Three applicants participated in interviews during the October meeting
The four current board members of the Craig County School District interviewed three applicants for the vacant seat in a closed session during their regular monthly meeting.
The three who participated on Oct. 13 are interested in filling the seat vacated by former school board chairman Salvatore “Trace” Bellassai, who resigned on Oct. 4, due to his decision to take a new job located out of state.
Because of the timing of Bellassai’s resignation, the person chosen to fill the seat will serve the rest of this term, which will be up for election in November 2027 and ends on Jan. 1, 2028. Superintendent of schools Jason Wheeler said that the new member be selected
Bellassai’s departure from the board became official on Oct. 4. The Oct. 12 board meeting was led by vice chair Darren Gilreath.
The three applicants include:
Joshua Mitchell is a dispatcher for the Craig County Sheriff’s Office and a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for more than four years, according to his application. who served in the U.S. Army for more than four years, according to his application.
He described himself on his resume as a “highly motivated team player, and quick learner.”
Morgan Ouellette, a Craig County High School and Roanoke College graduate who currently works for AEP as a transmission construction manager, according to his application.
“I believe strong schools are an investment in our children and in the future of our community,” he said on his application. “I want to bring my professional experience, community involvement, and commitment to our families to the school board and work collaboratively to support students, teachers, staff, and our schools.”
Patrick Myers is a retiree who has previously served on the school board and said he is willing to finish out Bellassai’s term.
“I believe in our school system,” he said on his application. “Our kids deserve a good education, and I am knowledgeable on school issues.”
Also during the meeting, Wheeler shared that in the 2025-26 Virginia Department of Education School Performance and Support Framework results, both McCleary Elementary and Craig County Middle/High School received “meets expectations” ratings and were both fully accredited by the VDE.
Wheeler added that the high school was very close to earning distinguished status, but needs to make some improvements.
“We do have a little work to do in particular with students with disabilities in the high school,” Wheeler said. “The high school would fall into the [distinguished] status, but because we did get that one identifier, we did drop down to ‘meet expectations’ status. … We are actively working to make sure that our students with disabilities are getting the support they need.”
– New Castle Record
