Thread by @FFXParentsAssoc

SB Mtg 🧵:

The SB votes to amend the SRR to have the Chief Equity Office study the "disproportionality" of punishments dispensed when a student has a weapon or commits an assault.

The timing of this equity measure, so soon after the recent stabbing, is head scratching.

"Voting down a motion you haven't even given the time..to discuss w the motion makers.. & then voting for a motion that we never discussed publicly is poor public policy."

Ms. Meren criticizes the SB for voting down a motion complying w VA law restricting cellphones & voting instead for a less stringent measure.

"As an attorney, I appreciate creative lawyering, but there is a difference between creative lawyering & blatant disregard of the law."

Mr. Dunne criticizes the SB for attempting to carve out a lunchtime cellphone exception, in violation of state law.

Mr. Dunne points out that the lunchtime cellphone exception is unsupported by data and that the data shows that taking away cellphone reduces fights, vaping, & improves mental health & academics.

The SB disagrees over whether the carveout complies with state law, w supporters asserting that whatever the intent of the legislature, the bill language permits this carveout, which they claim is needed for students taking care of siblings or working shift work, among others.

The SB approves the motion to include a lunchtime exception to the cellphone restriction policy.

In response to community & family engagement goals, Dr. Reid touts FCPS's efforts to connect with families & the community through gathering feedback from surveys, meeting with groups like faith leaders & outreach to military communities.

"There's no staff recommendation b/c we were not able to come up with a cost neutral option."

Dr. Reid explains that FCPS staff has not been able to recommend a plan for later MS start times due to feasibility problems w reducing bus route times.

Dr. Reid presents the FY26 approved budget w adjustments made due to a $121 million shortfall versus the budget ask.

FCPS had sought a $300 million increase due to gifting the teachers union a CBA for political reasons.

The approved budget reduces salary increases from 7% to 6% while cutting some school staffing levels & deferring some spending & belt tightening on other items.

The cuts appear to prioritize preserving the union-negotiated salary increases at the cost of cutting staffing levels at schools, including to advanced academic resource teachers.

It's a testament to the power of the unions over FCPS leaders, w the latter unwilling to even acknowledge that FCPS compensation levels are already top of the market when factoring in FCPS's gold-plated pension plan.

The approved budget is yet one more concrete example of how FCPS leaders are primarily focused on enacting policy based on political considerations (agreeing to union demands) over improving student outcomes (reducing class sizes).

"But I can't support an increase in class sizes under any circumstances..this is not a dire economic situation. It doesn't warrant an increase in class sizes."

Mr. Dunne argues for a reduction in salary increases for non-FEU employees rather than reducing staffing levels.

Mr. Frisch notes that there will be a budget hearing on May 13.

This will be an opportunity for the public to provide input on whether FCPS should focus on improving student outcomes or should continue to prioritize politics over students.

The hits keep coming.

Despite selling 1/2 day Mondays as a temporary measure rather than what it was (a concession to the unions at the cost of instruction time), Dr. Reid announces it will continue next year, moving to Wed. (making it even more inconvenient for working parents)

The meeting adjourns. Thank you for reading our 🧵.

With the unveiling of measures that would increase class sizes & reduce instruction time, this mtg perfectly demonstrated how FCPS systemically prioritize political considerations over students & improving student outcomes.