School board approves MOU with Western Tidewater community services; asks attorneys to check conflict-of-interest language

The Southampton County School Board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Western Tidewater Community Services Board to expand school-based counseling and intervention services, while directing its attorneys to re-review the agreement for potential conflicts of interest.

Doctor Tindall introduced a redlined MOU and said it had been edited to align with Department of Education examples. Dr. Angela Brown, representing Western Tidewater, told trustees the program is a preventive school-counseling intervention intended to link students and families to services and to reduce barriers to learning.

Concerns were raised about a possible conflict of interest because the agency is led locally by an individual who also has a governance role that intersects with the school system. One board member said: "It appears that there might be a conflict of interest because Mister Rogers chairs this board, but he also oversees the Western Tidewater Mental Health." The board asked its legal counsel (Pamela O'Berry) to review the MOU with that point in mind.

Board members also emphasized the urgency of implementing services: "The longer we put off this MOU, the later in the year we're able to provide services," Doctor Tindall said. To balance urgency and due diligence, trustees approved the MOU with the understanding that counsel will review the contract language and confirm whether any conflict-of-interest provisions or mitigation language are required; the MOU contains a termination clause the board cited as an additional protection.

Next steps: counsel will perform the requested review and relay any flagged issues; if counsel identifies concerns, the termination clause or revised language can be used to adjust or pause implementation.