<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.thecentersquare.com/virginia/group-says-fairfax-county-teachers-violated-virginias-anti-striking-law-with-sick-out/article_ac02ef4a-43d7-11eb-a82e-ffcc3cc5d471.html">Group says Fairfax County teachers violated Virginia's anti-striking law with 'sick out'
</a>A nonprofit organization that advocates for families is accusing Fairfax County teachers union officials of violating Virginia law that prohibits public-sector strikes when the union organized with hundreds of teachers to take a mental health sick day in October. According to Virginia…

<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/education/school-principal-kisses-cow-after-students-and-staff-reached-donation-goal-for-the-united-way/">School principal kisses cow after students and staff reach donation goal for the United Way
</a>Staff and students from Isle of Wight County Schools supported the United Way by pledging almost $16,000 to charities through the organization. According to a school spokeswoman, Smithfield Middle, Windsor Elementary, Carrollton Elementary, and Carrsville Elementary…

<a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/sports/high-school/virginia-beach-superintendent-postpones-vote-on-high-school-winter-sports/291-66a1400b-d816-4bf7-aa01-1160f65eb8ba">Virginia Beach superintendent postpones vote on high school winter sports
</a>The Virginia Beach school board will hold off on deciding the fate of their high schools' winter sports season for now as COVID-19 cases make drastic rises across the region and state. The school board was expected to vote Tuesday based on the city's current COVID-19 metrics…

<a href="https://www.nbc29.com/2020/12/21/acps-school-board-legislative-agenda-asks-increased-teacher-funding-mental-health-support/">ACPS School Board legislative agenda asks for increased teacher funding, mental health support
</a>It happens every year: ACPS leaders appealing directly to central Virginia’s legislators before the new year’s session begins. However, this year that annual meeting is more important than ever before. Preparing for 2021 and the road to recovery from the pandemic, Albemarle…

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/virginia-teacher-strives-to-motivate-and-inspire-students-part-2-98193989661">Virginia teacher strives to motivate and inspire students
</a>Anthony Swann was recently named Virginia's 2021 Teacher of the Year. Swann’s students share what lessons they’ve learned from him…

<a href="https://richmond.com/community/mechanicsville-local/news/teachers-group-offers-requests-for-new-budget/article_a10ba550-4459-11eb-a60a-c30924608d64.html">Teachers’ group offers requests for new budget
</a>With the upcoming budget season right around the corner, Hanover County’s teachers presented a wish list to Hanover County School Board members that included a salary increase, a bolstered share of employee health insurance costs, and more planning time. Gene…

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2020/12/22/montgomery-county-public-schools-provides-free-internet-in-rural-communities/">Montgomery County Public Schools expands internet access in rural communities
</a>Montgomery County Public Schools is getting creative with how it provides internet to families, especially those in the most rural areas of the county. The view of the county is beautiful in Riner, but living there makes it difficult to get things done online. “When the schools closed…

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/rockingham_county/county-teacher-receives-prestigious-certification/article_2f0c222a-979f-57ec-932e-740ec3b17858.html">County Teacher Receives Prestigious Certification
</a>Owen Longacre was wrapping up filming for a portfolio he was creating to submit to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards the day before the Gov. Ralph Northam shut down schools in March. It was the final video that Longacre needed to create of him teaching his…

<a href="https://www.dailypress.com/tidewater-review/va-tr-kw-four-day-sked-1222-20201222-pgrlu2mxdfbajl3lbkfke47yzy-story.html">King William County Public Schools plans for four-day hybrid schedule at start of second semester
</a>The King William County School Division will gear-up for a four-day, in-person learning model at the start of its second semester following the winter break. The division will trade its two-day in-person, two-day at home model on Jan. 19 in which it will adopt its four-day in-person model…

<a href="https://www.thedinwiddiemonitor.com/news/state-association-awards-dinwiddie-school-board-members/article_e9c5970a-42f2-11eb-a6ea-b30e0cc28537.html">State association awards Dinwiddie school board members
</a>The Virginia School Board Association,  a voluntary organization of Virginia school boards that support public education, awarded District 3 Board Member Barbara Pittman and District 4 Board Member Mary Benjamin of Dinwiddie County with recognition and esteemed positions…

<a href="http://www.sovanow.com/index.php?/news/article/hcps_employees_to_receive_650_hazard_pay/">HCPS employees to receive $650 hazard pay
</a>The Halifax County School Board has agreed to provide $650 in hazard pay to school employees with contracts, a designation that includes all staff except for substitute teachers. The pay supplements will be funded mostly by using CARES Act pandemic relief money. For…

<a href="https://www.ssentinel.com/2020/12/22/middlesex-va-schools-to-stay-hybrid/">Middlesex schools to keep two-days a week in-person instruction for now
</a>The Middlesex County School Board (MCSB) agreed Monday, Dec. 14, at the board’s regular monthly meeting to continue the current hybrid school plan with students attending school in-person two days a week. The Virginia Education Association is recommending that schools…

<a href="https://www.timesvirginian.com/news/article_688d8a72-4152-11eb-91ee-3be9d5c0471f.html">Stough appointed to fill vacant school board seat
</a>On Thursday night the Appomattox County School Board appointed Mr. Roger Stough to fill the vacant Falling River District seat on an interim basis, where he will serve until at least Dec. 31, 2021.  A formal public election will be held in November 2021, for which Stough will be eligible…

<a href="https://www.emporiaindependentmessenger.com/news/article_6debf220-4084-11eb-9d01-b3d8da6a88dc.html">Bush returns to GCPS Board
</a>The Emporia City Council voted to keep Janey Bush on the GCPS School Board. Bush will serve a four-year term that expires on Dec. 31, 2024. The long-time board member is a former teacher in the GCPS Division. Tuesday’s City Council meeting was the government body’s…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/services/board-training-development/new-virginia-freedom-of-information-foia-training/">NEW- Virginia Freedom of Information (FOIA) Training
</a>The requirements of FOIA impact every school board meeting, from initial notice of the meeting to what must be included in the minutes. Board members’ thorough familiarity with FOIA helps school board meetings flow smoothly and shows the community that the board is committed…