As summer begins, I want to congratulate everyone on another successful school year. Your dedication has provided our students with the best opportunities the Commonwealth has to offer. I hope you’re enjoying a well-deserved break and the warmer weather. Your unwavering commitment to student excellence continues to shape a brighter future for all students in Virginia.

I’m excited to remind you about the 39th Annual VSBA Conference on Education! This year’s conference will be held on July 23 in Short Pump. It’s a fantastic opportunity to network and share ideas with school board members from across the state.

This year’s conference promises to be particularly inspiring and insightful, featuring a series of mini-workshops such as:

Family Literacy Program for College Awareness
Recruit, Retain, and Develop Impactful Teachers
A Day in the Life of a Middle Schooler
Superintendent Community Roundtable

A full list of workshops is available in this year’s booklet, which you can access here.

We are honored to welcome Avanti Yamamoto, the 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year from Hanover County Public Schools, as a guest speaker. Avanti’s innovative teaching methods and passion for student success have set a remarkable standard. We look forward to her insights and experiences.

One of the event’s highlights is celebrating excellence in our school divisions through various awards and recognitions. The Food for Thought and Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards will be announced during the luncheon, showcasing outstanding programs that have significantly impacted student health and career preparedness.

Additionally, this year’s student essay contest winner will be announced and will present their winning speech to attendees. It is always inspiring to hear directly from our students, and this year’s winner promises to deliver a speech that reflects their hard work and ideas.

As we gear up for this exciting event, I encourage all school board members to attend and participate actively. Your presence and engagement are vital as we collectively strive to enhance educational experiences and outcomes for our students. If you haven’t registered yet, please speak with your clerk to sign up for this year’s conference!

Thank you once again for your dedication and contributions to our school communities. Let’s use this summer to recharge and reflect, preparing ourselves for another year of growth and achievement. I look forward to seeing you all in Short Pump for an enriching and memorable conference.

Warm regards,

Dr. Cardell Patillo, Jr.
VSBA President