[{"_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",6483750,"mediaKeyId","5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255","parentId",5561808,"title","Halifax County Public Schools reports stable retention, outlines recruitment and training initiatives","audioSeconds",344,"startMs",3062000,"endMs",3406000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255&start=3062&end=3406","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255/thumbnail_3062000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483750/Virginia/Halifax-County-Public-Schools-reports-stable-retention-outlines-recruitment-and-training-initiatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483750-b94bdefb27664689caffe5e40d16e493/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516273&Signature=hcH25FM5aCs~Qfe997seQkVN-Vh2dcrx8Dr~Itzq0ljvMv3nLVsazWIdYA9PiXpOUNsCiwzf6VLxDssoTaHquuuevBsNQL2~MClvZ~j9GzpQORMLN~7K95lzJhX8toQiyO4pdk~-XKyvLrzSD~6TKpTPK2t6YAA8wEEjthzu4KUQ3WiTrJu5C21F--I9cyO94~Teeoi70HKyy1cnMI0JNBTGvKGVPN1JG-OFBTchSw~nRH4iok~bz205G4AaScho60eKgk~tpe9c5oAh00Hb88J6lz5XoR~F~bXhay9WjQOefsul63ewbKuGZy3e9OCQY7Ul5-YGN-E4x7Ch424f-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Halifax County Public Schools","date","2025-08-12T11:04:07Z","article","School officials presented staffing and retention data showing relatively low turnover and described ongoing recruitment and retention initiatives intended to stabilize the district’s workforce.

Presenters told the board Halifax County Public Schools employs about 950 full‑time staff; when part‑time employees and bus drivers are included the number rises to about 1,100, the report said. The district reported new‑teacher orientation attendance of about 35 people this year but noted that the final annual turnover figures will be reported at the end of the full cycle year. Presenters said the district’s average turnover rate is less than 5.6%, which they contrasted with a national range they cited of roughly 8%–12%.

Officials summarized steps intended to retain employees: longevity supplements paid every five years, restored tuition reimbursement, pathways to licensure through the iTeach alternative certification program, help getting licensed without additional debt and a special‑education cohort model to support candidates through group-based training.

Speakers said retention matters because a stable staff reduces the costs and effort of onboarding new hires and improves outcomes for students. The board discussed creating internal pathways for promotion, including a potential cohort for aspiring administrators so leaders can be developed locally.

No formal personnel actions were recorded in this meeting; board members asked staff to continue reporting annual retention and recruitment metrics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Halifax County School Board Meeting 8/11/25 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","School officials reported a multi-year decline in turnover and described retention initiatives including longevity supplements, tuition reimbursement, iTeach alternative licensure and a special-education cohort.","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},6483755,"Microsoft and local partners pilot educator boot camp to connect teachers with Halifax employers",1106,1261000,2367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255&start=1261&end=2367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","/articles/6483755/Virginia/Microsoft-and-local-partners-pilot-educator-boot-camp-to-connect-teachers-with-Halifax-employers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483755-5fe30073843783f70209d15edd900932/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516273&Signature=TZXaMdDQcR-fdw79xsWEnTnhY3acKKZ5A3YdE5bmFrMV2taLqNxYlgxmrYMhCF46pvqdSTORTBdDt2w~VX6jjzk5lgg8g7Z-Qdc4VfX~5A4Sxlzh9ovtutMNXwU4WrGNPk3YTvKZuTBT1Lu39JVEtJiy4K8h4tD47L2PoOEVoM8h7LnpbgVEq5MQ0JXwR-mQE~kub45lG6qhNx7VzeyDvkTAqLhZTrs8a6rElrFyxtX~q1cvj7zfH96VOroW4H88aIyQc72mL47O2lfDoZwAf1PEPGuMVfx1anNTZ0~lczuvSbTgHrG28EyXz8m1MNxRB7rk82gfnovMhuJHl9WTBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Organizers and participants described an inaugural educator boot camp that took Halifax teachers to local employers for a week of tours and hands-on exposure to industry, and they asked the school board for support to continue the program.

Jeremy Satterthill, who identified himself as leading Microsoft’s operations across southern Virginia, told the board the boot camp was organized with the Innovation Hub, the higher education center and Halifax County Public Schools and ran “at no expense to the school system.” He said the inaugural week “went amazing” and that participants visited manufacturers, automation firms, a logging company and a Dominion Energy solar site.

