Virginia Beach School Board votes to enter and certify closed session under Code of Virginia

Before adjourning the public workshop March 25, the Virginia Beach School Board voted to recess into a closed session and later certified that the closed meeting complied with state law.

The vote to enter closed session

Vice Chair Weems moved that the board recess into closed session “in accordance with the exceptions to open meetings law set forth in Code of Virginia §2.2-3711, part A, paragraphs 1, 2, 7, and 8,” listing personnel matters, student records and consultation with legal counsel among the topics to be discussed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Rogers. The presiding officer announced the result as "10 eyes," indicating unanimous approval to enter closed session.

Certification on reconvening

After the closed meeting, the board adopted a resolution certifying, under Code of Virginia §2.2-3712, that only matters exempted from open-meeting requirements were discussed and that the topics matched those listed in the motion. The certification motion was moved by Mr. Collins and seconded by Mr. Cummings; the presiding officer again announced "10 eyes," indicating the motion passed unanimously.

What was authorized for closed discussion

The motion and the board’s certification named these categories permitted under the statute: (1) personnel matters including interviews and evaluations of identifiable employees or applicants; (2) student admission or disciplinary matters and scholastic-record information; and (3) consultation with legal counsel on pending or probable litigation and other legal advice. The board did not discuss specific outcomes of those closed discussions in the public record during this session.

Ending

The chair adjourned the workshop at 4:58 p.m. and announced the board would reconvene for a formal meeting at 6 p.m.