Education

Education Platform

Every student deserves an equitable education. Mosby understands first-hand the value public schools have on our young people. Teachers, administrators, and all education support staff play a major role in our young people’s success. Not only are those roles important but student success is also contingent on what we – leaders, parents, caregivers and neighbors – contribute to our public education system.

Mosby will continue to be a bridge builder as she did as Richmond City Council President bringing all local governing bodies together to discuss promote and problem solve holistically. The only way to create transformational change in our schools is to unify the community around the priority of public education. That starts with constant communication, open and honest dialog, and frequent joint meetings of all the key players, including City Council, School Board, School administration and Mayor’s Office. There should be quarterly joint meetings at a minimal and a coordinated and unified effort to reach an agreement on key educational priorities, budget objectives, facility plans and community needs. Mosby will communicate constantly, be present in the schools, and work hard to develop trusting relationships with other elected and appointed leaders to create the environment for change. I will appoint a senior position in the Mayor’s Office to be a liaison with RPS and other agencies that impact public education. I will work with RPS to develop a five-year funding plan to bring predictability and consistency to the annual budget process.

Mosby will prioritize advocating at the state level to receive our equitable share of funding. Inequities in learning have widened during the pandemic, where even more of Richmond’s students are also experiencing hunger, housing instability, lack of internet connectivity and adverse childhood experiences. These challenges add more hurdles to learning and require a community-wide approach to address the needs of children. 

Studies have shown that our schools face many challenges, and our Latino and Black and Brown students share in a high range of disparities that create barriers for learning.

Mosby will work with schools to invest and strengthen trauma-informed care and interrupt the school to prison pipeline: Data shows that suspensions and expulsions disproportionately impact Black and brown students. We need more adults in our schools who can work with disruptive students so that our teachers can focus on maintaining a conducive learning environment. Mosby will suggest to the School Board and RPS to add to the current school resource officers with social workers, more nurses, and other qualified mental health professionals who can support our students’ health and wellbeing. Mosby supports expanding programs between the schools, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and social services to meet students' needs. Mosby understands that our growing Latino population accounts for nearly 20 percent of the Richmond Public School system, primarily in the Southside. It’s important that we strengthen relationships with this community, invest in resources that help English Language Learners.
Mosby will continue to fully fund Richmond Public Schools as she did as a council member:  Mosby will advocate for RPS and its staff within the General Assembly and suggest to our Richmond City Council and School Board to join the fight with her.    Mosby will also work to establish strategic, public private partnerships that will be intentional about bringing funding and resources to our schools.

  Mosby believes Together We Can Change the Public Education Narrative!