The Virginia Board of Education approved $25.4 million for six new lab schools Thursday as state officials find ways to
accelerate the approval process to use the existing lab school funding before the current budget cycle ends. Some education officials worry that the expedited approval process might affect the quality of lab school plans, but proponents say officials thoroughly vet the applications. Lab schools, which are Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s signature school choice initiative, are partnerships between universities and school divisions that provide nonreligious education to K-12 students. They are open to the public and do not charge tuition. Similar to charter schools, they can set their own budgets and curricula. Although lab schools receive public funding, they are expected to be financially self-sufficient within a few years. The six lab schools that the Board of Education approved at its Thursday meeting that are partnered with Emory & Henry College, George Mason University, Roanoke College, Old Dominion University – Newport News, Old Dominion University – Chesapeake, and Paul D. Camp Community College, which serves the cities of Franklin and Suffolk and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton. Youngkin said in a statement: “With the addition of these six Lab Schools, the Board has created enriching, future-focused opportunities that reach students across Virginia. “These schools are establishing innovative pathways for students to explore potential careers and be better prepared for the future, with a specific focus on addressing the needs and demands of their regions. These Lab Schools are not just shaping the future of our students, they’re also shaping the future of Virginia.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is flanked by State Superintendent Lisa Coons, left, and Education Secretary Aimee Guidera during a news conference in August. Youngkin won a partial victory for his lab school proposal in 2022. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears broke a tie vote in the Senate to rescue his amendment to triple the number of higher education institutions that can partner with local school divisions. The Senate then voted to block his proposal to use state per-pupil funds to pay for them.
Funding in question
The governor and the General Assembly have
not yet worked out a budget deal for the two-year cycle that begins July 1, so it is unclear whether it will include lab school funding. Lawmakers return to Richmond May 13 in a renewed effort to reach a budget agreement. The budget the General Assembly approved in March did not include Youngkin’s proposal for an additional $60 million for lab schools. It also reallocated to the state’s general fund the $85.1 million of unused lab school funding from the original $100 million allocation in 2022. “If we wait for the General Assembly to figure this out, we may be waiting for a while,” said Andy Rotherham, a member of the Board of Education. “We can’t be hostage to that. We have to move forward.” To use the $100 million allocation of lab school funding in the current budget, representatives of the higher education institution the state education department must sign contracts before June 30, the last day the current spending plan covers. The contract process, which happens after the Board of Education’s approval, involves lawyers and a review by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office. Any contracts signed after June 30 would pull money from the upcoming budget, which might not include any lab school funding if the legislature gets its way. Anne Holton, the only holdover board member that Youngkin did not appoint, cast the only dissenting votes on Thursday. Holton abstained from voting on George Mason because she is a faculty member and served as interim president of the university from 2019 to 2020. “I object on doing the first and final review in one meeting contrary to our norms, simply because the budget for these schools is so up in the air, and I think it is potentially counterproductive,” said Holton, a former state secretary of education and Virginia first lady. “I will vote no, even though I think there are some terrific applications in there, because I don’t think we should go first and final today.” Holton especially objected to the approval of Roanoke College’s application, which the school submitted in February, as its financial sustainability plan is unclear. Although lab schools receive start-up funds from the state, they are expected to be financially independent within a few years. “I’m concerned that in our haste to get these done quickly, we’re lowering the standards … just to get it done fast,” Holton said. Rotherham said the board’s votes of approval come at the end of a lengthy, vetted process. “There’s always some risk here … Is every lab school we’re going to create through this process going to thrive despite our best efforts? Probably not,” Rotherham said. “...We are doing our best as a committee and it is ultimately incumbent on these universities to live up to their responsibility to do this. I’m confident Roanoke is serious about what they’re trying to do here.”
Accelerated approval process
The eight lab schools the board approved this month — including the six new ones — were green-lighted on first review and the board did not use the standard process that requires more time and multiple rounds of review. Grace Creasey, the Board of Education’s president, announced Thursday that the board will hold a special meeting May 21. There is no set agenda yet. The Lab School Committee meets May 9, and will likely approve recommendations for the board to approve more lab schools. There are a few more lab school applications in the pipeline. After the board approved $10 million for two new lab schools earlier this month, state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, called the lab school approvals counterproductive to ongoing budget discussions. She said she wonders how the board will pay for the lab schools since the legislature removed the funding from the assembly’s budget. The lab school standing committee, which reviews lab school applications before the Board of Education,
sped up its process April 11 by eliminating the standard second review of applications and instead recommending the approval of lab schools upon first review. The committee voted 3-2 to approve the process change. The committee’s chair and vice chair raised concerns about rushing the process and forgoing the standard process that applies to all state Board of Education standing committees. Youngkin and General Assembly leaders last week declared a
working truce in their ongoing battle over taxes and spending. They have been at odds over the $188 billion two-year budget that the Democratic-controlled legislature adopted last month and the Republican governor tried unsuccessfully to amend last week. Lawmakers and Youngkin are working to fashion a budget agreement to prevent a government shutdown when the fiscal year ends on June 30. The Youngkin administration says that Virginia is obligated to fund lab schools according to the budget Youngkin signed in 2022, which is law until the governor signs a new budget.
Top 5 weekend events: Herbs Galore, Shakespeare's Birthday, Ashland Train Day
Herbs Galore
Shop from more than 90 plant vendors selling herbs, annuals, perennials, trees, vegetables and garden goods. There also will be live music and local food vendors and activities for all ages. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St. $10 per person; free for members and children ages 12 and younger. maymont.org or (804) 358-7166. Shakespeare’s Birthday
Ashland Train Day
Richmond Restaurant Week
Eat local and raise money for Feed More with Richmond Restaurant Week. Dine at favorites like Bar Solita, 21 Spoons, And Dim Sum and more. For $35.24, you get a three-course meal with $5.24 from each meal donated directly to Feed More. Find participating restaurants at RRWeek.com . Swine & Brine
Prepare to pig out at the return of Swine & Brine at Ardent Craft Ales. This annual event celebrates pork, seafood and brews with a variety of local restaurants serving up a food feast plus a full lineup of Ardent beers, local ciders and sparkling wine. Noon-8 p.m. 3200 W. Leigh St. Free to attend; pay as you go. (804) 359-1605 or www.ardentcraftales.com . Richmond Animation Festival
The Richmond Animation Festival is headed to the Byrd Theatre. See an animated shorts program at 5 p.m. with an introduction by the curators. Followed by adult animated feature “Cryptozoo” at 7 p.m. including a Q&A with the filmmakers. 2908 W. Cary St. $10. (804) 353-9911 or https://byrdtheatre.org/ .
