Roanoke City Public Schools is working to finalize the 2026-27 budget before a March 10 deadline as it faces a $16.5 million shortfall that could force deep program and staff cuts.

A dedication ceremony honored one of Roanoke’s most important educators on Friday!

Community empowerment — it’s in the name. Friday, Alcova Mortgage gifted Roanoke City Public Schools $10,000 to support the district’s new Community Empowerment Center.

Roanoke City Public Schools are back to routine today. That included staff and students at Monterey Elementary School.

The new budget keeps funding from the city the same for city schools; meals tax will also increase, at least temporarily

In correspondence first reported by the Roanoke Rambler and obtained by 10 News through a records request, city and school leaders traded harsh words over spending.

Summer is right around the corner, and Roanoke City Public Schools is helping students prepare for what’s next.

Roanoke City Public Schools officially opened their new William B. Robertson administration building this afternoon.

A nearly century-old building in Roanoke, known to many as the former main office of Roanoke City Public Schools, is set to undergo a major transformation. The site, however, holds deeper significance for the community as it originally served as an all-Black high school built in 1928. Roanoke City Public Schools held a ceremony Friday to commemorate its historical importance and celebrate its future as a Community Empowerment Center.

Budget conversations continue between Roanoke City and Roanoke City Public Schools.

Discussions for Roanoke’s fiscal year 2026 budget are underway, with school funding emerging as a major point of debate.

Council members heard the proposal to address overcrowding during a joint meeting with the Roanoke City School Board. Leaders will spend the next few months studying the issue further.

One venue the school division is looking at for the new high school is the Jefferson Center

Roanoke City Public Schools students are kicking off their first week of school, and the new year is bringing new changes.

Roanoke City Public Schools students experiencing housing instability are going to be gifted backpacks full of food and school supplies to kick the school year off.

The academy is meant to give parents the resources and tips to help their child's reading journey outside the classroom.

The Charles W. Day Technical Education Center is part of RCPS’ Equity in Action Plan.

A new school summer program is coming to Roanoke City Public Schools, with a mission to prevent gun violence and gang activity.

Roanoke City Public Schools and Roanoke College came together to celebrate “Read Across America Day” while also highlighting a unique partnership.

A 15-year-old boy is now facing charges in connection with the “copycat” school threats made toward Roanoke schools on social media, according to police.

Gun violence has been a major concern for city leaders in Roanoke and now the school system is stepping in to help reduce youth involvement in behaviors that lead to gun violence and gang involvement.

Santa Claus paid an early visit to the Star City to spend some time at William Fleming High School.

Roanoke City Public Schools has announced the 2024 Teacher of the Year recipient.

Roanoke City Schools is partnering with Hazel Health to provide free mental health care to all students.

Durham’s contract with Roanoke City Schools is up at the end of this school year.

As Roanoke City School students return to the classroom for their second week, there will be some adjustments to bus routes that parents should keep in mind.

Tuesday was the first day back at school for Roanoke City students.

Roanoke City Schools will now start and end at different times from each other.

Statistics from Feeding America show Southwest Virginia ranks 2% higher than the national average in food insecurity. This summer, Roanoke City Public Schools decided they wanted to make a difference in their community.

A local mortgage company lends a helping hand as another school year gets ready to kick off in Roanoke City.

Students were able to talk to more than 80 businesses within the Roanoke Valley.

Data presented to the Roanoke City School board Tuesday identified three areas for improvement.

Roanoke City Schools Superintendent Verletta White is being praised for her impact on students in the Roanoke Valley.

Roanoke City Superintendent Verletta White said extracurriculars will be taken away from students if these threats don't stop, which parents say is a bad idea.

Roanoke city officials have released a video message in response to “an unprecedented amount of threats towards school staff and students.”

To close the teacher shortage gap, Hollins University is offering local school divisions the opportunity to help teachers get the education they need.

At the RCPS convocation, every school employee comes together and goes over plans to ensure success for every student.

