School Board Recap

Welcome to the October edition of the School Board Recap! October 13 regular meeting highlights include presentations focused on the work that is happening across Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS), special recognitions, and great news regarding accreditation, school performance, and audit results.

Four School Board members were present at the meeting: Vicki Hurt, District 1; Susan Smith, District 2; James Taylor, District 4; and Michele Ward, District 5. Jeanne Wade, District 3 was not present.

This recap highlights key discussions and decisions from the meeting but cannot capture every point raised. To view the full discussion, watch the School Board meeting on the PCPS YouTube channel: October 13 Regular School Board meeting. For complete agendas and all materials shared during the meetings, visit the School Board page, click on BoardDocs, and select the meeting you want.

Dr. Beth Teigen, superintendent, began the meeting with a presentation about the Strategic Plan Update: Charting the Path to 2030. The School Board approved the current strategic plan in August 2023. Since then, the learning standards and corresponding state assessments have changed significantly. In addition, artificial intelligence has changed the post-secondary opportunities available to students. Only slight changes were made to the plan's Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Goals, while the Strategies and Key Performance Metrics (KPIs) changed more significantly. A KPI is a measurable number or score that shows whether you are successfully reaching an important goal. The changes the committee made are intended to use midpoint data to reaffirm PCPS's direction and ensure the document still reflects our school division today. It is also important not only to increase expectations but also to ensure there is a clear way to monitor progress.

A public hearing was held on the Strategic Plan changes, but no one signed up to speak. The plan will come back before the School Board as an action item at the November meeting.

Chief Schools Officer Courtney Jarman reviewed the School Performance and Support Framework and accountability for PCPS based on results recently released by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). PCPS earned Full Accreditation, and ALL FIVE of our schools earned the state’s highest performance category, Distinguished. Last year, two PCPS schools earned Distinguished. Additionally, in a VDOE report on Region 1, Powhatan High School ranked fifth among the region’s 42 high schools.

The bulk of the presentation covered data and comparisons between and within schools, highlighting areas such as overall component points; mastery and growth in reading, math, and science Standards of Learning (SOLs); the graduation rate; readiness indicators; chronic absenteeism; enrollment; and Career and Workforce Development certifications and licensure.

Mrs. Jarman noted that the division exceeded the maximum allowed points in certain components but also identified areas where it will work to decrease failure rates. Distinguished does not mean perfect, and it does not mean there isn't more work to do. We know there are students who need additional support, opportunities we can strengthen, and ways we can continue improving the experience and outcomes for every student.

PCPS updated its Local Gifted Plan for the 2026–2027 school year to align with revised Virginia Department of Education review requirements, findings from an internal review of student achievement data, and feedback from the Gifted Program Needs Assessment. Dr. Angela Stewart, chief academic officer, and Elizabeth Greenwood, gifted coordinator, gave a presentation to the board, which then approved adopting the Gifted Plan for 2026-2027 in a 4-0 vote.

Key changes include:

• Earlier identification: All second-grade students will receive universal screening, and talent development will be incorporated into kindergarten through second-grade classrooms to nurture advanced potential.

• Revised identification process: A transparent, criteria-based model replaces the previous points-based system. PCPS data shows many students performing at advanced levels who are not identified as gifted. Universal screening, combined with Talent Development lessons in every K-2 classroom, helps find and develop potential early.

• Updated elementary services: Under the previous model, gifted resource teachers provided services through a pull-out instruction approach, in which identified students leave their regular classroom for separate instruction. Beginning this school year, PCPS is adding a push-in model for English language arts, with gifted resource teachers working alongside classroom teachers to provide differentiated instruction connected to the curriculum students are already learning. Pull-out instructional services will continue for other subjects, including math and science. Math push-in instruction is planned as a future phase.

• Greater emphasis on differentiation: Instruction will focus on increasing depth, complexity, critical thinking, and problem-solving within the core curriculum.

PCPS will monitor implementation, track year-over-year SOL growth, and review identification and student growth data with the Gifted Advisory Committee.

