70 years of Brown v. Board of Education

This 2024 VPM News special series examines the issue of school conditions — then and now — to unpack why so many Virginia schools are in disrepair today.

Written by Megan Pauly. Data visualizations by Sean McGoey. Edited by Whittney Evans and Kelley Libby.

Additional editing by Dave Cantor, Dawnthea M. Price Lisco and Elliott Robinson.

Series and drone photography by Shaban Athuman.

A person, wearing a shirt that says "class of 2004," looks at renderings of the new school.

VPM News

Brown v. Board promised better schools for all, but Richmond falls short

Part 1: the current state of Richmond Public Schools and the consequences of its aging facilities.

By Megan Pauly and Sean McGoey

An archival photo of the Davis plaintiffs

Prince Edward schools that helped usher in Brown v. Board still in disrepair

Part 2: The county has plans to renovate its elementary school, though funding remains a question.

By Megan Pauly

Virginia has history of underfunding school construction

Part 3: Local districts are left to figure out funding for fixes and new buildings.

By Megan Pauly and Sean McGoey