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…
Harry Ward dies at age 76
Harry M. Ward, the longtime Superintendent of Mathews County Public Schools and Mathews High School principal before that, died Tuesday at the age of 76. Beginning his career at MHS in 1968, Ward wore many hats in his 35 years with Mathews schools, including MHS football…
Danville sales tax referendum heading to November ballot
City voters will decide in November whether to increase the local sales tax by a percentage point to pay for school renovations. A referendum on the proposal received the green light Tuesday night from Danville City Council, with members unanimously voting to pass a…
Albemarle parents upset about fifth graders being transferred to middle school
Earlier this month, Jennifer McArtor went online to enroll her kids in Mountain View Elementary’s after-school program for the upcoming school year, only to find out she could not register her rising fifth grader. Through another parent, she was surprised to learn that her…
School Board Battles ‘Misinformation’ Over Equity Efforts
After months of attack by critics charging that the division has embraced critical race theory, the School Board on Tuesday held a special workshop to provide an update on its equity initiatives designed to tamp down the growing culture war playing out each month in its meeting room…
Amherst County residents clash over equity lesson in secondary schools
There was standing room only Tuesday night as more than 70 Amherst County residents piled into a joint committee meeting between the board of supervisors and school board to share their thoughts on an equity lesson taught in the county’s secondary schools. More than 25…
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science announced student award winners at this year’s science symposium
The Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) held its 80th annual meeting and research symposium in a virtual format. The VJAS inducted its slate of student officers for 2021-22 to include the selection of Hamza Arman Lateef, 10th-grade student at Charles J. Colgan Sr…
Virginia advocates seek path forward for electric school buses despite lack of state funds
An ambitious measure to convert Virginia’s fleet of 17,000 diesel-powered school buses to quieter and cleaner electric models over a decade was praised by health and environmental advocates when it passed the General Assembly at the end of February. But…
Five Richmond fifth graders get full scholarships to VUU
Five fifth-graders from Five Oaks Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School were given full academic scholarships for Virginia Union University once they finish high school. “Virginia Union University has a longstanding commitment to creating a pipeline of opportunity that allows…
Nelson County School Board recognizes contributions from local businesses
During the May meeting of the Nelson County School Board, members officially adopted a resolution recognizing the contributions of local businesses for their support of education as schools face budget uncertainties. NCPS named the Blue Ridge Medical Center, Nelson…
Dr. Kelvin Edwards hired as Greensville County Public Schools Superintendent
After a long and arduous search, the Greensville County School Board has named Dr. Kelvin Edwards to be the new Greensville County Public Schools Superintendent, effective July 1. The Board announced its decision during a virtual meeting Thursday evening. “To the Greensville…
Replacement of aging schools in Virginia could require billions
Here in Virginia, more than 1,000 schools are at least 50 years old. And the cost to replace them all? By one estimate, more than $24 billion. A General Assembly committee is considering how to address the problem of aging and substandard school buildings. The Virginia…
Lynchburg School Board adopts diversity, equity course offering
Following a discussion regarding a course offering that explores diversity, equity, bias and identity, the Lynchburg City School Board passed a high school program of studies for the 2021-22 school year that offers such a course. At the board’s Tuesday night meeting, board…
Middle school students complete Nerf prosthetic arm project
A young girl with limb difference now has a “Nerf blasting” prosthetic arm, thanks to the creative minds of the students at Tabb Middle School. The four-month project culminated recently in laughter, smiles and a whole lot of glitter. A few weeks ago, 10 On Your Side introduced you…
June 24, 2021, The Importance of Civility
Join VSBA for a live webinar with Executive Director Andrea Messina from the Florida School Boards Association as she shares why civility within the board room is so important. As we all know, variance in personal opinions result from different expectations, goals, beliefs, or…