Here are highlights from the Sept. 10 School Board summer work session and business meeting. Full presentations and a video of the meeting are available on BoardDocs.

Work session presentations

Administrative appointments

Shawn Smith introduced Summer Manos as the new director of special education.

The board approved these newly hired administrators as part of the recommended personnel actions:

  • Diamond Barham, dean of students at Manchester High

  • Jeremy Harden, dean of students at Meadowbrook High

  • Melodee Haskins, dean of students at Davis Elementary

  • Meecha Jackson, dean of students at Meadowbrook High

The board approved changes in assignment for these administrators as part of the recommended personnel actions:

  • Kendall Chase, dean of students at Thomas Dale High

  • Shannon Davis, assistant director of grants

  • Angela Karousos, associate principal of CTC@Hull

Awards and recognitions

Recognizing school success

  • Tomahawk Creek Middle was recognized for achieving designation as a School of Distinction.

  • Bird High’s robotics team was recognized for earning a spot in the world championship competition.

  • Bird High’s girls outdoor track and field team was recognized for winning the VHSL class 5 state championship.

  • Cosby High’s boys soccer team was recognized for winning the VHSL class 6 state championship.

  • Manchester High students were recognized for winning awards at the VHSL film festival.

  • Manchester High was recognized for winning its first-ever National Guard Cup presented by the Virginia Army National Guard.

Recognizing staff success

Planning Administrator Diane Faye Gapas was recognized for being selected to participate in the National American Planning Association Foundation to evaluate scholarship applications.

These bus drivers were recognized for outstanding performance:

  • Nathaniel Kearney, Area 1, Bus 640, 10 months of service

  • Diley Arce, Area 2, Bus 678, one year of service

  • Taqiyyah Mujahid, Area 3, Bus 836, 12 years of service

  • Tabitha Lee, Area 4, Bus 96, three months of service

  • Alexandria Canada-Marcus, Area 5, Bus 758, six months of service

These food service employees were recognized for outstanding service:

  • Joyce Smith, food service associate at Bellwood Elementary, four years of service

  • Nancie Rives, food service associate at Curtis Elementary, nine years of service

  • Laura Hayes, assistant manager at Manchester High, six months of service

  • Michelle Wolf, assistant manager at Bon Air Elementary, six years of service

  • Roni LaPelle, marketing specialist, eight years of service

Resolution in memory of the Rev. Dr. Wilson Shannon

The School Board adopted a resolution in memory of the Rev. Dr. Wilson Shannon, pastor of First Baptist Church (Centralia).

Board actions

The consent agenda was approved. Memos of interest included:

The board approved an amended memo #125-24, which recommended that the board authorize the procurement director to award a contract to Kenbridge Construction for the construction of the new west area elementary school in the amount of $43,153,000 and approve any necessary change orders up to the full budgeted amount for this project.

The board approved memo #126-24, which recommended that the board authorize the procurement director to approve change order #2, in the amount of $67,000, under purchase order P705452 with Unlimited Landscaping Services for the installation of additional stone fill during the summer of 2024.

Board discussion

The board considered memo #127-24, which recommended that the School Board schedule these proposed revisions to current policies and regulations for second reading and adoption at the School Board’s next regular meeting.

Items for review

At each meeting, a number of items are shared with the School Board for review and for public consumption. These do not require action on the board’s part. This month’s packet included: