Highlights from School Board Meeting 5/17
UPDATE: This was just tweeted by @RPS_Schools: “City School Administration Proposes Premiere Preschool Learning Center http://bit.ly/d1L2Of” The link is to a News Release by the Administration. Looks like there will be an opportunity for parents to walk through Maymont Elementary School before the next meeting on May 27th at 5pm.
VPI Highlights from Meeting:
I attended the school board meeting last night and on the agenda was a proposed plan to consolidate the VPI programs of Fox, Munford, Cary, Maymont and Clark Springs into one building at Maymont ES. Another part of the plan is to move Maymont students to Clark Springs and move other preschool populations around the city to the new preschool center at Maymont.
The only new portion of the plan was a little more clarification as to the actual workings of the center: We will be providing: food services, before and after school care, part time nursing services, part time media services, and art and music on a rotational base. The research-based language and literacy strategies implemented in our Federal Early Reading First Project, with the Literacy Foundation and Virginia Commonwealth University, will be integrated into the Maymont Preschool Center.
There was also an extensive time line and implementation plan which lists these future dates:
- May 21th- meeting with preschool staff to discuss transfer procedures
- May 27th – public hearing at Maymont Elementary 6:00pm
- June 7th – school board votes
If the plan is approved, then:
- June 24th-July 2nd – Begin cleanup/repairs of Maymont
- July 6th-10th – walk through of Maymont and Clark Springs for Administration
- August – Conduct transition and welcome activities for students and parents
(I’ve really only included those dates pertinent to the VPI transfer. If you are interested in Maymont’s move to Clark Springs let me know and I can share those dates as well.)
Those who spoke regarding VPI were either parents of Mary Munford students or Fox students. And, most were far more concerned about the timing of this process than the plan itself.
The new piece in the plan about working with the Literacy Foundation and VCU is intriguing to me. What if they led with the benefits of this program instead of the money it is going to save RPS? Would parents get more excited about a program if they were told about the good things about it and given some research to support this plan (eight months ago) instead of just being told the financial benefits?
Another interesting thing that came up is that in the budget, VPI is only approved for one more year. Next year we will have to wait until the budget is passed to find out if it will continue. Is it worth all of this fuss only to do the preschool center for one year?
This article in the RTD raises some interesting questions (along with including a lot of comments!). Is it only Fox and Munford parents who object to the center? How do parents in the three other VPI programs feel?
Spanish Immersion Highlights:
As to the Spanish Immersion portion of the public comments, a Fox parent and a Fox teacher both asked the School Board to revise their plan of reimplementing Spanish Immersion for K and 1st grades and instead continuing the program for those students who have already begun. So making the program available in 1st and 2nd grades instead. I agree with that suggestion given the fact that that will be the only way to ascertain the program’s worth. While the first choice would be to have the program to continue to grow, if it cannot, it should continue for the students who have already experienced it.
I think that this program could potentially bring more students to the RPS system. A neighbor of mine moved from Hanover County so that his son could be involved in the program.
MORE TIME LINE:
May 18th – parent meeting at Clark Springs
May 20th – meet with teachers of affected schools to discuss human resource options and inform of transfer procedures, if necessary
May 21 – Meet with preschool teachers and staff to answer HR questions
May 21 – Principals contact internal school auditors to discuss procedures to close out accounts for student activity funds.
May 27th – tour of Maymont 5pm, public hearing @ Maymont 6pm
June 7th – Consider approval of Pre-K transition recommendation
Upon School Board Approval
June 7th – Notify staff of placements
June 8th – Disseminate and discuss possible transportation routes with PMOC and school administration
June 10th – Meet with key admin personnel at Clark Springs and Maymont to discuss the logistics of the transition
June 10th – meet with staff of Maymont and Clark Springs
June 11th – Send Maymont students new school assignment letters home through the USPS
June 11th-16th – Plan events to commemorate and recognize Maymont ES
June 16th-21st – Plan and schedule an Open House for new parents and students who will be attending Clark Springs 2010-11
June 16th-23rd – Meet with staff to discuss technology, furniture, and other assets and all RPS instructional materials. Teachers personal materials packed and labeled for distribution
June 16th-23rd – Begin the process of packing and labeling for delivery of materials to assigned locations
June 17th – Meet with business and community partners of both schools
June 24th – Begin the process of transferring information from the AS400 to respective receiving schools (completion date: June 28th)
June 24th – Review, coordinate, pick-up, and transfer student records. Discuss a place to hold records until students physically report to schools
June 24th-30th – Complete student records transfers
June 24th-July 2nd – Begin the total school clean up/repairs of Maymont
June 24th-July2nd – Transfer property/books/curriculum materials/supplies/computers to assigned locations
July 6th-10th – Principal and central office perform a walk-through of both physical plants (Clark Springs and Maymont)
August – Conduct transition and welcome activities for students and parents
August – Send official bus routes to parents of Maymont students
Thanks for the info. I work at one of the schools being merged and this timeline concerns me and only adds to the argument of why last minute planning is poor judgement.
