CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Dickenson County School Board moved to reward district employees and celebrate student achievement during its April monthly meeting on Wednesday April 22, unanimously approving one-time stipends for all staff and recognizing the high school’s top academic performer.
The board approved a $1,000 bonus for full-time employees and $500 for part-time staff. To be eligible, staff must have been employed by the district on or before Jan. 6, 2026. The move impacts 273 full-time and 75 part-time workers, funded through an amendment to the FY26 state budget.
The meeting began with a special recognition of LaKendra Vitatoe who serves as the student representative on the board, as the valedictorian for Ridgeview High School. Board members also extended congratulations to former student representative Koen Powers, who was named salutatorian.
Compliance Director Karen Martin reviewed the March enrollment report, which showed a slight increase of 10 students over the previous month, bringing the district’s total to 1,701.
While year-to-date attendance remains at 91.51 percent, officials noted that a late-season flu outbreak in March dropped the monthly average to 88.38 percent. Chronic absenteeism remains a point of concern, particularly at the high school level, where the raw rate rose to 29 percent. However, officials noted these figures do not yet account for students in homebound instruction or alternative credit programs.
The district’s financial outlook remains tied to state-level decisions. While the FY27 budget was adopted in March, the Virginia General Assembly has yet to pass a final state budget. A special session to address the matter is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 23, in Richmond.
In other financial action, the board approved the 2026-27 Special Education and Career and Technical Education (Perkins) plans. The special education budget includes over $547,000 in Section 611 funding for personnel and services. The Perkins allocation of $73,450 will focus on equipment and capital outlay, with the district planning to pursue additional grants to supplement these funds.
The board granted a request from the Dickenson County Fair Committee and committee chair Billy Branham to release students early on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, for “Kids Day.” The fair will feature the return of singer-songwriter Celeste Kellogg for a special Friday night performance, along with the return of Gospel Night on Wednesday and Carson Peters and Iron Mountain on Thursday along with new activities.
Policy updates were also a focus, with 16 revised policies approved. These include an update to weapons policy to reflect legal prohibitions while allowing limited superintendent discretion as authorized by law. There were new requirements for staff training to identify and respond to gang behavior and an early update to improve district-wide wellness initiatives.
Board member Jason Hicks highlighted the success of the district’s nursing program, noting positive feedback from the community while board member Damon Rasnick pointed to high levels of student engagement, reporting that approximately 750 students — nearly half the student body — are active in extracurricular activities.
The board concluded the meeting following a closed session to discuss personnel recommendations and legal consultations regarding school construction investments.
The next monthly meeting is scheduled for May, where the board expects to provide a finalized update on the state budget’s impact on local school funding.
