FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2026
Student Report Leads to Prompt Response at Berkeley Glenn Elementary School
Today at Berkeley Glenn Elementary School, a student reported to an instructional assistant that another student, who is 9 years old, had a knife in his desk. The instructional assistant immediately notified the classroom teacher, and the knife was secured. The student was removed from the classroom and escorted to the school office.
A Waynesboro Police Department School Resource Officer responded immediately. The responding officer confirmed that the knife had a 3½-inch blade. A follow-up criminal investigation is underway to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate.
Following a threat assessment and review of the incident, it was determined that students and staff were not in danger.
Waynesboro Public Schools commends the student who reported the concern and the staff members who responded promptly and appropriately. Our students are regularly reminded that if they see or hear something concerning, they should immediately report it to a trusted adult. Today’s incident reinforces the importance of students following that guidance and taking concerns about school safety seriously.
Waynesboro Public Schools also appreciates its strong partnership with the Waynesboro Police Department and the department’s continued support of our schools. The immediate assistance of our School Resource Officer helped ensure the situation was addressed quickly and appropriately.
The safety of our students and staff remains a top priority for Waynesboro Public Schools. Maintaining safe schools is a shared responsibility, and we are asking parents and guardians to help us by checking their children’s bookbags every day before they leave for school. Taking a few moments each day to know what your child is bringing to school can help prevent prohibited or potentially dangerous items from entering our buildings.
We appreciate the actions of our students, staff, administrators, families, and law enforcement partners as we work together to maintain safe and supportive learning environments for all students.
For additional information, please contact Ryan Barber, Assistant Superintendent, at 540-946-4600.
This Nov. 3, Waynesboro residents will vote on a proposed 1% local sales tax dedicated exclusively to school construction and renovation projects.
If approved, 100% of the funds will go directly toward critical infrastructure needs, including major renovations at Waynesboro High School, HVAC and ADA accessibility upgrades at Kate Collins Middle School, and modernizing the school administration office.
Unlike real estate tax increases—which fall entirely on local property owners—this sales tax shares the cost with non-residents and tourists shopping in Waynesboro. Essential items like groceries, prescription drugs, and hygiene products are strictly exempt from the tax.
To review more information and the Capital Improvements Plan please visit this link.
Waynesboro Public Schools is developing a network of HBCU graduates who may be interested in supporting students through panel discussions, mentoring, college and career conversations, campus visits, and other opportunities.
No WPS affiliation is required. Completing the interest form does not commit you to participating—it simply allows us to learn more about you and contact you as opportunities arise.
Complete the interest form:
https://forms.gle/Zxoo3cVsjvBDd6rT6
Please share this post with the HBCU graduates in your network!
Good afternoon!
Today, September 18, 2026, marks the beginning of early voting in Virginia for the General and Special Elections taking place on November 3, 2026.
Waynesboro residents will see the following question on their ballot:
Sales Tax: “The revenue from the additional general sales tax not to exceed 1% shall be used solely for capital projects for the renovation or construction of City schools, financing and/or bonds, to the extent the capital projects are to be financed by bonds and/or loans, and the additional general sales tax not to exceed 1% shall expire no later than July 13, 2046. Yes or No”
Waynesboro Public Schools does not advocate for a “Yes” or “No” vote. However, we want to ensure that our community has access to information about the ballot question and the school facility projects it relates to as voters make their own decisions.
Additional information and resources are available on the Waynesboro Public Schools website:
https://www.waynesboro.k12.va.us/o/wps/page/sales-tax-for-schools
Thank you for taking the time to learn more and for your continued support of Waynesboro Public Schools.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2026
Student Report Leads to Prompt Response at William Perry Elementary School
Today at William Perry Elementary School, a student reported to a teacher that another student, who is 9 years old, may have had a weapon in a bookbag. The teacher immediately secured the bookbag, removed the student in question from the classroom, and escorted the student and bookbag to the school office.
A Waynesboro Police Department School Resource Officer was present and responded immediately. Upon searching the bookbag, the School Resource Officer located a BB gun. A follow-up criminal investigation is underway to assess potential criminal charges.
Following a threat assessment and review of the incident, it was determined that students and staff were not in danger.
Waynesboro Public Schools commends the student who reported the concern and the staff members who responded promptly and appropriately. Our students are taught that when they see or hear something concerning, they should immediately report it to a trusted adult. Today’s response demonstrates the importance of students following that guidance and taking concerns about school safety seriously.
Waynesboro Public Schools also appreciates its strong partnership with the Waynesboro Police Department and the department’s continued support of our schools. The presence and immediate assistance of our School Resource Officer helped ensure the situation was addressed quickly and appropriately.
The safety of our students and staff remains a top priority for Waynesboro Public Schools. We appreciate the actions of our students, staff, administrators, and law enforcement partners in responding to this incident. The school division staff encourage parents to regularly check their child’s bookbags so we can maintain safe learning environments.
For additional information, please contact Ryan Barber, Assistant Superintendent, at 540-946-4600.
We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday!
We are grateful to our school health professionals and community partners whose dedication and collaboration helped make this recognition possible. Their work strengthens our commitment to keeping students, staff and visitors safe across our schools.
Thank you for helping make Waynesboro Public Schools a heart-safe school division!
