Local News

Warren County Supervisors Join School Bus Tour of Local Schools

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2025

Starting shortly after the planned kickoff time of 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 9th, a quorum of the Warren County Board of Supervisors – Cheryl Cullers, John Stanmeyer, and Richard Jamieson – along with some staff including new County Administrator Bradley Gotshall, took a tour by school bus of Ressie Jeffries Elementary School, the Blue Ridge Tech Center, Skyline Middle School, and Warren County High School.

The tour was hosted by Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. J. David Martin after participants, and this reporter, were greated at tour kickoff point WCHS by Principal Ken Knesh and Athletic Director Bill Hall, who were also greeting students on their way into the school Thursday morning.

Readers will recall that Dr. Martin initiated the idea of a familiarizing tour to the supervisors at their September 16 meeting. And three weeks later three of the four sitting supervisors took advantage of that offer.

A view of one entrance where county government participants were greeted by WCHS officials. Supervisor Cullers is present left center. Second is a closer view, with host Interim Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Martin second from right. Final shot, Dr. Martin at Sept. 16 supervisors meeting during which he offered the board members a tour of county public schools. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Unopposed Fork District supervisor’s candidate Hugh Henry, who is scheduled to be appointed to fill the remaining two-and-a-half months of resigned Fork District Supervisor Vicky Cook’s term at an October 14th Special Meeting of the county’s elected board, was not present, nor was sitting board Chairman and Happy Creek District representative “Jay” Butler at the bus departure. We will note that Supervisor Butler is not seeking reelection this November. And our understanding is that non-board members who are candidates in the November election could not participate in the tour due to an electoral process prohibition related to school grounds.

We reached out to Dr. Martin about the impetus of the tour. “The purpose of the tour was to showcase the tremendous activities that occur each day in the schools. Noteworthy, was the lunch prepared by the culinary students at Blue Ridge Tech. I am honored and proud to be part of an organization that values staff and students,” Dr. Martin told us.

You’re either on the bus or off the bus as those present early head for seats, as in second photo WCHS Principal Ken Knesh, second from right, spots new arrivals creating the board quorum for the technical open meeting of the county supervisors. Final shot Supervisor John Santmeyers heads aboard along with Supervisor Jamieson (not pictured).

Not being able to make the tour with the supervisors and some staff, we also reached out to the supervisors who made the trip for a perspective on their day. That day was slated for a 2:15 p.m. end at Warren County High School after a 1:15 p.m. return there following the visits to the previous three schools in the order they are referenced in the opening paragraph of this story. We got replies from Supervisors Cullers and Stanmeyer.

“Of course, I had toured all the schools with Dr. Ballenger in the Spring, so I was already aware of some things identified and discussed during this tour,” South River Supervisor Cullers told us, adding, “There are a lot of things that need immediate attention, like north capital improvements and addressing student class needs.

“We cannot keep putting these things off. We, as supervisors, need to work with all our core service agencies to prioritize needs and have a plan of action to work within our revenue resources and still maintain our buildings and provide the core services expected and needed. Working together, we are better,” Cullers concluded.

And here is Supervisor Stanmeyer’s reply:

“I’d like to thank Interim Superintendent Dr. David Martin for putting together a very memorable and informative day. His level of engagement with the Board of Supervisors has been commendable. I was deeply impressed with the students, hard-working teachers, and staff at each school we visited. It was helpful to see and hear first-hand where we are excelling and where some more work, and yes, money, may be needed. I was also particularly impressed with the BRTC (Blue Ridge Tech Center) and would like to see it expanded, as trades are increasingly in demand and often a smart choice for students to explore. Finally, I really enjoyed reading to the children and getting a laugh from them,” Supervisor Stanmeyer concluded.

And on that positive note, we will conclude with a final photo of the tour bus readying to leave for its circuit of one school from each academic level, elementary, middle, and high school, as well as that lunchtime-generating stop at the Blue Ridge Tech Center.

All aboard, and the bus is poised to leave for its first destination, Ressie Jeffries Elementary, followed by the Blue Ridge Tech Center, Skyline Middle School, and the tour’s final destination at its starting point at WCHS.

Additional Photos from the tour provided by WCPS.