House of Delegates Speak

Public Comments for 01/23/2024 Education - K-12 Subcommittee

HB10 - High school graduation; requires passing score on select questions from U.S. Naturalization Test.

Last Name: Baxter Locality: Richmond

Thank you for supporting standards. I support this bill.

Last Name: Seymour Locality: Virginia Beach

A functioning republic requires its citizens to have a good working knowledge of its history and governance procedures. I agree with HB10 and advise a YES vote. I cannot understand why we would ask less of our own students than we would ask of foreign nationals who wish to become citizens of this great nation.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Please vote to pass HB 686 Meals for All. The children in Virginia need your help. Every child should be able to get a hot meal and not have to worry about being hungry. Parents are struggling and children are suffering. Please vote for free meals for children.

Last Name: Peake Locality: Rockingham

Is this a joke? Can you pass the citizenship test? Why is current testing/education insufficient in your eyes? Maybe focus on that before you layer in new requirements.

Last Name: O Locality: Glen Allen

I support HB10. How can future American citizens make educated decisions at the ballot box if they do not know United States History? Please stop lowering the standards and expectations.

Last Name: Sprague Locality: Alexandria

You’re kidding right? Graduating was hard enough as it was. Why do you hate students so much, Lee?

Last Name: McCall Locality: MIDLOTHIAN

I support HB 10. Our Citizen youths need to know how Government is supposed to work and how to defend their rights before they are ALL gone. Critical information.

HB13 - High school graduation; requires passing score on select questions from U.S. Naturalization, etc.

Last Name: Scheckler Locality: Draper

Please desist with crazy bill. There is enough bureaucracy in schools as it is. Can you pass this exam? This is a vanity bill. You are trying to show off to your peers with no value to the commonwealth. Do your job instead of pandering to the extreme right.

Last Name: Norden Locality: Fauquier

We continue to draft more legislation while the laws that are currently on the books are not being followed by k-12 schools. Every year, superintendents and school board chairs sign off that they are in full compliance with the Standards of Quality when a quick look at their websites show otherwise. There needs to be consequences for school divisions that are not being honest about their compliance with standards. If we are not holding schools accountable for laws that are currently on the books, what is the point of passing more laws?

Last Name: Little Locality: Chesterfield

Hello, Looking for a Bill with teeth protecting the rights of Exceptional Education Scholars. (Special Education Students)...This is a crisis of epic proportions. The System is not only broken, it is exceptionally corrupt. Ms. Little (Eryn's Mom)

HB41 - Standards of Learning; programs of instruction, civics education on local government.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.

HB72 - Public schools; threat assessment teams to meet annually with local chief law-enforcement officer.

Last Name: Ottinot Locality: Fairfax County

The protocols for training school employees about children experiencing a mental health crisis must also be addressed by this bill. Students experiencing a mental health crisis and possibly contemplating suicide are considered a “threat” according to training protocols and law enforcement is called on these students. Consider adding language to this bill that training protocols for school personnel are in alignment with federal standards and best practices. And that these students are referred for extra support with an Individual Education Plan. (IEP). Currently these students are not being identified for additional support in the school setting with an IEP and are being denied the right to an appropriate education under IDEA. They are given a watered down version of support through referrals to mental health treatment outside the school setting but leaves out that the student could really benefit from an IEP for support “in school” as well.

HB121 - SOL; includes severe allergic reaction awareness training.

Last Name: Cades Organization: individual Locality: Fairfax County

Please vote in support of HB121. As an adult with lifelong food allergies, I was the ONLY student in my elementary school with this disease. Today, 2 of my children have food allergies &, on average, 1 in 13 children have them. Strict avoidance keeps us alive, and the quick use of epinephrine in the event of a reaction can save us. Epipen administration is simple; the hardest part for many people is getting over the fear of using it. The more one practices (with a trainer that has no needle) and the more one knows about signs of reactions & what to do in the event of one, the more likely one will be to take action in the event of an actual emergency. I commend the students at McLean HS for taking initiative with this project. Thank you for educating others on how to save my life and those of my children.

Last Name: Klute Organization: Virginia PTA Locality: Midlothian

The Virginia PTA supports allergic reaction training for High School students.

Last Name: Ellena Organization: Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals Locality: Chester

The Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP) has concerns regarding HB 121. We feel that this would negatively impact valuable instructional time for students and teachers. As our educators work diligently to help students recover from the effects of Covid on education, we feel that this information could be built into the Health and Physical Education curriculum, thereby reducing the effect on instructional time.

Last Name: Hobson Locality: Prince William

I support this bill. Can we get some attention on Special Education Students who have no access to Education as required by Federal Laws, that school divisions are violating day after day without repercussion, while students and families go broke fighting corrupt school divisions who always seem to have more than adequate funding to send millions of taxpayer education dollars to their Third Party School Board Attorneys instead of providing Appropriate Accessible Education as required by FAPE and IDEA?

HB134 - Opioids; DOE to develop education materials concerning risks.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

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Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

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Last Name: Klute Organization: Virginia PTA Locality: Midlothian

Fentanyl is a lethally potent, inexpensive drug that accounts for the largest rate of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Virginia is ranked by the CDC as one of nine states with a significant increase in drug overdoses for all ages. Drug overdose deaths among adolescents 10-19 years old increased 109% from the end of 2019 to the end of 2021 with deaths involving counterfeit pills present in 25% of adolescent deaths. The Virginia PTA supports funding and implementation of evidence-based comprehensive substance use education, prevention and early intervention programs that are differentiated for an accessible to all learners. The Virginia PTA supports HB134.

Last Name: Britt Organization: private citizen Locality: Portsmouth

Good morning, I'm providing a written comment to support HB 134 because I personally know the effects what fentanyl can do to an individual and their families and communities. Professionally, I'm a public safety officer (correctional officer) who responded to suspected fentanyl overdose situations behind the prison walls. It is an experience I hope no one in the school system ever have to experience. Although I think a fentanyl agenda should happen in the beginning of the school year, it is being recognized that students must be educated about its harmful effects. Please support HB 134 and its effort to prevent a potential tragedy to another student and their family.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives

HB215 - 9th/10th grade students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Sanghvi Locality: Charlottesville

The first time I heard the phrase “Title IX” was just four months ago in a mandatory college session. While I’d heard the word thrown around, I never had understood what it was, or what it meant. Upon this realization, I noticed that a lot of my peers in high school would have greatly benefitted from knowing their Title IX rights and what they are allowed to do in a compromising situation. Title IX trainings save lives, reducing mental health severity among students who have been assaulted or harmed. They also inform students of what they can do and what actions they can take, in the situation that a school mishandles or mistreats a report, something that was common at my high school. I strongly urge you to vote in favor of HB 215 because it has the capability to help so many students when they’re at their most vulnerable. Thank you.

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

HB224 - Public schools; mental health awareness training.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES 224

Last Name: Rahaman Organization: Equality Virginia Locality: Richmond

To: Chairperson Simonds and House Ed K-12 subcommittee members, My name is Narissa Rahaman, my pronouns are she/her, and I write on behalf of Equality Virginia. Equality Virginia is the leading statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the Commonwealth. We support House Bill 224. The 2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that adolescents in Virginia are considering suicide at the highest rate in a decade, mirroring the larger mental health crisis that young people are facing nationwide. Specific populations of youth including but not limited to youth bereaved by suicide, youth with disabilities, youth experiencing homelessness, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth, face additional challenges that increase the likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes that place them at a higher risk for suicidal ideation. Virginia has taken significant steps to address youth suicide across the Commonwealth but there is still a significant gap in school suicide prevention requirements that leave young people vulnerable to suicide risk, particularly for young people who are considered higher risk. Current statute does not require school staff to consider the needs of young people who are placed at a higher risk for suicide, nor does statute require explicit suicide awareness and prevention education for students. House Bill 224 would help address these gaps. The Trevor Project found that in 2022, an alarming 43% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered suicide in Virginia. LGBTQ+ youth are not inherently prone to suicide. Rather, they are placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society and at school, as emphasized through the minority stress hypothesis. The minority stress hypothesis posits that minority groups, such as LGBTQ+ young people and especially LGBTQ young people of color, experience stress stemming from experiences of stigma and discrimination, which in turn places them at risk for a number of negative physical and mental health outcomes. Young LGBTQ+ Virginians in K-12 schools today are experiencing a tremendous amount of anxiety due to anti-LGBTQ+ policy introduced in the General Assembly and local school boards. There is a sense of not feeling safe. This increased sense of animosity toward this already vulnerable population is even affecting those living in school districts where anti-LGBTQ+ policy isn’t on the table. By ensuring that school professionals are adequately trained to meet the needs of all students and provide explicit instruction on suicide prevention, the Virginia legislature will make key advancements needed to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis. It is with those reasons that we strongly encourage the subcommittee to report House Bill 224 to the full committee. Thank you.

Last Name: Cruser Organization: Mental Health America of Virginia Locality: Richmond

HB224 takes an important step in addressing our mental health crisis. Today's children and youth are experiencing mental health challenges and crises more than ever before. In addition to addressing the need for students to have age appropriate instruction on mental health, it is vital that teachers have training in mental health, particularly the warning signs of severe depression and suicidal ideation.

Last Name: Werner Organization: Equality Virginia Locality: Henrico

As a grandparent of a trans gender 15 year old youth and a 13 year old both of whom have severe mental health issues that presently prevent them from even attending public school the Commonwealth needs to do more to address the severity of this crisis We have come a long way re our treatment of all children and youth but more needs to be done in order to support the professionals, adults and yes these youth through better training and awareness

Last Name: Hoekstra Locality: Henrico

I strongly support HB 224, introduced by Delegate Henson, which aims at risk reduction policies to address the mental health crisis impacting the youth of Virginia. In 2023 the CDC found that adolescents in Virginia are considering suicide at the highest rate in a decade. As someone who has experienced suicidal ideation since middle school and who, in my work at a hospital, witnesses many people admitted to the hospital after suicide attempts, I believe in the importance of education for the communities around individuals who are at increased risk of committing suicide, in addition to the individuals themselves. No one thing prevented me from committing suicide. For me, I was fortunate to be taken to a mental health counselor, to have a mom who could take me to work with her, to have multiple teachers who were supportive when I missed school, to have a close group of friends. Encoding a policy that would establish a conversation around best practices for suicide prevention and mental health support for youth is an important step in fostering schools that are proactive to the needs of youth.

