Norfolk City Public Schools public meetings in 2020

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Dec. 18, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools Policy Committee met on Dec. 18, 2020, to review policy recommendations and minutes from a previous meeting. The agenda included items regarding student conduct and suspension/expulsion policies, but no formal votes or contracts were recorded.

• Review of student conduct policies (JFC-STUDENT CONDUCT)
• Review of student suspension/expulsion policies (JGDZ/JGEZ-STUDENT SUSPENSION/EXPULSION)
• Approval of Policy Committee minutes from Nov. 24, 2020

School Board Business Meeting

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will hold a business meeting on December 16, 2020, via Zoom and WNPS Channel 47 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda includes a motion to enter a closed executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

• Meeting held via Zoom and WNPS Channel 47
• Motion to enter closed executive session for personnel and legal matters
• Public comments accepted via email prior to meeting
• Board priorities include increasing school accreditation and closing achievement gaps

School Board Work Session, Dec. 2

The School Board will hold a work session (4-6:30 p.m.) and a budget public hearing (6:30 p.m.) via Zoom, streamed on YouTube. The agenda contains only procedural items such as call to order and roll call; no specific proposals, dollar amounts, or ordinances are listed.

• Agenda consists solely of procedural items and a budget public hearing; no rezonings, contracts, or dollar amounts specified.

School Board Public Hearing

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, to discuss the FY 2022 budget development. The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom Webinar due to pandemic emergency orders.

• Public hearing on FY 2022 budget development
• Work Session held prior to public hearing
• Public comments accepted via email by Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m.
• Meeting streamed live on YouTube and WNPS Ch. 47
• Board priorities include increasing accreditation and closing achievement gaps

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Nov. 24, 2020

The Norfolk School Board Policy Committee meets to discuss policy recommendations and review minutes from a previous meeting. The session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM in CR 1200.

• Discussion of food services, student suspension, and restraint policies
• Review of policy minutes from October 16, 2020
• Consideration of service animals and law enforcement relations
• Review of charter school applications and regulations

Bring Your Legislator to School Online Virtual Event

The Norfolk City Public Schools Board will hold its annual Bring Your Legislator to School Day online on Monday, November 23, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. City Council members and state legislators will join high‑school government classes virtually, followed by a legislative update session with the Board. The event will be streamed live on the Norfolk Public Schools YouTube channel and broadcast on WNPS Cox Cable Channel 47.

• Virtual event via Zoom on Nov 23, 2020, 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
• City Council and legislators will virtually visit high‑school government classrooms
• Legislative updates with the School Board scheduled for 10:15 a.m.
• Live stream available on Norfolk Public Schools YouTube channel and WNPS Channel 47
• Welcome remarks by Dr. Adale Martin (Board Chair) and Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong (Superintendent)

School Board Business Meeting

The Norfolk City Public Schools Board held a business meeting on November 18, 2020 via electronic communication due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. The agenda included a discussion of the superintendent's evaluation. The Board voted to enter a closed executive session to consider personnel matters and to consult legal counsel on litigation and recent federal funding decisions.

• 2.01 Superintendent Evaluation Discussion
• 2.02 Motion to Enter Closed Executive Session – personnel agenda
• 2.02 Motion to Enter Closed Executive Session – legal counsel briefing
• 3.01 Closed Executive Session – Personnel Matters
• 3.02 Closed Executive Session – Legal Matters

School Board Work Session

The Norfolk School Board held a work session on November 4, 2020, via electronic communication due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting focused on strategic planning and division priorities.

• Meeting held via electronic communication without a physical quorum
• Discussion of 5-Year Strategic Plan strategies
• Review of Board and Division Priorities
• Public comments accepted via email for Business Meetings only
• Meeting streamed on WNPS Cox Cable Ch. 47 and YouTube

School Board Business Meeting

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will hold a business meeting on October 21, 2020, via Zoom and streamed live. The meeting is a procedural session to certify the meeting and conduct a workshop on in-person instruction plans.

• Meeting held via Zoom due to pandemic
• Workshop on Plan for In-Person Instruction
• Motion to enter closed executive session for personnel and student matters
• Public comments accepted via email prior to meeting
• Meeting archived on YouTube and WNPS Channel 47

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Oct. 16, 2020

The School Board Policy Committee will review and discuss proposed updates to several policies, including relations with law enforcement authorities, service animals in schools, and charter schools. The committee will also consider minutes from its September 18 meeting.

