December 9 & 10, Two Part Insights for Budget Basics & Finance 101
Virginia public school budgeting will be discussed, including roles of elected officials, fiduciary requirements, stakeholders, and budget reports. Revenue categories will be explained, including state formulas, federal funding, local funding, and tax rates. Reserve your webinar…
Rockbridge County calls temporary halt to high school sports-related activity; Henrico County cancels winter sports
Rockbridge County High School athletic director and boys basketball coach Mike Gale is known for employing a frenetic run-and-gun style of play. For now, the first-year head coach and the Wildcats are grounded. Gale said Monday that Rockbridge County has suspended all athletic…
‘Cocktails or schools’: Chesterfield School Board says high COVID community transmission led to systemwide closure
The monthslong debate on whether to send students back into Chesterfield County Public Schools’ buildings started a new chapter this week, with empty classrooms and students back home, participating in virtual learning. Chesterfield students, besides select K-12 special…
Students, parents protest Williamsburg-James City County’s cancellation of winter sports season
Lafayette swimmer Aidan Crisci acknowledges the good intentions of Williamsburg-James City County Schools in canceling high school winter sports because of COVID-19 concerns. But, like 30 others rallying in opposition at the school division offices Friday, he feels the decision…
School Divisions Navigating VDH Recommendations
In light of the rise in COVID-19 cases across the state and the Virginia Department of Health placing almost every school division in the highest risk category, officials are having to make tough calls about the remainder of the 2020 school year. All but 10 school divisions in Virginia…
Chesapeake Public Schools shifts 3 classrooms to temporary online learning after positive COVID-19 tests
Three classrooms in the Chesapeake Public Schools system have temporarily moved to online learning after the district reported positive COVID-19 cases. Over the weekend, school epi-links were discovered at two Chesapeake Intermediate schools: Crestwood and Truitt Intermediate…
As COVID cases rise, Prince William and Loudoun County schools prepare to bring more students back
Prince William and Loudoun County Public Schools are preparing to bring another round of students back to their buildings Tuesday. PWCS will welcome 2,775 first graders in two different groups, with half starting Tuesday, the other half starting Wednesday, according to a…
‘RVA Men Teach’ aims to increase diversity among teachers
Richmond Public Schools is launching a new initiative to increase diversity among teachers. RVA Men Teach aims to improve students’ outcomes by recruiting, retaining, and developing men of color to teach. The program will provide support for licensure and teacher certification…
Fluvanna wrestlers disappointed by school board’s decision to cancel season
Shawn Metcalf was set to enter his senior season just a few wins shy of reaching the 100-win milestone during his high school wrestling career. Austin Moore hoped to pursue a berth in the VHSL Class 3 state wrestling championships after narrowly missing out last season. Neither…
Southwest Virginia school system returning to virtual learning for the rest of 2020
Lee County, Virginia Public Schools students will not be returning to the classroom this semester. CBS affiliate WJHL reports according to division superintendent Brian Austin, the district will resume remote learning starting Tuesday, December 1st. Classes on December 1st…
School board members look ahead to ’50/50′ learning model
At Monday night’s School Board meeting, administrators and school board members continued to wrestle with how to provide the best educational experience for students while the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated. School board members could vote on a shift to “50/50”…
VB students with disabilities return for in-person learning, board member wants more students back
Students with disabilities will return to in-person learning Tuesday at Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS.) Last month, the district moved learning online for all students, in response to coronavirus metrics. Now, one school board member says she believes even more children…
Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro have not decided to cancel the winter sports season yet
Those looking forward to the start of high school sports later this month got some unwelcome news from neighboring counties Monday. First, Rockbridge County put all athletic activities, including workouts and practices, on hold. We hopefully will have more information in the…
Stafford schools to push $25 million plan for teacher pay raises
In January, Stafford County Public Schools officials will push for a $25 million plan to give every teacher a raise. The school division aims to completely overhaul its pay scale for teachers to become more competitive with jurisdictions like neighboring Prince William County, Fairfax…
Amherst schools report 7 cases of COVID-19 over holiday break
Amherst County Public Schools announced Dec. 1 that seven people in the school division have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the Thanksgiving holiday break. Madison Heights Elementary School, Amelon Elementary School, Amherst Elementary School and…
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.