March 16, 2021
NewsDaily NewsMarch 16, 2021

March is VSBA Equity in Education Month
In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month. For more information on the month-long webinar series, a copy of the governor’s proclamation and additional resources follow the link above.

March 17, 2021, VSBA March Hot Topic
Join us as we gather virtually for an informative and important conference. This conference will be focusing specifically on multiple hot topics in education. You will hear from three leaders in public education throughout the event speaking on the topics of Race and Equity…

Alleghany Co. School Board Names Kim Kidd Halterman Superintendent
Mrs. Kimberly Halterman was appointed as the next superintendent of Alleghany County Public Schools at tonight’s school board meeting. Her new position will be effective March 22, 2021. Halterman has 19 years of experience working in public education in Virginia. She has served…

Northampton moves teacher work day
According to a message from Superintendent Eddie Lawrence, Northampton Schools will return fourth graders to face to face instruction next Monday. The message reads as follows:  “Our teacher workday scheduled for March 19th has been moved to Wednesday, March 17th. This…

Tax hike part of Halifax County budget hearing
The public will have a chance to comment on a proposed $115,797,171 budget Monday evening as discussed by Halifax County Board of Supervisors to include a 2-cents real estate tax increase to help support local schools, a 4% raise for full-time county employees and an…

Graber says he won’t give ‘one more dime’ to school division until Deep Equity is removed
Whether Frederick County Public Schools should spend taxpayer money on Deep Equity — a professional development program from the California-based Corwin company — was a topic of debate at Wednesday night’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Deep Equity is one of the…

Excitement and nervousness as the first Norfolk students return to school in person after a year learning at home
The woman walked her two children as far as she could, up the red carpet and right up to the school doors. Then the girl and the boy disappeared into the school, leaving mom alone. She turned to walk away, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder at the door. A teacher…

Hampton Roads schools: Hiring candidate pool smaller, divisions recruiting to fill teacher shortage
Tuesday marks one year since Virginia schools shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, school divisions across the state have juggled getting students safely back in the classroom while also dealing with a teacher shortage. Hampton Roads school divisions tell…

Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam visits, celebrates local schools offering in-person learning
Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam and State Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane visited Handley High School and Frederick County Middle School on Friday to celebrate the efforts being made by the local divisions to keep schools open for in-person instruction to…

Northam signs bill shifting municipal elections from May to November
Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill that shifts municipal elections from May to November, a change lawmakers hope will boost voter turnout. The new law, which kicks in Jan. 1, will affect races in Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk and Chesapeake. It affects nearly a…

Here’s what we know about year-round school for Richmond Public Schools so far
On Monday, the Richmond School Board will decide whether to implement a year-round calendar for the next two years, a topic that parents, teachers and other Richmond Public Schools staff find themselves divided over. Year-round school is something that Superintendent…

After a year, Petersburg schools are reopening, beginning with 750 elementary schoolers on Wednesday
After shuttering schools over 365 days ago, Petersburg City Public Schools is welcoming back 750 elementary students four days a week come Wednesday, the first phase of a two-step return plan. Wednesday’s return marks about 30% of all Petersburg grade schoolers returning…

In Virginia Beach schools, COVID safety inspections yield good results, data shows
In Virginia Beach public schools, officials have stressed that the division’s ability to keep classrooms open the rest of the year depends on students and staff following the system’s safety plans, including mandatory masks, plexiglass between desks and maintaining social…

More students return to Virginia classrooms, while many still await in-person instruction
Most of the students in Mrs. Bower’s fourth grade class were already receiving in-person instruction two days a week, so their return to Roanoke’s Round Hill Elementary School wasn’t their first opportunity to share the room with classmates. But it was an important moment…

Henrico’s data shows that COVID has disrupted sports teams, but so far the virus has been effectively contained
Henrico’s return to high school sports has come with stops and starts, but the county believes its safety measures have prevented the spread of COVID-19 on the practice field and in games. Health supervisor Robin Gilbert said in a Monday school board meeting that approximately 25…

2021 VSBA Title IX: Best Practices In Training & Compliance
With claims of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct hitting newsstands everywhere, Title IX coordinators and other senior staff need to be confident in their knowledge and enforcement of their divisions’ policies. Prevention and thorough investigations are the best ways to…