Charlottesville City Schools has named two current staff members to leadership roles in the division administration. 

Amanda Korman Simalchik is now serving as the division’s Supervisor of Community Relations, supporting a strong relationship between the school division and the community through communications, marketing, and public relations. And, on July 1, Rodney Jordan will become the division’s Director of Facilities Operations, overseeing safety, security, and custodial services across the division’s 11 schools.

“Charlottesville City Schools aims to attract top talent to our division, and I am pleased that for these leadership roles we found that talent in our ranks,” said Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley. “Staff and families already know the fine work of Ms. Simalchik and Mr. Jordan, and I am confident of their success in these new roles.”

Amanda Korman Simalchik, Supervisor of Community Relations

Amanda Korman Simalchik began the role of Supervisor of Community Relations in February, succeeding Beth Cheuk. Previously, Simalchik served as the division’s Community Relations Coordinator since 2021. Jointly with Ms. Cheuk, Simalchik received the National School Public Relations Association’s 2023 Gold Medallion Award. 

As Supervisor of Community Relations, Simalchik will be responsible for implementing the division’s communications plan, including regularly sharing CCS’s accomplishments, engaging the community in its decision-making, and building public support for its initiatives. 

Simalchik started her career as a journalist and then served in nonprofit communications at The Women’s Initiative, a mental health agency in Charlottesville. She graduated cum laude from Williams College and received her MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of Virginia.

Replacing Simalchik in the role of Community Relations Coordinator is John Shifflett, previously the sports editor of The Daily Progress.

Rodney Jordan, Director of Facilities Operations

Rodney Jordan will become the division’s first Director of Facilities Operations after serving as principal of Charlottesville Middle School (formerly Buford) since 2021. Under his leadership, the middle school gained full accreditation in 2024-25 and came out of federal identification status in 2025-26. In 2025, Jordan was nominated for Most Outstanding Virginia Middle School Principal while leading Charlottesville Middle School during its three-year, $91.1 million renovation. 

As Director of Facilities Operations, Jordan will lead the development and maintenance of the safety and security plans and training for all schools; serve as the designated Emergency Manager for the school division; and coordinate efforts for safe, structured, and supportive school environments. In addition, he will manage the custodial services program to maintain staffing, standards, and safety.

Prior to coming to Charlottesville City Schools, Jordan served as an assistant principal in Fairfax County, and was a teacher in Northern Virginia and New York. He received Most Outstanding Teacher honors in both 2010 and 2011, and has earned certifications and degrees from James Madison University (School Administration and Supervision K-12 certificate), George Mason University (M. Ed.), and Norfolk State University (B.S.).

Jordan will be succeeded in the role of CMS principal by Dr. Summerlyn Thompson, currently principal of Walker Upper Elementary School.