[{"_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",6064026,"mediaKeyId","3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16","parentId",3256938,"title","Board renews bus camera contract; board members press staff on malfunctions and footage access","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",2807000,"endMs",3000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16&start=2807&end=3000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16/thumbnail_2807000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064026/Virginia/Board-renews-bus-camera-contract-board-members-press-staff-on-malfunctions-and-footage-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064026-00bc940b75f532d17f33bb64659c5ab0/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954051&Signature=eldszSq~W0F2HubbRQ8uOrme0cPLI1vdGy4R73nyJBez~Xb8Bx7WdL6f8OTNRcA7bdUfKX-5B6WWDGCVUEvIJPFxs7KKOCpXeGTw86rwyxSp01RSotX7vMXAR3TFCWYiHnrB~6g0w1ZPGDN-vlI9pNoG~aGOhhVN6hym4NaU2gsGaKLDKEtBLginiGuGo5cjzxw2ZWKXxwCkZOR2V0GwSdyWzpAvPEZ8u6kbimNuyfWx6wmwmFIqsdTeATD59AYnz~AGdJxCtN-acm-cOhiZZgVKok81dVFwm9jKd-~tpA8VX~cDoAIma5p12-MebEIwYTBxVjI26gMN9kjVq3-mjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portsmouth City Public School","date","2025-05-09T11:09:31Z","article","The Portsmouth City Public Schools Board approved a contract extension for its bus‑camera system and discussed lingering technical problems and how footage is accessed.

The board voted to renew the contract for the bus camera system (referred to at the meeting as the TIPS contract). The motion to approve the contract was made by the vice chair and seconded by Miss Shumate; the roll call vote was unanimous.

During discussion, board members raised persistent concerns about defective or nonoperating cameras on some buses. A board member asked how the contract renewal would address \"defective cameras, cameras that's lagging, cameras that's not even operating on the buses.\" Dr. Michael Bracey said staff member Mr. King (contract liaison) \"is currently working with us in terms of on a daily basis to get all of those things correct.\" Dr. Bracey described how the system operates: \"In real time, once the bus starts, the camera starts to record. So the camera records from the time the driver starts the bus, runs his route ... so any incidents that occur on the bus ... we can go back and pull that video.\" Staff also confirmed the cameras record in color.

Board members asked that the issue be addressed at a future board retreat so staff can present a full status report, including repairs and reliability measures. Dr. Bracey and his staff agreed to schedule a presentation for the retreat, and to follow up with a report to the board.

Why this matters: on‑bus video is used to review incidents, to support disciplinary and safety decisions and to document student behavior. Board members said ensuring reliable operation and timely access to footage is important for safety and transparency.

Other routine procurement items approved at the meeting included a contract for carpet‑cleaning machinery, funds for deep cleaning/restoration at schools (mold/air‑vent work) and a data‑migration contract to consolidate assessment results into a system compatible with PowerSchool.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth Public Schools | Work Session | 5.5.25","oneSentenceSummary","The school board approved a one-year extension of the TIPS bus camera contract and discussed ongoing camera malfunctions, real‑time recording, color footage and plans to address remaining issues at a board retreat.","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},6064030,"School board approves changes to superintendent's contract after closed session",1415,854000,2269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16&start=854&end=2269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16/thumbnail_854000.jpg","/articles/6064030/Virginia/School-board-approves-changes-to-superintendents-contract-after-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064030-40ede218b16b79223d2bfc8492cf9365/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954051&Signature=N5~dEzFiQWzoXqT467EkHmtaVCyDCsghsLkPjO6cJyi-EpJyT1xs4YOHNS7PtU4f4q~ont477~TVBEDsxJCput1KX2qlU8oAGwef9UFZXiS9XMP3XWFieFE3~YhRyKFn7SKq8ueGc8S33I07KJoIMO6p29QKMVJF~OHIQrW8evkCLfmzWFg3rNcJhwKLz4Fm3~dG5rhiwyicNZ9EXVRO0ghd8-4gUVGc5U9MW8v1VeUqwY7THPQravM~zYEmxLTx55w-vvcaO3kUkHtOrCrRi8eknXncTL2FM2QWSetYpjMuKTVJFW2cL7G~68SwvdTm8vnGnHtzNlp4qGjiTkYVKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth City Public Schools Board voted unanimously to approve proposed changes to the superintendent's contract after a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act exception for personnel discussions.

The board first voted to enter a closed meeting under \"provisions of section 2.2‑3711 of the Code of Virginia for the following purpose: consideration of personnel matters including the assignment, performance, and resignation of specific school employees ... and discussion concerning the performance of the superintendent and the school board as permitted in subsection a.1,\" a motion the vice chair made and Miss Boone seconded. The roll call vote to enter the closed meeting was unanimous.

After returning to open session, the board took up agenda item 4.1, \"consideration of proposed changes in superintendent's contract.\" Miss Shumate moved to approve the proposed changes and Miss Boone seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

What was decided: the board approved the proposed contract changes as presented in closed session. Those changes were not read into the open record at length; the board recorded the motion, the second and a unanimous vote. Board members did not provide additional detail about the specific contract language in the open session.

Why this matters: changes to the superintendent's contract may affect performance expectations, compensation, term or other employment conditions; the board cited personnel‑matter provisions of the Code of Virginia as the legal basis for discussing those details in closed session.

