During the Rockingham County Board of Education meeting on October 28, 2024, a significant focus was placed on the approval of school improvement plans for several low-performing schools. Dr. Perkins presented the plans for Monroeton, Mall Street, Williamsburg, Holmes Middle, Reesville Middle, and Reesville High School, which had been designated as low performing by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The board was tasked with approving these plans within a 30-day timeframe to ensure they could be submitted for further review.

Dr. Perkins outlined the new approach for this year, emphasizing alignment with the State Board of Education's goals. The schools are now working towards three primary objectives: closing opportunity gaps by 2027, improving overall school and district performance by 2027, and enhancing educator preparedness to meet diverse student needs by 2027. Each school is required to develop action steps that correspond to these goals, creating a structured framework for improvement.

The meeting also highlighted the ongoing review process for these improvement plans. Schools meet bi-monthly to assess their progress, while the Curriculum and Instruction (CNI) team conducts weekly reviews of the plans across four zones. This collaborative oversight aims to ensure that schools remain accountable and responsive to their improvement strategies.

In addition to the main topic, board members raised questions regarding the status of advanced teaching roles and the timeline for updating state assessments. It was noted that the new science assessments would be implemented this year, which could potentially affect performance projections. The board expressed optimism about the changes being made, particularly at Reedsville Middle School, where new class structures have been introduced.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to approve the school improvement plans, marking a crucial step in the district's efforts to enhance educational outcomes for students in these designated schools. The board's commitment to ongoing evaluation and adaptation of these plans reflects a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by low-performing institutions in Rockingham County.