<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/capital-conference/">January 25-26, 2021, VSBA Capital Conference, Virtual
</a>Advocacy by local school board members is a year-round job but is never more critical than when the Virginia General Assembly is in session. With the Virginia State Capitol and Pocahontas Building closed to visitors for the unforeseeable future, it is imperative for school…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/New-Board-Member-and-Super-Orientations-Brochure.pdf">January 26, 2021, VSBA Orientation for New School Board Members and Superintendents, Virtual</a>
Becoming a new school board member or superintendent is an honor and a privilege. Enjoy a successful and less stressful transition by attending the VSBA Orientation for New Board Members &amp; Superintendents. Many important topics will be covered, including the roles and…

<a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-schools-to-recommend-in-person-learning-to-school-board">Chesterfield Schools recommending return to in-person learning
</a>In a school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening, Chesterfield County school leaders will recommend a new plan that would allow some students to return to in-person learning next month. The county has been doing all-virtual learning since Thanksgiving break due to rising…

<a href="https://www.localdvm.com/news/virginia/fcps-receives-its-first-electric-school-bus/">FCPS receives its first electric school bus
</a>FCPS received its first electric bus Tuesday, one of 50 deployed throughout the state in the first rollout. WDVM initially reported on the buses in November when they were still being built but now, they are arriving at schools across the Commonwealth. Other school districts in…

<a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/dinwiddie-schools-to-return-to-virtual-learning-following-holiday-covid-19-spike/">Dinwiddie schools to return to virtual learning following holiday COVID-19 spike
</a>Dinwiddie County School Board vote for a temporary return to virtual learning due to increasing concerns about the spread of coronavirus in the area. The school district wants to leave time for the virus to work through the community after the holidays before students return to school in…

<a href="https://www.fauquier.com/news/students-will-return-to-classrooms-jan-19/article_b82240fe-547c-11eb-a6a5-93b9ffe09982.html?fbclid=IwAR086QPCIOosX7pvLAX6f3oOhrkIKoa7VpjiVIzu0h7iz6i7ELj7pcnMe3Y">Students will return to classrooms Jan. 19
</a>The Fauquier County School Board voted 4 to 1 Monday night to resume the hybrid model of learning. Students whose families have chosen hybrid will return to classrooms two days a week (either Mondays and Tuesdays or Thursdays and Fridays), and have three days of…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/school-board-member-wade-announces-run-for-city-council/article_01f00c98-5455-11eb-91c4-fb188154f68e.html">School Board member Wade announces run for City Council
</a>Charlottesville School Board member Juandiego Wade has announced his campaign for the City Council, citing his local government experience and connections with the community. Wade, 55, who is running as a Democrat, declared his candidacy virtually on Monday. “I felt…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/education/english-learners-in-virginia-being-asked-to-come-to-school-to-take-standardized-test/article_9d8584e2-df0a-59e6-aa54-d83b470cd8f7.html">English learners in Virginia being asked to come to school to take standardized test
</a>The Virginia Department of Education is asking English language learners to take a federally mandated English proficiency test in person. But as COVID-19 cases hit record highs in Virginia, some teachers say that any in-person testing is irresponsible, and they want state…

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/city-schools-director-named-to-statewide-committee-on-culture-inclusion/article_464002e3-dca3-5b63-86ac-a89a988b51eb.html">City Schools Director Named To Statewide Committee On Culture, Inclusion
</a>The need for better understanding and inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds in schools cannot be understated, according to the Virginia Department of Education. The Department of Education has launched a statewide advisory committee to look at how social studies is…

<a href="https://roanoke.com/news/local/education/roanoke-city-council-accepting-applications-for-3-school-board-seats/article_f2e893b8-54e6-11eb-b614-4bb5da0755e5.html">Roanoke City Council accepting applications for 3 school board seats
</a>The city is now accepting applications for three upcoming vacancies on the school board. The seats are three-year terms that begin July 1. Those interested in applying can obtain an application online or at the Roanoke City Clerk’s Office in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal…

<a href="https://wset.com/news/local/danville-public-schools-start-new-strategic-plan-to-improve-schools">Danville Public Schools start new strategic plan to improve schools
</a>Danville Public Schools wants is looking for community feedback on ways to improve education in the city. The school system announced a new planning process that will guide schools over the next five years. The initial process will take four months. During that time, school leaders…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/education/area-school-districts-in-flux-amid-rising-covid-case-numbers/article_b7633bea-545f-11eb-82c1-4b3f36d11f81.html?fbclid=IwAR1gutqpK4MFnXA-v7p9ai0Lf_KZI6fn3EGpfPBpTgkzsOvzYwduYWL-MMc">Area school districts in flux amid rising COVID case numbers
</a>Lower-grade level elementary students in Albemarle County returned to classrooms Monday as COVID-19 case numbers are close to a division-set threshold for reverting back to all-virtual classes. Monday’s classes were the first in four weeks; the division moved to all-virtual…

<a href="https://www.wtkr.com/news/hampton-roads-teachers-have-mixed-feelings-on-covid-19-vaccine-once-phase-1b-begins?fbclid=IwAR1z2y0Y3RnRYTK-pEWbNEOVxR6P_U0MpNYGvlXl6R59_PMm9u76J8ADnKM">Hampton Roads teachers have mixed feelings on COVID-19 vaccine once phase 1B begins
</a>Nearly a dozen health districts across the state are currently vaccinating schoolteachers, but only one of those districts is here in Hampton Roads. One teacher in Virginia Beach tells News 3 she’s shocked to find out that the state's largest school system still can't get their teachers…

<a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/spotsylvania-king-george-school-divisions-extend-virtual-learning-because-of-covid-19-surge/article_51225fa6-3e2c-5e33-a839-85bafe561133.html?fbclid=IwAR0li6LpJrBuL5irs7xiQ_-IlzncdXZkQr5AU0WI4qWeK68EiKgKipHvPBs">Spotsylvania, King George school divisions extend virtual learning because of COVID-19 surge
</a>Public schools in Spotsylvania and King George counties will remain virtual for most students through the end of January because of rising COVID-19 case numbers. The Spotsylvania County School Board voted Monday evening to continue virtual learning through Jan. 29, with…

<a href="https://thefranklinnewspost.com/news/educator-named-to-advisory-committee/article_cda0ff4e-503d-11eb-8fe5-3ba8f13d9997.html?fbclid=IwAR3Kjtgak8N2cOCyWInIOe2F3_VVe-ouAcJgC5ES3ZIvZZ7n9VucffYIxvc">Educator named to advisory committee
</a>A Franklin County educator has been named to a new advisory committee charged with making recommendations on culturally relevant and inclusive education practices in Virginia’s public schools. Brenda Muse, director of curriculum and instruction for Franklin County Public…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/chesapeake/chesapeake-public-schools-offering-vaccines-to-staff-ahead-of-in-person-instruction/?fbclid=IwAR3mopf07R9CToh816loJ_3nmA0tjLVtIH9eOe6GbqicvrwwNE681jxopuA">Chesapeake Public Schools offering vaccines to staff ahead of in-person instruction
</a>As schools debate returning to classroom learning, staff with Chesapeake Public Schools are preparing to get their coronavirus vaccine. On Monday, school division officials announced they would start vaccinating staff this week. During Monday’s meeting, the school board also…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/news/vsba-launches-school-board-u/">VSBA School Board U</a>
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.