Board approves expulsion, administrative appointments and upholds superintendent appeals after closed session

After convening in closed session under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1),(2) and (7) for personnel, student, and legal matters, the Chesapeake School Board returned to open session and took action on several items raised in closed session.

Student discipline: Doctor Cotton (Superintendent) recommended that “student number 1 be expelled with services as discussed.” The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation after a motion by Mr. Lemonia and a second by Ms. Huddle; the chair announced the motion carried with all board members present voting yes.

Administrative appointments: Doctor Cotton presented three administrative appointments for board approval: (1) Dr. Delphine A. Giuffi — from division superintendent, Charles City County Public Schools to Chief Academic Officer, School Administration Building, effective July 1, 2025; (2) Mr. Robert K. Scott — from Supervisor of Facilities and Maintenance, School Plants, to Assistant Director, School Plants, effective April 8, 2025; and (3) Dr. David J. Bridal — from principal, Greenbrier Intermediate, to Human Resources Staffing Administrator, School Administration Building, effective July 1, 2025. The board approved the administrative appointments on a motion moved by Ms. Huddle and seconded by Mr. McCormick; the chair announced the motion carried with all board members present voting yes.

Appeals of superintendent decisions: The board considered two appeals of superintendent decisions under board policy. Mr. McCormick moved to support the superintendent’s recommendation regarding student number 2 (appeal under School Board Policy 5-12); the motion was seconded by Ms. Scott and carried with the chair reporting the motion carried with all board members present voting yes. Separately, Mr. Poole moved to support the superintendent’s recommendation regarding student number 3 (appeal under School Board Policy 9-21); the motion was seconded by Mr. Lemonia and the board approved the recommendation, again with the chair announcing the motion carried with all board members present voting yes.

Procedural notes: Board members made the required open-session certification upon returning from closed session (the vice chair moved to certify that only matters cited in the motion to convene were discussed). The transcript records the board’s roll-call voice votes and the chair’s announcements that each motion carried with all board members present voting yes. No further details about the expulsion services or the substance of the personnel files were provided in open session.