001February 12th, 2026 of the Bedford County School Board to order. Ms. Johnson. Mr. Daniels. >> take roll. Thank you. Mr. Daniels, Dr. Kiba. Here. Ms. Dobson. Here. Mr. Hill. Here. Excuse me, Mr. Holbrook. Here. Mr. Collins, Mrs. Harris. Here. Mr. Vice Chair, you have a quorum. Excuse me, you have a quorum. Thank you. I I have a motion for approval of tonight's agenda. So moved. Hagler, do I have a second? >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> From Jewel. Mr. Dobson. All in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. You all join me in the pledge of allegiance. >> [clears throat] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You all join
002me in a moment of silence. All right, thank you. All right, staff reports, 2.01. Superintendent Ferrar. Good evening. Welcome [clears throat] to February 2026 student superintendent's report. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the Bedford County Public School Board members, as this February is School Board Appreciation Month. Thank you for your time, commitment, contributions to Bedford County Public Schools. You are appreciated. And some you have I have them. Some you have certificates coming tonight. Oh, I don't think they're in any particular order. >> No, I'm sure they're not. >> [laughter] >> You. >> [clears throat] >> You. Thank you, sir. Sir. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Tonight I want to talk about the >> [clears throat] >> three things that we go through. As you know, we've had a unique um winter [clears
003throat] the last couple of uh weeks. So, I want to go over a little bit of how we make decisions and um it really falls into three categories as we see and interact with parents and emails um with their concerns. The past 8 weeks of the current calendar year has has brought Bedford County Schools um into a a time period where there were 12 days collectively in December and January that we were out of school some portion or a late start. Um what I want to do tonight is kind of address those three questions. >> [clears throat] >> Um I don't know about you, but I've probably heard this comment more than I've only been here 3 years, but I've heard this comment more in the last 2 weeks than I've ever heard. And that
004is the comment that the winter ice, snow is not you is not in the normal Bedford. And uh >> [clears throat] >> I I don't know what your roads look like tonight, but I still have berms of ice. Um I can now see my driveway and get to my mailbox. Um just for the record, I'd like to say that um we spend a lot of time going into how we get to those decisions to start late or to close or even to open school. And so, I just want to give you a little background on three questions. Um [snorts] Our first and foremost priority is the safety and the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. The second concern is how this time out of school might affect the volume of meaningful student engagement. And
005the third concern is a question of how will these days out of school affect our school division's projected attendance requirements for the school year. So, question one, how are decisions made regarding school closures, 2-hour delays, and or reopening of schools, and how is it implemented in consideration of safety and well-being of our students? When inclement weather is identified, we go into consultation um with the Bedford County Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and we utilize um the services of the National Weather Service and the National Oceanographic and as as Atmospheric Administration, better known as NOAA. Uh and we follow the projections that they give us, and also um it's pretty detailed. I know Dr. Cornett was pretty excited this week. He got an app that literally um he can he can see road temperatures
006and those kinds of things. So, for a guy who has lived this as the initial contact, I would like to say publicly, thank you for the time um because I know there are some nights, 4:00 in the morning or earlier, he's been up in consultation with these groups. And so, um it is some it is a process that we've gone through um and quite often and occasionally daily. Um but um we follow the advice of them because if you did not follow the advice of the what are considered the experts or the authorities, then it would put you in a precarious situation. When the governor recommends a state of emergency, we obviously follow that. There are some things that we get [clears throat] back on how days are returned, and um so, we want to
007make sure that we follow those as well. Um >> [clears throat] >> we are constantly looking at the safety of our students, whether it be during daytime activity or uh activities after school. I would say I'd also like to thank the bus drivers and and Jeff Lee, our supervisor. There were days where we had the buses go out and drive their routes just to see if the buses could get down their snow routes, and so that gave us more input into how uh we manage this these daily crisis. The second question is, how does school closures affect our students' opportunity for academic engagement, and should we consider initiating our virtual planning learning plan? Um presently, we steer away from the virtual school plan because we do not see it as an option to maximize meaningful
008academic engagement between our faculty and students. Should we come to the determination to initiate the BCPS virtual learning plan, which was used during COVID, we would um have teachers on site, as we have discussed in the in emails, to ensure that the students receive meaningful instruction on a day-to-day basis. At that time, we would also have to initiate requirements that are mandated by VDOE that would involve the availability of special ed services, counseling [clears throat] services, and nutritional services. Um the BCPS executive team feels very strongly that our kids gain more from the instruction given during face-to-face time than virtual time, because quite often, we've all experienced it in COVID. We all we've all seen or been participants of programs where kids only would get an hour or two attention a day, and we just
009do not feel that uh bodes well for our kids. So, we're less concerned about virtual minutes and more concerned about meaningful in-school learning minutes. The third question is, how do canceled school days affect our division's projected attendance goals for a school year? The Virginia Department of Education outlines two options, and I I know most of you have heard this, but it's days of learning versus hours of learning. And and it's found in in Code of Virginia Title 22.1 under education. It's also known as 22.1-98. This The policy states that, and quote unquote, I'll give you the quote. >> [snorts] >> The length of every school's term in every school division shall be at least 180 teaching days or 990 teaching hours in any school year. Bedford County schools uses the 990 hour option for building
010the yearly school calendar. 990 hours calculated against the 180 days means that we would send our kids to a minimal to school for 5 and 1/2 hours. These [clears throat] minutes accrue all year. And in in many day in in in any days um, that we give back as we have in the kind of issuing back of of originally January 5th, I believe it was, and February 9th, and then a date in March, would also give us hours back to that. So, in short, we bank more academic hours than we need, thus negating the need for virtual school during a declared emergency. Um, the state says you have to have a minimum of 5 and 1/2. If you look at our schedules, we go 6 and 1/2 to 7 hours at different grade levels. So,
011those hours are banked back. Um, the biggest concern as we go into this process of course is how does this affect How would this in the spring affect our spring breaker? Those things. And what this gives us the ability to do is if if we are and correct me if we might be how many hours over 990 right now? 200? You're asking me to do some calculations >> hard to say. I won't. on the spot. I won't. I got plenty of time. I'm looking at my spreadsheet. >> Um, I won't. Don't worry. I got it all in here. The we have ample time banked. And um, I guess I was just looking for you to say we do have ample time banked. I know you have You have ample time. We do have ample time
012banked because we've given 3 days back to the students. Um, and so at this point there is no concern. We've heard this We've heard this concern. Are you going to say if if it were to continue or would you take away a day in spring breaker would or would you extend the school day school year? No, not at this point. We have enough hours banked where we very comfortably can say that we're those should not be a scenario. At the same time, we don't control the weather. And if anybody in here can tell me winter's over, um, I I'm 100% behind you. Um, we think it's over. Um, but we the process that we've gone through is assures that our kids are in school more hours a day than the state requires. That's the key.
