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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 555
Commending Donald J. Ford.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, January 20, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Donald J. Ford retired in 2010 after 12 years as the outstanding superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Donald Ford received a bachelor’s degree from Bryan College, a master’s degree from Lynchburg College, and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and

WHEREAS, Donald Ford began his exemplary career in education as a teacher and coach in Bedford County before moving into administration as an assistant principal for Bedford County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, a strong administrator, Donald Ford then also worked for Calvary Baptist Academy, Community Baptist School, Craig County Public Schools, and Highland County Public Schools before coming to Harrisonburg in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, a small urban school division with over 4,300 students, has had its demographics change dramatically over the past 10 years; 40 percent of the students are now English Language Learners; and

WHEREAS, committed to educational excellence for all, Dr. Ford’s innovative leadership helped the school system adjust to the dramatic change in the makeup of its student body; and

WHEREAS, under the direction of Dr. Ford, the Harrisonburg City Public Schools are all fully accredited with students’ SAT and ACT scores above state and national averages; and

WHEREAS, respected by his colleagues, Dr. Ford has given numerous presentations and served in various positions in professional associations, including the American Association of School Administrators, Virginia Association of School Superintendents, and Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ford has generously given of his time and talents in the community as a member of the Harrisonburg Rotary Club, Harrisonburg Education Foundation, Harrisonburg/Rockingham Community Criminal Justice Board, Central Shenandoah Literacy Coordinating Committee, and Harrisonburg Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, in 2007 Dr. Ford was honored by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents when he was selected as the Virginia Superintendent of the Year for his admirable service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Donald J. Ford for his exemplary service as superintendent of Harrisonburg City Public Schools on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donald J. Ford as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his commitment to the youth of the Commonwealth and best wishes in his future endeavors.