At the Warren County School Board’s regular meeting on August 7, Superintendent Dr. Chris Ballenger provided important updates regarding the upcoming school year and the rescheduling of events due to Tropical Storm Debby.
Open day postponed
Due to the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Debby, the open house has been rescheduled for Monday, August 12th from 3-6 p.m. The storm is expected to bring 4-6 inches of rain, flash flooding, and possibly tornadoes. Dr. Ballenger stressed the importance of safety for all families and staff, recalling last year’s tornado warning that required sheltering in school buildings.
“We want to make sure families are safe as we welcome everyone back,” said Dr. Ballenger. “We hope everyone is safe when the storm comes. Localized flooding and strong winds are possible, so we are being extra cautious.”
At the Warren County School Board’s regular meeting on August 7, Superintendent Dr. Chris Ballenger provided important updates regarding the upcoming school year and the rescheduling of events due to Tropical Storm Debby.
Community Fun Day and Back to School
Despite the storm, Warren County Public Schools’ Community Fun Day is still scheduled for Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Warren County High School, 155 Westminster Drive. The weather is expected to clear by Friday, ensuring a dry and fun event. Fun Day will feature a variety of activities, including:
- Indoor activities with various providers
- Free haircuts
- Yoga and Taekwondo sessions
- Bicycle and helmet safety demonstrations
- Exhibits on fingerprint capture
- Self-defense demonstrations
- Bouncy castle, obstacle course, climbing wall, diving pool and tournament activities
- Barrel train rides
- Vehicle exhibitions from the fire and rescue services as well as the Sheriff’s Department
- Various food trucks
- Petting zoo
- DJ and car show
“This is our way of bringing everyone back. Not just with an open house, but with some activities and information,” noted Dr. Ballenger.
Warren County Public Schools’ first day of school is Tuesday, August 13. Dr. Ballenger urged the community to be cautious as school buses return to the streets. “When the stop sign is up, you need to stop because there may be small children crossing the street in front of the bus that you can’t see,” he advised. Safety comes first and we need everyone’s cooperation to make sure students get to school and back home safely.”
Personnel update
Dr. Ballenger provided information on the staffing situation for the new school year. The department currently has ten vacancies for teachers, two teaching assistants, two nurses and two counselors. All bus routes are covered, but there are still vacancies for three substitute drivers, with two candidates already in the training program. The department is also accepting applications for car drivers for special requests.
“Having 10 open positions is a good sign not only for Warren County, but also for our administrative staff as they strive to find individuals who can serve our students well,” said Dr. Ballinger.
New mobile phone directive
The board discussed Executive Order 33, recently signed by Governor Youngkin, which promotes a cell phone-free classroom environment. The new policy prohibits students from using personal electronic devices during class, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The board stressed the importance of implementing this policy from the first day of school to establish good habits and ensure compliance throughout the year.
Ms. Salins suggested that Diversified Minds, a non-traditional school, should become a school without personal electronic devices due to past discipline problems. Dr. Lowe raised concerns about students with medical needs, such as those with Type 1 diabetes, using their phones to monitor their health. The board agreed to consider exceptions for medical reasons, but stressed the need for consistency and fairness across schools.
The board recognized the complexity of implementing such policies and the importance of community involvement. It encouraged parents and community members to consider research on the negative impact of excessive cell phone use on children’s mental health and development. The board plans to continue to refine the policy based on feedback and guidance from the Virginia Department of Education.
Update of the Directive Regulation GCBD-R
Dr. Charles Coster, Assistant Director of Administration, presented the proposed update to the GCBD-R policy. The update allows the director or a designee to request a medical certificate confirming an employee’s illness when submitting a sick leave request. This applies to both professional and support staff. Board members discussed the potential impact of this policy, emphasizing the need for fairness and preventing abuse. They emphasized that the goal is not to punish employees, but to address absences that could impact the budget for replacement staff.
Dr. Charles Coster, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, presented the proposed update to the GCBD-R guideline.
Concerns raised and suggestions for improvement
Several board members, including Mr. McFadden and Dr. Funk, raised concerns about the policy. They suggested postponing the discussion until the next work session to gather more feedback and potentially clarify the policy. Dr. Funk suggested adding specific language to address patterns of absences, such as consistent absences on Fridays and Mondays, and including terms such as “validation” rather than strictly requiring a “doctor’s note.” The board agreed to revisit the policy at the next meeting to ensure it is fair and effective.
Electronic participation in meetings
Dr. Coster also presented the first reading of the BDD policy, which governs electronic attendance at meetings from remote locations. The updated policy includes a definition of the term “nurse” and allows nurses to attend meetings without requiring a vote from other board members. This change is consistent with a recently passed law in Virginia and aims to accommodate board members who are nurses and ensure they can attend meetings remotely without compromising quorum requirements.
The Warren County School Board meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to update and improve school policies to create a better learning environment for students and staff. By combating school absenteeism, ensuring fair use of sick leave, and promoting cellphone-free instruction, the council aims to improve the overall educational experience in Warren County. The council’s commitment to transparency and community engagement will play a critical role in the successful implementation of these policies.
Click here to watch the August 7, 2024 Warren County School Board meeting.
