[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6395066,"mediaKeyId","2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f","parentId",2101684,"title","VDOE awards Henry County Public Schools $244,000 security equipment grant; board accepts with local match","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",4632000,"endMs",4780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f&start=4632&end=4780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f/thumbnail_4632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395066/Virginia/VDOE-awards-Henry-County-Public-Schools-244000-security-equipment-grant-board-accepts-with-local-match","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395066-a5ce72825c31d07b01d014628ca8f82e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023923&Signature=Ji6XKu~~XP~a705g1~rnP8wDxsAiFuUc4N7IcRpTW26nXtf0JmxvR8XjkV5~Szs~XcopkMqfQXHakN1m6Ys57B8Mg~bz80QNciYGYdp0Xl5iyEemMwtqHtiRFjuPVY-gW3EDbxRknM5z7jdR5s~k6~6-tzjk6IzlveahqgFJk-yZYgMB78mswiDE2bcjy6-xdYGc3Fo0I~hhV4TbVDip1FpJL03wpELV5Y3au4jHfsDkEDLT3c4GmPvG7APKkPz5Xgm8CSSlbBih0UqzzF9fptNKBf~Fix80-48bX12dxmbv0lEUu62eI24uxB5-m4Q-Ek2A3fJ5PaX9pdNG9JEu0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henry County Public Schools","date","2025-01-11T00:54:46.86Z","article","The Virginia Department of Education awarded Henry County Public Schools $244,000 through the 2024 School Security Equipment Grant program, and the school board voted to accept the grant and proceed with planned upgrades.

Facilities and security staff told the board the funds are earmarked for upgraded surveillance camera systems at Bill O'Connell Middle School, George Washington Carver Elementary and Laurel Park Middle School. Security Services of Glade Hill, Virginia, which holds a contract with the division, would perform the work if the grant is accepted.

Staff noted the grant requires a local match; the required matching funds will come from the division's operations budget. Board members asked about budget impacts and the match; staff said the match will be covered from existing operations funds and the acceptance motion was forwarded for a vote.

The motion to accept the grant was moved and seconded and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The grant provides state funds to improve school surveillance systems at three campuses, but the local match affects the division's operating budget. The work is intended to modernize camera systems as part of broader security efforts.

Ending: Staff will move forward with contract scheduling with Security Services and return to the board as needed for details on match funding and timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HCPS Board Meeting 01-09-25","oneSentenceSummary","The board accepted a Virginia Department of Education school security equipment grant of $244,000 for camera upgrades at three schools and approved matching funds to be drawn from operations as required.","taxTitle","HENRY CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38509,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395070,"Board awards Laurel Park Middle School roof replacement contract to John T. Morgan",51,4448000,4499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f&start=4448&end=4499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f/thumbnail_4448000.jpg","/articles/6395070/Virginia/Board-awards-Laurel-Park-Middle-School-roof-replacement-contract-to-John-T-Morgan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395070-0d3b791142c0ccb47c2a7710af8e6b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023923&Signature=SZodCIJkzZQt5-5di41Yx61pIwGKdDW6ojoXTf5RsmUH1VVLnje1R0RlR-SkbTEuoTfGz9ttytDQxpTWr9XkzqFBbrhr~Dq9GAWpehYdEwtKrDb-Zz-Lp64aWn0JbVpJAQd1omS0FkjuoJICQx209l2Hb8Kz9CbKZWjxXbLzxSdhpl8QIdBm7U9hQOYmLFkdeQq7a7aJwUiLHK2WEFA8-sUsh9mvi3laPBU5vzFweh54Ezph87DFa0xn9-17f7FiXcL~42MXxB71y1vvqXeATZedxiDKxveT2dkGjg4e4dEtt4uK4AghWORqmQzx4ydkso63i8-rPs1dzeR9xODquw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County School Board voted to award a roof replacement contract for Laurel Park Middle School to John T. Morgan of Roanoke, Virginia, following a public solicitation and bid evaluation.

District staff said four contractors attended the pre-bid meeting and two submitted bids. John T. Morgan provided the lowest base bid at $2,145,000; staff also noted a total figure of $2,660,000 if add alternates described in the bid summary are included. The presentation included project alternates so the division can select scope items based on available budget.

