By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board’s action agenda last Thursday saw the approval of the 2022-23 School Board meeting schedule and the 2022-23 budget calendar.
The board approved the registration dates for middle and high schools, adding that registration will be one month ahead of last year’s dates.
The board updated next year’s Programs of Studies, permanently eliminating the classes “Computer Math” and “Aerobic Dance and Flexibility Training.”
Effective October 1, substitute instructional aides and substitute library assistants compensations are $75/day, $85/day if long term; substitute nurses and substitute teachers with degrees are $140/day, substitute teachers without degrees are $125/day. The board plans on hiring “permanent subs” in each building for four days out of the week.
The board approved a pay bonus for the transportation department featuring a retention bonus for full-timers ($1,500), including a sign-on bonus for new bus drivers hired between October 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022. The bonuses were created without the aid of additional funding from the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. The board also proposes a $750 bonus for transportation workers (CDL certified) who drive BCPS students and staff to five events.
The board heard public comments from members of the Botetourt community and a staff member.
The comments consisted of ideas on how to bring in new staff members into the transportation department, increasing the pay for those employees, and student aides in BCPS schools.
A concerned parent spoke about students and teachers pressured into receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. He opposed the vaccination mandate passed down by Gov. Ralph Northam earlier this school year, didn’t believe children should have to get vaccinated, and that teachers should have a choice on the matter.
He asked the board to look into the grievances filed against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by their CDC employees. The parent felt that SB 1303, a bill requiring all teachers and school staff to be offered access to receive an approved COVID-19 vaccination through their relevant local health district, “is completely unconstitutional” and wants school boards across the state to challenge the bill.
Another parent spoke about her previously requested mold study of Lord Botetourt High School. The parent said she had yet to receive the results and asked if there was a way she could go into the school and perform the study herself or obtain a copy of the study results she previously requested.
She also shared concern over the “ton of homework” students have to complete after school every night. She recognized appreciation for the early dismissals on Wednesdays for BCPS staff to catch-up, but feels that the amount of take-home assignments is “too much.”
To watch October’s BCPS School Board meeting, visit bcps.live/archives.
