001Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. I call the January 7th, 2026 Hampton School Board meeting to order. This is the annual organizational meeting of the Hampton City School Board. As such, I will preside over the meeting until the election of a chairperson is named for the school board. Miss Charbano, please call for the role. >> Miss Alan here. Miss Cherry >> here. >> Dr. Banks Gray >> here. >> Mr. Samuels >> present. >> Mr. Kilgore >> here. >> Dr. Woodhouse >> here. >> Dr. Mason >> here. Let the record reflect that all school board members are present. At this time, we will move to section 1.02, the opening of the meeting. And we will ask our student representative >> Caleb Lucas to lead us at this particular point in the agenda. >> Did she find it?
002>> Good evening everyone. Uh if you all would please stand to be led in the pledge by Miss Ava Jackson, a sixth grade student from Sims Middle School. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Turn off my >> Thank you, Ava. And uh we have learned that you have something prepared for us today. >> Yes. >> Awesome. The floor is yours. >> I have a poem planned today. It's called Dreams by Langston Hughes. Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken wing bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow. >> Awesome job. And I have a few
003questions for you if you don't mind. Um, can you let us know what school and what grade you are in? I go to Sims Middle. >> And you are in with what grade? >> Sixth grade. >> Awesome. And what are some things that you like to do in your free time? >> I like to draw, play games, and I'm learning how to play bass guitar. >> Wow. >> Fantastic. Awesome. Um, what's your favorite subject currently? >> Math and art. >> Awesome. Um, let's see. What do you want to be when you grow up? >> I want to be a robotic engineer. Wow, that's amazing. >> And finally, uh can you let can you introduce who you have with us today? And then when she uh introduces you all, can you all please stand to be
004recognized? >> I have my mom, my dad. Um >> do you do you have any uh do you have any principles or teachers with you? Yes, I have my principles. >> Awesome. Thank you so much, Ava. Let's give Ava another round of applause, please. >> Would any schoolboard members like to provide any remarks or comments to Ava? Ava, thank you again for joining us this evening. We're so proud that uh took the opportunity to celebrate with us here in Hampton City Schools and encourage you to keep reaching high and pursuing your goals at SIMS. Uh we also want to extend our sincere thanks to your family, mom and dad, and to the Sims administration for being here tonight and for the support they provide to you every step of the way. Thank you again for
005joining us. Moving on with the agenda, section 1.03, the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the January 7th, 2026 schoolboard meeting agenda? >> Move to approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> There's a motion by Mr. Kilgore and a second by Mr. Samuels. Any discussion? M. Sharono, please call for the vote. Miss Alfani I >> Miss Cherry I >> Dr. Brey >> I >> Mr. Samuels I >> Mr. Kilgore >> I >> Dr. Woodhouse >> I >> Dr. Mason >> I motion carry Thank you. We'll now move to the organizational part of the meeting. Section 2.01 the school board shall elect one of its members chairman. Is there a motion for the chairman of the Hampton City School Board for 2026? >> Yes, Mr. Superintendent. I would like to nominate
006Dr. Richard Mason. >> Second. >> So, it has been moved by Dr. Tina Banks Gray and seconded by Mr. Joe Kilgore. Is there any discussion? >> Yes, sir. I may. So, I am pleased to just share some kind words for uh Dr. Mason and I am honored to nominate Dr. Mason as chair of the Hampton City School Board. Dr. Dr. Mason has provided steady visionary leadership while consistently centering student and staff well-being and academic success as true priorities for our division. His ex expertise in mental health has been invaluable as our division strongly supports student needs related to trauma, safety, and social emotional wellness. Under his leadership, our board has remained collaborative, forwardthinking, and responsive to the needs of students, families, educators, staff, and our community partners. Drs. Mason's commitment to comprehensive mental health advocacy
007paired with his respect for the strengths of our school board, administration, staff, students, parents, and stakeholders has undeniably um made him a perfect fit for this. and his undeniable charismatic demeanor makes him exceptionally well suited to continue to lead the Hampton City School Board with integrity, compassion, and purpose. And that's my uh spill. I'm going to stick with it. >> Miss Sharono, would you please call for the vote? >> Miss I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray. >> I >> Mr. Samuels >> I >> Mr. Kilgore >> I >> Dr. Woodhouse >> I >> Dr. Mason >> motion is carried. Congratulations to you Dr. Mason. >> Thank you for your leadership. We look forward to your continued work in this role and your focus on excellence with intentionality. I believe now we