We are excited to welcome our students back to school tomorrow. We also understand that some students and families may not feel ready to return at this time, and we fully respect and support your decision to do what is best for your child and family.
For families who have expressed interest in the WPS Virtual Academy, please check your email for important information regarding next steps.
We recognize that this continues to be a difficult time for our school community. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work together to care for our students, families, and staff.
We look forward to welcoming our students back tomorrow.
Good afternoon!
Our message to Westwood Hills students, families, and staff included a lot of important information and details. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a “Key Takeaways” sheet that highlights the most important points and may be helpful for many families.
We appreciate you all and your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend!
Westwood Hills Recovery & Return: KEY TAKEAWAYS | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
Good afternoon,
Please check our website and your email for important Westwood Hills Recovery and Return Information and Resources.
The information shared includes a number of resources to support our students, families, staff, and community. Please take some time to review these materials, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional support.
We know this is a challenging time for our community, and we remain committed to supporting one another. We will continue to communicate, collaborate, and partner together as we move forward.
Thank you for your continued care, patience, and support.
We hope to see you at our Drive-Through Family Resource Event, happening now until 6:00 p.m. in the front cafeteria loop at Westwood Hills.
Our team will be available to provide families with non-perishable food boxes, school meals, hygiene products, diapers, and other resources.
If you are unable to attend because of your work schedule, transportation needs, or another barrier, please text this number: 540-569-9926. A member of our team will reach out to learn more about your needs and how we can support your family.
We hope you'll stop by, and we look forward to seeing you!
Have a great afternoon!
Westwood Hills Elementary School will remain closed on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The Waynesboro School Board and division administrative team continue to support the Westwood Hills staff, implement additional security enhancements, and prepare the school for a safe and thoughtful reopening. As of today, we are not yet able to share a reopening plan. We are consulting with local, state, and national experts who have experience helping schools reopen following an incident. We are also listening closely to the Westwood Hills staff and working to ensure they feel prepared and supported as they welcome your children back to school.
As a reminder, we will offer a drive-through resource event tomorrow, September 10, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. in the front loop of Westwood Hills. Members of the Waynesboro School Board and Central Office Administrative Team will be at Westwood Hills to greet your family. Families will be able to pick up non-perishable food, school meals, hygiene products, and diapers. We know the school closure has disrupted work schedules and daily routines for many of our families, and our goal is to provide support in any way we can during this difficult time.
We miss our students, and we look forward to the day when we can welcome them back to Westwood Hills. Until then, we will continue to support our students, staff, and families as we navigate these uncharted waters together.
Take care, and have a good evening.
We have two opportunities to support our Westwood Hills families this week!
This evening from 3:00–6:00 p.m., our School Nutrition Team will be distributing meals in the front loop near the cafeteria. This will be a convenient drive-through meal distribution, so families can remain in their vehicles while picking up meals.
Also, don’t forget about our Community Resource Event tomorrow from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Westwood Hills.
We love our Westwood Hills families and look forward to serving and supporting you!
Have a wonderful afternoon!
Aidan was one of eight students selected from across the Commonwealth of Virginia selected to serve on the State Student Advisory Board.
Good afternoon!
Westwood Hills Elementary School will NOT be open on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. We are determining a timeline for Westwood’s reopening, but are not yet ready to announce a date.
Please check the Waynesboro Public Schools' website and your email for an update on the Westwood Hills Elementary School Recovery and Return details. Thank you for your support during this challenging time for our community.
Waynesboro Public Schools are providing this notification in conjunction with the Waynesboro Police Department: During the overnight hours of September 5, 2026, the Waynesboro Police Department received information from out of state about a potential threat to Westwood Hills Elementary School on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Throughout the weekend, Waynesboro Police Department personnel worked with school officials and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged threat, specifically to source its origin and locate the suspect. Westwood Schools was also searched and checked throughout the weekend out of precaution.
This afternoon, Waynesboro Police were able to locate the individual with the assistance of Harrisonburg Police Department and determine the alleged threat was false. The investigation continues, and charges are likely pending.
We are so sorry to have to share this message at such a difficult time for our community. Take care and have a good evening.
Waynesboro Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
We appreciate the continued care, support and compassion being shown throughout our school community.
Artwork created and shared by Mae Carrel, 7th grade student at KCMS. ❤️
Good evening.
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as our school division and the entire community navigate the difficult and unfamiliar circumstances surrounding the incident at Westwood Hills Elementary School.
The school division has created a website titled “Westwood Hills Elementary School Recovery and Return Information and Resources.” This site is intended to provide families, staff, and community members with the most current information and resources available as we move forward together.
We recognize that we do not yet have all of the answers and that no amount of information can fully ease the concerns and emotions surrounding this situation. We are committed, however, to communicating openly and keeping this website updated as additional information becomes available.
At the bottom of the webpage, you will also find a link where families and community members may submit additional questions. Your questions will help us identify areas where further information or clarification may be helpful.
Thank you again for your patience, compassion, and continued support of Westwood Hills and our school community. We hope you and your family are able to find some comfort and peace over the weekend.
Please review and share these resources with anyone who may benefit. Students and families may also contact their school counselor, psychologist, social worker or administrator for additional support.
We are grateful to our community partners for caring for and supporting our students, families and staff.
