SR 172

Commending Jared A. Cotton, Ed.D.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, Jared A. Cotton, Ed.D., the superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools, who has admirably led the district for the past eight years, will retire on July 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Jared Cotton began his career in education in 1997 as an instructional technology specialist with Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) and rose through the ranks to serve as an assistant principal, principal, and director of assessment and accountability; and
WHEREAS, after serving as the associate superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and superintendent of Henry County Public Schools, Jared Cotton returned to CPS as superintendent in 2018; and
WHEREAS, as superintendent of CPS, Jared Cotton works tirelessly to ensure the more than 40,000 students in the district's schools have the guidance, resources, and assistance they need to excel both in and out of the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Jared Cotton has spearheaded a number of efforts to enhance CPS's ability to educate students and serve families, including the development of the district's new strategic plan, Empower 2025, and the implementation of the Leadership and Learning Framework, which improved instructional practices at all levels; and
WHEREAS, Jared Cotton has embraced technology and innovation to create high-quality virtual learning opportunities for CPS students, including by transitioning the district to a one-to-one device program and launching the Chesapeake Virtual Academy; and
WHEREAS, during Jared Cotton's tenure, CPS had the honorable distinction of becoming the first school district in the Commonwealth to have each of its schools receive the Virginia Purple Star Designation from the Department of Education, a testament to the district's steadfast support of military families under his leadership; and
WHEREAS, with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the students, teachers, and families he serves, Jared Cotton has embodied the ideals of the education profession and made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Jared A. Cotton, Ed.D., superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jared A. Cotton, Ed.D., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his contributions to Chesapeake and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.