Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms Back to School Message

The following is a release from Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms:

“It's hard to believe the summer has flown by so quickly, and, once again, we find ourselves starting another school year in the best city in America, and in a system that's been continually ranked one of the best public school systems in the country.

Good luck to all Virginia Beach Public School students, their parents, teachers, faculty and staff on a successful 2012-2013 school year. We would not have the successful school system we have today if it weren't for a wonderful community of people who believe in the value of an education.

That's why Great Schools, a national nonprofit that studies private and public school education, ranked Virginia Beach the fifth best large city school division, and, last year, The Washington Post ranked 10 of 11 of our high schools in the top six percent nationwide.

Despite economic hard times and budget short falls, including cuts across the board for education from the state and federal governments, Virginia Beach continues to fully fund its public schools - to the tune of a total of $2.6 billion dollars since 2008.

So let's reach for the stars and embrace this new school year for all it offers, not just the learning experiences, but for the camaraderie and the life lessons.”