013And when we can get our kids in the classroom, the amount of learning is drastically better than virtual. And I think a lot of us that have been through COVID understand that. And so, uh, that's how we get those calculations. Um, in closing, um, I would like to publicly thank the school board tonight for our first attempt at a work session. Um, my goal in presenting a work session was to get everyone in the room at one time to have the discussion so everything is first hand. And I would like to also thank uh, Mr. Hagler for an incredible job of putting all that information together, Dr. Woodford and Dr. Calvert for their parts of that. Um, I hope that we can continue this and really fully understand what all of the aspects of running
014a school division are. I think this sets us up very well for going into um, the budget season and having that discussion and understanding uh, where we are and what needs to be done. So, I want to publicly thank everybody that was involved in that. Um, I I think it was very productive. Um, I really um, will communicate in the in the near future about what our next uh, workshop or work session would look like. So, I'm going to say you can give me ideas and emails and and we'll generate those through the executive. So, we want to keep this as a working viable way to communicate with the board. And so, I appreciate everything you guys contributed today. Uh, and um, I hope that we continue that. That concludes my report. Very good. All
015right. 2.0 two strategic framework. Calvert. Let me make sure this works. >> [clears throat] >> I'm not the best at clicking, really, so if you see it not in the right place, tell me. All right. Good evening. Uh, tonight I would like to provide you with strategic framework update on goal number three, um, high quality workforce. Just a reminder, our strategic framework is built on the vision, building citizens, promoting success. BCPS, our core values focus on students and challenge students to reach their personal goals every day. As I said, tonight's presentation will focus on goal number three, high quality workforce. Bedford County schools will create an exemplary workforce by recruiting, supporting, compensating, and retaining high quality employees. The update tonight will be specificity specifically targeting strategy number one. And that is BCPS will recruit qualified
016candidates, prioritize compensation, cultivate a positive climate, support and retain current staff so that BCPS transforms into the employer and community of [clears throat] choice for Central Virginia, promoting positive outcomes for student achievement. So, with that, we have some action steps. Continuously improve salaries to remain competitive in the region, state, job market. We're going to go into that in a little bit of detail here in a moment. Enhance recruitment process to contract early and attract a highly qualified pool of applicants. Implement processes that enhance employee voice, facilitate a professional atmosphere, promote a healthy work environment, and support employees to expand knowledge and career opportunities within BCPS. So, just to tell you a few things that we do on bullet two, three, and four. We have partnerships with multiple colleges and universities for student teacher and internship
017placements. We try to take as many placements as are offered to us. Um, we believe that if students have the opportunity to see Bedford County, they will want to work in Bedford County. Um, Ms. Simmons, along with BCPS admin and staff, attends several job fairs, um, to make sure they contract early and get people hired as soon as we know a position is available. To promote a healthy work environment, we monitor reasons why people are leaving both on an exit survey and on the state position and exit control report. We recognize our employees and we promote recognition at the school level. Bedford best, social media postings, school employee of the month. Each school has a site-based onboarding team to support new hires in addition to the new teacher support program facilitated by Dr. Wease. Um,
018we have monthly substitute orientation and onboarding to increase the number of active substitute teachers that we have. Um, we additionally have many partnerships and programs for employees to obtain their teaching certifications. Just to name a few examples, we have an I Teach program that allows prospective employees with degrees to take an online program that's affordable, which usually allows them to be certified within 1 year. This program also provides assistance in preparation for candidates to be successful on their certification testing. Uh, we work with James Madison University in programs that allow paraprofessionals to become elementary or special education teachers. We work with Liberty University on an early child heart early college program, teacher certification as well as master's and specialist programs. Um, we try to provide employees with multiple ways if they're interested in becoming certified
019teachers that they're able to do that. So, what are our indicators of success? So, our indicators of success are 90% or greater retention rate for instructional staff, 85% or greater retention rate for classified staff, 95% of teachers will hold appropriate licensure and endorsement, vacancies will be filled at a 95% or higher by the first teacher contract day, early career teachers, that is between zero and five attrition, remain at or below below 35 teachers per year or 5%, and then BCPS maintains compensation at or above the regional median. So, how are we doing? We have retained this year 90% of our teachers, which was a 6% improvement over 23-24 and a 7.5% improvement over 21-22, which when it was as low as 82.5. 95.46 of our teachers are licensed and endorsed as indicated on the iPad,
020which is the instructional personnel and licensure report. Now, this report we it's a very good score. This report is it analyzes every section that is taught. And if you think about high school teacher, every elective section, every science section, they match that section to the teacher's licensure. So, for example, if you are a biology and chemistry certified teacher, and you may have two sections of biology and two sections of chemistry and one section of earth science. You're not certified for earth science, so then we get a gig in that area. A lot of times we're waiting on people to become certified. So, we have some that are kind of in the pipeline that have submitted, but the state hasn't accepted it yet, and they're waiting on their license number, so they kind of show up
021as gigs as well. And then we have some people that are getting additional endorsements, like if someone wants to teach journalism, and you have to have an English endorsement, and they may be certified in another subject. So, we take um we take gigs in those areas, and in some of those areas, like if a teacher was teaching journalism one, two, and three in the same class, you would get three gigs. Um so, as you can see, 95.46 is a very good score on that. Um Additionally, we reduced from 66 teachers last year leaving in zero to five years experience to 35 leaving this year, meeting our goal. >> [clears throat] >> And for the last several years, 99% of our vacancies have been filled by the first day of the teacher contract, or the first
