You are invited to this year’s Future Focus: For Children’s Sake, which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Landstown High School. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. preceding the 7 p.m. formal presentation, where Dr. Merrill will give his annual state of the schools address. This event is free and open to the public, but we encourage you, as staff of this division, to attend and hear Dr. Merrill address the progress this school division has made, largely the result of a dedicated staff and a continued focus on our Compass to 2015 Strategic Plan for Student Success.  He will also address the ever-increasing governmental and societal pressure facing Virginia public schools, funding issues, state and federal mandates and the need for more student choices.

Following his presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. Questions may also be submitted ahead of time online at www.vbschools.com/administration/futurefocus. Future Focus will also be streamed live on vbschools.com and live-tweeted on Twitter @VBSchools.

In addition, Dr. Merrill will participate in a web chat hosted by the Virginia Beach Beacon at noon, Feb. 28, to discuss his state of the schools address, the future of Virginia Beach schools and the challenges they face.

Future Focus is being hosted by the Virginia Beach Education Foundation with sponsorship assistance from: HBA; Breeden; Speight Marshall & Francis; RRMM Architects; Chili’s; BB&T; Tidewater Home Funding; Wilcox Savage; Pace Collaborative; Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit Union; Patsy and Jim Slaughter; Deford Ltd.; Waller Todd & Sadler Architects; and Lifetouch Photography.

To RSVP to this event, please contact Sandi Maxwell at sandi.maxwell@vbschools.com or 757-263-1949.