Our COVID-19 Transparency Bill Wins Unanimous Approval

VEA-Initiated Bill Will Allow Citizens to Check School Health and Safety Plans

Every school division in Virginia will now have to make public its plan for controlling the spread of COVID-19 and its strategies for protecting students and educators, thanks to a new law initiated by the Virginia Education Association. The bill, SB 5083, was approved unanimously by the Virginia Senate today after previously passing unanimously in the House of Delegates. It requires that each school division’s COVID plans be posted on its website “in a publicly accessible and conspicuous location” and mandates that the plan be consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Virginia Department of Health recommendations.

“In these times, we need as much transparency as possible,” said VEA President James J. Fedderman, “because difficult decisions are

being made across Virginia on how instruction should be happening and how we’re ensuring that it’s done safely. This law will make sure the public is informed and will help keep public officials focused on the health and safety of those who learn and work in our schools.” The law will become effective as soon as Governor Northam signs the bill, which is expected quickly.

Members of the VEA, which includes teachers and school support professionals, raised the issue of the need for maximum transparency in how school divisions were approaching the health and safety of students and employees. Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy stepped forward to sponsor legislation in the Senate and House, respectively.

“We’re grateful to Senator McClellan and to Delegate Carroll Foy for standing up for the health and safety of students, their families and communities, and local educators,” said Fedderman. “Because of their leadership, and the commitment of fellow legislators, Virginians will be better informed and safer.”

Until now, Virginia required all school divisions to develop and submit a COVID health and safety plan before returning to instruction, but there was no requirement for the plans to be made public so parents and employees could read them.

Special Session Update: Victory on Sales Tax Issue, Keep the Pressure On

VEA members sent more than a thousand email messages and made numerous phone calls — and we succeeded in averting the loss of more than $95 million to public schools that could have resulted from declining sales tax revenues. But we still need to push the Senate to agree to budget language that will hold school divisions harmless for student enrollment losses they are temporarily experiencing. We must bombard legislators with emails demanding a fix to the budget. It only takes a minute! Please send your email and encourage all those you interact with to send theirs. Here’s the link: www.vea.link/sales-tax. Please take action now (if you have not already) and continue to promote this Action Alert locally. Layoffs or furloughs are almost inevitable if the final budget does not include the House enrollment/ADM provision.

Summer Organizing Pays Off

On Thursday, September 17, Dr. James Fedderman, VEA President was asked to provide a brief report during a call of the National Council of State Education Associations (NCSEA) on Virginia’s win on collective bargaining and summer organizing efforts. Virginia is being recognized within the NEA family for a tremendous achievement in overturning the ban on public sector collective bargaining. During the briefing, Dr. Fedderman noted:

 NEA was a great partner with VEA’s summer organizing efforts, helping to provide three full time organizers and 60 member-organizers to complement field staff.

 The blitz in 10 target locals resulted in 700 new members — the best of any affiliate. Stafford Education Association was the #1 growth local in NEA during that period.

 We have begun local collective bargaining outreach in some Local Unions and will be conducting training to capitalize on this opportunity.

 Despite the many adverse consequences of COVID-19, our members are more active, and our Union stronger, than in many years.

2021 Martha Wood Distinguished Service Award

VEA-Retired is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Martha Wood Distinguished Service Award. This annual award, recently renamed in honor of its first recipient, is meant to recognize retired members who have made significant contributions to the growth of the active and retired Association, promotion of public education, and the welfare of public educators.

Please see the included information regarding eligibility and the nomination process. Nominations for the 2021 award must be received at VEA by the close of business on December 18, 2020, and the award will be made during the 2021 VEA Delegate Assembly to be held March 11-13 in Abingdon.

If you know of a deserving retired member, please don’t hesitate to nominate them today!

Virginia Education Association-Retired

Martha Wood Distinguished Service Award

Purpose: The Martha Wood Distinguished Service Award is meant to recognize those retired members who have made significant contributions to the growth of the active and retired Association, promotion of public education, and the welfare of public educators.

Eligibility: The nominee must have been a member of VEA/NEA-Retired for at least five

consecutive years as of January 15 of the award year. The award may be given posthumously.

Nomination Procedure:

 Nominations may be submitted by any VEA member, active or retired.

 Nominations should be submitted in a portfolio which consists of:

 the completed nomination cover sheet,

 a brief narrative of the nominee’s activities on behalf of the Association (no more than two pages typed), and

 a letter of support from one other Association leader, active or retired (no more than two pages typed).

Nominations for the 2021 award must be received at VEA by the close of business on or before December 18, 2020.

 An independent committee of 3-5 retired members will review the nominations and make a recommendation to the VEA-Retired Council for its approval.

 The award will be made during the 2021 VEA Convention to be held March 11-13 in Abingdon.

Evaluation Committee:

 The committee shall be composed of 3-5 retired members selected by the VEA-Retired president.

 The committee should develop a matrix for evaluating the submissions based on the criteria stated in the Purpose Statement.

 Each person on the committee should read and rate each submission independently.

 The committee should compile its ratings in order to reach a consensus on its recommendation to the VEA-Retired Council.

NEA PD Opportunities

Mastering Distance Learning Webinars

Join NEA Teacher Quality in webinar designed to help you master the ins and outs of distance learning.

November 2, 2020

Social Emotional Learning in a Virtual Space

Register here:

https://www.mobilize.us/nea/event/314697/

December 7, 2020

Assessments: Formative and Summative from a Distance

Register here:

https://www.mobilize.us/nea/event/314701/

Regional Pre-Legislative Workshops

The VEA Office of Government Relations is conducting regional pre-legislative workshops through November via Zoom.

In the half hour prior to each Pre-Leg Workshop there will be a hearing on possible amendments to VEA Resolutions and on suggestions and concerns regarding the VEA Budget. These hearings are intended to guide your leaders as they develop resolution amendments and the next VEA Budget.

Please note that the budget hearing will not be an explanation of the proposed budget, as your ideas will assist in the development of that document in the months ahead. 

The following items will be discussed:

 Overview of November’s Elections

 Fiscal Condition of Commonwealth and Educational Funding Demands

 Profile of Legislators and Committee Composition

 VEA’s Legislative Agenda

 Legislative Issues/Lobbying Strategy

Monday, October 19 – ABINGDON

5:00pm Budget / 5:30pm Pre-Leg

OR

Tuesday, October 20 - ROANOKE

5:00pm Budget / 5:30pm Pre-Leg

OR

Wednesday, October 21 - STAUNTON

4:30pm Budget / 5:00pm Pre-Leg

Let Alice or Jessica know which session you plan to attend.

