Parents should schedule an appointment with their child’s health care provider or visit the Capital Area Health Network, Bon Secour’s Care-A-Van or the richmond City Health District, located 400 East Cary Street.

Additional locations for school immunizations will be offered through the Richmond City Health District/Resources Center as follows,

August 20 -Fairfield Court Resource Center, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

August 24- Richmond City Health District,     8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

August 31-  Mosby Court Resource Center,       9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.

For more information, contact School Health Services at 780-7801.

From: RPS, Public Information Office: 780-7100

Tommy Joseph rumored in Giants-Phillies trade talks

Petersburg’s Frank Mason offered scholarship from Kansas

Hermitage opens football game in preparation for Aug 25th ESPN game

Bon Secours is official sports medicine outfit for Richmond Public Schools

Day 3 at London games with medal count

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) — Reports that an elementary school principal allowed a fraternity hazing ritual to take place in his school’s gym, had some parents very upset a few months ago.  Now we’ve learned that principal, after being removed from his post has been given a different position, and a pay raise.

The alleged fraternity hazing incident back in April, is said to have included men wearing G-strings and baby oil.  The episode raised a few eyebrows and concerns.

“Even though it was supposed to have been at night and whatever–still you are not supposed to do none of that,” said Blackwell Elementary School parent Brian Hayes.

It was the elementary school’s principal Daryl Roselle who found himself under scrutiny for allegedly allowing the late-night fraternity function at the school.

“Anybody would expect more from a principal,” said Hayes. 

But Roselle’s tenure with Richmond’s Public Schools didn’t end with the investigation.  Instead the former principal now has a new position that reportedly includes higher pay.

“To me, it’s backwards,” said Hayes.  “I mean with all of that you might as well left him there knowing he did all of that.  But you can put him in another position making more money?”

Tuesday CBS 6 went to the Richmond’s School Board to get answers to the questions from a concerned parent.

“Why would you take somebody who did something bad at a school and put him in another position still dealing with the city?” asked Hayes.

But instead of answers, School Board officials directed us to Human Resources at City Hall.  We were then directed to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, for the public records containing Roselle’s transfer.  In the end Richmond Public Schools
Public Information Office released a statement, which reads:

“Richmond Public Schools confirms that Mr. Roselle is no longer housed at Blackwell Elementary School as principal.  He has been assigned to other administrative duties for the 2012-2013 school year.”

Roselle’s reassignment isn’t sitting well with everyone.

“It’s a slap on the wrist, because now this man is making more money when he shouldn’t even be at this position because of what he did in the first place,” said Hayes.

Another concern not only from Hayes, but also from a School Board candidate is whether or not Roselle is qualified for his new position?  According to the Virginia Department of Education’s website, Roselle has several state license endorsements.  But it does not  include any endorsements for special education.

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This comes after months of presentations and hearings about proposed plans from the school system’s rezoning committee.

Board member Dawn Page told CBS 6 that on August 6, the board will vote on the rezoning committee’s plans for schools on the city’s Southside, including the closure of Summer Hill elementary school and deciding which students will attend two new elementary schools that open in 2013.

“That was not a recommendation from us,” said Shonda Harris-Muhammed, chair of the rezoning committee and school board candidate.“That was already in place.” 

Muhammed said that plans to close Summer Hill elementary were already part of the school system’s building plan. “They’re voting on something they’ve already decided on,” she said.  

Muhammed said not much work has been accomplished in the process, and she attributed that to politics. “It’s a political year, some board members do not want to make a decision because they are running for re-election,” said Muhammed.

“There’s some validity to that,” said Page, however she mentions they will resolve the school system’s rezoning issues before the term expires for current board members at the end of the year.

Page said that the rezoning plans were pushed back to this point because the bidding process for the new elementary schools was also delayed.

Shalom Farms increases food security by:

1) Providing fresh and healthy produce to underserved communities.

2) Providing educational training to children and adults on growing food, nutrition, and food-based entrepreneurship.

3) Linking community groups to a wide range of food security resources and partners.

The 6-acre farm is located at Westview on the James, a camp in Goochland County owned by the United Methodist Church. Farm duties are almost entirely run by a diverse group of volunteers comprised of United Methodist and other congregations, Richmond Public Schools students, individuals from community groups in the greater Richmond metropolitan area, and many others.

