The Gloucester School Board held a public hearing Tuesday night in the T.C. Walker Education Center auditorium to receive community input on what qualifications the board should look for in the next superintendent. This public hearing followed the availability of an online survey that the board used to receive community input on the matter.
Current superintendent Dr. Walter Clemons will retire on June 30 of this year.
Several community members took the podium to voice their opinions on what they would like to see in a new superintendent, ranging from an understanding of school safety to community involvement.
Shannon Hanson of the York district said she was worried about the decline in quality of education at the schools, and would like to see Gloucester County Public Schools be more like the West Point school district.
“They’re invested in their children,” said Hanson about West Point. “They’re invested in their teachers.”
Sandy Phillips of the Gloucester Point district said she wants the new superintendent to have “an understanding of CRT,” and does not want any messages of Critical Race Theory in the curriculum.
Dave King of the Abingdon district took the podium to tell the board he was troubled by the 11-day timeline for the community to respond to the survey and said the superintendent selection should be postponed until after the November election.
Kimberly Jackson of Gloucester Point agreed with King. “Why are we hurrying this process?” said Jackson.
Kaitlyn Dooley of the Ware district said that she would like the new superintendent “to have a comprehensive understanding of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.” Dooley has brought suit against the school board on a FOIA request denial. A hearing on the matter was held in Gloucester General District Court last month and is scheduled to be considered again on May 17.
Dooley also said that the new superintendent should advocate for students and teachers, demonstrate effective leadership skills, adhere to policies and procedures and engage with the community.
Howard Mowry of the York district said that he was not impressed with the survey questions. He also mentioned he would like the new superintendent to address discipline problems in the schools and uphold the constitution.
Jen Baker of the Gloucester Point district said she was “advocating for the postponement of the superintendent selection.” She said she would rather the board choose a new superintendent once new school board members take office after the November election.
Jonathan Hargis of the Gloucester Point district said that he would like the new superintendent to be “up to speed on the most up-to-date procedures on school safety.” As part of his comments, Hargis said he had no problem with the superintendent search timeline as approved previously by the board.
“I’m not offended by the time table,” said Hargis.
Tracy Crowder of the Ware district voiced her concerns about students’ educational needs. “We need a superintendent who thinks out of the box,” said Crowder.
“These children are struggling,” continued Crowder. “They can’t move forward. We need something different to meet their needs.”
At the conclusion of the public hearing, school board member Darren Post made a motion to amend Friday’s work session agenda to include a discussion as to whether the board would like to delay the superintendent selection until the next board members take their seat in office.
“Mr. Chair, we already approved a timeline,” said board member Randy Burak. “And Mr. Post is just grandstanding again. It’s just tiring.”
The motion failed with a vote of 4-3, with Post, Carlton Drew and Karen Espinoza voting to include the discussion at Friday’s work session.
The board will meet Friday in the T.C. Walker Education Center auditorium at 6 p.m. to discuss and decide on the specific qualifications for the superintendent job announcement.