[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6083814,"mediaKeyId","2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4","parentId",2926956,"title","Policy review committee presents wide-ranging amendments to meeting schedules, procurement and fees","audioSeconds",1040,"startMs",2601000,"endMs",3641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4&start=2601&end=3641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4/thumbnail_2601000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083814/Virginia/Policy-review-committee-presents-wide-ranging-amendments-to-meeting-schedules-procurement-and-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083814-f8c2223f4c6b73976785f1b81b35e82f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770774116&Signature=jOas8V06FfOT5ojxfatiqFnEuXc593OBpqs1d9bGLoStiy5x4jfbYrVgKW5ZdlbE4vSmZPCoi4ZKeuU0XmIzRh4uqzOnd4677vPzNd1CgrTFRaLAbUHZwBVlK~cUMlr~DJsaCyIwVUhO5reEW7l-lIBJsZCeQ-hZ5nPPjdFvAYZIL4EvXwbdbOL-sVqROX1DS~jYMdXmWtYnt5bweL3g75kPW-aegIkVhY~qN6d~fbx~o~Xznj~h0kLnZSsx-HfaQfLHQIK5kCvAhWNqlQM9eC-mJaTo09Ol6Bd5QxOtNEkYYc~4hlyji6VHnv5xjPZKA9qkaF59hXhfbMLjSC0R2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","VA Beach City Public School","date","2025-04-09T16:48:32.933Z","article","The Virginia Beach School Board’s policy review committee presented proposed changes to 15 bylaws and policies on April 8, recommending clarifications to meeting schedules, procurement language, fines-and-fees notices, gift-acceptance conditions and several contracting policies.

Camille Linetti, the school board attorney, read the committee’s recommendations and explained the rationale behind major changes. She said the committee expanded and clarified bylaw 1-38 to spell out regular meeting dates and the process for scheduling special meetings; updated procurement-related policies to use “procurement” rather than “purchasing”; and proposed new language requiring annual notice to families about fines and fees and information on financial-assistance options.

Key proposal highlights:
- Bylaw 1-38 (meeting dates/times): The committee recommended a published calendar identifying regular meetings (generally second and fourth Tuesdays during most months) and clarified procedures for scheduling or changing noticed meetings.
- Policy 3-15 and 3-19 (local funds and special revenue funds): Primarily scrivener and reference updates.
- Policy 3-20 (fines/fees): Adds a requirement that the superintendent or designee provide annual notice to students and families through handbooks and the division website and inform families of available financial assistance.
- Policy 3-24 (gifts, grants and donations): Adds a conditions-of-acceptance section and reserves the board’s right to decline gifts containing donor control or naming/sponsorship terms not consistent with board policy.
- Procurement and contracting policies (3-31, 3-33, 3-35, 3-36, 3-37, 3-38, 3-39, 3-89 and related): Change “purchasing” to “procurement,” clarify cooperative procurement and e-procurement processes, and add an internal notification requirement when procurement exemptions are used.
- Policy 3-802 (transportation of students with disabilities): Updates language to reflect current terminology and statutory requirements.

Vice Chair Weems noted committee edits that removed “or designee” in several places so the whole board would receive notifications in certain circumstances. Linetti said many of the proposed changes are largely clarifying and procedural, but she flagged a few places that would benefit from further questions to department directors — for example, a standing phrase in competitive-bid policy that awards are “normally” made to the lowest responsive responsible bidder.

No formal vote on the policies occurred during the April 8 meeting; Linetti said the recommended revisions were presented for the board’s review and that some items may return with clarifying language or requests for additional information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - 04/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Policy Review Committee presented proposed edits to 15 bylaws and policies on April 8, including a clearer meeting-calendar bylaw, procurement updates and additional notice requirements for fines and fees.","taxTitle","VA BEACH CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",14520,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083819,"School board votes 6-3 to certify compliance with federal guidance on diversity policies",3518,1087000,4605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4&start=1087&end=4605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4/thumbnail_1087000.jpg","/articles/6083819/Virginia/School-board-votes-6-3-to-certify-compliance-with-federal-guidance-on-diversity-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083819-0a4f7ec5df8ae3e59bcb83349d00dd6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770774116&Signature=PdwoXTTzUYqsncXzod~ZvOP2SgXJCMymsWS7AJyULl1ZF5rTSSFNr0Vlhu35-6CG6qhE7Fe7Ae8hcp9G6z~b0QDgPpQyg3dzXxBTbQGWkuL-xJhQfAjc1g1Vxl~hdQLUTNvQA-FsxuvvhVWWmq1SO9qGwKWE~PFqeTWVWJuLO0p4DYJ-FgSOcYrxQHQTmnxbGmBaE5HncKk3-sG-pRfbex-CWUmmjpXIb5NO4yQY9Zo9kyYYFSJz-rQ88q-jyPnWv8s9u4W9JkrZQviKQ-dT6K3-Gn-mBITSEE0yt4LjVR-EMPwEd9Iw3oIZfcoeYL6Zzv6xY7pt~oUFLDn9pwv6IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-3 on April 8 to direct the superintendent to sign a certification of compliance with recent U.S. Department of Education guidance and to take steps the board said will align division programs and policies with that guidance.

