Local News
School Board Votes to Bolster School Security, Hire More Ressie Jeffries Teachers
Christopher Ballenger (above) highlighted several forthcoming issues for School Board consideration.
The Warren County School Board, on Wednesday, November 14, unanimously approved a motion to hire two more teachers for Ressie Jeffries Elementary School and voted to require law enforcement experience for an incoming school security officer.
School Board Chair Kristen Pence, Vice Chair Ralph Rinaldi, and members Andrea Lo, Antoinette Funk, and Melanie Salins were present for the 5-0 votes.
“As our ELL [English Language Learner] population continues to increase, there is a need for an additional teacher to help meet their needs,” Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) Personnel Director Jody Lee said when presenting the teacher hiring item. “We have also experienced an increase in elementary numbers that have pushed class size limits at Ressie Jeffries.”
Lee pointed out that three teachers were added to the budget, but larger numbers in lower grades required staff to be adjusted at Ressie Jeffries this year, so the two positions will help address the increased numbers of both sets of students, he said.
In another action item presented by Lee, he said that while the district’s current school security officer job description requires a bachelor’s degree candidate, WCPS staff wanted to modify that description to recruit a more experienced applicant with a law enforcement background.
The person will assist at both WCPS high schools in monitoring the flow of students entering and exiting the schools, as well as general student monitoring during the school day, and facilitate security measures both in the building and surrounding school grounds, Lee explained.
The unanimously approved job description now reads: “KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND ABILITIES — Candidate must (1) be a graduate of an accredited college or university or (2) possess a high school diploma with previous law enforcement, corrections, or security experience. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and must be able to obtain a School Safety Officer Certification through the Department of Criminal Justice Services within 90 days.”
In other action, the School Board voted unanimously to allow WCPS Superintendent Christopher Ballenger to lecture for compensation at universities and colleges as long as it does not interfere with his contracted duties for the school district. “I’m interested in taking on speaking engagements, lectures, etc.,” said Ballenger. “I would not do these activities during the school day.”
Lastly, the board also approved the school district’s adoption and purchase of McGraw-Hill Environmental Science hardcopy textbooks and online subscriptions for a five-year term at a cost of $20,052.86.
Work Session presentations
Erin Fisher, executive director of Anti-Trafficking International, shared information with the School Board on the organization’s grades 6-10 curriculum on human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.
“Human trafficking is quickly growing and overtaking the drug trafficking trade,” Fisher said, adding that “rural counties have a high vulnerability rate due to the increased fentanyl and opioid epidemic.”
In fact, the Front Royal, Va., and Warren County area is not immune to human trafficking, she said, due to easy access to Interstate 66 and Interstate 81.
“Traffickers are way ahead of the game compared to most parents,” said Fisher (above). “It’s a real issue that parents are starting to deal with.”
Anti-Trafficking International offers a program that Fisher said is cost-effective, sustainable, customizable, and time-sensitive. The program is designed to increase parents’ and students’ knowledge, awareness, and prevention of human trafficking.
The program aims to give students the skills to know what to look for in an effort to spur a cultural shift about the issue, she said, similar to the goals of the D.A.R.E. [Drug Abuse Resistance Education] program.
For instance, program participants learn about what dangers to be aware of based on actual case examples and in-person testimonies. The program also incorporates a lot of classroom discussion to help students work through scenarios and support each other in understanding the issue and associated dangers.
At the same time, Fisher said discussions focus on consent, choice, hope, respect, and the responsibility of being part of the community. Segments also naturally fall within the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) to give students a foundation of knowledge, she said.
Presented as an informational item to the School Board, Ballenger added that the program could be supplemental to some Family Life courses aligned with SOLs, and would cost roughly $5,000 for three years.
Richard Novak (above, standing), club director of the Front Royal Rotary Club, and Michael Williams (above right, blue sweatshirt) of the Warren County Rotary Club said during the meeting that both clubs would fund the program if the School Board found the cost to be prohibitive.
“Human trafficking is so broad,” Novak said. “We need to give our kids some ammunition and knowledge to fight it and prevent it before it happens. We think it’s that important.”
“Don’t let money be the issue,” added Williams, owner of MDUB Chauffeur Services LLC. “We’ll take care of that.”
Pence thanked the clubs’ representatives for their generous offers. The board is likely to see the item presented later for action.
In another Work Session presentation, Chuck Haines, WCPS secondary truancy prevention officer, and WCPS Assistant Superintendent for Administration George “Buck” Smith discussed moving the secondary truancy prevention officer from a 10-month contract to a 12-month contract in order to fulfill the summertime needs of truancy.
