Norfolk school board fires superintendent without cause, names James Pohl interim

The Norfolk School Board voted 4-3 on June 11 to terminate the contract of the superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools without cause and to appoint Dr. James Pohl as interim superintendent effective immediately.

The board first convened a closed session, citing exemptions in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and later certified that the meeting complied with state law. A resolution terminating "the superintendent of schools without cause" and an immediate appointment of an interim superintendent were both adopted during the board's newly amended agenda.

The closed-session motion cited subsection A of section 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to permit discussion of prospective and current personnel actions; the board later read and adopted a certification under section 2.2-3712 confirming that only matters exempted by law were discussed.

The termination resolution was moved by a board member identified in the record as Moore Buffalo and seconded by Vassina; roll call showed Bassin, Buffalo and Inge voting aye, Martin, Paulson and Thomas voting nay, and Chair DeKalajero voting aye, carrying the measure 4-3. The termination resolution as read declares the superintendent's contract terminated "without cause effective immediately" and states it "shall be effective from and after its adoption."

Immediately after the termination vote the board considered and approved a resolution to appoint Dr. James Pohl as interim superintendent. The appointment resolution states that the interim will have "all powers, duties and obligations" of the office and directs the board to negotiate and present a contract to Dr. Pohl "as soon as practicable." The resolution sets the interim appointment as effective immediately and makes the appointment effective upon adoption.

Before the termination vote a board member (unnamed in the transcript) read a prepared statement criticizing the conduct of the board chair and the board's process, saying the board had become "deeply dysfunctional" and warning that the timing of a termination would distract from sensitive tasks such as school closings and consolidations. That speaker said they would not support accepting the separation resolution. Other board members spoke briefly about procedure before the roll call.

The board later returned to the published agenda, including other items such as student achievement reports, Title I and other federal grant applications, and an academic calendar proposal that were not part of the personnel actions. The board also approved the personnel report by roll call later in the meeting.

The motions adopted at the meeting direct staff to negotiate an interim contract for Dr. Pohl; the record does not include the contract terms, salary, or any separation agreement particulars for the terminated superintendent. The board certified that its closed meeting complied with the Virginia FOIA requirement that only the matters identified in the closing motion were discussed.

The abrupt leadership change occurs as the board continues work on student achievement goals, Title I funding proposals and a review of school consolidation dates; board members and staff said they will follow up with contract negotiations and additional public engagement on other agenda items.