Schools
School board member plans community forum after racist post
A Chesterfield school board member is planning community forums to address racial issues after a student created a racist social media post targeting a Huguenot High School football player.
Midlothian Coach Emphasizes Character Over Football Success
Midlothian quarterback Gibson Gross navigates mental health challenges with the support of his head coach and father, who prioritizes character development over athletic victory.
Four James River Teachers Share 126 Years of Service
Four longtime James River High School teachers with 126 combined years of experience reflect on their careers and enduring friendships built over three decades together.
Chesterfield Week Ahead: Halloween Events and Schools Referendum Q&A
Chesterfield County residents can ask final questions about the "1 For Schools" sales tax referendum at a Monday Facebook Live, with Halloween celebrations throughout the week including Spooktacular on Tuesday and multiple Saturday events.
Chesterfield school board member plans community forum addressing racism
A Chesterfield school board member is organizing a community forum to address racism in schools following an altered image targeting a Huguenot High School football player that circulated on social media.
Superintendent Honored for Heart and Brain Health Champion Award
Chesterfield County schools superintendent Dr. John Murray was honored by the American Heart Association for expanding heart and brain health initiatives across the district.
James Myers Named 2026 CCPS Teacher of the Year
Chesterfield County Public Schools named James Myers, a Career and Technical Center instructor in advanced engineering and manufacturing, as its 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Chesterfield balances school capacity amid enrollment growth
The Chesterfield School Board is distributing student enrollment more evenly between newer and established schools to manage anticipated growth.
School Board Set to Vote on West Ridge Redistricting Plan
The Chesterfield County School Board will vote Oct. 13 on which neighborhoods to assign to West Ridge High School when it opens in 2027, shifting students from overcrowded Cosby and Midlothian high schools.
Week Ahead: Towne Center Meeting and Chesterfield Weekend Events
Chesterfield County's courts close Monday and Tuesday for the holiday, while Thursday brings a community meeting on Towne Center's future and the weekend features a Led Zeppelin tribute, airport open house, and historic mining tours.
Carver fixes HVAC after parents report hot classrooms
Parents reported excessively hot classrooms at Carver Middle School on Monday morning due to an HVAC automation failure; the school district repaired the issue the same day.
Manchester High marks Hispanic Heritage Month with cultural celebration
Manchester High School held its fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, showcasing student performances, traditional music, dances, and foods representing Latin American cultures.
AC Milan Coach Leads Free Youth Soccer Clinic at Beulah Park
AC Milan's technical coordinator Fabio Vannoni led a free youth soccer clinic at Beulah Park, drawing hundreds of young players to learn from one of Europe's top professional clubs.
County Hosts Meeting on Hopkins Road Improvements
Chesterfield County will host a public meeting October 13 to discuss planned improvements to Hopkins Road and its interchange with Route 150.
Midlothian Trojans Rally Past Manchester with Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Midlothian's defense forces three fourth-quarter turnovers to rally past unbeaten Manchester 34-30, marking the Trojans' second consecutive upset win.
Brady and Schultz compete for school board seat
Two candidates are competing to finish a Chesterfield school board term.
Parents demand action after post targets Huguenot football players
A social media post using imagery associated with a Mississippi teenager's contested death to target Huguenot High School football players sparked outrage from parents demanding accountability.
School Board Reviews Boundaries for New West Ridge High School
Chesterfield County School Board will vote October 13 on which of three boundary options to use for West Ridge High School, opening August 2027.
Midlothian Defense Dominates Huguenot in Week 5 Victory
Midlothian's defense shut down the previously unbeaten Huguenot football team.
Chesterfield Schools Cut Chromebook Usage to Reduce Screen Time
Chesterfield County Public Schools is reducing Chromebook usage in classrooms this school year.
OB Gates Elementary hosts disability resource and community fair
OB Gates Elementary will host a disability resource and community fair Tuesday bringing together more than 30 local organizations to connect families with support services.
Carver Custodian Named Chesterfield Schools' Top Employee
Earnestine Hubert, a custodian at Carver College and Career Academy, was honored Sept. 18 as Chesterfield County Public Schools' top classified employee through the RISE Award.
School Board Race Pits Veteran Against First-Time Candidate
Chesterfield voters will choose between a former Fairfax school board member and a first-time candidate for the Clover Hill District seat in a November 3 special election.
Data Center Timeline Creates Mismatch with School Capital Needs
Chesterfield County schools need to fund construction and renovations starting in 2027, but Google's three data center campuses won't generate meaningful property tax revenue until after 2035, forcing the county to rely on a sales tax referendum rather than data center revenue for near-term school capital needs.
