ELECTION 2023: Varina’s school board candidates speak about parent engagement, school safety, and more

The two candidates for the Varina District seat on the Henrico School Board – incumbent Alicia Atkins and newcomer Domonique Pervall – spoke with the Citizen on a number of different issues in the county.

Atkins, elected to the board in 2019, is the current school board vice-chair and sits on the board’s Varina District seat. Pervall is a licensed electrician and project manager.

Atkins also spoke at the Oct. 6 Henrico Democrats forum for Democratic school board candidates. Both Atkins and Pervall have attended other events with the Henrico Democrats.

As of Aug. 31, Atkins had raised $10,476 and Pervall had raised $835, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

The Citizen posed the same questions to each candidate; their responses appear below, in alphabetical order by last name, edited only in several occasions for conciseness and grammar.

What will be the top priority for you on the school board?

Alicia Atkins: Foremost is a set of paramount objectives, each bearing profound significance. The top priorities are a commitment to ensuring safety, promoting wellness, fostering academic growth, and mitigating or eliminating financial impediments for students, staff, families, and the broader school communities. Focus on these areas will help nurture a conducive and supportive educational environment for all stakeholders.

Domonique Pervall: To implement policies that will ensure higher achievement and success for all students after high school and to create full transparency and foster relationships between the community and the schools.

In recent years, has the school board been successful in addressing major issues and priorities in Henrico schools?

Atkins: The school board has made significant strides in achieving some of our strategic goals. Academically, we've tailored approaches like remediation and flexible FEV anytime/anywhere tutoring to enhance learning. Converting instructional assistants to full-time roles and expanding special education assistants provide crucial support to our students. Our focus on wellness is apparent through successful implementations like the Oak Avenue Complex and the addition of licensed health positions, prioritizing students' emotional well-being.

Safety is a paramount concern, leading us to implement a multi-layered approach, including the recent addition of weapon detection scanners in all high schools within our division.

To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, we've reduced financial barriers, covering essential student assessment costs, lowering student fees, and expanding opportunities for dual enrollment and trades. However, we recognize the need for ongoing efforts to reach every child effectively.

Pervall: Yes, the school board has made some actionable progress. Since 2018, HCPS has had an active strategic plan that asks the questions ‘what are we doing and how can we do it better?’ Each year, a strategic plan steering committee revisits their progress and makes revisions as needed. However, at this time, I believe our students need board members who are passionate about utilizing research-based practices to make gains for the students of Henrico County.

How should Henrico Schools address student misconduct and incidents of student violence?

Atkins: Student misbehavior and violence, a challenge throughout Henrico, requires a comprehensive approach that can be targeted with proactive early interventions, counseling, and support resources. These are all ‘root-cause’ interventions that are proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, prevent repeated or more serious offenses, build critical skills like conflict resolution, and treat underlying student health and well-being needs when implemented with fidelity and sustained. Additionally, a few key steps include capitalizing on opportunities to:

• Connect with outside community agencies.
• Expand specialized behavioral programs.
• Collect, analyze, and expand data on disciplinary matters.
• Track and analyze instructional days lost due to expulsions.
• Require the appropriate staff members to be trained in behavior-management techniques.
• Communicate and educate families effectively on the impacts of poor choices and accountability.
• Amend the Code of Student Conduct to promote more alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

Pervall: I think we need to consider other forms of discipline. We need to create alternative education opportunities opposed to out of school suspension. We as adults forget what it's like being a kid and the pressures of academics, our home lives and peers. We also need to build a reputation for fairness. Our students need to believe that the teachers and administrators are fair in their disciplinary actions.

How should Henrico Schools address teacher and staff vacancies?

Atkins: HCPS should sustain and explore innovative strategies to attract, retain, and incentivize teachers tailored to each school's unique needs and culture. Our human resources department employs diverse methods such as comprehensive benefits packages, streamlined administration, fostering inclusive school culture, and advocating for supportive state and local education policies. Notable efforts within the division include partnerships with local universities, the Teacher-Scholar program to bolster our teacher pipeline, post-retirement earning plans, compensation incentives, tuition assistance, and a career ladder initiative offering personalized professional growth. However, broader support from state and federal governments is crucial to fully fund and implement the Standards of Quality, enhance internet accessibility, and provide budgetary aid for students facing various challenges.

Pervall: I think we need to get more creative when looking for candidates and explore alternative pathways for recruiting fully licensed teachers. I think we need to also increase our teacher aids. I think if the teachers have help, they won't feel so overwhelmed and kids are less likely to be disrespectful when there's a witness always present.

How should the board address the inequities that still exist within Henrico Schools?

Atkins: Addressing inequities in schools is not an option but an imperative. Everyone has a part to play in moving our school forward. The board should actively solve systemic barriers, advocate for equitable resource allocation, embrace culture, empower families to get involved, and foster inclusive educational environments.

Pervall: We need to be committed to changing practices that privilege the already privileged. All of our schools in Henrico County should have access to the same resources regardless of what district they are in.

As a board member, would you support a resolution that would allow collective bargaining for HCPS teachers and staff?

