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What‘s Happening at School Division News
THANK YOU, RETIREES!
SCHOOL BOARD UPDATES: MAY MINI-MINUTES, TWO MEETINGS IN JUNE
Register for Kindergarten
We’re always excited to meet our new kindergarten students and their families!
If you have a child that will be 5 years old by September 30, you can NOW register for the 2023-24 year. See below for instructions.
Not sure which elementary school your child will attend? Find out here.
Need translation?
- Translate this website in the lower left corner.
- Text 434-953-1802.
- Call Spanish telephone line at 434-245-2548.
How to Register
For Fall 2023 Kindergarteners Who Are NOT Currently Attending Cville Schools Preschool
CLICK HERE AND THEN CLICK ‘CREATE AN ACCOUNT’
If you do not choose to upload proof of residency and other documents (see list here), someone from your child’s school will be in touch later about how you can bring the documents to the school.
For Fall 2023 Kindergarteners Who ARE Currently Attending Cville Schools Preschool (and other returning students)
Kindergarten FAQ
Which school will my child attend?
School Registrar Contact List and Fax numbers:
- Burnley-Moran: Tracy Coleman Fax: 434-245-2613
- Clark: Aisha Anderson Fax: 434-245-2614
- Greenbrier: Kahoua Hackworth Fax: (434)-288-0387
- Jackson-Via: Chavonne Wilson Fax: 434-245-2616
- Johnson: Liz Merlino Fax: 434-245-2617
- Venable: Janine Utz Fax: 434-245-2618
- Walker: Damonia Lee Fax: 434-245-2612
- Buford: Sheena Washington Fax: 434-245-2611
- CHS: Ashley Rasmussen Fax: 434-245-2609
What is the required documentation to enroll in Charlottesville City Schools?
Students enrolling in the Charlottesville City Schools for the first time must provide:
- Original birth certificate (or certified copy)
- Proof of residency
- Mortgage, lease, real estate tax statement OR
- Driver’s license/government-issued photo ID plus current utility bill (electric, gas, water/sewer)
- A completed Virginia School Entrance Health Form showing that the child has received a physical examination performed by a physician within a year of enrollment. (Required for new students in preschool-grade 5; required for all kindergartners, even if they were enrolled in the preschool program.) Suggestion: Call your doctor’s office to ask if they’ll fax your child’s form to your school. Fax numbers are listed with school registrar contact list, above, or on this page.
- A completed immunization record (for all grades; part of the School Entrance Health Form)
- Custody or guardianship paperwork (if necessary)
- Don’t have everything? Bring what you have to the school, and they will help you.
More Resources
- More kindergarten information
- Información acerca de kindergarten en español
- Para leer esta página en español, indica “Translate” (traducir) en la parte por encima de la página y escoja “Spanish.”
- Registration for other new or current students, including nonresident application
- Encuentre respuestas a otras preguntas (incluidas las personas que no viven en Charlottesville) en nuestra página de registro.
Strategic Plan
Share Your Voice!
The 2023-28 Strategic Plan for our division is beginning to take shape, thanks to the significant community input we received from our initial survey as well as the work of our Steering Committee, principals, and Executive Leadership Team.
We now need to hear feedback on our draft foundational language (mission, vision, values, Portrait of a Graduate) as well as draft priorities and goals.
Options for you to give feedback about the strategic plan: Take a survey! Join a focus group (discussion will be focused on the survey questions)! Or do both!
- Link to survey
- Community Zoom Focus Groups: Thursday, May 11, 6:30pm. Register here.
- If you can’t attend the zoom, but wish to speak with someone or set up an alternate meeting time, email johnsod2@charlottesvilleschools.org.
- Note: student and staff groups will also be held.
Translation Traducción ترجمة Tafsiri अनुवाद ترجمه
Translators and interpreters are available. This survey and our website can be translated with Google. Call or email your school for help. You can also text 434-953-1802.
Si tiene preguntas acerca de las escuelas de Charlottesville, llame a nuestra línea telefónica en español al 434-245-2548. Un profesor de español le devolverá la llamada.
NOW IN DEVELOPMENT: Strategic Plan 2023-29
This page will provide updates about the process of developing a new strategic plan to guide Charlottesville City Schools from August 2023 through July 2029.
Timeline:
- March – April 2023: public feedback (survey, committee meetings)
- April – May 2023: review public feedback, draft plan (committee meetings, focus groups, Board work session)
- June 2023: present plan at the June 2023 Board meeting
- Summer 2023: Board approval
- August 2023: Start implementation
February 28: Stakeholder Survey now closed
Thank you to the 1,173 members of our community who participated! Results from this survey will inform the creation of the draft plan. Stay tuned for updates.
