Virginia Beach, Va. – Virginia Beach School Superintendent James Merrill will be stepping down this summer to lead the Wake County school district in North Carolina.
Merrill was picked after being one of three finalist to lead the state’s largest school system.
“This is a bittersweet time for me,” Merrill said. “I am proud to have been part of the development of our strategic plan, Compass to 2015, and the outstanding work that teachers, administrators and support staff are doing here in Virginia Beach to create meaningful, relevant learning experiences for children. However, I am excited about the new opportunities that await me in Wake County.”
The decision was made Tuesday evening in a school board meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Merrill has been the superintendent for Virginia Beach since 2006. He started out as an English teacher in 1973.
He was also a part of the Wake County school district for 16 years as the the Associate Superintendent for Administration and Finance.
The Virginia Beach School Board has contracted with an Illinois based firm to lead the national search for Merrill’s successor. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sheila Magula will serve as interim superintendent until a replacement is found.
