By Taylor Boyd
The Henry County School Board heard a presentation about Emerald Education, a North Carolina-based consultancy, at its Jan. 8 meeting, after reelecting a chairman and vice-chairman for the upcoming year.
Teddy Martin II, of the Reed Creek District, was elected chairman, marking Martin’s fourth consecutive year in the post.
Ben Gravely, of the Iriswood District, was reelected as vice-chairman for the fourth consecutive year.
During the reorganizational meeting, the board also appointed Britney Meeks as Board Clerk and Tameia Easley as Deputy Clerk.
Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Administrative Services Dr. Benjamin Boone was approved to serve as the designee of the division superintendent to attend school board meetings in case of the superintendent’s absence.
The board also adopted the code of conduct for school board members and approved the school board meeting schedule.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Lisa Millner explained that the school division entered into a multi-phase initiative with Emerald Education in fall 2024.
Parents raised concerns about the vendor at a Dec. 4 board meeting, and questioned how the vendor was selected, its relationship with school officials, and its cost.
“A sole source letter was provided to verify the specialized expertise and uniqueness of products and services where competitive bidding is not possible,” she said.
Services began in the spring of 2025, and included survey and creation and administration, in-person focus groups, on-site observations and interviews, curriculum review, a report of action steps, and a presentation to the school board in the development of a math steering committee.
Millner said this work spanned a period of approximately five months at a total cost of $71,000.
“In the fall of 2025, Emerald Education was acquired by Public Consulting Group, also known as PCG. All services remain in place and are being honored at this time,” she said.
To support student learning, Millner said printed and digital elevated math games were purchased.
“These resources are in alignment with the Virginia standards, with a cost of $187,125. This purchase provided a digital set for each math teacher in the division as well as a hands-on set for each math teacher to be used in all math classrooms,” she said.
In July 2025, Millner said principals and division leadership participated in a full day of professional development with PCG staff. In August 2025, professional development from PCG was provided to teachers on best practices for using elevation station math games.
“Throughout the fall of 2025, we’ve met with the Math Steering Committee composed of lead math teachers, administrators, and division leadership who worked with facilitators from PCG to analyze our current practices and work to establish a vision for mathematics instruction in Henry County Public Schools,” she said.
The work is ongoing, Millner said, and on August 6, the Steering Committee expanded to include representatives from all schools.
“We are now transitioning to creating high-quality math, instructional, and professional development that will be shared in all schools beginning in March. To date, these services have cost $45,604.17,” Millner said.
A more comprehensive update will be shared with the board later this month.
Millner said outstanding services yet to be rendered include the creation of school-level professional development kits, follow-up training with all building and division-level administrators, and a two-day mini conference for all math teachers in the division.
In other matters, the board:
*Heard from Sidney McClure, of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3739, who presented a $1,000 donation to the Henry County Public Schools Foundation.
*Heard from Melissa Zehr about the division’s finances.
*Heard from Myndi Mullins about the board’s role.
*Heard from Mary Martin about the division and its staff.
*Watched VFW Ford-Stewart Post 4637 Quartermaster Joseph Ellison present the VFW Fifth District Teacher of the Year award to Sarah Martin and Chris Redd.
*Recognized student athletes and the First LEGO League team.
*Heard a presentation on Drewey Mason Elementary School’s academic programs and attendance rates.
*Heard the 2025 Henry County audit report. The school division received a clean, unmodified opinion.
*Heard a presentation on the superintendent advisory committee feedback for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.
*Approved the consent agenda.
*Approved the 2026-2027 middle and high school program of studies as presented.
*Approved the additional funding of $691,354.05 for the 2025-2026 Title I, Part A grant application.
*Heard the superintendent’s reports.
*Heard the committee reports.
*Approved the personnel report and addendum as presented.