Translation Traducción ترجمة Tafsiri अनुवाद ترجمه
Translators and interpreters are available. Our web site can be translated with Google. Call or email your school for help. You can also text 434-953-1802.
Si tiene preguntas acerca de las escuelas de Charlottesville, llame a nuestra línea telefónica en español al 434-245-2548. Un profesor de español le devolverá la llamada.
February 2023: Public Survey Opens, Steering Groups Hold First Meetings
- Share your voice by taking this public stakeholder survey
- First meetings held with steering group and with administrative leaders to review expectations, other organizations’ strategic plans, and the profile of a Cville Schools graduate.
January-February 2023: Hiring of Insight Education Group, Overview of Plan Development Process
November 2022: Upcoming Process, Timeline, and Request for Proposal for Development of Strategic Plan 2023-2029
June 2022: High-level Review of Progress on Strategic Plan 2017-2023
Strategic Plan 2017-2023
In May 2017, our School Board adopted a new strategic plan to guide our schools through the year 2023. This plan was created out of nearly 50 meetings with parents, students, employees, community members, and more. We are excited about our goals for academic excellence, safe and supportive schools, and organizational supports. Please read on to learn more about the plan and about how we’ve already begun to advance these ideas for the benefit of our community.
For More Information:
Beth Cheuk, cheukb1@charlottesvilleschools.org
(434) 245-2962
ArtConnections Moves to Downtown Mall Throughout May
The artwork of more than 500 Charlottesville City Schools students from pre-K to grade 12 is now on display throughout the Downtown Mall.
For the first time, the division’s ArtConnections: Jeff Suling Annual Art Exhibit has moved out of the schools and onto Main Street, with student artworks hanging in more than two dozen businesses. The exhibit launches today, wit
h an opening celebration planned for this Friday evening, May 5, during First Fridays at the CODE building. The art will be on display the entire month of May.
Visitors to the Downtown Mall can use this map to find all of the art, which spans from the Violet Crown to the Office of Human Rights.
Full information about the exhibit can be found on the ArtConnections landing page.
“I am so thrilled that our whole community will get to witness the talent, expressiveness, and imagination of our city’s young people,” said Aaron Eichorst, fine arts coordinator for Charlottesville Schools, who organized the exhibition. “This exhibit is a testament to how deeply our division values the arts and how our teachers nurture students’ creativity all year long.”
The Charlottesville Schools ArtConnections annual exhibit is a more than 40-year tradition.
More information about the Opening Celebration this Friday:
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CHS Jazz Band performs at 7:30pm at the CODE building courtyard
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At sundown (approx. 8pm) there will be a special student art projection on the wall of the CODE building.
2023 Summer Opportunities
Charlottesville City Schools presents our 2023 Summer Opportunities online hub. This page is full of academic and enrichment opportunities for your children which are run by our division, the City of Charlottesville, or program partners in our schools. These offerings are either free, financially accessible, or offer scholarships. While not a complete list of all the happenings in Cville this summer, this resource is meant to give families a starting point for enriching their children’s time off from school. We will update this list as additional information is available.
April 2023 News & Highlights
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CHS MUSICIANS EARN 13TH BLUE RIBBON
YOU’RE INVITED: UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
Images on this page:
Middle School Modernization Approved!
Opinion Sought on Recommended Name Change for Buford Middle School (June 5, 2023)
Groundbreaking for Modernization Project Set for Friday, June 9
As part of the plans for modernizing Buford Middle School, Charlottesville Superintendent Dr. Royal A. Gurley Jr. has recommended a name change to Charlottesville Middle School effective August 2025, when students are planned to begin using the new building on the school campus.
The School Board discussed the possible name change at Thursday’s meeting and plan to vote on the decision at their next meeting on Tuesday, June 27. The schools began seeking community feedback on the question on May 25. Community members can email schoolboard@charlottesvilleschools.org to register their input.
The decision is time-sensitive since some items that include the renovated school’s name have long planning or order-fulfillment timelines. For instance, a committee is currently being formed to make decisions about signage and other environmental graphics.
“This recommendation follows the current trend to move away from school names that honor individuals,” noted Dr. Gurley. “In addition, it indicates that we are essentially building a new school serving grades 6-8. The recommended name is fitting since this middle school will become the place that welcomes all Charlottesville sixth-graders from their neighborhood elementary schools.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 9
The project will soon be underway. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held with Buford students and staff on the last day of school, Friday, June 9 at 9am. Interested media should connect with Beth Cheuk (cheukb1@charlottesvilleschools.org) or Amanda Korman (kormana1@charlottesvilleschools.org).
