After serving as a principal in Spotsylvania County for 26 years, Deborah Frazier is moving into the central office of Spotsylvania County Public Schools.
Frazier, the longtime Chancellor Middle School principal, was appointed the school division’s chief academic officer during the closed session of Monday night’s school board meeting.
Frazier is also in her second term serving as the Salem District representative on the county’s board of supervisors. In 2019, she became the first Black supervisor elected in Spotsylvania’s history.
“Dr. Frazier’s extensive instructional experience and institutional knowledge will be a tremendous asset for the division as we implement the instructional changes from the Virginia Department of Education,” Superintendent Clint Mitchell said. “Her community and state connections will continue to make positive impacts for our students and families.”
Frazier holds a doctorate in administration and educational leadership from Walden University, a master’s in leadership and supervision from Furman University and a bachelor’s in education from South Carolina State University. She previously taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington and at Shenandoah University in professional graduate studies.
She said in a press release that she is looking forward to the new role.
“Together, we can embrace positive change, be unified in our actions, and seize every moment to make a difference in the lives of our children as well as our community,” Frazier said. “I look forward to continuing to serve Spotsylvania County Public Schools as the chief academic officer.”
As the principal of Chancellor Middle, Frazier guided the school to full accreditation in one year. She also helped to establish partnerships with area businesses, mentored students and developed programs to increase student achievement. As the principal of Harrison Road Elementary for 15 years, the school received the Governor’s VIP Competence to Excellence Award, the Board of Education Excellence Award and the Title I Distinguished Award.
The school division will now seek to hire or promote a replacement for Frazier. Mitchell told the Free Press that the goal is to have a new Chancellor Middle principal in place by Sept. 3.
“Division leadership will be supporting the transition process with Dr. Frazier while they also work on fulfilling any anticipated vacancies in the division,” School Board Chair Lorita Daniels said. “Since last night’s board approval, I anticipate that division leadership will start working on a transition plan.”
Frazier will work alongside the newly hired Mitchell, who began his term last Thursday.
Former Interim Superintendent Kelly Guempel will return to his role as deputy superintendent. Guempel was previously the chief academic officer but will now be the chief of schools, along with his deputy superintendent title. Guempel has worked in public education for the past 28 years, including 11 as a teacher and the past 17 as an administrator.
