Special Needs
- Here’s where doctors diverge on Va.’s pending reproductive rights constitutional amendment
Medical professionals and medical students in opposition of abortion hold signs at the 2026 Virginia March For Life in Richmond, Va. on April 22, 2026.
- Governor Spanberger gives away $67 Million for Home Energy Efficiency Projects to receive only $15 Million in work
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the release of more than $67 million in available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds that were previously withheld by the Youngkin Administration.
- Loudoun County Public Schools Details Transportation Operations and Future Needs
Loudoun County Public Schools operates a transportation department responsible for an average of sixty route changes per day.
- School Resource Officers’ Training Highlighted in Loudoun County School Board Deliberations
School Resource Officer candidates complete more than 800 hours in police academy instruction, encompassing core policing competencies, followed by over 500 hours of supervised field training.
- Virginia Reenters RGGI Carbon Market Amid Concerns Over Hidden Taxes and Bureaucratic Spending
The state of Virginia is officially reentering the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative under the newly finalized budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Governor Abigail Spanberger championed the move, reversing the previous administration’s decision to exit the controversial carbon-trading market. While the administration touts a new utility bill relief mechanism, fiscal conservatives warn that the p
- Arlington School Board Member Zuraya Tapia-Hadley Addresses Budget and Student Support Needs
Arlington County School Board member Zuraya Tapia-Hadley addressed the body regarding the proposed new budget for the district. She raised specific concerns about whether the plan adequately serves all students. Tapia-Hadley advocated for increased support directed toward the most vulnerable populations within Arlington County Public Schools. Her comments were delivered during a regular session fo
- Spotsylvania County School Board Votes Against Expanded Drug Testing Policies
The Spotsylvania County School Board approved two separate measures by identical 4-3 votes during its recent session. One measure would have required drug testing for all new hires and rehires throughout the school system. The second proposal targeted drug testing specifically for elementary school teachers and staff working with special needs children. Both initiatives failed […]
- He Cannot Speak With His Voice. Virginia’s Schools Still Wouldn’t Listen
Noah does not speak with his voice. He speaks with his hands, with the careful shape of signs his family has worked hard to learn, with the urgency in his eyes when something is wrong, and with the full weight of a body that needs constant, skilled attention just to stay safe. At school, at […]
- Virginia schools gain spending flexibility under federal program
Virginia schools will have greater agency in administrative decisions and flexibility in how they spend federal funds heading into the upcoming school year, potentially affecting low-income student programs and teacher development. Over the past year, the U.S. Department of Education has loosened some rules on how federal Title program funds can be used. In December, […]
- Virginia’s $148.4 Million Special Education Expansion Sparks Calls for Stricter Fiscal Oversight
The upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget for the Commonwealth of Virginia includes a staggering $148.4 million allocation to more than double the Special Education Add-On. This massive financial injection expands per-pupil funding for special education students, representing a significant priority for state legislators. While providing adequate resources for vulnerable students is a shared moral value
- Prince William County FY2027 Budget Expands Public Sector Workforce with 129 New Positions
The proposed FY2027 budget in Prince William County, Virginia, features significant investments in new staff across multiple governmental departments. The financial blueprint includes the addition of 129.28 new full-time equivalent positions within the local government structure. This substantial spending targets critical areas like public safety, special education, and environmental sustainabilit
- Mother Addresses Arlington School Board on Special Education Practices
During a recent Arlington School Board meeting in Arlington County, a mother delivered public comments about special education services. She stated that schools are not properly utilizing functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans. These documents are standard components in supporting students who require additional behavioral guidance. The comments focused on how such ove
- Mother Claims Retaliation in Franklin City School Board Plea Over Special Needs Child’s Removal
During the session, announced by the district on its website and social media, the mother approached the podium with supporting documents and described the sequence of events leading to her child’s placement elsewhere. She characterized the removal as an abuse of authority, questioning whether it represented the treatment parents receive for raising concerns. ‘This is […]