During the Public Comment Period, two speakers asked the School Board to vote not to pass the gifted plan as presented. Concerns included expanding access at the cost of students receiving services, questioning what data informed the changes, and worrying about weakening the pathway for students already identified as gifted with push-in instruction. The presentation and follow-up on board member questions addressed those concerns.

Debbie Halloway, Chief Financial Officer, presented the findings of the fiscal year (FY) 2026 School Activity Fund Audit. The annual audit was completed by Brown Edwards & Company, L.L.P. The firm had no findings or comments for any of the schools, which Mrs. Halloway attributed to "our fabulous bookkeepers that we have at each school."

The board considered and unanimously approved 10 Action Items on the agenda. The approval of the Gifted Plan and the naming of the PMS baseball field are discussed above. The board also approved:

• The Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, and Perkins grant revisions to the budget. The board adopted the budget using estimates provided by the Finance Department, but the school division only recently received notification of final award amounts for those grants. All five grants saw either an increase or decrease from the amount in the adopted budget. With all five figures combined, the board only had to approve an increase in appropriation of federal grants of $219.89. Mrs. Hurt praised the Finance Department for being able to build the budget so close to the final amount.

• The FY2026 Grant Carryover to FY2027. Each year, any federal grant that has remaining balances from the previous year and is allowed to be carried over needs to have its appropriation amounts added to the new fiscal year. In FY2026, the eight grants had allowable carryover amounts: Title I, Title II, Title II iTeach, Title III, Title IV, IDEA 611, IDEA 619 Preschool, and DBHDS Mental Health. This carryover will increase the Federal Grant Fund appropriation in FY27 by $451,071.65. These funds do not take away from funds received for the current fiscal year. All of these funds have restrictions on how they may be spent, and to make any changes would require amending the grant application or notifying the agency involved.

• The FY2027 Grant Appropriation for Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Funding. PCPS has been awarded federal funding for mental health services in partnership with Goochland-Powhatan Community Services. The appropriation will increase the grant fund by $114,500. The appropriation must also go before the Board of Supervisors for approval.

• One applicant each to the Gifted Advisory Committee and the Title I Advisory Committee.

• Five school buses being declared as surplus and sold at auction in the fall of 2026. The auction will be handled through GovDeals.com.

• Several updated policies that were brought for a second review: Policies AD, BBA, BCBA, BDDC, BDDC-R, BDDG, BDDH/KD, DJF, EI, GAA, GBB, GCCB, IGAG, JEC-R, JHCD-R, JO, JO-R, KD, and KKA.

• Five members of the public spoke during Public Comment Period. Two speakers asked the board not to approve the Gifted Plan for 2026-2027, as mentioned above. One speaker questioned the ADA accessibility of doors at the middle school. That speaker and two others also asked the board to make changes to technology use in PCPS schools. They said devices are used too much in instruction and not restricted enough to prevent students from accessing sites and materials not appropriate for school.

• Several School Board policies were presented for a first reading to the board. The policies posted for stakeholders' review are: Policies DGC, EFB, EFB-R, GCBDA, GCBDD-R, GCBDF, KBA-E, KBA-R, and KF.

• The School Board recognized those who have made donations to the school division: May Memorial Church, school supplies for FRES/POWES/PMS; Village Concepts Realty, school supplies for POWES; Ryan Urban, sensory cart/with supplies for FRES; Potomac River Running, Inc., $74 for PMS/outdoor track; Delegate Lee Ware, a State Flag for PMS; and Providence Presbyterian Church, school supplies for POWES.
• Dr. Teigen presented the FY28 Draft Budget Calendar to school board members for first review and discussion. The school division is still working with the County too coordinate joint meeting dates with the Board of Supervisors.
• Facilities Director Tom Sulzer presented the first draft of the FY2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Due to limited County borrowing capacity, several capital projects are being proposed to be deferred to future years. Projects are requested by priority. Mr. Sulzer said the division initially identified eight CIP projects for FY2028. Staff is now asking for two projects focused on work at the Pocahontas Landmark Center be deferred pending the results of a feasibility study currently being conducted there. Staff will also request to fund furniture and casework for Powhatan Elementary School through the Capital Maintenance Reserve fund instead of the CIP. The removal of these three projects would reduce the final FY28 CIP request from $3.2 million to $1.4 million. Other projects still on the list are FRES cafeteria tables, PHS stormwater, PHS roof engineering, PLC well pump rebuild; and PCPS asphalt projects.
• The board was presented with the First Draft of School Board Legislative Priorities. No discussion was held.

