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School board hears updates on division safety drills and New Horizons career‑technical programs
Summary
A board member reported on recent division safety committee activity including lockdown drills and planned camera upgrades; the board also heard that the New Horizons program is finalizing a budget, continues aquaponics and 3D‑printing partnerships, and expects only minimal fee increases for career‑technical students.
A school board member briefed the board on recent safety committee work and on New Horizons career‑technical education activities.
Safety: the board member said the division safety committee’s intent is to prepare students and staff rather than alarm them. The committee has conducted additional lockdown drills across schools with local police participation and plans further meetings in March and May. The member said the division will add cameras in locations lacking coverage or where cameras are not functioning to improve monitoring of doors and common areas.
New Horizons and career technical education: the member summarized a recent New Horizons meeting that included a presentation from a governor’s school aquaponics research group and its engineering/design lab, which used 3D printers to make parts for local partners (one example cited was the Virginia Living Museum). He explained aquaponics as a cycle combining aquaculture and hydroponics that can be scaled to support local food pantry operations. The member said New Horizons staff are finalizing their budget and that most student fees for career technical courses will remain unchanged, with any increases expected to be minimal (generally $1 to $10). New Horizons was preparing a draft budget to submit to the division.
Board members asked follow‑up questions about the timing of cameras and budget submissions; staff said the New Horizons budget might be available within a week.
