PETERSBURG, Va. (WWBT) - Petersburg Public Schools now has a new leader as Dr. Tamara Sterling is officially sworn in as superintendent Tuesday. Dr. Sterling was chosen from a pool of about 27 other superintendents vying for the Petersburg position. She believes her experience has equipped her to push the school division toward success.

As the achievement gap in many school divisions grew following the pandemic, one Prince William school has been recognized for shrinking it. Coles Elementary School outside Manassas has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, one of five elementary schools in the commonwealth to receive the designation in 2022.

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - Right now, there is just one School Resource Officer (SRO) who covers all five schools in Staunton. Police say the number of SROs are based off both available staffing and funding. While there has only been one officer in that position for years police say safety is still no less of a priority.

Kevin Garcia feels at home at Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center, something that's easy to see in the way his classmates joke around with him, nudging him forward with their elbows. "I can trust people with my safety here. The adults in charge, they're aware of everything that you're going through," he said.

Local school officials are weighing in on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results.

Roanoke County officials have a better idea of the funding it will need to build its new career and technical education facility after hearing from two engineering and architectural firms Tuesday evening. The estimate from Balzer and Associates and RRMM Architects is approximately $90 million for the largest capital project in the county's history, the Board of Supervisors and School Board were told during the meeting.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)- Several school divisions cite a rise in illness-related student absences as influenza, RSV, and G.I. cases spread across the area.

Fredericksburg City Council on Tuesday approved issuing bonds to pay for several capital projects, including building a new middle school and renovating the city's wastewater treatment plant. The principal amount of the bond issue is not to exceed $80 million and the true interest cost is not to exceed 6%, according to the approved resolution.

Newport News city leaders have a new way to fill the state's critical teacher shortage and address the need for affordable pre-k and childcare options.

WINCHESTER - The city school system's annual performance report has been published to provide the community with a broad overview of Winchester Public Schools and its students, accomplishments and barriers.