"I think its unethical now when he was asked about it because Twiggs campaign manager is the wife of Mark Taylor so yes, theres definitely something going on, and just from that aspect alone he should not be the person for our superintendent," said Dana McFarren, another concerned Spotsylvania County Public Schools parent. 2016. His silence prompted fellow board member Nicole Cole to complain, You have not stated any justification or ability to fill the position. A total of 55 library books have been challenged in Spotsylvania schools since May 2022, according to information provided by the school divis, The Spotsylvania School Board on Wednesday approved a $461 million operating and capital improvement budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins. In Loudoun and Fairfax counties, parents recently read passages from some books aloud and berated board members. 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. Part-time and hourly SOQ-funded positions will receive $500 bonuses. Together, we prepare our students for their future! In Virginia, Amy Sneads efforts with Bedford Moms for Liberty bore fruit, too. Click for more info: 16 days ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Shelley corroborated Scheffs account and stated that Guempel told her about the incident himself. I have covered education, local government and social services for the Free Lance-Star since 2016. The couple said they dont believe books with sexually explicit content, like pedophilia and prostitution, belong in a high school library. School board meetings have been tumultuous for weeks as the board and the public has discussed the controversy surrounding superintendent candidate Mark Taylor. 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. 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! Copyright 2023 Spotsylvania County Public Schools. This is an inclement weather update. If approved, the school board will then vote on a contract. SCPS Retirees - please be sure to check out the HR Retirement webpage for updated information and the new Aetna Welcome Packet. 12-month employees and essential employees are to report to work on time as safety permits. At a special meeting Tuesday, the Stafford School Board approved a $442 million operating budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1. Many times I was also just a shoulder to cry on, Schillinger said. People attending Mondays Spotsylvania County School Board meeting wear red to protest the boards superintendent selection process. Our school board has generously approved Friday, March 10th as a day off for all teachers, students, and staff. You have permission to edit this article. Live Streaming & Archive of School Board Meetings; FY2023 Budget Information; The new president of the Spotsylvania County School Board in Virginia, Kirk Twigg, has given some parents pause for concern due to previous comments he's made and yes, it involves the old fascist chestnuts of homophobia and book burning. And Snead knew nothing about school board elections: A stay-at-home mother for the past 15 years, with some experience in hotel management before that, she had no political or activism experience. burning books. Website Feedback. He asked Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office deputies to remove two people from the meeting when they started to address Taylors appointment, and threatened others with removal. I have covered education, local government and social services for the Free Lance-Star since 2016. Loading. Parents are demanding more transparency while officials are staying tight-lipped about his close connection with the school board chair. The parent rights movement, which began in earnest about half a year ago, is showing no signs of abating as parents who won their school board races take office in the new year and start proposing changes while still others begin plotting future runs. 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. Shelley said she gave information about the acting superintendents contract to Virginia State Police and that everything has now been turned over to the state Attorney Generals office. John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center. 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. 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. Great job! 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Enjoy the time with family, friends or however you wish and have fun! The board also requested a report next week on how books are selected for digital and hard copy library collections and indicated that it will consider a division-wide library audit. You can cancel at any time. 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. www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/1004981, https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/996150, www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/article/835136. Among the concerns raised by the public during comments was acting superintendent Kelly Guempels contract. We believe in a merit-based admissions system and that accelerated programs should be expanded, not canceled.. Attention rising 7th & 12th graders! Spotsylvania County's former school board chairman was indicted this week on charges of forgery and tampering with public records, according to Virginia state police. Spotsylvania County Sheriff Roger Harris says his deputies will no longer provide security for school board meetings due to a situation that has become a "festering sore.". The criteria for pulling books from circulation this week is sexually explicit, but the board plans to refine how material is determined to be objectionable for a further review of library holdings. It simply isnt the case. