Warren County School Board Work Session: Meal Price Hike, Staff Stipends, and Safety Measures Discussed

The Warren County School Board, at its Work Session of September 18, 2024, covered several key issues that reflect ongoing efforts to improve safety, academic performance, staffing, and budgetary transparency within the district. Here’s a deeper look into the discussions and decisions that took place.

School Zone Speed Camera Program Yields Impressive Results

The school zone speed camera enforcement program was one of the first topics covered. Front Royal Police Chief Kahle Magalis provided an update on the initiative introduced last year to improve road safety in school zones. The program started with a 30-day public education campaign, followed by a warning period during which drivers received notices for speeding but no fines. The enforcement phase began in April 2024.

Data from a five-day study conducted shortly after the program’s launch revealed nearly 8,000 speed violations in four school zones: Chrysler Road near Ressie Jeffries Elementary, Warren County Middle School, Leach Run, and Skyline Middle School. However, by the end of the school year, violations had dropped dramatically to an average of 491 per day—a 93.9% reduction. This significant decline demonstrates the program’s success in curbing speeding near schools, thereby improving safety for students and staff.

In August alone, despite school only being in session for part of the month, 628 citations were issued across the four zones. The Chief noted adjustments to the timing of school zone lights, ensuring drivers have a buffer to slow down before fines are triggered. Speed violations are only recorded if a vehicle exceeds the limit by 10 miles per hour, providing fairness to the system. Additionally, school holidays and weather-related closures are accounted for, with officers manually vetting citations to ensure no fines are issued on days when school is not in session. The Chief’s report underscored the program’s effectiveness and the district’s commitment to student safety.

School Resource Officers Highlight Safety Drills and Threat Assessments

The next report came from school resource officers (SROs), who focused on safety drills and their ongoing efforts to maintain a secure learning environment. The first round of lockdown drills has been conducted, and plans for a second round are underway. In addition to these safety drills, the SROs shared data on calls received during August, including 19 incidents and 8 threat assessments.

It was clarified that not all threat assessments indicate actual threats. Sometimes, misunderstood statements—such as students talking about video games—trigger the assessments. This distinction helps ensure that safety concerns are thoroughly investigated while preventing unnecessary alarms. The SROs also conducted K9 sweeps of school parking lots and playgrounds to enhance safety further, ensuring that these areas are free of drugs or contraband.

ESS Reports Progress in Substitute Staffing Amid Tight Budgetary Concerns

Representatives from Education Staffing Solutions (ESS), including Andrew Hall and Jon Smith, provided a detailed update on substitute staffing within the district. ESS, which transitioned to a new management system called Red Rover, reported significant efficiency and fill rate improvements. For August, the district’s substitute fill rate reached 77%, well above the national average of 67%. The system has allowed the district to allocate building-based substitutes to higher-need schools better. Despite these gains, some schools still face lower coverage rates, and ESS is working to address these gaps.

ESS’s recruitment efforts have ramped up, including offering a $100 referral bonus for current employees who bring in new substitute teachers. They also cover the cost of background checks for new hires, further incentivizing applicants. Additionally, Amy Chandley, ESS’s local manager, has actively engaged with the community through job fairs and school events to attract more candidates.

The board commended ESS for their improved performance and the positive feedback received from teachers and parents about the quality of substitutes. ESS also introduced a “Substitute of the Week” recognition program to motivate and reward outstanding substitutes. ESS committed to providing more detailed financial data in future reports, specifically regarding the district’s budget for substitutes and how monthly spending compares with the allocated budget.

Financial Report Sheds Light on Early Fiscal Trends

The district’s financial officer, Rob Ballentine, presented the August 2024 financial report. He noted that the report’s format remained consistent with previous months but included a new year-to-date comparison between this and the previous fiscal year. Early in the fiscal year, trends can be hard to detect due to the timing of invoice receipts and payments. He also explained that expenditures might fluctuate as adjustments are made, particularly for expenses incurred before the end of the last fiscal year on June 30th but paid after that date.

Ballentine promised detailed analyses of key areas like utilities, substitute costs, and school bus fuel expenses to improve financial transparency in future reports. However, he acknowledged that there would always be a lag between when services are rendered and when payments are made, meaning ESS’s financial reports might not perfectly align with the district’s. He reassured the board that if any financial irregularities arose, they would be addressed promptly.

