Henrico Schools staff criticize lack of teacher voice in division's decision-making; what does Henrico Schools spend its budget on?
Happy Friday everyone! I hope you are staying warm 🔥
Several Henrico Schools staff members urged the school board to address a “lack of teacher voice” in HCPS’ recent decisions. How much money does it take for Henrico Schools to run its school system? — (hint: a lot) — and where does it get that money?
'It feels like yelling into the void'
Multiple Henrico Schools staff members urged Henrico School Board members to put collective bargaining back on the table for discussion in the board’s online public forum Feb. 13, emphasizing a lack of “teacher voice” in HCPS’ decisions.
Since November of 2023, the school board has received hundreds of comments pushing for collective bargaining on their online and in-person public forums from HCPS staff, several of whom are members of the Henrico Education Association, the county’s labor union for educators
Money Money Money
Henrico Schools approved a $881 million budget last year, and school system officials are looking to increase their budget by $33 million in the coming fiscal year. It takes a lot of money to run a school system – but what is all that money spent on?
Last year, HCPS’ budget added 73 new elementary staff positions and provided permanent funding to 62 positions that were previously covered by a federal COVID relief grant, which expired this past September.
1-hour social media limit for kids
Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill limiting social media use for kids and teenagers under the age of 16.
The legislation, passed just days before the end of the General Assembly session, seeks to address concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and attention spans.
The bill puts a one-hour limit per social media platform for kids under 16 years old. Parents have the authority to adjust this limit.
Events
🎵12 - 2 p.m., Feb. 22 - Black History Month Soul Bowl at the Henrico Police Athletic League
⚽3 p.m., Feb. 22 - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society soccer tournament at Glen Allen High School
💉HCPS on-site immunization clinics (for rising 7th & 12th graders)
8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Feb. 26 - Holman Middle and Short Pump Middle
12:15 - 3 p.m., Feb. 26 - Tuckahoe Middle and Pocahontas Middle
8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Feb. 27 - Brookland Middle
📢9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mar. 22 - Teen Summit RVA at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
& more events…
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MORE IN VA
VA teacher diversity grants, training under review for federal compliance
VCU program that puts teachers in hard-to-staff schools loses federal funding
Complaint says Chesterfield schools are violating federal, state disability laws
NATIONAL NEWS
Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money
COMMENTARY: Who is the most dependent on federal education funding? Mostly rural localities.
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