November 24, 2020
NewsDaily NewsNovember 24, 2020

January 25-26, 2021, VSBA Capital Conference, Virtual
Advocacy by local school board members is a year-round job but is never more critical than when the Virginia General Assembly is in session. With the Virginia State Capitol and Pocahontas Building closed to visitors for the unforeseeable future, it is imperative for school…

Chesapeake superintendent: No changes to in-person learning plan
Chesapeake’s school superintendent says students will stay with in-person learning, even as COVID-19 cases rise in the region. The decision was made during a virtual emergency meeting with the Chesapeake School Board on Monday. Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton said…

Norfolk School Board to host virtual annual ‘Bring Your Legislator to School Day’
The Norfolk School Board will host its annual “Bring Your Legislator to School Day” on Monday — and this year, it will be virtual. On Nov. 23, from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., city council members, school board members, as well as state and local legislators will virtually visit the…

Rockbridge County schools going all virtual after Thanksgiving
Rockbridge County Public Schools will be switching from its hybrid learning models to all-virtual learning beginning November 30. Tuesday, November 24, will remain a scheduled Hybrid A day, with students off for Thanksgiving the rest of the week. Monday, all students K-12 will…

Chesterfield school board schedules 4 meetings, including health board and special ed committee
The Chesterfield County School Board has scheduled four meetings for the upcoming weeks, including one with the district’s school health advisory board and special education advisory committee. The School Health Advisory Board will meet at 6 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Thomas…

Virginia education leaders: COVID-19 has made school staffing shortages worse
Virginia’s school staff shortage is getting worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, and leaders with the state Department of Education urged lawmakers to keep that in mind as they prepare for their upcoming General Assembly session. “We’ve had a teacher shortage all along, but…

Williamsburg-James City County Schools cancels winter sports season because of coronavirus surge
Citing the rising number of coronavirus cases, Williamsburg-James City County Schools on Monday became the first large school district in Hampton Roads to cancel athletics for the 2020-21 winter sports season. The decision was made after consideration by WJCC Schools…

Amherst County Public Schools adapt to updated VDH guidelines
According to the updated guidelines, if a student or employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and they don’t see a medical professional, they will be required to quarantine for 10 days before they can return to school. “Most of our folks here in Amherst have done a great…

Some Fairfax Co. students return to virtual instruction
Some students who have been attending in-person courses in Virginia’s largest school system are returning to virtual instruction. Fairfax County Public Schools said it has notified parents of “Group 4” students that their children will go back to all-virtual learning because of rising…

Expecting a spike in COVID cases, Charlottesville School Board weighing options as it proceeds with reopening plan
As national concern grows around the potential for another surge of COVID-19 this winter, the Charlottesville School Board is continuing to finalize its plans for in-person learning in the new year. Board members at Thursday’s meeting received a presentation of recent survey results…

Made famous by ‘Remember the Titans’, T.C. Williams High School to get name change after unanimous school board vote
T.C. Williams High School, made famous by the Disney movie “Remember the Titans”, will be renamed after a 9-0 school board vote by Alexandria Public Schools on Monday. The school board also announced the name of Mathew Maury Elementary will also be changed. The man…

Hometown Mentor: Rocky Mount teacher goes above and beyond for students, parents and peers
A Franklin County teacher is making quite the name for himself after being named the Virginia State Teacher of the Year. But if you ask Anthony Swann, a teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary School, it is the work he is doing with his students that is his biggest…

Radford City Public Schools temporarily going virtual due to community spread of COVID-19
All PK-12 students in Radford City Public Schools will participate in remote learning starting on Tuesday. In a letter shared with the school community Monday evening, school leaders said they made the decision to due to “an increased likelihood of possible exposures to COVID-19…

Chairman of Appomattox County School Board steps down
The chairman of the Appomattox County School Board is stepping down, according to school leaders. Bobby Waddell announced his resignation on Thursday. It was effective as of Friday. Waddell has been on the school board for 15 years and has served as…

December 9 & 10, Two Part Insights for Budget Basics & Finance 101
Virginia public school budgeting will be discussed, including roles of elected officials, fiduciary requirements, stakeholders, and budget reports. Revenue categories will be explained, including state formulas, federal funding, local funding, and tax rates. Reserve your webinar…

Missed the Virtual VSBA Annual Convention? It is not too late to register to gain access to over 35 hours of educational content. Contact your school board clerk for more information.