022day the teachers come. Um Where we're falling short is the two red areas. Uh 80% of classified staff retentions, so we're falling short of our 85% mark. Um we have [laughter] improved 9.7% since 21-22, but more improvement is needed. Uh when you dig down into this data, the retention rate is the lowest for nutrition, paraprofessionals, and custodians. And [clears throat] that >> [snorts] >> the lowest nutrition retention rate actually exactly correlate to the employees' hourly rate. Um some of our lowest paid employees, custodians starting at 13.50, >> [snorts] >> um paraprofessionals depending on their certification between 14 and 16.25, and um nutrition 13.50, um have [clears throat] the highest retention highest um turnover rate. So, an increase to $15 minimum rate an hour would be a starting place. As you can see on the bottom
023there, where we really fail is teacher salary. We have now dropped to 17th in the region. [clears throat] The This chart compares teacher salaries in the state in the state of Virginia and the region. As you can see, we dropped from 107 out of 131 to 111. And we dropped from 16th in the region to 17th. Last year, we were ranked 94 for teacher salaries at 15 years experience and 100 in teacher salaries at 30 years experience. As you can see, we have dropped in every category. Why has this happened? We have not given the same amount of raises as our neighboring school divisions. The chart lists the five-year salary increase for the schools we compete with for teacher candidates. Bedford is last on the list. To raise BCPS rankings and become an employer of
024choice, we need to increase salaries more than our competitors. This means if the budget season offers a 2%, we at least double or triple that amount. Additionally, it's important to remember that while teacher salaries are one of the lowest in the state, BCPS continues to increase in student achievement. It's important to recognize our teachers um and the work of many others within the division, to work together to make BCPS students some of the highest achievers in the state. And my last slide, the slide compares BCPS BCPS employee pay increases, which include step and cola to inflation. The source for this calculation of inflation from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2025 was the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. As you can see, inflation increase was 25.81, employee raises were 21.82. So, as we move
025into the budget process, we need to remember that our employees are actually making 3.99 or 4% less than they were in 2021. Thank you. Well, so the match this those other schools that gave bigger raises, I mean, they have a lot larger They're more closely aligned with SOQs, standards, right? Or or do you know that? I think they were given I think when we include the step in the cola, Brandy and I think that they may be given the step plus the cola. It's not an internal like we were given 3%, the step is in the cola. Um I I I would add back when when we're set This goes back to setting the money aside for reversion. You look over the last three or four years, we're putting at least of new revenue that
026could come our way. >> 500,000. What? No, 506. Okay. >> Yeah, so 1.1 million. That's 1% [clears throat] each year, so if you go back three or four years, that's 4%. >> Yeah, you go back four years, that's 4%. Maybe that we could have given if if that's where it went instead of something else that maybe other divisions had the opportunity to do. That's that's the impact we're seeing where it's a trickle effect, you're not seeing it at one time. But you know, what I'm saying was the they're they're only hiring what they're getting paid. Um that's harder to tell to see what their staffing. We have a staffing standard, not everybody has that. They just kind of do what they're going to do, and it's kind of like So, we don't know how they're
027how many clerical or how many have more than SOQ. It's hard to tell that. Yeah, I mean, I'm not saying we shouldn't give teachers raises [clears throat] by any means. I'm just saying that maybe, you know, teachers in Bedford County might be be teaching in a smaller class in a definitely different environment where Could be. Could be. And I I don't know if we can get at the data for other divisions in that. Cuz I actually go into our payroll and count, and I don't have access to their data to do that. I got you. Insider. Any other questions? A few. I never just have one. I'm sorry. >> have I'm prepared for your few. >> I wish I could. If you go back to slide, I believe it's seven. Uh where the results {slash}
028next steps slide. Yeah. Um so, looks really good on teacher retention, you know, all those areas were really positive. Um So, my first question, just looking at this this data set, is so we rank very low on on teacher salary. Mhm. Why do we have a high retention rate then? Like it it doesn't In most You have to say in [clears throat] most industries, those are those are correlating factors, you know, salary. So, what is the what is just We have I think we have the best students. Okay. Uh people when we when we post jobs early, we're the choice, and that's probably because we have really good kids. And I also think, talking to new teachers, that the people that work in instruction under Dr. Prosper do a very good job, and Dr. Wease
029do a very good job of professional development, and I've talked Excuse me. And special education. And special education. Um we we I think we go out of our way in all these areas to give the teachers the best understanding of their job. Uh you know, I'll I'll tell the story cuz I just told it to Ms. Purvis. Um I sat in a meeting with superintendents today, and we were talking about budget preparation, and I told them that we were having an information meeting this afternoon to go over all of this because um I didn't say this, but you know, when Chris and I were talking about doing this, Mr. Daniels and I were talking about doing this, he he said, "I think I understand it, but I I think we all need a refresher occasionally,
030because it is really complex." And so, I didn't say that today, but I did say today that we're going to try to give a a good synopsis of what it looks like to understand that, and from the board perspective and an executive perspective and even you know people watching from a public perspective. And he said may I join your meeting today? And I said well it will be strained. And he said well I am a school district and and he said a hundred and I had to you know catch myself. Um and his staff probably is probably a quarter of this room. How would he go to those teachers and do instructional or how would he give special ed the the real time they need. So to me I think it's it's the people sitting
031across the street. It's the people under Dr. Woodford. It's the people that and and again they meet all the time and they're today I went to JF this morning and and one of the instructional people were getting out of the car going into a leadership meeting at JF. They're in the schools. A lot of the districts don't have that. And so when a teacher from a neighboring South county says to me I took a pay cut after all these years and she wasn't young. I take a pay cut because I understand and now I know it was like six months into the school year. I now know why people want to teach here because they care about you as teacher. And I think that's huge. Hugely important. And and I don't want to I don't
