001[Music] Do [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] I'd like to call our meeting back to order. Mr. Lynon, would you read us out of closed? Yes, Madam Chair. I move that the Rono County School Board come out of close session for the following. To discuss the investigation of a student matter pursuant to the scholastic record exemption at 2.2-3711A2 of the code of Virginia and to certify that to the to the best of each member's knowledge. Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under this chapter and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by the school board. Second. Second. Yeah. Madame clerk. Mr. Greenway. Yes, ma'am. Mr. London. Yes, ma'am. Miss Pani.
002Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hudson. Yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens. Yes, ma'am. Item 2.03, action from closed. Yes, Madam Chair. I move to allow students numbers two in 2025 2025 1 through 3 to be released from compulsory attendance pursuant to 22.1-254-B.1 of the code of Virginia as amended second. Madame clerk Mr. Greenway yes ma'am Mr. London yes ma'am yes ma'am Mr. Yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens. Yes, ma'am. Welcome everyone. Would you please stand for the ple pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Item 4.01, announcement of changes in the agenda. We do not have any. Item 4.02, approval of agenda with announced changes. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Madame clerk. Mr. Greenway. Yes,
003ma'am. Mr. London? Yes, ma'am. Miss Vani. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hudson? Yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens? Yes, ma'am. Item 5.01, recognition of BCAT EMT program volunteer awards 2024 2025, Mr. Christian Kish and Miss Christa Patterson. Well, good evening, Madame Chair, members of the board, Dr. Nicely. Uh, thank you for welcoming us this evening. Um, at BCAT, our EMT program has performed well above the state average in EMT certification testing. That success is the result of exceptional instruction and strong community partnerships, especially the kind of volunteer support we are recognizing tonight. Uh, the individuals we're recognizing have gone above and beyond to support our students in developing the real world judgment and skills needed to save lives. To introduce and recognize tonight's honores, I'd like to invite um and introduce our incredible EMT instructor, Miss Christa Patterson, uh
004to talk a little further about these two and why they were chosen for these awards. Miss Patterson. [Applause] Good evening, members of the board, our community members, and our honored guests. And thank you to Mr. Kish for that very kind introduction. Now, before I say anything else, I should confess if you know anything about first responders, we do uh really well with and we are very comfortable running into emergency situations, but being in the spotlight like this is not our most comfortable time. However, most of my students will tell you my number one classroom rule is to don't do things to make me go to meetings. And here I am in front of you all for this meeting. Um, but I'll be honest, this is a meeting that I am truly honored to attend and
005these folks definitely deserve the attention that they're getting tonight. As Mr. Kish said, my name is Christa. I have the privilege of serving as your high school EMT instructor. I began in fire and EMS in 2009 and in 2021, I transitioned into education. So, I in this time have held many titles. I've received a lot of accolades and I think to date being called Miss C by these kiddos is my most proud thing. Um, if you'll allow me, I'd like to take a moment just to recognize the vastness of what these students truly take on with this program. Many high schoolers are worried about their GPA, their driver's licenses, and prom. But these EMT students show up to learn to make life-saving decisions under pressure. They're preparing to walk into strangers homes on the worst
006day of their lives and offer calm, competent, compassionate help. That kind of emotional and academic weight would be a lot for most adults, much less to be teenagers in this position. They show up every day ready to serve, ready to learn, and to hold themselves to the highest standards. And I couldn't be more proud of them. This CMT program is made possible through strong partnerships with Radford University. And I want to sincerely thank the local fire departments whose support, mentorship, and presence in this experience um is what makes it very real and meaningful for the students. Several of their leaders are here with us tonight. I would like to thank you for believing in this next generation of first responders. It's working. Since I took over this program in November of 22, we have seen
00729 students join our community as volunteer career and even many are in the Radford program seeking their paramedic. 29 students in just these last two years that are now actively serving in our community. We also maintain one of the highest success rates in the Commonwealth of Virginia for EMT programs for students that are under 18 years old. These numbers matter, but what matters even more are the stories behind them. The long night studying, the teamwork, the mentorship, and that drive to show up for others. While technical excellence is a big part of our focus, there is also a theme that runs quietly underneath everything that we do. When these students start to feel overwhelmed with a scenario or a lab setting, when the pressure gets high and they're questioning their abilities, I often remind them