The event will go on throughout Tax-Free weekend at four Walmart's across the Roanoke Valley.

25 safety recommendations were adopted by the school board at their last meeting, including a new safety tip line, new, more secure classroom door locks, and an additional 15 school resource officers on top of the 11 already on staff.

25 safety recommendations were adopted by the school board at their last meeting, including a new safety tip line, new, more secure classroom door locks, and an additional 15 school resource officers on top of the 11 already on staff.

Safety continues to be a top priority for Roanoke City Public Schools as the school board approves a new set of safety measures for the upcoming school year.

The Roanoke City School Board voted to approved an additional allocation of $600,000 towards school safety.

Roanoke City's Superintendent Verletta White had her contract extended an additional two years.

Roanoke City school leaders recommended a handful of new safety measures for the school board to consider implementing.

There have been multiple reports of school threats and several weapons have been found on Roanoke City school grounds recently.

William Fleming's Micah Jones wins the Artie Levin Personal Life Award.

In the wake of recent threats of violence in Roanoke City Public Schools, Superintendent Verletta White has announced how they plan to move forward safely.

Roanoke City Public Schools and law enforcement have determined that a social media post claiming there was a threat made toward a Roanoke high school is not credible.

There are still some questions after two unloaded guns were found at Westside Elementary School.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

The Roanoke City Public Schools community is still shaken after police say a gun was fired inside of a bathroom at Lucy Addison Middle School last week.

During the Roanoke City School Board meeting, Superintendent Verletta White announced one of the division’s school buses was shot at on Tuesday.

In Virginia, some early summer days yielded only a “handful” of cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health and Governor Ralph Northam, but eventually soared to upwards of 4,000 daily infections just a few weeks ago.

Roanoke City Public Schools helps double the amount of families compared to last year.

After years of construction, the Fallon Park Elementary School project is almost done.

High school graduation went on as planned for the seniors at William Fleming High School Thursday despite a shooting during graduation practice Wednesday.

A multi-million dollar project is in the works to increase access to career training opportunities for students in the Star City.

ROANOKE, Va – During Black History Month, 10 News continues to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of African-American leaders across southwest Virginia. As time went on and she continued her path in educational leadership, Edwards became the first Black female superintendent at Lynchburg City schools. “I grew up in poverty with, with two parents, neither who finished school,” Martinsville City Schools Superintendent Zeb Talley said. Verletta White will soon wrap up her first year as superintendent with Roanoke City Schools. “Representation matters because perspective matters,” Roanoke City School Superintendent Verletta White said.

ROANOKE, Va – With less than a month until students are set to return to the classroom for in-person learning, school divisions across southwest Virginia are working around the clock to prepare their plans. Newly released guidelines from the CDC show that students can return to the classroom safely. “Just inching our way forward very carefully, but we’re proud to have kids in-person according to the CDC recommendations that were just published this past weekend we are in alignment with those CDC recommendations,” Roanoke City Superintendent Verletta White said. Most Roanoke City School students haven’t had a full week of in-person learning in almost a year, they’ve been doing a mix of in-person and virtual learning. The Superintendent says the school division is working very closely with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts to welcome students back safely.

ROANOKE, Va. – School leaders in Roanoke revised their reopening plan for 2021 on Tuesday night. In a 4-3 vote, the Roanoke City School Board voted to amend the plan and decrease the number of in-person learning days per week for students. Starting January 25, students will have in-person learning two days per week. The plan previously included four in-person learning days per week at that time. The division has the space and PPE to make the four day a week plan work, but with teachers under quarantine and medical leave, there’s not enough staff to cover.

ROANOKE, VA. – Roanoke City Public Schools is launching a new way of measuring student success, Equity 2.0. Superintendent Verletta White said transitioning to this new measurement system is the future. “Making sure that students are reflected in our curriculum, making sure that we have diversity in our teaching ranks and making sure that we have transparency in that process as well,” explained White. Equity 2.0 builds upon years of previous work and means a more comprehensive equality dashboard in the future, rather than a scorecard. The dashboard will go live this summer, be publically available and help shape the upcoming strategic plan too.

