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Loudoun parents, activists question need for SROs in elementary schools
Some parents and liberal groups have pushed back on a panel’s recommendation to place security guards or police officers at each of the county’s 61 public elementary schools. Several activist organizations, including the Loudoun Democratic Committee, endorsed a May 13 statement that said stationing police officers, known in this context as “school resource officers,” in schools does not make students safer.
Virginia State University presidential debate imperiled as Biden rejects commission’s plans
President Joe Biden on Wednesday rejected the fall schedule proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates, imperiling Virginia State University’s chance to host a presidential debate in October. … The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates in November announced that it had chosen VSU for the site of the second presidential debate, on Oct. 1. The school in Ettrick … said it would be the first historically Black college or university to host a general election presidential debate.
Loudoun considers delayed-start days to give teachers training time
Loudoun County schools is considering delaying the start of classes by two hours on some days in the next academic year to help free up time to offer training for new teaching standards required by the state. The 16 delayed start days would be spread out throughout the year. Dismissal would occur at the same time, district leaders said, meaning students could lose about 32 hours of classroom instruction over the year.
Prince Edward schools that helped usher in Brown v. Board of Education still in disrepair
A small group of Robert Russa Moton High School students in Farmville began gathering in secret months before an April 23, 1951, walkout to protest the unequal conditions of school facilities for Black students. “It was the same type of secrecy that was developed during the Manhattan Project,” said John Stokes, one of the walkout’s organizers. “We had to trust everyone so we could pull this thing off.” Students decided to report a fake disturbance downtown, luring Moton Principal M. Boyd Jones away from school on the day of the protest. … When Jones returned to school, the strike was in full force. About 400 students gathered in the auditorium to hear a speech from 16-year-old student Barbara Johns before walking out of the school in protest.
Va. mail delivery no longer the worst, but still pretty bad
Virginia’s postal service is no longer the worst in the country, according to the agency’s main watchdog. From October to December in 2023, Virginia’s on-time delivery of first-class mail was at its lowest level in years, with a 66% on-time delivery rate. January to March of this year saw the state jump to 77%, shedding last place to Georgia. Despite the improvement, the state is still in the bottom ten of nationwide U.S. Postal Service regions for on-time delivery. Only Georgia and Wisconsin are worse.
How Massive Resistance delayed school desegregation in Virginia
Friday may mark 70 years since the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown v. Board decision, but Virginia schools wouldn’t see desegregation in any meaningful sense for nearly two decades. The architect of Massive Resistance — the concerted political effort to thwart racial integration of schools by any means necessary — was Sen. Harry Byrd Sr., the powerful Virginia politician whose influence stretched into state and local governments. A former state senator and Virginia governor, Byrd and his family essentially controlled state and local politics for more than half of the 20th century through what was dubbed the “Byrd Machine.”
Virginia State University left out in the cold after candidates determine debate schedule
Virginia State University said Wednesday it was "disappointed" over reports that VSU appears to have been dropped from the upcoming presidential debate schedule, yet hopeful that an arrangement can be worked out. "A presidential debate at VSU is a huge win, not only for our students and campus community but for the greater community in general," university spokesperson Gwen Williams Dandridge said in a statement.
Large industrial proposal could feature data centers on Ashland-Hanover line
A Reston-based developer is seeking zoning approval for a project that could take the form of either an industrial park or data center campus on Ashland’s eastern boundary with Hanover County. The WestDulles Properties project, dubbed Iron Horse Business Park, would take shape on a 230-acre site split about 60-40 between Ashland and Hanover.
Free Clinic looks to raise $1 million in one day
The Moss Free Clinic is asking the community to support its efforts by donating $1 million on Tuesday, May 28, during its inaugural Day of Giving. Donations will enable the clinic to continue to provide medical and dental care, screenings and treatments and free medications to uninsured and underinsured individuals. The clinic was established more than 30 years ago, but has faced the possible threat of closure as the long-term relationship between Moss and Mary Washington Healthcare has changed.
Hanover County School Board adopts new policy for parental involvement regarding library books in schools
The Hanover County School Board voted to approve a revised policy regarding school libraries and media centers in schools across the county. … Of the multiple additions, a new section called “Parental Involvement” was added. Parents and guardians will now have the option to decide whether or not their children access instructional materials in both classroom and school libraries.