001It's 5:30. I would like to call to order the October 9th, 2025 Shannidoa County School Board meeting. Uh and we are going to u convene in close session. Uh if we have a recommendation to that effect. Madam Superintendent. >> Yes. I recommend the Shannidor County School Board convening a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, discipline, or rec resignation of several employees of the Shannidoa County Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711A14 3711 A14 and to discuss and consider several student matters involving the emission discipline or the disclosure of information contained in the scholastic record of students in the Shannidoa County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711A2 2-3711 A2 and to have a briefing by staff members or
002consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefing an open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of Shannidoa County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711A7. >> Thank you. Uh a motion to that effect, please. I move that the Sheno County School Board convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, discipline, and resignation of several employees of Ashindo County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711814 2-3711A14 and to discuss and consider several student matters involving the admission discipline or the disclosure of information contained in a scholastic record of students in the Sheno County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711 2-3711 A2 and to have a briefing by staff members or cons
003consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation for such consultation or briefing and open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of Shannido County Public Schools under V Virginia code 2.2-371187. >> Thank you Mr. Goff for that motion. A second please >> Second by Mr. Rickard. Any discussion? None. All in favor of uh convening in close session to consider those matters, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? We will try to reconvene in open session at 6:00. is u 6:21 or 620 and uh would like to reconvene in open session. >> Move to reconvene in open session. >> Thank you, Mr. Gutshaw, for that motion. A second, please. >> Second by Mr. Rickard. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. I would like
004to uh read the uh closed meeting certification before we be begin the u open meeting. So let me read this. The Shannidoa County School Board hereby certifies by roll call vote that to the best of each member's knowledge. Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which the certification resolution applies and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Shandaw County School Board. Each me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me member responds I so certify when called. Cheryl, would you call the vote, please? >> Mr. Street, >> I so
005certify. >> Miss Carlinia, >> I so certify. >> Mr. Gutshaw, >> I so certify. >> Mr. Vance, >> I so certify. >> Mr. Ripper, >> I so certify. >> Mr. Bar, >> I so certify. >> Thank you. Uh this evening, the invocation pledge will be given by Mr. Gutshaw. >> Please bow your heads. Let us pray. Lord, we come before you tonight with grateful hearts for the opportunity to serve our students, families, and community. Grant us wisdom in our decisions and humility in our actions. May everything we do reflect integrity, respect, and a shared desire to do what's best for our schools. Bless our teachers, staff, and students with strength, safety, and success. In your name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to
006the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as it has been presented? >> Move to approve the agenda as presented. >> Thank you, Mr. Gochaw. Second. >> Second, >> Mr. Ricker. Right on Q. Good for you. Okay. Any um discussion? If not, um those in favor of accepting the uh agenda, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed. Uh we will move on to recognitions and ask Dr. Shepard who we have to recognize tonight. >> So I would like to recognize the 4. This is National 4 week and I am going to um um ask Lizzie Rhodess and Lindsay Riggsby to come forward to um for the their program. Good evening, Mr. Chairman,
007Dr. Shepard, and other members of the board. I am Lizzie Rhodess, one of the adviserss for the Shannido County 4 Council. Every year, National 4 week is a time to celebrate everything that 4 stands for. This and this year's theme is beyond ready. It's all about how 4 helps our youth grow, learn, and lead in a world that's always changing. Members of the from the eight Shendo County 4 clubs are among 6 million 4ers across the country who have learned that 4 is more than just a club. It's a part where young people create a sense of community and learn learning by doing. I know from personal experience that the skills that you learn and the experiences that you have through 4 and your 4 years as youth, it makes you beyond ready for becoming
008an adult. Tonight, I am pleased to introduce some of our best and brightest 4ers who are currently serving in leadership roles this year. They will be sharing their own stories of growth and readiness and they have also brought you all a special treat after they are done speaking. So without further ado, we have Savannah Rittenower, she is one of our county council representatives. Emily Cop, she is our current secretary for the 4 county council. Mason Rhodess is our recreation and song leader. And Lizzie Zurl is our county council president this year. And along with Lindsay and myself, we also have Adam Zurkel, one of our that makes up our third um county council adviser this year. So, I will let them take over from here. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of
009the board. My name is Savannah Ritnau. I am 14 years old and a freshman at Central High School. I am president of the Fort Valley 4 club and the reporter of the Shindoa County 4 livestock judging and skillathon team and I also have served on the Shindo County 4 council. Through my involvement in 4 clubs and councils, many doors for different opportunities have opened up relating to exhibiting livestock, community service and personal growth. I have shown cattle, specifically herfords, at the Shindo County Fair and Virginia State Fair for multiple years. This past July, I attended and was an exhibitor at the Junior National Heroford Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. 4 has taught me the skills I need to know to select, feed, and care for my livestock and be successful on the county, state, and national
010level. Through the 4 livestock judging and skullathon team, we participate in multiple service projects throughout the 4 year year. I have helped set up and serve snacks and refreshments at multiple 4 and non-4 events, participated in benefit events and concerts and helped with 4 promotional events across the country county. Not to mention the educational events of being involved in 4 events throughout through skillthon and livestock judging. I have learned about the livestock industry such as breeds, feeds, equipment, meats, and hay. Aside from increasing my knowledge of livestock, it has also taught me skills relating to time management, responsibility, initiative, and leadership. The team has also given me opportunities for travel. I have attended numerous competitions and events ranging from locations such as Front Roll Virginia to Reedsville, West Virginia. Most recently in June at the
011Virginia State Livestock Judging Contest, I placed second overall in junior sheep and goats and my team was third overall in that category out of 99 individuals in 25 teams. Over the years, 4 has helped me grow in many ways. 4 has equipped me to be beyond ready for my future in or out of the livestock industry by making me become a better leader and a better citizen. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the board for your support of our members of the Shindo County 4 program. Are there any questions? >> Thank you. Good evening ladies and gentlemen of the board. My name is Mason Rhodess. I'm currently in seventh grade at Peter Millingberg School. I am a new me a new new 4 member of the Shannidora County 4 livestock judging and schoolathon team. Even
