By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board recognized outstanding employees and student-athletes, approved academic program changes, and received updates on student achievement, school finances and a new student wellness initiative during its June 11 meeting in Fincastle.
The board recognized Beth Persinger, a permanent substitute teacher at James River High School and Elizabeth Stull, a fourth-grade teacher at Buchanan Elementary School, as Employees of the Month.
A nomination praised Persinger for stepping into a long-term agriculture teaching assignment and creating a positive learning environment for students. Stull was nominated for engaging classroom instruction, creative learning activities and her leadership of an after-school science club.
The board also recognized members of the Lord Botetourt High School boys outdoor track and field team, which captured the 2026 VHSL Class 3 state championship.
Team members recognized were Lucas Carswell, Eric Duncan, Daniel Estep, Triston Graves, Archer Lee, Caleb Miller, John Moughrabi, Ethan Thorne, Mason Tuck and Preston Vaughn.
In addition to the team title, Duncan was recognized as state champion in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, while Graves earned the state championship in the 110-meter hurdles.
Coaches credited the team’s success to strong senior leadership, perseverance through injuries and a commitment to the program’s expectations.
Among the evening’s action items, the board approved revisions to the division’s Program of Studies that will replace the Building Trades program at the Botetourt Technical Education Center with Construction Technology and Materials and Processes Technology courses.
Administrators said the change will create a more sustainable instructional model while maintaining career and technical education opportunities aligned with local workforce needs.
The board also approved a legislative proposal that would encourage Virginia lawmakers to allow public school employees to participate in the state’s employee health insurance pool. Board members said the proposal is intended to help provide more affordable health care options for teachers, bus drivers, instructional assistants and other school employees.
Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack reported that preliminary spring Standards of Learning results indicate Botetourt County students continue to exceed state expectations across subject areas.
She also noted that 337 students graduated from Lord Botetourt High School and James River High School during commencement ceremonies held in May.
At the Botetourt Technical Education Center’s Signing Day event, 30 graduating students secured full-time employment opportunities with area employers before receiving their diplomas.
Womack highlighted the division’s first-year implementation of Virginia’s Local Alternate Assessment option in history, reporting that more than 96 percent of eligible students earned verified credit through traditional testing or alternative assessments.
The superintendent’s report also included updates on summer maintenance projects, technology upgrades and staffing efforts. A classified employee job fair is scheduled for June 18 at Lord Botetourt High School to recruit instructional assistants, bus drivers, school nutrition workers and maintenance personnel.
The board received a detailed update on the division’s Youth Wellness Program and random drug-testing initiative, both implemented during the 2025-26 school year in response to concerns about student substance use.
Assistant Superintendent Jordan Pinkard reported that 244 students participating in athletics, extracurricular activities or holding student parking permits were tested during the year. Fourteen students tested positive for prohibited substances, resulting in a positivity rate of approximately 5.7 percent.
Most positive tests involved nicotine products, while several involved both nicotine and THC. Administrators noted that only one positive test involving THC occurred among student-athletes and that no middle school students tested positive.
Pinkard said school officials also observed a significant reduction in repeat substance-use offenses. The number of students facing repeated violations dropped from 10 during the previous school year to three during the first year of the Youth Wellness Program.
Board members praised the program’s early results and highlighted a new partnership with Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, which provides counseling and intervention services for students and families.
Financial Director Brandon Lee reported that division finances remain on track as the fiscal year approaches its June 30 conclusion. School officials said employee contracts for the upcoming year could be issued within several days after final approval of the school budget by the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.
The School Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 9.
