Richmond school board approves minutes, adopts agenda and votes to convene closed session

The Richmond Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved routine items and voted to convene a closed session at its Jan. 6 meeting.

The board approved the minutes for Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, 2025 after a motion from board member Miss Ricard, seconded by Mister Jafari. Vice Chair Percival moved to adopt the posted Jan. 6 agenda; Mister Hedgepeth seconded and the motion passed. The consent agenda was approved after a motion from Mister Hedgepath and a second from Miss Rizzi.

The most consequential formal action came near the end of the meeting, when board member Mister Jafari moved that the board convene a closed session "to consult with legal counsel in receiving briefing by staff members pertaining to an employment lawsuit," to consider candidates for a central-office position, and to consult with counsel regarding FOIA issues, citing Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (subsections a.7, a.1 and a.8). The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote; the board then moved to the closed portion of the meeting.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (12/01/2025; 12/02/2025): Moved by Miss Ricard; seconded by Mister Jafari; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adoption of agenda (01/06/2026): Moved by Mister Percival; seconded by Mister Hedgepeth; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Consent agenda: Moved by Mister Hedgepath; seconded by Miss Rizzi; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Motion to convene closed session (Virginia Code 2.2-3711 a.7, a.1, a.8): Moved by Mister Jafari; seconded (record shows Miss Ricard as second); outcome: approved (unanimous).

Board members present recorded "yes" on the final motion during roll call: Mister Percival, Miss Ricard, Mister Farouk, Mister Hedgepeth, Miss Rizzi, Miss Burke, Mister Jafari and Miss Fernandez.

Next steps: The board proceeded to a closed session for the purposes listed in the motion. No additional public action or vote was recorded on those matters during the open meeting.