The measure, introduced by School Board member David Culpepper and seconded by Mr. Belensteel, directs the superintendent to work with legal counsel to rename the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, suspend any educational program offerings found not to comply with federal guidance, and present recommended policy and strategic-framework changes by late May. Chair Kathleen Brown brought the motion to a vote after extended public comment and nearly two hours of board debate.

Why it matters: Chair Kathleen Brown said the division receives federal funds totaling $74,285,975, and the board framed the vote as a way to preserve those federal dollars, which support Title I, special education, school nutrition and other programs. The resolution also sets internal deadlines: policy-review recommendations by May 31 and suggested strategic-framework edits by May 15 (dates as stated in the board motion).

Board debate and amendments: David Culpepper, School Board member, argued the board had two choices: “either honor the guidance we've been given and certify that we have done so and accept federal funds in exchange or to basically state that we don't agree with these practices and to turn [the funds] down,” and he urged accepting the guidance to preserve funding. Culpepper read the resolution aloud before the vote.

Doctor L. Green, School Board member, opposed the measure and characterized the resolution as “offensive” and likely to disrupt student services if applied too broadly. Green said the language contained “ambiguities” and warned that suspension of programs could unintentionally affect coursework, tutoring and services for vulnerable students. Green said he would not vote for the resolution.

Other board members voiced a mix of views. Some said immediate action was needed to protect federal funding and to reduce the school division’s legal exposure; others urged caution and more public input before any program suspensions. A motion by Board member Mr. Cummings to defer the vote to a later meeting failed (3 yes, 6 no). A substitute resolution offered by Board member Miss Rogers — which removed the word “suspend” and narrowed some provisions to require review and compliance with federal and state law — was voted down (2 yes, 7 no).

Superintendent Kevin Robertson (title shown on agenda) and School Board Attorney Camille Linetti were present during the discussion; Linetti advised how the policy review process would proceed and how legal counsel would be involved. Robertson cautioned that some curriculum standards and state-required reporting could be affected and said division staff had concerns about the operational impacts of suspending policy.

Outcome and next steps: The resolution passed on a 6-3 vote. It directs the superintendent to: work with counsel to comply with Title VI guidance; rename the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office; suspend educational program offerings found not to comply with federal guidance; have the policy review committee bring recommended changes to certain policies by May 31; and sign and submit the requested certification to the Virginia Department of Education. The board asked staff and legal counsel to provide timely updates to the full board as work proceeds.

The vote followed public comment earlier in the meeting in which multiple speakers expressed opposing views on federal guidance and local DEI work (see related article summarizing public comment).","The Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-3 April 8 to direct the superintendent to sign a federal certification and to begin renaming and reviewing division equity programs and policies to comply with U.S. Department of Education guidance tied to Title VI and related documents.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083800,"Votes at a glance: April 8 Virginia Beach School Board meeting",3488,1117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4&start=1117&end=4605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4/thumbnail_1117000.jpg","/articles/6083800/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-April-8-Virginia-Beach-School-Board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083800-e25c3c1670669973bad2c35b17070758/orig.mp4?Expires=1770774116&Signature=gpk8p7cbMB3Cw656ePFhrkkDFqZvo0CBKSHDaytY1rfsDhTMCeOBOa6cDOmp6rl-Diu0ltkCYCrwBBtcuYpAQg5D79guzWTReFlwXXclGNR5wIAJ1YFjQkkP8Dbc8JSXXScW03zMbo3fyuZbGHZwopFbfHslGz8rxBgyYCsDFhYq0yfPAzn8I5k1l2iC0IBakMNSva99dWKufNvCranGpi49gzUaEjdGqnwkOgwpx~PqsY0trpcTjgqXYXK~RIFjmqSlkQldFDjBDg0LtZdmeumCUoQFa22-8BFMVElbVfccn1g1lrvvSRL1KgAaAbxH4zV9gw~eDcQKNHNQ3NOVsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below are the formal motions and recorded vote outcomes from the Virginia Beach School Board meeting on April 8, 2025. Vote counts and motion text are drawn from the meeting record.

