Category: Harrisonburg Issues
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With an expected $6 mil. bump, city schools hope to increase salaries, invest in special education
Harrisonburg City Public Schools proposed budget for 2026-27 calls for staff raises, increased special education instructional faculty and more financial support for career and technical training using a bump in funding from the state.
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Project Update: George’s Flowers in Roanoke is Now Under Construction!
Jul 10, 2026
Project Update: George’s Flowers in Roanoke is Now Under Construction!
3 voting locations changed for planned April special election
People who usually vote at Spotswood Elementary, Keister Elementary and Thomas Harrison Middle have been reassigned to other locations when casting their ballot on a proposed constitutional amendment during Virginia’s April 21 special election.
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Students get high marks for exercising free expression; District looks to bolster support for students in need
Harrisonburg school leaders praised students at Harrisonburg High, Rocktown High and Thomas Harrison Middle for their participation in a walkout to protest I.C.E.’s presence and tactics. Superintendent Michael Richards described the protest as “civil disobedience at its finest.”
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Apparently, the county and city school boards can get along
The county and city school boards on Monday officially began the process of untangling their 60-year-long partnership to operate Massanutten Technical Center in what marked the first time the two districts’ leaders had met together since Harrisonburg’s school board withdrew from the arrangement last year.
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Council members speak out against ‘racism and hatred’ in national politics
City council members on Tuesday warned of the effects of racism they see in national politics and how it contributes to fear and harm for the Harrisonburg community.
Community Perspective: Superintendent Richards and former chair of School Board Member Emma Phillips: Your city school kids need a task force to advocate for and organize equitable basic needs support.
A contributed perspectives piece by Tamara Grant In Harrisonburg City Public Schools, 51.73% of children automatically qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), the free meal benefit. The Identified Student Percentage (ISP) of 51.73% is based on children already enrolled in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or other federally qualifying programs. …
Harrisonburg school leaders call for Virginia to dial back changes affecting English learners
In early 2025, students, teachers, and administrators were informed of a big change: the amount of time English-learning students (ELs) would have to reach proficiency would be cut dramatically. While English learners previously had up to 11 semesters to learn English before their performance in Virginia’s Standards of Learning tests began to count, they would now have three semesters.
How the Little Mermaid helped keep Court Square Theater part of our world
After the regional arts group said in December it could no longer afford to keep operating Court Square Theater, the phones belonging to leaders of the Harrisonburg theater group ACT ONE Theater Company began buzzing.
