[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-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",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_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",6246414,"mediaKeyId","3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b","parentId",3217923,"title","Board renames two pre‑K sites to qualify for Title I supports","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",6421000,"endMs",6544000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=6421&end=6544","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_6421000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246414/Virginia/Board-renames-two-preK-sites-to-qualify-for-Title-I-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246414-eca9b418ae6b40834e92e571b8e2432e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=EkJ22U7Du2qpon8YBxyHcMYA5YxnEpFRxWX6J9Y5lz-cslk147AjtQot10McnCqisbmkiLDXv0G4U3wEmVtnULZbQe0szdROacaBC1NqoSmDtd~W5SP-sd0UJxh6PDE3tqzryjdBYh~X8whK265D6h0QfL~yks-42vwS5Gr7OnnovV0-485~3T-uKoYavVsoEs7l1t6mnXa-OLZolIEO55cVOMuyxZEkA0JuOWbOJaHbwOPndP3Yqb82bzE7b3HQYqLBQXjtetcWMNFTv5k--dvrfzo2rxQe6opul-nbT29WZx7PGuz2nGSMfezLCrbk-yXK8B6CWJNYRMBAYBVX2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LYNCHBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS","date","2025-05-07T22:16:54.04Z","article","The school board approved new names for two pre‑K facilities to allow both to qualify for Title I services.

Dr. Kopel recommended adopting \"T.C. Miller Academy\" and changing \"Hutchison Early Learning Center\" to \"Hutchison Academy,\" explaining the naming will allow the schools to receive Title I resources. \"It also, will allow use of Title 1 funds to support, the, Pre K children,\" he said during the presentation.

Board members discussed whether the district should record historical information about school names; staff said they could pursue that with board direction. A motion to approve the two renaming recommendations passed by unanimous roll call: \"Mister Connor? Yes. Mister Gillio? Yes. Mister Andrews? Yes. Doctor Day? Yes. Doctor Gupta? Yes. Missus Preston? Yes. Mister DePaul? Yes. Missus Lawrie? Yes. Doctor Chesley? Yes. Motion carries.\"

Staff said the renaming aligns the two early‑childhood buildings under a common naming convention and allows the district to apply Title I resources where eligible.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCS School Board Meeting: May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved renaming the T.C. Miller and Hutchison Early Learning Center buildings to academy designations so both pre‑K sites can access Title I resources, board members said.","taxTitle","LYNCHBURG CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38444,"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},6246420,"Board rezones small Jubilee Drive area to Bass Elementary; change affects five students",365,5912000,6277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=5912&end=6277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_5912000.jpg","/articles/6246420/Virginia/Board-rezones-small-Jubilee-Drive-area-to-Bass-Elementary-change-affects-five-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246420-b99a183bd47f2ac4bff8aac5ff37c7f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=TtYVmPq~RW-LVZy3FUKM-b40G1Chil7jmaZmTvNdZZ~075uB8-5R1gkJMBk5WPfGAoRBZtaKcoC8Z4jXXEBrMuGqclbTYJWmICz6GpZ-EE1Kk-XQt6WCOxAUKzT80jH-qGMs2ryW8BQrBK5f0UVrB2oywBzQYXU~GWttzivmpFm8XpSBPzXWAmiO4TBatmC7RmIlmEljI1v4FZuYUuKBgnmMka6FT4fcReYa-NrhN1T-zRL-Yl22Ky9O6W1KKk3u3U1nAiywrkpuMpvdBX3lBOJtztjxD3rMG71~Xq4gRe17uK51iYBRdoW1jOe6yVVKUwoQVO79ReqqEvru8kBtJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynchburg City Schools board voted to rezone a small Jubilee Drive neighborhood to Bass Elementary for the 2025–26 school year, a change staff said affects two households and five students.

Dr. Wodicka, presenting zoning background, said city and school division databases did not fully match and that a small elementary zone along Jubilee Drive had not been depicted on city GIS maps. He said the school finder app maintained by the school division appeared most accurate, but the city GIS needed updating. \"For the 20 five‑twenty 6 school year, if you rezoned that area… it would affect 2 households, a total of 5 students,\" he said, noting staff had contacted the affected families and that they were amenable to the change.

