WHEREAS, James T. Roberts, Ph.D., an experienced educator and public school administrator who has supported and inspired students throughout Hampton Roads, retired as superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools after more than two decades of outstanding service to the school district; and

WHEREAS, a passionate lifelong learner, James Roberts earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Old Dominion University, where he was named the Social Studies Graduate Student of the Year in 1974; he was inspired to serve the community by his parents, a public school cafeteria worker and a public transportation bus driver; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts began his nearly 50-year career in public education in 1969 as a social studies teacher at I. C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth; he went on to serve as a department chair at Woodrow Wilson High School and was promoted to his first administrative position in 1979 when he became assistant principal of Manor High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, Dr. Roberts joined Portsmouth Public Schools as a management research analyst; he subsequently served as director of personnel, director of budget, and director of business affairs; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Dr. Roberts brought his leadership and expertise to Chesapeake Public Schools as director of budget, where he developed and implemented the school board budget, assisted with program evaluation and planning functions for the school division, and was responsible for submitting state reports on student data and financial data; and

WHEREAS, from 2004 to 2010, Dr. Roberts served as assistant superintendent for personnel and support services; in this capacity, he ably managed all personnel responsibilities and oversaw information technology, school improvement planning, school nutrition services, instructional materials and textbooks, and data reporting; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts became superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools in 2010, assuming responsibility for all departments and schools; he worked tirelessly to monitor and implement state-required programs, support education advocacy efforts, and foster good communication between the school division, school faculty and staff members, parents, and the Chesapeake community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts believed every student was a "Masterpiece" and was committed to building strong personal relationships based on trust and mutual respect to ensure that the voice of every child under his care was heard and every child was able to achieve success both in and out of the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts has also inspired young men and women throughout the Commonwealth as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts has offered his wise leadership to the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, the American Association of School Administrators, and other professional organizations at state and national levels; he is a sought-after presenter at workshops, conferences, and seminars; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts was a fierce and outspoken advocate for K-12 funding; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts was well respected by members of the General Assembly, who regularly and frequently conferred with him regarding his knowledge and expertise on K-12 funding, in particular, the respective Chairman and Committee members of the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Finance; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Roberts has earned numerous awards and accolades for his exceptional work, including the 2010 Darden College of Education Alumni Fellow award from Old Dominion University and the 2014 Region II Superintendent of the Year Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That James T. Roberts, Ph.D., hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to James T. Roberts, Ph.D., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his commitment to academic excellence and service to the Chesapeake community.