INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSNewport News, Virginia
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Active · Investigation · Reviewed November 12, 2026

Discovery STEM: school safety audit and records access

Overview

Virginia law provides written-request review of the retained school safety audit at the principal’s office. The City offered a redacted review in April 2025. The referral, appointment and disposition records would establish whether that route was carried out.

Background & source notes

Reconstruct requests for the safety audit, what records staff treated as responsive and how the City and NNPS routed them. The retained school survey is one component. The April 4 communication identifies a crisis plan, while the requester described seeking the safety audit. Follow the audit request through the April 17 redacted-review offer and April 23 reference to the school-level procedure.

Source notes and limitations

The April communications establish the agency’s account and the requester’s objection. The actual review log, complete releasable audit components and School Response Summary remain unresolved. Selected statutory security components may be excluded from inspection. Later personnel and intake records have their own effective dates.

Case details

Page options

Where things stand

Updated

Reviewed finding

Virginia law gives the April audit request a school-level review route

November 12, 2026

Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8 provides written-request review of the school’s safety audit at the principal’s office, subject to security exclusions. The City’s April 4 response identified a crisis plan. On April 17, the City said NNPS would arrange a redacted audit review. The referral and completion records still need verification, as do the April 4 departure direction and the official’s authority at the School Board Office.

Source 1 · Subsection B, public results and school-level reviewSource 2 · Subsection D, crisis and emergency plansSource 3 · April 4 response on the request's scopeSource 4 · page 1Source 5 · page 1

Open question

Who handled FOIA between Price and White?

Interim designations or delegations after February 14, 2025; public contact listings; Council notifications and acknowledgments; and records explaining the timing of the documented July 21 update.

View all 3 open questions

Timeline 18

Dates follow the cited records; document dates are labeled separately.

  1. September 23, 2024

    Records access: City refers a DSA video request to Michelle Price

    The City acknowledged a DSA video request concerning a claimed morning encounter and directed the requester to NNPS FOIA officer Michelle Price. The referral does not establish that footage existed or was produced.

  2. February 14, 2025

    Public-information leadership: Michelle Price dies

    Michelle Morgan Price, NNPS’s public-information executive and FOIA officer, died February 14, according to her obituary and Council minutes. Interim FOIA responsibility before White’s later appointment remains unestablished.

  3. March 14, 2025

    Records access: Seely forwards a written administration-records request

    Seely forwarded the previous evening’s request for administration-building, public-access and encounter records to NNPS, seeking a time and cost estimate. This documents the March request’s routing, not the April encounter.

  4. April 4, 2025

    Records access: City tells counsel NNPS reported an oral request

    Addressing copied attorney Douglas J. Walter, Spratley said an NNPS official reported a verbal request and the City responded for NNPS. Seely reported withholding the 37-page, double-sided Crisis Management Plan; the requester disputed that characterization, saying he sought safety-audit access.

  5. April 4, 2025

    White’s role chronology: contingent offer dated, later start specified

    Robert Cameron White’s April 4 offer specified a contingent start on or after July 1 as Executive Director, Public Information & Community Involvement. The offer does not establish that he held the role during the April 4 encounter.

  6. April 17, 2025

    Arrangement offered for review of a redacted audit

    Writing for the City while FOIA coordinator LaDonna Seely was away, Spratley said NNPS would arrange review of a redacted Discovery safety audit. The record does not confirm that review occurred.

  7. April 23, 2025

    Records access: Seely follows up on audit-review procedure

    At 12:20 p.m., City FOIA coordinator Seely followed a morning phone call about DSA audit review and cited § 22.1-279.8(B). The email does not establish forwarding to NNPS or completed review.

  8. April 23, 2025

    The audit-review statute identifies the principal’s office as the review location

    Subsection B of Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8 requires public audit results within 90 days of completion and provides review on written request of the school’s retained audit copy. The school may exclude specified security material. Subsection D separately addresses the crisis and emergency plan. On April 17, the City said NNPS would arrange review of a redacted audit. Its April 23 follow-up cited subsection B. A referral, appointment or inspection record would establish what happened next.

