School Board Extends Superintendent's Contract

When Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Lois Berlin took office in July 2004, she took on two major school construction projects, a six-year strategic planning process, and a curriculum realignment associated with a changing grade level structure of three out of four schools. That’s all in addition to the usual responsibilities of a public school superintendent.

Today, the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and the Mount Daniel Elementary School construction projects are complete, the board has adopted a six-year strategic plan and the curriculum at each school corresponds with the change in grade configuration.

“We’ve been absolutely thrilled with Dr. Berlin’s work,” vice chairman Kathy Chandler said. “She has accomplished a lot in a very short time.”

That’s why the Falls Church City School Board voted, last night, to extend the superintendent’s contract for an additional two years. The new contract runs until June 30, 2010.

“This should send a very strong statement of support by the board for Dr. Berlin’s initiatives across the community,” school board chairman Craig Cheney said.

The board also expressed appreciation for Berlin’s outreach efforts to the community and her ability to identify and hire strong school and division leaders. The superintendent’s original four-year contract was due to expire in 2008.

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