Introducing Insider Express!

Superintendent Matthew Haas

Dear Colleagues,

The feedback you have shared through the Gallup Employee Engagement Survey and the Bellwether Instructional Audit process tells me that you want to know more about and be more involved in the decisions that the Albemarle County School Board and I make. My thinking is that if we can expand access to information about upcoming changes, including when and why we are considering them, you will be better able to engage with the process and offer informed input.

With that in mind, we’ve created a weekly newsletter within the Compass: Please allow me to introduce Insider Express! You’ll find the first issue below! Continue reading

Personal Leave: Feedback Requested by May 15

Personal leave on sticky note on work desk

Throughout the spring semester, the Employee Voice and Action Committee (EVAAC) has been evaluating several issues related to working conditions for ACPS employees. At this point, we would like to share an update on our work pertaining to personal leave, which is earned by 10- and 11-month employees. (This should not be confused with annual leave, which is earned by 12-month employees.) In addition to sharing this update, we are asking 10- and 11-month employees for input to guide our next steps. Continue reading

Fall Policy Updates (September, October & November)

Policy Updates

Albemarle County Public Schools has a number of policies that govern our operations in alignment with state code and our division vision, mission and values. Our policies must be reviewed once every five years, though we often review them more frequently due to changes in Virginia Code or the needs of our school system. As part of the review process, we use our Equity Checklist to ensure that our policies are having a positive impact on equity in the school division. So far in 2022, we have updated, revised or deleted 103 policies.

In September, October, and November, the following 23 policies were updated, most with minor changes: Continue reading

School Board Strongly Objects to Proposed State Policy That Would Reduce Protections for Transgender & Gender-Expansive Students

ACPS Logo

The Albemarle County School Board said today that it “respectfully but vigorously” disagrees with a newly proposed state policy that would reduce protections for transgender and gender-expansive students. Several elements of the proposed policy are in conflict with the school board’s August 2021 Policy on the Treatment of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students, which was adopted in accordance with guidance provided in 2021 by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Continue reading

Division’s Policy Protecting Transgender & Gender-Expansive Students Remains in Place

ACPS Logo

Over the weekend, several media outlets reported that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has drafted new guidance on the treatment of transgender and gender-expansive students in schools. This newly-proposed guidance differs significantly from the current guidance in place, which in 2021 led to the development of our Policy on the Treatment of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students.

Beginning Monday, September 26, the VDOE will open a 30-day public comment period on the proposed new guidance on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website. Here is the statement we issued to the media yesterday in response to requests about how this new guidance will impact our policy: Continue reading

Summer Policy Updates (June, July & August)

Policy Updates

Albemarle County Public Schools has a number of policies that govern our operations in alignment with state code and our division vision, mission and values. Our policies must be reviewed once every five years, though we often review them more frequently due to changes in Virginia Code or the needs of our school system. As part of the review process, we use our Equity Checklist to ensure that our policies are having a positive impact on equity in the school division. So far in 2022, we have updated, revised or deleted 80 policies.

Staff who are interested in reviewing the edits to each policy can access the documents as they were presented to the school board (with “track changes” shown) in ElectronicSchoolBoard (ESB). Within each meeting agenda, under the “Approval of Consent Agenda” heading, click on the items titled “For Information: Policy Review and Revision” or “For Action: Policy Review and Revision.”

In June, July and August, 27 policies were updated, including Policy GA, Employee Relations Principles Between the School Board and Its Employees, which was readopted in June after being deleted in April. Continue reading

May 2022 Policy Updates

Policy Updates

Albemarle County Public Schools has a number of policies that govern our operations in alignment with state code and our division vision, mission and values. Our policies must be reviewed once every five years, though we often review them more frequently due to changes in Virginia Code or the needs of our school system. As part of the review process, we use our Equity Checklist to ensure that our policies are having a positive impact on equity in the school division. So far in 2022, we have updated, revised or deleted 52 policies. Continue reading

Gender-Inclusive Planning Team Invitation

Inclusion and diversity infographic

Would you like to have a meaningful impact on creating inclusive school environments for gender-expansive students? In August 2021, the Albemarle County School Board adopted the Policy on the Treatment of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Students. In order to plan for the implementation of the actions outlined in this policy, we are creating a diverse team of educators, administrators and employees, which will convene up to three times over the summer months. To be a part of this important team, or to share your thoughts on this topic, please contact Jamie Gellner at jgellner@k12albemarle.org by Thursday, June 9.

April 2022 Policy Updates

Policy Updates

Albemarle County Public Schools has a number of policies that govern our operations in alignment with state code and our division vision, mission and values. Our policies must be reviewed once every five years, though we often review them more frequently due to changes in Virginia Code or the needs of our school system. So far in 2022, we have updated, revised or deleted 51 policies. As part of the review process, we use our Equity Checklist to ensure that our policies are having a positive impact on equity in the school division. Continue reading