State Board of Elections Establishes Advisory Review Workgroup, Expected to Adopt Cybersecurity Standards Soon
At its October 29 meeting, the State Board of Elections voted to establish a new Advisory Review Workgroup to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities. The Workgroup will consist of three members of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia, three members of the Virginia Electoral Board Association, five citizen members, and two representatives […]
Virginia Board of Education Prescribes New Standards of Quality and Finance Committees Hear Updated Rebenchmarking Figures
On October 16 and 17, 2019 the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) met to finalize their revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQs), which set minimum requirements that must be met by all local school divisions for K-12 education in Virginia. The Board voted unanimously to prescribe the revised SOQs to the Governor and General […]
VRS Lowers Assumed Rate of Return and Certifies Teacher Employer Contribution Rates
Over the course of two meetings on October 10 and 17, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board approved a lower assumed rate of return (also referred to as the discount rate) and voted to certify to the Governor and General Assembly increased employer contribution rates for the teacher and state pension plans over the next […]
VACo 85th Annual Conference Breakout Sessions
Every year education is the foundation and the focus of the VACo Annual Conference. Attendees gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Virginia’s Counties. This gained knowledge benefits elected and staff leaders as they apply the information and skills they learn from experts and peers to their positions back home. Below are […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast | The Future of Work
Welcome to the County Pulse! In this episode, VACo’s Angela Inglett speaks with Callan Dudley of Southern Landscape Group about the rising generation of workers. Callan shared how Southern Landscape Group is working with its local school system to inspire students with the employment possibilities within their communities. Listen to the Podcast
Visit Rockbridge County and the Maury River
Traveling interstate 81, you get a quick look at the Maury River just north of Lexington as it passes beneath a bridge underneath your wheels. If you’re traveling U. S. 11 instead of the interstate, you get a more intimate look at the river. But neither perspective gives you a true picture of this fast […]
State General Fund Revenues Off to a Strong First Quarter, But Uncertainty Remains
Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne had good news to present to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees this week, but cautioned members of the “money committees” that much uncertainty remains about how General Fund (GF) revenues will perform in the remainder of the fiscal year. He reiterated the need for caution in constructing the […]
85th Annual Conference Hotel Information
If you are attending VACo’s Annual Conference, here are some helpful suggestions to make your time at The Omni Homestead run smoothly. Please call 804.788.6652 with questions. UPON ARRIVAL Check-in time for your room is 4 p.m. Valet parking is included in the 15 percent daily charge that is automatically added to your room rate. […]
VACo to Honor William J. Howell with Jefferson Cup
RICHMOND—The Virginia Association of Counties will present its most prestigious award to former Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell on November 10 during VACo’s 85th Annual Conference in Bath County. “Bill has been a long-time friend and ally to VACo and Virginia’s Counties,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “We are honored to […]
VACo releases 2019 Preliminary Legislative Program
VACo has released its 2020 Preliminary Legislative Program, which was drafted through VACo’s steering committee process. The document includes a host of important and timely proposed policy statements including language pertaining to K-12 education funding, local taxing authority, stormwater regulations, land use planning, transportation, broadband, health and human resources and other local budget and legislative […]
VACo SPOTLIGHT: Terri T. Catlett | Clarke County Supervisor
Q1. You’re serving your first term on the Board of Supervisors in Clarke County. What sparked your interest in serving in an elected capacity? Was there anything that surprised you about serving on the Board? Terri Catlett: Serving on the Board of Supervisors in Clarke County or any elected office was not something that I […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast | K-12 Public Education – Small and Rural Schools
Welcome to the County Pulse! In this episode, Superintendent Keith Perrigan of Bristol City Public Schools and President of the Small and Rural Schools Coalition and Jason Bellows, District 3 Supervisor for Lancaster County, member of the VACo Board of Directors and VACo Region 2 Director join VACo’s Jeremy Bennett to discuss the challenges and […]
Visit Giles County and the Pandapas Pond
Pandapas Pond is a pastoral, 8 acre pond located just outside the town of Blacksburg. It sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and is surrounded by a forest of hardwoods and rhododendron. Visitors will enjoy strolling the one-mile wheelchair accessible trail that encircles the pond. A wooden boardwalk separates the pond from a small wetland […]
Commission on Youth Seeks Public Comment on Foster Care Recommendations
The Virginia Commission on Youth recently received an extensive report from its staff on issues surrounding the state’s foster care system, a topic that is of major interest to state policymakers in the wake of a significant rewrite of federal support for foster care and a December 2018 report by the Joint Legislative Audit and […]
Cost Study of Private Day Special Education Programs Released
Language included in the 2018 Appropriations Act required the Office of Children’s Services to contract for a study of the rates paid for private day educational placements funded through the Children’s Service Act, which would include recommendations for how a rate-setting structure for these services might be implemented. The consultants selected to complete the study, […]
New FCC Order May Affect Provision of In-Kind Cable Services to Counties
Under a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule adopted on August 1 (and effective September 26), the fair market value (FMV) of public, educational, and government (PEG) channels now counts towards the statutory 5 percent franchise fee cap that franchising authorities may charge under the Federal Communications Act. This could have significant local impact via […]