Isle of WIght County’s School Board voted unanimously on March 10 to approve a personnel report naming Dr. Christopher Coleman to the newly created position of assistant superintendent of administration, finance and operations next school year.

Coleman currently serves as the school system’s executive director of school administration and operations. In December, the county’s School Board approved a proposal by Superintendent Dr. Jim Thornton to streamline Isle of Wight County Schools’ central office by eliminating all executive director positions.

In his new role, Coleman will supervise the school system’s chief financial officer and director-level positions in support services, human resources and technology.

Thornton and Isle of Wight’s current assistant superintendent, Mike Lombardo, both intend to retire at the end of the current school year. Coleman’s promotion will place him third in line to Thornton’s successor under the new chain of leadership.

Coleman joined Isle of Wight County Schools in 2018 after serving as a principal with Brunswick County Public Schools.