[{"_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",6311372,"mediaKeyId","2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066","parentId",2396176,"title","Votes at a glance: consent agenda adopted; board entered closed session","audioSeconds",1958,"startMs",2343000,"endMs",4301000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066&start=2343&end=4301","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066/thumbnail_2343000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311372/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-adopted-board-entered-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311372-072bedf6404594984455e9bcbebf890b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137329&Signature=cqRA6QROJsprcA0xWl4N-l2zj1JaOJ7hBcNYYPMMarn7mdhs7IYO82gpbox~YqHD3BGYeGf3GBxok1ElVdVf2spdLaDZL7CtgVqeuCr6PbCrvS~ymDX6RDNV9AEVQiDVrIuUECy1iYziciB-thRmo8JVZPnxzc1hP3iK-3o-lt-2nH-FrUCLoWddLpaTlXhVSU5myjCpLP6tnia45UgV201OIhf1gbpRk07-Iw~HYKB0R7ayFhx9VrqxW4AbtqwwRc1sjMZ8WT28YSmCY4r1HuR18huQcft0Tmpnpd-5hu4VG3yOlerpYBy-ImbyhcgtkMY5Cai6cCHzoY5RxPLFSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester City Public Schools","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Winchester School Board recorded the following formal voice votes during its Feb. 24 meeting.

Consent agenda adopted — Motion to approve the consent agenda (agenda, minutes, bills, monthly finance report, facility usage, and school board code of conduct) was made by Mr. Island and seconded by Mr. Birchenoff. The board adopted the consent agenda by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Closed session authorized — A motion to enter closed session to discuss coaching stipends, substitute teachers and support staff, resignations, and to discuss disciplinary matters of a student was made by Mr. Bersonoff and seconded by Ms. Burrow (the transcript records the second as Ms. Burrow after an initial correction). The board voted by voice to enter closed session; the chair announced the board was in closed session.

These votes were procedural and recorded by voice; the transcript does not include roll-call tallies. The dual-language immersion motion and vote were recorded separately in the meeting (approved; see separate article).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester Public School Board Business Meeting 2025-02-25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 24 meeting the Winchester School Board adopted the consent agenda and later voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel and a student disciplinary matter; both motions passed by voice vote.","taxTitle","WINCHESTER CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",58185,"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},6311377,"Frederick Douglass students praise new Bookworms literacy program at School Board recognition",772,1131000,1903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066&start=1131&end=1903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066/thumbnail_1131000.jpg","/articles/6311377/Virginia/Frederick-Douglass-students-praise-new-Bookworms-literacy-program-at-School-Board-recognition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311377-a92b7e1e87bd4cbea2a0c183f8415b03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137329&Signature=SA~ajMHSswd1qZqSwRf3UuZz9bd3v6JxQ4Lf7bSXN2yvzZziYZygq~iS-gg4SYN17oeZShZlzSWQmuCAJN-KWzloKX0a53brM33bEL6Va~wf3ftJ2dfP4h4iq2864uLUMJ49nPuzhssCQ-SlNahuqc5X1J-e5P9odyBL788x5jDq7xe7QY5qYicW9tsHoXfTR6nFmUgLu4LZykitesS5Ongch8YpszjgUkQkKcdpDSLtaMzQ7uUYeI9OmUbejfBi-gU01MX8droa4~Y59FJwQtuz46FaX9xquqYS4i3NC-jdhi75wZ9qABuQiHc2jk6gZFzEZeW4P7b--8jpHtsOtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Administrators and teachers from Frederick Douglass Elementary highlighted early results of the Bookworms literacy program during the School Board’s recognition segment on Feb. 24, saying the program has increased students’ reading stamina, written responses and vocabulary exposure.

Miss Massell and Principal Maslow described how the Bookworms series has provided daily, grade-level text access and consistent instructional routines that teachers say have improved students’ written work and evidence-based responses. Staff said the program has given struggling readers regular exposure to grade-level material and has helped streamline lesson planning for teachers.

Teachers and library staff also used schoolwide projects to boost engagement: school leaders described a robot parade tied to a one-book program and an upstairs hallway installation based on Harold and the Purple Crayon created by the school librarian. The school reported library partnerships and extracurricular opportunities including activities tied to Virginia studies and STEAM nights.

A student identified as Kevin, a student representative, described his own experience in ESL and said programs like Bookworms are motivating: \"When I was in elementary school, I struggled with reading. I was in ESL and I wish I had something like this... it is very interactive... this really like incentivize him to learn English.\" (paraphrased from public remarks during the recognition segment.)