Other Project Updates
Work on the three-year project will begin on Monday, June 12. Project leaders briefed the School Board last night, celebrating the award of a $17.6 million state grant in support of the project and releasing a slide deck full of renderings showing the future facilities. They also discussed the “big picture” for how students will continue learning on the campus. First, students will learn in the current classrooms while the new facilities are constructed. Later, students will learn in the new building while the older portion of the campus is renovated. And finally, the presentation discussed the formation of the environmental graphics committee and the recommended name change.
VDOE Awards Charlottesville City Schools $17.6 Million for Middle School Modernization (May 2023)
The Virginia Department of Education has awarded Charlottesville City Schools a $17.6 million grant to support the modernization of the city’s middle school.
The grant, part of the VDOE’s School Construction Assistance Program, will enable Charlottesville to achieve the full estimated $91.8 million scope of its middle school project—including the renovation of the fine arts building, a terraced outdoor classroom, and a redeveloped school garden—without compromising funding for other school facility needs or capital improvement projects.
The City of Charlottesville oversees city school facilities, and the middle school modernization will be its first significant investment in school facilities since the opening of Charlottesville High School in 1974. It will bring all the City’s 6th- through 8th-graders into one completely renovated and expanded building that meets today’s educational, safety, environmental, and accessibility standards.
“We appreciate the schools’ diligence in pursuing all funding opportunities,” said Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook. “With all the inflationary pressures we face to fund so many important priorities, this grant is a major contribution.”
Construction at Buford Middle School will begin shortly after the school year ends on June 9. Students will continue to learn at the school during the three years of construction.
“As the schools brought forth this project for final approval, we and the City were eyeing this grant program with great hope,” noted Charlottesville Schools Chief Operations Officer Kim Powell. “I cannot begin to tell you how excited and thankful we are to have the state’s support on this project.”
Other related school facilities projects on the horizon include the creation of a centralized preK at Walker Upper Elementary School (which currently serves fifth and sixth-graders) in conjunction with returning fifth-graders to the six neighborhood schools. Other significant facilities improvements include the multi-year replacement project for the CHS roof which is starting this summer.
Charlottesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Gurley noted, “This grant is instrumental in helping the city achieve the full scope of the middle school project without straining support for other facilities needs. We appreciate the support from both the City and the Commonwealth.”
Letter from Dr. Gurley (April 2022)
Dear staff, students, and families–
I could not be more excited to let you know that after twenty years of talking, planning, and hoping, we will start work on modernizing our middle school in June.
After receiving construction bids in March, last week the Charlottesville City Council approved moving forward with the project. The total anticipated cost will be $91.8 million, which is the City’s first significant investment in school facilities since the opening of CHS in 1974.
What will this investment offer our students, staff, and community? This modernized middle school will meet the educational, safety, environmental, and accessibility standards of today, upgrading facilities that have been largely unchanged since their construction in the 1960s. This modernization will bring all the City’s 6th- through 8th-graders into one building, and it marks the first step in creating a centralized preK center at Walker School. And for the first time in decades, 5th-graders will learn in their neighborhood elementary schools. This project is a win for our whole community. Read on (below) to learn more.
Want to say thank you? I do! Join me in thanking the City Council for their ongoing support of our schools, including this exciting middle school modernization!
–Dr. Royal A. Gurley, Jr.
More Information
Just the facts: Middle school construction is planned to start in June 2023 and finish in August 2026; Buford students will continue learning in the existing facility while construction is underway. To see how your child will be impacted by the project, check the above graphic.
Upgrades included in this modernization:
- Education – new spaces will support engaged learning, community-building, and instructional needs
- Safety – a variety of internal safety features will accomplish the goal of connecting all learning spaces into one building so that students and staff do not need to walk outside between class changes.
- Lighting – all learning spaces will have natural light, which has been shown to boost both learning and mental health
- Ventilation – there will no longer be noisy in-room heating and cooling units. The new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system will result in reduced noise levels and improved air quality; in addition, windows will be operable to safely allow for fresh air on good-weather days
- Energy – with fossil-free geothermal energy and many other efficiencies, the new facility will slash energy consumption by two-thirds
- Accessibility – including a ground-floor main entrance, this design will resolve the many accessibility challenges that the 1965 construction presented
Want to learn more? We are in the early days of getting a green light on this project. After the construction contract is finalized, the City and contractor will develop a plan with expected project phases and timelines. We will keep you posted – especially those staff, students, and families who will be at Buford next year or during the years of construction.