Last Name: Oliver Organization: As a Retired Virginia Public School Teacher, Equality Virginia, and as member of a Quaker Meeting in Virginia Locality: Williamsburg

"This bill would require public schools to expand and implement curriculum for a mental wellness/suicide prevention program for students, and would institute training requirements for school personnel around youth mental health awareness." Dear Members of the Virginia General Assembly, Our young people are our future. We must invest in their education as well as in mental and emotional health. Over my 36 years, I have visited 4 of my high school students confined to psychiatric hospitals who had attempted suicide. With your support of this bill, hopefully we will address issues gnawing at our youth so that they have supportive, trained staff to listen to them. Being proactive, hopefully, will reduce teen suicide rates and attempts at suicide. I suspect that these mental health program offerings at our public school will have a "halo" effect at every school: we all face challenges and heartache--but we are never alone, never have to result to suicide or other forms of violence against ourselves or against others at school or in the community. In contrast, we have supportive programs at our schools. Again, youth are our future. We want healthy and strong young people in mind, spirit, and body to be ready take up the reins and responsibilities of our Commonwealth after us. Thanking you for your time, service, and consideration, Sincerely, Robert L. Oliver Williamsburg, VA

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

HB253 - School boards; enrolled students present at meetings, public comment or citizen participation.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Manning Locality: Virginia Beach

The Freedom of Information Act is the portion of law that addresses this topic. To place it under "duties of the school board" is improper and could be in conflict with FOIA. FOIA already permits school boards to allow speakers, including student speakers. It also seems that a school board would not be able to single out one group over another when permitting speakers. Would that be a First Amendment violation?

Last Name: Sprague Locality: Alexandria

Now this is more like it! I wish I was allowed to speak as a student. It is in the first amendment after all. Kids are people too!

HB355 - School boards; employment verification, requirement.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

HB359 - Public school funding; nonpersonal cost categories, federal fund deduction methodology.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Giannakouros Organization: Virginia Progressives Locality: Harrisonburg

HB359, HB538, and HB1008 work together to support HB936, one of the three top priority bills in the [Virginia Progressives legislative agenda](http://VAProgressives.org). Taken together, the bills shape physical and curricular infrastructure Virginia's children will need to prepare for taking on the problems of the social provisioning of human needs going into a global climate crisis, and include proper funding mechanisms for their implementation. These bills reach up to meet initiatives from the federal level. Billions in federal funds are being spent into existence, and will flow in greater amounts in the future. They are seeking such programs in order to be spent effectively. More than half a dozen currently active can be found in our above linked legislative agenda, including, directly addressing the impact statement for HB936, [guidance for the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-09/CPRG%20General%20Competition%20NOFO.pdf) which states: ---- Accordingly, the CPRG general competition for implementation grants is designed to enable states, municipalities, tribes, and territories to achieve the following goals:" ... 2. Pursue measures that will achieve substantial community benefits (such as reduction of criteria air pollutants (CAPs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)), particularly in low- income and disadvantaged communities; ... In general, EPA anticipates that applications may seek funding for the following types of measures: ... • Implementation of new benchmarking and building performance standards ----- VA DEQ has been made aware, including in its Glen Allen DEQ CPRG public input session, that HB936 can tap this program while making DEQ's application more competitive.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

HB386 - Public schools; increase staffing ratios for specialized student support positions.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: McCrudden Organization: Citizen, parent, grandparent Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO to this bill. Having suffered as a substitute teacher from abuse from students in the class room with no recourse for accountability I feel very strongly that teachers and administrators should have the right to not only protect themselves but even more importantly to protect all of the students from the few who are in much need of discipline and consequences.

Last Name: Laws Organization: Virginia Coalition for Fine Arts Education Locality: Norfolk

The Virginia Coalition for Fine Arts Education acknowledges and supports the need for specialized student support positions for our public schools in the commonwealth as defined in HB 386 and HB 381. School counselors, social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, licensed assistant behavior analysts, and other assistant health and behavior analysts have never been more necessary than in our current climate of possible pandemic contagion, increased school violence, and poorer attendance. But the evidence is clear that the arts foster a more positive, school climate and better attendance. This funding must be for additional school support positions and not diminish curricular positions in the arts.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Cruser Organization: Mental Health America of Virginia Locality: Richmond

Specialized support staff in schools can make the difference between a child getting life saving help before there's a crisis or ending up in the emergency room. Increasing the minimum number of required positions is one way to get more trained adult eyes on what students are going through.

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Sprague Organization: Autism Love Project Locality: Alexandria

I totally agree we need more counseling especially with students’ mental health taking a toll. But behavioral analysts? Cmon! Behaviorism HARMS mental health. It very much harmed mine. I nearly ended my life twice because of it. Please don’t do this to us! Or at least amend it so that there are guard rails so that we can hold Applied Behavioral Analysis folks accountable more easily. https://neuroclastic.com/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/

HB398 - Public elementary and secondary schools; student discipline, etc.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Andrews Locality: Radford

Good morning, I would like to make some comments on HB398. My name is Carol Andrews and I currently teach at Radford High School. This is my 35th year of teaching, so needless to say I have seen many changes during my career - some good and some not so good. My concerns about HB398 are based on my school division who went all in on Restorative Justice and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies). We did all of the activities, tactics and strategies with these two philosophies and things did not turn out very well. I understand the concept of trying to use different intervention methods for students, but at what expense? We saw our behavior problems increase and morale with the student body, faculty and staff decrease. Everyone says that you have to have 100 percent buy in or it doesn't work. But sometimes these strategies just don't work. We had an increase of behaviors including extremely bad language, fights and disrespectfulness to faculty, staff and other students. These comments are not just coming from the adults, but also from the students. Many of the them feel the same way. I have spoken on many occasions with my students and they feel that the same students are the ones breaking the rules because they know not much of anything will be done to them. What are we teaching the next generation? That one can break the rules and have no consequences? I believe in giving everyone a second chance and even more to correct their behavior, but why should the 90 percent of the student body follow the rules and do what they need to do and the other 10 percent be allowed to break the rules over and over and not be held accountable the way they should? If you have not been in a public school as a teacher, staff member, administrator, coach, substitute or volunteer lately, I feel that you need to experience it personally before making decisions that affect those involved in education. I would recommend that you discuss this with educators across all parts of the state before finalizing your position on this issue. Thank you for you time.

Last Name: Cades Organization: individual Locality: Fairfax County

Please vote in support of HB398. Students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined as compared to their non-disabled peers. Unfortunately, often those disciplinary actions are based on the staff member's "best intention" or "logic" rather than stemming from evidence-based approaches. What seems to make sense often, in fact, makes matters worse. I have witnessed this firsthand with my own children. And, as the past president of a parent organization representing students with disabilities in Fairfax County, unfortunately, I've heard story after story of inconsistent disciplinary actions taken toward students with disabilities - often making situations worse, further escalating situations, and ultimately contributing to additional trauma and mental health problems for these students.

Last Name: Allen Organization: Middle Resolution Policy Network Locality: Richmond City

Strongly Oppose. Requirement is top down and too proscriptive. VA Code § 22.1-279.3:3 already provides an alternative discipline process for instances that involve non-bodily harm. School boards (i.e., Fairfax) have a flexible framework that allows the principal to exercise his or her discretion in designing , developing , and implementing an adjudication process that is amenable to all affected parties. The adjudication process can include many of the techniques described in HB398, if the Principal and parties to the infraction believe it is appropriate. The state should not be dictating HOW to do it. According to the HB398's Fiscal Impact statement, the cost of this legislation at the local level is indeterminate: another unfunded mandate.

Last Name: Campbell Organization: Individual Locality: Fairfax County

Comments Document

Discipline practices across the country continue to disproportionately impact marginalized populations, including students with disabilities. The Office of Civil Rights' most recent report on Student Discipline and School Climate (attached) clearly demonstrates these disproportionalities. The report explicitly says "Students with disabilities were overrepresented in discipline outcomes when compared to their total student enrollment in public schools. (Figure 4). These students represented 17% of total K-12 student enrollment, but 24% of students who received one or more in-school suspensions, 29% of those who received one or more out-of-school suspensions, and 21% of those who received expulsions. " It is critical that Virginia put in place laws that support and require the use of evidence-based restorative discipline practices. These students are also some of the most at-risk students academically. In order for the opportunity and achievement gaps for these populations to even begin to decrease, these children must actually be in school to receive instruction. Additionally, adequate training for teachers to implement these evidence-based restorative practices must be done consistently and with fidelity, along with support staff to support their implementation.

