HJ5069: Commending Dale W. Baird.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5069
Offered May 25, 2006
Commending Dale W. Baird.

Patrons-- Tyler, Alexander, Barlow, Brink, Bulova, Dance, Hall, Joannou, Jones, D.C., Lewis, Marsden, McEachin, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Phillips, Poisson, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles, Spruill, Toscano, Waddell, Ward and Watts

WHEREAS, Superintendent Dale W. Baird is recognized for his 33 years of exemplary service with the Brunswick County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird has served as division superintendent of the Brunswick County Public Schools for the past 13 years; and

WHEREAS, a 1969 graduate of Brunswick High School in Lawrenceville, Dale Baird earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1973, and received a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Longwood University in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird began his career in education as a political science teacher at Brunswick Senior High School in 1973, and he served as the school’s director of guidance from 1980 to 1981 and its principal from 1981 to 1988; and

WHEREAS, in 1988 Dale Baird was appointed assistant superintendent of Brunswick County Public Schools and became division superintendent in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird supported a strategic plan of action that has met the needs of Brunswick County students and greatly improved their opportunities to learn, contribute to their community, and continue on to obtain a college education or technical career training; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird has been, in large part, responsible for the success of the Ruby Payne research model, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, in the Brunswick County school system; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird believes strongly in programs that improve reading skills, promote early childhood development and education, and provide academic tutoring and after-school enrichment programs; and

WHEREAS, honored with numerous awards for his dedication to young people, Dale Baird received the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Virginia Jaycees in 1975, the Administrator of the Year Award from the Virginia Educational Media Association in 1988, and the Standard and Poor's Closing the Gap Award in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird fought to significantly reduce the turnover of teachers in Brunswick County and, in cooperation with Old Dominion University, implemented a local master’s degree program so that teachers may improve their skills, increase their knowledge, and advance their educational careers; and

WHEREAS, an innovative and visionary leader, Dale Baird has been valuable in the implementation of numerous programs that have resulted in Brunswick County Public Schools becoming a leader in successful technology integration for at-risk students; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird spearheaded an impressive building program with limited funding, completing an addition to Brunswick Senior High School and a Technology Center; and

WHEREAS, Dale Baird has received numerous accolades for his emphasis on technology including the Exemplary Technology Award by the Department of Education in 1985, the Ohana Foundation School Division Technology Award in 1998, the Region 8 Technology Leadership Award by the Department of Education in 2003, and the AOL Technology in Education Award for Region 8 four of the past five years; and

WHEREAS, an excellent educator and administrator, Dale Baird has been deeply committed to improving the educational opportunities of every student in the Brunswick County Public Schools for 33 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dale W. Baird for his outstanding public service to the teachers and the young people of the Brunswick County Public Schools; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dale W. Baird as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his strong leadership and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.