Hanover appoints two new faces to its School Board

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two new members were appointed to the Hanover County School Board on Wednesday, including a former superintendent who left his role amid significant controversy.

On Wednesday, May 28, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint William Sroufe and Frank E. Shelp to the county's school board. They will represent the Cold Harbor and South Anna school districts, respectively.

Sroufe will replace Steven Ikenberry and Frank Shelp will replace Robert May when their terms end on June 30.

According to the county, Sroufe is a retired educator and the Community Partnerships Director for a Prince William County nonprofit, Action in Community Through Service (ACTS). He previously served as the superintendent of both Colonial Heights Public Schools and Patrick County Public Schools. He has also been a principal and a teacher.

Sroufe's tenure at Colonial Heights Public Schools ended suddenly in 2023 after an emergency meeting was held to discuss his "performance." School administration at the time was accused of mishandling allegations that then-police chief Jeff Faries, in his role as girls' softball coach, was inappropriately touching students.

William Sroufe. (Photo: Hanover County Government)

Frank E. Shelp. (Photo: Hanover County Government)

“I wanted to use my 27 years in education and contribute to my community,” Sroufe said in a Hanover press release. “I ran two successful school districts and wanted to use that experience in Hanover.”

Shelp is a psychiatrist who is currently serving as the senior medical director of Centene Corporation and the remote medical director for Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services. He is also faculty at four medical schools and two nursing schools, the county said.

“I am a lifetime learner, student and teacher,” Shelp said in the release. “I look forward to serving on the School Board to share my experience and continue to learn and grow myself. Our future depends on maintaining an educated populace, and this appointment is an honor and a privilege.”

Hanover is one of the few Virginia localities whose school board members are appointed by a local governing body rather than selected by voters. This is something that has been subject to controversy in the past, particularly after the school board gave itself the power to ban books in 2023.