[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361220,"mediaKeyId","2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a","parentId",2170908,"title","School Board passes routine business items, moves into closed session and schedules Ward 3 interviews","audioSeconds",1837,"startMs",11803000,"endMs",13640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a&start=11803&end=13640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a/thumbnail_11803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361220/Virginia/School-Board-passes-routine-business-items-moves-into-closed-session-and-schedules-Ward-3-interviews","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361220-9cd05f71689124b027af8b333bf4a920/orig.mp4?Expires=1777105623&Signature=j4fHuRatUCkpVzMthFE~ygclvLSwVA3hlKH-PAKBLGtzdaB7hFhi2lpOStQ0QglamECbKuo3f5fLU2uoo8xLAOrrIDCZrKHKLDq0vpFE2pzpzD0XPXJVImIL4tSJaXtXP6oY6~ioVJ8Lccr7CoRYHZGKBccdiqznPW~F0GUmYIPUd0O-S5SFf6jWoUmz74o0D9Niacx~lvbj2HUpyfBHeiVvyKGIXsV9ObRIgPkAQZXb~wzlOMvJEzC7HvNYFEl9Yr2xkxJ6lhwf5MOxFsJTIkoEd3eImt37h3aRayp~g7uOsbnsg0p9EJq4eKHgkKDwQQLw2-s2CvmUxYttgXmxPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norfolk City Public School","date","2025-01-30T01:12:50Z","article","The Norfolk School Board completed routine business votes and took procedural actions during its meeting.

Adopt agenda and consent items: The board approved the business meeting agenda and later approved the consent agenda. Both actions passed on motions and recorded roll calls.

Financial report: The board approved the December (period 6) financial highlights — described by staff as transactions recorded through Jan. 17 — subject to audit. The roll call recorded ayes from board members; the motion passed.

Personnel report: The board approved the personnel report. Vice Chair Thomas recorded an abstention during the roll call; the motion carried.

Closed session: The board moved into a closed executive session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss personnel matters (appointments, employment, performance), student disciplinary matters invoking scholastic records exceptions, and legal counsel briefings on actual or probable litigation. The motion recited Va. Code §2.2‑3711 subsections authorizing those exceptions; the board voted to go into closed session.

Ward 3 appointment process: The board announced five applicants selected for interviews for the Ward 3 seat; the candidates named were Catherine Powell, Ortiz Forrest (transcript listed “Curtis or Curtis Forrest” — recorded as Ortiz/Curtis Forrest in board announcement), Corbin Brown, Siobhan (Jevon/Siobhan) Smith and Jason Ng. The board stated the applicants’ resumes and applications would be posted online and that interviews would appear on the board work session agenda.

Adjournment: The board adopted a motion to adjourn at the close of the business meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LIVE School Board Meeting: 1-29-25 (4:00 p.m.)","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting the board adopted the business meeting agenda, approved the consent agenda, accepted the monthly financial report subject to audit, approved the personnel report (one abstention), moved into a closed executive session for personnel, student and legal matters, and announced five candidates for the Ward 3 interim appointment.","taxTitle","NORFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14513,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361225,"Norfolk reports progress on staffing at underperforming schools; 12 schools still have multiple vacancies",532,3815000,4347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a&start=3815&end=4347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a/thumbnail_3815000.jpg","/articles/6361225/Virginia/Norfolk-reports-progress-on-staffing-at-underperforming-schools-12-schools-still-have-multiple-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361225-a3f5352d909a13fe3b58ba00484da4dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1777105623&Signature=gceQOSul5vlJlpKy-jUXlRhB~Hyq9S7-2~ToLJ9lIiHjc4WC00YvPFE1rRVGEazfvfEl9SvCNvyjpoIAGy4NiQZ4~nCjaR5NhzAro-87Mpw-DYxEmex5v67JwbqfiwY~HzHY0YsUo9STobO3-pwFB3136Gl5NzXywJ2rK3ykpZT2OrjYmo~73Q04ala5J5VCH-WTmwCY4g-TNJEy2qiscgI3QQJu5Iooy76ktL3vabu6RZ~avDN8r-8hyUSh3Y56HVQOQ9e~Qkt78kBJvWd1NSIVGqAu~-8INIV-fSo81S5DItM22JcXh3eRZuCySvpxrHIODBO6a46F87BqonjVXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norfolk School Board received two monitoring updates tied to board nonnegotiable number 2, which aims to reduce low teacher fill rates and extensive substitute use at underperforming schools.

