Governor McAuliffe Names Steve Staples as Superintendent of Public Instruction

Seal of the United States Department of Education (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe on Monday announced the appointment of Steve Staples as Superintendent of Public Instruction. Staples, who most recently served as Executive Director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, has dedicated his career to improving public education through innovative educational programs and by focusing on the specific needs of local communities.

“I am proud to announce that Steve Staples will serve as Virginia’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Steve has a deep understanding of Virginia’s strengths, its challenges, and the opportunities we have to take bold, innovative steps to improve schools in every corner of the Commonwealth. He has what it takes to drive Virginia’s public education system into the future.”

Staples added during the announcement, “These are important times for public education in the Commonwealth and I can assure you that it has become quite clear to me that the Governor and the team he has assembled care deeply about our public schools. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. It's time to review the two decades old accountability system to better align it with the needs of the 21st Century, and we need to encourage our schools to innovate and meet the changing expectations of workplace and society. I am ready to hit the ground running to tackle the challenges Virginia’s education system faces and ensure every Virginia student has access to quality public education.”

Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton stated, “I am excited to partner with Steve, a true education leader and innovator, and I look forward to the progress we will make over the next four years improving our education system and preparing our students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a global economy. I want to thank everyone who offered input in this decision and I am grateful to the exceptional education interest and talent we have in the Commonwealth.”

Staples has served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents for nearly two years, during which time he has visited almost every school superintendent in the Commonwealth in his or her office, seeking to understand local perspectives and needs. Prior to that, he served on the faculty at William and Mary’s School of Education from 2008-2012.  Previously, Staples was school superintendent in York County (serving 13,000 students) for 16 years, during which time York County was named by Money Magazine’s as one of the “Top 100 Best Buys in Public Education in the United States”.  Staples implemented a variety of exemplary programs in York County, including magnet programs in fine arts and in math, science and technology, and a charter school program that links academic standards to licensure competencies in career/technical fields.

In 1997, Staples was selected by his peers as Virginia Superintendent of the Year. He received his Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Education at William and Mary and a Doctorate of Education in Administration and Supervision at Virginia Tech.

Staples joins the McAuliffe Administration on the heels of the release of the Governor’s proposed biennium budget for FY2015-FY2016, which closes the health care coverage gap and uses hundreds of millions in savings associated with that action to invest in key educational priorities including a 2% raise for teachers and other state employees across the Commonwealth.

“If members of our Senate and House of Delegates put politics aside and pass my proposed budget, we can begin Steve’s term as Superintendent on the strongest possible footing, with a budget that creates jobs, keeps families healthy, and honors our commitment to schools and students.”

Staples will replace Superintendent Pat Wright, who announced her retirement earlier this month. Wright was appointed Superintendent of Public Administration by Governor Tim Kaine in 2008 after serving nearly 30 years in the Department of Education.

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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Comprehensive Virginia International Terminals Audit

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today issued the following statement upon completion of a comprehensive audit of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA)’s operator, Virginia International Terminals (VIT).  The audit was initiated following the decision earlier this year to terminate the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) process for port operations.

“In April, when the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the PPTA process for port operations and instead initiate a corporate restructuring of the VPA’s relationship with its operator, VIT, I called for a comprehensive audit of VIT prior to the VPA’s assumption of all liability over port operations.  The results of this audit confirmed many of the challenges identified in prior reviews and studies of the port, including the recently completed Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) review.  The audit identified concerns over a lack of proper internal audit controls and complete financial reporting mechanisms, inadequate procurement policies and procedures, executive compensation, a lack of communication and transparency between the VIT and VPA Board under the former organizational model, and increased costs and inefficiency.

“The Port of Virginia is ripe with opportunity.  As the only East Coast port currently capable of handling post-Panamax class cargo vessels, Virginia is at a tremendous advantage in seizing a sizeable portion of what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates to be over 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of growth on the East Coast by 2030.  To seize upon this opportunity and grow cargo volumes and create jobs, it is imperative that the Port of Virginia be as cost-effective and efficient as possible.

“The reforms implemented by our Administration and the Board of Commissioners are making great progress towards this aim.  In calendar year 2012, the port had its second highest year on record, with just over 2.1 million TEUs passing through its terminals.  Further, the port’s revenues are improving, and nearly every month this year setting new cargo volume records.

“Many of the challenges identified through this audit are already being addressed through the corporate restructuring.  However, as the audit shows, much work remains to be done.  I am supremely confident that the Board of Commissioners and recently selected Executive Director Reinhart are up to the task.  I look forward to working with them throughout the remainder of my term in office to make the Port of Virginia the number one port on the East Coast.”

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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Selection of John F. Reinhart as New Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority

Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today regarding the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners’ selection of John F. Reinhart as the VPA’s new Executive Director.

“In April, following consideration of the PPTA proposals for port operations, I stated that one of the first tasks the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners must complete was to install a permanent management team and select a new Executive Director to oversee the reorganization of the VPA’s relationship with its operator Virginia International Terminals.  Today, I am pleased that the Board has completed this step with the selection of John Reinhart as the VPA’s new Executive Director.

John brings a wealth of experience to the Port of Virginia, having served in a variety of executive level capacities within the maritime industry over the past 20 years.  Most recently, he served as President of Maersk Line Limited (MLL). From 2000 to 2004 he served as Chief Executive Officer of MLL.  MLL – headquartered in Norfolk – is the largest employer of American mariners.  John began his career with Maersk in 1991, before leaving to serve as General Manager of Maintenance and Repair, General Manager of Operations and eventually President of Universal Marine Services. He returned to Maersk in 1996 as a Regional Director and then as Senior Vice President.  During this period, he was responsible for commercial activities of the company, including sales, customer service and marketing for North America.

John is also actively involved in the Hampton Roads community and knows the area and its challenges and opportunities well.  He currently serves as First Vice President of the Greater Norfolk Corporation and is on the board of the Hampton Roads Partnership.  John is involved with a number of maritime associations and has received numerous awards for his service to the industry.

John’s vast experience in the maritime industry, and his longstanding involvement in the Hampton Roads community, make him ideally suited to lead the Virginia Port Authority.  The reforms implemented by our Administration and the Board of Commissioners are beginning to pay dividends, as the port continues to see record growth.  However, much work remains to be done to ensure that the Port of Virginia is the most cost-effective and efficient port on the East Coast so that we can utilize its natural advantages to grow cargo volumes and create more good jobs.

John is the right person for this critically important position, and I look forward to working with him throughout the remainder of my term in office.”

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