Distributed Free On Fridays For 11 Years! February 12, 2021 www.pcpatriot.com Locally Owned And Operated Insuring You & Yours School equity plan Ok’d, draws support, opposition By MIKE WILLIAMS The Patriot The Pulaski County School Board on Tuesday voted 4-1 to adopt a Comprehensive Plan for Equity that drew comments for Karen Tuggle Brad Alley Lynn White and against from several speak- ers. The plan is in response to state Home • Auto • Life • Business guidelines for school systems to bathrooms and locker rooms. Siers noted during the meeting eliminate racial and socio-eco- Several speakers expressed the goal could also include “sexu- nomic inequities in Virginia’s support for the plan. al orientation” in that list as well. public education system. Ashley Bowman said people The plan is divided into six During the public comment pe- have always opposed change, but parts – or “strategies:” riod of the meeting, the proposed the “data is clear, black and brown 1-PCPS will conduct an equity plan came under fire immediately children are disciplined more and audit at each school. from two citizens – Gina Paine their test scores are lower.” She 2-PCPS will launch an equity and Billy Williams. added, “things have not been eq- awareness campaign for its facul- Paine said the “racial and social uitable in the past.” ty and staff members. 611 East Main Street equity plan scraps the concept of Pulaski County Education As- 3-PCPS will develop a pro- Dublin, VA 24084 • 540-674-4678 equality of opportunity and re- sociation President Candace Cas- fessional development plan and places it with equity and equality telluccio said the PCEA is fully calendar that includes a variety www.insurancecenterofdublin.com of outcome.” supportive of the plan as are the of equity-based opportunities for She said her opposition cen- state and national education asso- faculty and staff. ters around three areas, includ- ciations. Long-Range Strategies WEEKEND WEATHER ing school faculties undergoing The plan as presented by 4-PCPS will increase the di- mandatory equity training, es- School Superintendent Dr. Kevin versity of its teaching faculty. Saturday Sunday tablishment of “equity teams” in Siers and a multi-member equity 5-PCPS will build an invento- each school and the creation and advisory team lists as its goal to ry of instructional resources and Rain. High near 35. Chance of Mostly cloudy, with a high near funding of a black history club in “eliminate the predictability of materials that reflects the diver- precipitation is 80%. 41. the school system which she said student outcomes based on race, sity of the Pulaski County com- seems “biased.” gender, elementary school atten- munity. Saturday Night - Cloudy, with Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy, Williams said his concerns cen- dance zone, ability, socio-eco- 6-PCPS will develop programs, a low around 32. Chance of with a low around 28. ter around rules regarding trans- nomic status, and/or languages precipitation is 30%. gender students and the sharing of spoken at home.” See PLAN, page A2 SAFE Center of SWVA opens to provide needed service in Pulaski By MIKE WILLIAMS rals to help victims heal after an assault and will col- The Patriot lect evidence to improve the investigation and prose- cution of these cases. These services will be offered It has been a long time in coming, but finally this to anyone in the Town of Pulaski, Pulaski County, week April Bennett saw her dream realized with Dublin, or surrounding areas. the opening of a community based Forensic Nurse A Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) is a Registered Examiner program in Pulaski. Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse who has received A ribbon cutting event – hosted by Bennett’s special education and training to enable them to pro- RV & Primitive company Medical Consulting Services, LLC which vide care to victims of violence. FNEs provide trau- Camping will staff the program – was held Monday after- ma informed care to victims, blending the holistic Campground noon. care of nursing with standards from medicine, sci- Kayak SAFE Center of Southwest Virginia is now open ence, and law. A forensic patient is a patient who has Tubing in office space provided by the Free Clinic of Pulas- a healthcare issue and overlaps with the legal system. ki on Fourth Street N.W. While evidence collection and courtroom testimony Shuttle Service Medical Consulting Services, LLC will staff are part of the FNE role, the medical wellbeing of the the center to provide confidential, compassionate, patient is the primary concern of the FNE. 2257 Reed Creek Drive, Draper, VA 24324 comprehensive, trauma-informed services to adult “The Free Clinic