From Kristen Larson’s (4th District School Board Member) Facebook page

Last night at the Board work session, we spent a large amount of time discussing rezoning/school closures. We used rezoning committee data, student enrollment, facility reports and academic data during our discussion. I asked the administration to put all of these documents online for folks to view as well.

After examining the school enrollment on the Southside – the Board agreed to get more information on the option of moving some of the lines to increase enrollment in Fisher and other underenrolled Southside schools and decrease enrollment in overpopulated schools. We asked the consultant to work on those changes. I will be giving guidance on 4th district lines. If you have specific Southside rezoning input, please message me ASAP. I need to know boundaries and neighborhoods.

On the Northside of the river, Clark Springs Elementary was put up for possible closure and consolidation with J.B. Cary. The Clark Springs building had been noted for closure in our 2007 facilities report that recommended school closings based on building condition. ACDC, one of our specialty schools that offers GED and PLC programs, was also considered. I proposed that we relocate services offered at ACDC.

One board member proposed the idea of closing Wythe High School and reworking the Huguenot High School construction plan to enlarge the school and accommodate the students from both schools.

Nothing was decided, but the conversation started. Will keep you posted!

Original article http://hillsandheights.org/2013/03/26/school-board-work-session-update/

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

I’m happy to say I am officially your school board representative!  I was sworn in on Thursday and my first board meeting is this Monday.  I’m anxious to get to work.  Here are a few updates.

• Upcoming School Board Meetings:  January 7th: Committee Meeting 4:30 pm, Formal Board Meeting 7 pm (both at City Hall).  January 22nd:  Committee Meeting 4:30 pm, Formal Board Meeting 7 pm.
• District Events:  January 26th, Budget Town Hall Meeting 4th District, 10 am – noon at Westover Hills Library.  I will share the superintendent’s draft budget with you and would like to hear your input on budget priorities.
• Open Enrollment:  If you have a child currently enrolled via open enrollment, you need to fill out an intent to return form by 1/31/13.  If you are interested in applying to a school via open enrollment, the application must be submitted between 2/1-2/15.  See more at http://web.richmond.k12.va.us/Departments/PupilPersonnelServices/OpenEnrollment.aspx

Hope to see you soon,
Kristen
knyelarson@gmail.com
phone: (804) 592-1838
twitter @electkristen
www.facebook.com/KristenNLarson

Original article http://gd.is/nGU8PI

Dear 4^th District Neighbors,

My name is Kristen Larson and I am your newly elected School Board Representative, 4^th District.  I will be sworn into office in January 2013 for a 4-year term.  I will be working with our city council representative Kathy Graziano to keep you updated via meetings and written communication in a way best reaches the 4^th District community.  I will also be reaching out to the neighborhood groups and school PTAs in our district so that I can be kept abreast of the events and needs of our district schools.  In the meantime, please call me at 804-592-1838 or knyelarson@gmail.com.  You can also stay updated via facebook.com/KristenNLarson.

Upon taking office, one of my most immediate items of action will be the budget for the 2013-14 school year.  The superintendent will present a draft budget to the Board in mid-January.  I will hold a budget town hall meeting to get input from residents on this budget.  Please check my facebook page, email or call me to stay updated on the forthcoming meeting.  I look forward to representing you and our district in a way that most benefits our children and city.

–

Kristen Nye Larson
School Board Elect, 4th District

Original article http://gd.is/BnK7Iy

Photo courtesy of Style Weekly and Scott Elmquist

Style Weekly focuses on the Top 40 people under 40 that are making a difference in our community and Kristen Larson was chosen for her work at Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. If you’ve been paying attention you would know that Kristen is currently running for 4th District School Board seat.

But after the Christmas dinner, she realized it wasn’t enough. For the charter school to succeed, change needed to come from within. She decided to give up her seat on Patrick Henry’s board and run for the Richmond School Board.

Charter schools aren’t the only answer, she says, but they’re a start. In a city that continues to lose middle-class families who flee for the suburbs when their children reach school age, educational alternatives are critical.

“Richmond is not preparing kids for real life,” Larson says. “We need to see a shift, because children are getting lost.”

Kristen is the only one I recognized from the H&H area. Do you see anymore on the list?

Editor’s Note: After finishing this I spotted Michael “Mikemetic” Williams of Art 180 who will get a separate post later.

Original article http://gd.is/SdvyHq

he 4th District is a crowded race for school board. The Times-Dispatch invited candidates for Richmond City Council and School Board to tell us why they’re running. They will publish their statements – in no particular order – on the Op/Ed page between now and Election Day. Candidate Mary Blanchard has an editorial up on today’s paper.

