[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6260728,"mediaKeyId","3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146","parentId",3126741,"title","Votes at a glance: Portsmouth school board approves agenda change, teacher appreciation resolution and consent items","audioSeconds",1681,"startMs",1576000,"endMs",3257000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146&start=1576&end=3257","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146/thumbnail_1576000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260728/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Portsmouth-school-board-approves-agenda-change-teacher-appreciation-resolution-and-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260728-530495cc2d2e1855cdf5a87fa10d5664/orig.mp4?Expires=1769937219&Signature=kA0UrBk8i8uPjf2IRcBNEM8pqPnDTjUbHPy3TNF94NjtQPNFV4n4tSw1LpuydOkZSCbnMTF9w6LdLW9FVILmC8Cm8QTBhXZq~vyhcrCFHW9eIC2mURCIe54whQqkrKSZJJKhsqd~F-uhcsb0yPhDMWu78CspKW6S1otXwnDEYoYoavP8jRGsAoBcncEF1M8iKhE2VBRknFRByPD9KSOP5m6SF403I6gnwSQ701LDmehQUs7Xk~AQu7PphlRaBRg0xyTO68omcrbL29RdEhFR6GL1L7LX78IeyaZQ8FRV1lDG8QP9nCT81oqKNJ8wQXHchRVqrMeMCRjghMFZjnBo-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth City Public School","date","2025-04-25T20:39:00.277Z","article","At the April 24, 2025 meeting of the Portsmouth City School Board, members voted on several routine items and passed them unanimously.

The board approved an amended agenda that removed the student representative report for the night. Vice Chair Atkinson moved the agenda and Miss Futrell seconded; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous.

The board also adopted a resolution recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025. That resolution, moved by Vice Chair Atkinson and seconded by Miss Sessoms, passed on a unanimous roll call.

Finally, the board approved the consent agenda (items 8.1 through 8.6). Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Miss Futrell and seconded by Miss Atkinson; the roll call vote on the consent items was unanimous.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of agenda (amended to remove student representative report): mover — Vice Chair Atkinson; seconder — Miss Futrell; outcome — approved (unanimous roll call).

- Resolution recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9, 2025): mover — Vice Chair Atkinson; seconder — Miss Sessoms; outcome — adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Consent agenda (items 8.1–8.6): mover — Miss Futrell; seconder — Miss Atkinson; outcome — approved (unanimous roll call).

The transcript records the motions, the named movers and seconders, and roll-call notes that the votes were unanimous. No recorded dissent or abstentions appeared in the meeting excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Regular Meeting 4.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 24, 2025 meeting the Portsmouth City School Board unanimously approved the amended agenda, adopted a resolution recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week and approved the consent agenda (items 8.1–8.6).","taxTitle","PORTSMOUTH CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14514,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260733,"Portsmouth arts programs cite student awards, district assessments and partnerships; theater offerings limited by certification",654,3282000,3936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146&start=3282&end=3936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146/thumbnail_3282000.jpg","/articles/6260733/Virginia/Portsmouth-arts-programs-cite-student-awards-district-assessments-and-partnerships-theater-offerings-limited-by-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260733-b5b426cb9268b923e7f48cc670c96bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1769937219&Signature=oxMOwlxB8vWnpPYAd9cm8mvjF8VdQSJ5wO~y8PCRErxXEbozSZObcun5c7YV9e79ottovEUZV40TF3gDLLccoQpoBA6vYUoUXjiuI9bA0oCfVyarsCzXJtc2DdFAHlLFTfOzSm2F3qMIs6ddD3hNZcoVz7mIx4j2KJ3lyqQ8eoirclMJ2jd6HvpMSw3bkanDk3YDgPv0Kv9zehhIMvETsHINvXznaLZJDRpL5MzsAm16nRmJBF0Xe6dAfh5fa8bu-7mSw-ZU~8O4bWSGkahwkWhElZodZWfmo2zYvX9tuC1H~igREpWsDWxlzf97rDa9a3RJIoTe6Gp4nPIchEP8pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 24, 2025 Portsmouth City School Board meeting, performing-arts coordinators Gary Moody and Joe Harmon and visual-arts coordinator Taylor Martin presented a report summarizing student performances, awards and partnerships across the district.

The presentation highlighted districtwide performing-arts activity, including professional clinics, regional assessments, community performances and student travel, and it noted limits to expanding some course offerings because of teacher certification requirements.

What the departments reported

Gary Moody, coordinator of elementary performing arts, and Joe Harmon, coordinator of secondary performing arts, described a year of expanded opportunities: instrumental and choral ensembles received workshops from the Virginia Symphony and local clinicians; middle school theater engaged with Virginia Arts for Learning; and high-school students earned festival grants and regional placements. The coordinators said several ensembles earned “superior” ratings in district assessments and that some groups participated in district assessment for the first time in more than 20 years.

Moody and Harmon also cited numbers for districtwide events: 126 students from all 19 schools participated in the All City Sing for Joy event, and 49 percent of this year’s sixth graders signed up for performing-arts electives in middle school, the coordinators said. Fourteen performing-arts teachers attended this year’s Virginia Music Educators Association conference and shared training with district colleagues.

Visual-arts highlights

Taylor Martin, coordinator for visual arts, said the division displayed more than 600 works last year and about 675 this school year (the final count was pending). Martin described partnerships with the Children’s Museum of Virginia (an animation film fest planned for May 23), the Hampton Roads Student Gallery at Tidewater Community College, the Norfolk International Airport and state-level exhibitions that included student work in the State Capitol. Martin also noted that a student, Rebecca Knabb, had been invited to a summer residential program at Radford University.

