Tag: school board
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3 contractors bid to oversee building of new high school by 2022; School board also looks ahead to strategic plan
The Harrisonburg City School Board now must interview and choose from three contractors vying to oversee the design and construction of the new high school to open in 2022, Interim Superintendent Patrick Lintner announced in Tuesday’s meeting.
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City school board announces Loudoun Co. administrator as new superintendent
Applause rained repeatedly down at Tuesday night’s unusually jovial school board meeting, where the city’s new schools superintendent was announced and raises for all city schools staff were proposed. The board voted unanimously to hire Michael G. Richards as superintendent, starting May 1.
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School board moves ahead with approach that could save money and time on new high school construction
The Harrisonburg City School Board unanimously passed a resolution in a special meeting Monday morning to consider an unsolicited proposal from Nielsen Builders, Inc., to oversee both the design and construction of the new high school. This proposal, if accepted, could lower the cost and speed up the school’s completion.
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School board considers whether boosting amount of sick pay buyout at retirement will discourage teacher absences
The Harrisonburg City School Board is considering increasing the amount retired teachers could receive for unused sick days but will continue to debate the merits of the proposal during a future work session.
School officials will ask council on Feb. 12 to approve starting new high school design phase
The Feb. 12 City Council meeting will be when school board officials present the updated construction cost estimates to city council members so they can consider how quickly to move forward with the new high school building.
After city council elections, school board setting groundwork for new high school to open one year earlier than previously decided
Although the school board had originally presented plans to open a new high school by 2021, city council voted almost a year ago to take a slower approach, opening in 2023.
But after Sal Romero and Chris Jones––Democrats whose campaigns supported earlier construction of the high school––won the city council race in November, the school board has begun behind-the-scenes work to make that possible.
Bluestone Elementary’s learning-friendly design racking up awards
Amelia, a first-grader, navigates the lunchroom of Bluestone Elementary School. Through its floor-to-ceiling windows, the snow-covered valley is visible beyond the playground featuring local rocks for climbing and garden beds watered by cisterns. Inside, in the school lobby, a grand piano sits within listening distance of the open-walled cafeteria, gym, and classrooms. Natural sunlight filters into the building through solar tubes, while exposed geothermal pipes provide impromptu learning opportunities for Amelia and her peers.
Public Input Drives Superintendent Search
Approachability, transparency and trustworthiness are some of the qualities that residents of Harrisonburg are looking for in the next school superintendent.
B.W.P. & Associates, the recruiting firm hired by the city to spearhead the search, is compiling a “Leadership Profile” to direct the vetting of applicants. It details attributes and skills the public has identified as essential to the position.
The profile, released in draft form this month, is now available on the Harrisonburg City Public Schools website. Board members agree that the document has given them clear direction on what the community is looking for in this leader.
