Welcome to Governor’s school
Governor Ralph Northam came to town last week, stopping by Venable Elementary on Thursday to check in on city schools’ gradual reopening of classrooms. In February, Northam directed all schools in Virginia to make some in-person learning available to students by mid-March, after the CDC released information about managing virus transmission in schools. At Venable, Northam read aloud to a second-grade class from We’re Going to be O.K., a children’s book about surviving the pandemic, written by Dr. Ebony Jade Hilton and Dr. Leigh-Ann Webb of UVA hospital.
Superintendent steps aside
After 15 years at the helm of Charlottesville City Schools, superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins is retiring. Her last day is May 31.
“I’m so honored to have served the students, families, staff, and community of Charlottesville,” said Atkins in a press re- lease. “I’ve actually postponed this decision for a while due to the pandemic, but I’m at a point where I want to spend less time as superintendent and more time as Nana.”
Since becoming superintendent in 2006, Atkins has spearheaded the creation of a division-wide preschool program, championed social-emotional learning, and redesigned gifted education, earning an array of national awards for her work.
Under her leadership, graduation rates for Black students have increased by 25 points. Meanwhile, suspension rates have significantly dropped.
Atkins has also served on multiple organizations, including Governor Northam’s Commission on African American History Education, which worked to improve the state’s Black history curriculum.
“We thank Dr. Atkins for her calming presence, her bold work to promote equity, and above all, for her commitment to children,” said school board chair Lisa Larson-Torres in a press release.
The school board will meet this week to discuss the search for a new superintendent.
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Quote of the week
“July 4 with your loved ones is the goal.”
—President Joe Biden, in a speech this week about the country’s COVID recovery plan
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In brief
Civilian Resignation Board
Another member of Charlottesville’s Police Civilian Review Board has resigned, the second person to do so since the board began meeting in July. This time, Dorenda Johnson is the one on her way out. The board’s meetings have been tense of late, with a recent meeting culminating with board chair Bellamy Brown feeling the need to assert that he is “not a misogynist.” Johnson signed off with an email saying simply: “Good evening please accept my resignation.”
Statue on the move?
Last month, the city put out a call asking anyone who wants the West Main Street statue of Sacagawea cowering behind Lewis and Clark to just come and take it already. Amazingly, it seems like there might be some interest in the hulking, racist casting—Charlottesville received nine responses to its call for information, report city officials. Responses will be reviewed before determining if any of the offers are viable.
Getaway driver
Jaunt, the area public transport system, is accusing their former CEO of budget shenanigans. This week the organization put out a statement saying that auditors found “the CEO purchased numerous expenses for goods, services, and travel, which violated internal control policies of the corporation.” Former Jaunt boss Brad Sheffield, who resigned in December, maintains his innocence, though Jaunt says Sheffield was pushed out as the company was “no longer comfortable with [his] business judgment.” Not a lot to be jaunty about over there right now.