• Policy KNAJ: Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities
• Policy KKAZ: Service Animals in Public Schools
• Policies LC and LC-E: Charter Schools and Charter School Application Addendum
• Policies BCF and BCF-R (topic not specified)
• Approval of policy committee minutes from Sept. 18, 2020

VSBA Superintendent Evaluation Virtual Workshop

The School Board is participating in a virtual workshop regarding superintendent evaluation. The session is presented by Dr. Michael Thornton.

• VSBA Superintendent Evaluation Virtual Workshop presented by Dr. Michael Thornton

School Board Work Session

This is a work session of the Norfolk City School Board, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board will discuss plans for returning to in-person instruction, presented by departments including Academic Affairs, School Leadership, Information and Instructional Technology, and Operations. A list of policies is also slated for discussion, but no votes or decisions are scheduled.

• Plan for In-Person Instruction presented by Academic Affairs, School Leadership, Information and Instructional Technology, and Operations
• Policy discussion on multiple school board policies including safety drills, student conduct, and harassment prohibition
• No public comments accepted for this work session
• Meeting held via Zoom and streamed live, with no quorum physically assembled due to pandemic emergency

School Board Business Meeting

The Norfolk School Board is meeting via Zoom due to the coronavirus pandemic. The agenda includes a presentation by Dr. Demetria Lindsay, Public Health Director, on COVID-19 and its impact on schools. The board will then vote to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters, including the superintendent's contract, and student disciplinary issues.

• Presentation by Dr. Demetria Lindsay, Public Health Director (Norfolk/Virginia Beach) on COVID-19
• Motion to enter executive closed session to discuss personnel agenda and superintendent's contract
• Seventeen public comments submitted on agenda items
• Meeting held entirely online due to the pandemic emergency

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Sept. 18, 2020

The Norfolk School Board Policy Committee will review proposed policy updates for student conduct, bus drivers, and harassment. The meeting will also cover administrative matters and approve minutes from a previous session.

• Review proposed updates to student conduct and suspension policies
• Discuss policies for school bus drivers and student removal
• Review policies on harassment, service animals, and home instruction
• Approve minutes from the Sept. 4, 2020 Policy Committee meeting
• Review proposed updates to relations with law enforcement authorities

School Board Work Session

The Norfolk City School Board will hold a remote work session via Zoom on Sept 16, 2020. After procedural items (certification, roll call), the board will vote to enter a closed executive session to discuss personnel issues and confidential legal matters. No other substantive agenda items are scheduled.

• Motion to enter closed session under Virginia FOIA for personnel and legal consultation
• Remote meeting due to COVID-19 emergency; no quorum physically assembled

School Board Policy Committee Meeting

The committee is meeting to discuss and act upon policy and regulation recommendations from February, May, and July 2020. These recommendations cover a broad array of school operations, staffing, and student conduct.

• Review of policies regarding weapons in school (JFCD, GBEB)
• Discussion of food service and sanitation programs (EF, EFB, EFD)
• Review of charter school application and policies (LC, LC-E)
• Consideration of policies on nondiscrimination and harassment (ACZ, GB, JFHA)
• Review of financial and purchasing procedures (DB, DI, DJF, DJZ)

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, August 28, 2020

The Norfolk School Board Policy Committee met to review proposed policies and regulations, including advisory committee updates and minutes from a previous meeting. The session was held via Zoom on August 28, 2020.

• Review of proposed policies for advisory committees
• Discussion of viral infection and student conduct policies
• Review of home instruction and national motto policies
• Policy minutes from February 27, 2020
• Adjournment of the meeting

The meeting consisted of procedural items and a discussion regarding policies and regulations recommendations. No substantive decisions were recorded.

School Board Business Meeting, August 12, 2020

The School Board is meeting electronically due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The agenda consists of procedural items and a motion to enter a closed session for personnel and legal matters.

• Motion to enter closed session for personnel docket
• Motion to enter closed session for consultation with legal counsel regarding litigation

School Board Special Call Meeting, July 22, 2020

The Norfolk School Board is holding a special call meeting to discuss reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A motion has been proposed directing the superintendent to plan for 100% virtual learning at the start of the school year, with added consideration for K-3, Special Ed, and ELL students. Public comments on reopening are included. The board will also address procedural items and adjourn.

