Superintendent reports state waiver submission, changing calendars, construction timelines and planned discipline training

The superintendent updated the board March 17 on a range of operational matters including a state waiver submission related to days missed this academic year, construction and secure-entrance projects, enrollment figures, and plans for summer administrator training on discipline.

Waiver and calendar: The superintendent said the district submitted a waiver request to the state last Friday to address missed instructional days (the request cited emergency closures including a cyber incident and the governor’s shutdown authority). The superintendent said state review is being handled county by county and that the district will notify parents once the state decides; staff noted there was no fixed deadline for the waiver submission. The superintendent said that if the waiver is approved the last day for students would remain as currently calendared (the superintendent referenced the 30th as the last scheduled student day), and that if not approved the district had planned options for converting certain staff or professional days (OSE/PL days) to instructional days.

Construction and secure entrances: The superintendent reported changes to substantial-completion dates for an identified 904 project (the date has been moved to July; staff said the change should not add cost). Secure-entrance work at two facilities (named in the meeting as “Headbounder Middle” and Robert C. Byrd) was described as about 50% complete with a May 1 target for substantial completion of specific secure-entrance projects; staff said Liberty High School and Mount Air Middle design meetings and bids are scheduled with an anticipated May bid timeline.

Enrollment and career/CTE updates: The superintendent said enrollment was about 3,75… (staff read enrollment at roughly 3,78, then later noted 3,75) and that job losses, when they occur, usually affect adult programs rather than K–12 enrollment. Career and technical education events and student participation at SkillsUSA/state qualifiers were noted as positive highlights.

Discipline training: In response to concerns raised earlier in the meeting, the superintendent said the district plans to schedule summer training for administrators to clarify the application of discipline levels (level 1, level 2, level 3) and ensure consistent application of policy. Board members asked to be invited to the training and staff agreed to provide invitations.

Projects and procurement: The superintendent and staff described ongoing inventory, classroom-by-classroom photos and teacher move planning connected to the approved moving contract. Staff said they will make good items available to other schools ahead of auction. The superintendent also referenced a submitted application for a secure-entrance grant (MIP project) and said the district will pursue outside funding where possible.

Sources and next steps District staff committed to provide clearer calendar messaging to the public, confirm construction substantial-completion dates as rebar and concrete work finishes, finalize move inventories and schedule move work with the vendor approved by the board, and to invite board members to summer discipline training.

Sources: superintendent update and meeting transcript.