Board approves consent agenda, $29,000 food-service amendment and new assistant specialized mechanic position

At its Jan. 25 meeting the Colonial Heights School Board approved the consent agenda, a budget amendment to pay for food-service upgrades at the high school, and a new maintenance job description intended to strengthen the district’s career path for maintenance employees.

The consent agenda included approval of meeting minutes from recent special and regular meetings, the annual policy review items for first reading, and several small donations to schools. The board approved the consent agenda by roll-call vote; members present responded “yes.”

Under new business, the board approved Budget Amendment No. 4 for the 2024–25 school year, which staff said requests an additional $29,000 to cover purchase orders for cafeteria tables and work on the serving line at the high school. The budget amendment was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The board also approved a new job description for an assistant specialized mechanic. Staff said the position is intended to bridge the gap between unskilled and skilled maintenance roles and to provide a clearer career pathway that helps retain employees. The superintendent’s presentation estimated the position’s budget impact as roughly $20,000 and described the funding as coming from staffing-change savings.

Board members discussed the policy updates flagged for first review as part of the VSBA (Virginia School Boards Association) annual update. Staff said most changes were wording, cross‑reference or form updates; items with substantive change will return for second reading and any required regulation creation.

All motions on the consent agenda, the budget amendment and the job description passed on the same night with unanimous roll‑call responses of “yes” from members present.