Superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Dr. Donald Robertson engaged with journalism students during a recent visit addressing their questions and concerns about recent developments for beach schools.
Students inquired about the function of the local school board, the district’s cell phone policy and Robertson’s journey to becoming superintendent. He took special care to unpack Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order for a cell-phone free education.
“We are in the planning phase of new cell phone rules,” Robertson said. “We must enforce the policies from the Virginia Beach School Board.”
Robertson also answered various questions about the school calendar, teacher availability for foreign language classes and budget concerns surrounding theater, art, band and chorus programs in VBCPS.
The pipeline for teachers has slowed down, but Virginia Beach draws them in, according to Robertson.
“There was never a discussion about cutting the arts,” Robertson said. “The issue became teacher allocations and student course selection, which drives the development of a master schedule.”
Finally, Robertson affirmed the district’s commitment to emphasize career readiness through the vocational programs offered in VBCPS.
“Our students earned the most industry certifications in the state,” Robertson said. “We provide a private school feeling in a public school setting.”
Throughout this visit, students gained a wider perspective of the administrative process in their school system.
“Interviewing Dr. Robertson helped me with an upcoming article I am writing,” senior Lily Lipsky said. “I was able to get a grasp of the ins and outs of the school district.”