In 2011, with the help over 1200 volunteers the farm grew more than 32,000 lbs of sustainable produce using organic methods.The produce is harvested and distributed to cooking classes, after school programs, and feeding organizations such as FeedMore. While indeed supplying fresh farm produce to families who would not otherwise have it, Shalom Farms also desires to educate our partner communities on healthy food—its production, preparation, preservation, nutritional value, and entrepreneurial possibilities.  This education initiative takes many shapes. One such project is a partnership with Blue Sky Fund and Richmond Public Schools, where every third grader from eight urban elementary schools visit the farm each year for a hands-on learning experiences highlighting soil SOLs.

Shalom Farms maintains an integral community development function in order to connect residents in target neighborhoods with valuable relational resources moving them toward self-sufficiency.  For example, Shalom Farms has begun youth-run farm stands at Reid Elementary School and Fulton’s Neighborhood Resource Center, selling the produce below market-cost in order to gauge both the community’s interest and commitment to invest in healthy produce. In addition to providing direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables in these food deserts, the project serves as a food-based entrepreneurship program for the participant youth. The youth who run the stands develop both economic and customer relations skills while learning about food systems, agriculture, nutrition, and entrepreneurship and reinforcing classroom math and communication standards of learning.

Shalom Farms is run by Dominic Barrett and Steve Miles. They are always looking for volunteers and take groups and individuals Monday – Saturday of all ages and abilities. They are currently seeking financial contributions and support to build a pole barn that will among other things improve their outdoor educational opportunities at the farm.

Contact Shalom Farms -
Phone: 804-592-6151
Web Site: 
http://shalomfarms.org
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/shalomfarms
Twitter: 
http://twitter.com/shalomfarm

When Vicki Beatty’s son couldn’t access his zoned elementary school in his wheelchair, she knew it was time to force the system’s hand. She challenged administrators to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

That was back in 2005. She joined forces with another parent and filed a lawsuit that year. The federal mandate had been in place for 15 years. Beatty believed then that Richmond schools ignored it, and her mission was fueled with frustration.  

“There’s no doubt about it this was a civil rights issue,” said Beatty. “No matter how daunting it was, we knew we had to do it so somebody else didn’t have to do it ten years from now.”

When Beatty and a wheelchair bound parent filed the suit, a federal judge cracked down. A settlement was reached and the system was forced to make the schools ADA compliant within a five year span. The list included more than 240 projects and a $20 million dollar price tag.

“Every single school in Richmond just about, had to have a ramp put in, accessible bathrooms put in, water fountains and hardware to enter the school and office,” added Beatty.

Though the suit was settled in 2006 the projects didn’t start until 2008. That’s when the money came in from Richmond City Council, said Beatty.

Chief of Staff at RPS, Dr. Ronald Carey, said they tried to meet the goals they set for each year. “I wished we had not had the lawsuit but I don’t know what we would have done with the mandates that came along,” he said.

“It goes without saying that we needed some assistance, so that’s the piece where we were able to do it within 5 years and that’s why I want us to be able to stay on time,” said Dr. Carey.

He added, when the system was ordered to follow the terms of a settlement that grew out of the lawsuit, it was critical for them to show that they would adhere to the guidelines.

So, in the first two years alone the school system completed 131 projects, including 24 new playgrounds.

On a tour of Northside’s Ginter Park Elementary Dr. Carey shows us the changes that are putting the school on track to become ADA compliant.
There are painted parking spaces, a wheelchair lane and a doorbell lowered so that anyone in a wheelchair can reach it.

He also showed off the school’s elevator and a revamped office that now boasts lowered countertops so it’s easier for those who are wheelchair bound to do business with the person on the other side.

“When they enter the school, now it’s going to be can I get around and there’s an elevator and if I want a drink of cold water there are water coolers that are now the right height” said Dr. Carey.

He says the list of projects has now been whittled down to about 50 items; things that will soon be addressed as the RPS begins year five of the settlement.

So with a little more than a year left on the clock, we asked the woman at the center of the federal lawsuit what she thinks of the progress and if she believes the deadline will be met. Beatty said yes, she’s confident.

“I’m thrilled it’s getting completed. It would have been nice in five, but if it’s in seven or eight, it’s being done,” she said.

Beatty emphasizes this is more like a partnership now, rather than an adversarial situation like when this all began. She said all parties to the lawsuit share monthly updates with a federal judge.

