The Roanoker - July/August 2021 - 88

Leadership Under
Unusual Circumstances
written by Aila Boyd * Botetourt County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Russ
tackles his new role - and unusual situation of education during a pandemic - with gusto.
W
hile others were struggling to simply
maintain a semblance of normalcy last
summer, life-long educator Dr. Jonathan
Russ decided to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
Botetourt County Public Schools had been without a
permanent leader since April and cases of COVID19
were on the rise in the county when he relocated
from Fredericksburg to steering the division of 4,300
students through uncharted territory.
As counterintuitive as it may seem, Russ wasn't
anxious about facing the challenge head-on.
" I was new coming in as a superintendent, but
being a superintendent during a pandemic was a
new experience for everyone, " he says. " Being a
superintendent during the pandemic is difficult, but
so is every other position in this profession. "
Going in, his goal was to provide stability to the
parents, students, faculty and staff whose world had
been turned upside down ever since all 12 schools
in the division shifted to remote learning.
" Dr. Russ was hired in the height of planning for
the new school year. Tensions were high and there
were many unknowns about COVID-19. His calm
demeanor and problem solving skills helped our
school division move forward with a school schedule
and protocols to keep students and staff safe, while
continuing education, " Anna Weddle, chair of the
Botetourt County School Board, says. " Dr. Russ
is easy-going and pleasant to work with but never
hesitates to make quick decisions as a leader. He
actively attends school events and is getting to
know this community as much as possible during a
pandemic. Our school board is thrilled to have Dr.
Russ at the helm of the division and we look forward
to working with him for many years. "
Despite having 30 years' worth of experience in
education, this is his first superintendent position.
Russ spent the first two years of his career as a
middle school math teacher, before moving to the
secondary level where he taught math for another
six years. His first administrative role was as a high
school assistant principal, which he did for two
years before spending five-and-a-half years at a
middle school in a similar role. He then worked as
a principal at an elementary school.
His first division-wide role was as director of
assessment and accountability, followed by time
working as director of human resources. Prior to
arriving in Botetourt, he held the title of deputy
superintendent for Fredericksburg City Schools.
" My goal was to become a superintendent. As
I moved through the ranks of assistant principal,
principal and central office, my goal didn't change.
My experience in those positions reaffirmed my
desire of wanting to become a superintendent, " he
says.
88 JULY/AUGUST 2021
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The Roanoker - July/August 2021

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