VDOT: Traffic Alert for Warren County from July 1-5, 2024

The Warren County School Board held a work session tonight that began with the approval of the agenda and consent agenda. Both were adopted without changes after being proposed, seconded and unanimously approved.

Departmental Literacy Plan for 2024-2025

The first major item discussed was the Division Literacy Plan for the 2024-2025 school year. This plan is critical as it meets the requirements of the new Virginia Literacy Act. Ms. Heather Bragg and Eileen Knesh, the Dyslexia and English Coordinator, presented the plan. The plan focuses on implementation for K-5, including resources, required teacher training, and communication strategies with stakeholders and families.

Ms. Heather Bragg and Eileen Knesh present the Division Literacy Plan to the Board.

Ms. Bragg emphasized that this is the first year of the new requirements and the plan represents a one-year roadmap. One board member raised concerns about the lack of clear measures of success. Ms. Bragg responded that the division plan, which will be released next week, contains more detailed metrics and strategies for continuous improvement.

The discussion shifted to the instructional materials listed in the literacy plan. It was clarified that most of the materials are already in use, such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s core Into Reading instructional material for grades K-5. The plan will be expanded as more state-approved materials become available.

Teacher training is a key part of the plan, with a focus on professional development and the introduction of high-quality instructional materials. The new K-3 assessment, VALS (Virginia Assessment for Literacy Skills), will be a key yardstick for measuring effectiveness. The state does not yet have assessments for 4th and 5th grades, so the department plans to test different programs to find the best one for future use.

Board members asked further questions about the specific details of the training and materials. Ms. Bragg and Ms. Knesch explained that the state is still in the process of developing policies and approved programs, so some decisions are pending. They also emphasized the significant changes coming next year, including new English and math standards and the challenge of aligning these with VLA implementation.

After a detailed discussion, the Board approved the Division Literacy Plan for the 2024-2025 school year. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Donations and budget adjustments

The Board accepted a generous donation from Giant/Martins in the amount of $10,961.52 to assist in providing after-school snacks to programs not eligible for the CACFP program. The motion to accept the donation was made, seconded, and gratefully accepted.

In addition, the Board discussed and approved an additional allocation of $1,227,437.73 to the school meal budget. This adjustment is due to increases in the number of meals served, related reimbursements, and capital improvement projects in various schools.

Update of the School Resource Officer (SRO) Letter of Intent

The Board reviewed updates to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office regarding School Resource Officers (SROs). The revised MOU aligns with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services model, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and distinguishes between SROs and School Security Officers (SSOs). The new MOU also includes clear definitions of disciplinary offenses and criminal offenses.

Contract extension for depository services

The Board discussed the renewal of the janitorial contract with Sodexo. The contract extension, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, includes an increase to $2,343,583. This amount covers salary increases for the janitorial staff and ensures competitive starting salaries. The extension was approved unanimously.

Letter of intent with Warren County for use of facilities

An updated memorandum of understanding to use the facility with Warren County was presented. The board added a clause to Bing Crosby Stadium ensuring that it would remain the home stadium of both high schools due to initial funding from Warren County Public Schools. The memorandum of understanding was approved with the new changes.

Next steps and future meetings

The board will continue to work on implementing the new literacy plan and other important changes for the next school year. The next board meeting will include more detailed discussions on the division plan metrics and additional calendar adjustments for teacher training.

The Warren County School Board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition into the new school year by significantly updating the literacy curriculum, teacher training, and classroom materials. Working with the Sheriff’s Office and Warren County demonstrates a firm commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

(This article covers the first 48 minutes of the Warren County School Board meeting on June 26, 2024)