- Prince William County Supervisors Review Safety Measures Including Special Needs Registry
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors addressed safety initiatives centered on a proposed special needs registry for emergency evacuations. The registry would provide first responders with information to better assist individuals requiring specialized care. Discussions also covered methods for identifying hazardous home situations that could affect response efforts. Presentations detailed
- Mother Testifies to Alleged Abuse, Fraud in Franklin City Public Schools Special Education Program
During the public comment period at a recent school board meeting, the parent, accompanied by a supporter, accused school officials of filing fraudulent truancy charges against her family after she reported abuse against her nonverbal autistic son, identified in related discussions as Elijah. She claimed the school submitted false statements to the court, resulting in […]
- Franklin City Launches Comprehensive Mentorship Programs for Student Success
The initiatives feature a prom experience designed to offer a safe and special environment. Students across the city receive suits, dresses, and sneakers sourced from Hampton Roads partners, enabling full participation without financial burden. Visuals of student groups in formal wear with sashes underscore the program’s reach, gathering dozens of young people for these events. […]
- Local Mother Raises Retaliation Claims Against Franklin City School Board Over Child’s Removal
During her remarks, the speaker held documents and emphasized her repeated requests for assistance, presenting text messages, phone calls, and paperwork as evidence. She characterized the school’s response as an abuse of authority and bully tactics, questioning whether this constitutes the treatment parents receive for speaking out. The mother called for immediate corrective action, stating […]
- Special Education Issues at Stonebridge High School Prompt Community Discussion in Loudoun County
Special education students in Loudoun County have been described as facing an alarming state of affairs within the public school system. Parents from Stonebridge High School have brought attention to the treatment of these students and their dedicated teachers. The core message underscores that students and staff members are not expendable in educational planning. Families […]
- Franklin City Parent Alleges Systemic Special Ed Safety Lapses at School Board Meeting
Key allegations included a failure to properly investigate incidents, a lack of transparency, and instances where parents were not informed about occurrences involving their disabled children. The parent emphasized that these concerns extend beyond verbal issues or education matters to core child protection failures. She noted that incidents with developmentally disabled students are not always […
- Parent Delivers Critical Testimony on Franklin City Schools’ Math Improvement Plan at Board Meeting
The speaker detailed concerns over the plan’s use of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), stating it provides no specific measures to aid pupils. He pointed to IXL, described as a supplement rather than a core program, where district students recorded 29% proficiency. The parent noted no improvement from the previous year, maintaining the division’s position […]
- Mother Raises Serious Allegations Against Franklin City Schools Over Special Needs Student Care
She contended that although funding is designated to follow individual special needs students, the corresponding level of care does not materialize. According to her account, families advocating for their children encounter repercussions rather than support from the system intended to safeguard them. The parent highlighted operational gaps that hinder effective service delivery, noting that grants
- Spanberger declares a state of emergency in advance of’significant’ and dangerous winter storm
In her first week as governor, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the governor of Virginia, declared a state-of-emergency on Thursday in anticipation of a winter storm expected to hit the Commonwealth starting Saturday. In some areas, the majority of the state will experience heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and sleet Saturday, Sunday, and early Monday morning. This will […]
- Parent Alleges Improper Isolation of Special Needs Student in Loudoun County Schools
A parent in Loudoun County has described an incident involving her child with special needs, stating that the student was placed alone in a room furnished only with a desk for prolonged periods, sometimes several hours.
- Va. school divisions (Loudoun, Essex, and Northumberland) repay nearly $30 million in misused special ed funds; one division disputes
Three school divisions charged with misusing federal funds intended for students with disabilities have made nearly $30 million in total repayments, according to the state Department of Education, which will be returned to the federal government. Still, one division is actively disputing the charge.
- Feds end special education monitoring in Virginia as advocates question post-review process
However, the state has taken the necessary steps to “address and resolve the findings of noncompliance and the required corrective actions” outlined in a March 13 monitoring report