032want to forget you know Mr. Tucker over there either. Um with all the work he does with the nurses and the counselors and we're ahead of everybody else in these fields. Yeah they they are very well supported. I mean we we take out the student teachers to lunch. We make sure they're okay. We make we answer all their questions. We you know even with them >> [clears throat] >> we we kind of go the extra mile to make sure they're taken care of. I got a >> So they're well supported and then they want to choose you know to come back. >> got a note from a principal today who could not believe that after a principal's meeting and an appreciation we took them to lunch. I've never had that in my circles before. You
033guys actually care about us. I think that's what makes Bedford uniquely different. At least in the Southwest. We're just broke. We're [laughter] just broke. Sorry. >> [cough] >> You can't have your cake and eat it. You got to have some more love here. We've got to figure out we've [laughter] got to figure out how to un-broke it. Yeah. And you know we can't I think you know one of the things that Mr. Hagler used there was three options. We can't ignore things. So we've got to address them and Mr. Hill's right. We got to address these things now and we got to think about how we're doing this. So you know when you see my budget you're going to see a stuff on there that's going to be you know it's it's going to be
034things that we need to address that she's addressing tonight. >> [snorts] >> But if we don't have that conversation how do how does the public know why we're here and how we got here. That's just my take on it. You know it's it it I'm I've been impressed every single day with what sits in that building across there and what sits in the executive. >> [snorts] >> My next question is it possible >> [clears throat] >> is it possible for us to juxtapose the standards in which you guys have set to allow this to be a place where teachers want to stay and increase their salary at the same time. Like is that a feasible thing or we're going to have to choose one of the other. Is it one of the things where hey
035Depends on how much money we're given. So it really comes down to the the the funds that we're getting. So with our current [clears throat] budget is that going to be a struggle to if we increase salary are we going to have to decrease some of the stuff that makes us a a um a place that people want to want to work. [snorts] It's quite possible. I It's what I >> [clears throat] >> the the picture I painted earlier um without increased funding to um take care of the maintenance reserve and catch up on the salaries um if you want to give salary increases other things will erode. Yeah. That that's my opinion. >> Yeah. I can't guarantee that with state and other local funding but if there's not an influx of additional funding um
036some some of these things that have made us exceptional will will start to erode. Yes sir. Yeah. I think the number that sticks in my mind was from presentations last year and that was to get us up one point in the rankings we would have to increase salaries 7%. Right? And that was a huge jump in salary for a little jump in standing. And Is every percent equal to 1.3 million? I would say um the step in our in our salary thing I I'd say right now a percent change for staff between 900 and a million dollars all in. Yes. So you know those numbers like okay well [clears throat] where in the world's that going to come from? Well unless there's a big influx or a big reduction on the other side right? It's
037not going to happen. So then we're talking about school closings or we're talking about more funding either from the state or from from our board supervisors. Yeah. Um for the classified staff do we know where we rank as far as regionally in that or is it just the number of teachers? >> Um we would know [clears throat] um I know for example from looking I can tell like other divisions have higher minimums than we do. Like Roanoke it's I think one Roanoke it's either the city or the county's 1550 and the other one's maybe 1650 as a minimum. Um and then some are like us it's 1350 but that's basically all I can tell is like they're starting from their salary scales. Um they don't they don't do the kind of data collections on because
038there's so many different jobs I guess. They don't do those data collections to give us that data. If and this might be a a question for you Mr. Hagler if we were and I don't expect you to have the answer right now. If one of the things that I heard a lot from my constituents was wanting to focus on raising the salary for paraprofessionals. Um that that was a a big push that I in meetings I've had and in listening sessions that was a big push. What would be let's say we rose them up to $15 an hour or $16 an hour minimum. What would that cost? Um I'm watching that because of bills that are coming out and we're going to have to get [clears throat] the 15 minimum wage here soon. I think
03920 January 27 or 20 I can't remember. I think it goes up in 27 to a certain amount and then I got to be at 15 and 20. >> think it's 2025 and then 2028. So we're going to have to get up there anyway so the classifications that have like one through steps one through five or something like that that are in that category are really custodians and nutrition workers. Um I think only step one is below that for age right now so they're pretty close to that. Where we're going to have to make some adjustments is starting custodian salary and also nutrition. That's where we're the lowest and we're below that threshold. So we're going to have to adjust upwards um in the coming years. Which will either cause compression. And the way in
040the way you can adjust one way is the cheap way you bring everybody up to what you have to legally and all the steps below that don't exist anymore. Or you shift the whole scale which costs more because everybody gets an increase all the way through step 30. So what that's probably the proper way but that costs a lot more because then all of a sudden if you functionally if so if our lowest scale say 1350 now we got to bring it up to 15 all these things go up about 50 per hour across the board so people are going to be functionally getting maybe a 20 25% increase because of that because of the lower salary and stuff rather than the standard three that everybody else gets. So those are difficulties we're going to
041have to address too but they paraprofessionals are pretty near 15 right now. Starting. There's some that start at 14 but they're not many. Right? You know with a with with percentage increase this year if we factor that in it'll be closer. It's not going to be a lot. But we hear that too but we do data comparisons on like where we stand. The last salary study we did was in 2018 and um those cost money to do. Mhm. Okay. Get data from other people whether it's accurate or not it's like you compare you do the best you can. So um So all right that's all right. Thank you. Did that help? Yes absolutely. I just like to make a comment. I know that last year we were talking about trying to retain more of the
042zero to five five year early career teachers. And um it went from 60 60 you say down to 35. That's tremendous. Thank you for doing that. Well it's the whole it's the whole staff working with them instruction the um new teacher support everybody. And and being up on so we can grab people early so that we have the best choices. And I know that a lot of new teachers when they actually get in the classroom they're like, yeah, I don't think I'm going to do this anymore. [laughter] And so just helping them hold them in their hands, okay, it gets better, it gets better. That that's tremendous, tremendous, yeah. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> All right, we're going to move ahead to 4.01, recognition of students and staff. Can we do that in 20
