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Pittsylvania County School Board approves retention bonus plan, appoints new Union Hall principal and clears multiple personnel and procurement items
Summary
The board approved a state-supported retention bonus plan that requires a local match, appointed Shelley Mayhew as principal of Union Hall Elementary effective Sept. 1, 2026, and approved textbook adoption, policy revisions, a roof bid and a vehicle lease during its April 14 meeting.
The Pittsylvania County School Board on April 14 moved forward on a string of personnel and operational items, approving a retention bonus plan that the division must certify to the state by May 1, appointing a new elementary principal and approving instructional and facilities actions.
Board members approved a proposal for a state-funded retention bonus program. According to the presentation, Pittsylvania County Schools (PCS) would receive approximately $959,000 in state funds for SOQ-funded positions; the division must provide an estimated local match of about $338,000. PCS staff proposed providing bonuses in August 2026 of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees (including returning special-education assistants). The division estimates the total cost at about $1.5 million and plans to carry an estimated additional $530,000 into fiscal 2027 to cover the local share. The board was informed that certification of a local plan to the Virginia Department of Education is due by May 1, 2026. (Presenter: Ms. Werley.)
The board also approved several personnel actions that had been returned from closed session, including the release of three students from compulsory attendance under religious exemption and a waiver of policy GBO-PC to allow Jennifer Brown to retire under the early retirement incentive program effective July 1, 2026.
On personnel appointments, board member Mr. Mayhew recommended Shelley Mayhew as principal of Union Hall Elementary, effective Sept. 1, 2026. The board moved and seconded the appointment; roll call showed the motion passed with one abstention. Members who voted in roll call and their recorded responses were read aloud by the chair.
Operational items approved during the meeting included the adoption of an English textbook package, waiving a second reading to approve distributed policy revisions, acceptance of a recommended roofing bid for Mount Airy Elementary (the recommended contractor carries a 25-year warranty), and approval of a vehicle lease purchase agreement. All motions reported during the meeting were carried on roll call as presented.
Board members also discussed a community fundraising request connected to a July 4, 250th Independence celebration in Chatham and were encouraged to consider voluntary donations to the county account administering the event.
The meeting record shows motions were made and seconded for each item and that roll-call votes were taken; where an abstention was recorded it was noted in the official roll call read during the meeting. The board adjourned following these actions.