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. This is malfeasance, plain and simple.. Dawn Shelley nominated Lorita Daniels to serve as chair, but Twigg, Phelps, Gillespie and Abuismail did not support that nomination. News4's Derrick Ward has more on the tense meeting and scorching criticism of the new chair, Kirk Twigg. "Im all about the kids, and when I look at this national disgrace that we see from some of the school board members, it'sjust gut-wrenching to me, to be perfectly honest with you," he said. The board listened to several hours of public comments. Although parents have long served on school boards, this crop of activists is campaigning to restructure American public education so that parents, whether or not they come from an educational background, can serve as final arbiters for a wide range of issues, from whether masks should be optional to what books are available in childrens libraries. |, Culture wars: 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, Virginias fight over schools: 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, Entering a third academic year disrupted by the pandemic, and in the midst of another covid-19 wave, parents, students and teachers are near a breaking point. You can use this area for legal statements, copyright information, a mission statement, etc. You have permission to edit this article. Will Uncle Rich ask the Supervisors to fund sugary unhealthy snacks that cause diabetes for the students? Phone: 540-507-7000. You can cancel at any time. 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. Live Feed | Spotsylvania County Public Schools A message from the Superintendent: TAKE THE DAY OFF! The Spotsylvania School Board voted 4 to 3 in favor of Taylor getting the approval for a superintendent license. . What is critical race theory? For more information, go to: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/Page/1967. 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. Superintendent Mark Taylor in his comments said he will address the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to present the School Boards request to spend carryover funds from the fiscal year that ended June 30. Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Division Teacher of the Year, Battlefield Elementary special education teacher Mrs. Laura Brooks! The, 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. Peter Cihelka / The Free Lance-Star. Helpful Links. Four board members who describe themselves as advocates of parents rights drove the decision, said Baron Braswell, a long-serving Spotsylvania board member who stepped down last year but has kept in touch with his former peers. Our school board has generously approved Friday, March 10th as a day off for all teachers, students, and staff. Serving as vice chair will be April Gillespie, a mother with no prior school board experience who won her seat this fall. A parent stepped up to a microphone in a nondescript room, glanced at a sheet of prepared remarks and claimed the school board . Spotsylvania County schools will present the school budget at the Board of Supervisor's meeting tonight at 6pm. The board will meet again Thursday and Friday in special meetings with closed sessions to discuss the superintendent search, according to its posted agendas. Kirk Twigg, 65, who. Hes not going to lie to me about that, Shelley said. Public comments regarding thePhysical Education SOL will be received atvdoe.stem@doe.virginia.govfromFebruary 11-March 11. On July 9, School Board Chair Kirk Twigg wrote former Culpeper councilman Jon Russell, then a special counsel at the Virginia Department of Education, telling him Mark Taylor was the final candidate for the superintendent position.. Taylor has experience as a. Screenshots of the agenda are below. 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. Spotsylvania County Public Schools 8020 River Stone Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22407 Phone: 540-834-2500 webmaster@spotsylvania.k12.va.us Quick Links School Board Meeting Live Streaming We hope to hear answers to the following questions. But its an effective message, Schneider said. "The connection with our school board chair is really worrisome," Floyd said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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 are conducted during its first regular meeting of the year Monday evening. Spotsylvania County Public Schools new chief of staff will be responsible for general staff administration and serving as the legislative li. Previous Archives. She said her group is supporting two people who plan to run, and that Power 2 Parent is currently seeking additional qualified candidates who believe in parents rights. Theyve been shut off and shut down at school board meetings, said Clarice Schillinger, founder of a parent advocacy group, the Back to School PA PAC, who is now running for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. - SCPS Superintendent Mark Taylor, 17 days ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Earlier in the meeting, Twigg stated that he would be enacting a School Board policy that permits the chair to limit the number of speakers on any given topic to five. 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. Mark Taylor, a former county administrator, and attorney, is the superintendent nominee. A Spotsylvania man found dead following a single-vehicle crash early Monday may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash, police said. 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. 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. Two people were injured in a crash involving one of the most iconic vehicles in television history, Missouri officials say. There was a problem saving your notification. Schools VA, in your pocket. UPDATED Virginia Immunization Requirements-please see our SCPS Health Services Page for July 1, 2021 updates to Virginia Immunization Requirements for schools. Elections. 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. Were bringing awareness back to that and educating parents on the importance of local government.. In Spotsylvania, said retired board member Braswell, it is unclear what plans the new majority has for the beleaguered school district or even why it deposed the former superintendent, Scott Baker. Spotsylvania School Board members Lorita Daniels and Rabih Abuismail attended a town hall me. 