Dr. Cecil Snead, superintendent of Buckingham County Public Schools (BCPS), will soon take a new post with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Snead and OCPS confirmed.

Snead’s last day with BCPS will be June 30.

Orange County has an estimated population of 36,073, according to the U.S. Census population estimation in 2017, nine schools and a Head Start program, which Snead will also oversee in his new position.

According to a news release from OCPS, the Orange County School Board appointed Snead during its April 30 called meeting and work session.

School Board Chairman Sherrie Page, according to the release, said, “After considering many qualified candidates we are pleased to have selected Dr. Snead. We believe that his experiences make him focused and well-suited to lead Orange County Public Schools.”

Snead said he has been with BCPS since August 2012, working to create major changes within instruction, technology, transportation and facilities within the school division.

“We have created processes and procedures that will enable us to maximize sustainability,” Snead said in a statement. “We have achieved this by creating strategic plans vetted by committee and stakeholder input. We have created stronger partnerships with (University of Virginia) UVA and Longwood that directly benefit students and teachers. Most tangibly, we have been able to add or bolster student-centric programs and extracurricular programs that meet the needs and talents of our students, such as our 1:1 computer device to student ratio, welding, agriculture, dual enrollment opportunities, reading programs, middle school athletics, theatre, the first Buckingham County Education Foundation, and the list grows.”

Snead said BCPS is creating an action plan to find a new superintendent.

Snead has worked in education for decades, teaching mathematics and computer science in Floyd and Montgomery Counties, serving as director in Roanoke County Public Schools, and earning his doctorate from Virginia Tech before coming to Buckingham County, according to the release.

During Snead’s time at the school division, according to the release, BCPS earned its inaugural AdvancED district-wide accreditation, “suggesting that the school system’s procedures and practices are structured and sound for growth and success,” the release cited.

Snead also serves on the steering committee for the newly founded Small and Rural Schools Coalition in addition to the UVA K-12 Advisory, the Virginia School Consortium for Learning, and the Virginia High School League, according to the release.

Snead said he enjoys working with administration and students, and said the changes that have taken place over the past few years is expected to serve future students.

“I love the students and people with whom I’ve been able to build real trust,” Snead said. “My strong belief in creating authentic relationships is paramount before one can initiate positive change. It’s my sincere belief that we have developed those strong connections within the school system and throughout the community that will bear fruitful results in future years while continuing our traditions of students finding post secondary opportunities in the armed forces, workforce and universities such as Longwood, (James Madison University) JMU, Harvard (University), Virginia Tech, Liberty (University), (the College of) William & Mary, and UVA (just to name a few).” Snead said.

“My sincere love for the students, staff, school board, and community will always remain strong in my heart,” Snead said.