FCPS Board Meeting Summary
March 6, 2023
About the Meeting
Recognitions
James Monroe Theater Department
Character Education Spotlight
Walker-Grant Middle School State World Geography Bee Winners
The following students from Walker-Grant Middle School were recognized as State World Geography Bee Winners:
Adam Loudabachi
Zyair Franklin
Thomas Castellarin
Adam Brough
Elham Azimi
The students competed in State in February and will be competing in Nationals in June. They will also have the opportunity to compete in International.
Lafayette Elementary School Black History Month Contest Winners
Students from Lafayette Elementary School participated in the Annual Writing Contest that was sponsored by the The following student from Lafayette Elementary School were recognized as Black History Month Contest Winners:
Tanisha Savage
Michelle Micken-Yeboah
Jaiden Hill
Optimist Student of the Month
School Maintenance Worker Celebration
A video featuring the FCPS Maintenance Department was shown recognizing School Maintenance workers.
James Carneal - Supervisor
John Carneal - Head Grounds Keeper
Justin Corbin - Electrician
Michael Christopher - Mason Permit Liaison
Rob Dennis, Carpenter - Painter, Multi-Purpose
Tim Eustler - HVAC
Marcellus Williams - Multi-Purpose
Woodrow Coppage - Multi-Purpose
David Craft - Multi-Purpose
Bryan Hayes - Multi-Purpose
Mark Payne - HVAC
Richard Spears - Fields, Delivery
Frank Dodson - Plumber
Jeffrey Morgan - Mechanic
School Nutrition Worker Celebration
FCPS School Nutrition Workers were recognized. A brief video was shown highlighting the work the department did and the initiatives they supported.
School Counselor Celebration
The following school counselors were recognized:
Annette Richards
Caitlin Cummings
Holly Stinchcomb
Kasper Diller
Sarah Brady
April Dillow
Carrie Harmsen
Janet Nelson
Kim Cunningham
Sharon Johnson
Speech Pathologist Celebration
The following Speech Pathologist were recognized:
Patricia Paquette
Tori White
Leslie Joy
School Social Workers
School Social Workers recognized were:
Catherine Eicke
Barrie Massey
Ashley Modesto
Jennifer Bunn
Jeanette Alexander
Stephanie Minor
School Resource Officer Celebration
The following Police Officer and School Resources Officers were recognized for their continued support and work with Fredericksburg City Public Schools.
Fredericksburg City Police Sgt. Aimee Lynch
School Resource Officer - Fredericksburg Police Officer Uyuree Brown-Kaleopaa
School Resource Officer - Fredericksburg Police Officer Chris Florio
Digital Learning Day
Public Hearing on 2023 - 2024 School Operating Budget and Special Grants Budgets and Capital Improvement Budget
Jessica Kujala spoke regarding teacher salaries. She made comparisons to teacher salaries in FCPS compared to Stafford. She also addressed teacher retention and tuition reimbursement.
Hearing of Citizens
Nico Berardelli, volunteer assistant coach for JMHS baseball. He asked for support from the school division and the Maintenance Department to maintain the field the team plays on. The field was not only used by the school division but also the Sunshine Ballpark.
Consent Agenda
Head Start Approvals
2022-2023 Ranking Sheet.pdf (boarddocs.com)
The following business were approved to be nominated to receive VSBA Business Honor Roll recognition:
Downtown Greens-Environmental Learning Opportunities
Gabirel Pon - Local Mural Artist
University of Mary Washington Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) - Student Support Group
Action Items
Personnel Items
Recommended personnel items Personnel Packet 030623 - Minutes.pdf (boarddocs.com)
School Division Operating, Special Revenue (Grants) and Capital Improvements Budget for 2023 - 2024 Microsoft Word - FY24 School Board Approved Budget (20230305).docx (boarddocs.com)
Bus Charging Station Participation Agreement Charging Station Participation Agreement (Fredericksburg) (Executed)(168461818.1).pdf (boarddocs.com)
First Amendment to the Bus Charging Station Participation Agreement Dominion-Fredericksburg First Amendment to Charging Station Participation Agreement execution version.pdf (boarddocs.com)
Informational Items
Scorecard Monitoring
Monthly Financial Report
Below is the link to the presentation.
Policy EFB - Food Services and JHCF - Student Wellness
Facilities & Safety Update
1. CTE Cosmetology Lab at James Monroe has been completed and power to the 20 workstations in the Cosmetology lab has been fully upgraded. The lab is fully operable.
2. LED Lighting:
LED lighting retrofitting is now on-going at Hugh Mercer Elementary School.
Both Lafayette Elementary and Walker Grant Middle School have been completed, except for a few minor punch list items.
Cannister lighting fixtures needed to finish the auditorium at James Monroe High School have still not yet arrived. Once they do arrive, they will be installed as quickly as possible.
3. Electric Bus Charging Stations:
As previously communicated, the total number of parking spaces on the James Monroe High School campus are fewer than current code requires. In order for the minor site plan to be approved by the city, a parking study from a third-party vendor must first be conducted. Our partners at Dominion Power are working with the school division to obtain these services. The study will take several weeks once commissioned, which will delay the project’s completion date somewhat.
4. Solar Power:
On February 22nd, a crew from ABM’s solar power sub-contractor examined Hugh Mercer Elementary, Lafayette Elementary, Walker-Grant Middle School, and the Walker-Grant Center. This is a preliminary step in the ultimate installation of solar power panels at these facilities. Once devised, the project schedules at these sites will be communicated to the Board.
The following safety update was given:
Dr. Eberhardt shared that when replacing the LED lights at Walker-Grant Middle School it was discovered that there were emergency batteries in the lights. They were able to replace fifty-seven batteries saving between $5,000 and $7,000. They were also investigating smart metal detectors. The system being investigated will be able to determine weapons other than guns. Stop the bleed kits have been purchased for every classroom, training is being planned. A safety campaign to help students understand the dangers of vaping and opioid use is being planned.
Middle School Update
Old Business
New Business
March 8, 2023 - COSSBA Urban Board Program Webinar - Mr. Rowe and Dr. Catlett were registered.
April 13, 2023 - VSBA Hot Topic Conference
2023 VSBA Virtual Regional Spring Network Forum - Mr. Rowe and Dr. Catlett were registered. Mrs. Pomeroy and Mrs. Holmes expressed interest in attending.
May 16, 2023 - VSBA Budget Workshop
Mrs. Holmes mentioned the VSBA 4-Part Webinar Series featuring Bill Daggett. Mrs. Boyd and Dr. Catlett expressed interest in attending.
Good of the Order
Mrs. Pomeroy reminded everyone that March Madness was starting up again. She also shared that Downtown Greens and Friends of the Rappahannock would be planting trees three mornings in March at the new Downtown Green's property which was by the FCPS bus lot. There would be some public tree planting opportunities as well.
Mrs. Holmes shared information about the Downtown Run Around, which was the annual fund-raising event for Downtown Greens. She shared that people had one month to complete the 5K. Can still register.
Rowe - Congratulated Walker-Grant and the students who won the State World Geography Bee and those going to participate in Nationals.
Next Meeting Dates
School Board meetings are held at the Walker-Grant Center (unless otherwise noted).
- Regular School Board Meeting: April 3, 2023 - 6:30 Closed Session/7:30 Open Session at the Walker-Grant Center
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Fredericksburg City School Board
Fredericksburg City School Board Contact
Email: awilson@cityschools.com
Website: www.cityschools.com
Location: 210 Ferdinand Street, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: 540 372 1130