- Find more architectural renderings of the planned modernizations
- See slides from April 13 update for the School Board
- Find an archive of the materials and updates that led to this point here
Buford Partners with UVA on New Lab School
April 19, 2023
The University of Virginia and Buford Middle School are joining forces to design a lab school focusing on computer science.
Supported by a planning grant from the Virginia Department of Education, the lab school project will build on existing computer science partnerships between UVA and Charlottesville City Schools. The goal of the lab school is to teach computing skills through student-led, project-based learning at the middle school. With continued state approval, the lab school will offer a program pilot in summer 2024 before a planned opening in the fall 2024.
Dr. Jill Dahl will lead the project as the schools’ Community Partnerships Liaison. Dahl is currently in her fifth year of leading Lugo-McGinness Academy, Charlottesville’s alternative learning center for high school students. Dahl has more than a decade of experience in Charlottesville City Schools, with responsibilities ranging from assistant principal at Clark School to principal at Charlottesville High School.
“I’m so excited to take on this new role as we work closely with UVA and many other community partners to bring these important computer science skills into the classrooms and lives of our middle schoolers,” said Dahl. “Students and staff will be directly empowered by this lab school.”
Last year, the General Assembly appropriated $100 million for the development of new lab schools throughout the commonwealth, including $5 million for planning grants to pay initial short-term costs associated with designing a new lab school.
While student outcomes are the primary focus, the lab school plan includes another important goal: teacher development. Leveraging UVA’s top-ranked teacher education program, the school will be designed to develop educators’ expertise in planning and leading a learning environment that breaks out of the typical classroom mold.
The lab school will include resources and expertise from several UVA departments as well as a number of local community partners. UVA’s School of Education and Human Development has taken the lead on developing the lab school’s initial proposal, with close coordination with the UVA Equity Center. Other UVA departments involved include the School of Data Science, the School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science, the Youth-Nex research center, and the Remaking Middle School initiative. Local community partners include the Boys and Girls Club, Tech-Girls, Computers 4 Kids, and Piedmont Virginia Community College.
“Part of what makes this lab school so compelling is the way it weaves together the good work, expertise, and resources of so many community partners,” noted Jennie Chiu, an associate professor in the UVA School of Education and Human Development who has helped craft the lab school proposal.
The plan centers on robust professional learning, real-life application of computer science skills, and the latest research on youth development.
“This lab school has the potential to help us reimagine how we teach and support our students in a way that draws on our vibrant community resources,” added Dahl. “When we combine these plans with the construction work that will soon modernize our middle school, it’s clear that we can really make positive change in our school and community.”
Additional reporting:
Announcing the Cville Schools 2023 Golden Apple Winners
The Golden Apple Awards honor outstanding educators in Charlottesville and Albemarle who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and involvement in the community outside the school.
2023 Winners
CHS
- Mason Goldman, English Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “My student said after the first day with Ms. Goldman they had learned more in one day than in the previous 6 weeks. My recent graduate also had her for English at CHS and was a fantastic resource for college essay writing, even during the spring of 2020, when covid had pushed class online. She has taught every grade and level of English, and in each and every class she is creating literary experiences. She chooses texts that are rigorous, and she is able to draw kids into those texts emotionally, intellectually, and socially.”
Buford
- Charlotte Nelson, Mathematics Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “The way that she connects with ALL of her students is incredible. She excels at being a team player and stepping up to the plate for the Buford Math Department. Charly does not stop at the classroom; however, she helps out with athletics at Buford and is the girls head lacrosse coach at Charlottesville High School. Charly carries her same philosophies into her coaching. Charly supports her students in their endeavors and extracurricular activities. She’s an active member of the school community and engages with parents on a regular basis.”
Walker
- Erika Trent, Sixth Grade Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Erika Trent is a phenomenal teacher, mentor, and a shining example of a master teacher. I have had the pleasure of working with her first as her student teacher, then as a colleague, and now as the lead of our PLC. Another reason that Erika deserves this award is her ability to set high expectations, hold students to them, and help raise students up to meet them. She is firm, but caring, and clear in communicating both her expectations and specifically what needs to be done to meet them.”
LMA
- Melvin Grady, Alternative Ed Teacher
- His nominator writes: “I consider Mr. Grady an outstanding candidate for The Golden Apple Award because of his passion in his teaching to the students, caring about well-being of students and co-workers, being a role-model for the students, setting the example of standards and showing compassion.”