008of a simple phrase, to be a good duck. Above the surface, ducks appear calm and collected, but under the water, their little feet are paddling like crazy. I ask of them to stay calm, trust your training, rely on that foundation, and keep pushing through. That mindset, the grace under pressure matters in EMS and in life. The effort and dedication is what brings us here tonight. And I have the privilege of presenting two awards that are deeply personal to me. These awards are given in memory of Gracie Hbert, a career firefighter paramedic who lived and served for over three decades with an unmatched heart. She began her career as a teenager just like these BCAT students. Gracie lost a valiantly fought battle with job related to breast cancer three years ago. She was my mentor, my
009friend, and one of the most impactful educators and human beings I have ever met. She left an unforgettable mark on every life that she touched. People often said to be known by Gracie was to be loved by her. She called many students and her younger crew mates her kids. She was everyone's mom, best friend, or sister, and she lived her values. If she responded to a call and discovered that a family had unmet needs, when she got off of shift, she would go back to that home and leave food, clothing, whatever that family needed without asking for the recognition. She built others up. She fought with fire. She taught with love and confidence. and she made people better, whether as EMTs, firefighters, or just as human beings. It is one of the greatest honors of
010my life to recognize these two individuals whose actions and spirits reflect Graciey's own. For our preceptor of the year, it is presented to Corey Clement. Corey has been a constant presence in the field and classroom for our students. Welcoming, calm, and professional. Students consistently said that he made them feel like a part of the team and he encouraged them to step up not just in the classroom but into real responsibility in their lives. His willingness to teach gave them the confidence to perform and the space to grow. But Corey also brings something else to the table. He's fun. He doesn't just teach what's in the textbook. He teaches them about confidence, adaptability, and kindness. He leads by example and meets the students where they are. I feel I have to include this final commentary from
011the students. I asked them to give me brief examples of why they chose each one of these nominees. Several of them made mention that he was further deserving of recognition because he has an awesome mustache. At this time, I would like to invite Corey up to the front to accept the 2025 Gracie Hbert Preceptor of the Year Award. [Applause] I say something. Sure. I just wanted to thank y'all for supporting the program. This is a very special program and like she talked about and as y'all may already know, the fire department is a family. Um, it's generations teaching generations and holding each other up and teaching each other. in the audience today. We've got Amber. He taught my very first EMT class. Um, we've got Carrie. She taught my paramedic class. And just it just
012keeps you you, you know, you teach someone to fish, they never go hungry. And so those are the words we live by also with the golden rule. And uh, do unto others as you would want done to you. And so, good luck, guys. And we'll see you around. All right. [Applause] Corey, thank you for being the kind of mentor that changes lives. The lab instructor of the year award goes to David Johnson. David is known among our students as someone who challenges them and then lifts them up. He pushes them out of their comfort zones, demands critical thinking, and helps them truly understand what it means to care for people, not just patients. They've told me that David constantly reminds them that the people we serve are someone's family, and that no matter how routine
013something may feel, we owe it to them to bring our best every time. He has he helps students connect the dots between that skill and humanity. And yes, David also has a noteworthy mustache. I'm starting to think that there is a pattern here and apparently this is now an unofficial requirement for great instructors. But to be clear, I won't be growing a mustache. Please join me in welcoming David Johnson to the front to receive the 2025 Gracie Award. Thank you much David. Thank you for helping our students rise to meet challenges and for reminding them of the heart behind the work. Your dedication is felt and it's appreciating appreciated more than you know. To Corey and David, thank you for exemplifying what it means to serve, to teach, and to lead with love and strength.
014Thank you for embodying the values that made Gracie Hbert so unforgettable. You are a part of the legacy that she left behind. To our EMT students, many of who are here tonight, you are what gives this program life. Keep doing the work. Keep paddling like a good duck. Keep being the kind of people Gracie would be proud of. And never forget that you are capable of extraordinary things. You make me proud every single day. Thank you all for allowing me to speak and thank you for helping us celebrate the best of what this program and profession has to offer. [Applause] Why don't you guys come on up and join as well? Line up the back towards the back there. Here we go. in the middle. All right, moms and dads, come on up. Anybody else?
