A Discussion on State Funding for Public Schools

Dr. James T. Roberts Roberts started his career in 1969 as a social studies teacher at Portsmouth’s I.C. Norcom High School. He later worked as an assistant principal at Manor High School, and in various central office positions for Portsmouth.  He came to Chesapeake in 1995 as budget director; he became an assistant superintendent in 2004, and in 2010 was named superintendent, serving until his retirement last year.  Dr. Roberts was named the top superintendent for the Hampton Roads region in 2014.  Chesapeake has consistently posted the top graduation rates in South Hampton Roads in recent years, and its scores on Standards of Learning exams top the state average.  Under Dr. Roberts, Chesapeake Public Schools boasted one of the highest on-time graduation rates (92.7 percent) and one of the lowest drop-out rates (4.1 percent) in the Commonwealth.  The Chesapeake School Board Board cited Roberts’ financial knowledge as a key aspect of his leadership. Chesapeake avoided laying off staff members when funding was slashed during a recession early in his tenure.