<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://www.nbc12.com/2021/08/03/new-report-finds-virginia-teacher-pay-ranks-50th-country/#:~:text=ALBEMARLE%20COUNTY%2C%20Va.,in%20the%2030s%20and%2040s."><span style="font-weight: 400;">New report finds Virginia teacher pay ranks 50th in country</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new report from Business.org says Virginia ranks at the bottom when it comes to teacher pay. Albemarle County Public Schools Spokesperson Phil Giaramita says the commonwealth is usually ranked in the 30s and 40s. “Teacher pay has been an issue in the state for many…</span>

<a href="https://roanoke.com/news/education/split-roanoke-county-school-board-votes-against-k-5-mask-mandate/article_6256c01a-f4a8-11eb-a50a-c77bb7e69bdc.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Split Roanoke County School Board votes against K-5 mask mandate</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite recommendations from national, state and local health officials, as well as suggestions from its own administration, the Roanoke County School Board voted 3-2 on Tuesday not to require masks for kindergarten through fifth grade students. As it stands, the school board…</span>

<a href="https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/health/coronavirus/more-than-20-rockbridge-county-students-required-to-quarantine-due-to-3-positive-covid-19-cases/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">More than 20 Rockbridge County students required to quarantine due to 3 positive COVID-19 cases</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">More than 20 students from Rockbridge County Public Schools are under mandatory quarantine after three students tested positive for the coronavirus. According to an announcement from the school district on Tuesday, Aug. 3, two student-athletes recently tested positive for COVID-19…</span>

<a href="https://wset.com/news/local/lynchburg-city-schools-kick-off-the-school-year-with-staff-rally-virginia"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lynchburg City Schools kick off the school year with staff rally</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lynchburg City Schools got their staff pumped for the upcoming school year with a variety of fun and games. Officials explain that this is a way to bring excitement into the classrooms. Tuesday, staff from all schools came out for their annual school year kick-off, which they had to cancel…</span>

<a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/caroline-will-require-masks-for-k-5-students-optional-for-grades-6-12/article_09e17933-d6cd-57d6-b47b-38a3266e3f43.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caroline will require masks for K-5 students, optional for grades 6-12</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Masks will be required for elementary students and staff in Caroline County and will be optional for students and staff in grades 6–12 when school begins this month. The School Board approved this option—one of three presented by division staff—by a 3–2 vote at a special…</span>

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/07/30/list-which-schools-are-requiring-masks-and-which-are-not-across-southwest-central-virginia/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Which schools are requiring masks and which are not across Southwest, Central Virginia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">The upcoming school year for students in Southwest and Central Virginia is swiftly approaching, and an update in CDC mask guidelines has many families asking will my child be required to wear a mask while at school? With Virginia giving the authority to make mask decisions to…</span>

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/richmond-naacp-civic-leaders-consider-litigation-recall-campaign-as-mayor-and-school-board-remain-divided/article_6211dd00-4f9a-53b4-be0b-006662575096.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Richmond NAACP, civic leaders consider litigation, recall campaign as mayor and school board remain divided over George Wythe</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks, but no thanks. That’s what the Richmond School Board told Mayor Levar Stoney again this week after the city’s deadline passed for bids to design a new George Wythe High School.Administration officials will not say how many proposals the city received, citing…</span>

<a href="https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/education/martinsville-schools-will-be-very-cautious-when-doors-open-next-week/article_fb875d54-f489-11eb-a8ce-d3386d4bb566.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Martinsville Schools will be "very cautious" when doors open next week</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Martinsville School Board approved a "Return to School Plan" as presented with the impress that when schools in the city schools open their doors on Monday, many will be justifiably concerned. "We only know of 43 of our students that have been vaccinated…</span>

<a href="https://www.emporiaindependentmessenger.com/news/article_b94ffd4e-f158-11eb-bab4-173ce4b89348.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">GVPS part of $500 million HVAC money touted for VA schools</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Virginia schools took a breath of fresh air Monday. Gov. Ralph Northam announced Virginia would invest $500 million to improve ventilation and air quality in public schools to complete nearly all currently planned HVAC projects. Half of the funds-- $250 million- will come from…</span>

<a href="https://www.whsv.com/2021/08/03/harrisonburgs-school-superintendent-recommend-mask-wearing-this-fall/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harrisonburg students will return to school with masks Aug. 17</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tuesday night, the Harrisonburg City School Board discussed mitigation strategies for this upcoming school year. Back in June, the Virginia Department of Health and Department of Education released new guidance, giving local school divisions the choice of requiring masks…</span>

<a href="https://www.timesnews.net/news/back-to-school-in-southwest-virginia/article_d0b16fe4-f4bf-11eb-b398-7ffd06495771.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Back to school in Southwest Virginia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three Southwest Virginia school systems head back to in-person classes this week amid concerns about a new COVID-19 variant. Norton City Schools return to in-person classes today, with Thursday the first day for Lee County and Wise County students. Scott County Schools...</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>