FCPS Administrator Chosen As Next Fairfax City Schools Superintendent

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — City of Fairfax School Board has tapped Jeff Platenberg to succeed Dr. Phyllis Pajardo as the next superintendent of the city's school system, according to a release. Platenberg is currently the assistant superintendent for facilities and transportation services for Fairfax County Public Schools.

“Jeff Platenberg brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge of facilities, school renovations and budget leadership to the City of Fairfax Schools,” said Carolyn Pitches, City of Fairfax School Board chairwoman,in a release. “I look forward to working with him as we seek to modernize our facilities and increase opportunities for all of our city school students.”

FCPS will be inducting Platenberg into its Hall of Fame this month in recognition to his years of service to the county. He will take over the roll of as the city's new superintendent in July, following Pajardo's departure on June 30.

The city school board started looking for its next superintendent after Pajardo announced her retirement in March.

Former Superintendent Ann Monday oversaw the hiring process. She used feedback from the board and information gathered through stakeholder interviews and surveys to identify what traits and experience the city was looking for in its next superintendent. These included an understanding of the city's relationship with FCPS and someone who was forward-thinking and knew facilities management.

Before coming to FCPS, Platenberg served in administrative rolls overseeing support services at Loudoun County Public Schools, Savannah-Chatham County (Ga.) Public Schools, and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools. He also was the assistant superintendent for accountability and information communication technologies for Lexington County School District One in Lexington, South Carolina.

In addition, Platenberg is a licensed general contractor and has been certified as a facility planner by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. He is also a registered school business official and registered administrator by the Virginia Association of School Business Officials and the Association of School Business Officials International, respectively.

Platenberg received Outstanding Performance Awards from both FCPS and the Richland County School District One Chairman. He also received the Association of School Business Officials International Eagle Award in 2012, as well as the 2013 Education Week Leader to Learn From, and the 2015 Bammy Award Recipient.

Platenberg earned a bachelor of public administration from George Mason University and a master's of human resource development from Webster University, according to a release. He has an academic certification in educational facility planning from San Diego State University.