Board upholds superintendent recommendation on employee grievance; parent advocate says special-education evaluations are delayed

At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Hampton City School Board voted unanimously to uphold the superintendent’s recommendation in employee grievance matter 2025-08. "I move that the recommendation of the superintendent in the case of employee grievance matter 2025-08 be upheld," Mr. Joe Kilgore said; Mr. Jason Samuels seconded and the clerk called the roll. Each member answered "Aye," and the chair announced the motion carried.

Earlier in the meeting the board had amended the agenda to add the grievance as action item 5.01; that amendment passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor. The consent agenda containing personnel reports, minutes and donations was likewise approved by voice/roll call.

During the public-comment period parent-advocate Brenda Marks told the board three families were told their children must have a formal diagnosis before the school would initiate a child study for kindergarten and first-grade students. She cited State Department of Education performance reports covering fiscal years 2016–2023 and said the division has repeatedly failed to meet benchmarks, including the 65-day statutory limit for evaluation and eligibility determination. "Something's gotta give," Marks said, urging the board to act.

The board did not respond publicly to Brenda Marks’ specific allegations at the meeting; Miss Penny had read the district's public-comment protocol explaining that matters requiring a response will be directed to the superintendent for follow-up and may be reported back at a subsequent business meeting.