Joint Board of Supervisors & School Board Committee Meeting - June 1, 2026
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Joint Board of Supervisors & School Board Committee Meeting - June 1, 2026
The joint committee met on June 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. for an informational session covering co-chair reports, a new GED program at the Adult Detention Center, and a review of snow removal operations following the January 2025-2026 winter storm. No public comments were received. The meeting concluded with planning for future agenda items.
Co-Chairs Reports
- School Board Co-Chair Chandler reported on recent LCPS highlights: future educator signings, opening of Welcome Center East in Sterling (marking 10 years of the program), peer conferences, and the annual equity celebration. She congratulated students and graduating seniors.
- Board of Supervisors Co-Chair Glass reported that the Board approved the FY2027 budget totaling $5.4 billion (covering both county and LCPS), with LCPS receiving $2.1 billion for operating costs (a $105 million increase over FY2026). The FY2027-2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) was adopted at $4.3 billion, with school projects accounting for 28% of the total. She also noted the State Corporation Commission's approval of Dominion's "Golden to Mars" power lines project, selecting Route 4 as the preferred path (which requires school board approval). Route 4 would pass near Rock Ridge High School and Rosalie Carter Elementary School.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public speakers registered for the 15-minute public input period.
Information Item 1: Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center GED Program
- Presenters: Neil Slevin (Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning), Dr. Michael Grubbs (Director of Career Technical and Adult Education), Carolyn Solares (Adult Education Supervisor), Susan Davisson (LCSO Inmate Programs Manager), Captain Dialin Foscato (LCSO Administration).
- Rationale: Approximately 30–40% of incarcerated adults lack a high school diploma or equivalent, compared to 18% of the general population. Research shows correctional education reduces odds of returning to prison by 43%. GED graduates earn an average of $9,000 more per year. Currently, the detention center offers only self-study via tablets and books, with testing available but no structured instruction.
- Program Details: Classes will be advertised via inmate tablets and printed flyers. Interested inmates submit requests, are grouped by gender and classification, and take an academic assessment. Classes will be 2.5 hours per session, with up to 6 inmates per group. The LCPS adult education center will proctor GED exams. The program aims to launch in August 2026, pending finalization of an interagency agreement.
- Funding: Approximately $40,000 in part-time funds annually for an LCPS teacher. The sheriff's office covers test fees and materials.
- Questions & Discussion:
- Supervisor Brisbane asked about the interagency agreement (still being developed), funding source (LCPS budget), expected participation (38 inmates expressed interest last year without advertising), eligibility (no minimum stay; transition support via LCPS for those leaving), and testing retake limits (if one subject failed twice, 60-day wait; teacher will provide remediation). She expressed full support.
- Dr. Rasheed asked about retake remediation (teacher will use test data for individualized study), data tracking (LCPS can access GED.com data if inmates consent), and language accommodations (GED available in English and Spanish only). He commended the program.
- Supervisor Tacroni asked about part-time vs. full-time teacher (part-time sufficient for small groups initially) and timeline for agreement (hoping for before August). He supported the program.
- Co-Chair Chandler asked about inmate stay duration (typically less than three years; transition to DOC after conviction and appeals), national vs. local data (30-40% national; sheriff's office believes similar locally), outreach methods (tablets, printed flyers, handbook), current jail population (~282), and whether the $40,000 is annual (yes). She expressed excitement.
Information Item 2: Winter 2025-2026 Snow Removal in LCPS Walk Zones and at LCPS Bus Stops
- Presenters: Kevin Lewis (Chief Operations Officer, LCPS), Ed Treanor (Executive Director, Facilities), Scott Davies (Director of Transportation), Bill Wohead (Director of Facilities Operations), Steve Torpey and Tommy Cureton (Parks, Recreation, and Community Services), Wes Four and Andy Beecher (VDOT).
