Dr. Catherine Magouyrk, associate superintendent at the Douglas County School System in Georgia, will replace outgoing Manassas City Schools superintendent  Gail Pope.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the appointment at the start of their meeting Tuesday night.

"She [Magouyrk] has a passion for education, and a passion for kids," said School Board Member Kermit Dance.

The rest of the board agreed that Magouyrk's passion is not unlike that of Pope. Dance also said that Magouyrk sees no reason for students not to succeed, no matter what their life situation is.

Board member Pamela Sebesky said that Magouyrk is very technology savvy—a quality they had stressed during the search for a new superintendent.

"We didn't enter into this decision lightly," said School Board Vice Chair Art Bushnell. He also added that they were lucky to have a very impressive pool of candidates to chose from.

Bushnell and the rest of the school board members each thanked Pope for her service to the school system, and expressed their hope that Magouyrk will bring just as much positive change, if not more.

"When Dr. Pope came here we were extremely challenged. We needed curriculum leadership," Bushnell said.

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