Fredericksburg City Schools Deputy School Superintendent Dr. Jonathon Russ has been named superintendent in Botetourt County Schools in Southwest Virginia. He has roots in Southwest Virginia, growing up in Washington County and getting his doctorate from Virginia Tech.
“I’m a kid-first superintendent and that’s what’s going to drive the decisions we make in this division,” Russ said told WDBJ-TV. Out of 37 applicants, School Board Chair Michelle Crook said Russ was the best choice.
Russ told WDBJ he is ready to collaborate with faculty and staff and tackle the new challenges the pandemic is presenting school districts. “I’m not going to come in here and turn this school division on its head because I know there are a lot of good things already happening, but at the same time things that can be improved we are going to work hard and do that too,” Russ said.
Some of the points Russ hopes to focus on during his tenure will be teacher retention and preparing students for vocational careers and higher education.
His first day on the job will be Wednesday, with a swearing-in ceremony at 8:30 a.m.
