James River High School

Athletic Handbook

2023-2024
Contents

Welcome from the James River High School Athletic Director

I. Important Communication Information
A. Mission of JRHS Athletics
B. School Colors and Mascot
C. Contact Information
D. JRHS Head Coaches
E. JRHS Athletics Website
F. JRHS Athletic Calendars and Three Rivers District Information
G. JRHS Season Sports Passes
H. NFHS Video Subscription
I. JRHS Athletics Awards:
J. Three Rivers District, Region 2C, and State VHSL Awards
II. Virginia High School League (VHSL)
III. BCPS Athletic Policy Information
IV. Coaches
A. Tryouts
B. Coach’s meeting or Parent meeting
C. Conflict resolution
D. Dismissal/Departures
V. Responsibilities of the Athlete
VI. Botetourt Travel Policy
VII. JRHS Booster Club
VIII. Athletic Training Information from our JRHS Athletic Trainer
Appendix
A. Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination
Sexual Harassment/Harassment Based on Race, National Origin, Disability, and Religion

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Welcome from the James River High School Athletic Director

Dear JRHS Student-Athletes, Parents, and Coaches:

I would like to welcome you to our James River High School athletic family. We are glad that your child has
expressed a desire to participate in James River High School athletics, a program that has a long-standing tradition
of excellence in the classroom and athletics. Many of our athletes receive the VHSL academic excellence award
during the semester in which they compete. We are proud that various JRHS athletes participate in college athletics
after their high school experience, and some return to contribute to our JRHS athletics family as coaches.

Participation in a VHSL athletic program is a privilege and responsibility. Great athletic tradition is not built
overnight and requires hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication. When you wear the uniform of JRHS, you
are assuming the responsibilities that go along with them.

The purpose of this handbook is to assist stakeholders (student-athletes, parents, and coaches) in understanding the
goals of JRHS programs, Botetourt County School Board policies, and Virginia High School League (VHSL)
requirements. This handbook is not exhaustive. Thus, your coach will have team-specific expectations that they
share with you once the season begins. Along with our JRHS administration and coaching staff, I encourage you to
review this handbook thoroughly and contact your coach or me if you have questions or need additional
clarification.

Once again, welcome to the James River High School athletic family.

Sincerely,

Chase Davidson,
Athletic Director

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I. Important Communication Information

A. Mission of JRHS Athletics

The athletic department’s mission at James River High School is to ensure that all students participate in a quality
learning experience. Through athletics, we hope to challenge all athletes to use critical thinking skills and adapt and
grow in a changing society. We feel that an effectively managed sports program meets the student’s needs for self-
efficacy, mental alertness, and physical growth.

B. School Colors and Mascot

Scarlet, Black, and White – Knights

C. Contact Information

Athletic Director Chase Davidson W – 473-8438

Athletic Trainer Kimberley Kirk W – 473-8436
Bus Concerns Barbara Vassar W – 473-8259

D. JRHS Head Coaches

Fall Sports
Sport Coach's Name Email
Cheerleading Katie Kitt [email protected]
Cross Country Ray Lewis (Butch) [email protected]
Football Timothy Jennings [email protected]
Golf Donna Cox [email protected]
Volleyball Linsey Firebaugh [email protected]

Winter Sports

Sport Coach's Name Email

Basketball- Boys Ethan Humphries [email protected]
Basketball- Girls Ryan Firebaugh [email protected]
Indoor Track Greg Dyer [email protected]
Swimming Yana Williams [email protected]
Wrestling Robert Stewart (Bobby) [email protected]

Spring Sports

Sport Coach's Name Email

Baseball TBD
Soccer - Boys Jared Whiting [email protected]
Soccer - Girls Bill Smith [email protected]
Softball Steve Austin [email protected]
Track- Boys Greg Dyer [email protected]
Track- Girls Bill Divers [email protected]

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E. JRHS Athletics Website
Please refer to our JRHS Athletics website for additional information: https://jrhs.bcps.k12.va.us/athletics

F. JRHS Athletic Calendars and Three Rivers District Information

All JRHS athletics game calendars are updated on the Three Rivers District Website:
https://www.threeriversdistrictva.org.

