Dr. James F. Lane, superintendent of Goochland County Public Schools, has been named the 2016 Region I Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS).
“It is humbling to work among such tremendous leaders as comprise our group of regional superintendents,” remarked Lane. “It is even more humbling to have been selected for this honor. I am in awe of the outstanding efforts of our collective school divisions and look forward to our pursuit of unparalleled excellence as we embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The VASS Regional Selection Committee selected Lane as the Region I winner. There are 15 school divisions within Region I, mostly surrounding the Richmond Metropolitan area. Together with Lane’s chairmanship, the regional group has established lasting improvements and new opportunities, including CODE RVA and a regional autism consortium, allowing divisions to leverage expertise and services to provide maximum educational support to families and students.
As regional winner, Lane moves forward as a finalist for the Virginia Superintendent of the Year. There are eight regions throughout the Commonwealth designated by the Virginia Department of Education. One superintendent from each region is chosen annually to advance to compete for the VASS Virginia Superintendent of the Year. The state winner then competes for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year.
“I met James Lane on my first day as superintendent in Chesterfield when he was a graduate student and I knew that moment that his future as a leader would be tremendous,” remarked Dr. Marcus Newsome, Chesterfield County Public Schools superintendent. “As a group of regional superintendents, we have committed to raising the quality of educational opportunity throughout the region and James epitomizes that. We are very fortunate to have his leadership.”
“Dr. Lane’s accomplishments outside of Goochland County are just as impressive as the work he’s doing here at home,” explained Goochland school board chairman, Kevin Hazzard. “He’s moving public education forward in the whole region, really across the Commonwealth, with innovative thinking and policy-making that helps students to maximize their full potential. We couldn’t be more pleased that the superintendents in Region 1 have selected Dr. Lane as their Superintendent of the Year.”
“Dr. Lane’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and personalized student learning make him a deserving recipient of the Superintendent of the Year Award from Region I,” said Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent of Powhatan County Public Schools. “Dr. Lane’s leadership on the enhancement of our regional autism consortium as well as the creation of CodeRVA, an innovative regional high school to promote computer science education, will expand educational opportunities for all students in the Richmond area.”
“We are so honored to have Dr. James Lane as our regional chairman,” remarked Dr. Joseph Cox, Colonial Heights superintendent. “We have found his leadership and vision for our regional and statewide efforts to be exemplary. We look forward to his representation in the state competition with great anticipation.”
Dr. Lane has served as superintendent of Goochland County Public Schools since January 2012 and is a resident of Goochland County. Prior to coming to Goochland he became the youngest superintendent in the commonwealth at the time when he was promoted from the assistant superintendency in Middlesex County. His career in education began in 2000 when he became a band teacher with the Durham Public Schools. He went on to serve as an assistant principal, middle school principal and assistant superintendent, spending time in Durham (NC), Chesterfield and Middlesex counties.
He earned a Doctor of Education from the University of Virginia and a second Master’s Degree from North Carolina State University. He earned his first Master’s and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as an adjunct professor at VCU, JMU, and the University of Richmond. He was named in Richmond’s Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2013 and was one of 100 superintendents across the nation recognized at the White House in 2014 for extraordinary leadership in education and as a “future ready” leader.