PCS Minutes August 11, 2020 

PCS New Bus Charging Stations 

PCS Graduation Audit 

PCS Financial Report for Sept. 2020 

PCS Financial Report July 2020 

PCS Enrollment Aug. 2020 

PCS Employer HSA Initial Deposit 

Form for PCS Delegate and Alternate for VSBA Convention 2020 

PCS CTE Certification Summary SY 19-20 

PCS CTE Annual Report 2020 

 PCS Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) Option

PCS Categorical Transfers and Budget Amendments for SY19-20 

 PCS Authorization of Grant Application for School Security Equipment

PCS Annual Performance Report SY18-19 

PCS 2020-2021 Budget Amendments 

 PCS 2020 Summer Regional Governor's School

PCS 2019-2020 Budget Summary and Request for Carryover 

PCS School Plan For Upcoming Weeks Unfolds

At the PCS School Board Special Session, held at Chatham Middle School August 27, despite recommendations from Superintendent Mark Jones that Pittsylvania County Schools bring students back for in-person classes on a hybrid model beginning in mid-September, the school board voted 6-1 to reject that proposal. The Pittsylvania County School Board opted to continue with remote learning and will reevaluate in two weeks.To read about what happened at the meeting, click this link: https://godanriver.com/news/local/pittsylvania-county-school-board-opts-to-continue-with-remote-learning-will-reevaluate-in-two-weeks/article_13190453-f05f-569e-bd68-214b9d4e77c2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

ESP’s: Sign Up Now for VEA ESP Virtual Conference, October 9-10

The annual ESP Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for ESPs to network, learn, and expand their leadership skills. If you’re a local President or other leader who works frequently with ESPs, please reach out and encourage them to participate. It’s virtual this year, so no travel required! Topics include legal issues and furlough concerns, collective bargaining, and racial and social justice. Sign up by Sept. 21.

First PEA Meeting of the Year

On behalf of the PEA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Staff, we are glad to be a part of a new school year with you. Though this year has been very different than any previously experienced, it has offered new ways of learning and leading with our colleagues, as well, as reaching and teaching our students. We know each and every one of you have been diligently working to provide top-notch services to a variety of stakeholders in our school division, not just recently but throughout this entire COVID-19 pandemic. We have been listening to your stories and we encourage you to continue to share them with us and your school board representative. Too, we have a great deal of activity occurring in our state legislature as well as within your local and state Union. With that said, we are postponing our first PEA meeting of the year until Thursday, September 10. The meeting will be held virtually. A virtual invite will be sent to you closer to the meeting date. We look forward to “seeing you” then. We wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend!

VEA COVID Bill Passes Committee, Budget Work Ahead

Governor Northam called the General Assembly (GA) back into session last week to address the state budget, the fallout from COVID-19, and measures on policing and criminal justice. VEA got its first win when our bill requiring school divisions to post their health/safety plans on their websites passed the Senate Education and Health Committee unanimously. Read more about the bill and other bills under consideration here.

Of huge importance to all educators is the state budget. Increases to K-12 passed during the regular session were suspended when COVID-19 began wreaking its havoc on finances. As the GA deliberates budget, VEA’s position is to maximize K-12 funding—public schools are already underfunded, and the pandemic has increased the needs for students, educators, and schools. Read this report on the budget situation and write your representative right now to demand that K-12 funding be restored.

2020 General Assembly Special Session

Special sessions of the General Assembly often deal mostly with budget items. However, this session, which reconvened on August 18, has over 300 bills filed! The reconvened session enters its second week and the House is meeting virtually to conduct business while the Senate is reconvening in person but social distancing and wearing masks.

An update from Wednesday morning's (8/26/2020) action from David Bailey about workman's compensation due to COVID-19 illness can be found in the two bills listed below. David Bailey works for David Bailey Associates, which is a full-service public relations, government affairs, and lobbying firm located immediately adjacent to the state capitol in Richmond. For 25 years, David Bailey Associates has developed and maintained effective working relationships with legislators and executive branch elected and appointed officials on all sides of the political spectrum.

School board employees were added to Delegate Jones HB 5028 and the bill reported from committee on August 26 on a vote of 18-4. It now goes to Appropriations to find the necessary funding (https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?202+ful+HB5028+hil).

Senator Saslaw’s SB5066 is expected to be amended to include school board employees (https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?202+sum+SB5066).

COVID-19 Instructional and Professional Help from NEA

We all need support and information as we tackle a school year unlike any we’ve seen before, and NEA is here to help. Through its “Educating Through Crisis” website, you can find help on topics including digital resources, your legal rights, health and safety, meeting student needs, and more. Find it all here: https://educatingthroughcrisis.org/.

Act Now: Sales Tax Hit Would Cost Our Local School Division Dearly

Your help is needed to make sure legislators fix a “technical” budget amendment that would end up costing local school divisions $189 million in the new school year. The complete story is complicated (brave readers go here), but the gist is that your local school division would lose funds unless the situation is fixed.

Take a minute to contact your representatives and ask them to support Budget Item 145 #6h, which would make sure local school divisions do not lose additional funding from the sales tax change. Let them know that this is no time to be cutting money for students and schools!

Seeking Talent: Propose a Session for VEA Virtual IPD Conference

One of the great strengths of VEA’s annual Instruction and Professional Development Conference is the member-to-member sharing of insight and information. As this year’s conference, “Stay Strong: Building Resilience Together,” is planned, VEA is inviting members to submit presentation proposals. VEA is interested in a wide range of topics and instructional practices. Conference attendees will be meeting virtually this year, so you can do your training without even leaving home. If you need Zoom training, PEA-VEA is happy to provide it. VEA will also provide a moderator to help you manage participants’ interactions in the chat area. Pittsylvania County Schools should be able to provide up to 15 re-licensure points (speak with your building-level administrator/supervisor) — and the Commonwealth of Virginia will provide 15 re-licensure points! Submit your proposals here. VEA has extended the deadline to submit a proposal to September 11.

NEA Survey Could Reach You Soon!

To make sure our Union offers the most appropriate professional support, NEA is working with vendor MSI to survey NEA members and potential members beginning the week of September 6. Several thousand members across the country, a small fraction in Virginia, will receive emails, post-cards and/or calls. This is a legitimate survey to help PEA-VEA strengthen our professional products and services.

DCC, PEA & PCS Partner for National Entrepreneur Day

 National Entrepreneur’s Day is an annual event occurring on the third Tuesday of November (November 19) that honors people who have built an empire from absolutely nothing. Radical inventions by brilliant minds have shaped the way we live today, not to mention our future.

In an effort to develop youth entrepreneurship, Pittsylvania Education Association, (PEA), and DCC in partnership with Pittsylvania County Schools, is expanding Danville Community College’s Barkhouser Free Enterprise Small Business Idea Fair. The Fair is being expanded into the middle and high schools; this opportunity will provide short-term, non-credit business planning training to these students. Additionally, interested students would have an opportunity to study entrepreneurship and build a business through DCC’s Venture Creation & Management degree program.

This Idea Fair event is an entrepreneurship competition delivered in a trade show/science fair format. The event has been successfully operated for four years at DCC with strong annual participant growth. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Idea Fair for 2020 would be conducted in a virtual environment. More information to be shared during our PEA September membership meeting.

Note: Minorities and students of color are strongly encouraged to participate.

‘Something is terribly wrong’: VEA PRESIDENT CALLS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Statement of Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingston on the events in our country:
Words cannot express our outrage at the senseless, immoral, and systemic murder of unarmed black men and women we have seen over centuries of American history, most recently at the hands of law enforcement who are charged with the protection of human life. It is clear that something is terribly wrong and to deny that fact is but another example of the privilege enjoyed by white America.
The Virginia Education Association condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the murder of and marginalization of members of the African American community and calls on all people of moral character to stand with our brothers and sisters of color in demanding an end to the hate and oppression created by racism. The VEA further calls on all educational organizations and institutions to work collaboratively and with intentionality for the elimination of racism and bigotry.
In 2020, civilized people would have expected that racism and bigotry had become an obscure part of our nation’s history, but instead we see the proliferation of a culture of “white supremacy” growing out of control. That culture of privilege has been on display for decades and is now highlighted by the current global health crisis in which people of color have suffered disproportionately. From underfunded public schools and lack of social, emotional, health, and economic resources, to the murder of unarmed African American men and women in American streets at the hands of law enforcement, ours is a society in crisis.
The VEA is united in its belief that our communities can only realize racial justice through educational justice. We are committed to the necessary actions to ensure all marginalized students and their families are treated with dignity and respect, and that their lives are not only enriched by our educational system but are secured by a system of justice that provides for their equal protection.
Anything less is a betrayal of the American Dream.

