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Public speakers raise concerns about Booker T. Washington school conditions and workplace climate
Summary
During public comments at the March 19 meeting, teachers, alumni and community members raised concerns about workplace toxicity, building conditions at Booker T. Washington High School (including mold and rodents), low enrollment, curriculum and transparency on board compensation.
At the March 19 Norfolk Public Schools business meeting, six public speakers addressed the board during the citizen-comment period, raising separate but overlapping concerns about workplace climate for teachers, facility conditions and alumni involvement at Booker T. Washington High School, and transparency around a proposed increase in board compensation.
Rakita Robinson, a first-grade teacher who identified herself as a member of the National Norfolk Federation of Teachers, said staff have experienced a "toxic environment" and asked the board what steps teachers can take if they feel targeted by administration. She told the board staff have adapted to unreasonable demands and asked about resources for educators facing harassment or discrimination.
Yvonne Wagner, representing the Unified Alumni Group of Booker T. Washington, and Jacqueline L. Scott, a 1966 Booker T. Washington graduate, urged the board to address multiple concerns at Booker T. Washington High School: frequent fire-department responses that disrupt instruction, low enrollment, ongoing mold and rat problems, requests for certification that mold has been removed, and questions about the school's STEAM curriculum implementation and equity in student distribution across schools. Wagner asked whether windows needed tinting to prevent people from seeing into the school and asked for documentation resolving prior asbestos concerns.
Catherine Tyler, a 39-year NPS retiree and current adult-education teacher, noted a Booker T. Washington graduate had received a superintendent-of-the-year award in the region and offered that as positive news for the community. Liz Albert, a community member with no children in NPS, raised transparency concerns after learning the board had discussed a proposed salary increase for board members at a retreat and urged the board to re-open the discussion in full public view. Diane Bacon announced a Shoes That Fit distribution of sneakers at Richard Bowling Elementary on a forthcoming date and invited board members to attend.
Speakers were limited to three minutes each under board rules. Board members did not respond to public comments during the meeting; staff and board did not announce formal follow-up actions during the public comment segment.
