A Beautiful Day in Richmond

The Inauguration of Governor Spanberger

The house phone rang--for you younger folks, it's the “land line.” Since it is usually one of my 80 year old plus friends, I tend to let it go to voicemail. It was Wednesday, January 14^th, from Richmond and I knew that the House of Delegates and State Senate were already in session. “Hi, this is Vivian Watts!” She had an extra ticket to the Inauguration, and it was important to her that she share it with another female, given the historic nature of the event. I looked at my calendar and really didn’t have anything that I couldn’t work around. I’m glad I went.

Delegate Watts is one of the longest serving public servants in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in both the legislative and executive branches. She was on the Inaugural Committee. The seats were on the Portico, second row. I could read incoming Governor Spanberger’s teleprompter. We were delighted to hear her speak so eloquently, acknowledging the importance of the moment, and the men and women who have gone before her. 

Probably more captivating to me was the certainty of her Executive Orders: rescinding the 287-g agreement that allows extra-legal agents to terrify our communities; removing previous appointees to the public university boards; directives to identify cost savings for families; health care funding; and EO – 4, for inclusive education and closing opportunity gaps for all students. The Order directs additional resources to schools with the greatest need, while implementing effective assessment tools. Executive Order, Number Four (2026) Committing to Academic Excellence and Affirming the Commonwealth’s Commitment to Providing a High Quality Public Education for all Students, Effective January 17, 2026.

The festive atmosphere of the event did not obscure her clarity of purpose. She pointed out that we are one of four Commonwealths among the fifty states. Our uniqueness is that, at our core, our goal is to better the education, health, financial freedom, and safety of all Virginians. 

In summary, organizations like ours, 4 Public Education, stood in the breach for four years, resisting the degradation and privatization of our outstanding public school system. There is a lot of work ahead to ensure that staff and teachers have the resources they need; families are included in the process; and students get the education to which the Commonwealth has declared they are entitled. Governor Spanberger, the State House and Senate swore to it.

Nancy D. Hall, EdD (January 21, 2026)

Nancy Hall is on 4 Public Education's Board of Directors as Secretary. Not only does she take excellent notes, but she always has a great story to tell and a helping hand to lend. If you were lucky enough to watch the Inauguration of Governor Spanberger on television, you can catch a glimpse of Nancy and her friends to the right of the podium.