[{"_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",6039480,"mediaKeyId","3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d","parentId",3784515,"title","School board updates JHCC regulation to broaden lice notification and screening language","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",610000,"endMs",1092000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d&start=610&end=1092","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d/thumbnail_610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6039480/Virginia/School-board-updates-JHCC-regulation-to-broaden-lice-notification-and-screening-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6039480-29c8b180203676d2426b07340e041fcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897878&Signature=XC~ySlNzRezNut5eOmIkNU8V~tfQ1n9f9axeY6xBVvM4DvGaYhbOhsBt~5HjMg0yg1mHCrA0m1GjOXOG3g70KEp4PRGozw87vN5LbD6hxP~UbyKBAz0sIpzwbkkaEZqtF3DZKYZ6trl0USMY4M5~LtlWgKe94xkhRjIgrdw6~vUHHVPRq7iRxR9p-Xhy4-XGCOvOL91BykNeTGd6CbzKGHsw28kCRFmRaBDEm7J09IAAyFHgU9bJJiM57435EwN78XJBEwzamJDtQ2QMssKyst4xBoQ2WzmWQa7uZug6Bf9m1vHKf4uvPSjYR9uN~TKlyJxw4SGnHCdwPPkmwdy2ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Halifax County School Board","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Halifax County School Board approved an update to regulation JHCC that revises the district’s approach to head‑lice identification, screening and parental notification.

Board members discussed two parts of the regulation: communication letters to classrooms and mass screening procedures. Staff said the policy language was adjusted so the notification letter goes to the entire classroom (communication) while mass screenings are limited by grade levels to avoid singling out students. Nurses retain discretion for individual follow‑up and for mass screening decisions in certain grade bands. Staff noted the wording was developed after consultation with the local group of school nurse coordinators and that the change reflects those recommendations rather than an individual CDC directive.

A motion to revise the regulation to apply the updated screening language from pre‑K through the appropriate elementary grades (and to ensure page 2 of the regulation reflects the same grade span) passed on the record. Board members expressed concern about singling out students and bullying and supported the approach that uses whole‑class notification or school nurses’ discretion rather than routinely pulling individual students from class for screening.

The adopted change directs administration to finalize the regulation text as discussed and to publish the updated regulation for implementation by school nurses and administrators.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Halifax County School Board Regular Meeting 5/12/25 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Halifax County School Board approved updates to regulation JHCC to change lice screening and parent notification language; the regulation will apply to a broader set of grade levels and allow nurses discretion for mass screenings, board members said.","taxTitle","HALIFAX CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",55584,"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},6039485,"Board questions paying two finance directors as interim role wraps; staff to report back",439,271000,710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d&start=271&end=710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6039485/Virginia/Board-questions-paying-two-finance-directors-as-interim-role-wraps-staff-to-report-back","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6039485-384acfb5df8e42a839270ae3e7ad8b31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897878&Signature=dRzGjodnglwuJNIewC47SpPqgvyRAGTR0zkNHyfxJRT85BKxMSrUHvkkN1wVW5-eqIHtYBoL0TzbwhP42qFP2hzy2fO0uaWe8TIu1Z5dAKz6SuYlzveBGloCIwcCKFc4yI5yqW30uBcu7N-HbCfzej2GzbjbhvTqvJDRrV2wMYEoLRWlWumLvX87AVibD-N8O73kGmW4x5D~LzJVmu3gkz-0rY6oLJy-TGA5FjcS5QJs47R8-IOj2Yim4kR07N0nnBtDdXhEokWVi31jVJjGwZzpl6vlQ9AVCf-Sgp0tEbapJyJGbw9GEZoqHRgSCebY0CrZPvn77kL8LdqrS-4tzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Halifax County School Board debated whether to continue paying an interim finance director while the district also pays a permanent finance director, with one board member urging discontinuation to avoid the apparent duplication and another arguing the interim worker had recovered invoicing errors that saved the district money.

During the consent‑agenda discussion, the board considered a line‑item in payment of bills that included roughly $900 in travel expenses in a single month for the interim finance director. Several board members said it appeared the district has been effectively paying two people in the finance function for the last two and a half years and questioned the fiscal prudence of the arrangement.

A different board member, however, told the board that the interim finance staff had been focused on the high school construction invoices, catching errors on multiple vendor invoices and protecting the district from overpayments. The speaker said dismissing the interim staff before the completion of the high school project could cost the district more in the long run.

After discussion the board did not remove the payment item from the consent agenda but directed Superintendent Doctor Huskin to provide the board with a written report on the interim finance director’s duties, how the role will change after the high school project completes, and recommendations for timing of any personnel changes. That report was requested for the next meeting to give the board more information before acting on personnel or payment discontinuation.

The board later approved payment of bills; members asked staff to present options in a future agenda about making the closed session record‑keeping clearer (a related procedural issue raised in the meeting).