The board moved and seconded a motion to rezone Jubilee Drive to Bass Elementary and approved it by roll call. The clerk recorded unanimous approval: \"Mister Connolly? Yes. Mister Andrews? Yes. Doctor Day? Yes. Doctor Gupta? Yes. Missus Preston? Yes. Mister DePaul? Yes. Missus Lawrie? Yes. Doctor Tinsley? Yes. Motion carries.\"

Staff said they will conduct a discrepancy review between the school finder application and the city GIS to update mapping so future zoning work aligns between the two systems. The rezoning was framed as a small technical correction to reflect prior intent and to put contiguous areas on common bus routes.

","The board approved rezoning a small \"island\" on Jubilee Drive from Sheffield to Bass Elementary for 2025–26; staff said the change affects two households and five students and families contacted are amenable.",{"_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},6246424,"Lynchburg officials present special‑education annual plan, outline staffing and assistive‑technology needs",269,5130000,5399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=5130&end=5399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_5130000.jpg","/articles/6246424/Virginia/Lynchburg-officials-present-specialeducation-annual-plan-outline-staffing-and-assistivetechnology-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246424-647c61e16b035b9677c9c06f3af872f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=mBD9JAGYtwSYAOzsLDY37IXaqfkdGsuDgme2tZD-yc-7b9WcFCKs-x8lOZCuM~83WHNYKRJUWpM-yxlbBM2vK8FgnUekafOdLetxJrIdN3BApVb69z428BdghXZlqy9x-rkGwckxzNAyDpWWFFS7i0SBz1~QlHWPyPxogRmEqZtwB3MBHh8H9WwbOFm7zBmmyMtJWHN1dtUYBeAQlaacj0RdFSzgVpo8qhAaHBQ4XTaS~SCgEiumTDhW9hSpOWj1pIzhwYWIzjH~FmqThY~07tRvmO8XYPx4VxmKy9RyxNv7gK8xWMdCqN~2k7n0d8-ebZ5W~WPxKLzSmhFjtevItw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynchburg City Schools presented its annual special‑education plan to the school board and described staffing, assistive‑technology and contracted‑services needs tied to federal IDEA funds.

Ashley Burks, director of special education, told the board the department’s guiding principle is \"people over programming\" and summarized priorities for personnel, training, assistive technology and services for students placed in private settings or regional jails. She said the district’s maintenance‑of‑effort (MOE) for special education for 2025–26 is listed in the plan as $14,965,688.

Burks described several budget lines: a proportionate set‑aside for parentally placed private‑school or homeschooled students (listed in the plan as $172,946), and funds for early‑childhood 2‑to‑5 services under Section 619 of IDEA (the plan text includes an allocation listed as \"$13.99\" in the meeting materials). She emphasized that funds support personnel such as teachers, school psychologists, board‑certified behavior analysts and related services and also pay for extended‑school‑year services when required.

Burks said special‑education spending also covers contracted services to support transitions for high‑school students, web‑based assessments to track progress, and ongoing training and coaching for classroom and special‑education teachers. She noted that assistive technology (iPads, Chromebooks, adaptive seating and specialized test kits) requires ongoing expense because devices and accommodations are not one‑time purchases.

Board members asked whether the plan is a request for funds or a certification of how the district will spend authorized funds. Burks and staff explained that the plan is submitted to the Virginia Department of Education for authorization under IDEA; funds are generally not competitive and are awarded based on reporting and student needs. Staff also said VDOE monitors spending and can make recommendations.

Burks said the district supports a small number of students placed at Blue Ridge Regional Jail and that it provides services to ensure those students receive a free, appropriate public education.

