Emily Badman

The board held a public hearing for the purpose of recruiting an interim appointment to fill an at-large vacancy on the school board. A community member provided public comment expressing support for a specific candidate for the interim role, highlighting the candidate's professional background in education and early intervention services, as well as their commitment to strengthening school-family partnerships, academic success, and early childhood education.

The board conducted an informational work session regarding the feasibility study for the new Garland Quarrels Elementary School project. The discussion focused on project scope, building assessments, site development concepts, and the integration of fifth-grade students into the elementary level. Key topics included energy efficiency, sustainability requirements, long-term district planning, and the consensus-building process with various stakeholders. No formal actions were taken during this session; the board plans to review the completed study following the summer recess.

The Winchester Public Schools Division Literacy Plan outlines a strategic vision to foster an inclusive community of academic and linguistic excellence, empowering every student to thrive. It integrates the Virginia Literacy Act and WIDA framework, focusing on the selection of high-quality instructional materials, provision of evidence-based reading research training, and systematic monitoring of student progress. The plan also emphasizes assessing division-level progress and engaging parents, caregivers, and the community to cultivate confident communicators, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners prepared for a global society.

The document details a study for the future development of Garland Quarles Elementary School by Winchester Public Schools. It presents a draft vision and critical success factors, aiming for the school to be a strong community asset and a visionary educational environment. Key focuses include child-centered design, promoting joy and learning, adaptability, community integration, outdoor learning, and balancing safety with openness. The study addresses needs such as increasing capacity to include 5th grade, accommodating growth, reducing student transitions, and improving the existing facility, exploring various site and building concepts to achieve these objectives.

The meeting included an update on the finalized city budget, which left the school district with a significant deficit, necessitating the reduction of teacher and assistant positions for the upcoming fiscal year. Board members shared tributes in memory of a late colleague, highlighting his dedication to the community and his passion for literacy and education. Additionally, student representatives provided reports on end-of-year school activities and achievements across various grade levels.