Former Prince George superintendent named acting superintendent of Hanover Public Schools

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The former superintendent of Prince George County Schools, who announced she was retiring from the school district to care for her mother on April 19, was named Hanover County Public Schools’ acting superintendent on Tuesday.

The Hanover County School Board named Dr. Lisa Pennycuff as the acting superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) during a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 23.

This appointment came after HCPS’ former superintendent, Dr. Michael Gill, retired after nearly a decade of service .

“After a decade of service, I recognize that the School Board has new goals and objectives it wishes to achieve,” Gill said in his resignation letter. “To accomplish this, a new leader is needed to work with the Board in these future endeavors.”

Pennycuff previously served as the superintendent of Prince George County Schools. She resigned in mid-April, saying she needed to take care of her mother.

“During the 2023-2024 school year, my mother was hospitalized for six months,” Pennycuff said in a release from the Hanover School Board. “During that time it became apparent that my mother and aunt for whom my mother was the caregiver needed help to transition into a more sustainable life plan. I have been blessed to have these past few months to get my aunt settled into assistive living and to get the supports in place that allow my mother to stay in her home. In my life, I have found that there is no more important work than helping our children build a strong foundation for their futures. I am thankful for this opportunity to support and serve Hanover County.”

According to the school board, Pennycuff will step into her new role with HCPS on Aug. 5.

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