Category Archives: schools

$1,000 RCV Prize for a Richmond University

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I am not a wealthy man. That said, sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is.

While I don’t think money should equal speech (I support www.MoveToAmend.org), in this case, I am willing to make an exception.

Given the FAILURE of Richmond City Council to fully consider and debate ranked choice voting earlier this Fall season, I am upping the ante for local political reform.

I, Scott Burger, pledge to reward whichever Richmond university student government is the first among Richmond university student governments to conduct a campus wide election of student government officers using ranked choice voting and incorporate ranked choice voting into its constitution/bylaws with a $1,000 prize.

So, a couple of notes on this-

No stipulation on how the prize money, once awarded, is spent. Although one suggestion- maybe a giant pizza party, free for all students, with toppings decided by ranked choice voting (see https://www.rcv123.org)

This contest is eligible for Richmond university student governments, meaning University of Richmond SGA, Virginia Commonwealth University SGA, or Virginia Union University SGA.

Although I am a Green Party member and board member of Fair Vote Virginia, this contest is not in any way affiliated with those groups. I alone am responsible for holding this contest and rewarding the prize money.

And since it is my hard-earned money, I reserve the sole right to judge who qualifies first for the prize. I will also decide on the time and method of payment (despite the post photo, most likely a personal check). If I detect insincerity and/or lack of commitment, I also reserve the right to withhold the prize money.

Talk it over during the Thanksgiving holiday break. Remember, this city, state, and country need young people to lead.

Open High Art Expo Auction!

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From Open High’s newsletter:

Please support our Fine Arts Department by visiting our online Art Expo Auction! Just scan the QR code above or visit: https://m.charityauctionstoday.com/m/auctions/31000. This year’s goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase art supplies for all art classes in school year 2022-23. See below for images of the annual AP Art & Design Show held on Friday. Under the guidance of art teacher Brigette Newberry, these amazing artists develop substantive portfolios that showcase their ideas and skills with different materials and processes.

Fox Elementary Fire

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On Friday night, Fox Elementary School suffered a great fire. While not in the neighborhood, this public school is where many Oregon Hill children are zoned and many have attended in the past. Fox students will have Monday and Tuesday off with the rest of the week virtual while plans are being worked out to house the students for the remainder of the school year. This tragedy comes after years of disruption and hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to 5th District communication from Councilperson Lynch’s office, neighbors have reached out asking how they can help support and show love to the Fox Elementary family. The superintendent is encouraging community members to give their support to the RPS Foundation’s special fund for Fox Elementary. Please make sure to select “Fox Elementary Fire Response” in the pull-down menu (see screenshot below). One hundred percent of funds will go directly to teachers and students at Fox.

YWCA’s Sprout School To Have Oregon Hill “Outpost”

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RichmondBizSense.com reports on the YWCA’s plans for expanding its childcare program.

The nonprofit’s Sprout School, a full-day and year-round early childhood education program, is expected to open a downtown Richmond location in spring 2022 and an Oregon Hill location in winter 2023.
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The Oregon Hill outpost will be located at St. Andrew’s School at 227 S. Cherry St. The school and nonprofit have already signed an agreement to open the location, Tissiere said.

School Bus Slighting Of Oregon Hill?

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Oregon Hill, in recent years, has grown its younger population- more households have had babies, and more families with children have moved into the neighborhood. It’s been a welcome trend and it speaks to the ‘good bones’ of this historic, urban enclave.

That said, Oregon Hill parents are concerned about the lack of transportation options for getting their children to school, and feel like the public system should be doing more.

“RPS school bus schedules are out. Not a single bus stop in Oregon Hill! It is like we don’t even exist,” is one message that was sent.

Of course, as the pandemic continues, many localities are dealing with a shortage of school bus drivers, and other resource problems, and many are wondering if virus variants of COVID-19 will lead to the schools closing again anyway.

Open High Art Expo 2021 & Virtual Awards Assembly

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May 30 – June 5 is the second annual Open High School virtual silent auction, Art Expo 2021. Each year Open High School depends on the Art Auction to help fund the art department. This year the goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase art supplies for all of the art classes in school year 2021-22. Take a look and bid on items to support the school or simply make a donation. Three businesses in Oregon Hill – Rest in Pieces, Pine Street Barber Shop and L’Opossum- have donated items.

Also, this Thursday evening, Open High will be holding its 2021 Virtual Awards Assembly.

Please do check out their home page for more information on these and other events.

Unacceptable

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From neighbor:

Rowdy night last night on the Hill. Big student party broke up a bit after mignight. About a hundred partyers. No masks. They left trinkets in the new trees on the walk back to VCU.

This is unacceptable. VCU President Rao and administration have to take some responsibility also. But Oregon Hill residents also need to make sure they alert the VCU and Richmond police to the problems.
This is happening during a dangerous pandemic. There’s historical precedent for taking far greater measures in the interest of public health.

VCU Board Graded

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A report released Wednesday by the nonprofit Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust analyzed 15 public universities in Virginia for the accessibility of information such as board meeting minutes, policies and bylaws, and contact information for board members.

According to this report, Virginia Commonwealth earned an overall ‘C’ grade in the study of how transparent its governing board is to the public.

However it earned a failing grade in regard to its board member accessibility.

From the report-

The board currently provides the public options to observe meetings by video streaming or in-person, while allowing for physical distancing and health pre-cautions. In-person attendance is limited to 10 people who register in advance, with preference given on a first-come, first-serve basis. A phone dial-in option is not provided. Video recordings of in-person or virtual meetings are posted to the board website for public record (https://president.vcu.edu/board/minutes/).

Generic contact information for the board listed on the board website (https://president.vcu.edu/board/), including a mailing address and email address (bov@vcu.edu). The board website also lists contact information for a point-of-contact for the board (Chelsea Gray, Assistant Secretary and Board Liaison), including a mailing address, phone number, and an email address (cgray8@vcu.edu). Contact information to communicate with individual board members is not available.

According to board policy, a period of public comment will be accepted at the board’s annual Budget Workshop, which is routinely attended by the full board. Board policy does not specify that written comments be distributed to all board members.

The Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust announced the report Wednesday to coincide with the introduction of a bill in the Virginia General Assembly that addresses concerns about transparency among college governing boards. The proposed bill, H.R. 2120, would require boards to make meetings accessible to the public remotely and to post contact information such as email addresses for board members, among other policies.

“Service on a Board of Visitors for a Virginia public university is a highly coveted political appointment, but it is also a position of serious responsibility,” Del. Mark Keam, D-Fairfax, and the bill’s patron, said in a news release from the nonprofit. “Their decisions impact the lives of countless students, faculty, staff, and the broader university communities. At a time when the public’s trust in our institutions is frail and taxpayers demand more from government, I believe our colleges and universities must reassure their stakeholders that they are committed to the highest standards of public service.”

Open High Successes

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Even during the pandemic, Open High students continue to shine…

Richmond Public Schools recently recognized Jack Salgado for his presentation in the Solar Decathlon as one of the Solar Student Leaders.

They also congratulated Asia Goode from Open High School for her acceptance into Stanford University with a full-ride scholarship! She’s known for advocating for food justice and co-hosting their Civic Voices Town Hall.