Board approves consent agenda, adopts legislative priorities and moves to closed session

The Winchester Public School Board took three formal actions at its Feb. 9 work session.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda (motion by Dr. Tedrow; second by Mr. Island). The consent agenda covered routine items including minutes, bills, monthly finance report, facility usage, policy revisions and submission of school support plans/grant documents.

Legislative priorities: The board approved a resolution establishing the Winchester Public School Board's 2026 legislative priorities and directed the superintendent to pursue those priorities in collaboration with local government partners. Two priorities presented were support for a 1% sales-tax option to fund school construction (the board emphasized it has no taxing authority) and streamlined licensure flexibility for CTE teachers who come from industry. Motion to approve the resolution was made by Mr. Raffamount and seconded by Ms. Burrow; the motion passed by voice vote.

Closed session: The board moved into closed session under Virginia Code provisions for discussion of personnel, candidate selection, stipend assignments, substitute staffing, transfers and resignations, and a student request for a religious exemption from attendance. The motion to enter closed session was made by Miss Burchnell and seconded by Miss Burrow and passed.

Votes at a glance: All three motions passed by voice vote; the transcript records no roll'call tallies for each individual board member in the public record for these motions.