RETURN TO SCHOOL PLANNING MEETING

On Thursday, June 18, Dr. Mark Jones convened a meeting of PCS school staff to discuss returning to school for the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Jones provided a PowerPoint presentation (a copy is attached in your email) outlining Virginia’s response to COVID-19, the phases of reopening Virginia, and the PCS plan. During the meeting, Dr. Jones stated there were opportunities for staff to be involved in the return to school planning process by joining one of the following committees: Employees, Instruction, Schedule, Virtual/Online Learning, Special Education/Health, Transportation, Hygiene, Buildings, and Social/Emotional Wellness.
Dr. Jones indicated by Thursday, June 25, 2020, Reopening Plan Team chairs will provide a copy of a draft plan for each of the following: Employees, Instruction, Schedule, Virtual/Online Learning, Special Education/Health, Transportation, Hygiene, Buildings, and Social/Emotional Wellness. The input he received during the June 18 meeting was shared with chairs on Monday, June 22.
Some of the questions posed and answered in the GoogleMeet chat feature, as well as live, included:
 I know this is hypothetical but what is the plan if a teacher/student/staff contracts COVID...will that result in immediate closure of the buildings and a reversion to Phase I were we are all online?
 What about the plans that we wrote this past summer? Where do those fit in?
 Are you considering options for teachers who are medically fragile or live with people who are and do not feel comfortable going back into the classroom?
 If they (lessons) were recorded, the lessons could be posted to a Google Classroom that students could have access to.
 Dr. Jones, will there be extra cleaning and sanitizing of school buildings and classrooms?
Dr. Jones stated, “ There are many issues to consider as we plan to reopen.” Superintendent Jones plans to meet with the entire Teacher Planning Committee again on Thursday, July 9. Too, he has called virtual meetings of the Teacher’s Advisory, Citizen’s Advisory, and Support Staff Advisory Committees as well as the Committee for Minority Concerns to be conducted during the first and second full weeks of July to discuss reopening schools. Dr. Jones indicated after drafts are reviewed, team chairs will reconvene their meetings to prepare a final draft for review as the final plan will be submitted to the School Board for approval.

INTERVIEW WITH PCS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – Tracey Worley

As we move forward into summer, there have been lingering questions about what funding and finances will look like when the 2020-2021 school year begins. On June 10, PEA had the opportunity to have a sit-down interview with PCS Director of Finance, Tracey Worley. Below is a transcript of the interview:
Tell us about yourself/describe for us your role as Director of Finance for Pittsylvania County Schools (PCS).
I am a product of PCS; A 1985 graduate of GHS. I enjoyed the small elementary school life at Mt. Airy elementary and went to Averett College in Danville, graduating in 1989, earning a B.S. with concentration in Accounting. I received my CPA license in 1992. I worked in the private arena until coming to the county in 1994 to work for the Board of Supervisors as their first Director of Finance and then came to the school system in 2000 as Budget Supervisor. The thing I enjoyed the most through my journey in the finance world is going from the private to the public/government world of accounting. It was quite a learning curve but I have enjoyed this side of accounting very much. I became the first Director of Finance for PCS in 2012 when Mr. Don Johnson retired from the school division.
What is the most challenging part of budgeting for you?
From year to year, it’s the amount of funding that we receive for PCS. It’s just not enough. The majority of our funds come from the state. Our county is doing all they can. They are trying to give us more funding. We are just so far behind in that category and it is going to take quite some time to build up the local funding. We are such a large school system, it takes a lot of money to do anything.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work and our school division’s budget/finance operations… Many are concerned about the completion of the Evergreen Solutions compensation study. Can you describe what potential plans PCS has for completing the study and incorporating a cost of living adjustment?
When things absolutely turned around on a dime in March, it was devastating. After several years, we actually had a budget that looked like Christmas in July. We were going to have funding to give employees the last phase of the compensation study, and their steps for FY 2019 and FY 2020. When the economy shut down, everybody knew it was not going to end well from an economic standpoint or medical standpoint. We were financially able to honor all contracts through June 30 2020 and it is my hope that all of our employees are grateful for that as well. Revenue losses for FY 2020 have not been as bad as we thought they would be. We are still waiting to see what our sales tax revenue will be for the month of June. We are anticipating it will be less than budgeted, but it will give guidance to better project for July and August. The amount we receive for sales tax revenue is two months behind… so what we receive in June is based on what the population spends in April. Our total budget with Cares Act money and new state money received based on SOQ, is still looking similar to the budget that was passed by the BOS in March. However, there is no new projection for lottery or sales tax and we have to anticipate those revenues being lower than originally projected. When April lottery numbers came in, they were 14.4% below where they were the previous year. Hopefully, things will not be as bad economically speaking with the state slowly reopening. That is why we have to be very cautious and conservative when we start the school year. The initial plan for the CARES ACT money is to be used for “Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operations of and continuity of services and continuing to employee existing staff”.
A lot of the money we were expecting to receive, like compensation money, is currently un-allotted, this means if things turn around and we receive this money, then we are looking to see what we can do for a “during the year” salary increase. We need about $1.2 million to complete the compensation study. You cannot use CARES money to give a bonus or raise; if we do not need the CARES money for normal operating expenses, we can use that for other expense like technology for students and staff.
Looking at those who are near or at retirement, in addition to those who have held on at their current pay/step, if PCS gets money from Governor Northam later this year, will that money be incorporated as a bonus or will it be a salary adjustment? Too, if the money is received during this year (2020), will that money be included in pay during 2020 or held off until 2021 and what impact could that have on employee taxes and retirement.
The number one goal is to get the final phase of the compensation study implemented, next will be the step increases for FY 2019 and FY 2020. After that, we will look at doing a cost of living adjustment to the salary scales as funding is available. If a salary change is made during the fiscal year, it will be effective from that date forward. That would then be your credible comp in VRS, effective whatever date PCS would be able to implement the increase. I (Tracey) am always in favor of a salary increase instead of a bonus. Generally when a bonus is given, it is given with one-time money, but if the compensation money from the state is re-allotted, that would be used to implement the compensation study.
If you had a wish list of what we could do with Pittsylvania County Schools finances for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond, what would that list look like and why?
The first thing, I would put a very nice cost of living adjustment on the salary schedules to bring us into 2020. The second thing would be maintenance and getting our buildings back up to par… stop the roof leaks, pave parking lots, etc. The third thing would be too add new programs for instruction and allow PCS to continue to grow.