012though I've recently joined for H, I'm trying my best to involve in every opportunity that has come and any including two days event. I have been recently elected as the historian of the for 4 for livestock judging and scholant team even though I've already been elected into the office of the Shannidora County 4 council as rec as recurring and song leader where I serve with my teammates. not to emotion emotional leadership and service events that I've been able to participate and assist in. Just last night, I've received first and fifth place in a swine ultrasound contest during the Shannidora County 4 and FFA livestock show and sale awards ceremony. for my halls I show during the the county fair. I'm thankful for my hard work that I've already put into for 4 and FFA projects
013is already paying off. I've already learned so much through 4 about livestock and leadership. Even though I've limited 4 experience, 4 has already started making me beyond ready for my teach my teachings me skills and building me connections that will carry throughout my lifetime. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the board for your time this evening. Are there any questions? >> Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. My name is Emily Cop. I'm 14 years old and I live on a on my family farm right here in Woodstock. Together with my family, we raised pigs, cattle, chickens, and sheep. Before I was involved in 4, I began showing open breeding cattle when I was 2 years old at the Shannidoa County Fair. When that judge placed the ribbon in my hand, I
014was hooked. I love showing animals and being involved in our fair. So naturally, my next step was joining the 4 club, the 4 clover buds when I was 6 years old. Through the St. Luke's PSville 4 club, I was able to learn more about caring for livestock, building friendships, and participating in county and community service. though volunteer at the fort through volunteering at the Fort Valley Fire Department fort Fort Valley and my church white chapel Methodist also in Fort Valley although I may live in Woodstock part of my heart will always be in Fort Valley where I was born also through St. Sonsville for club. I have continued showing sheep, participating in trash pickup every spring, assisted with gate and raffle ticket sales for the young farmer farmers truck and tractor pool and participated in
015public speaking which are just a few of the activities we participate in annually. I've enjoyed membership in forage so much that I wanted to get more involved in other clubs, councils, and events. That's when I joined the Shannondoa County for livestock judging and skeleton team. I have only been on the team for a few months, but in that time I've been able to help with guided tours of the Shannidoa County Fair students, been elected to an office, and I participated in two livestock related competitions. The most recent being last week at this at the Virginia State Fair. Just last month, I attended my first Shannidoa County 4 county council meeting where I was elected secretary. I have also recently applied for the Shannidora County 4 honor club and if accepted, I will be tapped in
016late November. As you can tell, 4 is a big part of my life. 4 has taught me to embody this year's 4 national 4-week theme beyond ready by taking every opportunity that is that it has presented to me through this organization for has made me beyond ready for a continued future in community service and agriculture which I'm so excited for. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the board. I appreciate the time you have set aside this evening to hear from me and my fellow for members. Are there any questions? >> Thank you. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Dr. Shepard. My name is Lizzie Zurkl. I'm 17 years old in my senior year of high school and homeschooled. I am the president of the Shundo County 4 Council and the president of
017the Shundo County 4 livestock judging and skillathon team. I'm a Virginia State 4 L livestock ambassador. I'm a proud member of the V of the Shannidoa County Honor Club and I'm proud to have been tapped as a Virginia 4 all-star in 2023. I'm also very involved in theater Shannondoa in Edinburg where I've most re recently played Anna in Frozen Jr. I am involved at the Father Dobbins Theater Troop in Woodstock where I've most recently played the fairy godmother in the Rogers and Hammerstein Cinderella. Last year, I left you with one last quote, and I want to start with it this year. All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney. I always have a word that I base my speeches on, and this year it's success. The definition
018of success is the favorable or prosperous termination or of attempts or endeavors, the accomplishment of one's goals. As John F. Kennedy once said, "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." In March of 2025, I applied to become a Northwest District Ambassador for the Virginia State 4 cabinet. This was a nerve-wracking experience for me. As you may remember, two years ago, I applied, interviewed, and it went to the vote. I was not elected that year, but this year, it went much better. I went to state 4 congress where I went to the mixer and got to talk to so many of the northwest district 4ers and I loved hearing the feedback about what needed to be fixed in the northwest district. When it went to the vote I was elected as one of four of
019the northwest district ambassadors. There have been so many opportunities so far. I've gotten to meet Governor Yncan, First Lady Suzanne Yncan, the Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lure, and the Attorney General Jason Myares. This year, the theme for National 4 week is beyond ready. 4 has taught me to be beyond ready through my leadership, public speaking, and determination. Through different opportunities, this has made me ready for the real world. For has taught me to be beyond ready to be on the state for cabinet. I'm a Northwest District Ambassador and the Virginia 4 all-star liaison for the state 4 cabinet. I've always loved leadership. This is a skill. This is a skill that I will take with me throughout my entire life. For has made me beyond ready to talk to government officials with ease. For has
020let me be beyond ready to be a part of their organization forever. Through becoming a Virginia 4 all-star, I will forever be a member of 4. This will give me relationships that I can use forever. For teaches you to be beyond ready, no matter the curveballs life throws your way. Now I go into the world with the mindset to make the best better. The future is bright. I have dreams to attend Virginia Tech with the community leadership and development major and after go to law school and then become an agricultural attorney. I've thought about taking a gap year to continue my 4 career by running for an officer position on the state 4 cabinet. You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them. Michael Jordan, thank you for your continued support of
021the Shindo County 4 program. Any questions? >> I don't have a question, >> but I just got to say all four of you, great job public speaking. Keep up the hard work. You guys are great. >> Thank you. the same thing. Good job. And I kind of knew that you were going to be an attorney. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. Well, we will be coming around with some cookies and milk for you guys. >> Thank you. As they are distributing that, I'm going to um move into our next uh section here and that is the public and staff comment on agenda items and non-aggenda items. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Glad to see you still using three hot. Thank you so much. You did great. >> Thank you.
