Regional recovery school proposal presented to Virginia Beach board; vote scheduled for Jan. 28

Virginia Beach school officials on Tuesday received a detailed proposal to open the Harbor Hope Center, a regional recovery high school that would serve students from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk.

The presentation, led by Robert (Bobby) Jamieson, executive director of student support services, described a model that blends academic instruction with clinical and peer recovery services and would operate under a regional memorandum of understanding with Virginia Beach acting as fiscal agent.

The board was told the Harbor Hope Center is voluntary and intended for students in active recovery from substance use disorders. Under the plan, students would attend a hybrid academic program — including a multidivision online platform for coursework, credit recovery options and a GED pathway — while also receiving clinical counseling and peer-support services. Jamieson said students would receive at least one to two 30-minute individual sessions per week with a licensed clinician and one to two 30-minute peer recovery specialist sessions weekly, in addition to daily therapeutic groups.

Why it matters: Presenters cited research indicating recovery high schools can increase graduation rates, lower dropout and absenteeism rates, and reduce substance use compared with treated students who remain in non-recovery settings. The steering committee said the regional approach distributes costs and specialized staff so no single division must carry the entire financial or clinical burden.

Key details - Opening timeline and seats: The steering committee proposed opening with 25 students in year one and expanding to a 30-seat daily capacity in year two, with a long-term cap near 50 students. Enrollment would be rolling and students may enter midyear. Jamieson said students may remain at the Harbor Hope Center through graduation if clinically appropriate; diplomas and transcripts would reflect the student’s assigned comprehensive school. - Staffing and services: Year‑one personnel included a program coordinator, one full‑time teacher, a teacher assistant, an office associate, one licensed clinician and one peer recovery specialist; Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health would staff and evaluate clinical roles. Clinical services would include weekly individual therapy, group therapy and peer support, with summer remote services and in‑person options as needed. - Budget and funding: Projected first‑year operating expenses were $708,406 (personnel, instructional technology, professional development and operations). The presentation listed projected first‑year revenue of $849,326, drawn from a 1) $550,000 expected carryover and General Assembly planning grants, 2) $160,000 direct opioid‑abatement contributions from participating cities, and 3) a $139,326 one‑time award from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Steering committee members said transportation costs would be borne by each sending division and were not included in the central operating budget. The proposal described a shared funding formula for later years that apportions operating costs by division size and committed seat counts. - Admissions and policy: Admission would require an application, interviews with the student and guardian, a records review and a medical/provider recommendation. The school would require students to submit to random drug testing administered by clinical staff; refusal could result in removal. The Harbor Hope Center would not be a substitute for mandated alternative placements; attendance would be voluntary.

Public and board reaction Multiple public speakers and board members voiced support for the proposal during the meeting’s public comment period and in dedicated discussion, citing perceived gaps in local supports for adolescents in recovery. Several speakers described recovery programs in other jurisdictions and urged the board to approve the plan. Board members asked about clinical staffing ratios, seat allocations, transportation costs and contingencies if a participating division declined to participate. Jamieson said Chesapeake’s in‑kind facility contribution helped reduce the anticipated cash needed from each division and that the steering committee would finalize memoranda of understanding prior to launch.

Next steps Jamieson said the steering committee will seek formal board approval on Jan. 28; contingent on approvals by the five divisions and successful grant applications, hiring for a program coordinator would begin in February, clinical hires would follow in spring, and the school aims to open in August. Board members asked for additional written data about outcomes from existing recovery‑school models and for clear documentation of projected per‑student transportation costs.

Ending note Board members and public speakers framed the Harbor Hope Center as a regional effort to provide a dedicated educational and clinical pathway for students in recovery, while acknowledging open questions about staffing, transportation and long‑term funding that will be considered before a final decision.