[{"_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",6307803,"mediaKeyId","2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755","parentId",2428080,"title","Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Virginia Beach school board on Feb. 25","audioSeconds",6621,"startMs",348000,"endMs",6969000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755&start=348&end=6969","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755/thumbnail_348000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307803/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-actions-taken-by-Virginia-Beach-school-board-on-Feb-25","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307803-4c32789bb6bc59fbdbb75737161f73de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533367&Signature=AKw3GLYkBY~yKMNv9kmanj9pq9SuJezU1Ddl4t2UAGqtHedYj3I5QrFUvomAGO8r5pxTGn3nHYDpXRav2h9rpcOY4SbK6lpddKGYEKOM-OS2e2JFypHupmSgP4nSkaU5htrfjrSnKbY~T9xAp3fDj-qKp5R3H18Zl7xggnSSf0zxP-sZPH2JxBkSfvPi0ybvcAuGq1Tg8EPMLb9-nMIeSf~mGlXO2I8NzxNuDma4dtz~PoXJ-RDFsDL2Cj98YlISyMWiCsif1r5lQdlZqV4vxMo2Epc9GBwfY6H1BifqeSsmT6xnQcARKMnkFqQjsJ1H78WezjYKTAHLDdjMfi~zLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VA Beach City Public School","date","2025-02-26T17:11:33Z","article","The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach took several formal votes during its Feb. 25 meeting. The board adopted the meeting agenda as modified, approved minutes and personnel reports, approved a consent agenda that included resolutions and a roof replacement item, appointed a hearing officer for a student discrimination appeal, and approved two calendar‑related actions in response to recent snow days.

Votes (summary):

- Adoption of the agenda as modified: Motion moved by Dr. Green, seconded by Mr. Cummings. Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays.

- Approval of the Feb. 11, 2025 minutes: Motion moved by Mr. Callan, seconded by Ms. Rogers. Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays.

- Consent agenda (multiple resolutions and First Colonial High School roof replacement): Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays.

- Personnel report and administrative appointments for 02/11/2025: Motion moved by Dr. Green, seconded by Ms. Rogers. Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays.

- Appointment of a hearing officer: Motion to appoint Ed Jones as hearing officer for a student discrimination complaint appeal. Moved by Dr. Green, seconded by Ms. Dwyer. Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays.

- Count five asynchronous learning days toward VDOE remote‑learning provision: Motion moved by Ms. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Cummings. Result: 10 ayes, 0 nays (clerk corrected initial mis‑entered vote).

- Change March 13 and April 3 early‑release student days to full instructional days: Motion moved by Ms. Weems, seconded by Mr. Bowensteel. Result: 8 ayes, 2 nays.

Why this matters: The calendar and personnel votes have immediate operational effects: calendar changes alter student schedules and program access; personnel and contract actions affect staffing and operations; the hearing officer appointment initiates a formal appeal process.

What’s next: Administration will implement the calendar changes and return the Achievable Dream transportation proposal to the board on March 11. Other items will proceed according to normal administrative processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - 02/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A concise roundup of formal votes at the Feb. 25 School Board meeting, including agenda adoption, minutes approval, consent agenda, personnel actions, appointment of a hearing officer, and calendar decisions related to snow days and early‑release changes.","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},6307807,"Virginia Beach school board votes to count five async snow days and convert two early‑release days to full days",1771,6161000,7932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755&start=6161&end=7932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755/thumbnail_6161000.jpg","/articles/6307807/Virginia/Virginia-Beach-school-board-votes-to-count-five-async-snow-days-and-convert-two-earlyrelease-days-to-full-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307807-a4862445de25bbe43c56d47eb16f7e4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533367&Signature=PBi~02s3LPMUJuE7QC2K~qDhG3IbkH1Lcj1IO9tY5ISDlekH8bAS7s6pw8sUHx5QTt79ddrHneMa~CZ0gk2aOMgfE87nGei-z6s7sc~X-YY4Tb3PxDk8wsq9DRDd4uJb4Vfkh0xPdoWdHZJ9MqknmwefbhFJWhSjZuYT2s2WMHPQE2cmaw82Fooy3AtVELz2UBCizWjrewieEuVSUniUa0gZyjmQpHnGE-jLIjxHsBZzXlGfvwyzFhE7Z~g691dw~nZj5-1r~iz6AI6PbUZPc~JbFUzAW0f72A2meFNHVyZy5FqALYEo1r4tUMrI~Z9KJhx904ejvDe9JOx8NWlRsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach voted on Feb. 25 to count five asynchronous learning days from January and February toward the Virginia Department of Education’s remote‑learning provision and to change two upcoming early‑release student days into full instructional days.

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Robertson (noting his formal title as the district’s instructional leader) framed the recommendation by saying, “There is really no substitute for, in person learning,” and told trustees the division lost five days of in‑person instruction because of recent snow events.

Trustees voted first to accept the five asynchronous days under the VDOE remote‑learning provision. Miss Rogers moved the motion; Mr. Cummings seconded. The clerk’s roll call corrected an initial tally and the final recorded result was 10 ayes, 0 nays.

