[{"_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",6100768,"mediaKeyId","2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23","parentId",2812427,"title","Suffolk schools announce 200 free bus passes, student music and athletic honors","audioSeconds",317,"startMs",1105000,"endMs",1422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23&start=1105&end=1422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23/thumbnail_1105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100768/Virginia/Suffolk-schools-announce-200-free-bus-passes-student-music-and-athletic-honors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100768-781c6dc0954f6c79503bbddf4a9e9f65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159860&Signature=oXfCIIzHdEcGwoWjRT7TCsRK-r4H1~nA1pZPPRnIwkoEiT7rwh~sbwgkJFFNAkB-eius8OMryf7aVmOGHvG0LX4wiZNNv4CoLV0hx6DZerVK~s7p~NkyPU0DS7BzODHm2W7i91UQAQtVALV1GUy~~QbdyqGnfuzir8g0UwT6prKYIc8q2hLBlqaht-4RnapfL1rxjKha74hvto-WhNOTEPz3wqB2JiyRRpL2OJzW9itO9Xpc6twYyM4dpvYAzkv7JcdV9hC~hi4WXp3Fb6GdbwCTI1FvZ7Y8ofHqYhIJTI96lg~zQzVIaHsAfSSbGbuMIEb1Eas5x~l9bNh~ipteeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Suffolk City Public School","date","2025-03-28T13:42:08Z","article","During the March 27 business meeting, Suffolk Public Schools highlighted a set of positive district items in a \"good news\" report delivered by Melvin Bradshaw, coordinator of communications and community engagement.

Bradshaw announced Suffolk Transit donated 200 free all‑day bus passes to be distributed to parents and guardians who demonstrate transportation need. \"The passes provided by Suffolk Transit can be used on any Suffolk transit route throughout the year 2025,\" Bradshaw said. Families may request a pass via the district website (www.SuffolkVA.us/buspass) or by calling Suffolk Transit at (757) 214‑6442.

The report included student accomplishments: two Nansemond River High School students earned spots in the 2025 All‑Virginia Band (Andrew Perkins as second chair, tenor sax, and Nevaeh Raiser as third chair, alto sax). Bradshaw noted this marked the first time multiple students from Nansemond River were selected in the same year. He also recognized Kings Fork High School wrestler Anaya Parsons, who completed an undefeated 19‑0 season and won a state title by pin in the championship match.

Other items in the good‑news segment included the Elementary Theatre Enrichment Camp held March 1 at Creekside Elementary School, recognition of Dr. Okema Branch with the WELV Spirit Award for women in educational leadership, and regional athletic honors for multiple student athletes. Bradshaw asked the community to celebrate these student achievements and noted upcoming events, including the All‑Virginia Band Concert in Richmond on April 26 at 2 p.m., free and open to the public.

The board received the report without action and moved on to the meeting's business items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 27, 2025 - School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Suffolk Public Schools announced the donation of 200 free all‑day bus passes from Suffolk Transit and highlighted student achievements in music, theatre and athletics during its March 27 meeting.","taxTitle","SUFFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14519,"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},6100773,"School board approves $244.6 million FY25–26 budget; SRO staffing and teacher raises discussed",3117,3348000,6465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23&start=3348&end=6465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23/thumbnail_3348000.jpg","/articles/6100773/Virginia/School-board-approves-2446-million-FY2526-budget-SRO-staffing-and-teacher-raises-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100773-0f505a615097cd2a43813947b1a24a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159860&Signature=ba9zNLImGLxODbetJsXnmVQGF~NNtWS4xgUXxv29GYVHY09yGVQDa8vkmYjdSSzRwmIjLuyW6cAVLWwr-DFCx3Z1yIKE--bwpogX3Qdm2Lginn5kmRk0ePBQg5ZKOsifXEVKL6LUHSBkZ3aFIDnMdDB4Gxd~K5I-11VChm0aKezBlXgSIB8XBae~1CjLfiYZ4~jZU9SkoaZHCiIL4ov6W00lGYk-rzzNwC5PA6ar2KxqIqDewJ4kr3lpOCn5PefUbG-nh0xzBhzL8RbOoyq9cyfqzZvDELjEsfAUhB-G~NqfdNHgbt9IQ2fTfAYukLPc7g6h~rHCgkxpmLT4TgkhLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City Public Schools Board voted March 27 to approve a fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $244,554,074, including $82,332,201 in local funding from the city of Suffolk.

Board members approved the budget by motion of board member Riddick, seconded by Jenkins. Before the vote the board held extended discussion about how the budget treats school resource officers (SROs), teacher salaries and a potential state one‑time bonus. The resolution passed on a recorded vote.

Superintendent Dr. Gordon and finance staff explained that the requested local figure depends partly on an expected city decision about how many SROs the Suffolk Police Department can provide. \"The city is going to determine how many school resource officers they will be able to support us with,\" Dr. Gordon said. The board had asked for funding to support 11 elementary SROs; staff said the city may be able to provide fewer officers initially and that the sheriff's deputies already visit elementary schools as supplemental coverage.

Board members and staff discussed possible short‑term alternatives if the police department cannot supply all 11 officers, including extra‑duty overtime assignments for off‑duty officers and phased implementation over multiple years. \"Worst case scenario, our sheriff's deputies will still be in our schools. We're just trying to be able to provide additional support by having as many SROs that the Suffolk Police Department can spare,\" Dr. Gordon said.

