Bill Text: VA SR40 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Donna Whitley-Smith.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-22 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR40ER) [SR40 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SR40-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Donna Whitley-Smith, an experienced and respected educator who has touched the lives of countless students, will retire as superintendent of Page County Public Schools on June 30, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Fairfax County, Donna Whitley-Smith earned a bachelor's degree from Madison College in 1975 and a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Donna Whitley-Smith began her career in education in 1975 as a teacher at Grove Hill Elementary School, where she taught fourth through seventh grade; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Donna Whitley-Smith was appointed assistant principal at Luray Elementary School; she became the school's principal the following year and continued to serve in that role until 2004, when she became Page County Public Schools' assistant superintendent for instruction; and
WHEREAS, Donna Whitley-Smith became acting superintendent of Page County Public Schools in August 2014, and her tenure as superintendent began the following month; and
WHEREAS, under Donna Whitley-Smith's diligent leadership, Page County Public Schools has established strong lines of communication, set new standards for teaching excellence, and recorded one of the highest graduation rates in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, outside of her commitment to education, Donna Whitley-Smith is a lifelong animal lover who has been active in the Page County SPCA and the organizations Page Paws and Cat's Cradle; and
WHEREAS, during her more than 40-year career in education, Donna Whitley-Smith has maintained the highest standards of leadership and personal integrity and has served as a role model for her students and her fellow teachers and administrative personnel; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Donna Whitley-Smith hereby be commended on her distinguished career in education on the occasion of her retirement as superintendent of Page County Public Schools; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donna Whitley-Smith as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her years of service and best wishes for a well-deserved retirement.
