Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Scholarship Fund topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves awards for 61 descendants; fund balance and federal deadline noted
Summary
The Senate of Virginia's Brown v. Board of Education Commission approved awards for 61 eligible applicants, reviewed a fiscal report showing a $2.9 million balance and a $500,000 federal grant that must be spent by July 2027, and discussed caps and timing for newly expanded out-of-state eligibility.
Senator Angela Williams Graves, chair of the Brown v. Board of Education Commission, presided over a meeting in which the commission approved scholarship awards for descendants and reviewed the program's finances.
"We cannot vote on anything," Williams Graves said when a late absence briefly left the group without a quorum; after a short delay the clerk confirmed a quorum and the commission proceeded. The body first adopted an electronic meeting policy allowing the remote format in a voice vote before hearing program updates.
Program staff member Lauren reported on the 2025'26 scholarship cycle, saying, "During that cycle, the committee approved 45 students to receive scholarships in an amount of up to $10,000 for students eligible under the expanded criteria." Of those 45 students, she said 42 accepted awards and enrolled. Lauren also reported that a total of $339,566 was awarded to descendant recipients during the academic year and that the average award among enrolled students was approximately $7,800.
Finance staff told the commission that the program has received $4,500,000 in total funding since its inception, a combination of state and federal funds. "It shows the total amount of funds that have been infused into the program, since its inception, and it's $4,500,000," the finance presenter said. As of June 30 the fund balance stood at just over $2.9 million. Staff reported the program received $500,000 in federal funds to be spent by July 2027; roughly $60,000 of that federal allotment had been expended to date and staff said they expect to expend the remainder before the federal deadline.
The commission moved into executive session under subdivision 36 of §2.2 -3711 of the Code of Virginia to consider confidential applicant matters. After returning to open session, the chair moved to certify that only matters allowed under the cited provision were discussed; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Senator Williams Graves then moved that "all of the applicants that have submitted their application, that are eligible and the one applicant that was a renewal that we spoke of, be accepted and that their awards be made." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Program staff later stated, for the record, that "the committee has approved 61 applicants that met the eligibility criteria established by the committee." The commission did not record a roll-call vote; the approval was announced as carried by voice.
The chair explained that legislation passed in the 2026 session expanded eligibility to permit awards for Virginia-domiciled students attending out-of-state institutions, but that provision took effect July 1 and therefore expanded out-of-state awards will not be available until the 2027 application round. "Those awards ... will not be able to apply until the 2027 calendar year for the 2027'28 school year because those funds and that law went into effect July 1," she said.
Members discussed finite resources and the need to consider caps for future award cycles if additional revenue is not secured. The chair said staff will develop projection methods and consider possible caps to preserve available funds and maximize the number of students served.
No members of the public signed on to speak. The chair noted for the record a letter from Ken Woodley, originator and supporter of the scholarship program, included in meeting materials. The commission adjourned and planned an in-person next meeting; members were asked to monitor scheduling emails.
Votes at a glance - Electronic meeting policy: moved by a committee member and seconded; adopted by voice vote. - Motion to convene executive session under subdivision 36 of §2.2-3711 (Code of Virginia): moved by Senator Angela Williams Graves; second recorded; carried by voice vote. - Motion to certify the executive session and to approve awards for eligible applicants: moved by Senator Angela Williams Graves; second recorded; approval announced by voice (committee reported approving 61 applicants).
