Ellen D. Baker

This document outlines the strategic goals for the school division for the 2025-2026 academic year. The plan focuses on five key areas: ensuring academic achievement and growth for all students, fostering a positive school climate and culture, enhancing family engagement and community connections, recruiting, supporting, and retaining enthusiastic professionals, and maintaining high-quality and adequate facilities and learning environments. The mission is to prepare each student for a future of life-long learning, and the vision is to be the first choice for education by producing skilled individuals, demonstrating high standards, and maximizing resource utilization.

The meeting included discussions regarding a closed session for personnel and student matters, and a recommendation for revocation of a teaching license. Public comments addressed concerns about splitting programs at Triplette Tech and the need for a new elementary school.

The Shannido County School Board work session included discussions on major capital projects, focusing on school infrastructure planning and communication of school needs to the board of supervisors. Presentations covered the county's financial status, capital debt, and borrowing power, including the impact of tax revenue increases. Considerations were given to elementary school renovations, expansions, and the construction of a new elementary school, as well as options for Triplette Tech, including renovations, a new career and technical facility, or a combination of both. The facility conditions and limitations, program demands, and potential new programs such as welding, diesel mechanics, and drone flight were also discussed.

The school board convened a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters and the award of a public contract. The board also recognized FCCLA and FFA students for their achievements at national and state conferences, including awards in sports nutrition, chapter review display, teacher training, and family wellness. The board also recognized the statewinning marketing plan team from Strawsburg High School.

The Shenandoah County School Board held a pre-budget work session to discuss the strategic plan, enrollment trends, capital improvement programs, and the impact of COVID-19. Key discussion points included enrollment declines, the uncertainty of future enrollment numbers (particularly for kindergarten), and the potential for a "hold harmless" provision from the state to mitigate funding losses due to decreased enrollment. The board also addressed the importance of supporting staff and students, and the challenges of planning for the upcoming fiscal year amid ongoing pandemic-related uncertainties.