001[music] Good evening and welcome to the special call meeting for the Norfolk School Board on this chilly Friday, January 30th, 2026. A quorum is present. Miss Tanner, please call the role. >> Bassine >> here. >> Kelloggro >> here. >> Martin, >> present. >> Pollson, >> present. >> Slaughter, >> present. Thomas >> here. >> Buffalo here. We're going to go down to 2.01. Appointment of the division superintendent Nora public schools. On behalf of the school board, it is with great pleasure to recommend Dr. Jeff Rose as superintendent of schools because he brings a rare blend of visionary leadership, proven experience, and genuine commitment to students, educators, and communities. His career demonstrates not only an ability to lead large and complex school systems, but also a deep understanding of the human side of education, how to inspire
002trust, unity, and shared purpose. Having served as superintendent in three different uh districts across Georgia and Oregon, he brings a proven record of improving student outcomes. I'll say that again. a proven record of improving student outcomes, closing achievement gaps, strengthening graduation rates, and stewarding complex billiondoll budgets with integrity and transparency. Dr. Rose leadership journey spans rose as a teacher, principal, superintendent, CEO, and national leader in educational improvement. Most recently, as senior vice president of leadership develop development for Cogna, he supported more than 500 superintendent nationwide, some probably here in our great commonwealth, bringing a system level perspective on effective governance, instructional improvement, physical stewardship, and community engagement. May I please have a motion to approve Dr. Jeff Rose as Norfolk Public Schools Division Superintendent. >> Madame Chair, I move to approve the appointment of Dr.
003Jeff Rose as superintendent of Norfol Public Schools. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Madame Chair. >> Yes, M. >> I think you stated very well why he is the choice that I support. And so with that, I will be voting in support of Dr. Rose. Oh, hello. Um, if you could bear with me, most of y'all know I'm someone of many, many words, but at this moment, I just want to state my peace. And after I stated it, I'mma move on because I will be at peace and continue doing the work that God has for me to do. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the rationale for my vote. Hiring effective superintendent is the most important action a school board can take. To accomplish this, school board
004members must work efficient and as one body. They must communicate effectively and be truthful. The concerns and challenges individual members raise need to be taken seriously and not totally dismissed. Unfortunately, such positive characteristics were totally absent from our process. Instead, the process amounted to this. Four board members had their own personal reasons for their choice over top of the legitimate concerns of other three members. My no vote signals to the public just how divided the school board is. I can understand why our stakeholders might lose patient with us asking why we can't resolve our differences for the welfare of our students and staff. Let me address that concern now. When the board began its search, we did a listening session and a survey so we could hear what our community wanted in a new superintendent.
005With all due respect, I don't think Dr. rose appointment is aligned with what our stakeholders want. For example, one question in our survey asked stakeholders to rank the top three areas of expertise they've wanted to see in a superintendent. Those top three were student achievement, school reform, and strategic planning and curriculum and instruction. Dr. Rose had to been a sitting superintendent for more than seven years. His last post at Forton County Public Schools lasted less than three years. Since 2018, he has not led a school district and raising student achievement. He did not lead a school district through the devastating pandemic, which we all know has been a major driver of school reform and strugg planning. He hasn't been an instructional leader at a time when great changes have taken place in public education. This
006gap in his experience is a major concern for me as a board member. I also take issue with the fact we will be paying him a base salary that's overly higher than that of the previous superintendent and she served in the post for six years and 26 years in North public school division. His contract also contains far more expensive perks than what we provided her. In short, we are paying for more for a superintendent who has less experience than we had in place. There is no doubt about it. Dr. Rose faces incredible learning curve. He has no background on the involving accountability system in Virginia or what it takes to implement an effective learning recovery strategy in an urban school division that is still struggling to recover from a devastating pandemic. As a realist, me,
007I understand once he becomes our superintendent, I must work with him and support him as best as I can. I pledge to do that. Unfortunately, the heavy-handed way four members have managed this process have mirrored his entry. I must now look past that and instead look to the future, trusting that our new superintendent will work with all of us no matter what our vote is tonight. In closing, this vote represents a serious misstep for Northolk public schools. Once again, appointing a superintendent without recent experience leading an urban school district of this size raises real concern about our direction. At a moment when steady, informed leadership, grounded, and caring, handson experience with the challenges and realities our students, education, educators, and family face every day. to my students, staff, parents, and the Northolk community. I hold
008myself accountable to you. This is a critical moment for NPS. And while this decision was ultimately beyond my control, I recognize the way it cares for those we serve. Although my vote is no, I remain committed to standing up for what is right, what is fair, and what best serves our children. and I will continue to fight relentless for the future our schools and community deserve. Also, I want to say this is election year. If you don't like how the people on this board is representing you, don't vote them in. Thank you. >> Thank you. Who's next? Anyone else? I want to be clear, the W five uh five vote tonight is not about the selected superintendent candidate. It's about the board's majority voting majority's failure to properly terminate the former superintendent and its failure
