New superintendent

continued from page 1 the parents and community members who served on the community panel that participated in the selection process.

“Your voice was overwhelmingly positive for this candidate. You were markedly certain of his qualifications, and I just want you to know we heard you and appreciate the work that you did,” she said.

Polifko disagreed with the selection and said she did not believe the current School Board should be selecting the next superintendent for the division.

“I understand that we need to heal and we need to move on, but right now we have a gaping wound in our school system. And this current board is not the one, in my view, who is going to fix that wound,” she said. “I will work respectfully with anyone, but it is my sincere belief that in order to choose the proper leader for the school division we need to have the proper leaders in place on the School Board to execute that decision and in my opinion, we do not have that right now.”

Reaction in the community has been mixed since the announcement.

Loudoun Education Association President Sandy Sullivan said in a press release that the association looks forward to working with Spence to advance public education in the county.

“Our union firmly believes when educators, administration, staff and School Board members work together, we achieve greatness. I look forward to working in collaboration with Dr. Spence as we enter a new chapter of LCPS history,” she wrote. “The future holds the opportunity to unite our community and lead our school division forward to truly be ONE LCPS.”

According to school division spokesman Dan Adams, as of Monday an employment contract for Spence had not been finalized. Spence is expected to be paid a salary in the range of $375,000, he said. Duration and other terms were unknown.

Meanwhile, two School Board candidates, Broad Run candidate Chris Hodges and Little River candidate Joe Smith, released statements raising concerns.

Hodges suggested Spence be given a trial run—one-year contract to “allow the new 2024 School Board an opportunity to see whether he is more of the same or worthy of a longer-term deal.”

“Let’s see what his priorities are. Let’s see if he is supportive of parents’ rights, if he is transparent by having consistent town hall meetings, see what he believes