Last week, Virginia’s prison system announced it had achieved a “best-in-class” recidivism rate. However, the achievement appears to be because of the effect of COVID-19 on Virginia’s court system, the department’s research team wrote in a note that was not mentioned in the agency’s news release. Still, Dotson credited the work of his agency for the low recidivism rate, saying that the agency provides effective evidence-based reentry services “every single day.”

The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors will convene Thursday and Friday to vote on plans for capital development, University budgets and audit plans. Also at this meeting, the full Board will vote on an amendment to the Manual of the Board of Visitors, proposed by recently appointed Ken Cuccinelli, which would change the nominating process for candidates for the Secretary to the Board of Visitors position, who attends all meetings, records meeting minutes and keeps records of all documents pertaining to the actions of the Board. Currently, the University President and the Board’s Rector nominate a candidate, after which the Board may officially elect the secretary to serve for a term of four years. Cuccinelli’s proposed change would allow any member of the Board to make a nomination even if not supported by the President — according to the meeting agenda, all seven members of the Board’s Executive Committee have already reviewed and expressed opposition to this amendment, which requires a majority of the 17 members to pass.

Former Spotsylvania County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Taylor and the Spotsylvania School Board will come to the table to settle a dispute later this year. A judge with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Taylor and the school board to attend a judicial settlement conference on Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m. Magistrate Judge Summer L. Speight issued the order on May 29. Taylor alleged that he was wrongfully terminated because he “organized and implemented” a book fair that promoted Christian literature on Dec. 2, 2023, at Riverbend High School.

A Spotsylvania judge on Monday ordered attorneys for Spotsylvania County School Board member Nicole Cole (Battlefield District) to pay thousands for failing to respond to defense attorneys representing Lisa Phelps (Lee Hill) and April Gillespie (Berkeley). Cole’s attorneys also were ordered to respond to discovery and hearing requests by the defense attorneys. Cole defense team has 14 days to respond to defense attorneys and pay fees totaling $5,468. The lawsuit stems from a case in which Phelps alleged Cole assaulted her during a closed school board meeting in May 2024. That case was heard in General District Court, with Gillespie testifying for Phelps. The charges against Cole were dismissed. A Spotsylvania judge on Monday ordered attorneys for Nicole Cole (Battlefield District) to pay thousands for failing to respond to defense attorneys representing Lisa Phelps (Lee Hill) and April Gillespie (Berkeley). Cole’s attorneys also were ordered to respond to discovery and hearing requests by the defense attorneys. Cole defense team has 14 days to respond to defense attorneys and pay fees totaling $5,468. The lawsuit stems from a case in which Phelps alleged Cole assaulted her during a closed school board meeting in May 2024. That case was heard in General District Court, with Gillespie testifying for Phelps. The charges against Cole were dismissed. According to court records, attorneys for Gillespie and Phelps, with Richmond-based Founding Freedoms Law Center, contacted Cole’s attorneys several times after the court filing, without response.