Bath School Board discusses Millboro preschool

Hot Springs, va. –

Can a preschool class be reestablished at Millboro Elementary School this year? Bath County School Superintendent Sue Hirsh is working on it. At Tuesday night’s Bath School Board meeting she presented an update on the efforts, outlining the time line, cost and funding. Hirsh said the approximate total cost would be $135,000. She recommended hiring a teacher who has an additional early childhood special education endorsement. That salary would vary depending on the teacher’s experience and what benefit level the teacher would take. She also said an aide would be needed and equipment for the classroom. And a substitute will need to be used for half a day each week to allow the teacher some planning time.

Hirsh reported that a meeting is set for October 10th with Head Start, the consortium that Bath is a part of that would supply funding. She said there may be an opportunity to rearrange some of the Head Start slots within the consortium and place some at Millboro, but she doesn’t know if Head Start funding will be available. She said it could be early December before information can be obtained on funding. After funding is secure, staff would be hired and preschool could start at Millboro in January.

There was also a discussion on Tuesday night about changes in food offerings in school lunches as a result of a new federal program aimed at improving nutrition and reducing obesity. More fruits and vegetables are being served and meat, fat and salt are being limited. School Board Chair Amy Gwin said children are coming home from school saying they are hungry. She asked if there is a way to offer foods that students are more likely to eat, but still meet the federal guidelines.

When meeting the plan’s requirements, the school division gets an additional reimbursement for each meal. School Superintendent Sue Hirsh said other schools are seeing the same concerns. Students may take all that’s offered, but may not eat it. There are different types of vegetables to choose from and students can take a double serving of one they like, including extra fruit for later. There are concerns about high school students, especially athletes, who have long days with sports after school. Board Chair Amy Gwin suggested that maybe in the future the division might need to look for a way to offer snacks in the afternoon.

Superintendent Hirsh reported that all three Bath County schools met accreditation. And the high school band did very well in the recent Blast in the Draft band competition, winning first in drum line, first in drum major, first in general effects, second in color guard and receiving an overall superior rating.

And the board made the following appointments on Tuesday night: Ramona Garcia as gifted coordinator at Valley Elementary. Kirby Smith as coach of the Chatelaines and Will Fields as coach for weightlifting. Susan McLain and Heidi Hewitt were appointed as substitute teachers. Roger Hupman and Nancy Sweitzer as substitute vehicle drivers and Kirk Smith as a substitute custodian. And the Board accepted the retirement request of Millboro Elementary custodian Barry Forbes.