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Teachers and parents urge Clark County board to preserve Cooley elementary technology program
Summary
Multiple teachers and parents urged the board to retain the technology specialist position at DG Cooley Elementary after the current specialist resigned; the superintendent said the position is budgeted as an instructional assistant but a vacancy exists and reclassification or replacement would require board action in the budget process.
Multiple teachers and parents addressed the Clark County School Board during public comment April 20 to urge the retention of a dedicated technology specialist at DG Cooley Elementary after the current specialist resigned.
Marie Davis (S11), who identified herself as a DG Cooley teacher, told the board that Jennifer McDonald’s technology lessons align with Virginia’s technology and computer science standards and warned that losing the position could shift required instruction to already-full classroom teachers. "If her position is eliminated, will teaching these standards fall to grade level teachers?" Davis asked, noting the program’s value for internet safety and foundational digital skills.
A second teacher, Angela LaValle (S13), said removing the role would have measurable negative outcomes and equity implications. "Reducing this program risks widening an already existing gap," LaValle said, citing national research and state requirements for elementary computer science instruction.
Jennifer McDonald (S12), who spoke after the advocacy remarks and did not state her name when speaking but was introduced by others, described financial constraints that led to her resignation from the IA-level position and said she is willing to pursue licensure or other requirements to remain in the role. "I absolutely love this job… I can't afford it on an IA salary," she said, asking the board to keep the technology special at Cooley and expand it to Boyce.
Superintendent Dr. Bolling (S7) responded that there is currently no change to the budgeted position: the technology role at Cooley is funded as an instructional assistant position and a vacancy now exists because the staff member resigned. Dr. Bolling explained that moving the position to a teaching slot would require inclusion in the budget and a licensed teacher; any reclassification or new hire would have to be presented early in the budget process and approved by the board. "It is currently budgeted as an instructional assistant position," Dr. Bolling said, adding that principals and division leadership are discussing equitable delivery of content across elementary buildings.
Board members acknowledged the teachers’ concerns and said the board and administration value the technology instruction; trustees noted that decisions on filling or changing the status of positions must follow personnel and budget rules. Several board members encouraged exploring options such as sharing the position across schools or adjusting scheduling to preserve equitable access.
The public comments and administration responses were recorded in the meeting minutes; no immediate board action to change the position’s classification was taken at the April 20 meeting.