As crews enter year five, hoping to meet the deadline, administrators know the pressure is on and the community is watching. Dr. Carey said they’re on track to have all the projects done.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – One woman’s mission will change Richmond Public Schools (RPS) forever.

CBS 6 News’ Shelby Brown said the lawsuit filed against RPS will mean big changes for the school system.  

“There is no doubt about it, this is a straight out civil rights issues,” said the woman who filed the suit. 

Officials said the suit forces drastic changes and will help bring the schools system into the twenty-first century.

CBS 6 News checks in on progress as the mandated deadline nears. 

Watch CBS 6 News at 11 p.m. Thursday for Shelby Brown’s special report.

Depend on CBS 6 News for in-depth investigations, exclusive interviews and the most complete coverage of local news.  Click here for more special reports. 

Let’s outline some issues I want to talk about.

1. Immigrants and children that use English as a second language
2. African-American students
3. Children who have no interest in going to college

All three of these issues are relevant to a state’s educational policies, and quite frankly, they are not being addressed to their fullest extent. The first issue, immigrants and children here legally, but who speak English as a second language is my first issue.

With the number of immigrant children in the educational system today, we are going to have to reassess our teaching methods. There are several things that could be looked at as a way to improve reading levels. I was a volunteer ESL instructor at our local middle school one semester, and we were dealing with students in the 6th-8th grades, nothing was being done to get at the core of the problem. They couldn’t read English.

Most, at least 95 per cent, of the students spoke Spanish, and for those students to have a grasp of the curriculum, which was being taught in English, was going about it wrong. What I am trying to say is this; we need Spanish-speaking aides, or teachers that can teach the curriculum, even in a one-room classroom, for half a day, so that the kids are not behind.

Those children are doing poorly on standardized tests because they can’t read the texts. They are not stupid, or slow. And they would do very well if they understood what it was they were reading. The other half day could be spent teaching them English, from scratch, just like if they were American kids learning Spanish.

I did this very thing when I taught ESL to employees when I was working. The business where I worked had a number of men and women from South America who spoke English, but not well. I started them out with basic 1st. grade level English, including reading. I had to make up a lot of the material, because, after all, they were adults, but it proved to be very successful.

The biggest issue the schools say they have with African-American students is the achievement gap. It has been around for a very long time, and I don’t even want to guess why we even have a gap. Some of the problem is due to economic factors, and that is a given. I’m talking about families living in poverty, particularly those students living in the inner cities.

How do we help those children to get off to a good start educationally? We have to reach each and every child when they are at the preschool level. Reading to young kids every day, involving them in nurturing activities, talking to them, telling stories, and being mentors is needed. Those children need good nutrition too. Without a healthy diet, they won’t succeed, and there is a very good reason.

Without proper nutrition, brain cells will be affected, growth will be delayed and maturity will be hampered. Helping these children also means helping the families, too. Somehow, we have to show there is a different way of doing things. We have to work with the parents, and be mentors to whole families, be there to help, not tell, but suggest and help them to get it right in preparing their children for school.

Then, we can let those same children know they can do well, and that we expect them to do well. Don’t keep telling these kids they won’t amount to anything. That is so wrong. This same reasoning also applies to poor and lower class white children. They are in the same boat, believe it or not.

The third issue is very close to my heart. It has to do with all those kids that for whatever reason, either don’t want to go to college, or just don’t have the grades to get in to a school. I can only talk about Richmond in this particular article, but Richmond is unique, in that it is a city with a great entrepreneurial climate. It is also a hotbed of business incubators.

There is no reason that the business community can’t work with the Richmond City School Board in setting up a partnership with the schools to give training to students in specific fields of business. This means students would have to take and pass courses of study in mathematics, English, business and whatever else would pertain to the fields of interest they would have. The International Baccalaureate program now has a similar diploma program they are  offering in some high schools. This could work here too.

I would be interested in hearing from others on these issues. It just bothers me that we are putting so darned much on standard of learning testing, and are forgetting we need to instruct. We are getting away from letting our kids use their minds, develop their own ideas, and learn from their mistakes. Thats what education is, folks. It’s not cramming answers down their throats, preparing them to answer questions.

CBS 6 learned that between 2004 and 2011, city leaders dismissed recommendations on average 58% of the time. The findings also showed that, on average, Richmond Public schools dismissed auditor recommendations 77% of the time.

