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Petersburg schools approve $1.7 million contract with University Instructors to fill teacher vacancies
Summary
The Petersburg City School Board voted unanimously July 2 to approve a $1.7 million, one-year partnership with University Instructors to recruit and place 13 provisional or certified teachers aimed at reducing roughly 54 current vacancies, with the vendor to provide recruitment, training and data services.
The Petersburg City School Board on July 2 approved a $1.7 million agreement with University Instructors to place 13 teachers in city schools for the 2025–26 school year.
Superintendent Yolanda Brown told the board the division currently has about 54 teacher vacancies and asked members to approve the contract to “provide 13 additional certified, provisional, or licensure‑eligible teachers for the 2025–26 school year” focused on the division’s highest‑need schools. The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation after a motion and voice vote; no member opposed.
Nut graf: School leaders said the partnership is intended to reduce class vacancies quickly while building a longer‑term pipeline of local candidates who can be transitioned to district payroll. University Instructors, a Virginia‑based company with a national footprint, will recruit, vet and train teachers, offer coaching and data services, and assist candidates with provisional licensure and placement.
University Instructors presenters described their program and track record. Dr. Michael Gill, strategic planning associate director for University Instructors, said the company uses a “pathway model” that recruits locally, trains instructors, places them in classrooms and attempts to move successful candidates onto district payroll the following year. The company displayed placement and tutoring data collected in Virginia partners showing what it described as large gains among students who received tutoring in the prior year.
Superintendent Brown told the board the proposed contract would be funded by reallocating existing budget dollars tied to vacant positions and other approved budget lines. She described the arrangement as a one‑year contract with provisions to encourage candidates to remain in Petersburg, including financial repercussions if candidates leave before completing the commitment period.
Board members and the public asked procedural and benefit questions. Board Chair Kenneth Pritchett and members asked how quickly placements could happen; University Instructors said it typically takes four to six weeks from agreement to placement, and the company said it recruits in the Petersburg area to encourage retention and community familiarity. At the public microphones, residents raised questions about volunteer tutors, VRS retirement credit and how community members can apply to tutor or for positions; the superintendent and the vendor gave contact information and said applications will be posted on the vendor’s website.
The board approved the contract by voice vote after a motion; the superintendent asked for authority to spend up to $1,700,000 to establish the partnership. Superintendent Brown said the vendor will place 13 teachers initially, targeting Vernon Johns Middle School and Lakemont Elementary among other high‑need sites.
Ending: University Instructors’ team said they will coordinate with principals and district HR on onboarding, coaching and data reporting. The board did not vote on specific placement lists during the meeting; district staff said placement and rostering would follow established HR and VDOE rules.