THE PATH TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING/VEA VIRTUAL SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

During the General Assembly session, VEA helped overturn a decades-long ban on public sector collective bargaining. Thanks to VEA, local Unions will have the right to be recognized for bargaining beginning in 2021. That’s HUGE!
But before we bargain a new contract, we will have to organize, build coalitions, grow Union membership, and much more. At the Virtual Summer Leadership Conference, VEA will equip you with the skills to win representation and have a real voice. You need to sign up now and encourage your fellow members to join the fight!
The conference runs from July 13-17 and registration is open now. Sessions are spread across the five days, usually with virtual presentations in the mornings followed by virtual Q&A or “labs” in the afternoons.
This comprehensive online training is open to anyone interested in stepping up as a leader in the VEA or their local Union. And it’s FREE! All you’ll need, once you’ve registered, is reliable internet access and a device with a webcam and microphone. Sign up today!

NEA MICRO-CREDENTIAL VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area.
NEA will be providing members an opportunity to participate in a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support successful completion of a NEA Micro-credential from start to finish. Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time. The virtual PLC will be facilitated by a trained micro-credential facilitator and consist of weekly support meetings via Zoom. PLCs will start during the week of July 13 and end by August 31. PLCs will meet on the day.
You may register for one of the following PLCs by clicking the link at the bottom of this page:
 Exploring Restorative Practices: Educators will explore restorative practices to strengthen relationships and build a community where harm can be addressed and repaired. PLC will meet on Monday afternoon/evenings.
 Technology for Educational Leaders: Curating Content: Educators will use a variety of curation tools to collect meaningful content for their students. PLC will meet on Tuesday afternoon/evenings.
 Technology Integration: Citizen: Educators will inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly participate in the digital world. PLC will meet on Wednesday afternoon/evenings.
 Teaching the Teacher: The Importance of Continuous Learning: Educators will demonstrate the impact of continuous professional development and its application on their own teaching practice and student success. PLC will meet on Thursday afternoon/evenings.
To learn more, please click the links below:
Learn more about NEA Micro-credentials
View all Micro-credentials on NEA Certification Bank
Click to Register for a Micro-credential PLC

PCS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Pittsylvania County School Board met on Tuesday, June 9. The school board meetings can now be viewed on YouTube. To view school board meetings online, visit https://www.pcs.k12.va.us/school_board/board_meeting_on_you_tube
During the meeting, Tracey Worley discussed how the economic impact was not as bad as originally thought and hopefully things would continue to improve, but that there was a spending freeze at this time. The following students were highlighted in a presentation for recognition by the Board:
- 2019-2020 School Board Student Representatives
- Beta Club Winners
- Region 2C State Wrestling Champion (Elijah Moshenek)
- State VHSL Class 2 Male Athlete of the Year (Ethan Lewis)
- VSBA Regional Art Contest Winners
- SkillsUSA Winners
- Perfect Attendance (13 years)
- Industry Certification Perfect Scores
Other items of discussion included the State Review Board and the Virginia Board of Historic Resources would be considering, at its June 18 meeting, Southside High School to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and included in the Virginia Landmarks Register. Too, Pittsylvania County reached out to PCS in an effort to renovate the Educational and Cultural Center (ECC) Auditorium for the purpose of creating a multipurpose meeting space that would allow for greater social distancing as well as live streaming of meetings. To perform the renovations, Pittsylvania County would spend part of its COVID-19 CARES Act Corona Virus Relief Funds. Board meeting documents with details attached to the PEA Gazette email and are posted on our PEA Blog.

Q&A WITH DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT

These have been for certain trying times for all educators as we continue to transition into what we all can feel is the unknown. In doing so, many questions have been sparked about what is to come for our school division. With that said, as questions have come to me, I have compiled them and asked Dr. Mark Jones, PCS Division Superintendent if he would provide answers. As follows are the questions (some of them were repeat and therefore consolidated) and answers Dr. Jones provided:
Q: Any news as to when our 2020-2021 school year contracts will be available for signature?
A: The School Board reviewed the revisions to the Budget at its May meeting. Contracts should be run by June 1, 2020.
Q: If we do not get the next phase of the compensation study (2020-2021) in our contracts, and we get money from Governor Northam later this year, will that money be incorporated as a bonus or will it be a salary adjustment?
A: If the funds are available, the Division will look at both approaches to providing increases for staff. The School Board will provide the final approval.
Q: Will the school year be online, in person, both? What are the plans for how and when we start the school year?
A: At this time, we are looking at three different timelines for beginning school next year.
 Timeline I: Traditional Summer Programs Reopen Date (Summer School)
 Timeline 1:1: Face-to-face instruction allowed with or without a variance
 Timeline 1:2: Face-to-face instruction limited or needs to be limited
 Timeline II: Fall On-Time Reopen Date or Early Calendar Start
 Timeline 2:1: Schools open with student and face-to-face instruction
 Timeline 2:2: Schools open with limited face-to-face instruction and/or social distancing requirements
 Timeline2:3: Schools remain closed until a pre-determined or undetermined date.
 Timeline III: Fall Late Reopen Date/Extended Out of School Learning
 Timeline 3: Fall Late Reopen Date/Extended Out Of School Learning
Q: If we start back school with students, will we have the same setup as a regular school day or will our schedules change?
A: The State Superintendent has convened a Return to School Timeline Advisory Panel to provide a guidance document to inform policy makers’ decisions and aide in the development of the planning that must happen in advance of Virginia students return to school. The committee made assumptions of what reopening may look like.
Q: Will we have full classes or modified?
A: At this time, all options for opening of school next year are being reviewed.
Q: What is the plan for social distancing and monitoring student health?
A: At this time, all options for opening of school next year are being reviewed.
Q: Are we protected from being furloughed once all of our resources are in these Google classrooms? I am a little hesitant about giving access to a completely set up Google classroom without making sure there are protections.
A: The School Board and staff made adjustments last evening during the School Board meeting to mitigate the expected loss of state revenues. This has been accomplished at this time by transferring staff and not filling vacant positions. Uncertainty about sales tax and lottery revenues continues and those sources of funding will be monitored throughout the year.
Q: Will students need to be E1ed or will they automatically be enrolled at the start of the school year by the school itself?
A: Unless we receive different guidance from the VDOE, all students will be E1ed next year. This may be handled differently if students are working from home, but the VDOE will let us know how to handle this.
Q: Teachers would like to be involved in the decision-making process for how the "new" school year takes shape. Is there an avenue/opportunity for that moving forward so teachers can be included in the decisions that directly impact them?
A: The work that teachers are doing now is essential to re-opening schools. Having high quality instructional units aligned with the curriculum and pacing that can be provided online or as take-home packets greatly improves the educational opportunity for students. These will be extremely important if we are unable to return at the beginning of the school year. The VDOE has convened committees to address returning to school, and PCS staff members have participated. When this work becomes public in the next few weeks, staff will be notified, and we will use it to adjust our plans.
Q: For the checking in process with the school nurse, will the school division be getting or start using the No Touch, forehead thermometer or an infrared thermometer? I would feel better knowing I am safer with a thermometer that hasn't been in the mouths of several other people repeatedly.
A: Yes, the infrared thermometers have been ordered and should have been here this week (Week of May 11, 2020).
Q: Will the county allow for more storage space on the computers? Images and files are taking up more space but they have to be stored somewhere in the meantime trying to move them into some form in Google?
A: Dr. Mark Jones forwarded the question to Dr. Early for a response.
Please continue to ask and send in your questions (jessica.jones@pcs.k12.va.us) and I will work to get you answers.

