Chesapeake City Councilwoman Dr. Ella Ward makes history with Board of Education tenure

Chesapeake City Councilwoman Dr. Ella P. Ward made history last month for when she was honored for having served the longest term of elected office in the 140-year history of the Virginia Board of Education. Dr. Ward was given a special proclamation for having served on the Virginia Board of Education for eight consecutive years while serving as an elected official in the City of Chesapeake at the same time. She was also elected for four consecutive terms as vice president of the Board of Education, having served in that capacity from 2006 to 2011.

Dr. Ward was first appointed to a four-year term on the Board by former Governor Mark Warner in 2003, and she was reappointed to a second four-year term by Governor Tim Kaine in January 2007. She was elected to the Chesapeake School Board in 2000, re-elected in 2004, elected to City Council in 2006, and re-elected to Chesapeake City Council in 2010.

Dr. Ward was recognized by the Board and the State Superintendent for her Legacy of service which has led to vastly improved Standards of Quality, Standards of Accreditation, academic standards, and teacher licensure standards. Dr. Ward has earned respect and admiration for her public service that will remain of vital importance to public education in the Commonwealth.

We congratulate Dr. Ward on this honor.