Anonymous post raises question for School Board
Check-area resident Dianna Hale referenced an anonymous Facebook post that was made on several Floyd-based pages in regard to the varsity cheerleading coach. The post alleged VHSL safety violations during cheer activities, verbal abuse of athletes, and questioned the coach’s leadership and more.
A county resident who spoke during the public comment period at the Sept. 8 Floyd County School Board meeting questioned what the Board does to protect its employees from “defamation” on a public forum.
Check-area resident Dianna Hale referenced an anonymous Facebook post that was made on several Floyd-based pages in regard to the varsity cheerleading coach. The post alleged Virginia High School League (VHSL) safety violations during cheer activities, verbal abuse of athletes, and questioned the coach’s leadership experience and allocation of funds for the program.
Andrew Blevins
210 N Locust Street
Floyd, VA 24091-2105
(540) 745-2777
Next to School House Fabrics on Route 8 in the Town of Floyd.
“What is Floyd County doing…to protect our staff and faculty? We are struggling already to have people who work for this division,” Hale said. “We are unfortunately not able to match funds, as neighboring divisions are, and we struggle to hold on to highly qualified staff.”
Hale added that administrators should consider taking action “when allegations that are defamation” are made, particularly when the allegations name a specific staff member on a public forum.
Hale said that if there is merit to allegations of abuse, then the authority in charge should “go forth with an investigation” to ensure no child is being abused, especially at school. “But I can assure you, there’s not abuse” in this situation, she said.
She said the reality is probably that students were upset with what they’re “all, equally” being expected to do because they’re being held to a high standard, which the School Board should support.
“We are trying to have our standards raised in Floyd County, and we need to make sure we’re supporting our staff and our teams that are doing this,” she said.
In addressing other allegations made in the Facebook post, Hale said the VHSL considers grassy areas a “safe place to practice stunts” and that the coach has completed training at Virginia Tech, Ferrum College and VHSL-sanctioned training.
She also said that cheerleaders are “not spectators” at a football game but are “participants.”
“As a former FCHS cheerleader, you are participating in the game,” Hale said. “You are entertaining and cheering on the fans to participate even more in the game.”
The only other public comment made during the meeting was made by Becky Howell, and she encouraged the School Board to replace the American Flag that was “in tatters” outside of the building.
Younger Buffs enjoy Farm to Table program
The Instructional Spotlight portion of the Sept. 8 Floyd County School Board meeting featured a presentation of the Farm to Table summer enrichment program, which was available to students in grades three to seven.
A part of Career and Technical Education offerings by Floyd County Public Schools (FCPS), the Farm to Table program ran for a week, and students were able to participate in a variety of focused classes with culinary and agriculture teachers.
FCPS Director of College and Career Readiness Brittany Quesenberry said participants collected zucchini from the garden, then used it to make zucchini bread; completed classes centered around food groups and farm-centered STEM challenges; and some students got to plan out their own agricultural business.
There were a total of 36 participants, Quesenberry said, and the program was developed internally by the local district. FCPS organizers hope to be able to host the program — or one like it — again. She noted that other themes have been discussed but that in a post-program survey “the kids really liked the Farm to Table” theme.
Quesenberry said interest in the program was “a little higher than what we expected” and some did ultimately have to be turned away. She said that in the future, the program could be extended or offered in multiple sessions to allow for more participation by students.
Board member Debbie Snellings, who represents the Courthouse District, said she was around the school for basketball camp while the Farm to Table program was happening, and students “were so excited about it.”
Later in the Sept. 8 meeting, School Board members unanimously approved policy revisions that were presented at the August meeting, which included technical language, a grading policy, defining “cyberbullying” (“bullying that occurs through the use of technology, including cell phones and other devices capable of accessing the internet,” the policy states), and changes to the Special Education Advisory Committee.
The following overnight field trips were also unanimously approved:
- FBLA to Virginia Beach, September 25-26
- Varsity Cross Country, Oct. 17-18
- Seventh Grade to Washington, DC, Oct. 23-25
- FFA to Indianapolis, IN, Oct. 28 to Nov. 1
- Seventh Grade to Washington, DC, spring 2026
- HOSA to Williamsburg, March 7-9, 2026
- Seventh Grade to Washington, DC, April 2026
- FBLA to Reston, April 2026
- Seventh Grade to Washington, DC, April 9-10, 2026
- 11th and 12th Grade to Washington, DC, April 20-24, 2026
- FFA to Virginia Tech, June 8-11, 2026
- FBLA to Nashville, TN, fall 2026
Superintendent Jessica Cromer provided the Board with an enrollment update and said there are about 45 more students than originally anticipated for a total of 1,616 district-wide as of Aug. 31.
She also said that Floyd County has climbed to 49th in the state for student performance (from 64th) and informed the Board of possible changes to Standard of Learning scoring that is being considered by the state Board of Education.
FCPS School Board meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 140 Harris Hart Rd.
Learn more at www.floyd.k12.va.us.