[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6332772,"mediaKeyId","2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d","parentId",2304964,"title","School board recesses into closed session under Virginia FOIA exemptions; certification follows","audioSeconds",109,"startMs",4551000,"endMs",4660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d&start=4551&end=4660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d/thumbnail_4551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332772/Virginia/School-board-recesses-into-closed-session-under-Virginia-FOIA-exemptions-certification-follows","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332772-cfdae8c4da5554c86dea0ea73ddfc8f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149779&Signature=j98LEHVmN~q2hvpZc9f7-vhF-1xIMVsReOQsE6hgeVrbZu0N0W8IYcYFAoh96wrtNjajoDxQpRw7XsyIHZNGQMGgtKfvhU1vXV-N0JUGDzG1aQn~A86nG1Mob2CLs2pqu-HTzYGIgOSw1hsgHnO7NmmrnRDZF2vU1aMv~V~b2A8fvvDntv6UjJSEY7koyVRSwYB8w8rg6cUFUq8FouPyECpOnCWo5sq7Z8qUnUgbo1IXA7lhPZCAMR-25j535jM4d4Vnz1BhbwsahtZ~BVY7QPtR53bW6WIG71P~2iAIEyJCnhSZBf5Mf65lQSX~KpomJesYACMIJroXDrnZHUbtag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VA Beach City Public School","date","2025-02-13T18:46:09.457Z","article","The Virginia Beach School Board voted to recess into closed session during the Feb. 2025 administrative workshop to discuss student-record matters and legal consultations.

Vice Chair Weems moved “that the school board recess into closed session in accordance with the exceptions to open meeting laws set forth in Code of Virginia §2.2-3711(A) paragraphs 2, 7, and 8” to permit discussion of student admission/disciplinary records, consultation with legal counsel on probable or pending litigation, and other legal advice. The motion named topics to be discussed in closed session, including pending student matters, review of VEC COVID claims, and the status of pending litigation or administrative cases. Mr. Cummings seconded the motion.

When the board voted to enter closed session, a roll-call exchange was recorded: a board member (Miss Dwyer) was asked how she voted and said, “No.” The clerk then stated, “So madam chair, we have 11 ayes,” and the board proceeded to recess to closed session. The transcript records the board reconvened later and completed a certification motion: School Board Member Melnick moved certification of the closed meeting and School Board Member Weems seconded; the clerk reported “we have 11 ayes for certification of closed.”

Why it matters: The motion invoked specific Virginia Code exemptions permitting the board to discuss individual student records and legal matters in private and the board later certified the closed session complied with statutory requirements. The record shows the motion, the named exemptions, and that the board recessed; the transcript includes a recorded “No” vote by a member at the entry vote and the clerk’s announcement of 11 ayes (the transcript contains both statements). The board did not disclose details of the closed-session discussions in the workshop’s public portion.

The board announced it would return for the formal meeting at 6 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Workshop - 02/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to recess into closed session under Code of Virginia exemptions for student-records and legal matters, then certified that the closed session complied with state law when the board returned to open session.","taxTitle","VA BEACH CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14520,"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},6332777,"Virginia Beach board hears tech and AI update; division keeps student AI access limited, emphasizes balance",1387,1453000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d&start=1453&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","/articles/6332777/Virginia/Virginia-Beach-board-hears-tech-and-AI-update-division-keeps-student-AI-access-limited-emphasizes-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332777-064b50bdbecde1e89307650d8adf7bc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149779&Signature=n0bHvy82OhSCAI4AAxccO9HIUybw1xx-9nj18E~VJ7qC8MRr8EFsY2chTEHm1eHrsCtF7RdNRmjl4li2yj~4XFEa70iY9Q73U1Vc2kh-8RWcwPlM9uFEf1Qs1oMPJwJmp6kEAaONVhs7gGsz11oC20mfRIF2bd-96ibmaqH9hudyvjtSCPlK~JYuorwHPQlY~ye04BOOhLwk9AMYk4WzL9Nh1JmSltUQa51hj9V79kWro1zPsh8cKiZXNGXRbMMTqGLyDw-9Wz85kfUHa6Ng2E9mkK4N7RzIZ75gWI8ctxXqb-teNuA00hpGEvm9HCdmAwLXhZg7Zg5gl8xAADINNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Virginia Beach City Public Schools presented an instructional-technology update Feb. 2025 that covered the history of classroom technology, current device usage data, digital-literacy and computer-science rollouts, and a cautious approach to student access to artificial intelligence.