Please bookmark this website to reference for the most up-to-date schedules for JRHS in-season sports and out-of-
season open gym opportunities: https://www.threeriversdistrictva.org/public/genie/308/school/681/ Please
click "notify me" and enter your email to get changes in real-time for any schedule updates.

Also, ticket prices are determined by the Three Rivers District. All tickets are $7.

G. JRHS Season Sports Passes

We encourage families to invest in a JRHS Season Sports pass. The Sports pass is accepted for all REGULAR
SEASON GAMES at James River for the entire school year. Please understand that the JRHS season pass is not
accepted for preseason games, jamborees, holiday tournaments, and post-season tournaments.

Type of Pass

Student Athletic pass

(For students through 12th grade)

One Adult Pass

Two Adult Passes

Two Adults &

Two Children
* Additional children are $25 per child

Senior Citizen
(60 or older)

H. NFHS Video Subscription

JRHS has NFHS cameras in the New Gym and on the Football/Soccer field. You can watch the games online by
purchasing a subscription through https://nfhs.com/. JRHS does not maintain this site. All maintenance,
subscriptions, or other questions should be directed to NFHS, please. Please be sure to search for James River
High School - Buchanan, VA for JRHS events. You can watch Live events, “On Demand” for past recordings,
highlights of past games, and more.

I. JRHS Athletics Awards:

Awards Banquets are held at the end of each sports season.

Certificates: If athletes complete the season in good standing, they will receive a participation certificate or letter.
Letters: The lettering requirements for each Varsity sport are set by the sport's coach. Awards may be withheld if
the athlete has not turned in their issued equipment/uniforms. The awards available are the following:
1. Letter – awarded when lettering for the first time in a sport.

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2. Bar – awarded each additional time a player letter in the same sport.
3. Star – awarded when a player has served as captain of the team.
4. Certificate – will be awarded to all team members who complete the season.
5. Manager Letter – awarded to a manager who has served at least two years.
6. Sportsmanship Award – awarded to a senior selected by the coaches.
7. VHSL Academic Award – awarded to students who have lettered in a varsity sport and maintained a 3.5 +
during this participating period.
8. Scarlet Knight Distinguished Athlete – awarded to senior athletes who have accumulated ten (10) or more
points during their athletic careers at James River and have not quit or been dismissed from a sport. Students
earn
● 1 point for lettering on a Varsity team per season
● ¾ point for playing a Varsity sport (but not lettering) per season
● ½ point for JV per season

J. Three Rivers District, Region 2C, and State VHSL Awards

A. District: At the end of each season, the Three Rivers District schools determine First Team All-District
player, Second Team All-District player, The Player of the Year, and The Coach of the Year awards for the
Three Rivers District.

B. Region: At the end of each season, Region 2C schools determine First Team All-Region player, Second
Team All-Region player, The Player of the Year, and The Coach of the Year awards for the 2C Region.

C. State: At the end of each season, the VHSL will determine First Team All-State player, Second Team All-
State player, The Player of the Year, and The Coach of the Year awards for the state of Virginia.

II. Virginia High School League (VHSL)

JRHS is a member of the Virginia High School League (VHSL), specifically Region
C and Classification 2 (“2C”). The Virginia High School League (VHSL) is an
alliance of Virginia’s public and approved non-boarding, non-public high schools
that promote education, leadership, sportsmanship, character, and citizenship for
students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and
competitions. The league encourages student participation in desirable school
activities by conducting or supporting interscholastic activities. VHSL was
developed in 1913 and is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It publishes a code of
rules for all VHSL Activities in the state annually. For the most up-to-date
regulations and procedures governing VHSL, please refer to www.vhsl.org.

A. Coaching standards
VHSL coaches follow the National Coaches Standards of Sports Coaching Standards. You can learn more about
these standards here: https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/coaching/. JRHS coaches continue professional
development through VHSL and sport-specific training opportunities and publications throughout their coaching
careers.

