School board fine tunes policy

Managing Editor

POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board followed through last week on a plan made in 2022 to revisit a policy dealing with parental notification of the use of explicit materials in schools.

Policy IIA was the topic of lengthy discussions at the November and December 2022 regular meetings of the school board. While the members ultimately voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to pass the revision to the policy, there was obviously more they wanted to say and accomplish.

However, because Senate Bill 656, which required all school divisions to develop a policy ensuring parental notification of any instructional material that includes sexually explicit content, also set a deadline to do so of no later than Jan. 1, 2023, the board decided to adopt a policy they could live with and revisit it this year.

That is why they scheduled a workshop on Jan. 30 dedicated exclusively to hammering out language that would accomplish something that they said might better reflect the values of Powhatan County.

This was a workshop with robust discussion by all five school board members, but no vote was taken to approve this policy. The language they agreed on, which might still be tweaked by staff, will now come back before the board in a regular meeting for their consideration and public comment.

The only vote taken at last week’s meeting was about the decision not to add a public comment period despite some members of the public being there. Newly elected board member Vicki Hurt, who represents District 1, made the motion to add one to the meeting to allow the public to speak but was the only one to support it as the other board members said this was a workshop meant for them to do the nitty gritty work and there would still be time for public comment at regular meetings.

According to Senate Bill 656, the policy is supposed to include information, guidance, procedures and standards relating to ensuring parental notification; directly identifying the specific instructional material and sexually explicit subjects; permitting the parent of any student to review instructional material that includes sexually explicit content; and providing, as an alternative, non-explicit instructional material and related academic activities to any student whose parent so requests.

The board agreed in December that the revision they adopted covered those bare minimum requirements, but some felt they could do more to set clearer and more detailed guidelines for educators that need to follow them and let parents or guardians know those standards and their rights.

Superintendent Beth Teigen and school board members worked through a new proposed Policy IIA in detail during the workshop using two main documents: the current PCPS policy and a much more detailed one Hurt presented.

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

CHESTERFIELD – A Chesterfield police officer was recently honored with an award named in honor of fallen Virginia State Police Special Agent Mike Walter of Powhatan. On Jan. 23, Officer Harrison Hankins with the Chesterfield County Police Department, was presented with the 2022 Mike Walter Memorial Officer of the Year Award. Hankins is the first recipient of the award, which is named in honor of Walter, who died May 27, 2017, as a result of being shot in the line of duty.

Jaime Walter, Mike’s wife, presented Hankins with the award, describing him as someone who encompasses the values, morals and the drive to want to do more beyond the badge because he wants to, not because he has to – characteristics also embodied by her late husband.

Hankins is a narcotics detective in Chesterfield and formerly worked for the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office, she said during the presentation. He is also veteran of the U.S. Marines with extensive combat experience who received a Purple Heart for being wounded in Afghanistan.

Hankins also founded a nonprofit called Unit 2 Back Outdoors, which connects first responders who have been in traumatic incidents and sends them on hunting and fishing trips, among other events, to combat suicide and self-harm tenden - cies and allow for post-traumatic growth. He saw the gap and wanted to help those in need, she added.

“That mission in itself speaks volumes of you Officer Hankins – volumes,” Jaime Walter said.

Before presenting the award, Jaime Walter talked about her husband, who was an 18-year veteran of the state police, a former Richmond Capitol Police Officer and a marine veteran who found in the Persian Gulf War. He was also a husband, father, son, mentor and coach to many. In particular, he dedicated much of his time to the Blackhawk Gym wrestling program and mentoring the youth there.

HORN, Garlen Glynn Jr., 33, a lifelong resident of Powhatan. He left this life to move onto his afterlife on, Tuesday, January 31, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, rev. Herbert and Joy short and the late Woodrow and Martha Horn. He is survived by his parents, Garlen G. Horn sr. and sharon Lane short Horn; sisters, Christie Griffith (Mark), their two children, Connie Johnson and her two adult children; many aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. a visitation was held Friday, February 3, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. in The bennett & barden Funeral Home, where a service was held saturday at 11 a.m. Interment in 5 stone Church on academy road (formerly know as bethesda). all were welcome. Thank you for supporting us all as we must say goodbye to our beloved Glynn. Online condolences may be made at bennettbardenfh.com.

Shop local event benefits nonprofits

Show your support for Habitat for Humanity — Powhatan and the Free Clinic of Powhatan by shopping local on Feb. 10, 11 and 12. During the Heart of the Home Weekend, the Vintage Shack, Three Crosses Distilling Company, Crazy Rooster Brewing, Fine Creek Brew- ing and Macdaddy’s Event and Catering will donate a portion of their proceeds to Habitat for Humanity –Powhatan and Free Clinic of Powhatan. The Free Clinic also will be offering free blood pressure screenings at the ReStore on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Community Calendar

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their joint fundraising event, the Valentine Gala, Habitat for Humanity – Powhatan and the Free Clinic of Powhatan, for the first time, have created an online auction open to all. The online auction, open to the general public, features a wide range of packages donated by local businesses. you’ll find something for almost everyone’s tastes by going online to galabid.com/onlineauction23.

bidding closes at 8 p.m. Feb 10. auction proceeds will be split between Habitat for Humanity — Powhatan and the Free Clinic of Powhatan. Community Matters is a resource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. Challenge and socialization are powerful benefits and crucial at any age! Multiple weekly sessions with a wide range of topics and activities are held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 anderson Hwy, in the training room of Powhatan Parks and recreation. upcoming programs include: Feb. 9, 16 and 23, Game day Thursdays – Many games will be made available (mahjong, cards, Wii, cards, puzzles, rummikub, boggle, Would you rather, Taco/Cat/Goat/Cheese/ Pizza, etc.) and you’re welcome to bring your own; Feb. 10, 17 and 24, Movers and Pacers – Weekly winter walking in the gymnasium rain or shine; Feb. 14 (Part 2), Inflammation and the brain – Two-part series on the biology of inflammation, how it affects our brains, how to avoid and decrease inflammation and maintain improved brain health. More information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County reach for active services.

Program is free; requires independent participation. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-6980438 for more information.

Powhatan County Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on saturdays. Meeting rooms are available by reservation; study rooms are available first come, first served.