County Weighs Midlothian Middle School Sites Amid Data Center Concerns
Chesterfield County supervisors and school officials are weighing two proposed sites to replace the century-old Midlothian Middle School, with one location drawing parent concerns due to its proximity to Google's planned data center campus.
Meadowbrook High Went From Two Resource Officers to One Before Assault
Chesterfield police cut Meadowbrook High School from two school resource officers to one over winter break 2024-2025, citing declining safety incidents. Overall behavior events at the school rose about 70 percent in the same period. The school still has one officer, who responded to the September 14 assault.
Two Chesterfield Schools Locked Down After Alleged Threat
Two Chesterfield County schools were placed on lockdown Friday morning after police received a phone call reporting an alleged threat at Monacan High.
This Week in Chesterfield: Movies, Meetings and History
Chesterfield County hosts four community events this week: planning input sessions Wednesday on the county's future and a school funding referendum, a free movie night Friday, and a history day Saturday.
Retired Chesterfield Teacher Revives Three Decades of Student Memories
Retired Matoaca Elementary teacher Tricia Johnson has been hand-delivering personalized packages of photographs, signatures, and poems to nearly 200 of her 400 former students from her three decades of teaching.
Chesterfield Schools Redraw Boundaries for New West Ridge High School
Chesterfield County Schools is redrawing high school attendance boundaries ahead of West Ridge High School's opening in August 2027, with the board weighing three proposals that would shift student enrollment across the district.
Bullet from the air pierces Chesterfield family's home
A bullet fired into the air pierced a Chesterfield County home off Simmons Branch Court on August 29, entering the master bedroom while the resident's daughter slept a room away, prompting investigators to seek information from the public.
County Officials Explain 1 For Schools Sales Tax Referendum
County and school leaders outlined the mechanics and rationale for a 1 percent sales tax referendum on the November ballot, expected to generate up to 70 million dollars annually for school construction and maintenance projects.
Schultz, Former Fairfax School Board Member, Runs in Chesterfield
Elizabeth Schultz, a former Fairfax County School Board member, is running for the Chesterfield County School Board Clover Hill District seat in a special election expected this November.
Former Chesterfield Teacher Sentenced to 565 Years for Child Abuse
Former Chesterfield teacher Richard Franklin Troshak III was sentenced Aug. 31 to 565 years in prison for 27 counts of child sexual abuse involving minors in his care.
Fair, School Meetings, Farmers Market Fill Chesterfield Week
Chesterfield residents can visit the county fair through Saturday, attend the first community meeting about a proposed sales tax for schools Monday evening, and continue farmers market shopping this week.
Chesterfield Schools Modify Laptop Distribution Policy
Chesterfield County schools are ending take-home Chromebook access for kindergarten through second grade students, citing research on screen time and reversing a pandemic-era policy.
Manchester QB Leads Lancers to Season-Opening Victory
Manchester High School's sophomore quarterback led the Lancers to a season-opening win, continuing the school's tradition of quarterback success.
Chesterfield Schools Release 2026-27 Calendar with Key Dates
Chesterfield County Public Schools released its 2026-27 calendar following School Board approval in June, with classes starting August 24-25 and ending June 4, 2027.
Ride On Cannon Foundation Gives 250+ Backpacks at 6th Annual Event
The Ride On Cannon Foundation distributed more than 250 backpacks at its sixth annual back-to-school giveaway in Chesterfield County on August 22, drawing strong community turnout with 65 walk-in bags claimed in the first 30 minutes.
Monacan upperclassmen share advice with incoming freshmen
Monacan High School upperclassmen offer guidance to help freshmen transition to their new school.
CTC @ Hull Expands Space for New Career Trade Programs
Chesterfield County's Career and Technical Center at Hull completed a $9.5 million expansion adding 42,000 square feet to nearly double classroom capacity and support growing demand for trade and technical education.
Midlothian resident hands out gift cards for back-to-school costs
CBS 6 reporter Rob Cardwell distributed $50 gift cards to shoppers at a Target in Midlothian on Aug. 20 as part of a Virginia Credit Union-sponsored effort to help families manage back-to-school costs.
Clover Hill Cavaliers Finish Winless But Show Promise
Clover Hill Cavaliers finished their 2025 football season winless at 0-10, but showed competitive promise in their final stretch with two of three last games decided by three points or less.
