<a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/initiatives/equity-in-education-month/">March is VSBA Equity in Education Month
</a>In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month. For more information on the month long webinar series, a copy of the governor’s proclamation and additional resources follow the link above.

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/March-Hot-Topic-Brochure.pdf">March 17, 2021, VSBA March Hot Topic</a>
Join us as we gather virtually for an informative and important conference. This conference will be focusing specifically on multiple hot topics in education. You will hear from three leaders in public education throughout the event speaking on the topics of Race and Equity…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/03/03/roanoke-city-schools-adds-washers-and-dryers-to-schools-for-students-in-need/">Roanoke City Schools adds washers and dryers to schools for students in need
</a>Throughout this pandemic, we’ve seen how school is more than a building for learning, it can be a resource for internet, food and more. In Roanoke, now students at city schools will also be able to do their laundry. Laundry seems like just a simple task on a to-do list but it can be a…

<a href="https://patch.com/virginia/delray/first-alexandria-public-school-students-start-hybrid-learning">First Alexandria Public School Students Start Hybrid Learning
</a>The first group of students started hybrid learning at Alexandria City Public Schools on Tuesday. Students returning to school buildings on Tuesday included kindergarten through fifth grade receiving special education services in citywide self-contained programs, students in…

<a href="https://www.rappnews.com/news/schools/rappahannock-s-wealth-drives-down-state-funding-for-public-schools/article_a398ba66-7bf3-11eb-baad-6f19a9950a58.html">Rappahannock’s wealth drives down state funding for public schools
</a>By state mandate, Rappahannock County is responsible for providing 79.996% of the funding for its public education budget. Only eight school divisions in the commonwealth pay a greater percentage; Arlington, Alexandria, Bath, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Goochland, Highland and…

<a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/back-to-school/halifax-county-public-schools-brings-grades-4-6-9-back-to-the-classroom-for-hybrid-learning-model/">Halifax County Public Schools brings grades 4-6, 9 back to the classroom for hybrid learning model
</a>A number of elementary, middle, and high school students at Halifax County public schools will be welcomed back to the classroom next week as part of a hybrid learning model. According to a statement released by Halifax County Public Schools on Wednesday, March 3, students…

<a href="https://www.brunswicktimes-gazette.com/news/article_5543c906-7b66-11eb-b929-b3006c098025.html">School Board hears concerns
</a>Anne Williams spoke during the citizen comment period to the members of the Brunswick County School Board to share her concerns at the February meeting. “In recent months, I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about our community and attitudes. I have become…

<a href="https://starexponent.com/news/board-presses-culpeper-schools-to-offer-more-in-person-classes-starting-in-april/article_8c4553a3-df9b-5359-9bf2-5d9baa4108ed.html?fbclid=IwAR0xOm23BC40G5hcAux6aggSrJ9wYROlYEit6lmm6MmS_uRQ_cnM5wj7Sqg">Board presses Culpeper schools to offer more in-person classes starting in April
</a>The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors at its meeting Tuesday approved an estimated $24 million in budget appropriations for the public school system to continue to operate—in its current hybrid model of two days in-person and two days virtual – from April 1 through the end…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/hanover-school-leaders-defer-scheduled-vote-on-ib-program-changes/article_352cdbdf-31d2-5a3a-8651-bc7bae2e5774.html">Hanover school leaders defer scheduled vote on IB program changes
</a>The Hanover County School Board will table a vote scheduled for next week on changes to its International Baccalaureate program because some board members still question whether the proposed changes would benefit students. At a board work session Monday, members…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/education/lynchburg-city-schools-to-increase-number-of-in-person-learning-days-for-youngest-students/article_169f66a8-7ba5-11eb-989a-e32fa7ac496a.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">Lynchburg City Schools to increase number of in-person learning days for youngest students
</a>Lynchburg City Schools announced at Tuesday night’s school board meeting it plans to increase in-person learning for pre-kindergarten through second grade students from two days a week to four during the fourth quarter of the school year, which begins March 24. Amy Pugh…

<a href="https://www.restonnow.com/2021/03/02/school-board-to-debate-adding-new-religious-holidays-to-calendar/">School Board to Debate Adding New Religious Holidays to Calendar
</a>Approving a new calendar for the coming school year is typically one of the more routine duties administered by the Fairfax County School Board, but this time, it has become another decision complicated by competing priorities and added stakes. The board will hold a work session at…

<a href="https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/rps-superintendent-hopeful-decision-on-year-round-school-will-be-made-on-march-15/">RPS superintendent hopeful decision on year-round school will be made on March 15
</a>Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Kamras is hopeful that the Richmond School Board will come to a decision on year-round school for the 2021-2022 year in the next couple of weeks. The proposed calendar change has been a big point of discussion among…

<a href="https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2021/03/03/augusta-county-students-back-school-four-days-week/6886911002/">Augusta County could push to get students back in school four days a week
</a>Augusta County Public Schools is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of days students can have in-person instruction. A survey was sent to all employees of the school system Monday, said Superintendent Eric Bond. "As you know the school board has asked…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/government/virginia/vp-nw-kim-melnyk-general-assembly-20210302-e2am5m45mfak3ll66aljjmyxku-story.html">Virginia Beach School Board member running to represent 84th District
</a>Kim Melnyk, vice chair of the Virginia Beach School Board, will make a run this year to represent the 84th District in the House of Delegates, she announced Tuesday. The Virginia Beach Democrat is a longtime resident of the city who attended Brandon Middle School and…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/covid-19-keeping-schools-safe/bristol-va-school-board-tables-lawsuit-against-gov-ralph-northam-over-stadium-capacity/">Bristol, Va. School Board tables lawsuit against Gov. Ralph Northam over stadium capacity
</a>The Bristol, Virginia School Board decided not to take legal action against Governor Ralph Northam for his recent executive order limiting crowd size at outdoor school events. “The structure that’s being handed down from Richmond is unacceptable for families and the…

<a href="https://www.nbc29.com/2021/03/02/albemarle-county-public-schools-nurses-preparing-more-students-return-reflect-changes-due-pandemic/">Albemarle County Public Schools’ nurses preparing for more students’ return, reflect on changes due to the pandemic
</a>As Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) gear up to enter Phase 4, school nurses are getting prepared too. They’re navigating a landscape that’s gone from bumps, bruises and daily medication to COVID-19 isolation rooms and daily health screenings. Nearly a year into…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/title-ix-workshop/">2021 VSBA Title IX: Best Practices In Training &amp; Compliance
</a>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…

<strong>Deadline March 8 </strong><a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/showcases/">VSBA Showcases for Success
</a>As a means of encouraging community awareness and positive press coverage of public education, the Virginia School Boards Association is inviting school divisions to recommend programs and initiatives that would serve as appropriate “Showcases for Success” in public…