Henrico staff outlines wins and open questions from 2025 Virginia General Assembly session

Henrico County Public Schools staff told the school board on March 27 that they tracked more than 200 bills tied to division priorities during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly, and by their count 116 of those reached the governor's desk. The session produced several outcomes the division called positive for county schools, while other items remain uncertain pending the veto session on April 2.

"Today, I will be providing that update of the session, which isn't quite over yet as we await the April 2 veto session," Ken Blackstone told the board. He said staff "did track over 200 bills related to our legislative agenda. And of those, 116 got to the governor's desk by my count." Blackstone reviewed bills and budget actions across five priority areas the division adopted last fall.

The amended state budget, he said, includes a $1,650,000 increase in state aid for English-learner teacher payments next year. Blackstone described a signed bill creating a path for long-term substitute teachers that included concessions Henrico asked for: a bachelor's-degree requirement for substitutes working longer than 90 days, a professional-development plan and two years of data collection, plus a 2027 sunset clause. He also described a bill that permits dismissal of due-process hearing complaints when a later complaint is substantively the same as a previously adjudicated matter.

Not all outcomes were straightforward. Blackstone said the conference budget’s provision eliminating a cap on school support positions was scaled back in the governor's amendment; the division is still evaluating the exact budget impact and said lobbying continues. He also flagged that a Senate proposal allowing local 1% sales or use taxes for school capital projects was vetoed by the governor.

Board members pressed for specifics during the presentation. Miss Consola said she was "very excited to see the 3 e's, valued at the state level, for enrolled, enlisted, and or employed" and for funding increases for English-learner supports. Mister Irving and others asked how specific provisions would affect local policy — for instance, changes tied to the state's accountability system and proposed restrictions on student cell-phone use. Blackstone said local school boards retain authority to set policy and that the division will bring those items to the board as guidance and implementation details develop.

Blackstone also summarized bills related to teacher recruitment and career-and-technical education (CTE): several measures expand licensure avenues for CTE teachers, including provisional licenses for people with industry credentials and changes that could give credit toward salary placement for required occupational work experience. On telehealth, he said a bill would allow telehealth appointments, including mental-health visits, to occur on campus during the school day so students need not leave and miss additional instruction.

The superintendent's office said it will post an updated legislative scorecard after the April 2 veto session and promised updates to the board and public as agency guidance and funding implications become clearer.