[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6106958,"mediaKeyId","2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52","parentId",2779150,"title","Resident questions DEI positions and communications salaries during Winchester school board public comment","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",1832000,"endMs",1990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52&start=1832&end=1990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52/thumbnail_1832000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106958/Virginia/Resident-questions-DEI-positions-and-communications-salaries-during-Winchester-school-board-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106958-c39858484aa697179c433ed4a9dafe9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766117&Signature=WjsPML0qenfRM-ihS3M6YEIEqc9gyF6BjWfw0BF4SwZWkCEtDNvlV6rk1zlwsfqbusAckiKiTFpOD7lRhMy16ghJ6v0UItYXHfdVx-gxnoFLbBH22CLSoy6xQvbP8he7sijFHznXPAjIrbus0mij9FGfT4XTCrP0TA-w-p84-yVZ1i8sAPPOSe~yzL-v~Z6yDUZ~fxq1wp2MqBBFEsVuRC7Vv0TWoMq8N6~xURp~VcByM5daha8p8fl6cBhRVLoXHFB01VK6W5LXWyOprctI0rPlWg1GWBlSun28zMGzKHtKmMvyn4T-M6Xg4BQKvthMMPDCF3q8GCwEyduJLUQfOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester City Public Schools","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","During the public-comment portion of the March 24 meeting, Jeff Milburn of Ward 3 addressed the board with questions about staffing priorities, salaries and district cooperation with city and university officials related to a Hanley baseball field matter.

Milburn asked whether Winchester Public Schools was following a federal mandate to eliminate DEI positions and questioned whether the district’s staffing levels justified dedicated public-information positions. He cited base salaries for two roles in fiscal year 2023: a coordinator of equity at $123,553 and a communications manager at $89,992, and asked whether those dollars would be better invested in additional teaching positions and a teaching assistant.

Milburn also raised a separate concern about a March 18 and earlier April 2023 exchange in which he alleged district leadership discouraged Hanley staff from attending his site walkthrough regarding a Shenandoah University (SU) ballfield matter. He told the board he had emails, text messages and recordings he said contradicted prior public statements that Hanley received benefits from coordination with city and university officials. He asked for a substantive reply from Superintendent Jason Van Heukelen and said he had not received a response to earlier emails.

Board members did not respond to the remarks during the public-comment period; the meeting chair read the district’s public‑comment rules beforehand. The transcript shows the board typically does not reply to public comment at the time of presentation. Milburn’s statements and requested documentation were recorded for the public record; the transcript does not show follow-up action or staff responses during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester Public School Board Business Meeting 2025-03-26","oneSentenceSummary","Jeff Milburn of Ward 3 spoke during public comment alleging the district maintains DEI and communications positions with high base salaries and asked whether those funds should be reallocated to classroom positions; he also raised concerns about staff attendance at a site walkthrough and requested responses from the superintendent.","taxTitle","WINCHESTER CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",58185,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106962,"Board approves easement for Chantel, LLC to install wide area network cabling at John Kerr",102,2244000,2346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52&start=2244&end=2346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52/thumbnail_2244000.jpg","/articles/6106962/Virginia/Board-approves-easement-for-Chantel-LLC-to-install-wide-area-network-cabling-at-John-Kerr","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106962-0bf462044fdc0f77e53e8d2f80f7f2ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766117&Signature=OV7KVLTMkoY--uQ0YzJpSyMnUiXQA~RxUInWnwnIg975d7QyJffnReMKSkTVKgDzrMQ82tG23LgO0Htj63Vn0YYCoP6kbPyruT62eSQJRhTbpjRjVOsTt47gYQmSIvDqVeAXcDmX6CMoGO6RGqzvM29Ew2zBoHsq4seo3fH~zltlUEQc03CHRpO0hSKJLf0s8VyJMKK4qxIaJ4y3yi64Sf1ls4jX3BQEp2BWQ1uPsF45A3PrKWgIKQsjvzi9A~C9E20etdxBEsS3oEJVvJYa0ItX2IB6Mp8pDf-nOAW-z3c99M-v0dNhYJ6fFwsIkCn-GSOkk-nTSvVizz0u-QTqOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school board approved a resolution allowing Chantel, LLC (identified in meeting materials as the wide-area-network contractor) to install cabling on school property at John Kerr and granted authority for the board chair to sign the easement once the document is finalized by legal counsel.

