[{"_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",6179367,"mediaKeyId","5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e","parentId",5129570,"title","New superintendent outlines two‑phase entry plan; schedules community meet‑and‑greet and strategic‑plan timeline","audioSeconds",899,"startMs",604000,"endMs",1503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e&start=604&end=1503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e/thumbnail_604000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179367/Virginia/New-superintendent-outlines-twophase-entry-plan-schedules-community-meetandgreet-and-strategicplan-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179367-70fd9b15dda21b386a2a43f02114d746/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178756&Signature=kPFXTjvO7-10v14e~ZeP66LzlR0fFC8lP1CdNu4Vbk~ELKzF79E6szELbykzwP1D-MRt5KRMJcExj1nm1Pmd8jfrgqMKT4qEyVQEBpvi5LIsV8jPds~FmtnAFlmA6D8~hlvXoVt7Fg1BJLLzh21zIucs6UjzSaaiXNEmWZHRkAsWRIQHc29BEZ-w4l0MHfWOWyRrfqOjK2yXI7pdqV~HXMPPub8TcCYLROlSmJfz~G5AUpMnKNbyI6B-~Rl6RxnxHm6KAXQkxF0zYMqfDP271fRHMAK9c8EJ1ZkGG~MmDEPvmifGT1hmSPvSQA82bZbVi~ok11mvZzfLrlw2f070Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LYNCHBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS","date","2025-07-02T09:45:38Z","article","The district’s newly seated superintendent (named in meeting record as Dr. Midgette) delivered an entry‑plan overview that the superintendent described as a two‑phase approach: an observation phase from July through September followed by an analysis, planning and leadership phase from October through December.

The superintendent said the first phase will focus on visiting schools and classrooms, meeting one‑on‑one with board members and staff and gathering community and student input: “The entry plan begins a new chapter for LCS,” the superintendent said. During phase two the superintendent will share observations with the board and community, prioritize key areas and begin a strategic‑planning process with staff and a consultant the district expects to secure in mid‑July.

The superintendent announced a public meet‑and‑greet scheduled for July 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Heritage High School, and described planned work sessions in mid‑ to late July and a collaborative strategic‑planning session tentatively moved to September to accommodate training and onboarding. The superintendent said she had participated in transition meetings on facilities and fiscal‑year 2026 budget recommendations prior to the meeting and plans to present a full entry plan to the board at a future work session.

Dr. Jennifer Davis was named earlier in the meeting as the designee of the division superintendent for the 2025–26 academic year; the superintendent said she will work closely with Davis and other staff on early personnel and organizational matters.

Why it matters: The entry plan sets priorities and a timeline for the superintendent’s early actions and the district’s strategic planning. Community meetings and the consultant timeline indicate when the public can expect opportunities to provide input.

Discussion versus action: The remarks were informational; the actions related to the superintendent’s comments were the earlier, separate board votes to appoint a designee and to confirm financial agents. The superintendent described next steps rather than implementing board policy during the meeting.

What’s next: The superintendent and staff will follow the timeline outlined in the entry plan, secure a strategic‑planning consultant in mid‑July and present more detailed plans in upcoming work sessions and at the board retreat.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCS School Board Meeting: July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The new superintendent presented an entry plan emphasizing listening, data review and a two‑phase process to inform the district’s strategic plan, and announced a public meet‑and‑greet and targeted work sessions this summer.","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},6179372,"Board chair forms seven‑member ad hoc committee to tackle achievement gap, gives 60‑day charge",266,752000,1018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e&start=752&end=1018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6179372/Virginia/Board-chair-forms-sevenmember-ad-hoc-committee-to-tackle-achievement-gap-gives-60day-charge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179372-3bf66f71158e6f63b4470c7e12848a26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178756&Signature=bZ7ZqZ8DdJbXuXKtm2-sAmWhAVgenoDbQm0EN9TONUZhuTtcYnSlRo8OWlnq9izWS87R0U5mEKsmoBBRcF9VDVdfjTpRv83yLeCUeCxyOvbFBC-reRl4xuc4q2c5iWRGpKTN1D8DJaNjKdVhhoVDrevb6PdpbcdAjI4UjdwlU20~uu7~8fHK0eOTTcFhFS37W7YMQ-2idunaqgE1wSaghNEXLT5kGkH1Cqsils3NXJCgyW6BRQyG2b18-M0EWn-QkJVpix4Wt9hLQQY6~p2IDRBdkNCYXGigso9e8tV8rYHjwyptzIGROFWOC~6m9PsvOc49qHlfOQ0FdXE9NRwlyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board Chair Dr. Atul Gupta announced the creation of an ad hoc committee charged with producing solutions to reduce the district’s achievement gap within 60 days.

Gupta said he was invoking Policy BCEG to appoint the group without a full board vote. He named Miss Lowry as chair of the ad hoc committee and said he would include Dr. Farmer and several community members and staff: Mister McCain (community advocate on achievement), Kimberly Dyke (community advocate), Carlos (a school representative), Doctor Day (community member who will not take a leadership role) and the superintendent or superintendent designee. Gupta said the committee will total seven members and each member will have voting rights.

Explaining the timetable, Gupta said the 60‑day deadline is intended to allow the committee’s recommendations to be incorporated into the district’s strategic plan: “We got strategic plan. We'll move in action in couple of months when doctor [Midgette] is so we'd like to incorporate these suggestions into our strategic plan. … This is not just a checkbox or a band aid. This is a real solutions we are looking as a board.”

