Here are highlights from the March 11 business meeting of the School Board. Full presentations and a video of the meeting are available on BoardDocs.
Work session presentations
Administrative appointments
The board announced these changes in assignment:
Dr. Courtney Jones as principal of west area elementary school
Kimberly Parnell as principal of Moseley Elementary
Michelle Simerville as dean of students at Hening Elementary
Awards and recognitions
The Meadowbrook Monarch Chorale provided a choral presentation, and students from several schools unveiled art panels representing each magisterial district to be installed in the Public Meeting Room. The School Board presented Dr. Robin Yohe with a resolution recognizing March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month and Jimi Herd with a resolution recognizing March 2025 as Youth Art Month. Superintendent Dr. John Murray saluted Dr. Yohe, who is retiring after 39 years in public education.
Recognition of student success
National Merit Finalists were recognized:
Kartikeya Goel from Bird High School
Sabrina I. Gernhardt from Midlothian High School
Agastyya Kala and Ainsley Ogilvie from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School
Michael Klausner, Brenden Stremler and Reese Wu from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
Recognition of school success
Clover Hill High was recognized for receiving a REALM First Class magazine award from the National Council of Teachers of English.
Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy was recognized for receiving a breakfast award from the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs within the Virginia Department of Education during National School Breakfast Week.
Recognition of staff success
Cosby High teacher Nicole Winter was recognized for being selected by the National History Day for its Silent Heroes research project.
The Department of Management and Budget was recognized for achieving the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International and for winning the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Jamie Barrack, who teaches music at Meadowbrook High, was recognized for being selected by VCU as the 2024 Outstanding Music Educator.
Caroline Gryder, who teaches at Bellwood Elementary, was recognized for being selected by VCU as the 2024 Outstanding Music Educator Young Alumni Award.
VSBA Employer Commendation Program
ITAC was recognized for providing support and encouragement for School Board Chair Ann Coker.
The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond was recognized for providing support and encouragement for School Board member Dot Heffron.
Recognition of R.E.B Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership
Nick Olson, principal of Salem Church Middle, was named the 2025 recipient of the annual award.
Transportation
These bus drivers were recognized for outstanding performance:
Tracey Hubbard, Area 1, Bus 686, six years of service
Victor Nguyen, Area 2, Bus 500, four months of service
Virginia Wilfong, Area 3, Bus 645, two years of service
Karen Hamm, Area 4, Bus 768, 17 years of service
Atorria Ransome, Area 5, Bus 954, three years of service
Food Services
These food service employees were recognized for outstanding service:
Lloyd White, food service associate at Robious Middle, one year of service
Darlene Bolden, food service associate at Bailey Bridge Middle, five years of service
Thomas Jenkins, food service associate at Matoaca Middle, five years of service
Zita Smith, food service associate at Salem Church Middle, six years of service
Lisa Thurston, food service associate at Hening Elementary, seven years of service
Board actions
The consent agenda was approved as presented. Memos of interest included:
Memo #029-25: Recommended Personnel Actions
Resolution recognizing March 2025 as Equity in Education Month
Memo #031-25: VSBA Business Honor Roll
Memo #032-25: FY 2025 Transfer Across Appropriation Categories From Instruction to Technology
Memo #040-25: FY 2025 Application for and Acceptance of a New Grant From the VDOE
The board approved Memo #039-25 authorizing the procurement director to award a three school electrical gear replacement project contract to Triad Electrical Solutions in the amount of $1,641,103.
Items for review
At each meeting, a number of items are shared with the School Board for review and for public consumption. These do not require action on the board’s part. This month’s packet included:
Magisterial District Improvement Funds — FY 2025
FY 2025: January - Expenditures vs. Appropriations
Budget Change Request Summary Across Categories — January 2025
Board Committee Reports
Prekindergarten Update: January 2025
FY 2025: Quarterly Budget Review — Midyear