Dec. 10 Newsletter: Another Wilder School lawsuit
Weather: A high of 45 will likely lead to some melting of snow. Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield schools are all planning to open with a two-hour delay.
On this date in 2010, City Councilor Bruce Tyler objects to Mayor Dwight C. Jones listing his name on signs highlighting upcoming roadwork projects in the city.
Wilder School faculty member sues fired instructor whose course she took over
Lawsuits related to the dismissal of former Wilder School instructor Bill Leighty this summer still aren't over.
D. Pulane Lucas, a health policy scholar, filed a $5.3 million lawsuit against Leighty last month, alleging he defamed her in a letter circulated to VCU leadership that criticized the way she took over a public administration course he was teaching before he was fired.
"Leighty's characterizations of Dr. Lucas were made to advance his own self-serving narrative that Dr. Lucas is not qualified to teach his former class and is otherwise a toady of former Governor Wilder," the lawsuit says. "This narrative is false and defamatory." Read more here.
RPS roundup: New system will manage 'difficult choices' on maintenance
After spending funds on preventative maintenance and budgeted capital improvement projects, a district official said the facilities team only has $170,000 for unexpected maintenance needs.
Superintendent Jason Kamras said it may be difficult for constituents and staff members to adapt to the new system, but it is necessary “to begin to manage expectations.”
Read more on the numerical system that will set priorities.
Do you live in Richmond’s 6th District and want to serve on the School Board? Now is your chance.
The Richmond School Board will have an open seat come Jan. 1, when 6th District member Shonda Harris-Muhammed departs to serve as a division superintendent elsewhere.
A special election for the seat will eventually be held, but in the meantime the School Board is accepting applications for an interim member to represent the 6th, which covers a swath of Northside, downtown, Manchester and part of the I-95 corridor.
Read more here about what will happen next and how to apply.
Fan Holiday House Tour will include a rare look inside Fox Elementary
The Fan District Association began hosting a ticketed historical holiday tour in 1962. This weekend's installment will raise an estimated $68,000 for neighborhood projects.
In addition to seeing inside several area homes, participants will get the opportunity to walk through the newly renovated Fox Elementary. Read more here.
In other news
- Richmond's animal cruelty registry goes live. Henrico to follow. (Axios)
- Virginia inspector general audit validates areas of concern at Bon Air JCC. (VPM)
- Possum portrait stolen from Garnett's Cafe. (Times-Dispatch)
Editor Michael Phillips is out of office.
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