The board then considered a motion to convert the March 13 and April 3 early‑release student days to full instructional days. Miss Weems moved the motion; Mr. Bowensteel seconded. Public comment and trustee discussion centered on two competing priorities: the loss of in‑person time for students — including those in afternoon programs such as the Advanced Technology Center, Tech Center, Environmental Studies and Governor’s School — and staff need for half‑day planning time and time to finalize report cards. Some trustees said they worried about the loss of rehearsal, lab or vocational time for students who attend afternoon programs and rely on school transportation. Other trustees argued the cumulative lost instructional time warranted bringing students back for face‑to‑face instruction.

The motion to change March 13 and April 3 to full days passed 8–2. The clerk recorded the vote as eight ayes and two nays; the transcript does not provide a named roll‑call of each member’s vote beyond the tally.

Key administrative clarifications provided during discussion:

- The five asynchronous days are proposed to be counted under the Virginia Department of Education remote learning day provision so the district would meet statutory day requirements without using additional staff or holiday days.

- April 4 remains a staff day for teachers to complete report cards; changing April 3 to a full student day will leave April 4 available as a staff day.

- District staff told trustees that students in afternoon career and arts programs would be disproportionately affected by lost in‑person days because those programs are scheduled in the afternoon and are not adjusted when the district uses early‑release student days.

Why this matters: Converting early‑release days to full days and counting asynchronous days under the state provision both affect how the district meets the 180‑day instructional requirement, the district calendar and student access to afternoon technical and arts programs. Board members described this as a difficult trade‑off between staff planning time and lost student instructional time.

What’s next: The board approved both motions during the Feb. 25 meeting. Administration will implement the calendar change for March 13 and April 3 and will work with program leaders and transportation to mitigate impacts on afternoon programs and students who lack alternate transportation.","On Feb. 25 the school board voted 10–0 to count five asynchronous snow days toward Virginia Department of Education remote‑learning provisions and 8–2 to convert March 13 and April 3 early‑release student days into full instructional days, citing lost in‑person time and effects on afternoon career and arts programs.",{"_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},6307812,"Achievable Dream proposes expanding transportation zone to boost enrollment; board to consider in March",894,2446000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755&start=2446&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755/thumbnail_2446000.jpg","/articles/6307812/Virginia/Achievable-Dream-proposes-expanding-transportation-zone-to-boost-enrollment-board-to-consider-in-March","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307812-1d257a8726cfe7cf6d70010f52b24ee6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533367&Signature=E~PYn482MrtpG-I3OcgXpJlFKEl-zXBjx4Do0Y~xQ2XWQRjAfQUGiuWn6X2MX3D-ltBoGUiIMN0e759nvLSyNh6MereYeIKx6EqHSODiT53dMzZhYPSDXE3uv11NsWOLzlG5HsjFdmaR2o8Uden8T6KadbM7~ZwCuX4iIvss0q4tLe3NMdfD1y27z~EyTwV-Yive3ScL0BCo8wvJz-1EG1PpvbIRehtTyvObGhXdT~LAZtEDzrVMr9bN3vdM-F8QMqwt19UYnMU7oycsBVAOHB2nXSNe28PQYtkiu-RcL3FgKASGqCvtX-62TvPpApPL3bvdM0a2VEMYFdjjo-qgEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School officials and representatives from the nonprofit Achievable Dream told the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach on Feb. 25 that expanding transportation into targeted neighborhoods could add students to the program, strengthen retention and help the program meet previously agreed enrollment thresholds.

Matt Delaney, chief schools officer for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and Miss Amasa Andes, chief strategy officer for Achievable Dream, described the organization’s K–12 model and its local history. Achievable Dream began in Newport News in 1992 and added a Virginia Beach presence in 2014; the program operates K–5 at SeaTac Elementary and 6–12 at Lynn Haven Middle/High School.

Dr. Walter Brower, senior executive director of high schools, said the program currently enrolls 671 students (about 69 percent of the district’s per‑grade target). “To meet the 75% threshold, we would need to have 731 students, which would require the addition of 60 total students across grades K through 12,” Brower said.

Presenters told trustees that transportation zones have been a recurring constraint for enrollment. The administration recommended expanding bus eligibility to neighborhoods served by Green Run Elementary, Holland Elementary, Parkway Elementary, Rosemont Elementary, Bayside Middle School and Larkspur Middle School. Families outside those zones could still apply and transport their own students.

Financial and operational details presented to the board included:

- Current annual transportation cost for Achievable Dream (K–12): approximately $620,000.

- Estimated annual cost after expansion: approximately $750,000 (the presenters said the increase could vary depending on routing).

- Achievable Dream corporate offsets: $100 per student under the existing memorandum of understanding; presenters estimated that with a minimum of 975 students the nonprofit’s contribution would be about $97,500, and at 1,170 students it would be about $117,000.

