NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk School Board voted to terminate the contract of superintendent Sharon I. Byrdsong during their meeting on Wednesday. The decision is effective immediately.
Byrdsong was appointed as superintendent in February 2020. She has worked with Norfolk Public Schools for 26 years.
In a 4-3 vote, the board voted to terminate Superintendent Dr. Sharon Byrdsong’s contract without cause. Among those in favor of the termination was Board Chair Sarah DiCalogero and board members Tanya Bhasin, Tiffany Moore-Buffaloe and Jason Inge.
Board Chair DiCalogero refused to provide 10 On Your Side an explanation for the termination. Board member Jason Inge voted for the termination because he said goals such as raising test scores have not been met. Board Vice Chair Alfreda Thomas and members Adale Martin and Kenneth Paulson voted against terminating the superintendent’s contract. They say this issue goes deeper.
“On May 22nd, Dr. Byrdsong sent the board a detailed memo outlining her concerns around the failing governance and loss of trust. Instead of addressing the issues, the board majority moved around the issues and went directly to termination,” Paulson said.
Some citizens in attendance believe this couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“The ship is ready to go into a storm of school board’s own making. They need to close ten schools, they’re up against a deadline,” said Liz Albert, local advocate for Norfolk Public Schools. “Dr. Byrdsong has done nothing wrong. There’s nothing you can point to say, ‘she’s done this wrong, we have to get rid of her'”.
The board voted for Dr. James Pohl to serve as the interim superintendent, effective immediately.
“The Norfolk School Board is confident that under Dr. Pohl’s leadership, Norfolk Public Schools
Excerpt from NPS news release issued June 12
is entering a new chapter—one marked by renewed focus, transparency, and strategic direction.
His appointment signifies not only a change in leadership but a shared commitment to reset,
reimagine, and refocus on delivering a world-class public education for every child in Norfolk.”
It’s unclear why Byrdsong’s contract has been terminated, but members Adale Martin and Kenneth Paulson believe the decision was rooted in a “personal vendetta” against her. They voted in opposition of accepting the superintendent’s separation agreement.
In a statement issued to Norfolk Public Schools families, Byrdsong addressed the departure and expressed thankfulness for her tenure as a superintendent.
“It is with a heavy heart I share with you that I will no longer serve as the superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools. I share this news with mixed emotions, as I feel somewhat regretful to be leaving an organization for which I have tremendous love; however, my prevailing emotion is gratitude,” said Byrdsong.
Additionally, she reflected on her accomplishments, including more social-emotional learning support, increased salaries, programs to promote safety and more.
Byrdsong’s full statement can be found below:
