School board reviews multiple policy updates required by Virginia code, including emergency-response and opioid antagonist rules

Dr. Hale, the presenter for policy updates, told the Campbell County School Board at its July meeting that several policies were before the board for first reading to reflect changes in the Virginia Code. “This is to reflect changes in the Virginia Code regarding purchasing procedures,” Dr. Hale said, and she summarized several other updates that would be returned for second reading in coming weeks.

The changes under consideration include revisions to purchasing procedures and contract language intended to comply with state procurement requirements; a set of school-crisis provisions that formalize long-standing local practice of meeting with law enforcement on site; an athletic emergency and cardiac-response plan tied to VHSL guidelines; policies to ensure ready access to bleed-control kits and to require sudden cardiac arrest drills; a new policy authorizing use and maintenance of opioid antagonists (for example, Narcan) at school-sponsored events; updated acceptable-use language for staff and students; a new policy adopting VHSL extreme-heat safety protocols for student athletes; and a notification policy for school-connected overdoses that reflects a recent governor’s order related to fentanyl.

Why it matters: the package affects everyday safety, emergency response and technology use across schools. Board members pressed for clarity on implementation details during the discussion, asking who reviews contracts, how AEDs and stop-the-bleed kits will be distributed and maintained, and how long-term substitute rules will be applied if a substitute works more than 90 days.

Discussion and clarifications included: - Contracts and purchasing: A board member asked who reviews contractor certifications and whether local vendors must complete the new certifications. Dr. Hale said county and school staff review contracts and that contractors already complete required certification language; David Hawkins (county review) was identified as another reviewer. The board confirmed local contractors would be required to complete the same certification language if the policy is adopted. - Emergency equipment and drills: Dr. Hale confirmed AEDs are present in each school building and that trainers and nurses have portable units; she said the district is reviewing whether to require at least two trained/appointed first-aid/AED-certified personnel per school and offered to revise policy language accordingly. The board asked about stop‑the‑bleed training and bleed-control kit placement; Dr. Hale said bleed-control training is incorporated into first-aid training and noted the need for additional portable kits in some buildings. - Opioid antagonists (Narcan): Dr. Hale said the policy would formalize procedures the division already follows — training of SROs, nurses and administrators and coordination with the Lynchburg Health Department — and would add recordkeeping and maintenance requirements for doses stored at schools. - Athletic heat and cardiac policies: The board heard the new athlete heat-safety policy will follow Virginia High School League (VHSL) guidance and that athletic trainers and district staff are finalizing the details. - Long-term substitutes and licensure: The proposed language would allow substitutes to serve in long-term roles beyond 90 days with required training and would follow state licensure rules (including a 10-year licensure reference for applicants). Personnel staff said long-term-subscriber instances beyond 90 days have been rare and the policy would provide clearer authority and training requirements.

Next steps: The presenter said the items were before the board for first reading and would return for second reading with the suggested language change to require at least two trained AED/first-aid personnel per school; no formal vote on policy adoption occurred at the meeting.

Ending: Board members suggested minor language adjustments and asked staff to return revised policy text at second reading so the board can formally adopt the changes once implementation details and any funding sources are clarified.