  9. July 21, 2025

    Later FOIA role: White asks to update the officer listing

    White requested a FOIA-officer listing update and training access as the newly hired replacement; the Council confirmed those arrangements. The exchange does not establish completed training or his involvement on April 4.

  10. December 12, 2025

    White release: counsel requests records and White routes the search

    Attorney Tim Anderson requested restriction decisions, encounter records, FOIA-handling records and access/security policies. White referred the search to Stewart with a collection target and response timetable.

  11. December 15, 2025

    White release: City and school staff clarify the search scope

    Stewart and Spratley discussed prior requests and the City’s April response. White clarified that the search included requests answered by the City on NNPS’s behalf.

  12. December 19, 2025

    White release: counsel follows up, White invokes more response time

    After counsel reported no response, White said NNPS held responsive records and invoked seven additional workdays because of volume. This was an extension response, not a completed release.

  13. January 14, 2026

    Records access: NNPS identifies an exclusion-list export

    White’s reply says an existing data file was exported to a PDF listing excluded or banned individuals. The public copy preserves only the transmittal, with the underlying names withheld. It does not establish anyone’s present access status.

  14. January 22, 2026

    Records response: initial no-created-records statement is qualified

    White initially says NNPS created no responsive April 4 intake/handling records. That afternoon he acknowledges omitting a seven-email chain referencing the request. January 23 identifies ten withheld emails after clarification. Contents and overlap remain unverified; do not add the counts together.

  15. January 23, 2026

    Records access: ten additional emails are identified and withheld

    After clarification, White says additional correspondence about receipt and handling of the April 4 request was located, and ten emails are withheld under attorney-client privilege. The contents and overlap with earlier correspondence remain unverified.

  16. July 29, 2026

    Records administration: NNPS says the requested tracking log does not exist

    White says the requested FOIA request-management export, database, spreadsheet, report or tracking log was never created and does not exist. This statement concerns the requested tracking records; it does not establish that no individual request correspondence was retained.

  17. August 25, 2026

    Later visit and separate requests

    The requester reports an in-person safety-audit request, later withdrawn. Separately, NNPS documented an August 25 transportation-records deposit of $561.94 and White later confirmed no balance; that paid request continued, and the payment records do not verify the audit request or withdrawal.

  18. September 7, 2026

    Council response: one record produced for historical-officer request

    For a request covering 2024–2025 officer-designation, interim-officer and historical-list records, the Council reported one responsive record: White’s July 21 correspondence. That production leaves earlier notice and interim responsibility unresolved, rather than proving White was the only officer.

Documents 41

Search this case’s document text

41 of 41 reviewed records. Source links, source collections and release indexes are identified separately from archived copies.

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Discovery STEM Academy safety audit — April 2025 FOIA response correspondence

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: April 4, 2025

    LaDonna Seely and Lynn Spratley correspondence concerning request G008933-040425, treatment of an interaction as a verbal request and access to a school safety audit.

    Why this record matters

    Records access and restrictions: one case, distinct evidence: Traffic safety and records access are connected here, but the encounters described in the restriction letters occurred at the School Board Office, not the Discovery campus. Agency and requester accounts remain attributed.

    Source notes & file details

    Agency and requester correspondence on April 4, 2025; top Spratley reply is dated in the rendered email header. This is a response chain, not the safety audit itself. A separate entry records the April 17 arrangement for review of a redacted audit. Requester assertions remain attributed to the requester. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: seely-discovery-safety-audit-2025-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Lynn Spratley — arrangement to review a redacted Discovery STEM Academy safety audit

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: April 17, 2025

    Chief Deputy City Attorney correspondence stating that NNPS will arrange review of a redacted Discovery STEM Academy safety audit.

    Source notes & file details

    Spratley reply dated April 17, 2025 in the rendered email header. The agency discusses excluding vulnerability-assessment components and cites its statutory basis. This reply does not contain the audit or establish that a review occurred. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: spratley-discovery-safety-review-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Va. Code § 22.1-279.8(B), (D)-(F)

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Va. Code § 22.1-279.8(B), (D)-(F). Official publisher text.