“There is a lot of work that has to go into these cases, including gaining information from service providers, discussing issues with parents, and responding to the assigned defense attorneys, Guardian ad Litems, and the prosecuting attorney,” said Smith.
Once a petition is filed, he explained, the Code of Virginia requires that adjudication take place within 120 days. That means that petitions filed in March, April, and potentially May, therefore, require trials that are held over the summer. And Haines has to attend those trials.
So, as WCPS works to improve how it handles truancy and chronic absenteeism, it would be helpful to extend the contract for Haines’ position, they said.
“We have seen a significant increase in truancy cases, along with the struggles of getting students back in school since the pandemic,” Haines said.
Ballenger added that WCPS may also need an additional attendance officer. The item will be presented to the board for action during one of its meetings in December, he said.
Local News
Warren County Board of Supervisors Advocates for Teacher Raises in Upcoming Budget
The Warren County Board of Supervisors (WCBOS) has strongly supported prioritizing teacher raises in the Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The Board is advocating for a budget that accommodates a 3% raise for teachers, including step increases and hiring an additional agriculture teacher at Skyline High School.
John Stanmeyer, Shenandoah District Supervisor, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “I think we have found some great solutions that allow the School Board to provide their employees what is needed while also addressing the funding challenges we have faced throughout the County.”
Chery Cullers, the Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairperson, echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism about resolving the budget challenges. “I’m excited to see these funding challenges come to a close with priorities on public safety and teacher salaries as we resolve this upcoming budget season,” Cullers remarked.
The WCBOS has requested that the School Board prioritize these labor-related increases over any non-labor expenditures. This collaborative effort between the WCBOS and the WCPS School Board aims to finalize a balanced budget that addresses the needs of teachers and enhances the quality of education in Warren County.
As the budget planning continues, both boards are committed to working together to ensure that the final budget supports the community’s educational priorities and financial well-being.
Stay tuned to the Royal Examiner and the Warren County government website for more updates on the budget discussions and decisions.
Crime/Court
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 5-13-2024
Front Royal Police Department arrest report for the past 7 days:
Community Events
Ressie Jeffries Elementary School’s ‘Senior Walk’ Honors Alumni Poised to Take Their Next Step in Life
Shortly after noon, Wednesday, May 15, Ressie Jeffries Elementary School held its annual Senior Walk. Expected were graduates from both Skyline and Warren County High Schools, along with some from surrounding counties, including Sherando. We got word from staff at Ressie that, “The entire school Pre-K to 5th grades have been feverishly working to decorate the school as one final hoorah before these seniors walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.”
Seniors pose outside and inside as they prepare for the Senior Walk through Ressie Jeffries hallways and into the gym. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini
At the conclusion of the parade in the gymnasium area, some seniors were anticipated to participate in a final relay race to mark an official “Goodbye” to their childhood memories. Also invited to participate this year were former staff that taught, possibly some of the participating seniors, at Ressie.
The Ressie Jaguar mascot preps the Class of 2024 sign bearers, left Hudson Simmons, right Eli Wood. And here they come down the hall with this year’s seniors robed and being cheered on by future seniors lining the hallway.
Following the event we got this update from Ressie staffer Jamie Marion: “This was by far the BIGGEST Senior Walk we’ve had that included at least 50 graduates, along with the most parents we’ve ever had. Additionally, we had past staff members on video chat attending virtually. The positive comments, tears of joy, happiness, sadness, the reminiscing and all the cheering was phenomenal,” Marion observed, adding, “All-in-all it was a WONDERFUL day to be a Jaguar.”
Once a Ressie Jaguar, always a Ressie Jaguar – Where’d they go, some were wondering. And it was into the gym for some final post walk activities, planned and unplanned.
The Senior Class of 2024 readies for a rumored relay race, and below the Jaguar seems to have picked its relay team from three high schools judging from the caps and gowns.
Chamber News
Front Royal’s Phoenix Project Celebrates 10 Years of Empowering Survivors
The Phoenix Project celebrated its 10th anniversary in a significant community event, marking a decade of vital contributions to combat domestic and sexual violence in Front Royal and Warren County. The celebration was graced by Niki Foster, the executive director of the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Bryon Biggs, Chamber President, and Front Royal Town Councilman Glenn Wood, who all congratulated and supported the organization.
The Phoenix Project, known for its dedicated service in providing hope and help to those affected by domestic and sexual violence, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the milestone. This event highlighted the organization’s decade-long service and highlighted the ongoing challenges in addressing these critical community issues.
