LCPS considers elementary boundary changes in Eastern Loudoun
LCPS is considering changing elementary attendance boundaries in Eastern Loudoun, but the board made no decision at its Oct. 22 work session.
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Saturday, October 24, 2026
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Latest Virginia stories
Staff report a gap in specialized gang-prevention referrals
Student-assistance staff said a county-funded contracted gang-prevention referral service had ended and the gang-response intervention team was paused. The report does not say that all LCPS safety or prevention work ended.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
Board takes up $3.1 million to fit out two new pre-K centers
The agenda for the Aug. 18, 2026 regular meeting put two contracts for the Bright Beginnings North and South pre-K campuses to a vote: up to $1,800,000 for ten playgrounds and up to $1,300,000 for furnishings, fixtures and equipment. The same agenda carried permanent easements at Norge Elementary School and Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School tied to the two campuses. Minutes for that meeting were not published when these records were collected, so the outcome is not established here.
Alternative Education Center moves interim principal into permanent role
The board approved Jennifer Fleming’s transfer from interim principal to principal at AEC for the 2026–2027 school year.
Virginia SOL passing cut scores are changing by subject and grade
The superintendent told the board that a 400 score will no longer be the passing SOL score for every subject and grade. Passing thresholds will vary by subject and grade under a four-year proficiency-plan phase-in running from 2025–2026 through 2029–2030.
Wise County adds four school safety officer positions
The board approved four new school safety officer hires and reported that the officers will work alongside school resource officers already assigned across the schools.
Albemarle County Public Schools
Board orders an outside investigation of how staff misconduct reports were handled
At a special meeting on August 4, 2026 called for that one purpose, the School Board voted 7-0 to direct the superintendent and chief legal officer to hire the law firm Harmon Claytor for a thorough, independent investigation of recent personnel matters and of how the division's policies and practices respond to allegations of sexually inappropriate conduct by staff. The firm is to be given access to all documents, data, witnesses and other evidence it needs. The board said it will take updates every 60 days and act on anything urgent in between.
Board approves hiring of superintendent's nephew and a board member's husband, with written conflict-of-interest certifications
At the July 27, 2026 special called meeting, the board approved a personnel and coaching list that included hiring Joshua "Luke" Owens (husband of board member Angela Owens) and Caleb Church (nephew of Superintendent Mike Goforth). Both Angela Owens and Superintendent Goforth signed written certifications stating they had no involvement in the respective hiring decisions and that the hires were based on merit and competitive qualifications.
Albemarle County Public Schools
New rules set what staff may and may not do with students
On July 16, 2026 the School Board adopted a new policy on professional boundaries and sexual misconduct, as amended, by roll call vote. As described to the board, it defines what counts as a professional boundary violation, names grooming behaviours, and sets expectations for one-to-one interactions, closed-door meetings, visibility, documentation, supervision and who must report a concern. The board adopted further redlined changes to the same policy, policy AG, on August 13, 2026.
More from the news desk
Pay rise lifted to 5 percent and 17 new special education jobs added
On July 15, 2026 the School Board approved a revised budget after revenue came in better than assumed in March. The pay increase for all teachers and staff rises from 3 percent to 5 percent, one point above the state's 4 percent supplement, at an extra cost of $4.3 million and backdated to July 1, 2026. Employee health care premiums stay flat. The revision also spends $1.2 million on seventeen new posts for students with disabilities: eight special education teachers, eight instructional assistants and an assistant director. Repurposed retirement money funds three more posts for literacy and mathematics and a dual enrollment teacher shared by Phoebus and Kecoughtan high schools.
Board sets a non-consent rule for powerlines on school property
The board adopted Policy 6355 against voluntarily allowing new electric transmission lines on school property, above or below ground. An exception requires a public full-board vote and documented review. The board also authorized a challenge to the Golden–Mars decision and talks with Dominion.
