Winchester Public School Board public meetings in 2020
16 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its regular business meeting on December 14, 2020, at John Kerr Elementary School. The board approved a $468,638.73 furniture purchase for the Shihadeh Innovation Center, extended FFCRA employee benefits through the 2020-2021 school year, and approved the 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Plan. The board also discussed future policy revisions, the FY22-23 division calendar, and the Empower 2025 strategic plan update.
- Approved VS America furniture bids for Shihadeh Innovation Center at $468,638.73 via Omnia Partners contract #R191818
- Approved continuation of FFCRA employee benefits from January 1, 2021 through end of 2020-2021 school year
- Approved 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Plan
- Discussed minor and major policy revisions including conflict of interests, teacher removal of students, and weapons in school
- Discussed FY22 and FY23 division calendar options
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its regular business meeting on November 23, 2020, at John Kerr Elementary School. The board approved the consent agenda, a new Equity Policy (AG), and the 2021-2022 High School Program of Studies. It also received reports on the JHHS School Improvement Plan, Return to Play, a METRICS grant review, and a construction update, and discussed future items including the Capital Improvement Plan and a Winchester Education Foundation appointment. The board then entered closed session to discuss personnel matters and facility naming, and afterward approved personnel recommendations and reaffirmed facility naming approvals.
- Approved Policy AG - Equity, as presented
- Approved 2021-2022 High School Program of Studies
- Approved consent agenda including bills, facility usage, and minor/major policy revisions
- Discussed Capital Improvement Plan 2021-2025 first draft
- Approved personnel recommendations and facility naming after closed session
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its regular business meeting on October 26, 2020, at John Kerr Elementary School. The board approved several action items, including a $117,964 asbestos abatement package for Historic Douglas School, a revised 2020-2021 calendar (Option #2), and extending PreK-1 hybrid students to four days per week. The board also approved major policy revisions and entered closed session for personnel and student matters.
- Approved $117,964 asbestos abatement package by Howard Shockey and Sons for Historic Douglas School
- Approved Option #2 of the revised 2020-2021 division calendar
- Approved extending PreK-1 hybrid students to four days per week
- Approved revisions to Policies CLA, JED, and JGD-JGE (student suspension/expulsion)
- Approved consent agenda including bills, facility usage, and minor policy revisions
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held a work session on August 10, 2020, at John Kerr Elementary School. The board approved consent agenda items, a Title IX policy, additional architectural fees for the Historic Douglas School redesign, and a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Winchester for the renovations. Staff also presented updates on the Shihadeh Innovation Center construction and the Return to Learn plan for the upcoming school year.
- Approved $144,000 in additional architectural fees for Historic Douglas School redesign
- Approved Memorandum of Agreement between City of Winchester and WPS for Douglas School renovations
- Approved Policy JFHA/GBA - Prohibition Against Harassment & Retaliation (Title IX)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and bills
- Heard reports on Shihadeh Innovation Center construction and Return to Learn plan
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board is meeting to decide on the 2020-2021 school year's return-to-learn plans, including a 100% distance learning option and a 50/40 hybrid model, and to set the school start date. The board will also hear public comments, consider consent agenda items, and receive reports on internet access, CARES Act funding, and Title IX. A closed session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters.
- Approved Return to Learn 100% Distance Learning and hybrid models (5-1, Pearce-Gonzales opposed)
- Approved revised 2020-2021 school calendar with start date of September 8 (5-1, Holman opposed)
- Considered temporary walking zones for the upcoming school year
- Received updates on Internet for All initiative and CARES Act funding
- Approved personnel recommendations in closed session
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its annual organization meeting, electing Erica Truban as Chairman and Karen Anderson Holman as Vice Chairman for 2020-2021. The board approved annual appointments, including the VSBA voting delegate and MVGS representative, and adopted the consent agenda covering minutes, meeting schedule, and bank signatures. Reports were given on return-to-school planning and the Douglas School renovation. The board also approved the Code of Conduct, discussed the FY21 school calendar, and entered closed session for personnel and legal matters.
- Elected Erica Truban as 2020-2021 School Board Chairman and Karen Anderson Holman as Vice Chairman
- Approved annual appointments for Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Agent, Deputy Agent, Superintendent Designee
- Appointed Dr. Bryan Pearce-Gonzales as VSBA Voting Delegate and Karen Anderson Holman as Alternate
- Approved consent agenda including 2020-2021 meeting schedule and bank signature authorizations
- Discussed return-to-school planning and Douglas School renovation update
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board approved a $1,830,272 reduction to the FY21 General Operating Fund, lowering the total budget to $59,002,223. The board also set 2020-2021 tuition at $7,309 for nonresident students and $15,461 for F-1 visa students. Additionally, the board adopted a resolution condemning racism and presented plans for summer school and the return to in-person learning.
- FY21 budget reduced by $1,830,272 to a total of $59,002,223
- 2020-2021 tuition set at $7,309 for nonresidents and $15,461 for F-1 students
- Resolution adopted condemning racism and affirming commitment to inclusive environment
- FY20 budget amendments approved to transfer funds between categories
- Reports presented on Summer School Planning and Return to School Planning
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board met in a special closed session to discuss personnel matters, specifically the initial review of the annual superintendent evaluation. The board voted unanimously to enter closed session, certified that the session complied with Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, and then adjourned. No other business was conducted.
