Colonial Elementary School announced Thursday evening that it would be closed after a gas leak was identified just past 4 p.m. Thursday.

Botetourt County Public Schools has reinstated random drug testing for students participating in certain extracurricular activities and those with parking passes, allocating $65,000 of its budget towards the new policy.

Governor Youngkin signed House Bill 2720, Thursday patroned by Delegate Terry Austin, allowing rural school districts with fewer than 4,500 students to explore alternative student transportation methods.

Dr. Janet Womack has been announced as the next superintendent of Botetourt County Public Schools, with her new position set to take effect on July 1.

Botetourt County Public Schools released a statement regarding a recent cybersecurity incident that may have included data from students.

A salmonella outbreak prompted a cucumber recall after dozens reported becoming sick across the country.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of whole cucumbers linked to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections.

Botetourt County Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Botetourt County Public Schools, Botetourt Fire & EMS, as well as the Compress & Shock Foundation to offer free one-hour classes in bystander CPR & AED use.

Dr. Johnathan Russ announced his retirement, effective July 1, in an email to students and staff on Thursday.

The Annual State of the County Address for Botetourt County is set to be held Thursday at 8 a.m.

A pertussis case has been confirmed at Lord Botetourt High School, according to BCPS Thursday.

PowerSchool, an international provider of education administration software, suffered a cybersecurity incident in December that may have impacted Botetourt County Public Schools data, BCPS said on Thursday.

The Botetourt County Public School Board approved a division cell phone policy, the school said in a statement to parents Thursday.

Severe weather will be impacting our area over the next two days, and many school districts are delaying arrival or closing altogether on Friday, Sept. 27.

Registration for after school and before school care programs are now open in our region.

With Tropical Storm Debby set to affect our area some schools have begun delaying start their start dates.

BCPS announced that it would be closed on Thursday and Friday due to severe weather.

The Botetourt County Rotary Club donated funds to provide online mental health resources for parents and students in the Botetourt County Public Schools, aiming to support at-risk youth.

School leaders made some changes to their workday on Monday to protect kids from the Matts Creek wildfire smoke.

Power outages throughout the Fincastle area could affect the school day for several Botetourt County Public Schools, according to school officials.

Lord Botetourt High School was put in lockdown on Friday afternoon after a possible threat, according to Botetourt County Public Schools officials.

Leaders in Botetourt County Public Schools said they have no open teaching vacancies for the 2023-2024 school year.They used several tactics like using social media to attract talent to teach in the school system.

A student was left with minor injuries following a crash involving a Botetourt County school bus Monday morning, school officials report.

An Efficiency & Facilities Task Force presented some recommendations to the School Board on Thursday.

Botetourt County Public Schools has announced that it will be closing at noon Monday out of an abundance of caution.

Several schools in Botetourt County will be closed on Thursday due to widespread power outages, the school division announced on Twitter.

We’re told the bus was at a stop when the crash happened

Mask or no masks? That's what schools are looking at across Virginia.

School division leaders in Botetourt County say the decision to have early dismissal on Wednesdays will help teachers and other faculty members have more time to address the challenges this year has created.

High COVID-19 transmission rates in the Botetourt County community are forcing school officials to figure out a way to combat a shortage of teachers and available substitutes.

All the jars are going to a Backpack Buddies. The program delivers bags of food for the weekend to students who get free or reduced school lunch.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Botetourt County Public Schools will resume school sports in January. He said the decision to withdraw “was not made in haste.”Botetourt County Public Schools will withdraw effective Monday, January 4. His son Tanner plays basketball at Lord Botetourt High School, and committed to play at the college level. Russ released a statement on November 24 that BCPS entered the agreement with the following school divisions: Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, Craig County Public Schools, Roanoke City Pubic Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools and Salem City Public Schools. Roanoke City and Roanoke County school districts have decided to remain part of the original agreement adopted on Nov. 24.

DALEVILLE, Va. – Botetourt County Public Schools put its “Now Hiring” sign on full display on Wednesday. The school district hosted a job fair at Lord Botetourt High School throughout the day. Applicants were able to interview with school district leaders face-to-face, albeit with distance, between the tables due to COVID-19 precautions. Botetourt County Public Schools is looking to fill openings for teachers, bus drivers, bus aides, nurses, and custodians. “I want to help out wherever they need me.”The school district encouraged applicants to pre-register but did allow walk-ins to apply for jobs.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – A student has been diagnosed with coronavirus at Lord Botetourt High School. Botetourt County Public Schools made this announcement Thursday and said the school will remain open during this time. Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Russ said it has been working with the health department to identify anyone else in the community considered a close contact to this positive case. Anyone who has been exposed will be contacted directly by the health department and will be given further guidance, according to the notice. Russ said those who aren’t contacted don’t need to stay home or isolate.

BLUE RIDGE, Va. – One staff member tested positive for coronavirus at Colonial Elementary School. Botetourt County Public Schools announced on Sunday that the elementary school will remain open during this time since the staff member wasn’t on school ground this past week. They said they have been working with the health department to identify staff members who may have come in contact with the confirmed case while on school premises. Officials said no students were deemed as close contacts or had any potential exposure to the staff member. They said they have been working with the health department to identify staff members who may have come in contact with the confirmed case while on school premises.