Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Academic Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts student health services policy; presentations cover literacy, math acceleration, hiring and bullying prevention
Summary
The school board adopted a student health services policy permitting scheduled teletherapy; the meeting also included updates on K–12 literacy (VALS/Virginia Literacy Act), implementation steps for House Bill 2686 (middle-school acceleration pathways), an HR hiring update and a bullying prevention presentation.
The Powhatan County School Board adopted changes to the division’s Student Health Services policy (policy JHC) permitting students to schedule and participate in telehealth and teletherapy sessions on school property, after a motion and a roll-call vote that passed 5–0.
What the policy does
The adopted policy allows students to receive scheduled teletherapy and telehealth services on school property under conditions set by the division; board members discussed parental notification, supervision and limits on school responsibility. Several members said the policy should not supplant outside family-provided therapy and that the school’s role is coordination and reasonable accommodation.
Academic and program updates presented
- Literacy update (Tracy Engle, PCPS literacy lead): The division reported K–2 Virginia Language and Literacy Screening (VALS) results, cohort progress on SOL reading performance, revised pacing guides, increased SOL-like module assessments, and plans to test certain grades 4–8 students under the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). The division will start interventions earlier in September and add reading plans for grades 4–8 for students who failed the prior year’s reading SOL. - Math acceleration (Kathy Blair, curriculum specialist): The board received an overview of House Bill 2686, which requires automatic enrollment for students in grades 5–8 who score in the top quartile statewide into advanced or accelerated math pathways unless parents opt out. Powhatan staff said they already offer integrated pathways (Integrated I/II) and will create compacted Algebra I/Math 8 offerings to meet the law’s requirements for the 2026–27 year. - HR and staffing (Dr. Blunt, HR): The division reported 70 hires since contracts were issued, a teacher retention rate increase (reported as 94% vs. 85% last year), 0 classroom vacancies for the first day of school, and an ongoing need for bus drivers and an HVAC technician. The division reported modest increases in staff diversity percentages. - Bullying prevention (Katie Matheny, student support services): The division reviewed its multi-tier bullying prevention curriculum (K–12 classroom lessons, SEL supports, health curriculum and schoolwide behavior expectations), explained reporting options including an online silent-reporting link for middle and high schools, and outlined interventions and disciplinary categories from district policy.
Other items
- The division received a $1,000 mini-grant for 25 student licenses of an HMH AI-powered reading tutor to support English-language learners; staff said the product is integrated with resources the division already uses and will be piloted for up to 25 students. - The board also considered but did not change lunch prices for students; adult meal pricing will increase by $0.50 per VDOE guidance.
Ending
Board members approved the student health services policy 5–0 and asked administration to return with implementation language and parental-notification procedures. Presenters said literacy, math pathway changes and staffing initiatives will continue over the coming school year and will be monitored for outcomes.