B. Student Eligibility
To be eligible to represent the school in any VHSL-sponsored interscholastic activity, JRHS students shall meet the
following requirements.
1. 28A-2-1 Bona Fide Student Rule: You must be enrolled in and in good standing in the school you represent.
2. 28A-4-1 Grade Rule: You must be enrolled in the last four years of high school.

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 3. 28A-5-1 Scholarship Rule: You must have passed at least five credit subjects, or the equivalent, at the end of
the previous semester and be enrolled in and remain continuously enrolled in at least five credit subjects, or
the equivalent, during the current semester. (Under most 4x4 block plans, one block is the equivalent of two
traditional credits, and a student who takes/passes three is taking/passing the equivalent of six.)
4. 28A-1-1 Age Rule: You must not have reached your 19th birthday on or before the first day of August of
the current school year.
5. 28A-7-1 Transfer Rule: You must sit out of VHSL activities for 365 calendar days following a transfer to the
school unless the transfer corresponded with a family move into the school attendance zone. Eighth and
ninth graders are automatically eligible wherever they enroll at the beginning of the year. (Please check with
your principal or athletic/activities director for exceptions.) 28A-7-A – Transfer Rule – The student shall
not have enrolled in one high school and subsequently transferred to and enrolled in another high school
without a corresponding change in the residence of their parents, parent, or guardian. The sending and
receiving VHSL school principals must complete and file the VHSL Transfer Form, acknowledging that to
the best of their knowledge, the student has met all aspects of the transfer rule or its exceptions.
6. 28A-6-1 Semester Rule: You may participate for no more than eight consecutive semesters following your
initial enrollment in the ninth grade, whether or not you have remained continuously enrolled.
7. 28B-2-1 Amateur Rule: You must be an amateur who participates only for the educational, physical, mental,
and social benefits derived from the activity.
8. 28B-4-1 Awards Rule: You must not accept in recognition of athletic ability any award not approved by
your school or the Virginia High School League.
9. 28B-1-1 All-Star Rule: Only seniors who have completed their eligibility in a sport may participate in one all-
star game in that sports season.
10. 28B-3-1 Consent Form/Physical: You must have submitted a complete copy of a current Athletic
Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form, including the required physical by a doctor,
prior to practice, tryouts, or membership on any school athletic team, including cheer.

C. Ejections
Coaches must immediately notify the athletic director of any sportsmanship violations by a player or coach. This
information will also be reported to the administration and VHSL by the athletic director.
● Students that are ejected by an official from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct are automatically
suspended for the next game/activity.
● Students that are ejected by an official for leaving the bench/sideline are suspended for two
games/activities.
● Suppose a student is ejected by an official for engaging in a fight during the game or directing profanity
toward a contest official. In that case, the student is suspended for the subsequent three games/activities.
● Students that are ejected by an official for hate speech are suspended for three games/activities.
○ Hate Speech - Policy 27-16-1 - Any coach, team personnel and/or contestant who confronts or
addresses a coach, contestant or official using hate speech, ethnically or racially insensitive
expressions, will be disqualified for the contest and will be ineligible for the team’s next 3 scheduled
contests and /or subsequent contests until penalties and educational/restorative interventions are
completed.

D. Out-of-season practices
VHSL Out-of-Season Practice Rule (27-7-1) identifies four dead periods (see vhsl.org for these dates each year).
Outside of the dead periods, all VHSL member school activities may occur on any day except Sundays. The four
dead periods are the ten days beginning with the first permissible practice date of a sports season published in the
VHSL Calendar and the summer week from Sunday through Saturday of the week containing July 4 th. All out-of-
season practices are voluntary. Also, in-season sports take priority over all other activities in using school facilities.
The VHSL calendar adopted through 2024-2025.

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III. BCPS Athletic Policy Information

Before trying out, JRHS students and parents must complete Athletic Policy Training. The purpose of the Athletic
Policy Training is to inform parents and players of the athletic policies of BCPS, concussion awareness, and more.
Students must be signed into their 1770 account and should add the Google Classroom using code: 45plvoy. The
student-athlete will need to complete the Edpuzzle Athletic Policies video assignment after watching the video.
After watching the video, parents and students will have access to the pledge form, which must be submitted before
participating in athletics.

