We are excited to share the following additional leadership announcements for the 2024-2025 school year:
Dr. John Farrelly, Director of Finance
Caroline County Public Schools is delighted to welcome Dr. John Farrelly as the Director of Finance. Dr. Farrelly has over 25 years of administrative experience including having served as a superintendent in the North Carolina Public School system for thirteen years. Dr. Farrelly received his Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership at East Carolina University and has held numerous leadership roles in Special Education, K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, human resources, and school finance.
Dr. Farrelly replaces our outgoing Director following the withdrawal of Ms. Nishawn Lee’s acceptance of the position. We are excited to welcome Dr. Farrelly to our team. His extensive expertise and experience will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of CCPS.
Paige Tucker, Director of Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Paige Tucker as the Director of Human Resources. Ms. Tucker brings over 20 years of diverse educational experience, most recently serving as the Director of Talent Acquisition and Management for Arlington Public Schools. Prior to her work in Arlington, Ms. Tucker honed her HR expertise as the Director of Human Resources for Petersburg City Public Schools. A former teacher, she taught both elementary and middle school English, and worked as a reading specialist in Chesterfield County for over a decade. She also served as Licensure Specialist for the Virginia Department of Education. Ms. Tucker holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s from Longwood University.
Ms. Tucker replaces our outgoing Director of Human Resources Karen Foster and joins our team ready to support and develop the employees of CCPS.
Dr. Thomas Connolly, Principal
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Connolly has been named Principal of Caroline High School. Dr. Connolly joined the Cavaliers as Assistant Principal in 2022. Prior to joining CCPS, he had 17 years of educational experience as a social studies teacher, Assessment and Analysis Specialist, Instructional Technology Coordinator and Assistant Principal in Louisa and Dinwiddie Counties.
He earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters in the Art of Teaching degrees from James Madison University and his Post-Master’s Certificate in Administration and Supervision and Doctorate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Connolly will step into the role of CHS principal, replacing Josh Just who will become the Principal at Caroline Middle School. They will both begin in their new leadership positions on July 1, 2024.
April Page, Assistant Principal
We are pleased to announce that Mrs. April Prentiss Page has been named Assistant Principal for Bowling Green Elementary School. Mrs. Page has worked as an educator for 18 years, serving as an elementary school teacher, a reading coach at Madison Elementary School, a CCPS summer school coordinator, and most recently, the Administrative Intern at BGES for the 2023-2024 school year.
Mrs. Page earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from Clark Atlanta University, Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Averett University and Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Supervision from the University of Richmond.
Committed to students and staff, Mrs. Page brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into her new role. She is replacing Parish Talley who is transitioning into another educational endeavor.
Dr. Jamie Harnden, Assistant Principal
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jamie Harnden will be joining Caroline High School as an Assistant Principal. Dr. Harnden graduated from Coastal Carolina University with her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. She received her Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in Educational Leadership and Administration and proceeded to earn her Doctoral of Education in Administration and Policy Studies from George Washington University.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Harnden served as an Assistant Principal at Caroline Middle School after serving as an administrative intern and science teacher at CMS. Before coming to Caroline County Public Schools, Dr. Harnden worked for Hanover County Public Schools for 15 years as a teacher facilitating professional learning communities, developing science curricula, and mentoring teachers. Dr. Harnden is replacing Ashley Ward who is transitioning into a new educational endeavor.
Michael Williams, Private Day/ Residential Coordinator
Caroline County Public Schools is pleased to welcome Mr. Michael Williams as the Private Day/ Residential Coordinator. Prior to joining our team, Mr. Williams served as the Regional Education Director at the Alternative Paths Training School in Fredericksburg. His experience also includes serving as an Educational Supervisor and a Special Education Teacher at the Alternative Path Training School in Manassas and as a Special Education teacher for Richmond City Public Schools.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Seton Hall University and his Masters of Education in Special Education from Virginia State University. He also earned his Graduate Certification in Supervision and Administration from George Mason University. Mr. Williams replaces Lynn Wingfield who is transitioning into a new educational endeavor.