043minutes? Yeah, it won't take that long. Get the >> [clears throat] >> Oh, here. Okay. All right. Good evening, board members. I'm excited to share with you some of the fantastic accomplishments of Bedford County Public School students and staff. We're going to start out with the some Forest Zone celebrations first. What a season that JF Cavalier football had this year. They capped off an incredible year with an 11 and three record, which is the program's most wins in a season since 2015. They brought home the Region 40 championship Excuse [clears throat] me. and advanced to the state semi-finals for the first time in a decade. They also finished as number 10 ranked team in Virginia across all classifications. They had many all district and all all region honorees as well as JT Cruise being the
044all region coach of the year. So congratulations to our players, coaches, and the entire Cavalier community on a historic season. JF also earned the silver recognition on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll advancing from bronze in 2024. This is a testament to the school's continued commitment to student success. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation. Schools earn this honor based on a strong commitment to building a college going culture, expanding opportunities to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. An update to a recognition we celebrated last time with Cavalier Theater and their accomplishments. Shortly after that meeting they went on to compete at the state level and were named the VHSL Class 4 Theater State Champions for and they danced real slow in Jackson.
045A special shout out to Gin Yeager and Chris Kolb who were recognized two of the four state outstanding actors. Oh. There we go. And then recently Jefferson Forest High School students earned top honors at the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing US East Region at Large competition which is one of the nation's most prestigious prestigious programs recognizing creative teams in grades 7 through 12. They're judged on originality, skill, artistic voice with awards including gold, silver, and honorable mention. Gold Key will work and advance to the national level with winners announced in March. We did have one student who won Gold Key and he's the Oceans Vessel which is Sam in the second picture from your left. So he he is in 12th grade at JF and he will go on to compete at the national level.
046All of the other three were honorable mentions >> [clears throat] >> for their artworks as well. So please join us in congratulating these outstanding students on those achievements. >> [applause] >> Next we have the division wide spelling bee which we held recently. We had our winner was Dorian Johnson from Liberty Middle School all the way on the right side of the screen and our runner up was Austin Woodrow from Forest Middle School. >> [clears throat] >> The winning word was cilantro and it sealed an exciting finish to the competition. We also want to celebrate every student who was represent who represented their school either as a champion or an alternate. Each speller should be in credit incredibly proud of their hard work and courage on the big stage. Oh, one too far. We also had
047the Elks Virginia Hoop Shoot winners of 2026. Um this is a local competition that was held in January and we had one we had five winners. We have Ty Willard who was not pictured from Liberty Middle School as well. And then I'm if you've been following our socials you've seen that we have named every single teacher for the 2027 Teacher of the Year in Bedford County Public Schools. We had the top three and we recently announced that Ms. Chris Wingfield [clears throat] is a two-time Bedford County Teacher of the Year winner. She won really early in the 2000s, 2008 I think. Um so she will be our 2027 Teacher of the Year and we're excited to celebrate her and all of the teachers of the year at the annual banquet coming up. To continue teacher
048recognition outside of Bedford County, we have two teachers who earned recognition. We are proud to share that Ms. Cindy Watson of Forest Middle School was named the VA Middle School Science Teacher of the Year. And that honor is only awarded to one middle school teacher in the entire state of Virginia. She deserved this well-deserved recognition at the Virginia Association of Science Teachers Conference in November. Also we have Ms. Allison Burns who was named the Virginia Association of Career and Technical Education 2026 Teacher of the Year. This statewide honor recognizes the very best middle and secondary CTE educators across the Commonwealth who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student success. As a family consumer sciences educator specializing in early childhood education, she brings CTE learning to life through engaging hands-on experiences that prepare students
049for both college and career pathways. And then we don't normally recognize any retirements, but this one's this one's a special one. So we have Rusha Woolridge. She has had an extraordinary 54 years of dedicated service as a crossing guard to Bedford County Public Schools. So over more than five decades she helped keep generations of students safe greeting them each day with care, consistency, and a watchful eye. Her service spanned Bedford Middle, Bedford Primary, and Liberty Middle School where she became a familiar and trusted presence for students, staff, and family. We are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment to our children and our community and we thank her for her lasting impact she made. Another exciting news is Bedford's gym that Bedford Primary's gym finally opened last Friday and the first group of students got to
050run through streamers and and have an exciting day. Um the executive staff went over and and got to see it and it's it's really an exciting space. It gives students so much more room to move, play, and learn and it looks incredible. So huge thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the streamer reality. And then in closing as Mr. DePeralte stated February School Board Appreciation Month. We want to thank the Bedford County School Board for your dedicated service to our students, staff, and community. Your leadership, thoughtful decision making, and commitment to public education help shape the direction of public county schools and ensures our schools remain focused on what matters most, student success. The time, care, and responsibility you give in service to our division does not go unnoticed and we
051are grateful for your continued support. And Vice Chairman, that concludes student recognition. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Let's move on to 6.01. The supplemental appropriations and carryover appropriations and approval of the federal school improvement application. Do all three of those those were all informational last month and are up for approval this month. Supplemental and end of year were informational last month. The approval of the federal improvement application which Dr. Woodford will speak to was not informational last month, but she'll explain why. Okay. So we need to take each of those individually [snorts] is that it? >> Individually, yes sir. So 6.01 supplemental appropriations. Mr. Hagler, I don't think is there anything to add to that from your presentation last month? Uh no sir, that's it. So we just need a motion to approve that.