    Why this record matters

    Virginia law gives the April audit request a school-level review route: Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8 provides written-request review of the school’s safety audit at the principal’s office, subject to security exclusions. The City’s April 4 response identified a crisis plan. On April 17, the City said NNPS would arrange a redacted audit review. The referral and completion records still need verification, as do the April 4 departure direction and the official’s authority at the School Board Office.

    Source notes

    Official Code of Virginia, § 22.1-279.8; cited school-safety audit provisions.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Contracts & purchasingArchived file

    NNPS Robert White — 2025–2026 employment offer and contract terms

    Newport News Public Schools · Human Resources / Superintendent's OfficeDocument date: April 4, 2025

    NNPS offer document for Executive Director of Public Information and Community Involvement, including the stated annual salary and contract terms.

    Why this record matters

    Offer dated April 4, 2025, with a stated start on or after July 1 and contingencies. It is not proof of employment in that role during the April 4 encounter or of actual earnings.

    White’s offer and later records role: White’s April 4 offer specified a contingent start on or after July 1; later correspondence documents his FOIA role. It does not place him in the April encounter; White and Stewart are separate officials.

    Source notes & file details

    Imported from the Audit Newport News working files. Two-page offer dated April 4, 2025, for the 2025–2026 academic year. It is an offer/contract-terms copy; the record does not independently establish later approval, current employment, or actual paid compensation.

    File: Contract for Robert C White dtd 20250404.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Robert White — NNPS FOIA-officer designation and training-access correspondence

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory CouncilDocument date: July 21, 2025

    July 21, 2025 email chain between Robert C. White and the Virginia FOIA Council concerning officer-list contact updates and access to online training.

    Why this record matters

    Later role and officer-list correspondence. Training access is not a certificate of completed training.

    Source notes & file details

    FOIA Council record released to Audit Newport News. White requests an officer-list update and training access; the Council confirms the update and account creation. Source credential redactions are preserved. This correspondence is not a training-completion certificate. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: white-foia-officer-designation-2025-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Robert White — NNPS employment and FOIA intake-records response (January 2026)

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community InvolvementDocument date: January 22, 2026

    NNPS response and requester follow-up concerning Robert White’s employment records and records documenting receipt or handling of an April 2025 request.

    Why this record matters

    The initial January 22 no-created-records statement was qualified that afternoon by acknowledgment of an omitted seven-email chain, then by the January 23 identification of ten withheld emails. Contents and overlap remain unverified. This is not evidence that no City or police record existed.

    Source notes & file details

    Email chain includes White’s January 22, 2026 agency response. Employment contract and job-description documents referenced by the reply are separately cataloged; they are not attached to this email PDF. Requester statements are attributed claims and do not establish misconduct. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: white-foia-employment-intake-2026-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    March 14, 2025 administration-records request forwarded by Seely

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: March 14, 2025

    Seely forwards the requester’s March 13 administration-building records request to NNPS on March 14, asking for a time/cost estimate.

    Why this record matters

    The later PDF print header is not evidence that White authored or handled this March correspondence. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    The later PDF print header is not evidence that White authored or handled this March correspondence. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-03-14-administration-records-request.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 19, 2025 White FOIA extension response

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 19, 2025

    White acknowledges responsive records and invokes additional response time for counsel’s December request.

    Why this record matters

    The December 19 response states a seven-workday extension due to volume; it is not a final production certification. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    The December 19 response states a seven-workday extension due to volume; it is not a final production certification. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-19-foia-extension.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 19, 2025 counsel follow-up on FOIA request

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 19, 2025

    Counsel follows up on the December 12 records request and asks for a response or statutory extension.

    Why this record matters

    The sender’s timing assertions and proposed court action remain attributed statements, not an established violation or filed proceeding. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    The sender’s timing assertions and proposed court action remain attributed statements, not an established violation or filed proceeding. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-19-foia-followup.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 15, 2025 Stewart clarification on prior requests, 11:59 a.m.

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 15, 2025

    Stewart clarifies that counsel seeks responses to earlier requests.

    Why this record matters

    December 15, 11:59 a.m. Intermediate scope clarification; the City’s request history and NNPS’s request history are distinct. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 15, 11:59 a.m. Intermediate scope clarification; the City’s request history and NNPS’s request history are distinct. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-15-stewart-scope-1159.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 15, 2025 Spratley inquiry, 11:46 a.m.