of Pulaski has very generously (276) 620-1374 and adolescent victims of domestic violence, sexu- donated 2 rooms to Medical Consulting Services, [email protected] al assault, dating violence, and stalking. LLC to be used for forensic exams and office space. The center will provide medical care and refer- Like Us On Facebook See CENTER, page A3 WE’VE GOT JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! Clerical positions available in Pulaski and Radford are temporary to permanent positions with great companies! Classifieds Jobs in Pulaski available paying $13.50 - $18.00 per hour. Lots of jobs available in Meadows of Dan and FREE Hillsville areas as well. Valley Staffing Inc. Call 540-808-3949 Wright Ave., Dublin, Va. SOMETHING TO SELL? TO SOMETHING 540-674-3103 We've Got Got We've Locally Owned & Operated • www.valleystaffingjobs.com Page A2 - The Patriot - February 12, 2021 be allowed. Ingles District representative dards for grading. chance from the very beginning. Siers responded that it would, Penny Golden, however, noted Siers agreed, noting he didn’t “Not every child is starting Plan adding that the high school and that wording in the plan supports know where that opinion came on a level playing field. We can’t Continued from Page A1 middle school have processes in that misperception and clearly from. He said information from truly control all outcomes, but we place for clubs to be brought into mentions “African Americans.” the state said just the opposite – can do all we can to make sure support systems, and school cul- the school. They are just required Siers interjected that the word- that such plans actually result in a child has a better opportunity tures that are steeped in equity to have a faculty sponsor. ing in the plan could be changed increasing standards and raising for a better outcome. That’s our practices and value the diversity “Overall, what we’re trying to not single out one group and be expectations and opportunities responsibility as a board,” Hurst of our community. to do is make sure that everyone more inclusive as was the intent. for all students. said. (Details on each strategy can feels a part of Pulaski County Massie District representative Board Chairman Tim Hurst In the end, Siers recommended be found on the school system’s Schools. It’s just a simple con- Becki Cox asked Siers if there is spoke last, noting he had read the board vote on approving the website at pcva.us under the cept. “We don’t want anybody to any group that would not be able material over the past month in first five strategies of the plan, “Board” tab in “Board Docs). feel they are un-welcome in our to request a club at the high school. an effort to understand equity vs. then next month consider the Siers said the plan basically schools. And we know from the Siers said if a “hate group” were equality. sixth strategy after it is reworded “looks at what we’re doing now conversations that we have had to be requested “we’d have to use “It’s really how we look at to be more inclusive. and incorporates diversity,” not- that we don’t currently meet that discretion and say no.” things,” he said. Cash made the motion to ap- ing the effort would have an ef- goal,” Siers explained. “We want groups that are there “Whether it be race, gender prove the first five strategies, with fect on 20 to 25 percent of the “We have students who feel to help and uplift students,” he or socio-economic status, we’re Cloyd District representative Bill system’s student body and up to un-welcome, unappreciated and continued. talking about making sure every- Benson offering a second. 50 percent when students in pov- who feel they’re different and Cox also noted she did not be- body starts on a level playing field It passed on a 4-1 vote with erty are included. can’t fit in and can’t be success- lieve the plan would lower stan- and providing the same actual Golden voting no. One strategy of the plan – num- ful. And we just want to remove ber six involving “developing whatever is causing those types of programs, support systems and feelings and try to give everyone school cultures that are steeped a successful educational experi- in equity practices and value the Town of Pulaski says ence,” he continued. diversity of our community” – Cash noted she believes there drew the most discussion. is a misperception that the plan is Vice Chairman Dr. Paige Cash only for a particular race of stu- asked Siers that if a faculty mem- dents. Martin agrees to move ber at the high school requested “I want to correct that misper- to start an LGBTQ club would it Statement issued by the erty to relocate his residence. In taken by Mr. Martin to ensure a ception,” she said. Town of Pulaski addition, Mr.