By Jessica Dillon
The Martinsville City School Board held its final meeting before the end of the 2025-26 school year on May 11, approving employee bonuses, recognizing students and student groups, and adopting several policy updates.
Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley announced that employees will receive retention bonuses after the division received approval for state funding.
“This bonus, which is actually our retention bonus, goes to all of our people — from our teachers to our bus drivers to our maintenance staff,” Talley said. “It is everybody’s combined effort that makes our school division grow.”
Talley said all employees will receive the same amount, as has been done in previous years.
“We’re hoping to be able to distribute $1,500 apiece per person,” he said.
The board also approved updates to several policies, including those related to reporting per-pupil costs, electronic room partitions, staff weapons in schools, staff retirement systems and school volunteers.
Board members approved applications for Title III funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and approved the division’s VHSL membership application.
Several students and student groups also were recognized during the meeting, including the MADAWGS Robotics Team, Kid Wind and Kid Solar teams, Career and Technical Education Signing Day students, “If I Were Mayor” essay contest winner Hailey Coleman and senior student school board representative Kamori Dillard.