022Good >> job. >> This right here. Thank you. All right. The Shannido County School Board welcomes public comment from Shannondoa County residents, parents, or guardians, as well as some from current students and employees of Shannondo County Public Schools. Schoolboard members do not respond to public comments during the meeting or hearing. Each speaker may speak up to three minutes. The board generally allows up to 30 minutes. I don't think we're going to have any problem with that time constraint tonight. Um, and comments are on agenda and non-aggenda items. Um, all comments should address a matter related to Sheno County Public Schools. Complaints regarding division employees should be directed to the school principal or an appropriate school division official. The school board expects that each speaker will be courteous, modeling for our students how one can respectfully
023disagree with others views. Speakers will address their comments to the entire school board and not to one individual schoolboard member, to the superintendent, to a staff member, nor to the audience. Speakers will not engage in personal attacks. Speakers um have signed up to speak uh on a document provided by the clerk of the school board. Um the clerk has ascertained the speakers have indicated their role as stakeholders with valid addresses here. And so the speakers will be called in order in which they are signed up. Um and so first person to sign up is Terin. Is it Nichols? >> Nicholson. >> Yes. Good evening. My name is Carolyn Nicholson and I'm a third grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School. When I and other teachers hired with me accepted these positions, we were told clearly
024to complete the first two I teach modules, earn our provisional licenses, and then work on the practice. That was the agreement. Then the rules changed without warning. Suddenly, we were told we had to pass the practice before receiving our provisional licenses. New deadlines appeared. The pressure intensified, and we were left scrambling, all while teaching full-time, completing coursework, and showing up for our students every single day. Now, dedicated teachers are being pushed into long-term sub positions, losing benefits and pay, even though we're still doing the exact same work. That's just not fair. It's a betrayal of the expectations we were hired under. It was I was given three testing windows. May 15th, June 30th, and then finally October 31st or I'd lose my benefits. I'm older. I carry my insurance for my son. And my husband
025is retired. I did everything asked of me. I studied. I improved and demonstrated real growth. And so have others. But we were told times up as if our effort and progress meant nothing. This decision ignored my performance in the classroom, my dedication to my students, and my commitment to meeting requirements. It reduced me and other teachers to a single test score. That number doesn't define our ability to teach, connect, or inspire children. And let me be clear, this policy is a is driving good teachers away. During a teacher shortage, when schools are desperate to retain strong educators, this county is pushing out people who are making progress and proving they belong here. Other I teach candidates this year were allowed to start earlier and take the practice sooner. We weren't. We lost critical time and
026no one stepped in to help our help or problem solve. And if this continues, you will lose more good teachers. You will lose passionate, hard-working educators who care deeply about their students. You will uh lose trust and stability in your schools. I didn't want to leave. None of us did. But we were given no real choice. We were forced out by a system that values a test score more than a teacher's impact. It's time to fix this. to honor the commitment made to us and stop punishing the very teachers who are proving they deserve to be in the classroom. Thank you for letting me participate in this I teach program and also thank you to my um fellow teachers that have guided me and helped me along the way and thank you for your time
027and all you do. >> Thank you. Next speaker is George Bowers. Congratulations to the four hers. Um, Chairman Marlo, members of the board, Dr. Shepard, I want to thank you for the privilege of addressing you all this evening and for the ongoing permission that you provide for weekday religious education for our students in Shannidoa County. I'm here representing the board along with our executive director Kathy Rivers and a few of our other board members. We currently have 246 students enrolled in. We continue to have open enrollment so any parent of a second through fifth grader may sign their child up at any time by going to biblebreak.org. SCWRA loves children and we want them protected as much or more than anyone else. So, let me clarify any misconception that may have arisen regarding by reading
028a few portions from our employee handbook. Any individual, both paid or volunteer, will have successfully completed a criminal history background check prior to being permitted to work or interact with any student. For the protection of each staff member, we always work in teams. No staff should ever be alone with a single child. Another staff member should be within sight, sound at all times when a staff member is interacting with a child. Any person in the center who is not a staff member, substitute or volunteer who has had a record check and approval to be involved with child care shall not have unrestricted access to children for whom that person is not the parent, guardian, or custodian, nor be counted in the staffto child ratio. Persons who do not have unrestricted access will be under the
029direct supervision and monitoring of a staff member who has had an acceptable background check at all times and will not be allowed to assume any child care responsibilities. A sex offender who has been convicted of a sex offense against a minor even if the sex offender is of the parent, guardian or custodian who is required to register with the sex offender registry. Shall not operate, manage, be employed by SCWRA or act as a contractor or volunteer in this organization. shall not be on the premises or have access when the children are present without written permission from the executive director and/or board chair except for the time reasonably necessary to transport the offender's own minor child to and from the event. And so we hope this clarifies any misinformation that may have arisen in this regard.
