[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6040059,"mediaKeyId","3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a","parentId",3765781,"title","Teacher urges change to sick-leave donation policy; board later approves edits to GCBDC","audioSeconds",2972,"startMs",3914000,"endMs",6886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a&start=3914&end=6886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a/thumbnail_3914000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6040059/Virginia/Teacher-urges-change-to-sick-leave-donation-policy-board-later-approves-edits-to-GCBDC","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040059-c5cb99b4a60da8556ee20d94534e0f73/orig.mp4?Expires=1776357939&Signature=SCX1V7ld~sAzm857oQo-fyDaHYIbCOJISsTHiFIkJSGHAJla6gSk4r8OZN-9kweS-aF0xsv~9UfikW2cbI84gdnPJF0ZfLFRv5v9tmHqLU9l3oFzYduo9ZWMC1QbtFvQhdFac5ox3V-CIQ3BzYO47BUllSUQVQCIKUOs9ZrB4CjtZUF2bw9muu9wJVEoAQleG4FSgZG9Rb5-V4fgQBj4wmGr9Bcv-TZ9tNpA-CALR7gvo1epV331ovMcsznUKXC7aXG9K5NOrsOs7h-aJ4toSJGEXnTfCsbhNp5xc24hkIuxiVvnUiTAs3MguiyeHHWgDWsipI8OFLIt7jkEaiqIGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford County Public Schools","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Amanda Dean, a Bedford County Public Schools teacher and Jefferson Forest High School graduate, told the school board at the May 8 meeting that the division's sick-leave donation policy is too restrictive and can force staff into unpaid leave or to work while unwell.

Dean described her personal experience: after months of illness and a hospital stay she said she had to \"exhaust all of my sick days and personal days before I was eligible to request donated days\" and that \"Only after missing 15 consecutive days could I ask for help.\" She told the board that colleagues had been willing to donate leave but the policy's conditions meant donated days were not available when she needed them most.

Dean proposed changes including allowing employees to access donated days before depleting all personal leave or allowing donated days to be held in reserve for return from leave; removing the requirement that donated days be for consecutive days missed; and increasing the cap on donated days to cover extended medical absences. \"By allowing teachers to access donated days without such restrictive conditions, we can foster a more compassionate and supportive work environment,\" she told the board.

Later in the meeting the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee's recommended policy revisions to GCBDC (sick-leave donation) were presented for action. The proposal added a requirement that employees be members of VRS Plan 1 or 2 to receive donated sick leave and clarified that an employee who is a member of the sick-leave bank may use either the sick-leave bank or the donation plan in the same year, but not both. The board voted to adopt the committee's revisions (motion moved by Mr. Holbrook), and the updated policy will be posted and take effect consistent with board procedures.

Dean told the board that a neighboring division allows more-flexible donations and urged Bedford County to adopt similar flexibility. Board members who heard public comment did not dispute her account and the board moved ahead with the committee-recommended edits rather than the broader changes Dean had requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bedford County Public School Board Meeting - 5/8/2025 - 5:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Teacher Amanda Dean testified that Bedford County's sick-leave donation policy is overly restrictive and proposed allowing donated days earlier and with fewer conditions. The board later approved a revision to policy GCBDC following review by the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.","taxTitle","BEDFORD CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38254,"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},6040064,"School board approves $136.6 million FY2025-26 budget; boosts security, restores some step increases",1896,4991000,6887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a&start=4991&end=6887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a/thumbnail_4991000.jpg","/articles/6040064/Virginia/School-board-approves-1366-million-FY2025-26-budget-boosts-security-restores-some-step-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040064-8a82600046de31c31189eb99b3b32216/orig.mp4?Expires=1776357939&Signature=dikJ2lYovjQgAIY1Nfs9ZvR19H7RQePtfNRAkCP9wUX3WIBVTQNgU6LuroCoIZWXbYPVSUpGBbehhv0UhwXd9NgTRxVDms16-NLEkt8qIyyZeBl7EkSWaHAGJhJ9ZHCYuNvhbmsoXIAaxZUZnkwPlGw86hPatgSwvxfvwS2bc9si0dKuA~elcOOD2MoLll7N0hj8jWZY-OXmXE3wpNAjYSEjj6kGb5hk3QIWSR6T91viqTcKySA57c09Jh8gzDL9g2XLhBWf6vnNNdMg5amaL3cDVTDLI24TyOB62uzb6a1HFEqbk6bRq4suLe7Ryb8PtIZBLRqYn2bwLuvbPYFQBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County School Board approved a $136,612,318 operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at its May 8 meeting, adopting the finance committee's recommended revisions after weeks of internal review.

The finance committee's changes restored about $200,000 for previously frozen step restorations (for clerical, maintenance, garage and health care employees), increased a security-equipment allocation by $150,000 to maintain camera and hardware replacement cycles, and kept $200,000 toward School Resource Officer (SRO) costs to reduce a sharper funding cliff next year. The committee removed an additional 1% cost-of-living increase that would have added roughly $850,000.

Finance director Randy Hagler and committee members said the package balances immediate staff compensation and security needs while acknowledging that staffing standards may be adjusted next year. Hagler told the board the division expects to use remaining COVID-era academic-recovery funds (the division's \"all in\" funding) to temporarily offset approximately $580,000 in increased recurring costs for one year; staff warned the offsets will not repeat beyond next year and could require additional cuts in subsequent budgets.

The board approved several related actions at the meeting:

- Supplemental appropriation and employee bonus: The board accepted $950,000 from the state for a one-time $1,000 bonus per eligible employee. Finance staff said the bonus will be treated as a retention payment and will be issued to employees who are returning under contract next year. Hagler said it is planned to be paid in the May paycheck and that any employee who leaves would have the amount deducted from their final paycheck.

