There are two candidates in the running for District B in Montgomery County — 20-year school board member Penny J. Franklin and former superintendent Mark Miear.

Former Superintendent Dr. Mark Miear is responding after the Montgomery County school board commented on remarks he made in early 2022.

Former Montgomery County superintendent Dr. Mark Miear speaks out after being fired with little explanation in March.

Dr. Mark Miear is no longer the superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools.

Blacksburg, Va. – Hauling in air purifiers, dividers and tents, Montgomery County Public Schools welcomed students back with many changes. Equipped with disinfectant wipes, socially distanced desks and passing a fire inspection, tents were installed outside at each school. “We know that outdoors is safer than indoors, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Miear said. Molly McPherson, a Blacksburg High School senior, returned to school and said while her classes were more socially distant, the hallways were not. Despite the extra safety measures, some students still did not feel comfortable returning to school.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some school superintendents said Governor Ralph Northam’s new budget proposal could be the answer to their districts’ financial problems. “We were kind of expecting the worst and this is actually a far cry better than we anticipated,” Grayson County Public Schools superintendent Kelly Willmore said. “That’s a lot of money,” Montgomery County Public Schools superintendent Mark Miear said. Especially when we anticipate the enrollment to go back up to it’s normal level after we get through this.”While big school districts are feeling the pressure, smaller school districts are worried about the math too. “When we lose one that is a significant impact on a budget that’s close to $19 million,” he said.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – In response to a substitute shortage tied to COVID-19 cases, the Montgomery County School Board made the decision to move a portion of students to remote learning. Students in grades 7-12 will switch to virtual instruction starting Monday, Dec. 21, until Thursday, Jan. 21. Montgomery County is facing a significant substitute shortage among teachers and aides due to staff being out of school in connection to COVID-19. School board member Sue Kass would like to see the school district go all remote but understands the issues that come with it. School Board Chair Gunin Kiran says the parents want to see their kids in school.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – On Monday, Montgomery County reported 92 cases of COVID-19, which is the highest amount of new cases reported in the state for the day. As cases continue to rise, school division leaders are standing by their decision to transition to online learning. While some parents are upset by the decision to transition to online learning, school division leaders said it is the safest option for everyone. “We want kids in school because we know that’s the best way to educate, but of course this is a public health issue,” said Montgomery County School Board Chair Gunin Kiran. At the end of the day, school division leaders said they want students in school as long as it can be done safely.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va – 5:30 A.M. UPDATEAfter a more than 10-hour meeting on July 21, the school board has decided on a back-to-school plan. Middle and high school students will do virtual learning for the half of the day they are not in school. Elementary school students will only be in school for half days, either in the morning or afternoon, four days a week. ORIGINAL STORYMontgomery County School leaders are outlining what the reopening process will look like for thousands of students, teachers, and staff this fall. The school board does have the right to change the plans at any time before submitting them to the Department of Education.

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. - Middle and high school students at Montgomery County Public Schools may soon be able to take a mental health day. It's all part of a new student driven program addressing the mental health needs of young adults. That's why Montgomery County School administrators and students want to make it easier, and less stigmatizing, to get mental health care. "In March, I felt as if there was a large injustice committed in our county," student Carson Hopkins said. The new mental health advisory committee will work to make students and families more aware of the services they can use.