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Students and residents press Lynchburg board on collective bargaining, principal search transparency
Summary
Students and community members used public comment to urge the board to consider local collective bargaining under House Bill 582 and to press the district for transparency about principal hiring and administrative decisions.
Several public commentators used the board’s public‑comment period to press the Lynchburg City School Board on workplace representation and leadership transparency.
Megan Ramsey, a sophomore at EC Glass High School and student‑council member, told the board she supports local implementation of collective bargaining under the 2020 House Bill 582 and urged the board to consider it as a tool to reduce teacher turnover and improve student outcomes. Ramsey cited national research and advocacy group statements and asked the board to examine how collective bargaining could affect teacher retention and classroom stability.
A parent, Scott Weavey, raised concerns about the principal search at EC Glass and the district’s communication practices. He said recent personnel departures and sudden policy changes left families and staff with unanswered questions and urged board members to ask detailed questions of the superintendent and HR about how the new principal will be selected.
Belle Evans, a former LCS teacher and school board member, said community members who spoke at the prior meeting felt dismissed and asked the board to respond with empathy and clearer transparency. Robert Flood, another resident, urged the board to focus on solutions for youth—summer programs and training for assistant coaches—and said community members want action rather than repeated complaints.
Board policy prevents the board from answering or engaging in discussion during public comment. The speakers’ remarks, however, frame community pressure points the board and administration said they will take to their committees and staff reports.
No board votes or directives addressing collective bargaining or the EC Glass principal search occurred during the meeting; members who spoke later emphasized a desire for greater transparency and recommended reporting back to the public once the administration finalizes hiring criteria.
