The school board unanimously agreed to start the RCPS Plus program this summer.
The program is to prevent a long-term break in learning which school leaders say can be harmful to a students over-all progress.
The program is designed for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, since summer school is already mandated by the state, for those who need it at the high school level.
School leaders expect the cost to be anywhere between $3 to $8 million. The price varies because the school doesn't know if there will be so much interest they'll need to hire 300 teachers or if they'll just need to hire a 100.
School board members did decide Tuesday night to hire a hundred teachers for the upcoming summer.
The plan is to hire the highest quality teachers and adequately pay them for it.
They also want to lower the student to adult ratios. Included in the price, is transportation to get students to and from school.
School leaders also think the RCPS Plus program will work because of what they've seen in a summer reading camp they started in 2011 for K through second grade.
The superintendent was asked by several school board members how a program like this could be sustained from year to year. Dr. Bishop says the program is so vital to keeping students ahead, making cuts would be necessary.
An upset in the lightweight division of the 17th annual CHIP "Tug for Tots!" The team from the Western Virginia Regional Jail defeated the eight time defending champion Roanoke City Sheriff's Office. A
A Mega Millions ticket sold in Farmville has matched all six numbers in the latest drawing and will split the estimated $190 million jackpot with the holder of another winning ticket bought in New Jersey.
A Mega Millions ticket sold in Farmville has matched all six numbers in the latest drawing and will split the estimated $190 million jackpot with the holder of another winning ticket bought in New Jersey.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:49:53 GMT
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office is searching for three people, who are wanted in connection with a business break-in and stealing of lottery tickets.Deputies say the break-in took place early
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office is searching for three people, who are wanted in connection with a business break-in and stealing of lottery tickets
Friday, May 17 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:32:10 GMT
Salem Police say a grand injury indicted a volunteer Roanoke County firefighter on Friday, with multiple child pornography and underage sex-related charges.According to Salem City spokesman Mike Stevens,
Eric Thomas Mallory faces 14 charges in connection with relationships with two underage girls
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:06 PM EDT2013-05-18 19:06:20 GMT
Police say a Roanoke business was robbed by a man with a baseball bat.According to Roanoke City Police Department spokeswoman Aisha Johnson, the robbery took place around 9:38 p.m. on Thursday, May 16th,
The robbery took place around 9:38 p.m. on Thursday, May 16th, at the Snappy Food Mart in the 600 block of Liberty Road
Friday, May 17 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:19:03 GMT
Alleghany and William Byrd squared off on a neutral field to decide the Blue Ridge District regular season. Both teams finished 7-3 in District play and the two proved to be a great match again on Friday
The playoff game to decide the Blue Ridge District baseball title needed extra innings.
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:13:47 GMT
Several technology companies in our area have added jobs, pumping money into our local company. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council recognized some of those businesses at an event called 'TechNite.' Sometimes
Several technology companies in our area have added jobs, pumping money into our local company. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council recognized some of those businesses at an event called 'TechNite.'
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:32:41 GMT
Virginia Tech Police are searching for a man who officers say robbed a female student on campus Saturday morning.The young woman told investigators that she was walking in-between Vawter and Newman Halls
Woman was walking in-between Vawter and Newman Halls at 7:35 a.m., when a man walked up behind her, told her not to turn around, grabbed her purse, then ran off.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:59 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:59:19 GMT
The Local Colors Festival in downtown Roanoke certainly lived up to its name Saturday afternoon. The annual event celebrates the more than one hundred nationalities that call the Roanoke Valley home through
The annual event celebrates the more than one hundred nationalities that call the Roanoke Valley home through food, dance, clothing, music, and more.
Law enforcement officials tell News Channel 11 a vehicle drove into a group of several people at "Trail Days" in Damascus.
Law enforcement officials tell News Channel 11 a vehicle drove into a group of several people at "Trail Days" in Damascus. Pokey Harris, Emergency Management Coordinator with Washington County, VA, says the earliest reports indicate 50 to 60 injuries, some being critical. Harris says it is likely that 12 to 15 people were transported to local hospitals. She says there are no reports right now of any fatalities.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:46:44 GMT
The wet weather didn't put a cork in the Vinton Wine and Food Festival Saturday afternoon. Eleven Virginia wineries filled up a lot of glasses during the annual fundraiser for the Vinton Chamber of Commerce.
Eleven Virginia wineries filled up a lot of glasses during the annual fundraiser for the Vinton Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:39 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:39:10 GMT
Saturday was the big day of serving in cities across the country, including here in Roanoke. Nearly 200 teens and leaders who participated in the event got to relax at Green Memorial United Methodist Church
They spent most of the morning and afternoon in the West End neighborhood picking up trash, painting and doing easy home repairs.
