Norfolk board reviews legislative program ahead of 2026 General Assembly, plans delegation event
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Summary
Staff previewed a two'document legislative package and an event with the Norfolk delegation; priorities include authority for a local 1% school construction sales tax, implementing JLARC funding recommendations, modernizing assessments, and teacher recruitment/retention measures.
Norfolk Public Schools staff briefed the school board on the division's legislative program and one'page priorities ahead of the 2026 General Assembly and planned a delegation event next week.
Miss Webb, who coordinates legislative work for the division, said staff prepared two documents: a longer legislative program and a condensed priorities one'pager intended as a handout for legislators. Webb said the materials will guide staff and board members on whether to engage with specific bills and that she will represent the division during the session.
Key priorities Webb identified include seeking authority for a local 1% sales tax for school construction (a measure that would go to local voters), pressing for JLARC'recommended adjustments to K'12 funding and rebenchmarking support caps, modernizing state assessment and accreditation practices to reduce overreliance on standardized tests, and supporting measures for teacher recruitment and retention, including mentorship programs and targeted salary funding.
Webb reviewed deadlines and events: division staff aim to have materials ready for the Norfolk delegation event prior to prefile work, and she confirmed the prefile window and budget committee retreats will be important engagement points. She asked the board for feedback on language and priorities; members discussed one'page fact sheets and timing for school visits tied to their Richmond advocacy.
Webb said the division will continue to refine positions, work with legislative sponsors on implementation details, and produce a packet for the delegation next week. The board did not take formal votes on policy positions during the workshop but directed staff to finalize materials for the delegation event.
