Manassas School Board Names New Superintendent of Schools
May 8, 2018…The School Board of the City of Manassas has appointed Dr. Kevin D. Newman as the new superintendent of Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS). The announcement was made at the board’s May 8 regular meeting. After completing a nationwide search, the school board selected Newman to replace Dr. Catherine Magouyrk, who will be retiring at the end of June.
The search, conducted by the Virginia School Boards Association, garnered nearly 50 applications from potential candidates interested in becoming the next superintendent of schools. According to Sanford S. Williams, chairman of the school board, Newman, who currently serves as superintendent of Colonial Beach Public Schools, effectively presented himself as ready to take the school division to the next level. “We were impressed with his commitment to work with a diverse student population, his passion for students and staff, and his high expectations for student achievement,” said Williams. “We also received great reports about his commitment and integrity from everyone we spoke to about him.”
Newman, who will assume his new role July 2, says he is eager to get started. “I am very excited for the opportunity to work for a diverse school division that is deeply rooted in a STEM curriculum, providing contextual instruction for all students, he said. “During my brief visit to the schools, I was pleased to see the passion that the administrators have towards the development of a safe and secure learning environment, which promotes rigor and relevance.”
Newman, a native of the Northern Neck of Virginia, served the first six years of his educational career as a high school health and physical education teacher and special education teacher. In 2005, he became an assistant principal at the middle school level in Rockingham County, a position he held for a year before joining the Colonial Beach public school system as principal of its elementary school. During his tenure, the school earned recognition as a 2011 Governor’s School of Excellence. In 2014, Newman joined King George Public Schools as principal of the middle school, leading them to full accreditation status.
Following his stint in King George, Newman returned to Colonial Beach as its new superintendent, a position he has held for the last four years. In addition to the daily demands of leading the school division, he worked to renew pride in the community after the division’s lone elementary school was destroyed by arson. He also implemented effective instructional strategies to move the division from school improvement status to being fully accredited for three consecutive years.
As he prepares to transition to Manassas City, Newman says he is ready to work with all stakeholders in the pursuit of high academic achievement for all students. “I look forward to carrying on the tradition of success already established in Manassas City Public Schools with a school board that is committed to and who understands the need for equity, and that is embraced by a supportive and collaborative community,” he said. “My family and I are extremely appreciative of the opportunity to become a part of Manassas City.”
Newman is a graduate of Bridgewater College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. He earned a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix and his doctoral degree in educational leadership from Virginia Tech. He currently serves as the executive superintendent of the Northern Neck Alternative Program and as vice-chair and secretary of the Virginia School Consortium for Learning. He is actively involved with the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Newman and his wife, Angela have two children and will reside in the City of Manassas.