Lynchburg school board appoints Dr. Christy Somerville Midgette as superintendent; starts July 1
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Summary
After a multi-month search and closed-session finalist review, the Lynchburg City School Board voted to appoint Dr. Christy Somerville Midgette as the system's next superintendent; she will begin July 1 and work with the current superintendent on a transition plan.
The Lynchburg City School Board appointed Dr. Christy Somerville Midgette as the district's next superintendent Tuesday after a multi-month search and finalist review.
The board voted by roll call after a motion by board member Dr. Tinsley to appoint Dr. Midgette. The motion was seconded by multiple members and carried in a recorded vote: Mr. Connor, Mr. Andrews, Dr. Day, Dr. Gupta, Mrs. Preston, Mr. DePaul, Ms. Lowry and Dr. Tinsley voted yes; Mr. Gillio voted no. Dr. Midgette's official start date is July 1.
The appointment caps a search process that produced 27 applicants and included stakeholder meetings, background checks and in-person finalist interviews. Dr. Tinsley, co-chair of the ad hoc search committee, reviewed the timeline of the committee's work, saying the committee first met Sept. 16, 2024, posted a superintendent job announcement Jan. 31, 2025, and closed applications Feb. 27. She said the committee interviewed four finalists in late April and made a tentative offer April 30.
Board member Dr. Day described the board's impressions of the finalist pool and told the board, "She has both bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Lynchburg with an emphasis on special education. She also has a Ph.D. from Liberty University." Day added that Midgette brought 16 years of administrative experience in Virginia and seven years as a superintendent in Brunswick County.
Dr. Midgette told the board she is "deeply personal" about the work and that Lynchburg shaped her career. "It is truly an incredible honor to be here tonight as your next superintendent for Lynchburg City Schools," she said, adding that she completed student teaching in Lynchburg and looks forward to meeting students, families, faculty, staff and community leaders as she transitions into the role.
Until July 1, Dr. Midgette will finalize a transition plan and work with Interim Superintendent Dr. Copeland, the board said. The board conducted closed sessions during the search to review finalists and completed background checks through the search firm McPherson & Jacobson.
The vote was preceded by public statements from the ad hoc search committee and by board discussion about finalists' credentials and leadership experience. The board did not discuss contract terms in the public session.
The appointment is an administrative action of the school board; no separate statutory citations or external approvals were mentioned during the public meeting.
