School board notebook

Budget Season kicks off
The budget season has begun for the Orange County School Board. The first public hearing on the 2009-10 budget was held Jan. 6 before the school board meeting. No one spoke. Next up in the budget process is a work session Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. There will be another work session in February before the superintendent, Mr. Larry Massie, presents the budget to the Orange County Board of Supervisors Feb. 17. According to executive director of finance, Barbara Hill, the school board should expect about a $1.475 million reduction in state aid alone.

Response to Adequate Yearly Progress reports
Orange County Public Schools are continuing to respond to adequate yearly progress results. Schools are working to improve their results by making sure there is a Head Start through 12th grade focus so, according to superintendent of instruction Gena Keller, plans are in place for children as soon as they hit the system. In the next two weeks, Unionville, Gordon-Barbour and Lightfoot Elementary Schools will begin a new reading program that is based on a direct instruction model to improve reading comprehension scores. Orange and Locust Grove Elementary Schools are operating other programs and utilizing a reading specialist to improve their scores.

Safety concerns at TEAC Head Start
Last month, Taylor Head Start Center President Dori Boggs expressed her concerns about student safety. That concern stems from security and sharing the facilities with teenagers in the alternate education program. Since then, changes have been made.
The Taylor Head Start Center is located in the Taylor Education Administration Complex which also currently houses two alternative education programs, the Boys and Girls club, Orange County Public School Child Care and the Orange County Preschool along with the Orange County School Board and the county school staff.
Some parents expressed concerned that their young children were witnessing things that were not age-appropriate.  For instance, the children witnessed a scuffle earlier in the year between two of the teens and have heard vulgar language being used.  Parents are also concerned that the young boys have to share the restroom with the older boys.
In response to the concerns, exterior signs have been added to the bathrooms that will read “occupied” or “vacant” to separate the older children from the younger children. Also, a staffed station has been added to the lobby of the Head Start hallway for parents and visitors to sign-in and receive badges.
“We are very pleased that action was taken immediately,“ Boggs said. “It worked out very well.“

Advanced Placement/dual enrollment scholarships
Students who do well on their Advanced Placement test or in their Dual Enrollment classes may be eligible for scholarships next year.
According to Keller, students who attend three of four possible study sessions for Advanced Placement tests will be able to apply for an $86 scholarship to cover the cost of the test. Students in dual enrollment classes may apply for a $150 scholarship to cover the cost of the class providing they pass the course with a grade of B, 3.0, or better.
Students may apply for up to three scholarships not exceeding $150 total. The budget may affect the number of scholarships available and the total amount allowed per person but nothing will be known until the budget is approved in February.

Bullying Prevention Month
January has been declared Bullying Prevention Month by the Virginia School Board Association. The Orange County School Board has signed a proclamation joining the VSBA in recognizing the declaration with the intention that bullying and its prevention will be discussed in schools and classrooms during the month.
According to the VSBA, bullying is a serious problem with almost 30 percent of the youth in the United States estimated to be involved in bullying as either the person bullying someone or the victim.

Boys and Girls Club update
The Orange County Boys and Girls Club will celebrate the completion of the renovations to their center with a grand opening ceremony Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. Guests will be able to tour the upgraded facility.