Public commenters urge board to strengthen protections for LGBTQIA students and back collective bargaining

Public commenters at the Newport News School Board’s Jan. 20 meeting urged district leaders to strengthen protections for LGBTQIA students and to move quickly on collective bargaining and staff-safety measures.

Reverend Natalie Chamberlain of Hilton Christian Church told the board she and a "broad coalition" of residents have repeatedly asked the district to change procedure JBP and said the current environment is unsafe for transgender students. "We are patient because we know you've been maneuvered in a difficult political situation. We are asking you to make a commitment tonight to make sure that policy JBP actually protects LGBTQIA students and especially those who are trans," she said.

Several speakers tied that call to broader employee and safety concerns. Carolyn Jones, a Newport News teacher, spoke in favor of collective bargaining and described the unpaid overtime and workload many teachers carry, saying the stress contributes to burnout and attrition. "Teachers have received countless reminders... We stay after school to tutor students for free... sometimes those students show up. Sometimes they don't," Jones said, urging board attention to working conditions.

David Brakeman, a resident supporting the NNEA campaign, urged the board to "take timely action to budget for and approve collective bargaining" while a state-level window of opportunity exists. He also asked the board to "permit more decency, dignity, and safety for trans students" through changes to procedure JBP.

An NNEA representative asked the board to pursue a meeting with the Commonwealth's Attorney and local law enforcement about assaults on staff, saying the district needs a faster, more consistent prosecutorial response. The commenter cited a provision they described as "section 8, section d," saying it prescribes jail time for intentional assault on a school employee, and asked that serious cases go directly to prosecutors rather than requiring staff to pursue magistrate filings.

Board members did not take formal action on those public requests during the meeting. The public speakers asked for specific follow-ups — a written response and review of appeal and IEP processes, meetings with the Commonwealth's Attorney, and budgeting for collective bargaining — which could appear on future agenda packets or be handled administratively by the superintendent’s office.

The meeting continued with the consent agenda and action items, and the board adjourned after regular business.