According to a press release from Governor Kaine:
Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that 2005 Virginia Superintendent of the Year Dr. Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., will serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Governor also expressed appreciation for the interim stewardship provided by Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Patricia Wright.Cannaday has served since 2000 as Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, a suburban school division with over 56,000 students that has been growing by about 1,000 students per year. In the five years Chesterfield schools have been under Dr. Cannaday+óGé¼Gäós leadership, the district has gone from having less than half of its 59 schools being fully accredited by the state to 100 percent of the county+óGé¼Gäós comprehensive schools receiving full accreditation.
"As a leader and educator, Dr. Cannaday focuses on improved achievement for all students, regardless of background," Governor Kaine said. "His emphasis on accountability and success for students, parents, teachers, and administrators is clear: student scores are up, and every school in Chesterfield County is now meeting Virginia+óGé¼Gäós Standards of Learning benchmarks."
"Dr. Cannaday+óGé¼Gäós leadership will be missed by all of us with the responsibility of guiding Chesterfield County Public Schools," Chesterfield County School Board Chairman Marshall Trammell said. "Dr. Cannaday informed us last week that he was being considered for State Superintendent, and while we regret losing him, the Chesterfield School Board considers it an honor that our superintendent would be selected for a position of statewide educational leadership."
Nice pick by Tim Kaine. Congratulations to Dr. Cannaday.