The board thanked staff and students for the presentation. No board action or vote was taken; the segment was a recognition item.","Teachers and students at Frederick Douglass Elementary showcased early results from the Bookworms literacy program, highlighting increased stamina, use of textual evidence in writing and cross-content connections; student speakers described personal improvements.",{"_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},6311381,"Winchester Education Foundation reports $404,846 in receipts for 2024, outlines scholarship and curriculum grants",565,3294000,3859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066&start=3294&end=3859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066/thumbnail_3294000.jpg","/articles/6311381/Virginia/Winchester-Education-Foundation-reports-404846-in-receipts-for-2024-outlines-scholarship-and-curriculum-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311381-14183822078370f4c82098d03c96fd21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137329&Signature=mGN9z9~DfAKD0QPhAokIqdFBI9W~C1NJmyyqVjGzewZpKrDEHXQcxXMdzEV4OCfuxQ53LNflmsLycUbp1DbqRf7UnOLl4qU1XAX6CyXQ9gemMwX9ttJf6WWhCs5IFzxQQV3sUf-HQ8gaPtphJK698~NIsbl1ZOjPdDzyvXXYQkI68~F8BbDf9GDKePPWiiEgGiWzfDhm11aJS4KNIdSFrrm5vojzJ~cKsJOyE9BJwKPQMK8XXuFlzEMiDW6CpotLJCp0N9PwSebpYKtINsvz-cpr4SbsEa4Ja-M1LEtjZMGdZKJERWNT6yOBDl96XTbADMZMmfvyJzleN7hyf8mD2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester Education Foundation reported to the School Board on Feb. 24 that the foundation collected $404,846 in pledges, grants and donations during 2024 and continued to serve as a pass-through funder for district programs.

Larry Weiss, speaking for the foundation, told the board WEF collected an additional $81,000 in Shahada Center pledges in 2024 and that roughly $125,600 in pledges remains to be collected over the next two years for that project. Weiss also said the foundation has acted as a pass-through for the Claude Moore Scholar Program and that pass-through amounts vary annually between about $135,000 and $250,000 depending on grant requests and participation.

WEF described targeted support for teachers and students: the foundation provided six scholarships at baccalaureate totaling $28,500 in 2024 and three teach-back awards to returning teachers totaling $15,000. The foundation said it has provided more than $142,000 in grants and scholarships to teachers since the program started. WEF also reported support for Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month events and an honorarium of $5,000 to Judy Humbert for work on the Douglas School Museum and Archives.

Weiss said WEF will expand a Partners in Education membership program to increase unrestricted support, is planning an annual grant to the Handley High School English department (estimated at $25,000–$30,000 if launched), and will continue scholarship and teacher-support programs, noting Navy Federal Credit Union’s assistance with expansion of the teacher award program.

Board members commended the foundation’s work. No formal board action was required on the report; Weiss invited continued collaboration between the foundation and district administration on future projects and fundraising efforts.","Winchester Education Foundation (WEF) reported $404,846 in pledges, grants and donations in 2024, highlighted ongoing Shahada Center pledges and expanded teacher-scholarship programs.",{"_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},6311386,"Finance staff outlines $3.57 million increase in FY26 expenditures, proposes pay scale adjustments",891,2375000,3266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066&start=2375&end=3266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066/thumbnail_2375000.jpg","/articles/6311386/Virginia/Finance-staff-outlines-357-million-increase-in-FY26-expenditures-proposes-pay-scale-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311386-6192f5ab3d2724d5d3da64cdbf88518f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137329&Signature=F2-vo~lNZD0Woou682m7-L0XE0~TCLncRNwLWSXZnFKZlX0XtPvyhyQovQbmrcBw0D-gxfamm1CLLBOiFSUXZo7Og7YQRXXig73yOXqK2qf~mttCKqE22VxirzuF-xtnICWwMhGnazWOacLKPvMcam74r8JJF5YJBrkNnWmH3X3zwtDnkyoxIUrbjGAddkG6~n9aZBJeSWUz5YY5NaIw1wdYZ9cd5fBK8hp4nQO7ZrYpVI1vmT3EvwTDxe3abSykj3w46lxYMtFO47eyKbH9cnkdHDHIQjpiDz8V~LdzPtzzCqpAS~qce5hXo7UfXKqqwjsr60UdKcUALzONzrXtWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester Public Schools finance staff presented proposed FY26 expenditure priorities at the Feb. 24 meeting, telling the School Board the district expects a $3,566,938 increase in expenditures driven largely by personnel costs and benefit changes.

Miss McDonald, who presented the budget slides, described required and tiered priorities: an 8.5% expected increase in health insurance premiums was built into the plan (a $500,000 placeholder was noted), but presenters reported receiving news that actual premiums may come in lower than earlier projections and that staff would return with updated figures at the next board meeting.

Key budget figures presented included a projected increase of $860,640 tied to midyear TTT (teacher) wage and benefit carryover and a $559,000 amount representing a 1.5% step increase on the teacher scale; when combined the two items produce an average projected increase of roughly 5% for teachers. Non-TTT (all other staff) average increases were presented at 4.63%, yielding approximately $1,067,477 in additional cost. The overall package presented included $550,000 in nonpersonnel inflation (about 3% average) and a $29,821 increase tied to K–12 billing from Frederick County Public Schools.

