The Amelia Bulletin Monitor

School board views summer graduation


SUMMER GRADUATE — Jhamari Booker (left) received his high school diploma from ACHS Principal John Ringstaff in a small ceremony held at the beginning of Monday’s (Aug. 8) school board meeting. Mr. Booker completed the credits he needed for graduation by attending the school’s summer school program.

SUMMER GRADUATE — Jhamari Booker (left) received his high school diploma from ACHS Principal John Ringstaff in a small ceremony held at the beginning of Monday’s (Aug. 8) school board meeting. Mr. Booker completed the credits he needed for graduation by attending the school’s summer school program.

The highlight of the Amelia County School Board’s Monday (Aug. 8) meeting was a brief graduation ceremony for Amelia County High School senior Jhamari Amir Booker, who was presented his diploma at the meeting after completing requirements for graduation during the schools’ Summer Support Program.

Mr. Booker was presented his diploma by ACHS Principal John Ringstaff and schools Superintendent Lori Harper. Two other seniors also graduated after completing summer classes, according to Director of Instruction Cynthia Reasoner, but did not choose to participate in the graduation ceremony.

In her report on the summer program, Dr. Reasoner said the program was successful and noted the high school program was in two sessions to allow for the painting and other work being done at the school. Next summer plans are for just one session.

Director of Operations Bo Lynch reported the recent auction of surplus property brought $16,518.37. All projects for school opening were completed or nearly so and there is a new traffic pattern, developed with the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office, for elementary school student drop-off and pick-up with vehicles staging in the Joe H. Paulette Recreational Park.

‘WELCOME BACK’ — As part of a Virginia School Board Association project, the three school board members who met in-person at Monday’s meeting, David Geraghty (District 1), Robyn Whittington (District 2), and Sarah Tanner-Anderson (District 5) posed for a photo with signs welcoming students back to school.

‘WELCOME BACK’ — As part of a Virginia School Board Association project, the three school board members who met in-person at Monday’s meeting, David Geraghty (District 1), Robyn Whittington (District 2), and Sarah Tanner-Anderson (District 5) posed for a photo with signs welcoming students back to school.

School Board Vice Chairman Sarah Tanner-Anderson (Dist. 5) asked if there would be someone directing traffic if a parent was coming from the direction of Military Road (Rt. 153) on Five Forks Road (Rt. 38) to help with turning left into the park. Mr. Lynch said there would be.

Responding to Mr. Lynch’s report of all classrooms being provided with new emergency kits which include first aid and other supplies, Dr. Tanner- Anderson asked if the school buses would receive such kits. Mr. Lynch said they were working on that as well.

Mr. Lynch reported only one field trip request. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes group requested permission to go to Deep Run Park in Henrico County on Sept. 10 to participate in the Richmond NF Walk fundraiser. The board approved the request.

New Finance Director Daniel Trump reported the schools’ July expenditures were well below the expected 8 percent at 3.12 percent.

The three board members present posed for a Welcome Back to School photo as part of a Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) project.

The school board approved one fundraiser for the elementary school and three for the high school. Dr. Harper reported there were no facility use requests this month.

Director of Student Services Jan Medley received approval of 26 nonresident students and 125 home-schoolers. The board also approved her request that any new non-resident applicants be approved by Dr. Harper, rather than wait for the next school board meeting.

The board accepted a book donation from the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots with a total value of $2,495.

The board agreed to a MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Conexus for a student vision problem identification program with no cost to the schools.

To “maintain a safer school environment,” the board joined a MOU with the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office retaining the school resources officers (SROs) in the schools.

The school board approved the schools’ participation in the Clean School Bus program which will provide up to $375,000 in rebates for the purchase of electric or propane-fueled replacement school buses and supporting equipment. Mr. Lynch reported the schools have two 2010 or older diesel buses which qualify for replacement under the program.

Mr. Trump asked to request supplemental appropriations of $804,392.22 from federal grants and $461,013.08 state textbook funding and the board approved the request.

Mr. Trump also announced changes in the price of school breakfasts and lunches for adults. Students will continue to receive the free meals.

The board approved Dr. Reasoner’s appointment as Dr. Harper’s designee in her absence.

The VSBA’s request for a contract for their policy services was approved at a cost of $2,100 for the year.

Dr. Harper asked the school board members to consider re-instituting a facilities tour this year. Noting the pandemic had interrupted the tour of the school facilities which was last done in September, 2019, school board and board of supervisors members had participated and she would like to do it again. The tour would take about a halfday and she asked the board members to advise her of a suitable date in September.

In the school board members’ reports, Dr. Tanner-Anderson commented the school opening was “the best time of the year” for her.

Dr. Harper reminded the board members of the Oct. 20 VSBA budget training session.

In the consent agenda, the school board approved Sean Bugg as a long-term high school English substitute teacher; Brittany Perkinson as a bus driver; Shirley Royal as a car driver; Anna Davidson, Pamela Jaudon, Tara Owens, Rashawn Butler, Nicole Wood, Danielle Toone, Garrett Hall, Linda Russell and Linda Shaffer as substitute teachers and Kristal Smith and Suzanne Bristow as substitute bus drivers.

The board accepted the resignations of middle school history teacher Jeffrey Taylor, middle school paraprofessional Ashlyn Bassler and bus driver Suzanne Bristow.

Leslie Richardson was re-appointed as a bus driver and Douglas Sherwood was approved as a volunteer high school football coach. The board also approved 19 stipends and one stipend adjustment.

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