Dr. Agnew Scott and colleagues reported the first interim measure (2.1) tracks the share of schools accredited with conditions that are not fully staffed with licensed teachers by the first day of school. The administration said none of the identified schools were fully staffed on the first day of the 2024–25 year, though hiring since then has reduced vacancies: 78% of the identified schools reported zero classroom vacancies at the time of the update. The administration attributed some gains to associate teachers obtaining licensure and to ongoing recruitment.

On the second interim measure (2.2), which tracks whether underperforming schools make extensive use of substitutes without high‑impact staffing strategies, the administration reported a 7.8 percentage‑point improvement from the prior year and noted that six identified schools are now reporting one or no vacancies since the first day of school. However, 12 schools still had more than one teacher vacancy.

Planned next steps include prioritizing identified schools in recruitment, issuing early contracts to secure licensed candidates, using targeted marketing (including geofencing) to reach candidates nationally, expanding teacher residency programs funded by grants, and holding spring hiring fairs for the next school year. Board members asked for school‑by‑school vacancy lists; administration said monthly HR reports provide that data and will continue to be distributed.

The board did not take a formal vote on the staffing measures; the items were informational updates and will continue to be monitored.","Administration updates board on nonnegotiable measure 2 (teacher fill rates): progress since the first day of school, recruitment strategies including early contracts and teacher residencies, and ongoing prioritization of schools with accreditation conditions; 12 identified schools still report more than one vacancy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361230,"Norfolk schools report 32% of 2025 cohort on track for Advanced Studies diploma under current metric",221,3354000,3575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a&start=3354&end=3575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a/thumbnail_3354000.jpg","/articles/6361230/Virginia/Norfolk-schools-report-32-of-2025-cohort-on-track-for-Advanced-Studies-diploma-under-current-metric","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361230-3275f435821c497b1169b4ca6c68fdb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1777105623&Signature=Nf9QTTh3wbWg8zLaPOZ35q6RpqExrv7OxNwysuUkMh-TPuyU~JRnM8jWrJZ~9Xdp4MV-NxkZ~cxokFGFz-rwoRr7VBP-x3uXbrSkLhLIFfZvTBcsbYPfeQZtgonyovv~jHzmeNGpQgbzaTzaEwYp706elu2JKqJm9ZsRnyWiPsTUe2~UefKLZJEwPNTydcaxiTsKjyn-EjIq43411~66c8h7rKU1v8xXgDEP-6UYooDJBq9heK7WTJ4TYVXi3~HxRk52J-j3Xtj0Icd7O27unf4beKXenT3Z26xIEKOVyud0a1do12o1yPMB7xjctrAg4T46T~1zL-wHrk5dvni6tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norfolk School Board reviewed academic progress tied to Board Goal 5, interim measure 5.3, which tracks the share of students on course to graduate with an Advanced Studies diploma. Dr. Poele, chief academic officer, reported that under the current measure the 2025 cohort’s maximum achievable rate stands at 32%.

Dr. Poele said the 2025 cohort shows a 0.9 percentage‑point decline from the corresponding point in the 2024 school year and that the cohort’s final target for the year is two percentage points lower than last year based on the metric in use. He also reported a 5.4 percentage‑point decline from the final 2024 grades to the first quarter of school year 2025.

The administration listed interventions to improve outcomes: using district‑recommended remediation practices and post‑test procedures throughout the year, applying backwards‑design curriculum protocols, providing timely feedback to students and parents, and sharing lists of students who could still reach the on‑track threshold so counselors can encourage make‑up (including virtual) course options.

Board members asked whether the division maintains a shared, centrally provided list of students for counselors; Dr. Poele said the division supplies that list centrally to counselors and identified Mr. Brady’s team as responsible for that distribution. A board member asked about auto‑enrollment policies used elsewhere to expand access to advanced courses; Dr. Poele said Norfolk does not currently auto‑enroll students but that counselors encourage placement on the highest appropriate course of study and that auto‑enrollment is a strategy the division could examine, especially as the district transitions to a 4x4 schedule.

