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Board reviews textbook policy rewrite and nutrition policy update tied to CEP; several minor policy edits scheduled for approval
Summary
Staff presented a rewritten textbook adoption policy that references Virginia Board of Education regulations and a nutrition policy update to reflect participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
District staff brought multiple policy items to the board, highlighting a major rewrite of the textbook policy and a federally prompted revision to the nutrition policy, along with several small policy updates.
Textbook policy: Staff recommended replacing the long existing textbook policy with a shorter policy that defers detailed textbook‑adoption procedures to the Virginia Board of Education regulations and local appendices. The new draft requires that “all textbooks that are used as the main resource must be adopted by the school board in accordance with regulations established by the Virginia Board of Education” and states that supplemental materials require superintendent or designee approval. Staff said they will present a math textbook adoption item in June; both candidate math texts under consideration already have state Board approval.
Nutrition policy (EFB) and CEP: Staff told the board that the Virginia Department of Education’s federal review requested updates because the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The proposed EFB policy changes state that the district will participate in CEP, communicate to families that all students in participating schools receive free meals, and remove standard free‑and‑reduced application procedures where CEP applies. Staff said Winchester will reapply for CEP as required and that the district expects CEP to continue for at least two more years under current arrangements.
Other items: Staff reviewed minor policy edits (financial reporting cross‑references, disposal of surplus items, food sanitation and facilities planning). The board received two recommended non‑voting student representatives for 2025–26 from the high school selection process (names presented to the board). The board also approved submission of the Virginia School Boards Association Excellence in Workforce Readiness award application for the spring showcase; a motion to submit the application passed (motion: Miss Harris; second: Miss Burrow; vote: unanimous "Aye").
Legal and procedural notes: Staff emphasized that adopting a textbook already vetted and adopted by the Virginia Board of Education streamlines procurement and reduces additional procurement steps under state procurement rules. The nutrition policy changes reflected required federal review recommendations.
Next steps: Staff said they will bring the math textbook adoption to the June meeting and will carry forward the recommended policy edits for required approvals.
