New contract approved for sup’t; 30 schools to get free lunches
0Chesterfield County Public Schools Superintendent Merv Daugherty was given a two-year extension on Aug. 15 when the school board approved a new four-year contract. Daugherty, who started with CCPS on Nov. 1, 2018 and subsequently received an extension through June 2024, got another one through June 30, 2026. The new extension will pay Daugherty the same annual salary of $253,720, but it also includes $1,100 a month as an automobile allowance. A board document states that the extension was for Daugherty’s “outstanding performance.” The extension was approved as part of the consent agenda. School lunches The board approved slight increases…
Morrissey obtains settlement and apology from Matoaca woman
0On July 26, Sen. Joe Morrissey (D) announced that he had reached a $10,000 settlement from a woman who claimed that he had trespassed for parking in a public right-of-way. According to a press release, Jessica Spain called the police on Morrissey on May 22, 2019, for parking on an access road in the 19600 block of Church Road in Matoaca. Spain allegedly said that she was in “great fear” due to Morrissey parking his vehicle at the end of her driveway while he campaigned door-to-door in the area. She filed a trespassing complaint the next day, the release states. …
Coyner, Morrissey talk Chesterfield Recovery Academy
0On July 29, state Sen. Joe Morrissey (D) and Del. Carrie Coyner (R) discussed the new Chesterfield Recovery Academy, which is set to open Aug. 22 when the other public schools open. The school will be located at 13900 Hull Street Road in Midlothian. The eastern Chesterfield County duo chatted about the school on Morrissey’s program, the Fighting Joe Morrissey Show, which can be viewed live or replayed on Facebook. Morrissey said the high school was the “brainchild” of Coyner, who said the idea sprung from her time serving on the Chesterfield County Public Schools board. “The idea was at…
Supervisors appoint another Carroll to board; Holland named vice chair
0On June 29, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to replace Leslie Haley as the Midlothian supervisor with former Chesterfield County Republican Party Chair Tara Carroll. Board Chair Chris Winslow (R-Clover Hill) said the board followed a policy that was adopted in 1994. Eight people applied for the vacancy after Haley resigned to work in the attorney general’s office and six were qualified, Winslow said. Kevin Carroll (R-Matoaca), no relation, motioned for Tara Carroll, which Jim Holland (D-Dale) seconded. In the afternoon session, the board voted unanimously to name Holland vice chair following a nomination by Winslow. Also…
Morrissey clarifies position following overturning of Roe v. Wade
0State Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Chester) released a statement on Friday, June 24, following the news of the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. SCOTUS’ decision effectively sends the issue back to the states like it was prior to Roe, and Morrissey, who calls himself “pro-life” and has voted with Republicans on some abortion-related bills over the years, including his time in the House, clarified his position. Morrissey said he said he supports a woman’s right to choose an abortion up until the time an unborn child can feel pain, which…
School board approves final financial plan, employee bonuses
0With final passage of a budget by the General Assembly, the Chesterfield County Public Schools board met in a special meeting on June 21 and approved their final fiscal 2023 financial plan. It includes $6 million in one-time bonuses for staff and two-year funding for the Chesterfield Recovery Academy. The latter will get $864,000 this fiscal year and $500,000 next year. With the one-time funds, the school district was able to complete Phase I of Salary Study 2, according to Kimberly Hough, chief of human resources. The salary study began in October last year and compared Chesterfield with 13 other…
Morrissey supports budget bill; Chase votes no
0State Sen. Joe Morrissey is pleased with the Fiscal 2022-24 budget that the General Assembly passed on June 1. He noted the compromise legislation resulted in a 32-4 vote in the Senate. It also passed 88-7 in the House. Morrissey (D-Chester) called the bill “a huge win for Petersburg.” He noted the bill contains two amendments that allow for a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study, and with a positive report, a public vote on a casino. The bill also prohibits Richmond from having another vote on a casino until November 2023, which gives Petersburg time to conduct one,…
Chesterfield schools proceeding with teacher salary increases; graduations coming May 25, 27
0Although Chesterfield County Public Schools are waiting for a Fiscal Year 2023 budget to be adopted by the General Assembly, school officials are proceeding with salary increases for teachers. During a May 10 work session, the schools’ Chief Financial Officer Robert Meister said the increases will range from 8.6 to 8.8 percent. For beginning teachers, the new salary will jump from $46,000 to $49,481. In addition, he said the schools will keep substitute pay at $101.50 a day along with $203 on Fridays and high demand days. The funding is part of an $899.7 million budget approved by the county…