The Patrick County School Board on Oct. 15 heard Superintendent Dr. Wood outline a new college-access partnership and a series of school facility upgrades, and recognized staff and board members for training and awards.

Dr. Wood told the board the district has partnered with the Patrick County Education Foundation, the board of supervisors and community donors on the "Patrick County Promise," a last-dollar program that he said will allow graduating students "starting with the class of '26" to attend Patrick Henry Community College with remaining tuition costs covered after other aid and scholarships. He described the program as "leveling the playing field for our students in Patrick County so that they can go ahead and get their first 2 years at Patrick Henry College for free."

Superintendent's office officials said the Promise is designed to cover the family’s remaining balance after federal, state and institutional aid but did not provide a total dollar figure or an implementation timeline at the meeting. Dr. Wood said the partnership involved the Patrick County Education Foundation and community supporters who helped raise funds for the program.

The superintendent also reported several facilities projects. He said contractors recently laid asphalt on the high school track and crews waited the required curing period before applying a rubberized surface; concrete has been poured for the high jump and long jump pits and those areas will receive a rubber surface. He said county maintenance removed trees near a campus road, completing the work in-house with an excavator and saving the division a contract bid that he said had been over $4,000.

Dr. Wood noted older baseball light poles had been found to have "bird nest holes all the way through" and were close to failing; new poles were installed for safety. He said softball field poles remain in good condition but replacement of some athletic poles is on the division's long-range capital plan. Other recent work reported included softball field renovations to address drainage problems, completion of an ADA-compliant ramp to the gym, added parking and designated handicap parking by the auditorium and gym, and an accessible swing installed by maintenance staff.

The superintendent also highlighted extracurricular successes and new programs: an "athlete of the week" and a band activities spotlight launched by new activities and athletic director Miss Moore; the high school band won grand champion honors at a recent Whitfield competition; and students participated in the Bassmaster High School Classic fishing event.

The board recognized staff participation in trainings with SBA Academy awards; board clerk Sarah Lee Dickerson Collins, board members Walter Scott and Lester Arrow and staff member Amy Walker were acknowledged during the meeting. No personnel actions or funding approvals tied directly to the Promise or the capital work were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the report. The superintendent noted several items remained on a capital-improvement timeline and that some school-plan data are pending state assessment results and will be incorporated when available.