"Over the past 36 years, you have worn many hats. You certainly have grown in your progression and now, sir, the ship is yours to steer. We have a lot of work to do, and the division is counting on you and your leadership to take us forward. Welcome home, Dr. Robertson"
Kimberly A. Melnyk - School Board Chair
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Board of Education voted to name Dr. Donald Robertson as Superintendent of Schools at their meeting on January 23. The newly announced superintendent has been acting Superintendent since June of 2023.
Dr. Robertson has been working in the District since 1988 when he began his career as a math teacher and then proceeded to leadership positions as assistant principal, principal, chief strategy and innovation officer, chief schools officer, chief of staff, and acting superintendent.*
The School Board acknowledged the progress Dr. Robertson has made during his tenure thus far in the district that serves approximately 63,000 students and employs more than 10,000 full time staff at its 86 schools. “Over the past 36 years, you have worn many hats. You certainly have grown in your progression and now, sir, the ship is yours to steer. We have a lot of work to do, and the division is counting on you and your leadership to take us forward. Welcome home, Dr. Robertson,” announced School Board Chair, Kimberly A. Melnyk.
The newly appointed superintendent expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to lead the District with the core values of VBCPS. “I believe in the power of education and more importantly, in our collective potential to accomplish even greater things together,” Dr. Robertson said. “I believe in the power of our leadership, our teachers and all our support staff.
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Board of Education hired Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates to guide the District through the search for a new superintendent in the fall of 2023. HYA Senior Associates, Dr. Brad Draeger, Dr. Ted Blaesing, and Dr. Constance Collins led the search that resulted in the selection of Dr. Donald Robertson. “Virginia Beach City Public Schools conducted a very confidential search and was committed to finding the best candidates from across the nation. Despite outstanding candidates and a large diverse pool, Virginia Beach decided that their own deeply experienced and knowledgeable interim was the best choice to lead the District,” stated Dr. Draeger. He went on to say, “Virginia Beach has a great history of long tenured superintendents and the Board felt that their interim was the best choice for continuing those long tenures.”
* https://www2.vbschools.com/press_releases/prfy23/023.asp
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