<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/legislative-advocacy-conference/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">September 23, 2021 VSBA Legislative Advocacy Conference, Registration Open for In-Person Event</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">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…</span>

<a href="https://wtop.com/virginia/2021/07/state-says-virginia-transgender-policy-fight-falls-to-local-schools/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">State says Virginia transgender policy fight falls to local schools</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Virginia Department of Education said Friday that local school systems must comply with state law by adopting a transgender equity policy model, approved in April, by the 2021-2022 school year. The legal guidance follows several inquiries from “school divisions” in the...</span>

<a href="https://richmond.com/community/goochland-gazette/news/school-division-earns-honors-for-heavy-equipment-operator-program/article_8c8dec84-f366-11eb-ad72-bf0b5b07a0a6.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">School division earns honors for Heavy Equipment Operator program</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">With construction booming in our community, the demand for skilled workers created an opportunity for Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS) to develop a program that met a need and opened doors for students. And now those efforts are receiving statewide recognition…</span>

<a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/fredericksburg-area-schools-continue-to-grapple-with-whether-to-require-masking/article_17fe5710-893c-50c2-bc29-f6f175bccee7.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fredericksburg-area schools continue to grapple with whether to require masking</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following statewide guidance that left decisions about masking largely up to localities, Fredericksburg area school districts have begun to hash out policies for the upcoming school year. The Spotsylvania School Board last week voted to allow parents to sign a form opting…</span>

<a href="https://www.localdvm.com/news/virginia/no-kid-hungry-donates-grants-to-northern-virginia-school-districts-and-organizations/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">No Kid Hungry distributes grants to Northern Virginia school districts and organizations</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Northern Virginia schools and organizations received a large portion of funding from No Kid Hungry’s $1.6 million grant distribution across the state to fight food insecurity. The organization has distributed more than $4 million during the pandemic to help feed hungry families. A total…</span>

<a href="https://swvatoday.com/floyd/article_389a33a6-efdf-11eb-be4e-a327d5e3e393.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supervisors formally oppose school policy changes</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a non-binding “political statement,” Floyd County Board of Supervisors took an official stance Tuesday on the General Assembly’s requirement of local school districts to develop and implement policies regarding the treatment of transgender students in Virginia public schools…</span>

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/08/01/rps-hold-love-parade-ahead-school-year/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">RPS to hold ‘love parade’ ahead of school year</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Families are invited next weekend to Richmond Community High School for a parade held by Richmond Public Schools. The RPS Love Parade is slated for Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting at 201 E. Brookland Park Boulevard and ending at Hotchkiss Field. At the field, the…</span>

<a href="https://patch.com/virginia/lakeridge/prince-william-county-public-schools-superintendent-dr-latanya-d-mcdade-0"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prince William County Public Schools: Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, Leadership Team Share Information On 2021-22</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. McDade and members of the PWCS leadership team will provide a brief overview of the learning plan for the upcoming school year, with a focus on details of virtual learning. Additional webinars on the 2021-22 learning plan will be provided by each school between August 4…</span>

<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/loudoun-county-public-schools-require-masks-for-school/65-9a06c360-bb7e-4847-90f9-cfcffa30f4a2"><span style="font-weight: 400;">LCPS students, staff must wear masks for 2021-2022 school year, superintendent says</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will require all students and staff to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status, Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler announced Monday in a letter sent out to the school community. Ziegler said the decision was not easy and was driven…</span>

<a href="https://wvva.com/2021/08/02/tazewell-county-schools-releases-mask-policy/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tazewell County Schools releases mask policy</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tazewell County public schools has released their mask guidelines for the upcoming school year. When school starts on August 19, masks will be optional for all students, faculty and staff. Masks will be provided to those who want to wear one. Masks will be required on the school…</span>

<a href="https://www.whsv.com/2021/07/30/augusta-county-school-boards-refusal-enact-state-policy-could-lead-legal-action-attorneys-say/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Augusta County School Board’s refusal to enact state policy could lead to legal action, attorneys say</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thursday’s Augusta County School Board meeting consisted of heated debate and controversial decisions. The conversations were about state policies born out of a circuit court decision. The policies say schools should allow students to use the restroom that corresponds </span>

<a href="http://vsbalegislativeupdate.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">VSBA Legislative Update Blog- Stay Up to Date on the General Assembly Special Session</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stay tuned for the latest updates out of the latest updates from the special session by visiting the VSBA Legislative Update Blog. If you have questions about the special session be sure to reach out to VSBA Government Relations Specialist, J.T. Kessler. </span>