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WHRO outlines digital resources, courses and local programming for schools
Summary
WHRO Public Media presented its annual impact statement to the school board, highlighting eMedia VA resources, online courses, STEM vans and student competitions and reported a $4.20 return on investment for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Virginia Beach — WHRO Public Media on Sept. 9 briefed the Virginia Beach School Board on services the public‑media organization provides to schools, including the eMedia VA digital content repository, online courses and student enrichment programs.
Bert Schmidt, WHRO president and CEO, and Elmer Seward, vice president of education, told the board WHRO is the nation’s only public media organization owned by a collaboration of 21 school divisions and that eMedia VA offers nearly 100,000 instructional resources aligned to Virginia Standards of Learning. Schmidt said 94% of eMedia VA content is available without login and that the division can integrate WHRO resources into ClassLink for teacher access.
WHRO also offers media‑rich SOL‑aligned online courses, STEM vans that visit schools by invitation, and student programs including the regional spelling bee and the Great Computer Challenge. Schmidt reported that the division’s $222,000 investment in WHRO services in the 2024–25 school year yielded direct and indirect benefits valued at $938,000 — a return of $4.20 for every dollar invested.
Board members asked about teacher access, STEM‑van scheduling and whether the district uses the flipped‑classroom materials; WHRO responded that most content is available and that the organization will help promote access within the division. No action was taken; the presentation was informational.
