What’s News Today: return to class plans, real estate values
The Montgomery County School Board will meet tonight to talk about returning students to the classroom. The plan was unveiled last week, but the school board decided it needed more time to decide. The Franklin County School Board will hold a budget workshop tonight. AdThe Henry County Board of Supervisors and School Board will hold a joint meeting today to discuss the budget for schools for the next fiscal year. The Roanoke City School Board will hold a budget workshop today.
Montgomery County schools to move grades 7-12 to remote learning until 2021 due to substitute shortage
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 talks about reopening schools, bus concerns
The Montgomery County School Board talked about challenges Tuesday night. Option 1: Bus capacity will be limited to just 13 students instead of 77 students in a checkerboard pattern. Option 2: Bus capacity will be limited to 26 students which would be one student per seat. Teachers with elementary age kids would be allowed to attend school each day to help with childcare concerns. If the district goes with the second transportation option, a max of 50% of middle school students and 50% of high school students will attend one designated class in person on their assigned days.
Montgomery County School Board votes in favor of allowing mental health sick days
BLACKSBURG, Va. - UPDATEMontgomery County School Board unanimously voted in favor of the proposed mental health policy on Tuesday night. Montgomery County School Board members could vote Tuesday night to allow students take days off school for mental health reasons. Some Blacksburg High School students led the push for change. They feel Montgomery County students should be able to have an excused absence for mental health reasons, just like when they're physically sick. They questioned if the move was because he shared mental health concerns with students, a reaction which helped jumpstart these efforts, they said.
Three Montgomery County schools one step closer to complete makeovers
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. - On Tuesday night the Montgomery County School Board approved a plan to borrow $35 million for renovations at some schools instead of opting to build a new one to replace them. Upgrades are one step closer for students at Belleview Elementary, Christiansburg Elementary and Christiansburg Primary. "To be able to address all of these three schools at the same time will keep us from having to redistrict more students, it will get all of students inside the permanent structure of a building in elementary school in Christiansburg," Montgomery County Schools spokeswoman Brenda Drake said. "And it's one step closer to the full renovation of Christiansburg High School which is our ultimate goal." The school division said as soon as the county board of supervisors approves the bonds required they are ready to hit the ground running and start working on the projects.