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Virginia Board of Education releases Danville, Greensville and Prince Edward from MOUs after multi-year improvement process
Summary
The board voted to release three school divisions from memoranda of understanding after VDOE exit interviews and documented improvements, while pledging continued targeted supports for federally identified schools.
The Virginia Board of Education on June 25 voted to release Danville City, Greensville County and Prince Edward County from formal memoranda of understanding the board had imposed during earlier accountability reviews. The action followed VDOE presentations and virtual exit interviews concluding the divisions had met revised exit criteria.
VDOE Director of the Office of School Improvement Quinton Ballard told the board the department conducted structured exit interviews with each division’s superintendent and board leadership and identified themes that supported release: an increased sense of urgency, stronger data routines, targeted corrective-action work, and focused human-resources strategies. Ballard said the department will continue to provide on-demand technical assistance, professional learning invitations and targeted monitoring for any federally identified schools in those divisions.
The presentations acknowledged challenges divisions faced during the MOU process, including staff attrition, bureaucratic delays and occasional unclear communication. "The MOU requirements created a sense of urgency and aligned stakeholders around corrective actions," Ballard said, while also noting that some divisions reported delays in receiving related grant approvals and approvals for licensed administrative candidates.
Board members praised the divisions’ transparency and focus. Vice President Bill Hansen, who participated in the Danville exit interview, said the process demonstrated "leadership, community engagement and partnership with the department," and praised local efforts to build capacity. Several board members emphasized lessons learned, including keeping corrective-action plans tightly focused, maintaining frequent communication during leadership transitions, and ensuring resources match the urgency of the work.
The board approved the release by roll-call vote (affirmative votes by the members present). The VDOE said it will continue supports including access to school improvement grant funding, invitations to learning networks, targeted coaching and periodic monitoring visits to sustain progress.
The board’s action is procedural: release from an MOU does not remove continuing monitoring obligations for any schools still identified for federal or state improvement, and VDOE staff said they will keep working with local leaders to sustain instructional and organizational gains.
