Virginia Beach Education Association

The agenda for the May 26 School Board meeting is out.
https://www2.vbschools.com/schoolboard/agenda.pdf
There are several pieces you may want to pay attention to:
➡️ Policy 6-18 recommendations (D. Technology Usage Guidelines) - this primarily deals with PK-5 usage to begin in the 2026/2027 school year
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ews4VNQByW14CSHWCTziD3I9rgQfmTP4/view?usp=drivesdk

➡️ Salary Resolution Regarding FY 2026-27
🔸 this will also be voted on in the Action agenda section

➡️ Staff Bonus Plan

➡️ PAHS design-build method
🔸 this will also be voted on in the Action agenda section

🛑 supplemental materials have not yet been uploaded to the agenda packet at the time of this post
🌊 If you wish to speak you must sign up by 12:00 noon on 5/26
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMBT94omFTrkIDZlOn1q_wp_I8f4fONlb_go6_UCRG0wvuIg/viewform

This week I have the opportunity to participate in a national leadership development conference. We have Local Presidents from across our nation sharing best practices on improving public school employees’ conditions and strengthening public education support to ensure ALL students receive the best education possible.
Educator working conditions are student learning conditions.

VBEA is hiring!
We're looking for an Organizer to join our MO team for 6 weeks over the summer!☀️
If you're craving tangible action and looking to forge stronger relationships with your fellow union members then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Reach out to us with any questions about the position or use the QR code to apply!

*Must be a union member to apply for this position*

We're at a time where you may be asking yourself as a union member "What more can I do?"
And the Summer Organizing Institute hosted by VEA is a great place to start! Flex your organizing muscles by learning fundamental strategies and getting hands on experience. Join our VBEA team heading to Richmond this summer and add a few more skills to your toolbox!
Space is limited so sign up through the QR code today!
*This event is for VBEA members only*

Tuesday’s Takeaways: School Board 5/12
Part 2 of 3: From public comment - Newtown ES Staff
Attendance notes: Mark Bohenstiel and Michael Callan were still absent during this portion

Several Newtown ES Staff members spoke about their concerns regarding the merger of the students from Bettie F Williams into Newtown given the current construction plans.
🔹Diamond Springs ES will have the same grade levels they currently have with the shift to a bi-campus model
📢 Watch the video for their comments: 20:30 through 44:24

Here are some key points addressed by the speakers:
🔸 The number of students in Newtown will double, but the plans for expanding the school don’t include expansions & upgrades to the gymnasium, cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium shared space) kitchen, library, recess space, adequate restrooms or workrooms for staff.
‼️ The cafetorium space not being increased will have a huge impact on the school’s ability to have assemblies for all students, and they won’t be able to accommodate families for events such as student concerts and awards as they’re already overflowing with the current enrollment
🔸 Other facilities such as John B Dey ES and ODS received funding for new facilities with more than adequate space and equipment. This is a glaring equity issue particularly since Newtown and Bettie F Williams are Title I schools serving some of the most vulnerable populations of students. This renovation is only receiving a fraction of the funding the others received, and only includes the addition of a wing of classrooms.
🔸 Music & Art teachers spoke about the adverse instructional impact not having adequate space will have on their programs, not having storage areas for instruments and supplies, nor dedicated space for their classes. Without the appropriate spaces, the students will not have access to the same level of instruction as their counterparts at other elementary schools.
‼️Imagine Art on a Cart for elementary students, and the limitations this puts on what can be taught, what mediums students get to learn to use and experiment with, and how detrimental a situation like that is for true creative expression.

➡️ These dedicated staff members are asking the division to review the plans and ensure the renovations & additions to Newtown properly address ALL the space needs for students to have a safe learning environment that truly meets the instructional needs of staff.

