Community news · Colonial Place & Riverview · Norfolk, VA

October Meeting Recap:
Our Schools, Our Community

A conversation with all three Ward 2 School Board candidates, questions for our current representatives, and a heartfelt thank you to a dedicated neighbor.

By Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League
Meeting: October 12, 2026 · Recap prepared: October 13, 2026

From left: Shawn D. Wilkerson Jr., Veleka S. Gatling, and Michael C. Spencer at the October 12, 2026 CPRV forum.
From left: Shawn D. Wilkerson Jr., Veleka S. Gatling, and Michael C. Spencer at CPRV’s October general members meeting.
When
Monday, October 12, 2026
6:30 PM
Where
Kingdom Embassy Ministries
645 Mayflower Road, Norfolk
On the agenda
School Board candidate forum
Current representatives’ Q&A · Secretary election

Neighbors in conversation

A local conversation about Norfolk’s public schools

School decisions reach far beyond the classroom. They shape daily routines, neighborhood connections, and the future our children share.

That was the focus of the Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League’s October 12, 2026 general members meeting in Norfolk, Virginia. Neighbors gathered at Kingdom Embassy Ministries for a moderated forum with all three Ward 2 School Board candidates ahead of the November 3, 2026 general election.

Veleka S.
Gatling

Ward 2 School Board candidate

Michael C.
Spencer

Ward 2 School Board candidate

Shawn D.
Wilkerson Jr.

Ward 2 School Board candidate

Each candidate had time to introduce their background and priorities before responding to community questions. The moderated format gave candidates equal response time and kept the evening focused on listening and learning.

Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. This recap summarizes the discussion and does not endorse a candidate. View Norfolk’s official candidate list.

The issues close to home

What Colonial Place and Riverview neighbors asked

School consolidation and clearer communication

Residents asked how families could receive timely, understandable information about school consolidation proposals, public meetings, and opportunities to weigh in. Discussion included the proposed transition of students from Granby Elementary to James Monroe Elementary and how neighborhood concerns would inform the process.

Ideas raised included more accessible public information, clearer timelines, and a public dashboard to help families follow decisions and outstanding questions. The emphasis was on meaningful communication before changes take effect.

James Monroe’s readiness and student transportation

Questions about James Monroe Elementary centered on readiness to welcome additional students, reading achievement, parent involvement, and the support families would need during a transition. Participants also discussed strengthening PTA participation and building relationships between families and school leadership.

Transportation remained an important question for Colonial Place and Riverview households. Neighbors asked how distance, traffic, safe routes, and bus service would factor into any reassignment. Specific transportation arrangements were not resolved during the forum.

School facilities and the proposed 1% sales tax

The conversation connected aging school buildings with Norfolk’s proposed school construction sales tax referendum. Residents asked how the School Board and City Council would coordinate school investment and how dedicated facilities funding relates to the broader school budget.

According to the City of Norfolk’s referendum information, the November 3 ballot asks voters whether the city may levy an additional local sales tax of up to 1% for qualifying school construction and major renovation projects. Voter approval would authorize City Council to adopt the tax. These funds would be restricted to eligible capital uses, rather than general classroom operations.

AI literacy and the role of teachers

Neighbors asked how artificial intelligence should be introduced into Norfolk classrooms. The discussion explored responsible use, ethics, AI literacy, and possible collaboration with higher education and industry partners.

Participants also emphasized community input and the lasting importance of teacher and student relationships. Technology was discussed as a tool that requires thoughtful guidance, clear expectations, and support for educators.

Safe, inclusive schools and individual student needs

Questions addressed school safety, bullying and harassment, support for LGBTQ+ students, and the needs of neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners. Discussion included respectful learning environments, educator training, individualized education programs, and ways to track and respond to concerns.

Parent engagement was another recurring theme, including meeting families where they are and creating more accessible opportunities to participate. These were topics explored during the forum, not new policies adopted by the civic league.

Community members gather at Kingdom Embassy Ministries for the CPRV general members meeting.
Neighbors gathered to listen and ask questions.
The moderated discussion brings neighborhood questions to the candidate panel.
A moderated format kept the discussion moving.

Additional perspective

Q&A with our current School Board representatives

Following the candidate forum, current Ward 2 representative Tanya K. Bhasin and Superward 6 representative and School Board Vice Chair Sarah E. DiCalogero joined a brief Q&A with residents.

They offered additional context on the proposed school construction sales tax and discussed recent academic progress across Norfolk Public Schools. Their participation gave neighbors an opportunity to ask follow-up questions and hear from the representatives currently serving our community.

View the Norfolk Public Schools School Board directory.

Community is built by people who show up

Thank you, Stephanie.
Welcome, Terry.

The evening also gave us a chance to recognize Stephanie Clark, who has stepped back from her role as secretary to focus on her many other community support commitments.

Stephanie, thank you for the time, care, and energy you have given to the Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League. We appreciate your service and all the ways you continue to support our community.

Terry Reading elected secretary

During the special election, members voted in nominee Terry Reading, a past Riverview representative, as the league’s new secretary. Thank you, Terry, for stepping forward and continuing your service to our neighborhoods.

Keeping the conversation going

What comes next

  1. Clarify School Board meeting information. CPRV will share the correct schedule and official meeting information so neighbors know when and how to participate.
  2. Invite James Monroe’s principal. The league plans to follow up with the principal of James Monroe Elementary about attending a future meeting to discuss the school’s vision and readiness to welcome additional students.
  3. Collect community questions. Have a question we did not get to? Email President@CPRV.net or VP@CPRV.net so we can continue the follow-up.

Hear the full conversation

Watch the meeting recording

Hear the candidates’ responses and the discussion in their own words. The full recording provides context beyond this written recap.

Watch on Zoom ↗Recording passcode: a64x7++y

Thank you to our candidates, current School Board representatives, Kingdom Embassy Ministries, and every neighbor who joined us. An informed, connected community starts with conversations like this one.

Learn more about CPRV meetings · Join or renew your membership

Quick answers

Meeting recap at a glance

Who participated in the Ward 2 School Board candidate forum?

Veleka S. Gatling, Michael C. Spencer, and Shawn D. Wilkerson Jr. participated in the October 12, 2026 CPRV forum ahead of the November 3 general election.

Where was the October CPRV meeting held?

The general members meeting took place Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Kingdom Embassy Ministries, 645 Mayflower Road, Norfolk, Virginia.

Who is CPRV’s new secretary?

Members elected Terry Reading, a past Riverview representative, as secretary in a special election. The league thanked outgoing secretary Stephanie Clark for her service.

How can neighbors submit follow-up questions?

Email President@CPRV.net or VP@CPRV.net. CPRV is collecting additional community questions and plans to invite the James Monroe Elementary principal to a future meeting.

Meeting notes & official resources

This recap is based on CPRV’s meeting summary and event photographs. It summarizes discussion rather than serving as a verbatim transcript or approved meeting minutes. Individual comments are not attributed where the summary does not clearly identify the speaker.

Public reference information checked October 13, 2026.