The Virginia Beach School Board named Donald Robertson, the division’s chief of staff, as the acting superintendent following Superintendent Aaron Spence’s departure to Northern Virginia later this year.
“I am honored to be named as the interim superintendent of one of the finest school division in the country,” Robertson said in a news release. “… I look forward to partnering with our families and staff as we move ahead to do what is best for all students in VBCPS.”
Robertson has been with the division since 1988 when he started as educator and “progressed in leadership roles” over the years, according to a division press release. He has been assistant principal at Bayside High School, principal at Salem High School, chief of strategy and innovation, chief schools officer and, most recently, chief of staff.
“With over 30 years of education experience, I have the utmost confidence that Dr. Robertson will be able to keep VBCPS moving forward while also ensuring a smooth transition as we search for our next superintendent,” board chair Trenace Riggs said in a news release.
The board has not announced when Spence will leave his position but confirmed they will be conducting a nationwide search for his replacement.
Spence announced earier this month that he will resign to take the top position with Loudoun County Public Schools. He has been with Virginia Beach Public Schools for nine years.
Later in the meeting, the board will vote on several other items including proposed changes to the library policy, which would require schools to create a list of materials containing sexually explicit content, and the LGBTQ resolution, which reaffirms the division’s commitment to anti-discrimination and anti-harassment in schools.
Kelsey Kendall, kelsey.kendall@virginiamedia.com