Chesterfield Schools Say They Need $850M Over Next Decade
Chesterfield County Public Schools released a capital needs assessment identifying $850 million in required facility improvements over the next decade, with the district seeking voter approval of a 1% sales tax increase in November to help fund the work.
Chesterfield advances Fordham Road sidewalk project in Phase E
Chesterfield County is constructing a new sidewalk on Fordham Road from Country Spring Lane to Gregory Drive as Phase E of a multi-phase pedestrian corridor project.
Summer Fun, Civic Input Mark Final Week Before School
Chesterfield County residents make the most of the final summer week with recreation and parks, while transportation meetings address road improvements and a planned roundabout before school resumes Monday.
Kids 'R' Kids childcare franchise opens in Chester
A husband-and-wife team will open Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academy of Iron Bridge, the first location of the Georgia-based childcare franchise in the Richmond region, with construction underway for a spring 2027 opening.
County Officials to Host Meetings on 1% Sales Tax Referendum
Chesterfield County is hosting five informational meetings in September to explain the "1 For Schools" 1% sales tax referendum scheduled for the Nov. 3 ballot.
Chesterfield Classroom Wall Preserves Nearly a Decade of Student Memories
Brooke Vaughan's classroom wall at Matoaca High School preserves a nearly decade-long archive of student photographs, transforming an offhand joke into a meaningful tradition that reinforces belonging and community.
Matoaca Catcher Jacob Lee Hits Home Run in Senior Season
Jacob Lee, a Matoaca High School catcher who finished his senior season with eight home runs and a .551 batting average, has gone on to become a standout player at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Two New Elementary Schools Open in Chesterfield
Chesterfield County opened two new elementary schools - Deep Creek and Bensley - in early August 2026, both funded by the county's 2022 Bond Referendum.
Coach Billy Rudd Returns to Lead Matoaca Warriors
Billy Rudd has returned to Matoaca High School as head football coach after three years at Meadowbrook, tasked with restoring a program that missed the playoffs last season for the first time in four years.
Chesterfield Schools Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations
Chesterfield County Public Schools is accepting nominations through August 31 for its annual Hall of Fame, which honors former educators and community volunteers who made significant contributions to the school district.
Chesterfield Events This Week: Night Out and Community Activities
Chesterfield County residents can connect with neighbors and emergency services at National Night Out on Tuesday, visit the weekly Farmers Market on Wednesday, and participate in a shred and e-cycling event Saturday at Clover Hill High School.
County Holds Hearing on Forest Hill Avenue Sidewalk Plan
Chesterfield County is holding a public hearing on a planned sidewalk project on Forest Hill Avenue to gather resident input before construction begins in 2028.
Former School Dean Sues County Board Over Firing After Kirk Comments
Former Clover Hill High School Dean of Students Alana Hartman-Hall sued the Chesterfield County School Board on July 27, 2026, claiming her October 2025 termination violated her First Amendment rights after she posted comments on Facebook about Charlie Kirk's death.
West Ridge High School, $60M road project on pace for 2027
West Ridge High School and a $60 million north-south road connector in western Chesterfield County are both scheduled to open in August 2027.
Midlothian teen wins national bowling championship
Midlothian teen Clayton Washington won the 2026 U18 National Junior Gold bowling championship in Minneapolis, finishing first among his age group after competing through qualifying and stepladder finals.
Public Hearing on Alverser Drive Roundabout Project Set for August
Chesterfield County Transportation will hold a public hearing Aug. 18 on plans for a roundabout at Alverser Drive and Old Buckingham Road, with written feedback accepted through Aug. 31.
County Board Authorizes School Capital Sales Tax for November Ballot
Chesterfield Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 23 to place a 1% sales tax referendum on the November ballot to fund school capital projects, potentially raising $65-70 million annually over 20 years.
Chesterfield Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics Start This Week
Chesterfield Health District is hosting a final back-to-school vaccine clinic on Saturday, August 1, for students entering kindergarten, seventh, and 12th grades.
Proposed 199-home development raises traffic, school concerns near Spring Run
East West Communities' proposal to build 199 homes on 102 acres near Spring Run Road has won planning commission approval and now heads to the Board of Supervisors, with residents expressing concerns about traffic and school capacity.
County Welcomes 16 Summer Interns to Departments
Chesterfield County is hosting 16 college interns across 14 county departments for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, which runs May 26 through July 30.
Chesterfield's 2022 Bond Projects Now Taking Shape
Four years after voters approved Chesterfield's $540 million bond referendum, schools, public safety facilities, libraries, and parks across the county are now under construction or completed, with over $320 million already spent.