030If you do have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Um, we have provided copies of these comments as well as the full copy of our employee handbook that you may consult. Thank you for your time, your dedication to the students and your work for all of us in Shadow County. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pastor. Mike Shy. >> Good evening, uh, board and Dr. Sheepard. Um, I'll keep this brief. Uh, very great stuff with 4 and, um, I'm a big fan of, so I'm glad that we're getting some clarifications on some of the, uh, things that have been going on. So, that is very reassuring. Um, I was going to talk um about discipline in our schools tonight, but um I'm going to cut that short, too, because three of my favorite faces from
031Ashley Lee are here to talk about discipline. So, um I will cut that short. But I do believe that discipline has to be consistent in each school, on each bus, and really in all the hallways. Consistency and realistic expectations is what's best for every kid. You can't have it different on one bus versus another or in one classroom versus another because if a child changes buses or classrooms, they're kind of being set up for um for uh possible issues. Um so teachers, I think, uh gosh, we blinked and we're in week nine, I think. Uh nine or 10 of school already this year. Um, so I want to thank our teachers and staff for all they're doing because um, keeping up with my two little guys is very difficult at home. I can't imagine, you
032know, with hundreds of them that um, they're tasked with every day. But home and schools need to work in a partnership. I want to use the rest of my time here to encourage parents to be more involved in their education. Um whether it's going to school events, um emailing a teacher, just asking, "Hey, how's how's my my son or daughter doing in class?" or um hey, checking homework or going over and helping uh at the kitchen table after school um shows a real um interest in your child's education and that is going to help the teachers and the and the staff in the schools. So, it starts at home. We can't expect the teachers to do it all. So, um, please parents out there, get more involved. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Steve Hushman.
033My new triplet tech hat. >> Nice. Good evening, school board members, chairman Barlo, Dr. Shepard, Steve Hushman is my name from district 2, Kikville. Uh, I have to just once again give a big shout out for the weekday religious education program that uh that this school board has allowed back into the school system. It is a wonderful thing. Uh Jesus was kicked out of the school systems for this school system for uh several decades. And it is wonderful to see uh him roaming the halls again. And uh what started off just a couple years ago with I think 23 or four students is up to some 246 now. And it's still growing and it will continue to grow. It's a great organization. It has great leadership. and whatever those folks are doing, I encourage them
034to keep it up. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Is there anybody else who would like to speak? All right, concludes then the um public comments and we will move on to the um consent agenda. Um, do I have a motion to approve the uh items that have been included on the consent agenda this evening? >> Move to approve the consent agenda as it's been presented. >> Thank you, Mr. Gutshaw. Second, please. >> Second by Mr. Rickard. Um, any discussion? If not, those in favor of accepting uh the consent agenda, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed. And now we'll move into theformational agenda. Um, so the Chamber of Commerce. Um, Dr. Shepard, are you going to tee this one up for us? >> Sure. I'm going to introduce
035Payton Stroop who will talk about the Chamber of Commerce student leadership program. All right. Good evening, Dr. Shepard and members of the board. My name is Kaitton Stroop. I'm a teacher with Shannondoa County Public Schools. So, thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk to you all today about student leadership Shannondoa County. You can go ahead and play that slideshow in the background. Um this summer I had the opportunity to spend a week with these amazing students and over the course of that week from leadership retreats um to tours of healthcare facilities and discussions about local government, nonprofits and public safety. They showed real enthusiasm for engaging with the real challenges that we face here in our community. From the first day, they showed up curious and eager to learn. And no matter who we
036met, they asked thoughtful questions and represented Channidoa County Public Schools so well. I know that they will take these experiences with them as they grow into informed, engaged adults. What really stood out to me about these students was that they connected what they were seeing to their own goals. They weren't just going through the motions that week. They were thinking about their own futures and how they can make a difference right here at home. So, thank you for your continued support of this program. And I want to thank the um Shendo County Chamber of Commerce as well and all the local partners who opened their doors and shared their time with these students. It takes a community to create these kinds of learning experiences and they're going to quickly um chat with you about their
037favorite part of the week. Thank you. >> Good evening board and Dr. Shepard. I'm Elelliana Dalton, a senior at Central High School, and um I just wanted to share a little bit about my experience at SLSC. Um it was an amazing opportunity to see the behind the scenes of some local business and government operations and kind of see all that not only you guys, but other government um groups put into helping our community be an amazing successful place. Um, as you can see there in that picture, we got to um talk a lot um with some of the police officers and sheriff's office members. Um, we got to tour a hospital and the hospital and do CPR training um and a lot of other fun experiences. And I just want to thank you guys for
038allowing these type of programs for us students because they are very beneficial and helping us become future leaders and informed citizens of our community. Thank you guys. Any questions? Thank you. >> Good evening. Good evening everybody. My name is Nemiah Thomas and I'm a senior at Strawburg High School. I'm here to talk about um SLSC. Um I would say that I like that everybody came from our county at high from our county um at the whole I'm sorry at the whole county um um let they let juniors and seniors see around our county and not that much people know about what's going on in our county and they I think it's really pretty good that they let young students see what's going on and they can learn about what they do in county and everything.