🌊🌊This is a glimpse of what Collective Action looks like. I want to give a huge shout-out to the staff who spoke as well as those who came out to support the speakers.🌊🌊

Tuesday’s Takeaways: School Board 5/12
Part 1 of 3: Workshop
Attendance Notes: Carolyn Weems, Rose Dwyer and Matt Cummings were late. Michael Callan and Mark Bohenstiel were absent.

SB Administrative Matters & Reports
➡️ Dr. Robertson reminded the Board of the email he sent with the topics for the School Board Retreat and reiterated the need for them to let him know soon if there are additional items they want to see
➡️ Kim Melnyk expressed her appreciation for teachers with last week being Teacher Appreciation Week
➡️ Sharon Felton recognized several key observances in May, including the anniversary of Brown vs The Board of Education
➡️ Melinda Rogers recognized several additional key observances in May
➡️ Dr. Alveta Green requested Chair Kathleen Brown designate a time at either the School Board Retreat or another appropriate place for a discussion on creating a sub-committee on presenting key observances & recognitions in a formal manner ‼️ In previous years there were Resolutions read recognizing & honoring key observances, but that ended about a year ago due based on a decision by the Chair & Vice-Chair (note: this is a correction in wording as it was not put to a vote as previously stated in this post).

Mercer Update (David Keogh)
➡️ Actual plan payments through March 2026 are better than the projections by about $2 million
🛑 The proposed $5.8 million plop into the Health Fund Balance from reversion funds has been removed as a line item. It appears City Council will not approve this use of the funds.
➡️ The approved FY26-27 Operating Budget included the projected costs of the 2027 health plan which factored a 17.6% total employer increase and a 10% total employee contribution increase (see charts below)
✅ Melinda Rogers asked about the sustainability of VBCPS remaining self-insured as part of the Consolidated Benefits with the City given the continual increases to plan costs and reiterated her desire to see other options
🔸 In response to Melinda Rogers’ concerns, David Keogh talked about how Consolidated Benefits is looking at options & incentives that can help employees improve health outcomes 🧐

May 1 Day of Action
Workers across the nation are standing in solidarity and raising their voices to fight for Labor Rights. VBEA stands with them in our fight for our educators here in Virginia Beach
🌊 A livable wage for ALL public schools employees - 1 job should be enough!
🌊 Professional treatment and a true voice for ALL staff
🌊 Safety for all staff and students - Educator Working Conditions are Student Learning Conditions
📢📢 Today we’re wearing our teal - and we encourage anyone who supports our VBCPS staff to do the same. Drop a pic below of you and/or others wearing teal today ⬇️

Tuesday’s Takeaways: School Board 4/28
Part 2 of 2: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Update
‼️ This presentation began during the Workshop session, but the questions & discussion continued at the end of the Regular session. If you want to watch the video you will need both parts ‼️
📢 This will be broken down by the information as given in the presentation, the questions & discussion, and what’s next

Presentation: Dr. Goldburg, Director of Instructional Technology
➡️ Reviewed the2025-2026 Professional Learning Statement and directives from the federal and state levels that were used in developing the plans. The PL statement begins with “AI use should be selective and intentional.”
‼️selective and intentional ‼️

➡️ Reviewed the implementation timelines which began last summer with Professional Learning & Collaboration and has included:
✅ expectations & ethical usage
✅ 3 required trainings at various intervals
✅ Student integration at the high school level which began November 5
✅ 2 quarterly updates (inclusive of this one)
✅ ongoing training, PL series with an AI Consultant, and AI for DTAL Teams (department of teaching & learning)
✅ development of an AI Application approval process
✅ Stakeholder engagement
🔹🔹 there is ongoing training for high school including a PD series for staff