The presentation showed targeted scale changes designed to raise starting pay (the “floor”) and lower the ceiling on 35 separate pay scales. Examples highlighted by staff: teacher assistants on the D4 scale would move from a $16.29 starting hourly rate to $19.00 (a roughly 17% increase at step 1); bus drivers’ starting pay was shown moving from $16.70 to $23.00 per hour (a 38% increase at step 1) with an average increase on that scale of 11.7%; 12-month custodians' starting pay would move from $14.16 to $17.00 per hour (about a 20% increase at step 1, roughly 5% on the overall scale).

Board members pressed for additional detail about the distribution of employees who fall above a “hold harmless” point on revised scales and asked for counts of staff approaching the years-of-service crossovers that affect placement. Miss McDonald said she could supply those counts but had not tabulated them for the meeting because the work covered 35 scales across the division.

Miss McDonald summarized that the current FY26 requested increase for required and tier-one items totaled $3,566,938 and that the district expects additional state revenue presented at the prior meeting of $1,960,025, yielding a projected local request of approximately $1,606,913 from the city (figures were spoken on the record and will be finalized once ADM and the governor’s action on the state budget are confirmed).

No formal vote was taken on the FY26 package at this meeting; the presentation served as the district’s request and frame for upcoming budget decisions and personnel postings.","District finance staff presented a proposed FY26 spending increase of $3,566,938 driven by health insurance, salary scale changes and stepped increases; board members asked for additional data on hold-harmless counts and the impact of lower-than-expected health premiums.",{"_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},6311392,"Winchester board approves expansion of dual-language immersion program",216,4040000,4256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066&start=4040&end=4256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396176-b565932bbf2a63e43bd82725640a2066/thumbnail_4040000.jpg","/articles/6311392/Virginia/Winchester-board-approves-expansion-of-dual-language-immersion-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311392-ef27433dbdc7308f7a7b9d7ebc006095/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137329&Signature=JscXCrd8n5qmGZ9UN4DVWk1YwK8unW1PG8d0J~G5GUXMQ~o9JdmCRtokoOJT~QWl~mC6UbdJPsMgLQ1fWkKeQdnxcgCP~1BIkrnJ3~uSak3t0sg8Nuak6DrO5TgTChttLKarjuKotEWorl8QXe2JPDvwRSE4E6FkJijGdTqwpjKC0Pujr8WlK3N53oCEYTvdr6KO61bRh2tuzL49uOshGEt4Kiw4M34Nb079AA6BoywH0JvsiyOgcJ6jMUqsWCkDsnAIHSfIv4D-pJ0FqnwKlws02jEipHhWkNfFEiDytu14pOsXCVuV9xqq3y-zrpAMwpa1azQBaRAY2uXnS8YrsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester School Board approved expansion of the district’s dual-language immersion program at its Feb. 24 regular meeting, voting to add a kindergarten immersion classroom at Corals next school year and to add kindergarten and first-grade immersion at John Kerr the following year.

The board voted on a motion to approve the expansion; Ms. Burrow moved the motion and Ms. Harris seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The administration described a two-year rollout intended to avoid staggered cohorts when students move into intermediate grades: Corals would open a kindergarten immersion classroom first, with John Kerr adding kindergarten and first grade the next year so those students would align when they enter Danny Morgan Intermediate.

Staffing implications were noted: each added immersion classroom requires a certified teacher, so the rollout will create at least one kindergarten teacher position at Corals next year and an additional kindergarten/first-grade teacher position at John Kerr the year after. The board discussed staffing and clarified that the district would convert an existing classroom to a Spanish immersion classroom at each site rather than add an unrelated type of class.

Board members and staff spoke in support of the expansion as a pathway to bilingualism. The presenters and board members described the program goal as developing students who are “biliterate” — able to speak, listen, read and write in both English and Spanish — and noted the long-term aim of producing graduates with formal biliteracy skills.

The approved motion directs the administration to proceed with the schedule and staffing outlined in the presentation and to return to the board with any necessary personnel or budget requests tied to the rollout.

No ordinance, statute, or funding measure was voted on at this meeting in connection with the expansion; the motion covered program approval, implementation timeline and staffing direction.","The Winchester School Board approved expansion of its dual-language immersion program, adding a kindergarten cohort at Corals next year and kindergarten-plus-first grade at John Kerr the following year; the board approved the motion by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: consent agenda adopted; board entered closed session

Frederick Douglass students praise new Bookworms literacy program at School Board recognition

Winchester Education Foundation reports $404,846 in receipts for 2024, outlines scholarship and curriculum grants

Finance staff outlines $3.57 million increase in FY26 expenditures, proposes pay scale adjustments

Winchester board approves expansion of dual-language immersion program