052>> [clears throat] >> Uh that resolution so that it can be moved over to the Board of Supervisors. Is that correct? So I need a motion to approve that supplemental appropriation. So moved. Mr. Hill, do I have a second? Second. Mr. Hagler or from Mr. Holbrook, excuse me. All in favor of that say I. I. Those opposed. That motion carries. And [snorts] then we have uh What's this next one? The end of year carryover re-appropriation. 6.02. That's the end of year carryover. Uh once again it was presented for information last last board meeting and so that's taking the majority of that fund is for the all in money that was given [clears throat] to us by the state two years ago. That'll be used up this year and the remaining amounts go remaining amounts of
053amount of 162,458.95 going to the maintenance reserve fund for capital projects. Any discussion about that? We have a motion to carry that money over. Mr. Holbrook and the second? Second. Mr. Hill. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. 6.03 Dr. Woodford. So, the division was notified on January the 15th that Stuarts Draft Elementary was identified for funding through school improvement to support their efforts to improve reading and math scores specifically for the subgroup of students with disabilities. This is a federal identification. It's not the state identification. Um, the grant funding began August the 1st. However, because it took the state so long to come out with final um, designations at the state level, which made the federal level come out a little bit later, we were just notified in January. Um,
054the grant has to be approved by the school [clears throat] board um, and it was due last Friday. So, I reached out to the DOE and just said, can we have a little bit more time? We have a board meeting coming up and so they were fine with that. So, that's why this grant is being presented for information and action tonight. Um, it is a one-time funding and it supports their continuous school improvement plan. You'll see that the funding is specific for professional development um, specifically with a school-wide behavior program and part of that behavior program is also to support students with their academics. Um, but that has been identified as an area of need for the school. Um, and it will be done over the summer and the staff will be paid to come
055um, if you approve the grant. It's pretty much guaranteed funding as long as the school board is okay with it. So, I'm just asking for um, approval tonight and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> [snorts] >> How much was it for? Um, we could ask for up to 53,000, but we did not ask for that much. I'm sorry, I should have printed it out. Hold on. It's 21,000. Thank you. About 21,000. It has to be used for just that. That's what it's for. All it can be used for, it has to be used for exactly what was written in here and it has to be spent by the end of the summer. >> [snorts] >> It's pretty quick turnaround all the way around. >> [cough] >> We've [clears throat] had grants like this before
056for other schools, but we've never had to get board approval. This is the first time they've actually asked for board approval, so. Yeah, if um, do you need a consensus or you need a Actually, it needs to be a vote on record for If there's no further discussion, we can put it up for for a motion. Do I have a motion to accept the or to approve the application for uh, these targeted funds? So moved. Mr. Holbrook, I have second. Ms. Purvis. All in favor say I. I. Those opposed? The motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. Do I have to wait till 6:00 to go with our public comment? >> Uh, you you should because that's the advertised time. You can proceed with closed session if you would like. All right, that's fine. Mm. It's
057up to y'all. Uh, consent needs to come after closed session. Ms. Purvis. >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> Our closed session is going to be lengthy this evening, I think. Tucker. You you could take a um, you could call a 5 to 7 minute recess. >> 5 minute break? >> Yeah. Why don't we do that? Take a 5 minute adjournment and we'll come [clears throat] back to our public comment. All right. >> comment. The public comment portion of tonight's agenda is limited to 40 minutes. Speakers are asked to state their name and voting district. The school board is here to listen to your comments, but will not engage or respond to speakers during the 40-minute period. Please remember that this is a public meeting and that we expect all speakers to refrain from any foul, profane,
058abusive, or hateful language during their comments or anytime while in attendance during this meeting. We also ask that speakers keep their remarks objective and about the school in nature. Please keep all comments limited to matters related to the public schools and any comments that are harassing or amount to a personal attack against any identifiable individual, whether board member or staff or student, or having the potential to cause unnecessary delay or disruption to this meeting are prohibited. This is a public meeting for public matters. If a speaker is not present when their name is called, we will proceed with the next name on the list. An individual who has not signed up to speak may not substitute for that time slot. Individuals [snorts] will have 4 minutes to address the board. An alarm will sound when
059an individual has 30 seconds remaining, and a second alarm will sound when the allotted 4 minutes have expired. When the second alarm sounds, please discontinue speaking and allow the next person in line to come to the podium. Should you be unable to finish your comments, please send or give them to Ms. Johnson, and she will give them to the board members. Please do not adjust the microphone at the podium as it has been positioned for optimum audio quality. Our first and only speaker on the agenda tonight is Mac Dewis. Thank you. Um, I'm Mac Dewis, resident of District 3 and former of BCPS parent, uh, and current professor at the University of Lynchburg. And I'm coming to speak to you today to advocate for a simple and important way um, to help decision-making in our
060county. And that is the appointment of student representatives to our school board. Um, students aren't merely recipients of board policies. They're the primary stakeholders who directly experience the impact of every action that the board takes. Um, students' unique perspectives on learning, teaching, and the overall school environment are invaluable, and it's crucial that their insight insights are not only heard, but actively shape their education. We've seen firsthand how students can be powerful advocates on a wide range of issues. It's not really about organizing any national movement, um, but it's about having a voice in local issues. Like, uh, I remember the Bedford students uh, wanted to do when they stood outside this room and yelled, "Let us play." Um, uh, when sports seasons were being halted during the uh, COVID pandemic. Um, as a professor, I
