VBCPS superintendent weighs in on recent suspension of DEI policies
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson spoke for the first time publicly since the city's School Board voted to suspend diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the division's schools.
Monday night, Virginia Beach NAACP hosted a town hall meeting over the school board's decision to suspend initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and Robertson was in attendance, saying he understands the anxious feelings of the community. However, he wanted to assure parents, students and staff the core values of the school division will not waver.
Virginia Beach board votes to keep suspension of DEI in place
'Give us a chance to demonstrate what we are doing,' Robertson said, 'which is continuing to provide a needs-based education where all students in the division are provided what they need to have access and opportunity to succeed, and that's not changing.'
Robertson is asking the community to allow him and the School Board to prove they will handle the division's recent suspension of DEI policies with care.
So what will be cut or changed?
Not much, he said.
'The most visible change is the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion changed names to the Office of Opportunity and Achievement,' Robertson said.
Programs like the Tide Coalition, Beach Girls Rock and others, will remain intact.
'When we create those programs, they are open to all students,' Robertson said. 'They may have a particular focus. Beach Girls Rock has a focus on getting girls into STEM programs. We have our African American Male Summit that we've had for now 17 years. There are White students there, there are Asian students there, there are Spanish students there. It's inclusive.'
Since those programs have been inclusive to everyone, not just the demographic that they serve, Robertson says they are in line with the recent executive order from the White House. Those in attendance at Monday night's town hall meeting just want to make sure the students remain at the center of it all.
'Kids want to be challenged, but they want to be supported, and then they want to be in a classroom where, when they look up at the front of the room, there's a teacher who believes in them,' Robertson said.
The board voted to suspend DEI policies to abide by the executive order and to continue receiving their more than $70 million in federal funding.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jackson County unanimously passes 2025 budget Monday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2025 Jackson County budget was unanimously approved on Monday – six months into the year. The county budget was supposed to be finalized in December 2024. After the Jackson County Legislature approved the 2025 budget on Dec. 31, 2024, it was vetoed by White. Less than two weeks ago, on May 30, White announced that a major budget compromise had been reached. Then on Monday, June 9, 2025, the amended budget was finally approved 9-0. Kansas City's Country Club Plaza struggles with closures and empty shops White said it restores critical services and delivers historic investments in community needs, including public safety, affordable housing, nonprofit support and health equity. 'While this process took longer than any of us wanted, I'm grateful that we've reached an agreement that responds to the real and pressing needs of our community,' White said in a news release. White said Legislative Chairman DaRon McGee, Budget Chair Charlie Franklin and Vice Chair Donna Peyton were leaders in 'crafting a path forward that protects vital services while expanding support for those most in need.' White said the 2025 adopted budget restores critical funding and reinvests in services that residents rely on every day. He said key highlights of the adopted budget include: Restoration of Essential Funding: Reinstates millions of dollars to prevent layoffs and maintain services in critical departments, including the sheriff's office and county counselor's office. Expanded Support for Nonprofits: Doubles outside agency funding from $3 million to $6 million, overseen by the Legislature, to assist nonprofit partners addressing housing, food insecurity, youth services, violence prevention and more. Strategic Use of Marijuana Sales Tax Revenue: Allocates more than $10 million in voter-approved revenue to fund initiatives such as affordable housing, broadband expansion, health equity and enhanced nonprofit funding. Chairman McGee also said the budget includes $500,000 in additional funding for the prosecutor's office to enhance property crimes enforcement and expand witness advocates – as well as $1 million for broadband access. 'Today, the Jackson County Legislature finalized its 2025 budget, and I want to celebrate the collaborative effort that brought the proposal through much turmoil and over the finish line—balancing fiscal responsibility with real investments in people and public safety,' McGee said in a news release Monday. 'While there remains work to do, this budget reflects progress and restores our focus on serving the people of Jackson County.' White said the adopted budget not only addresses urgent needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term community impact. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV 'I want to thank our county associates and my team for their hard work behind the scenes,' he said. 'Their steady focus and deep commitment to serving the people of Jackson County played a vital role in making today's unanimous passage possible.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where did 100,000 registered vehicles go in Shelby County?
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Here's a shocking statistic for you: There are 100,000 fewer registered vehicles on the roads in Shelby County this year than there were last year, according to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. 'Right now there are just under 600K vehicles in Shelby County, which is about a 100k drop from 12 months ago, and we need to make up that revenue this budget cycle,' Mayor Harris said in a recent budget presentation. That's a 17% drop in one year, and it's causing the county to lose millions in revenue. The question is, why? Harris proposed a $5 increase in county car registration fees to make up the difference, but couldn't explain where the vehicles went. 'This $5 increase will allow us to manage the unexpected drop in revenue we have seen, and the sudden and inexplicable reduction in the number of vehicles that are now registered in Shelby County,' Harris said. Mayor proposes tax cut in new Shelby County budget We have reached out to Shelby County Commissioners on their thoughts and are currently waiting to hear back, but state Rep. Mark White sees the drop off in car registration as a big problem. 'Something is missing there that is going unregistered, and that's causing the city of Memphis and Shelby County millions of dollars in lost revenue,' said White (R-Memphis). 'It's critical and we will have to find a solution to this.' White sees Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert as the problem. Many, including White, have tried to oust Halbert from her position. In January, the city failed to collect $7 million in additional driver registration fees, which created a shortfall in the city budget. White says he hopes voters come to the polls to make change in the midterms. Rep. Justin Pearson, NAACP aim to halt xAI project in Memphis 'I keep hoping that they bring in the right management, but that's an elected position,' White said. 'We've taken this all the way to the courts and the courts have dismissed it. … Now the citizens of Memphis are going to have to vote, and make sure you know who you are voting for to put the proper person in an office to run that.' WREG has requested an interview with Halbert, and we are currently working on scheduling that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Hundreds rally in Providence to protest ICE, immigration raids
Protestors first gathered outside the Providence Federal Center in a peaceful demonstration that began at 6 p.m. The crowd began moving through the city soon after, shouting 'Abolish ICE' and holding signs with expletives in English and Spanish. Related : Hundreds of people gathered in Providence, R.I., on Monday, June 9, 2025, to protest immigration activity and ICE. Alexa Gagosz A participant speaks during a protest against immigration activity in Providence, R.I., on Monday, June 9, 2025. Alexa Gagosz Protesters gather in opposition to immigration raids and ICE in Providence, R.I., on Monday, June 9, 2025. Alexa Gagosz This is a developing story and will be updated. Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
