March 17, 2021, VSBA March Hot Topic
Join us as we gather virtually for an informative and important conference. This conference will be focusing specifically on multiple hot topics in education. You will hear from three leaders in public education throughout the event speaking on the topics of Race and Equity…
LAST CALL: Call for Proposals for Conference on Education: Deadline Friday, Feb. 26
The ever-popular Annual VSBA Conference on Education is taking proposals for the 2021 virtual event on July 20, 2021. Mini workshops are a fast-track way of learning. Workshop presenters make short, informative, fast-paced presentations while attendees viewing can ask questions and make connections within the chat box the entire time while your presentation is being streamed….
School Board Joins Equity in Education Month
The Loudoun County School Board on Tuesday adopted a resolution proclaiming March as Equity in Education Month, joining a statewide initiative led by the Virginia School Board Association. The vote wasn’t unanimous. John Beatty (Catoctin), who previously was…
House votes to require in-person school starting this summer
Virginia is on its way to setting a July 1 deadline for schools to start in-person learning. Gov. Ralph Northam has said that he expects, but won’t require, schools to open March 15. But a bill passed Wednesday by the House of Delegates would mandate schools open their doors by…
A civil rights hero lacked a historical marker. Then a class of Virginia fourth-graders spoke up.
For years, Maura Keaney has sent fourth-graders on a scavenger hunt into the past, asking students to traverse Virginia with their families in search of historical markers. They get one point for finding a marker, 10 points for writing a summary of it and an extra 10 points if they…
Virginia Beach’s Council, School Board elections could get overhaul as lawmakers send bill to Northam
Virginia lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that would force Virginia Beach to change the way it elects local leaders. The legislation will now go to Gov. Ralph Northam for final approval. If Northam supports the bill, Virginia Beach will no longer be allowed to have a voting…
Following years of strife, Portsmouth council members pledge to work better with school system
City Council members pledged commitment to addressing the needs of Portsmouth’s public schools Tuesday before taking what they called a key step in that direction — rescinding a “funding formula” that school officials said was forced upon them when it was adopted just a…
Arlington school leaders ban track athletes from Virginia championships
High-school track and field competitors from across the commonwealth’s largest jurisdictions will descend on Virginia Beach March 1 for the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 boys and girls indoor state-championship meets. But Arlington athletes will not be among them. County…
Williamsburg-James City County superintendent unveils school budget proposal, including 3% raise for teachers, school employees
Teachers and other school employees are in line for a 3% pay raise in the upcoming fiscal year amid evidence the pandemic has left teachers in short supply, Superintendent Olwen Herron told the Williamsburg-James City County School Board at a meeting last week. Herron has…
Lawmakers Still Need to Balance Virginia’s Budget; Where Will Teacher Raises Fit Into That Work?
Virginia’s legislative session is wrapping up, but one big piece is still missing: funding. Lawmakers are expected to reveal the budget they’ve agreed on today. Virginia has been playing catch up with teacher salaries. They got a 5% raise in 2019. Last year Governor…
What will learning look like after the pandemic is over?
When schools closed for two weeks last March 13, no one could have imagined the strange and unprecedented year ahead for education. Amazing educators and administrators have gone above and beyond to make the 2020-21 school year the best it can be despite the ongoing…
Shenandoah Co. Public Schools to open Kindergarten registration March 1
Shenandoah County Public Schools has announced Kindergarten registration for the 2021-2022 school year will take place from March 1 to March 25. The school division says parents and guardians can register their child online between those dates. Computers and assistance will…
Group pushes for recognition of minority religions in Fairfax County school calendar
Dinan Elsyad said it has been difficult balancing life as a Muslim and a Fairfax County student. “It’s honestly been really hard for me every single year when the holiday rolls around,” said Elsyad who is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. “I have…
Louisa football star returns home to teach Black history
Competition meets comprehension in Louisa. Which civil rights activist tried to spread peace through non-violent acts? How long did the Montgomery bus boycott last? What Richmond department store was the site of sit-ins by the Richmond 34? Those might be questions kids…
Bill aims to expand broadband access for low-income students
The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in an effort to expand broadband internet access to low-income students across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 1225, proposed by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, authorizes school boards to appropriate funds to partner with…
New data reveals effects of learning loss in Albemarle County Public Schools
New data is showing just how much learning loss is affecting the youngest students in Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS). In a key literacy assessment, students below the benchmark increased by more than 10%. Participation in benchmarks is down across the board
Virginia General Assembly Weekly Update
The 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly is in its final weeks and to provide school board members with the latest information from the legislature, the VSBA Government Relations team will continue to conduct weekly Friday afternoon briefings via Zoom. Use the link above to register.
2021 VSBA Business Honor Roll Open Now
Local businesses have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools. Every spring, the VSBA Business Honor Roll provides a way for local school divisions to recognize local businesses for their support, especially as schools face increasing budget uncertainty…