COURTHOUSE — Last month, School Board Member Vicky Manning posted a comment to social media after a briefing about the rising need for English as a second language education in the city, as well as educators to meet that demand. Ultimately, the board — including Manning — backed funding the new positions as part of a wider spending plan.
Over the past couple of weeks, a controversy erupted about a social media post Manning made following the briefing in February. On Facebook, she wrote:
“VB schools has 300 additional ESL students in the past year. Most are from South America. Our ESL budget has increased over $1 million in 2 years. Continuing to educate South Americans is not sustainable.”
Manning’s words were widely condemned, and the controversy made the news. School Board Chairperson Carolyn Rye and Vice Chairperson Kim Melnyk released a statement saying Manning does not speak for the board. Dr. Aaron Spence, the district superintendent, said in a statement first reported by The Virginian-Pilot that “teaching and caring for students, whoever they are, is the most sustainable part of who we are.” Also, Manning was removed from a state education working group by the Youngkin administration.
She blamed political opponents, among others, for how people took offense at what she posted. “I made a social media post, and my political opponents twisted my words into something that I absolutely did not intend,” Manning wrote.
“I believe it is our duty to provide an appropriate education to all students who reside in our city, and I do fully support our ESL program and our wonderful ESL teachers,” Manning wrote. “There is a teacher shortage, and, without teachers and proper funding, the current path is unsustainable.”
Unsustainable.
It was a word critics of her remarks came back to. On Tuesday, March 8, the night of the budget vote, a number of people showed up to address the controversy.
Speakers included members of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission and other organizations. But some of the messages came directly from Virginia Beach students who said they are the children of immigrants.
“Recently, Ms. Manning came out with a very offensive statement,” said Ure Emejuru, a 17-year-old student at Princess Anne High School. “Other than her statement being factually incorrect, there’s no reason to single out a demographic of students and deny their education. … This is not cancel culture. Ms. Manning, your constituents and the student body are hurt.”
Giana Lathan, a 17-year-old student at Tallwood High School, said, “This isn’t the American Dream. I should not be up here speaking as a former ESL student telling adults that teaching me is sustainable.”
During the meeting, many speakers criticized Manning’s remarks and supported ESL learning. Some speakers also went to bat for Manning.
Later that night, Manning voted in support of the budget, including the funding for new ESL positions.
Next it goes to the City Council.
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