Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 2, 1990 TAG: 9006020090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Spagnolo replaces S. John Davis, who said a year ago he would retire from the $101,413-a-year job in January but agreed to stay as interim superintendent until a successor was found.
Spagnolo, 47, has been superintendent in Lynchburg since 1973. Before that, he was assistant superintendent for business and finance in Henrico County schools for two years.
He began his career in 1965 as a biology teacher in Bridgewater Township in New Jersey before moving to Henrico to teach. He was an assistant principal at Buford Junior High School in Charlottesville and principal of Providence Junior High School in Chesterfield County.
In Lynchburg, Spagnolo has been praised for innovations that include a pilot program aimed at "at-risk" children in two schools and an after-school day care program.
Spagnolo said in a telephone interview he would like to make those programs statewide. "I really believe it's important to prevent problems from occurring educationally rather than remediating them after they occur," he said.
Laura Dillard, Wilder's press secretary, said Spagnolo "came very well recommended from the education community. I think that stood out."
Spagnolo, who is married and has four children, received his doctorate in education from the University of Virginia in 1971. He received undergraduate and master's degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, N.J.
Davis had been superintendent of public instruction since 1979. Before that, he spent nine years as superintendent of Fairfax County schools.
Although he planned to retire Jan. 1 and do consulting work, Davis agreed at Wilder's request to remain and be paid an hourly consultant's fee, said Jim Foudriat, a spokesman for the state Department of Education.
by CNB