001Um, good evening everyone. We're going to reconvene our closed meeting. Certifying related action items. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hson. >> Merry absent. Mr. Moon >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Um actions from closed. First motion to approve the request for release from composer attendance for two student religious exemption. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Move call please. >> Mr. Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mr. H. >> Yes. >> Miss Merrick. Mr. Mills is absent. Mr. Moon here. >> Mr. Chills. Yes. Mr. D. Yes. >> Motion >> personnel changes. Um motion to to approve personnel changes for September the 9th, 2025 as presented and discussed. >> Discussion, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Mr. Henderson, >> yes. >> Miss Merrick, Mr. Mills
002is absent. Mr. Moon, >> yes. >> Mr. Shields, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. That's all right. Before we move on, I think we have a class here tonight. Is that right? Teacher, we got a class here tonight, right? Raise your hand. >> Okay. Which class are y'all? >> Const. >> Well, you gonna get educated, right? >> Good to have y'all here tonight. >> Um, do we have any additions to the agenda? It's not sir to approve the agenda as >> move second roll please. >> Mr. P. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. >> Merrick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mills is absent. Mr. Moon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chills. >> Yes. Mr. Doss. >> Yes. Consent agenda. Motion approved. >> Second. >> Motion and second. >> M. Gerald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson. >> Yes.
003>> Miss Merrick. Yes. Mr. Nails is absent. Mr. Moon, >> yes. >> Mr. Shields, >> Mr. Doss, >> yes. >> All right, we're going to move on to our public presentations and announcement. Was this any new employees? >> Okay. >> Good evening, Chairman Doss, members of the board. We have several new employees that are with us. And so, if you're a new employee, I'll ask you to stand. Oh, mercy. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> So, I'll start in the back. You are Miss Melinda Hogan, teacher aid at Gretna Elementary School. Welcome. I'm going to go in the back. If you'll please tell me your name and position, >> Tons High School. And some Tons High School students here. Mr. Steve Shields in the front. He is a bus driver and he's driving bus 84 at
004Gretina Elementary School. And in tell me your name. >> Hi, my name is Holmes. I will be a spend assistant and middle school. >> Welcome. And we have Mr. Josh Adams. He is our new PCTC teacher for carpentry program that's being added. So, welcome to Pennsylvania County Schools. [Applause] Thank you, Dr. Anella. Um, next we're going to recognize some student achievements, perfect so schoolers, and some track winners. Uh, Miss Patty, who are you going to do first? >> Okay, I will start with the so recognition. >> Which school is that? >> So, that will be Twin Springs. >> Twin Springs. Twin Springs. >> Good afternoon, good evening. Um, Chairman Dah, school board members, Mr. Mayhew, during the 202425 school year, Pennsylvania County administered 15,89 so tests. In addition, 207 aligned SOL tests were administered for
005a total of 16,6 state assessments during the 2425 school year. There were 114 perfect so scores and there were 20 perfect scores on the line so test. There was one student assessed with so test who made perfect scores on all so assessments. And there was one student assessed with ally distinguish themselves as receiving perfect scores on all required tests for their grade level. from Twin Springs Elementary School. We would like to recognize Andrew Bleso for perfect scores of all grade five assessments. Andrew, please come forward joining your principal Stacy Harville and director of elementary education Todd Cease and school board members. This first certificate of excellence is presented to Andrew Bleso and recognized for perfect SOS on all administered Virginia so assessments granted this ninth day of September by the Pennsylvania county school board signed
006by school board chair Calvin Daws and school board vice chair Kelly Merrick. [Applause] Thank you. From Gretland Middle School, we would like to recognize Lexi Waller for purpose scores on all grade seven assessments. Lexi, please come forward with principal Dr. Thomas Tacis and director of middle school education Jenny Eaton and school board members. Congratulations Lexi Miss. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. And I'd also like to acknowledge the presence of Mrs. Brenda Dawson, director of assessment accountability, and thank her for the outstanding job that she does coordinating assessments in our school division. So, thank you. Next, I will recognize a student in state track from Chadam High School. So would Mrs. Angela Andrean, principal Charlotte Cassell, assistant principal, and Jason Ins, assistant principles Libby Boone and Caleb Wright, could just come forward. and school board
