School Board Meeting Highlights

Unless otherwise posted, regular school board meetings are typically held the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Public Meeting Room of the School Administration Office.

• Meeting agendas can be found on Board Docs.
• If the meeting is live-streamed, it is available on the ACPS YouTube channel.

Dr. Sheppard recognized the September Star Students of the month for demonstrating character, leadership, kindness, respect, responsibility, strong attendance, academic effort, and positive contributions to their school communities.

Dr. Sheppard recognized the September Star Staff members of the month for their dedication, teamwork, leadership, and support of students, families, colleagues, and school operations.

Dr. Sheppard recognized the Amherst County High School 2026 Amethyst yearbook staff and advisor Wanda Burley for receiving an All-Southern rating from the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, a First Class honor rating from the National Scholastic Press Association, and a Gold Medalist designation from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, along with two All-Columbian honors.

• The Board amended the agenda. The personnel report was separated from the consent agenda into a separate action item and a closed session was added to the agenda to discuss personnel matters. The closed session was added towards the end of the agenda after public comment and the action item for the personnel report was added after the closed session.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• The Board approved the amended agenda.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• The Board approved revisions to the following policies:
• AD, BBA, BDDH/KD, DGC, DJF, EI, GAA, GBB, GCCB, IK, JFCA, JHCD, JHH, JO, JOA, JOD, JOD-F, JS, KKA, and KP.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• The Board approved Superintendent Goals for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• The Board approved the following items on the consent agenda:
• Minutes of the September 10, 2026 Regular School Board Meeting,
• Title I Parent Advisory Membership,
• One field trip request.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• The Board approved the following items on the consent agenda:
• Superintendent's personnel actions for the period September 7, 2026 to October 2, 2026.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.

Mr. Neighbors provided an update on accountability. He reviewed the final state data release and school performance designations. Amherst Middle School’s score was rounded to the 90-point threshold, placing it in the Distinguished category. Madison Heights Elementary School retained a framework score of 79 but was placed in the “Needs Intensive Support” performance category because of its federal identification for Targeted Support and Improvement related to students with disabilities. Central Elementary School remained identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement because it had not yet completed the required three-year identification period; the presentation noted improvement in the school’s framework score.

Mr. Neighbors reported that ACPS remained fully accredited. He explained that revised state thresholds affected school performance categories and that the division was awaiting clarification about possible grant funding associated with Madison Heights Elementary School’s identification. He also shared regional growth information, including Central Elementary School’s strong growth in its framework score and Amherst Elementary School’s inclusion among the region’s top schools for growth.

Medicaid Update: Mr. Neighbors provided an update on Medicaid revenue and interim billing. The division had experienced delays and was continuing to track incoming revenue. Additional amounts were expected to increase as billing and state processes progressed. The administration planned to provide another update as more information became available.

Dr. Hoden provided an update regarding a threat received the previous day. He reported that schools across the region had received similar threats, which were believed to be hoaxes. Amherst Middle School staff, along with Dr. Proffitt and his staff at Central Elementary, helped receive students while the situation was addressed. Other schools were placed in a secure status. Dr. Hoden stated that students were safe and commended the response of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, Amherst Police Department, and Virginia State Police. He thanked all school staff who assisted.

Dr. Hoden provided an update on the Amherst County High School construction project. He reviewed construction progress that would take place in the kitchen over the fall break, the culinary lab, and the welding lab. He stated that they are continuing to work through the project punch list with Jamerson-Lewis. The cell tower had been erected behind Monelison Middle School the previous week; however, equipment and antenna hardware had not yet been installed, and the timing for that work was not confirmed.

Dr. Hoden shared historical information about a 1.07-acre parcel owned by the division off Pera Road in the George Washington National Forest. The property was the site of a former schoolhouse. Columbia Gas is replacing a pipeline that crosses a corner of the property and provided the division with a $3,200 payment for use of the property under its existing easement.

Dr. Hoden reviewed rising fuel costs at the request of Board members. Diesel fuel had increased from approximately $2.25 per gallon in December 2025 to $4.77 per gallon in September 2026, an increase of about 112 percent. Gasoline had increased from approximately $3.49 per gallon in March to $4.05 per gallon in September. He noted that tanker deliveries that had previously cost approximately $16,000–$19,000 were costing approximately $35,000–$37,000. Dr. Hoden and Dr. Rose planned to review fuel usage and costs and continue monitoring prices; he estimated the division had at least six months before it might need to consider moving funds if prices remained high.

Dr. Hoden stated that he and Mr. Roakes were scheduled to meet with a representative of Southern Air to review the condition of the division’s heating and cooling equipment. The review would identify equipment priorities and estimated remaining service life so the information could be incorporated into the capital improvement plan. The Board discussion emphasized the importance of considering the availability of replacement parts as well as the age of equipment. Dr. Hoden noted that delays in obtaining parts had affected repairs, including air-conditioning equipment earlier in the year.

Student Suspension Report: Dr. Hoden presented the monthly student suspension report to the Board.

Student Services Update: The Board also received the September BEST Lab data.

The Board received the monthly financial reports.

Mr. Gallagher reviewed the monthly professional and classified vacancy information.

Mr. Gallagher reported that the first meeting of the ACPS calendar committee was scheduled for October 14. The committee will develop initial drafts of the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school calendars. Once the committee has developed a draft with stakeholder input, the proposed calendar will be shared with employees for feedback. The feedback will be reviewed to determine whether revisions are needed before the committee brings a calendar forward for the Board’s consideration, with the goal of presenting a proposed calendar by January.

Dr. Rose reported that work was beginning with Cohort Four of the Amherst Leadership Academy. The cohort includes eight participants: one reading specialist, two counselors, and five classroom teachers. She noted that the smaller group would allow for more focused conversations and individualized support.

Dr. Sheppard provided updates on recent division activities and upcoming events. She reported that ACPS held its first and only Community Tailgate of the year on Friday, September 18, before the homecoming football game. More than 250 Lancer fans attended, as well as several School Board members. Hamburgers and hot dogs were served, and Dr. Sheppard described the event as a positive opportunity for the school community to gather.

Dr. Sheppard reminded Board members to mark Friday, November 13, for the annual Take Your Legislator to School Month activities. Save-the-date notices were being sent, and the administration was planning for legislators to visit ACPS that day.

She also reminded the Board that the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Annual Convention would be held November 18–20.

She reminded the Board of the budget priorities work session scheduled for October 22 at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Sheppard noted that the session would provide an opportunity for Board members to identify budget priorities for the upcoming year and for her to share the administration’s budget priorities.

Dr. Sheppard recognized Amherst County High School golfer Caitlyn Baxter, who had won the Region 40 individual golf championship at Winchester Country Club and qualified to compete for the state title. She shared that Baxter was expected to compete the following Monday at Tributary Resort in Mineral and encouraged Board members to wish her well.

Board members shared updates from school visits, division activities, and committee work. Members recognized school accomplishments and staff efforts, and discussed academic progress, instructional support, student behavior, bullying prevention, and the importance of kindness throughout the school year.

Members emphasized the importance of addressing chronic tardiness and early dismissals because missed instructional time can affect student learning. Discussion included the value of communicating with families about attendance patterns and identifying underlying concerns. Members also noted the importance of providing teachers with the support needed to meet increasing instructional expectations.

Additional discussion included planning for the VSBA Southern Region forum expected to be held in Amherst in April, the upcoming VSBA convention, transportation fuel costs, school events, and continued Board engagement with schools and students. Members expressed appreciation for the work taking place across ACPS.