Robert R. Spillane

Dr. Robert R. "Bud" Spillane was the superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system from 1985 to 1997.

Early life and education

Spillane took his bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and began his career as a sixth-grade teacher in 1956.[1] He took both his master's degree in 1959 and his Ph.D. in 1967 from the University of Connecticut's Neag School.[2]

Career

In 1960, at the age of 25, Spillane became the principal of a school in Chaplin, Connecticut.[3] At the time, he was the youngest principal in the entire state.[3]

Spillane continued his move upwards through the administrative ranks, accepting positions in Trumbull and Darien, Connecticut, before finally becoming the superintendent of Glassboro, New Jersey's public schools in 1966.[3][4]

After Glassboro, Spillane served as superintendent for school systems in Roosevelt and New Rochelle, New York.[3]

In 1978, Spillane became deputy state commissioner of elementary and secondary education for the state of New York.[3]

Following the death of Superintendent Paul Kennedy in March 1981, Spillane was appointed superintendent of the Boston Public Schools system in June and took over in August.[1][3][5]

Spillane took office as superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system on July 1, 1985.[1]

When the Fairfax County School Board declined to renew Spillane's contract beyond June of 1998, Spillane announced his retirement in spring of 1997.[6] Spillane left the system on September 10.[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fishman, Charles. "'Velvet Hammer': Fairfax's Next School Superintendent Is Described as Congenial but Tough." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 63. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1995). Feb 25 1985. Web. 9 June 2012.
  2. "Dr. Robert R. Spillane `59, `67." University of Connecticut Alumni Association. UConn Alumni Association. Web. 09 June 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Nelson, Adam R. "Compelling Better Results? 1980-1985." The Elusive Ideal: Equal Educational Opportunity and the Federal Role in Boston's Public Schools, 1950-1985. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2005. 215-17. Print.
  4. "Spillane Resigns School Post." The Norwalk Hour 27 July 1966: 3.
  5. "Boston School Chief, 53, Dies of a Heart Attack." New York Times (1923-Current file): 15. Mar 28 1981. ProQuest. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Benning, Victoria. "New Year, New Worry; Spillane's Exit Raises Concerns." The Washington Post: V.01. National Newspapers Core. Aug 28 1997. Web. 9 June 2012.
Preceded by
William J. Burkholder
Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools
1985 - 1997
Succeeded by
Daniel A. Domenech