Documentation: the board's roll call votes and the statutory citation were entered on the public record; board members stated the vote on the contract amendment was unanimous.","Following a closed meeting under Virginia law, the Portsmouth school board voted unanimously to approve proposed changes to the superintendent's contract.",{"_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},6064035,"Portsmouth schools facing roughly $1.9 million shortfall; board reviews program-cut options",2325,2181000,4506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16&start=2181&end=4506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256938-ece42f05aff4112bde1674e67081fe16/thumbnail_2181000.jpg","/articles/6064035/Virginia/Portsmouth-schools-facing-roughly-19-million-shortfall-board-reviews-program-cut-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064035-64e184b86f0cd6b07de5fadea8f355df/orig.mp4?Expires=1769954051&Signature=E732z7Ql7HKDN~dRzsZ0UNsOrBbW9ChVokC8pXeKFXvtQ-Z~i0BrmVFZVW06w90a6EA~5b2FjXQFI8nZV7xrUkErBuyDJzggwfHctrEuEsTUalnA14k0iTY51pRVdp5xT6yH60rLX7jeG6qSx8jPN0Lx96Vdr1IURuIxdEz3eHpuVOK8TpjBh2dScyDssY0DwCXM05rUcOb5hURuo-LC5-9WJl9p4-Jxf51wCuqK8zeVzBXeod9UpL3yaLweV7T3-8IUCk7RGqL1WSeLv0jPvA-6AVTm5tpX8IWZ4hyRjlZNGiJf1Hqu2HHRl31SX2wEiL4cAeq-cjaRCsofApm8mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portsmouth City Public Schools Board heard a budget update from Superintendent Dr. Michael Bracey on potential cuts to close a remaining shortfall after state and city funding adjustments.

In a presentation to the board, Dr. Michael Bracey said the division had been facing a $6,000,000 shortfall before a change in state funding reduced the gap. \"The governor's budget came in and ... the support cap ... gave us an additional $3,000,000 to our budget,\" Bracey said, and the city manager told the superintendent the city could provide $1,500,000 of the remaining need, which \"would leave us a $1,900,000 shortfall.\" He cautioned the state amount remains an estimate pending a formal calculation tool.

Why this matters: board members said protecting salary step increases for employees is the division's top priority and that meeting that commitment may require cuts to programs that are not state-mandated.

Dr. Bracey presented four example scenarios that, in different combinations, would close the shortfall. Option 1 would pause Starbase (an enrichment program) and the leased mobile classrooms at Victory, and delay expansion of dual-language immersion kindergarten-to-first-grade rollout; the superintendent said those three items together would reduce expenses by about the amount needed. \"If Star Base is not there, we don't need the mobile classrooms because the students can now use the space the Star Base has,\" Bracey said. Option 2 would prioritize keeping Starbase and instead cut New Directions (an alternative placement program), which Bracey said is a larger operation that costs about $1.3 million. Option 3 would pause planned moves to convert 13 part‑time school security officers to full time and delay adding three full‑time middle‑school security officers; the budgeted amount for converting part time to full time was presented as $439,000. Option 4 would cut extracurricular and instructional extras, including middle‑school sports, after‑school activity transportation and certain supplemental programs.

Board members repeatedly stressed that salary step increases for staff — which the board said teachers have not received for eight to nine years — are the division's priority. \"We're committed to ensuring that our staff receive their proper step increases this year. So we're gonna do whatever it takes to make that happen,\" Chair Miss Cheeks (board chair) said during the discussion. Several members, including Miss Shumate and Miss McSwain, expressed frustration that the city initially appeared prepared to make a larger contribution and then reported a smaller figure.

Board members flagged programs and services that would be particularly painful to remove: Starbase, dual-language immersion expansion, Communities In Schools contracts, middle‑school athletics, and transportation for after‑school activities. Board member Miss Battle warned that cutting transportation would reduce participation for students whose families lack a way to bring children to practices. Several members noted the effect on competitiveness and recruitment of teachers and families.

Superintendent Bracey said some cuts would reassign current staff to state‑mandated positions rather than create layoffs. For example, personnel supporting Starbase could be reallocated to cover required English learner/ESL positions: \"We're required to have 10 additional ESL teachers. So pretty much what you're doing, you're moving it from STAR based personnel into what the state's requiring that we need to do with the ESL teacher student ratio,\" he said.

No formal vote or cuts were adopted at the meeting. Board members asked staff to refine options and to return recommendations at a subsequent meeting. Dr. Bracey and staff said the city council will finalize its budget on May 13, and the final state funding calculation has not been released; both could change the division's final figures.

Board members invited public transparency: Miss McSwain asked that the superintendent's presentation be posted to BoardDocs so the public could review the options. Several members encouraged colleagues and the public to contact the city council liaisons before the council's final vote.

The board directed staff to continue refining scenarios, to identify precise school sites and program locations that could be affected, and to present concrete recommendations at the next meeting so the board can vote if necessary.","The Portsmouth City Public Schools superintendent outlined options to close a roughly $1.9 million gap after a state funding change and a partial city contribution; the board discussed cutting or pausing noncore programs to preserve staff step increases.","actionData","errors"]

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Board renews bus camera contract; board members press staff on malfunctions and footage access

School board approves changes to superintendent's contract after closed session

Portsmouth schools facing roughly $1.9 million shortfall; board reviews program-cut options