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…
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…
HHS Student Launches Virtual School Supply Drive
While she was volunteering to hand out meals on Tuesdays, Harrisonburg High School junior Maya Waid noticed the need for food and supplies had grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused parents to lose their jobs at a time when they are also being tasked…
Spotsylvania School Board will change name of Robert E. Lee Elementary
The Spotsylvania County School Board voted Monday evening to rename Robert E. Lee Elementary school. The board approved Battlefield District representative Baron Braswell’s motion to change the name by a vote of 5–2, with Livingston District representative Kirk Twigg…
In-person learning in Henrico delayed for a third time so school nurses can administer vaccines
After saying last week that she did not anticipate a delay, Henrico County schools Superintendent Amy Cashwell on Tuesday again pushed back plans to return students to classrooms, with no timeline for changing course. In a statement, Cashwell said Henrico…
Despite superintendent’s objections, school board votes to return grades 4-12 to schools as soon as late February
Over Superintendent Steven Walts’ strong objections, the Prince William County School Board voted Tuesday to allow students in grades four through 12 to return to schools as soon as late February, depending on COVID-19 metrics and the progress of vaccinating teachers and staff…
Pittsylvania County teachers plead with school board to consider virtual learning
With stories of daily cries and concern for safety, an impassioned group of teachers addressed the Pittsylvania County School Board during Tuesday evening’s meeting, making an emotional case for implementing virtual learning. Teachers in the county have long advocated for a…
Carroll County students returning to in-person learning January 25
All Carroll County Public Schools students will return to in-person learning January 25, except Cavaliers Connected students. The learning will be four days a week, with Wednesdays continuing as remote learning days. The recommendation was made by the superintendent at…
Local delegate to introduce bill raising public teacher salaries 4.5%
As state lawmakers meet in Richmond this year they’ve got a lot on their plate. The pandemic will likely soak up the spotlight, but a local delegate wants to make sure another issue gets the attention it deserves, public school teacher salaries. Teacher salaries in Virginia lag behind…
Lynchburg Education Association concerned about vaccine distribution timeline
While some parts of Virginia roll into the Phase 1-B vaccine distribution stage, others are still behind in the first phase. Lynchburg is one area waiting to shift into Phase 1-B — and teachers are part of that next group. There are growing concerns that as cases continue to rise in the…
Alexandria educators hope vaccine is key for return to classroom
The effort to reopen public schools in Alexandria got a shot in the arm Tuesday, when two educators were among the first to receive vaccinations at a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in the city. Gregory Hutchings, superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools, and teacher…
Henrico County Schools to offer additional meals Thursday ahead of MLK Day closure
Families with students enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) can pick up additional breakfast and lunch Thursday, Jan. 14 at the curbside school distribution sites. According to Wednesday release, with schools closed Monday, Jan. 18 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day…
Campbell County Public Schools exploring scheduling options for next school year
With growing concern about learning loss and in-person learning time, Campbell County Public Schools administrators are considering what secondary school scheduling options will allow students to make up for that lost time during the next school year. While planning for the….
Galax City Public Schools to begin offering both in-person, online learning options next week
After spending the first two weeks of 2021 learning entirely online, Galax public school students will be able to choose face-to-face instruction beginning next week. Galax City Public Schools announced on Facebook that students will have access to both in-person and virtual learning…
Fairfax Co. school board member sues police after being pepper-sprayed
A Muslim school board member from northern Virginia has filed a federal lawsuit alleging her civil rights were violated after she was pepper-sprayed during a traffic stop and then photographed without her hijab following her arrest. Abrar Omeish, who was elected in 2019…
Chesterfield elementary schoolers are heading back to school five days a week Feb. 1
Chesterfield County elementary schoolers are welcome back into the classroom five days a week starting Feb. 1. In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the Chesterfield School Board approved bringing all of the county’s youngest learners back into school buildings after the district abruptly…
February is VSBA School Board Appreciation Month
Salute the service of the almost 850 school board members in Virginia in February 2021 during School Board Appreciation Month. The theme — 115 Years of Providing Leadership Advocacy and Support — reflects the partnership of the Virginia School Boards Association with local…