TEACHER PERFORMANCE REVISIONS FOR 2020-2021

The Teacher Evaluation Revision Committee met on Wednesday, May 13 to discuss the responses received. A summary of the responses is provided for your review.
Teacher Evaluation Review:
 12 of 13 respondents indicated “no” to maintain the current PCS evaluation and 1 of 13 “yes”
 The “yes” indicted agreement with a change, if it was the pleasure of most committee members, provided that standard 7 was not rated lower than the other six standards.
 12 of 13 agreed to the recommended revisions in the Guidelines (February 2020) with the following (summarized) comments/provisions:
 Two respondents stated that standard 6 (professionalism) should be rated at least equal to standards 1-5; i.e., did not agree with the suggested weight of 1 or 10%
 Four respondents expressed agreement with weighted changes, or to making sure that with any changes that standard 7 (student progress) was not a lower weight than standards 1-6.
 Five suggestions were offered at revised weighting (provided by two respondents who served on both committees):
 Standard 1 (Professional Knowledge) – 25%, Standard 7 (Student Progress) – 25% and other standards weighted
at 10% each
 Standards 1,2,3,4,5 – 12% each, Standard 6 – 15% and Standard 7 – 25%
 Standards 1,2,3,4,5 – 13% each, Standard 6 – 15% and Standard 7 20%
 Standards 1,2,3,4,5,6 – 12.5% each and Standard 7 – 25%
 Standards 1,2,3,4,5,6 – 13.33% each and Standard 20%
There was a strong consensus to make a change from the current system in which standard 7 has a weight of 4 or 40% for the teacher evaluation. Concerns were expressed about the recommended weight of standard 6 (professionalism) being less (1 versus 1.5 of the others) and the perception of it being valued less.
Several questions were posed from a few respondents. A response is provided in italics.
 Will the committee meet to hear feedback from the online data collection and/or to provide further input moving forward? Mr. Mayhew will schedule a
Google Meet session.
 Will PCS create an additional criterion to the summative rating? Is so, what does it look like and when will it be shared with teachers? No plans for additional local criterion
 If revised, when would the evaluation system be implemented? If approved, 2020-2021.
 When and to what extent will the PCS priori (cut-offs) be developed? Recommend that the current range of cut-off priori used be included in teacher’s manual.
 Cumulative summative rating scores will be calculated using the following scale:
 Unacceptable = 1
 Developing/Needs improvement = 2
 Proficient = 3
 Exemplary = 4
 The overall summative rating will be judged as exemplary, proficient, developing/needs improvement, or unacceptable using the following range of scores:
 Unacceptable = 10-19
 Developing/Needs improvement = 20-25
 Proficient = 26-34
 Exemplary = 35-40
After much conversation, the committee agreed on Option E (See graphic on pg. 2 of this month's Gazette). Further, it was discussed teachers will get a copy of the Summary Rating Scale at the beginning of the year to have for their records and use. Too, it was discussed principals will receive an evaluation calculator that will perform the math steps of the evaluation to ensure consistency and accuracy of the calculations. The new teacher evaluation system will become effective July 1, 2020.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Our Union has been working to help plan for the future. Our Union developed an online learning agreement and presented the proposal to Dr. Mark Jones and Ms. Teresa Petty for review. Thank you to Cory Foster, Daniel Tittiris, Jennifer Watson, Kate Wells, and Alice Willingham for serving on the learning agreement committee. A copy of the proposal is in this month's PEA Gazette for your review. We look forward to reporting the next steps of the process as we move forward.

PCS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Pittsylvania County School Board met on Tuesday, May 12. It was discussed for fiscal year 2020-2021, PCS would receive a 3 1/2% decrease in premiums with all the savings (Range of $25-$91 depending on plan) going back to employees. Human resources reported contracted employees will be paid until the end of the school year. Human resources is currently preparing contracts (approved by board at May meeting) where Keystone will house contracts and generate electronic signatures. Implementation of the “online contract process” was planned for 2021-2022 but HR is moving forward now. Teacher evaluation committee met on 5/13 at 2pm and principal’s evaluation committee met on 5/13 at 3pm. School division is awaiting guidance from Dr. James Lane, State Superintendent for Public Instruction. Board meeting documents with details attached to the PEA Gazette email.

HELP GATHER COVID-19 STORIES, MOVE PUBLIC OPINION

Statistics are fine, but stories move the needle when it comes to winning in the public forum. We know that many VEA members are doing extraordinary things to support students and their Union colleagues during COVID-19. We want to recognize them! Please take the time to nominate a member who is doing great things and circulate this notice to others who can make sure everyday heroes in our public schools are recognized. If it’s easier for you to talk directly to a VEA staffer, please contact Tom Allen at 804-775-8318 or tallen@veanea.org.

Thank you for ALL you do!!!

The Goin’s On in Richmond — An Update on the General Assembly

Gov. Ralph Northam wants lawmakers to put $2 billion in new spending on pause while the economic impact from the coronavirus pandemic plays out in Virginia, his top fiscal adviser said Sunday, April 12.

Among the other changes the General Assembly will consider when it returns to Richmond Wednesday, April 22: delaying an increase in the state’s minimum wage. It’s still too soon to know how much revenue the state has lost and will continue to lose because thousands of Virginians are out of jobs and spending is down, Northam’s finance secretary, Aubrey Layne, said on a call with reporters the afternoon of Sunday, April 12. The budget that was passed a month ago, before the pandemic, also doesn’t include all of the COVID-19 expenses the state has incurred, let alone still to come. “The only thing I know for certain right now is that the economy and the outlook for us — for both the U.S. and the Virginia economy — are undergoing a contraction without precedent in our history,” he said.

Northam is asking the General Assembly to approve freezes of $874.6 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and $1.4 billion in the next fiscal year. They would last until the state has a better idea of how much less money is coming in. Northam would then ask lawmakers to come back to Richmond sometime in late summer or early fall to reshape the budget. The freeze also gives time for the Northam administration to know exactly how it’s allowed to spend the $1.8 billion Virginia is expected to get from the federal stimulus package. Localities are expected to get another $1.5 billion.

Halting new spending means there won’t be money for a state commission to investigate the Virginia Beach mass shooting, at least for now. It also means no raises for teachers or state employees, as well as no new spending on infrastructure such as roads. Northam’s chief of staff, Clark Mercer, told state agency heads earlier this month to halt any discretionary spending and freeze hiring.

To make up for some of the lost revenue expected, Northam is proposing to tax so-called games of skill — slot-like machines found in restaurants, bars and convenience stores — and put the revenue into a COVID-19 relief fund for small businesses as well as for housing and nursing home assistance. Lawmakers voted to ban the machines effective July 1, saying they were harmful to Virginia Lottery sales — which generate revenue for schools — and would increase the risk of problem gambling. But Northam wants to temporarily tax them at 35%, which Mercer said could generate around $100 million. They’d then be banned after a year. In addition to bringing the state money, Mercer said allowing the games for a year would ease the burden on restaurants that have had to severely limit business or close entirely.

One of the biggest changes Northam proposed is delaying the first increase in minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9.50 an hour. The bill was supposed to go into effect January 1, and Northam suggested pushing that start date to May 1, 2021. If that change is approved, the minimum wage would still increase incrementally as lawmakers originally proposed after May 2021, ending with $12 an hour in 2023.