Burnley-Moran
- Carol Busching, Fourth Grade Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “She engages deeply with them about who they are, who they want to be, what they want to do. She listens to them. She helps them have difficult conversations. She believes in students’ ability to learn and teach each other. She puts students into groups, and she is strategic about how she does this. Sometimes she groups students who vary in achievement levels and sometimes she groups students with similar achievement levels.”
Clark
- Gabriela Moore, Kindergarten Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “She thinks about him as a whole person, and offers solutions and suggestions to help him improve not just academically but also socially. Mrs. Moore is very transparent with the curriculum that she is teaching to her class with her weekly newsletters giving updates and ways we, as parents, can help enhance/continue the students learning at home.”
Greenbrier
- Teresa Seto, Fourth Grade Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “To encounter a teacher that has the ‘gift’ of teaching in a way that is effective; the ability to truly understand the needs of individual students; approaching teaching with inspiration and compassion; an energetic teacher who promotes open communication and building connections with parents to allow them to be part of the education process — well, that is rare. Ms. Seto is a RARE GEM. Ms. Seto creates such a fun, engaging, diverse, learning environment, and learning experience. She teaches with lots of enthusiasm and pushes her students to be the best they can be.”
Jackson-Via
- Maegan Thim, First Grade Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Mrs. Thim celebrates my child’s victories while also encouraging him to try harder. She makes him feel safe to bring his authentic self to school and helps him connect deeply with his classmates. I have watched my child blossom in so many
ways while in Maegan’s class. She pushes herself as well as the students to reach their
potential.”
Johnson
- Jillian Smith, Special Education Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “My son has been fortunate to have her as his Special Education teacher for the past 3 years. In that time, she has cultivated his curiosity about the world, helped to soothe his anxiety and school avoidance, challenged him to overcome his struggles with executive functioning, and bolstered his self confidence in the face of low self-esteem and frequent negative self-talk.”
Venable
- Suzanne Harris, Kindergarten Teacher
- Her nominator writes: ” While working with a diverse group of students, Sue Harris has continued to put forth effort in collaborating with other specialists to ensure the needs of every student are being met and setting them up for greater success. She cares for each individual child and shows them love, compassion, and empathy. Sue Harris is such an asset to Venable and the Cville community.”
About the Golden Apple Awards
Candidates for this award are teachers at any level (preschool through grade 12) and in any discipline who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and involvement in the community outside the school.
A nominee exhibits the following characteristics:
- Creates a love of learning in students of all abilities and backgrounds.
- Stimulates thought and provokes student dialogue.
- Challenges students to reach high standards and expectations.
- Understands the needs of students individually and collectively and meets those needs with determination, enthusiasm and imagination.
- Involves families in the education process.
Winners receive a $500 grant for classroom materials or professional development. Sponsored by Better Living Building Supplies and Cabinetry.
Previous Golden Apple Award Recipients from Cville Schools
2022 Winners
CHS
- Andrew Josselyn, English Teacher
- His nominator writes: “Andy is an imaginative classroom instructor who is constantly looking for ways to make school relevant to teenagers’ lives. Andy’s creativity and commitment to improving our school community make him a huge asset to CHS.”
Buford
- Matthew Resnick, History Teacher
- His nominator writes: “Mr. Resnick has made his civics and economics classroom a safe, supportive space for all of his students. His classroom is filled with student-created artifacts that promote a culturally responsive, inclusive space for all students.”
Walker
- Bridget Drain, Special Education Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Most notable is Ms. Drain’s commitment to helping students with marginalized identities find representation in the classroom setting. She not only builds relationships that are grounded in trust and respect, but sustains these connections long after her students leave her care.”
Burnley-Moran
- Huma Ahmad, Speech Language Pathologist
- Her nominator writes: “She takes all of her time to help children who have special needs with reading or writing down to math reach their potential. She takes out the time to hear the parents and come to conclusions on what is best for the child.”
Clark
- Caitlin Natale, Second Grade Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Every time I am in her classroom, there is a palpable love of learning. No matter what she is doing, the students yearn to engage with her.”
Greenbrier
- Brenning Greenfield, Kindergarten Teacher
- His nominator writes: “Mr. Greenfield makes learning engaging (with his infusion of music), meaningful (such as with his classmate writings to celebrate their ‘Reading Stars of the Week,’) and rigorous as he encourages his students to think outside the box and embrace challenge.”
Jackson-Via
- Melanie-Ann Johnson, Gifted Education Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Melanie Johnson has been an inspiration this year and in past years in her work with students, her outreach to the families of Jackson-Via and the larger community of Charlottesville.”
Johnson
- Lindsay Kamide, Reading Specialist
- Her nominator writes: “Our daughter loves the time she spends with Ms. Kamide and we love how she meets her where she is and is always on point with book recommendations that she will actually enjoy reading.”
