After a panel of candidate interviews and a public comment, the Norfolk School Board voted to appoint Jason Inge to the Ward 3 seat, to serve until the position is filled by a special election.

Process and interviews
The board held several candidate interviews during the meeting. Candidates who spoke publicly during the interview block included Corbin Brown, Tiffany Buffalo (served as a board questioner), Cortez Forrest (referred to as Corey Forrest), Jason Inge, Shavon Smith, and others. Each candidate answered a standardized set of questions about qualifications, ethical decision making, community engagement and how they would address disparities in student outcomes. The board limited candidate answers to about two minutes per question.

Public comment
A public commenter, Dr. John Sitka III, told the board he was concerned the interview process excluded some candidates who had run in the prior election and said voters, not appointees, should determine representation. He asked that the board consider the views of the ward’s voters in any appointment.

Closed session and vote
The board recessed into closed session for interviews and legal consultation under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act provisions authorizing closed meetings for personnel and legal consultation. After returning to open session and completing the required certification that closed‑session business complied with applicable law, the board moved to appoint Jason Inge to the Ward 3 seat.

Action taken (motion and vote)
- Motion: "I move to appoint Jason Inge to serve as the school board representative for Ward 3 until the position is filled by a special election." (mover: Tiffany Buffalo; second: Dr. Adele Martin)
- Vote: Roll call recorded — Bassin: Aye; Buffalo: Aye; Martin: Aye; Paulson: Aye; Thomas: Aye; DeCalogero (chair): Aye. The motion carried; the appointment was approved.

Why it matters
The appointee will serve until a special election fills the seat. Board composition affects committee membership, policy votes and oversight of programs, budgets and facilities planning. The appointment followed interviews and a closed session certification as required by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Next steps and procedural notes
Board staff read the statutory certification language upon return from closed session. The division will post administrative information about the special election timeline and any requirements for the appointed member to stand in that election; the transcript indicates that the appointee will serve until the vacancy is filled by that special election.