007members. This certificate reads, "This certificate of excellence is presented to Parker Boon in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for placing third and 300 meter hurdle event at the BHSLT2A state track meet this ninth day of September, 2025 by the Pennsylvania County School Board." And joining us also is Mr. Brian BS, director of secondary education. [Applause] >> Thank you so much and thanks to everyone who came out to support our students. >> Thank you, Miss Patty. Um, up next we're going to have our recognition for our 2025 BSBA media hunter roll. You go up and read it. >> Sure. Good evening, Chairman DS, schoolboard members, and all those in attendance. Would like to take this opportunity. Virginia School Board Association or we call we like to refer to as BSBA um does solicit nominees each
008year for media honor role. This year we'd like to recognize two individuals and I believe they're both here from the Danble register and V like to recognize Mr. Charles Wilborn and I will read this with the first one. It says the Pennsylvania county public schools school board recognize your fair and balanced reporting on school division and education education related topics. Congratulations Mr. Wilbur. [Applause] camera. >> And next, we'd like to recognize Miss Shannon Kelly, Chadam Star Tribune. Congratulations, Miss Kelly. [Applause] Thank you, Mr. Mayhe. We appreciate the job that both the Star Tribune and the Damar RestB do for us. They um always do a good job in reporting what we do and the good things that happen. So, thank you all again. We appreciate it. Okay. Next, we have recognition to address we have
009a request to address the school board, Miss Ross. >> And you at the NAACP education committee, correct? >> Yes, sir. Good to have you. I hadn't seen you for a good while. >> I know you missed me, didn't you? >> I did. >> It's good to be missed. >> To Chairman Doss, Vice Chairwoman Mer, to all the members of the Pennsylvania County School Board, and I have to recognize my co-aborer, Mr. Willlet Pistro, and the NAACP. Good evening to all who are gathered here. I'm Eveina Ross, president of the Chattam Blair District and vice president of the Pennsylvania County NAACP and a member of his education committee. The members on the education committee, so you will recognize him are Joan Tin Robinson who's our chairperson, Mrs. Carolyn Co, Mrs. Katherine Ramsey, Mrs. Joseph Carter, Mrs.
010O'N who's our president, and yours truly. Thank you for giving me a few moments to just share a few comments from the education committee as the school year is now in it operating mode for the 25 26 school year. First, we want to recognize many for several positive actions and extend gratitude for the tireless dedication you have shown and I'm sure you continue to show while serving on the school board. The countless hours of work attending meetings, reviewing policies, making complex decisions, demonstrating his passion for creating the best educational opportunity for all of our students. Congratulations to the appointment and Mr. Stevens Mayhew as the superintendent. He has introduced himself already to the NAACP and he may remember that I worked with him on quite a few projects when I was working for the Pennsylvania
011County Community Action. Congratulations on the choice of Miss Janica Wilson Carter as executive administrative assistant. We believe she can and she will provide the continued professional service and knowledge as Mrs. Hey provided for many many years. We understand that a review of the schoolboard policies and procedures was updated if needed to reflect compliance with the federal and state educational standards and compliance with EEO regulations. With that said, we appreciate the improvements in our schools. The continuous effort to improve and close the standard of education gap that exists might be closing but there is still a gap. Efforts to ensure equity and respect for all students and all security upgrades at all the schools to ensure as much as possible the safety for our children, our staff and the broader community. We continue to advocate for
012the rights of all citizens and especially our children. In line with that, the education committee has one of its objectives to reestablish the minority advisory committee to be an active voice for each of the districts. Please note that should you have concerns or issues arise, reach out to us as a member of the education committee as we have committed ourselves that we will be attending the meetings each month or directly contact our chair, pastor Jill Robinson, and I will leave her phone number if anyone's interested or our president who just walked in, Mrs. Anita Ros. and hopefully we will work together to resolve all the concerns and issues for a positive resolution. In closing, we know that you probably will have many issues this year. Many issues, many concerns, regulations, political, economic, social items to
013deal with. Your jobs is not your job is not an easy one. It has many that you could take, but you must abide by the policies and established guidelines as if as issued by the different funding sources. while never forgetting the most and most important commodity that you have that you have oversight for is our children. And we like every parent or family member only want the best for each of them. For each of them. I thank you all. Continue to do good. God bless you all. I'll see you soon. >> Thank you, Miss R. >> Up next is our character word of the month, trustworthiness. Miss B from Sham High School. Good evening. >> Good evening, Chairman Doss, Mr. Mayhew, and members of the Pit Vani County School Board. I'm here today to present
