HOT SPRINGS — Students in Bath County schools will begin the 2021-22 school year on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
The 185-day calendar for next year, adopted unanimously by the Bath County School Board Tuesday evening, ends for students on June 3, 2022.
The calendar was a product of two calendar committee meetings, held on March 15 and March 23, and includes five makeup days.
For the past 10 years, including the current year, only one year has reflected fewer than five school closings.
For the past five years — excluding 2019-20 when schools closed for 61 days at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — there has been an average of 11.2 school closings. Schools have been closed for seven days during the current school year.
“It is felt that it is prudent to build in 185 days,” Superintendent Sue Hirsh said. “That gives us a cushion in terms of not having to look for alternative makeup days.”
Hirsh said Bath County schools are operating under a waiver from the state this year, and no school division in Virginia is going to reach its 180-day goal this year.
“We, however, have to provide documentation that we did our best to do so,” she explained.
Hirsh said she had just recently received information to apply for that waiver, and later this spring, school officials will ask that this waiver apply to Bath County.
“At this point, there is anticipated no waiver for next year, so we’re hopefully back to doing business as normal,” she said.
Also Tuesday evening, the school board fielded concerns regarding the quantity and quality of school meals, specifically at Bath County High School.
“We can do better,” said Missy Ailstock, a Williamsville resident with children who attend Valley Elementary School and BCHS.
Ailstock provided photos to board members of meals served at BCHS, and she urged board members to eat periodically at the schools. Ailstock added she was aware that the pandemic had created challenges for food service workers in the schools.
“In Bath County, kids shouldn’t leave our school system and go home hungry,” she said. “There are flaws somewhere that need to be fixed.”
Marjorie Hevener, a teacher at Valley Elementary School, spoke in defense of food service workers.
“In defense of our ladies, they work so hard and we’re very blessed to have them as workers in our school system,” she said. “They are doing the best that they can.”
School board member Jeff Grimm suggested that the proper chain of command should be followed with concerns first taken to the school principals.
“Reach out to the right people, because I can’t fix it,” Grimm said.