015Come on up. Let you guys get first flash. Come on. Don't go in here right. Christian, maybe before they leave, it'd be nice. Are we going to get to introduce each of the EMTs here? Well, I'd like to hear where they run out of, which station they run out of, and they give so much time and effort, they probably don't like the spotlight either, but maybe if they could just quickly introduce themselves and let us know which station they run out of. do that. We'll just go in. We'll start with you. So, I'm Carter Grafo. I don't currently run out of any place yet. Um, still applying, but I do uh I have helped out with uh my Boy Scout troop. So, I had a couple of injuries that I had help with. Somebody passed
016out and I helped with that and actually came to the scene. It was fun. Also, maybe say what your base school is, too. Oh, I'm also the only There's a couple Nice. I'm Colin Sherry. I go to Cave Spring. Um I don't volunteer anywhere right now. I'm probably somewhere. My name is Cole B. I go to K. I'm senior. Um I'm Whitney Purdue. I don't currently volunteer anywhere and I get a not volunteer anywhere right now, but I am applying and I also help my dad in the hospital. I'm Grace. I go to spring and I'm currently My name is Jer. Iunteer. [Music] Nice. Well, there's one school I didn't hear in that group. I don't know who it was, but it's still coming to event though. We got some volunteer event. So, do we
017uh how how do we uh and I know this is a BCAT type thing, but how is that recruited or is that something they sign up just normal through there? Yeah. So, all the William students just like everybody else comes through and they do the tour. Uh they have to wait until their their junior year. I think we do have plenty of students from William. I just don't think we had any here. Oh, okay. Good. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank y'all. Thank y'all. [Applause] Sometimes it's just we don't promoted certainly. So, I just wondered if that was Well, there were several for fire department. They're coming together working. That's awesome. Yeah. Item 5.02, recognition of Anthony Barnes, Altech Steel, BCAT community partner, Mr. Christian Kish, and Mr. Chris Overfell. All right, back up for
018another one. Uh, we also want to recognize uh a remarkable community partner um whose support has also made a lasting impact uh on our welding and motorsports programs. Um behind me is Mr. Anthony Barnes, uh the general manager at Alro Steel here in Rowanoke. um he's just gone above and beyond to invest in our students, not just with materials and resources, but with time, encouragement, a true belief in what career and technical education can do. This partnership with Mr. Barnes and Alro Steel has helped to give our students access to real world experiences, industry expectations, and also tangible materials that will benefit students for years to come. So, to talk more about Mr. Barnes's contributions, I will turn it over to the one and only Mr. Chris Overfelt. I won't talk as long as Christa
019did, but one thing you'll notice about um everything and when you see BCAT people come here, those kids chose to go there. They didn't nobody made them go to that school. So, shows uh I guess proof in y'all helping with funding for the new center. Um years ago, when I was in my 30s, Mr. Hudson, you made that comment last time I was here. Um, I talked with Mr. Bruce Frell about uh some donations for our motorsports program when we got started and he said, "You don't want a donation. You want companies who support education." And that's what his company has done. Um, since I've met Anthony uh last year and I met him through another business partner and actually a close friend of mine, Jay Bell with Howard's Precision Machine. Anthony never asked what
020his company or he would get out of helping the school. Um he's been instrumental in designing and supporting the materials and things we need for the new center. Uh just recently Salem City Schools recognized them as a creating excellence uh business industry and they won the region six creating excellence excellence CTE for business and industry for this year. Uh when I first met him, a month after I met him, I asked him for a donation of $3,000 to take two of my students to the Skills USA national competition in Atlanta, and he gladly wrote us a check. He also um cut out 90 practice projects for Tanner to uh practice with. Um he just recently donated the materials for us for our end of the year exam. Um he's supported summer camps for numerous uh
021schools including Reno County, Salem, Daytech and uh Rotek. He's also we working on this now with the materials and design and Mr. Kaggels has helped with this also with the donation for the workbenches, welding booths, and classroom tables for the new center. We've had two trips to Charlotte with our students to see their Charlotte facility and they provided the kids with food from Chick-fil-A and you know students they like food. Uh we also were given a tour of Gibbs Racing uh Joe Gibbs Racing and actually saw one of our students who works for Joe Gibbs. He's like the celebrity in the class because everybody said did you see Ryan? Um, so, uh, the list goes on and on and if I went through everything that he has done for the school in the in the
022year that he has been here, uh, we'd be here all night long. So, um, he's moving back to his hometown in Michigan. He's got a um leaving the area, I guess. Um, but he said he won't be he'll be right on the other end of the phone if I need him. I wanted to make sure u before he left that we honored him uh for what he's done for Renault County and what it will actually impact for the future for our new center uh for years to come. So thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Right in the middle. Thank you. Item 5.03, principal of distinction recognition, Miss Kim Bradshaw and Mr. Mike Riley. Good evening, Madame Chair, board members, Dr. Nicely. It gives me great pleasure to share with you that in partnership with the Virginia