008will spray places. Oh, changing names, too. First and foremost, I I would like to say thank you to my colleagues for their vote of confidence. Um, this work isn't easy and having colleagues such as the the six of you in addition to Dr. Haynes and the division leadership team certainly um makes this work pleasurable in terms of working through some of the challenges that we have and um it's easy to come out on top when you have people who are working for the good of our children and for the purpose of education with intentionality. So, I thank you all um for the work that you are doing and look forward to continuing to work with you all. Uh for our student reps, we have some things on the horizon we'll be talking about and moving
009forward with some things and and they are certainly forward thinking as well. And so, we're looking forward to some exciting things ahead as they plan to work with some other students across the state as well. So, we're excited about some new things that are coming up. Um and for the record, Dr. Haynes didn't give me a chance to vote no >> when when they asked for my vote. So, I guess he just went along with that. But anyway, we're going to continue along with this meeting. We got lots of lots of work to do. Um, moving along to item 2.02 on tonight's agenda. The school board shall elect one of its members as vice chairman. At this time, the chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. I would like to
010nominate um Miss Stephanie Afan Jackson. >> Jackson AJ. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. It's been properly moved by Miss Cherry and seconded by Dr. Woodhouse. Is there any discussion? >> Yes, >> Miss Cherry. Um, I want to make sure that people understand why I put this nomination in motion, and that's because of the commitment that she has to not only this school division, but to every child in this division. She's a mother, and I think when I think of her, I think of the 2006 Virginia State um um educator of the year. He said, "Being kind creates culture." So, I don't know anybody who is more qualified and more kind to serve as the second person in charge when it comes to the leadership of this school board. The leadership
011of this board is what determines where we go as a division. And Miss um Jackson Aja has demonstrated not only through her quiet attention to detail, but on many many occasions she's identified something that I I think of a lot and we've all heard it. the ability to keep your head when all about are losing theirs. She has demonstrated that time and time again. Her commitment to this division is unwavering. Her leadership skills are spectacular and she's someone who you can depend on in terms of when she tells you something you can believe it and that's important today especially in terms of leadership and good government. So I am very proud to put forth not only my colleague but someone I consider to be a friend and I considered her to be a friend because
012she tells me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear. So with that said I am very pleased to offer up as our assistant, our vice chair because I have seen her demonstrate as I said on multiple occasions when our chair has been dealing with critical issues. She has kept every member of this board informed >> and it doesn't matter whether it's 1 pm or 1:00 am and she does it and she does it well. She covers all the details and I respect that and I appreciate that. So I am glad to put forth her nominee as vice chair yet again for Hampton School Board. >> All right. Thank you. Any other discussion? Miss Charbano, you please call for the vote. >> Miss Alfonsa >> I. >> Miss Cherry >> I.
013>> Dr. Dr. Bates Gray >> I. >> Mr. Samuels >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse >> I. >> Dr. Mason >> I. Motion carries. >> Congratulations u Mr. Fun. And I and I would like to echo the words of Miss Cherry. Miss Cherry spoke some very solid words and you truly have been right there in the pocket as we've been dealing with some things and all and and it's easy to give you a call and and move things along and so um we're going to continue to was it keep the main thing the main thing. >> All right. >> Well, I just want to thank Miss Cherry for those very very kind words and those sentiments. Um I it definitely is an honor but it's very easy to be the vice
014chair of this board. I've been on many boards and this is probably the easiest board to be a member on. Believe it or not, that may may actually sound like it's not true, but it is true because everyone is so great and wonderful and everybody um respects everyone here and so it's my honor really. It's quite a privilege in fact. And so again, Miss Terry, thank you so much for those kind words. >> Thank you. So, next up item on the agenda 2.03. The board on the recommendation of the superintendent shall appoint Elizabeth Penny as clerk of the school board. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> All right. It's been moved by Mr. Kilgore that we approve uh Miss Elizabeth Penny as clerk of the board and was seconded
