Lisa Coons speaking in Northern Northern during a public input session on July 18, 2024 in Manassas City. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)
With the sudden resignation of Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction Lisa Coons on Friday amid the changes to education on the federal level, the move has left some school leaders questioning the future of public education in the commonwealth.
“The last thing we need is a Department of Education in flux while we’ve got all of this going on on the federal level,” said Krista Barton-Arnold, executive director for the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, who was surprised and disappointed by Coons’ exit. “Educators around the nation are feeling anxious about the future of public education and now with Dr. Coons, we have even more reason to be anxious.”
Barton-Arnold said the association worked “closely” and “collaboratively” with Coons, who championed efforts to support new principals and to keep principals informed of department changes through “lunch and learn” events explaining curriculum changes and measures to hold schools accountable for student success.
Though questions linger in the wake of Coons’ departure, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the education department are moving forward with a plan that includes Chief Deputy Secretary of Education Emily Anne Gullickson serving as the acting state superintendent.
Coons was Youngkin’s second appointment to the role in the past four years, replacing former superintendent Jillian Balow, to help Virginia address low student proficiency ratings in math and reading and continue Youngkin’s directive of “restoring excellence” in Virginia’s public schools.
Gullickson will continue Coons’ work serving as the secretary of the Board of Education.
“Governor Youngkin deeply values Dr. Coons’ dedication to Virginia’s students, parents, and educators,” Youngkin spokesman Rob Damschen said. “As the administration moves forward with its education agenda, we are confident that Acting Superintendent Gullickson, with her experience in the Youngkin administration and her background as a teacher and advocate for students, will lead a seamless transition.”
Lisa Coons resigns as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction
The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which was first to report the resignation, noted that Coons’ resignation comes after the department missed several deadlines for reports to the state legislature and failed to publish teaching materials for the new history and social science standards, which set Virginia’s expectations for K-12 student learning in those areas.
The board, along with Coons, also worked to enhance special education regulations and practices, after a number of complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, prompting a federal investigation.
During her tenure, the board also overhauled the standards of learning, reduced regulatory barriers, approved new laboratory schools, enhanced the public charter school review process and lowered the vacancy rate of teachers. The Mercury reached out to the education department to learn more about the impetus of Coons’ exit.
Coons said serving as superintendent has been an “incredible privilege” in an announcement to the agency sent through Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley on Friday.
“It has been my great honor to serve the students, families, and educators of Virginia in my time leading the Department of Education under Governor Youngkin,” said Coons in the message. “After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue new professional opportunities, and I wish Governor Youngkin and his administration the best.”
Board of Education President Grace Creasey, also a Youngkin appointee, accepted Coons’ resignation and thanked her for her service.
“A great deal has been accomplished under Dr. Coons’ leadership,” Creasey wrote, but did not specify any examples.
Creasey wrote that Gullickson brings “experience, deep knowledge, commitment, and passion” to the superintendent’s role and promised the board would work with her to facilitate “a swift and seamless transition.”
Keith Perrigan, president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, thanked Coons for her work.
“She has been visible in every region in the commonwealth highlighting excellence in our public schools and her passion for literacy is only matched by her love for students. We wish her well as she pursues new professional opportunities.”
The governor appoints the superintendent of public instruction after consultation with the board and other leaders, which is subject to confirmation by the legislature and lasts for the governor’s term, according to state law. Vacancies are filled through the same process.
The only specific requirement in state law is that the superintendent must be an “experienced educator.”
If the governor appoints a new superintendent, he must make the decision before the end of his term, which ends at the end of the year.
The General Assembly is expected to meet in April for the reconvened session to finalize the state budget and in January for the regular session.
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