BY PORTSIA SMITH
Louisa County Schools leader Deborah Pettit has been named the 2013 Region 5 Superintendent of the Year
Pettit was selected by a Virginia Association of School Superintendents committee of professional colleagues for her leadership qualities after a magnitude-5.8 earthquake disrupted the school schedule and severely damaged two school buildings.
"The mark of great leadership is the ability to respond to a crisis while maintaining the focus on the core mission of learning," said Region 5 Chairman Rosa Atkins, superintendent of Charlottesville City Schools. "Deborah has proven to be exceptional in many ways.
"Her response to the earthquake and to other challenges in Louisa County demonstrated outstanding compassion, professionalism and excellence. Her attentiveness to student success and achievement shines through in all of her decisions."
Region 5 consists of 22 school divisions in Central Virginia.
"My priority as a superintendent is to provide the best education possible for Louisa County students," Pettit said, "and it is an honor to receive this award and to have the main focus of my leadership recognized."
The eight Regional Superintendents of the Year will be honored at an annual conference May 6-9. One will be named the Virginia Superintendent of the Year at that time.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com