John McCormick, Chesapeake School Board Member

Honored to attend Oscar F. Smith High School’s graduation today and celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026.

A special congratulations to Eleanor Dawn Close, recipient of the McCormick Law & Consulting Legal Studies Scholarship. Eleanor’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence have earned her this recognition, and I am excited to see what she accomplishes in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Eleanor, and congratulations to all of the graduates as they begin their next chapter. Your future is bright, and Chesapeake is proud of you! 👏

Graduation week is always one of my favorite times of the year.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to celebrate with the graduates of Great Bridge High School and Western Branch High School. Today, I’m looking forward to joining the graduates of Deep Creek, Oscar Smith, and Indian River High Schools as they take the stage and mark this important milestone.

I love seeing the excitement, pride, and optimism of our students. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to the families, teachers, and staff who helped make this milestone possible.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremonies for Hickory High School and Grassfield High School. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on this tremendous accomplishment and to the families, teachers, and staff who helped make it possible.

Today, graduation week continues with Great Bridge High School and Western Branch High School. It has been an honor to celebrate these milestones with our students and families and to see firsthand the bright future ahead for Chesapeake’s graduates.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! we are proud of you and excited to see what comes next!! 🎓 👏

Yesterday, reports surfaced that a loaded firearm was found in the possession of a student at Camelot Elementary School. Thankfully, no one was harmed, and I am grateful to the staff and law enforcement professionals who acted quickly to keep students safe.

Incidents like this are exactly why I voted against the FY 2026-2027 school budget.

My opposition was not about teacher pay, academic programs, or of the many valuable investments included in the budget. It was because the budget did not include sufficient funding to place a dedicated, armed Sheriff's Deputy (or other trained law enforcement personnel) in every Chesapeake elementary school.

Today, every Chesapeake middle school and high school has a School Resource Officer on campus because we recognize the value of having trained and armed officers in our schools. I believe our elementary students deserve the same level of protection with a dedicated Sheriff's Deputy (or other trained law enforcement personnel) assigned to each elementary school.

We cannot predict when or where the next incident will occur. What we can do is take reasonable steps to improve safety before a tragedy happens. While no single measure can eliminate every risk, having a trained law enforcement officer immediately available provides an additional layer of protection and rapid response when seconds matter.

My vote against the budget was based on a simple principle: student safety must remain our highest priority.

As a School Board member and as a CPS parent, I will continue advocating for the Sheriff's Deputy Program and for the resources necessary to protect our students, teachers, and staff. I remain committed to working with my fellow Board members, City Council, the Sheriff's Office, and our law enforcement partners to find a path forward that puts student safety first.

Last night, I had the privilege of attending Chesapeake Public Schools' Career Signing Day at the Chesapeake Conference Center, where more than 90 Chesapeake Career Center students signed letters of intent to begin their careers and enter the workforce.

It was inspiring to see students celebrate this milestone alongside their families, instructors, and future employers. From healthcare and emergency response to skilled trades, early childhood education, cosmetology, and more, these students are turning their education into meaningful career opportunities.

Congratulations to all of the students recognized throughout the evening, including the J.A. Cotton Career Scholar Award recipients from each high school. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are proud of all you have accomplished.

Career Signing Day is a great reminder that there are many paths to success, and Chesapeake Public Schools is helping students prepare for bright futures in every field.

Nourish & Connect was a great example of how strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand. Thank you to everyone who helped bring families together for an evening focused on health, wellness, and connection!

What an incredible moment for these students and for the future of Chesapeake Public Schools.

This week, 51 seniors in the Teachers for Tomorrow program were surprised with Guaranteed Contracts with CPS, creating a direct pathway for them to return and serve the very community that helped shape them.

As a School Board member, one of our priorities is investing in the future of our schools, and there is something especially meaningful about growing our own educators right here in Chesapeake. These students know our schools, our community, and our values, and I have no doubt they will make a tremendous impact on future generations.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and our future Teachers of Tomorrow. We are proud of you and look forward to welcoming you back home in the years ahead.

Great event and even better opportunity for our students.

Today I had the chance to participate in the first-ever Beyond the Diploma event alongside my team from McCormick Law & Consulting. We spent time speaking directly with 11th graders about career paths, professional expectations, and what it really takes to step into the workforce with confidence.

What stood out most was how engaged and prepared these students were. From mock interviews to thoughtful questions about careers in law and business, it is clear they are thinking seriously about what comes next.

This is exactly the kind of hands-on exposure we need more of. Real conversations with real professionals help bridge the gap between school and the future.

Huge thank you to Chesapeake CTE for organizing, the Chesapeake Conference Center for hosting, and all of the community partners who showed up to invest in our students!

Outstanding recognition and very well deserved. Congratulations to Principal Outlaw for her leadership and the impact she is making at E.W. Chittum Elementary. This is a reflection of the dedication of the entire school community and the commitment to excellence we continue to see across Chesapeake Public Schools. Proud to celebrate this achievement!