Ryan Sawyers, chairman of the Prince William County School Board, has resigned.
Sawyers announced the news on Facebook this morning.
“I am honored and humbled to have been able to serve my community and to have met so many great teachers, neighbors, counselors, bus drivers, and community activists,” he wrote in the Facebook post.
In a letter he wrote to Vice Chairman Lillie Jessie, Sawyers wrote that he is choosing to resign because of “personal and professional reasons.”
He also listed several accomplishments the board has made since he began his position in January 2016.
Protecting the LGBTQ community, recognizing an African-American war hero, and directing a plan that aims to remove classroom trailers at county schools were among the achievements he mentioned.
“Thank you for your time in working to accomplish these goals in only two years,” Sawyers wrote.
Sawyers graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s in business administration. He received his master’s in athletic coaching education from West Virginia University later on.
The former chairman lives with his wife, Jaime, and their children, Brady and Chelsea, in Gainesville.
Sawyers owns a sports marketing company that runs sports camps across the country. He serves as the president of Bull Run Little League, as well.
Jessie will perform the chairman’s duties until the School Board appoints an Interim Chairman, according to a release from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
The Chairman is responsible for leading meetings and signing legal documents that the board approves.
The Board Clerk is accepting applications for the position.
An Interim Chairman must be appointed within 45 days. If the position is not filled within that time frame, the Circuit Court will choose an appointee.
The Interim Chairman will perform all Chairman duties until the position is filled in November, when a special vote takes place.
County residents who are qualified voters can apply.
Those interested in being considered for the position, must submit their resumés to the Clerk by March 17.