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. Bakers ouster is especially noteworthy because he had already announced in December, shortly after the elections in which Twigg and his coterie gained a majority, that he would retire. Please subscribe to keep reading. The Spotsylvania School Board will be considering a Prepackaged Food Donation policy at their February 13th meeting. The scene in Spotsylvania County this week unfolded like many others. school apologizes after video shows White students singing n-word, Perspective: Navigating the wilderness, avoiding predators urban and rural, Teacher quits in protest after being punished for banned-books sign, BYU says probe found no evidence of racial slurs at Duke volleyball player. In the coming months, Baker will prioritize ending pandemic-related school closures, he said. He said deputies will continue to be available to respond to any emergencies that might occur at school board meetings. 2 months ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools. The Spotsylvania County School Board also directed staff to report on the number of books that have been removed at a special meeting called for next week, The Free Lance-Star reported. Congratulations to Brock Road ES, Lee Hill ES, and Wilderness ES for earning Virginia Purple Star Awards for the 2022-2023 school year! spotsylvania County school board. To enter Kindergarten next fall, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2022. When board member Kirk Twigg was elected . Comments (-1) . {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, By ADELE UPHAUSCONNER 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. The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for a proposed techno campus at Tuesday nights meeting. SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. Spotsylvania County School Board's superintendent is suddenly without a job, after being abruptly fired at a chaotic meeting Monday night as a new conservative. "I guess we live in a world now that our public schools would rather have kids read about gay pornography than Christ. "Weve had one of the best school systems anywhere around and now all of a sudden we are looked upon as a jokester situation.". Twigg forged a contract and if people up here are defending him, then theyre just as guilty as he is.. 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! This is malfeasance, plain and simple.. (Video: Granite School District). UPDATED Virginia Immunization Requirements-please see our SCPS Health Services Page for July 1, 2021 updates to Virginia Immunization Requirements for schools. Board of Supervisors Seating Chart Planning Commission Other Regional Meetings Agenda & Meeting Minutes Meeting agendas and minutes are available for review. 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. 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. Archived meeting video available shortly after the meetings close. Taylor has not said if the posts belong to him. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. SCPS Retirees - please be sure to check out the HR Retirement webpage for updated information and the new Aetna Welcome Packet. Hes not going to lie to me about that, Shelley said. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Please subscribe to keep reading. The fight is real.. 2016. 5 months ago, Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Youre going to terminate a superintendent for no reason. Some candidates have been recruited top-down by national groups like Moms for Liberty, but much of the activism is being led at the local level by smaller networks of angry parents. The board later went into recess when the mood on the dais and in the audience grew hostile. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Maryland 529 whistleblower says he warned agency about negative impacts to parents' accounts, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm. Salem District representative 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. 2017. The end came unceremoniously for Superintendent Scott Baker. How is this good for the students, the children of Spotsylvania County? (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Spotsylvania County Public Schools - Simple Agenda Detailed Agenda Current Agenda Item Current Policy Item Current Library Item Goal Progress Report Minutes PrintClose Audio Player Video Agenda Yes or no? 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. Together, we prepare our students for their future. On Thursday, the Virginia Board of Education voted 6-2 to give Taylor a superintendents license. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Boeing employee bought lottery ticket because it was at $747M, a nod to the aircraft. Both will go on to compete at the Regional Spelling Bee for a shot at competing at Nationals. Nonetheless, she plunged in: The roughly 200 local members of Moms for Liberty which grew through word of mouth and social media posts started sharing a flood of information about the election on Facebook, as well as attending community events. Moss Free Clinic & Extra Community Resources will also be available. The Spotsylvania County School Board also directed staff to report on the number of books that have been removed at a special meeting called for next week, The Free Lance-Star reported. Phelps was nominated by Gillespie and elected by a 43 vote, with previous chair Kirk Twigg and Abuismail joining Phelps and Gillespie. We have GREAT NEWS! I cannot comment further as it is an ongoing investigation, LaCivita said in an email Tuesday. DC could be option for new Washington Commanders stadium: report, Tennessee becomes first state to ban drag shows on public property, DC Cherry Blossoms: 2023 peak bloom date predictions revealed, Pot smoking lounge set to open in Montgomery County is first of its kind, DC government employee accused of killing Karon Blake indicted, 15-year-old from Frederick missing for days, DC police formed specialized team to confiscate illegal ATVs and Dirt Bikes. The PAC also hosted trainings for its candidates, Schillinger said, on everything from running a campaign to the best method for circulating a petition. We find ourselves in a sort of perpetual defensive posture, he said.
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