Warren County School Board Meeting Celebrates Teachers and Attendance Success

The February 5, 2024, Warren County School Board meeting was filled with celebration and gratitude. Educators were recognized for their exceptional contributions, and schools were honored for their attendance achievements. The evening highlighted the importance of student engagement and the dedication of teachers who go above and beyond every day.

Attendance Awards Celebrate Student Engagement
A central theme of the evening was creating a positive environment that encourages students to come to school. Warren County Public School Superintendent Dr. Chris Ballenger credited various school clubs and activities with fostering that environment.

Lori Layman, Principal at A.S. Rhodes Elementary School, receives the January attendance award from Dr. Chris Ballenger.

A.S. Rhodes Elementary School received the Elementary Attendance Banner for January with an impressive attendance rate of 93.26%. Warren County Middle School earned the Secondary Attendance Award, boasting a 92.75% attendance rate.

Mrs. Lori A. Layman, Principal at A.S. Phodes Elementary School, said, “We strive to create a place where students want to be every day, even on less-than-perfect days; we aim to make school a place where kids want to come back and grow.”

She highlighted several initiatives that help build student engagement, including a thriving, year-round Disc Golf Club developed by 1st-grade teacher Christopher Seiders, a Walking Club sponsored by 5th Grade teacher Debra Curtis with 30 students meeting twice a week, and an Early Act Rotary Club supported by Ressie Jeffries Teacher of the Year honoree Hailey Chadwell.

To support students with chronic absences, A.S. Rhodes plans to launch a tutoring program in the spring to help students recover lost instructional time. “Right now, we have 10 students participating,” Layman said. “As we move further into the spring, we’ll look to expand the program and help even more students earn back that time.”

Christopher Johnston, principal of Warren County Middle School, proudly accepted the Secondary Attendance Award on behalf of the school. “This is always the highlight of my month,” Johnston said. He also expressed his appreciation for the School Board.

Johnston also took a moment to recognize the efforts of local medical professionals. “With the sicknesses going around recently, I want to thank all the doctors, nurse practitioners, and medical staff who have been seeing our kids and helping them return to school. Hopefully, those visits will decrease as spring sets in,” he added.

Skyline High School was recognized as Most Improved, increasing its monthly attendance by 3.44% to reach 90.72%. Co-Interim Principal Keith David Reeves emphasized the school’s ongoing commitment to creating a culture of “passionate teaching that leads to joyous learning.”

“Deep thanks to all of you for your public service to the families of Warren County. We truly appreciate your dedication and support. We couldn’t do what we do without you. I also want to recognize our fantastic staff, students, and families, who have been key partners in helping us grow, improve, and create positive change. Continuous improvement is central to our mission. We will keep striving toward those goals, and I’m especially grateful for the excellent teaching in our schools. This is exemplified by our Teacher of the Year, Robin Jensen, whom I’m proud to honor this evening.

My leadership partner, Mrs. Pumphrey, and I passionately believe that creating a culture of inspiring teaching and joyous learning is key to making school a place where children want to be and where they can thrive. We will continue to use all the data and research-supported practices at our disposal to ensure Skyline fulfills its rich potential. Dr. Ballenger, the Department of Instruction, and their team have been essential in making that happen. We are truly honored to represent our teachers—the ones doing the real work every day.”

Honoring the 2024 Teachers of the Year
The meeting also celebrated Warren County’s 2024 Teachers of the Year, with each school honoring an educator for their dedication and impact in the classroom. The highlight of the evening was the formal recognition of Ms. Hallie Groves, a seventh-grade history teacher at Warren County Middle School, as the Division Teacher of the Year.

2024 Teachers of the Year

Dr. Charles Costner, Assistant Superintendent of Administration, praised the honorees. “These teachers are phenomenal,” he said. “We are so impressed with all our teachers, and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize them tonight.”

Ms. Groves, who has 23 years of teaching experience, humbly accepted the honor. “I’m very honored and very humbled,” she said. “To be among the teachers who taught me and to now stand in line with them is just such an honor.” Known for her engaging teaching style, Ms. Groves brings history to life with immersive lessons that inspire her students.

In addition to Ms. Groves, the following teachers were recognized:

• Charity Lease, A.S. Rhodes Elementary School
• Victoria Lutrell, E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School
• Nicole Andlinger, Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School
• Alexandra Wahl, Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary School
• Hailey Chadwell, Ressie Jeffries Elementary School
• Emily Whitacre, Skyline Middle School
• Halle Groves, Warren County Middle School and Division Teacher of the Year
• Emma Selby, Non-Traditional Education
• Michael Abel, Blue Ridge Technical Center
• Robin Jensen, Skyline High School
• Erik Breit, Warren County High School

School Board Appreciation Month
The meeting concluded with warm thanks to the School Board in honor of School Board Appreciation Month. Schools presented small gifts as tokens of gratitude.

As Warren County Public Schools continues to celebrate its teachers and improve attendance, it’s clear that student success remains the driving force behind every effort.

Click here to watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of February 5, 2025.