Support #LetKamrasLead
According to the RTD, the School Board is considering cutting two key positions - the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Wellness Officer - from Superintendent Kamras's cabinet. This is concerning for multiple reasons:
Discussion of this has happened entirely behind closed doors, which is a violation of VA Public Meetings Act.
This cuts an already lean executive cabinet of 6 (by comparison, Henrico has an executive cabinet of 9) to 4 and deeply undercuts Jason Kamras's ability to lead effectively
Finally, a word about the specific roles proposed to be cut: it is both completely unreasonable and unparalleled to expect that a district of 4000 employees and 50+ buildings could run without a Chief Operations Officer (there is no example of a peer district running without a COO). Additionally, cutting the Chief Wellness Officer position - a role created to address the mental, emotional, and physical health of RPS's 25,000 students - sends a terrible message to RPS kids: that the School Board doesn't prioritize their well being.
So what can you do?
Email the Board
Send an email to the School Board, copy Superintendent Kamras and the Press. Tell them not to cut these key cabinet positions that support RPS Kids
Come to the School Board's Special Budget Meeting on 2/28
Come to the Emergency School Board Budget meeting on Monday 2/28 (that's tomorrow!) at River City Middle School, 6300 Hull Street Road. The rally starts at 5:30PM, the meeting starts at 6PM. We'll have #LetKamrasLead signs.
Give public comment at the meeting
According to Board Docs, the agenda for this meeting has been updated to include a public comment period, so come be prepared to speak. Here's some bullet points if you're wondering what to say.
