Local News
WCPS Administrators Update School Board on Increased Staff Needs
Some Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) administrators and staff are facing increased responsibilities outside their contracted duties that are impacting their regular jobs, they told the Warren County School Board during its Wednesday, March 20 work session.
For example, higher numbers of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are interfering with the regular duties of WCPS Assistant Superintendent of Administration George “Buck” Smith and WCPS Interim Director of Technology Doug Stefnoski.
One original FOIA that he had to work on was almost a million pages, said Smith, who often has to spend time outside his contracted hours — on weekends and after hours — to finish FOIA requests.
When FOIA requests are broad, it can sometimes take Stefnoski three to five days to pull all the information needed for a request.
“If you were to take the $16 per quarter hour and multiply that, that’s like $512 a day for just what I’m doing because we’ve got to jump through a couple different systems to get it just down to even PDFs that [Mr. Smith] can go through,” Stefnoski told the board. “So it’s time consuming, very time consuming. And not particularly fun to be perfectly honest.”
Filling FOIA requests isn’t part of their job descriptions, nor specifically, anyone else’s in WCPS. Still, someone has to do them because state law permits citizens of Virginia, businesses trading within the Commonwealth, and media representatives with circulation within Virginia to have access to public records and meetings of public bodies, with some specific exemptions and exceptions.
Smith pointed out that all public records are presumed to be open and may only be withheld if there’s a specific statutory exemption that applies. “There are lots of exemptions that you have for FOIAs,” he said. “The last I looked, there’s probably almost 100 or so.”
Currently, WCPS Superintendent Christopher Ballenger said that WCPS does not charge for FOIA requests, even though the school division could and should.
“We have not charged at all. I think that the board should strongly consider that we go ahead and charge for some of these FOIAs that are coming in,” Ballenger said. “Just recently, there were three of us in an office for a day, doing nothing but [redacting documents] with black markers” to ensure they met legal requirements before fulfilling the FOIA request.
“I appreciate having this conversation this evening,” said Board Chair Pence. “I don’t know that everyone on the board realizes — although I think we have a good idea now — how much time you’re spending as an assistant superintendent working on FOIA requests. And money aside, you’re not getting to do the job of assistant superintendent when you’re doing that.
“So I think, we’re not going to solve it right this minute, but long term we also really have to be thinking about how we will address these FOIA requests moving forward,” she added. “There really is going to need to be a job for that because [Stefnoski’s] got all his stuff to be done; I mean everybody has stuff that they should be doing for our students and not spending 15 or 25 hours on this in addition to their jobs.”
Pence (above) said she’s not in favor of adding some cost to it, largely because the cost isn’t really going to solve the issue. “Because they’re still going to be spending their time doing it,” she said.
Lo asked why WCPS is not currently following existing policy on charging for FOIA requests. Smith answered that it’s basically been “a historical practice rather than any other reason.” He also suggested that if the division hired a communications director, then that position could handle FOIA requests.
Andrew Selman, a local government and school board lawyer with Sands Anderson who provides legal services to WCPS, clarified for the board members that the Freedom of Information Act prohibits charging parents who want to review their students’ education records.
“The school division may not charge the fee for parents to look at their own children’s records and emails,” Selman said. “Whatever constitutes the student’s scholastic records, and that’s fairly broad under FOIA, so there can be no charge for those.”
Editor’s note: The 11-page Virginia FOIA document Smith presented during the work session portion of the School Board’s meeting is available online at https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/warren/Board.nsf/files/D3D53F0E43F4/$file/Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.pdf.
More work session items
According to other WCPS administrators and staff who presented during the work session, there are more examples of areas needing additional employee coverage, including special education, nurses, bus drivers to transport homeless students and students with disabilities, and K-8 reading and math specialists, among others.
For instance, Angie Barbe, the special needs route coordinator in the WCPS Transportation Department, told the board that it’s been difficult to keep up with staffing the buses that transport students who have IEPs and other requirements for special transportation.
The bus drivers on these routes are handling “our most needy students with the most demanding needs,” Barbe said, and they’re only getting paid $12 an hour.
“We’re having a really hard time keeping drivers that are willing to do the long hours,” she said. “And it’s really hard to keep them to transport our most difficult students at that pay rate. Just to build on that… they carry a lot of additional responsibility and they go above and beyond.”
The minimum wage in Virginia is currently $12 an hour. Virginia’s state minimum wage is set to gradually increase each year. In 2025, it will increase to $13.50 an hour and on January 1, 2026 will reach $15 per hour for workers whose employment is covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and to public employees. A higher minimum wage may also be required by the FLSA for some workers.
Another need was cited by Randa Vernazza, WCPS Director of Pupil Services and Principal of Non-Traditional Education, who said she could use another teacher.
“Currently, being the principal and the director has been challenging,” Vernazza said. “Next year what I’d like to do is devote more time to the Director of Pupil Services role. I’d like to work more on developing discipline matrices that are consistent among all schools and that we’re meeting with fidelity.
“And I feel like if we can make discipline and behavior more manageable, that’s going to align with better instruction in the classroom, increased test scores — I mean it’s just going to be this domino effect,” she said.
While devoting some more time to the Director of Pupil Services role, and possibly still overseeing non-traditional because the position is still part of that behavior portion, Vernazza said perhaps someone else could do the day-to-day leadership in the building itself.
Other needs were discussed during a presentation on federal accountability by WCPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Heather Bragg, who noted that four of the division’s schools recently were federally identified for support and improvement based on data from the 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 school years.
The Warren County schools federally identified for support and improvement along with the student populations in need are: Skyline Middle School – Students with disabilities; E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School – Students with disabilities and white students; Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary School – White students; and Warren County Middle School – Students with disabilities and multi-race students.
Bragg said that Skyline Middle School has been identified consistently as needing support and improvement, and it seems to continue to be with students with disabilities.
“I do think that the turnover rate to some degree with our students with disabilities and our special education teachers at Skyline Middle School has impacted that consistency there,” said Bragg. “Skyline Middle has our highest turnover rate and our most inexperienced teachers staffing that building and that does make a difference.”
Bragg said WCPS is also struggling to get substitute teachers in these classrooms. “I do think that the discipline behaviors do have some impact on it, but also, you know, there’s not that established mentoring staff there either,” she said.
“Teaching is a hard job,” added Bragg. “When you have that hard job, you are facing those discipline problems in your classroom and you don’t have a very big toolbox for how to manage classroom behaviors.”
Watch the Warren County School Board Meeting of March 20, 2024, on these exclusive Royal Examiner videos. The meeting was about 4 hours and was divided by agenda points. Video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.
Warren County School Board – March 20, 2024 – Part 1 – FY2025 Budget Presentation and Public Hearing
Warren County School Board – March 20, 2024 – Part 2 – Food Service Update, FOIA Update
Warren County School Board – March 20, 2024 – Part 3 – Leave Policies
Warren County School Board – March 20, 2024 – Part 4 – Action Agenda
Chamber News
Melodies on Main: Community Cheers as Money Pit Recording Studio Opens Doors
Local News
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: American Toad
Please remember to check your lawn before you mow!
This beautiful American toad was hit by a lawnmower on Saturday and suffered injuries to the right wrist and right hind leg.
Unfortunately, due to the level of trauma, the right hind leg required amputation at the level of the knee, which was performed once the patient was stabilized.
This patient is still eligible for release once recovered and will do just fine in the wild, even with one less leg to hop on!
This time of year we see species of all kinds come into care with injuries inflicted by mowers and weedwhackers. Luckily, injuries like this are preventable in many cases.
Some people will sweep their lawn with a broom to flush out any animals that may be hiding (also a great way to find and protect a bunny nest). You can also enlist a child, partner, or friend to keep you company while you mow by walking a few feet ahead and checking for wildlife as they go!
Or, if you are looking for an alternative to a turf grass lawn, consider replacing some or all of it with native plants! Traditional lawns provide little functional space for wildlife, use excessive water, and often introduce fertilizers and pesticides that damage our environment.
Reducing the need to mow and creating beautiful and healthy habitat for native wildlife is a win-win!
Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.
Local News
Warren County Virginia Sheriff’s Office Rallies Support for Deputy Whose Home Was Severely Damaged by a Fire
In an urgent Facebook post on Monday, April 22, Sheriff Crystal Cline alerted the community to the plight of a deputy whose home was severely damaged by a fire that day.
“This morning, we were reminded of the unpredictable challenges that life can throw at us,” she wrote. “One of my deputies faced a heartbreaking tragedy when a fire severely damaged his home, resulting in the loss of everything he held dear, including his beloved pet.
“This deputy has lived his life on the frontlines—he served in the Army, then as a volunteer and professional firefighter, and now as a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office serving our community.
“Your support, whether through prayer, donations, or financial contributions, will help provide the immediate needs of shelter, clothing, and other essentials during this critical time. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal, VA) will be a drop-off location for any physical items or financial donations—ask for Jenn.
I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support. We are more than a community; we are a FAMILY!”
Out of respect for the deputy, his identity was not revealed. Even so, the sheriff’s Facebook page has been inundated by people who want to help. Many types of donations are welcome, as the sheriff emphasized, and for those specifically wanting to make online financial contributions, a link is provided on the WCSO’s page. Michael Glavis of the WCSO has organized that site for raising funds, the “Sheriff Deputy House Fire Relief Fund.” Glavis considers the deputy a dear friend and work colleague. “He has given blood and sweat for others, and now I’m asking for everyone to give a little to help him and his family through the process of recovery,” Glavis said.
Local News
Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at ‘This is IT!’ Event
The “This Is IT!” club of Warren County, Virginia, marked another milestone as a hub for budding IT enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. The club, which started in 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone for students interested in the ever-evolving world of information technology.
