[{"_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",6306070,"mediaKeyId","2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd","parentId",2442322,"title","Superintendent proposes FY26 budget emphasizing teacher pay correction, staffing and services; seeks large locality increase","audioSeconds",1234,"startMs",6024000,"endMs",7258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd&start=6024&end=7258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd/thumbnail_6024000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306070/Virginia/Superintendent-proposes-FY26-budget-emphasizing-teacher-pay-correction-staffing-and-services-seeks-large-locality-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306070-758b7430e66521af34fe905e562a6332/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727636&Signature=cnuVAM1k7EDT1Z8I7AGp0sl9JBIjirNOqkupzmil1SHgZiNBRzKlnSriYHjGI-VQHia7DRQVWm36HlbLjs5ByKMjXTsLUwwHIy8g5alFEwiIYZB5obAvV25M54PF2czGqfb2vg2z0u5qcJOxL-d7Uy~AZVg6jGJykDmru31ByxOqFiEenZnj5aWxusBkN4hyRKu12-2Ow8gPGvF7ezNK5lZbFP3SnjwEEIkjusI~CbkE7XJxfmY~CQ1p7SdIQAjB7Y3yb5me25rLLR9OQrK9orCi-QRH~s~qqregt2kK8CUOreKoiijGHvZ0Zu8H0Mz--uRJZfTWOiBy2n-we80EGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OCPS School Board - Orange, VA","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Doctor Hornick and finance director Lisa presented a proposed FY26 budget to the board on Feb. 24 that would significantly raise employee compensation, add classroom and student-support positions and expand selected programs to meet growing needs.

Hornick said the single largest element of the proposed budget is a correction to the teacher pay scale: \"This is the money right here, this is the big impact … this is a $3,700,000 and change correction,\" he told the board, describing the effort as an attempt to bring the division’s pay scale much closer to the regional median plus an additional 7 percent to remain competitive. The proposal would increase pay for instructors and try to reduce turnover linked to teachers leaving for neighboring divisions.

Other major elements in the proposal include requests for a first-grade teacher and a reading specialist at the Locust Grove primary campus to maintain class size and reading supports; special-education self-contained teachers and two instructional assistants for Unionville and Locust Grove Elementary; two additional English-learner positions to meet state ratios; a criminal-justice instructor and a reading specialist at the high school; and a dedicated school psychologist at the division level. Hornick also noted plans for additional safety staffing (a school security officer at the high school and grant-contingent officers at middle schools) and new middle-school athletic offerings such as volleyball and soccer.

The budget would also increase nonteacher wages: the division seeks to raise starting pay for custodians to $16 an hour and head custodians to $18 an hour, enhance administrative assistant starting pay (building-level secretaries were cited as starting near $14.23 per hour), and adjust instructional-assistant pay; the package includes a 3 percent across-the-board raise for other full-time employees in the plan. The presentation included a $165,000 line item referenced for custodial adjustments and a roughly $560,000 figure for instructional-assistant salary adjustments.

Hornick said the division’s revenue outlook showed a net gain of roughly $970,000 in current-state projections but noted the proposal still requires a substantial local increase to fund all items. \"In order to accomplish everything that we are looking at at the moment, without any additional revenues, this would require us this would require an ask from the locality of $6,800,000 in addition,\" he said.

Staff also reviewed one-time and capital needs, including bus lease proceeds and a potential CTE building design and construction phase. On technology, staff noted $203,000 of remaining Category-2 E-rate funds available in the division’s five-year cycle; staff proposed using part of those funds for a network switch refresh, which would carry a 70 percent federal discount.

Board members thanked staff for the presentation. The superintendent said the budget and related documents will be refined in the coming weeks as the General Assembly finalizes its budget actions and the division prepares for the public hearing and subsequent deliberations.

