Rappahannock schools report SOL gains, outline mental‑health partnership and capital needs
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Grimsley told the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors that recent SOL results showed sizable gains in several classes, described a new school‑based outpatient counseling collaboration, and asked the board to consider capital priorities including an elementary‑school roof and HVAC work.
Rappahannock County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Grimsley delivered the district’s annual start‑of‑year report to the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 5, saying 2025 ended with notable academic milestones and ongoing capital‑project needs.
Dr. Grimsley highlighted several classrooms that posted perfect or near‑perfect pass rates on Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, citing 100% pass rates in specific middle‑ and high‑school math and biology classes and a jump in eighth‑grade science from 63% to 85% year‑over‑year. She said those proficiency gains contribute to school accreditation under Virginia’s performance and support framework and “indirectly impact” funding and program requirements, particularly if a school is identified as needing improvement.
On student supports, Dr. Grimsley described a new collaboration with Youth for Tomorrow that provides outpatient therapeutic services to students two days per week. The district helps with referrals, transportation and intake. She said the arrangement is grant‑funded and is intended to supplement — not replace — tier‑1 and tier‑2 counseling services the district provides in‑house. “We have a no‑wrong‑door policy,” she told supervisors, outlining the chain parents should use to raise concerns: teacher, school counselor, principal, then superintendent, with an appeals process to the school board.
Board members asked pointed questions about recent local reporting and social‑media posts alleging staff turnover and morale problems. Dr. Grimsley acknowledged turnover and said recruitment and retention are a priority; she described efforts to rebuild school culture and noted confidentiality limits around personnel matters and student records when responding to public posts.
The superintendent also reviewed capital‑project priorities submitted for county consideration, identifying an elementary‑school roof and HVAC work as the highest priorities on the district’s capital list. She said earlier assessments moved the roof replacement to the top of the capital plan after recent rain‑related leaks and wear that put the roof past its expected life. Grimsley thanked the county for support on generator installation and capital planning coordination and said the school system will begin the FY27 budget planning process next week.
The board did not take formal action on school funding at the Jan. 5 meeting; supervisors asked staff to include level‑funding scenarios and capital‑funding options in forthcoming budget materials so the board can weigh operating versus one‑time capital solutions.
What’s next: the school division’s regular meeting and organizational session are next Tuesday, and school budget work for FY27 will proceed on the timeline the superintendent outlined.