039Thank you. Do you have any questions? Okay. >> Uh good evening board. My name is Abdullah, a senior at Strawber High School. I'd like to thank y'all for allowing us to have a program like this where um different students from different schools around the county can all come together and view behind the scenes of all the businesses and everywhere around Strawburg and I mean Shannondela County. Uh one thing I really liked about this it um it introduced us to these nonprofit organizations. We get to see what they do behind the scenes. We get to learn that little actions from all nonprofit organizations lead to a big deal inside our entire community and it's a great thing to see and again I'd like to thank the board and everyone for allowing everyone to have an opportunity
040to do this. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Fletcher Moyers. I am a senior from Stonewall Jackson High School and I am really appreciative that I was able to be a part of this program. One thing that really kind of stuck with me was how much we learned about how everybody in the community works together and how there's so many different sides to problems that we wouldn't even think about on a normal basis. And it was just a really informal uh not informal, it was very informative experience and I'm really appreciative that I was able to do it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Great job. And um I see Miss Sharon Barelli here. So she also um the chamber of commerce partners with Shendo County Public Schools to put
041this program on for our students every summer. So >> thank you. Um, next uh information item is Ashby Lee Ashley Lee Elementary School's schoolwide discipline initiative. We're interested to hear about this. So, >> I brought my whole team with me. >> Thank you. It's good to have your team here. >> Good evening. Uh, Dr. Shepherd and chairman and board members and it's unfortunate the 4ers left. I was a 4er. Someday they'll be a building administrator if they continue with their leadership skills. So um let's see do one of you want to drive? So this is data from the end of last year. This is what started our conversation about our discipline initiative. So if you will notice um in quarter one down at the bottom we had incidents resulting in a sanction in quarter 1,
042211 in quarter 2,69 in quarter 3 and 293 in quarter 4. Um and then at the top we have inschool suspensions. Um quarter 1 in school was 10, quarter 2 31, quarter 3 28, and quarter 4 was 44. Out of school suspensions, quarter 1 was 14, quarter 2 20, quarter 3 17, and quarter 4 57. So you will see that there was an uptick as we went through the school year. So the amount of time that is lost when teachers are having to deal with discipline in their classrooms is um figured in this slide. So the minutes of lost instruction in quarter 1 was 4,100 hours lost was 68.3 hours in quarter 2 4220 minutes which is the equivalent of 70.3 hours. Quarter three, 3,380 minutes, which is the equivalent of 56.3 hours. And in
043quarter four, 5,860 minutes, which is the equivalent of 97.6 hours. That's a total of 292.5 hours of instruction lost last year, which is the equivalent of 39 school days. So we decided to form a committee and we invited the teachers to be a part of this committee. They actually led the committee and the goal was to develop and implement a consistent set of positively stated behavior expectations for all common areas and classrooms with teacher input. I believe we had 15 to 17 teachers involved in the committee. Their purpose was to develop a plan that supports a positive school and climate, reduce behavioral disruptions, and increase the consistency of staff response and student understanding. So, they met a couple of times this summer and their committee work involved examining the data, synthesizing teacher survey results, creating
044common area expectations as well as classroom norms, and develop and distribute lesson plans for the first two weeks of school. So, we sent out a staff survey because we wanted input from everyone in the building. And these were um the results that the committee synthesized. So the broad behaviors that was reported was respect, safety, consistency, responsibility, modeling, and clear and consistent expectations. Specific behaviors that were identified include following directions, walking in a line, excessive talking, personal space, and calm body. and personal space and calm body would include keeping their hands and their feet to themselves. So, what does this look like and what does it sound like? All teachers teaching the same curriculum and expectations the first two weeks of school to all students. Common expectations for every student, no matter what grade and no
045matter what space they are in. So, this is a document that shows uh their work. These are links to all of the lesson plans they created. They created lesson plans to teach expectations for hallways, restrooms, the playground, and the cafeteria. They also developed lessons to teach respect, responsibility, and safety. They came up with our school motto which is be safe, be responsible, be respectful every be every day. We sign off every morning our announcements with the motto and the students know it now. They will they recite it with us. This is an example of some of the signage that we have up in the building. This specific sign shows all of the common area expectations. And if you'll notice, they uh designed it so that there is specific um criteria under being respectful, being safe,
046and being responsible. And they taught these expectations to their classes. And then they took them to those common areas and had them practice the expectations. And then these are the classroom norms that we expect in all classrooms. They also fall under the categories of be respectful, be safe, and be responsible. We did not take the autonomy away from the teacher because we respect that that is their space, but we do have common expectations for all students across the building. These are our hallway expectations. Um, and then the little stop sign, we have those placed throughout the building so that the teachers are able to tell their students where to stop when they're walking down the hallway and they're able to monitor their students. The students can earn sweet bees. Um, sweet bees are earned when
047they receive a compliment as a class. So if they are exhibiting the expectations that we have taught them and they receive a compliment for from a staff member, they receive a sweepy which is a little token and um the teachers have one of these honeypotss in their room and they can put that token on their honeypot. Um the rewards to the right are things that they can work towards and they set a goal as a class what they want to work towards and how many tickets that they need to earn. Um, this is a clo whole class effort so that they're working together as a team to earn the reward. And all of these are non-tangible rewards so that we're not spending money um on rewards. So what does this feel like? It feels like
048consistency. Consistency with expectations for all students. consistency when teachers and staff respond to students because we're all on the same page. We all feel comfortable redirecting students when they're not doing what they're supposed to be doing in the hallways or in common areas or we can compliment them on that. It looks like progress, not only progress in our behaviors, but also progress in our instruction. Because when the teachers are not having to spend so much time redirecting behaviors, they can spend more time doing instruction. And then community. We are all in this together and we are working as a community to make our school a better place. Other things we have put into place, we do student handbook and bus behavior assemblies at the beginning of the year where we meet with each grade level