➡️ Reviewed the AI tools being used by staff and HS students, as well as the level of use
🔹 Google Gemini is the primary tool for staff and HS students, and is available for HS students to use only during school hours ❗️firewalls are in place on school issued devices to prevent use outside of school hours - this is one of the division’s “guardrails”❗️
🔹 ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and MagicSchool.ai are the other 3 main tools used by staff.
🔹 There are several approved applications for staff use that fall into these areas: Image Generation, Feedback, Instructional Design, and Efficiency
🔹NotebookLM is an efficiency app that assists students with studying. An example given was how Students can upload a study guide and it will create a desired study tool such as podcast, flash cards, practice quiz, etc.
🔹Securly is being used to monitor chat and overall usage and allows staff to see in real time what is being done. DOT can also pull histories for review when usage is flagged

➡️ Reviewed HS student usage of Gemini from Jan 28 through March 24 (39 school days)
✅ 69% of students use Gemini, which means 31% do not use AI
🔹 46% of HS students are light users with 1-49 prompts per user
🔸 21% of HS students are regular users with 50-299 prompts per user
🛑 2% (approximately 388 HS students) are power users with at least 300, but some exceeding 1000, prompts per user
📢 students who have an objection to using AI can request alternative assignments, and this is done through a process with the teacher and administrator

➡️ Reviewed stakeholder feedback
✅ teachers find the technical collaborative support, professional development, and efficiency & quality helpful
🛑 resource overload and time constraints are a major concern/hindrance for teachers
🔸 teachers feel the need to ensure AI is used to elevate learning and not diminish it, and to prioritize process over product
🔹 15 PTA meetings across various levels received an overview presentation and attendees were given the opportunity to provide feedback (there are 12 high schools alone)
‼️ there is a desire from parents to have a clear roadmap for next steps with AI

➡️ Next steps (as originally presented)
✅ selection of instructional platform for ES teachers, and build teacher capacity. ES students will not engage in AI
🔸 selection of instructional platform for MS teachers and students, introduce guardrails and visibility for MS student use, and training for MS students and teachers with MS students beginning work on the platform November 4, 2026
✅ selection of instructional platform for HS teachers, continued guardrails for HS students, training for teachers to continue capacity building. Gemini will continue to be platform of choice for HS students.

Questions & Discussion by the School Board
➡️ Multiple SB members expressed concerns about the proposed implementation of AI use by MS students in November 2026. The overall reaction was that in the original presentation the SB was not told there would be expansion into MS, and their understanding was that AI use would only be for HS students. The discussion ranged from needing more information to feel comfortable, wanting to delay while more data at the HS level is collected, to putting a stop to consideration of MS student use.
➡️ Several SB members expressed a desire for a more in-depth presentation on what the guardrails are and how they’re used.
➡️ Some SB members expressed concerns over the HS students identified as “power users”. There were questions about how those students are being guided moving forward with AI use
➡️ There were questions about the reliability of AI outputs and how staff and students are being trained/guided in how to determine the reliability and acceptability of AI products
➡️ There were questions about the approval process for various AI tools, if the applications are through contracted vendors or free (there are some of both), and Digital Privacy Agreements
➡️ A couple SB members had concerns over the use of NotebookLM, and staff using it to turn a course into an Independent Study situation instead of actually teaching ‼️questioning the professionalism of teachers ‼️

What’s Next?
🔹More information and detailed presentations will be provided to the SB and this will be a topic at the School Board retreat in July
🔹MS implementation is being put on hold for now given the clear discomfort of the SB at this point in time
🔹 Families need to familiarize themselves with the resources on the VBCPS website regarding AI including the policies & guidance, frequently asked questions, how AI will be used in schools, guardrails, resources for families, and information on “ What is Artificial Intelligence?”

https://www.vbschools.com/academics/digitalliteracy/how-ai-will-be-used-in-schools

Tuesday’s Takeaways: School Board 4/28
Part 1 of 2: everything but the AI Update
Attendance Notes:
🔸Kathleen Brown attended Workshop via Zoom and Regular Session in person.
🔸Kim Melnyk was absent at roll call for Workshop and in attendance via Zoom for Regular Session

Workshop:
➡️ SB Administrative Matters & Reports:
✅ Sharon Felton gave a shoutout and highlighted an event she attended at Indian Lakes ES
✅ Melinda Rogers gave a shoutout to the various Mental Health Taskforce teams and partners
✅ Michael Callan gave shoutouts to the Weather Education Day event at Harbor Park and the Student Advisory Council meeting at Kempsville HS.

