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1995 SESSION

LD5475346
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 713
Offered February 14, 1995
Commending Robert R. Spillane.
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Patrons--McClure, Albo, Almand, Callahan, Cohen, Connally, Dillard, Fisher, Harris, Hull, Keating, May, Mayer, Mims, O'Brien, Plum, Puller, Scott and Van Landingham; Senators: Barry, Calhoun, Gartlan, Holland, E.M., Howell, Saslaw, Waddell and Woods
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, on February 10, 1995, Dr. Robert R. Spillane, Superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools, was named the 1995 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Robert Spillane's award, based on his leadership, his communication skills, his professionalism, and his community involvement, includes a $10,000 scholarship, to be awarded in his name to a student in the high school from which he graduated; and

WHEREAS, Robert Spillane, who holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Connecticut, began his teaching career in Connecticut, where he served as elementary and secondary school principal and as assistant superintendent; and

WHEREAS, Robert Spillane then served as school superintendent in three communities of increasing size: Glassboro, New Jersey; Roosevelt, Long Island, New York; and New Rochelle, New York; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, Robert Spillane was appointed by the New York Board of Regents as Deputy State Commissioner of Education for elementary, secondary, and continuing education and from 1981-1985 held the position of Superintendent of Schools in Boston; and

WHEREAS, in July 1985, Robert Spillane was named Superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, for the past 10 years, Robert Spillane has supervised the nation's 10th largest school system, with approximately 140,000 students in 224 schools and centers located in a 399-square-mile area; and

WHEREAS, despite an increasing at-risk student population, more students with limited English proficiency, and more students from lower income families, student achievement in Fairfax County has improved, and the dropout rate has declined; and

WHEREAS, the number of Fairfax County students, especially at-risk students, taking the SAT exam and advanced placement courses has increased substantially, as have the test scores, while the dropout rate has declined to two percent; and

WHEREAS, the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Fairfax County's magnet school for top students, has had more merit scholarship semifinalists than any other school in the country every year for the past five years; and

WHEREAS, the achievement of Fairfax County's neediest students has been substantial under Robert Spillane's leadership, with 87 percent of special education students employed after graduation, compared to 46 percent nationally; and

WHEREAS, Robert Spillane has overseen the implementation of one of the most effective teacher performance evaluation systems in the nation, a system that has led to the termination of hundreds of teachers who did not meet high performance standards, improved the performance of hundreds of marginal teachers, and rewarded the excellence of the best teachers; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Fairfax County Public Schools during Robert Spillane's tenure has been striking, characterized by his tough, tenacious leadership and his personal resilience; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Dr. Robert R. Spillane for his educational excellence, dynamic leadership, determination, and commitment to the students of Fairfax County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Robert R. Spillane in recognition of his well-earned designation as 1995 National Superintendent of the Year.