Petersburg school board elects Kenneth Pritchett chair, Steven Pierce vice chair; approves routine items and certifies closed-session actions

The Petersburg City Public Schools board completed its 2025 organizational actions on Jan. 15, electing officers, naming committee representatives and approving several routine items.

In roll-call votes during the reorganizational meeting the board elected Kenneth L. Pritchett as board chair; the motion carried 5–2. Steven L. Pierce was elected vice chair in a separate roll call, with the board recording a majority vote in favor of Pierce.

Earlier the board had moved into a closed session to discuss personnel matters authorized under section 2.2‑3711(a)(1) of the Code of Virginia. After the closed session the board held the certification required by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, section 2.2‑3712.B, and each member affirmed that only matters identified in the motion were discussed.

During the closed meeting the superintendent recommended an operations and support staff salary adjustment. The board voted to accept the superintendent’s recommendation; the motion was moved and seconded during the post‑session business and the motion carried.

In open session the board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to designate Paul Brown, chief academic officer, to attend school board meetings in the superintendent’s absence and to retain Lauren Williams as clerk of the board while interviews for a deputy clerk continue. The motion to accept the superintendent’s recommendation passed on a roll call.

The board also approved routine consent items including the final personnel agenda, minutes from several December 2024 meetings, and a donations report. The board adopted a proclamation recognizing Jan. 12–18, 2025 as Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week, and it approved a Petersburg High School field trip to North Carolina Central University.

Committee and liaison assignments were announced during the reorganization; board members also confirmed representatives for the regional governor’s school, special-education advisory committee and other standing committees. The meeting adjourned after the board completed the organizational items and routine business.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to go into closed session under Code of Virginia §2.2‑3711(a)(1) (personnel): motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as carried. - Certification of closed session under VA FOIA §2.2‑3712.B: roll-call certification taken; members answered in the affirmative. - Accept superintendent recommendation for operations and support staff salary adjustment (action taken in closed session): motion moved, seconded; recorded as carried in open session. - Election of board chair, Kenneth L. Pritchett: roll-call vote; outcome 5–2 in favor of Pritchett. - Election of vice chair, Steven L. Pierce: roll-call vote; majority in favor (board recorded motion carries). - Approve superintendent designee (Paul Brown) and clerk (Lauren Williams): vote recorded as carried. - Approve final personnel agenda, acceptance of minutes, donations report: motions carried by voice votes. - Adopt proclamation recognizing Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week (Jan. 12–18, 2025): motion carried. - Approve Petersburg High School field trip to North Carolina Central University: motion carried.

The board did not announce additional substantive policy votes during the reorganizational portion of the meeting. Several board members used the reorganization time to raise expectations for increased board engagement in the annual budget and policy work in the coming year.