February 17, 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…
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…
New scholarships honor black leaders in Pulaski County
Four scholarships have been established in Pulaski County Public Schools, honoring Black leaders in the community. The schools received the scholarship from the TG Howard Community Center and other donors. All the scholarships are named for key figures such as…
Report: Racist Virginia laws are gone, but inequities linger
Virginia needs sweeping changes to its schools, housing laws, criminal justice system and other areas of policy to remedy the legacy of centuries of government-sanctioned racial oppression, according to a new report the state released Wednesday. It’s the latest effort of a commission…
Fairfax Co. school board considers new calendar to address learning loss from pandemic
The Fairfax County School Board is considering adding four new days off to the 2021-2022 school calendar, to coincide with diverse religious holidays. But the effects of COVID-19 may delay the Virginia school system’s plans — at least, temporarily. A religious observances task…
Virginia Beach school leaders launch mental health task force
Anxiety, uncertainty, and change is hitting students hard during the pandemic, and the Virginia Beach community is paying close attention. The Virginia Beach School Division just launched a mental health task force to tackle longstanding mental health issues and problems that have…
How this Chesterfield student is keeping Heroes on Ice alive during the pandemic
There are only two large ice rinks in Richmond. Both are busy nearly all hours of the day and night, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sport appeals to both the young and the young at heart. Shelby Warren is a senior at James River High School and has been skating since…
Waynesboro superintendent says summer school will not turn into mandatory, year-round classes
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s directive Friday that all schools are to reopen by March 15 was not aimed at districts such as Waynesboro, according to the city’s superintendent. Waynesboro Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Cassell told school board members Tuesday at its monthly…
Fourth-grader wins Louisa County Public Schools spelling bee
A couple of months ago, Moss-Nuckols Elementary School fourth-grader Anni Blair was one of about 1,500 students vying for the title of Spelling Bee Champion for Louisa County Public Schools. On Jan. 27, during the final moments of the 2021 LCPS Spelling Bee, only one word…
Teacher raises in Virginia Senate budget require schools to offer in-person learning by this summer
A raise for teachers is on the table in the Virginia General Assembly but some lawmakers want to require schools to reopen first. The House and Senate introduced their spending plans earlier this week. Each chamber is expected to vote on their respective proposals on Friday which…
Webinar to replace spelling bee
The Suffolk Education Foundation cannot hold one of its popular fundraisers this year but has found a helpful alternative. Since 1993, the Suffolk Education Foundation has held various fundraisers to raise donations to give students and staff of Suffolk Public Schools annual…
Richmond schools not optimistic about reopening deadline
School leaders in Richmond say they’re not optimistic that they can meet the Virginia governor’s request to open schools to students by March 15. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that officials said at a Tuesday school board meeting that buildings aren’t cleaned or safe enough…
Education and Legislation Mix at VSBA Capital Conference Local Attendees Advocate on Behalf of Public Education
Amy McClure, Lunenburg County Public Schools (LCPS) School Board member, attended the Virginia School Boards Association’s Capital Conference held virtually on January 25 and 26, 2021. The event provided an opportunity for school board members, superintendents, state…
School Board to conduct public hearing on the Superintendent’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022
The Prince William County School Board will conduct a public hearing on the Superintendent’s proposed budget for FY 2022 at 6 p.m. on February 24, 2021 at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, which is located at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, Virginia. The public hearing will…
RCPS Wraps Up First Round Of Vaccinations
As Jill Glick waited the required 15 minutes after receiving her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, she tightly clutched a small teddy bear while also confirming her second dose four weeks later. “The receptionist gave him to me because I was nervous…
10 active cases of COVID-19 at Prince George High School
Prince George High School is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. The school district tells 8News that 10 people are actively battling the virus and are in isolation. A district spokesperson declined to say how many of these positive cases are students or teachers…
Virginia General Assembly Weekly Update
The 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly is in its final weeks and to provide school board members with the latest information from the legislature, the VSBA Government Relations team will continue to conduct weekly Friday afternoon briefings via Zoom. Use the link above to register.
VSBA Student Essay Contest
The Virginia School Boards Association is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the winner will have an opportunity to present before an audience of more than 300 school board members and administrators at the 2021 Virtual VSBA Conference on Education held July 20…