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As the Prince Edward School Board starts the search for a new superintendent, they’ve hired someone to fill in. Dr. Joseph Cox will be the acting superintendent for Prince Edward Public Schools as of Oct. 7. 

Cox is best known as the longtime superintendent of Colonial Heights Public Schools. He took over that position in 2001 and stayed until his retirement in 2019. Before that, Cox had served in Colonial Heights Public Schools as a teacher, first at Colonial Heights Junior High for nine years and then as a government and history teacher at the district’s high school. 

Since his retirement, Cox has served in an interim role as superintendent for a number of different school districts in Virginia. He took over in Nelson County in 2022 for a few months and then in 2023, he went back to Colonial Heights, taking over as an interim superintendent at his old district. 

“We are pleased to have Dr. Cox join our team and help guide our schools during this important period,” said Prince Edward School Board Chair Lucy Carson. “His experience and leadership will be crucial as we work to strengthen our efforts and engage all stakeholders in our search for the next superintendent.” 

Making a change to Joseph Cox

Cox takes over from Dr. Barbara Johnson, who stepped down on Monday, Sept. 30. No reason was given as to why Johnson stepped down. In recent months, she’s faced increased questions from about the inability of the district schools to reach full accreditation. In Prince Edward, only the elementary school was fully accredited this year with no conditions. The high school, and especially the middle school, continues to struggle. 

While Prince Edward Elementary achieved it one other year during her term, the other schools have not. Originally, chronic absences were blamed for the lower test scores. That built to a question and answer session during last month’s supervisors’ meeting, where Johnson was asked why test scores didn’t increase this past year, as attendance improved.
“Because of instruction, general instruction,” Johnson said. “We need to make sure that everyone in all of our schools focuses on the standards, understands the standards and teaches the standards and that did not happen across the board.”
She was asked at the time why that didn’t happen and Johnson gave several reasons.
“I think some people like to teach certain things and are accustomed to teaching them the way they’ve always taught them,” Johnson said. “I think some people don’t really understand the standards at the level they need to understand them.” 

Searching for a replacement 

So now what happens? To help with hiring a new superintendent, the Prince Edward School Board will work with the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA). The two groups are set to hold their first meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15. That’ll take place at 4 p.m., with a discussion about outlining how the search will work. 

Carson said the board had several requirements for the next superintendent. 

“Our goal is to find a leader who will inspire our staff, support our students, and build strong partnerships with our community,” Carson said. “We look forward to the important work ahead as we seek to provide the best educational opportunities for our students”.

Carson said the school board encouraged the community to stay involved in the process. To discuss or get involved, residents can contact the school board office at: 

Contact:

Prince Edward County School Board
Lucy B. Carson, Chair
35 Eagle Drive
Farmville, VA 23901
434-315-2100