Education

Bill to revise Virginia teacher contracts advances

Mark.Edelen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:23:17 -0500

By LARRY O'DELL

RICHMOND, Va. The House of Delegates has given preliminary approval to a bill that would make it easier to fire public school teachers.

Republican Del. Richard Bell's administration-backed measure would gradually move teachers from a continuing contract, which is akin to tenure, to three-year contracts. After three years, a teacher could be fired for any reason.

UNC board of governors approves tuition increases

Cindy.Clayton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:01:02 -0500

By Emery P. Dalesio CHAPEL HILL, N.C. The University of North Carolina Board of Governors voted today to increase tuition across the system of 16 university campuses by nearly 9 percent, or over $400, on average.

4-year-old girl left on Newport News school bus

Cindy.Clayton — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:18:52 -0500

NEWPORT NEWS Newport News school officials plan to investigate an incident in which a 4-year-old girl was left on a bus for about two hours.

Schools spokeswoman Michelle Price tells The Daily Press that the driver and a bus assistant have been suspended pending the investigation of the Feb. 3 incident.

Suffolk School Board asks for tweak to allow raises

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:07:12 -0500

SUFFOLK School Board members on Thursday asked the superintendent to adjust his proposed budget to include at least a2 percent pay increase for employees. "We have cut and we have cut and we simply cannot cut any more," board member Diane Foster said. "It's time to take a really hard stand."

New dress code is tricky, doable, Suffolk board told

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:05:25 -0500

SUFFOLK The School Board attorney urged members Thursday night to review concerns about a proposed student dress code that limits cross-gender apparel, but he stopped short of recommending they nix the plan.

Schools await Portsmouth's word on funding

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:17:03 -0500

PORTSMOUTH The $140 million school budget proposed for next year could hinge on whether the City Council agrees to provide an additional $2.5 million to offset less aid to the division from the state. "Let's pray that the city gives us the additional funding," School Board member Edward McCabe said.

UNC panel recommends 8.8 percent tuition increase

lauren.king — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:42:44 -0500

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.

A University of North Carolina Board of Governors committee has recommended a proposal that would see college costs rise by more than $400 per student on average.

The committee made its recommendation Thursday in Chapel Hill, a day before the full board is scheduled to vote on the proposal.

Va. Senate panel approves teacher contract bill

PilotonPolitics — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:33:25 -0500

RICHMOND A measure to significantly alter employment terms for some public school teachers cleared a Senate committee Thursday after a local Republican changed his vote. The amended bill brought by Sen. Mark Obenshain at the behest of Gov. Bob McDonnell would place teachers without continuing contracts as of July 1, 2013, under three-year deals. Those with ongoing contracts would keep them.

Va. Beach schools chair asks legislators for help

Kathy.Adams — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:09:11 -0500

RICHMOND

The chair of the Virginia Beach School Board appealed this morning to the region’s legislators to help with a roughly $40 million budget shortfall.

Bill would require Va. colleges to work with local police

Kathy.Adams — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:22:40 -0500

RICHMOND

A bill moved forward this morning requiring college police to work with local law enforcement, especially in the most serious cases, such as rape or murder.