School board approves short-term employment agreement to keep Superintendent Jared A. Cotton through June 30, 2027

The Chesapeake School Board on June 29 approved an employment agreement that will let Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton continue serving while the division completes a search for his successor.

Chair Kim Scott introduced the item and said the contract — which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 — is intended to preserve leadership continuity until a new superintendent is formally appointed. The board first voted to waive the 30-day notice period under Virginia Code §22.1-60 so it could consider the agreement immediately.

Dr. Cotton said he has agreed to stay on for a short period while the board completes negotiations with the incoming candidate and highlighted district priorities he said remain underway, including expanded career and technical education, updated safety protocols and investments in classroom technology.

The meeting also recorded approval of several administrative appointments that were presented after closed-session consideration, including Vashtai M. Dancy to supervisor of student support; Dr. Karita A. Paige to assistant principal at Western Branch High; and Ayana C. Dorsy to assistant principal at Deep Creek Middle. The clerk read a board resolution honoring Dr. Cotton’s service; the board adopted that resolution as well.

On budget and compensation matters, division finance staff recommended using state allocation plus savings to fund a $1,500 end-of-year bonus for qualifying employees contracted as of June 15, 2026. The board voted to approve that bonus. Mrs. Glad reported May realized revenue of about $58 million (roughly $32 million state, $25 million city) and projected expenditures of about $72 million (about $97 million when encumbrances were included). Mrs. Glad also said the board can deploy state funds and $5.1 million in local savings to provide the one-time bonus.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Adoption of the agenda — motion carried as recorded by the chair. - Convene closed session under Va. Code §2.2-3711 (personnel/student matters) — motion carried. - Approve remote participation for outside counsel Nikki Chuk — motion carried. - Approve administrative appointments effective July 1, 2026 — motion carried. - Appeal under school board policy 9-21 (student case 6-29-26A-1) — board supported the superintendent’s recommendation; motion carried. - Waive the 30-day notice under Va. Code §22.1-60 to consider the employment agreement — motion carried. - Approve employment agreement with Dr. Jared A. Cotton (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) — motion carried. - Adopt board resolution honoring Dr. Cotton — motion carried. - Approve distribution of a $1,500 end-of-year bonus to eligible staff — motion carried.

The meeting packet and staff presentations cite the state budget actions that provided a 4% compensation adjustment and additional revenue prospects; Dr. Cotton and staff said their priority is to use available additional funds to improve staff compensation and to target part-time pay adjustments effective January 1 if additional appropriation amendments are approved.

The board did not provide a roll-call tally for each motion in the public record beyond the chair’s statements that motions carried; the transcript records at least one board member, Dr. Smith, vocalizing opposition during roll-call prompts but the chair recorded the motions as carried. The board indicated further budget reconciliation and appropriation amendments will be presented for approval at the July meeting and then transmitted to the city manager and city council as required.

The school board adjourned after brief member remarks. The division will proceed with contract execution and bonus administration consistent with the terms approved at the meeting.