Venable
- Jenny Isaacs-Lowe, Special Education Teacher
- Her nominator writes: “Jenny Lowe is an exceptional educator and a vital asset to the Venable community. She is an advocate for all students and families, and she believes deeply in each student’s ability to learn and reach high standards in school.”
2021
[supsystic-gallery id=’90’]
2021 Winners: Kelsey Cox of Burnley-Moran; Amit Kapur of Clark; Desiree Conner of Greenbrier; Michel Ann Sizemore of Jackson-Via; Michelle Schettler of Johnson; Allison Shields of Venable; Maggie Pfuntner of Walker; Shinay Henderson of Buford; Matt Terillo of Charlottesville High School; Denise Meyer of Hospital Ed
2020
11 teachers from Charlottesville City Schools are among the outstanding recipients of the 2020 Golden Apple Awards presented by Better Living Building Supply & Cabinetry.
These awards are presented annually to nominated faculty members from the public and private schools in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City.
Award recipients receive a Golden Apple, as well as gift certificates from local businesses. As a “Golden Apple” teacher, each recipient is also eligible to receive a $1,000 Golden Apple Grant to be used for classroom materials or to support the recipient’s continued professional development.
Congratulations to the following 2020 winners: Lisa Johnson Black (Hospital Ed), Kelsey Cary (Lugo-McGinness), Mary Caitlyn Cordone (Clark), Matthew Deegan (CHS), Kavita Kumar (Greenbrier), Calder McLellan (Venable), Kathryn Salem (Jackson-Via), Brandy Walker (Buford), Lisa Wallace (Burnley-Moran), Cianna Washburg (Walker), and Lindsay Wayland (Johnson). Congrats to these amazing teachers! You can watch the virtual ceremony here.
2019 Charlottesville City Schools Golden Apple Award Recipients
[supsystic-gallery id=’67’]
Click on each each portrait to hear what they had to say!
2019 Winners: Kathy Claus- Greenbrier Elementary, Melissa Combs- Venable Elementary, Will Cooke- Charlottesville High School, Maelys Croce- Johnson Elementary, Robin Ellis- Clark Elementary, Meaghan Fenton- Jackson-Via Elementary, Chris Lorigan- Burnley-Moran Elementary, Michael McCrory- Lugo-McGinness Academy, Melissa Mitchem- Buford Middle, and Kevin Paquette- Walker Upper Elementary.- 2018 Winners: Latoya Brown (Buford Middle), Mary Johnston (Burnley-Moran Elementary), Nicole Armstrong (Charlottesville High), Jessica Taylor (Clark Elementary School), Briana Barns (Jackson-Via Elementary School), Laura Schaaf (Johnson Elementary), Harry Hill (Lugo-McGinness Academy), Leslie S. Hunter (Venable Elementary School), Sarah Lloyd (Walker Upper Elementary School), and Patrick Beale (Greenbrier Elementary School).
- 2017 Winners: Melvin Grady (Buford), Jessica Powley (Burnley-Moran), Brian Kayser (CHS), Ashley Riley (Clark), Amy Jones (Greenbrier), Lisa Utz (Jackson-Via), Lorena Caballero Bower (Johnson), Michael McCrory (Lugo-McGinness Academy), Nicole Driggs (Venable), and Samantha Pagni (Walker).
