The Goochland County School Board has named Assistant Superintendent of Administration Andrew Armstrong, Ph.D., as the division’s Interim Superintendent. Superintendent Jeremy Raley resigned last month to accept the position of Chief of Staff to the State Superintendent at the Virginia Department of Education.
Armstrong has served as an assistant superintendent in GCPS since 2016. In his role, Armstrong leads operations for GCPS, including human resources, public relations, division and school safety, maintenance, transportation, food service, and operational technology.
Before joining the division, Armstrong was principal at Hermitage High School and John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, his master’s degree from VCU, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond.
"Our entire team – in our schools, on our buses, and in our offices – works tirelessly to provide the outstanding educational experience for all students that has been recognized in our region and the Commonwealth,” Armstrong said. “I am excited to support their efforts in the months ahead as we finish another great year in GCPS."
Also, at their April 11 Regular Meeting, the School Board kicked off the search for a new superintendent by securing the services of BWP & Associates. Kevin Castner, Ed.D., and E. Wayne Harris, Ed.D., will lead the search for BWP. Castner worked with GCPS for its last two superintendent searches. He retired as superintendent for Albemarle County Public Schools, and Harris retired as superintendent for Roanoke City Public Schools.
BWP’s four-step search process includes engaging with employees, the community, and students to gather input, identifying experiences, qualities, and skills that the next superintendent must possess, creating a leadership profile, and recruiting and interviewing potential candidates. Engagement strategies include interviewing School Board members, meeting with representatives of groups within the community, keeping an open dialogue with employees, and administering an online survey. The School Board approved a search timeline with the candidate application window open until mid-May. BWP and the School Board will conduct interviews in May and June, with a new superintendent in place by August 2023.