Caroline County board approves submission of 'Caroline Reads' literacy campaign for VSBA innovation award
April 14, 2026 | CAROLINE CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia
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The Caroline County School Board on April 13 voted unanimously to submit the division's Caroline Reads literacy campaign for the Virginia School Boards Association's Showcasing Innovation Award.
Staff described Caroline Reads as a countywide call to action focused on fostering a culture of reading, strengthening school–community connections and improving equitable access to reading opportunities. Presenters summarized recent activities: a book cruiser that distributed more than 500 books to 250 students, a Main Street kickoff that distributed over 1,000 new and gently used children's books and more than 300 participant passports, adult book clubs offered bimonthly, author visits in schools and plans for a student-run bookstore and cafe at the high school.
Dr. Sarah Calvaric, superintendent, and Marcia Stevens, chief operations officer, said the initiative pairs targeted summer supports (curated summer book boxes and pop-up programming) with in-school curriculum work next year (students authoring and publishing books at elementary levels and one-book experiences at middle school). They noted partnerships with local businesses, libraries and visiting authors and said Caroline Reads intentionally includes service components so student reading also benefits community causes.
Board members asked for clarity about what would appear in the limited VSBA submission (150-word responses) and confirmed staff would submit the core campaign elements, noting a fuller description would be available if the division is selected as a finalist. After a brief discussion the board moved to waive first read and approved the submission.
The vote authorizes staff to file the VSBA Showcase submission by the requested deadline; board members praised the campaign's community engagement and instructional alignment.
The board also discussed related budget items later in the meeting, where staff said some state literacy funds deferred into FY26 are intended to support tutoring, chronic absenteeism efforts and Virginia Literacy Act implementation alongside campaign activities. The board will consider detailed budget amendments and implementation steps at upcoming meetings.
Staff described Caroline Reads as a countywide call to action focused on fostering a culture of reading, strengthening school–community connections and improving equitable access to reading opportunities. Presenters summarized recent activities: a book cruiser that distributed more than 500 books to 250 students, a Main Street kickoff that distributed over 1,000 new and gently used children's books and more than 300 participant passports, adult book clubs offered bimonthly, author visits in schools and plans for a student-run bookstore and cafe at the high school.
Dr. Sarah Calvaric, superintendent, and Marcia Stevens, chief operations officer, said the initiative pairs targeted summer supports (curated summer book boxes and pop-up programming) with in-school curriculum work next year (students authoring and publishing books at elementary levels and one-book experiences at middle school). They noted partnerships with local businesses, libraries and visiting authors and said Caroline Reads intentionally includes service components so student reading also benefits community causes.
Board members asked for clarity about what would appear in the limited VSBA submission (150-word responses) and confirmed staff would submit the core campaign elements, noting a fuller description would be available if the division is selected as a finalist. After a brief discussion the board moved to waive first read and approved the submission.
The vote authorizes staff to file the VSBA Showcase submission by the requested deadline; board members praised the campaign's community engagement and instructional alignment.
The board also discussed related budget items later in the meeting, where staff said some state literacy funds deferred into FY26 are intended to support tutoring, chronic absenteeism efforts and Virginia Literacy Act implementation alongside campaign activities. The board will consider detailed budget amendments and implementation steps at upcoming meetings.
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