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Norfolk board schedules public hearing on salary increase, debates phased approach and governance training
Summary
Board members debated a proposed raise to school board stipends, with some urging an immediate increase and others calling for a phased approach; a public hearing was set for Nov. 12 and members later voted to enter a closed executive session to discuss superintendent candidate interviews.
Chair DeCaligero opened discussion on agenda item 3.02, a resolution proposing changes to school board stipends to bring the divisionin line with nearby localities. The proposal in the materials would raise member and chair stipends; exact dollar figures were discussed by multiple members but no final increase was adopted at the workshop.
Board members voiced two principal positions. Some members supported an immediate increase, arguing the current stipends (described in the meeting as "$3,000 and $5,000") were inadequate for the time required and deter prospective candidates. One board member said she had spent more to run for office than she would receive in stipend under the current schedule. Other members recommended phasing any increase over multiple years and noted statutory limits and timing constraints: a board must vote to set a change before the year preceding a general election and then must fund the increase in the subsequent budget vote.
The board agreed to hold a public hearing on the salary resolution at the Nov. 12 business meeting and to take a formal vote in December. Members also requested a public comment mechanism for those who could not attend the hearing.
Later in the workshop the board moved and seconded a motion to enter closed executive session "for discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment" under Virginia FOIA provisions. The board completed a roll-call vote and recorded ayes before entering closed session.
The workshop also included several governance items discussed without formal votes: calls for expedited governance coaching, technical training on data interpretation, routine board evaluations, and updates on transition planning and consultant work related to school consolidations.
A public hearing on the salary resolution was scheduled for Nov. 12; the board will consider final action at its December business meeting.