No action was taken Feb. 24; the proposal is the starting point for the next phase of public hearings and budget work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Work Session - Feb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Doctor Hornick presented a FY26 budget proposal that emphasizes a roughly $3.7 million correction to teacher salaries, additional student-support staff and pay increases for support employees.","taxTitle","ORANGE CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38820,"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},6306074,"School launches parent mental-health workshop series as board debates new mental-health curriculum and procurement thresholds",556,2399000,2955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd&start=2399&end=2955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd/thumbnail_2399000.jpg","/articles/6306074/Virginia/School-launches-parent-mental-health-workshop-series-as-board-debates-new-mental-health-curriculum-and-procurement-thresholds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306074-e386d5f7933ed62db85c02fbdc0f312a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727636&Signature=G5PntGkEZtqOcHRswfXtvaLTBYw8eQxMpf9pNTkMviMmuIeJUvtgWSn1HrHoc8nqx4vGyWp3jZ4Y1b6ihmPfaM~Dx8Qvk4IdLD6E3jLIRWr8OUwoVL0qV3Xm2KqD8r~EuBbN7xKd5Nl0Y1DukmvsPvHoRwHApmfx5Gjduo-6ADthOXU-osJ5PxoPfQAh5HWr-ekyn7nJgZ5tZd~L~tNiuCn-1A4gx1dgQTzrx9I9U-P4aEJmR~tdU7-O72cGxJL76iKlUzP~CcUemBFqiS4gO2wn3Pk~7J05QyOaKkMxOl0fuJPucClTtyA~Zj9lHuxm7~6lsRDjEbzn3CviY8Vkag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Public Schools staff presented a grant-funded parent-education series on mental health, trafficking awareness and digital safety, and board members spent substantial time asking for more detail about proposed policies addressing life skills and learning-resource concerns.

Assistant superintendent Susan (last name not specified in audio) described a four-part parent series funded by the Department of Behavioral Health. Sessions will be held at the Taylor Education Administrative Complex (TEAC) starting at 5 p.m. and will include childcare and dinner for attendees who register in advance. The planned topics and tentative dates shared at the Feb. 24 meeting are:
- \"The Anxious Generation\" fireside chat and screening (first session; copies of the book to be provided to the first 25 registrants).
- Safe House Project (March 10) — a presentation on child trafficking awareness and protections.
- \"Hidden in Plain Sight\" (March 31) — a law-enforcement presentation about drugs and vaping identification and resources for parents.
- Digital Safety and Wellness (April 14) — practical guidance on screen time, brain effects and family boundaries.

All sessions were described as no cost to families because grant funds cover speaker and event expenses. Staff said registration is required so the division can plan childcare and meals and provide virtual links to those who prefer remote participation.

Later in the agenda the board resumed a longer debate about two proposed policy revisions (IGAE and IGAG) that incorporate state-mandated life-skills instruction, social-emotional topics and guidance for identifying signs of mental-health challenges. Board member Miss Dawson raised numerous questions about content and implementation, emphasizing definitions and parental notification: \"What is a life skill? What are mental-health challenges?\" she asked. She expressed concern about \"the mental health piece being put on the backs of teachers who are not mental health professionals,\" and asked for curriculum samples across grade levels so the board can review specifics before adopting final language.

Other board members noted the material in the proposed policies tracks state code and Virginia Department of Education guidance — references to CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) and the VDOE appear in the draft — and said the board must implement legally required standards. One board member said bluntly, \"they passed it. And since they passed it, then we have to deal with it,\" referencing the General Assembly's statutory requirements.

Board members also discussed DJR, a draft procurement policy that would align division purchasing thresholds with recent state procurement changes; some members called for greater transparency on purchases above $1,000 and questioned whether the board should reduce the threshold for review so the public can see more spending earlier in the procurement cycle. Others defended the current approach, noting the superintendent provides frequent reports on larger expenditures and that sudden issues (for example, an equipment failure) sometimes require expedited spending.

No final vote on policy revisions occurred at the Feb. 24 meeting; board members requested more detail and sample curriculum materials before the next work session. Staff said they would return with additional information and clarified that some elements reflect statutory mandates.

The parent-workshop series and the curriculum debate together underscore the tension school boards face implementing state-mandated social-emotional or mental-health instruction while also addressing parental concerns about scope, teacher qualifications and data/privacy protections.","The division announced a grant-funded parent-education series on youth mental health and digital safety while board members debated language in proposed policies that implement state-required life-skills instruction and procurement threshold changes.",{"_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},6306079,"CTE enrollments rise; internships jump to 27 and new courses planned, district update says",84,1999000,2083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd&start=1999&end=2083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd/thumbnail_1999000.jpg","/articles/6306079/Virginia/CTE-enrollments-rise-internships-jump-to-27-and-new-courses-planned-district-update-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306079-3475bc4c9c39aa024466a16b2f01d509/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727636&Signature=II-8M3oX6BPDZo4~RoFe05V4Oho5ZUfHy1jF7OEZGVLRWwjMoerPcS3kWaYuZJZD76LWAVrQgA1sgDgEvdJcyZn4QlSsVWV9WAmi-SgnD7654b7HZeawfn7r2M7EW9KIfyK3Qt~theCgehkAIQC45POFH4kxeEj1eV-9jOZBGA3qR~ctTUHcNhi5VkIYuKLZGenAOZbS6CYBYL0VNEgBHSE623Kf~ORbDyeTKs1HfwgFH0t9cQpjaVALa5LCOiP3ChuNVirYWrtvQ0XLbhg9SbdwHhFAepZdulg0CjXBVLaZ9iPIqhks4KuoTROMcUlBm3ngqs2s~iwZ1mVzXcfmpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Public Schools’ career and technical education (CTE) program reported higher enrollments, a notable jump in internships and multiple new and returning course offerings at the board’s Feb. 24 meeting.