The board requested a specific report from administration and said it would consider removing the consent item later if the provided information justified that action.","Board members debated continued payment to an interim assistant finance director while a new finance director is on payroll; some members urged discontinuing the interim arrangement to save money, others said the interim staff is saving the district money by catching billing errors on the new high school project and requested a follow‑up report.",{"_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},6039490,"New Halifax County High School nears completion; board hears progress update and traffic, drainage concerns",663,3982000,4645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d&start=3982&end=4645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d/thumbnail_3982000.jpg","/articles/6039490/Virginia/New-Halifax-County-High-School-nears-completion-board-hears-progress-update-and-traffic-drainage-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6039490-c98f6ae60878d90198bf7d91a1f50f76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897878&Signature=XSUVFtaED4MdBfWd75i7VIKpBHtpsKU0RVgfEMgCdZf8JOxL0dvKQfH6u~TaWuxaxo1JCpZQj24Hc4wIe6UiofDBPy-YuYsmsatLpy41UN7f8y1GXj3dFJ1rbk2NHxuZlpN8alB9mP48wLsOX2k1rMJRgMqJbJSdxUzYaBozmorxs4jy1CLPFaaGnYlfKt9aIVWDeA5skwamPlWP1XAFVRP2~LMQEn9Z2eovuqTK2eYpqiH70lGRlfTBSD9lOB-zFfdG04iyVHP8ACEe5DFH2eAssvfPFAK8JWIGiFh5A3LjyuHxZoZYqK-T83EA9kUNZD2zRVaUzHwowb2JB158nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction managers reported significant progress on the new Halifax County High School and presented a schedule that anticipates teachers returning in early August and students beginning classes in mid‑ to late‑August.

The project update described completed and in‑progress items: loading dock in service, cafeteria framing and finishing, removal of a long‑standing scaffold in the senior space, concrete sidewalks placed at the main entrance, casework and classroom casework installed, installation of the competition gym wood floor ahead of sanding and finish, and partial installation of gym bleachers. Elevator 1 (in the classroom wing) was scheduled for inspection May 22; larger delivery milestones and furniture moves were scheduled through July. Staff reported a contractual substantial completion target in July with final commissioning and completion dates in late July and a teacher return date of Aug. 4, convocation Aug. 5, open house Aug. 14, and first day of school Aug. 18 for the high school.

Board members raised operational questions after the update. One member asked whether the painted white railings were primer or final color; the project manager said he would check. Another member said the car‑rider drop‑off lane at the new facility looked only wide enough for a single vehicle and asked the construction team to confirm whether a bypass lane would be available so vehicles could pass a stopped car. A separate concern involved persistent water pooling in a roadway near the school; a board member said the drain exists but environmental/DEQ permitting tied to erosion controls prevents opening it until grass is established, and asked staff to check options ahead of graduation events.

The board asked administration to schedule a site tour for members to review circulation and remaining punch‑list items and asked construction staff to follow up on the specific concerns about railings, car‑rider width and drainage. The board stressed the need for final verification of traffic circulation and safe student arrival/drop‑off configurations before the start of school and for confirmation of dates and inspections recorded in the project schedule.

The construction update will remain on upcoming agendas until final completion; administrators will provide follow‑up responses to the board’s questions.","Construction managers reported progress on the new high school including installation of gym floor, elevator work and site grading; board members raised questions about car‑rider lane width and water pooling at a nearby roadway ahead of graduation.",{"_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},6039495,"Halifax County School Board approves FY26 budget to send to supervisors; members question use of capital carryover",198,1752000,1950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d&start=1752&end=1950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d/thumbnail_1752000.jpg","/articles/6039495/Virginia/Halifax-County-School-Board-approves-FY26-budget-to-send-to-supervisors-members-question-use-of-capital-carryover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6039495-6c48d2b6b8d5502ceb620a18b561f58c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897878&Signature=kDyd-NcCOdE7JxWLHulsT6iJTFCcYgJoHZklfXzDFtBU3QXrwgCiLJr3a2jju5Q1Xf39t9xNs5Ai4BVieI686qhJ0IF6e5c0bkUnwNTPQvwY0rkAZOGfColi4DUoduw1NSVn2gb8uXcQA6eU1Te-18QWLS4n3H4zJzse2074zzRQT8ic5I~CbxUZQbXW0xlERGhA0giPgfShFk4W9GtX~6sYvwCA4vTlW1Y6tRUHh3XvmLfHYnxacun0UWFiV9iA~6zCwdewLBGAj~27-wT7o1bn-1xLxr7qJpTKzzdghqrqWirZS3PAb-9yQGeFgDwkqJcfK4ZeLlZUjEu6INUdZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Halifax County School Board voted to approve its final proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and to forward that proposal to the county Board of Supervisors after a public hearing and staff presentation.

Superintendent Doctor Huskin and finance staff presented the budget as unchanged from the governor’s proposed allocations and highlighted a 3% salary increase for staff, added state funding for class‑size reduction and additional VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) program funding. Staff said the state provided an increase in recurring funds of $1,611,816 and the local match required was $320,946; the division’s preliminary total budget figure presented was $84,087,191.

