Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board approves policy limiting athletic directors from coaching, with narrow vote
Summary
The Roanoke County School Board approved new policy 5.61, restricting athletic directors and higher-paid employees from serving as coaches; the policy allows temporary emergency assignments with superintendent approval and takes effect July 1, 2025.
The Roanoke County School Board voted to approve a new policy, 5.61, titled “Restrictions on Coaching Assignments,” that bars athletic directors and positions above them from serving as coaches and allows temporary, superintendent‑approved coaching assignments in emergencies. The board approved the policy on a recorded roll-call vote after a period of discussion and dissent.
The policy, presented by Dr. Jamie Soltis, would prohibit athletic directors and higher‑level employees employed by Roanoke County Public Schools from serving as a coach for any athletic team within the division. It adds an exception permitting athletic directors to temporarily assume coaching responsibilities in emergency situations provided the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee approves in advance and documents the emergency, scope and anticipated duration in writing. The board set the effective date as July 1, 2025.
Board members expressed concerns about the timing and process used to finalize the policy. At least one member characterized the item as rushed and asked that affected employees be “grandfathered” or that the policy be tabled for more public input. Another member responded that the board should create a policy committee to vet items before they reach a vote, noting that such a committee would allow for work-session review and a 30‑day public comment period.
After discussion, the motion to approve the policy was made from the floor and seconded. The clerk called the roll: Mister Greenwood voted yes; Mister London voted no; Mister Johnny voted yes; Mister Hudson voted yes; Miss Clemens voted yes. The motion carried by that recorded roll call.
The new language also notes that temporary coaching assignments must be limited to the duration of the emergency or until a suitable replacement is found and must be documented in writing, including the nature of the emergency and the anticipated duration. Staff recommended delaying the policy’s effective date to July 1, 2025 to allow implementation logistics to be addressed.
Board members who requested more time cited transparency and the desirability of a policy committee to prepare future proposals. The superintendent and staff did not announce additional implementation steps at the meeting beyond the July 1 effective date and the documentation requirements in the policy text.
The board’s approval completes the formal adoption step; implementation details and any administrative procedures required to operationalize the temporary‑assignment exception were not specified during the meeting and remain to be developed by staff.
