Shenandoah board moves out of closed session, approves personnel and adopts resolutions on patriotic education and reduced screen use
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Summary
The board certified its closed session, approved personnel as presented in closed session, appointed Whitney Pence as a trustee, adopted a resolution commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary (with an amendment) and unanimously passed a resolution encouraging balanced instruction and reduced student screen time.
At the Jan. 8 meeting the Shenandoah County School Board acted on governance and policy matters that included routine personnel actions and two districtwide resolutions.
At the start of the meeting the superintendent recommended a closed session "under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act" to discuss personnel and student scholastic records; the board moved, seconded and entered closed session and later reconvened to adopt the certification resolution that only exempted matters were discussed.
The board voted to approve the personnel list as presented in closed session; members voiced "Aye" during the roll call with Mister Street absent at the moment of that recorded approval. The board then moved and approved a resolution appointing Whitney Pence to serve as a trustee to the Stearns Education Trust; the appointment passed 5-0 with Mister Street absent (the clerk recorded the result).
During public comment Devin Ross told the board, "I was shocked to see that after only 8 days into the new year, negative social media posts from members on this board are already being circulated on Facebook," and urged board members to demonstrate integrity and teamwork in their public conduct.
Board members adopted two resolutions. First, a resolution commemorating the United States' 250th anniversary (the semiquincentennial) was introduced, amended to reference "the history of our republic," and approved 6-0. Second, a resolution encouraged balanced instruction and reduced reliance on Chromebooks and screens in early grades; board member Carlyn introduced the resolution and said, "I personally believe that we should completely avoid these computers during elementary years," reflecting the rationale for a cautious, phased approach. The balanced-instruction resolution passed by voice vote, 6-0.
The meeting ended with superintendent updates and board member comments; the board adjourned at 9:30 p.m. and scheduled its next meeting for Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.