015by Mr. Samuels. I think I heard Mr. Samuel's voice first. Was that was that Dr. Woodhouse? Y'all y'all starting to echo or sound doesn't make a difference. >> Make a difference. >> Put one of them down. Whichever one. Okay. All right. Sounds good. Any discussion? All right. Miss Sharpeno, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss Alfonsa, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore, >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >> I. Motion carries. Congratulations, Miss Now Joyy's down there jumping for Joy just >> Mr. Kilkor was a little fast. >> All right. So that takes us to 2.04. The school board on the recommendation of the superintendent shall appoint George Sharbano as deputy clerk of the
016school board. What's the pleasure of the board? Move approval. >> All right. It's been properly motioned by Mr. Kilgore that we appoint George Sharp to clerk of the board and seconded by Mr. Samuels. Any discussion? >> All right. Miss Sharon, you please call for the vote. >> Miss Alan, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray, >> I. >> Dr. Sam or Mr. Samuels? I >> Mr. Kilgore >> I >> Dr. Woodhouse >> I >> Dr. Mason >> I motion carries. At this time I'm going to take a a break and go to this mic and and take care. >> Yes, please come on. >> I have no idea. Look at me. All right. So, being clerk of the board is is not an easy task. And that's why Miss Charbano was
017laughing and cheering when when uh we voted and approved of Miss Penny for this position. But I want Miss Sharbon to join us at at at the mic for a moment, please. >> Oh my goodness. And she and she's in a boot. >> It takes a lot to to really keep the seven of us together on time to places, schedules together, travel, everything, the agenda. and we want to say you've done such a stellar job of keeping us together, keeping us prepared, and keeping us on task. A lot of it in terms of what we do, we could not do it without being organized, and we owe a lot of that to you. So, we want to say thank you. This is just a little something on behalf of the board for all that you've
018done. And we know that you're still going to be around as our deputy clerk, so you're not rid of us, but we want to say thank you. Thank you. Not Thank you all for allowing us to take that time to celebrate Joy for all that she's done for us. All right, so moving along to 2.05. The board shall a fix a time, date and place for holding regular meetings for ensuing for the ensuing year and that has actually been posted. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chair, I move that we accept the schedule as posted. Second. >> All right. It's been moved by Miss Fa and seconded by Dr. Banks gray that we approve the meeting agendas or meeting uh dates and schedule as posted. All right. Any discussion? >> Miss Sharon, will
019you please call for the vote? >> Miss Alfonsa >> I. >> Miss Cherry. >> I. >> Dr. Baines Gray. >> I. >> Mr. Samuels. >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore. >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse. >> I. >> Dr. Mason. >> I. Motion carries. Item 2.06. The school board on the recommendation of the superintendent. >> Yes. >> Shall appoint Dr. John Kajiano as superintendent's designate to attend meetings of the school board and represent the student superintendent. >> I don't know. >> In his absence, what's the pleasure of the board? I uh I'm looking at John if he wants the position as the deputy superna. >> You mean again? >> Again. >> So you want it, John? So I nominate. >> Yeah. I think it's in his blood. >> Yes. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved by
020Mrs. Sams and seconded by Dr. Woodhouse that we approve the appointment of Dr. John Kajiano as a superintendent's designate. Any discussion? >> Woohoo. Oh my god. >> To the listening audience and those of you with us, you just have to know our interactions with these two and working together with them too. That that's for sure. Hearing no other discussion, Miss Charino, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss Alfana, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Banks Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore, >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >> I. Motion carries. Congratulations, Dr. >> Kash. >> All right. >> Item 2.07. The school board on the recommendation of the superintendent shall appoint Kelly Gorl as freedom of information officer and this is
021our foyer officer. All right. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved by Mr. Kilo and seconded by Miss Cherry that we approve Miss Kelly Gorl as our foyer officer and we're not asking if you want to go. We're just going to approve. >> Any discussion from any discussion from board members? >> No. Other than that's something else to do in addition to the 4,000 things she does already and does them. Well, this is wonderful with intentionality. >> Yes. Oh boy. Miss Shabino, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss Alfan, >> I. >> Miss Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Baines Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore, >> I. >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I. >> Dr. Mason, >> I. Motion carries.
