Spotsylvania board adopts telework and organizational policies; names first student board member

The Spotsylvania County School Board voted unanimously Dec. 8 to adopt several governance items and to formalize its first student representative. Board members approved second readings of policy BCA (school board organizational meeting), policy GTW (telework/remote opportunities) and the accompanying regulation GTW‑R; all votes were recorded 5–0.

Board member Doctor Carol Medawar suggested minor formatting edits to BCA’s bullet list but said the changes would not affect the policy’s intent. Chair Miss Jackson called each vote by roll call; recorded votes show each of the five members voted in favor.

Earlier in the evening the board announced the result of a student election held this fall under policy BBBB (approved July 2025): Riverbend High student Cora Shields was elected the district’s first student school board member, with Veil Sargent named the alternate. The student member will serve in an advisory, nonvoting capacity and as a member of the superintendent’s student advisory council.

After returning from closed session the board certified compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and approved an HR packet that had been considered in closed session; that action was recorded as a 5–0 roll‑call approval. Outgoing board members April Gillespie, Lisa Phelps and Nicole Cole were recognized during the meeting.

The meeting did not link these policy adoptions to new budget line items; several board members said they will consider the policies and personnel items in future work and budget discussions.