Brandon Bennett

The meeting included a roll call and pledge of allegiance. The agenda was approved. A closed session was convened to discuss personnel matters and legal consultations. The meeting was called back to order, and a closed session certification was conducted. Personnel actions were approved, including retirement, resignation, employment, salary adjustment, and transfer of staff. A student performance was held, featuring folk songs. Recognitions were given to student ambassadors and staff members. The humanities coordinator was recognized for her work on literacy instruction. Public comments were heard.

The meeting included a roll call to certify the presence of a quorum and a motion to approve the agenda. The board convened a closed session to discuss personnel matters, investment of public funds, and security of school division facilities. The board recognized Mr. J. Snyder as the new principal of Locust Grove Elementary School and Ms. Julie Miller as the new supervisor of school nutrition. The meeting also included a student representative report, a discussion on teacher appreciation week, and a public comment session.

The school board called the meeting to order to discuss budget adjustments and approvals. The board addressed the need for a first-grade teacher at Locust Grove Primary School, which will be fulfilled by reallocating a position from Orange Elementary School. They also emphasized the importance of positions such as the reading specialist, school counselor, special educators, and EL instructor at the primary school. The approval of a grant will allow the employment of a security officer at the high school and both middle schools, with the grant covering the salary and benefits for one of the middle school positions. The budget includes funding for three bus drivers and a bus monitor to support increased athletic and activity offerings, particularly at the middle school level, including stipends for volleyball and boys' and girls' soccer. The budget absorbs anticipated increases in health and dental insurance, moves registrars to a 12-month contract, and provides a 3% pay raise for most school employees. Custodian and building secretary pay scales are also increased, with starting salaries moving to $15 and $15.25 per hour, respectively. A proposed teacher pay scale was presented, focusing on competitiveness in earlier steps and larger percentage increases in later steps to address areas of need. The board also discussed state revenue from SOQ programs, incentive programs, categorical funding, lottery-funded programs, federal revenues, and other local revenues, including the SSO grant. The funds will be expended primarily on instruction, administration, attendance, health, pupil transportation, operations and maintenance, fund transfers, and technology. The board also discussed the capital budget and the food service budget.

The meeting included a public hearing concerning the appointment of a new Board Member Pro Tempore. Candidates presented their qualifications, and public comments were heard regarding the appointment. The board members expressed their appreciation to the candidates and affirmed their commitment to making a decision that is right for the voters of District 4. The board then went into a closed session for further discussion of personnel matters related to the appointment.

The meeting included personnel actions such as resignations, salary adjustments, retirements, transfers, and employment of staff. The board approved the Locust Grove Middle School Band and Art students' field trip to Washington, D.C. Appointments were made to the Wellness Committee. The preliminary FY2020-2021 budget calendar was approved. Reports were given on the Head Start Policy Council, Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School Board, Piedmont Regional Education Program Board, and Orange County Education Foundation Board. Resolutions were approved proclaiming October as Bullying Prevention Month and October 14-18, 2019 as National School Lunch Week. Recognitions were given for the American Heart Association and VSBA Academy Awards, along with recognitions at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School.