Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman last night was named the state's superintendent of the year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents during its annual conference in Roanoke.

"The board is not surprised but very happy and very proud of her and all the work she has done in Richmond," said School Board Vice Chairwoman Lisa Dawson.

Jewell-Sherman was honored by the group for academic improvements in the city during her six years in charge. During that time, the percentage of schools meeting state accreditation standards has risen from 18 percent to 84 percent.

"During the past several years, we have watched with pride in Deborah's accomplishments as she has improved her schools' accreditation rate," association President Don Ford said in a statement. "[She] has accomplished this through her inspiring leadership as she implemented her vision, raised expectations, involved her community and produced results under pressure of local politics and economic deficiencies."

She was also cited for accepting a performance-based contract when she became superintendent in 2002.

"We offer her our congratulations," said William J. Pantele, City Council president. "She took a job a lot of others wouldn't, and she agreed to key her compensation to performance. There is no question that Richmond Public Schools in that time period has improved significantly."

Mayor L. Douglas Wilder was not available for comment.

Jewell-Sherman announced a month ago that she would leave the system by the time her contract expires on June 30, 2009. That announcement, which she said came after a decision she made months earlier, came a week after Richmond's auditor released a report that detailed systemic failures in the school system's procurement and accounts-payable departments.

Jewell-Sherman was one of eight regional finalists chosen from among the state's 133 superintendents. As the winner, she is in the running for the national superintendent of the year honor awarded by the American Association of School Administrators.
Contact Zachary Reid at (804) 775-8179 or zreid@timesdispatch.com.