• SCHOOL BOARD

    Vision: To ensure that all students maximize their academic potential, develop skills for lifelong learning, and become successful contributors to a global society.

    Mission: Norfolk Public Schools is the cornerstone of a proudly diverse community with highly qualified teachers and staff dedicated to providing a variety of teaching and learning opportunities for all students.

    As the Norfolk Public School Board, we value:

    District Quality

    We believe that all students deserve access to schools that meet and exceed expectations.

    Goal 1 – One hundred percent (100%) of schools will be accredited by 2028 (SY2027).

    A Strong Foundation in Literacy

    We believe that student achievement and lifelong learning are rooted in literacy developed in early childhood.

    Goal 2 – The percentage of students reading on or above grade level by the end of third (3rd) grade as measured by the Reading SOL test will increase from 45% during SY20-21 to 65% to 65% during SY26-27.

    Goal 3 – The SOL reading proficiency rate for Black students will increase from 43% in June of 2021 to at least 75% by June 2027.

    Equity and Excellence for All

    We believe that diversity is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Public education is duty-bound to deliver equitable opportunities for all students to close historic achievement gaps.

    Goal 4 – From June 2023 to June 2027, Student achievement gaps will decrease to be no greater than 10% among identified subgroups of students in grades 3-8 when compared to identified comparison subgroups of students in areas of reading and mathematics. The performance of subgroups will not decrease below the established baseline and will increase toward meeting or exceeding the VDOE’s established performance benchmark for each content area.

    Graduate Competitiveness at Home and Beyond

    We believe our students can achieve excellence within and beyond our buildings and we strive to empower them to reach their potential.

    Goal 5 – The percentage of NPS graduates receiving an Advanced Studies Diploma will meet or exceed the state average by the end of SY26-27.

    To realize our School Board Goals and support the Superintendent’s Strategic Plan, we will hold ourselves accountable to the following guidelines:

      

    The SCHOOL BOARD:

     

    NON-NEGOTIABLE # 1:

    Will not spend less than 50% of its meeting time monitoring progress on student outcome goals.

    NON-NEGOTIABLE # 2:

    Will not operate without an annual self-evaluation to assess strengths and areas of improvement and a plan for professional development, as needed.

    NON-NEGOTIABLE # 3:

    Will not interfere in the day-to-day operations of the school division.

    NON-NEGOTIABLE # 4:

    Will not support policies and recommendations that perpetuate racial and educational inequities as well as those that attempt to marginalize or discriminate groups of students based on their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

    NON-NEGOTIABLE # 5:

    Will not fulfill its duties without engaging the community and representing the values of the community they serve particularly for our ESL families.

     

     

    The SUPERINTENDENT:

     

    Non-Negotiable # 1:

    Will not allow curriculum and instruction that is not aligned to the standards, inclusive, challenging, culturally and linguistically responsive, and differentiated to meet the academic needs of every student.

     

     

    Non-Negotiable # 2:

    Will not allow underperforming schools to have low teacher fill rates for prolonged periods or make extensive use of substitutes, low-performing, or provisionally licensed staff without implementing a high-impact strategy.

     

    Non-Negotiable # 3:

    Will not allow NPS students to be limited by practices that perpetuate systemic racism.

     

     

    Non-Negotiable # 4:

    Will not allow major initiatives to go forth or make major decisions without including demographically representative family, student, teacher, and community voices by using culturally affirming and responsive communication and engagement outreach strategies, particularly for our EL families.

     

     

    Non-Negotiable # 5:

    Will not neglect to cultivate a safe, caring, and welcoming environment in any central administration department, school building, and classroom because the physical and social-emotional needs of each student and member of the NPS workforce are valued.