A proposed alternative to the 10-day suspension policy for behavioral problems and proposed pay increases for some non-instructional employees are among the topics the Montgomery County School Board will consider Tuesday.
The board will begin with a closed meeting at 5:30 p.m. to discuss student matters and a personnel matter. The regular session will begin at 7 p.m. in the county government center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
Alternative classroom could ensure academic continuity
School board members will take a first look at a program that would modify the current procedure when a student is suspended for up to 10 days. If adopted, it would create an alternative education classroom for grades six through 12 at Montgomery Central in Christiansburg, which serves at-risk students in grades eight through 12.
The goals, according to meeting documents, are to ensure academic continuity, address the root causes of behavioral problems and reduce the frequency of repeated suspensions.
Under the plan, a student suspended for 10 days would spend the first three at home, doing online course work. If the family agrees for the student to participate in the “forgiveness program,” the student would spend days four through six at Montgomery Central. If the student successfully completes the program, they would return to their regular school on day seven.
If parents don’t agree for the student to participate, or if the student is disruptive at Montgomery Central, the full 10-day suspension would stand.
If approved, the program would require hiring additional staff at an estimated cost of more than $137,000. A new classroom would be built at Montgomery Central at an estimated cost of $38,000.
Pay boost for certain staff positions?
The board will also review a proposal to boost pay for school HVAC specialists, electricians and plumbers, along with bus drivers and fleet technicians. The goals are to enhance recruitment and retention of employees and align their pay more closely with market standards.
According to meeting documents, the current salary range for school HVAC workers, electricians and plumbers ranges from nearly $39,300 to about $73,000. By comparison, Montgomery County’s pay for similar positions begins at nearly $60,000. The school system has two vacant HVAC positions, one starting in January of this year and another since late 2022.
The proposal is to raise the scales thusly: Skilled workers, about $50,000 to nearly $87,700; workers with a journeyman license, about $52,000 to nearly $91,200; workers with a master license, from $53,000 to more than $92,900.
If adopted, the plan is expected to cost another $100,000 in the current school year and an additional $200,000 annually.
The current hourly pay range for bus drivers is from $23.74 to $37.38. By comparison, starting pay is more than $26 in Roanoke County schools and nearly $27 in Radford schools.
The proposed new hourly range is $25 to $43.84.
If adopted, the changes are expected to cost $200,000 more for the current school year and $400,000 more annually. They would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Other notable agenda items include:
— Employee group suggestions for the board to consider when developing the fiscal 2026-27 budget.
— An update on the search for a new division superintendent.
— A presentation by a committee that was tasked with examining the current grade point average policy for possible revisions; the committee will recommend making no changes.
You can find meeting documents at https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/mcps/Board.nsf/Public.