Del. Todd Gilbert, the GOP House leader, said in a statement the businesses required to implement the minimum wage increase would be “digging out of this financial hole well past May 1, 2021.” “The actions taken by the governor fail to provide long-term certainty for Virginia’s businesses and their employees,” he added. Northam also suggested delaying when public government employees — including teachers — can begin collective bargaining until May 2021, rather than July 1.

The General Assembly is slated to take up Northam’s amendments April 22 in Richmond.

Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Application Available

In honor of VEA leader and staff member Beblon Parks, we offer a $500 scholarship to a high school senior intending to pursue a career in education. Dependents of a VEA or a VEA-Retired member are eligible. It’s a great opportunity for the person selected to win the scholarship, so please help us find candidates. More information and a downloadable application available here - https://files.veanea.net/data/public/05ca6d

Virginia Learns Anywhere

In an effort to support Virginia educators, VDOE created the Continuity for Learning (C4L) Task Force consisting of teachers, leaders, and collaborating educational partners across Virginia.

I was invited and requested by Dr. James Lane, State Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve on the Task Force.

Dedicated educators from across Virginia came together during the week of March 30 through April 3 to develop a Continuity for Learning (C4L) document that provides a framework for the work that divisions are doing now to accommodate continuous learning opportunities for children while schools are closed but also what learning can look like for the future of Education in Virginia.

The C4L Task Force has prepared Virginia Learns Anywhere (document attached in this email) which reinforces much-needed structure while also empowering individual teachers to support students in learning remotely. The C4L Task Force encourages divisions to develop and implement continuous learning plans in partnership with local county health departments, families, staff, and local boards of education. 

April School Board Meeting Address and Related Items

Over the past decade, the
PEA has been able to be
address the school board to
provide issues, concerns and
updates to the local school
board. In recent years, PEA
has been able to have a
school board member serve
as a liaison to the
organization. This
self-efficacy model is the
only one that exists in our
VEA service region and as an
organization, we know being
able to be on the school
board monthly meeting
agenda as well as have a
school board member in
attendance at our monthly
meetings is a key component
in the organization’s ability to
communicate with the school
the board and general
public. The PEA addresses
the board during the Public
Presentations/Announcement
section of the agenda. Below
is the PEA address provided
during the April 14, 2020
school board meeting.
“Good evening Chairman
Burton, Dr. Jones, school
board members, central office
staff, students, parents, and
community leaders.
What a roller coaster of a ride
the past 30 days have been.
Life as we know it went from
full swing to almost a
screeching halt literally in the
blink of an eye. I am glad to
see that everyone in
attendance is doing well this
evening and I truly hope it
remains that way. There are
so many things that I believe I
could say at this moment, but
first and foremost is to pray for
the strength and vitality of
those who hear my voice and
for those who cannot at this
time.
As we turn the corner of what
has been an arduous,
relentless, invisible menace,
there are better and brighter
things to focus on. To see
people come together in this
most difficult time has been
amazing. All walks of life have
labored to make masks, check
on their neighbors, and get
groceries, medicines and
supplies where possible. In
our school division, we have
seen efforts on equalizing
technology for teachers and
staff to ensure individuals can
work from home with the
devices they need to provide
instruction to the best of their
ability; we have seen an
ongoing meal program to
ensure students are being fed
of which we all know hunger
is a barrier to not just learning
but living too; and we have
seen innovation in social
distancing techniques to keep
employees and the public
safe.
However, I know we sit at an
intersection where the roads
are not necessarily well-lit
and the terrain may be rough,
but I know you all are working
to try and do what is right for
the employees of Pittsylvania
County Public Schools. The
budget is one of the most
obvious issues that face us
ahead. We also have to
acknowledge, what does the
new normal look like and
when? There are so many
questions, with very few
answers, but as I have told my
students, this too shall pass
and we will emerge stronger,
more nimble, equipped and
ready for the future.
I recently sat on Dr. James
Lane’s, state superintendent of
public instruction Continuity
for Learning Task force. On
the first day we convened, we
were challenged not to see
how things are but how they
can be. How to make things
better that of which is in our
control by the thing that we
cannot control. We can
control our decisions to set a
clear vision on the horizon for
a better tomorrow. We can
learn from our past mistakes
and look not to replicate
them, but to find the good and
maximize it . We can
understand we are all human
and need to truly love one
another as thyself and be for
what is right, just and fair
because look around – all we
have is each other.
In closing, I do ask for a
moment of reflection. It is with
great sadness that I report that
the Virginia Education
Association has lost one of our
members to the COVID-19
crisis. Angela Jackson, a
custodian in the Alexandria
City Public Schools, passed
away last night from
complications of the virus.
Of course, we can’t say for
sure when Ms. Jackson
contracted the coronavirus,
but we do know that she put
her life on the line for her
students , school , and
community by continuing to
report to work, as instructed,
after school closures in March.
She and her custodial
col leagues worked to
maintain and disinfect school
buildings so that services
could continue, including
meal delivery to
underprivileged students,
until April 1.
The kind of courage and
commitment demonstrated by
Ms. Jackson is going on across
Virginia and Pittsylvania
County Public Schools every
day, and we stand in awe of
the courage our members and
colleagues are showing to
support their communities.
Ms. Jackson also showed her
activist heart during a
successful campaign to fight
the privatization of custodial
positions in Alexandria last
year. If privatization had been
adopted, 30 hard-working
staff members would have lost
their jobs.
We salute Ms. Jackson and
mourn her loss. I urge
everyone, in the strongest
terms possible, to further honor
her by following safety and
health precautions
recommended by the CDC and
local authorities.
Please keep Ms. Jackson’s family
in your thoughts and prayers at
this especially difficult time
along with members of her
Education Association of
Alexandria family. Thank you.”
Below is the address to which
you may wish to send notes/
cards of sympathy to Angela’s
family:
The Family of Angela Jackson
6818 Southfield Road
Ft. Washington, MD, 20744-1057
Please continue to lift her
immediate family along with
her Education Association of
Alexandria family in your
thoughts and prayers.

COVID-19 Assistance from VEA, NEA, and NEA Member Benefits

Throughout this difficult time, each of us are experiencing similar circumstances but have different needs. In this article you will find information and resources to assist you during these challenging times brought on by COVID-19.

VEA’s COVID-19 resource page https://www.veanea.org/covid19/, with FAQs and other helpful links.

NEA Member Benefits’ COVID-19 webpage https://www.neamb.com/pages/member-assistance-program-job-layoff-resources, which includes information on programs to help members in distress.

A VEA webpage https://www.veanea.org/member-spotlights/ highlighting members who are going above and beyond, and another page for members to share their COVID-19 story -https://www.veanea.org/submit-your-covid-19-story/

NEA’s “Schools and Corona-virus: What You Should Know” -http://neatoday.org/2020/01/06/schools-and-coronavirus/?_ga=2.60569389.145945831.1586461565-128555668.1494008319

PUU Proposed Bylaw Amendment

The Piedmont UniServ Unit has proposed a bylaw amendment.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT (text underlined and highlighted)

 BYLAWS

OF THE

PIEDMONT UNISERV UNIT OF VEA, INCORPORATED

Article IX - Quorum

A quorum for all meetings of the Board of Directors of the Unit shall be those present in person or participating via phone/video and voting provided that a majority of the officers of the Unit are present and provided that in addition at least four local associations are represented. The officers of the Unit shall not be counted as representatives for any local association for the purpose of achieving a quorum. A quorum for the Annual Meeting of the Unit shall be those present and voting.

