By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board met in Fincastle for its regular meeting at the school administrative offices last Thursday. Before the board addressed its action items for the month of October, they recognized its Employees of the Month for September.
Kristlyn Colombini, instructional assistant at Cloverdale Elementary, received a certificate of recognition from the board with Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack sharing a quote from her nomination: “(Colombini) has become an integral part of our team from the start and jumped right into her role.”
Brandi Holland, Speech Language pathologist at Greenfield Elementary, was also recognized as Employee of the Month for September but was unable to attend the meeting. Womack shared of Holland’s nomination, “(Holland) truly cares about each child. She is wonderful at meeting every student’s needs.”
Womack and Assistant Superintendent Jesse Pinkard recognized each member of the School Board for the members’ engaging in professional development which earned them Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) Academy credits participating in various VSBA-sponsored events. The VSBA awards recognize a commitment to governance through active participation in the academy.
The School Board unanimously approved the middle school and high school Program of Studies for 2026-27 presented by Pinkard. These program offerings will be a part of the student registration process starting this December.
He noted three “big changes” that includes the removal of an elective course on the high school level (Leadership Development). The Nurse Aide program at the Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) will now shift from a year and a half program to a full semester-long course. Pinkard shared that students will still have the ability and clinical hours required to receive their certification for a total of 40 students over the course of the year. In response from the success of the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow courses, 10th graders will now have the opportunity to enroll in “Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow I” along with 11th and 12th graders.
The comprehensive guide, provided in the October meeting packet, outlines academic pathways, graduation requirements, and course offerings designed to prepare students for college, careers, and life after high school.
It includes detailed descriptions of core subjects, electives, and career and technical education programs, as well as advanced training options offered through the Botetourt Technical Education Center.
The program also continues opportunities for dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, and participation in the Jackson River and Roanoke Valley Governor’s Schools. Updates emphasize academic and career planning beginning in middle school, continued access to the BCPS Virtual Academy, and expanded opportunities for students to earn college credit or industry certifications. The document reflects the division’s goal of maintaining rigorous academic standards and a diverse set of options that support students’ individual goals and interests.
The board also unanimously approved the the FY27 budget calendar which was presented in detail by BCPS Finance Director Brandon Lee last month.
Womack went over highlights from the recent BCPS Strategic Direction Progress Report. All of the items in the report are reported monthly by the superintendent in her report at the regular meetings.
BCPS Supervisor of Instruction April Easton provided the board with a presentation on the new school performance and support framework which replaces the state’s previous accreditation model.
The framework now evaluates schools using a broader set of indicators— mastery, growth, readiness, and graduation rates for high schools— rather than relying solely on SOL pass rates. Under this system, schools earn one of four designations: Distinguished, On-Track, Off-Track, or Needs Intensive Support. Easton noted that Botetourt County Public Schools currently ranks fifth overall in Virginia, fourth in math, and sixth in reading.
She explained that the new approach gives greater weight to student growth, advanced coursework at the middle school level, and post-secondary readiness at the high school level through the “3E” measures of enrollment, employment, and enlistment. The presentation also highlighted recent state decisions to raise cut scores for reading and math to align Virginia with higher national standards, though current seniors will not be affected.
Easton emphasized that BCPS remains committed to maintaining high expectations and leveraging its strengths in advanced courses, career and technical education, and dual enrollment to continue strong performance under the new accountability model.
To read about this presentation and other action items from last Thursday’s meeting, visit the meeting’s agenda packet found at go.boarddocs.com/vsba/bcps/Board.nsf/Public. To watch the meeting in its entirety, visit bcps.live/archives.
