Latest news with #VirginiaBeachCityPublicSchools
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VB school board gets earful on DEI decision
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — It has been a long, simmering battle over diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools, and Tuesday, the Virginia Beach School Board got an earful from a standing room only crowd, many of them students, about its previous decision to suspend what has become a controversial policy. VB board adopts resolution to suspend DEI initiatives The meeting was the first for the board since it adopted the resolution, and 113 people signed up to speak on all sides of the issue, from former educators to community members. But those who spoke up the most? Students from Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The resolution passed stated that it is 'to comply with legal obligations in exchange for receiving federal financial assistance.' In the meeting, School Board Chairwoman Kathleen J. Brown said VBCPS gets $74,285,975 in federal funding. K-12 schools must sign certification against DEI to receive federal money, administration says 'No matter what side you're on, we want to hear everyone,' said Virginia Beach School Board chairwoman Kathleen Brown. And they made their voices heard on a decision that has received close scrutiny. 'They just kind of see the effects and how passing something in secret like this won't fly, and we'll call them out for it,' said First Colonial High School student Hattie Friedman. Friedman does not want to lose DEI programs at school, saying it puts certain students at a disadvantage. Another First Colonial student, Bryce Deatley, speaking in support of DEI, said some students are only able to be their true selves at school. 'Some people have to hide their self who they are at home,' Deatley said, 'and sometimes school is their only place where they can be who they are.' The board listened to both sides of this debate for hours. Many didn't like the swift manner in which the resolution was adopted, while others said the resolution is unclear on just exactly what programs will be cut. 10 On Your Side asked school board members about the decision. 'As you can see, everybody's got ample opportunity to comment,' said District 8 board member David Culpepper. Said board member Dr. Alveta Green: 'I don't know if this is going to lead to an expulsion of the policy where everything is completely removed.' Some are praising the suspension of DEI initiatives, but others disagree. 'DEI, I feel it's very destructive,' said Virginia Beach resident Teresa Langille. 'To me, it's a form that could lead to Marxism.' The decision to suspend DEI initiatives within Virginia Beach City Public Schools still stands, as board members continue to hear from the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VBCPS adopts resolution to suspend DEI initiatives
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) adopted a resolution Tuesday night to suspend DEI initiatives in its school programs and curriculums. State Board ends diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Virginia's community colleges The vote comes after the Trump Administration's Executive Order on Jan. 29 to cut federal education funding for schools who refuse to drop diversity, equity and inclusion programs. On April 3, K-12 schools throughout the country received a notice, stating they have just 10 days to certify that they will comply with the executive order. K-12 schools must sign certification against DEI to receive federal money, administration says Following the order, many schools had questions as to how this would affect student clubs, planned activities and tutoring opportunities. Virginia Beach Superintendent Don Robertson said he feels a great deal of anxiety around the term 'suspension' when it comes to the concerns. 'When I put my name on this document, I just put my name on the line to be fired,' Robertson said. 'Because as soon as something gets reported and it comes back that we're investigating Virginia Beach City Public Schools because of something in this document. The superintendent is going to be fired with cause. There's great concern among the superintendents of Virginia to putting their name on this document. I will do what's required by the school board.' Schools have until April 11 to make a decision to meet the certification deadline. The resolution was adopted in a 6-3 vote. 10 On Your Side's Keagan Hughes is working to find out more about the resolution and will provide updates throughout the day. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Miscommunication' cited as House speaker denied entry into VB school
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — State House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) said he was scheduled to speak to students in the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach Wednesday morning, but it never happened. He called being denied entry into the school 'a slap in the face,' while the city's school division characterized what happened as a 'miscommunication.' Scott said he was denied entry into the school, where he said he had agreed about two weeks ago to speak to Legal Studies Academy students about what it takes to be a lawyer. He said just before he headed to the school, he was told he couldn't come because he wasn't properly vetted and because parents were not aware he would be coming. 'I was like, that's crazy,' Scott said. 'Like, they would never do that to the governor, the attorney general or the lieutenant governor or any of them, probably the Virginia Beach delegate they serve in that area. 'It's funny, I'm the first Black speaker in a 405-year history of Virginia. I think I've been vetted. And the fact that they would not allow me to be there, I think, is a slap in the face, not only to me, but also to all Virginians. In a statement from Virginia Beach City Public Schools, it said, without referring to Scott by name, that 'a miscommunication occurred this morning between our school officials about a potential guest speaker for the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School. Virginia Beach City Public Schools values its relationships with all our school partners, including elected officials, and consistently welcomes them into our schools. We are actively working to resolve the concern.' 10 On Your Side will let you know if the speaking event at First Colonial is rescheduled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
