With the sudden resignation of Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction Lisa Coons on Friday amid the changes to education on the federal level, some school leaders are questioning the future of public education in the commonwealth.
“The last thing we need is a (state) Department of Education in flux while we’ve got all of this going on on the federal level,” said Krista Barton-Arnold, executive director for the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, who was surprised and disappointed by Coons’ exit. “Educators around the nation are feeling anxious about the future of public education and now with Dr. Coons, we have even more reason to be anxious.”
Barton-Arnold said the association worked “closely” and “collaboratively” with Coons, who championed efforts to support new principals and to keep principals informed of department changes through “lunch and learn” events explaining curriculum changes and measures to hold schools accountable for student success.
Though questions linger in the wake of Coons’ departure, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the education department are moving forward with a plan that includes Chief Deputy Secretary of Education Emily Anne Gullickson serving as the acting state superintendent.
Coons was Youngkin’s second appointment to the role in the past four years, replacing former superintendent Jillian Balow, to help Virginia address low student proficiency ratings in math and reading and continue Youngkin’s directive of “restoring excellence” in Virginia’s public schools.
Gullickson will continue Coons’ work serving as the secretary of the Board of Education.
“Governor Youngkin deeply values Dr. Coons’ dedication to Virginia’s students, parents, and educators,” Youngkin spokesman Rob Damschen said. “As the administration moves forward with its education agenda, we are confident that Acting Superintendent Gullickson, with her experience in the Youngkin administration and her background as a teacher and advocate for students, will lead a seamless transition.”
The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which was first to report the resignation, noted that Coons’ resignation comes after the department missed several deadlines for reports to the state legislature and failed to publish teaching materials for the new history and social science standards, which set Virginia’s expectations for K-12 student learning in those areas.
The board, along with Coons, also worked to enhance special education regulations and practices, after a number of complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, prompting a federal investigation.
During her tenure, the board also overhauled the standards of learning, reduced regulatory barriers, approved new laboratory schools, enhanced the public charter school review process and lowered the vacancy rate of teachers. The Mercury reached out to the education department to learn more about the impetus of Coons’ exit.
Coons said serving as superintendent has been an “incredible privilege” in an announcement to the agency sent through Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley on Friday.
“It has been my great honor to serve the students, families, and educators of Virginia in my time leading the Department of Education under Governor Youngkin,” said Coons in the message. “After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue new professional opportunities, and I wish Governor Youngkin and his administration the best.”
Board of Education President Grace Creasey, also a Youngkin appointee, accepted Coons’ resignation and thanked her for her service.
“A great deal has been accomplished under Dr. Coons’ leadership,” Creasey wrote, but did not specify any examples.
Creasey wrote that Gullickson brings “experience, deep knowledge, commitment, and passion” to the superintendent’s role and promised the board would work with her to facilitate “a swift and seamless transition.”
Keith Perrigan, president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, thanked Coons for her work.
“She has been visible in every region in the commonwealth highlighting excellence in our public schools and her passion for literacy is only matched by her love for students. We wish her well as she pursues new professional opportunities.”
The governor appoints the superintendent of public instruction after consultation with the board and other leaders, which is subject to confirmation by the legislature and lasts for the governor’s term, according to state law. Vacancies are filled through the same process.
The only specific requirement in state law is that the superintendent must be an “experienced educator.”
If the governor appoints a new superintendent, he must make the decision before the end of his term, which ends at the end of the year.
The General Assembly is expected to meet in April for the reconvened session to finalize the state budget and in January for the regular session.
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www.youtube.com – WTVR CBS 6 – 2025-06-14 11:47:32
SUMMARY: A flood watch remains in effect through tonight for much of the area, with potential for torrential downpours, especially north and west of Richmond. Storms today may produce rainfall rates up to 2–3 inches per hour and gusts near 40 mph. Scattered storms are likely mid-to-late afternoon and into the evening. Sunday, Father’s Day, will be muggy with highs near 80 in Richmond, cooler to the north and east. A marginal risk of strong storms exists south of I-64. Rain chances ease midweek as temps rise to the 90s. A front Thursday brings brief relief before heat returns next weekend.
We’re tracking more scattered storms for Saturday. Showers and storms will increase from mid-afternoon into the evening. Due to the muggy air, torrential downpours will occur, and localized flooding is possible. Some spots could pick up multiple inches of rainfall. A few storms could have some gusts in excess of 40 mph.
www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-06-13 19:23:36
SUMMARY: Several area high schools competed in state semifinals across baseball, softball, and soccer. In Class 5 baseball, Cox edged Independence 2-1 with MJ Lemke closing the game, advancing to face Ocean Lakes in an all Beach District final. In softball, Great Bridge fell 1-0 to Mills Godwin despite strong pitching by Bailey Blevin. Gloucester, York, and Western Branch advanced to the finals. In boys’ Class 5 soccer, Hickory lost 2-0 to Lightridge, while Kellam beat Riverside to reach the finals. Northampton Boys and Kellam Girls won, but West Point Boys and Lafayette Girls were eliminated from title contention.
Several area high schools punched their ticket to the championship game that included the Cox Falcons baseball team.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Morgan Sweeney | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-13 18:44:00
Washington, D.C., is preparing for a military parade on Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday, costing $25-$45 million. In response, the ‘No Kings’ Day of Defiance movement, backed by over 100 organizations, is organizing protests in more than 2,000 U.S. cities, including dozens near D.C., opposing Trump’s “authoritarian overreach” and defending democracy. While no protests are planned in D.C. itself, heightened security has been enforced, with the parade designated a National Special Security Event. President Trump warned that protests in the capital would face strong force. No Kings emphasizes nonviolence, aiming to de-escalate conflicts. The main event will be held in Philadelphia.
(The Center Square) – As Washington, D.C., gears up for an historic military parade coinciding with Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday, with projected costs between $25 million and $45 million, thecapitalregion is also mobilizing a protest response.
There are dozens of locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland within an hour’s drive of Washington where protesters can gather as part of the official nationwide ‘No Kings’ Day of Defiance.
No Kings is a movement supported by more than 100 partner organizations opposing Trump’s “authoritarian overreach” and gathering in “[defense] of democracy.”
There are over 2,000 cities and towns hosting No Kings events Saturday, where in some cases local or state leaders will speak, and “millions” that have RSVP’d, according to event communications.
Some events in thecapital regionwere at capacity as of Friday evening. One event in Kingstowne, Va., was expecting 250 people, according to an email from an organizer.
The group is not holding a protest in the district itself, however.
“Real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” its website reads. “Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”
However, the district is also in a state of heightened security, as the parade has been designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security. Extra security measures were installed throughout the week leading up to the event and some will be in place through the days immediately following the event, as well. The president also told reporters that any protests in D.C. during the parade would be met with “very big force.”
No Kings says it is committed to nonviolence.
“A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” its website says.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
This article presents information on both the planned military parade and the associated protests without adopting an overt ideological stance. It accurately reports the logistical and security aspects of the parade and describes the protest movement’s messaging and scale. While the article references phrases like “authoritarian overreach” and “defense of democracy,” these are clearly attributed to the protest organizers rather than the article itself. The tone remains factual and avoids emotionally charged or opinionated language. The article provides balanced coverage of actions from both the Trump administration and its critics, maintaining journalistic neutrality throughout.
