The FY 2025-26 Budget
Beginning in September, our Budget Advisory Committee, School Board and various other ACPS staff members began discussions about our upcoming budget for the next year. Throughout February and March, the School Board and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will work together to finalize and approve the budget. For more information, visit our Budget Information webpage.
Albemarle County School Board Appoints Leslie Pryor as Rio Magisterial District Representative
Last night, the Albemarle County School Board voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Leslie Pryor as its newest member, representing the Rio Magisterial District. Pryor fills the vacancy left by the passing of Mr. Chuck Pace, who served the district with distinction before his death in December 2024.
Pryor was selected following a robust appointment process that included a public application period, candidate interviews, and a community input session. Seven Rio District residents applied to fill the vacancy, and the school board carefully reviewed each application before conducting interviews during a special public meeting on January 16. The board also held a public hearing on January 23 to gather additional feedback from the community before making its final decision.
Attendance Challenges and Communications
Like many school divisions, we are continuing to navigate a critical bus driver shortage. This week, unexpected absences have added to these challenges, affecting our ability to provide timely transportation services.
Our team is working tirelessly and creatively to cover routes and ensure that students are transported safely to and from school. However, finding immediate solutions can lead to delays, and providing precise arrival estimates is not always possible.
We are also committed to improving how we communicate changes. Recently, we hired two new dispatchers who are focused on improving the timeliness and accuracy of our electronic notifications. If a delay occurs, we will notify you as quickly as possible by email and phone.
Winter Weather Safety
With cold temperatures persisting, we encourage families to prepare students for longer wait times due to potential delays. Dressing warmly in layers, including hats, gloves and scarves, will help protect against the cold.
Important Update: Personal Device-Free Education
Dear Students & Families,
Before Winter Break, the Albemarle County School Board approved a new policy to support Personal Device-Free Education across all schools in our division. This policy is part of our efforts to create safe and focused learning spaces for all students. To support this policy, we’ve established practices for each school level to meet students’ needs and ensure consistency across the division. You can read our December 13 news release for more details.
While individual school practices may vary slightly within each level, schools will continue to communicate specific details directly with their families to ensure everyone understands how this policy will be implemented.
High Schools:
- No Device Use During Class Periods
Students must store cell phones and other personal communication devices during all classes, including study halls and intervention periods. Exceptions will be made for students with IEPs or 504 Plans that specify the need for access to personal devices. - Device Storage
Personal devices must be kept in backpacks or lockers, or other locations specified by the school. Students may not carry or use them during class or restroom breaks. - Emergency Contact Procedures
Families can contact the school’s front office to reach their child during the school day. Students can use a school phone to contact families if needed. - Alternatives During Class Changes and Lunch
Schools will work with students to develop alternatives to device use during transitions between classes and lunch periods. These changes will happen in phases, with full implementation by August 2025. - Device Use on Buses and School-Sponsored Events
Students may use personal devices on school buses as long as they do not distract others or cause safety problems. Bus drivers can ask students to put devices away if needed. On field trips or off-campus events, staff will follow the same device rules used in classrooms. Staff may allow devices for learning purposes or for taking pictures or videos.
Middle Schools:
Since the 2019-20 school year, Albemarle County Public Schools has implemented an “Away for the Day” cell phone practice in all middle schools. This approach helps transform schools into cell phone-free spaces by requiring students to turn off their personal communication devices and store them from the first bell to the last.
Elementary Schools:
Elementary schools will continue to enforce their rule that students may not use personal communication devices during the school day. This rule applies to students from the first bell to the last bell. In some schools, it also includes bus rides to and from school.
We appreciate your support as we continue to create a more focused learning environment for all students. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
For rising juniors, CLS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a globally recognized academic program designed to prepare students for college and beyond. Highly valued in university admissions, the IBDP challenges students with a rigorous, internationally focused curriculum that builds critical thinking, research, communication, and social and self-management skills. Through engaging, inquiry-based lessons, students explore global issues, making learning purposeful and relevant. This program is ideal for independent, engaged learners who are eager to deepen their understanding of the world through research and writing. For more information, please visit our IB website or contact Rebecca Hostetter at rhostetter@k12albemarle.org.