Achievable Dream officials said the program has an extended day and year, scholarship partners and corporate sponsors that provide additional staffing and services. The program’s first Virginia Beach graduating class will be 28 seniors this spring; presenters reported that class is on track to graduate and that the students have already received dozens of college acceptances and scholarship offers.

Trustees asked about recruitment, application numbers and retention data. Dr. Brower and Achievable Dream staff said they have 59 elementary, 124 middle‑school and 21 rising‑ninth‑grade applications for the 2025–26 school year; they also reported past withdrawal reasons including out‑of‑city moves and transportation barriers.

Action status: The item was on the meeting’s information portion. The administration proposed the transportation expansion as an informational recommendation and told the board the item will return for action at the March 11 school board meeting.

Why this matters: Achievable Dream is a public‑private partnership with a written memorandum of understanding with VBCPS. Enrollment and transportation decisions affect operating budgets, access and equity for families across the city.

What’s next: The board will consider a formal action on the transportation‑zone expansion at its March 11 meeting after the information and questions presented on Feb. 25.","Achievable Dream and Virginia Beach school officials pitched expanding bus zones into specific neighborhoods to add roughly 60 students and meet a minimum enrollment threshold; expansion would increase annual transportation costs by an estimated $130,000 to $150,000 and return to the board for action March 11.",{"_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},6307816,"Union and parents urge Virginia Beach school board to use new state funds for larger raises",577,1162000,1739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755&start=1162&end=1739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2428080-ccbd4a567cd80e3767ba1d19403dc755/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","/articles/6307816/Virginia/Union-and-parents-urge-Virginia-Beach-school-board-to-use-new-state-funds-for-larger-raises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307816-a7daf56dbb480f5b64a34ceaac0b491f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533367&Signature=GwBZo41r0DLV2YJL48qy4LqezX89~yr2PxvnvTZitsMifPkXUj7rA0MC-GkpOjoAI0PKCLAStbwauCGvGqKbFn3IrVUlWATrNK~t2tarqhmud8wfsc6T65G~JRSIe5qiOqSCIPln~DZ7~NBfi7pk6cWg6hlf-zKRHWo4ORpaWiMChd8a70tU5HI8VVR~ydTLElgsojLQwP3jKOPkhWnl7uZhgsV7blf4Fpd2Y9fb9xQypTvGbcKF0SL4mOOTR7ViGvNV~PidiIBcJ5W317~F23kP8S953Ok-4tYyYoBJjRGXYAdFzRdSpJ0Jucba0Y1xR0JGJIxAeIaWHg0gDuZxPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heather Sipe, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, told the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach on Feb. 25 that the recently passed state budget will send new recurring and one‑time funds to the district and urged trustees to use that money to increase staff pay.

“We have won full elimination of the support cap. For VBCPS, this means an additional $10,900,000 in funding for our essential education support professionals,” Sipe said, and added that the district will receive additional funds for special education and English‑language learners as well as one‑time bonuses.

Sipe framed the numbers she reported to the board as follows: roughly $10.9 million from lifting the support cap, about $2.7 million for special education add‑ons, about $2.7 million for English‑language learners, and a separate $6.6 million in one‑time bonuses for staff. Excluding one‑time funds, she said, the district can expect about $16.3 million in new recurring state aid; including the one‑time bonus funds brings the total she cited to about $22.9 million.

The public commenters who followed urged the board to translate those state dollars into larger pay raises for employees. Natalie Bray, a parent and PTA volunteer, said Virginia Beach pays teachers less than neighboring districts and urged the board to “change this” to retain high‑quality educators.

Andrea Eisenberger, an art specialist at 3 Oaks Elementary and vice president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, described personal financial strain after the recent death of her husband and said a 3.5 percent raise would not keep pace with rising living costs. “A vast majority of your staff is hurting financially,” Eisenberger said. She urged trustees to consider the VEA recommendation for larger increases, saying some of the newly announced state funding could be used for staff pay.

Board members did not take budget action during the comment period; the hearing was part of the scheduled public comment on the proposed fiscal‑year 2025–26 operating budget and the six‑year capital improvement plan. Trustees heard both organized union testimony and individual parent testimony urging higher pay to improve recruitment and retention.

Why this matters: The new state funds described by speakers are recurring and one‑time elements of the state budget and may be restricted in how they are used. Commenters and union leaders asked the board to prioritize direct compensation increases for instructional and support staff when the board and administration finalize the local budget.

What’s next: The public‑hearing comments will be part of the record the board considers as it develops and ultimately adopts the FY 2025–26 budget in coming weeks.","At the Feb. 25 Virginia Beach School Board meeting, union leaders, teachers and parents urged the board to use newly announced state funding to provide larger pay increases for instructional and support staff than the district’s proposed operating budget includes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key actions taken by Virginia Beach school board on Feb. 25

Virginia Beach school board votes to count five async snow days and convert two early‑release days to full days

Achievable Dream proposes expanding transportation zone to boost enrollment; board to consider in March

Union and parents urge Virginia Beach school board to use new state funds for larger raises