Henrico names new superintendent
Henrico County today officially named Hampton Superintendent Patrick Russo as its next superintendent of schools.
Officials made the announcement at a news conference. He succeeds Fred S. Morton IV, who will step down June 30.
Russo has more than 23 years of experience as a superintendent in New York, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. According to the Hampton school system's Web site, the system has about 21,500 students.
Morton has led the system since 2004.
Russo said he is looking forward to working in Henrico.
"The essence of any great organization is its people. I know the wonderful reputation about providing quality education for all children is because of the dedicated teachers, administrators and support staff of Henrico County Public Schools," he said.
His compensation details were not immediately available.
The Henrico School Board has said that more than 30 people applied for the position; of those, six were interviewed. The names of candidates were not released.
Before beginning the interview process, the School Board solicited guidelines from school staff members, parents and residents to determine what qualities they wanted in a superintendent.
In August, William C. Bosher Jr., a former Henrico superintendent, was hired as a consultant to assist with the hiring process.
Last week, the Richmond School Board announced that interim Superintendent Yvonne W. Brandon will serve as permanent superintendent of the 22,000-student system.
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Read ALL these article about Dr. Russo and let’s see what you say.
http://old.savannahnow.com/stories/101403/LOC_russo.shtml
http://old.savannahnow.com/stories/010898/NWSrussoanalysis.html
http://old.savannahnow.com/stories/011098/OPEDfirst.html
http://old.savannahnow.com/stories/010898/NWSrussomain.html
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/107078/
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/107122/
http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20080224/opinion/letters/20080224psKennedy.html
http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20081024/opinion/letters/20081024psKennedy.html
http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20080106/opinion/letters/20080106pskennedy.html
http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20080220/opinion/opinion/20080220editorialib.html
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/hampton-roads-daily-press/T0LRDJAG0GOF8LKV0
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/hampton-roads-daily-press/TTCNI74MMK8HFUF6H
Arniej- what your google search doesn’t tell you is that OCR cleared HCPS and Fred Morton of any wrong doing, stating that Ms. Lucas’ claim was without merit.
I don’t always agree with the choices superintendents make, but at least have the facts before you try to make accusations.
You should also find a more reputable source than a newspaper in Southern Pines, NC.
The selection of Mr Russo looks to be consistent with the lack of ethics routinely exercised in the Henrico County Public Schools. Google “morton henrico ocr” and read the article on the 2008 OCR investigation to see an example of the lack of ethics in HCPS.
As for Mr Russo, this is taken from the a newspaper web site in Southern Pines, NC (thepilot.com) on Feb 3:
Patrick Russo, who had a controversial tenure as Moore County Schools superintendent, has taken a job as the superintendent of Henrico Public Schools (Virginia), according to published reports.
Russo left Moore County Schools in 2004 to take a job as superintendent of the Hampton City Public Schools, also in Virginia. He is leaving that job to take the Henrico position.
Russo took the local position in 1999.
Russo’s five years leading the county schools culminated with several controversies, including one centered on an SAT incentive program at North Moore High School in which some students were paid for improved scores. The school requested reimbursements for the incentives from the central office from state remedial funds. The school paid the students from its discretionary fund until it got reimbursed from the central office.
Russo and others were disciplined in October 2003 for their roles in the matter.
There was also a controversy surrounding the schools’ vending contract.
The reality is Superintendents job spans are 3-5 years, and Mr. Russo has met that limit in Hampton. Sadly, the school division is now at a financial crossroads, or some say close to bankruptcy. In the end, who gets hurt by all the financial debacle he and his regime leave behind? The students and employees, while he jumps to another district free and clear of all negative effects…shameful
So now we’re importing incompetence? Well I guess the City of Richmond will be happy about this move. Now when people compare the performance of Richmond to Henrico, Richmond won’t look so bad.
Wow….What a yahoo. 20 million dollar debt and dip. Little man with little character. Run Henrico, Run!
Hope he’s a better superindent than principal, because we hated him.
I don’t believe Bosher should have been “hired” as a consultant. He’s already got a job! He should only get reimbursement for VALID out-of-pocket expenses for the duration of his service as consultant. He would probably provide good insight into a supt. since he was one, but not “hired.“
I am hoping he will be better than Fred. He said one thing and did another. As a teacher, I can not understand how they made the decision to put a testing coordinator at every school and pay them DOUBLE of what I make.
Just to clear the record…Dr. Newsome was NOT from Hampton public schools. He had been Superintendent in Newport News Public Schools.
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