Abingdon, VA - Washington County Public Schools has named Dr. Keith Perrigan as its new superintendent during the school board meeting held on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Effective July 1, 2023, Dr. Perrigan will assume his new role in the district. Currently serving as the superintendent of Bristol City Public Schools, Dr. Perrigan has more than 27 years of experience in education, having previously held positions as a principal, assistant principal, and classroom teacher. In 2022, he was named Region VII Superintendent of the Year.
Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Perrigan said, “I am extremely humbled and blessed to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Washington County Public Schools. I will greatly miss the Board, students, staff, and community in Bristol and will always be grateful for the time I have spent there. However, I am thankful that the Washington County School Board has chosen me to lead the school division that raised me as a student, as a teacher, as an administrator, and as a professional. I owe so much to Washington County and can’t wait to give back to the division that poured into me during my formative years." Throughout his career, Dr. Perrigan has achieved remarkable success and accomplishments, including founding the 80-member Coalition of Small and Rural Schools of Virginia, beginning construction on the first new school in Bristol in 50 years, and leading innovative initiatives such as full-service school-based health clinics and Virtual Reality labs.
Dr. Lee Brannon, chair of the Washington County School Board, believes that Dr. Perrigan's experience and leadership will make him an excellent addition to the division. "His commitment to student achievement and his proven record of promoting the school division that he serves, makes him an excellent choice for our school district. We look forward to working with him and continuing our commitment to the students, staff and community in Washington county."
Dr. Perrigan earned his Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech, a Master of Education in educational leadership from Radford University, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from The University of Virginia at Wise. He is married to Amy Addison Perrigan, and they have 2 children, and 5 grandchildren.
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) assisted the school board with the superintendent search process.
The Washington County School Board is looking forward to Dr. Perrigan's leadership and vision in furthering the district's mission to provide a high-quality education for all students.
About Washington County Public Schools
The Washington County School System is home to over 6,750 students learning in 15 locations at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels. In addition, there is a career and technical center that offers students the opportunity to explore and develop skills that lead to gainful employment in the workforce. These individual schools have all achieved state accreditation and have all made adequate yearly progress. Approximately 670 professional staff and 355 support staff are employed to lead a school system that is "Committed to the Success of Every Student."