January 4, 2021
NewsDaily NewsJanuary 4, 2021

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…

January 26, 2021, VSBA Orientation for New School Board Members and Superintendents, Virtual
Becoming a new school board member or superintendent is an honor and a privilege. Enjoy a successful and less stressful transition by attending the VSBA Orientation for New Board Members & Superintendents. Many important topics will be covered, including the roles and…

VB School Board to hold live broadcast of workshop with updated proposal on bringing students back to in-person learning
Jessica Owens, of the Virginia Beach School Board, posted to social media reminding the community that the school board will be holding a workshop this week to discuss the updates for in-person learning throughout the school system. The workshop will be Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 4

Petition calling for removal of Shenandoah County School Board president filed in court
Over 400 people have signed a petition seeking the removal of Shenandoah County Public School Board Chairwoman Karen Whetzel amid the School Board’s legal battle in the county’s circuit court over the recent decision to change the Confederate-themed names of schools…

As pandemic lingers, students in Virginia school struggle with frustration, distractions
Olivia Scheulen had big plans for her senior year at Rappahannock County High School. She was going to run for president of the student council after serving as the vice president her junior year. She was going to be the vice president of the community service-oriented Leo…

Arlington parent taking battle to open schools to the court
An Arlington Public Schools parent wants his daughter back in class so badly, he plans to file a lawsuit against the district. “We started the fundraising today, and we’ve already gotten a lot of great contributions from fellow parents,” Russell Laird told Fox 5 Wednesday, referring to a…

Officials vote to consolidate three schools in Buchanan County
Buchanan County Public Schools (BCPS) officials hosted a public hearing Tuesday night in regard to school consolidation plans. CBS affiliate WJHL reports several community members voiced their thoughts surrounding consolidation plans at the meeting from a handful of…

Louisa Schools adding cybersecurity program in upcoming year
Louisa County Public Schools will be launching a cybersecurity program in the upcoming school year, thanks to some help from the federal government. “I think is is going to give an opportunity to many students to go out and really be successful in this field,” LCPS Superintendent Doug…

HCPS to review COVID-19 data and expanded in-person learning timeline
On Monday, the Henrico County Public Schools Health Committee will meet to review the latest data for COVID-19 in the area and discuss any possible changes to the learning timeline. In October 2020, the school board voted 4-1 to expand optional in-person learning opportunities…

Spotsylvania Schools announce changes to instructional plan
Spotsylvania County Public Schools has announced changes to its instructional plan for the new semester that starts on Monday. Starting on Jan. 4 and continuing through Jan. 15, school officials said the instruction will be done in a distance/virtual learning mode. “We will follow…

Page Co. Public Schools to continue with full remote learning for the next few weeks
Page County Public Schools announced Thursday the school district will continue with full remote learning for the next two and a half weeks. A message from Page County Public Schools says the district will resume a blended learning model (in-person) as indicated on its…

Roanoke City canceling next week’s high school sports
More high school sporting events are being canceled in Roanoke. Roanoke City Public Schools announced on Friday that games and matches scheduled for Jan. 4 to 8 have been canceled. The school district cited recent outbreaks resulting from school and travel sports as the…

Four new members of Richmond School Board will be sworn in on Monday
Four newly elected officials will be sworn in as Richmond School Board members on Monday, and they’ll hit the ground running in a school division still relying on remote learning during the pandemic in what will likely be a challenging budget season for Richmond Public Schools…

Public schools to start spring semester remotely in Charlotte County
As Charlotte County’s coronavirus cases surge and several public school employees enter a mandatory quarantine period, the school district announced plans Thursday to start the spring semester in a fully remote fashion. According to Charlotte County Public Schools’ statement…

Bland County Public Schools aims to resume in-person learning by Jan. 11
Bland County Public Schools shared another statement on Thursday with information specific to information about grades, January reopening plans, and athletics at the high school. You can read the statement about Bland County High School here…

Beloved, longtime Virginia Beach physical education assistant dies from COVID-19 complications
There were two things around which Dorothy “Dottie” Myers’ life centered. Her only child — beloved daughter Jen — and the thousands of children Myers worked with and cared for during three decades as a physical education assistant for Virginia Beach public schools. Most all…

NEW- Virginia Freedom of Information (FOIA) Training
The requirements of FOIA impact every school board meeting, from initial notice of the meeting to what must be included in the minutes. Board members’ thorough familiarity with FOIA helps school board meetings flow smoothly and shows the community that the board is committed…