Norfolk school board unanimously votes to enter closed session to discuss superintendent candidates

The Norfolk school board voted unanimously to enter an executive (closed) session to continue discussion of candidates for superintendent and to consult with legal counsel about closed-meeting procedures and the board's upcoming annual organizational meeting. The motion to move into closed session was made during the meeting and was recorded as approved by roll call.

An unidentified presiding official asked for a motion to go into an executive closed session. "I move that we go into executive closed session," the speaker said during the meeting. The transcript records a second, but does not identify the mover or the seconder by name.

The presiding official read a resolution invoking exemptions under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citing the provisions that permit closed sessions for "discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment" and for "consultation with legal counsel" on specific legal matters. The resolution specifically described the subject as further discussion of the "unique qualifications of specific individual candidates for appointment to the position of superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools" and consultation regarding the board's annual organizational meeting in January.

A roll-call vote followed. Board members Hassin, Buffalo, Martin, Olson, Thomas and Takalajero each answered "Aye," and the motion carried. The board then proceeded into the closed session; the transcript does not record any public details about what was discussed in executive session or any subsequent actions taken there.

Because the motion invoked the statutory exemptions, the board will not disclose the contents of the closed-session discussion publicly unless and until it returns and reports any required actions. The meeting record shows only the motion, the statutory basis for the closed session, and the unanimous roll-call vote approving it.