Bill Text: VA SJR208 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Dr. Jeffery O. Smith.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ208ER) [SJR208 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR208-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, Superintendent of Hampton City Schools, was named Virginia's 2019 Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents; and
WHEREAS, already recognized as Virginia's Region II superintendent of the year last February, Jeffery Smith was selected for the statewide distinction by numerous stakeholders in the Commonwealth's education system, including the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Virginia Education Association; and
WHEREAS, prior to taking the helm of Hampton City Schools in 2015, Jeffery Smith had served as an education administrator with eight different Virginia school divisions, including King George, Hanover, and Westmoreland Counties, acquiring extensive and invaluable experience for the next stage in his career; and
WHEREAS, in the five years that Jeffery Smith has led Hampton City Schools, the state's 14th largest school division has gone from an accreditation rate below 50 percent to full accreditation, while graduation and dropout rates have also markedly improved; and
WHEREAS, Jeffery Smith is credited with the development of a PreK-16 pipeline that encourages students to acquire credits toward associate degrees while pursuing advanced high school diplomas; today, more than 300 students participate in the program, increasing their chances of academic success beyond high school; and
WHEREAS, as part of Jeffery Smith's five-year master plan, several high schools in the division initiated college and career academies, providing students with specialized instruction to develop applicable skills for various industries; and
WHEREAS, using a data-oriented approach as well as more traditional observational methods, Jeffery Smith introduced effective processes for teachers to receive constructive feedback on their instruction strategies and to improve their ability to serve their students; and
WHEREAS, as Virginia's nominee, Jeffery Smith was recognized as a finalist for the School Superintendents Association's 2020 National Superintendent of the Year award, distinguishing him as one of the best education administrators in the country; and
WHEREAS, Jeffery Smith's accomplishments are the result of his tireless hard work, insightful approaches to today's education challenges, and unflagging dedication to his students; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, superintendent of Hampton City Schools, for being named the 2019 Virginia Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Jeffery O. Smith as an expression of the General Assembly's profound admiration and respect for his contributions to Hampton and the Commonwealth.
