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Vol. 28, No. 3 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | May 18, 2011
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Wilson to lead Hanover schools New superintendent county’s first African-American and female chief By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com She has been a familiar face and presence at Hanover County School Board meetings as assistant superintendent of Instructional Leadership, often paying tribute to the many accomplishments of the students and staff. On July 1, Dr. Jamelle S. Wilson will move into the school district’s top position, with a salary of $162,000. Last Wednesday, her role changed as
she was appointed the 12th superintendent of the district on a unanimous vote of the School Board. Wilson, whose term will run through June 30, 2015, is the county’s first African-American and female to be selected for the superintendent’s seat. She has served as assistant superintendent of Instructional Leadership for eight years. Over the course of nearly 20 years in Hanover County, she has been a
classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal and principal. When the official announcement was made, Wilson, with tears welling in her eyes, rose to a standing ovation. The crowd included her husband of 19 years, James. Chair John F. Axselle III said Wilson has “completed a rigorous process that started months back, with over 30 qualified candidates from 17 states.” The School Board, he said, narrowed
the field to 10 candidates. Most were “sitting superintendents from across this country, so Dr. Wilson was competing with a great deal of experienced talent from multiple states, including the Commonwealth of Virginia.” The interview process, he added, was not easy. “Most interviews went several hours.” Wilson was among the field of candidates who faced several see WILSON, pg. 4 `
DR. JAMELLE S. WILSON
Redistricting plan OK’d
Afterschool Music Program
GIS manager: ‘minority makeup is right on target’ By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
Melody Kinser/The Local
Ready, Set, Play, an Afterschool Music Program for second and third graders at Henry Clay and John M. Gandy elementary schools, performed at the May 10 meeting of the Hanover County School Board. Richmond CenterStage and the Richmond Symphony partner with five area school divisions to promote musical skills. Karen Harris, music teacher at Henry Clay, leads the group.
After holding three informational meetings and conducting a public hearing, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Redistricting 2011 Recommended Alternative. Last Wednesday, during its regular meeting, the board accepted the plan as presented by Kevin Nelson, the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) manager. He told the supervisors that “I believe it meets
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all the criteria” and is “within all the percentages that we targeted,” as well as following guidelines expected by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has the final action on accepting the county’s proposal. Nelson and his staff developed a plan that affects about 7 percent of the county’s population. He also said that the “minority makeup on this plan is right on target. It’s not a big change in any of the districts.” There are two additional see REDISTRICTING, pg. 13 `
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