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Board rejects motion to table middle-school executive-director posting after dispute over superintendent authority; HR packet approved in closed session
Summary
The Spotsylvania County School Board voted 3-2 against tabling a posted executive-director middle-schools position after members disputed whether the superintendent had authority to reallocate roles; the board later certified a closed session and approved an HR packet 5-0.
At a Spotsylvania County School Board work session, board member Lieberman moved to table a hiring advertisement for an executive director for middle schools and have the position discussed in budget deliberations. Lieberman said the posting appeared on the division website without a prior board vote and described the advertised role as a downgrade from a previously approved assistant-superintendent position.
Lieberman argued the board should "have all of our options open to get to that $5,800,000" in potential budget shortfalls and that the change warranted discussion in the budgeting process. Lieberman moved the motion and De Bella seconded.
Superintendent Dr. Mitchell defended the action, saying the role change was within his administrative authority and that the position had been accounted for under the FY26 appropriation. "I don't believe the board have the authority to be able to go ahead and prevent the superintendent from making a decision to reallocate a position," Dr. Mitchell said, adding the intent was to shift support closer to schools where principals need additional assistance.
Board members split over the issue. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Medawar voted no; Lieberman and De Bella voted yes; Chair Rodis voted no. The motion to table failed 3 to 2. After the open-session votes, the board convened a closed session to discuss personnel matters under the cited Virginia code; upon returning to open session the board certified the closed meeting and then approved the HR packet presented in closed session by a 5-0 vote.
The meeting adjourned after the personnel actions. No hiring decisions or changes were announced in open session; board members said further budget discussions and organizational reviews will continue.
