Key Insights
Here are some of the insights for the Albemarle County public school news for the month of May. Below are key takeaways from the School Board’s regular work session on May 22, 2025. Please note: This summary includes highlights only and does not reflect all actions or discussions. You can view the full agenda in ElectronicSchoolBoard (ESB).
Due to technical difficulties, the livestream was unavailable for much of the meeting and became operational partway into the work session. A partial recording is available on the ACPS YouTube channel.
Coming Up
The School Board will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, June 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the County Office building on McIntire Road.
Recognition of Retirees
The School Board honored 48 employees retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year during a special recognition ceremony. Each retiree was acknowledged for their dedication and years of service to Albemarle County Public Schools.
Due to technical difficulties, the ceremony was not captured in the meeting’s video recording. However, a celebratory slideshow featuring the names and roles of this year’s retirees was shared during the event.
Student Senate
The Board heard from Dr. Eric Irizarry, Director of Equity, Family, School & Community Relations; Amber Roberts, Curriculum Coordinator for Work & Community-Based Learning; and Dr. Russell Carlock, Educational Equity Data Scientist, along with members of the ACPS Student Senate. Together, they shared the progress and impact of this student-led leadership initiative. This initiative unifies existing student voice efforts across the division, forming them into a cohesive body. They are focused on advising school policy, promoting equity, and developing leadership—particularly among students from historically marginalized groups.
The Student Senate supports the division’s Vision and Mission. They emphasize authentic, challenging, and relevant learning and a commitment to ending the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities in student success. The Senate also supports Recommendation #5 from the Bellwether Instructional Practices Audit. It calls for stronger systems for input, feedback, and communication to ensure authentic engagement from students and other members of the school community.
The work session included student-led roundtable discussions and a Student Perspectives session. Senate members reflected on their personal growth and their influence on division-wide decisions through monthly affinity group meetings, leadership summits, and direct engagement with ACPS leaders. Dr. Daphne Keiser, Assistant Superintendent for School Community Engagement, closed the session with a reflection on the importance of creating sustained structures for student voice and leadership.
Helen T. Dunn, Ph.D.
Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer at Albemarle County Public Schools
Dr. Helen Dunn is a seasoned communications professional with expertise in strategic planning, media relations, and community engagement. As the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer for Albemarle County Public Schools, she leads initiatives to streamline communication processes and strengthen connections across the division. Helen’s role includes crafting impactful messaging on topics such as safety measures, budget transparency, and policy updates while advising school leaders on navigating sensitive issues. With global work experience and a talent for innovative solutions, she has implemented strategies like advisory committees and enhanced communication technologies to drive knowledge and engagement. Committed to growth, Helen is pursuing her APR accreditation and mastering new skills, all while balancing life as a mother of five and a devoted dog owner.
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