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Governor Kaine Appoints Dr. Billy Cannaday as State Superintendent of Public Instruction
– Also praises interim stewardship of Dr. Patricia Wright –

RICHMOND – 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’s 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’s 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’s Standards of Learning benchmarks.”

“Dr. Cannaday’s 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.”

Previously, Dr. Cannaday rose through the ranks of Hampton City Schools, beginning as Director of Secondary Education and culminating in a six-year tenure as Superintendent of Schools, where he helped shape the first year-round school programs.

Governor Kaine also praised the leadership of Dr. Patricia Wright, who has served as Acting State Superintendent of Public Instruction since the January 2006 retirement of Jo Lynn DeMary.

“Pat Wright has done a great job building on our record of success in academic rigor, accountability, and increased investment in public education,” Governor Kaine said. “All Virginians appreciate her stewardship of our K-12 public education system and her continued service to the Commonwealth’s children.”

Backround

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  A native of Roanoke, Cannaday has served since 2000 as Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, the fourth largest school division in Virginia.  Between 1986 and 2000, he served as Director of Secondary Education, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, and Superintendent of Schools for Hampton City Schools, the third largest urban division in Virginia.  Previously, Cannaday served as principal of Huntington Middle School, which was awarded a national Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence under his leadership.

Cannaday is active on many boards and committees, including the College of William and Mary Gifted Advisory Board, the Greater Richmond Community Foundation Board of Directors and the University of Virginia Teacher Education Advisory Committee.  From 2004-2005 he served as the Distinguished Leader in Residence at the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership and from 1999-2000 he served on the State Standard Setting Advisory Committee for the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Cannaday has received recognition for his excellence in educational leadership, including 2005 Virginia Superintendent of the Year, 2005 Region 1 Superintendent of the Year, 2000 Region 2 Superintendent of the Year and 2000 William & Mary Professional Educator of the Year Awards.

Cannaday received his Doctorate in Educational Administration (1990) and his B.A. in Health and Physical Education (1972) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.  He earned his Masters in Educational Administration from Hampton University in 1980.

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