Highland School Board October Meeting

Even though the 2015-16 school year is barely halfway through the first quarter, the Highland County School Board looked towards next year at their regular October meeting Monday night. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott presented the board with his proposed 2016-17 school calendar, which he explained closely mirrors the current school year, changes in calendar days notwithstanding. School will begin on August 15^th, and end on June 9^th,  with graduation the 10^th. There will be five built in days for make-up, as opposed to this year’s six – the number of holidays and professional development days which can be used for make-up remains the same at nine. Any unused built in days would be added to the April Easter break. Dr Schott noted that the calendar had been presented to the HCEA and to parents. The board voted to approve the calendar, along with one other action item, approval of personnel as discussed in closed session.

De. Schott also reported that accreditation levels for SOL’s are likely to change soon, pending approvals from the state Board of Education. He noted that the school veterinary program, held in conjunction with Westwood Veterinary Clinic has been extremely successful, and could expand next year. He praised the successes  of the STEM, culinary and cores subjects curriculum, and noted the pending rollout of new writing software. He gave special praise to the often unsung administrative assistants Karen Devore, Becky Stump and Susan Murray, who he credited with keeping all the school systems functioning smoothly.

During his report to the board, high school principal Tim Good noted a trip taken by 32 students to tour Blue Ridge Community College as part of the Career Connect tour. He has also received word that that instructors from the college will begin visiting Highland for further workforce development.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, November 9^th.