Heather Gentry-Ault

The Southern Virginia University Board of Trustees held a meeting where they celebrated with music and prayer. The board has three major duties to oversee the fiduciary management of the institution, to set the mission of the university, and to hire and oversee the president of the University. The presidential search committee recommended Bonnie H. Cordon to be the next president of Southern Virginia. The trustees elected Bonnie H Cordon president of Southern Virginia University.

The Buena Vista City Public Schools' Literacy Plan aims to ensure all students are equipped with critical literacy skills, fostering academic success and meaningful contributions to society. The plan emphasizes evidence-based literacy instruction focusing on essential reading components, engagement with high-quality texts, data-driven instruction, and strong partnerships with parents and the community. It outlines strategies for comprehensive communication, selection of high-quality instructional materials, Virginia Literacy Act evidence-based reading research training, monitoring student assessment and progress, assessing division-level progress, and engaging parents, caregivers, and the community. Key objectives include reducing the percentage of high-risk students to less than 20% by spring 2026 and further to less than 5% by the end of 2028.

The Educational Technology Plan focuses on enhancing personalized, equitable student learning experiences with technology by promoting deeper learning skills, leveraging technology as a resource, and exposing students to career and college opportunities. It supports innovative professional learning with technology by expanding technology integration skills, utilizing instructional technology resources, and developing an instructional technology leadership team. The plan also aims to create cultures of change through innovative leadership practices and maintain a secure and robust technology infrastructure to support access, adequacy, and equity.

The Superintendent's Goals for Buena Vista City Public Schools for 2024-25 include implementing a new strategic plan by June 30, 2022, with updates provided twice yearly. Professional development in the science of reading will be implemented to meet the Virginia Literacy Act requirements. The plan aims to maintain state accreditation, improve reading and writing scores, reduce chronic absenteeism, and transition to the new state accreditation and accountability system by spring 2025. A collaborative effort will focus on securing funding for a school construction project (2023-2026).

The Buena Vista City Public Schools Comprehensive Plan for 2022-2027 aims to provide a framework for leadership and assistance that focuses on the goals and needs of students and educators. It addresses the diversified needs of students to become citizens in a global, technological economy. The plan includes objectives and strategies to improve and maintain high levels of student achievement. It also assesses the extent to which objectives have been achieved and identifies needs to be addressed throughout the division during the specified time frame. The plan focuses on instruction, school climate and student wellness, recruitment and retention of staff, finance, technology, school facilities and maintenance, family and community engagement, transportation, and extra-curricular opportunities.