School Board approves CTE & special ed plans, security equipment contract, & more

The Warren County School Board on Wednesday, April 6, unanimously approved several action agenda items, including a contract to install security equipment, a contract for solid waste removal, the annual special education plan, an interagency agreement between Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) and RSW Regional Jail, and an annual plan for career and technical education (CTE).

All School Board members were present during the regular meeting, including Chair Kristen Pence, Vice-Chair Ralph Rinaldi, and board members Andrea Lo, Antoinette Funk, and Melanie Salins.
The first board approval was to award a $70,843 contract to Richmond, Virginia-based National Security, and Door Corp. for the installation of card readers at WCPS elementary schools.

Warren County School Board Chair Kristen Pence (above) presides over April 6 meeting.

WCPS Assistant Superintendent for Administration George “Buck” Smith said division staff in August 2021 submitted a grant application through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for security equipment enhancements at four of the five elementary schools.

The grant request was for the installation of card readers for the exterior doors at Hilda J. Barbour, Ressie Jefferies, Leslie Fox Keyser, and E.W. Morrison elementary schools, which have little or no electronic door access systems, Smith explained.

“The card readers will alleviate the need for staff to have exterior door keys, which are frequently lost,” Smith told the board members in making the contract request.

Smith noted that the card readers give staff the ability to immediately activate or deactivate any card that is reported lost or stolen and offers the capability for school administrators to track who is entering the buildings, through which door, and on what day and time. Staff also will be able to create multiple access levels to further enhance the physical security of the buildings, he said.

While WCPS had requested $100,000 from VDOE, the division received notification in January that WCPS had been awarded $56,127 of the requested amount. The grant stipulates that there must be a 25 percent local match (which totals $14,031.75) and all equipment and installation must be completed by June 30, according to Smith.

The second board approval was for a renewal contract for the 2022-2023 school year for Republic Services, which handles the solid waste and dumpster container service for WCPS. The current renewal period with Republic Services expires on June 30, with one renewal year remaining, said Smith, who told School Board members that Republic Services requested a 4.2 percent increase from the previous year’s costs of $68,000.

“Staff has reviewed the requested annual increase amount and confirmed that the requested amount is within range of the CPI,” said Smith, referring to the Consumer Price Index for March.

Jane Baker (above), CTE director and principal at the Blue Ridge Technical Center, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the board on the division’s CTE Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment for review and informational purposes.

The local needs assessment is required documentation under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, also known as Perkins V, which was signed into law by former President Donald Trump on July 31, 2018. The bipartisan measure reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) and continues Congress’ commitment in providing nearly $1.3 billion annually for CTE programs across the nation.

As part of receiving grant dollars, Perkins V calls for updated CTE Local Needs Assessments every two years, Baker said. The report includes data on CTE student performance; program size, scope, and quality; program alignment to the labor market; program implementation; program staff recruitment, retention, and development; and program access and equity.

In Warren County, for example, Baker said that data on the CTE’s program alignment to the labor market showed some “surprising information,” namely that while data sources show national manufacturing sector jobs are down 12 percent, “all local manufacturers are in desperate need” of employees, she said.

“We are working with local manufacturers on specific course work that has transferable skills, including small engine repair and ag fabrication, as well as a potential boot camp for 12th graders that would end with a hiring event,” Baker said.

Following her presentation, Baker proposed that the board approve the 2022-2023 Local Perkins CTE Plan as presented “with the knowledge that amendments will occur as information becomes available.”

Specifically, the 2022-2023 local plan for CTE Perkins funds provides Warren County with funding to purchase materials and equipment, support professional development, and support members of identified special populations engaged in CTE student organizations, Baker explained, noting, “The funding assists us in providing the equipment, training, and related resources that will enable our students to be workforce ready.”

VDOE deems the provided information as “substantially approvable” in its present form, said Baker. And while final numbers are not yet available from VDOE, it is expected that the funding will be similar to the numbers presented in the plan, which she said are reflective of last year’s allotment. An amendment to the plan will occur and be submitted to VDOE when feasible, Baker added.
The School Board approved the plan.

Other action
Among its final actions for the evening, the board also approved both the Interagency Agreement between WCPS and RSW Regional Jail for the provision of special education and related services to eligible inmates, as well as the 2022-2023 Special Education Annual Plan.

WCPS Director of Special Services Michael Hirsch presented both the agreement and annual plan for approval. The 2022-2023 Special Education Annual Plan includes an application for federal funding in the amount of $1,227,721 for 611 Part-B and $31,841 for 619 Part-B with total funding of $1,259,562 to be approved for submission to VDOE, he said.

Additionally, the interagency agreement with the jail will be included in the annual special ed plan, said Hirsch.

The board also approved the Title II/IV Parent Advisory Committee. Title II provides federal funding to states and districts for activities that strengthen instructional leadership and teacher quality in all schools, especially those with a high proportion of children in poverty, while Title IV, Part A provides funds for programs and activities to improve students’ academic achievement.

During the process of developing the school system’s application for these funds, it is the responsibility of the school system to seek input on the needs of the school division regarding the grant funds from various stakeholders, including parents, said WCPS Elementary School Principal Lisa Rudacille.

The School Board members also voted unanimously to accept with gratitude a Giant/Martins Feeding School Kids check donation of $10,339.64 for the WCPS Food Service Department, and voted 4-1, with Salins voting nay, to adopt the Code of Conduct for school board members offered by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA).

After an approximately two-hour public meeting, the board convened in a closed meeting to discuss the superintendent’s midyear evaluation. In fact, prior to the start of the 7 pm meeting, the School Board authorized a closed meeting that started at 6 pm to discuss a student discipline report.

After the initial closed meeting, once the regular meeting began, a special presentation was given by members each representing the Samuel R. Millar Post 1860, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal, who presented board members with replacement U.S. flags for each of the district’s schools.

Click here to watch the Warren County School Board’s April 6 regular meeting in its entirety.