Board Meeting Regular Session - 4/13/2026

The Mercer County Schools Board of Education held a regular session on April 13, 2026, which included a hearing on a reduction in force affecting a machine tool technology teaching position at the technical education center. The board discussed declining enrollment in the program, challenges in student recruitment, and the high cost of updating equipment, with the superintendent recommending program cuts due to budget and enrollment constraints. The meeting also covered multiple procurement actions including approval of contracts for student athletic insurance renewal ($17,998), professional development services funded by a Gear Up Southwest Virginia grant ($57,000), and textbook adoptions for various subjects totaling over $247,000, all funded through the excess levy. Additionally, the board approved a contract renewal with TK Elevator Corporation for elevator maintenance with a 5% price increase. Policy updates, audit findings, and facility improvement projects such as partial demolition of Bluefield School were also addressed, with motions passed to rescind prior demolition orders for part of the building to allow community use. The board discussed AI integration in education and workforce preparation but took no direct procurement action on that topic. Overall, the meeting involved significant procurement decisions related to educational materials, services, and facilities management, alongside personnel and policy matters.