023Association of Secondary School Principles and the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principles, the Virginia Department of Education has launched a new initiative called Principles of Distinction. This program is designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding K12 principles, highlighting their contributions and inspiring others with the educational community. The objectives of the principles of distinction program include recognizing excellence and leadership among high performing principles who've had a significant impact on student achievement. Increase awareness of principles of distinction program. Showcase the accomplishments and impact of the honor principles. Engage the community, educators, and stakeholders in celebrating these educational leaders. At the May 22nd board of education meeting, 31 exceptional candidates were announced as the first class of principles of distinction. These individuals were select selected based on their outstanding leadership in areas such as improved student
024achievement, effective instructional leadership, development of a positive school environment that addresses non-academic barriers to su to success. Renick County is proud to announce that two of our own principles were selected as part of this prestigious group. So, it's with great pleasure and that I share with you that Miss Kim Smith, Fort Lewis Elementary. Come on up, Miss Smith and Dr. Chris Benson, principal of Hidden Valley Middle School, were chosen as part of this group. So, we had them here to honor them this evening, and we would like to recognize their outstanding leadership and the positive impact they've had on our schools and our students. Congratulations. [Applause] [Laughter] Say thank That was just It's okay. Oh, is that what? That's nice. Item 5.04, 04 RCPS recognizes best community for music education, Miss Shannon Norman. On behalf
025of Mr. Rick Elliot, good evening, Madame Chair, board members, and Dr. Nicely. Rono County Public Schools has once again been recognized by the NAM Foundation as one of the best communities for music education, earning this prestigious designation for the 21st year. Now in its 26th year, the BCME designation honors school districts that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to providing music access and education for all students. To qualify, RCPS completed a comprehensive review of funding, graduation requirements, student participation, instructional time, facilities, and overall support for music programs. All responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by the music research institute at the University of Kansas. Decades of research confirm the benefits of music education not only in cognitive and academic growth, but also in social development. Studies show that students who participate in music experience stronger
026listening skills, improved speech processing, higher reading scores, and greater attention and memory abilities. In addition, students involved in music are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Beyond academics, music education fosters essential life skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback. In fact, even adults who participated in music as children show lasting neurological benefits later in their life. This continued recognition from the NM Foundation highlights the dedication of our teachers, students, families, and community in supporting the arts. It reinforces Rono County Public Schools belief that music education is a vital part of a well-rounded education, one that helps students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, preparing them for success in school and beyond. Thank you. [Applause] Norman, as an orientation to your new assignment as
027supervisor of music, know that every year we do Your responsibility is to lead us in the county school district song. There is a song. There's a song. Not yet. Oh, good. [Music] Item 6.01, 01 hearing of citizens for agenda topics. We do not have any agenda item seven, the consent agenda. Do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second, Madame Clerk. Mr. Greenway? Yes, ma'am. Mr. London? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Vani? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hudson? Yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens? Yes, ma'am. Item 8.01, Hidden Valley High School Athletic Field Artificial Turf. Mr. Todd Cake. Madame Chair, members of the board, Dr. Nicely, Dr. Sulttus, during the June 5th schoolboard work session, staff presented a proposal at the request of the school board to allocate $1 million from the major capital fund special projects
028to be used to convert the grass soccer field at Hidden Valley High School to artificial turf. This project would provide an all-weather multisports artificial playing surface which will improve the consistency and wet weather playability of the field while easing scheduling conflicts at Bogle Field. Staff is bringing the proposal to the school board this evening for your consideration. Do we have a motion to approve? We'll make a motion to approve. Do we have a second? I'll second. Do we have discussion? Sorry, I thought you did second. for a second. Discussion. I've got a few comments. I think it it um I see this as a as a want rather than a need. Um I know the report showed a fiscal impact of very large and a priority of low. Will it be lined for more than
029just soccer? What are the plans there? Uh I think that would be up to the school. Uh all of our fields are lined for multisports. If we didn't, it would be the only one that uh wasn't. But uh certainly we would consult the school the school with what lines it would on the field. I can comment on that. Yeah, it will be for everything. Yeah, it's currently I mean I know Scott Weaver has done such an incredible job airating that field, overseating top dressing. I think it's a perfectly playable field. That's what the report showed. Um, just not sure how it looks for us to on the budget cuts that we had to make this spring to go spend a million dollars and and tear up a perfectly good field where we've eliminated 20 positions.