Rising PHS senior Kyleigh Garrett gave her report as the School Board Student Liaison, focusing on the return to school.

Powhatan Public Schools have been in school for almost a full quarter. Powhatan High School had Homecoming on Saturday, September 26, 2026. During the week of homecoming, all the schools had spirit week, and many Powhatan Indians showed their spirit. The homecoming game was filled with support from students, parents, teachers, and more. The students have settled into their routines and are now used to their classes and feel more comfortable in the school year.

There have been many concerns from students, staff, and parents about the bathroom passes. While the system itself is wonderful, the usage of it and how it operates can be confusing and lead to errors and more commotion. I’ve had multiple students come to me personally and wish for me to bring up the matter. There are times throughout a school day when a student can not go to the bathroom because of the number they are in the bathroom line, having to wait for a teacher to stop instructional time to fill out and/or approve a pass, or just no bathrooms being opened at that time. I have been told by students, and also through my own experiences, that there are times when you are in the 20s or 30s in the bathroom line. While the other students and I understand the intentions for the virtual bathroom passes, there are some things that become a problem for the students. I had one student tell me they waited as number #2 in the bathroom line for over 20 minutes. We students, understand that you are trying to find a way to make it easier and less time-consuming for the teachers when needing to get a bathroom pass, and for safety issues, but we would like for you to hear our concerns and consider them.

Apart from the bathroom concerns, the students at Powhatan High School have been working hard and keeping up with all their academics, clubs, sports, etc.

All schools across the Powhatan Public School system are comfortably settling into the new school year. I am very excited to see what the second quarter brings for all students across all the schools.

During the regular meeting, the School Board recognized the three Helping Hands Award winners for fall 2026. The awards were all presented before the meeting at the employees' workplace.

The Powhatan County Public Schools Human Resources Department has developed a division-wide recognition program called The Helping Hands Award. This award is designed to celebrate staff members across the division who inspire, empower, or innovate in their work. This recognition stands out because it welcomes nominations from all members of our school community, including students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors. Today we celebrate the following award winners: Heather Douglas, Robin Shortridge, and Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince.

Robin Shortridge, Pocahontas Elementary

Heather Douglas, Powhatan Elementary

Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, Director of Special Education

The School Board recognized Powhatan High School junior Ryan Urban, who recently completed his Eagle Scout project by organizing and customizing nine sensory carts. One cart was donated to Flat Rock Elementary School. Others were distributed to Powhatan County Public Library, a church, and several schools in the Richmond metro area. Ryan raised about $5,000 through local donors and fundraisers to complete the carts, which cost about $600 each. From start to finish, the project took about a year, and Ryan said he couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. He was inspired by his brother’s godmother, an elementary special education coordinator, and by friends with sensory needs whom he knew could benefit from access to resources on a sensory cart. Seeing how sensory tools can help people feel more comfortable and supported was a big part of what motivated him to create the carts.

The School Board members recognized Powhatan High School FFA members, who represented their school at the June 2026 Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Convention. Students earned 1st place in Junior Agricultural Mechanics. Additionally, the Turfgrass Management team placed 5th in the state, and this year was our 100th FFA group attending! Pictured with the School Board are PHS student winners Waylon Burns, Hayden Columbo-Powell, Charles Jamerson, and Hunter Kantzler and student advisor Chris Whitlow.

Powhatan is for Kindness is a countywide campaign PCPS is implementing this year across our schools and community. Each month, students and staff members will be nominated for showing kindness. This division-wide campaign is designed to foster a safe, welcoming environment across our schools by recognizing students and staff who demonstrate everyday acts of kindness. As part of the campaign, students and staff will be recognized each month at each grade level, with honorees receiving certificates and choosing from a variety of kindness-themed rewards.

