The Pittsylvania County School Board voted March 25, 2025 to authorize staff to submit an application to the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) for an innovation award showcasing the division’s STEM Academy programs.

Miss Brooks, a division staff member, presented supporting materials and a student video highlighting the precision-machining program at the regional career and technical center. The video included remarks from students Christian Rincon of Dan River High and Travis Talley of Tunstall High describing hands-on work with CNC mills, lathes and calipers and the pathway to community college credit.

“Since you’re here for, I believe it’s four semesters, you get one full year of credit here, which skips one year at DCC,” a student in the presentation said, describing how the program can accelerate postsecondary training. The board praised the students and instructional staff; Miss Brooks thanked the division’s IT staff and said additional supporting materials were included in the application packet.

A motion to approve submitting the VSBA entry and associated materials passed on a roll-call vote. Board members asked staff to publicize student work and local programs if the application proceeds to regional or state showcase events.

The board also approved a related grant submission motion authorizing staff to submit materials as required by the VSBA process. (The transcript records a roll-call approval; the meeting record did not capture full mover/second names in the audio excerpt.)