Renee (last name not specified in audio), the division staff member leading the CTE update, said the division employs 29 CTE teachers districtwide and reported 2,330 course enrollments at Orange County High School this year — an increase of 284 enrollments from the prior year. Prospect recorded 299 students making 538 enrollments, and Locust Grove Middle School recorded 581 students making 1,312 enrollments. Agriculture remains the largest career cluster, followed by government and public administration, Renee said.

Renee told the board that certification testing is an area for improvement: the five-year average pass rate for industry and workplace tests is about 73.8 percent, and the division is working to break down test-data to identify areas where students need better supports. She said work-based learning numbers were consistent with last year but internships increased from eight interns to 27 this year, with many internships running year-long; the division plans an internship showcase for parents and the community in late April.

The presentation listed new or restored course offerings for the current year — accounting, career strategies, Teachers for Tomorrow 1 and 2, carpentry 1 and 2, horticulture and vet sciences, and cybersecurity/network systems — and proposed three new courses for next year: video broadcast media, emergency medical telecommunications (to be coordinated with the local EMT office), and criminal justice.

Renee and other staff said they intend to offer NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research) core craft skills testing in carpentry courses. They also credited the Orange County Education Foundation with recent funding to install greenhouses at each middle school and to cover expendable supplies not allowed under Perkins funding.

CTE lead Lori Jamerson and community liaison Ellen Patera were recognized for their roles in expanding community partnerships, certifications and internships. Board members responded positively and noted that planned facility improvements (a separate capital project discussion) would support program growth.

The board heard the presentation as part of an information update; no board action was required that evening.","Orange County Public Schools reported enrollment increases in career and technical education, a sharp rise in internships to 27 students and plans to add courses such as emergency medical telecommunications and criminal justice.",{"_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},6306084,"Orange County High student council president describes spirit weeks, wellness events and outreach",55,241000,296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd&start=241&end=296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6306084/Virginia/Orange-County-High-student-council-president-describes-spirit-weeks-wellness-events-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306084-5ec2718818f3828fa61c0ea4bdb9d3ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727636&Signature=Xz75sRuf0qf81cDaGp6p9PUgfYW8hMQ8xmChv6VRh~rzWBcgMA6VRsBEc-YCGDG0tOjkxMXLnMbAphz5zcZwqeVF19vWzeRZuhdph6q2-Ok0RD6e9B3u6yEBIlhOErzd2vFyY7Zcly7F4Yp3uC2w9jrpej6qP-1I4b6ZsBhd09i8-6nwxjckUyRpzBDltAHSY~JFUV6kCyV-mlW65dZ0hkc~fxQZuQ6m1L56CVLfSPayFqul1MhNjL8FuWAyYy82TaNvDorLgFrEJxK9pqLjoU0QGbIHpXwDCK9RPQYParVaTRleP8DFfaaTNfk3nTixOMFgwqPj05aWgKPP-xRjAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","\"My name is Dylan Mills. I am a junior at Orange County High School and I am our student council president,\" Dylan Mills told the Orange County School Board during the Feb. 24 meeting.

Mills outlined a series of student-driven activities intended to increase participation and school morale. He described a refreshed approach to spirit weeks, including a recurring \"What to Wear Wednesday\" theme, and detailed new pep rallies with themed games and activities designed to boost attendance and enthusiasm. Mills said the leadership corps has tried to vary events so \"every pep rally [has] a theme\" and to include random students in contests to keep assemblies fresh.

Mills also described a number of wellness and service activities. His student council cooked and distributed about 300 hot dogs to staff in one event, and they piloted \"Cookies with Santa,\" a charitable event in which student volunteers baked roughly 300 sugar cookies and provided free crafts and photos with Santa for local children. Mills said the Cookies with Santa event ran about three hours and he intends to try to make it annual. Students also participated in \"Santa to a Senior,\" a holiday gift program that collected items for local senior citizens, and school clubs led a trunk-or-treat that drew community participation.

