Jodi M. Slaughter is a candidate for Norfolk School Board Special Election Ward 3 and is running as a Democrat. Her name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Slaughter is running against incumbent candidate, Jason L. Inge, who is running as an Independent.
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10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Jodi M. Slaughter
Age: 54
Website: jodi4nps.com
Party: Democrat
Biography
Jodi Melissa Slaughter is an accomplished leader, counselor, educator, and entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to helping people reach their fullest potential. With over twenty years of experience supporting children, families, and communities, she brings both compassion and expertise to her work. As the founder of Launch Out Coaching & Consulting, Jodi has spent over a decade training executives, mentoring professionals, and guiding organizations and individuals toward achieving meaningful success.
Her career spans teaching, counseling, speaking, and community engagement. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Human Services from Old Dominion University and a Master’s in Counseling from Regent University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership at Liberty University. Jodi blends strong academic preparation with practical leadership experience, making her a trusted voice in both professional and community spaces.
Beyond her career, Jodi is a sought-after speaker, mentor, aunt, and godmother who is deeply invested in equipping the next generation. She is not a career politician, she is a proven professional committed to service, integrity, and building stronger communities.
Why are you running for office?
Our schools are the foundation of our community. I’m running for the Norfolk School Board, Ward 3. I believe our students, teachers, and families deserve strong leadership. They need transparency and a clear vision for success.
In recent years, our schools have faced challenges that have shaken community confidence. I aim to restore stability, foster collaboration, and enhance trust within the School Board. My background as a counselor, educator, and leader has prepared me to listen. I am ready to problem-solve and advocate for what truly matters: the future of our students.
I believe in a holistic approach to preparing our students for life after high school. This approach addresses not just academics. It also addresses the social and emotional needs that shape their well-being and success. I have experience in both leadership and mental health. I understand the real challenges students face. I am familiar with the policies that impact them every day.
I’m not running to represent a special interest—I’m running to represent you.
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
Student Success First – Guarantee every child has access to quality education, strong academic pathways, and career-ready opportunities.
Safe & Supportive Schools – Foster safe environments where students, teachers, and families feel heard, respected, and supported.
Investing in Educators – Support teachers and staff with the resources, training, and recognition they deserve.
Accountability & Transparency – Rebuild trust through open communication, transparent decision-making, and community feedback.
Family & Community Partnership – Strengthen the connection between schools, families, and neighborhoods to create a united path ahead.
Norfolk’s School Board has been characterized as a dysfunctional body in light of how the termination of the former superintendent was carried out. How could this have been best handled?
In good board governance, members may not always agree, but it is important to speak with one voice once a decision has been made. Board members should be able to share their perspectives openly, without becoming disagreeable, and then allow the chair to communicate on behalf of the board. In this situation, since the superintendent’s contract was already nearing its end, it would have been more responsible to inform her that it would not be renewed rather than terminating her early. The decision to fire her has now placed additional financial burdens on taxpayers, who are covering her remaining salary, the pay differential for an acting superintendent, and the cost of a new search through VSBA.
If elected, I am committed to practicing sound governance and ensuring that decisions are made with transparency, dignity, and respect. Most importantly, I will represent the stakeholders of Ward 3 with the focus and accountability our students, families, and community deserve.
What are you looking for in Norfolk’s next Superintendent of Schools?
I believe the next Superintendent of Norfolk City Public Schools must be a visionary leader and an effective communicator. They should embody transformational and servant leadership, demonstrating transparency, integrity, and a deep commitment to building strong relationships. The ideal candidate will actively engage the community, foster collaboration, and lead with both courage and compassion. Most importantly, they must be bold enough to challenge the status quo and serve as a steadfast advocate for every student in Norfolk Public Schools.
Do you approve of the process that has been used to identify schools for closure, modification and relocation as part of the district’s rightsizing plan. What could be improved?
I agree with using a neutral consulting firm to review the data and help guide the rightsizing plan, as it brings an objective perspective to the process. At the same time, these decisions deeply affect our students, families, and neighborhoods, which is why open and ongoing conversations with the community are so important. We can never communicate too much when it comes to changes of this magnitude. Most importantly, every decision should always be made with the best interest of all Norfolk City Public Schools students at heart.
