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Commending Ken Nicely, Ed.D.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, Ken Nicely, Ed.D., superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools, who has served the division's students and families with the utmost devotion for the past 33 years, retires in 2026; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS), Ken Nicely was a founding teacher and director of an international school in Managua, Nicaragua, that continues to thrive to this day; and
WHEREAS, Ken Nicely began his career with RCPS in 1993 as a Spanish teacher at Cave Spring High School, earning the Virginia Foreign Language Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Ken Nicely transitioned to education administration in 2002, serving first as assistant principal at Hidden Valley Middle School and then becoming the school's principal four years later; during his tenure, the school received a prestigious recognition from the National Forum Schools to Watch program; and
WHEREAS, Ken Nicely was promoted to district leadership as the director of secondary instruction and technology in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the director of administration in 2016, assistant superintendent of administration in 2018, and the 16th superintendent of RCPS later that year; and
WHEREAS, Ken Nicely's signature achievement from his leadership of RCPS is the development and implementation of the C-Change Framework, the division's comprehensive educational philosophy, and the Opportunity Ready graduate program, which challenges students to achieve deep learning through student-led conferences and senior portfolio defenses; and
WHEREAS, as a result of Ken Nicely's efforts, the C-Change Framework has received state and national recognition, including an Innovative Practice Exemplar Award from the Virginia Board of Education and the inclusion of RCPS in the Carnegie Foundation's Future of High School Network in 2025; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished, 33-year career with RCPS, Ken Nicely worked tirelessly to support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of his students and has been a steadfast advocate and champion for the division's teachers and staff; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Ken Nicely, Ed.D., on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ken Nicely, Ed.D., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to Roanoke County and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.