Highlights from April 8, 2025, School Board meeting

Chesterfield County Public Schools

April 9, 2025

Here are highlights from the April 8 business meeting of the School Board. Full presentations and a video of the meeting are available on BoardDocs.

Work session presentations

Administrative appointments

These new administrators were introduced:

  • Jasmine Carpenter as director of elementary curriculum development and support

  • Dr. Daniel Gardner as principal of Grange Hall Elementary

  • Dr. Benjamin Shindler as principal of Monacan High

These changes in assignment were announced:

  • Patrick Bradley as dean of students at Carver Middle

  • Morgan Hobson as dean of students at Elizabeth Davis Middle


Awards and recognitions

Recognition of student success

These students were recognized for being nominated for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program:

  • Abigail Abrahim of Cosby High

  • Coleson Caffall of Midlothian High

  • Jingtong Zhou of Clover Hill High

  • Brenden Stremler of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School

  • Reese Wu of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School

Recognition of school success

The Monacan High girls swim and dive team was recognized for winning its fourth VHSL state championship in a row.

Celebrating our partners

  • PEATC was recognized for its dedication to empowering families of students with disabilities, the students themselves and the professionals who support them.

  • St. Mark’s United Methodist Church was recognized for its strong partnership with the school division’s McKinney-Vento Office.

Recognition of staff success

Employees were recognized for winning awards from the School Nutrition Association of Virginia:

  • Tracey Lewallen, cafeteria manager at Bird High, was named Manager of the Year. 

  • Roni Lapelle, Food and Nutrition Services marketing specialist, was named Administrator of the Year. 

  • Dr. Lisa Hill, principal of Hopkins Elementary, was named Friend of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia. 

  • Reams Road Elementary won the Marketing Award for a pirate-themed approach to National School Lunch Week. 

Crenshaw Elementary art teacher Jennike Duignam was recognized for being named Hero of the Year by Connor’s Hero Foundation for her work with children being treated for cancer.

These bus drivers were recognized for outstanding performance:

  • Rylee McDonough, Area 1, Bus 6, three months of service

  • Raven Patterson, Area 2, Bus 580, nine months of service

  • Kevin Minter, Area 3, Bus 581, one year of service

  • Susan Payne, Area 4, Bus 776, eight years of service

  • Kevin Austin, Area 5, Bus 333, eight months of service

These food service employees were recognized for outstanding service:

  • Pinkal Patel, food service associate at Enon Elementary, one year of service

  • Verlie Lewis, food service associate at Manchester Middle, one year of service

  • Thelma Beyke, food service associate at Bird High, 11 years of service

  • Debra Osterbind, cafeteria manager at James River High, 27 years of service

  • Lois Pollard, food service associate at Clover Hill Elementary, 40 years of service

Board actions

The consent agenda was approved as presented. Memos of interest included:

Via memo #055-25, the School Board approved the 2025-26 local special education annual plan.

The board approved memo #056-25 regarding policy 7020 and the sale of food items on school premises.

Superintendent’s report

The superintendent’s report included a meaningful moments video about James River High culinary students and an update about the 2025 legislative program.

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: February — Expenditures vs. Appropriations

  • Budget Change Request Summary Across Categories — February 2025

  • Board Committee Reports

  • Prekindergarten Update: February 2025