014the character word of the month for the month of September, trustworthiness. The first things that came to my mind when considering the character word were keeping promises and being loyal. These actions are essential to the relationships we build with the people around us, not just in our schools, but in our future workplaces. Trustworthiness is also about integrity and doing the right thing even when it's not easy. Quoting Aristotle, excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do. To be trustworthy, we have to build on our actions over time. It doesn't happen overnight, but consistency is key. This month presents the perfect opportunity to enhance our reputation or excellence for trustworthiness. I invite us all to challenge ourselves by thinking of one way we can demonstrate trustworthiness every day. Thank
015you for your time and for this opportunity. I look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead. >> Thank you. Very good. >> Thank you. Next is PA. Mr. Hill, I see you sitting. You got to get a better shirt than that. I don't >> Hey, I will do whatever they gives me. If you want to give me a shirt, you feel free. >> All right. Uh good evening and thank you everyone for your time tonight. Uh first, it is National Arts and Education Week. I would like to stress the importance of arts in schools. It's been reliably proven time and again that access to arts in education provides a measurable boost in learning objectives scores as well as social and emotional skills. It would be a benefit to ensure that all
016of our elementary schools had access to additional creative arts by employing art instructors at the elementary level or working within the community to develop after school programs to expand access to arts education. Finding ways to engage with the community is an opportunity to increase parent and community engagement with our schools resulting in better communication at the school level. Next, uh, for policy GBCC, that's G, Bravo, Charlie, Charlie, supplemental pay. Uh, I request that we review pay stipens for organizations like DECA, FFA, robotics, and many of our other organizations that teachers and staff operate, uh, which would fall under these guidelines. The policy states that quote Pennsylvania county school board approves all athletic coaching and other extracurricular activity sponsorships for which supplemental pay is provided. It goes on to say, "For purposes of this policy, extracurricular
017activity sponsorship means an assignment for which a monetary supplement is received requiring responsibility for any student organizations, clubs, groups such as service clubs, academic clubs and teams, cheerleading squads, student publication, and on and on and on. Uh, let's see. um except those activities that are conducted in conjunction with regular classroom curriculum or instructional programs. This incentivizes teachers and staff to increase engagement with these groups and in some cases fill in uh where schools may be lacking. Beta recently was approved a stipen suggested stipens are $1,500 for sponsors and $800 for assistant sponsors or co-sponsors to be in line with other VHSL compensations. Lastly, uh, at our previous meeting as we closed, there was mention of reviewing agreements with parks and wreck about the use of facilities with the implied notion that since they were costly,
018it would be worthwhile or it would not be worthwhile to continue to offer our support and facilities. I would like to mention a few points in regard to this position. First, the public schools are nonprofit organizations and should be operated as such. This helps affirm our position in the communities that our priority are the betterment of children physically, mentally, and emotionally. Second, if we remove our partnership in regards to the usage of facilities for parks and wreck, we will do significant harm to the ability of children in our area to participate in sports and other athletic activities. Middle school sports will only field a finite amount of uh players. Some will not have the athletic ability to make the team. If parks and recck does not have the facilities to allow these children to participate,
019then they may have no other opportunities. Travel ball and competitive cheerleading teams can be cost can be cost prohibitive. Uh the parks and recck department offers registration as low as $70 up to 200 plus dollars. In the case of cheerleading, we should work to find as many opportunities to provide access uh for as many children that are interested. These opportunities promote social emotional learning and in the long term help our burgeoning middle school sports as well as how children perform in our schools. I thank you very much for your time and consideration of these items and getting matte [Applause] staff and committee reports. There are a number of death reports. Does anybody have any questions on any of the desk reports? Nobody move on. Mr. Hey, you want to give us your report? >> Sure.
