Norfolk division executive to head private school

Posted to: Education News Norfolk
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By Steven G. Vegh
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 2, 2011

NORFOLK

Michael Spencer, Norfolk Public Schools' chief operating officer and a former Maury High principal, has been named the new headmaster of a private school in Ghent, The Williams School.

Spencer could not be reached Tuesday but said in a news release from the school: "I have been a neighbor of The Williams School for many years and have always known what a truly special place it is for everyone who crosses its doorstep. The children, the teachers, the families - the very essence of the school is something that I have long held in high esteem."

Spencer will start at Williams on July 1. He was chosen from 45 applicants, according to the news release.

Williams, with 200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, was founded in 1927. It has a teacher-student ratio of 7 to 1 and is governed by a board of trustees.

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Wish you all the best...

Submitted by M.Soricelli on Sun, 11/06/2011 at 8:07 am.

Very pleased that Mr. Spencer has this new opportunity. He deserves our gratitude for many years of service to Norfolk Public Schools, and he has my kind regards.

Mr. Spencer

Submitted by Mr. Wizard on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 1:49 pm.

has served the NPS well in his years in the school administration.

Good luck in your new position in the private sector Mr. Spencer.

Mr. Spencer

Submitted by congratulations on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 1:34 pm.

Congratulations to The Williams School for choosing such a fine leader. And, Thank You to Mr. Spencer for your many years of service to Norfolk Public Schools!

Good for him..

Submitted by marthaspeaks on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 12:31 pm.

Good for you Mr. Spencer. It is better to leave like this than have to contiue to deal with the fallout of a school district is is digressing. NPS is going down the drain. The pepper spray policy is under scrutiny and now they have suspended random student searches. What will it take a staff member of student to get seriously injured or worse? All I can say is that we support you!

Great Move Mr. Spencer

Submitted by rockysmom on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 11:31 am.

As a former student of his while he was a principal in Portsmouth, and knowing his work ethic, I would seriously consider going to work for him there.

No SOL testing, no AYP percentages to worry about, active parents and students in the classroom and beyond ~ Great move Mr. Spencer!

Good Luck!!!

So Spencer bailed.

Submitted by jpjones on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 11:25 am.

From the number two position in the administration of a public school district to headmaster of a private school with 189 students.

Speaks volumes.

petty

Submitted by lizb31924 on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 10:06 pm.

What an ugly, small little comment. You obviously don't know Mike Spencer.

Smoke and Mirrors

Submitted by paul1990 on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 5:02 pm.

Smoke and Mirrors.......

Petty and Mean-Spirited

Submitted by camper on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 2:10 pm.

Your comments are petty and mean-spirited, and probably don't even have any significance in the context of Mr. Spencer's decision. I don't know him, but based on his reputation and the many good things people say about him, he is a much, much bigger person than you.

Depends on what you mean...

Submitted by BuellerBueller on Tue, 11/01/2011 at 12:09 pm.

by bailed. He has done a significant amount of time in the trenches. This change allows him to throttle back and decrease his stress level geometrically. There comes a time to lay down one's sword and shield.