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Parents and residents urge pause, more data before converting Norfolk Highlands Primary
Summary
Multiple speakers during the Chesapeake School Board public‑comment period asked the board to slow a proposal to turn Norfolk Highlands Primary into an early education center and to publish capacity, cost and alternatives analyses before proceeding.
Several Chesapeake residents urged the School Board on July 13 to pause a plan that would convert Norfolk Highlands Primary into an early‑education center and to release the analyses that led to the recommendation.
"How was that determination made? What objective criteria were used?" asked Bradrick Fields, a Chesapeake resident, requesting capacity studies, alternatives, and the basis for selecting the proposed receiving schools. Fields said the community supports early‑education goals but not the process by which this particular plan was chosen.
Brandy Diehl, who said she has deep ties to the Norfolk Highlands neighborhood, told the board the move would increase class sizes, lengthen bus rides for young children and raise safety and accessibility questions about placing 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds in a three‑story building. "Every child deserves a learning environment that is safe, appropriate, and designed with their development and needs in mind," Diehl said.
Ozan Duran, who said he lives in the Norfolk Highlands area, said he has filed FOIAs and requested cost and capacity analyses but still has not received meaningful answers. "If CPS believes this proposal is strong, then hold the town hall," he said, asking the district to convene the superintendent, CFO, research and planning staff and other leaders to answer direct questions.
Chair Kim Scott acknowledged the concerns on the record and said staff have responded to several FOIAs and phone calls. Scott and Vice Chair Mike Lamonia both indicated the board will schedule an additional work session focused on the Norfolk Highlands proposal so the community can review the analyses and ask questions.
The public comments combined calls for greater transparency and for concrete evidence that the change would improve class size, transportation time or academic outcomes. Board members proposed a targeted work session as the next procedural step; no final decision on restructuring was taken at the July 13 meeting.
