Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent announces resignation

WASHINGTON - Fairfax County Public Schools' superintendent announced her resignation Monday.

Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza has been with the system for more than three years. She is leaving the job on or before Dec. 16, 2016 for a job as the president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, a not-for-profit education organization based out of Columbus, Ohio.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served this world class school system since June 2013. It has been an honor and privilege to have worked with the dedicated and professional staff who make FCPS the finest school system in the country," Garza said in a statement that was released Monday.

Dr. Garza is the first woman superintendent in the school system's history. Dr. Garza has worked closely with the School Board to implement many innovative initiatives in FCPS during her tenure. She also led the implementation of later start times in FCPS, benefiting more than 57,000 high school students and representing more than 30 percent of the FCPS student population.

"The School Board is extremely sorry to lose Dr. Garza, but is very grateful for her leadership since 2013. We wish her the very best in her next endeavor," School Board Chair Sandy Evans said in a statement on Monday.

The school board will soon name an interim superintendent and in the coming weeks will provide details regarding a search process, said Evans.