The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany Highlands public school board met on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The meeting’s agenda included tackling a range of issues from cell phone policies to student recognition. The meeting was attended by a courageous group braving the chilly weather, who highlighted the district’s commitment to balancing academic excellence, student well-being and community engagement.
The evening began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by students from Mountain View Elementary. Superintendent Kim Halterman and Assistant Superintendent Melinda Snead-Johnson welcomed the board, including new members Bob Umstead and Jay Woodson, to the proceedings.
One of the first items on the agenda was an update on a recent incident at Covington Middle School. Chris Fisher, the safety and security supervisor for Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, commended the collaborative efforts that ensured student safety when a gas line was struck near the school, leading to a delayed opening. Fisher praised the CMS faculty, staff and parents for their understanding and cooperation, as well as the support from local organizations like the Clifton Academy, Mountain View Food Service, and the Covington Police and Fire Departments. He emphasized that the quick response and effective communication allowed all students to be accounted for and returned home safely.
The board then heard from Tammie Looney, a VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) teacher at Jeter Watson Elementary. Looney provided an in-depth overview of the district’s early childhood education programs, which aim to prepare four-year-olds for success in kindergarten and beyond. The VPI classrooms, staffed by qualified educators, focus on developmentally appropriate practices that foster literacy, math, social-emotional, and school readiness skills.
Looney highlighted the program’s emphasis on hands-on, engaging experiences that promote active exploration and problem-solving through the STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum. Athletic and Activity Achievements Director Ty Dobbs, took the podium to celebrate the Highland’s recent athletic accomplishments. He recognized individual student-athletes for their outstanding performances in cross country, football and wrestling, including Faith Barron’s first-team all-district and top 15 state finish in cross country, and Joey Rogers’ first-team all-district and regional honors in football. Dobbs also highlighted the district’s perfect attendance recognition program, which awarded over 200 students who did not miss a single day during the first semester. One student from each school will win a $50 Amazon gift card.
The board then turned its attention to budget and operational matters. Superintendent Halterman provided an update on the district’s financial outlook, noting a slight increase of approximately $200,000 in state funding for the upcoming fiscal year. She emphasized the board’s two key priorities: maintaining high-quality staff and preserving the district’s extensive programming offerings. Halterman also reported that the district is fortunate to be projecting only a 3% increase in health insurance premiums, a positive development compared to other school divisions in the state.
The board then considered and approved two resolutions: one designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and another recognizing February as Black History Month. These resolutions underscored the Highland’s commitment to celebrating the contributions of CTE programs and African Americans in the community.
Additionally, the board addressed the district’s cell phone policy. After extensive discussion, the board approved updates that will restrict middle school students from using mobile devices during the school day, while high school students will be permitted to use their phones, but only during lunch periods for practical purposes, such as communicating with family or employers.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, the board heard from Lynn Wolfe, who read a letter on behalf of her husband, Bruce Wolfe. The letter expressed concerns about the handling of a student disciplinary incident and the subsequent ban on Bruce’s attendance at the school. Board members responded with empathy, acknowledging the importance of clear communication and due process in such matters. They emphasized the need to balance student safety and well-being with the rights of parents and guardians. The board members then shared their own reflections on the meeting.
Arritt welcomed the new board members and praised the student-athletes and perfect attendance honorees, while also highlighting the importance of character education and student behavior. Woodson suggested exploring ways to limit cell phone use during lunch periods to address concerns about cyberbullying and inappropriate use.
Superintendent Halterman and Assistant Superintendent Snead-Johnson expressed gratitude for the community’s support, particularly during recent weather-related disruptions. They also emphasized the district’s commitment to early childhood education and the ongoing efforts to protect student data in the wake of a recent PowerSchool data breach.
Board Chairman Littleton thanked the attendees for braving the cold weather to participate in the proceedings. He acknowledged the collective efforts of parents, staff, and the community in supporting student success, and he welcomed the new board members, Umstead and Woodson, to the team. The board then voted to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters, assignments and legal issues, as permitted by the Virginia Code.
Chris Fisher, Safety and Security Supervisor for Alleghany Highlands Public Schools
(David Hodge photo)
L-Joey Rogers, R-Ty Dobbs (David Hodge photo)