- Storm Overview: The storm (January 24-26, 2026) dropped snow, sleet, and freezing rain, followed by subfreezing temperatures that created a solid ice layer (dubbed "Snow Creep"). Unlike 2010 Snowmageddon (30-40 inches) and 2016 Blizzard Jonas (25-35 inches), this storm's challenge was ice thickness, with ice up to several inches thick.
- Timeline:
- Jan 26 (Monday): LCPS mobilized snow plows at 8 a.m.; custodial crews began at 10 a.m. School campuses cleared within 1-2 days.
- Jan 27-28: Campuses ready, but community sidewalks remained icy; staff recommended delay.
- Feb 2 (Monday): County administrator authorized LCPS to clear public sidewalks on private property. LCPS and Parks and Rec began clearing. School opened on 2-hour delays Feb 2-6 to allow daylight and community cleanup.
- Responsibility: County ordinance requires abutting property owners to clear sidewalks within 6 hours (or by noon Monday if snow falls Sunday). Enforcement was applied during this event.
- Clearing Operations: LCPS used in-house teams and contractors to clear sidewalks in walk zones; Parks and Rec focused on major intersections. LCPS incurred $229,000 in additional contract costs; Parks and Rec incurred $9,000. Total: $238,000 in extra costs.
- Partnerships: LCPS coordinates with VDOT via regular route reports (provided by 34 lead drivers at 2-3 a.m.) and with Leesburg and HOAs. VDOT uses snow maps with hot spots prioritized for schools, fire, and sheriff. Bus stops (over 7,000) are not individually mapped but are addressed via hot spots.
- Questions & Discussion:
- Supervisor Brisbane asked about informing residents of sidewalk clearing responsibilities (via social media, website translatable in 120+ languages; enforcement messages sent same way). She noted HOA equipment unsuitable for VDOT roads due to liability and type.
- Supervisor Tacroni asked about delay between campus clearing (Jan 27) and authorization for public sidewalk clearing (Feb 2). Mr. Hempstreet (county staff) explained the legal process: property owners must be given opportunity to clear before county intervenes, and this was an abnormal event. He said the county acted as quickly as possible.
- Co-Chair Chandler asked about contractor performance issues (VDOT can withhold payment; uses automatic vehicle location to verify plowing), and how VDOT knows bus stop locations (hot spots on snow maps, not individual stops). She noted that during widespread events, stop relocation communication is difficult.
- Supervisor Briskman asked about VDOT plows piling snow back onto cleared bus stops. VDOT representative acknowledged this can happen and advised plow drivers to avoid it, but not always possible in major events.
- Co-Chair Glass asked about property owner responsibility for sidewalks in VDOT right-of-way. Mr. Hempstreet confirmed it's the abutting owner regardless of ownership.
- Supervisor Tacroni noted that early treatment was key; HOAs that pre-treated fared better. He suggested exploring a standing agreement authorizing LCPS to clear public sidewalks sooner in future similar events.
- Co-Chair Chandler raised concerns about HOA-maintained pathways being used as official walk zones, and whether snow clearing is ensured. Kevin Lewis confirmed walk zones rely on those paths; LCPS and Parks helped clear them during this storm.
- Speaker also congratulated Kevin Lewis on his retirement after 26 years with LCPS.
Discussion on Future Agenda Items
- Scheduled for September 2026 Meeting: Staff will present on affordable workforce housing on school sites and expansion of safe passages to school. The committee solicited guidance.
- Supervisor Brisbane asked about relationship between Safe Routes to School, STP, and IIP programs. Staff clarified Safe Passages is a separate program (with specific grants), currently a pilot, being redefined after transfer from LCPS. She also questioned reliance on HOA paths for walk zones given snow clearing challenges.
- Co-Chair Glass requested the September item include updates on: status of grant funding for safe passages crosswalks, designs, missing sidewalk links near schools that could expand walk zones (reducing bus need), and the timeline for a draft speed and stop bar camera ordinance (last discussed with a draft to come to the Board).