061engage in in some research, and uh, through that process, uh, board members across the state have have told me that students on their boards, um, non-voting, uh, but contributing members, really contribute a lot of valuable information when they consider issues like the calendar, cell phone policies, um, their their their counseling program, um, technology implementation, and a number of other, uh, areas. Um, you of course students are also actively engaged in school governance at their schools, like through student government and other organizations. And through all of those processes, um, it just underscores that students have a vital on-the-ground understanding of what school issues are all about. So, beyond direct policy impact, um, some of my research has shown that student representation on boards significantly improves the functionality and cohesion of school boards. Um, I've conducted a
062study that looked at 68 different school board meetings across 12 different districts. And boards with student representatives showed a significantly higher degree of positive adult-to-adult interactions, and notably zero confrontational exchanges among adult board members. Compared to only 12% positive and four and and 4% confrontational interactions on boards without student representation. Even public comments at meetings with student representatives were observed to be less confrontational. The very presence of students at the table appears to remind everyone of the district's core mission and foster can foster a really collaborative environment. So, appointing student representatives and providing them with real opportunities to contribute is not just really about giving them a voice. It's about doing what you all, I know, try to do every day, which is make your board more effective, more collaborative, and more responsive to the
063entire community that you serve. So, I encourage you to create the opportunity through for Bedford County to have student school board representatives. And I would be happy to share any information that I have with you and the or with you or the district administration in order to help in that effort. Thanks. Thank you. Is there anybody else that would like to make public comment? Yes, my name is Howard Renfro, and um, I have a daughter who goes to Liberty High School. She's a senior. Um, uh, I just [clears throat] basically wanted to I'm not a public speaker, so I I'm I apologize already. Um, I have a concern with, uh, not necessarily the safety of the school because the sergeant behind me here is wonderful. Um, and he could tell you my daughter really loves
064Liberty as she has mastered in three different bands, including marching band. My say My issue is with the my daughter being ill, uh, having some injuries from a car accident, and also vertigo. And she has had to go to the nurse on several different occasions for medication. Um, there has been some comments made because some was done at the end of the day, and some comments were made, and I brought that up with the principal itself, so I don't think that needs to be brought up here. But what needs to be brought up is there should be some kind of system. I do not know if it's a board issue of how, um, a student has to get to the nurse, how they have to go on the computer to send a pass, receive a
065pass from a teacher, then get to the nurse. My daughter, when she gets into a situation to where the vertigo kicks in that bad, or it has to do with the result of being struck by a tractor-trailer, which we were in October. Sometimes she doesn't have time to wait for all these passes. She can't stare at a computer and type out a pass. She is dizzy. Staring at a small computer makes it that much worse. And there should be some way, and I have told her, and I'll I will tell you the whole board that if the pass is not granted in the time that she needs, or she feels like she has to go, she has my permission to leave. And if she gets in trouble with anyone at the school, that I will
066talk to the school. But I don't know if this the way that it is handled, I don't know if that is just a Liberty case, or if that is just the way Bedford County schools handles it. But there needs to be something done besides just having to look for someone who is having an issue, being ill, and trying to fill out these passes. Also, there you know, the she's missed a lot of her senior year that she was really looking forward to, um, because of the the work at Liberty. Uh, you know, I really wish stuff could be moved. I've had three children that have been through the Bedford County system, starting in Montvale Elementary, working up to the old Bedford Middle School, >> [snorts] >> to the new to the new and and to
067the high school. And I really thank each and every one of you for what you do, and I hope that even the last 6 months or 4 months of her school year goes better, but I hope that there is some way that you all can get and just had this improved for student who can't have the opportunity to take just to be able to wait on a pass to get to see a school nurse. Thank you. Is there anybody else? This closes our part of public the public uh comment. We are moved to uh 7:01. Mr. Vice Chair, uh pursuant to the Code of Virginia, I move that we go into closed session for the discussion, consideration, interviews prospective candidates, employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of civic employees of Stafford
068County Public Schools, for discussion or consideration of admission or disciplinary matters, or any matters that would involve disclosure of information contained in its scholastic record concerning concerning any student of any public institution [laughter] of higher education in the Commonwealth, or any state school system, being student number 021226A, 021226B, and 021226C. I have a second. Second. All in favor, say I. I. I. I. We are now in closed session. >> Mhm. >> Where the Bedford County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and where section 2.2-3712D of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the school board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. Now, therefore, be it resolved
069that the Bedford County School Board hereby certifies 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 applies, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All right. Mr. Vice Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we uh uphold the recommendation of the superintendent for student number 021 226A, 226B, and 021226C. All right. We have a motion to uphold the superintendent's uh recommendations. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Ms. Pervis. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? The motion carries. Mr. Tucker. All right. Approval of consent agendas. Is there
