Goochland County Public Schools
Goochland County Public Schools is a school district which serves Goochland County, Virginia, United States. It is based in Goochland, Virginia. The school division has five schools, each of which have been named Apple Distinguished Schools, 2019–2021.
History
In 1973, Pearl P. Randolph, the first black member of the Goochland County School Board, submitted a suggestion to improve school bus safety in a contest held by the Wayne Corporation of Richmond, Indiana. Her winning entry, installing sound baffles in the ceilings, resulted in Goochland Country receiving a new Lifeguard school bus.In September 1994, then superintendent Harold Absher went on voluntary leave from his position under unclear circumstances.
In November 2009, the district's superintendent posted an FAQ on its website about the potential effects of budget cuts on services. It noted that some things, such as maximum class sizes, are mandated by state or federal law or policy, but other things including athletics are not. "Right now, everything that isn’t mandated or required by the state or federal government is being considered," the page said.
In 2017, then superintendent, James Lane was named the Virginia Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of Superintendents.
2023 Comment, Censure, and Lawsuit
In 2023, then vice Chair Angela Allen posted a comment on her school board Facebook page regarding the District's policy on bathroom access for transgender students. In response to community pressure, the other 4 Board members formally censured Allen at the May 2023 Board meeting. In August 2023, Allen filed a defamation lawsuit against the other 4 members. In June 2024, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice finding that the Censure did not amount to defamation.2025 Superintendent firing
On April 1, 2025, African-American superintendent Dr. Michael Cromartie was fired without cause after holding the role for fewer than two years. One week later on April 8, 2025, the School Board announced Dr. Andy Armstrong, who is white, would be replacing Dr. Cromartie as superintendent. After the School Board declined to articulate specific reasons for the change, local community members insinuated the replacement was due to race.Schools
The district operates the following schools:- Byrd Elementary School
- Goochland Elementary School
- Randolph Elementary School
- Goochland Middle School
- Goochland High School
Leadership
The superintendent is Dr. Andrew "Andy" Armstrong.School Board
The Goochland Country School Board consists of five members. As of May 2025, they are:- District 1: L. Meredith Moses
- District 2: Karen M. Wirsing
- District 3: Angela S. Allen
- District 4: Michelle F. Maxwell
- District 5: M. Ellen Robinson
All 5 members were endorsed as a slate in 2023 by the Middle Resolution, a Republican Advocacy political action committee. Virginia public access records show that the committee for Board Chair Lucy Meredith Moses's school board candidacy received $8,092 in self-funding, $1500 from the Republican Party - Goochland County, and $500 from the Republican Party - 5th Congressional District.