SB 🧵:
"Computer-led instruction is replacing teacher-led instruction at a critical stage of children's development."
Community speakers speak forcefully in favor of reducing the use of screen-based learning in elementary schools.
Mark Spooner raises troubling allegations that the SB held a closed mtg in February of 2025 (in violation of open mtg rules), to secretly add a second staffer for each SB member at a cost to taxpayers of more than $100k per staffer. share.google/3GnV1o6Xso35BL…
The mtg is the first one for new SB member Tom Dannan, who ran on a platform of increasing spending.
FCPS's budget has increased by over $1 billion in the last 6 years despite student enrollment declining, mainly due to ⬆️admin budgets & the SB gifting $ to teacher unions.
"I will not be able to vote for this motion, b/c the bd member proposed for vice chair of the budget cmte is currently involved in a legal matter that alleges he stole $ from a company."
Ms. Meren opposes the absurd proposal to make alleged embezzler Kyle McDaniel the vice chair of the budget cmte.
Ms. Meren also notes a second troubling allegation: that Mr. McDaniel may have used his 2 FCPS staff members to conduct political campaign activities during FCPS hours.
In a sign of how little accountability there is on the SB, the motion to make an alleged embezzler the budget vice chair sails through on a 7-3 vote.
Your tax dollars at work.
Dr. Reid represents compliance w FCPS's safety & security goals, noting new:
-radios,
-emergency response buttons,
-weapons detection systems
-canine detection efforts,
-bus tablets.
Dr. Reid shares that FCPS has secured a promise from VDOT to prioritize bus stops & routes when conducting snow prep & removal efforts.
The bus tablets will allow students to swipe RFID cards to ensure students are on the right bus & to allow better tracking of buses.
FCPS's CFO presents the 3rd quarter budget review which is a bit of a nothingburger, with no new adjustments from the previous quarter.
During the strategic plan update, Dr. Reid highlights the middle school theatre program.
Academic matters discusses the Walk to Read program, an early literacy pilot that uses intensive intervention with the aim of getting students to grade level by 3rd grade.
The mtg adjourns. Thank you for reading our 🧵.
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