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…
Superintendent Alan Seibert Announces Retirement
After 30 years of service to the children and citizens in the City of Salem, School Division Superintendent, Dr. Alan Seibert, is retiring, effective September 30. Seibert’s retirement request was accepted by the School Board at its monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
Martinsville schools find first case of COVID-19 on first day of school
A case of COVID-19 has already been discovered in Martinsville City Schools. Students began the new school year on Monday and on Tuesday Patrick Henry Elementary School Principal Cameron Cooper sent out a letter to all parents notifying them that someone on the school…
VB School Board approves mandatory masks for all students and staff
School leaders in Virginia Beach spent several hours Tuesday night discussing their mask policy for the upcoming school year. Minutes before 1:00 a.m. the board voted 7 to 4 to implement the proposed plan by school administration, which includes mandatory masks for…
After turmoil, Loudoun County Schools slated to vote on transgender student rights
After months of turmoil — and an intense board meeting Tuesday that drew nearly 200 registered speakers and dozens of protesters — the Loudoun County School Board will vote this week on whether to grant transgender children access to sex-specific facilities and school…
Virginia Department of Health official: ‘Bulk of population will be exposed to delta variant’ in next few months
Virginia Department of Health officials made it clear for Southside Virginia as well as most of the rest if the state: Everyone should wear a face covering when indoors in a public setting, even if you are fully vaccinated. “The number of COVID cases is increasing — it’s 30% higher this…
Winchester School Board approves mask mandate for upcoming school year
For the second consecutive school year, Winchester Public Schools students, staff and visitors must wear face masks in all city schools as the delta coronavirus variant develops. The Winchester School Board voted 6-0 at a Monday night work session in favor of…
Wise County School Board faces few questions on transgender policies
After July’s round of public opposition to following state transgender rights law, members of the Wise County School Board had only one person grilling them on the policies Tuesday. Heather Jacobs, mother of two county students, asked the board at Tuesday’s meeting whether…
Parents, teachers and students in Pittsylvania County protest mask mandate
Pittsylvania County Schools had their decision to make masks optional inside their school buildings overruled by the state last week. Monday morning, parents, teachers and students protested, saying they feel as if their freedom to choose is being taken away. “I chose not…
Make a move on the high school
When I first started my job here at The Gazette-Virginian in September of 2013, one of my first assignments was to cover a Halifax County School Board meeting. Mold at Halifax County High School was the hot topic. The public was outraged, rightfully so. An air quality report was…
UPDATED: Mask mandate adopted by Chesterfield School Board, rejected by Hanover School Board
Emotions ran high on Tuesday night as two Richmond-area school boards faced tough crowds in votes about mask mandates for the coming school year. Chesterfield County ultimately adopted a mask mandate, while Hanover County did not. After hearing from public speakers…
September 14, 2021 VSBA Title IX: Best Practices in Training & Compliance Workshop
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…