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School Board Summary January 24, 2023
The Loudoun County School Board held a meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Board Member Attendance
- Chair Ian Serotkin: Present
- Vice Chair Harris Mahedavi: Absent
- Jeff Morse: Present
- Atoosa Reaser: Present
- Tiffany Polifko: Present
- John Beatty: Present
- Erika Ogedegbe: Present
- Brenda Sheridan: Present
- Denise Corbo: Absent**
**Ms. Corbo was remotely present for the meeting but did not participate.
School Board Budget Work Session
Members of the Board provided financial disclosures prior to the meeting. There were one virtual and five in-person public comments regarding the budget.
Kevin Lewis, Chief Operations Officer, and Aaron Smith, Chief Technology Officer, provided an update to the One LCPS: 2027 Strategic Plan for Excellence, Goal 3.
Sharon Willoughby, Chief Financial Officer, presented the Board with responses to FY24 budget questions from the Board. Willoughby also presented the Board with the FY24 budget process.
Recessed Meeting
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jeff Rounsley, principal of Willard Middle School and the National Anthem was sung by members of the Loudoun Valley High School quartet.
Student School Board Representatives
Srikar Bangaru, a senior at Rock Ridge High School, highlighted accomplishments by several groups at Rock Ridge and requested a moment of silence to remember a student who recently died, while also encouraging the support of mental health and wellness resources.
Nate Pearsall, a senior at Tuscarora High School, highlighted several examples of students committing acts of kindness and service around the community and expressed appreciation for the staff’s commitment to helping all students.
Public Comment
Thirty-four community members participated in person and provided the School Board with comments on a range of topics, while two community members participated virtually.
Acting Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Smith provided an update and operational report to the School Board on a number of actions and initiatives around the division. This included:
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Dr. Smith has been attending numerous connection and feedback opportunities as part of the strategic plan, but also because they are the responsible thing to do.
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The AWS Think Big Space is open at Simpson Middle School.
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Congresswoman Wexton facilitated a learning robot donation to Sully Elementary School.
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The Year of the Educator winner for January was Blanca Reyes, a custodian at Dominion High School.
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Danielle Nadler of the LEF was awarded Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year.
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Over 400 students participated in the 2023 Cyberslam conference.
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LCPS is promoting connection with community partners through events such as an upcoming trades fair, instruction to industry expo and the 5th Annual Mental Health & Wellness conference.
Dr. Smith also recognized numerous LCPS students for their unique accomplishments across the division.
In the operational update Dr. Smith discussed the LCPS Commitment to Equity and recent hate speech and vandalism in some LCPS schools.
Dr. Smith also announced that the Communications and Community Engagement Office (CCO) is currently developing a family newsletter.
LCPS Safety & Security underwent training with area law enforcement regarding partnering on school security.
Action Items
- The Board proclaimed February Career and Technical Education month.
- The Board adopted a proclamation to recognize National School Counseling Week.
Information Items
- Kevin Lewis, Chief Operations Officer, provided a follow-up to a previous discussion over the Abbreviated Elementary School Attendance Zone Change process.
- Kevin Lewis also provided an update on the School Name Review initiative. Some Board members discussed their opportunities to engage with the community at town hall meetings regarding public sentiment over the renaming of certain schools.
- Kevin Lewis and Dr. Ashley Ellis provided an update to the anticipated opening of MS-14 in the fall of 2024.
- Tiffany Polifko led a discussion regarding releasing the independent review as part of the Grand Jury recommendation.
- Ahmad Woods, LCPS Auditor General, addressed the Board regarding the recommendation to form a Select Audit Committee.
The School Board then went into closed session and ultimately adjourned for the evening. The next School Board meeting will be Feb. 14, 2023, at 4 p.m.
*The summary is provided as a quick reference to School Board meeting activity, but does not serve as an official record. Official minutes are posted as soon as available.
Published on January 25, 2023