Governor Abigail Spanberger visited the Star City on her 100th day in office to sign 12 bipartisan bills aimed at expanding technical education and workforce development. The event at the Roanoke Higher Education Center brought together Democrats and Republicans from the region, many with direct ties to education and workforce training.
Spanberger used the bill signing to stress that the work builds on years of planning.
“To be clear, I’m only 100 days in,” Spanberger said. “This is work that has been built over administrations. Because of cooperation, we are able to announce these successes.”
Regional Republicans highlight education ties
Several Republican lawmakers joined Spanberger on stage, underscoring bipartisan support for career and technical education.
Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, spoke about making it easier for career switchers to become licensed CTE teachers and said the legislation is part of a long-term effort to expand workforce training.
Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt County, pointed to his years on the Roanoke Higher Education Center board and his background as a business owner who relies on a trained workforce. He said the region has made major gains in education and that partners are standing “shoulder to shoulder” to keep that momentum going “right here in Roanoke.”
Del. Ellen McLaughlin, R-Rockingham County, told the crowd that career and technical education is especially critical in rural communities where not every student will pursue a four-year degree. She said lawmakers from both parties agree that giving students marketable skills is one place where they do not want to fight.
Del. Lily Franklin, D-Roanoke County, added a personal note. The newest delegate in the room is a graduate of the Burton Center for Arts & Technology in Roanoke and said her own CTE background shapes how she views the new programs and funding.
Education-focused bills signed in Roanoke
Spanberger signed the following apprenticeships, CTE, and school-support bills at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, a regional workforce hub that offers more than 100 training programs:
- HB 332 (Del. Sam Rasoul), SB 203 (Sen. David Suetterlein) — Make it easier to get career and technical education teachers into the classroom by allowing the Board of Education to issue three-year renewable licenses to qualified higher education instructors teaching CTE or dual enrollment courses in public high schools. Passed unanimously.
- HB 275 (Rasoul), SB 10 (Suetterlein) — Allow more high school students to start apprenticeships in culinary arts or information technology while remaining enrolled and on track to graduate. Passed unanimously.
- HB 423 (Rasoul), SB 242 (Head) — Support Virginia’s health care workforce by adding the Appalachian College of Pharmacy, the Commonwealth’s only three-year doctor of pharmacy program, to the board of the Roanoke Higher Education Authority. Passed with bipartisan support.
- HB 1153 (Rasoul), SB 820 (Suetterlein) — Reduce youth violence by expanding the Community Builders pilot program, which was established in Roanoke City Public Schools and Petersburg City Public Schools. Passed with bipartisan support.
- HB 924 (Rasoul) — Direct the Board of Education and superintendent of public instruction to support improvement efforts in low-performing schools. Passed with bipartisan support.
- HB 643 (Rasoul) — Strengthen the new School Performance and Support Framework accountability system based on recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. Passed with bipartisan support.
- HB 1283 (Del. Ellen McLaughlin), SB 742 (Sen. Chris Head) — Clarify that changes to graduation and diploma requirements approved by the Board of Education apply only to incoming ninth graders, giving schools and families clear expectations. Passed unanimously.
Spanberger told students in the audience that the bills are meant to “open more doors” and give them more options after graduation
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