Longtime 6th District representative Shonda Harris-Muhammed will resign from Richmond’s elected board to serve as acting superintendent of another school division — although she did not disclose where.
Harris-Muhammed announced her exit during the close of Tuesday’s work session, adding that the Dec. 2 meeting was “most likely” her last. She called the move “bittersweet.”
“I have reflected on the contributions that I have made as a school board member and as a community leader, and the door has opened for me to move into the next season of my professional life, and I’m going to take it because I deserve it,” she said.
During her three terms on the board, Harris-Muhammed has advocated for Richmond Public Schools staff and teachers through collective bargaining agreements, literacy investments and the district’s long-delayed facilities improvements.
“Welcome to the club,” Superintendent Jason Kamras said to Harris-Muhammed before the two hugged.
Harris-Muhammed has been critical of the Kamras administration in the past. In May, she opposed the renewal of his $275,000 contract, casting the lone “no” vote.
At the time, she said she had not felt or seen major progress made for all RPS students, especially those attending schools attending schools in her district: Martin Luther King, Jr. preschool and middle schools, Oak Grove–Bellemeade and Overby-Sheppard elementary schools, and Virgie Binford Education Center in the Richmond Juvenile Detention Home.
Last budget cycle, Harris-Muhammed advocated for a $1.2 million HVAC replacement at Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool, which was ultimately not included in the district’s capital improvement plan.
Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez praised her outgoing colleague’s advocacy, saying Harris-Muhammed always showed up as her “authentic self.”
Harris-Muhammed also said Tuesday that she will serve on Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi’s transition team.
“I may not be in this seat, but know that I will be championing all of Richmond City Public Schools from the transition committee that I’ve been appointed to by the Lieutenant Governor-elect, as well as in my new role as the acting superintendent,” she said.
Harris-Muhammed’s departure triggers the standard vacancy procedure under Virginia Code, which gives the board up to 45 days to appoint an interim who lives in the 6th District, followed by a special election.
The board did not discuss next steps during Tuesday’s meeting, but it will meet again in the new year.