Administrators also told the board they had obtained two state awards that will require amendments once formal letters arrive: roughly $550,000 (described in meeting remarks as an approved state grant) and another $174,000 for school safety personnel, both to take effect July 1. Staff said those items will be added by amendment after the district receives formal notice.

During the hearing, one board member publicly objected to the proposed use of about $2.8 million from the district’s capital carryover to balance the operating budget, saying it was not fiscally prudent. Board members otherwise voted to approve the budget for submission. The board also asked staff to confirm with the county whether additional county adjustments were expected and whether another public hearing would be required; staff replied the numbers presented to the Board of Supervisors had not changed and this was the final procedural step.

Separately, the board approved two current‑year budget amendments: acceptance and allocation of a state‑authorized $1,000 bonus for eligible employees in the current year (staff said the state distribution is $523,308 and the district will issue the bonus in the June 30 payroll), and an internal reallocation request that moved $1,350,000 into federal program lines to preserve reimbursement eligibility and to cover utility and fuel increases. Board members voted to approve both amendments during the meeting.

Staff told the board they will provide a clean set of amended budget documents and a signature sheet for the county process and continue to update the board when formal grant notifications arrive.","The school board approved the proposed FY26 budget to forward to the Board of Supervisors, including a 3% staff pay increase, VPI expansions and several state‑awarded grants; one board member objected to using $2.8 million from capital carryover to balance the budget.",{"_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},6039500,"Halifax County school board sets staggered start dates after debate over new high school opening",2032,2888000,4920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d&start=2888&end=4920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3784515-e2fe7168be8b07a3000d4b09a3dd188d/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6039500/Virginia/Halifax-County-school-board-sets-staggered-start-dates-after-debate-over-new-high-school-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6039500-f53c29120ee85dcf5556d6f9057516d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897878&Signature=GuUdp8F5xY3cc-5btzTb118gzUkwshY-lRK~YusX2nIQ12jlvOJjtkntuZKl6kwk-x7DXh~mTdJv3QJqC0nCO4aVw2cqVBuGFQPUnjzbKO9NA~X7pk3nQy2t0rIefEb~ihYrEQ7OY75GOhhYLlQGQ5vCXEbOIQWdyHbOEjP2YcEvSeDx9Vm50NMOwvl1JV~dCxGkQlsxeSnOWrPvT8dvCAUIQHFl19cEwqwZkyyOX2FwKNeOVorPXSl2LTzQ7IevQry~gqh4P81dn3U0jiXnpzreU8mn8G4JYJN9kq52ZQLIHBNyUKevfKC5YPBHh6Uv7W6XQjo8qkiiNLok1M55zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Halifax County School Board voted to stagger the start of the 2025–26 school year, approving a plan that sets most school openings for Aug. 13 and delays Halifax County High School until Aug. 18, and makes March 19 an early‑release day.

Board members said the split start responds to construction and logistics for the district’s new high school while attempting to preserve a full instructional year. Superintendent Doctor Huskin and school staff presented the board with a plan that would give the high school additional time for moving, setup and final adjustments before students arrive.

The decision followed lengthy debate. Several board members said they wanted a single start date for all schools for fairness and family planning; others said the new high school needs extra time to complete punch‑list items, finalize bus routes and resolve building logistics. ‘‘We only open a school once in a generation,’’ a school official told the board, urging a short, targeted delay for the high school so staff can complete setup without students present.

Board members discussed alternatives including a single later start date for all schools, adding days to the end of the year, or using virtual instruction if the building was not ready. One motion to start all schools Aug. 20 failed in a roll‑call vote. The board then approved a motion to open elementary and other schools on Aug. 13, open the new high school on Aug. 18, and convert March 19 to an early‑release day; that motion passed by roll call.

Members asked administration to return with a clear list of any further calendar impacts and any required edits to the school year calendar — for example, which days would be adjusted if additional instructional days needed to be made up or if state clock‑hour calculations require changes. Administrators also said they will consult the calendar committee and provide options for mitigating any downstream effects on semester schedules, end dates and state‑required instructional minutes.

The board’s action includes direction to return to the board with implementation details and any further calendar amendments needed to maintain compliance with state rules on 180 instructional days or the equivalent 990 clock hours.

Next steps: administrators will finalize and publish the 2025–26 calendar, notify families and staff of the approved start dates and return to the board with a short report on downstream impacts and any recommended calendar committee work or board work session.","After weeks of discussion about readiness of the new Halifax County High School, the Halifax County School Board approved staggered start dates: most schools to open Aug. 13 and the new high school to open Aug. 18; March 19 will be a half day, attendees were told.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board updates JHCC regulation to broaden lice notification and screening language

Board questions paying two finance directors as interim role wraps; staff to report back

New Halifax County High School nears completion; board hears progress update and traffic, drainage concerns

Halifax County School Board approves FY26 budget to send to supervisors; members question use of capital carryover

Halifax County school board sets staggered start dates after debate over new high school opening