Facilities staff said the new roofing system will replace the existing PVC (white) roof with an EPDM rubber roof (black) with sloped insulation to improve drainage. Staff stated the contractor's materials warranty is 20 years for the roofing materials; labor or warranty details for labor were described separately.

Board members asked whether the vendor had worked for the division before and about the warranty; staff confirmed prior experience with the contractor and explained the warranty covers materials for 20 years.

The motion to award the contract to John T. Morgan for roof replacement was moved and seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: Roof replacement is a capital maintenance project with a multi-million-dollar cost and multi-year implications for building performance and maintenance budgets. The project may require appropriation approvals tied to local funding sources and sales-tax proceeds noted in the staff report.

Ending: Staff said they will return with appropriation requests to the board of supervisors as required and will provide contract documents and a project timeline to the board.","The board awarded a contract for roof replacement at Laurel Park Middle School to John T. Morgan (Roanoke) after receiving bids; staff noted a 20-year materials warranty and presented base and alternate cost totals.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395075,"Board approves 2025-26 middle and high school program of studies; Warrior Tech removed from catalog, 9th-grade academy proposed",871,3295000,4166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f&start=3295&end=4166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f/thumbnail_3295000.jpg","/articles/6395075/Virginia/Board-approves-2025-26-middle-and-high-school-program-of-studies-Warrior-Tech-removed-from-catalog-9th-grade-academy-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395075-ea90b8b4a6c00129e8d51e463ef9ba29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023923&Signature=He~vblTMyNN8X37kblrHbDlRgh2LDL0umPSTwpjRWm7-sX1F61waP4E8HU4h4f927Fh-oyTiNn2ujwuvW6iO4uiat3Knuq-Ohf9De8hxlKaDqfqpLJvMNCdgvoaSrbjpSp8xYExbH5bLTqnNeQLSSQW4ddydxcEu6D81NKdl~93aeX1IMXTnrb452RmVSY~GjUkw1wSJObrvOeiZ3GRpVw~HMiAhO346vW6tpONGz69ij3QKaJnC~Ngsd~GL6YzGsXFWvHu5sooPELqklOae1VfpJUf~L2XIYD1xSmJTu2QEK-RE10AsXwi6jW9rq93gUiJRqYN0ENmN4Zs4DBvI5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henry County School Board approved the 2025-26 middle school and high school program of studies after presentations by district staff.

Administrators said no major changes were made to the middle school course list but that updated graphics and core-subject progression charts were added to help families see how middle grades prepare students for high school.

The high school program of studies included a larger set of changes: additional honors English courses (English 9 Honors and English 10 Honors), a clarified side-by-side chart showing dual-enrollment (DE), ACE, and Governor's School options, and a reworking of how Advanced Placement (AP) and DE overlap is presented. Staff said courses that previously carried both AP and DE labels will focus on the DE credential while students retain the option to take an AP exam if they choose.

Administrators also discussed program changes and pilots:
- Warrior Tech: Because enrollment has declined, the program is not listed in the program of studies for new enrollments next year. Staff proposed continuing to support current cohorts so students already in Warrior Tech can finish; officials cited enrollment targets (roughly 50 students for two certified teachers) and said staffing and scheduling make it fiscally difficult to sustain multiple low-enrollment year-long sections.
- 9th-grade academy pilot: To support incoming students, administrators proposed piloting a 9th-grade academy model that pairs teachers and gives 9th graders cohort-based scheduling (example: pairing English and world history year-long) while preserving stand-alone math placement because of varied student math levels.
- Teacher-prep pathways: The program-of-studies adds tracks for students interested in teacher careers, including a Teachers for Tomorrow sequence and pathways through ACE for dual-enrollment college-level preparation.
- Career/CTE additions: Staff highlighted an EMT program and additional ACE career tracks; counselors will receive supplemental materials and one-page pathway guides to help students plan course sequences.

Board discussion touched on enrollment thresholds, sustainability of small CTE offerings, counselor workload for student planning, and marketing the teacher-prep pathways to students. A board member said the program-of-studies is lengthier but easier to follow with the charts and the new side-by-side comparisons.