Danielle Colucci, chief academic officer, introduced Dr. Sharon Schubridge, director of instructional technology, who led the presentation. Dr. Schubridge traced the division's technology evolution from computer labs in the 1990s to the current one-to-one device environment and emphasized a post-pandemic shift toward “balance” in classroom technology use.

Dr. Schubridge reviewed device-usage metrics collected Sept. 1, 2024–Jan. 8, 2025, showing higher average active Chromebook engagement at middle-school grade levels than at elementary or high school. She said the district measures “active engagement” (for example, 0.5 equals a half hour of active engagement) and clarified how monitoring works: brief mouse or keyboard activity is counted but idle time after the last interaction is not.

On artificial intelligence, Dr. Schubridge described a deliberate division approach. “None of our students currently, when they're on their Chromebook, can access any of the marketplace things. They can't get to ChatGPT. It blocks them,” she said. She said the division began internal AI work in spring 2023 and limited student access during 2023–24 to controlled, staff-only exploration. “When we do open something for students, it will be in a controlled space,” she said, citing Gemini (Google's model) as an example of a tool that better fits the district’s “walled garden” because student inputs would not be used to train external models.

The presentation described several digital-literacy and computer-science actions: the Virginia Board of Education approved new computer-science standards to be implemented in the 2025–26 school year; VDOE and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents ran regional professional learning labeled the Virginia Gen AI Year of Learning; and the division received two VDOE grants this school year to support mathematics and computer-science integration. Planned next steps include integrating computer-science standards into K–8 instruction (math, science and social studies) and developing a rigorous high-school digital-citizenship curriculum; the division also plans to monitor legal developments and finalize professional learning for staff on AI tools and ethical use before expanding student access.

Board members pressed on practical effects. School Board Member Callan asked whether district AI offerings would be marketplace products or division-controlled packages; Dr. Schubridge answered that Chromebooks currently block ChatGPT, any student access would be for high school only, and access would be in controlled environments. School Board Member Cummings asked whether screen-time metrics include at-home usage; staff said the slides used school-day data only. School Board Member Rogers said she worried about students arriving at college accustomed to high-school practices that may be considered cheating at the next level; Dr. Schubridge and Colucci said a rigorous high-school digital-citizenship curriculum and clearer classroom-level policies are part of the plan.

Several board members raised questions about middle-school device use and K–2 one-to-one devices. Dr. Schubridge and Colucci emphasized the division's expectation of “balance,” described district tools (ClassLink single sign-on, Securly Pass for monitored access, Canvas and online textbooks) and said many K–2 uses are short rotations (about 35–40 minutes per day on average in early grades, per staff comment). Colucci and Dr. Schubridge also noted hands-on, low-tech instruction (binders, AVID strategies, maker spaces, STEM activities) remains a priority.

Why it matters: The presentation clarifies that the division will continue to block open-market large language models on student Chromebooks but will explore controlled AI access for older students and is investing in digital-literacy and computer-science standards. The material will inform future policy and professional-development work that affects curriculum, assessment, and classroom practice.

The workshop did not adopt new policy or authorize immediate expanded student access to external AI systems; it outlined steps and asked for further staff development and legal monitoring before broad rollout.","Instructional-technology leaders told the school board about historical evolution of technology, screen-time data collected Sept. 1, 2024–Jan. 8, 2025, and a cautious, controlled plan to explore AI with high school students while keeping marketplace LLMs blocked on Chromebooks.",{"_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},6332782,"Virginia Beach schools report rising early childhood referrals, plan modest pre-K expansion",1319,121000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d&start=121&end=1440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304964-c3d430f84f099300c50a1b035d97364d/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6332782/Virginia/Virginia-Beach-schools-report-rising-early-childhood-referrals-plan-modest-pre-K-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332782-92f968f3dfaef66d9e109d6e8ea44681/orig.mp4?Expires=1776149779&Signature=dm2WvNMafpfaGuSyEUhj2y2f-5QfxMMEbblVQPcnZXeAAr8KDUWAjgxISDnEhTDpTXjnjbKNSWFzjS9pQLP66nfdgM~SjYesWnG6aLC6kmBdWemLyYU8uleWZuaV~NJdkFW9JRTVSPEyiA1RH1KlbXtG3vBxt~rWTwBeX7naQmg7uCGMdY54wQ2YKFFsz7v69J82oErRZSHGLFya-Qtut3Qz3dGHWpPXNxCIq4x1OwhcO6kQYGon4S19li4Z7QWWc7HFEEP28uZenKYeflHxr2nGYkT-QI51-bkrT3UUzp7~HzI8y4mtLfZo4HGz3BQnv-k4N~glwkPkcPekt7tsYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Virginia Beach City Public Schools officials outlined growth in early childhood referrals and described how the division funds and places prekindergarten students during an administrative workshop in February 2025.