Chesterfield Offers Summer Events and School Bus Prep This Week
Chesterfield County offers three free community events through late July: My First School Bus preparation at libraries, Summer in the Park programs at county parks with music and activities, and a nonprofit resource fair.
Father, Fiancee Sentenced in Chesterfield Child Abuse Case
A former Henrico police officer and teacher were sentenced to decades in prison for abusing two elementary-aged boys over years, with Chesterfield's grandmother saying years of missed school counselor reports allowed the abuse to continue.
Chesterfield County Airport Hosts 6th Annual School Supplies Drive
Chesterfield County Airport is hosting its annual school supplies drive to collect donations for local students preparing for the school year.
Google Proposes 11 Data Centers Across Chesterfield County
Google is proposing to build 11 hyperscale data centers across three campuses totaling about 1,540 acres in Chesterfield County, with residents raising concerns about water usage, noise, and energy costs at ongoing community meetings.
Midlothian Students Raise $1,000 for Children With Cancer
Midlothian students raised $1,000 for Connor's Heroes through their school's Junior Maker's Market by selling handmade crafts.
Chesterfield Schools Hand Out Free Books in El Librotazo Event
Chesterfield County Public Schools' free El Librotazo book party lets children select books to build home libraries with community support.
Chesterfield Reaffirms Top Quad-AAA Bond Rating
Chesterfield County reaffirmed its Quad-AAA bond rating from all four major rating agencies, positioning it to borrow at the lowest interest rates for capital projects like schools and infrastructure.
Chesterfield exits Head Start program
Chesterfield County Public Schools is exiting the federal Head Start program after the 2024-25 school year, shifting preschool funding to Virginia's state-funded program.
Robert Teal Appointed to Chesterfield School Board, District 7
Robert Teal has been appointed to represent District 7 on a Chesterfield County school board.
West Ridge High School Reaches Construction Milestone
Chesterfield County celebrated the structural completion of West Ridge High School, its first new high school in 20 years, with a topping-off ceremony on June 16, 2026.
37 Data Centers Strain Schools' Power Budgets
Henrico County's 37 data centers are driving a 25% electricity rate increase, prompting county officials to ask school staff and employees to dim lights and conserve power starting July 1, 2026.
Smith Named Director of Chesterfield Juvenile Justice Services
Chesterfield County has appointed Michelle Smith, a veteran juvenile justice administrator with nearly three decades of experience, to lead its Juvenile Justice Services department.
Six Chesterfield High School Seniors Win Leadership Scholarships
Six Chesterfield County high school seniors received $2,500 Leadership for the 21st Century scholarships at a February 20 Black History Month breakfast recognition event.
Chesterfield Dedicates Historical Marker for Dupuy Elementary
Chesterfield County unveiled a historical marker on June 29 honoring Dupuy Elementary School, a 1962 school built for Black students that later became a hub for desegregation efforts, with its former site now home to affordable housing.
Matoaca's Kaylee Hodges Wins Virginia Player of the Year
Kaylee Hodges of Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County has been named Gatorade Virginia Softball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year after leading the Warriors to the Class 5 state championship.
Former NFL Linebacker Hosts I Am Power Football Camp
Former NFL linebacker Wali Rainer hosted the I Am Power PAL football camp at River City Sportsplex on June 24, 2026, bringing professional coaching and mentorship to Chesterfield County youth.
Free Shredding and E-Cycling Drop-Off at Thomas Dale
Chesterfield County is hosting a free document shredding, e-cycling, and household hazardous waste drop-off event Saturday at Thomas Dale High School from 9 AM to noon.
Chesterfield Schools Add Stop-Arm Cameras to School Buses
Chesterfield County Public Schools equipped its fleet of nearly 700 buses with artificial intelligence-powered stop-arm cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses, with enforcement beginning in October 2025.
Red Cross Blood Drive at Chesterfield Towne Center June 29
The American Red Cross, partnering with 12 on Your Side, is hosting a blood drive at Chesterfield Towne Center on June 29 from 1 to 7 p.m. to address ongoing national blood shortages.
Summer Events Fill Chesterfield's Schedule This Week
Chesterfield County residents can enjoy a variety of summer activities this week, including live music, library events, historic tours, and waste disposal services.
Chesterfield Planning Commission member steps down to return to school
Tommy Owens, chairman of the Chesterfield Planning Commission for six and a half years, has resigned to pursue a remote PhD in business administration starting in August 2026.