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: December 15, 2025

    Spratley says she will check with the City FOIA coordinator about earlier correspondence.

    Why this record matters

    December 15, 11:46 a.m. An inquiry during the search, not a final no-records determination. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 15, 11:46 a.m. An inquiry during the search, not a final no-records determination. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-15-spratley-inquiry-1146.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 15, 2025 Spratley response, noon

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: December 15, 2025

    Spratley agrees to send earlier information after Stewart clarifies the scope.

    Why this record matters

    December 15, noon. A promise to send information does not by itself establish that it was delivered or the release was complete. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 15, noon. A promise to send information does not by itself establish that it was delivered or the release was complete. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-15-spratley-response-1200.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 15, 2025 Spratley scope question, 11:57 a.m.

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: December 15, 2025

    Spratley relays the City coordinator’s request-history response and asks whether the City’s April reply is sought.

    Why this record matters

    December 15, 11:57 a.m. The City-specific statement does not establish that no request was made to NNPS. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 15, 11:57 a.m. The City-specific statement does not establish that no request was made to NNPS. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-15-spratley-scope-1157.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 15, 2025 White clarification and Spratley acknowledgement

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 15, 2025

    White clarifies that the search includes requests the City answered on NNPS’s behalf; Spratley acknowledges.

    Why this record matters

    December 15, 12:06–12:07 p.m. Search-scope correspondence, not a complete production inventory or certification. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 15, 12:06–12:07 p.m. Search-scope correspondence, not a complete production inventory or certification. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-15-white-scope-1206.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 12, 2025 counsel request for restriction and incident records

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 12, 2025

    Counsel requests restriction decisions and drafts, encounter records, FOIA handling records and public-access/security policies.

    Why this record matters

    December 12, 2:29 p.m. Requested categories do not independently prove the records exist. Private requester details are removed. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 12, 2:29 p.m. Requested categories do not independently prove the records exist. Private requester details are removed. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-12-counsel-foia-request.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    December 12, 2025 White internal records referral

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: December 12, 2025

    White forwards counsel’s new request to Stewart and sets an internal collection timetable.

    Why this record matters

    December 12, 3:09 p.m. Documents later FOIA administration, not White’s participation in the earlier encounters or ban issuance. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    December 12, 3:09 p.m. Documents later FOIA administration, not White’s participation in the earlier encounters or ban issuance. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-12-12-white-referral.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    April 14, 2025 Stewart interim restriction letter

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: April 14, 2025

    Stewart’s letter cites the March 13 and April 4 School Board Office interactions and imposes an interim restriction pending panel review.

    Why this record matters

    The letter calls the interval ten working days and states April 14 through April 26, 2025. Those are the document’s words, not a recalculated interval. Conduct allegations remain attributed. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    The letter calls the interval ten working days and states April 14 through April 26, 2025. Those are the document’s words, not a recalculated interval. Conduct allegations remain attributed. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-04-14-interim-restriction.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    April 23, 2025 signed Moss final 365-day restriction letter

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: April 23, 2025

    Signed Moss letter announces a 365-day restriction from NNPS property and states the agency’s reasons.

    Why this record matters

    Dated April 23. Hood’s internal circulation was April 24 at 2:06 p.m.; the newly located native Moss email reached the retained mailbox at 2:55:55 p.m. that day with the exact private signed source PDF. This establishes email delivery, not opening, postal service or legal sufficiency. Allegations remain agency statements. Existing redacted publication preserved.

    Source notes & file details

    Dated April 23, 2025; the official-letter transmittal is April 24. The signed scan and corresponding embedded attachment render identically. Allegations and a charge are not an adjudication; receipt and final court disposition are not established by the letter. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2025-04-23-signed-final-restriction.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    2023-2024 Discovery STEM safety survey: nonoperational overview excerpt

    Newport News Public Schools · NNPS / related records correspondenceDocument date: Date not specified

    Nonoperational overview excerpt of the retained 2023–2024 Discovery STEM safety survey.

    Why this record matters

    Only the identified source pages are reproduced, with further privacy/security redactions. The original has 27 pages. June 24, 2024 is a crisis-plan review/update field, not a verified survey issue date. This is not the separate 37-page, double-sided Crisis Management Plan described in the April 4 response. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    Source notes & file details

    Only the identified source pages are reproduced, with further privacy/security redactions. The original has 27 pages. June 24, 2024 is a crisis-plan review/update field, not a verified survey issue date. This is not the separate 37-page, double-sided Crisis Management Plan described in the April 4 response. Publication copy with permanent redactions; original source retained privately.

    File: dsa-2024-safety-survey-overview-excerpt.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Virginia 2024 Acts, chapter 429: school-safety audit law before April 2025

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia General AssemblyDocument date: Date not specified

    Official 2024 enacted text includes school-safety audit publication and written-request inspection provisions, with specified security-component exclusions. This is statutory context, not a ruling on the encounter.

    Why this record matters

    Official chapter text for HB 561. Section 22.1-279.8(B) contains audit access/publication provisions before April 2025. The bill history separately identifies July 1, 2024 as the effective date. A right to inspect specified audit material is distinct from an unconditional right to enter a building or receive every unredacted security document.

    State law: audit access predates the encounter: The audit-publication and written-request inspection provisions, with security exclusions, were effective July 1, 2024 and remain in the current statute. They do not authorize unconditional building entry or access to every unredacted security document.

    Source notes

    Official chapter text for HB 561. Section 22.1-279.8(B) contains audit access/publication provisions before April 2025. The bill history separately identifies July 1, 2024 as the effective date. A right to inspect specified audit material is distinct from an unconditional right to enter a building or receive every unredacted security document.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Virginia HB 561 (2024): official enactment and effective-date history

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia General AssemblyDocument date: Date not specified

    Official bill history for the 2024 school-safety legislation, identifying the July 1, 2024 effective date.

    Why this record matters

    Official bill-history page, not a local NNPS policy adoption record. The effective date is not used as the issue date of a retained NNPS policy or a finding about individual conduct.

    Source notes

    Official bill-history page, not a local NNPS policy adoption record. The effective date is not used as the issue date of a retained NNPS policy or a finding about individual conduct.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Virginia Code § 2.2-3704

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Virginia Code § 2.2-3704. Official publisher text.

    Source notes

    Official Code of Virginia, § 2.2-3704; Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Va. Code § 2.2-3704.01 — Records containing both excluded and nonexcluded information; duty to redact

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Requires release of nonexcluded portions; whole-record withholding is permitted only when an exclusion covers the entire content.

    Source notes

    Official Code of Virginia publisher text. Verified in both 2024 and 2025 FOIA editions, printed pages 8–9. Current section history lists 2016 Acts, chapters 620 and 716, with no later amendment listed. Source checked October 16, 2026.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Va. Code § 2.2-3704.2 — Public bodies to designate FOIA officer

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Addresses designation and public contact information, training, and the Council's FOIA-officer listing. Local public bodies may give public notice by several specified methods.

    Source notes

    Official Code of Virginia publisher text. The two-calendar-year training interval already appears in the 2024 edition, printed page 10. Effective July 1, 2025, HB 2152/2025 Acts, chapter 533 added Council-offered or approved training for legal counsel who also serve as FOIA officer; it did not newly create biennial training. Source checked October 16, 2026.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Virginia Freedom of Information Act — July 1, 2024 edition

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Official historical FOIA compilation supporting the statutory-version references associated with the DSA records. Retains the FOIA text effective before the April 2025 events.

    Source notes

    Official Virginia FOIA Advisory Council compilation, expressly effective July 1, 2024 except as otherwise stated. Use for April 2025 events. Official Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council publication; source checked October 16, 2026.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Court & legal recordsSource link

    Virginia Freedom of Information Act — July 1, 2025 edition

    Virginia state agencies · Legal reference sourcesDocument date: Date not specified

    Official historical FOIA compilation supporting the statutory-version references associated with the DSA records. Includes separate law-enforcement versions effective before and from July 1, 2026.