Brandon provided the school board with information on dates that has not been mentioned at all to teachers. It is one thing to pack up your classroom for the summer, it is a whole other thing to pack up your room to be moved to another location. June 22nd is the last day for students, June 23rd is the last day for teachers, one day to pack up and label everything in a classroom is not a simple task. Or are they expecting us to do “pitch in and do our part?”
I know these posts have been mostly about the parents being given such short notice, but as a teacher I have to add my part as well. They have known this was a suggestion/possibility for quite some time. I say to RPS: Respect your staff, students and the entire school community as a whole by planning properly and involving us in the decision making process. We might just have valuable feedback that wouldn’t include the backlash coming your way now due to no planning and no input!
To the teacher – your feedback was great. If it helps, the VPI teachers are VERY valued and appreciated by the children and parents. I have spent 4 years researching the VPI program, thinking I would get two sides and then weigh my options. I only got one side, because all the parents think you all are great and I never heard anything negative. I was soo excited to be accepted into a program that would integrate my son into the school system.
I feel that Brandon has very much disrespected the line staff, the parents and children of all the schools involved.
- only inviting a few school to the unannounced meeting on the 14th
- giving a few days notice for the meeting on the 17th and again not realistically notifing the public and all parties impacted.
- in the meeting on the 14th, she informed us that she spoke to some of the teachers and their only concern was if they could decorate their classrooms (again, the teachers I have met seem to care about the children, families, communities and have an expertise about this age group not just a focus on interior design)
- It is disrespectful and just wrong to accept children into a program that she takes away less than a week later.
- what concerns me most is that if she treats everyone like this now, how is she going to treat the children, families etc. after the school year starts. What changes will take place unannounced at a later date.
-It appears no feedback was gathered from anyone really involved in the program (teachers, children, teacher aides, parents) How does she know what the needs of the community she wants to serve are???? Has anyone spoke to some of the families in the neighborhood to inquire if they want this program? and if so, what their needs are? This is how a mass program succeeds. A program should not be developed without hearing from the people it serves. This takes time, generally years (Charter school). Going to an an out of zone school takes transportation. Some families might not have transportation (VA is fast to take away drivers license for unpaid court costs and any drug/alcohol offense.)
As I need to get back to my own 4 year old, I must go. But I will discuss my concerns with funding later.
Can you please post the dates for Maymont’s move to Clark Springs?
The principal at Fox has made it clear that the superintendent’s plan will be followed. As a Fox parent, its clear to me that the school and RPS will be a top down organization as long as those in power continue.
@Teacher: I posted more of the time line. Looks like actual, physical move of Maymont to Clark Springs is June 24th-July 2nd
My understanding is that this is funded 1/2 by virginia state lottery funds and 1/2 by local funds. The guidelines on the VPI applicatin for 2010-2011 application for funding was due May 14, 2010 and based on applications approved for admission.
I inquired with the VA Board of Education, if the program changed after the application deadline and more or less children were accepted or able to attend, would the funds change. The person indicated they prefer no changes, but they do accpet recertifications. Generally, funding cannot increase, as they don’t have a surplus of funds. However, if #’s decrease, funding decreases.
I am interested to know if children applied and were not accepted? If so, in what districts?
Not sure how they are going to come up with accurate head count of students, as parents are unsure about this idea and may continue to not know what they will do.
Funny…I understand that almost none of these dates (especially the transfer meeting TOMORROW with HR) have been communicated directly to Maymont or Clark Springs staff, either by their respective school admin, HR or any other central admin department or their school board rep. So they had to read about dates that directly affect their jobs on a community website. Way to go, RPS.
Too bad there’s not a recall mechanism that would allow us to get rid of Brandon.
I’m a bystander in all of this but a friend of mine works at Maymont and she said that it is a flurry of maintenance people over there cleaning, painting and all sorts of maintenance issues. Seems to me they should not try and cover anything up or change the views of the school but rather be honest and talk about what they are going to improve upon. All that activity can’t be productive for students or teachers.