049and um talk about our expectations. We send home behavior contracts to the families. The behavior contracts are essentially the same thing that's in the student handbook. We just want to make sure that the students and the parents are aware what's in the student handbook. We also um had teacher input and we have done professional development to support reoccurring issues. So we noticed after the first um four weeks of school that everyone across the board was having chatty classes. So, um, we had professional development on how to take care of the chatty class. And that was actually the teachers were teaching the teachers because we asked for them to, um, input information into a Padlet, which is an interactive program where they could put in what they have used in their classrooms that's been successful when
050handling a chatty class. We have mentor teachers and an instructional coach who support where needed. So some teachers may need a little more support with classroom management and they uh come in and help those teachers. And then also our parents are our team members. We include them whenever we have to address discipline. We call them and we always call a parent after we've had to address a situation. So data comparison between last year and this year to yesterday's date. I did this to yesterday. So the blue um column is or bar is last year. The number of incidents in 2024 are blue. And so if you'll notice, behaviors that impede academic progress is much larger than what it is this year for 2025, which is the red. Behaviors that endanger self and others and behaviors
051of safety concern as well as those of related to school operations. So those are close to the same and one of them even exceeds. I will let you know that those behaviors are repeat offenders. They're students who repeatedly we're having to address. And also um 25 of the behaviors of safety concern are bus referrals for this year. And then the last one, our relationship behaviors has decreased tremendously as well. So, as you can see, we are seeing a significant change in behaviors in the building with our discipline initiative. So, this slide shows repeat offenders. So, in 2025, we had two students that had seven offenses each. If you'll notice, last year, we had two students that had 18. That was from the beginning of the year until yesterday. that was just in that short period
052of time. So, not only are we seeing a decrease, you know, with the student body at large, we are also seeing a decrease in the students who have had repeated offend offenses in the past. Um, the top row is actually the same student from last year to this year. This is just a comparison across the grade levels. And then the I I put this slide in here. This is my whole staff. This is a team effort. It doesn't happen because of us three. It happens because of everybody in that picture. And it wouldn't have happened if we didn't have everybody on board. Everybody had to have buy in and everybody had to be doing it and that's why we're having success in the building. Thank you. Do you have any questions? I just want to
053commend you commanding that's a great idea that you guys did this and I'm so glad that all the teachers are kind of buying into this. Um so it'll be really interesting to see you know at the end of the year um see all the numbers and is this something that we have at any of the other elementary schools or is this just >> Yes, other elementary schools have common um >> expectations in hallways and in the classrooms and things. Um but I will This is the first time that I know of that they've had a teacher group come in to create those things. A lot of times the administrators create them and give them to the teachers. >> Okay. So, and I'm assuming that the administration has been supportive of what you guys are doing
054or >> correct. But I mean it was their input and I think that is why we have buyin is because the teachers had input. >> That's great. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Great job. >> Thank you. >> The key was what she said, the buy in and the consistency. Dawson, great job. >> Thank you. >> You know, I think uh something that people don't do very often is try to create some way of measuring success and u we like to use numbers. We like to use data. It's not always available, but you've done a very heroic job here of trying to figure out the instructional time lost because that means something to an academic. It means something to parents. and it means something to teachers. Um, it's hard to get to those numbers, but
055sometimes you just have to, as you probably know from having done this, you have to just take take a swag at what you think a baseline would be and work and see how and then just see where numbers go based on that. So, it's just getting getting started and laying that standard out there for yourselves. if you have to re-calibrate recali calibrate but uh it's that first step toward taking that kind of I won't say it's not all data but it it's trying to make something that's subjective and something that's objective and that's something that people who are going to evaluate kind of look at so anyway I that's that's a tough one to take on but I was glad to see that that there so thank you >> thank you thank you Uh we
056Chad's coming up already. So, welcome. So, uh one one of our school board members has requested um that we have a discussion and hear from your staff, Dr. Shepard, about uh school colors on athletic uniforms. So, you're going to one one of the tips is going to make us smart about this, right? Well, you stole my thunder. So, one of the school board members have asked that we discuss at our upcoming work session the consistency and use of school colors on uniforms that are purchased when we buy new uniforms, when we replace new uniforms. I've been working with the athletic directors to collect information on uniforms from the middle school and high school. So, if there's any questions that you have that you want to discuss at the October 27th meeting, please reach out to
057me. I'll be more than happy to get those answered for you to have a nice rich discussion on those uniforms when you have that on the 27th. >> Any questions at the moment? >> Okay. I'm sure you'll get some input from schoolboard members before then, so that'll be good. >> Thank you, Chad. Appreciate it. and in like manner uh we have um requested a discussion of the dress code. Um Dr. Shepard, >> thank you. So a school board member requested to discuss the dress code in the student code of conduct including the consideration of ears and tails um the prohibition of of students wearing ears and tails. So, um the current dress code authorizes school administrators to make adjustments for disruptions or unsafe attire with discretion given to each school's leadership team. Uh items currently
058prohibited include hats, hoods, full face coverings except for religious or medical reasons, sunglasses indoors, safe um unsafe accessories, and so on and so forth. So, at the October 27th meeting, we will be discussing some additional um clothing that we may want to prohibit our students from wearing. Dr. Mr. Shepard, do you want to bring us up to speed on where we where we're going to be going with our major capital projects? >> Absolutely. So, the school infrastructure planning committee um comprised of two school board members, the two school uh board of supervisors, the county administrator, and myself held its first meeting um August the 28th. The purpose of the committee was to review and prioritize the school division's major capital needs and begin identifying long-term strategies for addressing these needs. So, at the schoolboard work