After a meeting in city hall Tuesday afternoon, CBS 6 News asked city leaders and Richmond Public schools officials why they’ve dismissed recommendations more often than not.

“They’re very difficult to implement. They require dollars that we don’t have, or manpower that we can’t afford to hire,” said Richmond’s Chief Administrator Byron Marshall.

“The only audit findings that were not implemented were the ones where we did not have the money,” said Richmond City Schools Chief Operating Officer Andy Hawkins.

Hawkins added he’s not quite sure how the auditor got those percentages. He said in  2011 Richmond Schools followed through on 82% of the auditor’s advice.

For more on the just released audit, click here.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Richmond Public Schools announced a major technology upgrade today, one that will make internet access more readily available to every student.  But some are asking, is this a wise investment considering the huge budget cuts the school board was forced to make last month?

The $10-million budget shortfall is casting a shadow over every single move the Richmond Public School District makes, but according to Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon, upgrading to a new fiber optic network provider is going to not only save the district $120-thousand a year, it’s going to open up a whole new world for kids and teachers.

Dr. Brandon and her IT team met with the media today, introducing a new partnership with Windstream Corporation (Nasdaq: WIN) to increase the school district’s wide area network (WAN) infrastructure capacity.  Basically, they’re upgrading 58 school locations that used to be on dial-up computer access at a cost of $1.5-million a year, to a faster fiber optic network at a total cost of $904-thousand a year.  80% of that is paid for with funds set aside at the state and federal level.

In the middle of trying to fill that $10-million budget shortfall after already making drastic cuts, this move has the potential to not only saves the district money, but give students access to high-speed internet for school projects, and gives teachers more resources to use in the classroom.

“We knew the economic climate was turning downward” said Dr. Brandon, “and as a means of trying to find any and every resource we could, we utilized federal and state dollars to the maximum.”

Representatives from Windstream Corp. say it will let all schools within the district conduct online and standardized testing at the same time.  And when you compare it to the previous system being used by the district, they say this fiber optic network is about 300 times faster.

James W. Dyke Jr., a former Virginia Secretary of Education, and the chairman of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones’ task force to find ways the school board could save money, commended Dr. Brandon and the school board for aggressively pursing federal money for long-term budget solutions instead of “soft money quick fixes”.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -  For current and former Richmond school leaders, the budget battle is one lesson that will go down in the history books, but they say they are  working to help the incoming board members.

Dawn Page, Kim Bridges and Chandra Smith have all held the position of chair of the Richmond School Board. The current and former board members are defending their record, while working on ways to move the district forward.

“We don’t have any problem with any force coming forward and saying, ‘hey, we got some ideas,’” said Chandra Smith, a former chair of the Richmond School Board.

In fact, another former board chair, Kim Bridges, said Richmond Public Schools are facing the same budget issues that many other localities are also facing.

“When a child fails, we fail,” said current chair, and candidate for Richmond’s 8th district city council seat, Dawn Page. ”We were elected to do a job.

Paige said leaders are still working to deal with the deficit. She also said it is important the board hear from the community about the level of educational investment needed for the city.

However, board members have been criticized for not doing enough to trim the fat and not following the mayor’s recommendations and instead handing out pink slips, furloughs and not filling vacant positions.

“As a board member, we just wish we would’ve had more buy in early on,” said Smith.  “So, that we could’ve been part of the task force to answer the questions up front. “

CBS 6 asked how Richmond school leaders plan to improve relationships with the mayor, after dealing with a contentious budget battle.

“We’ve going to start earlier than ever and reach out to our city counterparts even more than we have before,” said Bridges.

And with five school board members not running in November, the board members said they’re trying to close a $10-million deficit in next year’s budget before new school leaders are elected.

“This was not what we wanted to do,” said Bridges. ”But given the size of the deficit and the amount of funding, we ended receiving, tough decisions had to be made.” 

Richmond school leaders are brainstorming over how to close that budget gap.  Some options include consolidating departments and closing a few schools.

Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the latest on the Richmond Public School’s budget battle. 

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A new program is rewarding Richmond students for healthy eating habits and for being active.

Richmond Public Schools held their first “Fit for Life” fitness challenge at Sportbackers Stadium on the Boulevard Tuesday morning.