Last Name: Hartt Organization: The Hive Locality: City of Richmond

Comments Document

As a leader in my community in Richmond, Virginia who has worked with young people caught in our state’s juvenile justice system for the past decade, I would like to submit my formal support for HB398. I am the Cofounder and Managing Director for a nonprofit based in Richmond called The Hive. We help young people caught in our legal system and child welfare system transition into adulthood successfully. Our goal is to keep young people and young adults from returning to our legal system. I have worked as an arts educator, advocate, and nonprofit leader in this field since 2013 and I can confirm that using suspension and expulsion in its current design does not keep young people from violating their school’s code of conduct. In reality, it often is the starting point from which many young people ultimately end up in our legal system, causing further strain on an already stressed system. Punitive disciplinary action has been proven many times over to not yield the results they propose. Rather, it reinforces negative beliefs that students often already have of themselves and contributes to greater negative effects on a student’s future academic performance, attendance, and behavior (American Institutes for Research, 2021). Additionally, it has been demonstrated that students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately harmed by punitive disciplinary policies. Virginia has been cited by the Center for Public Integrity, more than once, to lead the nation in its referrals to law enforcement for school-based disciplinary action. Legal Aid Justice Center released a study in 2019 that documented the disproportionate use of disciplinary action (Legal Aid Justice Center 2019). Countless studies done in Virginia and across the country continue to underscore this harmful trend. HB398 represents a new path forward, one that can address the underlying conditions that create unsafe schools. This bill supports the Virginia Department of Education’s 2021 “Model Guidance for Positive, Preventative Code of Student Conduct Policy and Alternatives to Suspension.” It’s time for our legislature to bring our state’s public school system into the 21st century and stop using outdated 20th-century practices. Upstream thinking is the idea that we can address social issues more deeply and sustainably by addressing conditions before they result in negative consequences. Young people who end up in our juvenile justice system or ultimately in our adult criminal justice system commonly first experience disciplinary punishment in schools. The use of restorative practices in school, as HB398 supports, allows our community to address issues upstream before we face the results downstream like incarceration. There are organizations and practitioners across the country and here in Virginia ready to partner with our public school system to implement evidence-based restorative justice programs, such as Dr. Ram Bhagat. I worked with Dr. Bhagat in 2021 to implement restorative justice practices in Richmond Public Schools, which they have done to a certain extent. Other districts that have adopted restorative practices include Chesterfield, Richmond City, Harrisonburg, Fairfax, Spotsylvania, Loudoun, and Roanoke. The expertise and infrastructure are in place. We need state policies and laws to reinforce this approach statewide. Sincerely, Trey Hartt

Last Name: Cades Organization: Fairfax County SEPTA (Special Education PTA) Locality: Fairfax County

Fairfax County SEPTA (Special Education PTA), representing the over 30,000 students receiving special education services, their families, & staff who serve them, supports HB398. Students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined as compared to their non-disabled peers. We are strongly in favor of the use of evidence-based practices & interventions before the use of suspensions or expulsions.

Last Name: Cimino Organization: disAbility Law Center of Virginai Locality: Henrico

Students with disabilities and students of color are disproportionately subjected to exclusionary discipline in Virginia's public schools. These same students face a multitude of other educational challenges. Exclusionary discipline does not address the underlying cause of a student's behavior, has adverse consequences for the child's educational success, and perpetuates the school to prison pipeline. For these reasons, we support HB398, which would require that schools implement at least one restorative justice intervention prior to resorting to exclusionary discipline in many circumstances; and we oppose HB853, which would impose a mandatory three-strikes-and-your-out approach to managing student behavior in classrooms across the commonwealth without leaving any discretion to teachers to implement more effective and less harmful interventions.

Last Name: Mantos Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO on HB 398. Discipline in school is a necessity for students and staff to be safe and to ensure a positive learning environment for students. Those who are disruptive, threatening, and violent need to face consequences that will stop and deter bad behavior. Without significant consequences, problem students will continue to create chaos and make it difficult for teachers to teach and students to learn. To continue to allow disruptive and dangerous behavior, with little to no consequences, will lead to more teachers leaving the profession, resulting in staff shortages and overcrowded classroom. Students and teachers deserve to feel safe in school. Not disciplining students who are causing trouble does them a disservice as well, as these children need to learn how to behave in socially acceptable ways.

Last Name: Sharp Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote no to this bill. We need more discipline and accountability, not less! I have students in middle and high school and there are no consequences (at least not serious ones) for seriously bad behavior. At a time when mass school shootings are at an all time high, our high school welcomed a student back who was expelled the previous year for bringing a gun on school property!

Last Name: Brown Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO on HB398. I'm sitting here imagining what schools would be like with no consequences for student discipline problems. It would be a free for all in some classes/schools. Students who already act out by being disruptive, who don't care about the well-being and education of their classmates, would have no fear at all because there wouldn't be any repercussions. Students who already don't have a problem with putting their hands on other kids and teachers, would probably be more violent. And students who haven't brought a weapon to school yet because their punishment would be much greater than a school yard fight, will no longer fear any consequences. I would hope that in today's day and age, you as well as administrators, politicians, police, etc. would want to do whatever it takes to protect children and teachers from harm. So I ask you this. What good will come from passing this bill? And what potential serious ramifications will come from passing this bill? Did we already forget about the SIX YEAR OLD BOY who brought his mother's gun to school and SHOT HIS TEACHER?! There truly needs to be greater consequences and help for children with disciplinary problems, not less! So I implore you to do the right thing and vote NO for HB398! Thank you! Signed, ~ A taxpayer and more importantly, a mother of an 11 year old boy in a public school in Virginia Beach.

Last Name: Ellis Locality: CHESAPEAKE

Please vote NO on HB 398. Learning about consequences is very important to young people. Improper behavior should result in discipline, not discussion. Teachers need to know they are valued and safe.

Last Name: Blankinship Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO on HB 398.

Last Name: Kinsey Locality: Va Beach

I am more than concerned regarding this bill. With discipline at an all time low and no accountability for students’ nefarious behavior, this bill is appalling. As retired teacher of 45 years, I have seen, and now am hearing from colleagues still teaching, how students are running the schools. Please reconsider this bill which is nonproductive to modeling future good citizens. I would definitely be open to discussing this with you.

Last Name: Heisler Locality: Virginia Beach

Delegates, PLEASE vote NO on HB 398. Allowing violence and intimidation to run rampant at school with no tangible consequences fosters an unstable teaching and learning environment. If a teacher 's safety and respect is threatened on a regular basis, how can someone educate effectively. Talk about a huge distraction! Likewise, students need fewer distractions in the school atmosphere to ensure a better learning experience. Facing potential assault and bullying often decreases the motivation of students to learn and teachers to instruct. Not a surprise that teachers are leaving the profession and students are leaving the public school system. Additionally, what message is sent to students who assault and taunt knowing that they will not have to suffer any discipline? Talking it through may help in some non violent cases, but what about those who are determined to be disruptive and violent ? If bad behavior isn't put in check at this stage, what happens when they go out into the general public? The damage to the students and teachers is real when no consequences are given for unacceptable violent and/or disruptive behavior. Vote NO on HB 398, thank you!

Last Name: Mayo Locality: Virginia Beach

It is incredible that our legislators would pause more than a few seconds before voting NO on this bill. I read and hear too many stories of outrageous behavior by students in public schools. I saw a picture of a smiling legislator proposing teacher pay rises to stem the tide of teachers leaving their profession. Money does not solve the problems. It’s hard to believe that elementary school teachers are fearful for their safety. BUT IT’S TRUE. VOTE NO

Last Name: Burns Locality: Virginia Beach

As a retired educator I find that there are now few consequences for inappropriate behavior in a class. Lack of consequences will greatly undermine the teacher's authority as well as safety to an even greater degree than it has already. My wife is still teaching and I am concerned for her safety every day. Lack of consequences will further erode the atmosphere of the classroom making it increasingly difficult to do any meaningful teaching! A student desiring an education is denied that in a chaotic environment of an undisciplined classroom. Remove consequences? Imagine doing the same with traffic laws, even 'minor' ones. Chaos will ensue, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but it will come. I could not continue to teach under those circumstances. After struggling for a number of years, I found that the time and effort I expended to attain my M.eD. after retirement from the Navy would have been better and more effectually spent pursuing a business degree. No wonder teacher recruitment is in such disarray,

Last Name: Allen Locality: Virginia Beach,

Ref: HB398 It is vital that you vote no! As a 35 year veteran of public schools I am left speechless daily this year due to the posturing and aggression exhibited by the students in middle school. Students with 3 even 4 incidents of fighting come back to the school day after day feeling more empowered to bully classmates and teachers. Protecting school property, other students, and myself should not be a daily concern. The community is not going to ignore these behaviors when they leave public schools. We are not preparing these students to be contributing members of society when we tolerate and try to talk away aggressive behaviors in the classroom -

Last Name: Flowers Locality: Va beach

Vote NO to HB398!!!

Last Name: Tall Organization: Citizens of Virginia Beach Locality: Virginia Beach

Delegates; Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like this that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill will only exacerbate the teacher shortage. You should be doing everything you can to create a safe and secure learning environment for both students and teachers...this bill won't be doing that.

Last Name: Bain Locality: VIRGINIA BEACH

Please vote No-This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage. Thank you for your consideration.

Last Name: Lowdermilk Locality: Virginia beach

Please vote NO on house bill 398! Reducing the ability of teachers and administrators to discipline students will cause additional teachers to depart the profession worsening a teacher shortage. Also, keeping students who have had significant behavioral issues in the classroom due to alternatives to discipline will creat disruption in the learning process and environment. I have two school aged children and do not want to see this bill enacted and affecting my children’s classrooms. Please vote NO to HB 398. Thank you. Mike Lowdermilk

Last Name: Boyd Locality: Radford

Disruptions in our school buildings are at an all time high. They impede instruction, academic progress and threaten safety. Administrators must have autonomy to find the most effective measures for maintaining a safe, peaceful environment for optimal instruction. Do not tie the hands of our principals. They are the professionals. Vote NO on HB 398. Sincerely, Gloria Boyd School board member

Last Name: Hawkins Locality: Virginia Beach

I urge you to vote a resounding NO to HB389. Discipline issues are already through the roof; please don't make it worse. Vote NO.

Last Name: Alberson Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote "no" on this proposal. Most school systems use a ladder of increasingly harsh punishments on disruptive students to eliminate subjectivism on behalf of the school, Most children learn at an early age that misbehavior on their part generates punishment from those with charge over them. If they didn't learn this cause/effect cycle before preschool they need to learn it asap for the good of society. Many liberals worry about the schools to prison pipeline. This bill will NOT help. If students can't/don't behave in school, they will most certainly be a problem in general society after they leave school. Teachers have 10-40 students in a class. There is no learning without classroom order. Allowing a disruptive student to remain or have their poor behavior to go unpunished punishes the students who want to learn and are a threat to the teachers.

