A quiet afternoon at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth took an unexpected turn when a political campaign event unfolded within its walls, initially disguised as an educational opportunity. School officials maintain they were led to believe the gathering was purely academic, a misunderstanding that quickly prompted a swift response once the true nature of the event came to light.
The principal, upon realizing the event was a campaign rally, immediately instructed staff to abstain from participation. This directive signaled a growing concern about the appropriateness of using school facilities for partisan political activity, sparking an internal review of existing protocols.
District administrators are now meticulously examining their procedures, striving to ensure strict adherence to both school board policies and Virginia state code. The goal is to establish clear guidelines preventing similar situations from occurring in the future, safeguarding the neutrality of the school environment.
Details surrounding the event reveal it wasn’t open to the general public, and no admission fees were charged to attendees. The school buildings were already accessible, and no additional costs were incurred for facility use or custodial services. Notably, security for the event was provided directly by the campaign itself.
The Liberty Justice Center has formally requested investigations from both Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales, raising concerns about potential legal violations. They seek clarity on whether the use of school grounds for a campaign event warrants criminal scrutiny.
Despite these formal requests, responses from the Attorney General’s office, the school district, the high school, the campaign representative, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney remain pending. The silence has fueled speculation and heightened the urgency for a thorough and transparent examination of the circumstances surrounding the event.