ROANOKE, Va. – All middle school athletic programs for students in Roanoke City Public Schools have been postponed, school leaders announced Tuesday night. In a letter to families, superintendent Dr. Verletta White said school leaders made the decision “out of an abundance of caution” due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke area. She also said the district can’t support an athletic schedule with a limitation on spectators at just 25 people. The school district plans to hold school-based athletic programs for each sport starting in February, pending decreases of COVID-19 cases in the Roanoke area. White said school leaders have not made a decision on the football program yet, but the proposed schedule for the middle school football program, from February 4 through April 1, allows middle school football to be played under the umbrella of the high school football program at each high school.

ROANOE, Va. – More than 4,600 elementary students returned to school this week with their pencils, crayons and masks. Due to the pandemic, the Roanoke City School Board approved a two-days a week hybrid schedule to start this month. "We are better positioned now they we were even this past summer.”However, 2400 elementary students still remain at home, along with other middle and high school. But we are looking at ways to bring more students back in sooner.”In the meantime, students are spread out. “Many of those prevention strategies that we are using for COVID-19 will also be prevention strategies for the flu.

ROANOKE, Va. – On Tuesday night, the Roanoke City School Board met for more than three hours to determine its next steps for getting students back to the classroom. And after a 4-3 vote, they’ve decided to stay the course, which brings elementary students back just two days a week. The board considered bumping the two days to four days for students in Pre-K through first grade, although decided against it based on current COVID19 cases in the community. “As a school board I ask you are you willing to risk the life of even just one student to send them prematurely back to school for just 18 days of instruction," Poff said. Both the board and superintendent are concerned about student performance.

ROANOKE, VA. – Roanoke school leaders said the beginning of the school year is off to a good start and they believe they’re on track for the return to the classroom plan. On Wednesday night the superintendent hosted a virtual town hall for parents and students to get an update on the progress. “If you are a parent thank you for hanging in there with us, for our students thank you for your hard work and your diligence," superintendent Verletta White said to open the program. Under the current plan, younger students are set to return to in-person learning in some form on November 2. The plan is to bring older students back to the classroom at the new year once the third quarter begins.

Roanoke City leaders said while there are some growing pains, things are going well. But division leaders said it was mostly minor issues and things are working out. There are some students that still need to get computers, but that list is a relatively small and top priority. School leaders said keeping stand and especially students focused on work is no different than it would be online. White keeps in touch with health leaders and is hopeful the plan to return to the classroom can stay on track.

Roanoke, VA – Roanoke City School leaders spent the weekend gearing up students and their families for the first day of school Monday. Sunday the division hosted its annual Back to School to Extravaganza a little differently than in years past. Parents could drive through the parking lot at William Fleming High School to get more than 2,000 bags of school supplies. Superintendent Verletta White says she and the rest of her team are excited to kick off the school year. Roanoke City Schools will be doing virtual classes for a majority of its students.

ROANOKE, Va. – Students in Roanoke City Public Schools will start the year with 100% remote learning. “This isn’t the program we all wanted to provide; this is the best program we can provide now,” Roanoke City School Board Chair Lutheria Smith said. The school board voted 6-1 on Tuesday night in favor of a plan that features virtual learning for the first nine weeks. According to the Virginia Department of Health, community transmission is on the verge of becoming substantial in Roanoke. School division leaders said they don’t want to take any risks, but they’re also optimistic that the change is only temporary.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Public Schools released a 53-page document on Thursday providing a better picture of what the upcoming school year could look like. Under this modified plan, most students will participate in virtual instruction for the first nine weeks beginning August 31. Academically vulnerable students, which would include students with disabilities that participate in the special education setting more than 50% of their school dayLevel 1 English LearnersHigh school students from Forest Park Academy and Noel Taylor Learning Academy who may need additional support to graduate at the end of the school year. When Roanoke City outlined the initial plan, the big question was if enough students choose fully online learning to allow others to return to the classroom. The Roanoke City School Board will discuss this at Tuesday’s meeting at William Fleming High School.

