virtual school. Please be responsible and allow constructive criticism, alternative ideas and additional concerns to be heard.

Agenda Items Mariano Scian Midlothian Members of the Board: Since the start of the school my autistic stepson has had to do schooling through a virtual environment. This has not gone well. He has gotten distracted, frustrated, and angry at the work. I realize the current situation is necessary, however, children like him require in-person learning. As a full-time working parent of 3 school age children, his situation is not the best. While 2 of my children can navigate the virtual environment well, he cannot. He is not able to follow multistep directions like he is asked to do. Accessing the course online requires too many mouse clicks and passwords that he cannot do independently.Virtual school has been a nightmare. He requires extensive support to meet his educational needs. His LRE, as stated in his IEP, is the ADP program, by nature of being in this program, he requires supports that cannot be accomplished virtually. We have seen a spike in behavioral issues with my him since starting school due to the frustration of being on the computer and not being able to follow the instructions needed to simply access the course much less being able to actually learn. It's quite unacceptable to make students learn virtually across the board when all students cannot learn in this manner; education is not one sized ﬁts all hence IEP's! If the YMCA can host students in the building, then my son's class (only three students) should be able to access the building as well. Make this right and give students with special needs and IEPs access to their education.

Agenda Items Tish Rothenbach Midlothian Virginia COVID-19 numbers have consistently been between 800-1200 per day. These numbers have been stable since June. There is NO reason to keep our students from in person learning. While the teachers have been great in adapting to Virtual learning; it is unfair that teachers are being placed in direct line of parent's frustrations. The frustrations should not be placed or vented to the teachers, they should be directed to you, the SCHOOL BOARD, with exception to Mr. Harter. The ONLY board member who stood up to CEA and their unrealistic demands. Mr. Harter, we appreciate you! Thank you for being bold, strong, and brave in a society where it is acceptable to display bullying, violent, unnecessary behavior.

We all know that virtual learning is not ideal for every student or family. It is horrible that CCPS are expecting day cares and before/after school programs to work for virtual learning to help families. CCPS you need to get your act together and do better for our kids. This is not an ideal situation and there is NO reason, the numbers do not ﬁt this virtual learning. PLEASE reopen our schools!

Agenda Items Maurie Pullicino Midlothian I understand the restrictions due to COVID, but I currently have a ﬁrst grader and I have found the schedule and requirements are a struggle for a 6 year old! I am also currently working from home and am not able to take oﬀ all morning to assist and keep him focused as much as I would like or that he needs! My son usually loves school but now cries everyday out of frustration! First grade is supposed to have a social aspect to it in order for kids to develop as well. This virtual setting and having mute signs for kids does not allow for that! My son actually said on Friday that “he is ready to go back to school now because the teachers seemed to care more then!” Said through tears! Something needs to change sooner then later!

Agenda Items Amanda Martens Matoaca I believe we are doing a disservice to our kids with the virtual only option. We are dividing Chesterfield into the 'haves' and 'have not's.' Some parents are able to send their kids to private schools to get the one-on-one, some can afford a one-on-one tutor to help with school, while others struggle because of two working parents, some not having internet service, and the ones who are unable to learn online because of their disabilities. I am fortunate that my husband and I are able to work from home during this, but saddened to see how they are learning. As I sat with my crying child this morning who could not keep up with what the teacher was doing because the servers are too slow, I watched kids have unrelated conversations in chat, kids showing their loose tooth or cat, and even a teacher who had to excuse herself while helping her own child with their schooling. Meanwhile, my child is trying to hear what the teacher is saying over the other various conversations and toggle between canvas and google meet to keep up with the teacher. Oh, great…now I need to figure out how to hook up another screen to his chromebook so he can see what the teacher is showing and the assignment or other website they need to access at the same time. One of my son’s teacher sends an email to parents letting us know that kids are getting a zero if they don’t turn in the work or follow her directions exactly of how to upload it. He has tried to upload several times, so I take his computer to do it for him (mind you, I work with google drive everyday). I follow the directions to a T….nothing worked. Kids on class are unable to keep up because their internet or old chromebook will not allow the other sites that the teacher wants them to go on to load. And these are the lucky kids. Do you know that there are many kids out there not even enrolled in school this year? Why, because they either have disabilities that prevent the parents being able to help and work, or the kids do not have access to the internet service. How is this fair or legal? Other areas are able to offer parents a choice and meet the needs of the student. Why not Chesterfield? Why even ask our opinion? You got it and chose to go against it. Why have a Public Health Committee when even though they set the standards in the beginning, decided to add one in when we met the standards to go in person? When will the equal education of our kids mean more than the threats of the Chesterfield Education Association?

Agenda Items Marcy Boclair Clover Hill I am very much in support of continuing virtual learning. I do not feel comfortable that the school can maintain the safety of my children in a face to face environment. How will bussing be managed? How will social distancing be handled? How long does the disinfectant need to stay wet to fully clean? Is this time longer than the period between classes? How long will students and teachers need to quarantine when someone in a class tests positive? How will we be notiﬁed when someone is positive? Who is responsible for testing?