A Message from the School Board
April 24, 2026
A Message from the Roanoke City School Board
To Our Employees, Families, and Community,
We write to you with a full awareness that this is a difficult and uncertain time for many within our school division. Change is never easy, and the pace and weight of recent challenges have brought real disruption, disappointment, and hurt. Please know that none of this is lost on us. We see it, we feel it, and we carry it with us in our work.
Behind every decision are people—dedicated employees, committed families, and most importantly, children who rely on us each day. We recognize that many in our community are experiencing loss, transition, or uncertainty, and we remain committed to supporting those affected. Resources and assistance are available, and we encourage anyone in need to visit our website or contact our Constituent Services team at (540) 853-2007 or rcps.info/csgro for guidance and support.
Even in the midst of these challenges, our responsibility remains clear. As a Board, we are called to serve with integrity, care, and accountability. Our “why” has always been, and will always be, the students. Every decision we make is grounded in our responsibility to support their success and well-being, now and into the future.
To our employees—teachers, instructional aides, custodians, operations staff, finance teams, administrators, and support personnel—please know how much you matter. Every role in this division contributes to student success. Without you, we cannot reach our students. We are deeply grateful for your dedication, your resilience, and the care you show our children and one another each day. The decisions we have made in recent weeks are not a reflection of the value of any role or the people who fill them. Every position in this division exists because students need it. These cuts are the result of a structural funding gap that left us with impossible math, and we are grieving these losses alongside you.
While this moment is difficult, it does not define us. Our shared purpose does. We will continue to move forward together, working toward a stronger future for our schools—one rooted in opportunity, stability, and excellence for every student. We recognize that more difficult decisions lie ahead. Most immediately, decisions about programming will be discussed at our April 28th workshop meeting and voted on at our Board Meeting on May 12th. Though we may not yet have all the answers, we remain committed to listening, supporting, and doing the work necessary to build a better tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Roanoke City Public Schools and to one another.
With appreciation and resolve,
The Roanoke City School Board