030We eliminated health care, the health clinic, we had to increase health insurance costs. And I know these come from different pots of money sometimes, but I do think there would be a better use of uh taxpayer dollars than a million dollars on that field. Do we have any other discussion? Yeah, I think I talked about it at length at the work session. So, if anybody wants to go back and listen to my comments, it was quite lengthy what I had to say, but the long and short of it is I know that um it's going to benefit the entire community greatly and I appreciate the support that I have here tonight. And in the long run, uh to David's question about the finances, we know that we have other fields that we've done in the
031in the community in Ronut County Public Schools. And if you do the math, it actually is cheaper with the maintenance and everything else to have an art artificial field over time with the cost that you're putting into that field and the the cost of the field and maintaining it did get quite expensive and we did the analytics on that and so it just makes sense. So, um, thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I would also add, um, this school board didn't add a second facility to have capital uh projects, another facility to have capital projects at. So, it is the only school without a turf field. So, um you know, I can justify it very well from the fact that we've got four schools with an artificial turf field and I feel like uh this,
032you know, solidifies all five to have one and you can play on it round the clock. we know what it meant to the William Bird community that didn't have uh facilities to to practice and play on. So now we're using it round the clock uh without having to regenerate growth or grass. Um I'd also say my board supervisor member had mentioned that she wanted this as well. And so I think it's an opportunity that we we make everyone whole in the uh in the uh school community. and um you know I I can support it from that standpoint. So thank you. I appreciate that too. Any other discussion? I would just say as the other school in South County um it does directly affect Kpring in some ways. Um that was part of the discussion
033is about how the field was going to be lined and it is our understanding that it would be lined for other um sports other than soccer and the band would be able to use it as well. Um so if for me if it's relieving part of the scheduling complex that we have at Bogle which is used for everything then it could be a direct um impact for Kring. So that's why I would be supporting it. I would also say it also for wreck because our wreck use our fields. So yeah that also helps with the whole community like you mentioned not just which is also still like Vogal. I mean say one last thing to maintenance. So, we did a study. It's probably been five or six years ago now. I think it was before
034Mr. Kaggels was was our facilities director, but we did a study where by the amount we spend to re u what's the right word to maintain. Yeah. Renovate, you know, 10 years or 12 years when the field needs to be uh renewed. that that fee that we put in is very closely related to the maintenance of that field on a yearly basis. So, it's uh it's not wasteful spending. Um it's actually awful spending if we had plenty of space to to have natural grass fields where we didn't have to use them so heavily. That's one discussion. But, uh to have a turf field that you can play 247 and different sports and recreation as Mr. Hudson said and different, you know, I I see it as a plus for the community. Do you know uh
035Tim, just to add on to that point, there will be revenue that will be coming into the school for renting of facility just like it does happen for Bogle. So, it's a actually could be considered a revenue source as well. Okay. Which goes directly back to our schools. Any other discussion, Madame Clerk? Mr. Greenway? Yes, ma'am. Mr. London? No, ma'am. Miss Vani? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hudson. Yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Item 8.02, K through2, grading and policy updates, Mr. Ben Williams. Madame Chair, members of the board, Dr. Nicely. Um, I'm here today to uh update some policies that uh are uh fairly minor uh changes to uh to grading. Um the policies mainly uh fix grade levels to align with current practice. um add some criterionbased wording to uh the um uh
036the grade level designations um the uh the A to F designations rather and also uh fix our our rounding policy so that the math works out for everybody. Um, in addition to that, uh, we wanted to put that on this on action, uh, in order to let you know that, uh, we also made some, uh, changes that weren't policy based, but also, you know, behind the-scenes changes to, uh, to address some of the concerns the board had at, uh, at the last meeting at the work session. Um, in particular, we wanted to have a better transition. We heard you about the transition from standardsbased to grading and particularly in second grade. And so um you know there was a really good idea to um to to take the designations and second the proficient approaching proficiency
