Botetourt County School Board upholds personnel recommendations after closed session, approves consent agenda

The Botetourt County School Board met Dec. 11, 2020, approved its agenda and a multi-item consent package, and upheld administration recommendations on personnel matters after holding a closed session on those items and consultations with legal counsel.

Chair Anna L. Weddle called the meeting to order at 5:29 p.m. and the board voted to enter a closed meeting to discuss appointments, resignations, stipend pay and personnel reassignments and to consult with legal counsel about actual or probable litigation under the Code of Virginia. The board later reconvened and certified that only matters identified in the motion had been discussed. Following that certification, the board voted to uphold administration recommendations on personnel matters; motions to go into closed session and to uphold the personnel recommendation were moved and seconded and carried with the recorded affirmative votes of Anna Weddle, Dana McCaleb, Matt East, Tim Davidick and Jenny P. Wilson.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included routine items such as approval of minutes and several student travel requests (James River High School and Lord Botetourt High School trips to Wise, Orange, Pigeon Forge and New York among others), revisions to policies on home instruction (LBD) and substitute teachers (GCE), and a signing bonus for the 2026–27 hiring year. The consent agenda was approved on a motion by Dana McCaleb, seconded by Matt East, with the same five members recorded in favor.

Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack delivered the superintendent’s report, summarizing FY26 budget development work and noting that the division submitted a School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) application with the operations department. She also previewed division events and recognitions, including a division teacher-of-the-year banquet planned for Dec. 18 and student and staff recognitions from across the division.

Brandon Lee, director of finance, presented the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for a first reading. Lee also reviewed a financial update and reported that the locality’s Local Composite Index (LCI) rose from 0.4068 to 0.4192 (an increase of 0.0124), which represents a slight increase in the locality’s expected share of school funding; Lee said more details would be provided at the first budget work session in January. Andy Dewey noted that the Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a community meeting at Lord Botetourt High School on Jan. 22, 2026, to discuss planned work around Exit 150.

The board recognized several employees and students, including Sally Bailey (instructional assistant, Troutville Elementary) and Brandy Rogers (social studies teacher), and noted multiple student athletic and arts honors from across the division.

Board members and staff reviewed the 2026 meeting calendar (regular meetings are scheduled at the Central Administrative Office, 143 Poor Farm Road in Fincastle, generally on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m., with work sessions scheduled on select dates). With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Actions at the meeting included approval of the agenda, a motion to enter and later certify a closed meeting, an affirmative vote to uphold administration personnel recommendations discussed in closed session, and approval of the consent agenda. Where recorded, votes were read as affirmative for Anna Weddle, Dana McCaleb, Matt East, Tim Davidick and Jenny P. Wilson.