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…
Va. first lady visits local summer school program, shares information about state’s expanded child care subsidy program
Virginia first lady Pamela Northam and state Secretary of Education Atif Qarni visited Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School’s summer program on Wednesday as schools across the commonwealth prepare to resume in-person learning this fall. Northam and Qarni..
Virginia lawyer: Pittsylvania County School Board ‘running afoul of both state and federal law’
.After the meeting held by the Pittsylvania County School Board July 13, many are confused as to what the outcome or their decision from that night was or what it accomplished. The board voted to reject a 27-page Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) document specifically…
Petition seeks Julia Perkins’ recall from School Board
Candice Vande Brake, a parents who’s spoken repeatedly against Critical Race Theory at recent Isle of Wight County School Board meetings, has started a petition on change.org to recall Windsor District board member Julia Perkins over the issue. The theory, as previously…
Virginia urges all elementary-schoolers, some middle- and high-schoolers, to wear masks indoors this fall
Virginia is urging all elementary school students, staff and teachers to wear masks indoors this fall — even if they are vaccinated — and asking that students, staff and teachers in middle and high school wear masks indoors if they are not fully vaccinated. The state’s departments of….
Franklin County Schools plan to use funding on learning loss caused by pandemic
School districts across the Commonwealth are receiving an influx of funding from the American Rescue Plan. Now, school boards are left figuring out what to put their money towards. Franklin County School District will receive over $14.7 million from American Rescue Plan funding…
Richmond Schools to keep 100% mask-wearing policy
Hours after the state released new mask guidelines for schools, Richmond Public Schools made the decision to require masks for everyone, including those who are vaccinated. RPS made that decision even after the state offered school boards some wiggle room. Wednesday, the state…
‘A sickly built school’
As they plot their next moves on modernizing outdated county schools, the Halifax County School Board heard impassioned pleas from two speakers who urged demolishing Halifax County High School and starting over. Retired HCHS teacher Becky Donner and Markeia…
Virginia school districts react to new recommendations on masks in classrooms
Local school districts now have the final say on COVID-19 guidelines for returning to the classroom, and leaders are responding to new recommendations from Virginia’s Department of Education and Department of Health. “The intent here is to empower those local…
Bedford County Public Schools adjusts school start times to address bus driver shortage
Bedford County Public Schools announced Wednesday it is adjusting its school day for the upcoming school year. Officials said the adjustment — slightly shifting the start and end times for the instructional day — will help make bus routes more efficient and lessen the effect of…
School mask policies will vary widely under new Virginia guidance; Northam says ‘one size doesn’t fit all’
On Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam answered questions about Virginia’s new mask policy for PreK-12 schools for the first time since the state released updated recommendations. Starting July 26th, after a current public health order expires, localities will have the power to…
Bristol Virginia Public Schools release 3-tiered back to school plan based on virus severity
Bristol Virginia Public Schools has released a back-to-school plan for the 2021-2022 school year, complete with three tiers. According to the school district’s plan, BVPS will start classes again in August “under as normal circumstances as possible.” The three tiers of operation laid…
Application Process is Open- 2021 VSBA Advocate for Education Award!
The importance of advocacy and grassroots engagement is a central component of the Virginia School Boards Association. It is imperative for board members to engage the stakeholders of their community including parents, business, community and higher education leaders, local…