Source – www.vpm.org
Superintendent Michael Gill Steps Down
Hanover County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Gill, announced his resignation on Tuesday, concluding a tenure that spanned nearly ten years. In his resignation letter to parents, Gill cited the need for new leadership to align with the School Board’s future goals and objectives.
Gill, who could not be immediately reached for further comment, expressed in his letter that a change in leadership was necessary for the Board to achieve its new aspirations. “I recognize that the School Board has new goals and objectives it wishes to achieve. To accomplish this, a new leader is needed to work with the Board in these future endeavors,” he wrote.
The resignation is not yet final as it requires formal acceptance by the School Board. A special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday to address this matter.
School Board’s Response and Search for Interim Superintendent
School Board Chair Bob May issued a statement acknowledging Gill’s resignation and confirming that the board is actively searching for an interim superintendent. “We wish to thank Dr. Gill for his services to the Hanover County Public Schools and wish him well in all future endeavors,” May stated.
In a follow-up conversation, May mentioned that while the board is keen to appoint an interim superintendent swiftly, it is committed to ensuring that the new leader aligns with the “Hanover values and Hanover standards.” May declined to comment on the specifics of Gill’s resignation but emphasized that the board’s priority is to find a suitable replacement without compromising on the district’s core values.
Superintendent Michael Gill’s Legacy and Accomplishments
During his time at the helm of Hanover Schools, Gill was recognized for his leadership and commitment to educational excellence. Notably, he guided the school division through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing Hanover’s distinction as the first school division in Virginia to resume full-time, in-person instruction five days a week.
Superintendent Michael Gill’s leadership earned him significant accolades, including being named the region’s best superintendent by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents in 2019. Additionally, the Times-Dispatch honored him as a Person of the Year in 2018. Under his leadership, Hanover Schools, the 15th largest division in the state with approximately 17,000 students, received recognition ten times from the National Blue Ribbon Schools program and consistently performed above the state average in testing.
As the school division moves forward, the search for a new superintendent will be pivotal in maintaining the high standards and values that Hanover Schools has come to embody under Gill’s stewardship.
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