Southampton County school board appoints new division superintendent, ends acting superintendent's term

After meeting in closed session under the Code of Virginia, the Southampton County School Board on Tuesday appointed a new division superintendent and authorized the board chair to finalize the employment agreement.

Dr. Tindall moved "that this school board appoint the chosen candidate discussed in closed session as the division superintendent of Southampton County Public Schools, effective 06/29/2026," and asked the chair to execute the employment contract on behalf of the board. The motion was seconded and carried on a recorded voice vote, after the board certified that the closed meeting complied with state law.

The board also voted to end the appointment of Dr. Shonda Harris Mohammed as acting superintendent "without cause pursuant to her employment agreement" and applicable Virginia code, effective 06/28/2026. Dr. Tindall read the statutory certification required after a closed meeting and moved the termination action; the motion passed. Board members thanked Dr. Harris Mohammed for her work during the transition period.

The board cited the statutory process for handling personnel matters in closed session under the Code of Virginia and read a certification on the public record that the closed meeting had been conducted in conformity with the law.

Next steps: the chair will execute the new superintendent's employment agreement and the board said it will reconvene in closed session later in the meeting for any additional personnel business.

Sources: board motions and the certification read aloud at the meeting.