Last Name: Bryant Organization: Students First Virginia Locality: Virginia Beach

With common sense and overwhelming empirical evidence available from the parents ,teachers and students in our public schools, vote NO on this ill- conceived bill. Teachers and parents are fleeing public schools at alarming rates because of a multitude of behavioral problems. Systems that did away with “resource officers” a/k/a police,are bringing them back. If anything ,increase the measures available to administrators and teachers in dealing with disruptive behavior. Remember Richneck Elementary in Newport News, where administrators (felt compelled ?) to take no action in a clearly dangerous situation.I note that many of the comments are from Virginia Beach,which has one of the best school systems in the state. We see and hear of the assaults, shootings, disrespect for authority in other surrounding systems. Save us from that.Thank you, Harvey Bryant , Retired Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach after 14 years .

Last Name: Cotten Locality: Virginia Beach

I am writing to ask the delegates to vote NO to HB 398. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage. Thank you for your consideration.

Last Name: Scherck Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote no on this bill as our schools already have issues with school discipline. There is a lack of discipline and the students have no respect for authority as they know there are no consequences for their disruptive behavior. Disruptive students negatively affect the learning of other students. All children need discipline and without it there will be no learning in schools, only chaos.

Last Name: Talia Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

Last Name: Brennan Locality: Henrico

If you don't know that teachers are walking away from the profession in staggering numbers, where have you been? PBIS is being pushed in schools, where we are told to "ignore negative behaviors and make examples of the positive ones" while teachers are being physically and verbally assaulted by students as young as Kindergarten and parents on a daily basis. Our work place is not safe. BEHAVIOR ESCALATES! As a parent, we know that if we don't address a situation or behavior it will become worse in the future. If we don't address issues that aren't deemed " most serious" in schools, then the behavior will escalate as the child is not getting the response desired. This is true in schools and we see if every single day. Kids are violent toward peers and adults in the school and since there are no consequences for their actions, nothing changes. We don't feel safe. Students can't learn in a environment where they don't feel safe and the worst part is that students today will think seeing and experiencing this type of behavior in the classroom is NORMAL. We are not teaching in a positive and comfortable learning environment, but rather a battle ground. Students go off if they don't want to do something and it stops everyone from learning. Our job as school professionals is to TEACH and instill a love of learning. How can you LOVE learning when you are afraid you will be attacked? DO NOT VOTE YES on this!

Last Name: Boyd Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO on Senate Bill 398!! Disruptive and violent student behaviors in public school are at an all time high. As it is currently, teachers are leaving the profession due to behaviors and the ineffectiveness of PBIS. If Senate Bill 398 passes, there will be a greater exodus of teachers across the state. I, for one, will not remain in a profession that is unsafe due to a lack of accountability and discipline for disruptive and violent behaviors.

Last Name: BROWN Locality: ARLINGTON

Please vote "NO." VOTE NO ON HB 398. Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

Last Name: Nadelstein Locality: Virginia Beach

I urge the delegates to vote NO on this bill. Removing meaningful consequences for students actions when it comes to behavior violations is not in the best interests of the students, teachers or the broader public. In a time where discipline problems are worsening significantly and assaults on teachers and staff is a growing problem, it is a mistake to reduce penalties for students. This not only encourages bad behavior, but it disincentives people from going in to the teaching profession.

Last Name: Thompson Locality: Virginia Beach

I respectfully ask House members to vote "NO" on this bill. This bill seeks to codify into law the worthless piece of VBOE policy called "2021 Model Guidance for Positive, Preventative Code of Student Conduct Policy and Alternatives to Suspension." The aforementioned "guidance" and the proposed bill seek to codify a phrase called "evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice" into law. This is a bad idea for several reasons. First, the so-called "evidence" presented in VBOE policy is sourced from hyper-partisan entities such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the teachers union known as the National Education Association, to name a few. No conservative or right-leaning agency or publication is quoted as a source for the so-called "evidence-based practices" in the VBOE guidance. More importantly, the authors of the VDOE guidance (which reads like Marxist drivel) made no effort to coordinate or include the dissenting views of teachers/parents who would reject the so-called "evidence" presented by VBOE. Second, all the so-called "evidence-based practices" that this bill would codify into law are firmly rooted in the failed narrative of diversity, inclusion, and equity. The sham "evidence" being referred to in this bill uses the word equity 66 times, diversity 12 times, and inclusion eight times. The sham practices in the VBOE guidance use the unproven idea of "restorative justice" to remedy the bad behavior of a few students and make no mention whatsoever of the negative impact of the student's behavior on the teacher or other students in the learning environment. Third, as a matter of good governance, elected officials should always vote "NO" against legislation that inculcates hyper-partisan policy statements from **unelected state bureaucrats** into law because it removes the power of local elected officials. To be clear, if the hyper-partisan VBOE "Model Guidance" of sham "evidence-based practices" is made into law, it will significantly hamper the options local school boards (and the parents who vote for them) have to deal with discipline issues in the classroom. Finally, it would behoove members in the House to take a step back and reflect on how poorly the VBOE has done on any objective measures regarding success in our schools. Policy statements like this one from VBOE have been around since 2004. Have test scores continually improved since then? Have discipline issues continually improved since then? Is Virginia leading the way in educational excellence over the other 49 states? Are teachers happy with the state of discipline in the schools, or are they leaving in droves? The objective evidence clearly shows test scores are down, and teachers consistently mention poor discipline in the classroom as a significant concern that negatively impacts their job performance. Do we really want to inculcate failed guidance from VBOE into law? No, we do not and should not. The failed narratives of DIE and SEL, and all Marxist policy derived from them, need to end. Parents, children, teachers, school boards, and school staff should not have to deal with hyper-partisan and sham-based VBOE guidance shoved down their throats under the cover of Virginia law. VOTE NO on the horrible piece of legislation called HB 398.

Last Name: Ogden Locality: Virginia Beach

Last Name: Merklinger Locality: Virginia Beach VA

HB398 Please vote a resounding “NO” Our teachers need the protection as well as students need the knowledge of their acts having consequences.

Last Name: Wahlstrom Organization: na Locality: Suffolk

Absolutely not. Basic discipline must come first. When schools replace strong discipline systems with restorative justice (because they are told to do so), they find a decline in student behavior. It is important to bring back strong discipline protocols into schools to help ensure student and teacher safety. Student discipline is also a strong factor in a school being able to secure substitutes. When discipline is poor, substitutes don't want to work at the school. Neither do teachers. Please use your votes to help bring back schools that are predictable in terms of student expectations and a stronger learning climate.

Last Name: Mackiewicz Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote "NO." Discipline problems are at an all-time high in Virginia Beach public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment and create an unsafe and fearful school experience for other students. Students who assault teachers (which is happening) should not be provided "mediation" or a "restorative circle", these students require meaningful discipline and criminal charges to be filed as appropriate. Out-of-control discipline problems in schools are causing teachers to leave the profession and leave school districts open to civil litigation from not addressing student discipline problems or reports of direct threats (teacher shot by student in Newport News). Virginia should be protecting our teachers, administrators and the vast majority of non-violent students, not prioritizing and justifying violent students behavior.

Last Name: Houck Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO... to hb398...we need discipline and order in schools not chaos and disruption, Thank you

Last Name: Resnick Locality: Virginia Beach

To Whom it may Concern, Public schools that provide clear consequences and boundaries for one’s actions will lead to increased safety for all. VOTE NO on HB 398 TO PROTECT SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS. Elizabeth Resnick

Last Name: Sangster Locality: Virginia Beach

Urge you to vote NO- nowhere have these policies proven to be effective. People need consequences and even the threat of consequences to motivate their behavior. How are you creating safe places for education when staff members and students know they could be attacked and the response would be to mediate with the attacker? We should be creating zero tolerance policies not lowering the standards. You have a responsibility to demand people come to the places and abide by the rules. You are literally creating a policy to help people who are not following the rules the first time! Why do you think this helps anyone other than the people who can’t and won’t listen? Policies like this are the reason why staff do not feel supported and leave the public education sector for private where they do feel protected.

Last Name: Blanco Organization: N/A Locality: Virginia Beach

I would like to respectfully request the for Delegates to please vote NO on the HB398 Bill. I am retired, from VBCPS and have personally witnessed the decay in discipline, among other things. Students disrespecting staff and other students; there’s no repercussions while putting others, in danger; running/walking hitting each other, fighting, girls wearing outfits where parts of their bodies should not be exposed in an environment intended for learning. Not a single staff member speaks to them about their outfits. Kids running in the hallways. I was personally hurt on the back of my ankle while walking to a classroom in the hallway. Parents send their children to school to learn, I believe that “Learning” should include respect for others. I used to feel good when my own children attended VBCPS. For the past few year I worry about my Grandchildren; Thankfully, this is the last year is the last year, as they’ll be graduating. * I write this only for the rest of the students that will be subjected to attend a school system in decay. Respectfully, Ms. Blanco

Last Name: Smith Locality: Virginia Beach

Discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools due to bills like these that restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide meaningful consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and are disruptions in the class. These discipline problems impact all students because they disrupt the learning environment. This bill could require teachers who have been assaulted by students (which is happening) to provide "mediation" or a "restorative circle" rather than meaningful discipline. This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in schools. Teachers are leaving the profession due to student discipline problems. This bill would only exacerbate the teacher shortage.

Last Name: Kastberg Locality: Virginia Beach

VOTE NO ON BILL HB398. We need discipline in our schools and our children need consequences for their actions. Teachers need to know they can act accordingly without being attacked by a student. If kids don’t learn that actions have consequences, violence will just escalate.

Last Name: Carrick Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote no on HB398. The introduction of this bill just exemplifies the paucity of intellect of certain legislators!

Last Name: Whited Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote “no” on HB398.

Last Name: Reismeier Locality: Virginia Beach

Vote NO!! Discipline problems are rampant in Virginia public schools. Teachers and administrators need to have the ability to discipline students who violate rules, are disruptive, and/or assault teachers, administrators, or other students This bill would further restrict teachers and administrators from being able to address the out-of-control discipline problems in our schools. Teachers are leaving in drives because of the lack of discipline in our schools. This bill will drive more of them out of the public school profession.

Last Name: Fair Locality: Virginia Beach

I urge you to vote NO on HB 398. Students need to be taught there are consequences for their actions!! Teachers are already leaving the profession due to discipline issues and they need your support by voting NO!! Mediation is not the answer and let’s not waste our time on “feelings “ teach them if they do wrong the pay the price. My husband volunteers in PRE K classes 2 times per week and he sees first hand with 4 and 5 year olds getting in trouble only to be sent back to the classroom. Think about that PRE K , if no consequences at that age what happens as they move up the grades? VOTE NO save the kids and staff!!!

