June 22, 2021
NewsDaily NewsJune 22, 2021

July 20, 2021, VSBA Conference on Education
Join hundreds of school division leaders from across Virginia at the 35th Annual VSBA Conference on Education. We are pleased to have Governor Ralph Northam in attendance, with our afternoon keynote presentation from the Aldrin Foundation! There will also be a time for…

‘We’ve had quite the ride’: LCPS graduates more than 6,300 seniors
As was to be expected, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic were chief among the talking points during high school graduation ceremonies in Loudoun County this week and last. But administrators, keynote speakers and valedictorians were even more emphatic in highlighting…

Abingdon teen lands college military scholarship
Reed Jones was sitting in calculus class at Abingdon High School this spring when he got the surprise of a lifetime. “I’ll never forget this in all of my life,” said the 18-year-old, who’s already experienced many “wow moments” as a top-ranking varsity football player and a dedicated…

All City Teachers Declared Teacher Of The Year
After a year when teachers have gone above and beyond to provide engaging learning for students over a variety of virtual platforms, as well as in-person instruction, Harrisonburg City Public Schools Superintendent Michael Richards said he felt that no single teacher for the…

Henrico Co. schools searching for bus drivers, teachers
Henrico County Public Schools is hosting a job fair to hire bus drivers, school nutrition workers and teachers for next school year. A job fair will be held on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Henrico County Public Library’s Libbie Mill branch, 2100 Libbie Lake E St. Highland Springs…

Beloved Virginia Beach teacher memorialized with lending library at Parkway Elementary
Students and teachers were trying not to cry on the last day of school Friday at Parkway Elementary in Virginia Beach. Instead, they were trying to celebrate a beloved teacher — a life lost too soon. Almost a year after she died from cancer, the late teacher’s students…

School Board committee rejects cell tower at Claude Thompson Elementary
Before community opposition to a possible cell tower on Claude Thompson Elementary School property could build up a head of steam, it was declared, “not a viable project” by the Fauquier County School Board’s Building Committee. School Board Chair Donna Grove (Cedar Run…

Roanoke City Public Schools begins its summer enrichment program
Roanoke City Public Schools are offering additional learning opportunities for students this summer with their RCPS+ program. The summer enrichment program, which began this week, is focusing on multiple subjects, including English, science, math and even the arts. Both…

Prince William School Board considers later start times for 2022 academic year
The Prince William County School Board is considering later start times for high school students for 2022. The board will spend the next year working on a plan to move start times for high school students back to 8:30 a.m. or later. Superintendent Steve Walts said the change would…

Montgomery County schools to introduce first electric bus
Montgomery County Public Schools has been approved for a grant that will provide the district its first electric bus. The vehicle will be a special education bus, but when exactly it will go into service hasn’t been finalized yet, MCPS officials said. “The sooner, the better,” said Assistant…

Parents fuming over controversial commencement speech
Fairfax County School Board At-large Member Abrar Omeish has been making headlines for her June 7 commencement speech at Justice High School, and not in a good way. In the past few days the speech was covered by The Daily Mail, FOXNews, Apple News and the…

Martinsville School Superintendent Zeb Talley Jr. gets contract extension
Martinsville Superintendent Zeb Talley has been given a 1-year contract extension and a boost in pay. After a closed session at a regular school board meeting last week, the board voted unanimously to extend Talley’s contract, due to expire next year, through June 30, 2023…

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…