Chester‑Upland leaders introduce new recovery officer and outline recovery‑plan priorities ahead of Sept. 2 school opening

Receiver Rashiva Nichols and Chester‑Upland School District leaders used their Aug. 21 receivers meeting to introduce a new chief recovery officer, outline near‑term recovery‑plan work and confirm operational steps before schools open Sept. 2.

The announcements came at a meeting the receiver convened with staff, school leaders and members of the public. Nichols said the district is prioritizing payroll and “other key areas in which we are obligated,” and reassured listeners that administrators have put a plan in place to meet those obligations while the state budget remains unsettled.

Dr. Eric Holmes, introduced as the district’s new chief recovery officer, told the meeting he plans to focus on the district’s financial recovery plan. “My job primarily is to work with the district to implement the financial recovery plan,” Holmes said, adding he hopes the district will eventually exit receivership and “I can’t wait till that happens because I want to celebrate with all of you.”

Superintendent Dr. Mimi Mumin outlined how the district will link routine decisions to recovery goals through a newly published alignment document and a continued partnership with UVA. Mumin said the partnership will use a 90‑day cycle to monitor progress against four high‑level outcomes aligned to the recovery plan: building trust and collective investment; improving instructional and data practices; developing aligned operational systems; and defining proactive systems for operations and facilities.

Mumin said the district has more than 3,100 students and that “more than 1,000” receive special education services, and called for closer collaboration between central office and school leaders to support those students.

Dr. Wilson, who speaks for the district’s pupil‑services work, described a proposed restorative‑practices initiative tied to a Stop‑the‑Violence agenda item. Wilson said the effort, led in part by consultant Malik Mohammed, is intended to reinforce tier‑1 supports and give teachers tools to address harm and repair relationships before behaviors escalate. Wilson emphasized the restorative work is meant to complement, not replace, the student code of conduct, and said some serious incidents would continue to be addressed through existing disciplinary measures.

On electronic devices, Wilson sought to “dispel the myth” that the district lacks a cellphone rule: “We have a cell phone policy, and it is in the electronic device policy that the district already has. It’s policy 237,” he said, adding that enforcement and any administrative procedures would be handled by building leaders and the policy committee.

Human resources staff reported that teacher vacancies are posted on the district HR page and change daily during the hiring period. HR staff also said that, under the collective‑bargaining agreement for school safety officers, each officer will receive two long‑sleeve and two short‑sleeve shirts; the district has established a reimbursement policy of up to $100 for approved non‑slip shoes.

Receiver Nichols and administrators announced additional operational details: a convocation to welcome staff before the year, a back‑to‑school backpack event scheduled for Aug. 23, and a target date of Sept. 2 for the first day of school. Nichols also said the district invested about $7,000,000 in capital renovations over the summer and that most buildings are being readied for opening; she noted Stetscher remains on a separate timeline.

Members of the public raised several items during the public‑comment period. Karen Meyer, a Chester High alumna, urged renewed emphasis on school traditions, scholarships and writing and public‑speaking coursework. Board member Myrtle Arnold pressed for updates on teacher hiring, expressed concern about scholarship eligibility language in a national foundation’s call (the Gates scholarship), and asked for clarity on a surplus‑property resolution (item C37) that she said is limited to furniture and equipment valued over $1,000 rather than buildings.

A member of the district’s teachers’ association thanked administrators and said educators are “eager and ready” for the new school year.

Votes at a glance - Minutes from the June 18, 2025 meeting: approved (no mover/second or tally provided in transcript). - Education agenda A‑1 through A‑40: approved (transcript records approval; no mover/second or tally provided). - Personnel agenda B‑1 through B‑5: approved (transcript records approval; no mover/second or tally provided). - Business agenda C‑1 through C‑42 (with corrections noted at the top of the meeting): approved (transcript records approval; no mover/second or tally provided).

What’s next District leaders said they will publish the resolutions that show how individual actions align to recovery‑plan initiatives on the district website and continue quarterly/90‑day monitoring with UVA and the court change team. Staff said updated transportation schedules were expected to be finalized and published by the Monday following the meeting.

(Reporting note: all quotes and attributions come from speakers in the receivers meeting transcript.)