Virginia Secretary of Education http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/rss/HomePageRSS.cfm Secretary of Education - Latest News Releases (c) Secretary of Education 2009 Commonwealth of Virginia <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Orders Study of Gifted Education Programs]]> November 17 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that, at his direction, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has initiated a study to analyze disproportionately low representation of minority students in gifted education. The study - which is being conducted with technical assistance from the Regional Educational Laboratory Appalachia - will be completed by Spring 2010. ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1147 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine Announces $28.7 Million in Refinancing Savings ]]> October 30 — Governor Kaine announced that $28.7 million in refinancing savings would be distributed to 28 Virginia school divisions and the Literary Fund. The Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) recently refinanced certain outstanding VPSA bonds for interest rate savings.

Savings will be distributed to localities in the form of a one-time credit against their July 2010 debt service payment. Savings range between $38,287 and $5,018,241.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1132 <![CDATA[5,900 Jobs Created or Retained by Recovery Act Spending ]]> October 30 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine noted that state agencies have reported more than 5,900 jobs created or saved from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds flowing through the State Treasury. To date, more than $5 billion in ARRA contracts, grants and loans have been awarded in Virginia, with more than half in the form of direct aid to localities and organizations outside of state government.

"President Obama's Recovery Act was intended to get the economy moving again and in Virginia we are beginning to see that occur," Governor Kaine said. "These funds have allowed us to begin construction on infrastructure projects that we would not have been able to build, keep our Medicaid plan funded, improve our schools and in some cases build new ones, and expand unemployment benefits to those most affected by the economic crisis."

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1130 <![CDATA[$119 Million in ARRA Bonds to Fund Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy Projects in Schools is Announced]]> October 14 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the availability of $119 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) bond authorizations for local school divisions to finance energy efficiency improvements and renovations, as well as renewable energy projects for public school buildings. Projects will be financed through the Qualified School Construction Bond program (QSCB), and will be selected through a competitive evaluation process. Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, improving heating, cooling and ventilation systems and controls, building improvements such as insulation and windows, more efficient lighting, as well as solar photovoltaic, solar hot water, biomass, or on-site wind power systems.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1114 <![CDATA[Governor Kaine's Remarks to the Virginia Summit on Economic Competitiveness and Higher Education ]]> October 1 — I am honored to be here at the Summit on Economic Competitiveness and Higher Education. I have enjoyed working with our higher education community and business supporters during my time as Governor. It has been a most challenging time, but Virginia is coming through the toughest economy since the 1930's in a strong and resilient way. Each of you get credit for that.

I want to make three points today. First, Virginia now has a solid claim to be the leading state in this nation because of our strong economy, excellent education system and pro-innovation mindset. Second, there are storm clouds on the horizon for Virginia and for this nation. A flat to declining higher education attainment rate will consign us to second tier status if we do not check the alarming trends we see. Third, to stay on top we have to be willing to innovate more and invest more.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1100 <![CDATA[Loan Program for Energy Efficiency Projects is Announced ]]> September 25 — Governor Kaine announced the recapitalization of the Commonwealth's Energy Leasing Program, a loan program to finance energy efficiency projects in state agencies. The Commonwealth has secured $40 million in financing for the projects, including $10 million in capital from Grant Capital Management, a state-certified SWAM vendor.

"One of the goals of my Renew Virginia initiative is to make Virginia a leader in energy efficiency, and there's no better place to set a good example than in our state agencies and universities," said Governor Kaine.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1092 <![CDATA[Groundbreaking on Bond Project at Eastern Virginia Medical School]]> September 18 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine participated in a virtual groundbreaking for Eastern Virginia Medical School's new education and research building. The new facility will allow for a 30 percent expansion of the MD class, adding approximately 35 students, and a 60 percent expansion of the physician assistant (PA) program, adding approximately 30 students.

The $80 million project includes $59 million from the 2008 higher education capital bond package championed by Governor Kaine, the first time the school has received funding from a state capital bond package. In 2008, Governor Kaine won passage of a landmark bond package for capital construction at Virginia's public colleges, universities and community colleges. The package is a record investment in the sustained viability of Virginia's institutions of higher education and its workforce development efforts.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1076 <![CDATA[$71.6 Million in Bonds for School Construction is Announced]]> September 10 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the allocation of $71.6 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) for eight projects in seven Virginia localities. The no-interest bonds, established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, are available to localities for K-12 school construction, renovation, and land acquisition for schools.

"When I urged citizens earlier this year to provide their ideas for use of the ARRA funds, they overwhelmingly pointed to education and infrastructure and I am pleased that the ARRA has emphasized these areas as well," said Governor Kaine.

The localities receiving funding are Petersburg, Portsmouth, Lynchburg, Lexington, Richmond County, Fluvanna County and Montgomery County.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1063 <![CDATA[Virginia Taking Measures to Protect Against H1N1 Virus ]]> September 1 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced measures Virginia is undertaking to protect against the H1N1 flu virus. The state has developed an H1N1 action plan and vaccination will be a key part of the effort to protect Virginians.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education is working with the health department to establish a state-wide absentee reporting system to enhance the health department's ability to track where illness is in the state. The Department has also issued Pandemic Influenza Plan Guidelines for Virginia Public Schools and developed a dedicated H1N1 Influenza Web site.

]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1051 <![CDATA[New Online Resources for Virginia Teachers Announced]]> August 7 — Governor Kaine announced a partnership with SAS to provide the software vendor's SAS Curriculum Pathways collection of online resources, interactive features and ready-to-use lessons to Virginia middle schools and high schools at no charge.

"Partnering with groups like SAS provides additional resources to support instruction and independent learning at a time when school divisions are cutting back," Governor Kaine said. "This is an important investment in the public schools of Virginia and the young people they serve." ]]> http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1025