","Special‑education staff outlined program priorities, federal grant allocations and requested resources for personnel, assistive technology and contracted transition services for students with disabilities.",{"_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},6246429,"Board debates human‑resources report after members flag high separations among new teachers",828,3946000,4774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=3946&end=4774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_3946000.jpg","/articles/6246429/Virginia/Board-debates-humanresources-report-after-members-flag-high-separations-among-new-teachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246429-e356451bae64b2c550d025028d8a343a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=U7ZIe7aQA4WBKbSLjO9trCRxjcQDKCBjqIke8jjBvVfjjyaVWWP4xjPmiaLER-XFiW4mYly7myHzVdUOqNNnXUhqyMJCu9WK6CO~eug1Q9lCvG03bCgpfSuWVc0yENCaBaVXE9yj~yS4w9Q5Cvq4ywCbmnmA-ZRl1DuXLKuOCclpDaLghlwmojz7HdgPHrY5vBSB4Vg3ILd59mwdu49acMzWhXk3Qdtkuu9PhsI-fzwKQKU2uijWT6hwXcZC5ucruuegAnfCYdUnoifGU0DYw1F20aHDwP0OwnByzj1v0sCFidDNx~oFO259W0taKGukNEKfm0ytLOCwuhEMWDfu4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynchburg City Schools board discussed a human‑resources report that showed multiple separations this year and debated whether to make the addendum visible to City Council before approving it.

Board member Mustafa Jalil (spoke during the meeting) asked to withdraw item No. 3 from the consent agenda to discuss the HR addendum. \"I would like to withdraw number 3,\" he said, and later cited what he described as \"26 separations, and 10 were Liberty University students.\" He said he wanted the separations to be visible to city officials and asked the board to consider retention strategies.

Board member Missus Lowry responded with context from her teaching experience, noting wide historic churn among early‑career teachers and that Virginia is a right‑to‑work state. Another member observing long‑term trends said the retention rate in the first 0–4 years averages about 70 percent stay and 30 percent leave, and warned that local competitors sometimes recruit new teachers with higher pay.

Superintendent and staff explained the HR addendum process: the human‑resources office provides a primary report for the board packet and then an addendum capturing personnel updates that arrive after the packet closes. Board members discussed whether to send the HR report to the City Council; staff noted that approved board minutes are published and available to council.

After discussion, the board took the procedural steps to remove the item temporarily for comment and then voted to approve the human‑resources addendum. The roll call recorded unanimous approval after discussion: \"Mister Andrews? Yes. Doctor Day? Yes. Doctor Gupta? Yes. Missus Preston? Yes. Mister DePaul? Yes. Missus Lawrie? Yes. Doctor Tinsley? Yes. Motion carries.\" (Roll‑call sequence captured from the meeting transcript.)

Board members asked staff to examine causes and retention strategies — including exit interviews and possible incentives — and noted that some departures reflected personal moves or family needs rather than workplace concerns.

","Board members discussed a human‑resources addendum showing multiple separations, including several recent hires from one university cohort, and approved the report after brief debate about retention and transparency.",{"_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},6246434,"Carr James family funds inaugural Lynchburg City Schools computer‑science scholarship",845,501000,1346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=501&end=1346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_501000.jpg","/articles/6246434/Virginia/Carr-James-family-funds-inaugural-Lynchburg-City-Schools-computerscience-scholarship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246434-eb9eb885067157fdb279da1f07c9cc83/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=Xf~dWvsf0rjrc2yxAWmYnDEDi~tA8R5SSdursllLRjCqL-GmQ6bO3bW9kXLR2qKWy509kqinl7aoievbRhRLvT-YqJBtdn~VdW-SAl6UBrYk73tFTsfHAPWwgeCgmiuaAN0tm2fBX95iEbMTuqsc0EVsBwfnWGyKZ9t1CEDmSPtS6Iz19LrPP9YFld47RkyX3HAb5z6mdDmzUS2JOODmHQlGcRHFXuCxnMyN6WsKpK4~uDnZdpahbZEr5ObltDKgujH6KEoY4z6bTFMm2-yICT7ODTPgYNzA0BArvche-koSeWsZ4e~Sd7loRNcdsryIRON8el6qJjlurs8XAPxjog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation announced the inaugural Lynchburg City Schools Computer Science Scholarship, made possible by a family donation and awarded this year to Savannah Hicks, a graduating Heritage High School senior.

Dawn Wise, executive director of the Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation, said donors Linda Carr and her husband Clarence James gave $100,000 in December 2023 to create two funds: a $25,000 Vivian Carr Miller Excellence Through Education Fund and a $75,000 Carr James Family Community Service Fund. Wise said the funds are being used for student needs and career and technical education opportunities.

\"We give back because we're hoping others will see it and others will do so as well,\" Linda Carr said during the presentation. Wise described the scholarship as a significant, need‑based award with a total annual award amount of $15,000. The scholarship is awarded to the top computer‑science student as determined by an application process that includes a 30‑minute in‑person interview with the selection committee.