➡️Program Collaborations Supporting Students, Staff and Families: Childcare and Expanded Student Opportunities
✅ Partnerships with Virginia Beach Parks and Rec & the YMCA of South Hampton Roads
🔹 Both community partners reviewed the opportunities they have available for elementary and secondary students including their early childhood programs for preschool and Pre-K, before & after school care, volunteer & employment programs, and financial assistance
🔹 Expanded opportunities for Early Childhood subsidies and care will be available next school year for VBCPS staff - information should be coming soon with more details
‼️ VBCPS staff receive priority childcare space, and next year’s expansion will include ALL staff and not just those working in Title I schools‼️
🔹 Numerous summer programs exist for all levels of students (elementary, middle & high) - VB Parks & Rec assists HS students in applying for summer positions with the city and private partners, and will work with them through the whole process
⁉️ Contact the VB Department of Parks & Rec, your local rec center and/or YMCA location for questions, additional details, resources and support ⁉️

Regular Session:
➡️ Dr. Robertson gave his report which included the recognition of 5 VBCPS principals who received the VA Principals of Distinction award (Micah DeLoatch, Stephanie Haus, Mark Makovec, Daniel Miani and Ryan Schubart), and highlighted a visit by the VA Opioid Abatement committee to the Harbor Hope Center, the VBEF Pearls of Wisdom Oyster Roast and the Celebrating Children event at Mt. Trashmore

Information Items
➡️ Interim Financials: both revenues and expenditures are trending at an acceptable rate

➡️ Legislative Update: reviewed a handful of bills that passed the General Assembly that impact K-12 students and/or staff including:
✅ SOL reform that delays the implementation of scores counting as 10% of a student’s grade
✅ Diabetes Management which will require a division wide plan and clarification of language for staff
✅ Collective Bargaining which removes the current “permissive” language and makes it mandatory for localities to bargain.
✅ Paid Sick Leave & Paid Family Medical Leave which sets minimum requirements for paid leave and establishes a paid family medical leave insurance program
✅ Teacher Contract which clarifies language on leave of absence and continuing contract
✅ Mental Health Awareness Training which clarifies language around training topics
✅ Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the classroom which requires development of VDOE guidelines
✅ Cell Phone Use in Schools which clarifies intent of bell to bell restriction

➡️ Use of Facilities Proposed Fee Structure Changes - implementation of new online reservation system using Facilitron
🔸 Facilitron does not have an up-front fee but charges 10% of rental revenue and custodial overtime
‼️ Facilitron gave no valid reason as to the custodial overtime charge, simply stated that’s how they do it‼️
🔸 facility use fees have not changed in at least 27 years (this is how long Steve LePock has been in his role overseeing rentals)
🔸There are 5 different categories of groups for rentals, and fee schedules are determined by those categories
🔸 Proposed fee changes include passing on the 10% increase for custodial and cafeteria overtime, flat fee charges for some things that were previously free, and changing from flat to hourly fees for other things. The fees proposed are recommendations by Facilitron based on national and regional standards.
‼️ There were some concerns about the level of increase for a few of the changes, and several SB members asked to see a more detailed analysis of expense & revenue‼️

Consent Agenda - passed 11-0
➡️ Policy Recommendations on Policy 3-1, 3-55, 3-56, 3-64 and 3-72 which included a range from no changes for the 5-year review to minor language updates for clarification
➡️ Carl D Perkins Grant (Tech & Career Ed)
➡️ Diamond Springs & Newtown classroom addition and renovations contracts
➡️ Bayside MS foundation repair Phase III
➡️General Fees Schedule

Action Agenda
➡️ Personnel Report passed 11-0