Campbell County Public Schools
AI writing tool finishes its first year with teachers and some students
Campbell County Public Schools spent the 2025-2026 school year using MagicSchool, an artificial intelligence platform that helps teachers write lesson plans and materials. In February 2026 the technology director told the board it was for teacher use only, with a pilot planned for students in the Teachers for Tomorrow class. On July 13, 2026 he and the assistant superintendent reported on the first full year of use by teachers and select students and answered board questions.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
Five-year building plan cut by about $19 million
On July 7, 2026 the board voted 7-0 to adopt an amended five-year capital improvement plan for 2027 through 2031 worth $88,294,403. In December the superintendent's proposed version of the same five years came to $107,483,000. James City County and the City of Williamsburg decide how much of the plan they will pay for, and they funded less than the division asked for.
Superintendent will retire at the end of next school year
On June 23, 2026 Superintendent Dr. Verletta White told the School Board she will retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year. It will be her seventh year leading Roanoke City Public Schools and her 35th year in public education. She said she will keep leading through the coming year and will support the board's search for a successor.
Bullying policy broadens definitions and response rules
The board adopted revised Policy 8250. It includes cyberbullying in the bullying definition and removes the word educational from the offensive-environment language. The policy says bullying allegations between LCPS students should be addressed as soon as possible, including investigating allegations that could result in discipline.
Dress-code update keeps hats and pajamas allowed
The board adopted revised Policy 8270. The final neckline rule uses an imaginary horizontal line joining the armpits. A proposed ban on hats, pajamas and slippers failed, so those items remain allowed under the other dress rules.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
Every school attendance zone is being redrawn
The division is redrawing the attendance zones that decide which school each child goes to, for elementary, middle and high schools. A steering committee released draft maps on May 12, 2026 and asked families for feedback. The school board is due to choose a final map in October 2026, and the new zones would start in August 2027.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools
Phone and smart device rules tightened for 2026-27
On June 16, 2026 the board approved the 2026-2027 student code of conduct and adopted a revised student conduct policy. The revision replaces the term electronic devices with smart devices, adds a definition of a smart device, and strengthens and clarifies the rules on using them at school to match changes in state law. It adds exemptions for students who need a device for medical management or under a limited English proficiency plan. The board also retired the separate dress code policy and moved its content into the conduct policy.
Albemarle County Public Schools
Board asks the superintendent to resign
On June 11, 2026, coming out of a closed meeting, the School Board chair announced that the board had asked Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas for his resignation and had instructed its legal officer to work out the details, saying the board had an obligation to rebuild trust with the community. She said an interim superintendent would be named within days. Dr. Chandra Hayes now serves as acting superintendent. The chair also said the board would review and amend its policies and practices to address issues raised in the Hollymead and Woodbrook communities.
Patrick Henry High and Westside Elementary get new principals
On June 9, 2026 the superintendent introduced two school leaders starting July 1, 2026. Ryan 'Ray' Duskens becomes principal of Patrick Henry High School; he was principal of Franklin County High School and earlier held assistant principal and acting principal posts in Roanoke City. Crystal Peitzel becomes interim principal of Westside Elementary School on a one-year term; she is currently Westside's assistant principal.
Two schools get new principals after a divided board vote
On June 8, 2026 the board approved a staffing list that moved Coeburn Primary School principal Amanda Woody into a teaching job and moved Central High School principal Elijah Helton to a central-office job as director of special education and student services. Nicholas Sturgill, the assistant principal, became interim principal at Central High School. Seven Coeburn Primary employees and a community member spoke in support of Ms. Woody before the vote. The board approved the list 7-1, with Mary Dora Smith voting no. Ms. Woody's resignation, effective June 30, 2026, was recorded at the July 27, 2026 meeting, and Deidre Pendleton was named interim principal at Coeburn Primary.
Advanced AET plans an A-day move and more science choices
Staff said the two-year Advanced AET pathway would move from B days to A days in 2026–27. Science choices would also expand beyond the prior requirement that all juniors take AP Physics, subject to course prerequisites.
Academy of Science adds 50 incoming freshman places
Staff announced that the Academy of Science incoming freshman class would grow from 150 to 200 students for 2026–27. The program remains selective.
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