- Motion to add School Board Member Culpepper’s resolution (compliance certification) to the action agenda: Moved by David Culpepper; seconded by Mister Belensteel. Vote: 6 yes, 3 no. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the agenda as modified: Moved by Miss Rogers; seconded by Vice Chair Weems. Vote: 7 yes, 2 no. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the March 25, 2025 meeting minutes as presented: Moved by Mister Callan; seconded by Miss Dwyer. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented: Moved by Miss Dwyer; seconded by Doctor Green. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the 04/08/2025 personnel report and administrative appointments: Moved by Miss Dwyer; seconded by Mister Cummings. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the local special education annual plan application and report for the Virginia Department of Education: Moved by Doctor Green; seconded by Miss Rogers. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to increase cost of tickets for the 2025-26 school year (middle/high school): Moved by Miss Weems; seconded by Mister Bowensteel. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to expand ticket sales for high school and middle school: Moved by Vice Chair Weems; seconded by Mister Culpepper. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to increase supplements for coaches and sponsors by 10% and pay additional stipends for coaches whose teams advance to post-season play: Moved by Miss Rogers; seconded by Miss Dwyer. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to approve the local plan and budget for career and technical education (Carl D. Perkins) 2025-26: Moved by Mister Cummings; seconded by Miss Dwyer. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to remove Carolyn Williams from the mental health task force (committee assignment update): Moved by Miss Rogers; seconded by Miss Dwyer. Vote: 9 yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion (main resolution) to comply with legal obligations in exchange for receiving federal financial assistance — directing superintendent to work with legal counsel, rename the DEI office, suspend noncompliant educational program offerings, direct policy and strategic-framework reviews, and sign the certification to VDOE: Moved by David Culpepper; seconded by Mister Belensteel. Vote: 6 yes, 3 no. Outcome: approved.

Notes: Several motions included follow-up directions to staff; motions that required further information (for example, policy-review items) were presented by staff for later board consideration. Where the transcript did not list individual member votes, only the vote tallies are reported here.","A roundup of formal votes taken at the April 8 board meeting, including adoption of the agenda, minutes, consent items, personnel reports and the resolution directing Title VI compliance work (passed 6-3).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083804,"Public comments at April 8 meeting focus on teacher pay, federal DEI guidance and school chaplains",644,1315000,1959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4&start=1315&end=1959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4/thumbnail_1315000.jpg","/articles/6083804/Virginia/Public-comments-at-April-8-meeting-focus-on-teacher-pay-federal-DEI-guidance-and-school-chaplains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083804-dd2817887818f87791ea7511299d424b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770774116&Signature=mdqkQrIjfm3EwTx93dnIM9SS2Lh398SNKebbam8r-gHRgxnHPgEOT3qCG7OjgtYgreTxUbYQO~ehOi1ghGT9MJuqmf77HPXAomvA7T9MW47hiekS~CmJQrIl6KwUeEtVuFztc7ih0VaOFVRbEiTtLKPJjNpPuITb8WaCYyPaw1fUVVFp2FPgIgGy1huen5REFWq3ZZbkA3geO4y6tP-oPATMtft-SMDIsDb~jYcLNYxOs9WdTQWSIh-2D~HcHvO~I15e8-Ow6lstbfEeqb8mOqPVkf~eUobuJ~npKxElmZhNbMGusQhqU9nWlX5Fp7FLJ3Za58coc5vFH7VwH3EV~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers during the public-comment period on April 8 raised recurring themes: teacher pay and retention, objections to federal pressure on diversity-and-equity programs, support for school chaplains, and a request for clearer rules about public use of school facilities.

Kara Johnson, who identified herself as a teacher and former student of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, described long hours and low pay and said younger teachers are leaving: “My passion alone cannot sustain an entire profession,” she said, urging the board to take action on compensation.

