School Board annual organization meeting held; Board chair and vice chair elected

The Hampton School Board held its annual organization meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Jones Magnet Middle School.

 

As a part of the procedural activities of the meeting, the School Board elects one of its members as chairman and one member as vice chairman. Dr. Richard Mason was reelected as chair and Stephanie Jackson Afonja was reelected to serve as vice chair. 

“Dr. Mason has provided steady, visionary leadership while consistently centering student and staff well-being and academic success as true priorities for our division,” said Dr. Tina Banks-Gray.

 

Dr. Mason currently serves as an Associate Professor and the Liaison for the Dean's office in the School of Liberal Arts and Education at Hampton University, and is a licensed professional counselor and certified clinical mental health counselor. Dr. Mason holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hampton University, an Education Specialist degree from the College of William & Mary, and a Ph.D. from Regent University.

 

Dr. Mason stated, “It is easy to come out on top when you have people like my fellow board members and Dr. Haynes who are working for the good of our children and for the purpose of education with intentionality.”

 

In nominating Ms. Jackson Afonja for vice chair, Ann Cherry said, “Ms. Jackson Afonja’s commitment to this division is unwavering, her leadership skills are spectacular, and she is someone you can depend on in terms of when she tells you something, you can believe it.”

 

Ms. Jackson Afonja is the owner of Family Restoration Services, LLC, and Holistic Family Solutions, Inc. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s degree in clinical and community psychology from Norfolk State University. She has completed post-graduate coursework in professional counseling at Liberty University.

Ms. Jackson stated, “It is easy to be the vice chair of this board. Everyone is so great and wonderful, and everybody respects everyone here.”

In addition to electing the chair and vice chair, the Board set their meeting calendar through December 2026, and appointed Elizabeth Penny as clerk of the School Board and Joy Charbonneau as deputy clerk. The Board took action on other items, including the appointment of Kellie Goral as the Freedom of Information (FOIA) officer and the appointment of deputy superintendent and chief of staff Dr. John Caggiano as the superintendent’s designee to represent the superintendent in his absence.