Dr. Ben Copeland to Serve as Interim Superintendent After Dr. Crystal Edwards’ Early Retirement
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Lynchburg City School Board approved Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) Superintendent Crystal Edwards’ request to accelerate her retirement date to become effective on Friday, Oct. 18. The Board appointed Dr. Ben Copeland to serve as Interim Superintendent starting on Monday, Oct. 21.
“The time is right, and we have the right people in place to guide Lynchburg City Schools toward its bright future. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served the students, staff, and families of LCS, and I will always cherish the memories and accomplishments we have shared,” Dr. Edwards said.
Dr. Copeland’s history with LCS runs deep. He previously served as Deputy Superintendent from 2018-20, and before that, he was the LCS Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Administration from 2012-18.
Dr. Copeland has a proven track record of stellar leadership and 15 years of experience in educational administration. Currently, he serves as a founding partner and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Trident Services, LLC., providing day support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has served as the CFO for the Virginia Episcopal School, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Piedmont Virginia Community College, and Chief Auxiliary Services Officer for the Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas. He also served 21 years as an officer in the U. S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2009 before transitioning into the world of education.
He has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in healthcare policy and administration from Mercer University, a master’s degree in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Lynchburg.
Dr. Copeland was born and raised in South Carolina, and has lived in Lynchburg since 2012. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two adult children, Jami and Sarah, who are both graduates of LCS.
"I am honored to be returning to Lynchburg City Schools to help during this important transition. While the search for a permanent leader continues, I am committed to ensuring stability and progress, working alongside our incredible staff and community to maintain the momentum in our schools and create a bright future for every student,” Dr. Copeland said.
The Ad Hoc Superintendent Search Committee continues to work toward identifying and vetting candidates to replace Dr. Edwards.