ROANOKE, VA. – More than 2,600 people tuned in for a virtual town hall with Roanoke City school leaders on Thursday. White and other staff members hosted the parent forum to answer questions and make themselves available to the community. It covered the spectrum of questions, from virtual learning, to mask wearing, to what happens if an outbreak occurs in a city school. Roanoke teachers will teach both formats. The entire plan hinges on at least 30% of the students choosing the fully online Virtual Academy for the in-person option to be viable.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke Education Association President Bettye Bell made her position clear on Wednesday about Roanoke City Schools’ plan for the upcoming school year. I would like for the parents and the board to consider more of a virtual opening,” said Bell. As a high school teacher, Bell’s especially concerned because there are so many young people testing positive for COVID-19 right now. White said, overall, feedback on the plan had been positive as of Wednesday afternoon but nothing was official. As of Wednesday, a date to vote on a plan had not been set.

ROANOKE, VA. On Tuesday night Roanoke City school leaders unveiled the back to school plan and it looks different than most other local divisions. New Roanoke City Public Schools superintendent Verletta White, with just two weeks on the job, presented the plan to the board Tuesday night which was pleased. And those who want in-person learning will go to school four days a week, with Friday classes online. Either way, online learning will be more robust than before. Parents received a robocall with the information Tuesday night and should expect to be able to make their choice for in person or online learning starting Monday.

ROANOKE, VA. Roanoke City Schools superintendent Verletta White said the citys back to school plan is still a work in progress. On Tuesday night, White rounded out her welcome to Roanoke tour with the families of Garden City Elementary. Earlier in the day, Governor Ralph Northam announced new school guidance that said students can be as close to three feet apart if they wear masks and arent showing symptoms of the virus. White said theyre still working on their plan and hope to present to the school board next week. The division said 7,000 parents have completed the school re-opening survey.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Public Schools’ new superintendent, Verletta White, held several meet-and-greets Wednesday to mark her first official day on the job. White talked with community members at Hurt Park Elementary, Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science Elementary School, and Lincoln Terrace Elementary. White told 10 News she’s excited to get to know people and hear from parents, staff and students. “It means everything to get to walk through the neighborhood, get to know the community, get to know some of the needs of the community and have some honest conversations about how we move forward,” said White. RCPS is asking community members to practice social distance and masks are strongly encouraged.

ROANOKE, Va. DMV Select services return to the Roanoke Municipal Building today. Today is the first day on the job for Roanokes new superintendent of schools. Danville City Council will hold its inaugural meeting today. Salem City Council will hold an organizational meeting today. The YWCA hopes this will help participants discover how racial inequity and social injustice impact our community.

ROANOKE, Va. – After more than a decade with the same superintendent, Roanoke City Public Schools is about to have a new leader. The new superintendent comes from outside of Virginia and parents and staff want to know what she has planned. I’m so excited to be here,” said Verletta White, who has big plans when she officially takes over as superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools on July 1. I also want to hear what’s working well,” said White, who says she plans to take those ideas and put them into action but also keep the listening going. “We need to make sure there is no gap in student achievement between black and white students in terms of reading and mathematics.

ROANOKE, Va. Verletta White starts as the Roanoke City school superintendent July 1 and she plans to meet many people in her first week on the job. As weve reported, White comes to Roanoke from Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked in the public school system there in a variety of roles. She has planned meet and greets at a number of schools. They will be held outside and youre asked to practice social distance, and face coverings are strongly encouraged. White is replacing Dr. Rita Bishop, who was the superintendent for 13 years.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Public Schools has found its next leader. On Tuesday evening, the school board announced that Verletta White would be the school district’s next superintendent. “My husband, my family and I we watched, we listened, we visited, and we got to know what Roanoke City is all about. And I can tell the heart of this city is where my heart wants to be," White said. White comes to Roanoke from Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked in the public school system there in a variety of roles.