MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Following a nationwide search, Berkeley County Schools will have a new superintendent from a neighboring state.
Effective September 1, Dr. Patrick K. Murphy will take the reigns of one of West Virginia’s largest school systems.
“I’m really ready to get started,” Dr. Murphy said in an introductory video released to the public Monday.
Dr. Murphy has worked in education since 1988. He comes to the Eastern Panhandle after serving as superintendent of Arlington Public Schools in Virginia for 10 years.
Dr. Murphy has also worked for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, not far from the Eastern Panhandle.
In 2015, Dr. Murphy was named “Virginia Superintendent of the Year” and was a finalist for “2015 National Superintendent of the Year” by the School Superintendents Association.
Under his leadership, Arlington Public Schools earned a Medallion of Excellence from Virginia’s U.S. Senate Productivity Award program, among other accolades.
“I want to convey that I am very proud and excited to be joining your team,” Dr. Murphy said to Berkeley County in his introductory video. “I also want to begin to connect with our students and our staff, our families and our community members. Because I think that is a real important start to establishing a strong relationship.”
Dr. Murphy received his master’s and doctorate degree in educational administration from Virginia Tech. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from James Madison University.
“So if you see me out in the community in the summer months, please come up and introduce yourself,” Dr. Murphy said. “I’d love to meet you. I’d love to hear a little bit about what you think the future here looks like in Berkeley County Schools and how you can play a part.”
On Monday, the Berkeley County Board of Education approved Dr. Murphy’s four-year contract. Starting September 1, the contract includes a first-year salary of $198,000, $202,950 for the second year, $208,025 for the third year and $213,225 for the fourth year.
Chuck Hatfield, former superintendent for Putnam County Schools, is serving as interim Berkeley County Schools superintendent following Manny Arvon’s March retirement.