You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. Hes not going to lie to me about that, Shelley said. Attention rising 7th & 12th graders! Archives. Pre-Registration for 2022-2023 School Year is Now Open. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), Spotsylvania woman, 29, killed in crash Thursday morning, Woman pleads guilty to bashing former roommate with bat, Police cite medical emergency in Spotsylvania crash, Spotsylvania approves rezoning, making way for 'techno campus', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Virginia aerialist wins 'Americas Got Talent: All Stars', New commuter bus routes coming to Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania man convicted after being caught in child pornography sting, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Spotsylvania schools' new chief of staff will be "legislative liaison" for school division, Spotsylvania School Board member charged with forgery, Virginia State Police seek public's help in fatal crash investigation, Spotsylvania man convicted of felony in driveway shooting, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. The board listened to several hours of public comments. I think the parents that were motivated to run for office felt that their point of view about what they wanted to see in education was not being elevated, Chu said, pointing especially to arguments about the citys gifted and talented programs. SCPS Retirees - please be sure to check out the HR Retirement webpage for updated information and the new Aetna Welcome Packet. Together, we prepare our students for their future! Comments (-1) . In the same video, Schillinger of the Back to School PA PAC said her group promoted 210 parent candidates just in the state of Pennsylvania, 60 percent of whom won their races. GRADUATION INFORMATION -- All 2023 high school graduations will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 8:00 a.m. about 2 months ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, CONGRATULATIONS to this year's Spelling Bee Champion Amaanat Banwait, a 5th grader at Spotswood ES, and Runner-Up Daphne Reno, a 7th grader at Battlefield MS! January 19, 2022 at 8:50 a.m. EST. In Virginia, Spotsylvania County schools superintendent S. Scott Baker announced he would be retiring at the end of the year. The School Board joined together in a 7-0 vote to pass Superintendent Mark Taylors proposed 2024 budget as well as three new policies. Twigg asked that the microphone be cut off on several people who started to express concerns about the boards appointment of Mark Taylor as superintendent, stating that the limit on speakers who could address that topic had been reached. Spotsylvania County 9104 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553. Together, we prepare our students for their future. Motion Information Browser: Browser Version: Server: Username: Meeting: Meeting Status: New Meeting: Agenda Item: Committee: Voting Item: An area superintendent is out of a job after a contentious Spotsylvania County Public School Board meeting Monday night shifted the board's majority and put a member who supports. He also wants to bring the ideas of the people to the table and implement their ideas, he said, to help realize his vision in which parents are hands-on in every aspect of the childs education from helping with homework at home to deciding what gets taught in the classroom. Elsewhere, parent takeovers of school boards appear to be proceeding with less drama although its early days yet, and most boards are still scheduling or holding initial meetings. Many accused Taylor of making offensive social media posts, which were cited by one board member who voted "no." Kirk Twigg, 65, who. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Live Streaming & Archive of School Board Meetings; FY2023 Budget Information; After the meeting, you approached the acting superintendent with copy of the contract. But it offered an undeniable show of strength proof that the Spotsylvania school system, like many others around the country, is entering a new era, under new power. So they said, Well, if youre not going to listen to me, Im going to become the one [on the school board] who will listen.'. Wed not been paying attention, and now we are.. PreviousArchives. Mondays meeting of the Spotsylvania County School Board ended after five hours over the objections of three members, and without the board taking up any new or unfinished business. "I want someone who knows what theyre doing, and is in it to make public schools better for kids and has the experience to do it," she said. In a video posted on the Spotsy Parents for Public Education Facebook page, Rich Lieberman asked Taylor after the vote if he wanted to comment about the social media posts. Two school board members, Rabih Abuismail and Kirk Twigg, said they'd like to see the removed books burned. The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for a proposed techno campus at Tuesday nights meeting. Parents are demanding more transparency while officials are staying tight-lipped about his close connection with the school board chair. Daniels and Cole had not voted when Twigg declared the meeting over. Great job! Asked about their motivations for pushing parents rights, a deeply conservative Texas pastor and a lifelong liberal and father in San Francisco gave answers more remarkable for their similarities than their differences. Monday's meeting of the Spotsylvania School Board ended after five hours over the objections of three members, and without the board taking up any new or unfinished business. Elections. He said the positions have a value of $1.9 million and that we have very definite ideas of the highest and best use of those 25.5 positions to meet the needs of this division.. 