The majority of Virginians approve of their local public school divisions, according to a statewide survey conducted earlier this month by the University of Mary Washington's Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Respondents were asked to grade their local schools on an A-to-F scale.

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Dr. Brenda Russ is the principal of Round Hill Elementary. Making her the first Latina Principal in Roanoke City Public Schools' history. "So, I am a proud Latina," said Russ. Born in Virginia, Russ lived in Puerto Rico during elementary and undergrad.

Stafford County Public Schools this week took steps to strengthen its partnership with local elected officials by holding its first legislative summit. The School Board and Superintendent Thomas Taylor hosted delegates Tara Durant and Phillip Scott-who represent the 28th and 88th districts, respectively-at Mountain View High School on Tuesday evening for music performed by Mountain View's string quartet, canapés made by culinary arts students and a discussion of the school division's legislative priorities.

After a Fairfax County, Virginia, counselor managed to stay on the job for 20 months after his first sex crime arrest and conviction, the county's school system ordered an independent look into what went wrong and how to prevent a similar siltation in the future.

Roanoke City Public School teachers, staff and administrators are striving to raise student achievement scores after the disruptive pandemic, with a special focus on Black students, who have farther to go. "Our white students are outperforming our Black students," said Julie Drewry, division executive director of accountability and assessment, told the school board Tuesday.

"Just like with everything in my life, I attempt to make it an adventure and to live every day to the fullest and to make sure that I use my energy in a way that both brings me joy and also helps other people," Oskar Scheikl, superintendent of Rockingham County Public Schools said.

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Construction and renovations are underway at Danville Public Schools. George Washington High School is in the process of getting a new track around the football field; the school hasn't been able to hold a track meet since the '90s. "It symbolizes growth and opportunity.

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) - Petersburg City Public Schools has named a new superintendent after the previous superintendent resigned in May to take a position with North Carolina's Department of Education. Dr. Tamara Sterling will take over the position on December 1, following a transitional period where she will work alongside acting superintendent Dr. Julius Hamlin.

The Virginia High School League says there have been no changes to its policy on transgender athletes while it waits for resolution on a new directive from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin that, if allowed to stand, would potentially overturn existing rules.

BEDFORD - Bedford County is set to hire 14 new school resource officer positions following the county board of supervisors 6-1 vote Monday to approve a $1 million grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The grant of just more than $1,042,300 would fund SROs for the county's 13 elementary schools and Susie B.