Mister Smith explained the easement was necessary for the contractor to run cables from its nearest access point across district property. He said district counsel drafted a resolution that authorizes the chair to execute the easement following review and finalization by Chantel’s and the district’s attorneys.

Board member Miss Burrow moved to approve the easement resolution; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Meeting materials contain a draft easement for board reference. The board recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript. The board asked no substantive follow-up questions and directed staff to proceed with finalizing the legal documents.

Why it matters: the district said the easement is required to complete the contractor’s wide-area-network contract, which the board approved earlier in the contract process. The resolution delegates execution authority to the board chair to avoid delaying installation while counsel finalizes legal language.

Next steps: legal teams for Chantel, LLC and Winchester Public Schools will finalize the easement; the chair will sign and staff will arrange access for installation as described in the resolution.","Winchester Public School Board approved a resolution authorizing an easement for Chantel, LLC to access district property at John Kerr for network cabling; the board authorized the chair to execute the final document once counsel completes it.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106967,"Winchester highlights Future Educators Academy partnership with Laurel Ridge to grow local teacher pipeline",486,2039000,2525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52&start=2039&end=2525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","/articles/6106967/Virginia/Winchester-highlights-Future-Educators-Academy-partnership-with-Laurel-Ridge-to-grow-local-teacher-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106967-27809c8ccac80cb13e422549064670ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766117&Signature=iKWmHRNzsMu85P8bP1BemhsAchE~r~DhJLIzMzukA2vOqr7PZ2BEOiKbbIdhMusAZW73uPmuXYWSNJcMNL4-VGlvLQ30Me7EQ-QHL0jA5wbmHER3344zM7fB6PoG5vC3IYv3wMwqen4CoCgT8e1iK5bb9nKN9SK5EvWuBm7GiRX7tQeTYm3G-I3wzzjUB6t-3gTSOrtOmC4ebtSUUd2w7TCVloC7rwCrM6cj5Wafb2-XGUO2q37AHko7Uby53O1Cw0o1nNFfH0Erpi-u58jztsZNPwoLOnyZC4n0grBpC5e1SU53R4i9-1krP-wj~1igmJWzDBhIaIMp8U90i8VWDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members heard a presentation on the Future Educators Academy (FEA), a partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College that offers rising juniors and seniors an accelerated pathway into teaching and related careers.

Dr. Bula (presenter) introduced Jonathan Landiverdi, identified in the meeting as the career coach assigned to John Handley High School and the Innovation Center. Landiverdi said his role includes career exploration and managing dual‑enrollment registration for students. He and board materials described FEA as a no out‑of‑pocket-cost program for accepted students that combines dual‑enrolled college coursework, practicums, observations and workshops. The program awards an associate degree in education at Laurel Ridge campuses and includes a guaranteed employment commitment of two years in the students’ home division as part of the pathway.

Presenters said the academy aims to address shrinking enrollment in teacher-preparation programs by giving students a clear, affordable route into the profession. Admission requirements noted in the presentation include rising-junior status and completion of specific verified credits; selection is noncompetitive and uses a lottery when necessary. Board staff said two additional slots were available in the current cycle and said the district had surveyed students to identify those interested in education careers.

