<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…

<a href="https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2020/12/safety-teams-formed-in-fairfax-to-check-buildings-for-covid-risk/">Fairfax Co. enlists safety teams to check school buildings for COVID-19 risk
</a>Coronavirus safety teams have been established in Fairfax County, Virginia, to help public schools meet federal guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Teams made up of public school staff and retirees are undergoing training, and some have already conducted spot…

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-novak-virginia-beach-coronavirus-pandemic-virginia-d6379ce7ee8985a484792b3c5c4a80e5">Parents protest online classes by refusing to give aid forms
</a>A small group of parents is saying they won’t return federal aid forms to school districts in Virginia, jeopardizing the funds the schools will receive next school year as a protest against virtual classes. It’s not clear why the families think refusing to return the federal impact aid…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/richmond-school-board-votes-to-keep-system-virtual-through-the-rest-of-the-school-year/article_9e1426d8-66fb-55c6-8250-1a77e57dc75d.html">Richmond School Board votes to keep system virtual through the rest of the school year
</a>The Richmond School Board on Monday voted 8-1 to remain virtual for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board member Jonathan Young, who cast the lone ‘no’ vote, sought to allow educators who might wish to return to classrooms later in…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2020/12/07/as-schools-go-virtual-grayson-county-is-sticking-with-with-in-person-education/">As schools go virtual, Grayson County is sticking with in-person education
</a>Several school districts across Virginia are switching back to remote learning because of COVID-19 concerns; however, one district along the North Carolina border is committed to in-person learning. Grayson County Schools announced it will continue regular classes…

<a href="https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/sixteen-apply-for-open-manassas-council-seat/article_e622026c-38f4-11eb-b9a7-cf7051d30993.html">Sixteen apply for open Manassas council seat
</a>Sixteen people, including recent Republican council candidate Harry Clark and school board member Scott Albrecht, have applied to fill the Manassas City Council seat that will be vacated by Michelle Davis-Younger when she takes the mayor’s office in January. In a closed meeting…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/sports/albemarle-county-pushes-back-the-start-of-winter-sports-until-january/article_84d2742e-39a8-11eb-a784-13e1e96eef55.html#tracking-source=home-breaking">Albemarle County pushes back the start of winter sports until January
</a>High school sports made their official return to Central Virginia on Monday as basketball players and coaches in Albemarle County returned to the court. Less than 24 hours after their return, winter sports in Albemarle County have been placed on pause following the school division’s…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-beach-schools-update-1207-20201207-fa37iusprjfknphk5dbj366iui-story.html">All Virginia Beach students will return to virtual learning, district says after entering COVID-19 “red zones”
</a>As COVID-19 cases continue to rise after Thanksgiving, Virginia Beach public schools announced Monday that all students will return to virtual learning. The move comes less than a week after 1,200 students with special needs returned for in-person learning. Superintendent…

<a href="https://dailyprogress.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/virginia-foia-council-supports-looser-rules-for-public-officials-governing-remotely/article_1c2f2b44-380c-11eb-856f-b76074e77f14.html">Virginia FOIA Council supports looser rules for public officials governing remotely
</a>The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council has declared its support for loosening state laws on electronic meetings, backing legislation to give members of local boards more leeway to call in to public meetings instead of attending in person. Supporters of the change…

<a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/education/chesapeake-public-schools-has-no-plan-to-take-students-out-of-classrooms-at-this-time/291-45a391c1-002e-461e-af6b-7020ac57ca1e">Chesapeake Public Schools has 'no plan' to take students virtual, despite city's high case rate
</a>As of Monday night, Chesapeake Public Schools had no plans to take students out of the classroom, according to a district spokesperson. Virginia Beach City Public Schools announced Monday that all students would return to virtual learning after the COVID-19 health metrics for…

<a href="https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2020/12/07/suffolk-teacher-becomes-president-elect-of-stem-organization/">Suffolk teacher becomes president-elect of STEM organization
</a>A Suffolk teacher was elected to serve on an international organization to support STEM in education. Debra Shapiro is a technology and engineering teacher at Forest Glen Middle School and was elected as president-elect of the International Technology and Engineering…

<a href="https://pagevalleynews.com/pcps-postpones-winter-sports-tryouts-for-two-weeks/">PCPS postpones winter sports tryouts for two weeks
</a>Page County Public Schools will alter winter sports tryouts. Tryouts will be postponed for the next two weeks and the situation will be evaluated at that time for our next decision. Winter sports teams will continue with out-of-season workouts under the VHSL Phase III Guidelines…

<a href="http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2020/dec/08/madison-high-students-win-28-awards-state-conventi/">Madison High Students Win 28 Awards at State Convention
</a>Each November, the Virginia Junior Classical League (VJCL) sponsors a state convention at the Richmond Convention Center. This year, the convention was held virtually on Zoom with the aid of G Suite and other remote participation tech tools. Students from 50 schools across the …

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/coronavirus/teachers-balancing-in-person-virtual-learning/article_9579ec86-3417-56a9-a4f3-7dc34c2cd9fe.html">Teachers Balancing In-Person, Virtual Learning
</a>Last month it was decided that more Rockingham County Public Schools students would head back to the classroom two days a week. For middle school teachers in particular, this meant balancing in-person and virtual learning for the first time. Before Nov. 16, middle school…

<a href="https://www.wjhl.com/covid-19-keeping-schools-safe/bristol-va-schools-to-continue-in-person-learning/">Bristol, Va. Schools to continue in-person learning
</a>The Bristol, Virginia School Board voted Monday evening to continue in-person instruction. The school system will also implement more strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as students return to school, including using the week after spring break as a virtual instruction…

<a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/school-sports-practices-resume-monday-in-several-northern-virginia-districts">School sports practices resume Monday in several Northern Virginia districts
</a>In Northern Virginia, tryouts for teams are happening Monday as the Commonwealth resumes sports in many of its school districts. This comes as neighboring states, the District, and even some school districts in Virginia have decided against starting sports back up. Basketball…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/webinars/live-webinars/">December 9 &amp; 10, Two Part Insights for Budget Basics &amp; Finance 101
</a>Virginia public school budgeting will be discussed, including roles of elected officials, fiduciary requirements, stakeholders, and budget reports. Revenue categories will be explained, including state formulas, federal funding, local funding, and tax rates. Reserve your webinar…

<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…

<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>