Roanoke Schools Hire Firm for Superintendent Search
The school board voted Wednesday to retain an Omaha-based search firm as Superintendent Verletta White prepares to retire in June 2027.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Administration
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The Roanoke School Board voted Wednesday to hire McPherson & Jacobson LLC, an Omaha, Nebraska-based firm, to help find a new superintendent. Superintendent Verletta White announced in June that she will retire in June 2027.
Why it matters
The search marks the start of planning for the division's leadership after White's tenure, and School Board Chair Franny Apel described it as an important first step in shaping the division's future. The firm previously worked with Roanoke schools in 2019 and 2020, giving it prior familiarity with the district.
The firm will recruit candidates, screen applicants, engage stakeholders, and evaluate candidates before checking references and supporting final interviews and contract negotiations. The division has not disclosed the terms of the agreement, including cost.
The players
Verletta White
Roanoke's superintendent of schools, who announced in June that she will retire in June 2027 after joining the division in July 2020.
Franny Apel
Chair of the Roanoke School Board, who described the superintendent search as an important first step in determining the division's future leadership.
McPherson & Jacobson LLC
An Omaha, Nebraska-based executive search firm that previously worked with Roanoke schools in 2019 and 2020 and was hired to conduct the superintendent search.
The details
The board's vote Wednesday authorizes McPherson & Jacobson to recruit and screen candidates, engage community stakeholders, and evaluate applicants. The firm will also check references and backgrounds for finalists and plan the transition to the new superintendent.
Timeline
2019-2020: McPherson & Jacobson previously worked with Roanoke schools.
July 2020: Verletta White began her tenure as superintendent.
June: White announced her retirement.
Wednesday: The school board voted to hire the search firm.
June 2027: White's retirement takes effect.
Seasonal Patterns
Hiring an outside search firm to replace a superintendent mirrors the district's own 2020 hiring of White, after which the division returned to the same consultant for its next leadership transition. The pattern of recurring outside searches is a recognizable pattern in Virginia school districts facing retirements.
Parents and residents tracking Roanoke schools can expect the superintendent search to unfold over the coming months, with leadership changing when White retires in June 2027. The lack of disclosed contract terms means the cost of the search to taxpayers is not yet known.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in public school districts are planned years ahead, and the search process now underway in Roanoke sets the direction for the division after White's departure. Residents interested in the outcome can follow future board meetings for updates on candidates and contract terms.
Further reading
For more on how school districts structure leadership transitions, see Administration coverage in Roanoke.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Roanoke Times.
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