Chesapeake school board hears 23 public speakers as it narrows field of 44 applicants for vacancy

The Chesapeake School Board heard from 23 citizens during a public hearing on an open board seat and said it will narrow 44 applicants to five finalists for closed‑door interviews before making a selection.

The vacancy drew an unusually large field of applicants and public attention. “We have 23 citizens signed up to speak under the public hearing for the school board vacancy,” said Dr. Todd Smith, who called the hearing. Chair Angie Swigert told speakers the board would review comments and candidate materials, notify the finalists the following Monday and hold interviews during the board’s closed session on May 19, with a vote to follow at the meeting after that.

Why it matters: the appointment will fill the seat left open by Dr. Walker and will shape board priorities on school safety, special education, and strategic planning at a moment when the division is updating its five‑year strategy and completing multiple capital projects.

Speakers included 18 applicants and multiple community endorsers who presented their qualifications and priorities. Nicole Davis, who identified herself as a local resident with experience in leadership coaching and community service, told the board she was “passionately and committed to ensuring that every student in every classroom is seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.” Ramesh Kapoor, who described decades working on digital learning in neighboring Virginia Beach City Public Schools, said he would focus on implementing artificial intelligence in schooling “while safeguarding data privacy” and “maintaining transparency.”

Several callers offered endorsements for specific applicants. Dozens of speakers urged support for former deputy sergeant Daniel Staller; Staller described his priorities to the board as “school safety is a non negotiable necessity,” said he supported expanding mental‑health resources and the Chesapeake Career Center and noted his background in the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office and his family’s ties to public education. Multiple endorsers recounted personal experiences with Staller and said his public‑safety background and family connection to local schools would inform his service.

The board kept its public‑comment rules in place: speakers were limited to three minutes, had to state their name and city of residence, and were asked not to disrupt the meeting. The board chair thanked the crowd for the turnout and emphasized that the next steps would prioritize review of resumes and public comments before narrowing to the five interviewees.

The hearing was informational; the board did not vote on an appointment during the session. The board instructed staff to notify finalists on the announced schedule and to hold interviews in closed session May 19, with a public vote on the appointment at the following meeting.