Southampton County School Board approves routine items, hears acting superintendents BTSS plan and schedules closed session

The Southampton County School Board on Jan. 12 approved a slate of routine items, heard an instructional report from Acting Superintendent Dr. Ashanda Harris Mohammed outlining immediate goals under the Virginia Tiered System of Support, and voted to enter closed session to consider personnel, student and legal matters.

Board action at the meeting included approving the agenda as amended (motion by Miss Lane, seconded by Mr. Rogers), accepting minutes from multiple December meetings, approving payment of December bills after Finance Director Miss Carr presented preliminary expenditure and revenue reports, adopting an external-review policy on second reading, and approving a facility-use request from the Miss Weston Tidewater pageant for Feb. 15, 2026. The board also adopted the Virginia School Boards Association code of conduct and approved broadcasting the public-comment portion of meetings.

Why it matters: the votes clear administrative housekeeping and set the divisions near-term priorities. The boards decisions on policy and broadcasting affect transparency and how the district manages outside research and community access to meetings.

Dr. Ashanda Harris Mohammed presented three immediate division priorities under the BTSS framework: establishing new academic baselines, improving culture and climate, and strengthening community engagement. She described MTSS/BTSS as a "systemic data-driven approach" that organizes evidence-based practices and interventions and said the division will align K-8 computer science instruction with Virginia Department of Education expectations through partnerships such as Code to the Future. Dr. Harris Mohammed also reported that a student health building groundbreaking has occurred, permits are in place, and new vehicles have been ordered: three full-size diesel buses and an additional handicapped bus with a lift, expected in six to eight weeks.

On digital accessibility, the superintendent told the board a U.S. Department of Justice rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act sets technical standards for digital accessibility; the division will publish guidance and work with technology staff to meet the compliance timeline for smaller divisions.

The board heard a first reading of a memorandum of understanding with the Weston Tidewater Community Service Board for mental-health partnership services intended as alternatives to suspension; a board member recused from that item for conflict of interest. The MOU will return for action at the February meeting.

The meeting concluded with a motion to convene a closed session to address personnel and student matters and a legal matter under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The board adjourned the open session and moved into the closed meeting.

Votes at a glance: agenda approved (voice vote); minutes approved (voice vote); payment of bills approved (voice vote); external-review policy approved (second read, voice vote); facility use for Miss Weston Tidewater pageant approved (voice vote); VSBA code of conduct adopted (voice vote); broadcast of public-comment period approved (voice vote); motion to delay division-level strategic-plan revision until a new superintendent is selected approved (voice vote); motion to convene closed session approved (voice vote). Recorded tallies were voice votes; numerical counts were not specified in the transcript.

Next steps: the mental-health MOU returns as an action item in February; the board will hold a closed session consistent with the meeting motion.