Smyth County School Board approves contracts, grants and personnel changes; budget hearing draws no public comment

The Smyth County School Board on April 13, 2026 approved a series of routine financial items, program participations, grants and a consulting contract, and confirmed multiple personnel actions following a closed session; the board also held a public hearing on the 2026-2027 budget that produced no public comments.

The meeting, held in the Northwood Middle School library in Saltville, opened with Chairman Susan Williams calling the meeting to order and a motion by Dr. Paul Grinstead, seconded by Joe Johnson, to convene a closed session under § 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss personnel and potential litigation matters. The board later certified the closed meeting under § 2.2-3712(D). After returning to open session, the board amended the agenda to add a Public Budget Hearing at 6:15 p.m.; the amendment passed 7-0.

On a motion by Ben Adams, seconded by Joe Johnson, the board approved the consent agenda, which included the March 9, 2026 minutes; March 2026 payroll paid March 31, 2026 from the County School Operating Fund (checks #148224-148233 and electronic transfers) totaling $4,560,458.27; current invoices in the amount of $1,110,726.48 from the County School Operating Fund; utilities and athletic officials payments of $136,882.34; and payments to publishers/vendors from the Textbook Fund for April 2026 of $3,800.80. The board also received projected revenue and expenditure reports and March financial reports for food service and textbooks.

During presentations and recognitions the board awarded attendance honors to Rich Valley Elementary, Northwood Middle and Chilhowie High School; Saltville Elementary was recognized as most improved. Employee awards included the Silver Apron to Regina Rouse (Atkins Elementary), the Extra Mile to bus driver Jim Kelly (Marion Senior High), and the My School Shines Award to custodians Mike Woodward, Rusty Nutter and Adam Holmes at Northwood High School. The Mover of Mountains Award was presented to teachers Caleb Ashley and Adam Tilson of Marion Senior High. Staff and students Jeb Sturgill, Adam Holmes, Nathan Jones and Cameron Robison gave a brief update on the band and chorus programs.

Chairman Williams opened the public hearing on the FY2026-2027 Smyth County School Board budget; no members of the public signed up to speak and the hearing was closed. Julie Bear, Director of Finance, reviewed March revenue, expenditure and cash flow figures, and Superintendent Dr. Brad Haga provided a FY27 budget update.

Under action items the board unanimously approved continued participation in the Virginia High School League for Chilhowie, Marion Senior and Northwood high schools; membership in the State-Wide ELL Consortium; and participation in the Regional Alternative Education Program (motion by Joe Johnson; 7-0). The board approved a resolution nominating Berry’s Home Centers for the 2026 VSBA Business Honor Roll (motion by Ben Adams; 7-0). The Smyth County Public Schools Local Special Education Annual Plan/Part B Flow-Through Application and Report, presented by Steve Blevins, Director of Special Education, was approved by unanimous vote. The board also approved the bid for the Summer Feeding Home Mail Delivery, the Local Plan for Career and Technical Education Funds grant for 2026-2027, and a contract with ZMM A&E Firm for a facilities review of all Smyth County schools; each motion passed 7-0.

Following the closed session, on motion by Dr. Grinstead, seconded by Joe Johnson, the board approved a slate of personnel changes by unanimous vote. Recorded retirements included Charles Allen (TCAP teacher), Diane Edwards (Saltville Elementary), Mary Glisan (bus driver, Marion Elementary), Lisa Gray (Marion Middle School teacher), Steven Gross (bus driver, Marion Senior High), Tammy Hahn (Rich Valley Elementary principal), Phyllis Hawk-Werkheiser (Chilhowie Elementary administrative assistant), Andrea Overbay (Chilhowie High teacher), Robert Perkins (Chilhowie Elementary custodian), Gary Roberts (Atkins Elementary principal), and Lisa Sturgill (Sugar Grove Elementary teacher). Resignations recorded included Courtney Haulsee (Oak Point Elementary instructional aide), Darryl Lampkins (Smyth Career and Technology Center custodian), Vicki Medlen (Chilhowie Elementary/Marion Middle School counselor), Brenda Oxford (Marion Middle School teacher), and Kyle Robinson (Marion Senior High teacher). A hire recorded was Alvin (Trey) Lomans III as a Chilhowie Middle School teacher. Extracurricular hires included Valerie Booth (Athletic Supervisor, Chilhowie High) and Tanya Kirk (Athletic Supervisor, Northwood High). Several district substitutes were also approved.

The meeting concluded on a motion by Lynn White, seconded by Ben Adams, which passed 7-0. The board certified that the closed session had addressed only matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under Virginia law.