Charlottesville and Albemarle School Systems: Overview and Update
SSV President Sue Liberman welcomed all in attendance and introduced SSV Board members. She also extended a special welcome to SSV co-founder Gene Ecton Davis and her partner, Bill Davis.
After impressive introductions of Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley and Albemarle County Public School Superintendent Matt Haas, the two speakers noted they collaborated on one presentation and one PowerPoint.
They began by providing basic facts about each school system: (24 schools serving 14,173 students in the County and 9 schools serving 4443 students in the City). They shared how the two superintendents work together with weekly calendar meetings scheduled, topical check ins as needed, monthly lunch meetings, and shared academic calendars.
FIVE FAST FACTS:
- CCS is working on 1) modernization of facilities, 2) reconfiguration of the schools and attendance zones (first redistricting in 50 years), 3) invest in career pathways, 4) moving early childhood education from each elementary school to one school (likely Walker School building), and 5) xpanding learning alternatives for students (night school as example).
- ACPS is working on 1) the new Mountain View Upper Elementary School building, 2) Career Exploration Academy at Albemarle HS, 3) Scholar’s Studio work-based learning programs, 4) safety (weapon screening, new school visitor mgt. system, School Resource Officers returning, school speed zones and school bus arm cameras), and 5) personal device-free schools.
They shared successes, challenges and opportunities, including support for General Assembly legislation that will allow for a 1% sales tax dedicated to school construction and a Virginia dedicated state fund for K-12 school construction, and a review of the Local Composite Index that drives funding to school divisions. The LCI currently requires CCS to pay 77% of the cost of K-12 education and ACPS to pay 69% of the cost of K-12 education.
The public can share your views with:
Delegate Katrina Callsen – delKCallsen@house.virginia.gov, phone 804 698 1054;
Delegate Amy Laufer – delalaufer@house.virginia.gov, phone 804 698 1055, and
Senator Creigh Deeds – senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov, phone 804 698 7511
Sue Liberman expressed appreciation for the informative program. She then noted the upcoming programs:
October – Cyber Security and the Elections, Denver Riggleman
November – Democracy and Capitalism – Can they Co-Exist
December – Annual SSV meeting and Election of Officers.