January 26, 2019
Message from the Superintendent 

Dear RPS Family,
 
I'm writing this week's RPS Direct in the car on the way to DC (don't worry; my wife is driving :) ). We're headed up to see some old friends. Though it's nostalgic for us to head back up I-95, we truly feel that Richmond is home now. Thank you for everything you've done to welcome us and make us feel at home in this wonderful city.
 
Four topics today:
 
1) RPS Inspiration!
 
Rodney Robinson!!!!! On Tuesday, Governor Northam announced that Rodney Robinson, our rock star social studies teacher from Virgie Binford Education Center, is one of four finalists for NATIONAL Teacher of the Year. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this extraordinary honor.
 
You can sum up Rodney with one word: "Love." He loves his students as if they were his own flesh and blood. Rodney teaches our incarcerated youth: Young people who've made some mistakes in their lives. But he doesn't let their pasts define them. He showers them with love, inspires them to dream big, and pushes them to reach his very high expectations. He represents everything we stand for at RPS; we simply couldn't be more proud of him. And, for the record, I'm convinced he's going to win this thing! That'd be such a blessing for the RPS family, but also for the nation. Wouldn't you agree that our country needs a lot more leaders like Rodney?



I keep telling everyone I meet that RPS students are simply AMAZING! Case in point: On my visit to Fox Elementary this week, I met Virginia Wood, a fifth grader who has already published her own book, The Legend of Congo. You can download it for free if you have an Amazon Kindle. I encourage you to do so now!


I also had a great visit at Cary Elementary. One of the highlights? Meeting the head custodian. 
"He's not just the custodian of the building," said Principal Powell. "He's the custodian of our kids."  It truly takes a village and we're so grateful to have staff who bring their abundant talents and their very big hearts to school every day.




2) Our Budget for Next Year
 
As I shared at our Board meeting on Tuesday, I've proposed $13 million in cuts to the central office. Why? In short, we're facing a significant deficit next year and I'd like to find some money to pay for a teacher "step" increase of about 1.2%. As I shared last week, I'm not going to cut from the classroom. Unfortunately, that means cuts need to come from the central office.
 
I want to reiterate that we have many dedicated individuals at the central office who give their all on behalf of our schools. It pains me to put forth a proposal that means some of them will lose their jobs.
 
At the same time, I believe strongly that, as we advocate for money funding from both the Commonwealth and the City of Richmond, we must show the public that we're being good stewards of the money we have. After all, it's their money.
 
Over the next several weeks, we'll be digging into the details of my budget proposal at a series of Board meetings. Here's the calendar:
  • February 4 - Regularly scheduled Board Meeting
  • February 7 - Budget Work Session
  • February 11 - Budget Work Session
  • February 12 - Budget Work Session
  • February 19 - Regular scheduled Board Meeting
Please note that we are cancelling the January 31 Budget Work Session, as the Mayor is giving his State of the City address that evening.
 
I'd also like to address some questions I've received about why we discussed personnel cuts in closed session on Tuesday. That evening we discussed our three smallest offices (Chief of Staff, Engagement, and Talent). Had we discussed the cuts - even without names - in open session, it would have been very easy to determine whose jobs we were talking about. Out of respect for these individuals, and in accordance with our policies, we chose to discuss these cuts in closed session.
 
You can review my initial budget framework here and the cuts we discussed on Tuesday here.

3) State Funding
 
Ready to march on Monday?! Join teachers, students, and families from around the Commonwealth at 11 am at VCU/Monroe Park for the #RedForEd march. My whole family will be there. Please bring yours!



We need to follow our teachers' lead on Monday and show up in force. As I've shared many times before, over the last decade, VA public education funding is way down but the number of students in the Commonwealth is up. That's just nonsensical. It's also unjust. Click here to view my video example.




As we get ready to march, I want to thank our Richmond General Assembly delegation for fighting on our behalf. This past week, I had the opportunity to speak in favor of bills submitted by Delegates McQuinn, Carr, and Adams. When you see them out and about, please grab them and say thank you! I also want to shout out Delegate Bourne for his efforts to break the school-to-prison pipeline by decriminalizing student discipline in our schools. This isn't just about creating healthier schools; it's about racial justice. See the chart below from a 2018 Government Accountability Office study on this topic.



4) State of the Schools Speech
 
Quick reminder that I'll be giving a "State of the Schools" speech on Tuesday, February 5, from 6 - 7 pm, at MLK Middle School. This is a public event and EVERYONE is welcome: Students, families, staff, and community members. Hope to see you there!



With great appreciation,
 
Jason Kamras
RPS Superintendent
301 North 9th St, Richmond, VA 23219
P: 804.780.7710 | www.rvaschools.net
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