Civil Municipal Magazine - Dec 2023

333 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12 SUFFOLK PUBL IC SCHOOL DISTRICT 30% Caucasian, 6% Hispanic, 6 % Bi-Racial and a 15% special education population. With such a large range of experiences to consider, the district prioritizes honoring its students’ diverse perspectives. “I have a superintendent roundtable where before I make a major announcement or decision… I always want to make sure that the student voice is a part of it because they’re the ones who are actually going through it,” Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III says. To that end, leaders within the school district always try to identify or create incentives for students to play a more active role in their education. The Suffolk Public School District has managed to execute this vision with incredible efficiency. It stands as a haven where students, teachers, and administrators work collaboratively with shared goals. Established in 1974 through the consolidation of Nansemond County and Suffolk City, this educational bastion has been sculpting young minds and enriching the community fabric for almost 50 years. Its journey toward excellence is marked by a dedication to diversity and providing equitable opportunities for every student to succeed. A Student First Philosophy With approximately 14,280 students, the Suffolk student body includes a 56% African-American,