Emily Webb, Norfolk Public Schools’ legislative representative, briefed the board on preparations for the 2026 General Assembly session and a draft legislative priorities document on Sept. 3. Webb said the materials will help the division tell its story to the incoming administration, the Norfolk delegation and committee chairs during a budget year.

Webb reviewed a near‑term timeline: the division will host a legislative event on Nov. 13, pre‑filing for bills begins Nov. 17, Governor Youngkin’s budget (as governor at the time of the meeting) would be released Dec. 17, and the 2026 General Assembly session opens Jan. 14 and will run 60 days. She noted any budget amendment requests would be due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, just after session begins, and asked the board to submit feedback on the legislative program and priorities by Sept. 19; Webb plans to circulate a final draft on Oct. 1 for board approval Oct. 15.

The draft legislative priorities document is a one‑page, communication‑focused summary of the division’s most urgent asks; Webb said the board’s more comprehensive legislative program will remain the primary advocacy tool. The priority paper is aimed at committee members and incoming administration officials to surface key asks quickly during fast legislative sessions.

Topics Webb listed as likely priorities this year include school construction funding proposals (including a conversation around dedicating 1% of sales tax revenue to school modernization), continued work on the state support‑cap for staffing, and targeted items reflecting division goals. Webb told the board to expect her to advocate across the full legislative program but to use the one‑page priorities brief to keep the division’s top issues front and center as bills and budget amendments are filed.

Board members asked clarifying questions about whether support‑cap reform should appear on the one‑page priorities list. Webb said support‑cap language remains in the comprehensive legislative program and could be included among top priorities if the board so directs; she also cautioned that 2026 is a budget year and federal funding uncertainty could constrain new statewide spending.

Next steps: Webb requested edits to the program or priorities by Sept. 19, will produce a final draft by Oct. 1 and will work with administration on outreach materials ahead of the Nov. 13 legislative event.