009to properly conduct the superintendent selection process. Those failures demand pro accountability. Failure of the process, termination process. The situation did not begin on June 11th, 2025. As of 2020, when publicly reported statements reflected an intent to undermine the superintendent uh tenure from the outset, repeated actions occurred that signaled the effort uh an effort to end the superintendent's service prior to the completion of her contract. On November 6, 2024, an attempt was made to terminate the superintendent. Termination documents were prepared in anticipation of a majority vote. However, no ter termination occurred because no majority vote existed. We are here today because of what happened on June 11th when the superintendent was terminated without cause through a 43 blindside vote. The three members in the voting majority minority were substantially uh uninvolved in the advanced discussion and
010were not notified of the predetermined decision and were not given an opportunity to to address concerns prior to the termination announcement. The voting minority was explicitly informed there was no further discussions would occur. At the time of the vote, two deciding members had fewer than six months board experience. That should raise serious concern about their judgment and process. Following the June 11th meeting, a voting member publicly stated his termination decision was grounded in data, which is incompatible with the termination claw uh classification as without cause. Both cannot be true at the same time. failure in the cycle action process. The superintendent process was compromised. The board was formally notified by the Virginia School Boards Association that they had identified a breach of confidentiality by one or more of our B board members during the superintendent
011search. This uh issue was briefly acknowledged then dismissed by the voting majority. Additionally, a single board member commun uh communicated directly with a candidate and that too was dismissed. The board received professional recommendations to follow during the evaluation phase of the selection process. Those recommendations were not followed. The board received a number of recommendation from teacher organizations and a senior staff member with recommendations on final candidate qualities, experience and that input was not dis uh considered. Three board members submitted a minority report documenting concerns with the process. The only response was a dislike for the title mo minority report. That title comes from Robert's rules of order section 51.64. No other responses from the voting majority voting members was received. A duly constitated special call meeting was scheduled. No members of the voting majority attended
012nor did they request to participate remotely. Despite that option being available, the special call did not happen despite it being properly announced. Accountability. We are elected officials and should act accordingly. But we don't. This is not a position to add to a resume, to collect titles, or to earn trophies. It is a responsibility that ex exists for something far greater. the scholar and nowhere and somehow that has been lost. The community has placed trust in this board and we have failed the community. Accountability is required. voters responded on uh November 4th at the special election when the Ward three voters overwhelmingly ex elected new representation reject rejecting the uh incumbent in and in every precinct holding the incumbent accountable. That was accountability and action and also begins the beginning begins the beginning of sorry also
013marks the beginning of operation clean sweep for some of the existing board members. You have the power to remove us or you or cause us to resign. Your voices are powerful and if we are not on your side call at wavy TV10 who is on your side. Hey Mr. Conor Pollson, can you wrap it up? This is not >> Yes, ma'am. I am coming to that because this this is I am coming to that. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> The W five vote today is not about the candidate. It's about our failures and the failed processes that brought us here. When the appointed the appointment decision is rendered, I will stand with the appointed superintendent and work in good faith supporting the district and continue to hold my colleagues and myself accountable. Accountability
014is a scholars outcome. Therefore, I'll vote at the proper time. >> Is there anyone else? >> Yes, Miss Slaughter. Um, before casting my vote, I believe I have a responsibility to explain my reasoning to the Norfick community as this decision does not just impact schools, educators, staff, and families in the ward in which I serve, but it impacts our entire city. The selection of a superintendent is one of the most consequential decisions a school board makes. While this moment should reflect unity and confidence in the process, I do not believe the process or the outcome fully aligns with the needs of our our community expressed. I joined the board on December 3rd after the superintendent search was already well underway and two finalists had been identified. I was able to interview both candidates based on
015those interviews, review their experience, and after reviewing the responses of the survey sent out to the community. I concluded that one candidate was more strongly positioned to meet the immediate and long-term challenges and needs of Norfick public schools. That candidate is a sitting superintendent with direct current experience navigating Virginia's complex and evolving accountability system. He successfully led a school division through the challenges of a pandemic and has a documented re recent record of improving student outcomes. By contrast, Dr. Rose last served as a stu superintendent in 2018. Since that time, he has remained engaged in public education through consulting work, but not in the day-to-day leadership of a role of a superintendent. And I believe that recent superintendent level experiences experience is critically important given the scale of academic operational and accountability challenges facing Norfick
016public schools. I believe the division needs a leader who can step up into the role with current hands-on superintendent experience. For this reason, I feel the other finalist was more closely aligned with both the needs of the division and the feedback shared by our community through surveys and public input sessions. I also have concerns regarding elements of the proposed contract, including compensation and governance provisions, which I believe warrant greater consideration and trans and transparency, particularly when measured against past leadership and long-standing service to this division. I regret that this candidate has been placed in the position of being discussed publicly in this manner. My intent is not to disparage him personally. My decision is not personal, nor is it intended to undermine the authority of the board. It reflects my judgment about what is in
017the best interest of students and the long-term health of Norfick public schools. Despite my object objections, I want to be clear about my commitment moving forward. If Dr. Rose's appointment is approved, I will fully support him in this role. I want him to succeed because his success would mean success for our scholars. that remains my highest priority and I am committed to doing everything within my role to support wise effective leadership for the benefit of our scholars and our community. While I will hold him accountable to the same standards and expectations that our previous superintendent was held to, I will work collaboratively in good faith to support strong effective leadership. My hope is that the confidence expressed by the board majority is well placed and that the decision ultimately serves the best interest of all
018Norfick students. >> Thank you, Miss Slaughter. Anyone else? Dr. >> I'd like to Dr. Martin. >> Yeah, I'd like to read um from the resume of Dr. Jeff Rose his key accomplishments that he had outlined for us >> just to um give a fuller picture of of why I'm choosing him. Um, [snorts] so I'm just going to go down this list. Number one, he launched and led the le I need my glasses. I'm sorry. Okay. Sorry about that. All right. He launched and led the leadership circle, a national superintendent support model, now having served over 500 superintendent and district leaders throughout the United States. Number two, he's the creator and host of Leader Chat, engaging the top educational researchers and leaders. for example, and there's a list of names that um I'm not going to
019read, um raised ACT scores and participation to record highs in Fulton County, led district-wide improvement that reduced failing schools by 64%. Passed Oregon's uh largest education bond, and led the district to outperform all comparable systems and academic outcomes across all student groups. founded the scaled leading founded and scaled leading ed solutions later acquired by Cognia. Managed full integration into a national leadership development portfolio. Delivered keynotes at national conferences including the government finance officers association recognized for cross- sector leadership. Served as board member for junior achievement of Georgia adjunct professor at Louiswis and Clark College. recipient of multiple award awards including outstanding public service in Portland State, record of distinction at Lewis Lewis and Clark and educator of the year in midcount memo active community contributor. He's a a Rotarian and youth athletics board member. I'm
020not going to go on. I think that's enough. and and I'm really excited about this new opportunity to bring in someone who is new to the but also has a positive track record and has increased academic outcomes as well as been a um contributor to their community. So, thank you. on you. >> I was prepared to to say why. And you know, like I said earlier, Madam Chair, I thought you um really summarized for us and um it reflected what our discussions around the candidate has been. And for for [clears throat] me um my why has been you know I've I'm been sitting here for a long time over 10 years in this seat and we have made in the last several years we have made we have not made the progress that we needed
021to meet the ambitious student outcome goals that we've set and the non-negotiables set. Too many of our schools remain off track and operational inefficiencies have plagued this district for the past few years. Dr. Rose understands what it takes to turn systems around and he will keep students, especially those furthest from equity, at the center of every decision until this conversation. But I'm really hoping that we can turn this around. I felt that with a collaborative board and administrative team and strong school level leaders, I do believe that Dr. Rose will help deliver the transformation our students need. But I will say that I am disheartened by the comments that have been made um here publicly in anticipation of having a new superintendent. But I seriously hope that we can um rally around uh Dr. Rose
022to ensure what is best for our students. >> Can't wait. >> They don't get >> this moment >> doover. >> It demands urgency. >> They don't get a doover. >> So >> Mr. Algerro, do you have any comments? >> A few. Um, first off, I think you did an excellent job explaining why Dr. Rose needs to come here. Um, I'm disheartened by my colleagues, by the vitrial, the anger, and the misplaced anger. Um, it was a process that we went through. We were shephered through the process. We had our public meetings. We had our our surveys go out. We did our due diligence. And we are here today because the majority of the board voted for in favor of Dr. Rose. And I would encourage my fellow board members to accept this and move on
023and help us turn these schools around. And again, I'm almost speechless by some of the things that have been said here today. Um, but I am excited to work with Dr. Rose. I'd like to say I'm excited to work with my fellow school board members and I will try to bring that excitement back, but I am left here stunned and disheartened today. Thank you. >> Well, going to say one thing. >> Go ahead, Miss H. all respect. Um, she said a little bit. I can't say the other candidates's name, which I'm sure a lot of people already know, but this young man, he's a superintendent. >> Miss Thomas, I just want to say, but no, Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas. >> Miss Thomas, superintendent of the year. >> Let's take a five minutes recess. >> [music]
024[music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> to reconvene this meeting. Miss Tanner, please call the role. Passine. I I mean here >> the calerro. >> No. >> Call in the role. >> The vote >> for the vote. >> I >> the caliro. >> I >> Martin. >> I f five votes. No. >> Slaughter. Nay. >> Thomas. >> No. Buffalo. I And I did not get to say why. It's simple for me. Super W 7. If you don't know parents, there's one school on track and that's Norview High School. Super W 7 contains of Ward Three and Ward 4. All the other schools in Super W 7 are off track or in intensive needs of support. Our kids don't
025do a duo get a doover. They don't get a doover. We know if a child is not reading by third grade, what we can predict will happen to them. I am tired of playing folks playing school board. I have not dedicated 28 years in the K12 space for games. Let that sink in. Super ward 7. One school on track, Norview High School. The rest of them are off track or in a need intensive needs of support. And you don't think red lights are flashing and this is urgent? Yeah, I'm going to vote yes. >> Absolutely. >> Been on board seven for the last absolutely. >> And with that said, the motion has passed. This meeting is adjourned.