Last Name: Prettyman Locality: va beach

"VOTE NO!!" ON BILL HB398. W e need discipline in our schools and our children need consequences for their actions. Teachers need to know they can act accordingly without being attacked by a student.

Last Name: Hay, Becky Locality: Virginia Beach

I urge you to vote NO on HB398. As we all know, discipline problems are at an all-time high in public schools, and bills like these restrict teachers and principals from being able to provide appropriate and effective consequences to students who break the rules, assault staff and other students, and cause class disruptions. These discipline problems impact all students and the learning environment. Teachers are leaving the profession because they feel unsafe and that their hands are tied (and they are not supported) in matters of discipline and this bill will further exacerbate that problem. Mediation may be appropriate in some circumstances for first time offenders but in many cases it is not sufficient in dealing with the serious issues that arise in our our classrooms today.

Last Name: Saunders Locality: Virginia Beach

Do not vote for this bill. We do not need to be restricting the application of appropriate disciplinary actions,

Last Name: Solares Locality: Virginia Beach

PLEASE VOTE NO. Teachers are already leaving the schools frustrated bc the discipline problems and behavioral issues are not being addressed. Restorative Justice does not work. Just look at other states and the issues they have dealt with. Children need to be held accountable for their actions and choices.

Last Name: Manning Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote NO. If passed, this bill will further contribute to the teacher shortage problem throughout the state. Teachers are leaving the profession due to increasing student discipline problems. Teachers are being assaulted by students, threatened by students, and more. Teachers and administrators must have all tools available to provide appropriate consequences to students who are disrupting the learning environment for all. Requiring "peer mediation" or "restorative circles" may work in some circumstances but all involved must be agreeable which often doesn't happen. If passed, this bill will further exacerbate the discipline problems in the classroom. Students need firms boundaries and meaningful consequences for misbehavior.

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES to restorative justice practices 398 THANK YOU for this bill that is evidence based and will change lives

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Januel Locality: Stafford

A student could assault a teacher and the only discipline they receive could be community service or mentoring? If this bill is passed it will only cause the violence in schools to increase. Please do NOT support this bill.

HB482 - School employees; reports of certain arrests and convictions.

Last Name: Raley Organization: Virginia Department of Education Locality: Goochland County

HB482 allows for increased communication between local parole and probation officers and the Superintendent of Public Instruction and with local school division officials. With this information, decisions can be made quickly to ensure the safety of students in the local school division. This increased and quick communication between probation/parole officers will most certainly increase the safety of students attending local schools.

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

HB497 - Public secondary schools; naloxone procurement, possession, and administration.

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

HB498 - School bd. policy; parental notification of responsibility of safe storage of firearms in household.

Last Name: Shiembob Locality: Richmond

I support HB498

Last Name: Pahuja Organization: Virginia momsFor change Locality: Henrico

I am with Virginia moms for change and support this bill. It’s common sense.

Last Name: Devan Locality: Richmond

I strongly support this bill for common sense, non invasive law to keep parents informed about safe storage. Knowing how many gun deaths in children are accidental, we need to take even this small step toward prevention.

Last Name: Pahuja Organization: Virginia Moms for Change Locality: Henrico

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change - a gun violence prevention organization. I support HB498 and oppose: HB222 & HB676. Please do something to prevent innocent children from dying just so people think they have the right to hunt at a moments notice.

Last Name: Dryfka Locality: Norfolk

I support required parent education on safe firearm storage. This can save lives.

Last Name: McGill Locality: Mechanicsville

As a parent, I strongly support this bill.

Last Name: Horst Locality: Harrisonburg

I strongly support this bill as a parent of an elementary student. Safe storage is an essential component of responsible gun ownership, and ensuring that children do not have access to firearms is paramount to their safety and the safety of our communities. We saw the detrimental impact of lax gun storage in Newport News last year when a teacher was shot by her student. This bill will help reduce both accidental and intentional misuse of firearms by children.

Last Name: Beilhart Organization: Virginia Moms for Change Locality: Chesterfield County

Virginia Moms for Change strongly supports safe storage legislation. Educating parents on safe storage through the school system is an excellent idea.

Last Name: Park Locality: Fairfax

As a pediatrician and mother of two kids, providing education and increasing awareness of the importance of secure storage of firearms and ammunition just makes sense. It is a simple, evidence-based action to keep firearms away from children who are curious, and from adolescents who may be suicidal. Households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens. (Grossman DC, Mueller BA, Riedy C, et al. Gun Storage Practices and Risk of Youth Suicide and Unintentional Firearm Injuries. JAMA. 2005;293(6):707–714. doi:10.1001/jama.293.6.707) Please take this common-sense, educational action to protect kids from unintentional firearm injury, firearm suicide, and other gun violence.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: Kidwell Locality: Loudoun

Firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Approximately 4.6 million children live in a household with at least one gun stored loaded and unlocked. Up to 80% of school shooters under the age of 18 obtained their firearm from their home or the home of a relative or a friend. According to the US Secret Service, addressing student access to guns is a critical component of any school-based threat assessment intervention plan. In addition, over 3,000 young people die by firearm suicide each year. Most of these firearms were also obtained in their home or the home of a friend or relative. 90% of firearm suicide attempts end in death. Removing access is a critical way to mitigate risk. In addition, there are unintentional shootings regularly by children accessing an unsecure firearm injuring or killing themselves or others nearby. We want all children to be safe at school AND at home. Educating families about the dangers of unsecured firearms will save lives. Our schools educate about the dangers of drug use, unprotected intercourse, driving, and more. We can certainly make sure families are educated about steps to take to help prevent the leading cause of death for youth in America. I fully support this bill and wholeheartedly believe it will make a valuable difference.

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Srivisal Locality: Leesburg

Educating our families in the Commonwealth about how to keep their guns secure in their homes, so that minor children do not gain access to a firearm and hurt themselves or others, is a powerful yet easy way to keep our families safe. Almost 1 child a day in our country unintentionally shoots themselves or another person. This number can be drastically lowered by following secure storage guidelines. I strongly support this bill and urge passage.

Last Name: Davis Locality: Loudoun

I am writing in full support of this bill. School boards should provide this information to parents; if any school aged children are in the house with firearms, those firearms need to be safely secured for the safety of all. Thank you for bringing this to the floor and supporting the safety of all students at home and at school.

Last Name: Kidwell Locality: Loudoun County, Virginia

I support this bill and think parents who own guns and who have school aged children, should be required to properly secure their weapons. I think having the school board remind parents of this obligation is appropriate.

Last Name: Glisson Locality: Alexandria

I fully support this bill. The vast majority of school shootings are committed using an unsecured firearm from a student’s home or the home of a relative or friend. Secure storage saves lives and keeps firearms out of the hands of children and others who shouldn’t have access to them. This bill will help spread lifesaving awareness of the importance of secure storage and is an easy lift for school boards. Vote yes!

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Fox Organization: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Locality: Albemarle County

I'm a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and I support this bill.

HB603 - Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction on mental health education.

Last Name: Klute Organization: Virginia PTA Locality: Midlothian

Virginia ranks 48th in providing access to mental health care for youth, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. Ninety-one percent of Virginians live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals resulting in 60% of Virginia's youth with major depression not receiving treatment. The Virginia PTA supports HB603.

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Cruser Organization: Mental Health America of Virginia Locality: Richmond

This bill provides more specifics to the existing statute for mental health instruction so that the previous requirements are actually implemented. Previous attempts have resulted in uneven implementation around the state, and little to no monitoring or accountability. Students are hurting, and the need is urgent. This will ultimately address the lingering issues of ignorance and stigma surrounding mental health. The end goal is that students begin learning about mental health throughout K-12 education, that we all have mental health, that it is part of everyone's overall health, and when we aren't feeling right the sooner we talk about it with someone, then the sooner we can get help and the better the outcomes. It all starts here.

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

HB686 - School meals; availability at no cost to students.

Last Name: Miller Organization: Students for Equity and Reform in Virginia Locality: Charlottesville

Dear Subcommittee members, I urge you to vote yes on HB686 in order to provide meals to Virginia students at no cost. While existing federal meals programs go a long ways towards helping those students who need the most nutrition assistance, there are without a doubt substantial gaps in coverage. This bill would erase those gaps. In addition, I understand that some of you may have concerns about the cost of this particular bill, however, the benefit to learning outcomes associated with ensuring that no child goes to school hungry is worth every penny. Moreover, the long run benefit this bill would provide to the entire commonwealth far exceeds the short term fiscal costs. Thank you for your consideration, once again I urge you to vote yes on HB686.

Last Name: Weinger Organization: Students for Equity and Reform in Virginia (SERV) based at UVA Locality: Charlottesville

Comments Document

See file:

Last Name: Huff Organization: SNA-VA Botetourt County Chapter, region 6H Locality: Botetourt County

I work in a county that is truly diverse. We have families that are in every economic bracket. This bill would really help our community, especially the less privileged, to have access to nutritious meals. As current president of this chapter, I support this bill.

Last Name: Lucas Organization: Loudoun County Locality: Round Hill

Thank you for your support to feed Virginia scholars. School meals are an essential part of the student day. Sincerely, Teresa

Last Name: Stephanie Bland Locality: Loudoun County, Leesburg

I am writing in support of the HB686-Bennett-Parker Bill. I am a Cafeteria Manager for an elementary school in Loudoun County, which is said to be one of the "wealthiest" counties in the United States (according to various magazine articles). However, every day I see that there are students that do not eat lunch. There is one family that was $300.00 over the free or reduce lunch qualification and they struggle to provide lunch for their student. With the state of the economy the cost for school breakfast and lunches has increased, but the family income has not. We are all impacted by this, even you. I am sure with all that comes across your desk you would want nothing more than to help everyone you serve, I believe that's why you are in the position you are in. We know that isn't how things work, we have to prioritize. At this time I am hoping that ALL of America's future leaders make it to the top of your priority list and you support the HB686-Bennett-Parker Bill to ensure that ALL students are provided breakfast and lunch.

