Overview
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Board of Directors voted to establish a task force focused on assisting school boards in advocating for best practices and outcomes for improving the infrastructure of school divisions in the Commonwealth. The VSBA Task Force on School Infrastructure Needs will engage federal, state, and local leaders to ensure the need for increased federal and state resources is recognized as a critical priority. The Task Force is developing an Infrastructure Needs Learning Series and a report inclusive of Infrastructure Best Practices, Facilities Needs communication strategies, school board policy considerations, and local funding collaboration
Press Release: VSBA Establishes Task Force to Address School Construction and Infrastructure Funding Needs
Since its inception, the Task Force has accomplished the following:
Formation of Working Subcommittees: The task force has established three subcommittees. Their role is to research, review best practices, understand legislation, and consider policy issues. In addition, these subcommittees are active advocates for better funding for school infrastructure needs.
Meeting with the Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction: In August 2022, the task force arranged a meeting with the Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction. This meeting focused on discussing the Department’s role in implementing school construction grant programs, as approved by the Virginia General Assembly in the 2022-2024 Biennium Budget.
Advocacy for Funding: The task force has advocated for $1.25 billion in funding from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). This funding is intended to support the construction of new schools and improvements to existing school buildings.
Compilation of Legislative Priorities: The task force compiled a list of legislative priorities for the 2023 General Assembly Session. This list focused on the needs and initiatives related to school infrastructure.
Early bird session: The task force hosted an Early Bird session at the 2023 Annual Convention to highlight efforts in the Commonwealth to improve school infrastructure.
SOQ Taskforce: The task force will make efforts to weigh in on the addition of infrastructure standards to the Standards of Quality (SOQ) and collaborate on enhancing school construction and infrastructure policies.
The Task Force on School Infrastructure Needs met in February 2025 to review the 2025 Legislative Session and to develop a Work Plan for 2025.
The Task Force discussed the Preliminary Budget and its potential impact on School Infrastructure Needs specifically One Time Payment in School Construction Assistance Grants, Long-term Fiscal Stress Report and General Assembly Reaction, status of 1% legislation, and status of Artificial Intelligence and Procurement legislation. The Task Force took the following actions:
- Drafted a letter to encourage Governor Youngkin’s signature 1% legislation bill.
- Commit to review potential recommendations to adjust School Construction Grants formula/process toward allowing more divisions to meet criteria.
- Invited the Students and Schools Task Force to participate in the letter writing advocacy in support of the 1% legislation.
Hosted a virtual meeting with the Cooper-Weldon Center to review and to discuss K-12 Enrollment Analyses in Virginia.
Task Force is developing a report on best practices with the goal of supporting school boards with future sizing (divisions with increasing or declining enrollment), addressing the infrastructure needs of rural and small divisions.
Virginia School Boards Association Task Force on School Infrastructure Needs:
Dr. Cardell Patillo, Co-Chair
Portsmouth City, School Board Member
Dr. Sarah Calveric, Co-Chair
Caroline County, Superintendent
Douglas Brown, Subcommittee Chair
Newport News City, School Board Member
Lucy Carson
Prince Edward County, School Board Chair
Teresa Ellison,
Buena Vista City, School Board Chair
Bernard Lundy, Jr.
Petersburg City, School Board Member
Teddy Martin
Henry County, School Board Member
Lisa Torres
Charlottesville City, School Board Member
Cathy Binder
King George County, Supervisor, Shiloh District
Virginia Association of Counties (VACO), Board Member
Jeremy Bennett
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, VACO
Dr. Keith Perrigan
Washington County, Superintendent
Dr. Michael Thornton
Retired Superintendent, Surry County