Surry County’s School Board voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to name Herbert Monroe III the county schools’ next superintendent.

Monroe received his doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech in 2012 and, since 2020, has served as assistant superintendent for Caroline County Public Schools. 

He also holds a master of education degree with administrative and supervisory PreK-12 endorsement from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed his bachelor of science degree in educational psychology and elementary education at Lock Haven University.

He will start his new position Oct. 7.

Monroe succeeds Serbrenia Sims, who retired June 30 after 17 years with SCPS, four as superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent Giron Wooden, who since July 9 has served as acting superintendent.

“I am truly honored to stand before you today as the newly appointed superintendent of schools for Surry County,” Monroe told the School Board. “This moment marks not just a personal milestone but a shared commitment to our collective mission of providing a safe learning environment that fosters academic excellence and prepares students to be productive citizens in a global society.”

“We welcome Dr. Monroe to Surry County Public Schools,” said School Board Chairwoman Laura Ruffin in a statement on the division’s Facebook page. “His enthusiasm, knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to the division and community.”

As assistant superintendent, and previously director of school leadership and improvement, for Caroline County, Monroe oversaw five schools with a divisionwide enrollment of 4,500 students during the 2023-24 school year. His 18 years in public education also include time as a high school and elementary principal in Henrico County and an assistant principal in Chesterfield County, both of which have more than 50,000 students enrolled divisionwide in their school systems.

Surry, by comparison, had just under 700 students enrolled across three schools last school year.

“Our quality connection, communication and collaboration will make us the small, but mighty, Surry Cougar Nation,” Monroe said.

Monroe cites his mother, Annette Monroe-Martin, and late father, Herbert T. Monroe Jr., who were both educators, for inspiring him to pursue his own career in public education. Monroe, in addition to his education career, worked for six years for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

“Education is the great equalizer,” Monroe said. “We must empower the next generation of learners, thinkers and leaders regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender or area code. All students can and will love to learn and we must promise to do everything possible to ensure our scholars are successful in school and in life.”

 Monroe will be sworn in on Sept. 30. A copy of Monroe’s contract was not immediately available.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story had referenced a meet-and-greet with Monroe. The meet-and-greet is for faculty and staff.