Roanoke County Public Schools superintendent announces retirement after 35-year career in education
Roanoke, Virginia – Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely revealed he will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The decision marks the close of a remarkable 35-year career in education, including 33 years of committed service to Roanoke County. Dr. Nicely’s tenure has been defined by innovation, instructional leadership, and a deeply rooted dedication to student success and educator support.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I have had with Roanoke County Public Schools and could not be prouder of the incredible team we have developed,” Dr. Nicely said. “Together we have accomplished much, but it is the joy of working with students and seeing the difference our staff makes for children every day that I treasure most.”
The Roanoke County School Board will initiate a search for Dr. Nicely’s successor in the coming weeks.
A Career Dedicated to Transformation and Impact
Dr. Nicely began his journey in Roanoke County Public Schools in 1993 as a Spanish teacher at Cave Spring High School. He was honored with the 2001 Virginia Foreign Language Excellence in Teaching Award before stepping into administrative roles. Over the years, he served as assistant principal and principal at Hidden Valley Middle School, where he led the school to earn national recognition as a “School to Watch.” He then advanced into district-level leadership, ultimately becoming superintendent in 2018.
Before his tenure in Roanoke, Dr. Nicely and his wife served in Nicaragua, founding an international school that continues to thrive, showcasing his lifelong commitment to global education and community building.
Pioneering the C-Change Vision
Dr. Nicely’s hallmark contribution to Roanoke County Public Schools is the C-Change Framework, a vision centered on “deeper learning” that empowers students to be both academically strong and emotionally supported. Under his guidance, the division’s educational philosophy shifted toward making students “Opportunity Ready,” preparing them for real-world pathways through knowledge, skills, and essential habits of mind.
His drive to ensure this vision translated into action resulted in key initiatives like student-led conferences and senior portfolio defenses. In 2025, more than 300 seniors earned the first Opportunity Ready Graduate diploma seal, and all elementary and middle school students took part in student-led showcases of learning.
The framework earned statewide acclaim, receiving one of the first Innovative Practice Exemplar Awards from the Virginia Board of Education. Roanoke County’s inclusion in the 2025 Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High Schools Network also underscored Dr. Nicely’s national leadership in education.
Commitment to Safety, Equity, and Educator Support
During his superintendency, Dr. Nicely prioritized the mental and physical safety of students. He introduced licensed mental health counselors at every high school, launched behavioral expectations programs, and added school resource officers to every campus. A new alternative education initiative (A-STEP) gave struggling students a second chance to succeed and earn diplomas.
He was also a champion for educators, implementing competitive salaries, restoring full-time school nurses, and introducing Virginia’s first PTO benefit for staff in 2024. His leadership helped the district receive accolades for hiring and retaining teachers, and he created an annual convocation to unite and celebrate faculty across the district’s 27 schools.
Transforming Infrastructure and Building a Lasting Foundation
Dr. Nicely oversaw major renovations to Cave Spring and William Byrd High Schools and led planning for the district’s most ambitious capital project yet — a new CTE school and the full renovation of two elementary schools. His facility modernization efforts reflect a long-term investment in student success and learning environments.
A Recognized Leader and Advocate
Throughout his career, Dr. Nicely served on various boards and taught at multiple universities. He earned several prestigious honors, including the Virginia Region VI Superintendent of the Year award in 2025.
Shelley Clemons, chair of the Roanoke County School Board, expressed gratitude on behalf of the division: “Roanoke County Public Schools is among the top school divisions in the state and the nation. Much of that success is directly due to Dr. Nicely’s vision and his leadership.”
As Dr. Nicely prepares for retirement, his legacy leaves a strong foundation for the future of Roanoke County students and educators alike.