- 2016 Winners: Cindy Cartwright (Venable), Mary Craig (Clark), Shannon Gillikin (Jackson-Via), Ron Green (Greenbrier), Jenn Horne (CHS), Patricia Luke (Buford), Alex Piedra (Walker), Leslie Scalley (Johnson), Tracy Weaver (Burnley-Moran)
- 2015 Winners: Minda Barnett (Walker); Kena Lea Brandt (Greenbrier); Diane M. Foraste (Venable); Susan Jamme (CHS); Chris Lorigan (Burnley-Moran); Hillary Pleasants (Jackson-Via); Katie Rogers (Clark); Nancy Bailey Rickabaugh (Johnson); Lauralee Watlock (Buford)
- 2014 Winners: Sara Epperly (CHS); Julia Evatt, (Walker); Dina Fricke (Clark); Andy Jones (Buford); Karen S. Minor (Venable); Stephanie Randolph (Johnson); Lauren Elizabeth Sandridge (Greenbrier); Andra M. Skeen (Burnley-Moran); Kristin Ullrich (Jackson-Via)
- 2013 Winners: Jessica Bennett (Greenbrier); Nikki Y. Franklin (Jackson-Via); Renata Germino (Buford); April Hoffman (Johnson); Scott Mace (CHS); Virginia Monroe (Walker); Zoë Padrón (Clark); Michael Salvatierra (Venable); Rachel Savoy (Burnley Moran)
- 2012 Winners: Virginia Hill (Walker); Adam R. Hoppe (Greenbrier); Allison Kennedy (Jackson-Via); Maggie Lovett (Johnson); Traci Martin (Venable); Katherine Witthauer Murah (Clark); Susan S. Muse (Buford); Lauren Penniman (Burnley-Moran); Lester L. Wainwright (CHS);
- 2011 Winners: Amanda “Amy” Thompson (Buford ); Kathy Umbdenstock (Burnley-Moran); Susan M. Garfinkel (CHS); Dawn Y. Reddick (Clark); Amanda Sherriff (Jackson-Via); Michelle M. Smith (Johnson); Brenda Payne (Venable); Lynne Herman (Walker); Ann Parks (Greenbrier)
Charlottesville and Albemarle School Divisions Collaborate on Smooth Transition for CATEC in July 2024
April 12, 2023—Charlottesville City Schools has developed a framework for continuing shared access to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Career and Technical Education Center (CATEC) once it transitions to the sole ownership of the city school division in July 2024. CATEC Director Stephanie Carter will brief the Charlottesville School Board at their meeting on April 13, and Charlottesville Superintendent Royal A. Gurley, Jr. will update the Charlottesville City Council on April 17.
With the goal of continuity of programming and access in mind, Charlottesville staff have been in discussions with Ms. Carter and Albemarle Superintendent Dr. Matthew S. Haas about the new structure for student slots and fees. In August 2024, the number of slots available to ACPS students will remain the same as they are now (300 out of a total of 400). Moving forward, the school divisions will utilize a slot reservation system, forecasting three or more years in order to avoid sudden changes that could interrupt smooth operations.
“The City is committed to workforce development for the Charlottesville area, and ACPS students are important stakeholders for the employers in our area,” Gurley said.
Charlottesville also has proposed a per-pupil tuition model that would provide access to Albemarle students at a cost less than what ACPS is paying now. Tuition will be paid by the student’s school division, not individual families, and will be based on CATEC’s total operating budget – excluding capital expenses, certain overhead costs, or any programs that are exclusive to a single school division – divided by the total number of slots. The tuition rate will be set on a biennial basis, corresponding with the state biennial budget process, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) applied to year 1 tuition to determine the rate for year 2.
While this transition plan reflects the current reality that ACPS students make up the majority of CATEC high school slots, in the future if ACPS students do not participate in CATEC, the center could take on a greater role in adult education for the region. Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook has called for the creation of a task force to discuss a larger workforce development plan.
Charlottesville Schools also reported progress from several of the working groups supporting the transition. These working groups include accounting/finances, human resources/personnel, instruction & partnerships, infrastructure/facilities, and technology, as well as two coordinating teams comprised of CCS, ACPS, and CATEC leaders. Some transition tasks have been completed, such as the IT team assessment of current CATEC infrastructure and successful application for funding to upgrade the wide area network (WAN). Some tasks are in progress such as on-boarding new CATEC staff as CCS employees; while other tasks are planned for the summer and fall, including migrating CATEC staff to CCS email and other software systems, and having informational meetings with current CATEC employees.
“These working groups are meeting regularly – as often as weekly – to have these important conversations and find mutually beneficial systems so that when July 2024 gets here, we are ready for that seamless transition,” noted Charlottesville Board chair James Bryant.
In accordance with the original 1969 partnership agreement between the Charlottesville City and Albemarle County school divisions, Albemarle County Public Schools initiated the process to dissolve the CATEC partnership by making a formal offer in December 2022 to purchase Charlottesville City Schools’ one-half interest in CATEC. In response, the Charlottesville City School Board voted to exercise its option under the 1969 agreement to purchase the ACPS stake at that same price, rather than selling the City’s interest. This decision ensures long-term access to career & technical education for Charlottesville High School students and supports workforce development for the City and surrounding area.
Charlottesville Vice-Mayor Juan Wade said, “This new chapter for CATEC will create limitless opportunities for our students and the community. We know that CATEC teaches skills that are highly needed in our area. We look forward to continuing the work with business and community partners to assure that CATEC remains valuable to everyone.”
March 24 Update
March 24, 2023
Charlottesville City Schools and Albemarle County Public Schools are proactively working together to ensure that the Charlottesville-Albemarle Career and Technical Education Center (CATEC) continues to thrive once it transitions to the sole ownership of the city school division in July 2024.
