During the Danville School Board’s meeting on July 15, the board heard communications and updates from several different departments.

The board heard a Performance Matters update from Dr. Melissa Newton, executive director of accountability. Performance Matters was introduced in the 2020-21 school year and is an Instructional Improvement System that enables teachers, principals, and other administrators to manage continuous instructional improvement and decision making related to instruction, assessment and career and college goals.

Mary Ann Mitchell, director of curriculum, gave an update on band, orchestra, chorus and ROTC opportunities at DPS, which included current enrollment numbers, opportunities for recruitment, and a calendar of events.

Chief Operations Officer Dr. Wayne Lyle gave an update on the Teacher Performance Evaluation System, which was reviewed by a committee consisting of administrators and teachers. The purpose was to assign weights to all eight performance standards, including Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equitable Practices (Standard 6) and Student Academic Progress (Standard 8). This school year will serve as a transition year for these new standards, and the full implementation will take place in the 2022-2023 school year.

Billy Chaney, director of safety and security, offered an update on the adjusted CDC guidance and the Virginia Public Health order for the 2021-22 school year, which recommends at least three feet physical distance for non-vaccinated students and mask wearing for those not fully vaccinated in indoor settings. As of now, DPS will maintain 3-6 feet of distance, all staff and students will wear masks, the daily dashboard on the website will start over, and more. If there is a change in guidance after July 25, when the Virginia State Health Commissioner's Public Health Order expires, the board will be updated again on August 5. View the current guidance here.

Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston provided an update on school attendance protocols, which came about after an attendance committee reviewed and amended the current policies and procedures to decrease both truant and chronic absenteeism within the division. The committee identified challenges with current attendance procedures, collaborated with IT to address technology, discussed potential strategies for absenteeism and early interventions, and developed and adjusted improved attendance procedures.

Dr. Hairston also gave an update on the district readiness action plan, which outlines the steps being taken to prepare for the 2021-22 school year, as well as the Corrective Action Plan.

The School Board took the following actions:

• The board approved personnel recommendations brought forth by Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran, including Assistant Principal of the Virtual Academy Hope Adams, Assistant Principal of Woodberry Elementary Dr. Mark Davis, Assistant Principal of Johnson Elementary Lesa Shelton, and Park Avenue Assistant Principal Re’Shawn Woodson.

• The board approved the accounts payable warrants brought forth by Director of Finance Sharon Barksdale.

• The board approved Dr. Lyle’s extracurricular programs proposal, which included the clubs and sports for each of the schools. The proposal requested athletic directors at the middle and high schools, as well as the addition of track programs at the middle schools and golf and swimming programs at both high schools. Lyle will return with recommendations for this in the fall.

**Links included are to the presentation given to the board on each subject matter.**

Watch the July 15 meeting in full here.