Participants said the employer hosts repeatedly emphasized three qualities: attitude, attendance and effort. Teachers who attended told the board that many workplaces said they will train employees who show reliability and a willingness to learn. “As long as employees show up and try their best, they are willing to take on that person, train them up, help them grow, and even open new doors for them in the future,” one participant said.

Organizers listed participating partners and businesses including the Innovation Hub, Microsoft, the higher education center, IperionX, Comfort Systems, TMI, VIR, Midland Automation Solutions, H & M Logging and a Dominion Energy solar site. They said no employer turned them down when organizers asked for site visits; one employer later had to cancel but asked to be included in a future cohort.

Several presenters urged that the boot camp expand to include more subject areas and more teacher cohorts — mathematics, science and elementary educators were explicitly mentioned as possible future participants. Organizers asked the board for the board’s “blessing” to continue the program next summer and said that attendees would share the experience with colleagues.

The board did not take a formal vote; presenters framed the request as seeking approval to continue and to scale the program in future years.","A weeklong, no-cost educator boot camp brought teachers to local businesses and firms to highlight technical and soft skills employers want; organizers asked the school board for approval to continue the program next year.",{"_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},6483760,"Halifax County board members review new high school readiness as supervisors weigh athletics funding",1852,717000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255&start=717&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561808-9bc4ce74ab7c013e67438ce98039c255/thumbnail_717000.jpg","/articles/6483760/Virginia/Halifax-County-board-members-review-new-high-school-readiness-as-supervisors-weigh-athletics-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483760-493b09ba429490a58db4046a0942cfda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516273&Signature=UxAaL7w1Isxm4lnQOhwUPcl~llQPzgF~LNxX~FLkrMmZIcbgLblBZFLWXpr0VGbNzsxEd7R5zwQpy6hPo6tkQWKGwcn~fv7sdza72uQXoFVodRgGuDhh9QeS3-Pa-p~6RrwThzXNJ7MlRmfiIlLtOKYItF6XLR8ccT1w5TyQ~R3bphfZUkL5GqCE1-vvB7IiKxCWcEQeuVDwhylzKYeIBv6qxbw9YHfMdnZOp1tbV9OPmYyDVYLSjMNVXEzaCEIIVIg97gC8obPDgYvJMVnddMFyljh5SrLdskuY5HEdPs5NpZzy-OHeL83WMsPSQL8HCOKo8NLFOT9L9FBeM82Ijw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Halifax County Public Schools officials reported the new Van Duke High School is largely ready for the start of classes, while board members said the county Board of Supervisors will consider releasing funds for a separate athletics complex at a later meeting.

School staff told the board that classroom and cafeteria furniture has been installed, the theater and audiovisual equipment work is underway and a concrete slab for a greenhouse has been poured. Boxes were moved from the old school into the new building a week earlier, and staff said deliveries of small appliances and remaining equipment were in progress ahead of the first day of school, which the board noted falls on Monday the 18th.

The progress report matters because board members said the county’s planned sports complex requires separate approval. At this meeting speakers said at a Board of Supervisors session on Aug. 4 a supervisor indicated staff would “verify the funds” and could be prepared for a vote on Aug. 19; speakers said discussions with the chairman were continuing but no county vote occurred at the school-board meeting.

Board members also sought to clarify public questions about which tax revenues can be used. One speaker said the available funding for school projects comes from the 1% local sales tax and funds designated for high‑school projects, and that those dollars must be used for school projects rather than general county expenditures. The transcript indicates the speaker warned that property taxes would not be raised to pay for the athletic project, saying the division already “has the money to do this.”

School staff showed photographs of finished spaces including the auditorium and said a greenhouse is scheduled for delivery and installation. The facilities update listed remaining tasks such as finalizing trophy-case installations and finishing an enhanced graphics package for the new school’s interior and vehicles.

While board members praised the near-complete readiness, they did not take a formal vote on the athletics funding or the building acceptance at this meeting. The county Board of Supervisors’ planned Aug. 19 meeting was cited repeatedly as the next milestone for the athletics project funding.

With students scheduled to arrive soon, board members ended the item noting remaining punch-list items and promising staff would report back on outstanding installation dates.","School officials reported the new Van Duke High School is nearly ready for students, while county supervisors plan a future vote on athletics funding; several speakers clarified which tax funds may be used for the project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Halifax County Public Schools reports stable retention, outlines recruitment and training initiatives

Microsoft and local partners pilot educator boot camp to connect teachers with Halifax employers

Halifax County board members review new high school readiness as supervisors weigh athletics funding