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Parents and staff press board on Thomas Hunter support, Constitution Day and CTE equipment needs
Summary
Multiple speakers used the public comment period to urge action: concerns about neglect at Thomas Hunter Middle School and screening services, requests to celebrate Constitution Day, and a CTE teacher requested a replacement refrigerator and washer/dryer to continue nutrition/wellness labs.
During the public-comment period at the Aug. 20 meeting, several community members urged the board to address building neglect, safety, curriculum emphasis and CTE needs.
Amy Bohannon Stewart, who spoke about Thomas Hunter Middle School, said the school had been "neglected for 2 years straight" and asked the district to provide strong administrator support during SOL testing, continue summer STEM camps and ensure screening for students with reading difficulties (speaker used the term "Erlen screening").
Marie Walls, a parent and commonwealth's attorney, urged the board to include law-enforcement and broader community representation in the division's safety-audit processes, saying "we need to really have an aggressive presence of law enforcement looking at our schools and making them safe." The superintendent acknowledged the audit meeting omitted some stakeholders and said future safety discussions would include diverse parties.
Michelle Williams, speaking later during the second public-comment period, outlined CTE classroom funding and said she received a $5,000 grant that helped buy electronic babies for her class but that a refrigerator and a stackable washer/dryer are now needed to run nutrition and wellness labs safely. She said the refrigerators and appliances are necessary for planned food labs and sanitation requirements.
Other speakers urged the board to mark Constitution Day (Sept. 17) and praised community volunteers who helped paint and clean school properties. Board members acknowledged the comments and said they will continue to promote Constitution Day at the September meeting and explore support for facility and CTE equipment requests.
The public-comment portion underscored concerns about safety, facilities, and instructional supports that the board said it will keep addressing as part of its strategic priorities.
