From left: Joseph Kilgore, Richard Mason Jr., Nikia Miller and Jason Samuels. (Courtesy images)
Occupation: Engineering Manager at Newport News Shipbuilding
Previous Office Held: Hampton City School Board (2010, 2014, 2018)
Education: Old Dominion University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering
The pandemic, and the response to it, appear to have caused what has been called “learning loss” for students in all grades since 2020. What can and should school boards do to counteract the lingering effects of the pandemic on students?
Hampton City Schools is doing a good job of recovering from the pandemic learning loss. The core business of HCS remains teaching and learning with the focus being student achievement and success. When we compare last year’s Standards of Learning pass rates with pre-pandemic pass rates, it is clear that Hampton City Schools is recovering from the pandemic learning loss. We continue to trend upward in the right direction and are outperforming neighboring division with similar student demographics. HCS positioned itself well prior to the pandemic due to the systems we had in place, such as a guaranteed and viable curriculum, targeted professional development, and strategic meetings with building administrators. These systems, along with efforts from parents, students and staff, continue to position HCS to rebound fully. HCS is doing an outstanding job closing the learning loss gaps and we continue to outperform the state averages in SOL pass rates.
Please name one other pressing issue that the school board should address. How would you address it?
Closing the achievement gap is critical for our students and society and has been something I have worked on since becoming a school board member. I believe we have made great strides in closing the gap in Hampton City Schools, as is show by all of our schools being accredited. However, there is more work to be done. To highlight one effort, the division uses a three -tiered system of academic and climate and culture support that includes core, targeted and intensive support. Both capital and human resources are focused where most needed to ensure equity and student needs are met. In addition we continuously work to remove barriers to successful outcomes such as 21 century technology, access to WiFi access, as well as food and nutritional needs, just to name a few.
Occupation: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional/Associate Professor
Previous Office Held: Hampton City School Board (Elected 2018)
Education: PhD, Regent University; EdS, The College of William and Mary; M.A. Hampton University; B.A. Hampton University
The pandemic, and the response to it, appear to have caused what has been called “learning loss” for students in all grades since 2020. What can and should school boards do to counteract the lingering effects of the pandemic on students?
It is the responsibility of the Board to work through the Strategic Plan in coordination with the Superintendent. Prior work in this area set the stage for HCS and how we maneuvered through the pandemic. To address the areas of learning loss during and post pandemic, the Board had to make strategic pivots around instruction delivery, and this required changes to some policies and the budget.
Critical changes were implemented to ensure that every student had access to the internet at home and a Chromebook to engage in the learning process. Further, staffing changes were necessary to ensure the necessary supports were in place for students. As we continue through this pandemic, boards must remain abreast of the current needs in staffing and resources to make sure the proper resources are available. Further, boards must advocate for funding from local, state, and federal governments to support the teaching and learning.
Please name one other pressing issue that the school board should address. How would you address it?
The pandemic has sparked a rise in depression and anxiety especially among school aged children. To address this issue, there is a need to increase the number of mental health professionals and program services that will address the mental health needs of students, their families and school division personnel. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professionals can work directly with students in helping them to address all their specific mental health needs. Further, a coordinated effort in working with parents and school personnel will strengthen the students’ ability to overcome challenges such as depression and anxiety associated with the pandemic. Training for school personnel in the areas of trauma informed care and social emotional learning are specific learning areas that will help students maximize their school experience. HCS continues to move the needle in this area focusing on climate and culture. This initiative is championed and supported by the HCS Board.
Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer, Project Manager
Previous Office Held: None, but I have spent thousands of hours working on campaigns and worked in official positions on campaigns across the Commonwealth
The pandemic, and the response to it, appear to have caused what has been called “learning loss” for students in all grades since 2020. What can and should school boards do to counteract the lingering effects of the pandemic on students?
The ultimate goal to counter learning loss across the commonwealth is to continue learning past the classroom: students, teachers, parents, and community holistically educating as a whole. We cannot stop learning when children get out of the classroom. This is not saying that we have to double down on homework; we need to find creative ways to help parents access curriculum in a clear and easy way so they can continue learning in the home. For example, I have a high school student at home who loves musicals. She can sing songs from “Six” the musical. From that, I asked her to name the wives of Henry VIii in order from the songs she was singing. Using the school system to give guides to parents to help them interact with their children in new and inventive ways, we can help them reinforce learning to help curve the pandemic learning curve.
Please name one other pressing issue that the school board should address. How would you address it?
My daughter was sexually assaulted in her elementary school by another students and Hampton City Schools has done everything they can to absolve themselves from responsibility. HCE is not Title IX compliant and from interacting with other students, they have provided feedback to me and through video of random sexual assaults they have experienced – some on school property. I want bathrooms in HCS to be checked in no less than 10-minute intervals and for students K-12 to have sexual assault workshops wit parent opt out to learn about bad touching, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. I also want HCS to be IDEA compliant, as I am personally aware of at least three Office of Civil Rights complaints that HCS currently has complaining about special education deficiencies. My Facebook page goes in-depth on my platform: www.facebook.com/nikiaforhcs
Previous Office Held: Hampton City School Board
Education: Norfolk State University, Bachelor’s in Social Work, Leadership Certificate, Academy for Nonprofit Excellence at Tidewater Community College, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
The pandemic, and the response to it, appear to have caused what has been called “learning loss” for students in all grades since 2020. What can and should school boards do to counteract the lingering effects of the pandemic on students?
This is a very good question. As such, the school board should be reviewing the division’s strategic plans and making updates from the superintendent and staff on areas of concern, and monitoring the indicators and student success. We should also review and monitor the Virginia Dept. of Education reports on student achievements and make adjustments as needed by shifting resources and funding. Additionally, we should review curriculums, ensuring that it’s being delivered to students in an equitable manner.
Please name one other pressing issue that the school board should address. How would you address it?
Staff shortage. How to address it: Review the division’s recruiting model, recruit non-teaching degree students, establish partnerships with local universities and colleges and develop a pipeline, incentivize/paid teachers’ internships, and invest in workforce development through community colleges. Furthermore, board members must continue to advocate for the General Assembly to increase teachers’ and support staff salaries.