ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors welcomes and appreciates the significant action announced by Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in response to the serious challenges facing Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS).
Superintendent Conway’s October 27 letter establishes a new framework for independent review and state oversight of ACPS policies, practices, and organizational culture related to legally mandated reporting. Under that framework, ACPS must retain a qualified independent consultant within 10 business days. VDOE will review and approve the scope of the independent review, evaluate the consultant’s qualifications and independence, require deadlines for interim and final reports, and remain engaged through implementation of the resulting recommendations. This is a substantial and welcome development.
We are particularly appreciative that VDOE recognizes the importance of examining organizational culture alongside policies and procedures. Written rules alone cannot protect children if the organizational environment does not support employees in fulfilling their responsibilities. I have also expressed our appreciation directly to Superintendent Conway. That correspondence is included below…