070any discussion of any of those consent items? I had a question about the uh for-profit facility use uh at the public actually 8.11, the public gift to schools, the fundraiser for the Liberty baseball team. Um Um It looks like a contract between this the school system and Whenever a school engages in a fundraising or donation above $10,000 for an asset that's going to be received, um there's a policy in place that the school board has to accept that. The reason for that is anytime we accept an asset that obligates future boards to maintain those assets, the school board should have should do that rather than myself approving that. So, um I don't [snorts] see any issue with this one. Um we've been bringing those we put them on consent, but that's where the board can
071ask about that. Um this came about, you know, with a large donation. You're obligated to make sure you maintain the property in the future. So, the board needs to be aware of that. Okay. So, they're they're ongoing with fundraising. They don't have all the funds at this point to start out. It's not a I don't think it's a contract. It's they have a slab they want to put something on it. So, they're raising money to purchase And then that becomes basically in the purview of the school board because the building on our slab. Once it's built, it becomes our property and we're responsible. Yes. Okay. Any other questions or concerns about the consent agenda? Have a motion to approve the consent agenda then. So moved. Ms. Pervis, second. Second. Mr. Hill. All those in favor
072say I. I. Those opposed? The motion carries. I missed anything? Matters from the board? Mr. Hill. With you. None? Mr. Hill. Um I just want to commend um our our staff and our uh our principals and custodians for for the last few weeks have been tough. Um especially commend all of the custodians for the the you know, really tough work of getting this ice out of there. I've been I've been pushing snow now for 10 years. This is was the hardest one I did last 10 years. Um the fact that they're out there and there's no other way to break it up except, you know, using manual labor on the sidewalks and and stuff like that. So, I really commend them and I know it was a lot of tough work. Um, but you know,
073we wouldn't been able to get open when we did without them. So, I I really appreciate that. Um, because of as um, Mr. Deberry mentioned earlier, our our bank time, we're able to not have to to use those days. Um, and I know in past years February's and March is still a potential for days days missed. Um, you know, I think last year 46% of our days missed were in February or late February. >> [snorts] >> Um, so just in that in mind, I know, you know, we've gotten some pushback about the canceling of some of those um, work days and and I I get it and you know, that's been my explanation as well. Um, I'd like to consider if we could kind of uh, you know, we took those days away. Uh, it's
074just that March 13th day. If we don't end up having um, you know, any more snow, hopefully hopefully we're sunny and warm for the rest of February, maybe look at adding that back in if possible. I don't know if that um, portion of it, but you know, if we were able to to move things around and not have to use that day. Um, I know there was a lot of really good um, professional development that was being designed for that. So, I'd really love to see um, our staff be able to get that professional development if at all possible. Just something to consider. Actually, Dr. Calvert and I have talked. We're going to move that professional development, the speakers and everything to our October PD day so that they don't miss out on it. And
075we've talked about making that an October because we keep losing February. So, >> That was the February day. The March day is a virtual work day. Virtual work day for teachers, yeah. Thank you. Stop. Um, I was going to say something similar. Um, you know, I I watched when the calendar was coming out for the school year and the excitement for having those extra work days, those professional development days, um, and how the survey from the teachers that replied to the survey that year really wanted those days. And um, I completely back up the decision for not going with virtual learning. I think it is so important, especially at our elementary level, for those kids to be in the classroom. And so, I I really appreciate that as a parent and as a board member,
076um, that we prioritize in-person learning. Um, but if there is a way to because we have banked hours, preserve some of those work days. I know that the teachers um, plan on those days and are excited about those days just to just to do the job that they've been given. And I know that um, it's a real disappointment to to lose those. So, if we have any towards the end, I I agree with um, Mr. that that maybe we can look at something, maybe not taking all of them during this this quarter. Um, well, I first of all, thank everyone for your kind um, adjustments to me not being as present. Um, and um, for all the prayers and encouragement during this difficult time. Um, I know that with the snow and everything, we had
077um, it's funny cuz I had a parent say that, "Well, Bedford County is supposed to be the best county to have your schools. Why aren't they doing virtual?" And I'm thinking, "Because we're the best county." >> [laughter] >> And we know that virtual doesn't work. But um, so I'm I'm thankful that our that our county opted not to do that and that we just try to make all of our instruction be in-person and for our kids. So, thank you. All right. A special shout-out to our school board clerk, Ms. Johnson. I believe that next week is your official recognition day and we do appreciate you and thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you. And tolerance of us novices. >> [laughter] >> It's not too hard. Also, uh, a shout-out to uh, our
078school bus drivers. This is National School Bus Appreciation Week and uh, we wouldn't have students if it wasn't for them. So, um, we appreciate them. Um, I for one will be happy to to be done with some of this snow and ice as well. And move on towards spring. Um, thank you everybody for your work today, all of the effort that went into our work session and the data, Randy. Your head is amazing. And what goes on between those ears is amazing. >> [laughter] >> Stop. I'm sorry. I think it's great. >> [laughter] >> Oh, tomorrow's going to be fun. All right. I think that we should uh, make a motion to adjourn this evening. So moved. So moved. Second. All in favor? >> [laughter] >> Aye. Aye. Aye. This is adjourned. Sorry, Randy. >>
079[laughter]