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Roanoke County School Board names new HR director

Rebecca Eastwood will direct Roanoke County Schools’ human resources office.

Rebecca Eastwood

Annie McCallum | 981-3227

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Roanoke County School Board named a new director of human resources during a called meeting today.

Rebecca Eastwood, the system’s current director of elementary instruction and technology, was named to the post. She will fill the role of Carol Whitaker, assistant superintendent of personnel, who plans to retire Sept. 1.

Board members unanimously signed off on the personnel measure during a brief morning meeting.

Superintendent Lorraine Lange said replacing an assistant superintendent with a director was not a cost saving measure. She said it’s typical to begin as a director.

Whitaker receives an annual compensation of $124,000. Eastwood will earn $105,430.

Whitaker, who recently announced her retirement, will be on hand to assist with hiring personnel for next school year.

“That’s one of the main reasons I requested to the board Sept. 1,” Whitaker said. “I wanted to stay for the opening of school.”

Whitaker has been with Roanoke County Schools for 17 years and has been assistant superintendent of personnel since 2009.

She started her career in education as a teacher and has worked in school systems in Rockbridge and Carroll counties. When she first came to Roanoke County she initially served as director of pupil personnel services.

Eastwood, who will formally begin her new role July 1, has been in her current position for four years. She started in Roanoke County in 1989 as teacher. She also has served as principal at Mountain View Elementary School and as an assistant principal at Herman L. Horn Elementary School.

Eastwood said she’s excited about the new opportunity.

“The good thing is I’ll be here for the new person here,” she said referring to whoever will replace her.

Schools officials anticipated posting an opening for Eastwood’s current position immediately.

Saturday, September 14, 2013