Anna L. Mallory | The Roanoke Times

Tayten Allison, 10, a rising Christiansburg Middle School student, flips through books at the Christiansburg Public Library.

Two local school divisions hope to use more than $850,000 in federal stimulus money to improve students' reading and math skills and boost parent involvement in schools that receive Title 1 grants.

Both Radford and Montgomery County school boards have approved Title 1 spending plans that would create new positions for reading tutors and a parent involvement liaison, and add teacher training programs, all using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Montgomery County plans to use about $707,000 in stimulus money; Radford, about $150,000.

The school board-approved plans now go to the Virginia Department of Education for approval.

Using the money, the school employees then would work within schools designated to receive Title 1 money, typically those with students considered economically disadvantaged.

Radford's board passed a grant proposal that, if approved by the state, would put $7,000 into a parent-involvement coordinator's position. Montgomery County's board approved hiring a part-time coordinator who would create parent-child activities and also write a newsletter for parents.

In Montgomery County, the focus will be on reading improvement. The county's Title 1 schools -- Auburn Elementary, Belview Elementary, Christiansburg Primary, Christiansburg Elementary, Elliston-Lafayette Elementary, Falling Branch Elementary, Price's Fork Elementary and Shawsville Elementary -- would see new reading tutors and special libraries with materials appropriate for specific grade levels.

Montgomery County also plans to add four reading and math specialists.

A new Montgomery County policy could keep more teachers in school toward the end of the academic year, said Erin Bull, president-elect of the Montgomery County Education Association.

Employees now may accumulate up to five unused personal days that can roll over to the following year. The Montgomery County School Board signed off on the change last week.

The policy change, Bull said, will help teachers who often feel as if they have to cram their unused days in at the year's end and could "improve morale."

During the past year, the association had asked for an additional personal day, which would have meant employees receive three personal days annually, but budget constraints kept that from happening.

Another policy change approved allows part-time staff with at least two years in the school system to receive all their sick leave at the beginning of the year.

Students who skip could lose licenses

Students with 10 or more unexcused and consecutive absences from school could have their driver's licenses suspended by a juvenile court judge, according to a new law that takes effect next Wednesday.

A judge can suspend the student's driver's license for any period of time until he or she turns 18. Exceptions include students who have withdrawn from school or transferred to different schools.

If teens whose licenses are suspended drive anyway, they could be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Students may apply to the court for a restricted license under specific circumstances.

Proceeds from the July 4 Motor Mile Independence Chili Cook-Off at Motor Mile Speedway will benefit Pathway Christian Academy, working to move to a new facility in Christiansburg.

Organizers of the cook-off, scheduled for to 6 p.m. July 4, are hoping for 25 contestants. About 10 people are signed up, said Chris Gibbs, who is organizing the event for his aunt, Terri Shaffer, who is on the board for Pathway.

Would-be cooks who are members of the International Chili Society can register for $35. Nonmembers must pay $85. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three cooks, and a people's choice winner will be chosen.

The Christian school needs to raise at least $4,000 before it can move into its permanent space. In September, Pathway's board purchased 30 acres on Flanagan Drive and began a capital campaign to raise money to build a new school. Construction has stalled because the school is struggling to raise the money it needs.

In the fall, students will attend school at a renovated portion of the Gateway Shopping Center.

For more information about the contest, contact Chris Gibbs at cgibbs@weighstation.net or 381-2670.