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McClellan and Stanley: It’s time for bipartisan action to fix Virginia’s crumbling schools

By Jennifer McClellan and Bill Stanley
Feb 16, 2022
Feb 16, 2022 Updated Mar 23, 2023

Leaky school roof — TRT In 2017, fourth-graders in a science class at Flatwoods Elementary in Lee County set out buckets and trash cans to collect water from a leak in the roof. Though this particular problem has long since been fixed, the image remains symbolic of what many older Virginia schools still face.
The Roanoke Times, File

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By Jennifer McClellan and Bill Stanley

The Constitution of Virginia bestows responsibility on the General Assembly to provide a public school system for Virginia children, and “seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.”

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McClellan, Jennifer-mug — TRT BHC Jennifer McClellan

Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin - mug — Stanley
Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin

Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, represents the 9th district, which includes Charles City County, part of Richmond, and parts of Henrico and Hanover counties. Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, represents the 20th district, which includes Galax, Martinsville, Patrick and Henry counties and parts of Danville and Carroll, Franklin, Halifax and Pittsylvania counties. Both serve on the the Virginia Commission on School Construction and Modernization.

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