Charlottesville Superintendent Dr. Royal A. Gurley and Albemarle Superintendent Dr. Matthew S. Haas are meeting regularly to discuss ideas under consideration by the following six working groups:
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Accounting/Finances, which includes the financial structure & systems as well as student slots and tuition models.
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Human Resources/Personnel, which includes transitioning to new systems for staff time-keeping and attendance systems, as well as bringing employees into Charlottesville Schools’ benefits systems. One early decision relating to this committee is that any new employees hired by CATEC in the 2023-24 school year will immediately become Charlottesville Schools employees to avoid a back-to-back transition for these new staff members.
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Programming & Partnerships includes the continuity of current programming and maintaining strong relationships with community partners.
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Infrastructure/Facilities includes aligning the CATEC facilities’ protocols and building systems with Charlottesville’s practices around security and maintenance.
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Technology is working on the incorporation of the CATEC IT network into current Charlottesville systems and building out email and other staff accounts for CATEC employees.
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A final group will take on miscellaneous tasks such as liaising with the Virginia Department of Education about this transition. An early outcome in this category would be the decision to keep the name CATEC as a sign of the continuity of programming.
As of July 1, 2024, the name will be Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (with a slight shift from “Albemarle” to “Area”).
CATEC Director Stephanie Carter maintains ongoing conversations with key staff at both school divisions and will be making reports to both School Boards. In addition, Dr. Gurley will offer an update to the Charlottesville City Council at the April 17 meeting.
Charlottesville Board Chair James Bryant said, “One thing that we have heard repeatedly from the community is that CATEC is an invaluable resource that should be protected. As Board members, we could not agree more, and continuity is our goal.”
In accordance with the original 1969 partnership agreement between the Charlottesville City and Albemarle County school divisions, Albemarle County Public Schools initiated the process to dissolve the CATEC partnership by making a formal offer in December 2022 to purchase Charlottesville City Schools’ one-half interest in CATEC. In response, the Charlottesville City School Board voted to exercise its option under the 1969 agreement to purchase the ACPS stake at that same price, rather than selling the City’s interest.
February 2, 2023 Announcement
February 2, 2023—Charlottesville City Schools will assume sole ownership of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) in order to ensure students’ continued access to valuable career and technical education, part of the City’s larger vision for workforce development.
In accordance with the original 1969 partnership agreement between the Charlottesville City and Albemarle County school divisions, Albemarle County Public Schools initiated the process to dissolve the CATEC partnership by making a formal offer in December 2022 to purchase Charlottesville City Schools’ one-half interest in CATEC for $5.3 million. Tonight, the Charlottesville City School Board voted to exercise its option under the 1969 agreement to purchase the ACPS stake at that same price, rather than selling the City’s interest.
Charlottesville City Schools believes that the scale and scope of technical education are best supported by the joint effort of the two school divisions, who together built this successful program over more than 50 years. However, in light of Albemarle County Public Schools’ move to dissolve the partnership, CCS leaders chose to take ownership of the school because selling it to Albemarle Schools would jeopardize Charlottesville students’ ability to continue learning at CATEC. ACPS has previously made it clear that under its ownership, accommodating city students would not be a priority; a change as simple as a bell schedule adjustment could effectively block Charlottesville students from enrolling at CATEC. CCS intends to continue to operate the facility as a regional resource.
“After ACPS moved to dissolve the partnership, continuing jointly was no longer an option,” said Charlottesville School Board Chair James Bryant. “The question then was whether or not to assume ownership of the program and protect Charlottesville students’ access to these vital opportunities.”
A secondary factor in CCS’s decision was that ACPS’s formal offer presumed a total value of $10.6 million for the CATEC real estate and personal property, in comparison to independent professional appraisals that valued the assets at over $11.8 million in their current use.
Founded in 1973, CATEC helps teens and adults train for the jobs they seek. High school students can receive recognized certifications or credentials in ten industries: automotive body technology, automotive service technology, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, electricity, fire science, emergency medical technician, nurse assistant, and veterinary science. Students completing select CATEC programs receive, on average, 11 dual-enrollment college credits from local community colleges.
“CATEC is an incredible community resource and Charlottesville City Schools looks forward to continuing to build on the program’s success for the students of today and tomorrow,” said Board Vice Chair Dom Morse.
Logistics of the change in leadership still need to be discussed between the two divisions. Charlottesville City Schools is committed to a smooth transition for CATEC students and staff.
Learn more about Charlottesville City Schools at www.charlottesvilleschools.org. Our address is 1562 Dairy Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22903. Phone: (434) 245-2400. Fax: (434) 245-2603.