Speakers, including Councilman Wood and Bryon Biggs, reflected on the organization’s impact and the persistent need for such services during the event. Biggs remarked on the unfortunate reality that the problem of violence has not diminished as hoped, underscoring the importance of the Phoenix Project’s work in the community.
Tammy Sharp, the outgoing Executive Director, and Avery Harper, the incoming Executive Director, shared their experiences and the organization’s achievements over the past ten years. Under their leadership, the Phoenix Project has responded to over 10,000 calls, provided over 3,000 nights of shelter, and reached more than 13,000 people through community education and outreach.
The celebration also included the announcement of significant donations from local organizations, with the Moose Lodge contributing $25,000 and the Massanutten Association of Realtors donating $500. These contributions will support the ongoing efforts to aid survivors and combat domestic and sexual violence in the community.
As the Phoenix Project looks to the future, its leaders and community supporters remain committed to deepening their impact and providing essential services to those in need. With strong community backing and a dedicated team at the helm, the Phoenix Project is poised to face the next decade’s challenges with renewed vigor and commitment.
For more information about the Phoenix Project and how to support its mission, please visit their website or contact their office directly.
Local News
Dominion Ridge Academy Celebrates Class of 2024 Achievements
Dominion Ridge Academy is thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of its Class of 2024, a group of students who have excelled academically and grown into outstanding leaders within the school community. The academy honors their hard work and dedication as these graduates prepare to step into the next chapter of their lives.
The Class of 2024 has collectively received over $370,000 in scholarship offers, a testament to their academic excellence and potential. These seniors have been accepted into various prestigious colleges and universities nationwide, including Bridgewater College, Christopher Newport University, and the University of Wyoming. This diverse range of higher education choices highlights the breadth of their interests and abilities.
Additionally, Dominion Ridge Academy takes pride in acknowledging those graduates who have chosen to pursue trades. This decision underscores the importance of skilled trades in today’s economy and reflects the academy’s commitment to supporting diverse career paths.
The academy draws inspiration from Jeremiah 29:11, reminding its students that they are destined for a hopeful future filled with opportunities. As these young adults embark on their new beginnings, the school community comes together to wish them success and fulfillment in all their endeavors.
Dominion Ridge Academy, located in Front Royal, Virginia, has always been dedicated to nurturing its students’ spiritual, moral, and intellectual development. The school embraces a holistic approach to education, integrating neuroeducation and social-emotional learning to meet the individual needs of each student.
The achievements of the Class of 2024 exemplify the academy’s mission to foster a sense of competence, confidence, and belonging among its students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
For more information about Dominion Ridge Academy and its programs, don’t hesitate to contact the school at 540-635-6799 or visit their website at [Dominion Ridge Academy](http://www.dominionridgeacademy.com). Join us in congratulating the graduates as they move forward with courage and hope into the future.
Local News
Humane Society of Warren County Receives $10,000 Grant from Petco Love
The Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) is thrilled to announce a significant boost to their animal welfare efforts with a $10,000 grant investment from Petco Love, a national nonprofit committed to improving the lives of pets and people in communities nationwide. This funding is part of Petco Love’s recent distribution of over $15 million in grants to support local organizations dedicated to saving animal lives.
Established in 1999, Petco Love has contributed $375 million to lifesaving activities and helped find homes for over 6.75 million pets through partnerships with Petco and thousands of organizations nationwide. The grant to HSWC is aimed at supporting the shelter’s efforts to care for and protect pets in Front Royal and Warren County, where the organization has been a beacon of hope for homeless and neglected animals.
“Our local investments are an integral part of our mission to ensure that no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “We are committed to supporting the tireless efforts of organizations like the Humane Society of Warren County that share our vision and demonstrate a profound impact on the health and welfare of animals.”
The Humane Society of Warren County has a commendable track record, achieving a 96% save rate in 2023 and maintaining its status as a no-kill shelter. The grant will aid in providing essential care and improving the facilities that house numerous pets annually, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment while awaiting adoption.
“We are profoundly grateful for Petco Love’s support, which enables us to enhance our care and extend our services to more animals in need,” stated Kayla Wines, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Warren County. “This funding helps us continue our work and reinforces our initiatives to educate the public on important issues like vaccinations and population control.”
For more information on the Humane Society of Warren County and how to support their cause, visit www.humanesocietywarrencounty.com. To learn more about Petco Love and their lifesaving efforts, visit petcolove.org.
Thank You to our Local Business Participants:
