Bring Transparency to Norfolk’s Community Schools
Norfolk School Board
The Issue
Norfolk families deserve a community school system that is transparent, accountable, and shaped by the people it serves. At the June 17 School Board meeting, School Board members will have the opportunity to adopt policies that bring the Equity & Excellence Learning Center (EELC) into alignment with Virginia’s community school standards. Without these changes, families remain shut out of decisions that directly affect their children’s education and well‑being.
Community schools ensure that families, educators, and neighbors have protected seats at the table to help shape priorities, resources, and programs. Norfolk’s EELC cannot function as a community school without clear standards, transparency, and meaningful community participation.
Why this Matters
For years, families have called for the EELC to operate as a genuine community school; one where the people most impacted have the opportunity to be part of the decision‑making process. Instead, the current structure leaves community members without consistent input, updates on decisions, and a clear understanding of how needs are being addressed.
Without policies that guarantee community involvement, decision-makers aren’t held accountable for failing to respond to family needs and missing opportunities to build a stronger, more equitable school environment.
What Can We Do?
We are calling on the Norfolk School Board to adopt policies that ensure accountability within the EELC community school system. Our demands:
Community members must have a direct role in decision‑making
The School Board must conduct ongoing needs assessments so community schools respond to what families actually need
Regular updates and full transparency about decisions, funding, and implementation
Clear reporting on what was learned and how those lessons will be implemented in the future
Sign our petition to demand that the Norfolk School Board adopt these policies and build a community school system that serves all families.
Sponsored by
To:
Norfolk School Board
From:
[Your Name]
I am deeply concerned about the lack of transparency and community involvement within Norfolk’s Equity & Excellence Learning Center (EELC). Families across the city want a school system that is accountable, open, and shaped by the people it serves.
Community schools are built on shared power. They ensure that families, educators, and neighbors have protected seats at the table to help shape priorities, resources, and programs. But without clear standards, transparency, and meaningful participation, the EELC cannot function as a true community school.
For years, families have called for a model where the people most impacted have a real role in decision‑making. Instead, the current structure leaves community members without consistent input, without updates on decisions, and without a clear understanding of how needs are being identified or addressed. When communities are shut out, decision‑makers are not held accountable, and opportunities to build a stronger, more equitable school environment are lost.
We are calling on the Norfolk School Board to adopt policies that ensure accountability and community power within the EELC community school system. These policies must include:
1) A direct and ongoing role for community members in decision‑making
2) Regular needs assessments so community schools respond to what families actually need
3) Full transparency and consistent updates about decisions, funding, and implementation
4) Clear reporting on what was learned and how those lessons will guide future action
Norfolk families deserve a system that reflects their needs and strengthens the future of every child.
We urge the Norfolk School Board to adopt these policies and build a community school system that serves and reflects the needs of all families.