Kamras releases details of approved schools cuts
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras made public on Monday details of the 74 positions to be eliminated in a $300 million budget plan that was adopted Feb. 25 by the Richmond School Board.
School Board sends proposed $310.6M budget to mayor
The Richmond School Board voted 6-3 Monday night to send to Mayor Levar M. Stoney a proposed $310.6 million operating budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year that will begin July 1 — equaling a per pupil cost of $13,362 for each of the estimated 23,200 students expected to be enrolled in city schools next fall in preschool through 12th grade.
Superintendent Jason Kamras reviews his first year on job
When Jason Kamras placed his hand on his late grandfather’s Torah and was sworn in as Richmond’s new public schools superintendent on Feb. 1, 2018, he was not totally aware of the depth of challenges ahead of him.
New online magazine to focus on people making contributions
B.K. Fulton, a creative media entrepreneur in Richmond, has launched an online entertainment and lifestyle magazine.
School Board defers vote on cutting 49 jobs
The Richmond School Board postponed voting Tuesday night on Superintendent Jason Kamras’ proposed $300 million operating budget after the board became mired in confusion and chaos.
Richmonders react
Virginians continue to witness the chaos and confusion consuming Virginia’s top executives.
Richmond School Board starts rezoning process
After months of debate, Richmond Public Schools is revisiting rezoning. But this time, there is a plan and a timeline in place.
Kamras delivers first State of the Schools address
Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras delivered his first State of the Schools address Tuesday night to a packed house of more than 300 people at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
Renovated Northside Family YMCA gears up for ribbon-cutting on Monday
Nearly one year after a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off a major renovation project, Richmond’s Northside Family YMCA will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its spacious revamped facility at 4207 Old Book Road. The ceremony will be held 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28.
Gov. Northam speaks at VUU Community Leaders Breakfast
Gov. Ralph S. Northam addressed the 41st Annual Community Leaders Breakfast last Friday honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a message of valuing Virginia’s diversity and the collective responsibility of supporting each other as the state moves forward.
Richmond teacher is finalist for National Teacher of the Year
Richmond teacher Rodney A. Robinson’s star keeps rising. Mr. Robinson, who was selected in October as Virginia’s 2018 Teacher of the Year, is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.
$14M slice
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras releases plan to cut $14M from city schools; $13M from central office alone
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras wants to strip $13 million from the school system’s budget by making cuts to the central office.
Dawn Page retains chairmanship of Richmond School Board
Dawn Page, the 8th District representative on the Richmond School Board, narrowly kept her role as board chair in a close vote Monday night.
Training sessions aimed at developing new employees for East End market
A new East End market promises to bring employment and opportunity to a longtime food desert in the city. The Market @ 25th, scheduled to open in March at 25th Street and Nine Mile Road, will fill many voids in the neighborhood, including the need for long-term, large-scale employment.
“What is your wish for the New Year?”
New Year’s is a time for self-reflection and hope, with people opening their hearts and minds with dreams and resolve on how to make the next 365 days better than the past.
Deacon Charles Williams named interim head of Office for Black Catholics
Deacon Charles Williams has been appointed interim director of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office for Black Catholics. The appointment was made by Bishop Barry C. Knestout, effective Dec. 1.
Groundbreaking: RPS and city officials celebrate the start of construction of 3 new city schools
It was a day for smiles, celebration and looking to the future Wednesday as Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and elected city and School Board officials broke ground for three new city schools.
Cheryl Burke sworn in to hold School Board seat through 2020
Retired elementary school principal Cheryl L. Burke was sworn in Tuesday as the official 7th District representative on the Richmond School Board. Mrs. Burke, 65, who was appointed by the board in 2017 to fill the seat on an interim basis, won a special election on Nov. 6 to fill the seat for the remainder of the term through December 2020.
RPS needs $150M more to fund strategic plan
Richmond Public Schools will need to beef up its budget with an added $150 million over five years to help implement its strategic plan to bolster city schools. Superintendent Jason Kamras presented the Richmond School Board with the cost estimate for the first time during its meeting Monday night.
Veteran news photographer shoots for retirement
Richmond native Willie Redd has laid down his video camera and stepped away from WWBT-NBC12 after more than four decades of covering local and national news.
‘March for More’ demonstration set for Dec. 8
Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Virginia education leaders will hold a “March for More” rally and demonstration this weekend to demand more state money for public education.
Advocate aims to change RPS culture through Restorative Practices program
An activist who moves people with the beat of drums will now have his hand on the pulse of Richmond Public Schools as the new manager of School Climate and Culture Strategy.
Carver Elementary loses national Blue Ribbon award
Richmond’s George W. Carver Elementary School is no longer a national Blue Ribbon school. The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that it was stripping the school of the national award given to the school in 2016 for academic achievement.
“What are you most thankful for?”
This week, the Free Press hit the streets and asked Richmond area residents:
Thanksgiving food, fellowship at area events
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and fellowship. But it also can be a stressful and lonely time for others.
Chronic absenteeism declining among RPS students
This school year, the majority of Richmond Public Schools students are present and accounted for each school day. Harry Hughes, chief of schools, reported during the Nov. 5 Richmond School Board meeting that the rate of RPS students missing school has decreased since the beginning of the school year.