022Thank you so much for all you do, Miss Gorl. And look for another another great year of fun and excitement. All right. So, that wraps up everything in item number two for our annual organizational meeting. Um, once again, like I said, we look forward to working with with each and every one of you. Um, in the very positions that you hold as as it relates to continuing to move our school division forward. Um, it means a lot and we're doing some great things. Um, as I often talk about what we're doing here in Hampton City Schools and have an opportunity to brag on what it is that we're doing, it it's really about what's happening each and every day with our people in the buildings, our teachers, our administrators, our cafeteria workers, our custodians, our
023bus drivers. It really is a team effort across this division. And so we appreciate all that's done for Hampton City Schools, whatever part that you play. So, thank you very much. Moving along to item number three, the consent agenda. 3.01, Personnel Report 26-01 3.02, Minutes of the School Board Meeting of December 3rd, 2025. 3.03, Certification of the session of December 3rd, 2025. 3.04, Expulsion Number 2025-059 3.05, Release from Compulsory Attendance and Religious Exemption. What's the pleasure of the board regarding tonight's consent agenda? >> Mr. Chair, move approval of the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> It's been properly moved by Mr. Kilgo and seconded by Mr. Fani that we approve tonight's consent agenda as presented. Any discussion? >> Miss Sharon, will you please call for the vote? >> Miss Alfonsa, >> I. >> Miss
024Cherry, >> I. >> Dr. Baines Gray, >> I. >> Mr. Samuels, >> I. >> Mr. Kilgore. >> I, >> Dr. Woodhouse, >> I, >> Dr. Mason, >> I. Motion carries. >> All right. So, that takes us to item number four for our superintendent and staff report. So, at this time, I will turn the meeting over to our superintendent, Dr. Haynes. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, vice chair Jackson Afond, members of the board, vision leadership team, and the Hampton community. For our first presentation this evening, Dr. James Harris will share results from Virginia's new accountability and accreditation model, including student performance on the standard of learning assessments. Mr. Mika Parlet, chief of secondary, I'm sorry, I changed the title. Chief of Secondary School leadership will then provide an overview of our on-time graduation rates from the
025previous year. Dr. Harris Good evening, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Jackson Aanja, members of the Hampton City School Board, Dr. Haynes, and the Hampton community. Tonight, we are pleased to provide an overview of how Hampton City Schools is performing and how our schools are evaluated by the Virginia Department of Education. This presentation highlights our progress, our accountability measures, and our continued commitment to excellence for every student. This evening, I will share results from Virginia's new school accountability and accreditation model, including performance results on the 2025 standards of learning assessments. Additionally, Miss Shmika Paul, chief of secondary school leadership, will provide specific details and results pertaining to our on-time graduation rates. As the viewing audience may be aware, under the previous accreditation system, schools were deemed accredited or accredited with condition based on student achievement in English,
026mathematics, and science. Student group performance in English and mathematics and chronic absenteeism rates for high school graduation rates as well as college, career, and civic readiness indicators were also used. Schools were required to achieve a level one or level two rating on each of those indicators to be deemed accredited. In Virginia's revised school performance and support framework, there are specific areas of focus for elementary, middle, and high school. The state has implemented a more comprehensive framework that examines academic mastery, student growth, readiness, and graduation. This approach provides a more complete picture of how well schools are preparing students for future success. Academic mastery incorporates all student standards of learning assessment results. It awards additional credit for students who reach advanced levels and partial credit for students who do not yet meet grade level standards. Student
027growth uses a student's past performance on standards of learning assessments to measure expected learning from the beginning of the school year to the end. The metric compares expected learning to actual learning outcomes. Readiness includes measures such as chronic absenteeism for elementary schools, chronic absenteeism and advanced coursework for middle schools and for high schools, the percentage of students demonstrating post-secary readiness at graduation through enrollment, employment or enlistment. It also includes the percentage of students who graduate with additional time. Graduation includes a cohort rate for high school students earning a standard or advanced diploma within four years. This framework separates accountability, which measures how well students perform on assessments, from accreditation, which measures compliance with the standards of quality to ensure schools provide highquality instructional program. Schools are placed into performance categories that help identify strengths and
028areas where additional support may be needed with both the accreditation system and the accountability system. This structure ensures transparency and allows the state and school divisions to respond appropriately. To be accredited, schools must meet a wide range of requirements, including instructional programs, staffing, safety, graduation requirements, and communication with families. These standards ensure that schools operate responsibly and provide students with safe, effective learning environments. I am pleased to report that all 29 Hampton City Schools are fully accredited for the 2526 school year. No schools are conditionally accredited, denied accreditation, or under review. This reflects strong compliance and consistent systems across the division. >> Love it. Love it. Under the state's new accountability model, performance categories distinguished, on track, offtrack, and needs intensive support are determined by a single sum score based on academic mastery and growth
