The Essex County School Board is seeking to appoint a candidate from the Central
Voting District to serve out a resigning member’s term on the School Board. If
interested, please submit a letter of interest and resume to:
Sharon Saunders, Clerk
Essex County School Board
P.O. Box 756
Tappahannock, VA 22560
or
Email to ssaunders@essex.k12.va.us.
Deadline to submit is June 27, 2025.
There will be a Special Called meeting of the Essex County School Board on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Essex County School Board Office Complex.
Rashaad Pitt joins Essex County Public Schools as the 2025-2026 EHS Principal. A native of New York, Mr. Pitt began his journey in education in 2006 as a passionate history teacher with Petersburg City Public Schools. Over the past 19 years, he has brought his deep commitment to student growth and equity to a variety of educational settings, including Chesterfield County Public Schools, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Hampton City Schools, Charlottesville City Schools, and Richmond Public Schools. His educational experience includes
roles such as teacher, middle school success coordinator, high school dean of students, and career academy principal. Most recently, Mr. Pitt served as an assistant principal with Richmond Public Schools, where he focused on cultivating a strong school culture, implementing restorative practices, and
supporting educator development. Prior to that, he served as principal of Charlottesville High School, leading school-wide efforts in instruction, equity, and community engagement.
Mr. Pitt is a seasoned instructional leader whose areas of expertise include restorative justice, professional development, and community outreach. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Virginia State University, a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
Outside of his school leadership roles, Mr. Pitt is the co-author of Next in Line to Lead: Voices of Assistant Principals and is preparing to release his forthcoming book, Leading Through the Fire: Lessons from a New Administrator’s Journey: A Candid And Practical Guide For Aspiring School Leaders.
While proud of his professional accomplishments, Mr. Pitt finds his greatest joy in the growth of his own children. He is the father of three amazing children—Talia (17), Jayla (15), and Elijah (14)—and, most importantly, the proud husband of fellow educator and life partner, Charmaine.
Dr. Marvin Jones has been appointed as the Superintendent of Schools for Essex County, bringing with him more than 33 years of distinguished service and leadership in public education. A dedicated educator and administrator, Dr. Jones holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University, a Master’s degree in School Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Dr. Jones began his career as an elementary school teacher in
Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he served for eight years before advancing to Vice Principal in Charles County. Over the next 13 years, he held key leadership positions, including serving as Principal at multiple schools and later Executive Director of Schools, where he played a pivotal role in opening Charles County’s newest high school and successfully guiding a middle school through uniquely significant challenges. His exceptional leadership earned him the prestigious James E. Richmond Leadership in Excellence Award in 2019.
Prior to his appointment in Essex County Public Schools, Dr. Jones served as Chief of Schools for Charles County Public Schools, overseeing the daily operations of 43 schools, county-wide extracurricular programs, and critical departments such as School Safety and Security, Student Engagement and Conduct, and Community Engagement and Equity.
Recognized for his motivational speaking and commitment to equity, he was featured in African American Pride Magazine (2019) for his contributions to education. As Superintendent, Dr. Jones is committed to advancing Essex County’s “Pathways to Excellence” vision, ensuring the district reaches new heights in academic achievement and operational quality. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and a devoted husband and father of three.
Announcement
A Special Called Closed Session School Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Essex County School Board Office.
Teacher Appreciation Week at Essex High School was a wonderful success. Thanks to generous community donations and the hard work of the EHS Sunshine Committee, our teachers felt truly celebrated—and thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.
Congratulations to the EHS Class of 2025!!!
EHS Decision Day for May 1st has been moved to the EHS Gym.
Updated Senior Events for EHS!
🚍 Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚍
Thank you to our amazing bus drivers for keeping our students safe and smiling every day. We appreciate all you do! 💛
Decision Day for the Class of 2025 is on Thursday, May 1st from 1pm-3pm on the EHS Football Field. It is a celebratory event for the seniors, and it is known as the day to officially commit to the college or university they plan to attend. There will be food, music, games, and more!
📸 Sports Picture Day is Coming! 🏅
We’re excited to announce that Strawbridge Studios will be at our school on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, to take sports, team, and individual pictures! Parents and guardians — don’t forget to mark your calendars! Check out the attached poster for more details.
EHS Newsletter April 2025
Class of '25 Important Dates...
🎉 Happy Assistant Principal Week! 🎉
This week, we want to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of our Assistant Principals. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our students and school community don't go unnoticed.
Thank you for everything you do! 💙
Congratulations to Abbie Adams and Paris Bacon from Essex High School! They have received scholarships from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Pam Floyd, a member of the school board, and Jonathan Scott, Principal of Essex High School, were also present. We celebrate these students' achievements and wish them success in college.
Class of 2025! Important events and dates for current seniors!
🎯 Special Announcements Regarding " Special Education Grant Application and Plan"
If the public would like to review and/or give comments to the 2025-2026 Essex County Public School Special Education Grant Application and Plan, they may do so from Monday, April 7-11, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the School Board Office, located at 109 N. Cross Street, Tappahannock, VA 22560.
If accommodations are needed, please call Ms. Sharon Saunders at 804-443-4366.
Attention EHS Families! 📢
The Spring 2025 SOL Testing Schedule is here! Please take note of the following important dates:
📅 April 29 – World History I, World History II, & VA/US History
📅 April 30 – Reading
📅 May 7 – Biology & Chemistry
📅 May 8 – Algebra 1, Algebra 2, & Geometry
✅ Make sure students are well-rested, arrive on time, and are prepared for testing!
For more information regarding SOLs, please reach out to your student’s teacher. Thank you for supporting our students!
Doughnut Fundraiser