Teen’s idea for Kindness Week comes to fruition in Richmond
This is a special week for Binford Middle School student Jalia Hardy. The 13-year-old won the statewide “If I Were Mayor” essay contest during the spring sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League that challenged seventh-graders to describe what they would do if they were mayor of their hometown.
Cheryl Burke wins Richmond School Board seat
Cheryl L. Burke, who was appointed in 2017 as the interim 7th District representative to the Richmond School Board, was elected Tuesday night to fill the seat for the rest of the term through 2020.
‘Wall of Honor’ unveiled on new Virginia Women’s Monument
Virginia First Lady Pam Northam and former First Lady Susan Allen, wife of former Gov. George Allen, gathered Tuesday with a small crowd in Capitol Square to proclaim a milestone in making a dream a reality.
1,000 attend vigil in Richmond
More than 1,000 people of different faiths, races and backgrounds came together Tuesday night in a community display of unity and love following the weekend tragedy in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were shot and killed by a gunman who entered the Tree of Life Synagogue and opened fire.
Richmond 7th District School Board race
For Broderick, the key is organizing priorities for limited resources; Burke attributes success on board to experience, engaging the community; Robertson seeks to expand ESL classes, trauma-informed care for RPS students
Lady Luck visits Va. in Mega Millions
Money! Money! Money! Americans took a deep breath Tuesday night, praying to be the lucky winner of the biggest drawing in Mega Millions history.
Virginia Teacher of the Year
RPS’ Rodney A. Robinson, who teaches history at Virgie Binford Education Center inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, wins prestigious award
Perspiration, inspiration and dedication to excellence have propelled distinguished Richmond teacher Rodney A. Robinson to the high honor of 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The award was announced Tuesday evening by First Lady Pam Northam at a recognition ceremony and reception in the grand Marble Hall of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Grim: State accreditation and dropout data, recent audits reveal problems that have long plagued Richmond Public Schools
Educating all students remains a tough challenge for Richmond Public Schools. While the data show the majority of students complete 12 years and leave with a diploma to start careers or begin additional study, Richmond seems unable to make classroom education meaningful for a substantial minority who end up dropping out.
RPS dealing with bumps in student transportation system
Richmond School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page continues to find bumps in the road in the school system’s hub stop system, where students attending certain schools have to walk to their nearest school to catch a bus to their high school or middle school.
RPS seeks public response to new school designs..
Richmond Public Schools wants community feedback on proposed designs for two new elementary schools and a new middle school that are to be built by 2020.
RPS in fix-it mode on ‘so many issues’
Hurricane Florence is not the only storm Richmond Public Schools has to weather. Since Superintendent Jason Kamras arrived in February, his administration has been dealing with the heated and windy uproars over problems and issues that were buried or ignored by previous administrations and School Boards but have been uncovered in recent months.
Vacation Bible School group puts message into practice
Petersburg High School’s Marching Crimson Wave has been trying to raise money for new uniforms for the marching band since spring.
Pep rally pumps RPS staff for new school year
Amid a sea of pom-poms and balloon bouquets and the sounds of air horns and a recording of Aretha Franklin rocking her hit song, “Respect,” Richmond’s top city and schools officials were the lead cheerleaders at Monday’s back-to-school rally for Richmond Public Schools’ teachers and support staff.
Cheating scandal leads to more turnover at Carver
Richmond Public Schools officials have begun the process to revoke the licenses of 10 administrators and teachers linked to a SOL testing cheating scandal at Carver Elementary School.
RPS Shines! spiffs up schools
Richmond’s Carver Elementary School was turned into a haven of help Tuesday as more than 60 volunteers, many of them from local colleges and high schools, picked up a bucket and cloth and helped put a polish on the Leigh Street school.
More money found for city school maintenance
A preliminary review of city and Richmond Public Schools’ financial records has turned up $9.5 million that possibly could be used for maintenance and repairs at the city’s 44 public schools.
Discounts available after Sunday storm cancels Richmond Jazz Festival
JMI is offering a discount on the purchase of general admission tickets for the 2019 Richmond Jazz Festival after an early evening thunderstorm caused the festival to be canceled last Sunday.
Toxicology report rules out drugs in Marcus-David Peters’ death, family says
A local activist coalition and a victim’s family continue to question the details of the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Marcus-David Peters by a Richmond Police officer in May. Mr. Peters’ sister, Princess Blanding, and the Justice and Reform for Marcus Peters Coalition challenged the accuracy and transparency of the Richmond Police Department’s report on the fatal shooting by Officer Michael Nyantakyi at Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s Third District community meeting July 31.
Out: Richmond School Board accepts resignations
The Richmond School Board accepted the resignations of former Carver Elementary School Principal Kiwana Yates and five other school employees named by state officials as part of a cheating ring at the school.
35th Annual National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 7
The Richmond Police Department is gearing up for the 35th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The event, which is observed across the country, is designed to promote safe neighborhoods while building police-community partnerships and relationships among neighbors.
Cheating at Carver
During her six-year tenure as principal of George W. Carver Elementary School, Kiwana Yates allegedly orchestrated a major educational scam that ensured students scored high on state Standards of Learning tests even if they could not read well, write well and had not mastered arithmetic.
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