Virginia
Four districts in 4 months: Central Virginia schools grapple with superintendent turnover
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The recent departure of several school superintendents across Central Virginia has sparked concerns and raised questions about the stability of educational leadership within the region.
Over the past few months, four school districts — Petersburg, Prince George County, Chesterfield County and Hanover County — have all seen their superintendents step down for various reasons, leaving their respective districts without permanent leaders as the new school year approaches.
The issue first came to the forefront in Petersburg, where superintendent Tamara Sterling announced her resignation in March after just over a year in the role.
Her departure was followed by Acting Superintendent John Farrelly, who resigned in June to take a new position with Caroline County Schools.
Yolanda Brown has since been appointed as the acting superintendent, tasked with stabilizing the district until Oct. 31. She shared a 100-day entry plan with community members at a meeting on Wednesday, July 17.
Cool Springs Elementary School PTA President Lakeisha Tinsley said they need someone to stay in the role, so the district can experience long-term, positive change.
“Because we know getting Petersburg is a lot of issues, but I feel like we really can make the change if the person wants to make the change,” Tinsley said.
Chesterfield County faces a similar scenario, as Mervin B. Daugherty retired on April 9 after nearly six years as superintendent and a distinguished 50-year career in education.
The district is currently in the process of finding a replacement.
In Prince George County, Lisa Pennycuff announced her retirement on April 19, citing personal reasons related to family care.
The school board has appointed Joseph O. Cox Jr. as the acting superintendent while they search for a permanent successor.
The Prince George County School Board will be conducting interviews for the position of superintendent from Aug. 7 to Aug. 21, according to Prince George County Public Schools.
Most recently, Michael Gill announced his resignation as superintendent of Hanover County Schools, citing the school board’s new objectives as a catalyst for his decision to step down after nearly a decade in the role.
Kimberly Bridges, a professor of educational leadership at VCU who specialized in K-12, emphasized the complexities of the superintendent role, noting that districts with higher levels of poverty and racial segregation tend to have shorter superintendent tenures.
“The students that need that stability and that longer tenure for real, deep change to happen are the ones that are getting that the least,” Bridges said.
According to Bridges, these searches can be time-consuming, especially if districts opt for national searches to attract diverse and qualified candidates. It’s also difficult for a school district to thrive when they don’t have a permanent leader.
“It takes a little while to make sure the measures they’re putting in place [are] paying off in student outcomes,” Bridges said. “So, that’s the biggest barrier for an interim, time to get to know everyone and build relationships.”
She emphasized that the superintendent job is not easy, nor able to be done by just anyone.
“If folks are looking at other opportunities, you can’t really blame them because, in some respects, it’s a tough job,” Bridges said. “But, in other respects, we got to work harder to find people who want to be there for the long run.”
As Central Virginia prepares for the upcoming academic year starting on Aug. 19, the focus remains on stabilizing leadership and ensuring a seamless transition for students and staff alike.
Virginia
Former Virginia Gov Glenn Youngkin hints at political future, says he’s ‘chomping at the bit’ after exit
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Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signaled his political career may not be over, telling Sean Hannity he still has “more to give” just under three months after leaving office.
“I have more to give. I just do. The one year of campaigning and the four years of running, so five years, went by in five seconds. It was amazing,” Youngkin said on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.
In the full episode, debuting Tuesday, Youngkin sat down with the Fox News host to discuss his time in office, as well as what things have been like since his term expired in January.
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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addresses the crowd during an early voting rally on Sept. 21, 2023, in Petersburg, Va. (Steve Helber/AP)
“Every morning [when I was governor], I woke up literally bounding out of bed, ready to roll, and that was the most purposeful I’ve ever felt in my whole life.“
Youngkin oversaw a range of conservative measures passed in the state, including a push to ensure age-appropriate curriculum in public schools.
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He also pushed for tax cuts, including efforts to reduce the state’s grocery tax, rolled back COVID-19 restrictions early in his tenure and emphasized tougher public safety policies.
His time in office concluded earlier this year, when Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration succeeded his.
“I’ve been out of office for six weeks. I took [my wife] Suzanne on vacation, which she so deserved. She’s been amazing. I think she’s of the best first ladies in America,” he said.
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“But six weeks has felt like six years… You’re chomping at the bit.”
While Youngkin stopped short of outlining specific plans for the future, his comments suggest he is keeping the door open to a return to public office.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Denver police have arrested the man they believe was responsible for a fatal shooting on E. Virginia Avenue on Thursday afternoon.
According to an arrest affidavit, the Denver Dispatch Center received a 911 call around 12:35 p.m. to report a shooting in the 10100 block of E. Virginia Ave. The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.
Responding officers found a man who was critically wounded. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators reportedly discovered a handgun, the victim’s cellphone and money in the area where the shooting happened. They also located surveillance footage in the area, which appeared to show the victim exiting a white Chevrolet Tahoe as gunshots could be heard. He walked to the east, looking for help, before collapsing on the ground.
The affidavit says a conversation was discovered on the victim’s Instagram account in which he was speaking with another person who was selling a firearm.
Aurora police assisted investigators using the Flock License Plate Reader system, identifying the Tahoe at several locations. Police said the vehicle had unique characteristics on the passenger rear wheel. The affidavit says that, before the shooting, the vehicle had a rear license plate, but after the shooting, it was missing.
Investigators found the vehicle, executed a search warrant and found a fired cartridge case in the back seat. A person connected to the case reportedly told officers that he drove his friend, later identified as Daniel Puga Villegas, to meet a person to collect money from him. However, he says an argument took place, and Villegas shot the victim, then ripped off his temporary rear license plate and, while still holding the gun, told him to drive.
Villegas was arrested on Sunday with assistance from the APD and is facing charges of first-degree murder.
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