Votes: The middle-school program of studies passed by unanimous vote. The high-school program passed with one abstention recorded.

Why it matters: The program of studies defines course offerings, graduation requirements and pathways that affect scheduling, staffing and student postsecondary options. Changes to DE/AP labeling and the removal of a low-enrollment CTE program for new students have implications for course availability, counselor planning and resource allocation.

Ending: Staff said they will meet this spring with counselors and schools to finalize schedules and support materials and to pilot the proposed 9th-grade academy model where feasible.","The board approved annual middle- and high-school program-of-studies documents. Administrators removed Warrior Tech from the general catalog (current cohorts may finish), added career tracks and DE/dual-enrollment clarifications, and proposed a 9th-grade academy pilot to support incoming cohorts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395080,"Residents tell Henry County School Board teacher turnover and morale are driving staffing shortages",400,1096000,1496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f&start=1096&end=1496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f/thumbnail_1096000.jpg","/articles/6395080/Virginia/Residents-tell-Henry-County-School-Board-teacher-turnover-and-morale-are-driving-staffing-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395080-a5e982c79ac21e3f33a4737b6a9c18e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023923&Signature=Kpe6dyc9FGzPP8lnG5at7fNYMPCQwgGG47ETGB7aO~3N1e3mixr8JPlQWsyaSjNLSD4sbx8JUdeLjAD84~AtF649fptFwsV0Dbe9oWzuftMNqd12iBgEJcmlFbzCyD~5-J4XTfp7~uJyFCKpbq1kBjiHSoXjBrVQmx4LtAAGEE7pfdrHnOvD03q--8JBw9UHmPXfdKLhV9SJBITFl500zyoJEUukr0J1FTVQqFY27ZUZ~iJi2KYWc70-1zK9bfrvL2Q18LwJuxNTzDnSW5FBAusSJNpdDrixJglZc-O0oEM0S7ZTJOjf5K1nJVpV-lc9weReSc-kf8c4deb~i4GaOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents spoke during public comment at the Henry County School Board's meeting, urging the board to address teacher retention, morale and staffing shortages.

Willie Martin, identifying himself as a Reed Creek District resident, described multiple generations of his family who taught in the county and said turnover has become \"staggering.\" He said a prospective teacher with family ties to the division was not granted an interview and that his own daughter left after one year for a division that paid more for a graduate degree. \"Teachers are afraid to speak their minds for fear of retribution,\" Martin said, and he urged board members to \"quit sugar coating what is happening in our schools and find solutions to what ails us.\"

Jan Turner, speaking for a former teacher who recently left the division, said classroom disruptions and safety-care responses were sometimes frequent enough to prevent learning. Turner also criticized aspects of state policy, saying the Virginia Literacy Act had \"taken away the teacher's creativity\" in that teacher's view. \"It's impossible to have a safe learning environment,\" she said, and asked the board to engage directly with teachers who have left so it can address specific causes.

Mary Martin, who said she has family with long histories in the district and a daughter who taught for more than 30 years, acknowledged the limitations of local control and urged voters to consider state and county funding decisions. \"A lot of these changes have to come from the state and federal level,\" she said, while also expressing confidence in Superintendent Dr. Blake Lewis.

Board members listened during the public comment period; no formal board action was taken in response at the meeting. Residents who offered to provide particulars were told the board would accept follow-up information.

Why it matters: School staffing affects day-to-day instruction, planning time, and continuity for students. Speakers tied departures to pay differentials, working conditions, discipline and district policy implementation, and asked the board to examine hiring, interviewing and substitute availability.

Next steps indicated in the meeting: Residents offered to provide names and particulars to the board or superintendent for follow-up; no specific board direction or formal motions were recorded in the transcript during public comment.

