Diverse public comment, new ideas from incoming board member
The Rappahannock County School Board got right to work at its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, discussing the year’s state and county budget season, hearing public comments ranging from school morale to student safety, and several suggestions from its newest member, Lynnie Genho.
Budget and financials
Chief Financial Officer Stacey Whitt presented the results of the school division’s annual financial audit, which she said was a “clean audit” and received the highest ranking possible from state auditors.
“It is worth noting that the auditor actually called Stacey Whitt the ‘GOAT’ (greatest of all time) of school budgets,” Superintendent Shannon Grimsley said.
Whitt reported that the school system finished the previous fiscal year $11,000 under budget, with the remaining funds returned to the county government “which is always a plus.”
Grimsley then shared early projections for the upcoming state budget, cautioning that the numbers are preliminary and likely to change. She said as of now, the division is projected to receive about $323,000 more in state funding than last year, though some major cost areas remain underfunded.
Employee healthcare costs continue to be a concern. State changes last year led to higher employee healthcare expenses, and Grimsley said those rates are projected to rise another 20–25%.
The school system is projected to receive zero dollars in state funding for capital improvements, the same as last year. Grimsley said this will be challenging as the division faces a growing list of needs, including a new roof at the elementary school and HVAC repairs and upgrades.
“Capital improvements is going to be the big discussion item in this year’s budget season, not just for us, but also for the county,” Grimsley said.
The board agreed to keep a standing agenda item specifically for public comments on the budget throughout the budget season.
Public comment highlights
Several community members addressed the board Tuesday, raising concerns ranging from school morale to student safety and career training opportunities.
John Krob, a substitute teacher at Rappahannock County High School, spoke in support of the school’s administration amid what he described as “disturbing” discussions on social media and in the news.
“Some of the students have [been] very negative, said it’s not like a home environment. Of course, it’s not. This is a school,” Krob said. “I want you to understand that the people that are supporting us … are the people whose whole heart is into this school. Whole heart into the students … the last three weeks have been extremely disturbing to me, because this is a good school.”
High school junior Isabelle Robey, also a junior member at the Flint Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, urged the board to expand emergency responder training opportunities for students, noting a gap since the departure of former emergency services teacher Kathryn Waters.
“Most of our members are starting to get a little bit older,” Robey said. “I believe that our school does a pretty good job at giving us opportunities for career explorations … but I feel that fire and EMS has really started to be really left out.”
Flint Hill resident Stephanie Ridder echoed Robey’s concerns, saying she is “one of the aging people at Company 4.”
RCPS parent Megan Robey asked what steps are being taken to “make the school feel safe again,” and told the board that some students feel bullied and no longer view school as a safe space. The board did not discuss Megan Robey’s comment.
New Stonewall-Hawthorne representative Lynnie Genho said the board could benefi t from regular updates from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). (Photo/Luke Christopher)
New member brings new ideas
New Stonewall-Hawthorne representative Lynnie Genho offered several suggestions for ways of improving communication among the board, families and the broader community.
Genho, who is active in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), proposed regular updates from the PTO, either through a standing agenda item or by appointing a liaison to keep the board informed. Board members expressed support for the idea, with Chair Wes Mills noting that a standing agenda item could be added.
Genho also recommended a monthly report on grants received by the school division and how those funds are used.
“Another aspect of that would be to make sure we clearly know the purpose of grants. I think sometimes people see us having things that seem extra special, or that we shouldn’t be paying for X or Y,” member Rachel Bynum said. “That would help with communication and transparency.”
