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Vol. 37, No. 9 | Richmond Suburban News | July 22, 2020
School division’s return to learn plan offers options By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
GILL
ASHLAND -- While some school districts across the Commonwealth are opting for virtual-only school openings in the fall and others announcing in-school openings, Hanover County officials have prepared an either/or reopening plan that offers parents and students both options. Hanover County School Board members unanimously approved a relaunch that
allows students to attend school in a normal in-class environment, or select a virtual-only option that allows individualized and teacher-supported remote learning. Superintendent Michael Gill said last week’s presented plan was the product of hours of exhaustive work by staff, teachers, parents and administrators. “I am extremely proud of the task force’s work, understanding that there is no plan that is perfect . . . and it has to be
agile and fluid,” Gill said. “The situation can change in a moment’s notice and we have to be agile as well.” That work was made more difficult by the fluidity and ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, and officials said alternative plans are included in the return to learn program in the event conditions worsen or further directives from Governor Ralph Northam. Several parents and teachers provided
comments during the virtual meeting, expressing concerns with a face-to-face opening, and urged officials to begin the fall with virtual-only instruction. “Please consider a full virtual start to the school, especially considering the additional funding now available to invest in laptops and additional tools for more than just the middle schools,” said teacher Shelley Burnside. “It is irresponsible to see OPTIONS, pg. 13
Confederate school names changed Lee-Davis and Stonewall Jackson being renamed with committee in lead By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND -- The Hanover County School Board approved a recommendation to change the names and mascots of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle Schools. On Tuesday, July 14, Sterling Daniel moved to approve the change, and Ola Hawkins seconded the motion. Kelly Evko and Robert Hundley joined Daniel and Hawkins in approving the changes. George Sutton, John Axselle and Norman Sulser voted not to change the names. Superintendent Michael Gill said a process that involves forming a committee and seeking public input will begin immediately, and a recommendation will be presented to the school board for the renaming. A timetable for that process was not immediately available. The superintendent said he will instruct principals at the two schools to begin gathering student input for new mascots, a decision left to the student body. Latest efforts to change the long controversial names began in 2018 when school board members considered a petition seeking the changes, but voted 5-2 to maintain the status quo. Marla Coleman was a member of the board at that time and voted in favor of a name change. Upon learning of the board’s recent decision, Coleman said, “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to the school board members on the successful vote to change the Confederate names
of two of our schools. It is reassuring to know that the members have found a way to meet tonight’s challenge. Compromise brings with it a move forward that has been lacking for nearly seven generations.” DANIEL Hanover NAACP president Robert Barnette said the vote is a positive begin- And the vote was ning in an ongoing conversation regarding . . . 4-3, with the top four Hanover equity. County School “The school names have been a symbol Board members of inequality for the African American above supporting community,” Barnette said. “The decision changes the names by the school board today was long over- of Lee-Davis High School and due and a first step towards racial justice in Stonewall Jackson Hanover County. We are encouraged that High School, while the Hanover County School Board made the three at right opposed the action. the right choice today.” Barnette and the Hanover NAACP filed suit against the school board in an effort to force a name change at the two schools, but Federal Judge Robert Payne dismissed that suit earlier this year, citing an expiration in the statute of limitations. The decision came after a month of mounting pressure on the school board to make the changes. The Virginia PTA, Governor Ralph Northam and even Chelsea Clinton had issued letters in
HAWKINS
EVKO
HUNDLEY
AXSELLE
SULSER
SUTTON
support of removing offensive names from schools and public facilities. Last month, the board held a special meeting to consider the matter, but could not reach consensus. Sources said the panel was deadlocked 3-3 with one member asking for more time to consider the issue. That special meeting ended with an abrupt see NAMES, pg. 12