Atkins: I wholeheartedly champion the empowerment of our dedicated teachers and staff. Their expertise is invaluable, and their active involvement is pivotal in driving positive outcomes for their professional development, our school division, students, families, and the broader school communities. Despite the school board's limitations in direct taxing authority and the hurdles posed by the Unified Pay Plan system's structure, I am committed to exploring opportunities that uplift teacher and staff compensation while working to create better working conditions for them.

Pervall: Yes.

In what ways and to what extent should parents be involved in school education and curriculum?

Atkins: Parental involvement is like a warm embrace tailored to each child's unique needs. As children grow and evolve, so does the depth of our engagement in their education. It is a journey of collaboration and a symphony of care and love between parents and the school community, all aimed at supporting children. The extent of parental involvement varies based on a child's needs. Examples of involvement include participating in a PTA, volunteering in the school, donating desired supplies for events and enrichment programs, creating scholarships, and offering internship opportunities for students.

Pervall: I believe parents should have a lot of involvement. When parents are involved with the curriculum design, they can contribute to the relevance, the diversity, and the quality of the learning content. They can also share their perspectives, experiences, and resources, to help align the curriculum for the students' needs, interests, and goals. Students whose parents stay involved in school (through PTA, Parent Advisory, etc.) have better attendance, better behavior, get better grades, and they also demonstrate better social skills and adaptability. Parental involvement also sets our students up to develop a love of learning.

What makes you stand out as a candidate for the school board?

Atkins: As a school board member representing the Varina District and Vice-Chair, I recognize that school boards embody the public's educational voice. They offer a platform for citizen governance, aligning our schools with the needs and desires of our community. I am deeply invested in education, empowerment, and environmental causes, aspiring to see Henrico County Public Schools, its students, staff, and school communities flourish and achieve unparalleled success.

The endorsements from prestigious organizations like the Henrico Education Association, EducateUs, the Henrico Democratic Party, and esteemed individuals validate my vision to pursue excellence for our communities. I am committed to leveraging my dedication, education, professional skills, and compassionate servant leadership to support our educational journey. In three words, I love us and am grateful to God for granting me discernment in utilizing these gifts and talents for the greater good. Learn more about me and what we can create for our children at aliciaatkins.org.

Pervall: I believe my personal experiences, history of leadership and advocacy in our community mixed with my passion for today's youth is what makes me a good candidate.

As a board member, would you support or oppose Gov. Youngkin’s 2023 model policies for transgender students?

Atkins: I do not support policies encouraging racism, bullying, or harmful acts towards children. It's essential to prioritize the well-being and inclusivity of all students in educational settings. The focus should be on creating an environment that fosters understanding, support, and respect, promoting safe and conducive learning spaces, and discovering the truth about America's history. Unfortunately, schools and college campuses have become a battleground for elections, stoking fears about how and what we teach our kids and negatively targeting children.

Pervall: I oppose.

How should Henrico Schools address learning loss, the decline of SOL scores, and the lasting impacts of COVID?

Atkins: Incorporating short-term and long-term strategies focused on HCPS cornerstones (Academic Growth, Safety and Wellness, Equity and Opportunity, and Relationships) will bring significant gains in developing potential and positive academic outcomes for students. Specifically, the actions listed below are a few of many that will help us address these challenges:

• Foster strong relationships between schools, families, and communities to support students' holistic development.
• Revise curricula to be more flexible, adaptive, and inclusive.
• Incorporate Social and Emotional learning programs to address the emotional and psychological effects of the pandemic on students.

Pervall: We need to cultivate a mindsets to support student successes while creating a culture that prioritizes meeting the needs of the whole child, including addressing mental health as well as the need for social-emotional learning. We also need to identify missed learning standards and content that are a hindrance to future learning. We also need to provide an in-school tutoring program to help get those students back up to level with their peers.

How can the board and Henrico Schools strengthen communication with Henrico families?

Atkins: Promoting transparency, timeliness, and trust is paramount in enhancing communication with families. The Board employs a variety of communication channels and remains committed to continual improvement, actively exploring innovative options. Existing tools encompass school board meetings, traditional mail, newsletters, town hall sessions, websites, and social media platforms. Furthermore, School Board members maintain accessibility to the community through phone and email and encourage feedback submission via an online form available on the HCPS website. These efforts underscore our dedication to fostering an open and responsive dialogue with the community we serve.

Pervall: The board and Henrico Schools can strengthen communication with the Henrico families with the use of social media, newsletters, school board and parent advisory meetings.

As a board member, how will you incorporate input and feedback from the community into your policy decisions?

Atkins: In my approach to policy decision-making, I use a structured process that comprehensively integrates community input and feedback. I begin by gathering accurate and comprehensive facts aligned with the policy under consideration. Next, I assess the potential impact of the policy, then engage with the community through diverse platforms such as surveys, newsletters, and community forums and actively solicit thoughts and recommendations. Lastly, I collaborate with the school board colleagues, Superintendent, and subject matter experts associated with the policy. This collaborative engagement facilitates a collective evaluation of the community's input, amalgamating it with expertise to determine the final policy decision. This approach helps me commit to an inclusive and informed policy-making process.

Pervall: Well you can't incorporate EVERY input or feedback into policy decisions but we can take them into consideration, weigh the pros/cons, and ultimately decide if what the community presents to the board is what's in the best interest of the students, staff and the community as a whole.

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Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.