Dramatics have filled LCPS in recent years, from attempting to return to normality after COVID-19 to the most recent rezoning of counties. Somewhere in between all the controversies, LCPS lost its prior superintendent and has been on the search for someone to fit the role.
Dr. Aaron Spence, former Virginia Beach superintendent, recently stepped up to this role and expressed his excitement about receiving the position. “I’m having a blast,” Spence said. “I am really pleased to be able to come in and work in such a great school division.”
Having a good executive to lead a school district can be very beneficial to the success of the county, but the voices of students, parents, and staff of LCPS are of the utmost importance. “I don’t think it’s any superintendent’s job to figure out what they can do to improve our county,” Spence said. “I think it’s our job together to figure out what we can do to improve our county.”
Spence expressed that he plans to spend his first months on the job reaching out to those in the LCPS community and focusing on building relationships. “One of the things that I’m doing right now, and one of the things that I’ll continue to do during my time here, is going out and talking to folks and listening to our families, and talking with students, and trying to understand what their hopes and dreams are for our schools.”
In his efforts to reach out to the community, Spence hopes that he is “reimagining the superintendent” and their role in LCPS.
By reaching out to communities, students’ voices specifically can shine a light on what LCPS needs. Spence expressed his willingness to “get to know our student leadership and really work on student voice” to put the student’s needs at the center of their plans.
Students, staff, and parents can most easily reach out to Spence online, specifically through a form titled “Ask the Superintendent.” Community listening sessions are also available to everyone and are another way to voice ideas.
“I am interested in working on and working with our communications team, to really think about how we celebrate our teachers,” Spence said. “I think our teachers need to know we love them.” Spence wants LCPS staff to know that the community is behind them.
Along with reaching out to the LCPS community, Spence is excited to become a part of it. “I’m looking forward to not being the new guy… and learning as much as I can,” Spence said. Being a new addition to the staff at LCPS, Spence has provided an entry plan to highlight priorities he intends to manage that can be accessed on the LCPS website.
“And, you know, obviously, having brought my kids here to be students, I am looking forward to watching them learning as well in our schools,” Spence said. Spence has several kids now at LCPS schools and expressed that he hopes to get immersed in the LCPS community.
Spence provided many details about his role in LCPS on the LCPS website, including information about listening sessions and his efforts to reach out to the community. “I want to wear off so that I can make people feel like I’m really what I’ve been saying I am, which is wanting to be a part of this community.”
