Author: Haley Thomas
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Haley Thomas, contributor
After state report says schools are being shortchanged, Harrisonburg board calls on General Assembly to act
Virginia’s legislative watchdog agency launched a scathing report on the state’s K-12 public school funding midway through the Harrisonburg school board’s month-long summer break. At Tuesday’s business meeting, the board unanimously took a stand.
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‘When did Harrisonburg become cool?’ Students spearhead community mural project
The school year might be over, but students already have homework for the 2023-24 school year: creating a community mural downtown that will be called “Intertwined.”
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Spotswood Elementary teacher named city’s Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year
Through teary eyes, Daniella Buenaventura made her way through the crowded city hall chamber, where audience members had by that point risen to their feet. They applauded as Buenaventura made her way to the dais to accept the city school district’s Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year award. While the board’s meetings are typically quiet, a chorus of cheers rang through the room on Tuesday.
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Harrisonburg science teacher with a ‘coaching mentality’ is up for national award
Erich Sneller, assistant director of the governor’s STEM academy and teacher at Harrisonburg High School, is up for a national teaching award. As for what got him here, he attributes it to this: “I think it’s my nature and how I was raised. Whatever you do, give it all you can. And that’s what a meaningful life is.”
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‘We want to embrace their kid-ness, but we also want to honor their adultness’
Harrisonburg educators are seeking to provide more flexibility for older teenage immigrants and refugees to navigate school or pursue other options.
School board budget calls for raises of 5% or more
Harrisonburg teachers are in line to get a raise in the proposed budget the school board approved Tuesday and sent to the city council — the only question is how much.
Budget draft looks ahead to Rocktown High’s opening. Plus, find out what the new school’s mascot will be.
The first draft of the next year’s city school budget calls for a 7.47% increase, mostly to cover effects of inflation and other rising costs, as well as to prepare for the opening of Rocktown High School in fall 2024.
March 8, 2023
Advocates for students with disabilities call on schools for more support
While Harrisonburg City Public School leaders have said they try to build inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities, several city residents at Tuesday’s meeting told school board members that there’s still room for growth.