PRINCE GEORGE, Va. (February 8, 2022) - Prince George County Public Schools will join 132 other school divisions throughout the Commonwealth to celebrate School Board Appreciation Month during February. Schools and communities will recognize over 800 elected and appointed school board members across Virginia for their dedicated service to public education during the month-long celebration.
The annual recognition is led by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), a partner organization of the Commonwealth's school boards that promotes excellence in public education through leadership, advocacy, and services. The theme of this year's celebration is "Building the Future of Public Education." This theme shines a light on the partnership the VSBA shares with local school boards and their members as they serve their divisions and advocate for public education with local, state, and federal leaders on behalf of all students.
In Prince George County, the five-member elected school board consists of the following individuals: Rob Eley (District 1), Cecil Smith (District 1, Vice-Chair), Jill Andrews (District 2), Chris Johnson (District 2, Chairman), and Sherry Taylor (District 2). These members serve an essential role in supporting the needs of the children of Prince George County and the men and women who provide high-quality instruction or support its delivery every day inside the county's schools. In a given year, the board must develop policies and make decisions on complex educational and social issues affecting the entire community. They also bear the responsibility for an annual budget of over $83 million, more than 6,000 students, and approximately 1,000 employees across nearly a dozen school campuses and support facilities.
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| The Prince George School Board receives handmade cards from elementary school students for School Board Appreciation Month during their Monday, February 7, 2022 meeting. |
The Prince George School Board plays an ongoing and active role in supporting Prince George County Public Schools' efforts to maintain safe learning environments for our school community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their support of our division has allowed students to return to in-person learning during the 2021-22 School Year after a year of hybrid and virtual instruction. The board has been instrumental in helping the school division develop its 2022-2027 Comprehensive Plan. This plan, adopted by the board in late 2021, helps chart the future of our district in the years to come and was supported by the board through their hosting of town halls and sitting in on multiple focus groups and roundtable discussions with stakeholders. Furthermore, the Prince George School Board remains an advocate for modernizing the division's facilities. Through their efforts and partnership with the Prince George Board of Supervisors, the construction of the county's newest elementary school continues to progress toward a substantial completion date of November 2022, and an anticipated early 2023 move-in to the school along Middle Road.
"The Prince George School Board embodies the mission of the Virginia School Boards Association through their actions in our community to advocate for public education at all levels of government," Division Superintendent Dr. Lisa Pennycuff said. "Prince George County Public Schools is blessed to have the Prince George School Board and its members as partners to support the needs of our students. I am particularly grateful for their support as we have worked to address the deferred maintenance at our division facilities, including much needed HVAC and roofing improvements."
The school division's Facebook page will feature unique school board member profiles weekly during February. The Prince George School Board was formally recognized for their contributions to the school system and community during its regular meeting on February 7.
About Prince George County Public Schools
Located in Southside Virginia within the Virginia Department of Education's Region 1, Prince George County Public Schools is focused on preparing our students to navigate an ever-changing world by engaging, encouraging, and inspiring every child throughout their educational journey. The District supports the academic and socio-emotional needs of over 6,000 enrolled students across PGCPS' nine campuses and is home to National Blue Ribbon and Virginia Purple Star award-winning schools.
Located in Southside Virginia within the Virginia Department of Education's Region 1, Prince George County Public Schools is focused on preparing our students to navigate an ever-changing world by engaging, encouraging, and inspiring every child throughout their educational journey. The District supports the academic and socio-emotional needs of over 6,000 enrolled students across PGCPS' nine campuses and is home to National Blue Ribbon and Virginia Purple Star award-winning schools.
For more information, visit http://www.pgs.k12.va.us.