Powhatan County School Board enters closed session citing security, personnel, student discipline and litigation

The Powhatan County School Board voted May 6, 2025, to enter a closed session to discuss facility and information-security concerns, specific personnel matters, student admissions and discipline, and consultation with legal counsel on actual or probable litigation.

The board invoked exemptions to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act during a special meeting, saying the subjects named would jeopardize safety or security if discussed publicly. "I recommend and make a motion to enter into closed session for discussion where discussion in an open meeting would jeopardize the safety of any person or security of any facility building structure information technology system or software program and discussion of reports and plans related to the security of any governmental facility building or structure or the safety of persons such as facility building or structure pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.2, subdivision 2 or 14, to discuss the employment resignation and leave of specific employees pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(1), to discuss the admission and discipline of specific students pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(2) and (4), and to consult with legal counsel and briefings by staff members pertaining to actual or probable litigation pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(7)," said Dr. Taylor, superintendent.

Board members first approved the meeting agenda by voice vote after the chair called for a motion. The record shows one member, District 5 representative Michelle Ward, was not present at the start of the meeting and was described as "on her way." There were no members of the public signed up to speak during the public-comment period.

After the closed-session motion was moved and seconded, the chair called for a vote; those present answered "Aye." The board recessed into closed session. The transcript does not record any substantive discussion or outcomes from the closed session itself; any actions taken in closed session, and whether the board took action upon returning to open session, were not included in the public portion of the record provided.

The items listed for the closed session—security of facilities and IT; employment, resignation and leave of specific employees; admission and discipline of specific students; and consultation with legal counsel about litigation—are all among exemptions the board cited under the Code of Virginia sections read aloud by the superintendent.