Warren County School Board Reviews Visitor Rules, Special Education Support and Summer Meal Growth

The Warren County School Board spent much of its Aug. 19 meeting looking at how students, parents and visitors interact with local schools, while also approving a new agreement for specialized student services, broadband funding and several other items.

Among the evening’s longer discussions was the first reading of an updated School Visitors policy. The board also heard reports on three elementary schools receiving targeted federal support and learned that the school division’s summer food program served 286,958 meals.

The board separately approved a memorandum of understanding with Autism FIRST LLC to provide certain behavioral health and Applied Behavior Analysis services to eligible students.

That agreement was approved during the meeting — rather than simply receiving a first reading. A board member moved to approve the MOU and authorize the superintendent to sign it, and the motion passed.

Warren County Public Schools previously had an agreement with Family Insight for behavioral therapy and mental health services. The board was told that Family Insight is transitioning its ABA department to Autism FIRST. With parental permission, Autism FIRST can provide services to eligible students when determined by their Individualized Education Program teams. Costs may be billed to students’ insurance plans or paid by the school division.

Officials said only a small number of students currently receive such outside services. The number can change as students enroll, leave the division, or have their educational needs changed through the IEP process.

School Visitor Rules Get Closer Look

Immediately after approving the Autism FIRST agreement, the board moved into its work session for the first reading of Policy KK, School Visitors. No vote was required, and the policy is expected to return to the board.

The discussion covered parents, classroom observations, confidentiality, student safety, and School Board members’ visits to school buildings.

One proposed change removed language specifically addressing School Board members visiting schools. Staff said the provision appeared redundant because board members have school division identification and identify themselves when entering buildings.

Board members questioned whether guidance on their school visits should remain in the division policy. The board asked staff to determine whether the issue is covered elsewhere.

Classroom observations also received considerable attention.

Officials said that confidentiality, student safety, and the avoidance of unnecessary disruptions to instruction are among the main reasons the division needs clear visitor guidelines. Board members discussed how long observations should generally last and whether building-level procedures should include confidentiality requirements.

The conversation also touched on parents of students with disabilities who seek an independent educational evaluation. Staff explained that the previous visitor policy did not address that situation.

Parents of students with disabilities have safeguards allowing them to request an independent educational evaluation, the board was told. When classroom observation is part of the disputed evaluation, the division cannot simply deny an evaluator the opportunity to conduct an observation.

The visitor policy is expected to come back before the board next month after additional review.

Three Elementary Schools Receive Targeted Support

The board also received an update on E. Wilson Morrison, Leslie Fox Keyser, and Ressie Jeffries elementary schools.

All three have been federally identified for Targeted Support and Improvement, specifically related to the subgroup of students with disabilities. The schools are now in the second year of multi-year improvement plans submitted to the Virginia Department of Education.

Staff described work underway to improve reading and mathematics instruction while making sure special education services are built around individual student needs.

One area of emphasis is scheduling.

Rather than starting with an empty staff schedule and fitting students into it, the division developed a tool that begins with services required by students’ IEPs. Administrators then build staffing and instructional schedules around those requirements.

Officials stressed that the number of students assigned to a special education teacher does not tell the whole story. A teacher with fewer students may still face greater instructional demands depending on the frequency, duration, and type of services required by those students.

The division is also emphasizing collaboration between general and special education teachers, including time to plan instruction, review student data, and adjust teaching strategies.

Summer Meal Program Serves Nearly 287,000 Meals

Food and nutrition staff reported another busy summer.

The division served 286,958 meals, an increase of 23% over last year. Officials said some of the growth resulted from expanding the program into Clarke County.

The summer program distributed roughly 1,900 to 2,000 meal bags each week, totaling more than 30,000 meals. A Clarke County stop was added after coordination with state officials, extending the program to families there.

Staff also changed the curbside distribution schedule this summer, splitting distribution across two days. The change followed heat-related problems experienced by employees during the previous summer.

At the high school level, the food service program is also introducing more fresh, made-from-scratch options through what staff called “The Crave Experience.” Meanwhile, a new serving line and new walk-in freezer and refrigerator were completed at Skyline Middle School shortly before classes began.

Board Approves Funding, Easement and Donation

In other action, the board approved the updated Policy JFG governing search and seizure. The policy was before the board for its second reading and was approved as presented.

The board also accepted $86,400 in Schools and Libraries Program Category 1 funding for broadband services and a dark fiber lease. Warren County Public Schools will provide a $21,600 local match, reflecting an 80% program discount. The services will be purchased from Shenandoah Cable Television LLC.

A $500 donation from the Rotary Club of Warren County was accepted for the A.S. Rhodes Elementary School Early Act Club. During the discussion, board members expressed interest in finding a way to better track and recognize donations made to schools by community organizations.

The board also approved a water line easement associated with development near the Samuels Public Library. The proposed line will connect to an existing water line near the library entrance and extend toward Hardwood Drive.

The developer told the board that the work would be underground, with construction around the library entrance planned for off-hours or weekends to reduce disruption. Any damaged pavement would be restored at the developer’s expense. The easement itself will be permanent and granted to the town rather than the developer.

The meeting concluded with a closed session concerning personnel. After returning to open session, the board approved the Aug. 19, 2026, personnel report and addendum.

Watch the Warren County School Board Work Session of August 19, 2026