Frederick County School Board approves personnel actions, introduces new administrators

The Frederick County School Board on July 23 unanimously approved personnel actions recommended in a closed session and publicly introduced several newly hired administrators for Frederick County Public Schools.

Board members voted to enter closed session to review appointments, declined offers, resignations and support-staff hires under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1). After reconvening, the board certified by roll call that only matters identified in the motion had been discussed and then approved the superintendent’s recommended personnel actions by voice vote.

The board and superintendent introduced the new administrators at the meeting. Dr. Hummer presented the slate and summarized each appointee’s experience before they were welcomed to the dais.

The appointees and their roles announced at the meeting: • Lori Smith — supervisor of payroll, Finance. Smith, with FCPS since 2016, has served in human resources and finance roles and holds an associate degree from Lord Fairfax Community College and a bachelor’s in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. (Presented by Dr. Hummer.)

• Amy Ytzen — assistant principal, James Wood Middle School. Ytzen has taught in FCPS since 2021 and previously worked in Fairfax County Public Schools; she holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in education from Virginia Tech and an administrative leadership certificate from James Madison University. She told the board she is “very excited to take on this new endeavor” and to give back to the community.

• Rita Merriner — principal, James Wood Middle School. Merriner has served in FCPS since 2001 in student support roles and as an assistant principal; she holds graduate degrees from George Mason University. Merriner said she is “beyond excited to return across the parking lot to James Wood Middle School.”

• Ben Thompson — assistant superintendent for administration. Thompson, presented as having 11 years with FCPS and prior roles including principal and assistant director of student support services, said he was “incredibly honored and humbled to stand before you today as your new assistant superintendent for administration” and emphasized prioritizing students and supporting staff.

• Kristen Campbell — executive director of human resources. Campbell was introduced from her prior FCPS HR leadership roles and earlier HR positions in higher education and school divisions; she holds HR professional certifications and expressed thanks to the selection committee and board.

• George Bishop — career and technical education (CTE) supervisor. Bishop joins from Loudoun County Public Schools and brings two decades-plus classroom experience in technology and engineering education and prior college instruction; he thanked the board and said the position felt like “coming home to a family reunion.”

• Madison Maynard — assistant principal, Jordan Springs Elementary. Maynard returns to FCPS after prior counseling roles in several divisions and holds degrees in child development and school counseling; she said she is “so excited to be back at Jordan Springs and Frederick County Public Schools.”

Following the introductions the board announced its next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was then adjourned.

The meeting record shows the board moved into closed session specifically to consider personnel matters under the cited Virginia statute, reconvened with a full roll-call certification, and then moved to approve the personnel recommendations. The transcript records applause for each appointee and brief remarks from several of the new administrators.