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Since first elected in 2018, Neil Whitmore has seen Rockbridge County Public Schools through the challenges of the pandemic.
“Covid, pandemic response policies to keep staff and students safe,” Whitmore cites as a major accomplishment in his term. “Supported families during the shutdown and worked to provide in home Wi-Fi coverage to make remote learning possible, student materials delivered, food deliveries to students.”
Whitmore, current chair of the Board, is running for reelection in the Walkers Creek District.
He is also proud of safety improvements, including school resource officers at all county schools, as well as new entry cameras and electronic locks; and improvements to the high school athletic facilities and their rededication as the Prasnicki-Ross field and Veterans Stadium.
If reelected, Whitmore hopes to, “continue to be student and staff centered with the goal of providing all RCPS students with the education, support, and the inspiration they need to reach their full potential, continue to recruit and retain the highest quality faculty and staff, and continue to expand AP, Dual Enrollment and CTE [Career and Technical Education] programs to offer RCPS students the broadest range of opportunities possible.”
In his time on the School Board, Whitmore has also “worked to keep RCPS competitive with teacher/staff salaries,” something he believes will continue to be important.
“Teachers and staff are being asked to do more and more and school divisions do not have the funding to support them adequately,” he said, noting a decrease in state funding. “Virginia needs to make the commitment to provide more funding for public education. The recent JLARC study illustrates the problem and the need. Public education is being asked to do more with less and this is not sustainable.”
To help with this issue, Whitmore will seek to maintain competitive pay for teachers, and also make sure Rockbridge teachers have good access to health care and support within the schools.
Health care is also important for students, which Whitmore hopes can be provided through Rockbridge Schools’ partnership with the Rockbridge Area Health Center.
“I would continue to expand mental health and wellness support within each individual school,” he said, “and
, page B11 continue to expand the RCPS partnership with the Rockbridge Area Health Center to expand mental and physical health needs as well as dental care. To be able to learn to their fullest potential students need to have the proper health and nutritional support.”
Chronic absenteeism has also been an issue in county schools. Though Rockbridge has received grant funding, Whitmore believes proper implementation is key.
“Chronic absenteeism is a national problem and needs to be addressed at all levels,” he said. “A recent grant received by RCPS is providing new tools to help them with the challenges, but it needs to be addressed on multiple levels to be effective.”
While challenges remain, Whitmore believes that Rockbridge County Public Schools has strength through its staff, leadership, and community.
“[We have] a cohesive board that is focused on working together for the success of students, a dedicated staff of tenured teachers that work for the betterment of students, and a supportive community in the greater Rockbridge/Lexington area that knows the value of education at all levels and wants to support RCPS and students,” he said.
Whitmore graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1990, and later worked at the school. “My time as a college administrator, and my interest in education and the local community led to a desire for service on the school board,” he said.
He currently works for the Rockbridge Office of Community Development, and serves as a first responder firefighter and EMT for the county. He lives near Brownsburg with his wife and daughter.
