Board reviews multiple policy updates and approves a FY26 budget amendment
May 12, 2026 | WINCHESTER CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Winchester Public School Board reviewed a set of policy updates and took two formal votes near the end of the work session.
Policy updates reviewed included:
• JFCM (student cell phone and smart device use): staff proposed replacing JFI with JFCM to clarify what constitutes a smart device and to establish a bell‑to‑bell restriction. The policy includes exemptions (special education, health‑care plans, LEP) and states that no suspension or expulsion may occur solely for a cell phone violation. A board member noted a wording omission where a paragraph referenced only "cell phones" and not "smart devices," and staff agreed to clarify the language.
• Notification of school‑connected student overdose: staff presented a VSBA‑aligned policy requiring FERPA‑compliant notification to the school community if Narcan is administered on school property, with a requirement to send corrected information if misinformation is issued.
• JEG (exclusions and exemptions from compulsory attendance): updates align the division with Virginia law on attendance exemptions, define distance thresholds and allowable exemptions (religious instruction, court‑verified health concerns), and formalize existing practices.
• Threat assessment teams: the policy will require providing families with safe‑firearm‑storage information following high‑level threat assessments and centralize resources on the student services website.
• Charter school regulation: staff proposed updates to application, lottery, renewal, revocation, and a performance framework requiring disaggregated student data; the division currently has no charter schools.
• Finance/capitalization: staff proposed raising the capitalization threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 per acquisition; auditors and finance staff reportedly support the change.
Votes and actions:
The board approved a FY26 budget amendment to record carryover from FY25 and to appropriate transfers related to the school construction fund (motion language and the applicant were presented; the exact carryover amount in the transcript was unclear). The motion to approve the amendment was made by Miss Harris, seconded by Miss Burrow, and passed by voice vote.
Later, the board adopted a motion, invoking Virginia code citations given in the transcript, to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters (candidates for instructional/licensure positions, summer stipends, transfers, superintendent contract renewal) and to receive legal advice. The motion was made by Mr. Birchenoff and taken by Miss Harris; the motion carried by voice vote.
No roll‑call vote tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript for these actions; the record shows voice votes and that motions carried.
Policy updates reviewed included:
• JFCM (student cell phone and smart device use): staff proposed replacing JFI with JFCM to clarify what constitutes a smart device and to establish a bell‑to‑bell restriction. The policy includes exemptions (special education, health‑care plans, LEP) and states that no suspension or expulsion may occur solely for a cell phone violation. A board member noted a wording omission where a paragraph referenced only "cell phones" and not "smart devices," and staff agreed to clarify the language.
• Notification of school‑connected student overdose: staff presented a VSBA‑aligned policy requiring FERPA‑compliant notification to the school community if Narcan is administered on school property, with a requirement to send corrected information if misinformation is issued.
• JEG (exclusions and exemptions from compulsory attendance): updates align the division with Virginia law on attendance exemptions, define distance thresholds and allowable exemptions (religious instruction, court‑verified health concerns), and formalize existing practices.
• Threat assessment teams: the policy will require providing families with safe‑firearm‑storage information following high‑level threat assessments and centralize resources on the student services website.
• Charter school regulation: staff proposed updates to application, lottery, renewal, revocation, and a performance framework requiring disaggregated student data; the division currently has no charter schools.
• Finance/capitalization: staff proposed raising the capitalization threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 per acquisition; auditors and finance staff reportedly support the change.
Votes and actions:
The board approved a FY26 budget amendment to record carryover from FY25 and to appropriate transfers related to the school construction fund (motion language and the applicant were presented; the exact carryover amount in the transcript was unclear). The motion to approve the amendment was made by Miss Harris, seconded by Miss Burrow, and passed by voice vote.
Later, the board adopted a motion, invoking Virginia code citations given in the transcript, to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters (candidates for instructional/licensure positions, summer stipends, transfers, superintendent contract renewal) and to receive legal advice. The motion was made by Mr. Birchenoff and taken by Miss Harris; the motion carried by voice vote.
No roll‑call vote tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript for these actions; the record shows voice votes and that motions carried.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
