October 6, 2021, Superintendent Evaluation Workshop
Are you prepared to evaluate your Superintendent? Register now for the Superintendent Evaluation Workshop! The Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Superintendents developed by the Virginia Department of Education provide a…
‘It’s a very delicate issue with the constituents,’ Pittsylvania County School Board member says of transgender vote
Pittsylvania County Schools already has policy prohibiting discrimination against students in place, said school board members who voted against the state’s law regarding the treatment of transgender students.“We already have something in effect that covers bullying and adhering…
Two Chesterfield elementary schools start year-round school year Monday
Students from two of Chesterfield County’s elementary schools are heading back to school on Monday. Falling Creek Elementary School and Bellwood Elementary School students will both go to school year-round for 2021-22. Students will still get breaks through the school year…
High school football in the fall is back as VHSL releases schedule
There was something missing last year as the calendar pages flipped through August, September and October. Unlike previous years, Friday nights weren’t filled with bands, cheerleaders, buckets of popcorn and — most importantly — high school football…
Russell Co. School Board rejects Va. Dept. of Education policy on transgender students
A passionate crowd was in Russell County Thursday evening, where a public hearing was held over a new policy in Virginia that addresses transgender students.A packed school board meeting was held where people on both sides of the issue were able to share their thoughts…
Montgomery County schools to follow CDC guidance for upcoming events
The Montgomery County School Board agreed this past week that health measures for a handful of upcoming activities before the Aug. 12 start of the school year will follow guidance issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The board verbally agreed…
Leadership changes as Va.’s three largest school systems start to emerge from the pandemic
As school systems begin to emerge from the pandemic, the coronavirus has led to increased interest and at times, controversy, surrounding public education.This week, the superintendent of Virginia’s largest school district confirmed it would be his last year leading Fairfax County…
Virginia Beach police investigating anti-school board social media post
Virginia Beach police are investigating a post on social media about the school board. Members say it is just the latest example of the negative rhetoric they face every day. Members say they are tired of being berated and harassed. “I need to know,” one speaker said during a meeting…
Norton School Board passes transgender protection policies with no public outcry
After two local school board meetings in the previous seven days with public outcry over state-mandated protections for transgender students, the Norton School Board passed its set of policies with no public comment Thursday. The board voted 5-0 to adopt a Virginia School…
Halifax County High School a stop on Crumbling Schools Tour next week
Large cracks in walls, ceiling tiles soiled from water damage, chipped paint on staircase handrails, stained carpet, and crumbling and weathered exterior bricks are some of the sights to behold at Halifax County High School. The school was built in 1979 and is showing its age…
New name recommended for Albemarle’s Jack Jouett Middle School
Albemarle County’s Jack Jouett Middle School could soon become Journey Middle School. That’s the name recommended by the volunteer community advisory committee tasked with reviewing the school’s name. The 16-member group reached that decision after holding two…
It’s not clear if Virginia will enforce school mask rules, allow parents to opt students out
One week since the CDC updated its mask guidelines for K-12 schools, it’s still not entirely clear how Virginia will respond. Gov. Ralph Northam said the state’s current universal mask mandate in schools will remain in place through July 25. Northam said fully vaccinated students and…
Shenandoah School Board approves policy changes but won’t vote on model transgender policy
The Shenandoah County School Board on Thursday night unanimously approved updates or revisions to 42 policies, but none of them were the transgender policy recommended by the Virginia School Boards Association. There had been speculation from the public that the…
Webinar, August 4, 2021: What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate
Often, communication issues within the board or between the board and superintendent are not problems, but rather are indications there are governance issues that need to be examined and strengthened. Learn how to analyze common “Communication issues” in order to identify.…