Summary
Virgin Valley Community Education Advisory Board members discussed two SEAP grant proposals for Hughes Middle School — a supervised “Victory Vault” reward room and funding for non‑sanctioned athletics — and agreed to place the athletics request on the city council consent agenda while keeping the Victory Vault possibility on the calendar for September.
Virgin Valley Community Education Advisory Board members discussed two SEAP grant proposals for Hughes Middle School — a supervised “Victory Vault” reward room and funding for non‑sanctioned athletics — and agreed to place the athletics request on the city council consent agenda while keeping the Victory Vault possibility on the calendar for September. Hughes Middle School Principal JL Wilson urged a cautious approach to the Victory Vault because of prior negative public response to a similar proposal.
Wilson said he did not want another public meeting where his school would be criticized and asked the board how to proceed. “The last thing I want — the only time the middle school’s been talked about this year in city council was incredibly negative. I don't want that to happen again,” Wilson said, adding he intended the Victory Vault as a 20‑ to 30‑minute incentive for students who show academic growth.
The board discussed options: put the Victory Vault on the consent agenda (the normal process), present it at tech review, or instead submit the athletics request. Several board members recommended submitting the athletics request to avoid a prolonged public debate; one member advised keeping the Victory Vault on consent so it could be pulled if councilors wanted discussion and then either tabled or reworked.
Principal Wilson described the athletics request as support for non‑sanctioned teams (cross country and volleyball) that the district does not fund. He said transportation is a major cost: “The bus for my cross country team for the one meet that we go to Vegas, I have to charter a bus. It was $2,100 last year for one meet,” he said, and added volleyball trips cost roughly $500 per trip.
Public commenters encouraged Wilson to bring students to present the request if the item is discussed at council. Former official Wes Boga, a public commenter, said student presentations had swayed councilors in earlier years: “When the kids present it, I don't know how anyone can say no.”
Board staff member Julie (last name not stated) said she would place the athletics request on the consent agenda and later told Wilson she would put the Victory Vault on the September meeting as submitted: “I'll put this on the ninth meeting and I'll put it on as the Victory Vault and we'll go from there,” she said.
Discussion — not a formal vote — produced two clear directions: staff will list the athletics SEAP grant request on the city council consent agenda; the Victory Vault proposal remains scheduled for the September council meeting unless councilors pull it for discussion earlier. The board did not adopt a formal motion recorded as a vote at this meeting.
Next steps: the principal and supporters may appear at the council meeting if the Victory Vault or athletics request is pulled for discussion; the athletics item will proceed as a consent item absent a pull. City council consideration was identified for the next regular council meeting dates referenced by staff.
Ending: The board closed discussion with community members and board members offering to attend council to support school presentations; staff said they would notify the principal if the agenda placement changes.
