Parents, teachers and students urge Rock Hill board to preserve Virtual Academy amid budget review
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Summary
At the Jan. 28 Rock Hill School Board meeting, teachers, parents and students urged trustees to keep the Rock Hill Virtual Academy open while the board reviews budget options. Board members said small-group budget meetings are planned to explore funding and program sustainability.
Members of the Rock Hill School District community told the board on Jan. 28 that closing the Rock Hill Virtual Academy would remove a vital option for students with health needs, anxiety or other circumstances that make traditional classrooms difficult.
"This is what Virtual Academy does for our students," said Felicia Greer, a high school English teacher at the Virtual Academy, who described long teacher hours, individualized support and students who regained confidence in the program.
The pleas came during the communications/public comment portion of the board meeting. Parents, teachers and several students asked trustees to consider alternatives and to preserve the program while district leaders complete a budget review. Brenda Fox, a parent, told trustees that the academy provides a "safe space for our children to learn worry free in our homes," and that closing it would also risk losing experienced teachers.
Board members acknowledged receipt of the testimony and said they are meeting in small groups with district leadership to examine the academy's structure and budget options. One board member said the board is "committed to finding solutions" and would take a "deeper dive" into the funding picture before making final decisions.
Speakers urged several funding and operational options they asked the board to consider: treating Virtual Academy staffing more like teachers in traditional schools, reallocating unrestricted surplus dollars where allowable, and pursuing special education funding streams. In her remarks, Greer said the academy had eight vacancies the prior year and asked whether portions of existing restricted funds or federal/state special-education dollars could be used to sustain staff positions; she also referenced a district surplus mentioned by speakers during public comment. The transcript did not specify which exact fund categories would be available or the legal constraints on restricted funds.
Students described tangible academic benefits. Eleven-year-old Zion Walker, a sixth-grade Virtual Academy student, said the program helped him manage anxiety and improve grades. Another student, Jordan (quoted via prepared remarks), said the academy helped him achieve honor-roll grades and calmer learning conditions.
Board members and the superintendent repeatedly thanked speakers and said the board values the input. The board asked staff to provide budget details in follow-up meetings; no formal action to close or expand the academy was taken at the meeting.
The board session included recognition remarks and other agenda items; the Virtual Academy comments occupied the communications/public comment portion of the meeting, not a formal action item.
Looking ahead, parents and staff said they face a compressed timeline because enrollment windows for next school year are imminent; they urged the board to communicate decisions early enough for families to plan.
Ending: The board did not vote on the Virtual Academy at the Jan. 28 meeting. Trustees said they would continue small-group budget meetings this week to examine options and report back; parents and teachers asked for transparent timelines and clear guidance before enrollment opens.
