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…
After admissions changes, Thomas Jefferson High will welcome most diverse class in recent history, officials say
Prestigious magnet school Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will welcome the most diverse class of students in recent school history next fall, according to data released Wednesday by Fairfax County Public Schools. The class will include more Blalck…
School Board Discusses Transgender Student Protection after Deputies Clear Raucous Boardroom
Following a turbulent public comment session that ended with the public being escorted out of the boardroom, the School Board discussed Policy 8040, which provides protections for transgender and gender expansive students. Groups rallied in the parking lot ahead of the…
After initial denials, Newport News City Council lets schools build solar panels at Gildersleeve
The City Council will let the Newport News School Board install solar panels at a middle school after denying similar requests earlier this year. In a 5-2 vote Tuesday, the council approved a permit allowing the school division to install a 3.8-acre solar array on empty land between…
Mathews supervisors vote to hold meetings at gun-free high school auditorium after letter from local NAACP
A letter from a local chapter of the NAACP voicing concerns over contention at Mathews County Board of Supervisors meetings has prompted the body to move its regular meetings to a different venue. Last month, the Mathews County Board of Supervisors voted to move its…
Collinsville residents express concerns about bonuses to school board, reversion
Two residents of the Collinsville district complained Tuesday night at a regular meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors about bonuses for the school board, real estate taxes and reversion as the six members on the board sat in silence and listened. “These bonuses our…
Essay winner
Alexandra Byser, a rising seventh grader at Peasley Middle School, won the American Legion Post 75 Middle School Essay Contest with her essay on “I Like Living in America Because.” Her entry went on to win at the district level and took first place at the state level. The state win…
Henrico County Public Schools to consider early start for 2022-23 school year
Henrico County Public Schools is discussing the option to begin the 2022-23 school year before Labor Day. The 2021-22 school year will start after Labor Day with a start date of Sept 8. The school division brought up the idea last year, but had to postpone due to the COVID-19…
VDOE: All public schools required to have inclusive policy for transgender students by Fall 2021
Changes are ahead for public school systems across Virginia to create a more inclusive environment for transgender and non-binary students. This is a requirement at the direction of the Virginia Department of Education following legislation approved by the General Assembly…
Area school divisions adjust COVID mitigation measures
With COVID-19 cases declining locally, the Albemarle County school division is planning to adjust its mask policy and roll back some mitigation measures, according to a message emailed to staff and families. The announcement comes as summer programs are set to start early…
Alexandria is removing police from its schools. Some students don’t want them to go.
The two police officers, pistols on their belts and thumbs hooked through the straps of their bulletproof vests, watched as a handful of masked teenagers stumbled, slow and sleepy, from the bus. It was 8:07 a.m. on a sticky Wednesday in June, nearly time for the start of classes…
2021 VSBA Media Honor Roll- Open Now!
Reporters and local media outlets play an important role in public education. School division leaders rely on responsible reporting by local media representatives so that our community members receive timely information about division initiatives and programs. Considering the…