February 24, 2020 (presented to Unit Board of Directors)

March/April 2020 (out for review by local Boards of Directors)

The amendment will be voted on an upcoming meeting of the PUU Board of Directors.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposed amendment, please contact Cory Foster at cfoster0687@gmail.com and copy the UniServ office at piedmontveanea@verizon.net. Thank you.

Union Meeting with Division Superintendent and Information on Teacher Performance Evaluation Committee

Piedmont UniServ Unit Director, Alice Willingham and I met with Pittsylvania County Public Schools Division Superintendent on Friday, April 3. Ms. Willingham and I were glad to talk with Dr. Jones in regards to how the Pittsylvania Education Association and the school division can continue to collaborate on future projects.
During the meeting, we discussed several key items, including the following questions:
· How is the local school division handling staffing and work requirements?
· What are the plans for evaluations?
· What are the plans to pay non-contracted (hourly) employees?
· What plans are there for non-renewal, transfers, next year contracts?
and;
· What are the plans for SPED accommodations/testing requirements?
Dr. Mark Jones provided us
very thorough, well-thought and research-based responses. He articulated to us the need to provide a unified message from his office outlining the current status of the division and the vision for the future. What was shared with us in the meeting was outlined in the Superintendent's Weekly Wrap-up - April 3, 2020.
Further we discussed providing workshop opportunities for those individuals interested in becoming national board certified teachers. Too, we discussed the potential for PEA and PCPS partnering on a project through the National Education Association’s (NEA) Center for Great Public Schools. Typically, funded grant requests range from $3,000 to $25,000 over a 1-year period.
Further, as we follow the Governor’s orders during this unprecedented time of school closure, the meeting scheduled for March 19 to discuss the Virginia Board of Education’s approved revisions to the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards for Teachers (Guidelines) was postponed. Therefore, Dr. Lillian Holland reached out electronically to gain input from committee members. Our committee was instructed to review the attached memo and proposed new Guidelines and then reply with a response to following:
1. Maintain the current PCS evaluation instrument ratings (with standard 7 rated at 40%): Yes or No
2. Recommend a change to the recommended revisions in the Guidelines (February 2020) Yes or No
Based on the information provided, I responded No to Question 1 and Yes to Question 2 with the caveat of increasing Standard 6 to a weight of 1.5 instead of 1 (Screenshot below).
The committee had until April 21 to provide initial feedback. More to come as information becomes available.

PCS Graduate of Merit Scholarship Update

At our February PEA meeting, we voted to sponsor the Pinnacle Award for the top graduating senior from Pittsylvania County Public Schools. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Graduate of Merit ceremony has been cancelled.
Ms. Teresa Petty, Pittsylvania County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Instruction sent each sponsor a letter updating everyone of the status of the Graduate of Merit scholarship. In Ms. Petty’s communication, she said:
“Pittsylvania County Schools would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being one of the 2020 Grad-uate of Merit scholarship
sponsors. Your willingness to help recognize and acknowledge the accomplishments of these graduates who exemplify attributes of achievement, proficiency, character and social development demonstrates your commitment to excellence in education.
As you are well aware, the COVID-19 virus has impacted our world, country, state, community, school division, our students and the Graduate of Merit recognition program. In the past a culminating recognition event was held to honor these young individuals. It is unfortunate that the event will not be held for 2020 for the safety and well-being of all.
Pittsylvania County Schools feels that it is still important
to recognize the accomplishments of these outstanding you men and women. Your contribution of scholarship funds will be assigned to a deserving Graduate of Merit recipient that will help them in continuing their educational endeavors.
In place of the recognition event at Averett North Campus, students will receive their certificate, medallion, PowerPoint CD and a scholarship check. Sponsors will receive a copy of the PowerPoint CD.
Previously, sponsors were presented a sponsorship plaque at the event. The plaque will not be gathered this year to be engraved. This will help avoid direct contact on multiple levels to hopefully elude the potential spreading of the virus.”

The Road, Untraveled

While in the grocery store, I

participated in a

conversation with one of the

cashiers. She was remarking

about how awful she felt that

her senior year had

vanished. What about

graduation, what about

prom, what about college?

While talking with her, other

customers starting speaking

up. “My daughter is going to

wear her prom dress around

the house until we get our

money out of it,” “My son

already has his virtual

campus check-in date,” “My

daughter is graduating

virtually. It’s not the same,

but at least we get to spend it

together as a family.”

The changes that are

occurring in education not

only are shaping how we do

business today, but what our

future and ultimately our

history looks like.

In a communication from

Pittsylvania County Public

Schools Division

Superintendent to senior

students and parents, Dr.

Mark Jones said:

"Dear Seniors and Parents,

I know this must be an

especially difficult time for

you seniors and your parents

as we navigate through the

impact of COVID-19. Without

question, one’s senior year

should be memorable, and I

am heartbroken for you. The

high school principals, central

office personnel, and the

School Board want to assure

you that we are doing

everything possible to ensure

your senior year is special and

that you receive the

recognition that seniors have

earned and deserve.

In an effort to mitigate some of

the results of this epidemic,

the School Board approved

rescheduling high school

graduations at its April

meeting. High school

graduations have been

rescheduled on July 17 and

18, 2020, at Averett

University's North

Campus. This should allow

time after Governor

Northam’s order is lifted on

June 10, 2020, and is the first

date that Averett’s facility is

available. However, if

restrictions remain in place

longer than anticipated and in

-person ceremonies are not

possible, the school division is

actively exploring all

possibilities to honor and

recognize our graduates. If

this is required, we will share

further details as we know

more.

The Superintendent of Public

Instruction for Virginia has

met with division

superintendents to share his

commitment that students

on-track for graduation prior

to the closing of schools will

graduate. I would like to

provide information relating

to flexibility that is being

provided as it relates to

graduation. I hope this eases

many of your concerns. If you

continue to have questions in

this regard, I encourage you

to call your high school

principal, school counselor,

the director of secondary

education, or me.

Please review the

requirements below. Also,

please be reminded that all

students, including seniors,

are expected to complete the

continuity of learning

online/take-home packets

for the remainder of the

school year.

The following graduation

requirements can be waived:

 Students currently enrolled

in a course for which they

need a standard or verified

credit in order to graduate;

 Students who have

successfully completed a

course required for

graduation, but have not

earned the associated verified

credit;

 Students who have not

completed the student selected

test; and

 Students who are currently

enrolled in or have previously

completed a course leading to

a Career and Technical

Education (CTE) credential

necessary for a Standard

Diploma but have not yet

earned the credential.

The Code of Virginia outlines

several credit-based

graduation requirements. We

are working diligently with

the Virginia Department of

Education to ensure we

adhere to the processes

necessary to request a waiver

to the following requirements:

Students who have not

completed a United States and

Virginia history course;

Students who have not

completed a fine or performing

arts or career and

technical education course;

Students in the second of

sequential courses; and

Students who have not

completed an economics and

personal finance course.

The following graduation

requirements will require

action by the General

Assembly in order to be

waived:

Students who have not

completed training in

emergency first aid,

cardiopulmonary

resuscitation, and the use of

automated external

defibrillators, including hands

-on practice of the skills

necessary to perform

cardiopulmonary

resuscitation; and

Students who have not

completed a virtual course.

