The Buchanan County School Board approved a list of employees who will be authorized to oversee the county’s schools when their principals are away during its Aug. 18 meeting.
The board also approved Pam Tester, the school division’s elementary supervisor, to serve as Superintendent Sherry Fletcher’s designee when needed.
Each principal recommended staff members who can assume leadership responsibilities in the principal’s absence. The designees provide continuity at each school and ensure an administrator or authorized employee can handle decisions and daily operations.
At Tommy P. Justus Elementary School, Principal Angela Rife Wolford selected Scott Embry as her designee.
Riverview Elementary/Middle School Principal Melody O’Quinn selected assistant principals David Owens and Amelia Ward, along with Jill Lester and Stephanie Yates.
Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School Principal Melisa Goodman selected Dot Owens, Alice Crigger and Stephanie Stiltner.
Council Elementary/Middle School Principal Joan Hart selected Samantha Ferguson and Marsha Presley to oversee the school when she is away.
Southern Gap High School Principal Mark Cooper selected Christina Bane, Bill Christian and Kim Hess as his designees.
Board members approved the list without opposition.
Fletcher also provided an early enrollment update as the school division prepared for the beginning of classes. She said preliminary figures placed the division near last year’s enrollment.
“When I talked with schools today, we’re about where we were last year, maybe 10 students less, but, you know, we’ve not gotten to school yet,” Fletcher said.
Because the update came before students reported for the first day, the numbers were not considered final. Enrollment figures typically fluctuate during the opening days as students register, transfer or withdraw.
In other business, the board approved a new locally awarded verified credit plan for history and social sciences.
Secondary and CTE Supervisor Karen Taylor developed the plan with Cooper and his staff. Instead of relying on a single test, the plan will allow students to earn a locally awarded verified credit through performance-based assessments completed throughout the school year.
“This would be based on performance-based assessment,” Taylor told the board. “It is not just a test. This would be conducted all year long and would be scored by different teachers throughout the year to give our students a local verified credit.”
The plan will take effect during the 2026-27 school year.
The board also approved a group of Virginia School Boards Association policies following their second reading. The policies had previously been presented to board members for review.