FYI –
I received a phone call about the VPI. The message invited me to one of 3 sessions. Monday at Mary Munford, Tuesday at Fox or Wendsday at John B. Cary. At least they gave us a little advanced notice, although, these meetings might be hard for working parents as they are in the middle of the day.
I am still curious and very concerned as to why we have not heard the voices of families from the Maymont School and Clarks Springs????
The meeting at John B. Cary on Wednesday is at 6:30 pm and that’s the one I can attend.
Does anyone know if Maymont or Clark Springs was invited to any of these sessions??
I continue to feel that they are very impacted by these changes and know more than we do about how the Maymont school has operated. I am not sure if I understand correctly, but I thought someone posted an email that the principal of Maymont would continue to be principal. Since the proposal is to take children out of their districts, and into Maymont and Clark Springs district they would be more knowledgeable to how this district operates.
Maymont/Clark Springs parents don’t feel terribly affected by this. Clark Springs students are not really affected at all and given the close proximity of these two schools, Maymont parents see their kids going to school a few blocks away.
I disagree with the comment that Maymont Staff/Parents are o.k. with this move. We are wondering if we will be offered a walk-through of Clark Springs, and if the walls are going to be steamed and painted, trimmed trees, clean black top, new computers, repairs that have been an issue all school year etc. Come correct, because “WE” are ‘CONCERNED’.
I hope parents of young children, both those affected directly next year and others with youngsters on the way will plan to attend the open house and public hearing at Maymont tomorrow evening. Facilitator Don earned his money at the Munford meeting earlier this week. (seriously, as a meeting facilitator he was pretty dog on good) I’m hoping at some point there will be an opportunity to have an open dialog with RPS before the board votes.
One thing of note from the meeting at Munford… it was announced that the person in charge of the new ‘premiere’ preschool learning center will be a lead teacher. Administration of the center will be the responsibility of the current Maymont principal, Battle, but she will be doing so from her new office at Clark Springs. I don’t know anything about Principal Battle but I assume she is “top notch” and that her track record at Maymont and previous schools would verify this.
Parents – Please do show up for the meeting tonight and be reminded to ask the hard questions,the ones that really matter to you. Please look past the almost total rehab that has taken place at Maymont within the past week and please don’t be distracted with the carnival like atmosphere RPS is attempting to bring to this event with vendors, ice cream and free giveaways. Ask yourself what is best for your child and the children of RPS and listen to see if your questions get answered.
Is this pretty much a done deal? Is the vote a formality? How did the public hearing go? I am trying to decide if I should make other plans for my child’s preschool next year.
I am a Maymont parent who attended last night’s meeting. First of all, I saw the condition Maymont was in a couple weeks ago. Since then, they have redone the landscaping, repainted, scrubbed the windows-all sorts of things. There was even a massive portable air conditioner brought into the auditorium, which according to a teacher who spoke, wasn’t there the previous day. Lots of Maymont parents as well as an REA rep spoke about these changes and asked why, if the building wasn’t good enough for the incoming VPI community, has the building been “good enough” for Maymont students and staff? A very curious thing happened: When it was pointed out that much of this work interrupted SOL testing and test prep time, Dr. Brandon left the stage and was seen conferring with Maymont’s principal. Shortly thereafter, the principal spoke to “reassure” that no work was done during SOL testing (which is in direct contradiction to what teachers and my kids have told me). Have you no shame, Dr. Brandon?
Overall, there were very few people in favor of the plan as is (and most of them appeared to be ‘ringers’- one even admitted to being invited from Lynchburg to speak in favor of the plan). Some VPI parents felt this could be a good idea, but only if properly researched and planned, not rushed through the process, giving parents no other options. Many other parents were bothered by the discontinuity of sending their child to Maymont for VPI, then back to Fox, Munford, Cary, etc for K-5.
Is it a done deal? Good question. This is Richmond, after all. But there’s a meeting on June 7 that could use a large turnout.
I support the new proposal and have been very vocal about it. I find it tragic that parents are enraged over where their child goes to preschool for one year (as he/she proceeds to the districted elementary school for kindergarten), but yet no one stands up to really address more critical issues, such as the public middle schools that have mixed reviews and questionable test scores.
Is the new FPI proposal an inconvenience for some of us in regard to commute? Is this short notice of change? Could aspects of the plan need tweaking? Surely, yes to all of these things. But overall, we now have an opportunity to make this early childhood school something incredible– something that may not have happened had the programs remained small and separate in their current locations. I certainly did not see parents vocal about the pre-K budget or curriculum last year when we thought all was well.
The school board has two months to make Maymont a fully customized preschool facility. Can it be done? Absolutely— this is already a working school with good bones in place. Also, with a parent advisory board, concerns can be addressed over the summer before the doors open in September.
