September 23, 2021 VSBA Legislative Advocacy Conference, Registration Open for In-Person Event
In 2021, Virginians will decide who will lead the Commonwealth by electing the next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, as well as deciding control of the Virginia House of Delegates. Being informed on the issues shaping Virginia and learning how to advocate on…
VB School Board chair issues conduct warnings to 2 women after volatile meetings
In the weeks following two contentious school board meetings in Virginia Beach, two women have received formal warnings about their behavior during public meetings. Failure to cease the disruption will result in them being prohibited from attending other school board meetings…
With 22 cases in Danville Public Schools, health coordinator explains procedures
With 22 cases of COVID-19 in Danville Public Schools — an increase of 14 since last week — health coordinator Renita Townes outlined procedures in place for students and staff members at Thursday night’s Danville School Board meeting. Townes said employees infected by…
School system looking for creative solutions as more requests come in for remote learning
As Halifax County experiences an increase in COVID-19 cases and days away from the start of school for some Halifax County Public Schools students, HCPS officials have been fielding an influx of calls from parents requesting to opt their children into virtual learning for the 2021-22…
Transportation woes continue for Lynchburg City Schools
The first week of school in Lynchburg City Schools has proved challenging for its understaffed transportation department. LCS Superintendent Crystal Edwards and other administrators updated the Lynchburg City School Board at its Tuesday night work session on these issues…
Warren County schools to revise mask exemption form after complaints
Three days into the new school year, Warren County Public Schools is reporting that several students have COVID-19, while some parents continue to protest the state’s mask mandate. The division’s website COVID-19 dashboard shows seven active cases in students across…
COVID delays start of Staunton High School football
Staunton High School became the second varsity football team in the area to confirm that it will miss time because of players testing positive for COVID-19. Superintendent Garett Smith confirmed the news Thursday evening that Staunton will not only miss its scrimmage at…
Hopewell Schools closed Friday due to critical staffing shortages
Due to critical staffing shortages across all Hopewell City Public Schools, all schools will be closed to students tomorrow, Friday, August 20. Both in-person and virtual instruction is canceled tomorrow. It will be a workday for all staff and they should report to buildings at the…
Prince William schools release quarantine guidance, rethink cafeteria set-ups
With its school year beginning Monday, Prince William County Public Schools has released guidance on COVID-19 quarantines, and some county schools are rethinking their cafeteria set-ups. According to the guidelines, which the department released last week and says are…
Fairfax Co. schools ask parents to consider carpooling amid bus driver shortage
The D.C. region is experiencing a severe school bus driver shortage, and Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is asking parents to shuttle kids themselves, if possible, to alleviate some of the strain. The school system took to Twitter and Facebook to ask parents to walk or drive…
Alexandria City Public Schools will require vaccination or testing for staffers
The Alexandria City Public Schools board voted Thursday to require employees to receive the coronavirus vaccine or submit to regular testing this fall, making it the latest D.C.-area school system to adopt a vaccine mandate. Board members voted unanimously in favor of the…
Northern Virginia school systems receive funding to buy 21 electric school buses
Northern Virginia localities will receive funding to purchase 21 electric school buses, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The money, totaling $10.5 million statewide, will come from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, administered by the Virginia…
They both have prioritized public education, but McAuliffe and Youngkin differ greatly on policy
Critical Race Theory, teacher pay, school choice, mask mandates for students, and other education-related topics remain prominent in discussions for Virginia candidates as election season nears. This brings the partisan debate over public education to the forefront — most…
Gov. Northam weighs in on bus driver shortages plaguing the Commonwealth
Virginia’s governor is weighing in on bus driver shortages as 19 school systems across the Commonwealth receive grants to purchase cleaner modes of transportation for students. During an event on Thursday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced more than $10.5 million from the…
Stafford School Board approves signing bonus, pay scale enhancements for bus drivers
Stafford County will offer a $3,000 sign-on bonus to new school bus drivers with a commercial driver’s license and will continue offering a $1,000 bonus to new drivers without the license. The School Board approved the bonuses Tuesday as part of the division’s efforts to address a…
‘We’re glad to have them back’: New school year starts for Winchester Public Schools
Overall, Winchester Public Schools had a smooth transition to full-time, in-person learning as the 2021-22 school year began on Thursday. Thursday marked the first time in about 17 months that the division returned to a normal school day, with students back in classrooms. According…
Henrico Public Schools asking for feedback on proposed calendars for future school years
Henrico County Public Schools is asking for feedback on its calendar proposals for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The options include both a pre and post-Labor Day start to both school years. The School Board is expected to decide on calendars by the end of August…
Protecting Kids’ Mental Health Top Priority as VA Schools Reopen
With many Virginia schools starting up next week, experts say parents and teachers need to take extra steps to protect children’s mental health, which may have suffered during pandemic isolation. Eric Sparks, deputy executive director of the American School Counselor…
After record decrease in 2020, will Hampton Roads school enrollment bounce back this year?
Public school students will return to schools in a couple weeks, but how many students will be back in the classroom? School enrollment in Hampton Roads declined dramatically last year, with significant decreases in Pre-K and kindergarten classes. “The pandemic adds stress…
Magna Awards Nominations Open
Applications for the 2022 Magna Awards are now open. The Magna Awards program focuses on equity in education. It recognizes district programs that remove barriers to achievement for vulnerable or underserved children. A grand prize and five winners will be awarded in each…