District officials also noted other local postsecondary partnerships and said the district covered all dual-enrollment course fees this year. Board members thanked the presenters and had no substantive questions. The district said the academy is intended both to expand the local teacher pipeline and to encourage graduates to return to Winchester schools under the district’s retention incentives.","District staff described a Future Educators Academy that offers seniors and rising juniors an accelerated, tuition‑free pathway to an associate degree in education in partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College and guaranteed employment commitments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106972,"Winchester board adopts $95.9 million FY26 budget and approves new salary scales",676,2841000,3517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52&start=2841&end=3517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779150-86dfa70e27b63acc0e88c5ecd0bc1c52/thumbnail_2841000.jpg","/articles/6106972/Virginia/Winchester-board-adopts-959-million-FY26-budget-and-approves-new-salary-scales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106972-4ccf178be6f3cd8eec11b220e16955f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770766117&Signature=fBegb~rcC3lgmFMTAAedB2Mxb60pXfebpOlMCxSF4PR6TNOBxwYudrD3MQ76e-OkH3THpNgbMYx-YQL4Fq7eYOiK~z44LrPdwLRKak1A0Sx8eoESMEVFsarni3ovd4s-OlnnDKsPMQEjaSqh1ya~nBiPuA9Ul~72EhJSM3lQXTL33NuKsfHJsVF9HeHEdE6e~Lw2bLK1V8IWhPGHcVVYWXkaWzWp8gTuFGMxQLOvmf1ob5dpG9pw4nT01SK3LY9k8DKgsN4IKp-rQCPK4Mo~EVZzDJQwXwfMKLgmGx8e3DfnhixBX21rfBlPkGcYUANKp2MRtsvsPiv8GeSAwul8yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester Public School Board on March 24 adopted a $95,900,000 fiscal year 2026 budget and approved updated salary scales that the district said will raise pay for hourly staff and teachers.

Board members approved the spending plan after a presentation that emphasized personnel costs and operating inflation. Superintendent Jason Van Heukelen (presented as Dr. Van Heukelen in the meeting) told the board the budget focuses on salary, retirement, and typical inflationary costs and includes more than $2,000,000 added to payroll. He said the total requests added to the budget amounted to $3,100,000, with the district projecting about $1,900,000 in additional state revenue and a remaining $1,200,000 ask to the city.

The budget presentation said the FY26 package aims to raise the bottom of several pay scales while “holding everyone harmless,” producing larger percentage increases at lower scale steps. Administrative remarks and staff materials said the overall average raise across staff would be about 4.6 percent. The proposal includes raising the lowest hourly wage to $15 and increasing bus driver minimum pay to about $23 per hour. Presenters said those changes are intended in part to address chronic bus-driver shortages.

Board members also approved detailed salary scales for administrators, licensed professional staff, and support employees. The scales packet included a teacher salary scale that incorporated a midyear increase enacted in March and the scale changes built into the FY26 budget. Board materials and presenters described the scales as noninflationary additions limited to rebalancing top‑to‑bottom step distance and ensuring market-competitive entry wages.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the consent agenda (agenda, minutes, bills, monthly finance report, and facility usage), adopted the FY26 budget as presented, approved the FY26 salary scales, and approved a separate easement resolution for a third-party network contractor. The transcript records motions and seconds for each item; roll-call vote tallies were not specified in the public record provided.

Why it matters: district leaders said the budget would fund pay increases and address staffing shortages while keeping the total FY26 spending slightly below last year’s level after federal COVID-era funding expired. The board will present the request to Winchester City Council; district staff said the $1.2 million local ask corresponds to an 80‑cent tax-rate scenario in council budgeting materials and that full local funding would be significant for staff recruitment and retention.

Board action and next steps: Board member Rothenmel moved to approve the FY26 budget as presented; the motion was seconded and the board approved it. The superintendent said he would present the request to city council the following day. The board also approved the salary scales in a separate vote and directed staff to implement the new scales once the budget processes are complete.

Additional context: presenters told the board federal funding declined year over year as pandemic-era grants expired and a couple of large competitive grants ended, reducing federal revenue and shifting reliance back to state and local funding. The district described the FY26 budget as focused on core operations and personnel rather than new programming.","The Winchester Public School Board on March 24 approved a $95.9 million fiscal year 2026 budget and accompanying salary scales, targeting raises across hourly and certified staff and seeking $1.2 million in additional city funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident questions DEI positions and communications salaries during Winchester school board public comment

Board approves easement for Chantel, LLC to install wide area network cabling at John Kerr

Winchester highlights Future Educators Academy partnership with Laurel Ridge to grow local teacher pipeline

Winchester board adopts $95.9 million FY26 budget and approves new salary scales