Top Va. Education Official to Resign

Governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) announced today that Virginia's top education official is resigning after two years on the job.

Billy K. Cannaday Jr. will step down as Virginia's superintendent of public instruction on Sept. 30 to become dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia.

Kaine praised Cannaday's service as "exemplary," saying he helped expand access to pre-school and improve career and technical education.

Cannaday was not immediately available for comment. He was appointed by Kaine in April, 2006, after leading the Chesterfield school system in suburban Richmond since 2000. The Roanoke native was the first African American to lead the state's Department of Education.