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Smyth County School Board approves one-time staff pay supplement, updates medication policy and signs off on personnel changes
Summary
At its Nov. 10 meeting the Smyth County School Board unanimously approved a $500 one-time supplement for full-time employees (and $250 for part-time), adopted a revision to policy JHCD on administering student medications, approved the FY27 Budget Committee calendar and confirmed multiple hires, resignations and retirements.
The Smyth County School Board on Nov. 10, 2025, voted unanimously to approve a one-time compensation supplement for district employees, revised its policy governing administration of medicines to students and confirmed a series of personnel actions during a regular meeting in Marion.
The board approved a $500 supplement for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees to be paid Dec. 19, 2025. The motion to approve the supplement was made by Joe Johnson and seconded by Ben Adams; the vote was 7-0.
The board also voted 7-0 to approve a revision to policy JHCD, "Administering Medicines to Students," on a motion by Dr. Paul Grinstead, seconded by Sue Tilson. The revision was recorded as a first-reading approval during the meeting.
In routine business, the board adopted the FY27 Budget Committee Calendar for budget development after a motion by Dr. Grinstead, seconded by Mrs. Tilson; that motion likewise passed 7-0.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Haga led the meeting and provided a facilities update. Julie Bear, the district's director of finance, reviewed October revenue, expenditure and cash-flow figures. Dr. Kelli Hughes briefed the board on computer-lab grant activity related to the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School. There were no public comments during the allotted public-comment period.
The board approved multiple personnel actions that had been discussed in closed session. On motions by Dr. Grinstead and seconds as recorded, the board approved retirements including M. Wayne Burkett and Barry Frye (maintenance positions), Tessie Hughes (Food Service Manager at Marion Senior High School) and Jackie Millie (bus driver, Chilhowie Elementary School). Resignations approved included Brenda Bennett (part-time instructional aide, Atkins Elementary), Jada Conklin (part-time instructional aide, Marion Senior High) and Billie Thompson (part-time custodian, Marion Elementary). The board also approved hires recommended by the superintendent, including Camden Bailey (teacher, Marion Middle School), Anna Cheape (teacher, Atkins Elementary), Jada Conklin (part-time administrative assistant, Marion Senior High) and Caitlyn "Lexi" Whittaker (teacher, Oak Point Elementary). The board approved extracurricular staffing changes for spring sports, including the hiring of Camden Bailey as head baseball coach at Marion Senior High and assistants Ryan Sanders and Dani Testerman at Northwood High; an assistant softball coach resignation (Lauren Rhea Call) was also recorded. All personnel motions passed by recorded 7-0 votes.
At the meeting start the board conducted a closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act provisions for personnel and consultation with legal counsel, then certified the closed session by roll call before returning to open session. The consent agenda — approved by a 7-0 vote — included October payroll totaling $4,598,453.20 and several warrant-register payments and routine financial reports.
Chairman Susan Williams noted that the Virginia School Boards Association Annual Convention is scheduled for Nov. 19–21, 2025, in Williamsburg, and the board will visit Marion Senior High School for lunch on Dec. 5. The meeting adjourned by a 7-0 vote on a motion by Ben Adams and seconded by Mac Buchanan.
