Board hears preliminary SOL and enrollment data; detailed analysis due in July

Mister Neighbors presented a high-level, preliminary summary of the district's SOL and end-of-course data, CTE enrollment and kindergarten/pre-K registration at the June 11 meeting.

Neighbors said kindergarten and pre-K registration remain strong with projected kindergarten enrollment about one student above last year’s number. He reported the CTE Academy gained three seats from last year, bringing its total to 25 (up from 22). “That brings our total up to 25 students. We were 22 last year,” Neighbors said.

On academic performance, Neighbors stressed the data were preliminary and generated locally, not by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). “This is preliminary data. This is generated by us. This is not from VDOE,” he said, and told the board the division will return in July with a much more detailed, school-by-school breakdown and additional subgroup analysis.

The presentation highlighted improvement in several elementary grades and cohort growth in third grade, but also identified outliers that require attention: secondary mathematics (including algebra and geometry) and some history/world geography measures where retakes affected results. Neighbors said staff will ‘‘dig in’’ at the student-by-student level to identify skills gaps and instructional targets and will share detailed findings in July.

On fiscal items tied to instruction, Neighbors also provided a Medicaid update: the district saw increases in interim and quarterly claims and a FY 2025 cost-settlement figure that was about $45,000 lower than anticipated, which staff said will not materially change their reliance on interim billing for ongoing support.

What’s next: The board expects a detailed data report and follow-up recommendations in July, with principals and instructional teams prepared to review subgroup and retake impacts.