The board did not take any formal vote on the measure; the presentation served as a progress update and laid out next steps for monitoring and targeted supports.","Chief academic officer Dr. Poele told the board that, under the metric used for interim measure 5.3, 32% of the 2025 graduating cohort are on track to earn the Advanced Studies diploma; the division plans targeted remediation, course adjustments and virtual options to raise the rate.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361235,"City attorney briefs Norfolk School Board on FOIA and Conflict of Interest rules",3160,177000,3337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a&start=177&end=3337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170908-9e18ffd5327dd59c7a3c76a881fc313a/thumbnail_177000.jpg","/articles/6361235/Virginia/City-attorney-briefs-Norfolk-School-Board-on-FOIA-and-Conflict-of-Interest-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361235-4315ec9c61fd1e3d1dd0b08632c8a274/orig.mp4?Expires=1777105623&Signature=SXSvNFcDwojBLq-jZjgKAE6NjcXweevr4iKjOvO0JPPo3Z8XtBeKBu3mxLlG1jTJZ7z6QlVttHYNNrYmGRiBT15CLPfmRd26XZLKWDKMKu94567CEiVvs~DQlX3YESIJJDeUYz1aFjULpi1NQ5s74CvRsN7qJrIMeMrB6I8c1IH61oBRwJcltrEN1SFonRDJVnZain149OjcZMFyXTIng7ihNSQP7CdbkMlJIGiM9sX4-J51uYd2pEYVo4ucpRWbXZ8g-BPHRtPPdx~XeAJOw5C3o0DYoeAgIEtwSNOoed4YJUv25rmJipBEuIVS0xVFikNdqA91zadfRKy8uCo-zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Margaret Kelly, assistant city attorney for the City of Norfolk, delivered required Virginia Freedom of Information Act and Conflict of Interest Act training to the Norfolk School Board, outlining when meetings and records are open to the public and the procedures for closed sessions and record requests.

Kelly said FOIA’s starting assumption is openness and that the public “is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government.” She reviewed who may invoke FOIA, what counts as a public body and how gatherings of three or more members can trigger meeting‑notice requirements. Kelly said the school board must post meeting notices at least three working days before a meeting and on three locations, including the official government website and the clerk’s office.

She explained that FOIA requires a public‑body response to a records request within five working days, and that the body may ask for an additional seven working days when necessary. Kelly said requests may be oral or submitted through the JustFOIA portal and that the designated FOIA officer — identified in the session as Mr. Walker — is the public point of contact to route requests to custodians and oversee deadlines.

On closed meetings, Kelly walked through the statutory procedure the board must follow, including stating the purpose and the specific code exemption on the record and, afterward, making any substantive decisions in an open session. She told the board that members, the public and the press may record open meetings, though the board may set reasonable rules about camera placement.

Kelly then summarized Conflict of Interest Act requirements and disclosure duties. She emphasized that the COIA training certified by the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council must be completed within two months of taking office and again at least once every two years. Kelly reviewed the general prohibition against accepting things of value tied to official duties and noted a $100-per-person annual reporting threshold for some gifts; she also described common exceptions (family and personal friendships, widely attended events, and certain employer relationships) and the need to disclose potential personal interests in contracts under state code.

Kelly warned that violations can carry civil and criminal consequences and urged board members to consult the city attorney’s office or the state ethics council when in doubt. She closed by telling members to forward FOIA requests promptly to the division’s FOIA officer at foia@nps.k12.va.us so staff can meet statutory response deadlines.

Kelly’s presentation was followed by routine board business.

The training included multiple references to FERPA, HIPAA and the Code of Virginia; Kelly advised that those laws create narrow exceptions to FOIA in student and health records situations.","Margaret Kelly, assistant city attorney, gave mandatory Virginia FOIA and Conflict of Interest Act (COIA) training to the Norfolk School Board, reviewing public‑meeting definitions, public‑records requests, closed‑session procedures and gift and disclosure rules for local officials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School Board passes routine business items, moves into closed session and schedules Ward 3 interviews

Norfolk reports progress on staffing at underperforming schools; 12 schools still have multiple vacancies

Norfolk schools report 32% of 2025 cohort on track for Advanced Studies diploma under current metric

City attorney briefs Norfolk School Board on FOIA and Conflict of Interest rules