The Vestavia Hills Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 23. During the meeting, the Board approved several items to prepare for the upcoming school year. These included the monthly financial statement, the 2025–26 employee salary schedule, and the student fee schedule. The Board also approved a contract for property insurance and several service agreements, including contracts with Coca-Cola, Dr. Aimee Rainey, and Dear Emmaline LLC.

In response to new state legislation, the Board adopted updates to multiple VHCS policies. These included the Electronic Communication Devices policy and the Internet Safety and Use of Technology policy — both revised to comply with Alabama’s new cell phone law. The 2025–26 Parent/Student Handbook was also updated to reflect changes related to both the new cell phone law and new vaping regulations. Parents will be able to review and acknowledge these updates when the student fee portal opens in July. Additional policy updates were made to Admissions and Attendance as well as Academic Standards.

The Board also approved a principal contract for Lorie Belski and received a briefing on updated procedures for employee parental leave, which will take effect July 1 in accordance with a new state law. Finally, the Board heard a presentation on the VHCS communication plan—a comprehensive strategy developed in response to feedback from families and employees collected through surveys earlier this school year.

We’re celebrating a trio of outstanding honors that highlight the excellence of Vestavia Hills City Schools! Dr. Todd Freeman, VHCS superintendent, has been named the 2026 Alabama Superintendent of the Year by School Superintendents of Alabama in recognition of his leadership and dedication to students and staff. Dr. Aimee Rainey, our retiring assistant superintendent, was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, honoring her more than 30 years of impact on teaching and learning across the state. And Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus has received national recognition from Character.org with a Promising Practices award for its Rebel Engagement Period, which supports student well-being and connection. We’re proud of the people and programs that continue to make VHCS a place where character, excellence, and innovation thrive!