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Johanna Somers, a member of The Virginian-Pilot newsroom staff, photographed October 2015. Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
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York County School Superintendent Victor Shandor told the School Board Monday that the division needs to hire four additional teachers next year based on an estimated 250 additional students.

More teachers are needed to keep within the division’s strategic plan of 25 or fewer students per teacher in elementary schools and 30 or fewer in secondary core classes, he said. The division already hired four more teachers this year than it initially budgeted because of an increase in students. They were hired for one-year positions.

The division must also hire two more special education teachers next year based on federal and state requirements, Shandor said. The division hired four additional one-year special education teachers this year.

The division will also need two additional para-educators next year and more materials and supplies, he said.

The total cost for these additions is projected to be $768,000, according to a division document.

Supervisors give Sam’s Club gas station more time

The York County Board of Supervisors voted to give the developer of a Sam’s Club gas station three more years to build the gas station at the Marquis shopping center. Supervisors approved a three-year extension of an already approved special-use permit on Jan. 6. The initial special-use permit was approved on Nov. 19, 2013, and was set to expire on Nov. 19, 2015.

The gas station is to be located on an 82-acre parcel of land at 300 Whittakers Trace in upper York County. It would be an accessory to a planned 136,500-square-foot Sam’s Club.

Patrick S. Todd, manager of Marquis Williamsburg RE Holding LLC, requested the extension in order to “provide flexibility with respect to the timing of the construction of the gasoline sales component of the Marquis project,” according to county documents.

The gas station is to be across the street from the J.C Penney store at the Marquis that recently announced it is closing in April. Other stores at the Marquis include Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy and Target.

Arts commission offers grants

The York County Arts Commission invites individuals and organizations to apply for arts grants that benefit York County citizens. The deadline is March 6.

The criteria for those who apply for a “project” grant include not-for profit status; support, production or presentation of dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, museums, visual and related arts; and performances, projects or services that are accessible to people with disabilities.

The “challenge” grant can be up to $500 and provides funding support to eligible individuals and organizations to create and present their work, develop new programs and increase opportunities for visual and performing arts groups.

The commission will recommend funding amounts in the spring. The grants must be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Grant applications are available at the York County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Office or online at http://www.yorkcounty.gov/parksandrec. For more information, call 757-890-3500.

Schools hold sessions about cyberbullying

The York County School Division is hosting several information sessions called “Dark Side of the Internet Parent Seminars,” which aim to teach parents about apps, cyberbullying, social networking and online predators.

The Internet is used to share information and ideas but this information can “knowingly or unknowingly end up in the wrong hands,” according to a division press release.

Guest speakers include Naval Criminal Investigative Service digital forensic examiner Rex Gray, FBI Special Agent Paula Barrows and York-Poquoson Commonwealth’s Attorney Ben Hahn.

Sessions, which begin at 6:30 p.m., will be held Feb. 3 at Grafton High, Feb. 17 at Bruton Hight, Feb. 24 at Yorktown Middle and Feb. 26 at Tabb Middle.

Somers can be reached at jsomers@dailypress.com or 757-247-4758. For more York County and Poquoson news, read the Inside York County and Poquoson blog at http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county.