Miss Lowry, accepting the role, said she looked forward to working with the group and emphasized the importance of elementary‑level interventions: “Most of these problems exist at the elementary level. There's nobody better than Miss Lowry who understands elementary education on this board.” Dr. Farmer, who Gupta said would serve on the committee, responded, “That's fine,” when asked if he would serve.

Why it matters: The committee is a board‑level effort to produce near‑term, board‑directed recommendations intended for inclusion in the district strategic plan. Because Gupta appointed the group under an existing board policy, the committee did not require a separate board vote to form.

Discussion versus action: The appointment is an administrative action by the chair under Policy BCEG; the committee’s work will be advisory until the full board acts on any recommendations. The chair and members discussed the committee’s scope publicly and established the 60‑day charge.

What’s next: The chair said he expects a preliminary report in time for the board retreat, and the committee will deliver final recommendations intended for incorporation into the district’s strategic plan.","Board Chair Dr. Atul Gupta used policy BCEG to appoint an ad hoc committee chaired by Miss Lowry to develop solutions to the district’s achievement gap within 60 days for incorporation into the strategic plan.",{"_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},6179377,"Lynchburg school board elects Atul Gupta chair, names Connor vice chair; approves clerks, agents and meeting calendar",73,191000,264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e&start=191&end=264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5129570-44bff75322c44cc9991a891ca0860e2e/thumbnail_191000.jpg","/articles/6179377/Virginia/Lynchburg-school-board-elects-Atul-Gupta-chair-names-Connor-vice-chair-approves-clerks-agents-and-meeting-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179377-2f2c7a6e9ce2b687de38a58e50e27d60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178756&Signature=C7Vg9EoZPR1igd1K5J98oXX0a~OPaTb0Oc1z6XJUvNH3JfNG2WaLNx-rxGor9skFePXSUHOnxQfFT31UjZYIESNIqjp9JioVEO5QM6Blf7gRi8ZBYs7xgk9iYZ7Y1EkT3-sscVzyUXXFmkZOx1KNYuHlu6MkWIa-thkfx1m0ZgvmNR-llZJXu4HRRXhdsHqjgw2edudrurSHIUWAO1~F82iov~ge1Np7CD5EW-OVCgvHsiGqV7pW1d4ZatxSf~Y1kkT1Fkufak2q07KTtLaGqGG8-XmE6uTj5S8tmmBClg3ziTntKLTd-Wmr-we9AeiVUT-M7IG4DBhFNjPukejz-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Atul Gupta was elected chair of the Lynchburg City School Board and Board member Connor was elected vice chair as part of the board’s reorganization at its July meeting.

The vote for chair followed a nomination from the floor; a roll call recorded several members voting yes, one member voting no and one abstention. After being nominated, Dr. Gupta said he accepted the position and pledged a focus on academics: “I will work the same way I did last year with one single focus, and the focus is to take care of the young child school. … Our goal is to raise the academic standards, and that’ll be my mission this year and hope you’ll all work with me as a team, to make it a reality.”

The board also approved procedural appointments required for the 2025–26 year. The board voted to keep Miss Day as the school board clerk and named Jill (first name on the record) as deputy clerk. The board approved Sonia Jamies as the board’s agent (chief financial officer) and Barbara Ripkama as deputy agent (assistant finance director); both appointments passed on a roll call. After her appointment, Jamies said the finance office is moving to updated systems and that staff are preparing the next budget book: “We are ahead of our audit. We are ahead of getting the budget out. I’m already working on developing the new beautiful budget book that I will have to enter your hands soon.”

The board also approved a designee for the division superintendent, naming Dr. Jennifer Davis as the superintendent’s designee for the 2025–26 academic year. The board adopted the 2025–26 meeting calendar as presented, with an adjustment noted: a work session scheduled for July was moved to July 22 to avoid conflicts with training and a retreat for newly appointed members.

Why it matters: Electing leadership and confirming clerks and fiscal designees sets who will run board proceedings and sign financial and personnel documents for the coming year. The calendar change also affects timelines for the board’s upcoming retreat and work sessions.

Details and background: The reorganization began after the chair announced the nomination process under Section 22.1‑76 of the Code of Virginia. The chair’s motion to allow electronic participation by Miss Lowry, citing policy BDD and extenuating circumstances, was approved earlier in the meeting. The clerk conducted roll-call votes for the reorganization items and the calendar. Several board members made brief remarks welcoming new leadership and emphasizing academic priorities.

Discussion versus action: The record shows formal actions (nominations, roll-call votes, and approvals) for the chair and vice chair elections and all listed appointments. The calendar change was approved by vote. Comments made by board members about priorities and communications were discussion and not formal policy changes.

What’s next: With leadership and clerical/financial designees in place, the board and the superintendent’s office will proceed with planned work sessions, onboarding for new members and the district’s strategic‑planning timeline.","The Lynchburg City School Board elected Dr. Atul Gupta as chair and selected Board member Connor as vice chair during its reorganization. The board also approved the clerk and deputy clerk, appointed chief financial staff as agents, designated a superintendent designee and adopted the 2025–26 meeting calendar.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New superintendent outlines two‑phase entry plan; schedules community meet‑and‑greet and strategic‑plan timeline

Board chair forms seven‑member ad hoc committee to tackle achievement gap, gives 60‑day charge

Lynchburg school board elects Atul Gupta chair, names Connor vice chair; approves clerks, agents and meeting calendar