The second edition of the PCPS on a Roll newsletter is up in staff bathrooms across the division. Highlights include tips on a self-care reset, a yummy recipe, and the results of the last staff Q&A question: If you were assembling the recipe for a great start to the school year, what’s the most important ingredient? The new Q&A is also included. Which is your preferred fall flavor? Apple Cider or Pumpkin Spice. Anyone who enters is automatically included in a drawing for a prize before the next edition is posted.

Congratulations to Dr. Kim Handsome, who won the September newsletter drawing for sharing her secret ingredient for a successful start to the school year.

We are currently updating the staff photo directories for all buildings to reflect new employees and position changes. If you don't have a photo or you want to replace your existing photo, if your name has changed or it wasn't right in the first place, now is the perfect time to let me know so I can make changes. All school directories have been emailed to your principals. If you want to make any changes, fill out the Preferred photos for Staff Directory 2026-27.

Once posted, these photo directories are housed in ClassLink and are intended for internal use only.

Do you know a PCPS employee who is Inspiring, Empowering, or Innovating? We want to hear from you. Tell us about any staff member who is making a difference in the lives of our children by inspiring, empowering, or innovating. Submit nominations here.

For your convenience, we will continue to include the contact information for all of the Board of Supervisors and School Board members, because they regularly say they want to hear from their constituents.

Board of Supervisors

* William (Bill) Donati Jr. (2026 Board Chair)

District 1 Representative

Email: bdonati@powhatanva.gov

Phone: 804-898-1701

* Steve W. McClung

District 2 Representative

Email: smcclung@powhatanva.gov

Phone: 804-892-4268

* Robert (Bob) Powers

District 3 Representative

Email: rpowers@powhatanva.gov

Phone: 804-898-1973

* Mark Kinney (2026 Vice Chair)

District 4 Representative

Email: mkinney@powhatanva.gov

Phone: 804-898-0449

* Dr. Barbara Brown

District 5 Representative

Email: BBrown@PowhatanVA.gov

Phone: 804-894-1824

School Board

* Vicki Hurt

District 1 representative

Phone: 804-869-8920

Email: vicki.hurt@powhatan.k12.va.us

* Susan Smith (Chair)

District 2 representative

Email: susan.smith@powhatan.k12.va.us

Phone: 804-598-4943

* Jeanne Wade

District 3 representative

Email: jeanne.wade@powhatan.k12.va.us

Phone: 804-718-1067

* James Taylor (Vice Chair)

District 4 representative

Email: jtaylor@powhatan.k12.va.us

Phone: 804-727-9175

* Michele Ward

District 5 representative

Email: michele.ward@powhatan.k12.va.us

Phone: 804-894-7848

Powhatan County Public Schools highly recommends that staff and families with smartphones download the free PCPS app and enable notifications. When alerts such as notice of school delays or closings are sent out, the notifications through the app appear to be one of the fastest means of receiving the information. You can sign up for notifications sent to the entire school division as well as only your school; see the news feed that mirrors much of what goes on our social media accounts if you don't use Instagram or Facebook; and find division and school calendar listings.

We are about two months into the school year, and it has been an extremely busy time. I sincerely hope you are finding time to rest, recharge, and just overall take care of yourselves.

I have had a fantastic time exploring some of the wonderful lessons and activities you have created so far this year, and I can't wait to see what else you have in store. As activities, projects, and lessons get underway, please invite me to visit your classrooms to help capture the great things happening across PCPS. If I can’t be there, photos are the next best thing, so don’t forget to snap a few and send them my way!

My goal today, tomorrow, and every day is to share with our community how exceptional you and our students are, and to highlight the meaningful work happening at PCPS.

Please remember, you can email me, text me, or fill out the Google form at https://forms.gle/E4UwhdSLKe8AQwh67 to invite me or share what you are doing.

Laura McFarland

PCPS Communications Liaison

laura.mcfarland@powhatan.k12.va.us

804-929-6065 (cell)