037and not yet proficient and to put along with that an AB cd and uh basically F designation beside them so that you've got a letter grade sort of transition going from uh from first grade and then the letter grade transition where you have both on the report card for second grade and then for the third grade it would go straight to A to F. So and then no anticipated changes for third on in terms of changing from A to F. So um so in terms of th those changes uh that we would also keep the the title report card. We had talked about potentially calling it progress report. Uh we just keep that name uh from you know K12. Um, and the other thing we would do is is make sure the that the the
038board had reassurance that student work that goes home will have traditional uh percentages those sort of things on it. So if you get a you know some work home it'll say 89% or it'll say seven out of 10 or 10 out of 10 or you know and such along with any you know designations whether they be you know proficient or AB that sort of thing. So, wanted to to make that really clear that uh that what parents see going home really wouldn't change. The report cards themselves um are essentially the same as they have this year. We're going to add some indicators because of some standards changes, but in the end um parents will benefit from having more information about their children as well. So, um so that those are the the primary changes and
039I'll be happy to answer any questions about those. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Any discussion? Yes, Madam Chair. I just want to thank Mr. Williams for working on this and the collaboration and and the board member comments because I think it was that's one of those spots where it really was a collaboration of uh you know some of you fellow board members had some great comments and I do like the idea of having the extended you know discussion for our parents in in certain criterias but also the grades important I think so it was a very very nice uh compromise so thank you I think we're in a better place now because of that. Thank you. Any other discussion, Madame Clerk? Mr. Greenway? Yes, ma'am. Mr. London? Yes, ma'am. Miss
040Vagani? Yes, ma'am. Mr. Hudson, yes, ma'am. Miss Clemens? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Item nine, information. We do not have any. Item 10.01, hearing of citizens for non-aggenda topics. We do not have any. Item 11.01, 01 report by Reno County School Superintendent Dr. Nicely. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. It was certainly wonderful this evening to see and honor all of our EMT students. Of course, we're honoring the uh the instructors. Uh but I'm so glad to see the students out in force to um as as a way of supporting that. And I know we're also proud to be able to offer these programs in Reno County public schools and have uh teachers and students who step up to the challenge for such an important uh work of public service. And of course, we
041also want to thank all the professionals, the partners. Very evident uh the partnerships that are involved in uh and be able to offer those partners. Uh we also want to thank the wonderful um uh community partners that we have like um Aro Steel who was also recognized this evening. Just appreciate all they do. And that's just one of a number of of partners like that, businesses that really support our students, support our program, support our schools, and we're just so grateful for them. I want to congratulate um all of our spring sports athletes who have represented um Reno County Schools so well this um this spring uh not only through robust competition, but just, you know, good sportsmanship. And we're always so proud when we have uh folks recognize the the good sports sportsmanship that
042our student athletes display. Uh special shout out to Glenn High School soccer. I know they brought home their third straight state championship last weekend and we're also very uh proud of them. Uh I want to thank our schoolboard members for coming out for our recent annual uh leadership meetings held uh for Reno County principles, assistant principles, and district leaders. We had two great days focused on student learning, school safety, and learning more about uh things like artificial intelligence. Um, we've also been um completing year round our year- end principal evaluations this week and I'm continuously reminded of just how blessed and fortunate we are as a school division to have the consistently highc caliber principles um that we have. Speaking of high caliber principles, we were thrilled of course to have uh two runup county
