By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County School Board opened its February meeting last Thursday night in Fincastle with a series of recognitions highlighting employees, student-athletes, and school leadership, while also approving calendar adjustments to provide flexibility for additional winter weather.
Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack presented the January Employees of the Month for Botetourt County Public Schools, reading remarks submitted by their nominators.
Matthew Passik, custodian at Lord Botetourt High School, was commended for his dedication and consistency. “He is thorough, conscientious, kind, and considerate,” Dr. Womack read. “My classroom is always clean and fresh-smelling, and the teachers’ bathroom is mopped and scrubbed every day. If I ever need anything, Mr. Passik is always happy to help. I feel very lucky to work with someone who is so capable and consistent. He is a fantastic employee and person.”
Suzanna Mejia, Special Education teacher and department chair at Central Academy Middle School, was also recognized. In the nomination read aloud, Mejia was described as “a vital member” of the school’s Special Education Department who “selflessly dons many hats while leading the team at CAMS.” The nomination noted that she does not rest on past successes but instead seeks to elevate student learning through active collaboration and a drive to excel, serving “100 percent in ways that extend well beyond the wall of our school.”
The board also recognized two Lord Botetourt High School student-athletes, Quinten Jones and Angel Rigney, for being named first-team All-State by the Virginia High School League in football. Head coach Jamie Harless attended the meeting and joined board members in presenting certificates of recognition.
Harless described the pair as “exceptional” players. “To say they put it all out on the line this year… If you look at what they both did numbers-wise, it’s insane. It’s almost a statistical outlier, what they did,” he said. “Their leadership and ability— they’re great kids and they’ve been a pleasure to coach.”
In observance of School Board Recognition Month, Dr. Womack thanked each member of the Botetourt School Board on behalf of the division. Representing the Virginia School Boards Association, the division presented each board member with a plant reflecting this year’s theme, “From strong roots comes endless possibilities.” Assistant Superintendent Jordan Pinkard presented certificates of recognition to board members.
“We are so thankful to have you in your seat,” Dr. Womack told the board. “The support that you provide to the school division and to the community is really very meaningful and we’re appreciative.”
School Board Chair Anna Weddle also expressed appreciation for School Board Clerk Susan Albert, calling her “the epitome of a lifelong learner” who works “quietly and efficiently.” Weddle further recognized Emily Shaver for stepping into the role of deputy clerk for the division.
Later in the meeting, Dr. Womack and Pinkard reviewed recent inclement weather days and explained how the division has used banked instructional hours, built-in makeup days, and remote learning options.
According to the presentation, the school division began the year with additional “bank time” because the school day exceeds the state’s required 990 instructional hours. The calendar also includes four designated makeup days. Each missed day deducts six hours from the available bank time, and hours are also reduced for two-hour early dismissals and delays.
At the start of the year, the division had 84 bank hours. After accounting for missed days, two two-hour early dismissals at the end of the first and second nine weeks, a two-hour delay, a non-division closure, and a previously converted February date that added back six hours, the division currently has approximately 24 bank hours remaining. If the two-hour early dismissals scheduled at the end of the third and fourth nine weeks remain in place, that total would drop to 20 hours.
The division is also permitted by the state to use up to 10 remote learning days, provided meal service is offered and teachers prepare assignments in advance. Two remote learning days have been used, leaving eight available.
Because of the amount of winter weather already experienced and the potential for more before March 11, administrators requested that the board approve a contingency change to the 2025-26 calendar. The change allows the division to convert the scheduled two-hour early dismissal days on March 11 and May 20 into full instructional days if additional closures occur. If the flexibility is not needed, the early dismissal days will remain as scheduled.
Board members approved the request, giving the division authority to make the call if necessary.