    Source notes

    Official Virginia FOIA Advisory Council compilation, expressly effective July 1, 2025 except as otherwise stated. Contains separate versions of law-enforcement provisions effective until and from July 1, 2026; use the former for March 11, 2026. Official Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council publication; source checked October 16, 2026.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    NNPS opening-day transportation request 20260824-001 — cost-estimate form

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community Involvement / AccountingDocument date: August 24, 2026

    Agency form itemizing estimated FOIA officer, transportation analyst and HR research labor and identifying a $561.94 deposit.

    Source notes & file details

    Reviewed form held by Audit Newport News. Despite “Final” in the supplied filename, the form states “THIS IS NOT AN INVOICE” and the final-estimate date is blank. Date shown is the cost-estimate date, August 24, 2026; the form lists August 25 as the deposit date. This form alone does not establish the final billed or paid amount. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: nnps-opening-day-cost-estimate-2026-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Robert White — opening-day transportation FOIA response and follow-up (2026)

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community Involvement / TransportationDocument date: September 22, 2026

    NNPS correspondence about August 24, 2026 bus staffing, scheduled service, performance exports, fees, redactions and requests to complete or clarify the release.

    Source notes & file details

    Most complete reviewed thread, including White’s September 22 reply, the September 11 release message and September 17 requester follow-up. The top reply says final billing, outstanding records and revised redactions are attached; those attachments are not embedded in this email PDF. The HR response, arrival workbook and estimate form have separate entries. Earlier overlapping threads were not added. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: white-opening-day-transportation-2026-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • OtherSource link

    Michelle Morgan Price — public obituary

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community InvolvementDocument date: February 14, 2025

    Public obituary identifying Michelle Price’s February 14, 2025 death and her NNPS public-information leadership, Deputy Clerk and FOIA-officer roles.

    Why this record matters

    FOIA succession: designation and Council notice: Who handled FOIA after Price’s death and before White’s documented role, and what designation and public-contact records exist? When was the Council notified, and do earlier submissions explain the July 21 update?

    Source notes

    C. C. Carter Funeral Home public obituary. The record date identifies the reported date of death, not a verified web-publication date. Linked for the professional-role chronology; no family details are reproduced. It does not establish an interim FOIA appointment or who handled a particular request.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Meetings & decisionsSource link

    City Council adopted minutes — February 25, 2025 memorial acknowledgment

    City of Newport News · City CouncilDocument date: February 25, 2025

    Adopted Newport News City Council minutes acknowledge Michelle Price’s February 14 death and her school-division public-information role.

    Source notes

    Official adopted meeting minutes, linked for the memorial acknowledgment and professional-role chronology. This acknowledgment does not determine FOIA succession, interim responsibility, or request handling.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    Virginia FOIA Council — NNPS historical FOIA-officer records response

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory CouncilDocument date: September 7, 2026

    FOIA Council response to a request for 2024–2025 NNPS and School Board officer-designation records, including historical-list and registration materials.

    Why this record matters

    The September 7, 2026 cover response identifies one record for the September 1 request covering 2024–2025 designation, interim-officer and historical-list records. This production does not establish that no interim officer served or no earlier notice occurred.

    Source notes & file details

    Council response dated September 7, 2026 in the rendered email header, responding to the September 1 request. The Council identifies one responsive record and explains its holdings. The released July 21, 2025 email chain is cataloged separately. Publication copy; private contact details removed where present. Original retained separately.

    File: foia-council-nnps-historical-officers-public.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    September 23, 2024 City video-request referral to NNPS FOIA officer (redacted excerpts)

    City of Newport News · CommunicationsDocument date: September 23, 2024

    City acknowledgment of a Discovery STEM video-records request, directing the requester to NNPS FOIA officer Michelle Price.

    Why this record matters

    City Request Center acknowledgment and referral to Michelle Price as NNPS FOIA officer, dated September 23, 2024 at 1:26 p.m. The request concerns a claimed morning encounter; the response does not establish that the encounter occurred, that video existed, or that footage was produced. Private requester and contact details permanently removed.

    Source notes & file details

    City Request Center acknowledgment and referral to Michelle Price as NNPS FOIA officer, dated September 23, 2024 at 1:26 p.m. The request concerns a claimed morning encounter; the response does not establish that the encounter occurred, that video existed, or that footage was produced. Private requester and contact details permanently removed.