Mandy (Mandy/Mandy spelled 'Mandy' in the transcript) Kimball, a kindergarten teacher and VBEA school representative, said division salaries have not kept up with inflation and that the average teacher’s salary in Virginia Beach is lower now, in real terms, than in 2015. She described staff working multiple jobs and paying out of pocket for student activities.

Several commenters addressed federal guidance and the U.S. Department of Education’s recent letters. Elizabeth Shore said the federal request to certify compliance with Department of Education guidance amounted to “extortion” and criticized the administration’s approach. Others, including Burke Stringfellow and additional speakers, warned that withholding federal funds would harm students who depend on Title I, nutrition and special education supports.

Diane Muscovak urged support for legislative efforts to recognize school chaplains and said the National School Chaplain Association is promoting chaplain bills in many states. Sydney Tom, an online speaker, asked the board to clarify public-use rules for elementary school property after she and family members were asked to leave a school playground early in the morning by security.

Board members did not respond to individual public-comment remarks during the comment period; commenters’ statements were followed later by staff presentations and board business.","During public comment the board heard teachers and community members urge higher pay and better retention for educators, express conflicting views on federal guidance about diversity/equity programs, and advocate for school chaplains and clearer public-use rules for school property.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6083809,"Board hears proposal to place Jewel Labs and Altria settlement funds in categorical grant to support recovery school",214,3693000,3907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4&start=3693&end=3907","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2926956-fd60285215f0e73fbf98bc50f9352af4/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6083809/Virginia/Board-hears-proposal-to-place-Jewel-Labs-and-Altria-settlement-funds-in-categorical-grant-to-support-recovery-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083809-6ccc90f96f1c641b42e8d4af63ed39e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770774116&Signature=Voml8oFjkGukteu1mfJRQla~Xhd~CpOlb9Eg638-2IxmIlOPzHtkSb-MK6~lfXJMzetyK-iUrzpgI51d0SwnjGm-GY-elro6TQz0SgLmdl3D9Z4F4yFQrGBqlN20yyxZRcpAMXAJLAyTOjAbEbPRh7OYkZ47ndC33awP3YI9i2tFeuHD6x2NB~NZ37CablQi9DEbCjNAQphynaKQxm3Hx~5m3~zyoyl4m9oJu4uSatroIPCQOWTcS2rb1RbRpMGNGLjNpqgKr9Ns8EJQIctoOzIv3APgE9qlZigQ5vbh4TBfNEYbqn-m~5R76p2aSBOBnzuVpmUWI2f2BBI8Lv~C0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crystal Pate, the division chief financial officer, told the board on April 8 that Virginia Beach City Public Schools received settlement payments totaling $604,429.79 during the fiscal year: $430,812.05 from an Altria settlement and $173,617.74 from Jewel Labs Inc. settlements. The funds are currently in the general fund and Pate said they must be used by the end of the fiscal year or they will be included in the year-end reversion calculation to the city.

Pate said the board previously voted to allocate Jewel settlement funds into the division’s categorical grant fund to support future development of a recovery school; placing the newly received payments into the categorical fund would preserve the money for carryover into future years. Pate said there are no legal restrictions on the funds’ use but asked for board guidance on whether to allocate them the same way going forward.

Board questions and context: Board members asked how long the funds might support the recovery school. Pate said she did not have full budget figures in front of her but noted a pending $1.5 million grant application with a decision expected by May 1 that could add funding. She estimated first-year recovery-school transportation costs of about $33,000 and said state appropriations would cover other first-year costs. Pate and staff said future years’ costs depend on program growth and any additional staff or agreements with partnering divisions.

No formal vote was taken April 8; Pate asked for direction from the board and said staff would accept follow-up questions by email. Board members requested additional budget detail and asked staff to provide clarifying information at a future meeting.","CFO Crystal Pate told the board the division received $604,429.79 in settlements from Altria and Jewel Labs and recommended placing the funds into a categorical grant to preserve them for future use, including support for the recovery school; board members asked for more budget detail before a decision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy review committee presents wide-ranging amendments to meeting schedules, procurement and fees

School board votes 6-3 to certify compliance with federal guidance on diversity policies

Votes at a glance: April 8 Virginia Beach School Board meeting

Public comments at April 8 meeting focus on teacher pay, federal DEI guidance and school chaplains

Board hears proposal to place Jewel Labs and Altria settlement funds in categorical grant to support recovery school