Two seventh‑grade students, accompanied by their teacher and empowerment coaches, presented a student‑led initiative called the Empowerment Collaborative (VMS Works) and previewed a project to increase use of the district pool.

Marissa Pichetto, a seventh‑grade teacher, introduced the students and described the program as a student‑led learning model in which students “solve meaningful problems preparing them for college, careers, leadership, and life.” Students said the current project is focused on making the pool more usable and appealing to students and community members and will culminate in a board‑level pitch. The student team described deliverables that include a business plan, a visual presentation and a single pitch that the board will select for implementation.

The presenters outlined a timeline: initial orientation in September–October, handbook development through November, launch in December–February, business‑plan development in January–February, and pitching in February–March. They said the project could access up to $12,000 in grant money per year over a five‑year period for project activities; presenters described that amount as part of their funding plan but did not detail a specific grant source during the presentation.

Board members thanked the students and said the board should expect return presentations in February or March when students will bring specific pool proposals for consideration. The administration supplied white papers for new board members and invited questions in advance of the pitch presentations.