Roanoke County School Board elects Shelley Clemens as chair and Hudson as vice chair

The Roanoke County School Board convened for its reorganization work session on January 8, 2024, to address several key agenda items, including the election of leadership positions and committee appointments.

The meeting commenced with the roll call, confirming the presence of board members. The first significant item on the agenda was the election of the chair and vice chair. Board member Mister Greenway nominated Miss Shelley Clemens for the position of chair, which was seconded. Following the nomination, a roll call vote was conducted, resulting in Miss Clemens being elected as chair, with one member abstaining.

Next, the board moved to elect a vice chair. Mister Hudson was nominated for this role, and the nomination was seconded. A roll call vote followed, with Mister Hudson abstaining from the vote, yet he was still elected as vice chair.

The board then proceeded to appoint the clerk and deputy clerk. Chair Clemens recommended Miss Edie York as the clerk and Dr. Jamie Soltis as the deputy clerk. This recommendation was put to a vote and approved unanimously.

Following the leadership appointments, the board established the dates, places, and times for future meetings. The proposed schedule was adopted after a motion and second were made.

The meeting continued with the appointment of members to various committees. The board discussed the special education advisory committee, the Roanoke Valley Governor's School Board, and other advisory committees. Nominations were made, and the board voted to appoint members to these committees, ensuring representation across various areas.

The session concluded with a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel regarding potential litigation and specific legal matters. After the closed session, the board certified that only public business matters exempt from open meeting requirements were discussed. No actions were taken as a result of the closed session.

Overall, the meeting was marked by a smooth transition of leadership and the establishment of a clear agenda for the upcoming year, setting the stage for the board's activities moving forward.