Education

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new advisory group will offer guidance to the governor and Department of Education secretary on Virginia's teaching policies.

An executive order issued Wednesday by Gov. Bob McDonnell establishes the Governor's Teacher Cabinet.

McDonald says the cabinet's members will be teachers from across Virginia. They will make both long-term and short-term recommendations on ways to enhance teacher leadership, quality and professionalism.

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A state panel has approved up to $7 million in bond financing for a Sussex County charter school.

The Council on Development Finance approved the request regarding the Sussex Academy of the Arts and Sciences at its meeting Monday in Dover.

Proceeds of the revenue bonds would be applied to make a loan to school for a variety of purposes. They include financing the acquisition of about 42 acres of land, a 122,000 square-foot building on it and improvements to accommodate a new middle school and high school serving grades 6 through 12.

Lisa P. Jackson, the Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator during President Obama’s first term, will deliver the 126th spring commencement address to some 400 graduates and their guests May 17, at 10 a.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

Jackson, a champion of the environment, led an agency that employs a staff of 17,000 committed to protecting the nation “from health treats from toxins to pollution” and renewing the public’s trust in the agency’s work.