A Roanoke City School teacher was arrested on Wednesday following an online undercover chat operation that the Investigations Division of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office conducted with whom they suspected to be a sexual predator.

Safety is top of mind for Roanoke City Schools, especially after a school year filled with threats, and safety concerns. That’s why they’re looking into student ID badges.

Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin heard stories from Roanoke City School parents and leaders impacted by the dangers of fentanyl in a forum Monday.

Several of the routes have been able to cut back the time they are delayed from arriving at the school.

The school board heard from over 15 people in disagreement of changing start times for schools.

25 safety recommendations were adopted by the school board at their last meeting, including a new safety tip line, new, more secure classroom door locks, and an additional 15 school resource officers on top of the 11 already on staff.

25 safety recommendations were adopted by the school board at their last meeting, including a new safety tip line, new, more secure classroom door locks, and an additional 15 school resource officers on top of the 11 already on staff.

ROANOKE, Va – More Roanoke students Returned to the classroom Monday. Most students attending Roanoke City Public Schools were already attending in-person classes two days a week. Now, they’ll be in-person double that, for four days a week. The school division has several precautions in place, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and regular cleaning to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. About 25% of students in the school division chose not to return and will finish the school year virtually.

ROANOKE, Va – With less than a month until students are set to return to the classroom for in-person learning, school divisions across southwest Virginia are working around the clock to prepare their plans. Newly released guidelines from the CDC show that students can return to the classroom safely. “Just inching our way forward very carefully, but we’re proud to have kids in-person according to the CDC recommendations that were just published this past weekend we are in alignment with those CDC recommendations,” Roanoke City Superintendent Verletta White said. Most Roanoke City School students haven’t had a full week of in-person learning in almost a year, they’ve been doing a mix of in-person and virtual learning. The Superintendent says the school division is working very closely with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts to welcome students back safely.

Roanoke, VA – Roanoke City School leaders spent the weekend gearing up students and their families for the first day of school Monday. Sunday the division hosted its annual Back to School to Extravaganza a little differently than in years past. Parents could drive through the parking lot at William Fleming High School to get more than 2,000 bags of school supplies. Superintendent Verletta White says she and the rest of her team are excited to kick off the school year. Roanoke City Schools will be doing virtual classes for a majority of its students.

The bone-chilling temperatures predicted for Wednesday morning are on the minds of Roanoke City School parents Tuesday night, as long waits at the bus stop and other transportation issues continue to be a problem. For the first time, after nearly three months of issues with Durham School Services, the school board mentioned possibly firing the company. Board members said firing the company would not be good for anyone, but they are running out of patience. But at Tuesdays meeting, the school board, which at first was tolerant of Durhams performance, sounded more like the parents that have been speaking at the podium during the school boards meetings each month. Im embarrassed to represent a board that hired you after the way you are performing, board vice-chairman Lutheria Smith said.

ROANOKE, Va - On Tuesday night, Durham School Services, the private company running Roanoke City School buses, said there is a light at the end of the tunnel for its turbulent start to student busing. The school board got an earful from both sides at its meeting Tuesday, and board members also questioned why issues have not been resolved yet. Durham said they will continue to increase drive bonuses, and are about to launch a new app for parents to track their kids school bus next week. School bus staff have spoken with 10 News in the past, but only under the condition of anonymity, fearing for their jobs. The school board told Durham it needs to do better, and they can't keep having these meetings.