At the ‘This is IT!’ club gathering at the Samuels Public Library on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, students and community members came together to celebrate and learn. The club includes 9th to 12th-grade students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds and is aimed to ignite curiosity and reward academic excellence in information technology and quantum computing.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction by Melissa Chapman, an instructor involved with the club. She set the stage for a night that was not only about recognition but also about expanding young minds. “Understanding the vocabulary of quantum computing is the first step towards mastery,” Chapman remarked, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in this cutting-edge field.
The focal point of the evening was the guest lecture by Dr. Bruce Chesley, an aerospace engineer who adeptly connected the seemingly distant realms of space exploration and quantum computing. With palpable enthusiasm, Dr. Chesley described how quantum technologies could revolutionize our approach to exploring the cosmos. His talk made the complex topics accessible and entertaining, captivating the aspiring scientists in attendance.
Amidst the talks, the club took a moment to honor its bright young members through a scholarship awards ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students who have shown exceptional prowess in STEM fields. These awards are a testament to the community’s support for its young learners and a major encouragement for them to pursue further education in technology. The winners were Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, and Uli Duke.
Local News
The Apple Blossom Coronation Legacy Continues for the Historical Event
For the first time in the history of the Shenandoah Apple Bossom Festival® three consecutive generations in a family will have served as Queen Shenandoah. Susan Ford Bales, Queen in 1975, and Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen in 2001, will be accompanying Joy Elizabeth Berlanga as she assumes her role as Queen Shenandoah XCVII.
The Crowning Ceremony entertains from regal pomp and circumstance to joyful enthusiasm of Little Maids and Pages who are ever present to serve their Queen. The youthful court interchange historical and educational facts from the British Crown to learning about a United States President – to asking, “Who has the Crown?,” and with dancing. The Queen will be crowned at the memorable Coronation celebration under the direction of Elaine B. Aikens. The Ceremony to install the new sovereign is sponsored by Morgan Orthodontics, on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.at Handley High School. President Gerald Ford crowned Susan. Susan crowned Tyne, and Joy will be crowned by her mother and escorted by her grandmother.
Susan, Joy’s grandmother, is a Virginia native and now resides in Texas. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Deavers, five grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanch Deavers, Jude Deavers, and Sullivan Bales, and three stepsons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Holton Arms School and the University of Kansas, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the Whie House, “Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery”, and its sequel, “Sharp Focus.”
Susan is the Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. On April 8, 2016, in recognition of her service as the Ship’s Sponsor, she was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming only the 31st American to receive this distinction. And history was made with her selection – Susan is the first woman to be chosen as an Honorary Naval Aviator.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center and was elected to the Center’s Board of Directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board 2005-2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
In addition to her many charitable public service activities, Susan serves as Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy, Trustee, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
Tyne, mother of Joy, Queen-designate, resides in Frisco, TX with her husband Hector and two children, Joy and Cruz. She serves as a marketing manager for Western Son. With a passion for community involvement, Tyne sits on multiple school booster club boards for all her children’s activities.
On Tyne’s departure as Queen she reflected, “It was easy to be kind, gracious and humble Queen when surrounded by the people of Winchester. My five-day reign as Queen Shenandoah was an occasion that will have a special place in my heart. I have formed friendships and made memories that will hopefully stay with me for a long time to come. On Sunday morning I was doing an exit interview with one of the reporters and he asked me, “If l had a daughter would I let her be Queen?” My answer was immediately “Yes, if she’s lucky enough to be given this opportunity.” Now, Tyne eagerly anticipates returning to Winchester where Joy is set to embark on a remarkable journey, echoing Tyne’s own experiences from 23 years prior. It’s truly heartwarming to be able to share this moment with both her mother and daughter.
The Queen and her family will ride in the Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade Friday evening at 5:30 and the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Queen-designate Joy and her family will be making appearances at Festival events during the weekend.
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.
Community Events
Valley Chorale Announces Upcoming Spring Concerts in Middletown and Front Royal
The Valley Chorale presents “Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope”, a spring concert exploring aspirations of love, home, spirituality and compassion that unite and uplift us all. With styles ranging from light classical and sacred to vocal jazz, spirituals and pop, The Valley Chorale strives to capture the hopes that unite us.
The Valley Chorale is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for innovation and excellence, with piano, cello and percussion accompaniment, and their concerts are often a heart-warming experience for all. They welcome babies and tots, so no need to hire a babysitter.
Tickets can be purchased on their website TheValleyChorale.org — $15 for age 21+ (free under age 21) or at the door for $17.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Belle Grove Plantation (Bank Barn), 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, Front Royal, VA (Community Reception to follow)
For further information, visit the website: TheValleyChorale.org: follow them on Facebook; email them at TheValleyChorale@gmail.com or call at 540-635-4842.
(From a Release by The Valley Chorale)