<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.k12albemarle.org/our-departments/communications/news-board/~board/newsroom/post/public-hearing-on-the-2021-22-funding-request-is-march-4?fbclid=IwAR1fLTBZefKe-zm2Vu_iQdKpThogPPa8hiQZmKpuRGeXPJPu-KjoNDxYe0w">Superintendent Proposes That Next Year’s Budget Include a 5% Salary Increase for Teachers; Public Hearing on the 2021-22 Funding Request Is Next Thursday
</a>The Albemarle County School Board will hold a public hearing next Thursday, March 4, on the school division’s proposed funding request for the next school year. The hearing will be accessible to the public via live stream beginning at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to speak at the…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/02/26/colonial-elementary-school-resource-officer-helps-kid-having-a-rough-morning/?fbclid=IwAR2jAl3s2NlIkQXBzT30ijwiqdYQlgHJlwnZIx-W6CfiIAVKcQna7JjvCik">Colonial Elementary School Resource Officer helps kid having a rough morning
</a>We all have bad days. For one Botetourt County kindergartener, Thursday didn’t get off to a good start. But a school resource officer was able to help lift the kid’s spirits. Thursday morning, Principal Tammy Riggs said the kindergartener got dropped off at Colonial Elementary School…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/bill-to-improve-virginia-schools-ability-to-help-students-with-seizures-heads-to-northams-desk/article_ef843cd2-52bf-5454-ab6d-5b30815297b9.html">Bill to improve Virginia schools' ability to help students with seizures heads to Northam's desk
</a>A bill that would better prepare Virginia school personnel to help students having seizures awaits the governor’s signature after being passed by the General Assembly, the results of a grassroots effort primarily started by two Virginia teens and their families. The Jamie and Brie…

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/northern-virginia-school-budgets/2021/02/26/5b56b536-75e6-11eb-948d-19472e683521_story.html">Northern Virginia schools unveil budgets focused on repairing pandemic harm
</a>Public schools in Northern Virginia will devote significant time, money and resources next fiscal year to helping students — especially the most vulnerable children — recover from academic, mental and emotional harm inflicted by the pandemic. In budgets for fiscal 2022 debuted this…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/02/26/superintendent-says-rps-will-be-ready-in-person-learning-by-fall/">Superintendent says RPS will be ready for in-person learning by fall
</a>A bill requiring all school districts to provide full-time, in-person learning is heading to Governor Ralph Northam to be passed. If Northam signs the bill as it stands, the requirement would take effect July 1, but ultimately Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras says this…

<a href="https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2021/02/26/virginia-teacher-of-year-anthony-swann-continues-to-inspire-students-community-through-education/">Virginia Teacher of Year Anthony Swann continues to inspire students, community through education
</a>Once face-to-face with homelessness and lost in the foster care system, education saved one local teacher’s life. Every day as a working adult, Anthony Swann has the goal of using his passion to show students how education can change and save their lives, just like it did for….

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/27/no-virginia-school-district-did-not-ban-drseuss-books/">No, a Virginia school district didn’t ban Dr. Seuss books. Here’s what really happened.
</a>A few years ago, I published an interview I did with Philip Nel, author of the book, “Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books.” I am now republishing it in the wake of incorrect reports that Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia has banned the books of Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel.

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/coronavirus/challenge-of-recruiting-teachers-moves-online/article_ae9cf760-f593-5043-9321-8ebee1413bcf.html">Internet Interview: Challenge Of Recruiting Teachers Moves Online
</a>It’s no secret there is a teacher shortage across the country and has been for some time. A number of factors have contributed to the shortage, including pay, working conditions, lack of support, lack of autonomy and changing curriculum, according to the Foundation for…

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginia-budget-agreement/2021/02/25/c8c55020-777e-11eb-8115-9ad5e9c02117_story.html">Virginia House and Senate negotiators agree on budget featuring raises for teachers, state employees
</a>Virginia House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a two-year state budget that would provide 5 percent pay raises for teachers, state employees, university employees and state-supported local employees. Largely completed late Wednesday night, the $135…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-portsmouth-schools-reopening-plans-20210226-7pzew52fyfcuvjdphj6x4ltzva-story.html">Northam’s push to reopen schools meets sharp criticism in Portsmouth as board mulls a proposed return
</a>Portsmouth elementary- and middle-school students could return to the classroom in April, but high schoolers would finish the academic year virtually under a new plan presented by the superintendent Thursday. If approved by the School Board, the plan would replace an existing…

<a href="https://heraldcourier.com/news/bristol-school-board-to-consider-litigation/article_d405183c-7781-11eb-8710-bb355eba3dbb.html">Bristol School Board to consider litigation
</a>The Bristol Virginia School Board is expected to consider going to court to challenge a gubernatorial edict regarding crowd size at outdoor sporting events. The board has a special called meeting March 2 to consult with its attorney in closed session. The announcement on …

<a href="https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/as-schools-reopen-to-more-students-school-board-chair-defends-decision-to-reject-superintendents-request/article_6bf2fb72-7779-11eb-9fbf-5319dacffc10.html">As schools reopen to more students, school board chair defends decision to reject superintendent's request for more time
</a>About 9,000 more Prince William County elementary, middle and high schoolers returned to school buildings Thursday morning for the first time this school year as a result of the school board’s decision last week to override Superintendent Steven Walts’ request to wait a few…

<a href="https://richmond.com/news/local/henrico-school-board-sends-665-2-million-spending-plan-to-county-supervisors/article_ca63b230-27d6-5635-b65a-f47eb5757c59.html">Henrico School Board sends $665.2 million spending plan to county supervisors
</a>The Henrico County School Board on Thursday approved a $665.2 million spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that would restore cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal anticipates using federal relief funds for 10 additional school counselors who were…

<a href="https://roanoke.com/news/local/education/schools-in-roanoke-new-river-valleys-see-increase-in-failing-grades-during-virtual-learning/article_56152c66-75f9-11eb-ab1a-277ab96742a6.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Schools in Roanoke, New River valleys see increase in failing grades during virtual learning
</a>School divisions in the Roanoke and New River valleys reported an uptick in failing grades during the first half of the 2020-21 school year, reflecting a national trend, as students continued to learn in nontraditional ways amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data shared by…

<a href="https://pagevalleynews.com/some-high-school-students-will-return-to-class-march-8/">Some high school students will return to class March 8; seniors may get in-person graduation
</a>As the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have passed a peak and new cases continue to decline, school boards all across the country are facing increasing pressure to bring students back to the classroom, especially at the high school level. A driving factor is not only the loss of social…

<a href="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6646794492773070349">March 1, 2021 Webinar: Cultivating a Culture of Love, Liberation, and Belonging
</a>This webinar will focus on the self-reflection, productive conflict, and policy shifts needed to cultivate responsive and inclusive school divisions. The session will explore the ways that bias, traditions and behaviors have negatively impacted students in school settings and how…

<a href="https://u3352875.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/qiFDLNv_nH48tAE0aRgYbzN7mWhM2jHRaapUU29SJunMNZEvcBx_2F1s7MKoShYZ944rUXHjig0is7q1L2DjeIjtLYf_4c0vPq3hOeY1TZI/39h/zUahEOrOTB2IV6Sbi3JiuA/h17/vP_1jqhY20xxPs7NvPjY71aia4t3T0mutWn60GUt1dM">2021 VSBA Business Honor Roll Open Now
</a>Local businesses have the power to shape community attitudes about public schools. Every spring, the VSBA Business Honor Roll provides a way for local school divisions to recognize local businesses for their support, especially as schools face increasing budget uncertainty…