150 middle schoolers took part in relay races, a tennis racket run, and sack races for a $100 prize.

“The whole idea is just for six weeks to pilot a group of our students to be active and today is the culmination with our field day”, says William James, who works with Richmond Public Schools’ athletic department.

The event is a part of the district’s recently launched wellness program, designed to teach students how to get mentally and physically fit through an increased focus on health.

Richmond Public Schools say the district was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – It was a big night for the Armstrong High School class of 1962.

Classmates celebrated their fiftieth reunion at the Wyndham Hotel in East Richmond Friday.

Armstrong, one of the city’s most historic schools, was founded in 1865.

It was an all black school when the class graduated – and would not be integrated for another nine years.

The traffic accident that took Shands’ life last Friday weighs heavy on everyone at the vigil.  

“Just remember him.  How he used to make you laugh.  He was just a total comedian,” said Katrin Trimiew, Shands’ mother.  “Just a total comedian.” 

Shands’ constant smile was a symbol of his personality to his family, and to those that knew him well, they’ll never forget all the times he made them laugh.

“He was one of the best we’ve had at Huguenot High School,” said Tyron Lyles, Huguenot High School’s principal.

Shands was set to graduate next week.  Lyles said Antonio loved his school and his classmates, every day he stepped through the door. 

“He got to the point of graduation, and we’re still proud of him.  I just look at him and say ‘thank you’ for all his hard work and I’m also very proud of what he’s done,” Lyles said.

“You will always be with us.  Everywhere, every day, every step that we make,” said Trimiew.

Shands’ funeral is tomorrow at noon.

Related: 18-year-old RPS student killed, others hurt in wreck

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – The mayor’s school task force is expressing its disappointment at the Richmond School Board’s decision to lay off workers and furlough teachers.

The move comes after the board recommended other ways to make up for the district’s $15 million deficit.

And even though the cuts have been made, some believe the battle between the mayor and school leaders is far from over.   

The mayor is seeking re-election, but some folks are also wondering if he is looking for an unofficial position on the city’s school board.

Some members of the school board are finding themselves in a tough place. They must answer to the mayor or their constituents.

People have openly criticized the school’s spending plans. As a result, the mayor appointed a task force to examine the school system’s finances and even sent board members a letter, essentially telling them layoffs and furloughs would be irresponsible.

Kim Gray, a school board member, said she was upset initially about the mayor’s conspicuous role in this process.

Gray also said that she has never had to deal with so much politics while serving on the board – and she was disappointed in the mayor’s ever-present role in this year’s decision-making.

“Board members should be listening to the people and the children in the district they represent, not the city administration, not the school admin,” said Gray.

Longtime political strategist Paul Goldman told CBS 6 News’ Lorenzo Hall Wednesday that he thinks the mayor is “trying to take over the school system.”

Additionally, Goldman said that it is no coincidence this is happening during an election year – and that he thinks the mayor’s interest is politically motivated.

In fact, Goldman said it appears the mayor is trying to infuse the board with people of his liking, including his Deputy Chief of Staff, Jeff Bourne – and even his son, Derik Jones.

“If you can get enough people on the school board, who either support you, or are intimidated by you, you control the school board,” said Goldman.

However, Derik Jones said that while he supports his father as mayor, he has his own vision if elected to the school board.

I have the room to think for myself,” said Jones. “My father and I have worked together for 15 years and those who know us know we disagree every day.”

CBS 6 News tried to reach via phone, Facebook and email Wednesday, but his press secretary said he had no comment about the school system’s future.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)- Richmond School Board members have had to make some tough calls to fill in the district’s $15 million dollar budget shortfall for the upcoming school year.

The choices include layoffs and several unpaid days off for the employees that remain, but talks about the budget are aren’t over.

Jerrita Patterson reports on the latest in the budget ordeal and what’s scheduled in the day ahead.

Click the videobox above for more Jerrita’s report.

The board will vote on a proposal that includes more than a hundred layoffs, and five unpaid furlough days.

The board will also decide whether to close more than the four under-populated schools recommended for closure by the rezoning committee.

Also up for vote is whether employees must contribute five percent of their salary to the state’s retirement system.

A vote is scheduled for seven p.m. tonight.

Our Lorenzo Hall will be there and we will have a full report tonight at 11 p.m. and on WTVR.com.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Richmond parents and students had their chance to speak before school board members about the fate of their schools.

