PCPS Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan
PETERSBURG, VA. (February 6, 2026)—The Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) Board approved the school division’s five-year strategic plan at the February 4, 2026 Board Meeting. Titled Petersburg Forward 2031, the plan establishes the mission, vision, core beliefs, and priority areas serving as the division’s comprehensive roadmap that will guide the division’s continued progress and development over the next five years.
“We are grateful for the School Board’s thoughtful consideration and approval of our five-year strategic plan aptly called Petersburg Forward 2031. This plan will serve as our guiding framework for the future of our school division through 2031, embodying our commitment to growth, continuous improvement, and the long-term success of our school division,” said Superintendent Yolonda Brown.
The plan was developed in partnership with key division partners, including the School Board, division leaders, staff, parents, students, and community leaders throughout Petersburg. Feedback gathered from community surveys, focus groups, local town hall meetings, and individual interviews with School Board members informed the identification of key themes and priorities. A steering committee, composed of division leadership, staff, parents, and community members led the development of the draft plan that was presented to the School Board for review, feedback, and consideration.
“On behalf of the entire School Board, I am pleased to share that this carefully developed five-year strategic plan is reflective of our division community’s key priorities and core values. The School Board was a committed and invested participant in the development of Petersburg Forward 2031. We truly believe that the goals and priorities laid out in this five-year plan will lead our school division forward,” said Board Chair Kenneth Pritchett.
The five priorities of the strategic plan are:
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Priority 1: Student achievement, wellness, and support
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Priority 2: Talent acquisition, development, and retention
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Priority 3: Operational excellence and infrastructure
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Priority 4: Fiscal stewardship and management
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Priority 5: Family engagement and community partnerships
Each priority has corresponding objectives that outline what the division must achieve to reach its goals.
In conjunction with the approval of the strategic plan, the school division will develop an implementation plan, including strategies, metrics, and milestones for achieving the objectives within the outlined priority areas.
The plan will officially launch in the 2026-2027 school year, and quarterly updates will be presented to the School Board through 2031.
Superintendent Brown added, “This plan will guide our work and investments so that we can fulfill our vision to transform and expand opportunities for learning so that every student graduates with a life filled with choices.”
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Petersburg City Public Schools serves approximately 4,500 students from preschool to adult across nine schools in Petersburg, VA. PCPS is home to 672 staff members who serve the school division community. The mission of PCPS is to develop and empower students through innovation and collaboration so they demonstrate virtue, good character and make meaningful contributions to society. The vision of PCPS is to transform and expand opportunities for learning so that every student graduates with a life filled with choices.