Albemarle board honors Claire Kaiser, proclaims Pride Month and Juneteenth observances

The Albemarle County School Board on June 12 adopted a resolution recognizing Assistant Superintendent Claire Kaiser’s retirement and issued proclamations affirming LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Juneteenth observances.

Board members read a lengthy resolution honoring Kaiser’s service, tracing her ACPS tenure from assistant principal roles to leadership positions including director of educator quality and assistant superintendent for organizational development. Kaiser responded, saying, “I am humbled and honored, and thank you for the very kind words. And it really has been a privilege to serve.” Several colleagues offered personal remarks about her mentorship and long service.

The board also adopted a proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month, citing the Stonewall uprising and the Virginia Values Act of April 11, 2020, which the speaker said extended nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. The proclamation affirmed ACPS values of equity, belonging and inclusion.

Separately the board proclaimed June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth in Albemarle County Public Schools, noting the date’s historical significance and listing community events, including a Juneteenth celebration at the Brooks Family YMCA and a community cookout and summer academy hosted by the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia. The proclamation included a resource reminder for students that the Trevor Project provides crisis support for LGBTQ youth via text, chat and call.

Board members encouraged attendance at community events and expressed pride in the division’s commitments to equity and inclusion. No formal policy changes were adopted alongside the proclamations; the actions were ceremonial recognitions recorded in the meeting minutes.