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…
Failing grades spike in Virginia’s largest school system as online learning gap emerges nationwide
A report on student grades from one of the nation’s largest school districts offers some of the first concrete evidence that online learning is forcing a striking drop in students’ academic performance, and that the most vulnerable students — children with disabilities and English…
School board member named president of Virginia School Board Association
Janet Turner-Giles, who serves on the Nelson County School Board representing the North District, assumed the role of president of the Virginia School Boards Association on Nov. 20 during the association’s annual convention, which took place virtually this year. A native of…
80% of Roanoke County teachers association oppose classroom return after Thanksgiving
In a survey conducted by the Roanoke County Education Association, 80% of responders prefer remote learning after Thanksgiving through the 2020 holiday season. In a position statement released this week, they say their decision is in line with the recent Virginia Department of…
Two siblings who teach for RPS are among 18 local educators to receive prestigious R.E.B. Awards
Ridgely Carter-Minter was confused earlier this month when she went to drop off her son at her brother’s house and found their mother tidying up. There was a chance, their mother said, that Gilbert Carter, a teacher at Franklin Military Academy, might have good news coming. It was…
Virginia’s Running Out of Teachers. It’s Not Just Because of the Pandemic.
It’s a rare gift to find your passion in life. For many teachers across Virginia, however, following their dream quickly turned into a nightmare. Virginia faces a persistent teacher shortage, hovering at around 1,000 unfilled positions each year. And that was before the COVID-19…
Thiele Named Art Teacher of the Year
Bethany Thiele, who teaches sixth- and eighth-grade 3-D Art at Brambleton Middle School, is the Northern Virginia Region of the Virginia Art Education Association’s Middle School Art Educator of the Year. Thiele has been middle school art teacher in Loudoun for 15 years. She…
Return To Play Protocols
Please read the following letter from Superintendent Verletta White and area superintendents regarding high school athletics. The Return to Play Protocols are located below the letter. Throughout the Fall, we have all eagerly awaited decisions from the Virginia High School…
Charlottesville school lunch program gets a healthy-sized grant
Cultivate Charlottesville has teamed up with the city school division to bring more produce and local food to school lunches, aided by a recent large financial boost. A five-year, $500,000 grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is supporting the multi-pronged effort…
Caroline County Public School Board named Virginia’s School Board of the Year
Caroline County Public School Board has been selected as Virginia’s School Board of the Year. The announcement was made during the Virginia School Boards Association’s virtual annual convention. The award is given to an outstanding school board each year to recognize their…
‘Chesterfield County schools failed us miserably’: Parents, teachers frustrated by districts handling of virtual learning
Chesterfield County Public Schools announced on Wednesday morning that the district will switch from their current hybrid-learning to fully virtual, effective Monday, November 30. The district’s announcement was in response to COVID-19 cases climbing throughout the county…
Rockbridge County Public Schools switching to virtual learning due to community spread of COVID-19
School leaders in Rockbridge County said they made the “painful decision” to switch to 100% virtual learning for the rest of the year, as COVID-19 continues to spread in the community. Starting Monday, November 30, PK-12 students in Rockbridge County Public Schools will…
Virginia Beach City Public Schools cancels some sports seasons
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is changing how it will make decisions about bringing kids back to the classroom. Instead of looking at data over 14 days, it will look at seven-day metrics. In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, leaders said just one week gives them enough time to…
Radford City Public Schools shifting to all remote learning for next two weeks
Radford City Public Schools is moving to all remote learning effective Tuesday and continuing until Dec. 7. The step, announced in a message Monday evening, is being taken out of an abundance of caution, officials wrote, citing an “increased likelihood of possible exposures to…
York County schools will go all virtual after holiday breaks
Learning in the York County School Division will shift to all remote the weeks following holiday breaks. Temporarily. The decision was made during a York County School Board meeting Monday night — as the division has evaluated the potential spike following the holidays, a…
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.