    File: dsa-2024-09-23-video-request-referral.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    April 23, 2025 Seely correspondence on school-safety-audit review procedure (redacted excerpt)

    City of Newport News · Office of the City AttorneyDocument date: April 23, 2025

    City FOIA coordinator LaDonna Seely follows up on a phone inquiry about the school-safety-audit review procedure.

    Why this record matters

    April 23 at 12:20 p.m., Seely followed a phone call about Discovery safety-audit review and cited § 22.1-279.8(B). Her characterization of the procedure is attributed correspondence, not an independent legal conclusion. The email does not establish forwarding to NNPS, completed review or the timing of the final restriction decision. Original page 1 of 2; logo-only second page omitted.

    Source notes & file details

    April 23 at 12:20 p.m., Seely followed a phone call about Discovery safety-audit review and cited § 22.1-279.8(B). Her characterization of the procedure is attributed correspondence, not an independent legal conclusion. The email does not establish forwarding to NNPS, completed review or the timing of the final restriction decision. Original page 1 of 2; logo-only second page omitted.

    File: dsa-2025-04-23-audit-review-procedure.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    NNPS says no FOIA request tracking database or log exists

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community InvolvementDocument date: July 29, 2026

    July 29 reply says the requested request-management export, database, spreadsheet, report or tracking log was never created and does not exist. It does not say no individual correspondence was retained.

    Why this record matters

    July 29 reply says the requested request-management export, database, spreadsheet, report or tracking log was never created and does not exist. It does not say no individual correspondence was retained. Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    Source notes & file details

    Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    File: nnps-foia-log-no-records-2026-07-29.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    NNPS identifies ten withheld emails on the April 4 request handling

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community InvolvementDocument date: January 23, 2026

    January 23 response says additional responsive correspondence was found and ten emails were withheld under attorney-client privilege. Their contents and overlap with the earlier seven-email chain are not established.

    Why this record matters

    January 23 response says additional responsive correspondence was found and ten emails were withheld under attorney-client privilege. Their contents and overlap with the earlier seven-email chain are not established. Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    Source notes & file details

    Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    File: nnps-foia-additional-withholding-2026-01-23.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    NNPS transmits an exclusion-list export without publishing the names

    Newport News Public Schools · Public Information & Community InvolvementDocument date: January 14, 2026

    January 14 response identifies a PDF export of the data file listing excluded or banned individuals. This excerpt preserves the response but omits the underlying names and contact fields.

    Why this record matters

    January 14 response identifies a PDF export of the data file listing excluded or banned individuals. This excerpt preserves the response but omits the underlying names and contact fields. Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    Source notes & file details

    Owner-supplied mailbox record reviewed October 31, 2026. Selected ANN transcription of the identified message; private contact/routing fields, signatures and unrelated quoted material omitted. Original preserved privately. The copy records the sender’s position, not an independent finding.

    File: nnps-exclusion-list-transmittal-2026-01-14.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • FOIA responsesArchived file

    January 22 NNPS correction acknowledges an omitted seven-email chain

    Newport News Public Schools · Records access and restrictionsDocument date: January 22, 2026

    Robert White's later January 22 response acknowledges that a previously withheld seven-email chain referenced the request but was omitted from that day's response. Read with the earlier no-created-records statement and the January 23 identification of ten withheld emails.

    Why this record matters

    Robert White's later January 22 response acknowledges that a previously withheld seven-email chain referenced the request but was omitted from that day's response. Read with the earlier no-created-records statement and the January 23 identification of ten withheld emails.

    Initial no-records statement and later corrections must be read together: NNPS qualified its January 22 no-created-records statement by acknowledging an omitted seven-email chain. January 23 identified ten withheld emails after clarification. Contents and overlap remain unknown; the corrected search does not prove fabrication.

    Source notes & file details

    Selected ANN transcription of White’s January 22 17:23:19 UTC message; private routing, signature and quoted chain omitted. Read with the earlier response and January 23 correction. Withheld contents and seven/ten-email overlap remain unverified.

    File: dsa_foia_omission_correction_2026_01_22_Redacted.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Audit & oversight reportsSource link

    DCJS 2024 school-safety survey: methodology and statewide results

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia Center for School and Campus SafetyDocument date: Date not specified

    Official statewide report explains that the school survey is one audit component and that divisions received a School Response Summary after their schools completed it. This is not Discovery-specific audit findings.

