This action, ending a seven-month search for a new school division chief executive officer, was taken in the Board’s Wednesday, Feb. 19 meeting.
NORFOLK, VA – The Norfolk School Board has appointed Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong as superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools. This action, ending a seven-month search for a new school division chief executive officer, was taken in the Board’s Wednesday, Feb. 19 meeting.
Dr. Byrdsong has worked for Norfolk Public Schools for more than 20 years, first as an assistant principal at Northside Middle School and then as principal of Azalea Gardens Middle School. Her success as a principal earned her the Outstanding Principal of Virginia Award from the Virginia Association of Secondary Principals. She was later named National Middle School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. “She was recognized then for her work as a turnaround specialist, able to take a school struggling with performance issues to one known for making great gains. She has that intuitive ability to both plan ahead and make on the spot course corrections. We believe that level of acumen and commitment is what Norfolk Public Schools deserves,” said School Board Chair Dr. Noelle Gabriel.
Dr. Byrdsong also has served in leadership roles in the school division’s central administration, including senior director of alternative options, executive director of secondary schools, assistant superintendent of human resources, chief of staff, and executive director of interagency collaboration and wraparound services. Each position has provided her with unique operational experience that will serve her well as the division leader.
As superintendent, Dr. Byrdsong will lead the day-to-day operations of an organization comprising 29,500 students, 51 schools and centers, and approximately 8,000 full-time and part-time employees.
“I cannot begin to convey how humbled I am to be named the superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools. I have spent the majority of my career here and I am a firm believer in the equalizing power of public education. Every child in this city deserves a high quality education and I want to be part of the team that makes that happen. I also believe that schools work best when they work in partnership with the parents and communities that they serve. I will build on those strong connections because together we can make a positive difference for the thousands of children who walk through our doors daily,” said Dr. Byrdsong.