Overview

The VSBA Task Force on Students and Schools in Challenging Environments was created by the VSBA Board of Directors at its June 6, 2013 meeting to make recommendations to the Virginia Board of Education and the Virginia Department of Education on ways to help challenged schools in Virginia. The task force was created as a result of requests for assistance and concerns among VSBA member boards related to school divisions struggling to reach their most challenged student populations. Since its creation, task force highlights include:

• Hosting members of the Virginia Board of Education and the state superintendent of public instruction at a task force meeting
• Presenting to the Virginia Board of Education
• Holding a September 2013 roundtable discussion session with school board members, superintendents, and Virginia Board of Education members to discuss challenged schools
• Conducting a webinar, “Real Numbers, Real Challenges”, with Virginia legislators
• Having a “Students and Schools in Challenging Environments” track at the VSBA Annual Convention
• Holding a joint meeting with the VSBA Task Force on Virtual Learning
• Hosting “The School Board’s Role in School Improvement and Turnaround Conference”
• Initiating the “Practices of Promise for Schools in Challenging Environments Summit”
• The creation of a comprehensive report that outlines specific strategies to assist schools in challenging environments
• Presenting to the Virginia House of Delegates Education Committee
• Holding a “VSBA Task Force Day on the Hill” during the 2015 General Assembly

Task Force Members

Co-Chair, Rodney Jordan, Norfolk City
Co-Chair, Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Winchester City
Douglas Brown, Newport News City
David Woodard, Tazewell County
Barry DuVal, Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Tamara Sterling, Petersburg City
Bob Hundley, Hanover County
Lillie Jessie, Prince William County
Dr. Michael Thornton, Retired Superintendent
Dr. Angela Hairston, Danville City
Emily Webb, Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Amy McClure, Lunenburg County
Cheryl Burke, Richmond City
Mark Lineburg

Task Force Reports

VSBA Task Force on Students and Schools in Challenging Environments 3.0 Report, Released June 2022.

The State of Students and Schools in Challenging Environments in Virginia: “The Global Health Crisis & It’s Impact on Student PerformanceI”

VSBA Task force on Students and Schools in Challenging Environments 2.0 Report, Released September 2020.

VSBA Task Force on Schools in Challenging Environments 1.0 Report, Released October 2014.