Williamsburg-James City County Schools’ Chief Financial Officer Scott Burckbuchler will leave the division in June to become the next superintendent of Essex County Schools.
Burckbuchler’s position in WJCC schools will be posted soon and advertised nationally, according to WJCC spokesperson Betsy Overkamp-Smith. Superintendent Steve Constantino said Burckbuchler has been a “huge asset” to the division.
“He has filled a number of positions within the division, including as interim superintendent, and has always ably faced any challenge,” Constantino said. “I am pleased that we will continue to benefit from Scott’s leadership as we work to build this year’s budget.”
Burckbuchler wrote a letter to his new division, posted on the Essex County Schools’ website Feb. 11. In the letter, he commends the School Board for its genuine concern for the community, and plans to create “Pathways to Excellence” for the school system.
“Following my arrival in June, we will collectively expand upon the notion of ‘Pathways to Excellence,’” he wrote. “From my perspective, excellence means that we build upon our successes to create a system which fosters a student-centered continuous improvement model that meets the academic, athletic, artistic and vocational needs of all our students.”
Burckbuchler replaces Joseph Melvin, who resigned from Essex County Schools on Oct. 17 to accept a position as superintendent of Petersburg City Schools. Since November, Gail Pope served as acting superintendent.
Essex County Schools, located on the Middle Peninsula, enroll 1,628 students in three schools: Tappahannock Elementary School, Essex Intermediate School and Essex High School.
Burckbuchler came to WJCC in 2005 from Norfolk Public Schools, where he served as senior director of budget. In 2010, he served as Acting Superintendent for the division following the departure of Gary Mathews, and applied to become superintendent, but the job went to Steven Constantino. In 2011, he was one of 43 candidates who applied to become superintendent of Lee County Schools in Florida.
“I have appreciated all the opportunities afforded to me by WJCC,” he said Wednesday. “I have many special memories and wish the system the very best.”
WJCC School Board Chair Ruth Larson praised Burckbuchler’s leadership in a tough economy. “Scott has helped move WJCC toward premier, and we will miss him. His ability to manage our budget during tough fiscal times has enabled our division to focus on our priorities and minimally affect our students and our classrooms,” she said, adding he has worked to establish a positive working relationship with the city of Williamsburg and James City County. “I thank him for his service and congratulate Essex County for making a wise decision.”
