Portsmouth school board unanimously approves closed session and three student cases

Portsmouth, Va. — During a March 19 special work session the Portsmouth City School Board approved the meeting agenda, authorized a closed session and recorded unanimous roll-call votes on three student-related items.

After roll call, the board moved to approve the March 19 agenda (motion by Miss Trail; second by Mrs. Boon). The clerk recorded a unanimous vote with all eight members present voting yes.

Dr. Cotton then moved that the board enter a closed meeting under the provisions of Virginia Code §2.2-3711 for consideration of student disciplinary matters, a religious exemption request and personnel matters related to assignment, performance and resignations. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Boon and approved by unanimous roll call.

Following the closed session, the board returned to open session and recorded unanimous votes to approve disciplinary case number 2025-262 (motion by Miss Futrell; second by Mrs. Boon), approve Miss Pulson discipline case number 2025-26-03 (motion by Mrs. Boon; second by Miss Futrell), and approve religious exemption case number 2025-26-07 (motion by Miss Cessums; second by Mrs. Boon). The clerk announced each roll call as all members voted yes.

The minutes and the clerk’s roll-call record list the voting members present as Miss Atinson, Mrs. Boon, Dr. Cotton, Miss Futrell, Miss McWain, Mrs. Cessum, Dr. Walker and Dr. Patillo. No discussion preceding the recorded votes was captured on the public record for the individual case approvals. The items were entered into the record as approved and the board’s public actions for the session were limited to those motions and the VHSL update reported during the meeting.

Next steps recorded on the agenda included routine follow-ups by Student Services and Human Resources related to the disciplinary and exemption items.