Schools
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.
Matoaca District Capital Improvement Projects Updated
Supervisor Kevin P. Carroll provided updates on capital improvement projects in Chesterfield County's Matoaca District, though specific project details from the video source could not be verified.
Parents Raise Concerns on Google Data Center Near School
Parents and residents in Chesterfield County are raising concerns about Google data center projects, though specific connections to individual schools cannot be independently verified from accessible sources.
Matoaca's Kaylee Hodges named to 2026 All-Metro softball team
Kaylee Hodges of Matoaca High School was recognized for 2026 softball achievements, though specific All-Metro team details could not be verified.
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
The Chesterfield Health District is hosting back-to-school vaccine clinics this week, with the first scheduled for Friday.
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 more than 1,500 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.
County Administrator Casey Reflects on Chesterfield's Shifting Demographics
Retiring County Administrator Joe Casey describes a dramatic demographic shift in Chesterfield County, where households with school-aged children have fallen from roughly 70 percent to 27 percent in a generation, driven by aging population and attraction of young professionals without families.
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.
Matoaca's Hodges Named VHSL Softball State Player of Year
Kaylee Hodges of Matoaca High School was named VHSL Class 5 softball state player of the year.
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.