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Goochland County Public Schools

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Coordinates: 37°40′58.1″N 77°53′3.5″W / 37.682806°N 77.884306°W / 37.682806; -77.884306
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Goochland County Public Schools
Address
2938-I River Road W
Goochland
, Virginia, 23063
United States
Coordinates37°40′58.1″N 77°53′3.5″W / 37.682806°N 77.884306°W / 37.682806; -77.884306
District information
TypePublic
GradesPreK–12[1]
NCES District ID5101650 [1]
Students and staff
Students2,571 (2023–2024)[1]
Teachers187 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Staff298 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Student–teacher ratio13.75:1[1]
Other information
Websitegoochlandschools.org

Goochland County Public Schools is a school district which serves Goochland County, Virginia, United States. It is based in Goochland, Virginia. The school division has five schools, each of which have been named Apple Distinguished Schools, 2019–2021. The superintendent is Dr. Andrew "Andy" Armstrong.[2]

History

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In 1973, Wayne Corporation of Richmond, Indiana introduced a safer design in school bus construction, the Lifeguard. Shortly afterward, the manufacturer held a nationwide contest to gain ideas to improve school bus safety, with the grand prize to be the award of a new Lifeguard school bus.[3] Pearl P. Randolph, the first black[citation needed] member of the Goochland County School Board, created the winning entry.[3]

As a result, the Goochland County Public Schools received the new school bus.[3] Her idea was to install sound baffles in the ceilings of school bus bodies to help reduce driver distraction. Compact forms of such equipment were later developed in the 1980s by Wayne and other bus manufacturers when diesel engines (and their greater noise) became commonplace.

Schools

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The district operates the following schools:

  • Byrd Elementary School
  • Goochland Elementary School
  • Randolph Elementary School
  • Goochland Middle School
  • Goochland High School

All five of Goochland's schools have been fully-accredited by the state for over a decade. From 2018 to 2025, Niche.com has rated Goochland County Public Schools the #1 school division in the Richmond metro-region.[4] In 2024, the on-time graduation rate was 96%.[5] Goochland High School has been recognized for its strong athletics program in addition to strong academics.[citation needed]

Leadership

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The current superintendent is Dr. Andy Armstrong.[2] As of 2025, the district's website lists 5 school board members, but does not identify a chair.[6] Local news station WTVR identifies Meredith Moses as the School Board Chair.[Superintendent 1]

School Board

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The Goochland Country School Board consists of five members. As of May 2025, there are:[6]

  • District 1: L. Meredith Moses
  • District 2: Karen M. Wirsing
  • District 3: Angela S. Allen
  • District 4: Michelle F. Maxwell
  • District 5: M. Ellen Robinson

This slate of candidates was endorsed by the Middle Resolution,[PAC 1] a Republican Advocacy political action committee.[PAC 2] Virginia public access records show that the committee for Board Chair Lucy Meredith Moses's school board candidacy received $8,092 in self-funding, $1500 from the Republican Party - Goochland County, and $500 from the Republican Party - 5th Congressional District.[PAC 3]

2023 Comment, Censure, and Lawsuit

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In 2023, then vice Chair Angela Allen posted a comment on her school board Facebook page regarding the District's policy on bathroom access for transgender students. In response to community pressure, the other 4 Board members formally censured Allen at the May 2023 Board meeting. In August 2023, Allen filed a defamation lawsuit against the other 4 members. In June 2024, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice finding that the Censure did not amount to defamation.[7]

Superintendent

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On April 1, 2025, African-American superintendent Dr. Michael Cromartie was fired without cause after holding the role for fewer than two years. One week later on April 8, 2025, the School Board announced Dr. Andy Armstrong, who is white, would be replacing Dr. Cromartie as superintendent. After the School Board declined to articulate specifics, local community members insinuated the replacement was due to race.[Superintendent 1][Superintendent 2][Superintendent 3]

Prior superintendents

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In 2017, then superintendent, James Lane was named the Virginia Superintendent of the Year. [8]

In November 2009, the district's superintendent posted an FAQ on its website about the potential effects of budget cuts on services. It noted that some things, such as maximum class sizes, are mandated by state or federal law or policy, but other things including athletics are not. "Right now, everything that isn’t mandated or required by the state or federal government is being considered," the page said.[9]

In September 1994, then superintendent Harold Absher went on voluntary leave from his position under unclear circumstances.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for GOOCHLAND CO PBLC SCHS". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "About Goochland County". Goochland County Public Schools. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Pearl Randolph Remembered" (PDF). Goochland County Historical Society Newsletter. 46 (1). Goochland County Historical Society. January 2022.
  4. ^ "2025 Best School Districts in the Richmond Area". Niche. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "Goochland High School". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "School Board". Goochland County Public Schools. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  7. ^ Bryson, Anna (June 25, 2024). "Goochland School Board Chair's defamation lawsuit dismissed". Richmond-Times Dispatch. Blox Content Management System. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Dahl, David (May 3, 2016). "James Lane is the 2017 Virginia Superintendent of the Year". Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  9. ^ Underwood, Linda (November 8, 2009). "Budget Frequently Asked Questions". Goochland County Public Schools - Notes from the Superintendent. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  10. ^ Wagner, Wendy (October 7, 1994). "Designee running Goochland schools". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B1. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

Superintendent References

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  1. ^ a b Hipolit, Melissa (April 18, 2025). "Goochland residents question abrupt superintendent switch: 'The fix was in'". WTVR News Richmond. Scripps Media, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  2. ^ McNamee, Madison (May 15, 2025). "'Taking that energy and turning it positive': New Goochland superintendent reflects on first month". 12 On Your Side. WWBT. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  3. ^ Lucas, Victoria. "'Political stunt after political stunt': Tensions flare as Goochland Schools appoints new superintendent after sudden firing". abc8 News. WRIC. Retrieved May 17, 2025.

PAC References

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  1. ^ "School Board candidates are standing strong!". Middle Resolution. Middle Resolution PAC. August 22, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  2. ^ "Middle Resolution PAC". Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "Moses for Goochland County School Board - Lucy". Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
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