Honored Namesakes
James Robert Butler
In 1981, Mr. Butler became the first African American in Albemarle County to be elected to the County Board of Supervisors where he was a champion for establishing fair and equitable teacher salaries. He was a strong advocate for quality education in Albemarle County schools as well as for voter rights and voter registration.
He worked tirelessly to ensure that the Supervisors would represent all members of the Albemarle community. Mr. Butler also played a vital role in the establishment of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center. He was the first African American Executive Director of an Extension Service office in Virginia.
John Edward Baker
Following a distinguished and decorated military career, Mr. Baker began his service to the children and the Albemarle County community as an appointed at-large member of the School Board from 1984-87 and as a member of the first elected School Board from 1995-99. Mr. Baker served for 2 years as School Board Chairman.
His focus on quality of instruction, effective teacher recruiting, and, professional development of strong teachers, led him to introduce a mentoring program for new teachers to ensure their efficient orientation and success in schools.