• Motion to direct superintendent to plan for 100% virtual learning to begin 2020-2021 school year
• Friendly amendment added to prioritize K-3, Special Education, and English Language Learner students
• Attached reopening data presentation and student demographics by school and grade level
• Health Mitigation Plan for Phase III COVID-19 (NPS)
• Public comments submitted on school reopening

School Board Meeting, July 15, 2020

The School Board is meeting via Zoom to review options for reopening schools and address administrative governance. The body will vote on board norms, a code of ethics, and the 2020-2021 calendar.

• Review of NPS Reopening Options
• Vote on Board Norms and Protocols
• Approval of School Board Code of Ethics
• Approval of 2020-2021 School Board Calendar
• Closed session regarding personnel and COVID-19 pandemic legal issues

School Board Retreat, July 14, 2020

The School Board held a retreat to discuss diversity, inclusion, and the historical context of school naming in Norfolk. The body reviewed the current NPS policy for renaming school facilities.

• Presentation by Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) on diversity and inclusion
• Presentation on the historical context of Norfolk school naming by Troy Valos and Peggy McPhillips
• Discussion of NPS Policy for Renaming Schools (FFA/FFA-R)

School Board Retreat, July 13-14, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will hold a two-day retreat via Zoom to discuss board governance, leadership processes, and organizational priorities for the 2020-2021 school year.

• Election of School Board Chair and Vice Chair
• Discussion of Superintendent's evaluation process
• Review of Board norms, protocols, and code of ethics
• Approval of 2020-2021 School Board calendar and committee assignments
• Review of 5-year strategic plan priorities

Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Noelle Gabriel

This meeting is a procedural event for the swearing-in of Dr. Noelle Gabriel. The ceremony will be conducted by The Honorable Jerrauld C. Jones of the Norfolk Circuit Court.

• Swearing-in of Dr. Noelle Gabriel

School Board Hybrid Work Session/Business Meeting, June 17, 2020

The School Board is meeting virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. They will vote on adopting the Title I, II, III, and IV budgets for the 2020-2021 school year and on approving monthly financial reports for March, April, and May 2020. Public comments submitted prior to the meeting are included.

• Vote on adoption of Title I, II, III & IV budgets for 2020-2021
• Vote on monthly financial reports for March, April, and May 2020
• Public comments submitted by P. Zubof, J. Ceasar, and F. Arrington
• Meeting held via Zoom due to COVID-19 emergency

School Board Hybrid Session/Business Meeting, June 3, 2020

The School Board is conducting a hybrid session to discuss division business via electronic communication. The agenda includes reviews of proposed federal grant budgets and an update regarding graduations for the Class of 2020.

• Review of Proposed Title I Budget
• Review of Proposed Title II, III & IV Budgets
• Graduation Update regarding virtual graduations for Class of 2020
• Motion to Enter Into Executive Closed Session

School Board Hybrid Work Session/Business Meeting, May 27, 2020

The Norfolk School Board will vote on amending its proposed FY20-21 budget to reflect decreased anticipated revenues from the Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk City Council due to the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting is held remotely via electronic communication means without a quorum physically assembled. Public comments were accepted in advance.

• Motion to amend the School Board's March 25, 2020 Proposed FY20-21 Budget to reflect superintendent's adjustments for decreased state and city revenues (vote required)

School Board Hybrid Work Session/Business Meeting, May 6, 2020

The Norfolk School Board is holding a hybrid work session/business meeting via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board will enter a closed executive session to discuss personnel matters, including a regular personnel docket and an update on investigations concerning specific staff and student incidents, as well as consultation with legal counsel. The remainder of the agenda consists of procedural items such as meeting certification, roll call, and a resolution certifying the closed session.

• Motion to enter closed executive session to discuss personnel matters and legal consultation
• Resolution certifying the closed executive session was conducted in compliance with Virginia FOIA
• Meeting held electronically due to COVID-19 emergency, without a quorum physically assembled

Proposed VSBA Governance Training, April 29, 2020-Canceled

The proposed meeting for VSBA Governance Training scheduled for April 29, 2020, was canceled. No other business was listed on the agenda.

• Canceled VSBA Governance Training

School Board Student Appeal Hearing-Canceled

The meeting agenda for the School Board Student Appeal Hearing on April 22, 2020, is listed as canceled. The original agenda included a closed executive session to discuss student disciplinary matters and a vote on the disposition of a student appeal.

