Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education

School to be temporarily closed by directive of the Va. Department of Health. ROANOKE – At the direction of the Virginia Department of Health, Bonsack Elementary School will be closed, beginning Friday, August 27, due to multiple cases of COVID-19 and symptomatic students and staff at the school.  Bonsack Elementary will remain closed through August 31.

All students and staff will transition to remote learning while the VDH assesses the extent of potential transmission of COVID-19 within the school community.  All students will be issued a laptop for at-home use.  Parents or students needing technical support may emailbontechsupport@rcps.us.

Bonsack Elementary is scheduled to reopen for in-person instruction on September 1, pending clearance from the health department.

“We have been prepared for this possibility,” said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools.  “We are very empathetic to the hardship that quarantining and temporary closures cause for students, families, and staff and we are here to offer support.  We are grateful to have resources in place to continue with the process of teaching and learning, regardless if that instruction is remote or in person, and will work with the health department to re-open the school as soon as possible,” Dr. Nicely said.

Virginia’s statewide SOL tests results  took a nosedive this spring. State education officials say it was an anticipated result that reflects upheavals COVID-19 had on classroom learning. There were no SOL tests given last year, but since the last ones two years ago, math pass rates fell from 82% to 54%. Reading dropped from 78% to  69% percent., and science pass rates also fell from 81% to 59%.

Math pass rates in Roanoke City fell even more than statewide — from 78% 40%. In Roanoke County, the drop was less precipitous — 89% to 71%.

Click here to see results for every Virginia school system

Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) has announced the Dr. Alan Seibert will join RCPS in the role of Constituent Services and Government Relations Officer (CSGRO). Dr. Seibert is currently Superintendent of Salem City Schools and, as he’s previously announced, will be retiring from that role soon.

The newly established Office of the Constituent Services and Governmental Relations will provide an independent, confidential resource for students, families, employees, and community members, offering informal help to resolve concerns, problems, complaints, and other student-related issues. The CSGRO also serves as a liaison between RCPS and state and national policymakers, including the Virginia General Assembly and the Virginia State Board of Education, to achieve the legislative goals of the School Board and promote the positive leadership of the school division regarding education policy and financing.

“I look forward to lending my experience and existing relationships by continuing to work with local, state, and national policymakers,” states Dr. Alan Seibert. “I am excited to remain professionally connected to efforts to advocate for and to help elevate PK-12 Education in the Commonwealth. I am also excited to help organize a new role focused on helping people navigate the already sound processes and procedures in RCPS and to help connect constituents who have questions, suggestions or concerns to the best point of contact in the school division.”

“I am thrilled Dr. Seibert will be joining our team at RCPS,” states Superintendent Verletta White. “His commitment to students and our local communities mirrors that of our district. I believe he will be an asset to our district as we continue to enhance relationships with our stakeholders and advocate for our students at the local, state, and national level.”

It was the opening day of school in Roanoke City, where by 10:30 superintendent Verletta White was at Woodrow Wilson Middle School as part of a multi-school tour. White says there has not been much pushback from parents over the reinstatement of facemasks at least for now, although several did pull their children out of the classroom and opted for remote learning.

Photo: Roanoke Co.

Roanoke County Administrator Dan O’Donnell will retire next winter, completing a career in public management that goes back 35 years, the last 21 of them in Roanoke County. O’Donnell was named Assistant County Administrator in 2000 and then appointed County Administrator in January 2019. He counts among his most satisfying memories in the assistant’s role as those involving major building projects:

O’Donnell says one of his proudest accomplishments in his county administrator’s role is really a countywide one of navigating through early months of COVID-19:

Dan O’Donnell has held government administrative posts for 35 years in all, the last 21 in Roanoke County. The county’s board of supervisors must now determine the process to select his successor.


NEWS RELEASE:
August 23, 2021 – Roanoke County Administrator Dan O’Donnell today announced that he will be retiring after more than 21 years of service in Roanoke County. O’Donnell notified the Board of Supervisors of his intent to retire, effective February 1, 2022. “Working alongside our dedicated employees has been rewarding and we have accomplished so much, together, f or the betterment of our community,” said O’Donnell. “I am honored to have had the support of the Board of Supervisors and privileged to serve the citizens as their administrator.  I’m now looking forward to the next phase of my life.”

O’Donnell has worked in public management for 35 years, serving over 21 years in Roanoke County. He began as an Assistant County Administrator in 2000 and then was appointed County Administrator in January 2019. Prior to coming to Roanoke County, he served as the administrator for counties in New York and West Virginia. O’Donnell oversaw development of the County’s first-ever Community Strategic Plan to guide policy, budget decisions, and service delivery choices. He served as the project manager for the $30 million Green Ridge Recreation Center and the $28 million Public Safety Center construction projects. O’Donnell has overseen the passage of the first compensation study and step pay plan for public safety personnel, to recruit and retain talented employees. He has also led the County’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Dan has been a tremendous asset for Roanoke County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jason Peters. “He has helped shape the strategic direction of the County and led through some very challenging times. His leadership and guidance are greatly appreciated and we hope he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.” The Board of Supervisors will determine the next steps in hiring a new County Administrator.

The latest census count makes it official — Roanoke City’s population is once again above 100,000 for the first time in 40 years, and city officials expect the rebound to continue. You have to go back to 1980 for the last time census figures had Roanoke at 100,000 or more; for the next two decades, it was a gradual slide to less than 95,000 before the numbers started climbing again. Mayor Sherman Lea says without a doubt, efforts to revitalize Roanoke’s downtown and encourage new housing there have played key roles in the turnaround, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:

US Census figures for Roanoke City:

1980 — 100,220

1990 — 96,397

2000 — 94,911

2010 — 97,032

2020 — 100,011

After 30 years of service to the children and citizens in the City of Salem, School Division Superintendent, Dr. Alan Seibert, is retiring, effective September 30. Seibert’s retirement request was accepted by the School Board at its monthly meeting on Tuesday night. “It would be impossible to appropriately thank all of the people who made my 30-year career in Salem City Schools possible,” says Seibert. “This community embraced a transplanted Yankee from New Jersey, nurtured him and gave him opportunities to lead in both the classroom and in administration. My family and I are eternally grateful for the trust that was placed in me for three decades.” Seibert began his Salem journey as a college student in 1990 when he spent time at Salem High School as a student teacher. His first administrative role in 1996 came when he was named an assistant principal at Andrew Lewis Middle School.

Ian price photo

Melvin Hill announced his campaign as the democratic nominee for Commonwealth’s attorney of Roanoke City, today. Hill said he is focusing his campaign on preventing crimes, with more intervention programs and education. Hill is running for a second time against incumbent Don Caldwell, who hasn’t formally announced his campaign. Caldwell is running as independent in this election. Hill previously served as Assistant Commonwealth’s attorney and he ran for Commonwealth’s attorney in 2017.