On communication and outreach, Mills said student council boosted its social-media posting frequency and launched a weekly bulletin and a visible information board in the cafeteria, which students have reacted to positively. He also described a new club schedule that replaced a less-productive rotating system and a newsletter he plans to revive.

Mills said two members of Orange County High’s student council were running for state-level Student Council offices; he said he was a candidate for Virginia Student Council Association president and that Amanti Lindsey was seeking the Region 4 representative post.

Board members praised Mills’ presentation; the chair invited him back and asked about frequency of student reports. Mills said he hoped to return as often as his sponsors and school schedules allow and that he planned to establish systems so events such as Cookies with Santa run consistently each year.

The presentation gave the board a student perspective on extracurricular programming, student-led wellness initiatives and ways the school is trying to improve participation and school climate.","Student council president Dylan Mills presented a report on spirit weeks, pep rallies, wellness activities, service projects and student communications at Orange County High School.",{"_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},6306089,"School board proclaims National School Breakfast Week, approves small grants and equipment surplus; personnel actions cleared",6326,3480000,9806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd&start=3480&end=9806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2442322-130dad6f93679c8c604a146577a21cbd/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6306089/Virginia/School-board-proclaims-National-School-Breakfast-Week-approves-small-grants-and-equipment-surplus-personnel-actions-cleared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306089-db69c0540832e527f1f57c30944fc6b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770727636&Signature=jvnlFl9b0nHw2brTMnMzIwwZ2ZQM3Lhag1e5VC~yaGqBqhXP6pju2xL8aPDqiBGkJRgCIv~CjkK1Xq5Tkug~YXHCBeNUJrjQfie0OnvTiaUB6waj77ll6PyNfKMzOTQSnObz-I5vx7ERfVe6KFefl~pWWkio0054xGH1Q8slY5hV5jIKIOR5xauvow4xSrQfBNnOb2Om6C~1gi3RGMiJ3n6c766Sd7Pk48dkl1-SjGFBB322zWNOPthT308mmYW87xOVedpSRqTRCW4qyXyus2SGgHuMCPCEQEIzD-l3SaDq-JHR26hXwCKTppMwe19Y84TdDq-Brfah4mUtu3C6fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County School Board on Monday adopted a resolution proclaiming March 2025 as National School Breakfast Week, approved two small supplemental appropriations and declared a set of technology items surplus, then approved a personnel package after a closed-session review.

The board unanimously approved the proclamation for National School Breakfast Week after a brief presentation from school nutrition staff about menus and planned events. The board then approved two supplemental appropriations: a state security grant of $3,845.12 to support a security vestibule at Locust Grove Elementary and $1,465 to fully recognize project-graduation funds previously received. The board also approved a recommendation from technology staff to declare replaced all-in-one computers and related items surplus. Each of those items passed on voice votes with no recorded dissents.

The meeting concluded after the board entered a closed session under the Code of Virginia to discuss personnel and safety matters. After reconvening, the board certified the closed session and then approved a personnel package that included retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers, salary adjustments and extracurricular and coaching appointments.

The actions taken Monday are procedural for the division but notable to the community because two of the appropriations target student safety and graduation support. The declared surplus will allow the division to dispose of or recycle replaced equipment as permitted by division rules.

Votes at a glance
- Proclamation: \"Resolution proclaiming March 2025 as National School Breakfast Week in Orange County Public Schools.\" Outcome: approved by voice vote. Motion and second recorded; no roll-call votes recorded in the audio.
- Supplemental appropriations: State security grant ($3,845.12) and Project Graduation recognition ($1,465). Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Surplus declaration: Recommendation to declare replaced technology equipment surplus. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Personnel: Approval of personnel actions (retirements, resignations, employment, terminations, salary adjustments, transfers, extracurricular/coaching appointments) following closed session. Outcome: approved by roll-call certification and voice vote.

Board members present for the votes included board members who answered roll call at the meeting and the superintendent and other staff who introduced and explained each item. The board did not record individual yes/no tallies on the voice votes for the appropriations or surplus items.","At its Feb. 24 meeting, the Orange County School Board voted to proclaim March 2025 as National School Breakfast Week, approved two supplemental appropriations, declared technology equipment surplus and approved personnel actions following a closed session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent proposes FY26 budget emphasizing teacher pay correction, staffing and services; seeks large locality increase

School launches parent mental-health workshop series as board debates new mental-health curriculum and procurement thresholds

CTE enrollments rise; internships jump to 27 and new courses planned, district update says

Orange County High student council president describes spirit weeks, wellness events and outreach

School board proclaims National School Breakfast Week, approves small grants and equipment surplus; personnel actions cleared