    Why this record matters

    Official DCJS report, printed/PDF page 1. The 2024 survey reflects 2023–2024 conditions. No visible issue date is assigned from later PDF metadata. Checked October 31, 2026. Statewide aggregates do not establish Discovery-specific performance or whether local records were withheld.

    The school survey is one audit component, with additional custody leads: DCJS’s 2024 methodology describes a separate division School Response Summary. The retained 27-page Discovery survey, the crisis plan and the offered audit inspection remain distinct. Current FAQ guidance identifies DCJS/VCSCS as a potential additional custodian, without proving all local audit components are held there.

    Source notes

    Official DCJS report, printed/PDF page 1. The 2024 survey reflects 2023–2024 conditions. No visible issue date is assigned from later PDF metadata. Checked October 31, 2026. Statewide aggregates do not establish Discovery-specific performance or whether local records were withheld.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Policies & proceduresSource link

    DCJS guidance on school-safety survey custody and access

    Virginia state agencies · Virginia Center for School and Campus SafetyDocument date: Date not specified

    Current DCJS FAQ describes survey access by division superintendents and VCSCS staff and public requests subject to security restrictions. It identifies a potential additional records custodian.

    Why this record matters

    Official, unversioned current guidance checked October 31, 2026. Current workflow and deadlines are not backdated to April 2025. Custodian guidance does not establish that DCJS retains every requested local audit component or resolve a particular exemption.

    Source notes

    Official, unversioned current guidance checked October 31, 2026. Current workflow and deadlines are not backdated to April 2025. Custodian guidance does not establish that DCJS retains every requested local audit component or resolve a particular exemption.

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

  • Policies & proceduresArchived file

    ECA — Security/Access to Buildings, November 12, 2026 print

    Newport News Public Schools · Newport News Public SchoolsDocument date: November 12, 2026

    Two-page BoardDocs policy print listing Active status and January 20, 2026 last review.

    Why this record matters

    Exact two-page print supplied for this case. Page 1 contains Active status, the 2007 revision date, the January 2026 review date and the operative paragraphs. Page 2 contains the adoption and review history. The access paragraphs match the April 28, 2025 print and the release copy.

    Source notes & file details

    Owner-supplied BoardDocs browser print dated November 12, 2026. Lists adoption July 18, 1973, last revision June 19, 2007 and last review January 20, 2026. The document date is the print date, not a policy amendment. This copy does not independently certify the complete current manual. Earlier ECA prints remain separate historical records.

    File: nnps-policy-eca-november-2026-print.pdf

    Record detailsOpen Source Document

Open questions 3

  • Who handled FOIA between Price and White?

    Interim designations or delegations after February 14, 2025; public contact listings; Council notifications and acknowledgments; and records explaining the timing of the documented July 21 update.

    Likely custodian: NNPS administration, School Board clerk and Virginia FOIA Council

    The retained records do not identify interim responsibility or establish that July 21 was the first notification. Missing records are not proof that no officer served or no earlier notice occurred.

    Submit this record

  • Did the April audit-review request reach Discovery’s principal?

    Original written request and scope clarifications, City-to-NNPS referral and intake records, any transmittal to Discovery’s principal, copy index, redaction or withholding grounds, offered review dates and any completed appointment or other disposition.

    Likely custodian: Discovery STEM Academy principal’s office, NNPS public-information office and City Attorney’s Office

    The City said NNPS would arrange a redacted review. The law identifies the principal’s office as the review location. The records still need to establish what request the school received and whether the promised review occurred.

    Submit this record

  • Complete audit components and division response summary

    Original Discovery school survey submission, the division School Response Summary, audit-committee review and recommendations, and releasable findings and corrective actions. Identify dates, custody and applicable security redactions for each component.

    Likely custodian: NNPS school/division safety-audit custodians and DCJS Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety

    DCJS’s 2024 methodology calls the survey one audit component and describes a separate division summary. The retained 27-page school survey and four-page public excerpt are not by themselves the complete audit. Statewide results do not establish Discovery’s compliance.

    Submit this record