Welcome back to Extra Credit, a weekly roundup of education-related news from across Southwest and Southside Virginia.
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Elementary attendance zone changes coming to Bedford County
Bedford County families who are uncertain about where their elementary students could attend school next year might get more information this week.
A letter sent to some families last week notified them that enrollment at Forest Elementary School is at capacity, even as several new residential developments are expected to increase the student population around the school in the coming years.
Because of this, the Bedford County School Board is considering redistricting at least one of those neighborhoods, the Westyn Village development, to Otter River Elementary School
This comes as the board debates the timing of the anticipated closure of Stewartsville Elementary, which was proposed earlier this spring but was stalled by a lawsuit. The division is also seeking an outside firm to provide redistricting services.
The school board is hosting a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday at the school district’s central office at 311 South Bridge St. to gather input from families who’d be affected by the Forest Elementary rezoning and from the community.
Those who wish to speak at Thursday’s hearing should contact school board clerk, Diana Johnson, to sign up. She can be reached at 540-586-1045 or diana.johnson@bedford.k12.va.us.
Other school districts in Cardinal News’ coverage area are considering attendance zone changes this month, including Roanoke City Public Schools.
Regional superintendents of the year announced
Angela Hairston, superintendent of Danville City Public Schools, and Gina Wohlford, of Norton City Schools, have been named superintendent of the year for their respective regions by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents.
They are among eight superintendents across the state “selected by their peers for their outstanding leadership efforts to support educational success in their school divisions,” according to a news release.
Hairston, who has served as superintendent in Danville since 2020, was recognized for her “strong commitment to collaboration, partnership and shared purpose,” according to the organization.
Wohlford, who is in her ninth year as Norton City Schools superintendent, was described as a “servant leader.”
“She believes that to truly reach students’ heads, you must first reach their heart, because relationships matter. Her leadership is grounded in visibility, trust, and a genuine commitment to students, staff, and families,” according to the announcement.
Both are now in the running for the 2026 Virginia superintendent of the year, to be announced later this year.
The other finalists are: Kari Weston of Dinwiddie County Public Schools, John Gordon of Suffolk City Public Schools, Marci Catlett of Fredericksburg City Public Schools, Tony Brads of Culpeper County Public Schools, Jeff Cassell of Waynesboro City Public Schools and Lori Harper of Amelia County Public Schools.
Kindergarten screenings now required in Lynchburg
Registration is open for new and returning Lynchburg City Schools students for all grades. Families can visit www.lcsedu.net/parents/registration-information to begin registering students for the 2026-27 school year.
Starting with the coming school year, students who didn’t attend pre-K at Lynchburg City Schools but are trying to register for school will be required to complete a brief screening assessment before starting kindergarten.
Students must be 5 years old by Sept. 30 and live within the city of Lynchburg to be eligible to attend kindergarten at Lynchburg City Schools.
The screenings are meant to assess children’s developmental readiness for kindergarten, taking into account language, cognitive development, socioemotional skills, motor skills and more, according to the division’s website.
Screenings will be held on these days in June:
- June 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- June 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- June 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Families should call their child’s anticipated elementary school to schedule an appointment, which is expected to take about 30 minutes.
School divisions across Virginia handle kindergarten screening differently, with some requiring future kindergarteners to attend an in-person screening while others offer orientations or early start dates where staff assess students’ development and skills. Check with your school district for local policies.
Local students eligible for new scholarship at University of Lynchburg
The University of Lynchburg is now offering scholarships to graduates of the Central Virginia Governor’s School who enroll at the university directly from high school.
Up to three graduates of the school will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship, which can be combined with other merit-based financial aid, according to a news release.
“This scholarship seeks to help make higher education more affordable and accessible for Virginia students who are actively seeking academic rigor and challenge — something we’ve provided since 1903,” university admissions director Abigail Myers said in a statement.
The Central Virginia Governor’s School, located in Lynchburg, serves students from five school divisions: Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Campbell County and Lynchburg.
Eligible students from the University of Lynchburg’s class of 2030 will begin receiving the scholarships this fall.
For more information, contact Leah Maturano, assistant vice president in the Office of Admissions, at maturano_l@lynchburg.edu or 434-544-8300.
