<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.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://vpm.org/news/articles/18782/vdoe-found-inadequate-in-addressing-special-education-disparities">VDOE Found Inadequate in Addressing Special Education Disparities
</a>A new report by the state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found the Virginia Department of Education is not doing enough to meet the needs of students enrolled in special education, whose achievement rates lag behind those of students without disabilities. The…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/covid-19-keeping-schools-safe/wise-county-public-schools-reverting-to-virtual-learning-after-winter-break/">Wise County Public Schools reverting to virtual learning after winter break
</a>Wise County Public Schools (WCPS) officials announced Monday that the school system will return to a virtual learning model following winter break. WCPS will be virtual the week of Jan. 4-8, and officials will continue to monitor novel coronavirus data throughout the holiday season…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/news/local/education/quite-a-production-legislators-get-glimpse-of-amherst-schools-operations-during-covid-19/article_898650a7-d688-53a4-979c-500c64a6c1a2.html">'Quite a production': Legislators get glimpse of Amherst schools' operations during COVID-19
</a>A month before the Virginia General Assembly’s 2021 session, three local legislators observed Monday how Amherst County Public Schools is operating in the gauntlet of daily challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg; Del. Wendell Walker…

<a href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/features/the-new-school/">The New School
</a>As Jason Kamras toured the new 183,759-square-foot River City Middle School on the city’s South Side this fall, the soft-spoken Richmond Public Schools superintendent beamed while talking about the opportunities that the state-of-the-art building could offer the city’s kids…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/northam-to-spend-100-million-to-reduce-teacher-retirement-liabilities/article_f8dc8a78-6687-5cb1-b1d7-d0513698c5bb.html">Northam to spend $100 million to reduce teacher retirement liabilities
</a>Gov. Ralph Northam is proposing a new way to help local school divisions in Virginia by using $100 million in state cash to reduce retirement and health care liabilities for teachers. In the revised budget he will present to General Assembly money committees on Wednesday…

<a href="http://bristowbeat.com/education/republican-supervisors-walk-prince-william-joint-school-board-meeting-unconscious-bias-presentation/">Republican Supervisors Walk Out on Prince William Joint School Board Meeting Unconscious Bias Presentation
</a>The community is responding strongly to an incident in which the three Republican members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors walked out on a joint meeting with the school board, rather than watch an informational presentation on Unconscious Bias. Before the…

<a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/health/coronavirus/nelson-county-school-board-approves-target-date-to-transition-to-hybrid-learning-second-semester-calendar/">Nelson County School Board approves target date to transition to hybrid learning, second semester calendar</a>
During Thursday’s school board meeting, the Nelson County School Board not only decided to continue virtual learning through January, but they also agreed on a target date to transition to hybrid learning, as well as the second semester calendar. On Friday, Dec. 11, Nelson County…

<a href="https://newsadvance.com/sports/high-school/lynchburg-city-school-board-to-address-state-of-winter-sports-practices-paused/article_da7b83df-c9e8-5f8c-8d2a-1da88f52990c.html">Lynchburg City School Board to address state of winter sports, practices paused
</a>Another day, another change. That's how it feels right now for high school sports across the area, as teams scramble to find a path forward for staging a winter season. The Lynchburg City School Board is expected to discuss the state of high school sports Tuesday during its 5 p.m…

<a href="https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2020/12/14/to-play-or-not-to-play-western-tidewater-schools-grapple-with-choice/">To play or not to play? Western Tidewater schools grapple with choice
</a>Across Western Tidewater and the rest of the state, public school divisions and private schools alike have been grappling with whether to continue with winter sports in the wake of a COVID-19 surge that compelled Gov. Ralph Northam to impose a modified stay-at-home order…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/covid-19-keeping-schools-safe/washington-county-va-schools-to-remain-virtual-through-jan-15/">Washington County, Va. Schools to remain virtual through Jan. 15
</a>Washington County, Virginia Schools will continue with virtual learning through Jan. 15. Superintendent Brian Ratliff says school officials hope to return to in-person instruction on Jan. 18. “Understandably, any decision to do so will be largely contingent upon the Virginia…

<a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/health/coronavirus/alleghany-county-public-schools-return-to-remote-learning-amid-increasing-covid-19-cases/">Alleghany County Public Schools returns to remote learning amid increasing COVID-19 cases
</a>Public school students in Alleghany County — like many in southwest Virginia — are back to learning remotely due to an increase in local coronavirus cases and guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Alleghany County Public Schools announced on Friday, Dec. 11…

<a href="https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/arlington-public-schools-snow-plans-for-wednesday-winter-weather/65-de94fd58-2b94-4ee4-b8ab-cc9872ff84fe">Arlington Public Schools announces plans for Wednesday's winter weather
</a>Arlington Public Schools Director of Communications Frank Bellavia said in-person classes would revert to distance learning for all students in the case of inclement weather. "For this year, in the event of inclement weather that makes travel to and from school unsafe, we would…

<a href="https://www.whsv.com/2020/12/13/albemarle-county-elementary-school-teacher-unveils-community-library/">Albemarle County elementary school teacher unveils community library
</a>Virtual learning has taken a serious to and parents are looking for options as many kids struggle to stay engaged and grow as readers. That led one Albemarle County teacher to bring the magic of books right to their neighborhood. Gone are the days of walking into your school’s…

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/virginia-schools-online-learning-fairfax/2020/12/14/59cf689c-3e1f-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html">More Northern Virginia school systems revert to online-only learning
</a>More Northern Virginia school systems are sending children back to fully online learning, citing unacceptable levels of community transmission of the novel coronavirus, as cases and deaths continue to rise in the Washington region and nationally. Over the weekend, Fairfax County…

<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…

<em>Missed the Virtual VSBA Annual Convention? It is not too late to register to gain access to over 35 hours of educational content. Contact your school board clerk for more information. </em>