Last Name: Pitsenberger Locality: Albemarle County

Good Evening, I am a food service director with VA public schools. I encourage your support to HB 686. Providing a healthy school breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students on school days will ensure they are alert and ready to learn.

Last Name: Dickinson Locality: Chesterfield

My name is Casey Dickinson and I am writing to you as the School Nutrition Assistant Director for Chesterfield County Public Schools and as the Vice President of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia. I am reaching out to express my strong support for House Bill 686 and to urge you to consider its importance for the well-being of our children and the community. As you are aware, access to nutritious meals plays a crucial role in a child's physical and academic development. House Bill 686, which proposes universal free feeding in Virginia schools, is a significant step towards ensuring that every child has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. I believe that supporting this bill is not only a commitment to the health of our students but also an investment in the future of our wonderful Commonwealth. Universal free feeding addresses several key issues that impact the well-being of our students. By eliminating financial barriers, this policy ensures that no child goes hungry during the school day. It fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, promoting equality and reducing the stigma associated with free and reduced-price meal programs. Additionally, studies have consistently shown that proper nutrition positively influences academic performance, attendance, and overall behavior in the classroom. As a school nutrition employee in both local and state positions, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges that some of our students face in accessing regular, nutritious meals. Universal free feeding not only addresses these challenges but also creates a positive and nurturing atmosphere in our schools. It allows us to focus on our primary goal – ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, both academically and personally. I understand that legislative decisions require careful consideration, and I appreciate the work you do to represent the interests of our community. I firmly believe that by supporting HB 686, we are taking a significant step towards building a healthier, more equitable future for Virginia's children.

Last Name: Coleman Organization: Alexandria City Public Schools Locality: Alexandria City

Eating nutritious foods has a direct impact on academic achievement, performance, & overall wellbeing. Nutrient-rich foods provide essential nutrients that support brain health & cognitive function, leading to improved memory & concentration. Research shows that students who consistently consume a nutritious diet, or even just have the opportunity to eat enough in general, have improved attendance and better academic outcomes, like higher test scores and grades. Additionally, getting adequate nutrition through food can support a healthy immune system, reducing absences from school due to sickness or injuries. Providing no cost meals to students across divisions has the potential to increase meal participation, decrease stigma, and cultivate an environment of equity.

Last Name: Davis Organization: Prince Edward County Public Schools/School Nutrtion Association of Virginia Locality: Prince Edward County

Dear Chair Rasoul and Members of the House Education Committee: As a concern citizen of the great State of Virginia and a director of food service in Prince Edward County, I write to ask that you support HB 686, School meals, availability at no cost to students. This important measure would extend to all students, no matter household income. Similar to textbooks, desk, transportation, afterschool activities, that school meals should be available to all students at no cost. Students come to school in the morning hungry and have no money to purchase breakfast. It's a known fact that as humans we can't learn or work on an empty stomach. Some of these students will go through the day feeling sick which they will then be sent home. Some students will act out which means they will get in trouble and be removed from the classroom. Some students will not get their daily vitamins and nutrition that they need to grow and be healthy. Some students the only meal they get is from school because there is no food at home or no one at home to cook them a nutrition meal. Meal debit is costing school districts around the state thousands of dollars each year. Those dollars could be used to improve programs, give food service professional pay increases, and could be used to purchase more produce from local farmers and keep the money in the local economy. Offering no-cost meals to all: • Increases school meal program participation, which means the nutritional needs of more students are met. • Promotes equity by eliminating the out-of-pocket costs for families and reducing the stigma of school meals programs. • Eliminates the burden on families to submit applications for free meals. • Reduces administrative burden on school districts by eliminating school meals applications, counting and claiming by category, and collecting unpaid meal charges. • Provides school nutrition staff more time and resources to focus on access to innovative service models, such as Breakfast in the Classroom. Five states have already recognized the benefits of free school meals to students. California, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico see how much it has been a relief to families and schools. Help make Virginia, a state that usage a head of the pack, make the right decision. I strongly support this legislation and ask that you support this bill and use your influence to advance the bill to benefit the children of Virginia while helping your constituents. Thanks for considering my view. I look forward to your response or meeting with you on January 30, 2024, when members of School Nutrition Assocation of Virginia visits Richmond. Bruce Davis Supervisor of Food Service Prince Edward County

Last Name: Williams Organization: Rockingham County Public Schools Locality: Rockingham County

As the Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services for Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS), I urge you to support HB 686. RCPS does not currently qualify for district-wide CEP. School Meals for All promotes equity for all families in our district and eliminates the administrative burden that falls on parents, teachers and school nutrition staff to complete meal applications. A meal should be a provided school supply. I receive inquiries frequently as to why we do not have meals at no charge for all students, while other counties do. This bill would have unanimous support across Rockingham County based on personal conversations in my everyday life, from parents who are farmers and are just above the free/reduced threshold to school office staff who wouldn’t have to spend time going back and forth with families on filling out a complicated application correctly. On behalf of my staff, the employees of RCPS, parents and most importantly our students, I ask for your support on School Meals for All.

Last Name: Wade Organization: School Nutrition Associate of Virginia (SNA-VA( Locality: Chesapeake

Honorable Delegates, I am writing to express my strong support for Virginia House Bill 686, which focuses on ensuring the availability of school meals at no cost toe students in public elementary and secondary schools throughout Virginia. This bill aligns with crucial federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, emphasizing the importance of providing nutritious meals to students The proposed legislation not only mandates participation in these federal programs but also encourages the adoption of policies and procedures to maximize access to federal funds. Additionally, the bill aims to lower the minimum identified student percentage to 25% for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), making it more inclusive. I believe that by making lunch and breakfast available to any student at no cost, unless explicit permission is given by a parent otherwise, we can contribute to the well-being and academic success of students across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Furthermore, the provision for state reimbursement for each served meal is a commendable step in supporting schools financially. I urge you to consider the positive impact this bill could have on students' health, educational outcomes, and overall community well-being. I hope you will support and advocate for the passage of VA HB 686 to ensure that no student faces barriers to accessing breakfast and lunch meals at no cost during their school day. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your positive vote in support of HB 686. Sincerely, Larry Wade, Sr., President School Nutrition Association of Virginia (SNA-VA) 708 Barbury Arch Chesapeake, VA 2332 larrywade8@gmail.com

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: Harris Organization: King William Public Schools Locality: King William County

I highly encourage you to pass HB626, providing universal free meals to all students. This bill is critical and should be passed for many reasons. Many households are still struggling economically and need this benefit. Students need to have access to nutritious, healthy meals without the stigma of receiving them based on their families income. The income level does not truly reflect the need of the family, in most cases. Please, please, please pass this bill. For our children!

Last Name: Early Organization: School Nutrition Association of Virginia Locality: Staunton

Comments Document

Good morning, I serve as Public Policy Chair for the School Nutrition Association of Virginia (SNA-VA) and also as the Director of School Nutrition with Harrisonburg City Schools. The SNA-VA strongly supports legislation which increases access to no-cost school meals for all students. HCPS is eligible to participate division-wide in the federal Community Eligibility Provision. We saw the tremendous value of no-cost school meals during the pandemic when meals were served free in all public schools and again when we transitioned to CEP when the pandemic programs expired. It would be wonderful for no-cost school meals to be a reality for all schools, not just those who are eligible for CEP. Attached is a document which details the work of the SNA-VA and lists the benefits of no-cost school meals for all for your review. I respectfully ask for your support of HB 686. Thank you, Andrea Early

Last Name: Bowers Locality: Chesapeake

Dear Legislator I am writing to express my strong support for Virginia House Bill 686, which focuses on ensuring the availability of school meals at no cost to students in public elementary and secondary schools. This bill aligns with crucial federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, emphasizing the importance of providing nutritious meals to students The proposed legislation not only mandates participation in these federal programs but also encourages the adoption of policies and procedures to maximize access to federal funds. Additionally, the bill aims to lower the minimum identified student percentage for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, making it more inclusive. I believe that by making lunch and breakfast available to any student at no cost, unless explicit permission is given otherwise, we can contribute to the well-being and academic success of students across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Furthermore, the provision for state reimbursement for each served meal is a commendable step in supporting schools financially. I urge you to consider the positive impact this bill could have on students' health, educational outcomes, and overall community well-being. I hope you will support and advocate for the passage of VA HB 686 to ensure that no student faces barriers to accessing breakfast and lunch meals at no cost during their school day. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Last Name: Hatfield Organization: Save the Children Action Network Locality: Richmond

Save the Children Action Network, representing over 18,000 supporters across Virginia, stands in strong support of HB 686 that would allow for no-cost school meals for Virginia’s students. As an advocate with Save the Children Action Network, I am writing to urge you to prioritize the needs of children, our most vulnerable citizens. The lives and circumstances for many children and families in Virginia is dire, with over 200,000 children living in poverty in the Commonwealth and rising food prices pushing families across the nation to the brink of hunger — especially in rural America. A recent poll conducted by Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network found that 77% of rural and small-town voters worry they won’t be able to feed their families this year. Nutritious food is essential for young minds and bodies. It’s the foundation that allows kids to thrive as learners and in life. But 12 million children in the U.S. are growing up hungry. Malnutrition stunts more than kids' development – it stunts their futures, too. Hungry children are more likely to struggle in class, repeat a grade or miss school entirely. Without enough to eat, they may never reach their full potential. To solve the hunger crisis, we need stronger, more accessible child nutrition support across Virginia – especially in rural America, where many families live miles from the closest grocery store and healthy food can be hard to come by. Children growing up in Virginia’s hardest-to-reach communities deserve reliable access to healthy meals – and their chance to have a bright future. As an advocate for kids, I urge you to support HB 686 so children have the bright futures they deserve.