043principles counted among the 31 principles from across Virginia accepted into the first ever Virginia principal of distinction program. So, congratulations again to uh Principal Smith and also Dr. Benson, and we wish them well in that program. Since our last school board meeting, of course, we um also had the chance to shake the hands of over 1,000 seniors graduating from Mno County um high schools this year. We're so proud of these students, all they've accomplished, including earning over $12 million in scholarships. It's an honor to watch them graduate, and is a reminder of why we do what we do. So, congratulations to our graduates um and also to our our teachers, our families, all of whom play such a huge part in in getting him there. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Nicely. Item 12.01, reports and
044inquiries of board members. Mr. Greenway, would you like to go first? Sure. I don't I don't have much, but uh I was going to say how nice it was to to start the new year off with the uh leadership, the principal leadership gathering uh and the lunchon that we got to attend. Uh Mr. Lyndon and I got to set with the uh I guess they were the guest speakers with you know about AI and what a topic that is. So, um I don't know where that leads us or how, you know, that's that's technology. I'm not sure I can even understand or or get my head around, but for teaching and education, I imagine it's going to change the landscape and uh how we move forward. But, uh that that was a such a spot-on
045topic and those those folks were very engaging in thought process. Um it's just really cool to see how we come out of graduating and you're celebrating the graduates and then you're saying, "All right, let's get ready for next year." So, uh you know, Dr. Nicely and staff uh do an amazing job. So, we thank you for all you do and uh and appreciate you. And that's all. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. London. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'd just like to take an opportunity to thank Nancy Hans um for the invitation to last week's courage to care retreat. Um, we all know that vaping and and drug use is a concern um unfortunately all too much among our students and I shudder to think of where we might be if it weren't for the prevention
046council or now partnership for community wellness I guess. But um last week's retreat was was fantastic. To see the difference that that those people are helping make in this community is is wonderful and I look forward to those events that they've that we have planned in the fall starting at North Side at the end of August um to try to spread the word on on how to keep those um keep those children safe. So only other thing like to congratulate North's baseball team making it to the state quarterfinals. fell a little bit short to the eventual champion, but uh Trent Kundiff over there at North Side Blue Ridge District Coach of the Year. So, shout out to him. That's all. Thank you, Mr. Ashani. I have a couple of things, Madam Chair. So, um congratulations
047once again to all our graduates. As Dr. Nicely mentioned, I had the pleasure of attending graduation at Hidden Valley and it's really inspiring to be on the stage and see the graduates come through and a lot of them I know. So, it's near and dear to my heart. Seeing what they've achieved and knowing on that they're going to go on further to extend maybe an education or go out to the workforce or maybe another path just really brings joy to my heart. It was a wonderful ceremony. The speakers were really fantastic. Um, I attended, as David mentioned, the courage to care event. It was sponsored by the partnership for community wellness and um it was a really valuable opportunity to connect with others in the community and to uh really feel almost it was palpable
048in the room the difference that they were making and there really is an incredible amount of movement in this community dealing with um all types of substances whether it's alcohol, vape, nicotine, THC and um we are not unlike other communities who have issues issues and to see these programs provide wraparound services to these students and um the youth in our community is really all inspiring. Um there were over 60 participants and Narcan was given out um and they did a little revive training uh I guess refresher that was anybody who wanted Narcan could take it. Um a little mark your calendars on July 29th at Grandon Theater there's a movie that's coming out. It's free. We want to pack the movie theater. It's called Can't Look Away. If you have a chance, you can look
049it up online and watch the trailer. Um it brought tears to my eyes, the trailer. It's um sponsored by uh the Partnership for Community Wellness and Smartphone Free Childhood. Um you really won't want to miss it. An invitation will be available through the event bright. But um this movie really in an incredible way talks about the dangers of cell phones and the companies that have gone after our children marketing towards that addiction knowing what they knew and continuing to market all these terrible things to our children. So goes into sextor tortion um cyber bullying anxiety depression. So I wouldn't miss it. Um real quick congratulations again to Dr. Benson and to Mrs. Kim Smith who have been named to the inaugural class of candidates in the VDOE principles of distinction program. It really is a
