February 17, 2021, VSBA Title IX Best Practices in Training & Compliance
With claims of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct hitting newsstands everywhere, Title IX coordinators and other senior staff need to be confident in their knowledge and enforcement of their divisions’ policies. Prevention and thorough investigations are the best ways to…
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…
Richmonders split on RPS year-round school proposal
Richmonders who had their first chance to weigh in on Superintendent Jason Kamras’ $341 million budget proposal on Monday sounded off on plans to shift the school system to a year-round calendar. The move is expected to cost an extra $8 million and would see students shift…
First group of Virginia Beach students to return — again — for in-person classes Tuesday
Thousands of young Virginia Beach students will return to brick-and-mortar classrooms Tuesday for the first time in roughly two months, marking the latest “first day” in a year where public schooling has been severely disrupted by the pandemic. The return of some students…
Roanoke County high school senior fulfills her dream by becoming a volunteer EMT
Ashley Patterson is not your average teenage girl. When she’s not in class, doing homework or hanging out with friends, you’ll find this 18-year-old at Hollins Volunteer Fire & Rescue where she’s a volunteer EMT. “It’s always just kind of this burst of adrenaline as it goes out. I…
Pharrell drops in on Suffolk students
A new program made its debut in Suffolk and came with a big surprise for one group of students. Dr. Joleen Neighbors and her women’s choir class at Nansemond River High School were chosen to pilot a new program called Your Voice is Power. This program is a…
School modernization bill passes Senate, but funding must follow
The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to help school districts repair outdated buildings, but finding enough money for a statewide solution remains a major challenge. The measure from Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin Co.) creates a Public School Assistance Fund that would receive…
South Elementary School seeks to educate the “whole child” with social emotional learning
At a recent school board meeting, Julie Connolly, assistant principal, and Erica Hahn, guidance counselor, presented to the board about how South Elementary School has a vision and belief in educating the “whole” child. “Everybody including our students have been through some…
Orange County eyes CTE school in old Blue Bell building
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has taken its most significant step yet to convert part of the vacant Blue Bell building, along Route 20 in town, into a vocational education center for Orange County Public Schools. Last month, the board approved a $221,030 contract for…
Mecklenburg educators begin receiving COVID vaccination
Virginia continues to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as 84.7% of the first doses have been administered. Only 26% have received the second dose of the vaccine. Not included in the total vaccine count is the Federal Long-Term Care Facility Program doses administered and…
Fairfax County School Board votes for all students to be in hybrid model by March 16
The school board in Virginia’s largest county has approved a return-to-school plan that phases in limited in-person learning in all grades over the next six weeks. Fairfax County Public Schools, the nation’s 10th biggest school district, has been almost exclusively virtual since…
Petersburg plans three straight weekend clinics aimed at getting teachers COVID vaccinated
The city health department is setting up vaccination clinics for the next three Saturdays to get teachers and other school staff their COVID-19 vaccinations, a Petersburg official said Tuesday. The clinics at Petersburg High School are one of several initiatives the health department is…
Hampton schools push return to classrooms back two weeks
Students won’t return to Hampton classrooms until later this month, the school district announced Monday. Some students, including pre-K, kindergarten and certain students with disabilities, had been set to return next week. The district has been all-virtual since before…
Virginia school districts could switch to virtual learning instead of calling a snow day under this bill
A recently passed bill would allow Virginia school districts to switch to virtual learning instead of closing for severe weather, even after the coronavirus pandemic is behind us. But don’t panic–lawmakers say this bill will not end snow days. Instead, Sen. David Suetterlein (R-Roanoke…
Pay raises, IB program part of Bristol Virginia School Board budget talks
Pay raises and the International Baccalaureate program topped Monday’s discussion as the Bristol Virginia School Board got its first look at the division’s 2021-22 operating budget. Superintendent Keith Perrigan said state budget figures are currently incomplete, but they…
Supervisors, school board seats open
Four of the seven members of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors are up for re-election in 2021, as are four school board members and the county’s representative in the state House of Delegates. Citizens interested in running for supervisor or the school board have until June 8…
VSBA School Board U
School Board U is an area of the VSBA website filled with learning opportunities for school board members to explore important topics related to your service on the school board. Complete certain courses and earn a certificate for your hard work. For more information visit the member section of the VSBA website. School board members and division staff, please check your email to find the log in and password information or contact VSBA.