Board approves grant, security cameras, MOA with Salvation Army and a staffing realignment

At the March 18 meeting the Warren County School Board approved several operational items and personnel adjustments.

Grants: The board accepted a $2,080 Rural Technology Fund grant for hands-on robotics and coding tools to support computer science standards and asked the superintendent to request county appropriation.

Facilities and safety: The board approved a $26,602.02 purchase from E Plus Technology Inc. (through Virginia state contract VBCPS 5058) to replace and add cameras in school kitchens and food-service areas. Administrators said better camera coverage will support workplace safety, investigations, food-safety documentation and liability reduction.

Partnerships: The board authorized the superintendent to sign an updated memorandum of agreement with the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center of Front Royal. The revised agreement includes a new disclaimer clarifying the after-school program is operated by the Salvation Army and not by the school division; the MOA had been returned by the Red Shield board for further edits, and the updated wording was accepted.

Personnel and policies: The board approved a position realignment to create a human-resources and communications specialist funded through a dissolved administrative assistant position (no net fiscal-year impact). The board also conducted first readings of revised workweek/timekeeping (GAA/GAA-R) and substitute-staff (GCE) policies, which will return for subsequent action. The board approved its personnel report and addendum after a closed session on personnel matters.

All votes on the above action items were recorded by voice vote during the meeting; motions were seconded and carried as presented.