Roanoke City Schools adds new assistant superintendent

Matt Hurt will be the division’s assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.

Matt Hurt

Annie McCallum | 981-3227

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Roanoke City Public Schools central office has several new faces, including a new assistant superintendent.

School system officials recently filled three high-level vacancies and introduced some of the new staffers during a joint school board and city council meeting Monday.

While the personnel moves still need school board approval, several administrators have already started work including Matt Hurt, the division’s new assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.

Hurt, 40, comes to Roanoke from Wise County schools, where he was the system’s director of curriculum and instruction. Hurt takes over for Vella Wright, who retired last month, and will have a base salary of about $112,000. He started last week.

Hurt’s career in education began in Wise County at Powell Valley Middle and High School where he became a special education teacher in 1997. Hurt said that while growing up he had a cousin near his age with significant disabilities, which steered him toward special education.

“K-12 education is very near and dear to my heart,” Hurt said during a phone interview Monday. “I want to serve the people of Roanoke city with the greatest amount of distinction I can.”

He worked as a classroom teacher until 2002 when he became an assistant principal. He later landed administrative positions in the system’s central office.

Hurt has a bachelor’s degree in history from Clinch Valley College and a master’s degree in education leadership from Radford University. He completed his doctorate in education leadership from East Tennessee State University last year.

Hurt, a Wise County native, said he came to Roanoke to further his career and because the larger area has more opportunities for his young family. Hurt and his wife have a 4-year-old daughter.

“In Wise County we are far away from things little girls like to do,” he said, citing gymnastics and swimming offerings, for instance, and adding there will also be greater job and educational opportunities for his daughter in Roanoke. “She’s full of life.”

While Hurt has started work, he said his family is still in Wise County. They are currently house hunting. He said he’s been quickly getting to know people within the school system and hopes to have more face-to-face meetings with staffers.

In addition to Hurt, officials have also filled several other positions.

Monterey Elementary School Principal Greg Johnston has been tapped to serve as the division’s executive director for K-5 education, replacing Seydric Williams. Superintendent Rita Bishop said Williams left after his wife received a job at Duke University.

Yolanda Conaway-Wood, who was not present at Monday’s joint meeting and will begin work next week, will be the system’s executive director for student support services. Conaway-Wood currently serves as supervisor of counseling programs and social work services for Stafford County schools.

Bishop said Conaway-Wood takes the place of Asia Jones, who has taken a job with Loudoun County schools.

The school board is expected to vote on the personnel appointments Aug. 13.

Monday, August 12, 2013