Former FCPS Superintendent Robert 'Bud' Spillane Dead at 80

By ETHAN LEVINE (Patch Staff)

Former Fairfax County Superintendent Robert R. “Bud” Spillane, who headed Fairfax County Public Schools for 12 years from 1985-97, died July 18 in Boston, according to The Washington Post.

Spillane died of pulmonary disease, his family told the Post. He was 80.

Spillane came to FCPS after he “rescued” Boston’s troubled school system, states, the Post, and Fairfax County schools rose in prominence nationally during his tenure.

In Spillane’s 12 years, Fairfax County Public Schools saw the percentage of its students going to college increase from 79 percent to 84 percent, according to the Post, while the proportion of high school students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses rose from 13 percent to 21 percent.

Spillane is also credited with starting the school system’s night classes for immigrant students.

Spillane is survived by his wife of 58 years, Geraldine Shea Spillane, of Pawcatuck, Conn.; and four children: Patricia McGrath, of New York City; Robert Spillane Jr., of Ormond Beach, Florida.; Kathleen Orsi, of Oak Hill; and Maura Francis, of South Riding.