Warren County School Board Opens 2026 With New Leadership, Student Showcases, and Focus on Accountability

The Warren County School Board launched the new year with its annual Organizational Meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Warren County Government Center. The meeting marked a transition in board leadership, welcomed new members, highlighted classroom innovation, and set priorities for school improvement and community engagement in the year ahead.

New Chair, Vice Chair, and Board Members

The board unanimously elected Dr. Kristen Pence as Chair and Tom McFadden as Vice Chair. The meeting also served as the first organizational session for new board members Sara Jones and George Cline, who joined returning members Dr. Pence, McFadden, and Melanie Salins.

Dr. Pence thanked fellow board members for their confidence and emphasized the importance of collaboration as the board moves forward. Several members echoed optimism about working with a new superintendent and a newly seated board.

The board later approved its 2026 meeting calendar, voting to continue holding meetings on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., a schedule members said provides consistency for families, staff, and the public.

New “Instructional Spotlight” Brings Classroom to the Boardroom

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the debut of the board’s new Instructional Spotlight, a monthly feature showcasing teaching and learning in Warren County classrooms.

Instruction Director Heather Bragg introduced the initiative, noting that the first meeting of each month will feature hands-on instruction led by teachers and students.

The first spotlight featured second-grade students from A.S. Rhodes Elementary School, led by teacher Stephanie Goode. Students participated in a math lesson on math nets—two-dimensional shapes that fold into three-dimensional objects—using a Minecraft theme to build paper characters.

Principal Lori Layman praised Goode’s creativity and student-centered approach, noting her ability to align academic standards with students’ interests. Board members were invited to fold the shapes alongside students and were later quizzed on geometry vocabulary, including vertices, faces, and planes.

“This really shows how much vocabulary and conceptual understanding we expect from students at such a young age,” Bragg said.

Attendance Awards Recognize Student Commitment

The board also recognized schools with the highest attendance for December 2025.

At the elementary level, A.S. Rhodes Elementary received top honors. Layman shared that nearly half of the school’s students earned outstanding attendance during the second advisory period, defined as three or fewer absences, tardies, or early dismissals. The school tracks attendance weekly and celebrates success through advisory awards and rotating trophies.

At the secondary level, Warren County Middle School earned the attendance award. Administrators credited engaged instruction, supportive families, and a strong sense of belonging for encouraging consistent attendance among students.

Appointments and Committee Work

Several appointments were approved during the meeting:

• Dr. Kristen Pence was appointed as the School Board’s representative to the Mountain Vista Governor’s School Board.
• Melanie Salins and George Cline were named to the Building Committee.
• Robert Ballentine was reappointed as Clerk of the School Board, with Krista Breeden continuing as Deputy Clerk.

The board also formally established a Policy Review Committee as a standing committee. Tom McFadden and Sara Jones were appointed as the committee’s first members. The group will help guide ongoing updates to division policies, many of which are being revised to align with state law.

New Scholarship Honors Alumni Legacy

Board members unanimously accepted a new scholarship for Warren County High School seniors. The Sharon Nicholson Memorial Scholarship will award $1,000 to a graduating female athlete from the Class of 2026 who plans to pursue higher education.

Nicholson, a 1976 graduate of Warren County High School, excelled in basketball and softball. The scholarship was donated by alumni Tim and Tammy Darr, who were thanked for their generosity and support of local students.

All Schools Fully Accredited; Progress Noted

Bragg and Denise Walton, the division’s testing coordinator, presented an in-depth overview of accreditation and accountability results under Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework.

All nine Warren County schools are fully accredited, meaning they meet the state’s Standards of Quality and Accreditation, including alignment of curriculum, staffing, and school safety.

Five schools—A.S. Rhodes Elementary, Hilda J. Barber Elementary, Warren County Middle School, Skyline High School, and Warren County High School—received a performance rating of “On Track.” Warren County High School missed the state’s highest “Distinguished” rating by just one point.

Both Warren County Middle School and Skyline Middle School were also removed from federal identification status, a significant milestone after years of focused improvement efforts.

Three elementary schools—E. Wilson Morrison, Leslie Fox Keyser, and Ressie Jeffries were identified as needing intensive support due to performance gaps among students with disabilities. Bragg emphasized that each school is within reach of a higher rating and is already implementing targeted strategies, including professional development and improved instructional supports.

“This data gives us clear direction,” Walton said. “And we’re already seeing improvement in benchmark assessments.”

Superintendent Outlines Community Outreach Plans

Superintendent Dr. Troy Wright shared plans to begin town hall-style meetings with staff, parents, students, and community members starting this month. He also announced the formation of student, parent, and staff advisory committees to gather input as the division enters budget season.

Board members raised topics for future discussion, including improving communication with the public, enhancing the school division’s online presence, and exploring options to better share positive news from classrooms and schools.

Looking Ahead

As the board begins 2026, members expressed enthusiasm for collaboration, transparency, and student-centered decision-making. With new leadership in place and a renewed focus on instruction, accountability, and community engagement, the board signaled a clear direction for the months ahead.

Click here to watch the Warren County School Board meeting of January 7, 2026.