IV. Coaches

A. Tryouts
Coaches are encouraged to have three days of try-outs. Tryouts begin only on the dates designated by the VHSL.
Coaches are encouraged to talk to the athletes that are likely to be cut or play very little and let them know their
situation to allow them to try out for another sport that season if applicable. This provides options for the student-
athlete. Coaches do not post the team roster or cut list after tryouts.

Try-outs after post-season play: If a student is on a team that is in post-season play, the student should continue
with his/her team through the end of post-season before trying out for the next season sport. Students would then
be afforded three days of try-outs at the conclusion of his/her post-season play.

Eighth Graders: Eighth-grade students may try out for JV teams (except Cheerleading, Football, or Wrestling).
Eighth graders may represent JRHS at the JV level only. They may not compete in any manner in a varsity contest
(VHSL Participation rule 54-6-3). JRHS communicates with CAMS regarding try-outs for interested eighth-graders.
All athletes competing in VHSL athletic programs must be eligible students in all regards. They must meet
requirements set by the VHSL, their schools, school division, district, or region.

B. Coach’s meeting or Parent meeting

A coach’s meeting or parent meeting will be held after the team members have been chosen. The coach will select
this date and communicate it to the team. The coach/parent meeting is a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians.
Questions are welcomed. In addition to becoming eligible under VHSL and BCPS guidelines and completing the
necessary paperwork, each athlete must follow the specific rules developed by the coach. A clear understanding of
these rules supports effective relationships between the parent, coach, and athlete.

At the preseason team meeting, coaches will discuss the following:

1. The coach's philosophy
2. Expectations and goals the coach has for your child, team, and/or season.
3. Practice and attendance policy
4. Locations and times of practices and contests
5. Team requirements include special equipment, strength and conditioning programs, etc.
6. Team rules, guidelines, and consequences for infractions
7. Citizenship/sportsmanship/academic development
8. Acknowledgment of Risk
Note: The coach will discuss the safety issues and the procedure if your child is injured during
participation.
9. Sickness/return from injury/emergency care
10. Criteria for receiving athletic awards – any athlete who has not turned in equipment by the awards night
(assuming the team is no longer playing) will have all awards held until the equipment returned to the
school.
11. Parental involvement – Booster Club, clock operator, scorekeeper, etc.

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 12. Other items as determined by the coach. Each team will have set team rules in addition to the rules and
expectations of this handbook. A few examples are rules and penalties for tardiness, absences, inappropriate
practice/game dress, misconduct, and more.

C. Conflict resolution
As our students become involved in JRHS athletic programs, we hope that they will experience some of the most
rewarding moments of their lives; however, there may be times when things
do not go the way you and your athlete wish. At these times, we encourage
you to schedule an appointment with the coach to work towards
understanding and resolution.

Meeting with the coach:

Do not confront a coach before, during, or after a contest or practice.
These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach, and
conversations at this time do not result in a favorable resolution. Instead,
please schedule a meeting with the coach during a mutually agreeable time
by calling or emailing to set up an appointment with the coach and/or
athletic director. Both the parent and the athlete should attend this
meeting.

Appropriate concerns to discuss during a meeting with the coach:

1. Concerns regarding your child’s mental and physical status
2. Ways to help your child improve in the activity

Inappropriate issues (that will not be discussed) during a meeting with the coach:
1. Team Strategy
2. Play Calling
3. Other student-athletes
4. Playing Time
Note: It is challenging to accept your child not playing time as much as you would like them to play.
Coaches are professionals and must make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all
athletes involved.

D. Dismissal/Departures
Coaches will communicate dismissal and departure times with students. Coaches or the athletic director will notify
teachers through JRHS staff email. Athletes share the responsibility of ensuring their teacher dismisses them at the
appropriate time by monitoring the time and reminding teachers/staff if necessary.

V. Responsibilities of the Athlete

1. Physicals – The required VHSL physical must be on file with the athletic director before attending open
gym/tryouts. A physical must be dated after May 1 to be used for any sport during the following
school year. The VHSL physical is suitable for the entire school year.

