School Board

The school board meeting on July 11, 2024 covered various topics such as safety concerns and job performance evaluations, with discussions on transparency and accountability. To view the meeting agenda, actions on first closed meeting items, reports by the superintendent, and information items under unfinished and new business, visit suffolk.ic-board.com.

Click the links below for voting results on the following ordinances:

(Info/Action) 5. Ordinance 2024/25-1: An Ordinance Adding Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 2-2.1:1 entitled “School superintendent responsible for day-to-day school operations; quarterly school visits for full School Board; visits prearranged by school superintendent and purpose stated; no transaction of public business allowed; individual visits allowed” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info) 6. Ordinance 2024/25-2: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 2-2.7 entitled “School Board Standing Committees; Foundations; Special Committees” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Info) 7. Ordinance 2024/25-3: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 2-3.2 entitled “Regular Meetings; Special Meetings; Quorum” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Info/Action) 8. Ordinance 2024/25-4: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Section 3-1.6 entitled “The responsibilities of the building principal; budget preparation; implementation of severe weather plans; make up days; waivers by Board of Education” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info/Action) 9. Ordinance 2024/25-5: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Article 2, Section 5-2.3 entitled “Reporting of hazardous conditions; labeling of toxic materials” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info/Action) 10. Ordinance 2024/25-6: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Article 2, Section 5-2.6 entitled “Emergency closings; notification thereof; parental involvement” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info/Action) 11. Ordinance 2024/25-7: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Article 2, Section 5-2.9 entitled “Staff certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the Heimlich and first aid required” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info) 12. Ordinance 2024/25-8: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5, Article 6, Section 5-6.2 entitled “Educational technology; definitions; establishment of foundation permitted; purchases of educational technology” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Info/Action) 13. Ordinance 2024/25-9: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Article 3, Section 6-3.3 entitled “Inspection requirement” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info) 14. Ordinance 2024/25-10: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8, Article 27, Section 8-27.2 entitled “Parental assistance with instruction” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Info) 15. Ordinance 2024/25-11: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8, Article 40, Section 8-40.1 entitled “Policy stated; neutrality required” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Info/Action) 16. Ordinance 2024/25-12: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9, Article 12, Section 9-12.2 entitled “Weapons and children with disability” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading and Adoption

(Info) 17. Ordinance 2024/25-13: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9, Article 14, Section 9-14.2 entitled “Possession of a controlled substance, etc., mandatory expulsion; prevention and intervention required” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board- First Reading

(Info) 18. Ordinance 2024/25-14: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10, Article 18, Section 10-18.1 entitled “Cooperation encouraged” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - First Reading

(Action) 19. Resolution 2024/25-1: A Resolution Approving the Terms and Conditions of A Memorandum of Understanding Between eCamion USA, Inc. and the Suffolk City School Board for the Suffolk City School Board to Participate in Jule’s Network of Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (“Nevi”)

(Action) 20. Resolution 24/25-2: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Placing in Nomination the Name of James Robinson, Staff Reporter for the Suffolk News Herald, for the Statewide VSBA Media Honor Roll

(Action) 21. Resolution 24/25-3: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Authorizing the School Superintendent to Expend the Sum of $217,678.50 for High Quality Instructional Materials Approved by the State

(Action) 22. Resolution 24/25-4: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Approving an Award to HES Facilities, LLC. for Groundskeeping and Landscaping Services for the Suffolk Public Schools Pursuant to a Cooperative Agreement

(Action) 23. Payment of Bills and Payroll - June 30, 2024

1. Meeting Call to Order
2. SPS Vision 2024
3. School Board Self Evaluation Committee Report
4. Setting the Date, Time, and Location for School Board Retreat

Please see below the highlights, action items, and resulting votes of our May School Board meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024:

The School Board voted on the following items under Unfinished Business:
… voted 3 to 3 on Ordinance 23/24-77: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 2-2.1:1 entitled “Superintendent responsible for Day-to-Day school operations; site visits by School Board Members of PreK-12 schools allowed under certain conditions; site visits regarding non-instructional buildings; violation of policy” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - Second Reading

… voted 5 to 1 to approve Ordinance 23/24-78: An Ordinance Adding Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 2-2.1:2 entitled “Statement of Purpose; School Activities; Report by Chair” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - Second Reading

… voted 6 to 0 to approve Ordinance 23/24-29: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Article 2, Section 4-2.2 entitled “Annual budget preparation” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - Second Reading

