SJ38: Commending W. Randolph Nichols.

WHEREAS, W. Randolph Nichols, the outstanding superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools, will retire on June 30, 2010, after over 50 years of outstanding service to his fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, Randolph Nichols earned a bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a doctoral degree in education from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols, called ?Dr. Nick? by his friends and colleagues, began his distinguished 51-year career as an educator in 1959 as a teacher at Great Bridge High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, Dr. Nichols was appointed to his first administrative position for the Chesapeake Public Schools as the director of research, guidance, and testing; he served as assistant superintendent from 1977 to 1985 and deputy superintendent from 1985 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Dr. Nichols accepted the School Board?s appointment to become only the fourth superintendent of schools in Chesapeake since 1949; and

WHEREAS, an innovative administrator and inspirational leader, Dr. Nichols guided the rapidly growing school division through a period of tremendous change by utilizing technology; introducing new programs, ideas, and curricula; and always first considering the best interests of his students; and

WHEREAS, through his excellent leadership, Dr. Nichols was invaluable in the Chesapeake Public Schools achieving accreditation through the new Standards of Learning assessment system two years ahead of schedule; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. Nichols? tenure, Chesapeake Public Schools received the 1999 National Education Association?Saturn/United Auto Workers Partnership Award, which recognized the school division?s exemplary partnership with the Chesapeake Education Association; three United States Senate Productivity and Quality Awards; the American Association of School Administrators President?s Technology Award; and the Virginia Board of Education Leadership in Cultural Diversity Award; and

WHEREAS, among his many accomplishments, Dr. Nichols has been invaluable in the implementation of a citywide school improvement planning initiative and a nationally recognized program to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services; he has overseen construction of 18 new schools, two support facilities, and 35 school renovations and has helped increase school safety and improve educational standards for all children; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Dr. Nichols has been committed to his community, especially its young people, helping to establish a comprehensive education program for individuals with disabilities and specialized programs for gifted and talented students; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols has given his time and expertise to numerous civic organizations, including as a member of the Oversight Committee for the Chesapeake?s Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative and as a board member of the Care Free Clinic; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols has received many awards and accolades over the years, including Virginia State Superintendent of the Year, a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year, the Chesapeake Rotary Club?s First Citizen of Chesapeake, and the Comprehensive Health Investment Project?s (CHIP) Child Advocacy Award; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Dr. Nichols was honored for his lifelong contributions to education at the inaugural awards banquet of the W. Randolph Nichols Scholarship Foundation, and a scholarship to benefit deserving Chesapeake high school graduates was established in his name; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols is also very devoted to his wonderful family?his wife, Susan; his daughter, Lori, and her husband Steve, and son, Todd, and his wife Nicole; and his six grandchildren, Madison, Macy, McKenna, Max, Hunter, and Colton; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend W. Randolph Nichols on his 15 years of visionary leadership as superintendent of the Chesapeake Public Schools and his over five decades of commitment to quality education in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to W. Randolph Nichols as an expression of the General Assembly?s gratitude for his many achievements and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.

WHEREAS, W. Randolph Nichols, the outstanding superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools, will retire on June 30, 2010, after over 50 years of outstanding service to his fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, Randolph Nichols earned a bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a doctoral degree in education from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols, called “Dr. Nick” by his friends and colleagues, began his distinguished 51-year career as an educator in 1959 as a teacher at Great Bridge High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, Dr. Nichols was appointed to his first administrative position for the Chesapeake Public Schools as the director of research, guidance, and testing; he served as assistant superintendent from 1977 to 1985 and deputy superintendent from 1985 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Dr. Nichols accepted the School Board’s appointment to become only the fourth superintendent of schools in Chesapeake since 1949; and

WHEREAS, an innovative administrator and inspirational leader, Dr. Nichols guided the rapidly growing school division through a period of tremendous change by utilizing technology; introducing new programs, ideas, and curricula; and always first considering the best interests of his students; and

WHEREAS, through his excellent leadership, Dr. Nichols was invaluable in the Chesapeake Public Schools achieving accreditation through the new Standards of Learning assessment system two years ahead of schedule; and

WHEREAS, during Dr. Nichols’ tenure, Chesapeake Public Schools received the 1999 National Education Association—Saturn/United Auto Workers Partnership Award, which recognized the school division’s exemplary partnership with the Chesapeake Education Association; three U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Awards; the American Association of School Administrators President’s Technology Award; and the Virginia Board of Education Leadership in Cultural Diversity Award; and

WHEREAS, among his many accomplishments, Dr. Nichols has been invaluable in the implementation of a citywide School Improvement Planning initiative and a nationally recognized program to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services; he has overseen construction of 18 new schools, two support facilities, and 35 school renovations and has helped increase school safety and improve educational standards for all children; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Dr. Nichols has been committed to his community, especially its young people, helping to establish a comprehensive education program for individuals with disabilities and specialized programs for gifted and talented students; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols has given his time and expertise to numerous civic organizations, including as a member of the Oversight Committee for the Chesapeake’s Infant Mortality Prevention Initiative and a board member of the Care Free Clinic; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols has received many awards and accolades over the years, including Virginia State Superintendent of the Year, a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year, the Chesapeake Rotary Club’s First Citizen of Chesapeake, and the Comprehensive Health Investment Project’s (CHIP) Child Advocacy Award; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Dr. Nichols was honored for his lifelong contributions to education at the inaugural awards banquet of the W. Randolph Nichols Scholarship Foundation, and a scholarship to benefit deserving Chesapeake high school graduates was established in his name; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nichols is also very devoted to his wonderful family—his wife, Susan; his daughter, Lori, and her husband Steve, and son, Todd, and his wife Nicole; and his six grandchildren, Madison, Macy, McKenna, Max, Hunter, and Colton; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend W. Randolph Nichols on his 15 years of visionary leadership as superintendent of the Chesapeake Public Schools and his over five decades of commitment to quality education in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to W. Randolph Nichols as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his many achievements and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.