School board motions closed session for superintendent interviews, requests state extension

The Lynchburg City Schools Board voted Wednesday to convene a closed meeting to discuss superintendent candidates and other personnel matters and authorized staff to file for a statutory extension of the 180‑day selection period under Virginia Code §22.1‑60.

Board member Dr. Tinsley, chairing the ad hoc superintendent search committee, told the board the committee had screened 27 applicants and shortlisted six for video interviews. She said the division had filed a request for an extension because the statutory 180‑day period for naming a superintendent would expire April 16; the extension request, she said, is normally granted and would add another 180 days if needed.

The board approved a motion to convene the closed session pursuant to Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1) to discuss personnel matters and prospective candidates. The roll call on the closed‑session motion recorded unanimous approval among members present before the board moved into closed session for candidate interviews and personnel discussion.

Why it matters: the board’s action preserves candidate confidentiality while allowing committee members to review interviews and discuss personnel matters away from public view. The extension request safeguards the division from a statutory deadline if additional time is needed to complete the search.

Next steps: the school board scheduled closed interviews for committee members, and the extension letter was to be signed by the end of the meeting. The transcript does not disclose candidate names or interview outcomes; the board cited the confidentiality requirement and its agreement with the search firm for that limitation.