Superintendent: district calendar adjusted; grant awarded to fund behavioral specialist

The Patrick County School Board convened for its fourteenth 2026 meeting and heard a superintendent report covering calendar adjustments, staffing and student recognitions.

The superintendent told the board that, following additional inclement-weather days, the calendar was adjusted: "next Wednesday is a full instructional day, May 21 with a 3 hour early dismissal," and that graduation is scheduled for the 22nd. The superintendent also reported that the division had lost a part-time grant writer but had partnered with Roger Veil, Blue Ridge SRO, and "we have been awarded a grant for a behavioral specialist, and we posted that position today." The superintendent described posting the position and expressed enthusiasm about adding that staff role.

Why it matters: a funded behavioral specialist is a district-level staffing addition intended to support student behavior and social-emotional needs; posting the position begins the hiring process but does not yet commit to a candidate or timeline. The calendar change affects instructional time and parent planning ahead of graduation.

The superintendent highlighted recognitions and school activities: beta club invitations, two winners in the congressional art contest whose work will be displayed, senior walks at elementary schools, and staff appreciation events supported by Rotary Clubs and local churches. The superintendent characterized these as signs of strong community partnerships and praised the caliber of students and staff.

Next steps: the superintendent posted the behavioral specialist position; no hiring timeline was provided during the meeting, and the board did not take a formal vote on staffing during open session. The superintendent said the district would continue to monitor state budget actions that could affect planning.