Course availability and constraints

Board members asked whether theater and other arts courses are offered during the school day at the secondary schools. Joe Harmon said theater and drama offerings vary by site. He said dance is offered through an audition-only academy at Trichton High School and that some theater instruction is delivered as after-school clubs rather than as credited daily coursework at Manor and I. C. Norcom high schools.

Harmon identified certification as a practical constraint: \"The first problem is certification of the teacher. You can't have too many teachers teaching out of their content area,\" he said, adding that teacher-certification limits can affect accreditation and the ability to add new credited classes.

Voices from students and exchange participant

Martin Matjash, a foreign exchange student from Hungary and member of a district band program, described his experience auditioning for District 4 and All-State Band opportunities. Fourth-grader Mila McNeil, who participated in the All City Sing for Joy, told the board the conductors and teachers were \"very kind\" and credited a music teacher with constant support.

Why it matters

The presentation showed growing arts activity across Portsmouth Public Schools and underscored the role of partnerships in providing clinicians, travel and exhibition opportunities. The coordinators also flagged staffing and certification limits that affect whether some arts activities can be converted from after-school clubs into credited, in-day courses.

What’s next

Coordinators invited the public to attend performances and exhibitions and to follow department news on social media. Several ensembles and groups have upcoming events, including a planned student performance at Busch Gardens and the May 23 visual-arts animation film festival.","Coordinators for performing and visual arts told the Portsmouth City School Board about student accomplishments, partnerships with regional arts organizations and constraints on expanding theater as a credited course.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260737,"Portsmouth launches Sparks Schools effort, names principal for Douglas Park and offers $30,000 stipend to attract staff",155,4851000,5006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146&start=4851&end=5006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3126741-48e33de8c03f12872a986ba83b27b146/thumbnail_4851000.jpg","/articles/6260737/Virginia/Portsmouth-launches-Sparks-Schools-effort-names-principal-for-Douglas-Park-and-offers-30000-stipend-to-attract-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260737-8a27f771c910cd4993bd58d014f7e1d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1769937219&Signature=E4febTYtenw~4UNTRziY9H-fqNDlHdEHXwbeen2ihJQHE8-eFgmOFDgWhaRXT0TA4NJqMIzw62AKucdXft0I-dW2R0MQyuwFtjDw9DKvc9mVcvgp5ctZ7zYgGJTyPPntMbRsSjoMMChODtlgQ8WAuvMCDG0LAiMQKpGYCWf~sMjHt~orUnbePHdj3AnFHuPZoVF8WMpNkLhJI9spL0bftp2eMbRqUuFh5-HlSEUTNzzNZblryn6o~69ZhiM4YSrX3nR41E3aGyBcmlmMygxoNlU-cfv2Vx~gwAyEntNGs3tVvFJJntMWmKTCy8LntUwMYYV7LbGwp56ddIVpd~kYlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 24, 2025 meeting of the Portsmouth City School Board, Superintendent Dr. Bracey announced the division’s new Sparks Schools initiative, named Douglas Park Elementary as the first Sparks School and said the board has approved Deidre Williams as the school's principal.

The Sparks Schools program is intended to address chronic staffing and vacancy challenges by offering financial incentives to attract and retain educators. “Staff members selected to work at the Sparks School will receive $30,000 in stipends after taxes over the course of 3 consecutive years,” Superintendent Dr. Bracey told the board.

Why it matters: the division framed the program as a targeted recruitment and retention strategy for schools that have “experienced ongoing challenges related to staff and vacancies.” The stipend is paid over three school years, and recruitment for additional staff assignments to the Sparks Schools remains open, the superintendent said. The division also announced a public web page with more information (ppsk12.us/sparkschools).

Details and context

Dr. Bracey said the Sparks Schools rollout will begin in the 2025–26 school year and that Douglas Park Elementary has been selected as the first school in the initiative. The superintendent announced that Deidre Williams, currently serving as principal at Oscar Smith Middle School in Chesapeake Public Schools, will become principal at Douglas Park. The superintendent described Williams as having “a proven history of success in leading schools like Douglas Park.” The announcement said the board has approved Williams; the transcript did not include the specific roll-call motion for that appointment within the recorded portion of the meeting.

The superintendent also described continued recruitment for staff to participate in the program and said organizers were “encouraged by the response so far.” The Sparks Schools webpage was cited as the place for applicants and community members to get more information.

Budget and public comment

During the public-comment period, community member Sergio Neal urged more public involvement in school funding decisions and asked the division to be transparent about budget needs. “I will ask the school board and the school division to make sure that the effort for as far as transparency is concerned is there so that the public will know why those numbers matter,” Neal said. He also asked for clear data about the Sparks Schools rollout so the community can assess the program’s impact.

Other division announcements

Superintendent Dr. Bracey also reminded the board about the division’s annual PPS Runs color run (April 26, 2025) and said that, thanks to grant funding, the event provides $10,000 dedicated to swim lessons for students and families.

What’s next

The division said it will continue recruiting for Sparks Schools staff assignments and will post details and application instructions on ppsk12.us/sparkschools. The superintendent’s remarks closed with the statement that Williams has been selected and that Sparks Schools work will begin for the 2025–26 school year.","Superintendent Dr. Bracey told the Portsmouth City School Board that Douglas Park Elementary will be the division's first \"Sparks School,\" staff selected for the initiative will receive $30,000 in stipends over three years after taxes, and Deidre Williams was announced as the new principal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Portsmouth school board approves agenda change, teacher appreciation resolution and consent items

Portsmouth arts programs cite student awards, district assessments and partnerships; theater offerings limited by certification

Portsmouth launches Sparks Schools effort, names principal for Douglas Park and offers $30,000 stipend to attract staff