Hanover Schools superintendent resigns, says 'a new leader is needed'

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- Hanover County's superintendent of schools has announced he is resigning after ten years with the district.

Dr. Michael B. Gill wrote in a message to the school system that he offered his resignation Wednesday afternoon because the school board "has new goals and objectives it wishes to achieve."

"To accomplish this, a new leader is needed to work with the Board in these future endeavors," Gill said.

Gill said it "had been a high honor and privilege to serve the students, families, faculty, and staff" and that he was "deeply proud" of what the school system had accomplished to provide "our students with a top-tier education."

"As I have often shared, our schools are a direct reflection of our community and Hanover County Public Schools are strong," Gill wrote. "Please be assured that Hanover County Public Schools is blessed with true, dedicated professionals at all levels who have a heart and passion for the students they serve. I am confident this will endure."

Provided to WTVR

Gill began as the district's superintendent in Dec. 2015 after serving as assistant superintendent for instructional leadership in 2014.

"He can point to his accomplishments, which are shared by the staff, that we've got one of the ideal school systems to be emulated," Charlie Waddell, a substitute teacher for the district, said.

Hanover County Public Schools is the 15th largest school system in the state with roughly 17,000 students.

Hanover has the third highest on-time graduation rate and fourth lowest dropout rate among Virginia's 15 largest school systems, according to the school system's website . Ten of the county's 26 schools have earned Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards.

In the past year the board has faced lawsuits and some community concerns over treatment of transgender and LGBTQ+ students. The board has also faced some scrutiny for banning books and its handling of antisemitic incidents.

However, school board members said they believe they are following the guidelines set by the Virginia Department of Education's model policies.

“Should a school board have philosophical viewpoints that are divergent from the administrator immediately below the school board, then it might be time to change positions,” Waddell said.

Parent Peggy Lavinder credited the school system's "staff and professionals" for its accomplishments.

“If I was a professional with decades of experience in public education it wouldn’t take me long to get tired of being told how to do my job by people who don’t have the same knowledge," Lavinder said.

Hanover County School Chair Board Bob May said the board is "actively working to identify an interim superintendent to begin as soon as reasonably possible."

"We wish to thank Dr. Gill for his service to the Hanover County Public Schools and wish him well in all future endeavors," May wrote.

The school board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, July 23 to discuss Gill's resignation.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.