The School Board and its staff are important leaders in our school division. In February, we recognize Virginia School Board Appreciation Month as well as Virginia School Board Clerk Appreciation Week, Feb. 14-18. This year’s theme is “Building the Future of Public Education.”
The focus this month is being put on the nearly 850 school board members in Virginia and the partnership of the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) with local school board members as they advocate for public education on behalf of all students.
School boards take on the responsibility of governing multi-million dollar public school divisions as they work to preserve the core of our democratic values. Superintendent Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. expressed his gratitude for the tireless efforts of the Alexandria City School Board in advocating for public education. “I am proud to work with a School Board that has placed racial equity at the heart of our work.”
The Alexandria City School Board is a policy-making body that provides oversight for the operation of our school system. Some of the specific ways that the school board works for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and our community include:
- Setting a strategic vision for our school division that reflects the overall educational needs, goals and interests of our local community
- Hiring and evaluating the superintendent who works with staff to carry that vision forward
- Making sure our schools are run well by creating and enacting policies that promote our mission and student success
- Adopting a combined-funds budget that supports the instructional, operational and human capital needs of the school division, and the capital improvement planning budget
As we also celebrate Virginia School Board Clerk Appreciation Week, Alexandria City School Board Chair Meagan L. Alderton and Vice Chair Jacinta Greene joined all Board members in expressing their appreciation for our School Board clerks. They recognized Clerk of the Board Susan Neilson and Deputy Clerk of the Board Shanel Hill for the vital role they play in assisting school board members, the superintendent and the school community. Dr. Hutchings praised their commitment and hard work, adding: “I would like to express my gratitude for the service of Clerk of the Board Susan Neilson and Deputy Clerk of the Board Shanel Hill.”
To learn more about the Alexandria City School Board and review the many ways to share feedback with Board members, please visit www.acps.k12.va.us/board.