The budget also drew debate over teacher compensation. The approved budget as presented uses a 3–3.5% increase for teacher pay as the baseline; several board members urged the division to seek a higher increase if additional funds arrive from the state. Staff said the division's goal is to apply any additional state funding to teacher pay and that a 5–5.5% target had been requested by some board members. Finance staff warned that some state funding, if provided, may be earmarked for specific purposes. The board discussed a one‑time state bonus under consideration in the General Assembly — a $1,000 per SOQ position proposal — and the administrative challenges if it becomes final in the current fiscal year.

Superintendent Dr. Gordon outlined timing constraints: the board must submit its budget to the city on April 1 and final changes relying on state action may not be possible before the city and school adoption deadlines. Staff emphasized that some large expense categories (purchase services, preventative maintenance and ongoing contracts) have limited flexibility without direct impacts to services and facilities.

The motion to adopt the resolution (listed in meeting materials as resolution 24/25‑23) passed on a roll call. Board members asked staff to return with refined plans for SRO deployment and with options for how additional state funds would be applied to raises or other priorities if and when those funds are confirmed.

The board majority approved the budget resolution, setting the division's FY25–26 revenue and spending plan and directing staff to continue negotiations with city leadership and law‑enforcement partners about SRO staffing levels.","Suffolk school board adopted a $244,554,074 budget for fiscal year 2025–26, including $82,332,201 of local funding. The meeting featured extended discussion about funding and staffing for school resource officers, teacher raises, a possible state one‑time bonus and timing constraints for adopting changes tied to state action.",{"_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},6100778,"School board adopts VDSS acknowledgement form for bus applicants after debate on CPS checks",153,2316000,2469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23&start=2316&end=2469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2812427-b6d86ce6d1b512e0c1f1921c484e9f23/thumbnail_2316000.jpg","/articles/6100778/Virginia/School-board-adopts-VDSS-acknowledgement-form-for-bus-applicants-after-debate-on-CPS-checks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100778-fca8e34ba2c745640a5a624573c4b9c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159860&Signature=Msro2tgr8UX9ZYCwJu~ki1Fy~5G5iIlv43yAAPn1vfB4YSGQU~LbPAO256AWpbZ9vG2uESztKDxZ-cD9~TQ-9w0MZpK-ICPWfuifdkJsMsSWQnewBS6EtJYaew~Hxhb-GhtCJeWVHMxMuAeR0R2CvCWM~Sp7RjYgtoL7b-0kMGKtCTN7scuNJw-7U9Cq65LPGBd1sM~K5Jw898afS2BRlNXHtg02h15rlJ9eQ02GL6AAQAU5UsZUgLChtFB0aFA-eNfcK~sN0NdFSy8xAnSEtrAC4jr1K78FrAICQyFUlqVD5yBlaF2ykyl9IBaKACc8OqmvZtTH7txv-zg6z~TMQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City Public Schools Board on March 27 voted to adopt a VDSS (Virginia Department of Social Services) applicant acknowledgement form for bus-driver hires after a lengthy discussion about background‑check timing and student safety.

The board approved the waiver form in a motion by Vice Chair McGee, seconded by board member Jenkins, to allow staff to use the acknowledgement to expedite hiring while the state CPS central‑registry check is pending. The vote carried and the motion passed.

The discussion centered on two distinct checks staff already run: a fingerprint‑based criminal background check through the state police and a separate central‑registry check through social services for substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect. \"We do two background checks,\" Dr. Jessica Avey, director of human resources, told the board. \"One is from the state police... The other check is one that's conducted by social services for CPS... The form that is signed by our staff currently... is the one where they're signing that there is no allegations, no nothing that's been founded against them.\"

Several board members urged caution. \"I am concerned... with cutting that time frame short and running the risk of putting our kids in a position that could jeopardize them,\" Board member Slingluff said, citing the possibility that a CPS finding may not appear in a criminal fingerprint check. Board member Breedingham and others echoed concerns about drivers being alone with students on buses and recommended waiting for CPS results in higher‑risk cases.

Attorney Waller told the board the law requires both checks but does not require the central‑registry check to be completed before hire. \"If the person comes back with a finding from social services of abuse and neglect, they should not be hired,\" Waller said. He also clarified that code does not mandate the central‑registry result be received prior to an employment decision.

Board members weighing staffing shortages and service continuity noted the district is actively short on drivers. Vice Chair McGee, who moved the adoption, described the form as a mitigation measure while the full CPS result is pending and said the district will continue the standard fingerprint check that returns within about 24–48 hours. Dr. Avey and other staff said employees must answer application questions about CPS findings and that the central registry is searched by social services in Richmond.

The vote to adopt the VDSS acknowledgement form was moved by Vice Chair McGee and seconded by board member Jenkins; the motion passed in roll call. The board did not adopt a policy change at the meeting to require waiting for central‑registry results before hire.

Board members asked staff to keep monitoring the practice and to return if additional information suggests the district should alter its approach to bus‑driver hiring and student safety.

The board also held broader discussions during the meeting about background‑check procedures, legal responsibilities of mandated reporters, and the tradeoffs between rapid hiring and complete vetting in the midst of a driver shortage.","Suffolk school board voted to adopt a VDSS central-registry acknowledgement to speed hiring of bus drivers but debated whether to wait for Department of Social Services (CPS) central‑registry results. The board heard staff explain the difference between fingerprint criminal checks and the CPS registry before approving the form.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Suffolk schools announce 200 free bus passes, student music and athletic honors

School board approves $244.6 million FY25–26 budget; SRO staffing and teacher raises discussed

School board adopts VDSS acknowledgement form for bus applicants after debate on CPS checks