The presentation, led by Dr. Myers Daub, executive director of the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children, and Laura Silverman, director of Title I programs, showed the preschool assessment center has seen a rising number of referrals over the past three school years and detailed how the division identifies and enrolls children in pre-K and early childhood special education programs.

Dr. Myers Daub said federal special-education rules shape the division's work: “Under part c of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children with disabilities begin receiving services as infants and toddlers through the Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia early intervention system.” She explained local staff receive notifications from Part C providers before a child turns 3 and “the school division then must complete the eligibility process and have an IEP in place prior to the third birthday or start of the school year.” Daub also noted the division reports this transition as Indicator 12 in its special education performance data.

Laura Silverman described the preschool assessment and pre-K program. She said the division uses an arena assessment approach and, in some cases, a diagnostic classroom at FACE to gather observation-based data. Silverman summarized referral and eligibility trends the presentation displayed: referrals increased 10% from 2021–22 to 2022–23 and 34% from 2022–23 to 2023–24; among students evaluated, the number found eligible rose 3% between 2021–22 and 2022–23 and then decreased 15% from 2022–23 to 2023–24. Silverman told the board the assessment team reviewed 1,011 referrals in the most recent year, “the team suspected 673 of those students may have a disability and move forward with evaluations. And of that 673, 508 were found eligible.”

On placements, Silverman said the division was serving 556 children in the early childhood special education setting as of Jan. 15 and had increased to 577 as of Feb. 1. She added that Indicator 6 (the percent of children with disabilities served in regular early childhood programs) is reported to the state as part of performance monitoring.

Silverman described the pre-K program as a full-day offering for children who are 4 on or before Sept. 30 and said VBCPS uses braided funding—state VPI (Virginia Preschool Initiative) funds, a local budget match, and Title I funds—to run the program. She gave current and planned slot counts: since 2016–17 the division has added about 250 pre-K slots, currently enrolls 954 students in 53 classrooms across 30 schools, and is “planning to increase our program to 1,008 student slots for the 2025–26 school year.”

On funding, Silverman provided ballpark figures rather than precise percentage breakdowns: “based on this year, the local requirement of our school division was a little bit over 3 and a half million dollars. The state's requirement was a little over $5,000,000 and then the Title I grant dedicated about 1 and a half million dollars.” She said different funding sources pay for different parts of the program (for example, VPI funds are used for teacher and TA salaries and benefits, while Title I funds support enhancements such as classroom supplies, field trips and summer programming).

Silverman reviewed the family application and placement process: Phase 1 is an online application; Phase 2 verifies documentation in a virtual or in-person meeting; placements and waitlist notifications are sent by early summer. On waitlists, she said the division typically does not give families their numeric position but will notify them when they are first on the waiting list and when a slot becomes available.

Board members asked for clarifications. School Board Member Melnick asked how many applicants are found ineligible; Silverman said the number “changes every year” and the division maintains a running waiting list. School Board Member Rogers asked about funding shares; Silverman reiterated the three funding streams and the dollar amounts she had stated. Dr. Green confirmed preschool assessment tracking remains part of child-find reporting to the Virginia Department of Education.

Why it matters: The increase in referrals and the ongoing waiting list underscore local demand for pre-K and early intervention services while braided funding ties program capacity to state, local and federal grant allocations. The division's planned incremental expansion to 1,008 slots for 2025–26 and the description of assessment and placement processes are immediate operational details families and staff use for planning.

The division provided contact and family-engagement supports (applications by phone for families without internet access, family focus events, classroom-in-action visits, a reading bus and summer Ready Set Kindergarten pilots) and said it will expand Ready Set Kindergarten in summer 2025.

The presentation did not propose a new board policy or an immediate budget action during the workshop; board members asked for follow-up information on waitlist counts, fund sources, and outcome studies comparing one-to-one device usage in early grades to academic measures.","Virginia Beach City Public Schools presented an update on early childhood services Feb. 2025, reporting rising preschool assessment referrals, stable special-education eligibility rates, braided funding for pre-K slots, and plans to expand pre-K capacity for 2025–26.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board recesses into closed session under Virginia FOIA exemptions; certification follows

Virginia Beach board hears tech and AI update; division keeps student AI access limited, emphasizes balance

Virginia Beach schools report rising early childhood referrals, plan modest pre-K expansion