029on standards of learning assessments along with the readiness indicators mentioned previously. For high school, graduation rates, readiness, and mastery are included. In addition, federal designations are applied to schools that do not meet performance targets for a particular student group or multiple student groups. This table provides a school by school summary of performance. While most schools are meeting or exceeding expectation, the data are also used to identify schools that may benefit from additional support. Continuous improvement remains a priority across all schools based on student performance. Across these indicators, 93% of Hampton City Schools met or exceeded the benchmark sum score of 80 points, signifying that schools are maintaining academic outcomes sufficient to be deemed on track before federal indicators are applied. After federal indicators are included, 72% of schools are recognized as distinguished or on track,
030exceeding the statewide rate of 66%. This slide highlights both areas of celebration and focus under Virginia's accountability framework. Schools marked with a star are recognized for meeting or exceeding the state accountability benchmark of 80 points or higher, reflecting strong overall performance. But what's particularly noteworthy are the six schools categorized as distinguished, including all four high schools. That's Bethl High School, Hampton High School, Kickotan High School, and Feebas High School, along with Jones Magnet Middle School, and Mary Jackson Fundamental Elementary Schools, each scoring above 90 points. That's good. >> It is also important to explain how federal accountability fits into this picture. While a school may perform well under the state framework, federal law requires closer review of the performance of specific student groups, including students with disability and other historically underserved population. A designation of
031targeted support and improvement or TSI is a one-year designation. Additional targeted support and improvement, ATSI, is TSI designation over multiple years, which can lower a school's accountability rating by one level. and applies to both title one and non-title one schools. While 93% of schools earn final accountability score of 80 points or higher, seven schools were moved from ontrack to offtrack because one student group, students with disability, did not meet the established index score. One additional school shifted from offtrack to needs intensive support. As this is the first year of the new accountability model, an independent unbiased study was conducted by the joint legislative audit and review commission or JARK. In a report to the governor in the general assembly, one key recommendation for policy change noted that under the current business rules, the practice of
032lowering performance category is overly punitive and that the performance of one student group in a single year should not lower a school's rating from ontrack when the school earns more than 80 points. Instead, improvement plans should be in place to provide targeted assistant. Importantly, these designations do not indicate that a school is failing, but rather that targeted support is needed for specific student groups. Together, state and federal measures recognize strong schools while directing support to areas in need of improvement. To support this work, the division has deployed the academic improvement and monitoring team to provide coordinated high-quality oversight across our priority schools through systematic instructional walks, monthly leadership meetings, school learning plan reviews, data analysis, and progress monitoring targeting instructional support, professional development on specially designed instruction, and disagregated data monitoring for students with disabilities
033to guide individual school level plans. As stated previously, one key component of the framework measures readiness. At the high school level, readiness represents 25 of the 100 points for the framework score. This is measured through enrollment in post-secary education or training, employment with recognized credentials, or enlistment in the military. And as we all know, the portrait of a Hampton graduate defines the knowledge, skills, and behavior students are expected to demonstrate upon graduation. It guides instructional programs and reinforces the division's commitment to academic achievement, career readiness, and responsible citizenship. The next several slides will show results related to enrollment, employment, and enlistment. All four high schools exceeded the maximum readiness score of 25 points. exceeded the the maximum score of 25 points, demonstrating that students are being prepared for their future. >> For the class of
0342025, which comprises comprised of 1512 students, 419 students earned readiness points by completing college level courseworks with a grade of C or higher or earning college credits while still in high school. These accomplishment position students for a smoother transition to post-secary education. For the class of 2025, in the employment category, out of the 1512 students, 1,076 students in the class of 2025 earned readiness points by completing career and technical education programs and earning industry recognized credentials. These outcomes are attributed to the division's innovative approach to teaching and learning through themies of Hampton. And additionally, 332 students in the class of 2025 earned readiness points through military enlistment preparation. This reflects successful preparations for students choosing to serve in the armed forces. We will now review academic performance data used for federal accountability relative to historical
035trends and pass rates on assessments. These measures allow for comparison between Hampton City Schools and statewide performance. As you can see, this chart shows steady improvement in reading, mathematics, science, and history over multiple years for Hampton City Schools. The trend demonstrates consistent academic growth across the division in core content areas. In reading, Hampton City Schools continues to improve and um are performing near the state average with year-over-year increases. And of course, literacy remains a key instructional focus. In mathematics, Hampton City Schools continues to perform above the state average. This reflects targeted instructional strategies and sustained student engagement. Science performance shows notable gains over time. Hampton City Schools now outperforms the state average by seven percentage points on the standards of learning assessments. In history, Hampton City Schools continues to outperform the state average, demonstrating strong