The School Board voted on the following items under New Business:
… voted 6 to 0 to set the date of Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 5 p.m. at Suffolk City Council Chamber, 442 W. Washington Street, Suffolk 23434, for a Special School Board Meeting to Adopt the Annual Budget of Suffolk City Public Schools for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2024 and Ending June 30, 2025

... voted 6 to 0 to approve Bonus for Employees Signing their 2024-2025 Contract or Assignment by June 10, 2024

... voted 6 to 0 to approve Transfer Freeney Avenue Property from Suffolk Public Schools to City of Suffolk

... voted 6 to 0 to approve Transfer of Long-Term Project Funds from SECEP for the New SECEP Building - JFKMS Reconstruction Project

... voted 6 to 0 to approve VDOE Authorization of Signature in Absence of Division Superintendent Extension

... voted 6 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-30: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Granting the School Superintendent the Authority to Obligate by Encumbrance any Remaining Appropriated Funds Before the End of the Current Fiscal Year [June 30, 2024] for Certain Designated Repairs and/or Purchasing Needs of Suffolk Public Schools

... voted 4 to 2 to approve Payment of Bills and Payroll March 31, 2024

... voted 4 to 2 to approve Payment of Bills and Payroll April 30, 2024

The next School Board meeting will be on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Suffolk City Council Chambers:
Work Session: 5:00 p.m.
School Board Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
School Board meetings are streamed live and published on our SPS YouTube channel.

On Thursday, May 29 during the Special Meeting of the School Board, the board adopted our current approved budget. We will go to city council on June 5th to ask for the appropriation necessary to provide the 3% raise for full time employees. This will be the 5th consecutive year that SPS staff has received a raise.

Watch the meeting live stream on our YouTube Channel: Suffolk Schools

Please see below the highlights, action items, and resulting votes of our May School Board meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2024:

The School Board voted on the following items under Unfinished Business:
… failed 3-4 on Ordinance 23/24-77: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 2-2.1:1 entitled “Superintendent responsible for Day-to-Day school operations; site visits by School Board Members of PreK-12 schools allowed under certain conditions; site visits regarding non-instructional buildings; violation of policy” of the Policies of the Suffolk City School Board - Second Reading

The School Board voted on the following items under New Business:

… voted 7 to 0 to table the vote on the Elementary Rezoning to the August work session(s)to explore and include other options.

… voted 7 to 0 to approve the Original motion 'Suffolk Public School Board will determine their national association affiliation with either the National School Board Association (NSBA) or The Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA).

… voted 6 to 0, 1 abstain to approve Resolution 23/24-32: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Authorizing the Conveyance of Land Not Needed for School Purposes Located at 1507 Freeney Avenue Formerly Known as Suffolk Public Schools Facilities and Planning Department (Maintenance)

... voted 7 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-33: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Authorizing the Conveyance of Property to the City of Suffolk, Virginia for the Nansemond Parkway Bridge Replacement and Authorizing the Chair of the School Board to Execute a Deed of Gift and Donation to the City of Suffolk, Virginia For This Purpose

... voted 7 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-34: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Promoting the Secure Storage of Firearms to Protect the Health and Safety of Children Enrolled in Suffolk Public Schools and Those Who Reside in the City of Suffolk, Virginia

... voted 7 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-35: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Expressing Its Support For A Recovery School For Students In Region 2 Who Are Addicted To Substances

... voted 7 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-36: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Approving an Award to GC Commercial Inc. Pursuant to Written Invitation to Bid Issued by Suffolk Public Schools

... voted 7 to 0 to approve Resolution 23/24-37: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Approving an Award to RRMM Architects Pursuant to a Written Request for Proposals Issued By Suffolk Public Schools

... voted 6 to 1 to approve Resolution 23/24-38: A Resolution of the School Board for the City of Suffolk, Virginia Amending its Adopted Budget for Suffolk Public Schools for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 by the Sum of $5,859,206 for a Total Adopted Amended Budget for Suffolk Public Schools for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the Sum of $248,588,927

... voted 7 to 1 to approve Resolution 23/24-39: A Resolution Approving the Terms and Conditions of a Right of Way Agreement Between the Suffolk City School Board and Virginia Electric and Power Company, d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia

... voted 5 to 2 to approve Payment of Bills and Payroll May 2024

School Board meetings are streamed live and published on our SPS YouTube channel.