Chesapeake Public Schools has a new superintendent.
Doug Brubaker, who has more than 30 years of experience as an educator, was confirmed as the division’s next leader. He was serving as superintendent of the Texarkana Independent School District. Texarkana is in the northeast corner of Texas near the Arkansas border.
“I’m looking forward to coming here and getting started and getting to know the people, the school division and students,” Brubaker said. “This school division has such a strong reputation and achieves such strong outcomes with students that you want to just come in and learn why things are working so well and help contribute to that.”
The board voted 5-4 during its Monday night meeting. Board members Malia Huddle, Norman Pool, Amanda Quillin and Angela Swygert voted no but did not share comments during the board’s discussion.
Brubaker is one of the division’s only superintendents who did not rise through the internal ranks, Board Member John McCormick said during the meeting.
Board President Kim Scott said during the interview process that it was hard to imagine someone less familiar with Chesapeake taking the position. But she was impressed by Brubaker’s background, especially his work planning for a pre-K and a career center at his previous district.
“He has the experience and he has the heart,” she said. “The Board has made a good choice and Chesapeake is in good hands. He’s going to protect our legacy and continue moving us forward in the right direction.”
The division began its search after Jared Cotton, who joined the district as leader in 2018, announced his retirement in October.
The board first called for applications in February, interviewed candidates in April and extended its application period for two weeks in May. The board announced it selected a superintendent on June 29 and began contract negotiations before confirming Brubaker.
WHRO has requested a copy of Brubaker’s superintendent contract but did not receive a copy before publication.
Brubaker said he is working on an entry plan for his transition.
“We know that this is a terrific place where teaching and learning is top-notch,” he told board members. “My goal as the incoming leader is to spend a lot of time talking to the parents, the staff members, the students, the community supporters — all of whom work so hard to make this the terrific place that it is.”
Brubaker has served as a superintendent in Texarkana since 2021. He described his leadership style as open and collaborative.
Under his direction, some of the district’s highest-poverty schools showed sustained academic gains, Chesapeake Schools spokesperson Rachel Haywood said in a news release. He helped pass a levy program that funded projects, including a new pre-K center and a career and technology center.
Before that, he served as superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools in Arkansas. He also has been a teacher, principal and district leader.
Brubaker has a doctorate from the University of North Texas, a master’s in elementary education and a bachelor’s in political science.
Outside of the boardroom, Brubaker said he and his wife, Heather, and teenage daughter like to travel and read.
Chesapeake Public Schools is a member of the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, which holds WHRO’s license.