• Canceled Student Appeal Hearing
• Proposed closed session for student disciplinary matters and legal counsel consultation
• Proposed vote to uphold the superintendent's recommendation regarding a student appeal

CANCELED: School Board Business Meeting, April 8, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board Business Meeting scheduled for April 8, 2020, was canceled. No decisions or discussions took place. The agenda contained only procedural items and strategic plan boilerplate.

• Meeting canceled; no business conducted

School Board Work Session, April 1, 2020-Canceled

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board Work Session scheduled for April 1, 2020, was canceled. The agenda included standard procedural items, student learning updates, and policy discussions.

• Meeting canceled
• Procedural call to order
• Student learning and achievement updates
• Educational planning updates
• Policy discussion

School Board Business Meeting, Mar. 25, 2020

The Norfolk School Board will hold an electronic meeting to vote on a resolution regarding the pandemic emergency and the Superintendent's proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Public comments on the budget can be submitted in advance via email.

• Vote required on Pandemic Emergency Resolution
• Vote required on Superintendent's Proposed Budget SY2020-2021
• Electronic meeting without physical quorum due to pandemic
• Public comments on budget accepted via email prior to meeting
• Meeting streamed live on WNPS Ch. 47 and online

School Board Student Appeal Hearing--Canceled

This meeting, a School Board Student Appeal Hearing scheduled for March 25, 2020, has been canceled. The agenda included a closed executive session and a resolution certifying that session, as well as a disposition vote on the student appeal. No decisions were made.

• Meeting canceled—no proceedings occurred

School Board Business Meeting, Mar. 18, 2020-CANCELED

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board meeting scheduled for March 18, 2020, was canceled. The agenda included a workshop, closed executive session, and business meeting, but no items were decided.

• Canceled Business Meeting
• Canceled Workshop
• Canceled Closed Executive Session
• Personnel Matters (Discussion)
• Legal Matters (Discussion)

School Board Work Session, March 11, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will hold a work session to discuss the Superintendent's proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year. The meeting will also cover procedural items and board priorities.

• Superintendent's Proposed Budget SY2020-2021
• Work Session
• Call to Order
• Roll Call
• Board and Division Priorities

School Board Student Appeal Hearing-Canceled

The meeting scheduled for March 11, 2020, to conduct a student appeal hearing was canceled. The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate for a closed executive session and a vote on a student appeal disposition.

School Board Work Session/Public Hearing, March 4, 2020

The Norfolk School Board holds a work session (4-6:30 PM) followed by a public hearing (7 PM) on March 4, 2020 at Granby High School. The primary business item is discussion of the Superintendent's Proposed Budget for the 2020-2021 school year. No other substantive decisions or proposals are listed on the agenda.

• Superintendent's Proposed Budget SY2020-2021 discussion
• Public hearing at 7:00 PM
• Work session from 4:00-6:30 PM

Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong

The Norfolk City Public Schools Board will hold a swearing-in ceremony for Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong on March 3, 2020. The event is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room 1200 of the School Board Administration Building at 800 E. City Hall Avenue. No policy decisions or votes are on the agenda; the meeting is purely ceremonial.

• Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong – March 3, 2020, 10:00 a.m., School Board Administration Building, 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Conference Room 1200

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Feb. 27, 2020 (changed from Feb. 21)

The School Board Policy Committee is meeting to discuss recommendations for several policies and regulations. These include staffing and the structure of various school advisory committees.

• Policy GCE: Part-Time and Substitute Professional Staff Employment
• Policy BCFA: Special Education Advisory Committee
• Policy BCFB: Gifted Education Advisory Committee
• Policy BCFC: Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
• Policy BCFH: School Health Advisory Committee

School Board Student Appeal Hearing--Cancelled

The meeting scheduled for February 26, 2020, regarding a School Board Student Appeal Hearing was cancelled. The provided agenda consists of procedural boilerplate for a closed executive session and a student appeal disposition.

School Board Business Meeting, Feb. 19, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will convene a closed executive session at 4:00 PM to discuss specific personnel matters, including the superintendent vacancy and personnel investigations, as well as student disciplinary records. The public business meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

• Closed session to discuss superintendent candidates and personnel investigations
• Closed session to discuss student disciplinary records
• Closed session to consult with legal counsel on litigation
• Meeting held at School Board Administration Building, 800 E. City Hall Avenue
• Live streaming available at www.npsk12.com

School Board Student Appeal Hearing-Canceled

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board canceled its scheduled Student Appeal Hearing on February 12, 2020. The meeting agenda includes a motion to enter a closed executive session to discuss student disciplinary matters and a resolution to certify the closed session.