059session on October the 27th, um schoolboard members will have an opportunity to discuss the major capital projects that we've highlighted um during the committee meeting with particular focus on elementary facilities and career and technical education facilities. So, um at the October 27th meeting, we will have a hopefully a rich discussion on on how the school board wants to move forward with major capital um projects. Thank you for that. And our finalformational agenda item on the material of the library material selection. >> Uh Dr. Shepard. >> Yes. In September, the librarians developed a draft list of new books proposed for purchase and provided the list of the principles and the assistant superintendent for for instruction for review. On September 16th, a book list was placed on the division website for um parental review, parental and community
060review. The final approved library material lists were presented to the school board this evening and recommendation is for the school board to approve the list on November the 13th and the lists are attached for your information. >> Thank you. Any questions from the board? Uh we only have one action item this evening and that's uh our personnel. Uh so do I have a recommendation to approve the personal list personnel list as it was presented? >> Move to approve the personnel list as presented. >> Thank you, Mr. Rickert. A second. >> Second by Mr. Street. Um, all those in favor of accepting the personnel list as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? None opposed. 6 passes. >> Dr. Shepard, are you ready to give us some interesting reports? >> Yes. So,
061I'm excited to report that based on preliminary results, Strawsburg High School, Central High School, and Stonewall Jackson High School are expected to receive the highest rating of distinguished in the Virginia Department of Education's new uh school performance and and support framework. Also, all three of our elementary schools along with several of our middle schools and high schools participated in the Crunch Herd round the Commonwealth this morning at 10:00 a.m. Students across Virginia took a bite out of a locally grown apple to celebrate Virginia Farm to school week. Also, both uh Strawsburg and Central High School were selected as winners of the T-Mobile Friday Night Lights 5G contest in September. and both um schools will receive $5,000. This is Central's first time to receive that award and um it's Charles Strawsburg's second time for winning the
062contest. Uh we had over uh 70 colleges, military branches, and businesses in attendance for our annual college and career military fair hosted at Central High School. This event is always a great opportunity for our seniors to ask questions, get information, and talk directly with reps about their future plans. We would like to congratulate Stonewall Jackson High School senior Darren Kibler on winning the state small engines competition at the Virginia State Fair. And then finally, um both Strawsburg and Stonewall Jackson golf teams will be playing in the state tournament next weekend after finishing first and second at the regional 2B tournament. Uh Strawsburg finished as region 2B team champs with a team score of 328 and Stonewall placed second with a team score of three 343. General senior Jackson Sailor was the individual championship with a
063score of 76. So congratulations to our our golf teams. >> Do do we have any uh idea how many of the high schools actually attain the distinguished level? >> Not yet. We will. >> We will. So, it interesting to see how >> we how we fare. >> Yeah. >> Good. Okay. >> All good news. Thank you. I believe this is the earliest we've ever gotten to school board member comments. >> Oh, we're not done yet. >> No, no, we're not. I know. I know. Okay. But we're going to move into that realm anyway. So, okay. Um, we're we're ready for comments. So, um, I'm looking at you, Mike. You usually kick. >> You always look at me first. I don't know why. >> Because you always do it first. So, okay. I'm serious. So, anybody
064else want to go for it, Mike? >> Um, I first I gotta send a huge shout out to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Strawlesburg High School. Uh last Friday night they had their fields of faith and to be there uh was nothing less than inspirational to hear some of our students, our staff members get up and speak and give testimony uh about their walk with Jesus. And by the end of the night, there were six students there that actually got baptized on the on the football field. It was quite a sight to see. Um I encourage you guys to take part in that. They also had uh prayer at the poll at all three schools earlier in that week. And uh while I made the elementary school, I was a little late getting over
065to the middle school, but to see the number of kids at all three schools in participation was just inspirational. And uh I thank all the staff that are involved in all that. Um it's great to see And uh thank you to our teachers and schoolboard office employees. Everybody seems to be doing a great job. Haven't heard many complaints this year. Um thank you. >> Thank you, Mike. uh my sincere congratulations to the high schools for their distinguished rating and also to the uh to the middle schools for being on track. And I did notice also um in terms of data the improvement in some of the schools attendance ratings which shows that good things are happening. Uh looking back, um it's been nearly a year since I hopped on board here and I was discussing
066at the uh uh banquet Saturday with someone about going to the clerk's office and taking the oath and then coming over here and was promptly greeted and welcomed by different folks. And uh I think Mrs. Jet will remember homework, more homework, and even more homework. And thank goodness we were able to get through that. But it's not surprising because clerk uh clerk Jet has a motto that's a tagline on all of her emails. Our duty is not to see through one another, but to see one another through. which then ties into number three because our clerk to the school board has a birthday day after tomorrow. So, happy birthday. And I know everyone in the room and outside of the room joins in wishing you a very happy birthday. >> You're welcome. >> We won't
067sing. >> Um yeah, we won't be singing, so don't worry about it. Um I uh first thing I wanted to say was uh we did have our mental health task force uh meeting last week and we had life enrichment services and strengthening Shannondoa giving some reports. Um looking forward I think in the November we may have the students coming over and that's always a great time to hear from the students middle school and high school students to uh kind of share with us some other concerns. So I'm really looking forward to that. Um I also wanted I was blessed to also go to the fields of faith uh with Mr. Rickert and it was really a great event. Um it was interesting that many of the students who got baptized mentioned that they got saved
068at the September 12th football game which must have been a great game because several of them did get saved. Um but like I said it was a great night and um it would be great if we could see that in other schools as well. right now is just uh Strawberry, but it would be great to see if we could have um Central and maybe um Stone Jackson also do that as well. I know there were there was a representative there from the FCA uh that was giving out some information and uh promised that they do need some funding and some help because right now uh the person was in charge has a whole area the Shannondoa Valley all the way down to uh Bridge uh Bridgewater College I think. So they have a lot of
