Harrisonburg City School Board approves 2026 legislative program led by teacher and student intern
Loading...
Summary
The board approved its 2026 legislative program, highlighting cooperation with residential health facilities and concerns about sudden SOL accountability changes; Madison Desarno, a GMU senior, helped produce a pamphlet for Richmond advocacy.
The Harrisonburg City School Board voted to approve its 2026 legislative program, a package the board plans to take to Richmond to press for policies ranging from cooperative agreements with residential health facilities to adjustments in SOL accountability.
Vice Chair Howley said the board has been working on cooperation with residential health facilities for years and credited local lawmakers for helping advance the proposal; she said, "we think we're gonna get across the goal line." Dr. Cohen added that the measure cleared the Senate but was stopped by a House delegate in an earlier session, and said the board is "very confident" the change in statewide leadership will help their cause.
Board members praised a printed pamphlet created with help from a teacher and an intern, Madison Desarno, who explained the difference between "priority action items," "action items" and "policy positions," and said the brochure is designed for direct use with legislators. "It's very strategic because it's easy to give to legislators when we go to Richmond," Howley said.
The board discussed statewide funding pressures, unfunded mandates and recent changes to cut scores for accountability; Dr. Blosser and other members stressed that rapid implementation of state policy can strain local capacity. The board approved the legislative program by voice vote with members noting it will guide Richmond advocacy in January.
Next steps: board members said they will distribute the pamphlet during their Richmond visits and follow up with legislators on the cooperation-with-health-facilities language and accountability timing.
