Board adopts family and medical leave policy, authorizes federal grants and workforce award application

The Louisa County Public Schools board took several policy and grant actions at the meeting.

Policy: The board adopted policy GCBE (family and medical leave), which provides up to 12 weeks of leave for qualifying employees and up to 26 weeks of leave for family-member service where applicable. Board members asked whether the change creates added costs or administrative burdens and were told it does not beyond the policy change.

Grants: The board authorized staff to submit routine, annual federal grant applications for Title I Part A, Title II Part A, Title III Part A and Title IV Part A. Staff described this action as the customary annual authorization to allow final grant applications.

Workforce award: The board approved applying for the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) workforce readiness award to highlight the health‑sciences nurse‑aide pathway; members noted this submission will emphasize the health‑sciences/nurse‑aide program.

Policy first readings: Staff also presented first readings of numerous policy updates related to instruction (textbook adoption in the comprehensive plan, driver education content, automatic enrollment notices for accelerated courses), safety (threat assessment training, child abuse reporting updates, nurse training), technology (digital safety instruction and AI content) and athletics (requirements for multiple communication channels). Most of these are first readings to return for action at a later meeting.

Next steps: Policies flagged for later action will return for adoption in June or July as noted; staff will submit grant applications and the VSBA award application as authorized.