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Page County presenters highlight JMU-backed principal support program, VCASE conference takeaways
Summary
District staff described a state- and federally funded Virginia principal support program tied to the VCASE conference, emphasizing mentorship for early-career principals, five PD sessions, minimum advisor contact hours and outside evaluation; the program is free to participating divisions.
Page County Public Schools staff presented details of the Virginia principal support program and key takeaways from the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE) conference, urging the board to use new resources to strengthen supports for students with disabilities and early-career principals.
The presentation, led by district staff (identified in the transcript as S8 and S3), described this year’s combined VCASE conference with the Virginia Department of Education and James Madison University and said the conference emphasized specially designed instruction (SDI), inclusive leadership, legal and compliance updates under IDEA and transition planning for K–12. "This year's theme was stronger together and bridging systems building success," the presenter said, noting national, state and local speakers offered models the division can adapt.
District staff outlined the principal support program’s structure: participating early-career principals are matched with experienced principal advisers, advisers receive training, and each pair is expected to maintain a minimum amount of contact outside scheduled sessions (described as about four hours per month) with a log for accountability. The program includes five professional-development sessions, formative assessments and a two-day summer wrap-up at James Madison University; outside researchers conduct program evaluation. "It is a program I’ve actually had the opportunity to work with… This is my fifth year," one presenter said.
Presenters emphasized practical components of the conference, including sessions on adaptive physical education and media-relations training that involve simulated on-camera practice. The district described the program as grant-funded through state and federal sources and said the program is free for participating divisions: "So this is, again, a free program," a presenter said repeatedly.
Board members asked how advisers are matched; staff said principal supervisors may nominate advisers from inside the division or request an outside adviser depending on availability, and advisers receive a nominal stipend through grant funding. Staff noted the program’s partnerships with James Madison University and state agencies and recommended leveraging VCASE resources and mentorship to improve outcomes for students with and without disabilities.
The presentation concluded with staff recommending the board support continued collaboration between central office and building leaders to implement high-leverage instructional and behavioral practices learned at the conference. The board thanked presenters and expressed interest in future budget discussions and implementation updates.
