NEW- Virginia Freedom of Information (FOIA) Training
The requirements of FOIA impact every school board meeting, from initial notice of the meeting to what must be included in the minutes. Board members’ thorough familiarity with FOIA helps school board meetings flow smoothly and shows the community that the board is committed…
January 26, 2021, VSBA Orientation for New School Board Members and Superintendents, Virtual
Becoming a new school board member or superintendent is an honor and a privilege. Enjoy a successful and less stressful transition by attending the VSBA Orientation for New Board Members & Superintendents. Many important topics will be covered, including the roles and…
Fate of winter sports in Virginia to be decided
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was set to speak on Thursday afternoon about possible tighter restrictions due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 in the state and country. On Wednesday, Halifax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Lineburg told The Gazette-Virginian…
McAuliffe launches campaign for governor at Richmond public school, pledges $2B per year for education
Outside Richmond’s Miles Jerome Jones Elementary School during a chilly fall morning, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced he would seek another term, promising “big, bold” plans to rescue the state from its pandemic perils. The first of those plans is anchored on education…
School Board In Virginia Votes To Rename Schools Honoring Thomas Jefferson, George Mason
The Falls Church City Public Schools board in Virginia voted unanimously on Tuesday to rename Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and George Mason High School, following an evaluation process that lasted six months and included a community survey and public…
Manassas City School Board won’t discuss return to classrooms until January
The Manassas City School Board once again declined to set any dates for a return to in-person learning for most students Tuesday night, citing concerns over increasing COVID-19 cases in the region and across the country. At its last meeting in November, division staff presented a…
Loudoun County Public Schools reports 20 COVID-19 cases within school community
Loudoun County Public Schools report 20 people, including eight students, in their school community have tested positive for COVID-19, according to school officials. A total of 10 staff members, eight students and two visitors have tested positive for the coronavirus, Loudoun…
Nelson among school divisions awarded security equipment grants
The Virginia Department of Education announced Dec. 4 about $12 million in school security equipment grants to further protect students, faculty and visitors across 102 school divisions, including allocations to Lynchburg-area systems. According to a news release from VDOE…
The Newport News School Board signed a 30 year contract for solar panels. Will the city council allow it?
The Newport News City Council will decide whether to grant conditional use permits allowing the installation of ground-mounted solar panels at several schools in the district — and some members aren’t happy about it. They’re frustrated that the School Board did not bring the…
Chesapeake Public Schools adds new computer science classes for students
These days, it seems like many people can’t live without computers. Yet despite our increasingly digital world, there’s a big need for industry-qualified professionals. For example, the National Cybersecurity Center predicts that by 2021, the world could face a shortage of…
Roanoke City Schools postpones middle school sports until February
At Roanoke middle schools, the sound of the basketball court will be a whole lot quieter this year. Tuesday night, the city school board announced all middle school winter sports will be pushed back until at least February. Officials cited a number of factors in their decision…
Williamsburg-James City County School Board hears report on COVID-19 cases in schools, among staff
The steadily deteriorating COVID-19 situation in Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools was made clear to the School Board Tuesday in a report that indicates a post-Thanksgiving spike. Infections among staff and students continue to rise even though schools…
Virginia parents question schools’ policy on sports, in-person classes
Some parents of students attending Fairfax County Public Schools are demanding more answers as to why high school sports are allowed to be played while most students cannot be taught in-person because of the coronavirus pandemic. High school athletes began winter…
Prince William Co. buys more than 4,000 new internet hot spots for virtual learning
Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia will receive more than 4,000 new Wi-Fi hot spots for students participating in virtual learning. The Board of County Supervisors used $1.2 million in CARES Act funding to buy 4,061 hot spots for students lacking reliable internet…
With winter sports on the chopping block, Hanover County students and parents show up at school board to lobby to play
One after another, they took the lectern: the swimmers, the basketball players, the wrestler, the parents. At Tuesday evening’s Hanover County School Board meeting, they praised the school system for giving them a choice to return in person. Hanover was one of only a handful of…
School division will provide added support in 1st- and 2nd-grade classrooms
In a video address last night, Superintendent of Schools David Jeck pledged to provide added in-classroom support for first- and second-grade teachers. He said that teachers have been asking to have “another person in the classroom to help them with the little guys and girls.”…
Pittsylvania County School Board at odds over appropriate time to revert to virtual learning
After a lengthy discussion on the matter Tuesday evening, the Pittsylvania County School Board voted on and rejected a proposal to have students return from winter break in a virtual learning environment spanning the first two or three weeks of January. Citing a COVID-19 test…
January 25-26, 2021, VSBA Capital Conference, Virtual
Advocacy by local school board members is a year-round job but is never more critical than when the Virginia General Assembly is in session. With the Virginia State Capitol and Pocahontas Building closed to visitors for the unforeseeable future, it is imperative for school…
Missed the Virtual VSBA Annual Convention? It is not too late to register to gain access to over 35 hours of educational content. Contact your school board clerk for more information.