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Newest member elected to Virginia Beach School Board after controversy

Posted at 11:14 PM, May 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-29 18:05:49-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Tuesday night, the Virginia Beach School Board picked its newest member.

Jessica Owens

Jessica Owens won the board’s vote with a vote of 6-3.

“We are excited to welcome Ms. Owens to the School Board,” Chairwoman Beverly Anderson said. “She brings a wealth of experience and an important perspective to Virginia Beach City Public Schools.”

Owens is currently employed by the Virginia Department of Social Services as a curriculum writer. Before that, she served as a substitute teacher in VBCPS, the district said.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to bring a trauma-informed, child welfare perspective to the board and hope to provide a voice at the table for some parents and students who may not have felt well represented in the past,” Owens said. “I believe in the Virginia Beach school system, and I’m ready to support, challenge and work together with the board and superintendent to continue pushing for improved educational and well-being outcomes for all students in the city.”

The vote comes after last week’s scandal in which the board originally selected Michael Mullins for the Rose Hall seat.

A day later, Mullins withdrew his name from consideration after some of his social media posts surfaced with offensive language and pictures.

Circuit Court Clerk Tina Sinnen will swear in Owens Thursday morning at the School Administration Building in School Board Chambers.