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…
Virginia legislators kill special education bill
Virginia lawmakers killed a proposal that would allow some special education students another year of instruction because of the struggles of virtual learning caused by COVID-19. House Bill 2277 proposed that high school students with special needs who are set to graduate in the…
Gov. Northam appoints Virginia’s Teacher of the Year from Franklin County to Board of Education
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday he is appointing a Franklin County teacher — who also happens to be Virginia’s 2021 Teacher of the Year — to the Board of Education. Anthony Swann teaches fifth grade at Rocky Mount Elementary School and joined the governor during…
RPS school board to vote on contract extension for superintendent tonight
The Richmond Public School board will vote tonight on whether or not to extend the superintendent’s contract. Jason Kamras’ contract is set to expire on June 30; however, the board has yet to decide if he will remain in office for an additional four years. According to…
As Northam calls for in-person learning, area school divisions are already there
On Friday, Gov. Ralph Northam pushed for all school divisions in Virginia to offer some form of in-person instruction by March 15, but school divisions in Winchester, Frederick County and Clarke County are already one step ahead. Schools throughout the state closed for in-person…
Newport News Public Schools thanks staff for hard work during pandemic; makes bonus, raise announcements
In a YouTube video released Friday night, Newport News Public Schools thanked staff members for their hard work during the pandemic. School Board Chair Douglas Brown made the following announcements: All employees will receive a bonus of $750 (pre-tax), which will be…
A Henrico retirement community, an elementary school and ‘something good’ out of the pandemic
Even in a pandemic that’s kept school children out of the classroom and seniors from venturing too far from home, residents of Cedarfield, a retirement community in western Henrico, and students at Fair Oaks Elementary in the eastern end of the county, have found a way to…
Murray Elementary community supports keeping school’s name
During the first three reviews of school names conducted by the Albemarle County school division, the moniker has changed or will change. The streak could end if the Virginia L. Murray Elementary School community has its way. In a survey about potential names, more than 92%…
Isle of Wight returning some students to in-person learning 5 days a week
Isle of Wight County Schools officials have announced their plans to return lower grades to in-person learning five days a week. In-person learning will start next week, on Tuesday, Feb. 16, for pre-K through fifth-grade students, the division announced Monday. The division said in…
Graduates in Patrick County could soon have college tuition covered
The Patrick County Education Foundation (PCEF) has created a goal that, when realized, will help students and the county as a whole. The PCEF is looking to establish the Patrick County Promise, a new program enabling high school students to get a college degree from Patrick…
Virginia parents support Northam’s push for schools to reopen by mid-March, but hesitant about success
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Friday a new plan for the whole state when it comes to schools reopening. Northam is calling on all schools in the state to offer some form of in-person learning by March 15, in addition to prioritizing summer learning options for families…
Report finds Virginia’s schools are not adequately serving students with disabilities
Virginia’s public schools are failing to meet the needs of students with disabilities and the requirements of federal special education mandates, according to a recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee, the General Assembly’s watchdog agency. Among the…
Inside the room where FCPS teachers are learning how to teach during the pandemic
Inside Holmes Middle School there is a room nicknamed ‘the sandbox.’ Assistant Principal Rose Moore calls it the sandbox because teachers are getting in them to play around with new technology. “I think it’s really important to hit the ground running because we’ve already been…
Hanover County Public Schools rooting for one of their own in Super Bowl LV
Hanover County Public Schools is rooting for one of their own during Super Bowl LV, according to the school district’s Twitter account. Josh Wells is a graduate of James Madison University and a former Hanover High School quarterback. He currently plays with the Tampa Bay…
2021 VSBA Business Honor Roll Open Now
Local businesses have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools. Every spring, the VSBA Business Honor Roll provides a way for local school divisions to recognize local businesses for their support, especially as schools face increasing budget uncertainty…
VSBA School Board U
School Board U is an area of the VSBA website filled with learning opportunities for school board members to explore important topics related to your service on the school board. Complete certain courses and earn a certificate for your hard work. For more information visit the member section of the VSBA website. School board members and division staff, please check your email to find the log in and password information or contact VSBA.