Hampton Roads schools are deciding on plans for April 21st in anticipation of schools serving as polling locations.
Some districts are moving to close for the day or plan to shift to online classes due to security concerns stemming from high foot traffic as residents vote in the special election on redistricting.
Chesapeake
The Chesapeake School Board voted to make classes asynchronous on April 21. Board members cited security concerns in this decision. 17 Chesapeake schools will serve as polling locations.
Hampton
Hampton City Schools decided to close schools on April 21, making it a student holiday and using the final banked student instructional day. 23 Hampton schools will serve as polling locations.
Newport News
Newport News Public Schools decided to make April 21 a virtual asynchronous learning day. A statement cited security concerns in this decision.
Norfolk
Norfolk Public Schools will not hold classes on April 21.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Public Schools has updated its calendar to make April 21 a teacher workday.
Suffolk
A post on Suffolk Public School's social media says closure on April 21 is pending board approval. The meeting to decide on this issue will be held on April 16.
Virginia Beach
The Virginia Beach School Board voted to close schools April 21. To make up for the closure, 10 minutes will be added to the school day from April 13 through June 8. 58 Virginia Beach schools will serve as polling locations.
Watch related: Virginia House advances controversial congressional redistricting plan
On April 21, voters will decide on the redistricting referendum that, if approved, would give Democrats a 10-to-1 advantage in the state's congressional map.
