www.roanoke.com

School Board members and Dr. Tony Brads and clerk Betty Holland received awards from the VSBA.

Local PTA's presented wish list to School Board on Thursday night. Crystal Ware, president of County Council of PTA’s, presented the annual wish list to the school board on Thursday November 13. The list is based on information the CC of PTA's had gleaned from school reps at each PTA.

Due to the economy, the list is light this year Ware told the school board. “We must unite together to do what we can to save money,” she said.

The list includes:

Academics: All schools need to look at for updating reading materials, Labs in the high schools and handwriting in K-3^rd.

Technology: Media carts for each grade level that include LCD projectors, laptop computers, and cameras and are deemed the most cost effective. The computers on sight are seen as adequate for SOL testing, improve home to school communication.

Health/Safety: Age appropriate lunch portions (pricing higher but same portions in high school) healthier choices, improved lighting in all parking lots at each school and an emergency notification system.

Personnel: Ratio of teacher to child, certified licensed teachers

Buildings/Grounds: Beautification like mowing the grounds consistently and mulching regularly.

The school calendar committee presented three versions of the future should Botetourt have little snow this year, thus no snow days and have to open after Labor Day in the future. Currently the schools can open before the holiday and August 19 would be the first day of school year 2009-10 and June 9 the end of school. “These are works in progress,” noted Assistant Superintendent John Busher. Of interest, one of the three, an after Labor Day start would shorten Spring break to three days.

In other matters, the school board members and Dr. Tony Brads and Clerk Betty Holland received Academy Awards from the Virginia School Board Association for their diligence and participation.

A power point on the pros and cons of the four- day school week was shown. Updates on facilities and buildings said the JRHS project is almost ready fro sign-off. The Cloverdale HVAC and roof work is moving smoothly as well. The next school board meeting is Dec. 11, 2008