- Budget transfers: The board approved a transfer that shifts $200,000 from instruction to maintenance to cover facility needs this year; staff said the change could also free funds for end-of-year bus purchases if available.

- Contracts and procurement: The board awarded a two-year propane contract to Glenwood Energy to lock fuel pricing for the next two heating seasons.

Board members described the budget process as difficult but transparent. Several members emphasized that options presented earlier (including school closures or other deep cuts) were not selected and that the committee tried to protect key programs such as Susie G. Gibson and special-education aids. The finance committee cautioned that next year's budget will be challenging because some one-time funds and grant support will end and healthcare and SRO costs could rise.

The board moved and seconded the final budget motion (motion by Mr. Knight, second by Mr. Holbrook) and approved it by voice vote. Hagler and staff said contracts and notices to employees are being prepared for issuance in the coming days.","The Bedford County School Board approved a $136,612,318 fiscal 2025–26 budget on May 8 that restores some employee step increases, increases security equipment funding, and uses short-term state \"all in\" funds to smooth staffing impacts next year. The board also approved a $950,000 state-funded bonus program and several budget transfers and bids.",{"_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},6040069,"School board agrees to plan redistricting in Forest zone to ease overcrowding",3967,948000,4915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a&start=948&end=4915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765781-13c72a9924b33f6f877cc4b5ddf46f3a/thumbnail_948000.jpg","/articles/6040069/Virginia/School-board-agrees-to-plan-redistricting-in-Forest-zone-to-ease-overcrowding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040069-d872dddebb978298368f63f8083832e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776357939&Signature=m9d1FskN~0C-0j3mktCBHZSu9w5XjbymkNM1ZcogPTONSLX696lohq3q4f2T2xxr5VDIqgvFmZ2xoJjk1gq0mb9OpYOtNKec48oDVdYMPPXtoDWXBuQDQ~XLUcMOdpRrYw6~puze2pmcbOmLUgtrqFCaJZmnvaB6oiQVS-6o762jQuD~ALWmjCKju8~JviWhqsZox-cnanmR0IDG9BqTpoQzgoHAjXRe~sdI7ZXAxziBpv1H8yvc~wKcWWWxHBRIMzE6sawgI2HEWt0Znafe18x8ZQrcxhiZrSiF4Kc1do7ekQdHBkXB7k4arOpS8QoiNey1W2h-XyqegfLAdi2zOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County School Board on May 8 agreed by majority consensus to move forward with planning a redistricting of the Forest elementary zone to address capacity issues at Forest Elementary and New London Academy and to prepare for projected growth from nearby housing developments.

School division executive staff presented maps, capacity calculations and a recommended timeline that would delay implementation to the 2025-26 school year if the board approves the final plan. The executive presentation said staff targeted an 87% capacity threshold and estimated that after boundary adjustments schools would range between about 84% and 93% of capacity when new housing is included.

The plan focuses only on elementary schools in the Forest zone and would shift defined neighborhoods between Forest Elementary, New London Academy, Otter River Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Boonesborough Elementary. Staff cited roughly 12 developments either under construction or planned that were not in the division's 2023 review and estimated the five-year growth that those subdivisions could bring to elementary enrollment.

An executive staff presenter told the board the division used classroom counts multiplied by an average 21.5 students per classroom, then allowed a 10% margin and adjusted some common-space capacities (cafeteria/library) when calculating usable capacity. The presenter said New London's common spaces reduced its usable capacity even though classroom counts appeared larger.

Staff identified several practical consequences and constraints: bus-route efficiency (Art Lipscomb, lead driver, reviewed routes), the effect of zone transfers and grandfathered students on counts, possible staffing shifts and modest facility impacts. Staff estimated a possible net addition of one FTE at Otter River (some half-time positions becoming full-time) and said the plan could affect about six teachers and one or two aides if implemented quickly. The presentation warned that if all existing zone-transfer approvals were grandfathered in, \"the redistricting plan really is not gonna be successful.\" The presenter urged the board to decide whether to freeze new zone-transfer approvals in the Forest zone while planning.

Staff offered three options: 1) accelerate a full August implementation (a compressed ~30–40 day summer timeline), 2) follow the executive-recommended timeline that uses the coming year for community engagement, policy changes and route audits, or 3) take no action (staff said they \"do not advocate you do nothing\" because growth could force portables or add significant costs). The recommended timeline included board planning this year, public hearings and a vote in September, county GIS and bus-route updates in fall, and implementation in the 2025-26 school year.

Board members raised concerns about short timelines, aftercare and transportation impacts, sibling and staff placement, and equity issues for families who would have to change daycare or routines. Multiple board members said they preferred more time for public input and for staff to review zone-transfer approvals before finalizing lines.

Chair Marcus Hill put the question to the board: \"Do I have consensus to move forward with planning this redistricting for the Forest zone?\" A majority signaled yes; the board did not adopt final maps at the meeting. The consensus authorizes continued planning, further public engagement and next steps including a possible zone-transfer policy revision and bus-route audit before any final vote.

Next steps outlined by staff include: updating and approving a zone-transfer policy (June–July), notifying affected parents and beginning the public hearing process in August, scheduling a formal vote on maps in September, and preparing bus routes and staffing for 2025-26 if the board approves the final plan.","The Bedford County School Board on May 8 gave majority consensus to pursue a year-long planning process to redraw elementary school boundaries in the Forest zone after staff presented capacity projections tied to new housing developments, bus-route impacts and questions about the division's zone-transfer policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teacher urges change to sick-leave donation policy; board later approves edits to GCBDC

School board approves $136.6 million FY2025-26 budget; boosts security, restores some step increases

School board agrees to plan redistricting in Forest zone to ease overcrowding