This year’s recipient, Savannah Hicks, is a Heritage High graduating senior who has served as a cybersecurity teaching assistant, enrolled in advanced cybersecurity coursework and plans to major in computer science with an emphasis in game development at Randolph College. Wise described Hicks’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments, including a gold medal in SkillsUSA extemporaneous speaking and other activities.

Savannah Hicks spoke to the board: \"This scholarship is more than financial support, it's a powerful encouragement to keep pushing forward, and I'm truly thankful for that.\" She thanked the Carr James family, the foundation and mentors who supported her.

Wise said the fund also supports other initiatives, including scholarships in memory of donors’ parents, essentials and uniforms for students, and assistance for families at several elementary schools.

The foundation’s selection process requires applicants to describe relevant experience and contributions they would bring to the school board or scholarship, and finalists must confirm residency and complete background checks for selected awardees, Wise said.

","A $100,000 family donation created funds used to establish a $15,000 need‑based computer‑science scholarship; inaugural recipient Savannah Hicks will study computer science at Randolph College.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6246439,"City Council outlines timetable, rules for Lynchburg school-board appointments",97,291000,388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b&start=291&end=388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217923-6a65856267e6cae3f6f2f9802376c28b/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6246439/Virginia/City-Council-outlines-timetable-rules-for-Lynchburg-school-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246439-24476218d89be22755a3e0b9c10bf53d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776691676&Signature=kOUCdRjmqfIBLzCnPBynEpR4Hous1g14nZud38Kk7dk7GX7Yb6OIOOIho2fPOTM7hRck72Tx4z4CfMXJX5M2iqu0kikDuopETgwaHoOVT5p9url6r-irvqntJhxjAQAJKE-prREyZxkyq28VIFUS1xYj0YsklCfRDRHa7QDlK5DbAt5slIy37Xrq8~WlpmYa7TXQq~u9elSXaqTwFD37VX0xxlKaGqgf6HaYre3Jx8KrZBFcoqBM7ShOGW-EU9fygo4GMbNrwsnyxKNjKjIY80HsVe2mz-DO~UgoKb7pAzzRZ5V6LFT2jArkon2qDJTVKLLt2kgi7FwZ0xYEXAE4sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff outlined the schedule and rules city council will follow this spring to fill three school-board seats the council appoints.

Miss Finney, a city staff presenter, told the Lynchburg City Schools board that applications will be accepted through the close of the City Council public hearing on May 13 and that council has held a second hearing slot on May 27. She said council could begin selecting candidates at the close of the hearing period but has reserved June 10 for finalizing appointments, with interviews planned between June 11 and June 24 and formal appointments on June 24 during the council meeting.

The process matters because the council appoints one board member for each district, and two current board members have told council they are not seeking another term. \"State code dictates that the names must be read into the record in order to be eligible,\" Miss Finney said, explaining how the application and record process will work.

Applications will ask for contact information, ward and district, and answers about candidates' experience and what they would contribute to the Lynchburg School Board. Miss Finney said candidates chosen for interview will be required to confirm residency using both traditional and alternative forms of verification to accommodate nontraditional housing arrangements. Interviews and council deliberations will be held in open meeting and livestreamed, she said, and state and national criminal background checks will be completed for selected candidates.

Miss Finney also said applications are not made public because they contain personnel information, but the record will show that an individual applied. She noted a QR code and an online link will be available for applicants.

City council’s timetable places public hearings in mid- to late May, interviews in June and final appointments on June 24. Candidates and community members can appear at the May hearings to speak to qualifications, Miss Finney said.

Where to learn more: the city’s application page (QR code referenced in the presentation) and the City Council public-hearing notices.

","City staff described the application, interview and appointment schedule for three school-board seats the city council fills, including residency verification and state background checks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board renames two pre‑K sites to qualify for Title I supports

Board rezones small Jubilee Drive area to Bass Elementary; change affects five students

Lynchburg officials present special‑education annual plan, outline staffing and assistive‑technology needs

Board debates human‑resources report after members flag high separations among new teachers

Carr James family funds inaugural Lynchburg City Schools computer‑science scholarship

City Council outlines timetable, rules for Lynchburg school-board appointments