CBS 6 spoke with one third grader, Myca Lester, who said she’ll be most upset about being separated from her close friends.  

If Myca’s elementary school is closed, she’ll have to return back to her overcrowded, neighborhood school. Myca told us, that’s a place she resents. 

“They kept on calling me names and they kept on pushing me and everything,” said Myca.

Myca’s classmates were just as worried as they too plead before board members.

“I have seen how hard the teachers work and I have felt the sincere caring our teachers have for us,” said one Richmond fourth grader.

A rezoning committee recommended the school district close at least four schools. The elementary schools in the closing discussion include:

• Fisher
• John B. Cary
• Bellevue
• Southampton
• George Mason
• Summer Hill

“If you’re closing it for finances, that’s the wrong reason…period,” said one teacher who attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

Parent are also upset about the rezoning process. One Richmond mom told CBS 6 she’d like to see the school system focus on its high schools instead.

School board member, Chandra Smith explained it simply comes down to numbers.

Smith told CBS 6 that small, underutilized elementary schools cost the school system more money. “There’s a certain number of people that must be in it to cover the cost of running the building,” she said.

Smith said the rezoning committee recommendations are simply that, recommendations. She said there is a chance no schools will be closed at the end of this process. She added the school board needed to study the data the committee handed over.

Elizabeth Verser has three girls who attend Richmond’s William Fox Elementary School, even though the family lives in Woodland Heights and is zoned for another school.

“They love the school, they really do well there,” Verser said.

But a plan to potentially close four Richmond elementary schools has put the Verser family in a bind.  The girls are able to attend Fox because of the school district’s open enrollment program, which allow families to apply for schools outside their district.

The Verser family recently moved away from the Fox district, but only after being reassured the girls could still attend Fox as long as they lived within city limits.

“We definitely considered that when moving to Woodland Heights out of zone, so now we’re stuck in a predicament,” Verser said.

Earlier this month a re-zoning committee recommended that the school district close John B. Cary Elementary, along with Summer Hill and Bellevue Elementary.  Fisher and Southampton schools would also consolidate into one school.

While open enrollment slots could be impacted at several schools, Fox would feel the biggest hit since nearly half of the students who attend the school live outside the school district.

If John B. Cary closes its doors, those students will be moved into the Fox district.

“So there won’t be enough spots for the children to be grandfathered in that were told they could stay at Fox,” Verser said.

School Board Member Kim Gray said a budget crisis has left the school district with little choice but to close underutilized schools.  However, she believes the schools can be closed without affecting students currently benefiting from the open enrollment program. 
 
“I see a more conservative approach to it,” said Gray. “I think it would be disruptive if we all of a sudden said ‘sorry, you’re not welcome here.’”   

Verser said her family would like to be grandfathered in, but said it’s still a shame for the families who would like to have more options for their children in the future.

“I think parents make decisions on what’s best for their children.”  Verser said.

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) – In a last ditch effort, the Richmond Education Association says it will fight for teachers and others who may lose their jobs.

 ”It’s the worst.  It’s been a very long process.”

 The teacher’s union is speaking out to keep school board members from moving forward on a proposed plan to lay off more than 100 employees, including teachers.  What they want instead, is for school leaders to implement more furlough days.  Essentially, saving those jobs.

“We some people that work just so that they can have healthcare for their families,” said Angela Dews, Chair of the Richmond Education Association, “and those are the people who are in the position that could be losing their jobs.”

Richmond public schools is trying to close a $15 million budget shortfall.  After city leaders rejected their request for the money.

 ”We are really working now with bare bones.  And we’re really looking at cutting personnel.  The personnel that we need to keep our kids successful,” said Dews.

 And School Board member Donald Coleman agrees.

 ”We’re not about just cutting jobs as a way to meet this deficit,” said 7th District School board member, Donald Coleman.

But the challenge for the board is to balance the budget by June 4th, without taking away too much from the classroom.

“Close to 80 percent of what we spend is on personnel.  So, that’s another reality we have to look at when it comes to balancing this budget,” said Coleman.  Eventually, it’s going to affect jobs at some point.”

Richmond School board members will meet tonight for a budget work session at 5pm at George Wythe high school.  There’s no public comment.  But you will be able to speak on the issue next Monday before school board members vote on the budget.

Stay with CBS 6 for updates.