At its regular meeting Tuesday night, Waynesboro School Board approved the appropriation of $200,000 to hire a director in the spring for a regional Recovery High School.
Recovery High School is for high school students struggling with addiction. The Waynesboro school will also serve Augusta County students.
Waynesboro Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Cassell said the school system has submitted a planning grant application with Augusta County to the Virginia Department of Education. Virginia DOE awarded $50,000 for the school systems to begin planning for the new school.
“DOE actually advised that we start small and build up,” Cassell said. Waynesboro Schools‘ appropriation of $200,000 will enable hiring of a director and staff, and to find a facility.
Students voluntarily choose to attend a Recovery High School, one of which is in Chesterfield.
The school system’s goal is to open the Recovery High School in August 2025.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Cassell said.
Students tell school administrators, according to Cassell, that they are addicted and need help. The Recovery High School will provide that support.
Waynesboro School Board Chair Debra Freeman said that the school system’s administration is always thinking of “out-of-the box ways to meet our kids where they’re at and this is just another example, and I am sure that it will be a success just as all the other creative endeavors you have brought together and brought to our youth.”
Waynesboro Schools and Augusta County Schools’ Recovery High School will be modeled after Valley Academy in Fishersville.
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Rebecca Barnabi