12-month employees and essential employees are to report to work on time as safety permits. (Video: Granite School District). You can cancel at any time. 2 min read. Riverbend High School Principal Troy Wright and school librarians have been looking into the parents concerns since they were raised with the school last week, Teaching and Learning Director Darnela Sims said, asking for more time to review existing vetting processes. Schools will open two hours late. The board will meet again Thursday and Friday in special meetings with closed sessions to discuss the superintendent search, according to its posted agendas. spotsylvania County school board. In Virginia, Amy Sneads efforts with Bedford Moms for Liberty bore fruit, too. One of the items was a $4,500 monthly stipend, on top of his principals salary, for him to assume the role of interim.. Ultimately, 64 PLACE NYC-supported candidates won seats on their councils, Chu said and were the top vote-getters in 14 of the 16 contested council races. Youngkin criticizes trans rules, eases path to becoming a teacher in Va. Judge thwarts Va. Republicans effort to limit book sales at Barnes & Noble, Virginia Board of Education delays review of history standards. This was captured on the broadcast before you adjourned, Scheff said. Will Shameful Shelley ask the Supervisors If approved, the school board will then vote on a contract. Enjoy the time with family, friends or however you wish and have fun! The school district says the process yielded 21 applicants and 11 were interviewed. We're thrilled to announce the new app for Spotsylvania At a special meeting in December, Abuismail asked that the list of donations be pulled from the consent agenda. Don't forget! Cole, along with board member Dawn Shelley, was pressing for board Chair Kirk Twigg to schedule a work session and special meeting to address needed capital improvement projects. burning books. People attending Mondays Spotsylvania County School Board meeting wear red to protest the boards superintendent selection process. Archives. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Spotsylvania County Public Schools Recognized as a 2021 America's Best Midsize Employer. On January 27, 2022, the Virginia Board of Education received for first review the proposed revisions to the 2015 Physical Education Standards of Learning (SOL). Peter Cihelka / The Free Lance-Star. Website Feedback. Taylor currently works as a county administrator in Greene County. Taylor said "no" and that he hadn't seen them. There is now no restriction in division policy on the number of people who can speak on any given topic during public comments at board meetings. Backlash to school books centering on race, sex and LGBTQ people turns into conservative rallying cry. Scheff said that Guempel asked for a higher monthly stipend and that Twigg crossed out the $4,500 amount and changed it to $8,500. The Virginia Board of Education is hosting two virtual public hearings for the proposed Driver Education and Physical Education Standards of Learning Tuesday, February 8, 2022 and Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Taylor has experience as a. The board listened to several hours of public comments. This means students and staff will have the entire week of November 21-25 off, and will return to class on Monday, November 28. The vote came after hours of public comments from dozens of people, mostly against allowing Taylor to lead the school system. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), Spotsylvania woman, 29, killed in crash Thursday morning, Woman pleads guilty to bashing former roommate with bat, Police cite medical emergency in Spotsylvania crash, Spotsylvania approves rezoning, making way for 'techno campus', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Virginia aerialist wins 'Americas Got Talent: All Stars', New commuter bus routes coming to Fredericksburg area, Spotsylvania man convicted after being caught in child pornography sting, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Spotsylvania schools' new chief of staff will be "legislative liaison" for school division, Spotsylvania School Board member charged with forgery, Virginia State Police seek public's help in fatal crash investigation, Spotsylvania man convicted of felony in driveway shooting, Spotsylvania School Board members hold town hall meeting, Stafford School Board approves budget requesting $49.3M in new funding from county, 55 library books have been challenged in Spotsylvania schools since last year, Spotsylvania School Board approves budget, UMW College of Education hosting field trips for area fifth graders, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza. Scheff said that Guempel asked for a higher monthly stipend and that Twigg crossed out the $4,500 amount and changed it to $8,500. The board did approve three action items Monday: revisions to the divisions policy regarding restraint and seclusion that prohibit mechanical and prone restraint; a new policy that requires student-athletes and their parents be given information about symptoms that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest; and a budget amendment that would use $2.3 million in bonus funding from the state and $1.8 million from school division pandemic relief funds to provide a $1,000 bonus to all full-time, standards-of-quality funded instructional and support positions. www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/1004981, https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/996150, www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/835136. In a 4-3 vote during Monday's meeting, the Spotsylvania County Public School Board elected Lisa Phelps as its new chair. SCPS Retirees - please be sure to check out the HR Retirement webpage for updated information and the new Aetna Welcome Packet. UPDATED Virginia Immunization Requirements-please see our SCPS Health Services Page for July 1, 2021 updates to Virginia Immunization Requirements for schools. The Spotsylvania County School Board directed staff to remove books with sexually explicit material from libraries after a parent raised concerns about books available through a schools digital library app at Mondays meeting. When board member Kirk Twigg was elected . SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. - Anger erupted at a Spotsylvania County School Board meeting with divisions on the board and community on full display Monday. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. For more information, go to: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/Page/1967. The Virginia Board of Education would still need to approve or certify Taylor for consideration due to the lack of specific qualifications he has for the superintendent role. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, By ADELE UPHAUSCONNER See what's LIVE here! All rights reserved, Julie Carey, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief, He's Got No Experience': Spotsylvania Parents Raise Questions on Superintendent Candidate, Spotsylvania School Board Appoints Chair Who Backed Burning Books, Fires Superintendent, Superintendent of Spotsylvania County Public Schools Resigns, Eagles Wide Receiver Zach Pascal Robbed at Gunpoint in Maryland, College Park Mayor Arrested on 56 Counts of Possession, Distribution of Child Pornography, Travesty for Statehood': DC Leaders Fire Back at Congress, Biden Over Crime Bill. The end came unceremoniously for Superintendent Scott Baker. The board agreed to remove one proposed change to the public comments policy that would limit the number of speakers who are able to address the board on any one topic. Spotsylvania School Board holds first regular meeting of 2023. Board member Lorita Daniels was attempting to address concerns raised to her by parents of special education students when Twigg called for a vote to adjourn the meeting. Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for the Attorney Generals Office, confirmed that the complaintas well as one alleging that Twigg misappropriated public funds by paying for board members April Gillespie and Lisa Phelps to attend a conference with ties to a conservative political action committee in Marchhas been received by the office. At a special meeting Tuesday, the Stafford School Board approved a $442 million operating budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1. In the first Spotsylvania County School Board meeting since sending their superintendent candidate's name to the state for approval, heated arguments erupted between parents and the board --- and . In response, Twigg told Shelley, You give me a superintendent, I give you a meeting.. More information: 4 months ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Mr. In an interview with The Post in November, a few weeks before he decided to leave his job, Baker said he felt as though he were under attack from a group of people, many of them parents, who were speaking regularly at board meetings to advance what seemed to be a national political movement to disrupt education. The district also ended mask requirements and contact tracing, effective Feb. 1. Parents generally know what is going to work best for their child and should be able to choose where and how their child is educated.. A Jan. 13 board meeting for the Orange Unified School . Amy Snead hit her breaking point two days before the start of this school year, when her Virginia district reversed a policy allowing parents to choose whether their children wore masks at school. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. For more information, go to: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/Page/1967. Meanwhile, parents in other places are looking ahead to the next school board elections. Youre going to terminate a superintendent for no reason. Harris said his department will continue to staff a school resource officer at all 31 county schools. She joined three other board members who share similar views, two of whom recently suggested the school district should burn books that Christian parents find objectionable. At a contentious and chaotic school board meeting in Virginias Spotsylvania County this month, members moved into an unplanned closed session and voted to fire Baker, who had served in the role for a decade. Spotsylvania County Public Schools Recognized as a 2021 America's Best Midsize Employer. Jan 10, 2023 0 The Spotsylvania County School Board voted for new officers and approved changes to its code of ethics and policies and regulations surrounding harassment and how meetings. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. We have to be clear on what is offensive and should not be in our schools and what should be, he said. On July, Twigg sent a letter to former Culpeper councilman Jon Russell, then a special counsel at the Virginia Department of Education, informing him that Mark Taylor was the final candidate for the superintendent position.. Mom says trans eighth-grader was questioned by Texas officials at school, Floridas largest school system blocks LGBTQ History Month declaration, Trust in teachers is plunging amid a culture war in education. To enter Kindergarten next fall, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2023. All rights reserved. A Fredericksburg woman who bashed her former roommate in the head with a softball bat last year pleaded guilty to a felony charge Wednesday. Screenshots of the agenda are below. Comments (-1) . Twigg then led the effort to name Taylor, who is one of his friends, as the new superintendent. The meetings live feed ended about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, as board member Nicole Cole was still speaking. Together, we prepare our students for their future. . 2017 (540) 656 - 2050. [email protected]. The two write-in candidates shed supported, Holbrook and Nelms, won their races. Mondays meeting of the Spotsylvania School Board ended after five hours over the objections of three members, and without the board taking up any new or unfinished business. On January 27, 2022, the Virginia Board of Education received for first review the proposed revisions to the 2015 Physical Education Standards of Learning (SOL). Mr. About Spotsy. Frequently asked questions | Video explainer, K-12: Md. The fight is real.. Will Uncle Rich ask the Supervisors to fund sugary unhealthy snacks that cause diabetes for the students? How is this good for the students, the children of Spotsylvania County? In Spotsylvania County, the board has shown its willingness to take matters into its own hands. We're hosting a FREE clothing and food event on Friday, 9/30 from 5-7 PM! We're holding a FREE vaccine clinic for both required and certain optional vaccinations. I cannot comment further as it is an ongoing investigation, LaCivita said in an email Tuesday. Helpful Links. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Taylor has experience as a county administrator and attorney, but has no experience in education. Let's Go! The proposed 2022 Physical Education SOL reflect a comprehensive review of the standards and include edits to enhance clarity, specificity, rigor, alignment of skills and content, and reflect current research and practice. But its an effective message, Schneider said. Preparing Our Students for the Future at SLE 2022, Vaccine Clinic for Rising 7th & 12th Graders. At a county school board meeting Monday night, Baker shared the . According to William Scheff, following the June 21 meeting at which the board approved Guempels appointment, Twigg asked Guempelwho had been principal of Spotsylvania High Schoolto stay behind to sign some documents. I mean this is really terrifying for what theyre trying to do for public education," said Rich Lieberman, a Spotsylvania County Public Schools parent. Please subscribe to keep reading. In response, Twigg told Shelley, You give me a superintendent, I give you a meeting.. Public comments regarding the, For complete details, visit https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/VADOE/bulletins/308feea. It was late in the campaign season, so Holbrook and Nelms would have to campaign as write-in candidates, historically a difficult path. The letter, which The Free LanceStar obtained through a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request, is dated the day after the School Board met in a closed session to discuss the two finalists for the superintendent position. The board took no public vote at that July meeting to recommend Taylor, who formerly was the Spotsylvania County administrator and is a longtime friend of Twigg, for the position. The meeting stretched into the early hours of Tuesday morning, with public comments lasting for almost two hours. Were bringing awareness back to that and educating parents on the importance of local government.. School board meetings have been tumultuous for weeks as the board and the public has discussed the controversy surrounding superintendent candidate Mark Taylor. The board also had a lengthy discussion about donations scheduled for approval. 2018. click here to learn more about . As the Regional Teacher of the Year, she's in the running to be the Virginia Teacher of the Year -- and the winner is announced TONIGHT! Spotsylvania County schools will present the school budget at the Board of Supervisor's meeting tonight at 6pm. You can get 'em out of here,' the morale of the deputies over the past several months has just decreased rapidly, and when we're asked to do things that are obviously a violation of the First Amendment It's a depressing job to be there and be treated -- to see the public treated the way they are by members of the school board, primarily the chairman, he said. (FOX 5 DC) - An area superintendent is out of a job after a contentious Spotsylvania County Public School Board meeting Monday night shifted the board's. A Spotsylvania woman was killed early Thursday in a two-vehicle crash in the county, police said. Cole, along with board member Dawn Shelley, was pressing for board Chair Kirk Twigg to schedule a work session and special meeting to address needed capital improvement projects. In Loudoun and Fairfax counties, parents recently read passages from some books aloud and berated board members. Books with sexually explicit content have come under fire across the country. Harris said his deputies have been unnecessarily put in the middle between citizens and School Board Chair Kirk Twigg, who he believes is interfering with the first amendment right people have to speak their mind. The push for parents rights in education is a break from a more traditional public-school notion in which all residents of a county, not just parents, fund school systems, vote for school board members and hold school officials accountable, said Jack Schneider, associate professor of education at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. I have covered education, local government and social services for the Free Lance-Star since 2016. The board approved a motion by Gillespie to have staff provide information about the two donations to board members prior to the next regular meeting. A parent stepped up to a microphone in a nondescript room, glanced at a sheet of prepared remarks and claimed the school board . Many times I was also just a shoulder to cry on, Schillinger said. Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Division Teacher of the Year, Battlefield Elementary special education teacher Mrs. Laura Brooks! Parents say it's alarming that Taylor and the school board chair Kirk Twigg seem to be good friends. Come by at 6pm and learn about IB, CGS, and CTE opportunities! We wanted to make sure the voices of parents continued to be heard, but also recognized and listened to, she said. STAND - Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee, Division Curriculum & Instruction Information, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Handbook, Code of Conduct, Pathways, Athletics & More, High School Student Resources for College, Parent/Student Handbook, Code of Student Conduct, Course Pathways, Athletics & More, SCPS Teacher Awarded National Honor in Cybersecurity Education, Spotsylvania County Public Schools Recognized as a 2021 America's Best Midsize Employer, SCPS Ranked on Forbes 2021 America's Best Employers Listing, On January 27, 2022, the Virginia Board of Education received for first review the proposed revisions to the 2015 Physical Education Standards of Learning (SOL).