Page County Public Schools told the board Thursday it has hired 31 new teachers for the 2025–26 year and invited about 130 substitute candidates to a July in‑service, staff said. Doctor Johnson, director of human resources and business operations, also reported progress on bus orders and a planned vehicle-rotation program with Enterprise Fleet.
Doctor Johnson said 31 new teachers will attend two days of new teacher orientation in August and that four vacancies remain (two elementary special-education, one middle-school English and one middle-school science). He told the board the division sent 130 invitations for a substitute in‑service on July 28, a number the district said was comparable to pre‑COVID substitute levels.
Transportation and fleet: staff said two new 71‑passenger buses are on order and expected at the division in December or January and that an additional bus is expected in spring 2026. Doctor Johnson said the district is committed to 71‑passenger buses because larger models do not fit bay lengths in the bus garage. He said the division is coordinating with Enterprise Fleet on a planned rotation of about 10 vehicles for daily student-use cars and vans and would meet soon to finalize details.
Health and safety staffing: staff said they have weekly meetings to align building safety, crisis response, Title IX and law-enforcement coordination; principals completed DCJS safety checklists and required Virginia Department of Education school-safety audits this summer. Doctor Johnson said the division will bring a revised division crisis manual to the board in early August.
Board action: the board approved a recommended panel of physicians for work‑related injury care so employees know where to seek treatment consistent with workers’ compensation rules. The list includes virtual, in‑county and regional options; staff said the list will be shared with employees as part of back-to-school training.
Next steps: staff said they will continue recruitment for remaining vacancies, finalize Enterprise Fleet arrangements and bring the crisis manual and implementation details of safety staffing to the August meeting.