2. Understand risk - Each sport has its unique requirements and risks. Participation in any athletic activity may
result in severe injury, including paralysis or death. Changes in rules, improved conditioning programs,
better medical coverage, and improvement in equipment and coaching techniques have reduced these risks;
however, it is impossible to eliminate such occurrences from athletics. Student-athlete should communicate
with the coach as soon as possible if they are injured.

3. Insurance - All athletes must be protected by insurance (school or private), as noted on Part IV on the
VHSL Physical Exam Form. The School Board provides supplemental insurance (VACORP) for students.

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 This insurance is secondary to any other coverage the family may have and will pay eligible medical expenses
not payable by other sources of coverage.

4. Grade requirements - The VHSL and James River High School require an athlete to pass 3 out of 4 class
blocks to be eligible to participate in any sport.

5. Class Attendance - It is the responsibility of the athlete to attend school regularly. An athlete must be in
attendance for at least 3 out of 4 class blocks (each school day) to participate in practice, conditioning
programs, or a game (unless the absence has been pre-arranged through the attendance office or the office
of the athletic director).

6. Team Attendance - All in-season practices and games are mandatory for student-athletes (as long as present
at school, not OSS, not in ASD, etc.). In cases involving long-term, consecutive absences due to illness,
injury, or family emergency, there may be make-up assignments or activities to assist the athlete’s return to
the developmental level necessary to perform or compete safely and successfully.

7. Dress – Athletes are encouraged to appropriately dress when representing James River High School.

8. Equipment and Uniforms – Coaches are responsible for maintaining inventory of all equipment, including
issued and returned equipment for their sport; however, once equipment and/or uniforms are issued, it
becomes the athlete’s responsibility. If any of these items are lost, destroyed, or not returned by the athlete,
he/she will be held financially responsible for replacing them. All payments for this equipment must be
made at the end of the season to the coach or Athletic Director. Athletes must return or pay for all
equipment from a previous season before participating in any other sports.

9. Quit/dismissed athletes - An athlete who begins practice in one sport and is released from the team for any
reason other than being “cut” may not participate in any other after-school activity during that same season.
This includes open gyms or weight lifting.

10. Athletes may participate in more than one sport in a sports season if both coaches concur and cooperatively
work out the details of practices, games, etc., together and share with the athlete. These agreed details must
be shared with the athletic director and the student-athlete before participation begins.

11. Athletes are students first and subject to the same rules as other James River students.
● Coaches may assign team consequences in addition to school disciplinary consequences.
● A student who is suspended out of school may not participate in athletics during the out-of-school
suspension (OSS).
● ASD - Athletes assigned to ASD will serve the full time on the day assigned. If they do not attend, they will
not be allowed to practice or participate in a game on the day assigned.

12. Sportsmanship
● Unsportsmanlike gesturing or the harassing of an individual will not be tolerated.
● The official’s ruling – just or unjust- should be accepted with politeness. Players should refrain from
showing surprise or irritation at a call of an official.
● Substitutes on the bench must not heckle the opposing team and should never enter the playing field/court.

VI. Botetourt Travel Policy

A. Superintendent’s Regulation for Transporting students from Activities

Generally, students involved in school-related activities are expected to ride to these activities with the team or
group involved in the activity as a means of protecting the well-being of students and their parents. BCPS does not
have an activity bus to transport students home after practices.

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If not riding the bus back to school from an away game/activity, the following procedure is to be followed:
1. A “sign-out” sheet will be given to the parents after every away game. Athletes will be allowed to leave with
their parents after the parent has signed the “sign out” sheet.
2. Athletes are allowed to ride home with other immediate family members or parents of other participants
provided the coach has received written permission from the student’s parents. This permission form must
be signed by the athletic director or administrator.
3. Failure to comply results in a one game suspension.

B. Who travels with the team

Only those team members eligible to participate may accompany a team on the bus to a school-sponsored athletic
trip. The school administration must clear any deviation from the policy.

VII. JRHS Booster Club

A. Purpose: The purpose of the JRHS Athletics Booster club is to support JRHS Athletes. Support is shown
through volunteering time and raising funds to enhance athletic productivity and performance.