020Yes, sir. >> Just like to begin. First of all, it's hard to believe that we are in week five of your school year. It's gone by very quickly. Um, we've had this move in schools. I think the last school meeting I had one day. So, based on just a couple days, but I just want to say that I am very impressed with how the staff have worked very hard to create very wonderful, nurturing, and supportive environments for our students. Those are wonderful and we've enjoyed the school year. I'd also like to point out you have in your desk report um about standards of learning test performance, but I do want to just point out a couple things um that are here for our 20 24 25 standards of learning test results. I'd like to first
021of all say congratulations on the achievement of our students and the accolades go to our dedicated teachers, our administrators, and our support person. Now, it's worth noting when you look at our our information county schools, the state average in the core areas of reading, writing, history, math, and science. Um, we scored in the top 12% in reading and math, top 14 in in science, and top 24% in history. In addition, this division exceeded the state average in 25 specific assessments. Also in comparison with our neighboring school divisions including Bradford, Franklin, Camp, Henry, Martinsville City, Halifax County, Lynchburg City, and Martinsville City, each top in reading, math, science, and second in history and social sciences. So I certainly say accolades to our staff for all the work they do and of course the students for the
022high achieving and of course the families that support them each and every day. Very good performance. I'd like to say congratulations Mr. James Bettis. He's a business and economics teacher gras earned the inaugural foundation of economic education. It's also heard as fee fe teacher fellas. He is one of eight chosen for this honor. Congratulations to him. He's again a business teacher at Gretton High School would like to as we kind of um move into this week um have one remark I wanted to make relative to some activities that are going on that I'd like you to be aware of. As you know, this Thursday we are going to pause for the 24th um remembrance of the September 11th attacks. I think it's always very important to remember um the families and the like so forth
023that that's impacted throughout um generations and so forth. Just reminder that we do have a 911 ceremony that is planned at Dan Middle School at 9:00 this Thursday. So all everyone is welcome there. School war members want to make sure you're there. They do a very very good remeance ceremony. I think we mentioned earlier I think Mr. Henderson, you've been to every single one of them. Several members here have been there, too. But certainly want to support it's it's a very good event um that supports the community and supports our first responders and our law enforcement individuals. And I think um I think Mr. Shields, who's the former, is going to be the best speaker. So, I think that'll be what you're able to attend. And speaking of also um we um want to mention
024we um heard Mr. Hill mention something about fine arts. There is a home show that is coming up and that is going to be highlight the showmanship of all our bands that will be held at Dan River High School on this Saturday that's the 13th at 1:00. So you're encouraged to come if you um they'll they'll be like certainly happy to see you. They've done a very nice job looking to see all the um work that the band directors and the students have done to put on a very good show. Um, finally, I just want to remind you about a couple of a couple of events, couple days on the VSBA 2025 hybrid legislative adv advocacy conference is held on September 19th at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center. If you're interested, certainly speak with
025Mrs. Carter. She can talk with you about if we if you're interested in registering. And then I think I heard earlier we want to mention too, the 2025 DSP annual conference in Williamsburg, Virginia is held on November 19th through 21st. I think we'll do like normally I would take the students down on the 19th. I think you guys come down the next day for that event and so forth. It is held at the lodge to just remember that it's at the lodge this time. So I think you'll probably enjoy being on night. Um but those are the two events there. >> That's right. >> Right. We'll leave on the 18th. That's right. That's right. We'll get information to you. Um, that's all I have. >> Thank you. All right. There's no unfinished business. We'll move
026on to new business of school policy. Second reading and approve on this reading approve. Okay. So, we're changing Miss Car >> for those two policies. >> I'll make the motion to accept the revision of >> any discussion. Roll, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Mr. Henderson, >> yes. >> Miss Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Ne, >> absent. Mr. Mo, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. I would like to say one I would like to commend the student for the history class for coming. I I think I don't know if they've ever missed one to be honest with you. Thank you for coming. Thank you teacher Mr. making you guys come and a little bit of that history but we do appreciate you coming. [Music] Let me I I will say one comment. LA last
027month we'd been to school one day. So we didn't really have a a gauge on this year's opening. So I want to say if you think about it, we had a new superintendent. We had two new assistant superintendents in their role. They left two coming back, right? But it has been a very very good opening of the school year. I will have to say very smooth and I do want to thank all of y'all. I want to thank every employee of Pennsylvania County Schools because it's been a really big effort this time and I know I went to open house to schools and I think it was the most excited I've seen the teachers and the students that day for open house since precoid and I think we finally are getting back to where we
028were before co really messed things up. There was a lot of excitement at least on the New Orleans schools and I I was really happy to see that much excitement. So, thank you Mr. May and y for what y'all did. Been a very good school and again kids thank y'all for being here tonight. Okay. So, I have a motion to adjourn. Before you journ, I just like to say that on last night I did go to the meeting and I talked about the so I have pulled the results off the internet and I reported on at the meeting and I probably do a better job putting it out to the community and they would understand how the students and faculties are doing but they was happy to hear the results that they test >> him
029say 12% 14%. Yeah. Great job. >> Mr. Christo. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Here. >> Yes.