Warren County School Board Reviews Progress on Substitute Program, Employee Engagement, and Student Wellness

At the April 23 Warren County School Board meeting, members heard a series of important updates, each highlighting the district’s ongoing efforts to improve school operations, support staff, and promote student wellness.

ESS Substitute Teacher Program Update
Jon Smith presented the monthly ESS report on substitute teacher staffing. Smith shared positive news, reporting an 80% fill rate for March, up one point from February. Once building substitute coverage was included, the district’s overall fill rate reached an impressive 99%.

Smith credited outreach efforts at Laurel Ridge Community College, Shenandoah University, and local career fairs for helping to recruit more substitute teachers. He also noted a special appreciation event is planned in partnership with the Front Royal Cardinals minor league baseball team, offering substitutes and their families free tickets and on-field recognition.

Financially, Smith reported that WCPS has spent about $798,429 on substitutes this year, leaving some budget flexibility for the remainder of the school year. Thanks to careful planning, the district is tracking 8% under last year’s substitute budget, a positive sign for fiscal management.

Mid-Year Employee Engagement Survey Results
Next, Human Resources Director Rachel Drake presented results from the district’s mid-year employee engagement survey, conducted in February 2025.

The survey, sent to over 750 full-time employees, received 368 responses—an encouraging participation rate of more than 50%. Drake celebrated the input, noting Skyline High School had the highest response rate and won a Dunkin’ Donuts prize for their effort.

Among the highlights:

• Over 56% of staff reported being satisfied or very satisfied working at WCPS.

• 71% felt supported and encouraged by their building administrators.

• 69% said their ideas were valued.

• 78.8% agreed that their department goals aligned with the school division’s culture.

• A majority also expressed satisfaction with the training, support, and resources provided.

Drake noted areas for improvement, especially regarding clearer communication around job expectations and improving support for staff who seek additional training or resources. She also plans to refine next year’s survey to remove “neutral” options and better capture employee feedback.

Local Wellness Policy Update
Randa Vernazza shared an update on the Local Wellness Policy. Brown explained that Warren County Public Schools must maintain a wellness policy to guide student health initiatives and ensure school meals meet federal nutrition standards.

Vernazza, along with a committee of school leaders and health coordinators, drafted the new policy using guidance from the Virginia Department of Education. After opening the draft for public comment in March, the committee received six responses—a number Vernazza said was small but encouraging.

Feedback was largely positive, with community members praising WCPS for its focus on nutritious meals and support for student well-being. Suggestions included reducing processed foods, partnering with local farms, and addressing sugar content in meals. Brown said several of these recommendations have already been incorporated into the final draft.

The updated Local Wellness Policy will be presented for formal approval at the School Board’s May meeting.

Each report reflected Warren County Public Schools’ commitment to transparency, community engagement, and continuous improvement — themes echoed throughout the evening’s discussions.