036understanding of civic and historical content. And as the division remain maintains a strong focus on ensuring all students excel, data and instructional practices continue to be leveraged to support students with disabilities and to advance progress in closing gaps for that specific student group. The slide highlights reading outcomes for students receiving special education services. While continued improvement is needed, progress is evident over the last three years. In mathematics, students In mathematics, students receiving special education services are performing above the state average, reflecting effective targeted support. Science outcomes for students with disabilities show steady growth, indicating increased access to rigorous instruction. And in history, performance for students with disabilities continues to improve. These results reinforce the division's commitment to inclusive practices and equitable outcomes. Now, at this time, I will turn the presentation over to Miss Shemica
037Pard, who will highlight two critical long-term indicators, on-time graduation and dropout rates. Thank you, Dr. Harris, and good evening, everyone. I am elated to stand before you this evening to share the on-time graduation results and dropout rate for the class of 2025. For our viewing audience, on-time graduation or OGR as we often call it, represents the number of students from a cohort who receive a diploma within four years of entering nth grade. Hampton City Schools achieved a graduation rate of 98.88%. 88% for the class of 2025. >> And for the sixth consecutive year, we have exceeded the goal of 95%. 98.88% also represents the highest graduation rate ever for Hampton City Schools since we began tracking this data. >> Yeah, you could. Yeah, you can give it up for that. Each of our high schools
038had recordbreaking graduation rates in 2025. Bethl High School, the home >> academic, there you go. Say it like you mean it, had a graduation rate of 98.59%. B Hampton High School where a legacy of excellence >> all right had a graduation rate of 98.52%. Kickotan High School the homeware everyday greatness is what? >> The expectation had a graduation rate of 98.41%. and Feebas High School. Those phantoms where their purpose is greatness every day in every way. Feebas is celebrating a graduation rate of 100%. for the class of 2025. >> Is Since 2017, Hampton City Schools has continuously exceeded the state average for on-time graduation. For the class of 2025, we exceeded the state graduation rate by 6.18 percentage points. In addition to all students, on-time graduation rates are broken out into 21 additional individual student
039groups, and on-time graduation rates continue to climb in Hampton City Schools for student performance groups who are historically underrepresented. 100% of students with disabilities graduated on time. 97.62% of the English language learners in Hampton City Schools graduated on time. And I'd like to note that that is a whopping 20 points above the state average of 77.62%. 99.17% of Hispanic students graduated on time and 98.5% of our African-American students in Hampton City Schools graduated on time. 100% of our students who were identified as homeless graduated on time in Hampton City School. and 98.25% of economically disadvantaged students graduated on time. Hampton City Schools continues to maintain a dropout rate of less than 1%. The dropout rate for the class of 2025 is 0.2%. While the state average is 5.1%. That's amazing. >> Could you say that
040again? >> Yes, ma'am. The dropout rate for the class of 2025 in Hampton City Schools is 0.2%. >> That's amazing. >> And the state average is 5.1%. >> 0.2% is the lowest dropout rate in the history of Hampton City Schools. >> Amazing. In HCS, we are fortunate to have five exceptional graduation specialists who work collaboratively to support our students in earning their diploma in four years. At this time, I'm going to call their names and ask that they come and join me so that the board can see them as well as our viewing audience. Miss Dana Kurts at the Alternative Learning Center. Miss Lynette Hexall Davis representing Bethl High School. Melvin Brown from the Hampton High School. Kakita Davis, Kickotan High School. and Dr. Nicole Boston from Feebis High School. The dream team. The dream
041team. I'd also like to ask that Dr. Sean Calendarer, director of secondary school leadership, please stand to be recognized. Dr. calendarer leads the OGR work at the division level. Thank you Dr. Calendarer for your tireless efforts as well. In addition to Dr. Calendarer and the OGR specialist, we have other members of the team as well. And if they are here, I ask that you please stand when your name is called. Dr. Serita Kase, director of student services. Miss Linda Deetsz, director of accountability and information systems. and Miss Carlamman, director of student support and counseling. Miss, >> we also would like to acknowledge and celebrate those administrators who are here with us and those who are not. We have our executive principles and our academy principles. If you all would stand to be acknowledged and thank
042you for your efforts as well. We know that these rates were not achieved accidentally, but rather they are the result of intentionality, teamwork, and dedication. Not limited to our OGR team, but to every bus driver, food services worker, custodian, security officer, teacher, school counselor, and all staff who create the safe and nurturing environments necessary for our young people to thrive. Tonight, we'd like to say thank you to the HCS family as we celebrate a record-breaking year for ontime graduation. >> And I thank you. >> Thank you all. Oh, don't go don't go too far. Stay right there. >> Stay right there for us. >> Any any comments from board members? >> Dr. Banks Gray. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, first of all, I'm never a loss for words, but this is so impressive.
043So, I just want to tell you, Miss Pard and uh Dr. Harris, the these results, I know we've been waiting for these um actual statistics to come in, but this is just have us this has us like floored. This is absolutely amazing to outpace the state and pretty much every fundamental um area reading mathematics, science, history is absolutely so impressive. That on time, that 98, what's that point? 88 was absolutely amazing. And I don't know if my if y'all are are able to do this. I think everybody should, but if my colleagues could just join me with a a round of a stand of a round of applause and a stand of elevation for you all once again. Y'all deserve this and much more. If I had to know that you were going to do
044all this, I would have brought all of y'all flowers. And I'm going to use a term that Miss Cherry always used. This is um true bonafide work. Um y'all are Yes. And she has her pen on that states that as well. Um so this is so impressive y'all. Keep up the good work and you have the biggest support over here. Job well done and bravo to you all. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Banks. Great. Anyone else? >> Mr. Samuels. I uh you know how special you guys are to me the graduation specialist as my wife you know now Dr. Samuel started out Hampton City School as a graduate graduation specialist at Kickotan and and then Feebas. And so I know the work that you all do intimately. I know when you leave your homes
045and you're in um mental institution work with our young people at penitentiies, juvenile detention centers work with our young people, not just in Hampton, but as far as Northern Virginia, western part of this state, and you get in your cars and you do the work. And I applaud you. And I know my wife is sitting at home. She applauds the work that you all do every day. Dana, Miss Boston, I know you all are personally and I know the work that you do and I know I we are so pleased. We are so pleased. Joe, we have come far. We have come far and Dr. Haynes has been at the helm. Dr. Kajiano has been at the helm and this has been a part of the board mission to make sure that we retain this
046title >> because you know they're coming for us and it we and we just need to continue to work but thank you thank you thank you for the work that you all do. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. I won't bel labor a point. Um but I just had to say I have to echo what my board members are saying. Um but the fact that all four high schools received that distinguished um is just exceptional to me. I mean the whole presentation, all the data really says a whole whole lot. I mean it's it's it's excellence. But all four high schools to receive that distinguished um is very impressive and it really just speaks volumes about the academy model as as was presented in the presentation as as well as the graduation rate speaks a lot
047to the gradu to the academy model why students are staying in school and um why they're choosing to come to school besides all the fine work that you guys are doing getting them there and getting them on track. Um, I think that, you know, I think that the academy model is just exceptional. It just is what is really a lot of what's driving a lot of this success. And just the fact that the four high schools received that speaks a lot to it to me. So anyway, thank you for the data. Thank you for how you broke down the new standards. That was really helpful. Um, and I think it's very helpful to the viewing public as well to see what that looks like now and how we fare as it as the new standards
048have come about. Um, I think that was very helpful. So, thank you again and thank you so much to the graduation specialists. I've had two to graduate from Hampton City Schools and I know a lot of the work that was done at Bethl with with mine um with so u I definitely know you guys work very very hard to very committed very committed >> um group of people and so we just thank you so much >> Mr. Chair. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you Mr. Chair. You know I'm sitting here and basically all I can say is wow. But anybody who knows me knows that's not all I'm going to say. Um, I'm I'm sitting here and I'm looking at some of you and I remember you I remember you were working so hard
049in that position. I remember some of you crying. I stood beside you when you cried because you were going to homes getting kids out of bed talking to parents trying to get them to come to school. I remember I remember that commitment. But as I as I listen to this presentation, to have all four of your high schools and to have the kind of stats y'all rolled out that's never been recorded in the history of Hampton City Schools since we've been keeping those stats. It made me think of two things. I went to a conference once and the speaker said, "If you want to know the health of a school division, take a look at it high schools." And if that is the case, the proof is definitely in the pudding. The other statement I
050heard was on Gunsmoke by Matt Dylan, and he said the other day, if you got something to prove, improve it. And I'm telling you, you all have done it. This this tells me that anybody who is associated with a public school division that's not Hampton City Schools, that's all I can say. All righty. And lastly, I'm going to leave you with this. I was thinking when you said we refer to it as OGR. Okay. Let me tell you why this is bonafide now. All right. Ogr. I was sitting here thinking OGR. Okay. Remember that little piece? I used to be a little G. Now I'm a big G. Okay. That's what I was thinking. That's Montel Jordan's song. And do you know the name of that song? This is how we do it. I'm glad
051you can quote Tupac. >> Miss girl, I think we need a shirt. This is how we do it. 98.88%. Okay, that's the next Hampton City School shirt. >> Anyone else? >> That is it. I >> I would like to just just make a couple of comments. Uh f first and foremost, outstanding work. As I've always said, um, you all make it so easy to brag on what we do here in Hampton City Schools, and I brag often, okay? Sometimes when people don't even ask me about Hampton City Schools, I offer it up. Um, because that's how proud I am of the work that we're doing here in Hampton City Schools. the federal indicators were brought into the accountability piece this time around, but they've always been there and these are things that we've always looked
052at as far as Hampton City Schools. These are those things that helped to drive the work that we do behind the scenes. Even though initially they were not a part of the um accreditation piece, they've always been there and that's something that we've always looked at. I want the the viewing audience to know and the community to know that this is nothing new for Hampton City Schools. We've always looked at it and that has helped to define our priorities as a division, the work that we've been able to put into play as far as funding, the budget and and resources and things of that nature. Um, and so that's why we continue to see growth in in a number of different areas. This is certainly a team effort. We have, you know, when we look
053at that population and and that we look at in terms of those under reppresented groups, we have our special ed population. We have special ed teachers that help contribute to this on-time graduation rate. So, we want to thank them. We have school counselors that work behind the scenes, work in front of the scenes, beside the scenes. I know all of the work that goes into being a school counselor and they do a whole lot. And so we know that they do things. But what's the what's the biggest piece in terms of how we work together collaboratively? It's a team effort. It is certainly a team effort. But we can't thank our ontime graduation staff, our graduation coaches enough, our specialists. I was I was out and about as I often am in the community and
054a young lady stopped me because she recognized me. You know, when someone stopped me, I'm always wondering, "What do you want? Who are you?" you know, but she was a recent graduate and she talked about what had been done that someone she wasn't going to school >> and she talked about the fact that someone came to her house >> and actually not her house. She wasn't staying at home, she was staying with somebody else. that graduation specialist found her >> went to her house and brought her back to school so that she could do what she needed to do to graduate. That's the intentionality of Hampton City Schools and that's the intentionality centered around this work. And that's why it's so important um that the community understands what goes into this every day. It's not
055easy. >> It really isn't. But you all choose Hampton every day. You choose our children every day. And so we want to make sure we thank you all for what it is that you do. And you know that this board truly appreciates the work that you do every day. 98.88%. >> Amen. >> Thank you. >> Yes, >> Dr. Haynes. Thank you, Chair Mason. Certainly thank the Feebas Bethl Hampton and Kickotan staff for all the great work that they do on a regular basis. Let's give them another round of applause. >> Special shout out to the administration as well. And I see we have some counselors and teachers out in the audience as well who support the work on a regular basis. Mhm. For our final presentation, I would like to first welcome back Miss Brittany
056Branch. I think I saw her. >> Our chief financial officer who will present the business and finance report for November 2025. We don't have one. >> You can still come up and say hi. >> That's why she sat there. What is he talking about? >> Good evening, Chair Mason, Vice Chair Fonda, and all school board members, and Dr. Haynes. Um, one is a pleasure to be back at Hampton City Schools. And I I will just add, if I can take this liberty, so while I was out on leave, I was actually in church when the um news article came out about accreditation. I was literally reading my phone in church trying to see how did Hampton do. So, I am ecstatic to see the results of the work that our teachers and staff and our
057students have done. Um, tonight's um board um report for November, I will actually come back in February to present that the school board. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you and welcome back, >> Mr. Chair. That concludes superintendent and staff reports. >> All right. So moving along, the next item on the agenda is item number five, hearing of any delegations or presentation of any written communications or petitions. Miss Charbano, do you have any? >> No. >> All right, I'm just double checking. So we'll move on to item number six, items for information. All right. Our next meeting, our next regular meeting will be held on February the 4th and the next regular work session will be held on February the 18th. All right. And other items for information. I will start with you,
058Mr. Superintendent. >> Thank you, Chair Mason. We welcome back to everyone from winter break this week. Now, as we look ahead to uh January, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Our high school students will take their first semester exams, Tuesday, January 20th through Friday, January 23rd, and will follow the high school exam schedule. These days are full instructional days for our elementary and middle school students. Monday, January 26 is a teacher work day and Tuesday, January 27th is a regional professional development day. Students will not report either day. I'd like to close my comments by recognizing Dr. Jeffrey O. Smith for his recent appointment as Virginia's Secretary of Education by Governor Elect Abigail Spanberger. On behalf of Hampton City Schools, we extend
059our sincere and best wishes as he begins this important role. This honor is certainly welld deserved. We've all had the privilege of working under Dr. Smith during his time as superintendent of Hampton City Schools, and I can personally attest to his commitment to students, educators, and public education. Beyond his leadership, he has continued to be a trusted friend and mentor, and his guidance has meant a great deal to many of us. We're proud to see his impact extend across the Commonwealth and wish him continued success in this important role. I can't believe I got through that without getting choked up. That concludes my uh announcements, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Any other items or information from board members? All right. I I too echo the sentiments um congratulating Dr. Smith on that appointment. Um this
060board is certainly proud uh of Dr. Smith. We're proud of the work that he's done when he was with Hampton City Schools and we're certainly looking forward to the work that we know is going to be done and the Commonwealth will be a better place educationally because of the work that we know that Dr. Smith will do in Richmond. >> All right. Um, I don't think I have anything else. I'm going to ask the student reps if they have any comments, any items for information. All right. >> All right. Well, then that's going to do it. With no further business to be brought for the before this board, I declare this meeting adjourned.