Search Underway to Replace Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

A search is underway to replace Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Byrdsong, who was terminated by board members on June 11 in a 4-3 vote, a year before her contract was scheduled to renew in 2026.

Dr. James Pohl is serving as interim superintendent. A June 12 statement said, “The Norfolk School Board is confident that under Dr. Pohl’s leadership, Norfolk Public Schools is entering a new chapter—one marked by renewed focus, transparency, and strategic direction.”

Kenneth Paulson, one of the three board members who voted against terminating Byrdsong, said after the termination was announced, “I believe the decision is not rooted in education leadership, but in ancient personal vendettas,” he said in recent news reports.

Adale Martin, another board member who voted against Dr. Byrdsong’s termination, said, “Firing the superintendent at this time when we have the highly sensitive task of closing and consolidating schools is a distraction.”

Following the vote, the crowd started chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, it’s the school board that must go.”

Although a reason was not given for Byrdsong’s termination, some claim the decision is a result of internal disorganization within the board, according to a report by WHRO.

The board members who voted to end her contract did not speak at the meeting.

However, school board member Jason Inge, who voted in favor of the termination later told WAVY-TV, it was not an act of collusion.

“Unfortunately the achievement gaps in Norfolk have been persistent,” Inge said, emphasizing that he was speaking for himself.

Advertisement

“I welcome the community to go look at our academic data, such as our SOL passing scores, our pass rates for our English non-speaking learning students, and particularly students with disabilities as well. And then also looking at our subgroups and of African Americans. We made great strides in the African American subgroups for reading; however, we still have missed the mark,” Inge said.

He said they have not met certain milestones and refutes any suggestion that this was a personal vendetta.

“I’m not aware of any collusion. Like I’ve spoken to countless people—they can FOIA any of the emails. . .They have a right as a citizen to do such, and I welcome that.”

In a departure letter, Byrdsong said it had been her “distinct honor and privilege to lead Norfolk Public Schools.”

She highlighted the district’s progress in recent years, including more competitive beginning salaries for classroom teachers, increased enrollment in preschool students and improved academic outcomes.

Community leaders and education advocates expressed concern about the school district’s future including James Parker, president of the Education Association of Norfolk. “We’re going to have to be able to address all those differences when it comes to our children,” he said. “That’s the main thing. The focus needs to always be on our children and our students.”

Parker said he was shocked by Byrdsong’s removal and expressed concern, particularly for Title I schools, which make up a large part of the district.

“Most of Norfolk is a Title I district, most of us are Title I,” Parker said. “The Department of Education at the national level is affecting how we do our jobs in a roundabout way, especially Title I, and with the special education parts of the Department of Education—how that’ll affect our classrooms in the fall and in the future.”

“In my opinion, it is not the right time to be getting rid of our leadership,” Parker said. “Dr. Byrdsong has been a part of Norfolk Public Schools for over 20 years. So it’s hard to have someone come in that does not know much about—or knows very little about—our school division.”

In early April, Norfolk City Council members requested a closure and consolidation plan for 10 schools scheduled to close.

Advertisement