School board adopts VSBA updates, adds drug- and alcohol-testing requirement for staff driving students on out-of-county trips

The Patrick County School Board on July 14 approved a package of policy updates and considered a separate local policy to expand drug- and alcohol-testing for certain employees. Superintendent Dr. Wood presented two lists: VSBA-recommended updates for compliance and a local addition to require testing for staff who drive students on out-of-county trips or who are issued daily driving duties such as operating a 14-passenger activity bus.

Dr. Wood said the division subscribes to VSBA (Virginia School Boards Association) policy updates to remain in compliance and described the local testing policy as an added layer of safety: staff who are scheduled to transport students off-campus or who are put on regular driving duty would undergo alcohol and drug screening; coaches who drive activity buses but do not have a commercial driver’s license would be placed on the same testing list as bus drivers. "We can't have that approach when it comes to safety of our kids," Dr. Wood said.

A board member asked whether the policy components and the crisis/closure plan are required by the state; Dr. Wood confirmed aspects are mandated under the Code of Virginia and noted the division has incorporated the requirements into its crisis planning and threat assessments. The board moved to approve the VSBA policy updates; a motion and second were recorded and the board approved the changes by voice vote. The board indicated it will revisit the separate second list of local policies next month.

The meeting recorded no public commenters during the public comment period. The board later approved the revised 2026–27 budget and entered closed session to discuss personnel matters and crisis plans.