FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- July 7, 2024
71 views 27 min

Six-months into their four-year terms as Spotsylvania County School Board members, Megan Jackson and Belen Rodas talk about their frustrations, hopes, and the need to focus on educating children. The day after the School Board election in November, we wrote of the results: “At the end of the day, voters favored people over policies in […]

by Martin Davis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- July 1, 2024
62 views 9 min

It’s time to lead with people. Early in the 2000s at a meeting of some of America’s wealthiest philanthropists, I was standing by a window in a meeting room at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. At the front of the room were several very wealthy, well-intentioned individuals talking about how philanthropy could address […]

by Martin Davis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- July 1, 2024
72 views 5 min

Judge Gene Woolard also asked the board to refocus on the education of children. A visiting judge on Monday morning dismissed a misdemeanor assault and battery charge brought by Spotsylvania School Board member Lisa Phelps against fellow School Board member and Vice Chair Nicole Cole. As did his colleague Richard McGrath earlier this spring when […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- June 5, 2024
82 views 13 sec

Cole was arraigned in General District Court Wednesday morning. A trial date of July 1 has been set for Spotsylvania School Board Vice Chair Nicole Cole, who is accused of misdemeanor assault and battery by fellow School Board member Lisa Phelps. Cole was in Spotsylvania General District Court Wednesday morning for the arraignment. She is […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- June 3, 2024
78 views 6 min

Lisa Phelps and April Gillespie were asked by School Board Chair Lorita Daniels to comply with a FOIA request regarding the Riverbend High School swim team. The two have still not fully complied. Spotsylvania School Board Chair Lorita Daniels sent official letters earlier this year to two School Board members asking that they comply with […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- June 1, 2024
70 views 10 min

Blue bathing suits? Sleepy Joe? Donald Trump as Robert Redford in the Natural? Must be Drew Time! As I grow older, my memory has started to fade. I can remember the blue bathing suit my wife was wearing at the pool the first time I met her nearly 25 years ago, but I’ll be damned […]

FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- May 28, 2024
117 views 51 sec

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office served a warrant this morning to Spotsylvania School Board Vice Chair Nicole Cole. Cole is being accused by fellow School Board member Lisa Phelps of assault and battery on Phelps. According to the warrant, the offense is alleged to have occurred “on or before” May 20, 2024, which was the date […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- May 3, 2024
93 views 3 min

Lisa Phelps and April Gillespie asserted last week, without evidence, that School Board attorneys are looking for reasons to fire Mark Taylor. Spotsylvania School Board member April Gillespie alleged at a work session last week that the school division’s attorneys are still looking for cause for terminating former superintendent Mark Taylor’s contract. In response to […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- April 9, 2024
109 views 6 min

by Adele UphausMANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT Spotsylvania School Board member Lisa Phelps will receive a written letter of reprimand from the Board for violating the governing body’s Code of Ethics. The Board approved sending the letter by a vote of 5-to-0 at Monday evening’s regular meeting. Phelps had been participating in the meeting via phone […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...
FEATURED
FXBG Advance
- March 28, 2024
101 views 2 min

by ADELE UPHAUSMANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT Spotsylvania School Board members April Gillespie, Berkeley district representative, and Lisa Phelps, Lee Hill district representative, have either been absent or left early from nine out of the 10 meetings the School Board has held so far this year. Both board members left the January 8 organizational meeting early […]

Managing Editor and Correspondent ...