My three children attended Richmond Public Schools and I am a proud RPS parent. I am a candidate for the Richmond School Board, District 4, because I want to strengthen the schools we have and attract new students to our schools for our city’s health and vitality. We must increase enrollment and community participation in Richmond’s public schools and make our schools an attractive choice for parents by improving academic achievement and budgeting wisely. I will work to engage our community, enrich learning and promote excellent leadership in our schools.

Original article http://gd.is/DrQrec

The 4th District is a crowded race for school board. The Times-Dispatch invited candidates for Richmond City Council and School Board to tell us why they’re running. They will publish their statements – in no particular order – on the Op/Ed page between now and Election Day. Candidate Kristen Larson has an editorial up on today’s paper.

As a member of the Richmond School Board, I pledge to listen to the community. I will work to provide better options to the children and to reverse the trend of declining enrollment by attracting new families to our district. I welcome schools and programs like International Baccalaureate, comprehensive vocational-technical schools, charters and lab schools that have proven successful all over the country in improving educational outcomes. Quality education must be available for all Richmond students.

Middle schools are among my top priorities. Richmond’s 2011 middle school SOL scores were among the lowest in the state. The district must dramatically change what it is doing.

Original article http://gd.is/GAmWkw

The 4th District is a crowded race for school board. The Times-Dispatch invited candidates for Richmond City Council and School Board to tell us why they’re running. They will publish their statements – in no particular order – on the Op/Ed page between now and Election Day. Candidate Rich Savage has an editorial up on today’s paper.

As a leader, I will give equal importance in promoting how we can expand our success stories into other parts of the district as I will in making the necessary changes to move us forward. I will reject the knee-jerk approach to solving problems. A real leader makes changes in the context of a long-term strategy.

I have key initiatives that I aim to implement and I strongly encourage you to read about them on my website (www.rich4richmond.com). It’s the most detailed plan of any candidate and it also includes how I am going to make it happen.

Original article http://gd.is/BnQ63x

For the most part the vote last night by school board members to keep Fisher and Southampton Elementary schools open was a formality. The school board had already announced it’s intent to ignore the recommendations of the consultant-led group that had studied rezoning in the city for almost all of a year.  Although this is good news for parents with children currently enrolled in the those schools it doesn’t address the issue of low attendance. 

RTD quotes Kristen Larson who was at the meeting;

Kristen Larson, one of five candidates for the School Board seat in the 4th District, which includes Fisher and Southampton, cautioned the board to give more thought to the Fisher neighborhood.

“If the school is a magnet (school), where is the plan?” she asked.

She also asked the board and the school administration to figure out why the school attracted such a low percentage of neighborhood students, then to do something about it.

From Mary Blanchard’s Facebook Page;

Last night the School Board voted to keep both Fisher and Southampton Elementary Schools open. With only 23% of Fisher’s students coming from its neighborhood zone, the school needs to look at ways to make Fisher a school of choice for its area.

From Rich Savage’s Facebook Page;

I applaud this decision and happy I was able to voice my support in favor of keeping these schools open.

Original Article

Kristen Larson has been on the campaign trail for over a month, attending local meetings and talking with neighbors. Her campaign for the vacant 4th District School Board seat officially kicks off later this week in Forest Hill Park. Information on the event is below and RSVPs  on Facebook are encouraged.

I have spent the last 3 years working tirelessly to make Richmond’s newest elementary school - Patrick Henry - a success. The students are learning as demonstrated by their state test scores, the building has been successfully renovated, and the population at the school has a diversity that reflects the city’s population.

This experience has inspired me to take my devotion to public schools in this city a step further and run for the 4th District school board seat for Richmond. I ask for your support by coming to my launch event, which will take place at Forest Hill Park on June 14th.

Please come to this family-friendly event and celebrate with me. There will be children’s games and cake. Hope to see you there.

The only other officially announced candidate that I know of at this point is Rich Savage. Mr. Savage has already held his Kickoff - Birthday Celebration in April at Can Can in Carytown. The incumbent Adria Graham Scott is not running for re-election.

Richmond Magazine.com back in April listed other possible candidates including; Mary Blanchard, Brian R. Cannon, and Jeff Sadler but I haven’t seen or heard any more about their respective campaigns. If anybody has please let me know.

Original Article

From WRIR podcast:

We start this episode with thoughts on ways to improve Richmond Public Schools. It’s a tough topic and host Will Snyder is joined by Jeff Sadler and Kristen Larson, both concerned parents. Mrs. Larson recently announced her candidacy for the 4th District School Board seat.

And then it’s on to Mayo Island. The James River Green Building Council recently held a design competition for the privately-owned island. Damon Pearson and Emily Smith, both of whom helped organize the competition, come to the studio to discuss the proposals and what a developed Mayo Island (using green principles) would look like.

Listen HERE

Original Article