Portsmouth City Public Schools board meeting, date not confirmed yet

51 min · 0 public speakers

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 51 min.

  1. Who spoke · first speaks at
  2. Melvin Cotton, Jr.Board member
  3. Irene S. BooneBoard member
  4. LaKeesha S. "Klu" AtkinsonVice-Chairwoman
  5. Jaclyn T. "Jackie" WalkerBoard member
What happened

What happened at this meeting

Portsmouth school board votes unanimously to recognize National Bullying Prevention Month 22:21

  • The board heard a capital improvement update on the PACE Center and the I.C. Norcom athletic complex, where a staff member said the current project plan does not include funding for new stands or bleachers. 27:18
  • The superintendent reported that Portsmouth Public Schools is fully accredited for the first time in 16 years. 43:31

Until Nov 4, lines where a board member takes a side don't name the member. Why →

Item by item (8)
  1. Opening and host school welcome 11:44
    • Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. called the regular monthly meeting for October 22nd, 2026, to order. 11:44
    • A staff member said Waters Middle School served as the host school, and students from the school led the Pledge of Allegiance and described school highlights. 12:39
  2. Education week and bullying resolutions 20:29
    • A staff member read a resolution recognizing American Education Week, November 16th through the 20th, 2026, and the board held a roll call vote after a motion and a second. 21:01
    • The student board representative read a resolution recognizing October 2026 as National Bullying Prevention Month and the first Monday of October as Bullying Prevention Awareness Day. 22:10
    • A district teacher who served as a student board representative almost 10 years ago said passing the anti-bullying resolution was one of the proudest moments of that time. 23:58
    • The vote on the bullying prevention resolution was announced as unanimous. 23:55
  3. Capital improvement projects update 26:54
    • A staff member said PACE Center staff moved into the building October 5th to prepare for students in January and that a final certificate of occupancy awaits curbing work. 27:18
    • Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. asked whether the I.C. Norcom athletic complex would be turnkey brand new. 31:29
    • The staff member said the project includes new fields, a track going from 6 lanes to 8 lanes and a field house, but has no funding for new stands, and staff are gathering quotes for equipment to submit to the city. 31:33
  4. Consent agenda 34:00
    • Preschool special education report 34:27
      • The preschool coordinator said the General Assembly has recognized October as Disability History and Awareness Month and shared a video on district preschools. 35:32
      • The video described a team that works with preschoolers in Portsmouth to determine whether evaluations for special education services are needed. 36:44
      • One board member thanked the presenters and said the point that all children can learn stayed with them 39:35
    • Association awards 40:44
      • A staff member announced VSBA awards for board members, including Awards of Excellence, Distinction and Honor. 41:07
      • Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. congratulated fellow board members. 42:44
    • Superintendent report 42:44
      • The superintendent said the division is fully accredited for the first time in 16 years, last reaching that status in the 2009⁠-⁠2010 school year. 43:31
      • The superintendent said more than 350 people attended the State of the Schools Leadership Breakfast and that the Ignite Your Future event will be held October 27th at 5:30 PM at Manor High School. 43:31
      • The superintendent said Thursday, October 29th is a remote learning day and schools will be closed Wednesday, November 11th, for Veterans Day. 45:55
    • Board member comments 46:36
      • Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. noted Norcom homecoming this weekend and asked the community to help meet student needs during the renovation. 46:36
      • Ms. LaKeesha S. Atkinson said I.C. Norcom came in second place in a Vote for School contest and will be presented with a $15,000 check. 47:52
      • Mrs. Irene S. Boone said board members wore orange for National Bullying Month, and Dr. Jaclyn T. Walker announced a free City of Portsmouth teen event next Saturday from 5 to 8. 49:35

    Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

    Other meetings

    Other meetings of this board

    Video: posted by the district as “Portsmouth Public Schools | Regular Meeting | 10-22-26”