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Board convenes closed session; votes on student disciplinary actions and upholds superintendent recommendation
Summary
Following a closed session held under the Code of Virginia, the Chesapeake School Board returned to open session and approved an expulsion and a decision to support the superintendent’s recommendation in a separate student appeal. The motions were moved and seconded and the board announced corrected vote tallies.
The Chesapeake School Board convened a closed session on Jan. 14 “pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2‑3711” for personnel, student disciplinary matters and legal consultation, and later returned to open session to take formal disciplinary actions.
Board member Norman Poole moved that the board convene to closed session “pursuant of Code Virginia section 2.2‑3711 subsection a 12 and 8 for discussion of consideration, personal matters regarding employee contracts, student disciplinary matters, and consultation of legal counsel in reference to actual litigation.” The motion was seconded by John McCormick and carried unanimously among board members present.
After returning to open session, Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton presented outcomes from closed session. On a motion moved by John McCormick and seconded by Malia Huddle, the board approved the superintendent’s recommendation that “student number 1 be expelled under the conditions discussed.” The board announced the motion carried; the record shows the motion passed with eight votes in favor and one abstention by Board member Kim Scott (the division count reflects nine board members total).
Later, McCormick moved, and Dr. Walker seconded, a motion to support the superintendent’s decision in an appeal under School Board Policy 921 regarding “student 2.” The motion to uphold the superintendent’s recommendation carried; the board stated the tally as seven in favor, one opposed, with Board member Kim Scott recorded as abstaining.
Authorities and process: The board cited Code of Virginia § 2.2‑3711(a) when moving to closed session and read the statutory certification on return to open session that only the matters authorized in the motion were discussed. The superintendent said the student matters reflect the conditions discussed in closed session; no further student details were made public in open session.
Votes, movers and seconds (summary): - Motion to convene closed session (Code of Virginia §2.2‑3711(a)(8),(12)): moved by Norman Poole; seconded by John McCormick; outcome: carried (all present voted yes). - Expulsion of Student 1: moved by John McCormick; seconded by Malia Huddle; outcome: carried — eight in favor, none opposed, Kim Scott abstained. - Appeal re: Student 2 (support superintendent recommendation under School Board Policy 921): moved by John McCormick; seconded by Dr. Brittany Walker; outcome: carried — seven in favor, one opposed, one abstention (Kim Scott).
Ending: Board policy requires confidentiality for many closed‑session deliberations; the board disclosed only the motions, movers/seconders and vote outcomes after certifying the closed‑session topics. The superintendent said administrative staff will carry out the board’s directions resulting from those votes.
