By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board met last week for its regular meeting just as the new school year officially began across the division.
Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack presented a detailed report covering various departments within BCPS noting that the FY25 School Activity Fund Audit had been completed and that the budget and finance team is currently managing year-end processes while monitoring expenditures and revenues.
In Human Resources and Health Services, 33 new teachers were welcomed at an orientation held at Central Academy Middle School, and staff received school health training. Additionally, the Positions and Exits Report was submitted to the Virginia Department of Education to track teacher vacancies across the state.
In Instruction, 56 students participated in the YMCA/BCPS summer program offering health, physical education, and driver’s ed for 9th and 10th graders. Thirteen orientation sessions were held for students and parents to explain the new random drug testing policy, with more sessions planned. The school year began with a successful in-service week filled with professional learning, planning, and open houses. On the first day of school, 4,452 students were welcomed back, with division administrators visiting all 12 school sites to show support.
Maintenance and Operations saw a number of facility upgrades, including front entry improvements at Eagle Rock Elementary, a new classroom at BTEC, a completed roofing project at Buchanan Elementary, and HVAC upgrades at Breckinridge Elementary. Other updates included a new fire alarm panel and flooring at Read Mountain Middle School, sound system repairs at Colonial Elementary, a new freezer at Eagle Rock, and adjustments at Troutville Elementary. At Central Academy Middle School, air quality improvements were underway in response to moisture concerns.
Technology updates included annual maintenance of automated workflows, Chromebook distribution for 5th and 9th graders, and full technology walk-throughs of school buildings. Network infrastructure was improved with new switches, and support was provided for professional development events. The technology team also participated in new teacher orientation, and the database administrator submitted the Student Record Collection Report to the state, ensuring accurate data for funding and compliance.
The board discussed the first reading of the Virginia School Board Association’s 2025 redline revisions of its policy update; notably, the change to student conduct pertaining to cyberbullying. Buchanan School Board representative Jenny Wilson asked Womack about disciplinary actions related to online bullying that takes place outside of school. Womack explained that the Department of Education is currently developing bullying guidelines that would include disciplinary matters.
The VSBA policy update clearly prohibits bullying and cyberbullying, including incidents that occur off school grounds if they involve students within the division. Bullying is defined as repeated, aggressive, and intentional behavior that harms, intimidates, or humiliates a victim, involving a real or perceived power imbalance. This definition includes cyberbullying but excludes normal teasing, horseplay, arguments, or peer conflict.
Cyberbullying refers specifically to bullying conducted through technology, such as cell phones or internet-connected devices.
The policy states that if a school learns of a bullying allegation, the principal or a designee must notify the parents of all students involved within 24 hours. Victims or witnesses of cyberbullying are provided protections to ensure they feel safe reporting incidents without fear of retaliation or social consequences. Additionally, victims receive a list of school-based support services and resources to help them after an incident.
To read this updated VSBA policy and others, visit the BCPS website’s agenda center at go.boarddocs.com/vsba/bcps/Board.nsf/Public. To watch last week’s meeting in its entirety, visit bcps.live/archives.