- Closed session for initial review of annual superintendent evaluation
- Motion to convene closed session passed unanimously
- Closed session certification approved by roll call vote
- Meeting held at Central Administrative Office, 12 N. Washington Street
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held a work session to review staff reports on distance learning, construction updates, and emergency food procurement. The board discussed future actions regarding FY21 budget adjustments, insurance renewals, and federal grants. Following a closed session, the board voted to approve personnel recommendations for the 2020-2021 school year, including hiring, resignations, and retirements.
- Approved personnel recommendations for 2020-2021 hiring, resignations, and retirements (6-2 vote)
- Reviewed Modified 4th Quarter Evaluation and Distance Learning Plan
- Discussed Returning to School Planning presented by Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum
- Reviewed Construction Updates for Shihadeh, Douglas, and SIC projects
- Discussed FY21 Budget Adjustments and Property & Casualty Insurance Renewal
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its regular business meeting electronically due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. The board approved the consent agenda, including minutes, bills, facility usage, student representatives, and VHSL membership, and later approved personnel recommendations in closed session. Reports were presented on VPI preschool expansion, FY21 budget reduction task force recommendations, and a comprehensive review for principal recruitment at John Handley High School.
- Approved consent agenda including bills and finance reports
- Approved Cole Cestaro and Lily England as 2020-2021 student representatives
- Approved 2020-2021 VHSL membership
- Report on FY21 Budget Reduction Task Force recommendations
- Report on JHHS comprehensive review for principal recruitment
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held an electronic meeting on April 27, 2020, due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. The board approved FY20 budget amendments and a series of policy revisions, including updates to concussion protocols and special education plans. Personnel recommendations from a closed session were also approved.
- Approval of FY20 budget amendments presented by Rick Miller, Director of Finance
- Approval of major policy revisions regarding Student Concussions (Policy JJAC)
- Approval of minor policy revisions including Annual Budget and Financial Accounting
- Approval of the Special Education Annual Plan for 2020-21
- Approval of personnel recommendations for instructional/licensed positions and resignations
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held a special electronic session to address the COVID-19 state of emergency. Superintendent Dr. Jason Van Heukelum presented the K-12 Distance Learning Plan and FY20/FY21 Budget Contingency Planning. The board received these reports as informational items and then voted to adjourn the meeting.
- Presentation of K-12 Distance Learning Plan by Superintendent Dr. Jason Van Heukelum
- Report on FY20 and FY21 Budget Contingency Planning
- Motion to adjourn carried with 8 yeas votes
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held its regular business meeting on March 23, 2020, approving the FY21 operating budget as presented by the superintendent. The board also approved consent agenda items, including bills and facility usage, and took personnel actions in closed session, including recommending revocation of an employee's license.
- Approved FY21 Operating Budget as presented
- Approved consent agenda including bills, facility usage, and VSBA Business Honor Roll nomination
- Approved electronic participation for two board members
- Convened closed session for personnel matters and disciplinary case
- Recommended revocation of employee's license in Personnel Case 2019-2020-B
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board met for a budget work session on February 18, 2020, at the Central Administrative Office. The board discussed the FY21 budget, presented by Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum and Director of Finance Rick Miller, and then voted unanimously to enter closed session for personnel matters. The meeting was otherwise procedural, with no other substantive public action.
- Budget discussion for FY21, presented by Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum and Director of Finance Rick Miller
- Motion to enter closed session for personnel matters (performance of professional staff) — carried unanimously
- Closed session certification motion — carried unanimously
- Meeting adjourned by motion — carried unanimously
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held a work session covering the FY21 budget presentation, construction updates for Douglas School and the Shihadeh Innovation Center, and reviews of several school policies. The board also approved consent agenda items, authorized early job offers for anticipated teaching vacancies, and entered closed session to discuss personnel matters.
- FY21 Budget Presentation by Director of Finance Rick Miller
- Douglas & Shihadeh Construction Update by Director of Operations Ed Smith
- Policy review of BBA, BBD, EBBA, GDI, INDC
- Approval to offer contracts for 2 Math, 2 Science, Special Education, and other teaching positions
- Closed session for personnel matters including superintendent's contract
BoardDocs Imported Meetings (2012 – 2026)
The Winchester Public School Board held a work session on January 6, 2020, covering reports, policy revisions, and action items. The board approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $13,991,259 for the Shihadeh Innovation Center renovation and additional funding options. They also discussed the governor's budget, special education count, and strategic plan, and entered closed session for personnel matters.
- Approved Guaranteed Maximum Price of $13,991,259 for Shihadeh Innovation Center renovation
- Approved additional funding for Shihadeh Innovation Center (Option #1, with Option #3 as alternate)
- Discussed Governor's 2020-2021 Biennium Budget and revenue comparison
- Reviewed December 1 SPED count and CAFR
- Heard public comments (3 minutes per speaker)