Manchester High Track Coach Retires After 42 Years
Gene Bowen, Manchester High track coach for 42 years, is retiring in June 2026 after building a program centered on athlete development over personal recognition.
Chesterfield Couple Graduates from VCU at 65 and 58
After nearly a decade of study while working full time, Chesterfield County couple Wanda and Tony Reynolds graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with bachelor's degrees in psychology at ages 65 and 58.
Chesterfield early childhood teacher acquitted in assault allegation
A Chesterfield County early childhood teacher was acquitted of assault charges after a boy bit her and she responded by kicking and grabbing his jaw, with the judge finding insufficient evidence of unreasonable force despite calling her verbal reaction "absolutely inappropriate."
Teen injured after stepping into traffic near Chesterfield school
A teenage girl was transported by helicopter after intentionally stepping into traffic near Thelma Crenshaw Elementary School on Bailey Bridge Road in Midlothian on Tuesday, June 16.
West Ridge High School reaches construction milestone
Chesterfield County celebrated a major construction milestone at West Ridge High School on Duval Road, marking the progression toward the opening of the county's first new high school in over two decades.
NFL Star Kei'trel Clark Brings Youth Football Camp to Manchester High
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'trel Clark, a Manchester High graduate, brought his inaugural youth football camp back to his alma mater, combining on-field fundamentals with mental wellness training for nearly 500 young athletes.
Matoaca Softball Wins First State Championship
Matoaca High School's softball team defeated Kellam 7-3 in a regional semifinal, then won the program’s first Class 5 state championship with a 2-1 walk-off victory over Lightridge on June 13.
Free Summer Lunches Come to Chesterfield Farmers Market
Chesterfield County Public Schools offers free lunches to children at the Farmers Market every Wednesday through August, combining nutrition support with educational activities about local food sources.
Diwali bid for Chesterfield school calendar unsuccessful
Chesterfield County Schools declined to add Diwali to its 2027–28 calendar despite community advocacy, while neighboring districts Richmond, Henrico, and Hanover already recognize the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh festival as a school holiday.
Chesterfield Schools Celebrate Class of 2026 Graduations
Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrated the Class of 2026 with graduation ceremonies held across ten high schools in May 2026, with livestreamed access allowing families to witness the milestone despite capacity limits.
Chesterfield Parents Push Schools to Cut Screen Time
A growing movement of more than 2,500 parents across Central Virginia is pushing Chesterfield County Public Schools to reduce classroom screen time and shift back toward paper-based instruction for younger students.
School Board Recognizes Chesterfield Staff Success
Chesterfield County School Board honored district staff achievements at its June 2 meeting, recognizing teachers in specialized areas and celebrating district initiatives.
School Board Honors Outstanding Bus Drivers
Chesterfield County Public Schools Board of Education honored bus drivers for excellence in safety and service at its June 2, 2026 meeting.
School Board Celebrates Community and Business Partners
Chesterfield County School Board recognizes its network of more than 200 community and business partners who support student achievement across the district.
Chesterfield Establishes Local Animal Cruelty Registry
Chesterfield County adopted an ordinance on May 27, 2026, creating a publicly accessible registry of people convicted of felony animal cruelty since 2009, launching within weeks.
School Board Meeting Materials Now Available Online
Chesterfield County Public Schools now makes School Board meeting materials, indexed videos, and comprehensive information available online through a centralized portal for public access.
Chesterfield Schools Passes on Diwali; Families Keep Fighting
Chesterfield County Schools rejected calls to include Diwali on the 2027-2028 calendar, but Hindu and Sikh families say they're continuing to push the district for recognition of the major holiday.
Chesterfield teacher found not guilty of assaulting student
A Chesterfield judge found special education teacher Jennifer Repole, 50, not guilty of assaulting a student on June 16, 2026, after surveillance video showed the boy bit her first; the judge called her conduct a discipline issue for the school rather than a crime.
Parent pushes to add Diwali as school holiday
A Chesterfield County parent has launched a campaign to add Diwali as an official school holiday, arguing the recognition is needed for educational equity as neighboring districts already observe the Hindu festival.
Audit flags $31,000 in unapproved school fundraisers
An October 2025 county audit uncovered $31,000 in fundraiser revenue raised through unapproved channels by Chesterfield Schools staff, with most fundraisers lacking principal approval and proper financial tracking.
VCU Accounting Professor and Chesterfield Leader Jim Holland Dies at 73
James M. "Jim" Holland, a VCU accounting professor and five-term Chesterfield County Board supervisor, died Oct. 14, 2025 at age 73 after a battle with cancer.