NORFOLK, Va. — The School Board for the City of Norfolk appointed Dr. Sharon I. Byrdsong, NPS Administrator, as Interim Superintendent for schools Wednesday effective immediately.
The board voted to appoint Byrdsong during its June 19 meeting.
Byrdsong will take over the role of Superintendent as the board begins the process of searching for a new one.
She currently leads the Department of Interagency Collaboration and Wraparound Services and has held several positions within NPS including:
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Senior Director of Alternative Options
- Executive Director of Secondary Schools
- Executive Director of Human Resources
- Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
- Chief of Staff
Her career began as a high school teacher in the Wake County Public School System.
In 2005, Byrdsong was named Outstanding Middle School Principal of Virginia by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals. The National Association of Secondary School Principals named her the National Middle School Principal of the Year in 2006.
The board said the awards "attest to Byrdsong's success in improving student academic achievement, focusing on closing achievement gaps, improving the overall learning environment, resolving complex problems involving the local school community, and ensuring high expectations for all students."
“The Board has full confidence in its decision to select Dr. Byrdsong to continue the strong academic focus of the school division; she has the needed leadership abilities to move the school district forward during our national superintendent search,” stated Dr. Noelle Gabriel, School Board Chair.
She holds a Division Superintendent license and a Postgraduate Professional Licence from the Virginia Board of Education. Byrdsong received a Doctor of Education degree from Regent University where she was named the Outstanding Alumna of the First Decade of the 2000's Award.
Virginia law requires school districts to select a new superintendent within 180 days after the departure of a current superintendent.