Chesterfield County Public Schools

Chesterfield County Public Schools
Type and location
Type Public
Grades K–12
State Virginia
Country United States
Information
School Board Dianne H. Smith (Chairman)
Carrie E. Coyner (Vice-chairman)
Debra M. Girvin
Thomas J. Doland
David S. Wyman[1]
Superintendent Marcus J. Newsome[2]
Schools 63[3] (2014)
Budget $567,000,000[3]
Students and Staff
Enrollment ~58,000[3]
Staff 7,119[3]
Website http://mychesterfieldschools.com/

Chesterfield County Public Schools is the public school system of Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. As of 2014, there are about 58,000 students enrolled in 63 schools.[3] There are 38 elementary schools (grades K-5), 12 middle schools (grades 6-8), and 11 high schools (grades 9-12.) Additionally, high school students can enroll in twelve specialty centers, two technical centers, and two Governor's Schools.[3]

Controversies

Susan Cohen Controversy

A pregnant Chesterfield County social studies school teacher at Midlothian High School, Susan Cohen, was placed on mandatory unpaid maternity leave by the School Board of Chesterfield County on December 18, 1970. The school board's maternity leave regulation stipulated that a pregnant teacher leave work following five months of pregnancy, which Cohen did not want to do.[4]

Cohen sued the Chesterfield County School Board and on January 15, 1973, the U.S. Forth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the school board's policy did not violate clauses within the 14th Amendment.[4]

This decision was overturned in 1974 by the U.S. Supreme Court in Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur.[5]

Stan Murmur Controversy

Chesterfield County Public Schools made international news in 2006 when they suspended Stephen Murmer, an art teacher at Monacan High School who painted in his free time under the name Stan Murmur.[6]

His works were unique in that he painted them using his posterior and genitalia. In 2006, a video of him painting on the television show Unscrewed with Martin Sargent began circulating around Monacan High School.[6] This led to Chesterfield County Public Schools firing Murmer.[7]

In an article released on December 14, 2006 the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia condemned Chesterfield County Public Schools and on October 4, 2007 the ACLU of Virginia's lawyer's filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of Murmur.[8][9][10]

Stephen Murmer v. Chesterfield County School Board was settled for $65,000 on March 6, 2008.[11] The School Board Chairwoman at the time, Dianne E. Pettitt, said "The School Board strongly believes that its decision was justified based on its core values and the disruption in the classrooms" and expressed that "The School Board does not admit any liability."[12]

Elementary

Middle

High

Specialty Programs

Governor's Schools

Chesterfield County students may apply to the following governor's schools:

References

  1. ↑ Chesterfield County School Board eGovernance System. "Board Members". Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  2. ↑ Chesterfield Country Public Schools. "About the Superintendent". Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Chesterfield County Public Schools. "2014-15 Profile". http://mychesterfieldschools.com''. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. "Susan Cohen v. Chesterfield County School Board and Dr. Robert F. Kelly". Open Jurist. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  5. ↑ U.S. Supreme Court. "Supreme Court about search liibulletin subscribe previews Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur". Cornell University Law School: Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Teacher suspended over bum art". Metro. Dec 13, 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Gelineau, Kristen (Dec 12, 2006). "Teacher in Crack Over Butt Art". FOX News. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Willis, Kent (Dec 14, 2006). "ACLU Believes School Teacher Has Right to Artistic Expression Separate from School Duties". American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Willis, Kent; Glenberg, Rebecca K. (Oct 4, 2007). "Censored Art Teacher Sues Chesterfield County School Board". American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Shelley, Jr., Blackwell N.; Schulte, Tim; Glenberg, Rebecca K. "Complaint: Stephen Murmer v. Chesterfield County School Board, David Sovine, Lyle Evans". American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Murmer v. Chesterfield County School Board". American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  12. ↑ Calos, Katherine (Mar 7, 2008). "'Butt artist' settles suit against Chesterfield School Board". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 5 September 2014.