050testament to their dedication and their commitment and their leadership and um they have done a remarkable job and everybody loves them and it's it's no wonder why they do an incredible job for Rono County. We really are blessed to have them. Uh lastly, I want to um uh just highlight the Rono County staff retreat that they put on. It was fantastic. The energy in the room was great. I love seeing everybody. I did not get to participate in the AI. Unfortunately, I missed that. But um I I think when you see all those great minds coming together in a room, the enthusiasm, it's the unwavering dedication that our staff has is the reason why Ron Oak County continues to excel and continues to do um what it does here for our students. One last thing,
051Dr. Nicely and Dr. Consultus, I'm going to officially make a request um that you inquire as to the feasibility of a recovery high school right here in Virginia. Uh Chesterfield has the first recovery high school that's been up for a couple years with great success. Two more are coming, one in Virginia Beach and one in Wesboro. I know both of the people that were involved in that. At this point, it was 100% funded by grant state funds. I think we have enough local support, enough people who would want to be involved in that project and I think it's definitely worth the discussion. So, um, let me know how I can be of assistance and I'd love to get it going. I really would. It wouldn't take money away from our current projects or our current
052schools. You typically start slow, five to 10 students, and then you roll people in and it's all state funded. So, it's grant money. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. real quick. Can Can I add into that because we've talked about the alternative school too that maybe think about that it could be in the same building. Okay. Y it will save lives. It was it was it will save lives. I was really impressed with that idea. Oh, we may have a building for a long and I've already mentioned it to people in our community and they are they're ready to go. Good. Good. Right. Mr. Hudson. Uh, first I'd like to congratulate our Glenn Highlanders boys soccer. Third time in a row winning state championship. And I don't have the statistics in front of me. I
053wish I did because I read through them the other day and it was unbelievable. They have been completely dominant over the last three years. So, and uh the ladies as well, they almost made it. They they almost made it. They had a great season and I believe David already mentioned Northid's achievements there. Um, also recognize our EMT kids. You know, these kids are our future and uh may very well save one of our lives one day. I work um closely obviously with the fire department over the years and those are some great people and I think that they got they got to be very happy to be a part of this program and have such a a wonderful group of kids coming up. Um looks like a bunch of them are already applied. So that's
054great. Um Miss Smith and and Dr. Benson. Yeah, actually I know both of them pretty well. Um Dr. Benson's wife works at Glenn. got to work with her for years and see her son a lot at Fort Lewis making my rounds and um you know he's he's had a lot of accomplishments over the last couple years. It's amazing. He's in here about every three or four months with some sort of accomplishment. So he's obviously working very hard. I know he just got his doctorate here over the last year or so. So very proud to have him on our staff. I think he's a a bright candidate to to come over to the central office at some point. I hope. And uh Miss Smith does a great job. Um I sat over there on her PTA
055for a while and have been at Fort Lewis for many years. wonderful staff there and um I believe that she is doing excellent things there. Um and congratulations to our graduates. I got to shake 423 hands. That's one of my most favorite parts of this job every year is uh unfortunately we didn't get to stand out on the field at Glen this year to do that. Uh the weather didn't cooperate, but had a lot of fun um shaking those hands and seeing some familiar faces. But um hope everyone's enjoying their summer. That's all I got. Okay. I want to give a shout out to Case Ring girls uh soccer. They um they did lose unfortunately in the championship, but um that was their first loss of the entire season. So, they had a pretty incredible
056season. So, congratulations to them. Um as everyone has mentioned, it is just such a pleasure to be part of graduation. Um to be able to shake each graduate's hand. Um and this year, of course, was special for me. Um it as it was my son's graduating class. Um so, I shook the hands of students that I've watched grow up. Many I've known since kindergarten, which was really cool. got some hugs and it was a lot of fun. Um, and I also had the honor of giving my son Charlie his diploma and um, it truly was one of the most special moments of my life. Um, and got to pictures back and they're pretty cool. So, um, so that's all I have to say. I'm just super happy that I got to do that. Um, and
057if there's nothing else, meeting a journ [Music]