If parents were more into problem solving and creative solutions than just objections and criticism, we could put together a solid, effective facility.
LVB-
Parents are upset because we were left completely out of the loop on this decision. Moreover, Brandon clearly had the votes to pass the measure before it was offered.
I, for one, would have been happy to “problem solve” and seek “creative solutions.” That requires being part of the process.
But to be clear, I think were are attempting to “problem solve” now. By solving the problem this school administration has created.
LVB – to bring middle schools into THIS discussion has no merit. Yes, middle schools need serious help (not just in Richmond, there is a nationwide middle school crisis) but this is about RPS Admin making decisions w/out input and then wondering why people are enraged.
Public hearings/meetings are an example of our democratic process in action, not perfect but at least our elected officials must sit and listen to our concerns. Let’s be reminded THIS issue is about NOT having a voice at all in the process/decision.
We’re talking about RPS here, they can’t make anything happen in 2months, ie. computers in the warehouse. Except when they attempted to rehab an aging building in 1 week, greatly disrupting the learning environment. So what proof, evidence do you have that RPS can get effectively get this done in such a short time frame? They can’t even get the current Maymont cleaned out until sometime after June 22nd – students’ last day.
I support the idea and think its a great idea! But parents and teachers object to not being involved in the “problem solving” and “creative solutions” as you suggest. We have them but no one wants to hear them.
Does a “lead teacher” have the administrative capabilities to manage and lead this larger facility?
This is reminiscent of last year when the board voted on a recommendation ot move a school Last year, Richmond Community’s students were moved from the elite Richmond’s West End to the North Side of Richmond on Brookland Park Blvd. This move was absent of a “hurrah” to court your interest and support as what has been done with the present proposal. And this change affected students for up to 4 years. Parental perspective was VERY minimally considered, if at all. I don’t believe the staff was given an opportunity for input,either. Maybe because although these students are viewed as possessing academic talent, their socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities differ from the majority of students that comprise Munford’s and Fox’s enrollments. SO, it was presented, approved, and now Community High is in the old Chandler building. Many of the traditional behaviors and experiences that made Community a community have been significantly modified. Those students see Brookland Park and areas like it EVERY DAY. They don’t see areas like Libbie and Patterson (the old location) often. Removal from the introduction of the upper eschelon exposure potentially has affected their knowledge of what “could be”. At least the center-based preschool is all inclusive and still in the west end and only impacts one year and the students obviously will get a different view. How refreshing! The program should not change. Embrace it, althewhile knowing changes will come. Try it out. It’s unlikely that they will let the Fox and Munford parents down. No way!
My understanding of this plan is to create more spaces for kindegarten students at Fox and Munford. Does anyone know when this part of the plan is suppossed to take place??? Will this impact kindegarten for the 2010 school year?
On the eve of the school board vote tomorrow, I’d just like to remind everyone affected to turn out to hear the discussion, take note of your board member’s engagement of the issues, and hear their vote first-hand. Bring your smart phone – you’ll want to be one of the first to email your current PK school to secure a spot for next year should this ill-conceived plan win the endorsement of your school board.
I think the real issue here is not being stated, but brought out as other issues. This is my take, only my opinion. I believe that the parents from Munford, and Fox are more or less upset because their children will be attending school with children THEY believe are less fortunate, and other races(not their own). Parents, are you really concerned about the equality of learning your child will get by attending Maymont? I am an outstanding parent, and I stay at home with my child to ensure that she gets the best proper bringing up. I teach my daughter to love everyone, that no one is above or better than her, and she’s no better than anyone else. I do understand a few of the reasons why parents are upset, I would’ve wanted to be informed in an amicable way that my child and myself will be impacted by such a decision. I do believe some of the parents are over compelling in this matter. I do believe the superintendent could’ve done better than this, but what is done now, is done? What can we do now? How about make the best of it! Your child will only be attending Maymont for just…one…year! Stop stressing yourselves out, and think of a plan to better the situation for now. My daughter is not affected by any of this, my husband and I aren’t in any of these school zones, but we are allowing our daughter to attend this program, because we believe it will be a good learning tool, and experience for her to know the REAL world around her. We both know that when she starts kindergarten she will be at Linwood Holton, so we’re not up in the air. What we should start doing as parents, since Fox and Munford had more programs provided for them, why not get together and request the same programs provided at these other schools? We, the parents make the difference in our children’s lives, and long as you are involved, make your voice heard with the teachers and principal, I think everything will be okay:) Relax, and live a little…