069schools and a lot of colleges in there. Um but also uh I did get a chance to go to the bike banquet and that was great. Uh they chose a bigger venue this year and it seemed like they filled it up just as well. Um it is amazing to hear the numbers of the students 246. I believe last year it was like 140 something, right? I mean so we have like at least 100 students more. So I'm I'm happy to see that and I I pray that it will continue to um to grow because I have I have met some of these kids at the end of the year and how happy they are that they've done this. So I I know it's a big influence. So I love kids. So um that's all I
070have to say. Again, thank you for everything and thank you for the teachers from Ashley. That's an amazing um job that you guys are doing. I'm so glad to see the teachers actually taking the reigns and you know you guys know a lot better than us what is needed in the schools. So glad to see that. Thank you. Sure. Um anyway, I just want to comment congratulations to the 4ers that were here earlier starting off and uh their experiences and it's um I'm sure they've had great experiences and definitely support them and and especially the opportunity and participation at the county fair. Um also glad to see uh m Mr. Pastor Bowers here this evening with um to hear from them and definitely support them in all they do. And I was unfortunately I was
071not able to attend their uh banquet this past Saturday because of a a wedding. But anyway, um I'm sure it went great. Uh I want to thank Ashby Lee for being here and the report that you all gave, the behavior report. Um I am a big advocate for student behavior and that was very interesting. Uh especially the the total time lost in the classroom. Uh when you equivalate that to days, um that's an eye openener. So, I thank you for doing that and um it'd be very interesting to see how that continues on and and hopefully that continues to get better. So, thank you and for what you're doing down there with the behavior is issues. Um congratulations to all three of the high schools. Like, uh LV pointed out earlier, they're extinguished ratings and
072and the middle school and and continuation of them doing a good job at the three high schools. Um, other than that, uh, Larry, if you need help on that homework there, just give me a call. Be glad to help you out. Um, >> thank you very much. >> As long as it's not long via email. >> I'm sure Dr. Shepard could attest to this, right? And happy birthday, >> Cheryl. Happy birthday. Thank you for all you do. >> Congratulations to the high schools. um when they were talking about the discipline, you mentioned this uh behavior contract and I'm sitting here thinking, you know, how can we make this a legally binding document? How how beneficial would that be? Um but like Mr. Street said, I think we're all strong advocates for um you know, an
073emphasis on student behaviors and trying to, you know, limit the distractions for them and our staff. So, appreciate you all leading the charge there. Um, and other than that, you know, it's hard to believe, but counting down the last few months of uh of our time here, it's it's hard to believe it's been four years, but we're we're pushing ahead. And I think moving forward, a lot of good things to happen with the school division um as we move into the end of the calendar year. So, we're looking forward to that. And also, a happy early birthday to Cheryl for keeping us all straight up here. Thank you. Um yeah, for Ashb Lee, I I I also want to thank you again. I think um one of the subplots of of what you've done is
074um the whole idea of contract because that's pretty much kind of what America is all about is contracts and uh making sure that their contractual obligations are fulfilled and sense of responsibility, individual freedom and innovation and doing that. And so I think that kind of uh the kind of expectations of fulfilling something like that is good to to inculcate early. So I think that's that's a good part of it. Uh I saw recently I think it was a couple days ago. Forom uh form university has just done a a long study. They've spent three or four years u they they've gone to I think 3,000 different school boards across country gathered all kind of information. And lo and behold, it turns out that the schools that are doing better academically uh are the ones that
075have uh develop consistent discipline standards and uh raised academic expectations at the exclusion of teaching political points of view. Surprise, surprise. But uh it's out there and uh I hope I hope people pay attention to that. The last thing I I want to say is uh last year uh most of us on the board um attended the uh schoolboard member alliance symposium. Uh I think it was in it was in December. It was in December >> and um and I've got Did you got here? I'm sorry. Pass it down. Where did you Gloria? >> Mhm. >> Um so uh this is occurring this year November 14th and 15th. That's a Friday and Saturday. And uh I want to um remind those on the board that uh at this Glenn Allen, Virginia, by the way, is
076not that far away. It's um a sub northern suburb of Richmond. But uh last year um Governor Yncan dropped in and talked to us and he was I think everybody was there would agree was visibly moved at uh at teachers, educators, board members actually supporting what he was trying to do and uh Mayaris was there and um we had a a a keystone address given by um Secretary of Education Amy meera and she's going to reprise that again this year and what I wanted to do I I've given given you the um straw man of the two-day conference is great stuff here uh and uh one would be well advised to just go there and learn all you can from these panels these are experts from around the country who come in and in two
077or three person groups just uh are are very learned and they're willing to share and open up on on how we can u take some of these issues and some of these concepts and challenges and u one thing I I've asked is that um uh Secretary Gdera actually speak to the to the concept of SOS and cut scores and how we're going to handle that. So uh I specifically asked that she address that that issue. Um so um the reason I'm mentioning this now is um that tomorrow is the last day to get um early bird registration and we want to save our county as much money as we can. So if if you can go uh it's a it's a good uh Cheryl does her usual wonderful job of arranging for rooms and taking
078care of all the scut work. Thank you. And uh so if you can uh if you can look at your calendar and figure way clear to be there if not for all day Friday, Saturday, maybe just Saturday come up, you know, Friday night. But it's um it's it's well worth attending and uh we're still working on fleshing out some of the some of the u panels. So, if there's a a topic you'd like to see brought up or somebody from Richmond or even Linda McMahon's office in DC, um Shelley Norton is great at being able to get people there. So, um I'm I'm betting it's going to be a good networking as well as a u as a good um information gathering event. So um and uh I'm also told that uh if anybody who
079wants to join the organization I think almost all of us are um the u any joining now will carry on and and carry on in next year's um dues uh which are which are not nearly as much as the other uh organizations. So, um, if you if you can make it good. If not, we'll bring back um whatever materials and slides and so forth from that. But, uh, Mike, just wanted to re add on to what you were saying. It is open to school board member candidates that are members of SBMA as well. My first year I went, I was a candidate. Um, second, what you said, Shelley does a heck of a job of putting that together and it's a wealth of information every year. Yeah. Yeah. It's well worth worth attending. Um with
080that, um I'm going to ask for uh motion to adjurnn. >> Move to adjurnn. >> Thank you, Mr. Gutshaw. Second, >> Mr. Rickard. All in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> We are adjourned at 7:35.