[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",6064179,"mediaKeyId","3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8","parentId",3256250,"title","Local civic groups say volunteer MOU was rejected over \"DEI\" concerns; chapters offer mentorship help anyway","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",9024000,"endMs",9385000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8&start=9024&end=9385","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8/thumbnail_9024000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064179/Virginia/Local-civic-groups-say-volunteer-MOU-was-rejected-over-DEI-concerns-chapters-offer-mentorship-help-anyway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064179-0e26d0bbee57b3a1a4b583a249d85950/orig.mp4?Expires=1769640970&Signature=j8DO~upVxf-OOyuZX53FrZnHauxyWnfUCq-gtTg6GPu9E3nc-DD6Ql~ktd7g8mHS8xxYtaZJgfegyj0Q9FRCIg9vbfmAcLvZ9rqciYF-ovRRmrufKJoquF7LAh2m5PusI3vx~Y1ayKLNJ7qY6XIRgq8wLmx6650rdUHb7zoJGdoTf82gXz6RmLfswun4lzh1IKYgAqZ4Kvr~RXiLILnbFebsKDPURV0WTTH7UZHpallCdP2qoyEj-j-bd1eCvkXATbfnCBms61~6LqMmeKe3ubfurR0XCtRvrHORBwN1~iyneygLASeF8M~8p7eO29BhoY9Es2wqqSFP45-PuoqEkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Suffolk City Public School","date","2025-05-09T01:59:55Z","article","Community leaders told the Suffolk School Board May 8 that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would have let members of the Upsilon Psi Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma provide tutoring and classroom support at Booker T. Washington Elementary was not signed by the district, and that staff cited \"DEI\" (diversity, equity and inclusion) as the reason. The chapter’s president, Barry Dowdy, said his group had provided a three-page MOU, began regular volunteer activity and then was informed the district would not sign the agreement.

\"We fell in love with the students, faculty and staff,\" Barry Dowdy said, asking the board to restore the partnership. He said the chapter suspended its programming at the school after being told the MOU would not be signed and that he had not been given further clarification. \"To lose a free, consistent mentorship program that provides academic powerhouses ... I think Suffolk Public Schools is letting its students down,\" Dowdy told the board.

Dr. Trevon Boone, president of the newly formed National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Suffolk, told the board the organization — representing nine historically Black fraternities and sororities — stands ready to support schools with mentorship, reading initiatives and scholarships. \"We want to be an asset to you, not just in word, but in action,\" Dr. Boone said, and asked the district to accept volunteers from civic organizations.

Board members and staff did not take immediate formal action on the MOU question during the meeting. Superintendent Dr. Gordon and staff said they would follow up; the transcript indicates staff initially cited “DEI” concerns when explaining why the MOU would not be signed, and speakers said they had not received a full explanation. Public commenters also urged a forensic audit of purchasing cards and questioned some district expenditures, saying an audit would help restore trust.

The account by Phi Beta Sigma’s chapter president prompted several board members and commentators to emphasize the value of volunteers and community partnerships, while asking staff to clarify the district’s legal or policy basis for refusing to enter the agreement. The board did not vote on the MOU at the May 8 meeting; community leaders said they would seek a resolution before the new school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 8, 2025 - School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Leaders of local chapters of Phi Beta Sigma and the National Pan Hellenic Council told the school board May 8 that a volunteer memorandum of understanding at Booker T. Washington Elementary was not signed by the district because staff cited concerns tied to DEI.","taxTitle","SUFFOLK CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14519,"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},6064189,"Suffolk school board approves $2,500 audit consultation; delays town-hall scheduling",8003,623000,8626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8&start=623&end=8626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8/thumbnail_623000.jpg","/articles/6064189/Virginia/Suffolk-school-board-approves-2500-audit-consultation-delays-town-hall-scheduling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064189-b1a59334964a44ff4eb5371576e55342/orig.mp4?Expires=1769640970&Signature=clCeCisNgDBX55lcmJ6TdMOsRKn6xEV1E3q1vZEj9IE1tR2RAi-YhTPDZKgXOVk2CaCKrFqH8OfhGg7dL9adGMYdRyosRPP2eUBnHR1ADc2V5Fb-jvbYJillycageWTuTHW-~ROqqGpfM8~1-HhqXFyBH4wvT~NLP3r84Us1YPEouxZSRDxZwbjo6VlsBQQfOUzpU0OeiLZfFG0oeQGRM2yjuvFMmfl6smx0Vjhb7OY9qsVUSRyg1z7UxslclO0PMy3droYjBxgoMurAo5omD07nhsPyqyt-k9GysBTiVBIzpVJ9NVbeGDHXKbFGqZ70JV316zmQCjaZsuC1MVMRMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City School Board voted May 8 to pay $2,500 for a three-hour consultation with representatives of Cherry Bekaert to advise the board whether a forensic audit or an internal-controls engagement would address a 35-item list of questions members had submitted about district finances. The board approved the consultant fee for a virtual session; an in-person visit would add travel and accommodations not to exceed $1,500, for a $4,000 maximum.

The consultation is intended to tell the board which of two approaches — a deeper forensic-style audit or an internal-controls consultation — could actually address the specific items the board members presented to the district and to the external auditor. The firm’s staff would research questions before the session, meet with the board for about an hour, and then provide follow-up. Vice Chair Sean McGee moved to approve the engagement and the motion passed, with Fields and Jenkins voting no and Riddick, Slinglove, McGee and Chair Howell voting yes.

Board members said the decision to hire an outside consultant was driven by unresolved questions from a prior presentation by Laura Hayden, an auditor who told the board last month that the district’s standard financial statement audit uses sampling and does not examine every item on the board’s list. “The board has to come up with a specific scope of work,” Dr. Gordon, Suffolk Public Schools superintendent, told members, adding that the firm could help the board draft an appropriate scope so the board can decide whether to pursue a deeper audit or an internal-controls engagement.

Several members urged caution about cost and scope. Board member Riddick said he felt “taken aback” that the firm could not answer some questions at an earlier visit and said the $2,500 consultation “is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the things we’ve spent.” Board member Slingluff and Vice Chair McGee said they supported the consult as a step to get clarity before issuing a request for proposals that would be open to other auditing firms.

On the question of a public town hall to discuss audits and finances, the board did not set a date. Several members recommended delaying a town hall until the board has more information from Cherry Bekaert or other advisers and until staff can estimate potential costs and a realistic scope. Board member Riddick said he favored postponing a town hall to avoid setting a date that might later be moved if the scope and expected costs change.

The board’s next step is to host the consultant (virtually or in person) and to use the firm’s guidance to refine a scope of work or to decide whether to pursue a full forensic audit, an internal-controls review, an RFP to other firms, or a combination. If the board pursues work that will require funds to be encumbered before fiscal year end, staff said they would bring encumbrance recommendations back to the board for approval before asking the city to re‑appropriate dollars.","The Suffolk City School Board voted May 8 to pay $2,500 for a three-hour consultation with Cherry Bekaert to advise whether a forensic audit or an internal-controls review would answer a 35-item list of board questions.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6064184,"School board rejects hearing officer recommendation, reinstates classroom teacher",0,7860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8&start=7860&end=7860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256250-6926355c45d997afb9a41097d7e19fe8/thumbnail_7860000.jpg","/articles/6064184/Virginia/School-board-rejects-hearing-officer-recommendation-reinstates-classroom-teacher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064184-bcb62e02f4a640292520e09ddf09eade/orig.mp4?Expires=1769640970&Signature=Xxs7pmX9Fs6hIJzIr21hjyaYd--LdAtR13bsOFgPAWXELYdC84Gm5FWThz1MGbd2zDjPPFOiUwi-NUVWPMzetTBk4rRcbzKsK~fCsXYaxtWIX4TfkmUANorCFFh1DKQrtGfK7H3VRg0mCwf342OBUPRSfZZg-ypoc5o9DF1EV7gzZoOemwEN6NVN9TKAghfqCUa09iyNTWsEWmkkvXBmLYyGCbpbuagsbN-IT-pXABj5kRFD9E6heJg9eJFuRErqw7-BH1lxxltL5FLaawPCoMp9mFLmnw1QpWVDlM0EoIlYGPpw9t6ZiZFnH6xpKplJke2XfPCPiuNG7XH0K2lvLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City School Board voted May 8 to reject a hearing officer’s recommendation and to reinstate a classroom teacher, concluding a closed meeting held under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The motion to adopt the third resolution — which directs the board to reject the hearing officer’s recommendation — was made in open session by Vice Chair Sean McGee and seconded by Board member Riddick; the board then voted to adopt the motion.

Board members cast recorded votes after returning from a closed meeting that the board said had been convened under Va. Code §2.2‑3711, with personnel items cited under Virginia Code §§22.1‑3.11 and 22.1‑3.13. After the vote to reinstate the teacher, the board also adopted a formal resolution certifying that the closed meeting was conducted in accordance with state law.

The board discussed the matter in closed session and voted in public session to accept the resolution returning the employee to employment. The superintendent and legal counsel handled the closed-session process and presented the required certification to the board after the meeting.","After a closed session, the Suffolk City School Board voted to reject the hearing officer’s recommendation and to reinstate a classroom teacher whose employment had been in question, following a motion in open session to adopt the third resolution received by the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local civic groups say volunteer MOU was rejected over "DEI" concerns; chapters offer mentorship help anyway

Suffolk school board approves $2,500 audit consultation; delays town-hall scheduling

School board rejects hearing officer recommendation, reinstates classroom teacher