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken. The meeting was informational.
- The GED program is expected to launch in August 2026, pending final interagency agreement. Staff will return if additional funding or policy changes are needed.
- The snow removal review highlighted the unique challenges of the January 2026 storm. No immediate policy changes were adopted, but the discussion underscored the need for better early authorization for public sidewalk clearing and improved communication with HOAs and VDOT on bus stops.
- Staff will prepare presentations on workforce housing and safe passages for the September meeting, incorporating the guidance provided by committee members.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to call to order the June first twenty twenty-six joint board of supervisors and school board committee meeting. This room has a hearing loop. If you need hearing assistance, switch your hearing aids to a telecom to telecoil mode. If you need a headset, we have those available as well. Please see the clerk to my left at the end of the day as to request one. And if you all could stand so that we can say the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Today we have no speakers that registered in advance for a public input portion of the meeting. Speakers will be called in the order in which they uh registered to speak. So if we don't, since we don't have any, I guess we don't have to go through this. Um section, let me see if we need to read this. Okay. All right. Since we don't have new speakers, uh Coach Handler, do you have a report for us today? Yes, madam co-chair, thank you so much. Um good evening, joint committee members and to our families and community watching at home. It has been another inspiring couple of months across Loudoin County Public Schools, with students, staff, and community partners continuing to demonstrate innovation, leadership, and a commitment to belonging and opportunity for all. These students sign letters of intent expressing their plans to return to LCPS's future educators, helping helping strengthen the next generation of teachers in our school. LCPS also celebrated the opening of the Welcome Center East and Sterling, marking 10 years of the Welcome Center program and expanding support for families navigating enrollment, academics, and community resources. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring every student and family feels welcome, supported, and connected. And though these events like and through the events like the peer conference and the annual equity celebration, students across LCPS continue helping build school communities grounded in empathy, inclusion, and belonging. In every classroom, competition, performance, and partnership. We continue to see the extraordinary talent, compassion, and promise of our students and staff. Thank you. That concludes my report. Thank you, Coachair Chandler. Uh, for your report. I'd also like to thank my vice co-chair, Supervisor Tacroni for delivering our co-chair's report in my absence at the March meeting. Since the joint committee last convened in March, the board approved the fiscal year 2027 budget totaling 5.4 billion, encompassing both the General County government and LCPS. LCPS received a total of 2.1 billion dollars for operating costs, which represented a 105 million dollar increase over the 2026 fiscal year budget. The fiscal year 2027 through 2032 capital improvement program, the CIP was adopted at $4.3 billion, with school projects accounting for up to $20 up to $28% of the total CIP. These commitments to LCPS reflect the board's continued investment in educational facilities and infrastructure. The Light Ridge High School Marching Storm was recently recognized in this board room with a resolution commending them for their hard work and dedication, which led to their invitation to perform at the 2027 New Year parade in London. This achievement highlights the excellence and dedication of our students and school programs. Congratulations to all 150 debate team members. She is uh has been recognized uh by delegate reed. Um she received a proclamation for assisting him with a bill that was passed in the General Assembly. And uh Coach Chanley just mentioned that, so I just want to give her another shout out to that. And um other board members have capstone students as well. Uh the State Corporation Commission approved Dominion's Golden to Mars Power Lines project, selecting Route 4 as the preferred path. Route 4 would pass by the new fewest homes and would partially utilize an existing power lines corridor among the broad-run floodplain floodplain. As proposed, it would also run along the southern and eastern sides of the Rock Ridge High School and Rosalie Carter elementary school campuses. This route requires the approval of the school board. Route 3A was designed as the secondary option if the school board does not grant access for Route 4. So as the 2025-2026 uh school year draws to an end, I want to say congratulations to all the graduating students. And um, if I look a little disheveled, that's because today was field day for us. Uh field day it was so much fun. You know, all the kids they have all the water games and you know, all the other games, of course. So it wasn't really too hot today.
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