Last Name: Clegg Organization: Botetourt County Public Schools Locality: Roanoke County

There is too much research available about the positive benefits of nutritious meals as a key element of childhood development to ignore this problem for any longer. Children solely continue to bear the brunt of the negative effects of the current USDA program for benefit qualification - No matter how careful we are in the School Nutrition Program, students who qualify for free and reduced lunches are evident to anyone who pays attention to details. - No matter how many times we reach out to families to load student accounts, there are those who cannot, will not, or cannot be contacted for various reasons. - No matter how we change our local policies in favor of grace for those families who are on the cusp of the programs, maybe only missing the benefit by a few dollars, these families suffer the added burden of feeding their school-aged children despite rising costs all around us. - No matter how available we make the information to potentially qualifying families who are not aware of the program, it's benefits both in and outside of the four walls of the school, there will always be families who will not apply whether out of pride, lack of understanding, or otherwise. With the onset of the free meals programs operated during the pandemic, we've seen the benefits of being able to put full plates in front of students twice a day. If meals were free there would be no stigma associated with individually qualifying students. We would be able to introduce new foods and new concepts each year in our school cafeterias. Cafeteria managers and program operators would be able to shift the limited time resources we have from tracking down meal debt like debt collectors to expanding access, programming, local agriculture support, and all of the other nutrition-focused initiatives that are highlighted across the globe every day. At the end of the day, access to nutrition should not be a barrier to any school-aged student any more than access to school textbooks, technology, or facilities is. We have to do better for our students and our children and the families and communities that support them. Give families back their buying power to put food on the table OUTSIDE of the school day and allow School Nutrition programs to at least focus on feeding each individual student stigma-free.

Last Name: Pitsenberger Locality: Albemarle County

As a food service director within the Virginia public school system, I encourage your vote to support HB686. This change will not only provide healthy meals to all students, but it will also improve efficiencies for all school staff to direct their time and attention to classroom work, creative meal production and lessen classroom behavior issues. Accounting for students to have a meal with or without funds creates additional workload for teachers and cafeteria staff. Thank you for the consideration. This HB should also be fully funded as compared to a free meal reimbursement. The challenge of the present CEP program for schools with a ISP that is not 60% creates a burden for school divisions when each meal is not fully funded.

Last Name: Palmer Organization: Rockingham county schools Locality: Rockingham County

Please approve this bill! School lunch should be a right for all children! If we get government reimbursement anyway. Why not make it easier and just make it free across the board. Thank you!!

Last Name: Tierney Organization: Eastern Mennonite School Locality: HARRISONBURG

We require students to show up to school each day and be on time, to remain in the building during learning hours, to be on time to class, to remember their homework and instruments and sporting equipment. It only seams appropriate that free school lunches for all would be part of the packaged deal, and should include public, private and day schools!!!!

Last Name: Herndon Organization: King William County Public Schools Locality: King William

This would be a great benefit for the families of students in King William County.

Last Name: Harris Organization: King William County Public Schools Locality: King William

Please, please, please pass this house bill. We should be providing meals to our children at no charge. Many families are struggling, still, and free meals would be a great benefit to them. And, the students would have access to healthy, nutritious meals on a daily basis. The stigma of "free" or "reduced" priced meals needs to be changed. This is how that can be accomplished.

Last Name: Cupp Organization: Washington County Virginia Public Schools - Child Nutrition Locality: Abingdon

School meals should be available to all students at no cost.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Please allow all children to eat free in Virginia.

Last Name: Evans Locality: Franklin City

I believe that all students should be allowed the opportunity to have Breakfast and Lunch without having to worry about money on an account or if their parents have the funds to be able to buy Breakfast or Lunch. Breakfast or Lunch shouldn't be a stressful time for children to wonder if they will be told they don't have money on their account or that their funds are low. Thanks for your time

Last Name: Bell Locality: Hanover County

I support meals being free for all students.

Last Name: McCarty Organization: Hanover County Public Schools Locality: Ashland

In support of this bill.

Last Name: Gardner-Cook Locality: Doswell

With food prices increasing tremendously free meals for all will help all families make ends meet.

Last Name: Landrum Organization: Goochland County School Board Office Locality: Goochland

School meals for all will benefit our students, staff and parents. There will be no stigma for children receiving free meals, there will be no school meal debt for parents to worry about paying off because their income is just above the income eligibility guidelines and they cannot afford to pay. The burden of being short staffed and dealing with free/reduced applications and time consuming claim reimbursements would be removed.

Last Name: kingston Locality: chesapeake

please provide all meals free to students

Last Name: Eric Coleman Organization: Alexandria City Public Schools Locality: Alexandria City

Please consider approving house bill HB686 as it will greatly impact the lives of our students within the division. Understanding that nutrition directly correlates to academic achievement and performance in the classroom, this would move our division in the right direction in our on going efforts to increase meal participation, decrease stigma, and cultivate an environment of equity across the board for all students. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Last Name: Jamison Organization: Highland County Public Schools Locality: Monterey VA

So many children in this country go hungry each day. It is important that they can depend on Breakfast and Lunch at school. Also one less thing for parents to have to worry about when trying to make ends meet.

Last Name: Lane Locality: Virginia Beach

I support any bill that provides free food for all students. During Covid, I saw the effect that no cost food made in families during that time of uncertainty. Breaking the barrier that separates students from nutritious meals due to money issues.

Last Name: McPhatter Organization: Va Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Locality: Amherst

The Va Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (VAND) supports Universal School meals for all children in the Commonwealth. Food insecurity is not uncommon in children that are not qualified for free and reduced lunch for a variety reasons. If we want to maximize learning in our children (1), please consider taking potential hunger out of the equation and recognize the cost of providing meals to children now can pay big dividends in the future. Please reach out if you would like further information. 1 https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/how-does-hunger-affect-learning As registered dietitians, VAND urges your support and are available to answer any of your nutrition related questions. Thank you! Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR Va Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 434.485.1608

Last Name: Williams Organization: Rockingham County Public Schools Locality: Rockingham County

Last Name: Beamer Organization: Culpeper County Public Schools Locality: Culpeper

Please consider to support HB686 for the students of Culpeper County Public Schools. Feeding all students at no cost will benefit our students and families of our community. With the cost of living going up for everyone this will help many families struggling to make ends meet every month. At the same time this will benefit students by getting nutritious meals from our program and help them with their academics.

Last Name: Fox Locality: Warren County

I am a school nutrition, Director and have seen firsthand the impact of feeding all children, breakfast and lunch without constraint. You never know what a child is going through at home or their situation but for them to know they can come to school and get a meal is priceless. it takes the stigma out of receiving a meal and provide nutrition all of our futures. Please consider feeding all children and Virginia had no charge to them.

Last Name: Moore Organization: Mecklenburg County Public School Locality: Boydton

This is very important that every child need a good breakfast and lunch each day. Passing this bill to provide free meals to all school children will help them throughout the school day. This could be the only meals some children receive for they don't have money to purchase a meal. I strongly encourage you to pass this bill.

Last Name: Denson Locality: Virginia Beach

I am writing to express my strong support for Virginia House Bill 686, which focuses on ensuring the availability of school meals at no cost to students in public elementary and secondary schools throughout Virginia. This bill aligns with crucial federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, emphasizing the importance of providing nutritious meals to students The proposed legislation not only mandates participation in these federal programs but also encourages the adoption of policies and procedures to maximize access to federal funds. Additionally, the bill aims to lower the minimum identified student percentage to 25% for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), making it more inclusive. I believe that by making lunch and breakfast available to any student at no cost, unless explicit permission is given by a parent otherwise, we can contribute to the well-being and academic success of students across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Furthermore, the provision for state reimbursement for each served meal is a commendable step in supporting schools financially. I urge you to consider the positive impact this bill could have on students' health, educational outcomes, and overall community well-being. I hope you will support and advocate for the passage of VA HB 686 to ensure that no student faces barriers to accessing breakfast and lunch meals at no cost during their school day. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and your positive vote in support of HB 686.

Last Name: Giusto Organization: Prince George County Schools Locality: South Prince George

This bill is a must to help our future, are students.

Last Name: Wade Organization: School Nutrition Association of Virginia (SNA-VA) Locality: Chesapeake

Subject: Support for VA HB 686 - School Meals Accessibility Dear Legislator , I am writing to express my strong support for Virginia House Bill 686, which focuses on ensuring the availability of school meals at no cost to students in public elementary and secondary schools. This bill aligns with crucial federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, emphasizing the importance of providing nutritious meals to students The proposed legislation not only mandates participation in these federal programs but also encourages the adoption of policies and procedures to maximize access to federal funds. Additionally, the bill aims to lower the minimum identified student percentage for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, making it more inclusive. I believe that by making lunch and breakfast available to any student at no cost, unless explicit permission is given otherwise, we can contribute to the well-being and academic success of students across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Furthermore, the provision for state reimbursement for each served meal is a commendable step in supporting schools financially. I urge you to consider the positive impact this bill could have on students' health, educational outcomes, and overall community well-being. I hope you will support and advocate for the passage of VA HB 686 to ensure that no student faces barriers to accessing breakfast and lunch meals at no cost during their school day. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, Larry Wade, Sr., President, School Nutrition Association of Virginia (SNA-VA) 708 Barbury Arch Chesapeake, VA 23323 larrywade8@gmail.com 757.692.5111

Last Name: Lucas Organization: Loudoun County Public Schools Locality: Loudoun

Thank you for the opportunity to speak o behalf of the scholars in VA, All students should receive breakfast and lunch at school without the burden on the family to pay. Please allow our students the opportunity to receive free meals in Virginia. Sincerely,

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Dickinson Locality: Chesterfield County

My name is Casey Dickinson and I am writing as the School Nutrition Assistant Director for Chesterfield County Public Schools and as the Vice President of the School Nutrition Association of Virginia. I am reaching out to express my strong support for House Bill 686 and to urge you to consider its importance for the well-being of our children and the community. As you are aware, access to nutritious meals plays a crucial role in a child's physical and academic development. House Bill 686, which proposes universal free feeding in Virginia schools, is a significant step towards ensuring that every child has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. I believe that supporting this bill is not only a commitment to the health of our students but also an investment in the future of our wonderful Commonwealth. Universal free feeding addresses several key issues that impact the well-being of our students. By eliminating financial barriers, this policy ensures that no child goes hungry during the school day. It fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, promoting equality and reducing the stigma associated with free and reduced-price meal programs. Additionally, studies have consistently shown that proper nutrition positively influences academic performance, attendance, and overall behavior in the classroom. As a school nutrition employee in both local and state positions, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges that some of our students face in accessing regular, nutritious meals. Universal free feeding not only addresses these challenges but also creates a positive and nurturing atmosphere in our schools. It allows us to focus on our primary goal – ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, both academically and personally. I understand that legislative decisions require careful consideration, and I appreciate the work you do to represent the interests of our community. I firmly believe that by supporting HB 686, we are taking a significant step towards building a healthier, more equitable future for Virginia's children.