• Student Appeal Hearing canceled
• Motion to enter closed executive session
• Resolution certifying executive closed session
• Disposition of Student Appeal Hearing (vote required)

School Board Special Call Meeting

The Norfolk City Public Schools Board will hold a special call meeting on February 10, 2020. Board members will vote on a motion to enter a closed executive session to discuss candidates for the superintendent position and to consult legal counsel on pending litigation. After the discussion, the board will adopt a resolution certifying the closed session. The meeting will then be adjourned.

• Motion to enter closed executive session (vote required) – discussion of superintendent candidates and legal matters
• Resolution certifying the executive closed session (vote required)

School Board Work Session, Feb. 5, 2020

The School Board will hold a work session to review winter 2020 STAR reading and mathematics data and discuss public participation policies. The meeting includes a closed executive session to discuss the superintendent vacancy and personnel matters.

• Review of Winter 2020 STAR Reading and Mathematics administration data
• Discussion of policies BDDH/KD and KD/BDDH regarding public participation at meetings and hearings
• Update on the Governor’s FY20-22 Budget
• Executive session to discuss candidates and contract provisions for the office of superintendent
• Executive session for consultation with legal counsel regarding actual or probable litigation

School Board Student Appeal Hearing

A 3-member School Board committee will hold a closed executive session to hear a student disciplinary appeal. The meeting includes a motion to enter closed session under Virginia FOIA exemptions for student records and legal advice, and a resolution certifying the closed session. A vote is expected to uphold or overturn the superintendent's recommendation.

• Motion to enter closed executive session for student disciplinary matters and legal consultation
• Resolution certifying that the closed meeting complied with Virginia FOIA law
• Motion to 'upold' (uphold) the superintendent's recommendation on the student appeal (vote required)

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Jan. 23, 2020

The School Board Policy Committee will discuss policy recommendations for public participation at board meetings and hearings, part‑time and substitute professional staff employment, and items from several advisory committees including special school board meetings, special education, gifted education, career and technical education, and school health. The committee will also review and approve the minutes from the December 20, 2019 Policy Committee meeting. The agenda includes standard procedural items such as call to order and adjournment.

• Review of policy recommendations for public participation at school board meetings and hearings
• Recommendations on part‑time and substitute professional staff employment
• Consideration of items from the Special School Board Meetings advisory committee
• Consideration of items from the Special Education Advisory Committee
• Review and approval of Policy Committee minutes from Dec. 20, 2019

School Board Business Meeting, Jan. 22, 2020

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board will convene a business meeting starting at 4:00 PM, followed by a closed executive session to discuss personnel matters and student support services. The meeting will be held at the School Board Administration Building.

• Closed executive session on personnel and student matters
• Meeting at School Board Administration Building, 800 E. City Hall Avenue
• Live streaming available at npsk12.com
• 100% identification verification required to enter building

VSBA School Board Governance Training

The Norfolk City Public Schools School Board is meeting for VSBA governance training on January 17, 2020. The session includes a closed executive meeting to discuss superintendent candidates and legal counsel.

• VSBA Governance Training (make-up for Oct 19, 2019)
• Closed executive session for superintendent candidate discussion
• Closed executive session for consultation with legal counsel
• Resolution certifying the executive closed session
• Adjournment

VSBA School Board Governance Training

This is a two-day VSBA School Board Governance Training session with no substantive decisions or public hearings. The agenda consists of a call to order, governance training, and adjournment.

• Two-day VSBA Governance Training on Jan 16-17, 2020 at Slover Library
• No rezonings, contracts, or ordinances on the agenda

School Board Student Appeal Hearing--Canceled

The meeting scheduled for January 15, 2020, was canceled. The agenda had listed a closed executive session to discuss student disciplinary matters and a vote on a student appeal hearing.

School Board Work Session, Jan. 8, 2020

The School Board will hold a work session including a facility planning update, then enter a closed executive session from 5:05 to 6:30 PM to discuss the superintendent search. No other substantive items are listed on the agenda.

• Closed executive session: superintendent search
• Facility planning update as part of educational planning