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Dr. John Murray officially named Chesterfield County Public Schools superintendent after 4 months as interim

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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — After a few months in the interim role, Dr. John Murray has officially been named the superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Dr. Murray has been with the district since 2004. A Chesterfield native and graduate of Manchester High School, he's the first CCPS superintendent since 1921 to have also been a student in the district.

He was named superintendent after a months long, nationwide search.

The Chesterfield School Board believes that Dr. Murray's qualities align closely with the community's expressed desires for school leadership. They emphasize his strengths as a strong educational leader who values communication, engagement, and collaboration.

Dr. Murray has been serving as the interim superintendent since September. He has dedicated his 21-year career to the school district, holding various positions such as deputy superintendent, principal, assistant principal and teacher.

"His strategic approach and compassion for helping all students thrive will lead CPS into an even brighter future," noted board chair Dot Heffron.

"One of the things that stands out is his genuine approach to fostering equity and supportive environments,” said board member Dominique Chatters.

Dr. Murray is stepping into his new role just as the district implements a statewide cell phone ban in schools. He reported that the transition has gone smoothly, attributing this success to the groundwork laid by the prior policy.

“Our kids are compelled to do what’s right. Many of our principals have met with students to explain the reasoning behind the policy,” he stated.

Safety is also a crucial focus for Murray’s tenure, especially in light of a recent incident at Meadowbrook High School where a student was stabbed just weeks into his interim appointment. The district is currently exploring various weapon detection technologies.

“We will never find a silver bullet when it comes to solving campus safety,” he lamented. “We must employ thorough evaluative measures that deter and deter harmful behavior.”

In addition to safety, Dr. Murray will be responsible for implementing a revised transgender policy that the Chesterfield School Board adopted last month. This policy has sparked significant debate in the community regarding how to balance student safety with compliance with state law.

“It’s essential for us to adhere to the law as outlined in the code. We carefully consider VDOE mandates and strive to implement policies that protect our students, take care of their needs, while remaining compliant,” he explained.

While Thursday marked a pivotal moment in leadership for Chesterfield Public Schools, Dr. Murray views it as just another day at work.

“It’s a mixed bag of emotions,” he shared. “I feel honored and grateful, but I also feel validated in all the work we’ve committed to over many years during my time here in Chesterfield. More than anything, this is a full-circle moment.”

Dr. Murray's official tenure begins Friday, with a contract set to run through June 2028.

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