School Accreditation Report Flags Areas for Improvement

The district’s testing coordinator, Denise Walton, provided an in-depth report on school accreditation for the 2024-2025 academic year based on assessment data from the previous school year (2023-2024). Schools are evaluated on nine indicators, including performance in math, English, and science and graduation rates for high schools. They are rated on a three-tier scale, with Level 1 being the highest.

Schools generally performed well in math and English, with most achieving Level 1 status. However, five schools fell short in science, landing at Level 3, which indicates they did not meet the necessary benchmarks. This area will require special attention moving forward. Chronic absenteeism, which also impacts accreditation, showed improvement across the district, with several schools reducing their absentee rates by more than 10%.

Walton projected that most schools will be fully accredited or have conditions. Despite having a Level 3 rating in one area, Warren County Middle School will maintain its accreditation due to a triennial review period that extends until 2025. However, other schools, such as A.S. Rhodes and E. Wilson Morrison, are expected to receive accreditation with conditions, meaning they must implement improvement plans.

A notable concern Walton raised was the decline in average years of teaching experience across the district and an increase in teachers working on provisional licenses. While Skyline Middle School managed to reduce the number of provisional teachers, other schools are seeing a rising trend in less-experienced staff. Walton emphasized that attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers will be crucial to maintaining academic standards.

To address the challenges, the district conducted summer curriculum meetings, particularly in math and English, to align teaching methods with new state standards and the Virginia Literacy Act, which focuses on K-3 literacy. The district also invested in science lab materials to encourage hands-on elementary and high school learning. Looking ahead, Walton explained that the state will transition to a more comprehensive accountability system, moving away from traditional accreditation. Schools will be rated as “distinguished,” “on track,” “off track,” or “in need of intensive support,” though the state is still clarifying details.

Board Approves Adult Meal Price Increase

The board voted to raise the prices of adult meals at district schools. Effective September 23, 2024, the price of adult breakfasts will increase to $2.75, while lunches will rise to $4.65. This decision aligns the district with the Virginia Department of Education (DOE) regulations, which require that adult meal prices include reimbursement rates. The increase primarily affects faculty, staff, and visiting adults purchasing meals from school cafeterias.

New Rules on Personal Electronic Devices to Be Phased In

Another major topic of discussion was the implementation of new regulations governing the use of personal electronic devices. The board reviewed updated guidelines that align closely with recent state directives. One significant change involves restricting device use during the entire “bell-to-bell school day” rather than just during instructional time. The board agreed on a phased rollout, with full implementation set for January 1, 2025. In the meantime, the district will work to educate students, parents, and staff on the new rules. Exceptions may be made for specific circumstances, such as during bus rides between schools.

Metal Detector Pilot Program Demonstrated for School Safety

The meeting also included a demonstration of new metal detectors being piloted as part of the district’s broader efforts to enhance school safety. Board members observed the devices in action, learning about their sensitivity settings and the challenges in adjusting them to ensure they detect prohibited items without triggering false alarms. Metal detectors are already used for special events like athletic competitions and graduation ceremonies. The district also collaborates with the Sheriff’s Office to explore additional safety measures, such as clear bag policies and improved camera surveillance.

Proposal to Introduce Stipends for Staff Providing Personal Care to Students

The final major topic discussed was a proposal to introduce stipends for staff members who assist students with significant personal care needs. These staff, particularly instructional assistants, provide vital services such as toileting, feeding, and managing unique behavioral challenges in specialized programs like Pathways and Connections, learning centers, and preschool education. The proposed stipends are designed to recognize the increased responsibilities, emotional and physical demands, and health and safety risks associated with these duties.

The board considered various ways to implement the stipends, including starting with instructional assistants or offering a reduced stipend for all involved staff. The estimated cost of the stipends is $66,000, which was not included in the current budget. Board members acknowledged the importance of the proposal but expressed concern about finding the necessary funds. Before deciding, they will explore funding options, such as savings from staff turnover and lag pay.

The meeting highlighted the district’s efforts to improve safety, staffing, and academic performance while remaining mindful of budget constraints. Ongoing discussions and decisions will continue to shape the district’s trajectory, particularly regarding financial transparency, school safety, and support for staff involved in specialized student care.