By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board held its monthly meeting last Thursday in Fincastle.
Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS) Assistant Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack presented the few Program of Studies changes for the 2023-24 school year approved by the board. In the Social Studies department, one course will now be separated into two credit-bearing courses. Teachers previously recommended to the board separating Psychology (grades 10-12) and Sociology (grades 9-12) into two, separate full courses, as opposed to teaching both subjects in a combined course. This change is to better develop the concept of both areas.
In Health & Physical Education, a fourth level of Weight Training & Conditioning (grades 10-12) is now added, allowing students to take this course from their freshman year through their senior year.
Vice Chair Dana McCaleb asked Womack about staffing the new Weight Training class. Womack stated it depended on how many students sign up for the class. Womack and School Superintendent Jonathan Russ don’t feel there is a need for additional staff for an additional year of the program.
The third course proposed as a new course is in the department of Family & Consumer Science. The new course is called “Real Life 101”—a course described in the presentation as a class where students prepare “to meet the challenges of living on their own. Students build life skills focusing on creating and maintaining healthy relationships and making responsible financial, consumer, nutrition, and housing decisions. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students’ career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses.”
Womack noted that Real Life 101 is a class about “topics with regard to things that we would want our students to know as they are developing into young adults.”
The board updated the school system’s current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) with Director of Operations Andy Dewease. Russ updated changes recently made to the “ever-changing document.”
The superintendent pointed out priorities like safety and security, playgrounds, roof repairs/replacements, and keeping up with the number of buses in the system. He noted that there will be a new playground at Buchanan Elementary in FY 2023.
The School Board recognized BCPS Employees of the Month for August and September: Ron Young, custodian at Cloverdale Elementary, and Steven Anderson, principal at Troutville Elementary for August; Connie Woodson, administrative assistant at Central Academy Middle School, and Jesse Witt, teacher and coach at Central Academy Middle School and James River High School.
The board also recognized the Region VI Teacher of the Year, Angela D. Myers, a teacher librarian at Read Mountain Middle School.
Womack recognized the recipients of the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) Awards for the Commitment for the Effective School Board Governance through their participation in the VSBA School Board Academy. The recipients included Chair Anna Weddle – VSBA Award of Distinction; Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Russ – VSBA Award of Recognition; Vice Chair Dana McCaleb – VSBA Award of Recognition; Valley District representative Tim Davidick – VSBA Award of Recognition; and Human Resources Administrative Assistant Cathy Quinn – VSBA Award of Recognition.
BCPS Director of Finance Brandon Lee presented the 2023-2024 proposed budget timeline which was approved by the board.
All the new courses will be offered at both Botetourt County high schools.
To read about the BCPS 2023-24 Program of Studies, visit the Board Docs at BCPSs website (https://www.bcps.k12.va.us/school_board). To watch the meeting in its entirety, visit bcps.live/archives.