I regret that the Governor’s

order to close schools does

not allow for the Graduate of

Merit Banquet scheduled on

May 16, 2020, to be held this

year. These seniors have

worked very hard to earn this

honor, and it is truly

disheartening that school

closures through June 10,

2020, will not permit time to

hold this event. Central Office

administrators and principals

are discussing ways to present

these awards and scholarships

to seniors in a meaningful and

memorable way.

It is my hope that these

updates will help to address

the many questions and

concerns you may have

regarding graduation. More

information will be provided

throughout the spring. If you

have questions that were not

addressed, please contact

your school counselor, school

administrator, director of

secondary education, or me.

I greatly appreciate your

continued patience, support,

and understanding through

these challenging times.

With deepest gratitude,

Mark R. Jones

Division Superintendent

2020 Graduation and Practice

Schedule (Averett, North

Campus) Practice

 July 16 5:00 p.m. CHS

 July 17 9:00 a.m. DRHS

 July 17 11:30 a.m. THS

 July 17 2:00 p.m. GHS"

Graduation

 July 17 7:00 p.m. CHS

 July 18 9:00 a.m. DRHS

 July 18 1:00 p.m. THS

 July 18 6:00 p.m. GHS”

It is clear we are the road,

untraveled and the actions of

today mold the path of

tomorrow for who knows

what our history shall be.

These are hard times on us

all, particularly those who

are the graduating Class of

2020. I salute each senior and

bid you good luck on the

days and roads that lie

ahead.

Executive Orders and Their Purpose

Governors, all of whom are popularly elected, serve as the chief executive officers of the fifty states and five commonwealths and territories.
As state managers, governors are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. As state leaders, governors advance and pursue new and revised policies and programs using a variety of tools, among them executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals and vetoes.
Governors carry out their management and leadership responsibilities and objectives with the support and assistance of department and agency heads, many of whom they are empowered to appoint. A majority of governors have the authority to appoint state court judges as well, in most cases from a list of names submitted by a nominations committee.
Although governors have
many roles and responsibilities in common, the scope of gubernatorial power varies from state to state in accordance with state constitutions, legislation, and tradition, and governors often are ranked by political historians and other observers of state politics according to the number and extent of their powers. Ranking factors may include the following:
 Qualifications and tenure
 Legislative—including budget and veto—authority
Appointment sovereignty
Although not necessarily a ranking factor, the power to issue executive orders and take emergency actions is a significant gubernatorial responsibility that varies from state to state.
According to the National Governor’s Association:
The authority for governors to issue executive orders is found in state constitutions and statutes as well as case law, or is implied by the
powers assigned to state chief executives. Governors use executive orders —certain of which are subject to legislative review in some states — for a variety of purposes, among them to:
trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, energy crises, and other situations requiring immediate attention;
create advisory, coordinating, study, or investigative committees or commissions; and
address management and administrative issues such as regulatory reform, environmental impact, hiring freezes, discrimination, and intergovernmental coordination.
Attached in this email are the seven (7) executive orders Governor Ralph Northam as enacted since March 12, 2020.

The Beach is Still Open

As we have heard and seen repeatedly on television, social media and even the radio, life has changed. I know that is pure truth! No two days have been the same and for those of you who know me well, I am quick to say I am living the dream because everyday is a new adventure. Well, I think those words hold their weight in gold now more than ever. And I know too, the same applies to you. We are all in this together. So, I am in favor, since the weather is getting a tad warmer to hang out at the beach. You all are welcome to come by and stay a while because the beach is still open.

During these uncertain times...

Keeping our members healthy, safe, and up-to-date is our top priority right now. PEA is here for you, working hard through the COVID-19 crisis, and we know you have lots of questions about school closures and related coronavirus issues. 

Please call the office at 434-799-5498 or, if you prefer, submit your concerns through the VEA website, and we will get back to you promptly! Your union is here for you, and we’ll continue to be in the days and weeks ahead! 

https://www.veanea.org/contact/vea-covid-19/.

PEA Questions and Concerns

PEA MEMBERS QUESTIONS & CONCERNS FOR PCS TEACHERS' ADVISORY
COUNCIL MEETING  January 27, 2020

Area Question/Concern

Multiple Worksites - Recently, we have been asked to govern how we use our sick days and to use personal days unless we are sick. I understand that this may be because of photographic evidence of people vacationing while using sick days. First, mental health is very important and therefore should be considered a valid excuse for a sick day. Second, vacations are good for mental health. When you consider optics, it doesn’t look good, how about suggesting people be more cautious in sharing their activities? I know you are wondering why people cannot use summer vacation and breaks for vacations, there are numerous reasons. Sometimes opportunities arise that are too good to pass up simply because they are untimely, it is cheaper to go some places during non-peak times, and some people prefer to avoid the crowds that accompany common vacation times. It sounds like the problem lies in what we call our days off. How about increasing the number of days we call “personal days,” we could simply change the name of some of our sick days? Three days that get converted to sick days are not enough; sometimes, that is part of why people conserve those days. You could also change it so we can accumulate more than three days. Another reason people don’t use personal days is because of the process. The process is somewhat demeaning, and as an adult, to have to get permission. I understand keeping the rules about days before and after holidays, but the rest of the time, our business is our business and we should not be required to divulge if we don’t want to.

Multiple Worksites - We have been given one sick leave day a month and that has been that way in Pittsylvania for many years. Mr. McDaniel encouraged us to take the “mental health day” as needed and that is what we did. For personal leave time that has accrued, it should be converted into its own bank, just like our sick leave. I suggest we have up to 12 days of stored personal leave for use as that will allow for individuals to take at least 2 weeks of school at their own leisure without having to take sick leave days because of the personal leave policy. Too, upon retiring from the school division, we should be paid for accrued personal leave time separately from sick leave time.

Multiple Worksites - When planning the calendar, be more considerate. Having to return January 2 for just 2 days of work robbed us of opportunities with our families, especially those with family out of town. I believe our next calendar remedies that, but it should not have happened in the first place. Remember, we are people, not just employees.

Multiple Worksites - Is there a school system policy against principals giving EXEMPLARY rating on the final summative evaluation? When you make substantial student growth from pretest to final test and go from an F average on pretest to a B+ or A on final posttest average that should be reason enough. If the rating cannot be given at all then why is exemplary a choice? Doesn't PCS have teachers who deserve exemplary rating or are we minimal educators?

Multiple Worksites - How does the Proposed Revisions to the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers affect PCS teachers? Can this get explained in SIMPLE terms? Too much in the document to plow through and digest.

Multiple Worksites - The previous advisory meeting had a lot of questions and comments about getting substitutes. Lots of replies but no solutions. The reason for lack of substitutes is simple: 1.Low pay and 2. Student behavior and discipline substitutes encounter. Apparently PBIS has not resolved the discipline problems when these two problems are corrected people will beat down the door to sub. So what does the superintendent plan to do to correct the lack of substitutes? Surrounding school districts pay more.

Coming soon ... PEA School Climate Surveys and a "Know your Rights" workshop for our members, who happen to be the BEST EVER!!! Thank you for ALL you do!

Pittsylvania County Education Association Rocks the Red in Richmond!