July 20, 2021, VSBA Conference on Education
Join hundreds of school division leaders from across Virginia at the 35th Annual VSBA Conference on Education. We are pleased to have Governor Ralph Northam in attendance, with our afternoon keynote presentation from the Aldrin Foundation! There will also be a time for…
Manassas City Public Schools offer staff post-pandemic bonus
Following suit with other school districts in northern Virginia, Manassas City Public School’s (MCPS) board voted unanimously last week to give staff a one-time COVID bonus. Similar to those in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) and Manassas Park City Schools…
Drive ends for elected Roanoke school board referendum
A Democratic activist has halted his campaign for a November referendum on whether Roanoke should switch to electing its school board. As of Friday, the campaign had collected only about 2,000 of 6,500 signatures required by a mid-July deadline, according to activist Luke Priddy…
Of the nearly 44% of students who returned to Chesterfield County Public Schools this past winter, most were white
When Chesterfield County Public Schools reopened its doors five days a week this past winter, about 44% of students in the district returned. In a school district with a majority of minority students, more white students than their peers of color accepted the offer to return to a…
Broadband access eyed for wide swath of Central Virginia
Thirteen Central Virginia counties could see nearly all of their residents receive access to fiber-optic broadband service over the next few years. Nine counties have signed a memorandum of understanding that could lead to a partnership to bring high-speed internet…
Two Halifax County students earn scholarships
GRASP — Great Aspirations Scholarship Program — a nonprofit, college and career access organization, headquartered in Glen Allen, recently awarded 107 Last Dollar scholarships totaling $115,900 and 57 Community College Pathway scholarships totaling $57,000 to…
Prince William County Public Schools’ Superintendent LaTanya McDade outlines her first 100 days goals
Prince William County Public School’s new Superintendent LaTanya McDade released a video message to the community about what they can expect in her first 100 days on the job. McDade began her position as the new superintendent on Thursday, replacing former Superintendent…
In Virginia governor’s race, a raging debate about education takes center stage
Parents and teachers, already exercised about public schools amid raging K-12 culture wars and the aftermath of pandemic-era shutdowns, are proving attractive targets this year for Virginia gubernatorial candidates — in strikingly different ways. Terry McAuliffe (D), a…
In-person public meetings remain elusive in the area
Just as they have for the last year, appointed and elected officials in Charlottesville and Albemarle County still will be able to attend meetings from their homes, their cars, while at work or while on vacation — for at least the next two months. Even with the state of emergency…
Hundreds show up to speak to Augusta School Board about transgender policy
In Verona Thursday night, hundreds of people showed up at the Augusta County Government Center, most speaking out against a policy that would allow transgender students to use the bathroom aligning with their gender identity. Starting this school year, all public schools in…
Masks are staying on in Virginia schools — for now
Anyone 5 and older will need to continue to wear masks in Virginia schools for at least several more weeks. Gov. Ralph Northam’s most recent executive order about masking expired Thursday. That order, issued in May, lifted most mask requirements for fully vaccinated people…
New bill allows for virtual snow days for schools
Virtual learning became the norm during the coronavirus pandemic, but schools are now getting back to having in-person learning. While many students may be excited to return to the classroom, virtual learning may not be gone. Lawmakers passed a bill that would allow…
2021 VSBA Media Honor Roll- Open Now!
Reporters and local media outlets play an important role in public education. School division leaders rely on responsible reporting by local media representatives so that our community members receive timely information about division initiatives and programs. Considering the…