Augusta state schools have a new chief.
The school board announced on May 5 at a convened meeting that Kelly Troxel will take the position after Eric Bond retirement.
“It means a lot to me,” Troxel said. “I appreciate what public education does for our children. I appreciate strong partnerships with parents and community members. I just think that when we all work together in the same direction, this is the best we can hope for our students.”
She is the first woman appointed chief of the school ward.
“If this opens up opportunities for leadership and thoughts in young ladies when they come together, then we are better for it,” Troxel said.
It was not a unanimous vote. The board voted 4-3 in favor, such as Sharon Griffin, Mike Loson and Tim Simmons voted against the appointment.
“I respect that the members of our school council are taking their roles very, very seriously,” Troxel told the divided vote. “Although I am disappointed, I will dig even more difficult and I will surely get to know each of them better.”
She said it was important for her to know more about why they were worried.
“But I will not allow this to deter me to do what is in the best interest in our school division,” she said.
Troxel, who has his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from James Madison University and a doctorate from the University of Virginia, is currently the CEO of the staff.
Kelly Troxel is the new head of public schools of Augusta County.
Troxel has been a principal at the Wilson Memorial High School for seven years before leaving in 2021 to take a position in the central office.
The bigger part of her career was spent in Rockingham County, both a teacher and an administrator. After teaching for six years, Troxel was an assistant director at Broadway and Turner Ashby high schools before working at the central office as a career director and technical education. From there, she made a relocation to Augusta County to become the director of the Wilson Memorial.
Board Chairman David Schifflet said there was a wide demand with a number of well -qualified candidates. He said the Council knows that the impact of his decision would have on the school system.
“It’s a night to celebrate,” he said. “Things will be good schools in Augusta County.”
Eric Bond, the current chief, announced on January 14 that he plans to retire from the position effective at the end of the year, December 31, 2025 Bond has been an employee as chief since 2014.
Staunton will also hire a new chief this year. Gareth Smith has announced that he retired at the end of June. The Staunton School Board, unlike Augusta County, uses a search company.
On Monday, after its regular meeting, the Staunton School Board will receive a sheet of candidates from the company in a closed meeting. To the chairman of the school board Christine Seagal, they will announce the first round of interviews within 15 days after that meeting. Then there will probably be a second round of interviews. All candidates, as well as dates and interview hours, will be confidential.
The hope is to declare a new commander in Stownon before July 1, probably until mid -June.
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– Patrick Heath is a reporter at the news leader. The ideas and advice of history is always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/his/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @HitePatrickS Subscribe to us on Newsleader.comS
This article originally appeared on the News Staunton Leader: Name of Schools in Augusta County Name of New Chief