Ending: The board proceeded from public comment into awards and the consent agenda after hearing three speakers about staffing and morale concerns.","Multiple residents urged the board to address teacher retention, citing turnover, pay, and the effect of state requirements such as the Virginia Literacy Act on classroom practice.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395085,"Henry County School Board elects Teddy Martin chair, Gravely vice chair; appoints clerks and designee",6032,577000,6609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f&start=577&end=6609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2101684-1390940dd1513e19c3b7edd5c134c97f/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6395085/Virginia/Henry-County-School-Board-elects-Teddy-Martin-chair-Gravely-vice-chair-appoints-clerks-and-designee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395085-2ab6cd87567c537bed952b9aa7a67b47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023923&Signature=eKhzkCrKxgyzTx73AkEIrAdFTumaLNuwpilqbuQ3L-Av6DzYS8mV-AGZiyktutWMu--uCTQW7uxYnrrJag6dCxEGQh~ovvVEpc5uOAmriRd26BOa8Xo3FgAxvVYdT3XlnoRQkSxUNBClCDliZFpENsLYOujY~zCoN-oTj-gTOa3wZPweV97K5bTUGxZQm~5AO-K2RnZ0PKdj9g~XNGhVv2mK3Ubb~hhMm2S-60-~1PtL533TTPkBaiCYaeqMsr3l4cuvTATd7s7GzsdE2O-pwv7liPDcTXehMI2bSmFE2ltLtNcSmhlXUeuoRd7hYUIYnAf~ctXrfa4PUYhTN~S3EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teddy Martin was elected chair of the Henry County School Board for 2025 and Mr. Gravely was elected vice chair during the board's organizational meeting, which opened with roll call and nominations.

The board also approved annual administrative appointments recommended by Superintendent Dr. Blake Lewis: Brittany Neeks was reappointed clerk of the board and Tammy Easley was named deputy clerk. The board approved Dr. Benjamin Boone as the superintendent's designee to attend meetings if the superintendent is absent. Members adopted the 2025 meeting schedule and received a copy of the Virginia School Boards Association code of conduct for signature.

The organizational meeting sets the board's leadership and administrative contacts for the year. Board members moved, seconded and voted on each item in sequence, using the meeting's standard motions-and-raise-your-hand process. The clerk handled roll call and vote tallies for each motion.

On nominations and votes: Dr. Blake Lewis nominated Teddy Martin for chair. Mr. Auker's nomination for vice chair (Mr. Gravely) and a later nomination for Elizabeth Durden were put to a vote in order of nomination; the first nominee received the majority of raised hands and was declared elected. The clerk confirmed votes for appointments of Brittany Neeks (clerk) and Tammy Easley (deputy clerk), and approval of Dr. Benjamin Boone as designee.

Board members discussed logistics for the VA School Boards Association code of conduct, and the superintendent noted a master copy and individual copies would be available for signatures; the board did not take separate formal action beyond collecting signatures.

The board adopted the 2025 meeting schedule that retains first-Thursday meetings, 5:30 p.m. starts during the school year, and morning starts in summer. Members were told the schedule could be adjusted later if needed.

The organizational portion of the meeting concluded and the board moved on to public comment and routine business.

Votes at a glance:
- Election of board chair (Teddy Martin): nomination by Dr. Blake Lewis; elected by raised-hand vote (declared by chair). Outcome: elected.
- Election of vice chair (Mr. Gravely): nominated and voted in order of nomination; outcome: elected.
- Approval of agenda as presented: motion by Elizabeth Durden; second by Miss Whitlow; outcome: unanimous approval.
- Appointment of clerk (Brittany Neeks) and deputy clerk (Tammy Easley): motion carried; outcome: unanimous approval.
- Approval of superintendent's designee (Dr. Benjamin Boone): motion carried; outcome: unanimous approval.
- Adoption of 2025 meeting schedule: motion carried; outcome: unanimous approval.

(All vote details were recorded by the meeting clerk; where the transcript reports\u0000\"all in favor\" or \"unanimous,\" the article records those outcomes as stated.)","At its 2025 organizational meeting the Henry County School Board elected Teddy Martin as chair and elected Gravely vice chair, approved board clerks and the superintendent's designee, and adopted its meeting schedule and code-of-conduct signature process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

VDOE awards Henry County Public Schools $244,000 security equipment grant; board accepts with local match

Board awards Laurel Park Middle School roof replacement contract to John T. Morgan

Board approves 2025-26 middle and high school program of studies; Warrior Tech removed from catalog, 9th-grade academy proposed

Residents tell Henry County School Board teacher turnover and morale are driving staffing shortages

Henry County School Board elects Teddy Martin chair, Gravely vice chair; appoints clerks and designee