<a href="https://www.vsba.org/meetings-conferences/conference-on-education/">July 20, 2021, VSBA Conference on Education
</a>Join hundreds of school division leaders from across Virginia at the 35th Annual VSBA Conference on Education. We are pleased to have Governor Ralph Northam in attendance, with our afternoon keynote presentation from the Aldrin Foundation! There will also be a time for…

<a href="https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/12-students-with-disabilities-graduate-from-projectsearch/article_37d92104-4804-5cc4-a9a5-8d4b5dbe7ee4.html">12 students with disabilities graduate from ProjectSEARCH
</a>Twelve graduates celebrated on Friday after completing an internship program at Valley Health’s Winchester Medical Center. This is the fourth year for ProjectSEARCH, which helps students with disabilities build real-world work experience, write resumes and participate in…

<a href="https://roanoke.com/news/education/franklin-county-school-board-tangles-with-critical-race-theory/article_9d4aca34-cda4-11eb-b921-c7ca9b556e44.html">Franklin County School Board tangles with critical race theory
</a>More than 50 Franklin County residents came to Monday’s Franklin County School Board meeting to demand two things: an end to mask and social distancing mandates for students, and assurance that critical race theory never be taught in county schools. They brought signs…

<a href="https://patch.com/virginia/arlington-va/va-public-school-desegregation-commemorated-arlington-school">Desegregation In Virginia Commemorated At Arlington Middle School
</a>Arlington Public Schools on Friday formally dedicated the Stratford Commemorative Trail at the former Stratford Junior High School, which is now called Dorothy Hamm Middle School. The junior high school was the first school to desegregate in the state after years of resistance by…

<a href="https://www.cbs19news.com/story/44100375/haas-contract-with-acps-extended">Haas' contract with ACPS extended
</a>The superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools will remain in his position for another four years. The Albemarle County School Board recently voted to approve an addendum to Dr. Matthew Haas' contract. That contract was supposed to expire next summer, but it will now…

<a href="https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/06/15/rules-trans-students-draw-dozens-floyd-schools-meeting/">Rules on trans students draw dozens to Floyd school's meeting
</a>Monday, almost 70 people packed a Floyd County school board meeting. The crowd was split over new rules, handed down by the state, governing trans students in the classroom and after-school activities. The crowd was so large, the meeting had to be moved at the last minute…

<a href="https://augustafreepress.com/waynesboro-schools-superintendent-honored-twice/">Waynesboro Schools’ superintendent honored twice
</a>Dr. Jeff Cassell is the 2021 recipient of the Waynesboro Rotary Club’s Rotarian Service Award. As superintendent of Waynesboro Schools, he was also named by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents for Superintendent of the Year for 2021 along with all of Virginia’s…

<a href="https://www.dnronline.com/news/rockingham_county/rcps-to-approve-food-bid/article_7f5f6ec4-452d-5071-af21-b2a691bee996.html">RCPS To Approve Food Bid
</a>The Rockingham County School Board is planning to continue its contract with Sysco of Virginia for food services for the 2021-22 school year. The item is listed for approval on the agenda for tonight’s School Board meeting. Blue Ridge Sub-Group of the Shenandoah School Food…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/06/15/it-means-everything-me-henrico-schools-hold-in-person-graduations/">‘It means everything to me’: Henrico schools hold in-person graduations
</a>This week, thousands of Henrico County high school students will receive their diplomas at Richmond Raceway as part of the district’s in-person graduation ceremonies. On Tuesday, graduates from Henrico High School, Highland Springs High, and Varina High School filled…

<a href="https://www.nbc12.com/2021/06/11/lakemont-elementary-school-petersburg-unveils-dream-lab-music-studio/">Lakemont Elementary School in Petersburg unveils ‘Dream Lab’ music studio
</a>Lakemont Elementary School has unveiled the ‘Dream Lab’, helping to increase opportunities for students. The Dream Lab was presented during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 9. Students will be able to create music, write songs and learn to use sound equipment in the…

<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-chesapeake-schools-masks-20210615-walxuigjcbhjnavgzxlenlmauu-story.html">Chesapeake schools won’t require masks — unless state does — after board’s near-unanimous vote
</a>Chesapeake’s School Board wants to make mask-wearing optional for students and teachers. The decision’s not solely theirs to make — and their vote could end up being largely symbolic — but makes the district the only one locally to say it won’t require masks unless the state does…

<a href="https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/education/spotsylvania-school-board-decides-not-to-changes-public-comments-policy/article_ba3b7aef-085f-5bd7-a140-965f3a54a798.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1">Spotsylvania School Board decides not to changes public comments policy
</a>The Spotsylvania County School Board has decided not to make any changes to its policy governing public comments at its meetings. The School Board's attorney, Jennifer Parrish, brought potential revisions to the policy for the board to discuss Monday evening. Parrish said…

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-VSBA-Advocate-for-Education-Award-nomination-form.pdf">Application Process is Open- 2021 VSBA Advocate for Education Award!</a>
The importance of advocacy and grassroots engagement is a central component of the Virginia School Boards Association. It is imperative for board members to engage the stakeholders of their community including parents, business, community and higher education leaders, local…