B. President: The president of the JRHS Booster Club for 2023-2024 is Angela Crawford.

C. Meetings: Meetings are held the second Monday of each month in the JRHS cafeteria. The Booster Club
Board meets at 6 pm and is open to members and/or the public at 6:30 pm. Student Athletes, parents, and
coaches are encouraged to attend.

VIII. Athletic Training Information from our JRHS Athletic Trainer

D. Purpose: The purpose of the Athletic Training program is to work together with the administration,
coaches, parents, and athletes in educating, preventing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries the student-
athlete sustains while participating in the sport. The goal of the athletic training program is to help support
student-athletes compete at the highest level resulting in long, successful seasons for all Knights’ athletic
teams.

E. Role: As the Certified Athletic Trainer, Ms. Kirk is responsible for the athletes’ healthcare while under their
respective coaches’ supervision at James River. If she is not present at the time of injury, the athlete will be
referred to her as soon as possible for evaluation, treatment, and, if needed, referral to a physician. Our
Athletic Trainer makes all decisions regarding participation concerning injury. She will communicate any
decision to the coaching staff immediately and communicate to the Athletic Director and the
parent/guardian of the athlete. Please keep in mind that if an athlete seeks medical attention from a
physician or hospital Emergency Department without consulting with the athletic trainer first, she can no
longer decide on the athlete’s participation in practice sessions or scheduled games. The athlete and his/her
parents will then be required to present a “release” form from the physician that has been responsible for
their care before there can be any further participation. Additionally, should an athlete report for their
respective athletic season with a pre-existing injury (i.e. a summer injury or an injury sustained outside
school) they must present a release form if they have been under the care of a physician before they can
participate again.

F. Risks: Athletic participation involves overall stress and strain on the body as a whole. The athlete does not
necessarily need to be “100%” to participate; there may be days when the athlete will participate with
modifications. However, each injury is situational, and what may be so for one incident may not hold for
another. It is essential to treat both the athlete and the injury. Further physical damage to the athlete will
not be risked by participating in a practice session or scheduled events. An Emergency Plan is also on file
for each respective sport and is to be completed by the head coach. Also, as needed, professional
developments are held with coaching staffs (i.e., MRSA Education) depending on specific needs.

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G. Managing risks: Heat & Concussions
Heat illness and injury can range from a simple muscle cramp to life-threatening heatstroke. Catastrophic
heat injuries are preventable. The most critical components in preventing heat injury are the prevention of
dehydration and limiting activity when temperature and humidity make it near impossible for the body to
cool through the evaporation of sweat. The athletic trainer dictates how temperature and/or weather
(i.e. lightning) affects practices or activities.

Concussions are highlighted in the required Athletic Policy Training. Please also see the appendix for
information from the CDC, “Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs” as well as the included
substance abuse athletics policy. Please speak with the athletic trainer if you have any questions.

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Appendix

A. Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs

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The School Board reserves the right to add, delete, or revise any policies and/or regulations as it deems
necessary.

The James River High School administration reserves the right to add, delete, or revise any rules and/or
procedures as deemed necessary to support an orderly and safe athletics program.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination

The Botetourt County School Board is an equal opportunity employer, committed to non-discrimination in
recruitment, selection, hiring, pay, promotion, retention or other personnel action affecting employees or candidates
for employment. Therefore, discrimination in employment against any person on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, political affiliation, gender, age, marital status, or disability is prohibited. Personnel decisions shall be
based on merit and the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Students see School Board Policy JB
Employees see School Board Policy GB

Sexual Harassment/Harassment Based on Race, National Origin, Disability, and Religion

Botetourt County Public Schools is committed to maintaining a learning/working environment free from sexual
harassment based on race, national origin, disability or religion. Therefore, Botetourt County School Division
prohibits sexual harassment and harassment based on race, national origin, disability, or religion of any student or
school personnel at school or any school sponsored activity.
Students see School Board Policy JFHA/GBA
Employees see School Board Policy GBA/JFHA

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the above:
Tim McClung
143 Poor Farm Road
Fincastle, VA 24090
540-473-8363
[email protected]

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