Superintendent

Located in southside Virginia, Mecklenburg County has a population of approximately 30,824 (U.S. Census Bureau, July 2024).  The county seat is the Town of Boydton.  The other principal towns are Chase City, Clarksville, LaCrosse, and South Hill.  

Buggs Island Lake (also known as the Kerr Reservoir) and Lake Gaston draw a considerable lake-life population.  A large portion of the county is agricultural.  During the past several years, the establishment of a growing technology-based industry with Microsoft data/server farms and the implementation of a county-wide fiber optic network being established locally to connect all residents instantly to the rest of the world - making tourism, agriculture, and technology the top revenue engines in the county.  

86% of adult residents have graduated high school and 21.2% percent of adults hold a bachelor degree or greater. The median household income is just over $52,000.  Just under 15% percent of the population are classified as “in poverty”.  

Mecklenburg County Public Schools has 687 full-time employees and 303 part-time employees.  There are six schools: four elementary (grades Pre-K - 5: enrollment 1,937), and one secondary complex with a middle school (grades 6-8: enrollment 798), and high school (9-12: enrollment 1,095).  In addition, there is an alternative program for secondary students. Total student enrollment (Pre-K – 12): 3,830.  

All four elementary schools are fully accredited by the state as they are meeting or exceeding all state benchmarks.  The middle and high school are accredited with conditions.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will meet or exceed the following qualification criteria and preferences: 

Minimum Qualifications

Professional Preparation:

• Valid Division Superintendent license
• Strong background in curriculum, instruction, personnel development, and management
• Demonstrated personal and professional leadership in the administration of public education;
• The successful candidate is expected to establish residency within Mecklenburg County within a specified timeframe after appointment, to foster strong community relationships and ensure active participation in local events and initiatives.
• Other requirements: experience, maturity, and leadership abilities in appropriate facets of administration; awareness of the needs and objectives of the District, its Strategic Plan, and the ability to supervise and evaluate the work of others.
• Proven ability to:
• effectively administer, implement, and monitor the Strategic Plan;
• show commitment to excellence in student achievement, effective learning, and critical thinking skills;
• exercise effective leadership with the School Board in goal setting, long-range and short-range planning, and policy development;
• demonstrates a student-focused commitment to sound educational programs;
• serves as a goodwill ambassador for the District;
• effectively articulate the District’s mission;
• possess personal integrity, self-confidence, and concern for people;
• maintain high expectations for the School Board, staff, students, parents, and community;
• serving as a responsible steward of the taxpayer’s resources; and
• executing the work that raises student achievement by focusing on the needs of all students.

Professional Experience: 

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a public-school administrative position (e.g. principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent)
• Minimum of two (2) years of administrative experience at the central office level
• At least three (3) years of public-school classroom teaching experience required; five (5) total years preferred
• Doctorate of Education or Philosophy of Education Degree (EdD or PHD)

Personal Traits:

The successful candidate will be a proven educator who:

• Always ethical, moral, and honest
• Demonstrates ability to build trust and credibility with all stakeholders
• Strong communication skills
• High energy and enthusiasm

• A visionary, creative, and decisive leader with a proven ability to implement efficient and effective management practices, while recruiting and retaining a high-performing team of educational leaders who understand the distinct responsibilities at the federal, state, and local levels and who reflect the values and culture of the community.
• Commitment to keeping School Board members and key stakeholders promptly informed of urgent matters, emerging issues, incidents under investigation, and other significant developments, ensuring transparency and effective communication at all times.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with the School Board, provide detailed information on School Board subject matters, articulate perspectives if there is a conflict of opinion with the School Board, and defend a position respectfully even if the Board has an opposition to the subject matter.
• Must have a working knowledge of School Board Policy and School Law (Code of Virginia)
• Practices principled but pragmatic leadership by demonstrating priority commitment to students, staff members, and school leaders with evidence that all work is student-focused.
• Establishes and maintains a professional climate and culture of collaboration and mutual accountability.
• Mobilizes, energizes, and collaborates with teams of leaders to transform challenges into creative problem-solving opportunities.
• Builds and sustains coalitions across governmental agencies and departments as well as with office staff of community municipalities, state legislators, and other elected officials.
• Promotes a visionary agenda that anticipates educational challenges and addresses strategic priorities through active engagement in the governance process.
• Thinks strategically, values diverse opinions, and balances resources and expertise to satisfy the varying needs of the district across a broad and diverse spectrum of cultural and socioeconomic perspectives.
• Models leadership as evidenced by attention to detail, timely response to constituent concerns, and respect for dissenting perspectives.
• Demonstrates trust in team leaders by delegating responsibility and supporting the need for continuous improvement through reasonable and appropriate measures of accountability.
• Networks productively with other school superintendents to build on successful experiences in benchmark districts with similar circumstances.
• Utilizes the power of technology as a tool to expand and enhance teaching and learning, as well as empower all constituents with real time data to drive improvement strategies.
• Is knowledgeable of the current field of professional research literature pertinent to the issues and solutions needed to address educational needs in the district.

• Listens attentively to constituents and stakeholders, and communicates regularly with them on a variety of issues, challenges, and opportunities.
• Communicates in a clear and concise manner with local and national media; delivering and making public presentations; and building rapport with external audiences.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and manage complex budgets, clarifying details as necessary with professional staff, community stakeholders, and elected leaders.
• Eases tensions and disarms critics with an effective and appropriate sense of humor.
• Leads ethically by example through strength of moral character and unquestioned integrity.

Application Requirements:

The application packet/required documents must be submitted electronically through the MCPS https://mecklenburg.schoolspring.com/ portal by May 8, 2026.  (See Superintendent vacancy)

• Letter of intent indicating qualifications and reasons for interest in position
• A completed official application form 
• A current curriculum vitae
• College/University transcripts

• 5 letters of support from varying individuals and roles (e.g. teacher, parent, supervisor, school board members, etc.) with contact information
• Evidence of eligibility for Virginia Superintendent’s License
• Personal Vision Statement for the District
• Resume
• Any and all questions or inquiries should be made only to:  

Ms. Paula Giammatteo, 

Clerk of Mecklenburg County Public School Board, 

175 Mayfield Drive/P.O. Box 190 

Boydton, Virginia 23917 

434-738-6111 

pgiammatteo@mcpsweb.org 

Summary:

The Mecklenburg County School District Board of Education is seeking a Superintendent of Schools with a proven track record of successfully addressing critical issues in a rural school district with a wide range of socio-economic diversity. The Board is also targeting a decisive, data-driven educator who demonstrates a student-centered focus on the core business of teaching and learning. The next Superintendent will effectively collaborate with the School Board, staff, and community leaders to execute the Strategic Plan, while pursuing the vision and mission that elevates all learners to achieve excellence. A successful candidate will value accountability in designing and charting a clear course of action while mobilizing the necessary resources to implement sound educational and fiscal responsibility programs. The Board seeks an energetic and inspiring team leader who can build trust among staff and the community, while having exemplary management skills, who will energize others through appropriate and effective delegation of responsibilities.

The Board intends to appoint a Superintendent who will unify a wide variety of community constituents, including students, educators, business leaders, and public officials. The Mecklenburg County School Board also expects to appoint a visionary leader who thinks critically, listens attentively, communicates clearly, prioritizes strategically, values consensus attained from considering a wide range of perspectives, can address our fiscal concerns, and has a strong sense of the unique culture of Mecklenburg County.

Salary : $52,000