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Billger Organization: American Diabetes Association Locality: Fairfax County

Chair Simonds and Honorable Members of the Education K-12 Subcommittee: On behalf of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), thank you for your consideration of HB 686, which would ensure all students access to healthy, nutritious school meals at no cost. This bill clearly aligns with the mission of the ADA to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. A healthy diet can help decrease the risk for obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes. According to the ADA’s Statement on Socioecological Determinants of Diabetes and Prediabetes, those with severe food insecurity have an approximately twofold risk of diabetes compared with those without food insecurity. For children who already have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, food insecurity can also increase the risk of complications. Missing meals, for example, can disrupt the child’s blood glucose (sugar) levels and put them at higher risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose. On the other side, those with diabetes who consume only unhealthy food may have more frequent high blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia, which can raise the risk of long-term complications. The increased incidence of diabetes in our children is truly alarming. According to the ADA’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the global standard for the management and treatment of diabetes, type 2 diabetes in youth has increased over the past 20 years. Researchers have projected that the prevalence of diabetes in those under 20 years of age could quadruple in 40 years. Currently, nearly 750,000 adults in Virginia have diabetes and another 2.2 million (33%) have prediabetes and are at high-risk for developing the disease. Total direct medical expenses for diagnosed diabetes in Virginia were estimated at $6.1 billion in 2017, and another $2.3 billion was spent on indirect costs from loss of productivity. As the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness among adults, and amputation of the lower extremities, diabetes carries a terrible personal and economic burden. On behalf of your constituents with schoolchildren who are living with or at risk for diabetes, I urge you to support HB 686 as another tool to eliminate barriers and increase access to healthy school breakfasts and lunches - reducing their risk for developing diabetes. We simply can’t afford not to. If I can be of further assistance to you, please contact me at mbillger@diabetes.org. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Last Name: Early Organization: School Nutrition Association of Virginia Locality: Staunton

Comments Document

Last Name: Weinger Organization: Students for Equity and Reform in Virginia (SERV) based at UVA Locality: Charlottesville

Comments Document

Recent data from the non-profit, Feeding America, shows that there are 165,000 hungry children in our commonwealth and as of 2021 43.5% of that group are apart of families who live above the federal poverty line and, as such, do not qualify for many federal programs. Not only do we have a moral responsibility to feed hungry kids via HB 686, but also an economic and fiscal responsibility to do so. According to multiple studies which tracked student performance following enrollment in CEP (Community Eligibility Program) students experienced: Improved math test scores Improved attendance rates Improved classroom behavior Decreased suspension rates If these indicators of heightened educational benefits is not enough, Universal Free School lunch is also more cost efficient with schools enrolled in the CEP spending an average of sixty-seven cents less each lunch, and fifty-eight cents less for each breakfast. If that isn’t enough there is good reason to believe that this bill will pay for itself. Hungry Kids Are 31% more likely to be hospitalized for health issues, in the short term costing in excess of $12,000 Are 90% more likely to have their health reported as “fair/poor” compared to children from food secure households whose health was more likely to be reported as “excellent/good.” And just one diagnosis of protein or calorie malnutrition costs Medicaid approximately 1.25 million dollars in children aged 0-4 It costs about 20 dollars a week to feed a child lunch. The state of Virginia will end up covering the cost of child hunger either now, through the supply of Free school lunch, or later through payment for Medicaid, but it is less costly and more humane to pay that price now.

Last Name: Davis Organization: Prince Edward County School and School Nutrition Association of Virginia Locality: Prince Edward County

Dear Chair Simonds and Members of the Education K-12 Subcommittee: As a concern citizen of the great State of Virginia and a director of food service in Prince Edward County, I write to ask that you support HB 686, School meals, availability at no cost to students. This important measure would extend to all students, no matter household income. Similar to textbooks, desk, transportation, afterschool activities, that school meals should be available to all students at no cost. Students come to school in the morning hungry and have no money to purchase breakfast. It's a known fact that as humans we can't learn or work on an empty stomach. Some of these students will go through the day feeling sick which they will then be sent home. Some students will act out which means they will get in trouble and be removed from the classroom. Some students will not get their daily vitamins and nutrition that they need to grow and be healthy. Some students the only meal they get is from school because there is no food at home or no one at home to cook them a nutrition meal. Meal debit is costing school districts around the state thousands of dollars each year. Those dollars could be used to improve programs, give food service professional pay increases, and could be used to purchase more produce from local farmers and keep the money in the local economy. Offering no-cost meals to all: • Increases school meal program participation, which means the nutritional needs of more students are met. • Promotes equity by eliminating the out-of-pocket costs for families and reducing the stigma of school meals programs. • Eliminates the burden on families to submit applications for free meals. • Reduces administrative burden on school districts by eliminating school meals applications, counting and claiming by category, and collecting unpaid meal charges. • Provides school nutrition staff more time and resources to focus on access to innovative service models, such as Breakfast in the Classroom. Five states have already recognized the benefits of free school meals to students. California, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico see how much it has been a relief to families and schools. Help make Virginia, a state that usage a head of the pack, make the right decision. I strongly support this legislation and ask that you support this bill and use your influence to advance the bill to benefit the children of Virginia while helping your constituents. Thanks for considering my view. I look forward to your response or meeting with you on January 30, 2024, when members of School Nutrition Association of Virginia visits Richmond.

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Blincoe Organization: Greater Richmond Fit4Kids Locality: Richmond, VA

Good Morning, Chair Simonds & Subcommittee Members, My name is Justine Blincoe, I am the Policy Director of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids. We are a Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit that provides nutrition and physical activity programming and education in public schools in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Petersburg, and Hopewell. I am asking for your support on HB 686 to make school meals available to all students at no cost to them. Providing free school breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge to families will ensure that students across Virginia have the nutrition they need for healthy development, optimal learning, and positive health outcomes. By providing healthy school meals for all students, we can also reduce administrative burden placed on cafeteria staff, and eliminate school meal debt for families. Thank you for your consideration.

HB732 - Public schools; opioid antagonist administration, etc.

Last Name: O Locality: GLEN ALLEN

PLEASE GO TO HENRICO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MARCH 14, 2024 LINK BELOW. READ THE LAST COMMENT ON PAGE 9 AND THE THIRD COMMENT ON PAGE 27. THIS IS WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/henrico/Board.nsf/files/D3CJHX4D404E/$file/Written%20Comments%203-14-24.pdf

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Council Organization: Prince William County Schools Locality: Henrico County

As the lobbyist for Prince William County Schools, I regret that, due to a doctor’s appointment, I cannot attend the Monday afternoon meeting of this subcommittee. Please know that PWCS fully supports Del Sewell’s HB 732. Further, we strongly prefer HB 732 over other Naloxone bills before the House Education Committee. PWCS would prefer that any Naloxone bill reported out of committee provide funding for procurement of Naloxone. Thank you for your consideration. Jim Council. (804) 347-0503

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Vote YES

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Harrisonburg

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

Last Name: Jones Locality: Richmond

Last Name: Spangenberg Locality: Forest

Last Name: Looney Organization: Virginia Association of School Nurses Locality: Virginia Beach

The Virginia Association of School Nurses (VASN) support this bill. VASN strongly urges that every school have a school nurse. With the added stock medication in schools, it is imperative that the proper assessment is conducted prior to administration. Betsy Looney President VASN

HB1039 - Public elementary and secondary schools; possession and administration of undesignated glucagon.

Last Name: Osborne Organization: West Point Public Schools Locality: West Point

Last Name: McClung Locality: Loudoun County

Last Name: Billger Organization: American Diabetes Association Locality: Fairfax County

Proponent Testimony for HB 1039 Chair Rasoul and Honorable Members of the House Education Committee: My name is Monica Billger and I am the Director of State Government Affairs for the American Diabetes Association® (ADA). I regret that I am unable to join you today; however, on behalf of the over 3 million Virginians with or at risk for diabetes, I want to take a few moments to share the ADA’s support for House Bill 1039. This life-saving legislation would allow local school boards to adopt and implement policies - consistent with the guidance outlined in the Diabetes Management In School: Manual for Unlicensed Personnel, published by the Department of Health - for the possession and administration of undesignated glucagon in schools for use when a child experiences a hypoglycemic, or low blood glucose, emergency. The parent or guardian of a student with diabetes is expected to ensure that all necessary diabetes supplies, including glucagon, are provided to the school for use by the school nurse - or other employee trained in the administration of glucagon - in providing diabetes care to their child. However, some cases arise where a parent or guardian is unable to provide the glucagon for their child or the glucagon is found to have expired. The American Diabetes Association does not believe a child with diabetes should be denied immediate emergency care, simply because their prescribed glucagon is not available on-site or has expired. Since glucagon cannot be administered without an order from the student’s health care provider, the student would still be required to have such an order for glucagon on file with the school in order for the undesignated glucagon to be administered. House Bill 1039 would allow for a prescriber to authorize possession and administration of undesignated glucagon in schools for use when necessary. The legislation is permissive in that it “allows” rather than “requires” a school to maintain a supply of undesignated glucagon. Parents and guardians will still be encouraged to provide the prescribed glucagon for their child, but this undesignated supply will be available for use if a life-threatening emergency arises. The American Diabetes Association supports House Bill 1039 and urges your approval as well. Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please direct them to me at mbillger@diabetes.org and I will do my best to answer them for you.

End of Comments