During the required public hearing on the FY27 school operating budget, community members urged transparency about school–board and board-of-supervisors responsibilities and called for a review of administrative staffing to redirect funds toward classroom teachers.
The board approved routine business including payment of bills, an external-review policy and several facility and broadcast motions, heard Acting Superintendent Dr. Ashanda Harris Mohammed outline BTSS goals, ordered buses and discussed a mental-health MOU; the meeting recessed to closed session on personnel, student and legal matters.
Finance staff presented the November preliminary expenditure and revenue report; the board approved payment of bills, accepted a tentative FY27 budget calendar (with revised full-board review on Feb. 9) and approved a senior class trip to Orlando (April 23–26) for about 70 students.
The board approved a resolution to establish an official building name and hold a groundbreaking for a new 7,000-square-foot student health center on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m.; staff said the building would include classroom and multipurpose space and be completed in about six months pending permits.
After an architect's presentation on deteriorating systems and space constraints, the board approved a resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors consider funding replacement facilities for Capern Elementary and Southampton Middle School; ballpark estimates ranged $15.5M–$18.5M for a new elementary and $34M–$38M for a new middle school.
The Southampton County School Board voted to create an advisory ad hoc committee composed of two board members, the superintendent or designee, a building-level administrator and four community members (at least two parents) to review communications and recommend improvements to accessibility and information sharing.
Superintendent announced two district schools achieved 'Distinguished' status under the Virginia School Performance and Support Framework and the board recognized students and employees across multiple schools at the meeting.
HES representatives told the school board on Nov. 10 that facilities maintenance is performing well under their contract, while custodial operations have improved but still require time to meet the district’s expectations.
Mister Rogers asked the Southampton County School Board on Nov. 10 to order a broad review of record retention, PBIS grant purchases and grant‑management procedures; after extended debate the motion failed for lack of a majority.
The board approved the October bill list, received the October plan‑of‑expenditures and revenue reports from finance staff, heard instructional updates on literacy and testing schedules and considered two external facility‑use requests that sought fee waivers pending nonprofit paperwork and insurance.