Board approves supplemental appropriation and state grants, including Jobs for Virginia Graduates award

The Orange County School Board approved a FY2025 supplemental appropriation of $28,571.64 and accepted two FY2026 state grants: a Middle School Mathematics Acceleration Grant and a Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) grant described in the meeting as a $30,000 award.

Superintendent Dr. Hornick and staff said the FY2025 appropriation covers an increase in revenue and corresponding expenditures in the food service/fiscal accounts from the prior fiscal year. Ms. Miller, who manages food service, was present to answer questions related to that appropriation.

Renee (surname not specified) described the JVG grant as a state initiative to reduce dropout rates and provide school‑to‑work supports. She said the $30,000 award will fund a JVG program initially offered to 11th and 12th graders, with plans to expand to younger grades in subsequent years. ‘‘It’s a way to help them and support them and make sure that even once they leave Orange County for 12 months afterwards, we’re following up with them,’’ Renee said, describing the program’s 12‑month post‑graduation follow‑up requirement.

Staff said the Middle School Mathematics Acceleration Grant is tied to recent legislation establishing cut scores for Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments and will fund instructional materials and professional development; a staff member confirmed the grant will help move qualifying middle‑school students into accelerated math sequences, and said some grant details — including precise dollar amounts for the math grant — were not specified in the meeting packet.

The board approved the supplemental appropriation and grant acceptances by voice vote; when counts were stated they were reported as four yes votes and no no votes.

Administration said it will proceed with program implementation, monitor outcomes, and report back to the school board.